Pinewood Christian Academy 2021 Senior Year in Review
By: Ella Anderson, PCA senior class president
For the Pinewood Christian Academy class of 2021, the end is approaching. With graduation on Saturday, May 22, seniors have just a few more days as a PCA student. Although the year has been busy with seniors navigating academic and athletic schedules completing college and scholarship applications, and planning the senior trip, the Class of 2021 was still able to make its mark on PCA. In the face of a year marked with uncertainty due to the pandemic, our senior class pushed forward making it a year that we could be proud of!
The day before the first day of school, the senior parents treated the class to a wonderful cookout at Spring Hollow Farms to begin the school year, and we would like to thank everyone for all they have done for us this past year.
Football season was in full swing right after the beginning of the year. The team’s successful year ended the season clinching the GISA 2AAA Region Championship title with eleven seniors leading the team. Korbett MacGregor, Jonah Rogers, Joshua Rogers, Thomas Rogers, Grayson Swindell, Jacob Sikes, and Dylan Williams were each named All-Region with Korbett MacGregor also earning an All-State award.
During the last week of October, PCA celebrated a “Home Sweet Homecoming.” During the week, the seniors went all out dressing up for each day’s theme! Thursday morning, dressed in camouflage, they gathered for the traditional breakfast cookout in the school parking lot. Friday morning, the seniors kicked off the final day of Homecoming week with a favorite tradition – the senior parade! Family, friends, students, and faculty all cheered us on in celebration for our bittersweet last Homecoming as a Patriot. Homecoming representatives, Ella Anderson, Kendalyn Spacek, Payton Rogers, and Carson Rountree represented our graduating class. Payton Rogers was crowned queen and Carson Rountree was crowned princess.
PCA held a patriot parade in Bellville to show support for the upcoming region championship game against rival school Bulloch Academy. Patrons and students filled the streets to show support for the team. Following the parade, everyone gathered in the school parking lot for Pinewood’s first annual bonfire, which was complete with a DJ for entertainment. The night included dancing, fun, and the destruction of the BA gator piñata that Spanish classes built.
The softball team led by five seniors had a good year with numerous wins. Ella Anderson and Cierra Kinlaw were named All-Region players.
The varsity cheerleading team had another exceptional year. The team was led by ten seniors between the sideline and competition cheer teams. The competition team went undefeated in their regular season competitions, and Carson Rountree was named All-State.
The clay target shooting team topped off their exciting season as they claimed the title of State Champions, a first for Pinewood. Two seniors Colt Bragg and Landon DeLoach who both earned All-State awards led them. The team also claimed the GA Youth Sporting Clays Open Sporting Clays Champions title.
After Christmas Break, the year began to rush by. Both the Varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball teams had great seasons. Evan Belding and Emi Oates were both named All-Region.
The wrestling team had a very memorable and successful year. They were named Region Champions for the first time in PCA history. Individual region champions included: Forrest Johns in the 160 weight class, Dylan Williams in the 198 weight class, and Korbett MacGregor in the heavy weight class. Korbett MacGregor defended his heavy weight state championship title with his third straight year. The team finished fourth in the state, which also was a school first.
In March, the Miss PCA pageant took on the theme of “Brave Mighty Warrior” centered on Judges 6:12. The theme could not have been more fitting for the year since our school has bound together in the midst of heartbreak, uncertainty, and joy. The newly crowned 2021 Miss PCA Cadence Lynn had three other seniors in her court – Kendalyn Spacek, Carson Rountree, and Lydia Kicklighter.
On April 17th, the senior class attended their last prom at PCA, hosted by the juniors at the Collins Family Barn. The theme of prom was “Bright Lights Country Nights.” Seniors Aden Williams and Carson Rountree were crowned prom king and queen. The night was finished off with a spectacular fireworks show.
The golf and tennis teams both had a good season. Seniors for each team prevailed over their competitors. Senior Cade Curl made an impressive hole-in-one shot during one of the Patriots’ matches, another first for Pinewood’s record books.
The Varsity track teams continued the history making trends in PCA’s athletic endeavors of the year. They had extremely successful seasons. The boys’ and the girls’ teams dominated for the win as they swept the Region Championships and earned the individual highpoint awards. This accomplishment was not achieved at PCA ever before. The varsity boys won State Runner-up and for the first time in PCA history, the Varsity Girls brought home the State Champion trophy.
On May 12, the annual Senior Chapel was held in the Eddie Durrence Gymnasium. Coach Ridge Ferrell gave the address sharing the verse Philippians 2:3-4 and the importance of having an attitude like Christ. Seniors shared their last wills and testaments and then reminisced on their years together at Pinewood with the senior video.
The pursuit for region and state titles did not fall short during baseball season. The varsity baseball team battled their way through the regular season and prevailed as Region Champions. Garrett Bland and Grayson Swindell earned All-Region awards. The Patriots, led by five seniors, took their team to state and brought home the 1st state baseball title in the history of PCA.
One of the highlights of senior year was Farm Day with the third grade class, hosted at the Daniel Farm House. The senior class had a day full of hayrides, games, butter making, and square dancing.
One of the Senior Class’s very own, Thomas Rogers, was awarded STAR Student of PCA and Evans County.
As the year comes to a close, the seniors are wrapping up their academic year with final exams, AP testing, and Senior Honors Night. Before graduation on Saturday, the seniors will savor their final moments together with a class cookout hosted by their parents and class breakfast given by faculty.
On Saturday, May 22, the senior class will turn their tassels and say farewell to this wonderful school they have long called home and step out into the world before us.
