February Reminders
- Winter Break is Monday, February 15 - Tuesday, February 16
- Athletics: Spring sports are heating up - check the schedule for game times and locations
- PGPG Porterpalooza tickets go on sale on next week! Visit www.porterpalooza.com for event details and sponsorships!
College Counseling with Karen Kimberly
Sophomore College Night is February 11th at 7:00 p.m. in Gwynette Auditorium. We encourage one parent to accompany his/her student to this event. See you there!
PG Delegation at GSU Model UN Conference
The Porter-Gaud Model United Nations program had a successful conference at Georgia Southern University last week. We were first honored that 25% of the Day 1 agenda was set by our delegates when four of the sixteen resolutions that would determine the topics and debate for the General Assembly (GA) were selected from Porter-Gaud submissions. Given that 22 schools participate in the conference and all submit resolutions ahead of time for this selection, it is a testament to our kids' writing skills and preparation to have so many resolutions selected.
Furthermore, two of these four resolutions were approved in the Assembly after rigorous debate and consensus-building by our delegates. Of the sixteen resolutions debated that day, only five were approved, and two of them were drafted by Porter-Gaud. Please congratulate the following students who contributed to writing and defending these resolutions: Michael Psenka, Constantin Koutsagiannikis, Beaumount Dixon, Ali Lovell, and Cade Callen.
At the conference, our delegation performed admirably and energetically, representing Porter-Gaud with aplomb. Three of our six delegations were honored. Michael and Constantin (both rookies) earned an Honorable Mention for their efforts as delegates from Azerbaijan in the GA, and Cameron Ward and Thomas Pritchard, representing Cote d'Ivorie in the GA, also got Honorable Mentions. Such recognition is given to around 20 delegations (of the some 100 nations represented).
Besting last year's achievements were our two most energetic and dynamic delegates this year, representing Turkmenistan in the GA, Alex Dodenhoff and Paul Qualey. They earned Distinguished Delegation awards, which is the second highest honor and awarded to around 10 delegations. They really were excellent, and, as many of you can guess, Alex's rhetorical skills were on full display as he gave his peers reasons to smile-- he was entertaining, yet forceful, and clearly left a lasting impression. Tom Westerman, Christianne Gates and I were very proud of our kids! - Paul Baran, Chair, History Department
Student POV: Vestry members Ann Claire Gaillard and Carson Marr
Our four Vestry prefects attended the 2016 Mere Anglicanism conference in early February with Chaplains Brian McGreevy and Hutson Dodds, along with 900 registrants from around the world. Mere Anglicanism is an event-oriented organization that provides the tools and resources to disciple, train, and educate lay and clergy leaders. The prefects were privileged to serve as acolytes for the Festival Eucharist that concluded the day, where PG's own Johnny Wallace was serving as the lay reader.
The subject of the 2016 Mere Anglicanism conference was The Cross and the Crescent: The Gospel and the Challenge of Islam. We asked prefects Ann Claire Gaillard and Carson Marr to select a word that captured the experience best for them. Below are their reflections:
Ann Claire Gaillard: For me, the word that best describes last weekend would be enlightening. Last weekend, I learned more in one day about the Islam Religion and the relationships between Muslims and Christians in the Middle East. One of the things I found to be the most interesting was the story of a man who grew up Christian with Muslim nature and just his personal experience of how peaceful and fun it was growing up with those people. It was also very interesting for me to hear the history of the religion and how it functions as a whole.
Carson Marr: I believe that my word is excitement. I know that it sounds unbelievable in this day and age. I know that we live a time full of violent crimes, deteriorating morals, and a breakdown of the American family, but I couldn't help but to feel in my heart a spirit of excitement. The world seems to be slipping through our fingers, but the more that we lose control, the more the Lord has room to step in. That's why I'm excited.
Allen Walters '16 Presents Senior Gift
On behalf of the Student Council and its elected leaders of the senior class, it is our pleasure to present our senior gift. The Senior Gift is given to the School for the benefit of the entire student body, faculty, and staff. The senior student council representatives: Cinnie Saunders, Cross Tolliver, Edward Buxton, Cameron Ward, Harris Krogh, and myself, with the help of Kael Martin, would like to introduce the new water fountains to you. They are currently located in the Wendell Center, upstairs S&T, downstairs S&T. These new water fountains offer the ability to easy fill your water bottles. We hope that these will be appreciated and used wisely. Additionally, we want to give a very special thank you to the Facilities Staff for installing the new water fountains. I hope everyone will enjoy these water fountains for years to come! - Allen Walters, Senior Class President
Signing Day for Seniors Chandler Richards and Matt Naumoff
A large crowd of faculty, staff, coaches, parents, and students turned out in the Upper School Library for Signing Day for two of our student-athletes. Senior Chandler Richards signed his letter of intent to play soccer at Eckerd College in Florida. Matt Naumoff signed his letter to play football at Sewanee. Naumoff is a three-sport student-athlete at Porter-Gaud. Both students gave thanks to their teammates, parents, and coaches. After thanking his parents, Naumoff concluded his speech with a special thank you to Porter-Gaud, "the best school in South Carolina" and that he was "proud to represent PG at Sewanee in the fall." GO CYCLONES!
Event Rewind: Fox Business Republican Primary Debate
PG's Young Republicans are out to rock the vote this year. They attended the Republican Primary Debate at the North Charleston Colesium last month, and will be attending events this week and next week, ramping up for the South Carolina Caucus on February 20.