Stories

Join us in welcoming our new Executive Director, Dr. Mike McDonald! As many of you know, Dr. McDonald has been a long-time dedicated member of our PCS Community. He is the father of two alumni, Mary (2012) and Ben (2015) and his wife, Lauren, was school nurse at PCS for many years. He is the Vice President of Meeting God in Missions and has been taking members of the Warrior family on mission trips to the Dominican Republic since 2009. He has also coached our varsity girls’ basketball team for the past 11 seasons and has previously served on the PCS board.

Dr. McDonald earned a BA in Chemistry from WVU in 1985 and an MD from WVU in 1989. He founded Slippery Rock Family Medicine in 1992, built it up into a thriving clinic with 6 providers, and after 30 years as a Physician in the Butler Health System, finally retired from medicine 2 years ago. 

When asked why he chose this career path at PCS he stated, "To serve God and be part of what He is doing at PCS. I always wanted to do something that could make a difference. After retiring from medicine,
I have been praying for an opportunity to do something that I am passionate about and can make a difference in the lives of others. God has given me training, experience and skills, and the passion for PCS
to apply them here."  When asked why parents should send their kids to PCS, his response is “Families should consider PCS because we live in a world that is trying to tear down the family and destroy our kid’s self-image and values. Children as well as adults need someone to speak truth into their lives, to build them up and equip them to face the world and then win the battles that they are going to face every day. That’s what we do here. And we do it in a setting where kids get a great education and a fantastic overall school experience. One of the best decisions I ever made was to send my kids to PCS. Not just my kids, but my whole family has been transformed by our experience here.”

Dr. McDonald says he enjoys time with his family and taking care of his new grandson, Teddy. He also enjoys Bible study, fishing, and camping, and is an avid gardener. He strongly believes that PCS is a place where lives are transformed, not just the students, but the lives of the families and staff as well. He firmly believes that God is faithful and is looking forward to what God is going to do in and through PCS.

In this position, Dr. McDonald will oversee the business aspects of our school. These areas include Finances, Human Resources, Development and Strategic Planning. We are confident that he will use the skills he developed as a business owner and the passion he has for our
school to help lead PCS into the future.  

Meanwhile, the educational facets of PCS, such as the curriculum, will remain under Mrs. Szlembarski, who has been filling both the Principal and Head of School roles for the past several months.  The hiring of Dr. McDonald will allow Mrs. Szlembarski to, once again, focus her considerable skills on the duties as Principal.

Although the board interviewed multiple candidates for a traditional Head of School position, the combination of having a business-savvy Executive Director and a strong, education-focused Principal was recommended to us by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
as the best model for a school our size.  With Dr. McDonald and Mrs. Szlembarski in those respective roles, we are eager to see where the Lord takes PCS!

We ask for your continued prayers and support as we welcome Dr. McDonald into this new position in our PCS community.

This Senior Spotlight falls on Oliver! A graduating member of our class of 2025, Oliver has been at PCS for 8 years. Some of his fondest memories at PCS were archery and all of his time in it, sledding with his classmates on the day before Christmas break, all the great times he’s had becoming a biologically literate person, all the great times he had in chemistry, all of his amazing talks with Mr. T, writing poems and stories in Mrs. Charles's class, learning art in Mrs. Hamelly's class, which he says was the best art class ever, French class, especially French 3, but every moment of French 1-4, he says was amazing in general, and he adds, “every bit that I got to just goof off and enjoy myself here, because honestly, I have countless fond memories despite not enjoying school, I've managed to find lots of fun in my time here somehow”.

What Oliver will miss most from PCS is, as he says, “I'm a sentimental guy, so probably a lot, but specifically, I think I'll miss talking to people about all the crazy stuff going on in our lives and just talking and getting multiple angles from everyone who overhears.” What he valued most from his education at PCS is that it's small and the background of the lessons suits his proclivities. The most valuable thing Oliver says he learned at PCS is that the face is not a vital organ.

The scripture that was the most meaningful to Oliver this year is 1 Corinthians 13, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” NIV.

Oliver’s words of advice or wisdom to his underclassmen at PCS are, “Get by. Do it in any way that you possibly can, no matter what, just get through.”

Oliver will be missed by our entire Warrior community! After graduation, Oliver wants to just see where life takes him, and maybe go to Kansas, Texas, or Colorado, or anywhere nice. May God bless you in your next step in your journey, Oliver. Well Done, Warrior!
 

This Senior Spotlight falls on Grace! A graduating member of our class of 2025, Grace has been at PCS since 7th grade, for 6 years. Some of her fondest memories at PCS were participating in musical theater over the years, shooting her first 50 at an Archery Tournament this year, the door decorating competition each year around Christmas, and Mr. T's half-day Princess Bride quiz questions.

What Grace will miss most from PCS is the teachers and staff. Grace adds, “I’ve become friends with them, and it will be sad leaving here with people who feel like family.” What she valued most from her education at PCS is that you can learn in depth about Christianity and apologetics. Also, knowing that her teachers are not just teachers, but also spiritual mentors. The most valuable thing Grace says she learned at PCS is how to love others well. She adds, “You never know what people are going through, so it's best to be kind and share the love of Christ.”

The scripture that was the most meaningful to Grace this year is also this year's theme verse at PCS and Grace says it is also her life verse. Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven."

Grace’s words of advice or wisdom to her underclassmen at PCS are, “Even though you hear it thousands of times, take the gospel and what you learn in chapel and Bible class seriously. Also, never give up, even if things are hard and seem meaningless; let your hope in Christ pull you through, because it will, and it's all worth it.”

Grace will be missed by our entire Warrior community! After graduation, Grace plans to attend either Cairn University or Mount Vernon Nazarene University for Graphic Design and Creative Writing. May God bless you in your next adventure, Grace. Well Done, Warrior!
 

This Senior Spotlight falls on Cora! A graduating member of our class of 2025, Cora has been at PCS for 13 years! Some of her fondest memories at PCS were anytime they could get Mr. T to answer their questions in biology, fencing with Mr. Wise to learn iambic meter, her French class was absolutely amazing, and doing the school musicals.

What Cora will miss most from PCS is all of her friends and teachers. She adds, “I have truly formed some very strong bonds with my classmates.” What she valued most from her education at PCS is the Christian perspective on every subject. The most valuable thing Cora says she learned at PCS is that, "Mercy exists but so does responsibility" - from Mr. Wise.

The scripture that was the most meaningful to Cora this year is Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV. Cora adds that “this verse sums up what I have learned during my time at PCS. I can be of the world and separate from it.”

Cora’s words of advice or wisdom to her underclassmen at PCS are, “Enjoy your time with your classmates and teachers. It goes by more quickly than you might think. Value every lesson they teach you, even when it doesn't seem to be important.”

Cora will be missed by our entire Warrior community! After graduation, Cora plans to attend Grove City College to major in political science with a pre-law minor. May God bless you in your next chapter of life, Cora. Well Done, Warrior!

This Senior Spotlight falls on Julia! A graduating member of our class of 2025, Julia has been at PCS for 8 years! One of her fondest memories at PCS was watching her team win their first championship game the first year she joined the volleyball team. She enjoyed cheering them on the sideline as they tried their hardest to win! What she will most miss from PCS is the kind-hearted teachers who dedicated their time to encourage and push her to improve the skills that God has given her.

What Julia valued most from her education at PCS is the Christian-community that a school like PCS brings. Julia adds “through a student's perspective, they get to attend a school like PCS, where they get to grow that teacher-student relationship because the teachers who believe in them and want to help and push them to improve their God-given skills. The students grow more in their walk with Christ as they study God's Word, learn how to defend their beliefs against others, and create friendship within their classes and in athletics as well through it.”

The most valuable thing Julia says she learned at PCS is to, “Follow the Word, not the herd”. The scripture that was the most meaningful to Julia this year is Proverbs 27:9 "A sweet friendship refreshes the soul and awakens our hearts with laughter".

Julia’s words of advice or wisdom to her underclassmen at PCS are that, “We are not the authors of our story, so don't worry about not knowing the next chapter of your life. Trust God, even if the answer is wait.”

Julia will be missed by our entire Warrior community! After graduation, Julia plans to attend her local community college for a year, then transfer to Cedarville University for the next 3 years and major in English/Writing. May God bless you in your next journey, Julia. Well Done, Warrior!
 

This Senior Spotlight falls on Keenan! A graduating member of our class of 2025, Keenan has been at PCS for 5 years, since eighth grade! Some of his fondest memories at PCS include having fun with his classmates and participating in sports. What he will miss most from PCS is the small community where you have the ability to talk to and know pretty much everyone at school.

The small school community is also what Keenan most valued from his Christian education at PCS, adding that knowing and talking to everyone at your school is pretty cool. The most valuable thing Keenan says he learned at PCS is how to communicate with others. Keenan says that the most important words of advice or wisdom that he could give to his underclassmen are to not give up.

The scripture that was the most meaningful to Keenan this year is Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentiles.” NIV

Keenan will be missed by our entire Warrior community! After graduation, Keenan plans to go to the Rochester Institute of Technology to study Information Technology. May God bless you in your next season of life, Keenan. Well Done, Warrior! 

This Senior Spotlight falls on Trent! A graduating member of our class of 2025, Trent has been at PCS for 13 years since Kindergarten! Some of his fondest memories at PCS include being led back to Christ through the Archery program, the Senior Wilderness Trip, and getting to know the wonderful people he now calls his friends. What he will most miss from PCS is the Archery program, all of his friends, and all of the classes he enjoyed.

What Trent valued most from his education at PCS is being able to study, learn about, and discuss the Word of God and Jesus, who has given me new life. The scriptures that were the most meaningful to Trent this year are John 1:29 - "The next day [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" and Revelation 21:4 - "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (ESV).

Trent’s words of advice or wisdom to his underclassmen are to, “Short term: be constant in prayer, be resilient even when things are tough in school, work, and in life, and have patience. Long term: Understand you don't know everything, and never stop learning. Look for what is beautiful and good. Above all else, keep Christ in your mind and heart, and look forward to the coming resurrection we have in Christ; for that is the hope we have in the risen, eternal king who defeated death.”

Trent will be missed by our entire Warrior community! After graduation, Trent plans to take a gap semester, then attend Slippery Rock University for studies in the field of English Literature. May God bless you in your next step in your journey, Trent. Well Done, Warrior! 

This Senior Spotlight falls on Maddie! A graduating member of our class of 2025, Maddie has been at PCS for all 14 years! Some of her fondest memories at PCS include field trips in elementary school, being involved in the spring musicals, and having chapel every week. What she will miss most from PCS is having Bible class every day and always being encouraged spiritually by her teachers.

What Maddie valued most from her education at PCS is having Bible class every day, and having discussions in every subject about how we can incorporate the Christian worldview into everything we study. She most valued learning the attributes and character of God in Theology Proper (systematic theology), and the importance of developing spiritual discipline and habits.

The scripture that was the most meaningful to Maddie this year is Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”.

Maddie’s words of advice or wisdom to her underclassmen at PCS are to, “Take chapel and your Bible classes seriously, as they have been the most impactful for me, especially this year, and also to enjoy every moment you have with your classmates and teachers, as the time goes by faster every school year.” Maddie will be missed by our entire Warrior community! After graduation, Maddie plans to attend Lancaster Bible College with a major in Psychology. May God bless you in your next adventure, Maddie. Well Done, Warrior! 
 

Our first Senior Spotlight this year falls on Kayden! A graduating member of our class of 2025, Kayden has been at PCS for 13 years, since Kindergarten! Some of his fondest memories of his time at PCS include spending time and having fun with his friends, especially Josh (JT).

What Kayden valued most from his Christian education at PCS was the importance put on learning about God. Kayden's advice to underclassmen is to keep on trying and never give up. The scripture that has been most meaningful to him this year is John 3:16 “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.”

Kayden a.k.a. Papa Pizza will be missed very much by the entire Warrior school community! After graduating this summer, Kayden plans to work at Slippery Rock Baptist Camp as a counselor and will see where that leads him. May God bless you in your next chapter of life, Kayden. Well Done, Warrior!