From Reading, PA, Jennifer Manta enrolled at PA Distance in the fall of 2016 when she was in middle school. As accomplished tennis players, Jennifer and her sister have a chance to attend class and learn alongside her peers while improving their tennis skills to win championships. As she prepares for her upcoming graduation, Jennifer looks back on what made her time here successful. From excelling in class and skipping a grade, to attending in-person field trips, to having time to play her favorite sport, Jennifer thrived at PA Distance.
Like Jennifer, her two younger siblings Judith (9th grade) and Justin (6th grade) find safety, support, and opportunity at PA Distance.
“We chose PA Distance for multiple reasons,” Jennifer said. “I like the flexibility that PA Distance provides and the responsibility of handling your own schedule. I can practice tennis and go to tournaments without missing school. The teachers are friendly and always eager to help."
While enrolled at PA Distance, Jennifer and her sister aren’t missing out on anything. They are able to practice, compete, and bring home significant wins for their local district’s varsity tennis team. Jennifer explains that because she attends class virtually she has had the opportunity to participate in lengthy tennis practices and travel to faraway matches.
“I wish other people knew that PA Distance enables students to get ahead with their assignments and be able to complete them even when traveling,” she added.
“It is important to have the option to choose a school like PA Distance because students who want to excel in something, like a sport, can have more time to work on it and still be able to complete their assignments,” Jennifer added. “I have played tennis for 12 years and choosing PA Distance enables me to be able to improve my tennis game.”
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Jennifer (left) and her sister, Judith (right) after a tennis match.
In fact, Jennifer and her sister’s improvements led them to the 2021 Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association Tennis Singles and Doubles Flight Tournament where the doubles duo were named County Champions (result bracket here).
“I knew it would be a tough match, but I knew we could do it,” Jennifer explained.
In addition to her tennis skills, Jennifer also improved her public speaking skills and view of the world while at PA Distance. This year, Jennifer and her sister got the opportunity to meet with their local legislators during a trip to the Pennsylvania State Capitol with her teachers and classmates. She met with state Senators and Representatives to discuss her experience at PA Distance and her goals for her future.
“My favorite part about PA Distance is the field trips where I got to meet some awesome people,” Jennifer said.
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Jennifer (far left) and her sister, Judith (right) on the steps of the PA Capitol; Jennifer and Judith on the PA House Floor with Representative Mark Rozzi.
“Jennifer is a student that started working toward her goals in middle school. She successfully enrolled in High School courses while in Middle School.,” her school counselor, Mrs. Mihoreck, explained. “While in high school she not only played tennis and went on many field trips, she took honors-level courses and really succeeded,”
This summer, Jennifer is starting freshman year classes at Pennsylvania State University and plans to major in Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship. She isn't sure if she will pursue professional tennis while at Penn State but knows she wants to be involved in their club tennis team, if not.
“PA Distance has helped me prepare for my future by enabling me to work independently and at my own pace which helped me work hard enough to skip a grade,” Jennifer explained.
“I became interested in becoming financially literate last year in Financial Literacy class, and I am planning on starting multiple businesses as an adult including a Pet Daycare, Home Decor Business, and a Real Estate Business,” she noted.