PHC Homecoming Fun, Sunshine, and a Soccer Victory!

PHC celebrated another Homecoming with students competing in activities throughout the week and alumni flooding in Friday and Saturday to enjoy the weekend festivities!

It was a bittersweet year as students and alumni bid farewell to Dr. Mike Haynes, Chairman of the Department of Government and Director of the American Politics and Policy program. Dr. Haynes is retiring after faithfully equipping godly leaders at PHC since the fall of 2008. 

The week commenced with a clash-of-the-classes, double-elimination dodgeball tournament where the Sophomores scored the first victory of Homecoming. On Tuesday, students competed in Chalk Art and Seniors pulled their first—and only—victory of the week. The next two competitions, Class Color Day and Capture the Flag, were also won by the Sophomores. The Freshman class won the final competitions, having the most number of attendants at the Homecoming soccer games and participants in the Student Survey.

Final Score Breakdown: Sophomores took first place with 500 points, Freshman took second place with 425 points, Seniors took third place with 350 points, and Juniors came in last with 325 points.

Friday kicked off Homecoming weekend with the Alumni Chapel featuring PHC alumnus Aaron Strassner, That evening, the classes of '03 and '13 held a decade class reunion and alumni joined students at an Alumni Student Majors Networking event. The Coffee Shop Concert closed the night and students showcased their musical talent during the completely student-led event.

Saturday morning began with the Strategic Intelligence Mixer and the Alumni Business Meeting. At 10:30am, the rain cleared, the sun poked through clouds, and the women's soccer game commenced. Staff, faculty, students, and alumni gathered to cheer on the Sentinels, eat Apple Cider Donuts and hot dogs, and find old friends. The Lady Sentinels were victorious and pulled a 9-0 victory! Following was a well-fought men's soccer game and the annual Alumni-Student Flag Football Game on the Frisbee Field—which the students won.

Ending the night was the Alumni Dinner at the beautiful Whitehall Estate in Bluemont, VA. The dinner was particularly special because it was a time to honor beloved professor  Dr. Mike Haynes for his 15 years of faithful service at PHC. Rebecca Gallop presented Dr. Haynes with an antique FDR poster in memoriam of a running joke he has with his "APP" students. Tom Ziemnick presented Mr. George Clay with a custom-made belt buckle engraved with PHC on it to thank him for his leadership and involvement as Trustee. The alumni also said goodbye to Phil Greendyk, the Alumni Association President, and Adriana Poythress, the Alumni Affairs Coordinator.

A wonderful time was had by all in attendance, and we would like to extend a special "thank you" to all those at PHC who make Homecoming possible each and every year.