Today Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) held a virtual signing day ceremony to honor student athletes who intend to play their sport at the collegiate level.

“I am proud of these student athletes that we are honoring today,” said PCA’s Athletic Director, Chris Cunningham. “They are not only athletically talented, but they are great students who have hearts for the Lord, and we are excited to see them represent Prestonwood Christian Academy at these fine universities next year.”

Senior Jake Burton signed to play college baseball at Hendrix College. He has been a three-year starter on the Lions Varsity Baseball team and an integral part of PCA’s success. Last season, Burton was voted to Second Team All-District and Kingdom Athlete by his peers. Additionally, he was an Academic All-State selection. 

“Jake is a true leader in every sense of the word. There are leaders who lead out front and those who lead from the back - Jake is the latter, always pushing and challenging his teammates to work harder by the example he sets by his work ethic,” said Head Baseball Coach Mike Maack. “Jake’s walk with Christ is also very evident. There are those who talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. Jake does both and isn’t ashamed or afraid to share his faith!  Hendrix is not only getting a really good baseball player, but they’re getting an even better person and leader in Jake Burton!  It has been an honor and privilege to coach Jake during his time at PCA.” 

Senior Nathan Galloway will play men’s basketball at Hendrix College next year. Galloway was a team captain his Senior season, as well as being named Second Team All-District, TAPPS Academic All-State, and was a starter for the 2019 Regional Final team. Galloway received Honorable Mention All-District his Junior year when the Lions were State Runner-Up, and he also played a role on the 2017 State Championship Team. Galloway led the PCA team in charges this season which, according to Head Varsity Basketball Coach Jeff Clarkson, “…is the most unselfish play in basketball!”

Galloway excels in the classroom as well having been named to the 2019 and 2020 Principal’s Honor Roll Award with a 4.0 GPA his Junior Year and Senior Year. He was on the Academic Honor Roll in 2017 and 2018 and was named the 2019 Pre-Calculus Student of the Year Award and the 2017 Geometry Student of the Year Award for having the highest average. Galloway has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years and was recognized in 2017 as a Top Ten Student. In addition to basketball and his studies, Galloway has completed 1000 hours of service during Upper School at schools in Dallas metroplex, adult memory care for Alzheimer’s care, annual Special Friends basketball game, and international missions in the Dominican Republic and the Amazon.

Senior PCAplus student Sarah Sign signed today to become a student athletic trainer at the University of Mississippi. Sign came to PCAplus as a Sophomore, and according to PCA’s head athletic trainer, Mr. Danny Nafey, “Sarah has a wonderful servant’s heart and has become one the best student athletic trainers I’ve had – and I’ve been doing this for more than 37 years.” Each Saturday, the training team prepared an injury report for coaches, and that report became Sarah’s prayer list for the week. “She would remind us often, that it’s not just what we do in the training room that helps our players perform,” said Nafey, “but how often we pray for them as well.”

Sign worked as one of only two high school student trainers at the Manning Passing camps where she received the Rookie of the Year award. Prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, Sign could be found on the sidelines of the XFL Dallas Renegades helping as a student athletic training assistant. Sign is a national merit qualifier, has the highest GPA in the PCAplus program and has been awarded academic scholarships including Ole Miss Chancellor’s Leadership Class. Sign is an award-winning artist often portraying football prominently in her art.  One of her football pieces depicting football as an icon of American Culture was to go to State competition next month.  Finally, Sign also enjoys volunteering at a local retirement center in Plano.

Senior Jordan Webster* will play women’s basketball at University of California-Riverside. Webster is one of the most decorated athletes in PCA basketball history, and this year she surpassed all scorers and accomplished leading scorer in PCA basketball history as she surpassed Julius Randle for the leading spot and finished with a total of 2,340 points. Webster broke her own single game scoring record of 36 points this season when she scored 39 points in a preseason game.

Webster led the Lady Lions to State all four years while in Upper School. She was a State Runner-Up her Senior and Freshmen seasons, and State Semi-Finalist her Sophomore and Junior seasons. Webster was named a McDonald's All-American Nominee this season, the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-State Team her Senior and Junior years, 6A TAPPS First Team All-State her Senior, Junior, and Sophomore seasons, and was named TAPPS 6A Newcomer of the Year and Honorable Mention All-State her Freshmen year. She was also named to the 6A TAPPS State All-Tournament Team her Senior, Junior, and Sophomore seasons. Webster was named District 2-6A Most Valuable Player this season while averaging 20 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 SPG, 3 APG, and 4 DPG, and was ranked #1 in District. She was also named District 2-6A Offensive Player of the year as a Junior. She has won First Team All-District all four years while in Upper School. Webster was named Team Most Valuable player her Senior, Junior, and Sophomore seasons, and Offensive Player of the Year her Junior and Freshman seasons. She was also named to the Dallas Morning News All-Area First Team, VYPE DFW Girls Private School Basketball Player of the Year finalist, and DFW Inside High School Sports MVP finalist this season. Jordan was named to multiple All-Tournament teams throughout Upper School, including the MVP of the KSA Tournament in Florida, as well as MVP of the Craig Bowers Tournament as a Junior. Webster was a captain for the Lady Lions both her Senior and Junior seasons. Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Holly Mulligan said, “We are beyond proud of Jordan’s accomplishments, perseverance, and the legacy she left at Prestonwood Christian Academy!”

“These students have made such an impact on our school,” said Upper School Principal Wendy Morris. “Not just by winning in their respective sports, but in our hallways and among their peers. These students care about their grades and are involved with activities at PCA. We are going to miss them next year, but we are looking forward to seeing all that they achieve at the collegiate level!”

Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at five campuses as part of its school system. PCA Plano serves Pre-K3 through 12th grade. PCA North in Prosper (Pre-K3 through 9th grade) is celebrating its sixth school year with more than 240 students and is now enrolling through 10th grade as it grows to the first graduating class of 2023. PCAplus is celebrating record-breaking enrollment in its virtual academy and part-time students, and has been serving students for more than 10 years. St. Timothy Christian Academy is a K through 12th grade school for students with learning differences which joined PCA’s School System in 2017. The King’s Academy in South Dallas opened its doors to PreK-4 through 1st Grade students on Aug. 19, 2019. 

The PCA School System has been recognized as having one of the strongest Christian education programs in the country. Each school places great value on the growth of students’ spiritual health, scholastic endeavors, and co-curricular activities. Tantamount to its spiritual development plan, and intentional biblical worldview training, is PCA’s rigorous Liberal Arts academic program. Prestonwood Christian Academy’s class of 2019 was offered $16.5 million in scholarship for achievement in scholastics, athletics and the arts. Since the first graduating class of 2002, PCA graduates have been offered more than $126.7 million in scholarships and have matriculated to universities near and far. PCA is currently accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year. Interested families are invited to contact pcaadmissions@prestonwoodchristian.org.

 *Not present for the signing.

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