A quarterly publication to share school-related accomplishments of

students, faculty, staff, & alumni of Prince Avenue Christian School.

Students Raise Money

for Costa Rica Mission Trip

In preparation for their upcoming mission trip to Costa Rica, the Prince senior class sponsored “Coins for Change” in which they raised money for the house-build project they will complete on their trip.

Seniors visited each lower school classroom and explained the process of the house builds and the significant ways the houses change the lives of Costa Ricans. Students were asked to support the effort by raising $2500 – the cost of one build.

Lower school students and families gave generously and in four days raised $6,136.65! Seniors worked throughout the week to collect and count the money and plan to share pictures of the houses with students upon their return.

Director of Campus Life Nick Wilbur explains that the extra funds raised will enable the group to help the families even more than originally planned. “We plan to purchase a refrigerator and other items for each home that will improve the quality of life for those families.”

Seventy-three seniors and nine faculty chaperones will travel to Costa Rica from March 23rd – 28th. In addition to building houses, the group will hold a Vacation Bible School for children in the village and share the Gospel with the families they encounter.

Prince Fine Arts Programs Partner

with Local Ministries

Two Prince Fine Arts programs recently partnered with local ministries to help meet the needs of those programs in the greater Athens community.

In January, the Prince National Art Honors Society held its 12th annual Empty Bowls silent auction. Student artists created beautiful handmade bowls filled with themed goodies that were auctioned to the highest bidder. All proceeds went to benefit local homeless shelter "A Bigger Vision". This year's total was $4,884.

At their recent performance of Bright Star, the fine arts cast and crew partnered with the Athens Pregnancy Center (APC) to raise awareness for the value of human life and the need to support women and their unborn babies. Patrons had the option of purchasing a "dessert theatre" ticket for an additional $15, and the APC was present at each performance to educate attendees about the services they offer to the community. After four performances, the students raised $4,500 for the APC.

Baldwin Named STAR Student

Senior Ella Baldwin has been named the 2024 STAR Student for Prince Avenue Christian School, scoring the highest in one sitting of the SAT test for the senior class. Ella selected high school math teacher Katie Gilbert as her STAR Teacher.

Ella is the daughter of Suzanne and Tony Baldwin and has attended Prince for four years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Interact Club, and National Art Honor Society. Ella has been recognized as a Wolverine Academian for having the highest grade point average in her class her freshman and junior year and the second highest average her sophomore year. Ella is on the Academic Team and has played on the Varsity Soccer team and run on the Varsity Cross Country team.

Ella has worked as a research lab intern with the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. She also volunteers with Young Life and with Extra Special People where she has been an after-school counselor, camp counselor, and intern in Miracle League, music therapy, and family events support. Ella attends Athens Church.

Lower and Middle School

2nd Quarter Honor Roll

Fourth-Grade Principal's Honor Roll

Fifth-Grade Principal's Honor Roll

Fourth-Grade Head of School's Honor Roll

Fifth-Grade Head of School's Honor Roll

Prince fourth and fifth-grade students were recognized during Lower School Chapel for academic excellence in the second quarter of the fall semester. Students who made the Head of School Honor Roll achieved a grade of 90 or above in all core classes, and students who made the Principal’s Honor Roll achieved a combined A average in all core classes. Congratulations to these students and their parents on this great accomplishment.

Prince middle school students recognized for academic excellence were distinguished as The Head of School's Honor Roll (earning a 90 or above in every core class) or The Principal's Honor Roll (earning a combined 'A' average in all core classes).

Students Compete in ACSI Spelling Bee

Prince lower and middle school spellers worked hard to prepare for and compete in the Association of Christian Schools International Regional Spelling Bee held on the Prince campus on February 9th. Congratulations to these students for a strong performance at this academic event.

The following students placed in their respective grades:

1st Grade: Townsend Ficken - 2nd Place

2nd Grade - Aubree Turner - 1st Place

4th Grade - Lawson Brannon - 4th Place

5th Grade - Logan Marden - 2nd Place

6th Grade - Evie Budzelini - 1st Place

7th Grade - Tyler Collins - 2nd Place

8th Grade - Nate Murray - 1st Place

5th-8th Grade Spell-Off - Logan Marden - 5th Place

Cross-Curricular Studies

Prince high school English students in Mrs. Skaggs’s Literary Types class recently participated in a cross-curricular activity with physics teacher Col Dale Autry.

The students are reading the non-fiction book, Bomber Mafia, by Malcom Gladwell that examines the doctrine of precision aerial bombing as a means to win World War II. With a personal history as a bomber pilot in the Air Force as well as experience teaching military history strategy at the college level, Col Autry led students in a three-dimensional physics lab in which they calculated how far a bomb would horizontally travel while dropping at a constant speed.

Students worked together to make the calculations and hit the target on the bullseye.

Dunn Named Semi-Finalist

in Governor's Honors Program

Prince Avenue Christian School junior Jenifer Dunn has been named as a semi-finalist in the highly competitive Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) – a residential summer program that offers instruction designed to provide rising juniors and seniors with the academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.



Jenifer was nominated for GHP by Prince Band Director Gerald Dailey in the area of flute performance. After the required nomination, the rigorous process included multiple auditions, an application that included an essay and transcript, a letter of recommendation from Jenifer’s private teacher, and an interview. GHP finalists will be announced later this spring.

Students Selected for District Honor Band

Prince band students were recently selected for the Georgia Music Educator's Association District Honor Band. Students prepared music and attended rehearsals that culminated in a formal concert.

Pictured Above Left to Right: Preston Mitchell (trumpet), Koen Hewett (french horn), Andrew Gilmore (trombone), Jenifer Dunn (flute), Carly Land (Euphonium), and Ethan West (trombone) attended High School District Honor Band on February 10th at Jackson County High School.

Pictured Below Left to Right: Cannon Kirkland (clarinet), Nate Murray (french horn), and Jackson Rentz (trumpet) attended Middle School Honor Band on February 3rd held at The Venue in Flowery Branch.

Congratulations to these Fine Arts students on these significant accomplishments.

Performing Arts Students Employ Interdisciplinary Studies

When enjoying a Prince Fine Arts production, audiences can easily assume the amount of work, preparation, and rehearsal necessary for a quality performance. However, audiences may not realize there is an entire academic process in which Prince students participate before they ever begin to learn lines, music, or choreography or embark on set construction or costume design.

This academic approach involves the use of dramaturgy, a process by which students methodically study dramatic composition and the corresponding theatrical representation. Through this process, students can understand the historical context of a work as well as spiritual, political, cultural, and relational themes relevant to the story. Students also analyze character development and musical genres and any relevant symbolism.

Middle School Performs The Lion King, Jr.

The cast and crew of the Prince middle school production of The Lion King, Jr. gave an amazing performance of this well-known and beloved story. The acting, music, choreography, make-up, and costuming made for an entertaining and enjoyable experience for the audience and the actors.

Middle School Teams

Win Basketball Championship

Congratulations to the Prince middle school girls and boys basketball teams who both won the league championship!

The girls went undefeated with a season record of 17-0 and beat Athens Academy 37-16 in the championship game. Head Coach Clayton Ogle says he enjoyed every minute of the season. “These girls are competitors and play the game the right way. From preseason, practices, and games they attacked every day with a championship attitude. I am extremely proud of each and every one of them and thankful that I was able to be a part of this unbelievable season.”

The boys went 18-2 for the season and beat Athens Academy 41-21 in the championship game. Head Coach Charles Ficken says he is proud of the boys’ accomplishments this season. “Their hard work, togetherness, and humility paved the way for an exciting season and a memory they will always take with them.”

Wolverine Athletes Sign to Play College Sports

Prince Avenue Christian School recently celebrated with four seniors who signed to play sports at the college level.

Tyler Denny signed to play football with North Greenville University. Head Coach Greg Vandagriff says that Tyler followed a long line of all-state kickers at Prince. “Tyler stepped up and kept that string alive. He was consistent all year long, and I am sure he is going to continue to do well at North Greenville.”

Will Goff signed to play baseball with Wingate University.  Head Coach Allen Osborne describes Will as one of the best players and teammates he has coached. “Will has overcome injury and adversity and worked very hard to get to this point. I could not be happier for him and his parents. He is going to a great program at Wingate.”

Austin Head signed to play football with Anderson University. Coach Vandagriff describes Austin as an outstanding leader. “Austin anchored our o-line and has been an all-state performer. He will have a fantastic career at Anderson.”

Trey Taylor signed to play baseball with Covenant College. Coach Osborne explains that Trey is an excellent leader. “Trey’s growth and maturity is superb. His parents have been there every step of the way, and they are to be congratulated as well. Trey will have a great career at Covenant.”

Thus far, eleven Prince seniors from the class of 2024 have signed to play athletics in college. Congratulations to these student-athletes and many thanks for their contributions to Prince Athletics.

Varsity Basketball All-Region Honors

Wolverine Softball Team Honored

with State House Resolution

The championship Prince Avenue Christian School Varsity Softball team was recently honored at the Georgia State Capitol where House Resolution 897 honoring their historic season was read on the House Floor at the beginning of the day’s session. 

The Wolverines were invited to the Capitol by State Representatives Marcus Wiedower and Houston Gaines. During the visit, the team enjoyed a tour led by Representatives Wiedower and Gaines and gathered for a picture with Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp.

The team gathered in the gallery of the State House of Representatives to listen as their historic state championship win was recognized as a “triumphant victory”, their 39-1 season was described as “remarkable”, and the fact that they accomplished the school’s “first-ever women’s team state championship win” was proclaimed “extraordinary”.  Individual accolades were acknowledged by name and accomplishment, and the 2023 Wolverine Softball Team was cemented in state history.

Head Coach Donnie Byrom describes the experience as a true honor. “It was a great experience for the girls and very special to have House Resolution 897 documenting the successes of this extraordinary team.”

Culpepper Selected as

Rotary Student of the Semester

Prince senior Mimi Culpepper has been selected as the Rotary Student of the Semester for Fall 2023. Mimi was chosen by Prince teachers for her demonstration of the Rotary Club motto of “Service Above Self”.

Mimi is the daughter of Katherine and John Culpepper and has attended Prince for 12 years. She is in the National Honors Society, Beta Club, National Art Honor Society, and Interact Club. Mimi also serves as senior class president and plays on the varsity tennis team. Mimi volunteers as a lower school small group leader at Athens First United Methodist Church and teaches tennis to toddlers at Athens Country Club in the summer.

Juniors Receive Class Rings

Prince juniors who chose to purchase class rings received their rings in a special ceremony commemorating this important milestone in their high school careers. Congratulations to the members of the junior class as they look forward to their senior year and embrace their role as leaders on campus.

Juniors Accepted to Youth Leadership Athens

Prince juniors Hendley Boucek, Bo Powell, and Julia Shiver were recently accepted into the 2024 Youth Leadership Athens (YLA) program.



YLA is a prestigious application and referral program that seeks to provide local students with the opportunity to develop an awareness of community issues and direct their leadership skills toward helping others. YLA provides activities each month that highlight areas of leadership such as government, business, and art. Once completed, students will graduate from the program and be honored in a special ceremony.

Father/Daughter Sock Hop

Prince fathers and daughters had a wonderful time at the PACS Sock Hop dinner and dance. Many thanks to the Prince Parent Teacher Fellowship for planning such a special and memorable event!

Shook Awarded Military Scholarship

Prince alumnus Ian Shook (’23) was recently awarded the Georgia Military Service Scholarship. This prestigious and competitive scholarship, valued at $85,000, is awarded to 42 students per year who agree to enlist in the Georgia Army National Guard, attend the University of North Georgia, participate in the Corps of Cadets, and commission as an officer in the Georgia Army National Guard after earning a bachelor’s degree.

Ian invited Prince Head of School LtColSeth Hathaway, USMC (ret) to administer his Oath of Office. During the ceremony, Ian was awarded the scholarship by members of the National Guard.

Jones, Majority Caucus Office Intern

Prince alumnus Hendley Jones (’21) is currently interning in the state Majority Caucus Office for Representatives Bruce Williamson, Houston Gaines, James Burchett, and Ginny Ehrhart. 

As part of his duties, Hendley is responsible for handling constituent calls, researching various bills, drafting resolutions, and assisting with administrative tasks. Through this experience, Hendley hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process.



Hendley is a third-year student at the University of Georgia majoring in political science and minoring in religion and Portuguese with a Public Affairs Professional Certificate in Applied Politics. He plans to pursue a career in economic development with the goal of bringing positive outcomes and growth to the state of Georgia.