Grandparents Day was a meaningful time of celebration, from joyful performances to time spent together afterward, the morning was filled with memorable moments that highlighted the strength and love within our school community. A special thank you to PCA Grandparents, Dr. Terry and Nancy Johnson who closed our time together praying over our students.

As always we want to thank our Lower School Music Teacher, Pam Hall, who planned and executed an amazing and memorable event!

Mrs. Rhodes’ sixth grade Earth Science classes took the challenge to research and show proof of the amazing design of our Earth along with its place in the solar system and galaxy. As the students worked in teams, they made decisions about which topic to research and how to make a model to show their evidence.

Each student wrote a paragraph supporting evidence for topics like – Earth's atmosphere, magnetic field, tilt, rotation, sun and moon relationship, placement in the solar system and placement in the Milky Way. Ayla Beckett wrote “The Earth, being a precise distance from the sun, is not too cold nor is it too hot.” This puts Earth in the habitability zone. Everleigh VanKooten wrote “In our solar system, the existence of an atmosphere around a planetary body is extremely rare. Our atmosphere is the only atmosphere that consists of clear and colorless gases.” This allows life-giving light energy to penetrate the surface. Knox Linenger explained how the solar system and galaxy were made with immense precision because Earth’s neighboring gas planets provide protection by deflecting comets and asteroids while the whole solar system is protectively tucked between two spiral arms in the Milky Way. Jake Williams wrote in conclusion “Earth is obviously designed for life.” Psalm 19:1 is our ultimate proof: “The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Each project was exclusively designed and constructed by each team to show the proof of God’s design.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted and continues to believe in our mission. A special shout-out goes to PCA Preschool, proudly voted one of the Best Preschools, as well as to the outstanding individuals who make PCA exceptional every day: JD Zubia, voted Best School Principal; Angie Andrews, voted one of the Best School Teachers; and Ashli Rushing, voted Best School Nurse.

We are truly blessed by this community and these dedicated leaders who help make PCA the best year after year.

What are some of the main day-to-day responsibilities involved in your internship?

My main day-to-day responsibilities involve creating and organizing digital content for the athletic department. This includes designing game day graphics, weekly sports schedules, senior night graphics, region and state graphics, and special event posts using platforms such as Gipper and Canva. I also upload, organize, label, and manage large sets of athlete photos so they are easy to access. Another major responsibility is planning, filming, and editing video content, especially senior night videos and themed social media posts like “get to know the athlete” or holiday-related features. I coordinate filming times, plan video structure and creative direction, conduct interviews, and edit the final product before it is posted. Additionally, I assist with website and communication updates such as creating signage, updating the coaches directory, and helping with newsletter photos.

What are some essential qualities to be a successful intern in your field?

A successful intern in this field needs to be organized, creative, detail-oriented, and reliable. Organization is essential because of the large amount of content, photos, schedules, and files that must be properly labeled and stored for quick access. Creativity is important when designing graphics, experimenting with layouts, textures, colors, and finding new ways to engage the audience through videos and themed posts. Attention to detail is critical when checking spelling, athlete names, class years, sports, and ensuring graphics are accurate and professional. Flexibility is also important, since plans often change due to schedule adjustments, athlete availability, or unexpected issues like injuries or game changes.Strong communication skills are necessary when coordinating filming and discussing new ideas with supervisors. Being open to learning new platforms and adapting when something does not work is also key.

What are some of the things you have learned from your internship experience?

Through this internship, I have learned how to professionally manage and create digital content for an organization with a large audience. I have developed skills in graphic design, video editing, creative planning, and brand consistency across social media platforms. I have also learned how important organization is when handling hundreds of photos, multiple teams, and many deadlines at once. I learned how to problem-solve when platforms don’t work as expected, such as switching tools when graphics appear pixelated or when different formats are needed. I’ve gained experience working collaboratively, contributing ideas, and helping shape new projects like senior videos and themed posts. Finally, I’ve learned how impactful media can be in highlighting athletes, building school spirit, and celebrating accomplishments. Seeing how graphics and videos connect the school community and recognize student achievements has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.

Throughout the project, students practiced important math skills while also having meaningful discussions about being good stewards of our money. This hands-on experience encouraged critical thinking, responsibility, and planning for the future. It also helped students see how faith, academics, and everyday life connect in practical and purposeful ways.

Several students delivered exceptional work on this project. Allie Grace and Nya each incorporated more than six Old English words into their poems, adding authentic historical flair. Allie even tea-stained her paper and charred the edges to enhance the time-period feel. Nya, who presented the final scene, created a poem that brilliantly captured its emotion and meaning. Sophie impressed with detailed artwork and clever lift-open boxes, while Nya’s graphic panels stood out for their creativity and craftsmanship

Families, teachers, and friends gathered to enjoy the music and share in the excitement of the season, making the evening a meaningful kickoff to Christmas festivities.

A special thank you to Band Director, Mike Doll, and Choir Director, Abigail Huneycutt for their hard work and dedication.

The fifth graders spent the last several weeks gathering supplies and today packed over 200 blessing bags to disperse around Charleston. They filled each bag with gloves, hats, socks, food items, hygiene items, and a lot of handwritten notes of God’s love and hope. 

As part of this project, the parent volunteers partnered with local warming shelters, stocked community blessing boxes and sent each child home with blessing bags to have on hand and ready to disperse. Armed with the task of seeing the need in front of them and answering it immediately in a tangible way, these fifth grade students are already making a huge impact in and around our city!

The purpose of this trip is for Juniors to view different types of campuses, allowing them to assess fit by interacting with current students and faculty, understand the overall academic and social atmosphere, and make informed decisions about where to apply in their senior year.