7th-grader, Layla Paduani Gomez Dreams of Going to the Olympics One Day
Layla Paduani Gomez, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, enrolled at PA Distance Learning Charter School in 2020. She specifically sought out a cyber school option so that she could better pursue her basketball and track and field career.
“I think it’s easier enrolled at PA Distance to be able to participate in the things I love,” Layla explained. “I can get my work done and get help from teachers easily. I find that I have much more time for extracurricular activities than when I was in a brick-and-mortar school.”
“And, when I came to PA Distance, I found that it was organized,” she added. “Honestly, all of the teachers here are focused on every one of the students. If I ask a teacher for help, they immediately help.”
Layla has been interested in track and field since she was 7-years-old. Now, as a professionally trained athlete, she competes in the 100, 200, and 400-meter sprints and the 100, 200, and 400-meter hurdles for a local track club. She trains from late May to August and competes in The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and USA Track & Field (USATF) sanctioned meets throughout the summer including the Junior Olympics & National Championships.
Alongside her coaches and teammates, she prepares for weeks before a big track meet, and training times vary depending on the week. With a volatile training schedule during peak competition seasons, Layla benefits from having a flexible and remote learning option with PA Distance.
“My big goal is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics,” Layla explained. “With PA Distance, I can travel anywhere with my laptop and attend a class wherever I am. It’s easy to do my work when I have time between training or meets.”
In addition to her relationship with her favorite sport, Layla has a really strong relationship with her school counselor, Ms. Harvey. Layla and Ms. Harvey talk almost every day and weekly via a Google Meet video call to stay in touch.
“Ms. Harvey ran track, so we have that in common,” she said. “She encourages me and is super awesome. She is a great counselor. I always ask her for advice on things.”
“Layla is a great student with a positive attitude and great sense of humor! When I learned that she ran track we bonded over our love for the sport,” Ms. Harvey explained. “She always leaves me laughing either through chat or from one of our weekly google meets! Layla has a bright future ahead of her and I am so lucky to be her school counselor!”
We can’t wait to see Layla on the Olympic podium one day.
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About PA Distance Learning Charter School
Since 2004, PA Distance has been providing a welcoming virtual learning environment for students in grades K-12 across Pennsylvania. Students at PA Distance engage in a blended environment that combines “synchronous” and “asynchronous” learning.