Pinecrest Academy

Are your kiddos ready for our coed Basketball Camp?! Led by Paladin basketball coaches and players, this camp will be fun for all kids with all levels of experience! Open to all! Register here: https://www.pinecrestacademy.org/campus-life/summer-camp

Mark your calendars for Charlie's Birthday Bingo Bash! Charlie is the precious son of Mrs. Lisa (DePalma) O'Connor, and your attendance to this special event helps fund much-needed research for and awareness of GABA-A through the CURE GABA-A organization. It will be so much fun - and it's open to everyone!

Register here:
https://pro.gofundme.com/event/charlies-birthday-bingo-bash/e802178

The May Crowning is another tradition that began when our school opened, and honors our Blessed Mother with beautiful flowers and a crown. These pictures are from the 1997-1998 school year. Some long-time families may recognize some folks in the photos! 🌺🌼💐🌷

The Band Award for Outstanding Leadership & Musicianship honors students who have demonstrated excellence in performance and have contributed meaningfully to the band as musicians, leaders and role models. This year’s recipients:

6th Grade – Inayat Sharma & Dylan Thornton
7th Grade – Katie Fong and Anthony White

The Optimus Talentum Musicis Award — Latin for “Most Talented Musician” — recognizes two students who have consistently demonstrated excellence in musicianship AND leadership. This year’s recipients:

6th Grade – Yijun Zheng
7th Grade – Emma Cadavid

Congratulations to these young musicians!

One of our beloved traditions dates back to our very first year, 1993-1994. Enjoy these vintage photos from the first-ever Kindergarten Circus! 🎪 🎪 🎪

Find information on other PA traditions here:
www.pinecrestacademy.org/campus-life/pinecrest-traditions

Middle School Visual Arts students had an outstanding year, putting their talents on display in our visual art shows, allowing our community to admire their creativity!

The Visual Arts Award went to these students:

6th Grade: Kiran O’Shea and Felicity Clements
7th Grade: Ethan Hall and Johanna O’Keeffe

This is the original sketch of our mascot, the Paladin.

The Paladin was “knighted” as our official mascot in a ceremony led by co-founder, Bill Guilfoil in 2002.

In 2018, our mascot was named Peter “The Rock” Paladin, named after Saint Peter, to whom Christ said, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Peter “The Rock” is affectionately known simply as “Rocky.”

So, why the Paladin? The Paladins have a distinguished history in the Catholic Church. Learn more: https://shorturl.at/8TOYD

Middle School Theatrical Arts students had an outstanding year, producing "Annie, Jr." in the Fall and performing "Compose Yourself" and "Broadway Beat" this Spring. They expanded their knowledge of singing, acting, and dancing, while also growing in the areas of stagecraft.

The Theatrical Arts Award went to these students:

6th Grade: Felicity Clements & Eli Gallagher
7th Grade: Ellie Smith & Henry Kluesner

Congratulations to all!

The John Paul II Lower School Activities Building (LS Gym) was dedicated and opened on October 4, 2011, on the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi. The 7,500 square foot building was made possible by the generosity of 276 PA families. The young men pictured here were on-hand for a photo in front of the commemorative name plaque. Do you know what they all have in common? 🤔 🤔 🤔

🌟🌟🌟Alumni Update Alert!🌟🌟🌟

Ryan Clever '22 is a Master’s student at the Yale School of Music, where he studies with Tara Helen O’Connor. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying with Marianne Gedigian and Leone Buyse.

Since making his professional orchestral debut at age 19, Ryan has performed regularly with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared at leading international festivals, including Young Euro Classic in Berlin, the Ravello Festival in Italy, and the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland.

An active chamber musician, Ryan has toured China with his wind quintet, performing in Tianjin and Beijing. He was a Flute Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in 2024 and 2025, and previously attended the Brevard Music Center in 2023.

In addition to his studies at Rice and Yale, Ryan has worked closely with Christina Smith and Keith Underwood.