2024 Alumni Return to PCA

Written by Trish Garton, Development, Events and Alumni Coordinator

As we move into the second half of the 2025 school year, seniors at Portsmouth Christian Academy (PCA) are beginning to focus on what comes next—whether that’s college, missions, military, or workforce. The transition from high school to the next chapter can feel overwhelming, so each year, PCA welcomes their most-recent graduates back to campus to share with the seniors their personal experiences and advice as first-year alumni.

As they reflected on their transitions from PCA, the alumni offered valuable firsthand accounts and advice. Their stories helped inspire and prepare our seniors for the exciting—and sometimes daunting—journey that lies ahead. The panel responded to a variety of questions, from choosing the right college to how they feel PCA prepared them to what they miss about PCA, and more.

Ivan: “Computer science and Air Force ROTC because I want to do a military-oriented career.”
Ella: “Don’t let the distance be the reason you don’t pick a school.”
Rachel: “I’ve learned to be more comfortable with not knowing what’s going to happen next. Don’t be afraid if you want to go to college and it doesn’t work out…because opportunities will come up. Just keep looking everywhere and cast a wide net.”
Julie: “All I can say is just pray about it.”

Ella: “PCA prepared me so well, especially in my college chemistry classes…with all the things Mrs. Shevenell taught me in chemistry…and Mr. Beal’s public speaking…I didn’t realize how many people don’t want to public speak, and how many of them have never done it.”
Jed: “Some classes might have only four assignments the entire year, so if you do bad on one project, it’s hard to drag yourself back out unlike high school where you can have many assignments and it’s easier to catch up.”

Ivan: “There is so much information on there [syllabus], like the weighting of grades, assignment numbers, all that…don’t procrastinate.”
Julie: “Don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t do everything perfectly. You’ll have a lot on your plate so do as much as you can for yourself: eat well, get sleep, try your best, and it’s okay if you don’t always get the best grade you want.”

Ivan: “I met a couple of guys… and as I got to know them, I realized how different from me they were, but also how well we got along with each other. There are always people you connect with regardless of who you each are.”
Ella: “You don’t need to have a friend going into school. Join your school’s Instagram pages and find somebody, talk to them, and then you’ll have a connection before you go.”

Rachel: “I’m surprised at how much I miss classes because I’m on the go all the time. I have no downtime…I miss having study halls. Value your downtime and use it to get things done.”
Jed: “At PCA there’s a more built-in community here, and you have to work for that at college because it’s not just given to you.”
Ivan: “The teachers. There’s barely any personal connection [at my college]…they don’t know your name. Hang on to that personal connection [at PCA]. I miss that so much.”
Rachel: “I’ve had to find other places where I can find community, like church. I encourage you to invest in the communities you have.”

Ivan: “There’s no commute…I can just walk to my dorm and just take a nap in between my classes.”
Shelby: “Just talking to random people every day, and hearing about their lives. I think that’s super, super fun.”
Rachel: “I’ve learned a lot from the people who I’m around…there are so many perspectives and seeing the impact of parenting styles on kids and how kids interact with each other.”

Ella: “Getting an apartment with friends.”
Julie and her friend group plan to keep each other accountable in their faith and doing more evangelism.
Shelby will be getting together with friends in a group called CREW to do fun activities.
Jed is heading back to Camp Brookwoods to work for the summer.
Ivan is doing a rocky marathon and joining a group called Pershing Rifles, a special warfare group.
Rachel is applying to Gordon College: “I’m working on applying for as many scholarships as I can… I didn’t realize how important it was…I’m not sure what’s going to happen and I’m learning to be okay with that.”

As this year’s senior class took in the perspectives of those who most recently came before them, they also took in a wealth of great tips and advice for the next chapter of their lives…including their own seats at next year’s Alumni Panel.
We are grateful to the Class of 2024 for returning to campus to share their experiences and offer advice to our seniors. Whether near or far, once an Eagle, always and Eagle!