News

Magnificent Upper School Christmas Concert

On Thursday, November 30, the PCA 7th and 8th Grade and High School Choirs took the stage for their annual Christmas concert. "All Choir students did an amazing job at the Christmas Concert from the impressive start with one hundred thirty students singing Carol of the Bells to the big finish of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Many students went the extra mile by attending extra rehearsals before school, during lunch, and after school, and it showed. I was especially thrilled by the performance of all of the soloists, " said Choir Director, Dr. Jo Hethcox.

This year the Choir Concert began with both the Middle and High School Choirs singing, “Carol of the Bells” followed by an opening prayer from Upper School Principal, Sean Keiper.

The Middle School Choir performed holiday pieces, “On Christmas Night”, "Twas in the Moon of Wintertime", "A Christmas Hallelujah", and “Noel, Noel”.

Next, the High School Choir took the stage to perform “Sleigh Ride” and "O Holy Night”. The Men's Ensemble wowed the audience with “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!”. “Cradle Hymn” was then performed by the Eighth Grade and High School Choirs.

The audience was invited to join in singing “Silent Night” with the choir. The choirs ended the concert with “Hallelujah Chorus”, followed by closing remarks from Headmaster, JD Zubia.

Such a wonderful evening with talented students to start the holiday season! 

Creating Jesse Trees Brings The Christmas Story To Life!

The first graders in Mrs. Jessica Hanzsche’s class are taking on a special project this Christmas season - creating Jesse Trees to track the lineage of Jesus. By going straight to scripture, these young students are learning about the truth of the Christmas story and gaining a deeper understanding of the Old Testament and New Testament. The students are keeping the Bible stories and characters they encounter in chronological order, starting from Creation and progressing all the way to Jesus being born in a stable. Each story and character is symbolized as an ornament and is placed on their Jesse Tree, allowing them to visually retell the story.

“Our prayer for our students is that this story will come alive to them each and every year,” says Mrs. Hanzsche. “That the Lord will reveal Himself to them in new ways and that it will never get old. Our thought and hope is if we teach them how this story came to be, it will mean a bit more to them and give them the ability to share confidently with others what Christmas is really about.” 

Mrs. Hanzsche says this project helps our first graders focus on the one and only "reason for the season" - Jesus. He is what it's all about, and He makes all the difference, not just during the Christmas season, but throughout the entire year. Mrs. Hanzsche says she has been touched by the students’ reactions to the project “as they make connections to the stories they’ve heard before, and respond to the power of the Word.”

Through their Jesse Trees and their growing knowledge of scripture, these young students are being equipped to confidently proclaim the message of Jesus' birth and share the joy and hope that it brings.