January 17, 2017      Visit Our Website      
Middle School Drama Team Presents Award Winning Musical
Written by PCA Mom Cassy Andrus

Make way for the King!  The Palmetto Christian Academy Middle School Drama Team will soon present the production of Disney's The Lion King on stage in the East Cooper Baptist Church Worship Center on February 10th and 11th. The Lion King will mark only the second time the Middle School Drama Team has performed for a large audience, and it will be the first time Drama teacher, Jennifer Brown, has directed a musical. After the success of Brown's 2016 PCA directorial debut, One Hundred Dresses, Brown decided to venture into the realm of musical theater.  When asked why the switch in genres, Brown replied, "Mrs. Thames said she had so many great singers (in Middle School Choir) this year." 
In fact, Brown knows in order for a production to be successful she must not only surround herself with talented actors, but with those talented in the Arts.  Kathy Thames is the PCA Middle School Choir Director and is leading the charge with the vocals for those iconic tunes such as, "Circle of Life" and "Hakuna Matata". Lower School Music instructor Pam Hall is the Director of Costume Design while Middle School Art teacher Cynthia Huston is Director of Set Design and Props. Even Jenni Moore Middle School has pitched in and loaned backdrops and props.  ECBC Sound Director Marc Collins is also a part of the crew. ECBC is not only providing the venue for The Lion King, but is also creating posters and flyers to help with the publicity of the show. 
Now with Mrs. Brown's talented crew assembled, the characters of The Lion King needed to be cast. Disney's animated epic musical film first hit movie theaters in 1994 and has been the third longest running show on Broadway since 1997 grossing over 1 billion dollars.  All of these record-breaking feats happened long before any of the PCA Middle School actors had even been born!  However, the popularity of the animated feature and Broadway bombshell is well known to the actors despite their youth.  
David Pabst plays young Simba, the rowdy lion cub searching for his place in life.  7th grader Pabst is a veteran to the stage having played the role of a schoolboy in One Hundred Dresses. "I enjoy playing Simba because I get to act like a young kid...I like moving around on stage."  Pabst mentions musical theater is more challenging to him because of the singing involved.  Another challenge Simba (Pabst) may have to overcome is the conniving plans of his Uncle Scar to overtake the throne of Pride Rock through an act of betrayal. Newcomer to the PCA Drama squad, Eva Andrus, admits playing the villain of the story can be a lot of fun. "It's my first year (in PCA drama) and there is a lot riding on my shoulders since I have a lead role," mentions the 6th grader.  "I have a lot of songs and lines to keep up with.  But there are way more up sides than down...I get to be evil playing Scar and it's not what people expect from me.  It's a lot of fun over dramatizing it!"
Like all Disney creations there is usually a moral to the story. Pabst jokes and says, "(the moral of the story) is don't trust weird uncles!"  Brown and Andrus laugh. "It's more like you can't run from your past," chuckles Andrus. "Never forget who you are and where you came from." To quote a line from the play, "you are exactly the person you think you are". We can draw Biblical parallels from these lessons.  Such as, our identity is defined most truly by our relationship with the Heavenly Father (an image taken quite literally in The Lion King). We were made to be his sons and daughters, and when we act from that identity we act in accord with who we were made to be . 
Please join the PCA Middle School Drama Team for the production of Disney's The Lion King on February 10th at 7 pm or February 11th at 2 pm in the ECBC Worship Center. Tickets are $5 each.


The Talented Cast of The Lion King
Recreating The African Savanna For Magnificent Middle School Production  

What does it take to bring a Broadway musical production to life in middle school theater?
Many creative minds and hands, along with the vision to methodically create a detailed tropical grassland with its native animal species. Middle School art students, including these 7th Graders, are working to produce gazelles and other fascinating creatures for The Lion King production coming in February. It's a wonderful opportunity for students to learn the invaluable process of collaborative work! 

PCA Student Makes Region 4 Honor Band!  

This past Saturday, January 14 th , three of our PCA Eagles participated in the Region 4 Honor Band audition: Eliza Sloan, Mack Poston and Ben Fauteux. They were auditioning against hundreds of other students from eight different counties around Charleston for a seat in this honor band. Eliza Sloan, 8 th  grade PCA flute player, earned a seat in this ensemble and will participate in the clinic in late February. She is the third PCA student in the history of our school to make this honor band!  Eagle Excellence in action! Way to go Eliza!
Slugs and Bugs Sing The Gospel With PCA Families
Written by PCA Mom Theresa Watson
 
Bears, underwear, and God's word.. it's hard to see any connection between them but they all bring laughter and joy to little children through music. What a joyful night so many experienced this past Wednesday as Slugs & Bugs performed at Palmetto Christian Academy and East Cooper Baptist Church. Randall Goodgame is the man behind this joyful, gospel-filled interactive music. He is an amazing singer/songwriter who helps bring scripture to life. Everyone in attendance enjoyed singing and dancing to God's word. It was so incredible to see families worshiping together. The concert even included all the dads getting on stage to assist Randall in a fun song about helping out, as well as all the kids rushing the stage to sing Matthew 5:14-16.  What a blessing this night was to all! For more information about the fun music from Slugs & Bugs, you can visit their website at www.slugsandbugs.com.

Winter Used Uniform Sale Is Tomorrow!

Calling all PCA families in need of gently used uniforms! Can you see your child's bare ankles and wrists as they are piling out of your car in the morning? Is everything fitting just a little too snugly?
 
We have a solution! The 2017 Winter Used Uniform Sale! Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, January 18th from 12:15 - 3:15 pm  and purchase clean, gently used PCA uniforms (PE, pants, shorts, shirts, and sweatshirts) at a huge discount.... NOTHING OVER $5! All proceeds go to PTF's budget for blessing our amazing teachers.  
 
Thank you in advance for your support! See you  Wednesday  at the sale!
Deadline To Order PCA Yearbook Is
January 20th

Don't miss your chance to have your very own yearbook! The deadline to order is this Friday, January 20th.
Keep the wonderful memories of the 2016-2017 school year alive with a Palmetto Christian Academy yearbook. Full of incredible pictures and details of everything PCA, your student will enjoy pouring over the pages and remembering special events. You can purchase your yearbook for $25 and personalize it at an additional cost. 

Order your PCA Yearbook today!
PCA Open House: Invite Your Friends On January 26th 
 
Prospective families will take a personal tour of our campus with a current PCA student. They can explore classrooms, meet our faculty and coaches, and learn more about who we are and what we believe. It's a wonderful opportunity to take a look inside our school while classes are in session.
 
Our Open House event takes place on Thursday, January 26th at 9 am. 
Please share this event with anyone you know that may have an interest in finding out more about Palmetto Christian Academy!  Open House is open to both prospective parents and students,  from Preschool through High School.
Important: Priority Reenrollment Underway Until January 31st

Priority Reenrollment for next school year began on Sunday, January 15th and runs through Tuesday, January 31st at a discounted rate of $300 for K-12 and Preschool at the rate of $150. 
Rates will convert back to $350 and $175, respectively, on  February 1st .
Questions? Contact Lisa Shimakonis at lisas@palmettochristianacademy.org.
Military Opportunities Information Meeting
 
Please join us for our Military Opportunities Information Meeting on Monday, January 30th, at  7 pm in Room B219 .   All students in grades 5-11 are invited to attend. Mr. Steve Featherstone (PCA math teacher, West Point graduate, and District 1 liaison for West Point) and a panel of military professionals will share information on:
  • Appointment and admission to US Service Academies including West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy
  • ROTC Scholarships
  • The Citadel
  • Military Careers
  • Women in the Military 
RSVPs are not necessary, but if you plan to attend, please email Sally Pascutti at spascutti@palmettochristianacademy.org to help us prepare sufficient materials.
Preschool Press:
Sharing God's Love With Others

Our preschool 4's classes are participating in monthly service projects to help teach the students how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This month we planned an after school visit to Sandpiper Nursing Home. The sweet 4-year-old students gathered with the residents, sang a few of their songs about Jesus, made crafts for them, and enjoyed some time in fellowship. What a joyful afternoon! 
Eagle Athletic News
Varsity Boys Basketball: Week In Review

It was a tough game for our Varsity Boys basketball team against First Baptist last Monday night. The Eagles lost  49-85. 
PCA's  Maliek Brown was the top scorer for the Eagles with 19 points, followed by  Thomas Michel with 10,  Grayson Silvester with 6, and  Cole Silvester added another 4 points to the board.

On Friday night, it was a much different story in Bishopville as our PCA Eagles defeated Robert E. Lee Academy 67-51. Maliek Brown led the way with 23 points and 16 rebounds, followed by Marc Haight with 17 points, Cole Silvester added         11 points, Grayson Silvester had 8, and Thomas Michel had 7 points as the leading scorers for the Eagles. 

PCA's Varsity Boys' record is now 5-8 overall,  1-0 in region. They travel tonight, Tuesday, January 17th to Sumter to face Thomas Sumter Academy starting at 7:30 pm.
Varsity Girls Basketball: Week In Review

Palmetto Christian Academy lost to First Baptist last Monday night 35-57. High scoring by the Hurricanes in the second quarter of the game gave them a 10-point lead over our Lady Eagles at halftime.
Here's a look at our top scorers: 
Lindsey Ellington had 11 points,
Lauren Pernell added 8,  Maddie Davidson had 5, and  Mackenzie Patrick had 3 points for the Lady Eagles.

On Friday, our PCA Eagles traveled to Bishopville for a match-up against Robert E. Lee Academy. The Lady Eagles enjoyed a convincing 60-45 win.
Lauren Pernell led the team with 16 points and 13 rebounds, followed by
Mackenzie Patrick with 11 points and 8 rebounds,  Peyton Emerson had 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Lindsey Ellington scored  7 points and had 3 rebounds for the night.

PCA's Varsity Girls' record is now 10-4 overall,  1-0 in region . The team's next game is tonight, Tuesday, January 17th at  Thomas Sumter Academy starting at 6 pm.
Girls Soccer Informational Meeting This Week! 

Calling all 8th-12th Grade girls interested in playing Varsity Soccer at PCA. Please join us for an informational meeting on Thursday, January 19th at 4:30 pm in Room B214. 
The meeting will be led by assistant coach Allison Long. Parents and players are encouraged to attend in order to ask questions and learn more about expectations for the upcoming season.
Yes, I Will Help With Home Basketball Games! 

We're asking for your help to provide the best quality experience for our fans and guests at PCA Home Basketball Games. Will you take just a minute to sign up and volunteer for either gate and admissions or concessions during the season? We very much appreciate your time and willingness to serve! 


Important Dates To Remember
  • January 18 - Winter Used Uniform Sale
  • January 18 - Booster Club Meeting
  • January 26 - FCA Breakfast
  • January 26 - PCA Open House
  • January 30 - Military Opportunities Information Meeting
  • February 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week
  • February 8 - 3rd Quarter Progress Reports
  • February 9 - FCA Breakfast
  • February 10-11 - Middle School Play: The Lion King 
  • February 15 - Early Release Day
  • February 16-17 - Winter Break - No School
  • February 20 - President's Day - No School
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