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Junior Class Experiences Annual College Tour

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PCA's Junior Class continued our college tour tradition last week with visits to Wofford, Clemson, and Anderson. While students collected a great deal of factual admissions data, what they enjoyed most was learning about the distinctives of each school. Of special interest were Wofford's support of student entrepreneurship in "The Space," Clemson's placement of freshman students into classes in their majors for early exposure, and Anderson's high percentage of students who study abroad.

Learning about campus life was another highlight of the trip. Walking among current college students gave PCA juniors a sense of the student culture, and tour guides shared their personal experiences and campus traditions with the group. PCA juniors learned about the history of the Wofford Boston Terrier mascot, the turning of the Clemson ring,  and how to decorate a dorm room at Anderson.  For an even more in-depth experience, they went to Clemson's Fellowship of Christian Athletes worship service, had dinner with PCA alumni, and ate in college dining halls.  

The College Tour is one of Academic Counselor, Sally Pascutti's favorite PCA events. It is a memory-maker, but most importantly, "It introduces students to different types of colleges. It helps them to be informed and intentional about the places they pursue after high school," she says.

The Wofford, Clemson and Anderson tours were in addition to PCA's one-day trip to USC-Columbia in the fall. Many thanks to chaperones Dale Hoover, Quinn Disrud, Bill Schenkel, Kim Moser, and Julie Godwin who made this trip happen for our students!

Posted by Darla Rourk with

The Slave Dwelling Project at Magnolia Plantation

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Last Friday, the PCA 7th Grade classes visited Magnolia Plantation. The young students were able to participate in a special presentation by The Slave Dwelling Project. The mission of the Slave Dwelling Project is to raise awareness of American history by addressing the legacy of slavery. The group does so by re-enacting on properties that generally have old slave houses or dwellings. This year's program at Magnolia Plantation was called, "Inalienable Rights: Living History Through the Eyes of the Enslaved".

Students were first greeted by the founder of the Slave Dwelling Project and Civil War re-enactor, Joe McGill. McGill greeted the students in historical clothing and proceeded to tell them how he travels to various properties throughout the U.S. and actually stays the night in their slave dwellings, such as the ones currently on Magnolia Plantation. "Now that I have the attention of the public by sleeping in extant slave dwellings, it is time to wake up and deliver the message that the people who lived in these structures were not a footnote in American History," stated McGill. PCA students were then transported into another time as they walked on the plantation property and experienced re-enactors performing their trades in front of the slave houses. Students were educated on the challenges of cooking for many people, and what crops they grew and meals they prepared. There was also a brickmaker and blacksmith performing their skills on site. Students saw a dramatic performance from a Harriet Tubman re-enactor as well.

Many of the students enjoyed the lectures and learned of the slaves' challenges. 7th grader, Lauren Pabst, states, "I enjoyed the cooking demonstration. They had to cook outdoors and it wasn't electric. So, it was harder and probably took longer." Fellow students Gavin Wease and Daniel Stewart enjoyed watching the blacksmith work with fire and yield the iron. Middle School History teacher, Kara Karnes, knew this field trip would be important. "I just like them to be able to see what life was like, and be able to see history as opposed to just learning it in the classroom. I think it sticks with them better through the demonstrations and having the experience."

Posted by Cassy Andrus with

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