News

PCA Students Attend Leadership and Ethics Conference

Juniors Will Perkins and Joseph Terry were selected to represent PCA at the Service Academy Leadership & Ethics Conference for Charleston County schools last Thursday. Graduates from the nation's military service academies partnered for this event with retired state senator Mike Rose to inspire leadership and ethical behavior among high school students. Speakers included LTC (Ret.) Kent Selby - Director Of Operations at KBR Careers, Joshua Dix - Government Affairs Director for Charleston Association of Realtors, Captain Scott McGinnis - former Command Officer of Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, and Ryan Cass - Senior Management at The Boeing Company. Each speaker closed by presenting the students with a real world dilemma from their field that required a decision. The students worked in small groups to develop a plan and present their solutions. The day ended with group challenges aimed at helping students identify different leadership styles and helping the students develop their list of personal values & goals.

Will Perkins says it was a very meaningful experience, "The event was a fantastic opportunity that not only allowed me personally to meet several either impressive or important persons, but also, I believe, inspired many of those present to pause and look at things that they may not normally consider.”

Fellow attendee Joseph Terry agrees, “I enjoyed the great team building exercises and leadership talks that were given. Having lunch and meeting student leaders from around the Charleston area was really good too”.

Student Internships Connect Classroom Learning With Careers

Internships provide a bridge between academic learning and practical application, preparing students for success in the professional workforce. At PCA, we offer high school students the opportunity to gain real-world work experience in a field of their choice, allowing them to explore different career paths. This year, we have students engaged in internships in a variety of industries including healthcare, politics, software development, marine biology, and education. Our three education interns are currently paired with three of our lower school school teachers.

"This is my first year having a student intern in the classroom and I am loving the extra set of hands twice a week," remarked Kindergarten Teacher Braden Cruz. "Greta will work with a small group of students, help children that need extra help during independent work, or even do a read aloud. The children love having a "big kid" in the classroom to look up to." 

Third grade teacher Tiffany Wulff expanded further on the program, "Each time Autumn comes into the classroom she is eager to learn and help in whatever way that she can. When she interacts with the students she does so with enthusiasm, which truly shows that has a heart for kids and education. I can't wait to see how the Lord shapes her future!"

It is an immersive learning experience for the students as well. Junior Seven Overcash explains, "Serving as a student teacher has been very helpful so far. I have learned simple things such as printing, grading, and filing. Along with putting grades in the gradebook, teaching in front of the class, and providing extra help to the students that need it. It has been so nice to work in a Christian environment and I am excited to see what the rest of the year will bring."

We will be highlighting more of our student interns and their jobs in future Eagle Edition articles. If your company is interested in hosting an intern, please contact Emily Faile, Academic Counselor at efaile@palmettochristianacademy.org.