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4th Graders Step Back In Time For Historical Lesson

Ever wonder what this amazing place that we live in was like years ago?  Was Charleston always full of "southern charm"?  Well, on March 5th, our fourth grade classes took a field trip downtown to check out the Holy City's history and learn exactly what it went through to become our little piece of heaven on earth.

The students visited The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. They traveled back in time to find out that Charleston was the wealthiest of the 13 colonies, thanks to its abundance of "Carolina Gold", or rice. They learned all about the original leaders of the area, and found that many of our local landmarks are named after those leaders, such as the Cooper River, Ashley River, Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumter, and Francis Marion National Forest.  The children learned about the Patriots who wanted to build and create a new nation, as well as, the Loyalists who wanted to keep things as they were. 

After a tour of the military dungeon and learning about the leeches that were used for curing infections, they finished up the tour with a fun dance lesson in the ballroom. The day of exploring did not end there, as the classes had lunch at the waterfront park and toured The Powder Magazine. The study of South Carolina's colonial military history was continued in this building, which is the oldest public governmental building in our state. It was built in 1713 and used as an arsenal to defend the the colony from the Spanish, French, pirates, slave rebellion and native attacks.  Throughout the 19th century, the building was converted and used as a print shop, blacksmith shop, wine cellar, and horse carriage. Today, it is a fascinating museum, which helped our children learn a bit about the early stages of the development of our little gem, Charleston.

FBLA Students Compete In National Leadership Conference

FBLA, otherwise known as Future Business Leaders of America, strives to develop competent, aggressive business leadership. 

That challenge was accepted by three PCA students as they traveled to Anaheim, California over the summer to compete in FBLA's National Leadership Conference.

Senior Shelby Muirhead, Junior Bennett Velasquez and Class of 2017's Ashley Browne each made their entrepreneurial mark as they represented PCA well.

Shelby Muirhead says, "The National Competition was a fun way for us to bond as a chapter, and an excellent opportunity for us to try our skills as up and coming business leaders. I learned a tremendous amount about business function and communication, and I had fun while doing it!"

Shelby competed in Emerging Business Issues, an argumentative event based upon a topic provided by FBLA. She placed 1st in her event at the district conference, which advanced her to the state competition. At state, she also won 1st place, which qualified her for the national competition this past summer in Anaheim. Shelby calls it an incredible experience, "It was an absolute pleasure to represent the state of South Carolina for my event, and I feel my performance lived up to the expectations provided by leaders and advisors, and myself. I was not in a fortunate enough position to place, but I have every confidence that I had the skill set necessary to place in the top ten."

This year PCA plans to grow its FBLA chapter to include additional members as well as educating current members on business topics, leadership skills, and proper business etiquette. After last year's success, Shelby says she has high hopes to compete again at the National Leadership Conference next summer among the very best and brightest of FBLA. "I hope to end my career as an Future Business Leaders of America member on a high note."