At a PNA graduation, the students are the highlight. The gym is packed, the choir shines and our eighth graders make speeches in which they reflect on their time as PNA students – how they have grown and how they are thinking about their futures. The poised delivery and the striking content truly communicate the impact of a PNA education. These excerpts capture some of the emotion of a PNA graduation:

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”  It’s pretty fitting that William Shakespeare said that because it was Theatre that helped me find my voice.  I was not born of royal blood, nor did I dream of ever leading an army, but Mrs. Block saw something under this mild mannered exterior and in sixth grade, she cast me as the King in our middle school play.  I thought she was crazy.  I couldn’t even pull off my opening line: “Rise before the king.  All rise.”  Mrs. Block said, “Nico, if YOU believe you’re the king, so will everyone else.”  So I strode out on opening night and stood…right about here…and said, “What are you waiting for?  Don’t you know enough to rise in the presence of the king?!”…and they rose…and so the seed was planted. 

This story is a metaphor for my seven years at PNA.  Looking back, I realize that every teacher, in their own way, has whispered, “Yes, you can.”

Last year, I developed a habit of procrastinating on my science homework.  If I got even a little bit stuck on a question, I would just stop and wait to ask for help the next day.  After a few weeks of that, Mrs. B. assured me that it was fine if I couldn’t finish my homework on time, but that I would need to submit, IN WRITING, five ways in which I had tried to find the answer and failed.  That was much harder… so I just did the homework.

And Pam Smelcer has this sneaky way of getting me to answer my own questions in Algebra.  I come up to her and say “I can’t get this problem” and she says “Oh, is that so?  Read it to me.”  Somewhere in explaining it to her, I usually solve it myself.

And Mr. Morris affects each one of us every day with his unwavering optimism.  It’s 5 degrees outside, the snow is blowing sideways, and Morris is standing out there with his coffee cup shouting “Beautiful Day!”  From the quietest kid to the wildest weather, PNA teachers see the best in everything.  That’s pretty contagious.  That’s what I’m taking with me. And now that I’ve found my voice, I’ll be sharing it with others.
 

To describe my time at PNA, I will make reference to my favorite poet: PNA was the road less traveled that I decided to take for my education, and as the poem concludes, it has made all the difference.

My first few years at PNA were a bit of a struggle. I loved my teachers and thought the work was challenging and fun, but I was always the weird smart kid that no one wanted on his/her team in gym class. Then in 5th grade it all changed, I opened up, I couldn’t wait around any longer hiding away. Suddenly everyone wanted to be my friend, and I realized I had been trying too hard before; I just needed to be myself.

Then middle school happened. Everyone in my class, including me, felt overwhelmed by the amount of homework, plus hormones kicked in, but all along the way our new teachers were there to help guide us or lend an ear when we were in over our heads, and the teachers we left behind in lower school were never far away. Gradually we adjusted and relished the new freedoms, and responsibilities, we gained in 6th grade.

My 8th grade year has been incredible: a trip to London, a fabulous play if I do say so myself, and a whole bunch of silly times. But also during this year there was a dark cloud over my head growing larger as the days went by: after a decade, an era was ending, I was leaving. I have always considered PNA as my second home; I spent the majority of the day here. While other people complained about dress code and assembly attire, I didn’t mind so much. I thought it was a minor drawback for great friends and teachers that I practically considered family.

I wanted to spend as much time here as possible with the people I love. PNA has made me the person I am today and I am forever grateful. I am excited about going off to West High and having a new experience in a different school; however, I would be lying if I said that PNA won’t be in my thoughts often after I leave. I can also reassure you that I won’t become a stranger here. And so I leave the only family I have known for 10 years, with my head high and arms open, I thank everyone here who has helped prepare me for the years to come. I will miss you all very very much.
 

I have attended PNA for eight years. Now here I am graduating and leaving so many good friends and memories behind. Through the years I have really gotten to know the teachers and students, and have come to love the school. I only wish that there was a high school again so I could stay and continue my good times with all my friends; but unfortunately there’s not, so I am forced to leave.

Throughout the years I’ve made many friends and had many teachers, all wonderful. The teachers have helped me through hard times, and taught me even when I proved to be the most difficult. My friends have been there whenever I needed them, no matter what time it was, and have helped me through so much. And then there are the younger students, who always brighten my day, and bring my spirits up when I’m down. They are always so nice and comforting. They’re always so nice and comforting. I don’t know what I’m going to do without everyone.

It’s occurred to me that I’m leaving my home. I’ve grown up here all my life, and now I’m moving on, and moving out. It’s going to be tough, but I know I’ll make it through because I’ll always have the friends I’ve made and the new ones I will make – to be there for me and me for them. And if I need advice I know I will always be able to go to the many teachers I’ve had through my life at PNA.

The trips at PNA have always been wonderful. Nothing could replace the good times and bonding friendships that I gained here – and will never lose. Of course, it can’t really get better than going to London on a school trip. Well... on second though Greece or Italy might be quite nice, but that’s beside the point. I’ve been very privileged to be part of this school and these wonderful groups of people.

I am in the lottery process for Polaris. I know several people who go there so that might make transitioning a little easier, but nothing will be able to replace or live up to PNA. It’s been an incredible experience and I’ve learned so much, not just academically but socially too…

I wish everyone the best of luck in high school, and hope all the other students that aren’t graduating yet enjoy PNA as much as I have over the years.
 

I came to PNA on January 8th [of this year]. Being from the Valley I didn’t exactly know anyone in Anchorage, so it was a major change. When I came I expected people to not really pay attention to me. That was definitely not the case. Instead, there was a nice, big sign saying “Welcome, Elise!” and everyone asking who I was, where I was from, and being nice. I was in a state of shock, and after a few weeks I felt as if I was a part of this great community that is here at PNA.

I made awesome friends who I will never forget; [friends] who will laugh in the middle of something at all the little jokes and incidents that we experienced. All the teachers, who helped me along, are the best. I am so glad I decided to come here, and I’m really sad that I didn’t get the chance to at an earlier age.

When I was going to public school I didn’t quite have the same feeling… as when I come to school here. … I was scared to participate in class discussions, sports, or to speak in front of people. Now I don’t really have that problem. When I’m here I’m totally confident, and it really makes a difference in my attitude. I really don’t know what I’m going to do when I go to high school. I’ll feel that something which is a part of me is missing. But I hope that some of the confidence I gained from being here will stay with me…