News

Senior Seminar Is The Capstone Of A PCA Education

The papers have been written. The presentations have been prepared and practiced. It's an exciting week for our senior class as they give their Senior Seminar Presentations, the culmination of an entire year's worth of work.

Separated into categories such as Future Technologies, The Supernatural & Medical Issues, Societal Issues & Politics, Conservation & Medical Issues, Sports Science, Space Colonization and the Arts, and Societal and Medical Issues, the Class of 2023 has worked since September with teachers Mrs. Kristi Ugland and Mrs. Marcia Siebert, as well as with the many senior mentors who volunteered their time to help each of the seniors fully understand, present, and defend their thesis.

“I love the Christian worldview that PCA is instilling in our students,” said ECBC Pastor and senior mentor, Danny Beech. “The Biblical perspective on life, morality and family is becoming more and more foreign in the culture at large and these senior projects are helpfully forcing our students to reckon with what God has commanded while still loving our lost neighbors, family, and friends. My time with senior Cole Seitz has been rich and meaningful as we have discussed matters of eternal consequence. The Biblical worldview of his thesis quickly pours out beyond his particular topic and relates to the total sum of the human experience: that every human is a sinner, broken before a perfect God, and is in desperate need of a savior, Jesus Christ.” 

“We are extremely proud of the Senior Class and their hard work in the Thesis Seminar Course this year!” said both Mrs. Siebert and Mrs.Ugland. “This has been a yearlong journey for students, and we are proud of the effort each student has put into his/her area of research. They have been diligent in seeking the truth about their subjects and are excited to share what they have learned and what God has illuminated for each one of them."

A Stunning Stage Production Brings Narnia To Life!

Three days of thunderous cheers and applause were heard from sold out crowds to the Middle School cast, as well as Director Jenni Brown, for incredible performances last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe".

The actors wowed the audiences on stage, but there was also a lot of activity backstage that was truly awe-inspiring.

Responsible for getting their costumes on and their make-up done, students alongside wonderful parent volunteers and PCA staff came together to bring each character to life. 

A behind the scenes glimpse backstage would show Mrs. Beaver putting on Mr. Beaver's make-up before applying her own. You would see the White Witch making sure her eye make-up was just right before turning to Tumnus to ensure she had the right amount of white spots on her face. You would witness parents taking the fresh faces of students and turning them into the works of art as they transformed into the characters of Aslan and Fenris Ulf.

Goblins painting themselves green, a mother helping turn her daughter from a school girl into the prim and proper young woman that is Susan, were among the amazing transformations. And Lucy, after making sure her braids were knotted tight, took over the colorful application of the unicorn's make-up.  

You would hear the words, “Does anyone need a tail pinned to them?” being called across the choir room turned costume and make-up department, and nervous laughter coming from the actors.

“I am very proud of the way my students handled themselves during the performances,” said director Jenni Brown. “After working through some opening night jitters they worked together as a team and pulled out a win! They supported and encouraged one another behind the scenes and onstage and that made me smile. I also thought the 7th graders did a great job with the commercials and their parts as the two armies. I am so blessed by the way God gives me joy through my students."

These highly anticipated productions aren’t just made up of the amazing talents one sees onstage, but the village that it takes to make these live works of art truly shine. Between rehearsal hours, makeup time, costume ideas and the organization and orchestration of all, a big standing ovation and Bravo goes out to the staff, students, and talented director Jenni Brown!