News

Senior Thesis: The Capstone Of A PCA Education

It’s April at PCA and that means the flowers are blooming, spring has sprung, and most importantly the Seniors are preparing for their Senior Thesis Presentations.

As part of their graduation requirement, seniors take a class called Senior Thesis. “These presentations and papers help them prepare for college in a variety of ways,” said Senior Thesis teacher Kelly Cooper. “Overall, the projects are designed to mimic a bachelor's or master's thesis writing process and teach students how to research in a scholarly manner, how to work with a mentor, or chair, and how to defend their position against a panel of experts.”

There are two Senior Thesis classes, the College Preparatory Class where students choose topics that are expository or argumentative in nature and write a 8-12 page paper on the topic before turning it into a 10-15 minute presentation. The Honors Class chooses an argumentative topic on which they write a 15-20 page paper and give a 15-30 minute presentation. 

When asked what they took away from this process, Senior David Swift said, “I have learned how to email my mentor professionally and set up meetings which will help me in college when I need to meet with teachers.”

Emma Howard also found the process to be rewarding, “I was encouraged to think critically about a topic I found enticing in order to keep my interest throughout the school year and further on, requiring me to acknowledge and understand more than one side of an argument." 

“I am extremely proud of the work many of these students have put into the presentations,” Ms. Cooper said, “In a year full of obstacles, many of these seniors have worked diligently to overcome them and to create presentations that are not only well thought through and developed but that also bring glory and honor to God. I encourage all who can to come to support them as they present -- and to ask questions of them in their defense!”

All are welcome to come and view the senior’s presentations, however we ask that you please wear a mask. The presentations will take place in the Annex and there is limited seating.

Good luck, seniors!

Congratulations Patriots Pen Essay Winners!

For the past 11 years, PCA has partnered with the Isle of Palms Veterans of Foreign Affairs (VFW) whose mission is "To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military, and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans." 

Each year the VFW sponsors an essay writing contest where high school and middle school students compete at a local level to write an essay on a topic where they can win cash prizes and may be eligible to win college scholarships.

This year the theme was, "What Is Patriotism to Me?" Students in Dr. Ricky Stark's 6th grade ELA class wrote about the importance of freedom and expression of religion. “Students discussed the need to continue to strive for a "more perfect union," said Dr. Stark, “and to ensure that we live up to the fundamental American belief that ‘all men are created equal,’ which of course is rooted in a biblical worldview, by working for the good of our neighbors and our community.”

The contest consists of 4 levels: VFW Post, VFW District, VFW Department (State), and VFW National. Awards and prize money are awarded at each level and this year PCA had two winners from the local level, sixth-graders Aidan Cox who won first place and will receive $100, and Tyler Rosone who won second place and will receive $50. 

 In addition to receiving the cash prize, the students also earned a pizza party for their class which took place Friday, March 26th. 

 When asked how he felt about winning the contest Aidan Cox said, “I was very surprised!”    

 Second place winner Tyler Rosone said, “I felt very excited and I knew I worked hard for it.”

“We strive at PCA to raise up a generation of thinking Christians who can engage all of life with a biblical worldview,”  said Stark. “Part of that responsibility means that we equip students to discern how to live out their faith in the public square, glorifying God in the service of our neighbors and our community. As the Lord revealed through Jeremiah, God's people are to "seek the welfare of the city where [He] has sent [us] into exile" (Jeremiah 29:7). Thus, participating in a contest such as this one allows students to grapple with how our heavenly citizenship can inform our earthly citizenship and how we can speak into our culture from a Christian framework.” 

Congratulations to our winners and thank you for representing PCA well!