McKenzie Jones, of Highspire, PA, began her educational career at PA Distance when she was in 7th-grade. Upon her arrival, McKenzie felt right at home. 

“I wasn’t getting the help that I needed at my old school,” she said. “At PA Distance, the teachers welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home.” 

As a senior graduating this spring, McKenzie has already committed to attend Millersville University to major in Psychology. After earning her undergraduate degree, she also plans on returning to earn a master’s degree on a path to become a licensed Psychologist. 

“The human mind has always fascinated me and how it affects the rest of the body,” she said. “I’ve also always had a soft spot for kids,” she explained and hopes to focus her studies, and future career, on child psychology. 

Unsurprisingly, McKenzie’s favorite class at PA Distance is AP Psychology with Miss Petraglia. She also enjoys science and has gravitated towards those classes throughout the years, including biology, anatomy, and physiology. 

In addition to her core classes, McKenzie is also involved in after-school clubs like Student Leadership and Social Justice League. She has served as the former Vice President and President of Student Leadership and now contributes as a general member. 

“As a club, we collaborate a lot with teachers and create new things to help the school,” she said. “It’s taught me a lot of leadership skills, teamwork, and how to make my voice heard.”

“I think my roles in Student Leadership have helped me develop skills that I will need in the future,” she added.  

In her free time, Mckenzie also works part-time as a Retail Area Coordinator at Chocolate World in Hershey, PA. Since starting as an attendant for retail in January 2020, Mckenzie has gotten a promotion to her current position and gained valuable real-world experience. 

“My job has taught me a lot, but most of all, responsibility,” she explained. 

Although Mckenzie is excited to graduate and begin a new chapter in life, she looks back on her time at PA Distance fondly and will miss her teachers, counselors and classmates. She noted that even though she and her classmates interact virtually, they still have the opportunity to form friendships and then meet, in person, on field trips and school-sponsored events. 

“I have met so many people through PA Distance,” she said. “I met one of my best friends here and we still stay in contact today with her being away at college.”

“We got to meet in person at the End of Year Celebration at Hershey Park a few years ago,” she said. “I got to meet some of my teachers, too, which was amazing,”

“I talk to my counselor, Mrs. Mihoreck, on the phone all the time,” she said. “I’ll also G-chat my teachers a lot to talk about classwork and personal stuff, too.”

“There’s a real family atmosphere here,” she said, of PA Distance. “Everyone is encouraged to voice their opinions and reach out for help.” 

“I’ve formed once in a lifetime relationships with all of my teachers during my time at PA Distance,” she explained.

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Do you have a story to tell about PA Distance? To be featured on our blog, website, and social media, contact Kelsey Holsinger at kelsey.holsinger@padistance.org.