News

Class of 2020 Commencement

What a joy to celebrate the Class of 2020 with an in-person, although physically distanced, graduation ceremony.  Despite being in the midst of a pandemic, PCA was able to pull together as a community to provide a graduation ceremony to remember. 

The celebrations began on June 11, where students and select staff members met in the sanctuary for graduation rehearsal followed by a “tailgate” lunch where seniors grabbed a lunch to-go and headed into the parking lot to eat together as seniors for one final time.

The next day, prior to the ceremony, graduates were given several fun surprises such as monogrammed duffle bags, an insulated alumni etched cup, and a personalized cookie bouquet. While the graduates enjoyed their presents, their families took their lottery drawn seats in the ECBC sanctuary, marking the first time a PCA graduation ceremony has taken place in the sanctuary.  Seating was limited to only students and their immediate families which capped at six guests including the graduate. The graduates themselves spaced several feet apart while the school administrators, ECBC pastor, and PCA board member on stage wore masks, and handed diplomas to the graduates in a contactless manner. 

The ceremony consisted of inspiring and moving speeches made by Valedictorian, Jerry Biggerstaff and Salutatorian, Anne Gregory Horton, and  previously recorded teachers and staff messages of praise and encouragement for each of the graduating seniors.

Although a little different this year, families were grateful for the opportunity to have a live graduation ceremony and end the year with a spirit of fellowship and love.

We wish our graduated seniors all the best in their future endeavours and we hope to welcome them back soon at one of our alumni events.

Junior Class Experiences Annual College Tour

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.