PCA Senior Chapel and Sendoff Celebrates the Class of 2021
June 3, 2021PCA News Stories
PCA celebrated the Class of 2021 this past Friday, hosting a senior chapel at the Upper School, followed by a special sendoff ceremony at the Lower School.
During the chapel, PCA seniors led with worship, followed by the announcement of the Golden Eagle award recipient, and a senior panel. The ceremony was held outdoors, enabling students to observe PCA’s health and safety protocol.
This year’s Golden Eagle was awarded to senior, Lindsay Hatfield, a PCA highest honors student who has been recognized through multiple awards and has served as a student leader. You can read more about her recognition here. Hatfield received the Golden Eagle Award plaque with her name engraved alongside previous years’ recipients.
Following, a panel of 8 seniors took the time to answer questions. Each reflected on their time at PCA, discussing the impact of the community, of teachers, classes, their experiences at the Upper School.
When asked about their dreams and aspirations, panelists discussed how their teachers and time at PCA had enabled them to discover their passion and potential for a variety of different interests from music to science, and how they felt prepared academically, spiritually, (and even athletically) to go beyond high school to pursue those goals. Senior, Emily, talked about her hopes to become a math teacher. She said, “I have been so inspired by all of you. I didn’t want to be a teacher for a while, but I did when I was younger. But I’ve seen all the hard work these [teachers at PCA] are putting in. I want to be able to give back from what I’ve learned, and give back to the next generation.”
Panelists were asked to extend advice from what they’ve learned during their time at the Upper School. Seniors encouraged their fellow high schoolers to connect with the community, build relationships with staff and faculty, ask questions, and step out of their comfort zone. “And there really is light at the end of the college admissions tunnel,” offered senior, Christian, consoling his classmates.
The chapel concluded with the Upper School community singing and clapping together to ‘All the People Said Amen’ before sending the seniors off to the Lower School.
The Lower School community was ready to cheer on the Class of 2021. As seniors made their way around the loop, students, staff and faculty offered congratulations and encouragement to the graduates as they passed.
The afternoon was emotional and impactful for the students, families, and PCA staff and faculty. Some seniors said their thanks and farewells to elementary school teachers who they have known and loved as they looked ahead to the next chapter.
On June 11, PCA will host the official graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 on campus.
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