ACES Faces Feature: Meet DJ
From the first day he walked into ACES, Dynsaiah, or DJ as his friends know him, made it clear he was ready to play ball, and not just on the basketball court. Whether he’s mastering Math or stepping up as a leader among his peers, DJ shows up with curiosity, confidence, and a contagious smile that lights up the room.
Bringing the Energy
DJ’s favorite part of ACES? “Probably the activities that we do,” he says with a grin in his voice. That enthusiasm shines through in everything he does, from creative projects to pick-up games in the gym. One highlight? “Probably when we did the golf unit,” DJ recalls. “Working together and seeing everybody’s golf projects, and making it was way fun.”
Claire Williams, Program Coordinator at Global Arts Plus where DJ attends ACES, sees that joy and teamwork every day. “DJ has consistently shown that he’s up for a challenge and is a natural leader among his peers. His kind heart and light-hearted nature make him incredibly easy to get along with and a positive presence in any group.”
Doubling Up on Learning
ACES helps students build on what they’re learning in school, and DJ is no exception. “We did ratios (in ACES) and we were doing that in Math, so I got better at it faster because I was doing double,” he explains.
Chase Mielke, one of his Academic Coaches, has been impressed with DJ’s willingness to stretch his skills, “He always brings a lively atmosphere to the room and is confident with interacting with all his classmates and trying new math concepts.”
(Though Chase would like to make one thing crystal clear. “DJ should also know that Mr. Chase owns him in basketball,” he jokes.)
Sports, Fun, and Friendship
From learning about Paralympic sports to diving deeper into football strategy, DJ embraces the sports side of ACES. “Learning about new sports is always good because, like, you really (get to) know what you want to do,” he says. “And keeping the same sport, you can train it so you get really good.”
Off the court, DJ makes sure to let others know what ACES is all about. “After every work time, we go into the gym or go outside or do something fun. We go on field trips…we make stuff.” Would he recommend ACES to a friend? “I think that it’s fun.”
Alex Ho, another of DJ’s Academic Coaches, puts it best, “DJ’s smile and laugh is contagious. His willingness to volunteer to lead his peers is inspiring, and he does it effortlessly. It’s like he has no fear in him when he is presented a challenge.”
Whether it’s tackling a new math problem, making friends, or designing a golf course from scratch, DJ brings leadership, energy, and heart to every play. We’re proud to have DJ on the ACES team, and we can’t wait to see how he keeps leveling up.