News

AP Scholars: Academic Distinction

Each year the Advanced Placement Program (AP) recognizes the nation’s most accomplished students with AP Scholar Awards. Congratulations to PCA Seniors Kendall Anderson, Sawyer Garner, Morgan Kammer, Kaden Sorensen, and Porter Wrenn who earned AP Scholar with Honor distinctions and also to Bella Byham and Ava Butterworth who earned AP Scholar awards! PCA’s Class of 2021 earned additional awards upon completion of 2021 exams--Olivia Seitz and Eliza Sloan earned AP Scholar with Distinction awards while Madison Broach, Ellaree Estes, Ay Godwin, and Olivia Martin were named AP Scholars with Honor.

The AP Program offers college-level courses and examinations to high school students. These courses are taught by certified high school teachers and allow students to earn college credit before high school graduation. PCA offers AP classes in 2-D Art & Design, Biology, Calculus AB, English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition, Environmental Science, European History, and US History, and students in Grades 10-12 are registered to take 72 exams in May. 

Magnificent Upper School Christmas Concert Featuring Our Choirs

On Thursday, December 9, the PCA 7th & 8th Grade and High School Choirs presented their annual Christmas concert to a full house. This year many of the songs surrounded the theme of Peace. “Every school year I choose a fruit of the spirit for myself and the choirs to focus on. This year, we have focused on Peace - peace with God, peace with each other and peace within ourselves”, says Choir Director, Kathy Thames.

The evening began with a beautiful arrangement of “Mary, Did You Know” featuring many 8th grade soloists, followed by traditional favorites “Swingle Bells” and “Carol of the Bells” accompanied by talented 8th grader, Hank Sanders. The 7th grade Choir set a peaceful tone with the popular, “Christmas Canon” and Messiah’s “For Unto Us a Child”. Several standout soloists led their final song of “A Christmas Hallelujah”, which tells the true meaning of Christmas- the story of the birth, life and death of Jesus.   

Following the middle school, the High School Choir ladies ensemble delighted our audience with the beautiful John Rutter original, “Angel’s Carol.” Our high school men followed up with a fun and entertaining rendition of “Mele Kalikimaka” complete with Hawaiian shirts and Santa hats.  Seniors Bella Byham, Charlee Olson and AnnaJaye Walters joined their voices for an amazing trio of God Rest You Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings. Zella Horton & Ian Marlow led the Choir in Chris Tomlin’s new Christmas song “His Name Is Wonderful”. This song echoed the 7th grade song, “For Unto Us” in which Isaiah is quoted “and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

Staying on the theme of peace, juniors Will Wheeler and Gabe Clark joined their voices to beautifully sing “The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth”. Senior Charlee Olson sang the solo this year in “O Holy Night” which is always sung in the PCA Christmas Concert. The evening concluded with the traditional singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. This year several talented PCA upper school teachers and PCA Choir alumni joined in the Hallelujah, making the finale even more powerful and meaningful.

Thank you to all of our Choir students for setting our hearts and minds on the PEACE that can only be found in Christ! Thank you to all of the families who came out to support our choirs!