What year did you graduate: 2003.

Give us the highlight reel! What has changed since you transitioned from PCS student to PCS Alum?

Since it’s been almost 20 years, I really will stick to the highlights. After graduating from PCS, I went to Mississippi State University and got a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I joined ROTC my second semester of freshman year and earned my commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force with a pilot slot. I also met and married my wife, Whitney, while at Mississippi State. Over the past 15 years, we have lived in Panama City and Pensacola, FL, Enid, OK, San Antonio, TX (twice), Witchita Falls, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, and we are currently stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, NM. We are moving back to Mississippi next month where I will be stationed at Columbus AFB and instruct newly minted pilots in a program called Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals. Think Fighter Pilot 101. Along the way, I’ve flown the F-15C, DA-20, T-34, T-38, T-6, and F-16. I got my wings in 2010 and have remained flying ever since and currently have just over 2500 hrs of flight time with the majority of that in the single-seat, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft known as the Viper (F-16). I’ve flown the F-16 across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, employed weapons in combat in Afghanistan, and prepared a squadron to take the fight north if North Korea got out of hand. Of all the things I’ve done with my aviation career, though, being a fighter pilot instructor has been the most rewarding. While we were stationed in Enid, OK, we had our first kid, Winters, who just turned ten. We had our second kid, Laura Leigh, in San Antonio, TX and she just turned eight. We had our third kid here in Alamogordo. His name is Rhett and he just turned two. A deployment to the desert followed pretty quickly by a remote tour in South Korea is a good way to create a large age gap between kids. See the attached picture.

What is your most impactful memory of your time at PCS?

My most impactful memory from my time at PCS would have to be how much the teachers cared about the students and how much they truly enjoyed their jobs. I really do think that their enthusiasm played a key role in how I modeled my instructional techniques throughout my career. Starting the PCS football team is a close second.

As you look back upon your education through the lens of a biblical worldview, how has that shaped every good endeavor that you have invested your time, talent, and treasure in since graduation?

Getting educated with a biblical worldview was helpful because how you are educated is typically how you will end up living your life. Not everybody will, but at least they will have “heard the good news,” early on in life. Education based on a biblical worldview shaped where, how, and why I invested my time, talent, and treasure. I invested in myself by continuing my education in a field that I truly enjoyed including my Master’s in International Relations from Troy University. I found my talents through educational pursuits and was able to accrue the treasures of having a job I love and a beautiful family because of the foundation of a biblical worldview. The “Why” goes back to the chief end of man as defined in the catechism. The chief end of man is to glorify God AND enjoy him forever. I’ve taken that to mean I should find something that I love and pursue it with a passion and I believe I have done just that. Flying for me is like running for Eric Liddell. “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel His pleasure.”

How would you describe the impact of your PCS education to a family considering our school for their child?

I would say that PCS provided me with opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise had. Having the opportunity to learn in a Christian environment from teachers that care about the kids and are good at their jobs is priceless. I currently send my kids to a Christian school here in Alamogordo because of my time at PCS so you could say that it has had a generational impact.

What do the relationships you made at PCS look like today?

I have kept up with quite a few of my friends from PCS. There are probably around 15 friends that I still keep up with fairly regularly, which for a class of ~38 is pretty good.

What is your one piece of advice for a current PCS student?

I would encourage them to always have a thirst for knowledge. The education they are getting now is foundational to what their future will become.

Go Bobcats!

HATTIESBURG, MS— Each year the National Merit Scholarship Corporation identifies students across the United States who have scored at a very high level on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship qualifying test (PSAT/NMSQT) as semifinalists. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of United States high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Earlier this year, PCS announced that two students in the PCS Class of 2022 were named National Merit Semifinalists. Today, we are filled with pride to announce that Mr. Sam Powell and Mr. Sterling Robbins both advanced to the distinction of National Merit Finalists.

Only (0.45%) of high school seniors earn the distinction of National Merit Finalist each year.

This hard-earned distinction by Mr. Powell and Mr. Robbins make for a total of 57 students from PCS who have been named National Merit Scholars since the year of 2000. We are proud to be the leading MAIS school with these honors. Earning the distinction of National Merit Finalist is one of the highest honors a high school student can obtain.

Our College Counselor, Dr. Joshua Bowen, proudly states, “As a National Merit Finalist, these students truly have the world at their feet as they plan their next steps forward. Many National Merit Finalists are afforded full scholarships for all four years of their undergraduate degree, and both Sam and Sterling become a part of that elite club of high school students who have worked very hard for this outcome. It has been my distinct honor to work with these two young men this year to help them accomplish this goal, and I look forward to watching their success as they both attend the University of Alabama. We are all so proud of both of them and all they have accomplished to date.”

PCS Head of School Dr. Seth Parrish shares, “It has been a joy and a blessing to have had the privilege to know Sam Powell and Sterling Robbins. I have been amazed and inspired by their insatiable pursuit of excellence in all things, their leadership among their peers, and most of all the character they have displayed over the years as they have studied His Word. Our mission statement talks about our aim to prepare our students adequately for college. Education is the bread and butter of our day-to-day calling. However, these efforts would be in vain if that education wasn’t under the banner of Christ. We are very proud of both of these young men and pray the legacy of truth, honor, and loyalty will continue with them for all their days.”

Sam Powell will be attending The University of Alabama next year with a double major in electrical engineering and piano. Sam shares, “This honor means so much to me. I’ve looked up to a lot of students before me at PCS who were National Merit Finalists, and so now that I am one, I feel like I have reached their academic level that has been a goal of mine for quite some time. I feel very honored to be considered part of some of the top students in the nation.” Sam has been a student at PCS for the last fourteen years.

Sterling Robbins will be attending The University of Alabama next year and intends to major in chemical engineering on a pre-med track. Sterling shares, “Being named a National Merit Finalist means so much to me because of all the lessons I have learned about work ethic and devotion. I am very thankful to God for putting me in this amazing position.” Sterling has been a student at PCS for the last thirteen years.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact Director of Communications, Kami Bonner via email at kmbonner@pcsk12.org or by phone at 765-215-1334.

Thank you for registering for one of our PCS Science + Art Summer Camp options! We look forward to having you on our campus this summer.

NEXT STEPS:

February 14-18, 2022

Sophie Woods (1st) + Eli Smith (2nd) in Forrest County Spelling Bee

(Pictured left to right: Kim Smith, Eli Smith, Mr. Scott Griffith, Sophie Woods, Sophie’s “TawTaw,” Mr. Randy Swan, Angela Woods, and Mr. Gareth Bonner)

PCS was proud to host the Forrest County Spelling Bee on February 10th under the direction and leadership of Mr. Scott Griffith. Mr. Griffith has been a long time fan of the spelling bee program, and it was a fitting was to spend his birthday. A big congratulations goes to PCS student Sophie Woods (7th) for her first place finish and ticket to the state spelling bee in the coming weeks. We also wish to congratulate PCS student Eli Smith (7th) for his second place finish. A dear friend of PCS and member of the PCS Family, Mr. Randy Swan, served as our caller, and Mr. Gareth Bonner and Mrs. Kami Bonner served as judges for the event.

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February 24 @ 12:00

School wide PTO Meeting

Join our PTO at the next school wide PTO meeting to discuss the many things on the horizon for their efforts to support Presbyterian Christian School.

ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR

SOCCER BLANKETS ARE HERE!

Elementary blankets will be sent to student homerooms and Secondary blankets will be in the Athletic Office. There are a limited number of blankets available that may be purchased for $80. Click below to email for availability. Thanks for supporting soccer!

EMAIL FOR AVAILABILITY

PCS COVID HOME PAGE—FOR ALL COVID RELATED INFO & REPORTING

As promised, our latest PCS COVID-19 numbers are below. These numbers are accurate as of our reported data at the time of sending this email. However, please keep in mind, these numbers are subject to change at any point in time making the following immediately outdated. Thank you for your understanding and your grace.

1 — Staff Positive Cases

0 — Staff Out Due to Known Exposure

5 — Student Positive Cases

4 — Students Out Due to Known Exposure

PRESCHOOL CAMPUS

February 14 @ 11:15 am —PCS Preschool Valentine’s Day Parties
February 14 – February 18—PCS Teacher Appreciation Week 2022
February 18 @ 9:30 am —PCS Preschool Visit By the Tooth Fairy
February 21—Preschool Campus President’s Day Holiday (NO CLASSES)
February 25 @ 9:30 am —PCS Preschool Grandparents’ Day Program
March 11—Preschool Campus Staff Development (NO SCHOOL)
March 14 – March 17—PCS NO CLASSES; Spring Break

ELEMENTARY CAMPUS

Elementary School Menu
February 14— Elementary Campus Valentines Day Instructions Students may wear appropriate Valentine’s Day shirts with uniform bottoms on Monday, Feb. 14th. Please DO NOT send special gift arrangements of baloons, flowers, etc. to PCS to be delivered to students during school hours. Such deliveries can be numerous and distracting to the school environment. (For more questions, please refer to the Elementary Handbook on page 22.)
February 14 – February 18—PCS Teacher Appreciation Week 2022 Students may wear their Teacher Appreciation Week shirt with uniform bottoms any day this week.
February 15—Blue Blaze Tryout Registration Deadline!
For rising 7th—11th grade girls. Please register by the link on the event listing by this date.
February 17 @ 2:50 pm – 3:30 pm—Elementary Chess Club 3rd/4th Grades
February 17 @ 3:05 pm – 3:45 pm—Elementary Chess Club Grades 5th/6th
February 21—PCS Girls’ Soccer Tryout Paperwork DUE
February 21—PCS NO CLASSES; President’s Day Holiday
February 23—Elementary Campus Spring Picture Day
February 24 @ 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm—BLUE BLAZE TRYOUTS
February 25 @ 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm—BLUE BLAZE TRYOUTS
February 28 @ 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm—PCS Girls’ Soccer TRYOUTS (Open to girls in grades 6-11)
March 8—Elementary Exams: Bible + English
March 9—Elementary Exams: Math + Reading
March 10—Elementary Exams: Science + History
March 14 – March 17—PCS NO CLASSES; Spring Break

SECONDARY CAMPUS

Secondary School Menu
February 14 – February 18—PCS Teacher Appreciation Week 2022
February 15—Blue Blaze Tryout Registration Deadline!
For rising 7th—11th grade girls. Please register by the link on the event listing by this date.
February 16 @ 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm—PCS CHESS CLUB Meeting
February 17—SECONDARY CAMPUS ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
February 17 @ 10:00 am – 11:15 am—Secondary Campus Chapel Grades 10-12
February 21—PCS Girls’ Soccer Tryout Paperwork DUE
February 21—Secondary Campus Staff Development (NO CLASSES)
February 24 @ 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm—BLUE BLAZE TRYOUTS
February 25 @ 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm—BLUE BLAZE TRYOUTS
February 28 @ 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm—PCS Girls’ Soccer TRYOUTS (Open to girls in grades 6-11)
March 8—PCS Spring ACT
March 14 – March 17—PCS NO CLASSES; Spring Break

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

To begin the process for consideration as a substitute teacher, please head to our employment page, and select which ages you would be interested and willing to help sub for. This is a big need for our school! Thanks so much!

ATHLETICS

As always, the best and most accurate way to view all of our PCS events is through the events tab on our website. Remember you can sort your view by day, week, and month, as well as, venue, and tags, to help tailor your search. Thank you!

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Hattiesburg, MS 39401-7730

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(Pictured left to right: Kim Smith, Eli Smith, Mr. Scott Griffith, Sophie Woods, Sophie’s “TawTaw,” Mr. Randy Swan, Angela Woods, and Mr. Gareth Bonner)

FUN FACT: Mr. Gareth Bonner is a former MAIS State Champion speller. He is also the two-peat champ of the T-Bones cafe Adult Spelling Bee events.

February 7-11, 2022

PCS Quiz Bowl Success at MAIS State Tournament

PCS’s High School Quiz Bowl team competed in the MAIS overall tournament on Friday, January 28. The team composed an impressive 5-1 record. In the championship match they came up just a bit short (150-135) and finished runner up in a field consisting of 32 teams.

Pictured left to right: Addison Coleman, Cole Wade, Sam Powell (captain), Michelle Chung, and Linlee Berteau.

Shop the teacher supplies Wishlist!

The PTO compiles these collected items and disperses them among our campuses in order to replenish teacher supplies and make them feel the love! You can choose to have your items shipped directly to the school to save a trip!

Shop the Teacher Supplies WishList for Teacher Appreciation Week

PCS COVID HOME PAGE—FOR ALL COVID RELATED INFO & REPORTING

0 — Staff Positive Cases

0 — Staff Out Due to Known Exposure

3 — Student Positive Cases

2 — Students Out Due to Known Exposure