PA Cyber's Aaron Kelly goes far on American Idol
PA Cyber junior Aaron Kelly had a great run on American Idol
Kelly "had a blast" on national talent competition where he made the Top 5
American Idol finalist Aaron Kelly probably never met any of the 9,000 other students in his school, but they are proud of his run on this season of American Idol as he stayed in the competition through the top five.
Reuters reported May 5 that “Teenager Aaron Kelly was voted off "American Idol" on Wednesday as the audience ended its love affair with the shy 17-year-old with the big voice. Kelly's rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon" polled the least number of viewer votes after a tough Frank Sinatra-themed week for the five remaining Idols.”
"’I've had a great time. I've had a blast,’ said a clearly shocked Kelly.”
Kelly lives in Sonestown, Pa., a small town west of Scranton, but goes to school in the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School.
High-performing young athletes and artists such as Aaron Kelly would find it physically impossible to keep up with demanding practice, training and performance schedules if they had to sit in a traditional school classroom five days a week, said Dr. Nick Trombetta, CEO of PA Cyber.
Kelly enrolled in PA Cyber as a high school freshman in order to aggressively pursue a career in country music, traveling frequently to places like Nashville and Las Vegas. He mentions cyber school in website videos posted by the American Idol television show.
“I’m actually in cyber school, which is on the computer so it’s at home,” Kelly said in a video. “I’m working so far ahead that I’ll probably be finished pretty soon.”
“This is Aaron’s third year with PA Cyber. I’ve had regular contact with him and his mom. He’s a fine student,” said Bill Haas, Kelly’s instructional supervisor. “Knowing what was ahead of him, Aaron did a significant amount of advance school work in the first part of this year.”
Kelly’s difficult life story touched viewers as his talent carried him through auditions and Hollywood week with Idol. He was adopted by his aunt after his biological parents could not take care of him and his brother.
Kelly previously won Disney World's American Idol Experience. At his young age he is a veteran stage performer who counts among his musical influences Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban. A high school junior who likes to play soccer, he has a pet parrot and recently took up photography as a hobby.
Dr. Trombetta said Aaron Kelly is only one of thousands of PA Cyber students who are chasing their dreams. Other examples are:
- Paul McGill of New York City, a professional dancer and former PA Cyber student who starred in the 2009 remake of the movie “Fame.”
- Alaina Witherel of North Hills, a senior accepted to Baylor University with merit and cheerleading scholarships worth more than $100,000 over four years.
- Madison Stokes of Harrisburg, a 5-year old who completed pre-K and kindergarten in one year, and who plays violin and takes lessons in Spanish, ballet and acting.
- Amy Colalella of Plum, a junior who won the national Miley Cyrus “Are you a superstar?” singing contest with a national recording contract.
- Tyler Lyons of East Stroudsburg , a senior who tours with a New York City-based band called Kelsey and the Chaos.
- Abby Kaufman of York, a fifth grader and gifted program student who is a level 7 gymnast, placing in the top three in national competition.
- Corey Purcell of Whitehall, a senior who takes college classes, plays in an Irish folk band and is an Irish step dancer.
- Rick Mearhoff of Douglasville, a senior who has been taking college courses since he was 15, will graduate this June with two college associate degrees, and tutors his college classmates in math.
PA Cyber is Pennsylvania’s largest and most successful cyber charter school providing a free public education to students from age 4 kindergarten through high school senior. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, PA Cyber serves 9,000 students from every part of Pennsylvania.
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