April 30, 2018      Visit Our Website      
Presenting The Palmetto Show: A Special Celebration Of Music And Art!

Come enjoy an evening of Fine Arts entertainment on Thursday, May 10 at The Palmetto Show! This wonderful night will showcase our Upper School Fine Arts including the Middle and High School Bands and Choirs, as well as a Visual Arts Gallery featuring works by our talented 6th-12th grade students. This is an evening to fill your spirit with beautiful music and thought-provoking art.. and entry is free! 
The musical showcase begins at 6 pm followed by the art show at 7. We hope you will make plans to join us for a very special evening! 
PCA Will Join In National Day Of Prayer: May 3

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. This organized day of prayer will mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America's leaders and its families. 

Palmetto Christian Academy students will be participating in the National Day of Prayer this Thursday, May 3 in all lower and upper school classrooms. This year's theme will be Pray for America - UNITY, based upon Ephesians 4:3, 
"Make every effort to keep the unity  of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

The hope is that individuals, churches, and spiritual leaders in America will unify in prevailing prayer for the next great move of God in America. Let's become a visible union, standing together in prayer.  Will you join us?

NDP Promo

Beyond The Classroom: Science Club Offers Great Opportunities  

PCA's High School Science Club is a place for students who are interested in science to learn all scopes of the subject as well as applications in the real world. The club takes students beyond what's learned in the classroom.

PCA's Science Club (Grades 9-12) kicked off in the spring of  2017 with 6 members, but now has 12 involved participants in the club. Members meet each Wednesday during lunch. In addition, the club has taken several official trips including visits to the zoo, the South Carolina Aquarium, and The Center for Birds of Prey. This club isn't just about furthering education, it's also a wonderful social opportunity for those with a shared interest. Members have gathered for various after school activities such as a movie night or an evening of dissections as pictured above.    

This year's Science Club officers are Shelby Muirhead - president; Hanna Christman - vice president; and Bennett Valesquez - secretary/treasurer with Mr. Warburton serving as the faculty sponsor. 

New membership enrollment will occur at the beginning of next school year. If your student is interested and would like to learn more about getting involved in our high school science club, you can contact either Mr. Warburton at twarburton@palmettochristianacademy.org or speak to a club member (you can spot them on Club Wednesdays wearing their awesome "PCa ScI ClUb" t-shirts)!
The Ultimate Eagle 
Written by Selina Zubia

Adults are expected to "go the extra mile", "put their all into it", and "reach the pinnacle of success". Youth who participate in athletics and other competitive events and strive to excel academically are expected to do the same. Then there are those who choose to reach an elite status in an arena that isn't always "popular" and whose numbers are sometimes few. The mission of this group is to "prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law". PCA boasts a student who has reached the highest level Scouts offers: Eagle Scout.

Lukas Gawryluk was kind enough to answer some questions for me to share with you. (Of course he was! He's an Eagle Scout!)

SZ:  How long have you been involved in Scouts?
LG:  I started Scouts in first grade as a Tiger Scout in Illinois, then my family moved back to Mount Pleasant and I joined the Jennie Moore Cub Scout pack and finished Cub Scouts with them. In sixth grade, I started up with Boy Scout Troop 502 on Isle of Palms. I felt that group was too big for me so I switched to Troop 59 on Sullivan's Island. I began doing all of the requirements leading up to the Eagle Scout rank with them. My 18th birthday came along and I was ready to do the last thing to reach Eagle Scout rank. The total number of years I've been involved in Scouts is 14.

SZ:  What are a couple of your favorite experiences/memories?
LG:  I was very shy starting out, but as the years passed I really enjoyed camping with the other scouts in my troop and playing cards whenever we could at summer camp.

SZ:  What inspired you to become an Eagle Scout?
LG:  Two of my three older brothers joined Scouts. My youngest brother just finished Cub Scouts and I want him to look up to me. I want to help him along the way and see him get to Eagle Scout. I am the first one on either side of my family who has earned his Eagle Scout Badge.

SZ:  What are the requirements to become an Eagle Scout?
LG:  Becoming an Eagle Scout required me to demonstrate leadership through meeting various leadership roles. I earned merit badges every year which helped me meet the 21 merit badge requirement. While in those leadership roles, I researched projects that would benefit the community. I made two picnic tables that are now in Laurel Hill Park for people to enjoy.

SZ:  How will being an Eagle Scout benefit your future?
LG:  Having this rank will open a lot of doors for me. It will show people that I possess and understand the 12 points of Scouts which include being Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, and Courteous (to name a few). People will be able to see these reflected in me as I continue to work hard to incorporate these points into my life. They have had a meaningful impact in my life. I hope being an Eagle Scout leads to future offers of leadership roles by helping me to stand out from my peers.

We are so proud of you Lukas! We are also proud of Reed Elkin and all other PCA Eagle Scouts out there.
Touring Our Nation's Capital: 8th Graders Experienced Washington D.C.
Written by Margaret O'Hanley; Photos by Amy Andrews 

PCA 8th grade returned from a safe and educational trip to our nation's capital. 

With Mr. Bill Schenkel and his vast arsenal of knowledge at the helm, we visited the Holocaust Museum, had a variety of Smithsonian stops, were amazed at the ceremony of the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery and cheered on the jumbotron at an Orioles game. We were lucky to be able to witness the process of creating national policy at the Senate and see the head of the Democratic Party speak. We all decided that the Museum of the Bible is a must-do if you ever find yourself in DC! 

Memorials galore created memories galore for this great bunch of almost-high schoolers. Thank you to all of our chaperones and families who helped plan the trip. 

Celebrating Grandparents Day At PCA!
Photos by PCA Mom Cassy Andrus

One thing's for sure.. PCA loves its grandparents! The PCA Lower School gathered last Friday to honor God, our veterans and our grandparents! Sweet, young voices led a beautiful program filled with a variety of songs.. from a worshipful "Joy Medley" to a foot stomping "Shortnin' Bread" to a delightful "Armed Forces Medley" recognizing servicemen and women with each battle cry of the military branches. It was truly a special  day at PCA of celebrating and worshiping. The love of our Lord was interwoven with the pride of our nation and with the blessings of our grandparents. 
Lower School Principal Dr. Rick Martin encouraged grandparents to "take time and share the stories of God's praise and mighty acts. Grandchildren need your steady hand, they need your prayers, and they need your love."   
PCA is truly grateful for its grandparents and their influence on the hearts of our students!




Preschool Press: Preschoolers Jump Into Spring!
Written by Preschool Assistant Director Tracy Ciali

The Preschoolers enjoyed our Annual Spring Fling last week. Maybe you saw the large inflatable slide and bounce house in the parking lot!  Each preschool class, from the two year olds to the four year olds, had an opportunity to slide and jump.  Many rocketed down the slide with squeals of laughter. Some four year old classes were decked out in custom tie dye shirts made in class for the celebration.  The children were not the only ones who enjoyed the experience.  Many preschool teachers where seen jumping and sliding as well!  To help cool off from all the jumping, the children enjoyed popsicles and were treated to a pizza lunch courtesy of PCAP.  What a great way to celebrate spring!

Grimaldi's Teacher Appreciation: Enter Your Child's Teacher For A Pizza Party 

In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, Grimaldi's Pizzeria will award 45 lucky teachers across the country with a pizza party. One winner will be selected from the Mt. Pleasant area. Teachers must be nominated by an adult by filling out the brief form in the link below explaining why their teacher deserves a pizza party! Nominations will be taken through May 11. You must be 18 or older to participate.
In addition, Grimaldi's will be offering 15% off for all teachers during National Teacher  Appreciation Week on May 7-11. Teachers must present ID to redeem offer. 

Register For Dynamic Pay! Give Back, Get Back!

This initiative is sustainable fundraising for PCA. Unlike a one-time coupon or giving your bank  account and credit information to multiple vendors, Dynamic Pay is a safe, secure, and easy way to continue supporting PCA through your regular and essential spending.

Just take your phone - don't worry about your wallet!  Use your app for back to school shopping at WalMart, Staples, Old Navy, Lands' End, and Amazon.. or s ummer fun at Dicks, Nike, Zappos, and Under Armour. And how about mom fun with  Movies, Starbucks, Carrabas, Longhorn, and Target.

If you haven't signed up for Dynamic Pay yet, we encourage you to sign up today.  This exciting program allows you to make mobile payments directly from your phone while earning cash back for yourself and helping Palmetto Christian Academy at the same time. 

Here are some of the highlights of this amazing program:
  • Your $25 membership fee allows you exclusive access to our savings program
  • You will receive a $10 Welcome Bonus just for signing up
  • Many customers save over $500 per year
  • You can make payments & earn cash back for both in-store and online shopping
  • Signing up is easy, then just download the App 
So take a minute to sign up, start saving today, and support PCA!



Senior Spotlight: Our Class of 2018

These students have lived, learned and grown with us here at PCA. We are so proud of our senior class and its accomplishments. As we near the end of the school year, we want to highlight each member of our Class of 2018 over the next several weeks in a feature called "Senior Spotlight". Let's celebrate together what God has in store for their future.
Ellie Graham Campbell: Senior Spotlight

At what grade level did you start Palmetto Christian Academy? I started PCA in preschool...I'm a lifer!
 
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? If so, what are they and have you received awards in these activities? I played JV basketball as well as JV and Varsity tennis throughout my years at PCA...and continued tennis through a tennis academy in Mount Pleasant during my off season of tennis. I enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in talent shows at PCA. I also had a role in the last high school play my freshman year, playing Clairee in "Steel Magnolias".
 
What are your plans after graduation?  I plan to attend the University of South Carolina and major in nursing, in hopes to one day become an occupational therapist.


If your college or university has released scholarship recipients, have you received scholarship money? Yes, I will be receiving scholarships.

How has PCA made a difference in, or impacted your life? Do you feel that Palmetto Christian Academy has prepared  you for life after graduation?  I feel that PCA has provided me with a solid foundation that has prepared me for college in many ways. The teachers always go the extra mile to help me and to prepare me for success. The administration, my coaches, and other faculty have encouraged me as well as pushed me to be the best that I can be. Also, PCA has provided me with long lasting friendships that I will always remember and cherish.
Nerel Martin: Senior Spotlight

At what grade level did you start Palmetto Christian Academy? My first year at PCA was 12th grade.
 
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? If so, what are they and have you received awards in these activities? I played volleyball this year. 
 
What are your plans after graduation?  I plan to go to college and study nursing.

How has PCA made a difference in, or impacted your life? Do you feel that Palmetto Christian Academy has prepared you for life after graduation?  
The transition this year into PCA has helped prepare me for the transition into college.
Michael Pernell: Senior Spotlight

At what grade level did you start Palmetto Christian Academy? I started at PCA during 1st grade.
 
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? If so, what are they and have you received awards in these activities?  I was involved in many PCA sports, including Varsity Swim team (state runner up in 2017), Varsity Tennis (State Runner up 2013, 2014), Varsity Soccer, Varsity Track (State Champions 2017), and several other organizations, including President of Student Goverment Association in 2017-2018, and  FCA leader.
 
What are your plans after graduation?  I am attending Clemson University in the fall of 2018 with a major in computer science. 

If your college or university has released scholarship recipients, have you received scholarship money?  Yes, I will receive the Life Scholarship.

How has PCA made a difference in, or impacted your life? Do you feel that Palmetto Christian Academy has prepared you for life after graduation?  I am thankful for the PCA community. The close environment creates an atmosphere that is easy to make friends and lasting relationships. I am thankful for these friends and I feel PCA has prepared me to enter college with a strong christian foundation.
Chad Shimakonis: Senior Spotlight

At what grade level did you start Palmetto Christian Academy? I started attending PCA in Kindergarten.
 
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? If so, what are they and have you received awards in these activities?  I played sports all my years at PCA which included tennis, golf, basketball, football, and soccer. In High School, I was All State in football and soccer. Outside of school, I love fishing and boating. At ECBC, I helped with Operation Freshman my senior year and really enjoyed that.
 
What are your plans after graduation?  I plan to attend Clemson University Bridge. I am considering a career in Construction Management.

If your college or university has released scholarship recipients, have you received scholarship money?  Yes, the Life Scholarship. 

How has PCA made a difference in, or impacted your life? Do you feel that Palmetto Christian Academy has prepared you for life after graduation?  I feel prepared for college and my career. I appreciate the teachers and coaches that have invested their time to prepare me for college. I also appreciate the friendships I have made and the Christian values that we have been taught.
Register Now For Summer Camps!

Get your children moving this summer and engage their minds with PCA Summer Camps! PCA will be offering several camps this year... everything from athletics to sweetgrass basket making to Spanish language camp! 
Click the link below to learn details and dates for all of our camp offerings. Invite your friends too.. simply tell them to go to our website and search for the Summer Camps 2018 tab under "Quicklinks".  

Important Notes: You will need to contact the coach or teacher listed as camp organizer to register and for payment information. Also, grades listed for each camp are rising grades. For example, if your child is in Kindergarten now, he or she would be eligible for a camp for Grades 1-5. 
In Just Two Days: Field Day 2018 Begins!
Written by PTF Co-Chair Margaret O'Hanley

It's the most won-der-ful time of the year! May 2 is our Field Day 2018 and it is just a few days away! 

Remember that May 2 is a half day for Lower School only with an early dismissal at 11:30/11:45 am.  

To help make Field Day even more successful, please  help us with the following:
  • Students will receive their Field Day tribe T-shirt Tuesday. Students MUST wear their tribe shirt Wednesday with PE shorts
  • Weather looks great. Please apply sunscreen at home and send a disposable water bottle with name on it. We will have additional water and cups 
  • Please send a box of snack bars to your classroom this week before Wednesday. If your child has an allergy, please send an appropriate snack bar. We will have an allergy snack monitor and fresh cut oranges 
  • Parents are welcome to attend and cheer on our tribes in some good competition and fun fellowship. We will have "Secret Spirit Spies" looking for the tribe who is displaying the Fruits of the Spirit and this tribe will receive a special prize. Tribes will walk over to the Belle Hall fields at 8:30 am, so after you park at PCA, just follow the path and the signs toward the fun! 
A huge thank you goes out to our extraordinary Field Day Team of Leah Chadwick, Kim Calderon, Tiffany Knight, Brantli McMillan, Margaret O'Hanley, Kristen Overcash,  Kim Scarbrough and Katherine Vandergrift.  
Today Is The Deadline To Apply For Scholarships And Financial Aid

Please be sure to apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships by April 30, 2018There are several scholarships available, in addition to financial assistance through Smart Aid. 
All of this information is listed on our website under Admissions, under Financial Assistance, or click here to view.  If you have any questions, please email Lisa Shimakonis at lisas@palmettochristianacademy.org.
We're Looking For Booster Club Board Members!
Written by Booster Club President Ken Evans

The PCA Booster Club is now taking nominations for the Executive board. We would invite you to nominate parents that you feel would be a great addition to the Booster Club and our support of Athletics at PCA. The term of officers is 2 years and this would be for the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 school years. Any nominations should be sent to Ken Evans at mailkenevans@gmail.com.  Nominations will be taken until May 10th  and officers will be elected at our last scheduled meeting for this school year on  May 16th at 6:30  pm in the library! All members are welcome to come vote!
Big Savings At The Spirit Store Spring Sale!!!  

You'll find the best PCA Eagles merchandise and enjoy shopping some great deals during the Spirit Store Spring Sale!  
Be sure to stop by the school on May 9 from 1 pm to 3 pm for a fabulous shopping experience!
All Spirit Store merchandise will be displayed and available for purchase. You'll even find a special bargain table with t-shirts selling for just $5. 
So be sure to join us and stock up on your Eagles fan gear!!!
Remember, you can also shop online if you can't make it to the sale.

Eagle Athletic News
Region Champs!!!
Congrats To Varsity Track Teams!
Written by Athletic Director Dale Hoover

The PCA Boys and Girls Track Teams repeated as Region II-AA champions this past Thursday at Wilson Hall in Sumter. With Thomas Sumter having most of their team out due to school trips, the Eagles literally ran away with the meet as the boys won by 100 points over Carolina Academy and the girls won by 61 points over Calhoun Academy. Grayson Silvester broke the school record for the 400m by .90 seconds. Also, Robert Gregg, Kaila Stoneworth, Catherine Cave, and Dalton Welch all qualified for state in at least one event. 
Individual Region Champions for the Eagles were:
Hamilton Blair - 3200 m, 1600 m
Dalton Welch - 110 h, 400 h
Grayson Silvester - 100 m, 400 m, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Catherine Cave - 400 m
Lauren Pernell - 100 h, 400 h, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Girls 4x800 - Mae Cave, Katie Vandergrift, Jules Blair, Anna Terry
Girls 4x100 - Anderson Blair, Lena Stoneworth, Erin Wayman, Kaila Stoneworth
 
Both teams will be working hard this week in an attempt to defend last year's state titles. This year's State Championships are scheduled to begin at 9:30 am on Saturday, May 5 at Porter Gaud.

Varsity Boys Soccer Team Wins In Overtime On Senior Night!
Written by Athletic Director Dale Hoover

The boys' soccer team defeated Cathedral in a region match for Senior Night on Thursday at MUSC Health Stadium. After honoring our 8 seniors, the team went to overtime to beat the Generals by a score of 4-2. Scoring for the Eagles were Grant Lonneman (2), Chad Shimakonis, and Kendall Chakeris. Gabe Moser and Grant Lonneman had 2 assists each. The boys will play Northwood on Tuesday in the final regular season match. Playoff determinations will be made by SCISA late this week and the boys are in an excellent position to receive a playoff berth.
Varsity Boys Golf Team Competes In State
Written by Athletic Director Dale Hoover   

The PCA Golf team competed in the State Championships at the Hackler Course in Myrtle Beach on Monday and Tuesday of last week. Andrew Propes led the Eagles by finishing in the top 10 individually as the team finished 7th overall out of 12 teams. The boys played some of their best golf of the year in tough weather conditions.
Varsity Boys Tennis Team Finishes Season 
Written by Athletic Director Dale Hoover   

The Varsity Boys Tennis team concluded its season this past week with tough losses to Pinewood (0-9) on Tuesday and Berkeley High School (1-4) on Wednesday. The boys ended their season at 2-6 but look forward to a bright future.
JV Baseball Team Wraps Up Season With A Huge Win!

It was a great way to wrap up the season. Our JV Baseball team played an excellent game last Wednesday night and ended the season with a 13-0 win over the Lowcountry Wildcats!!!
Head Coach John Fragola says he's excited about what's ahead for PCA baseball. 
"Our boys recently finished a strong baseball campaign winning three out of their last four games and I could not be more proud of their achievements this year.  It was a season of tremendous growth and the future for PCA baseball is very bright.  Our Eagles baseball program is blessed to have had a group of such strong and talented young men who worked hard this year to compete athletically and honor God in all that they were asked to do. A big thank you goes out to my coaching staff, our athletic director, our Booster club, our parents and the entire PCA community for all of their support, hard work and dedication to advancing our program." 

PCA Athletes Honored At State Banquet
Written by Athletic Director Dale Hoover; Photo provided by Jennifer Davidson 

Seven PCA Basketball players were honored at the High School Sports Report banquet yesterday in Columbia. Maddie Davidson, Lauren Pernell, Maliek Brown, Robert Gregg, Marc Haight, and Cole Silvester were all named to the SCISA-AA All-State teams while freshman Katelyn Howard was named to the All-Rookie team which comes from both public and private schools. 
8-Man Football Is Coming To PCA
Written by Athletic Director Dale Hoover

We were just recently informed by SCISA that PCA will be playing 8-man football next year. This fast-paced brand of football is growing quickly throughout the nation and gained notoriety at the NFL draft this week as the 19th overall pick in the draft came from an 8-man high school program in Idaho where 50 schools play in the 8-man division. In SCISA, the 8-man division is larger than the A, AA, or AAA 11-man divisions. Our schedule will be released by SCISA soon and we will provide more information as it becomes available. We are extremely excited to have this high-scoring type of football at PCA.
Important Dates To Remember
  • May 2 - Lower School Field Day (Early Release LS Only)
  • May 3 - Carowinds Choir and Band Trip
  • May 9-11 - 5th Grade Williamsburg Trip
  • May 10 - Palmetto Art & Music Show
  • May 11 - Senior Walk/Awards Ceremony
  • May 16 - Last Day of Preschool
  • May 16 - Booster Club Meeting
  • May 16-20 - Senior Class Trip
  • May 17 - Military Opportunities Meeting
  • May 18 - Upper School Academic Awards (Grades 8-11)
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