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Matt Barnes[1] born Matthew Richard Barnes in Ellwood City [2], Pennsylvania on November 30th, is a nationally recognized academic champion. Barnes experienced a quick rise in academic fame in the year 2010, when he competed in the Academic Games Leagues of America, or AGLOA, National Tournament. Matt defeated everyone in the nation (grades 9-12) in the Presidents Competition, while only in ninth grade. Although he had his protest about a question denied, he was still able to hold on and take first place. He also competed in the World Events Competition. Currently, he competes in the Junior Division. The Junior Division is grades 9-10. He won the Junior Division by 18 points, and also beat everyone in grades 9-12. In just a little over a year of learning about these competitions, he had competed in, and won, both Social Studies events, something that, according to AGLOA'S website, hasn't been done in recent memory.
Barnes is the first student from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania to win an AGLOA National Title. On May 17, 2010, he was awarded a commendation from Ellwood City Mayor Tony Court for his accomplishments and successes. Barnes was also awarded a citation from Pennsylvania State Representative Jaret Gibbons and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The citation contained the signatures of Gibbons, Speaker of the House Keith R. Mccall, and the head clerk of the house. Along with these citation's, Barnes was the subject of numerous articles in the Ellwood City Ledger. On June 10, 2010, write Eric Poole wrote an editorial on history in schools entitled "History Gets Little Respect in Classroom." In the editorial, Poole points out how history is so often set aside to other subjects. Poole reflects on Barnes' accomplishments and discusses points Barnes made about the importance of history in not just school, but in society itself. In the interview, Barnes says, "knowledge of the past lends context to the present." Putting this in more simple terms, Barnes says, "If you better understand what happened before you, you will understand the present better, and a better understanding of the present will lead to a brighter future."