Student of the Week: Paiton Kelly

Paiton Kelly

Sophomore

Mat-Su Central School

MAT-SU — Paiton Kelly is a sparring gold medal winner in the 2011 Pan American Open Championships (G-1) in Las Vegas Oct. 7-9. Officially sanctioned by the World Taekwondo Federation, Paiton trains at Primal Martial Arts in Wasilla.

Her coaches, Jay Shearer and Lisa McConarty, say, “We are so proud of how far Paiton has come in such a short time.”

At the Pan American Championship, Sherman Nelson, Team USA coach from Washington, D.C., coached Paiton. In the Pan Am Open, there were about 800 athletes from 17 countries. As a former national champion, collegiate and national team member, Nelson is at the forefront of the development of Taekwondo athletes.

Kelly’s parents said they are extremely proud of her accomplishments, on and off the mat.

“Paiton wants to participate in the Early College Alaska program that the district is putting into place,” said her mother, Brook Kelly, principal at Goose Bay Elementary School.

Paiton’s father, Jason, along with her mother, attended the Pan Am Open with her.

“She wants to major in psychology in college and work in helping others as a career,” Brook Kelly said.

Paiton is a focused young woman, keen in her abilities and skills, and eager to continue pursuing her life dreams.

Congratulations to Paiton Kelly, the MSBSD Student of the Week.