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AJ Monelli
AJ is a 15-year-old freshman at Commonwealth Connections Academy (CCA). He lives in Aspers, Pennsylvania. AJ loves chess and sports. He also likes video games and hanging out with friends. His mother tells his story below.
“AJ likes Commonwealth Connections Academy (CCA) because he can work at his own pace and have more time to have fun. He can do his work when he wants and he gets to sleep a little later. He gets to eat whenever he wants and doesn't have to get permission to go to the bathroom or get something to eat or drink. The best thing is he gets a laptop and he can even go to school in his PJ's if he wants.
AJ lives on a mountain so he can go on hikes or go hang out at the creek. He can be on the computer anytime and doesn't have to share a computer room with other kids. He doesn't have to carry a heavy backpack all over the place. He gets more work done and has more time to do other stuff.
AJ holds his own in chess he has played since he was about three. He follows in his father's and brother's footsteps. His oldest brother Chip, older brother Chandler and AJ have been on the top 100 player list for their age since 2004. AJ's brother Chandler was the 2009 PA state chess champion. AJ hopes to beat that one day. He did well last year taking 2nd place in the York White Rose tournament.
As a CCA student, AJ plays sports at a local brick-and-mortar school. He is an accomplished soccer and basketball player. He has played on the Carlisle Christian Academy middle school team since he was in 5th grade and the high school soccer team since he was in 7th grade.
He is a national fine arts scholarship winner. This past summer he competed in Detroit, winning over $3,000 a year in scholarship money for college in photography and poetry.”