Alumni Stories: Nick Watson

Nick Watson, a proud PCA alumnus from the Class of 2019, embodies the heart of what it means to grow, serve, and give back within the PCA community. During his time as a student, Nick embraced the opportunities that shaped his faith, character, and future. From life-changing mission trips to supportive mentors and inspiring teachers, Nick’s experiences at PCA left a lasting impact.

Now, as a dedicated member of the PCA staff, Nick pours back into the same community that helped shape him. Through his work in aftercare, summer camp, Kaleidoscope, FCA, middle school small groups, and the missions club, he strives to create meaningful connections and encourage students in their faith and personal growth.

We sat down with Nick to learn more about his favorite memories as a student, how his time at PCA influenced his walk with Christ, and his advice for current Upper School students. Read on to hear Nick’s heartfelt reflections and inspiring insights!

When you think about your time at PCA, what are some of your fondest memories?

Costa Rica – 7th grade It was the first time traveling internationally for me and it was my dad’s, Mr. Watson, first time traveling to Costa Rica too and he has gone every year since that trip. Definitely a culture shock. Typically, I am not sure that many American 7th graders get this opportunity. My peers and I had an amazing bonding experience during the bus rides and the down times throughout the trip. The small, in-between moments certainly made our relationships deeper. On top of that, the actual highlights and important aspects of the trip. We prayed together during devotionals… I don’t remember exact details, but they were good conversations, and I know many of us grew spiritually from that trip.

Also, Mrs. Buchanan’s 7th-grade homeroom had an impact when it came to my personal faith journey. She approached it from an exciting and relatable perspective that resonated with me as well. as others a lot more compared to the focus maybe being on a test or quiz grade. She had a unique way of helping us really think about our own faith and really showed she cared about our overall growth, which entering your teenage years is very pivotal and also rare in our society. She was a great example of the kind of people that we have at PCA, that yes they may be a teacher or staff member, but they strive to be examples for the students and show God’s love to them in a loving and compassionate way, that I think doesn’t exist in many other places. Looking back, I am very thankful for her, as well as so many other teachers, staff, and coaches as I would certainly not be where I am today without them. God blessed me as well as so many other students with amazing people at PCA.

Where did you go to college after PCA?

I went to Dean College, it’s a small liberal arts school in franklin mass and I majored in sports management. They have a partnership with the Kraft Sports Group, and I wanted to fulfill my dream of working in professional sports, specifically a career with the Patriots. At PCA I played soccer, baseball, basketball, as well as some coaching experience as well, all of which fueled my passion to work in sports. Covid hit and it all backfired. God began to lead me elsewhere, from staying home all my sophomore year, walking away from baseball in 2021, and some hardships along the way to graduation, however I wouldn’t trade the lessons I learned or the friendships I made in that time for anything.

Tell us where you are now.

I live in Somersworth, NH and work here at PCA. I had a plan to work at a baseball training facility, and many other opportunities that just didn’t feel right. They either fell through or didn’t make sense to pursue in the long run. God presented the job opportunity at PCA, however I did not jump at it initially and just began to help with summer camp again. Through lots of prayer and wisdom God and close people in my life, I applied and interviewed for the KAL assistant position. I was accepted for the job and after only being at camp that summer for a few days I quickly realized that I shouldn’t have ever left and that God called me home in a way. After a year of being back, I realized it has been obvious that this is where God wants me right now, and I am truly blessed to have the opportunities I have here, as well as all the new relationships I have developed as well as the people I have reconnected with. I now help with aftercare, summer camp, kaleidoscope, FCA, and middle school small groups, and the missions club at PCA.

Do you feel your time at PCA influenced your relationship with Christ?

100%. Going back to my teacher, Mrs. Buchanan, in 7th grade she taught about faith in a way that I at least had not either resonated with or fully took the time to consider and approached it in such an inspired way it was hard to not be in-awe of tall the great things God had done throughout history. She put it all in a new perspective for us, and I know for a fact she impacted our entire class for the better. It wasn’t just me. And I think we all connected with her on a deeper level than I think other classes might have, and it helped me even enter college all those years later with the right mindset. She was one of the first of many at PCA who really helped me understand the Bible and faith on a deeper more personal level, which helped me then grow as I learned and matured more over the years in high school. Her love for the Lord was inspiring and I am very grateful that God blessed me and so many others over the years with her smile and compassion.

Do you have any advice for our current Upper School PCA Students?

Pour into the people who pour into you and avoid things that God is trying to keep you away from, because that’s a lesson, that stays with you your entire life. There’s going to be people you maybe don’t get along with. There’s going to be people you disagree with, and that’s part of life and ok. And there are also people who God puts in your life for a multitude of reasons, and when you have people who genuinely care about you and want what’s best for you, those are the people to cling on to and pour back into. Make the most of the people and opportunities God gives you and accept them for all they are, sometimes we need an ego check, or we need to step out of our comfort zone, but God works in so many awesome ways that we need to trust His ways over ours. And it can be hard, trust me, but that’s why we not only have the people in our lives he blesses us with, but we also get to build a relationship with Him. That also looks different for everybody, it could be getting involved in clubs, pouring more into your sports teams, or just your friend groups, whether it’s from a faith perspective or just checking in on each other and loving each other better. I don’t think there’s anybody here that you can’t go to for help, advice, or prayer. Whether it’s as big as dealing with grief or a major life change. Or it’s as simple as, “Can I borrow. a pencil?”. I think that is something only special here. I have been to a lot of different places, met all sorts of people, and have experienced a lot of things from my time at PCA to now, and there is truly no place like PCA, more importantly, there is not a better group of people I would rather work with or students I would rather be around than you guys here. I am who I am today by the grace of God and from the amazing people at PCA whether they were a friend, teacher, or coach, and I am honored and blessed to be able to pour back into the place that poured so much into me, and hopefully glorify God in all I do here.

Do you feel like you strive to be one of those people for the kids that are going to school now here?

That’s what I try to do. Whether it’s joking with a student, trying to connect them through FCA or the missions club, etc. I try to help anyone I can and either be a support, mentor, or whatever help someone would need. I love seeing the kids smile and hearing their laughs every day and especially all the memories from summer camp whether it was a fun thing we did, or me making a fool of myself. I am very thankful for all the relationships I have from working here and the connections with the students I have made whether through camp or Puerto Rico. And I see this not from the perspective of, ‘I’m doing this because I didn’t have it’, but it’s, ‘because I got it, that I want to do that and more.’

Do you have a favorite Bible Verse to share with us?

I do, and it’s such a powerful one. I spent the majority of my adult years trapped in an abusive marriage, marked by domestic violence, and later child abuse against my children. God rescued us in such a miraculous way last year. Our abuser was removed, five different protection orders were put in place, and now we live in safety. “From a violent man you rescued me. Therefore, I will praise you, Lord” 2 Samuel 22:49-50. I hope to work with other domestic violence victims in the future, inspiring others to seek safety, and encouraging them that God will protect and provide even when escape feels impossible.