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Celebrating Black History Month At PCA

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Black History Month is “an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.” In 1915 Harvard historian Dr. Carver G. Woodson and minister, Jessi E. Mooreland developed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization whose purpose was to bring to focus the achievements of Black Americans as well as others of African decent.

It took more than 50 years of work before Black History Month became a vital part of curriculum in schools and celebrations in communities around the nation. In 1976 Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford who asked citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Following the traditions set forth by Dr. Woodson, Pastor Mooreland, as well as President Ford, PCA is celebrating Black History month by focusing on the works of Black Americans across its grade level curriculums.

In the elementary school hall, second grade teacher Leesa Welch is spotlighting historical figures though stories and activities. One man being George Washington Carver and how he came up with over 300 uses for the peanut!

Art teacher Anna Boyer’s elementary classes are taking the classic story, Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, and recreating the illustrations with drawings of themselves. “The children are drawing and painting themselves flying over NYC,” said Boyer, “as we discuss what we would like to see changed in the world and our lives.”

Coach John Harris’ 6th and 7th grade Leadership classes focused on Black and African Americans through the Black Inventor research and poster project. Students chose an inventor such as Augustus Jackson, Madam C.J. Walker, T.W. Stewart, and Otis Boykin, researched their accomplishments, and presented their findings via an informative poster. When asked to name an interesting fact she learned by doing this assignment, 7th grader Luci Noce said, “I learned there were more black inventors than we can ever count. More than I ever knew.”  

Other greats such as James Weldon who wrote the poem, “The Creation” and great musical artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong along with many other historical figures are also being celebrated throughout PCA classrooms this month.

PCA Valentine Singing Grams

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Neither mask nor COVID regulations were going to stop the PCA High School Choir from spreading the love and joy of the Valentine’s Day season through their annual tradition of singing grams! 

Beginning last year, the choir started online singing grams, which they made their main platform this year due to COVID restrictions. For the 2021 Valentine Grams, the Choir performed old favorites like, "You Are My Sunshine", "My Girl" and "Lean On Me", while adding some new and fun songs such as, "Hooked On A Feeling", "Baby" and "Adore". Several weeks prior to recording, they not only practiced vocal parts but also added a little choreography to each song.  

Director, Mrs. Kathy Thames said, "The Choir enjoys this PCA tradition each year! It is always so much fun for us to sing and deliver songs that bring so many people joy! This is one of the core values we have in Choir, to use our voices to glorify God first and to bless others. As always, the Choir showed how dedicated they are, by enthusiastically singing even while wearing masks! I am so proud of them and happy to be their teacher."

Junior Hannah Zumbrunnen said, “We all missed delivering singing grams in person this year but I am so glad we could [record] and deliver them.”

Thanks to everyone who supported the High School Choir and Junior class!

The PCA Choir singing "Lean On Me"

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