Life Enrichment Clubs Enhance Campus Life at Pine Forge Academy

Story by Tracey Jackson

Earlier this year, Allegheny East Conference's Pine Forge Academy incorporated life enrichment clubs into their curriculum. Students joined clubs, such as Coding, Genealogy, Media, Chess, Crotchet, Poetry, Art and Debate, that met for 50 minutes twice a month.

Instructor Lisa Marshall introduced members of the Art Club to several artistic mediums. The club’s latest work was a fluid art design known as the acrylic painting string technique. This format brings out the creative ingenuity of the students.

Member Keiry Zapata (’20) shares that the Art Club is “a way to express myself after a hectic week. I am able to be creative and enjoy myself.” While many of the students in the class may not choose art as a profession, PFA gives them a venue in which they are able to express a multitude of feelings.

The Chess Club is another enrichment activity. Math teacher and chess coach O’Shayne Rankine introduced dynamic playing strategies to his students. PFA recognizes that chess can be an important benefit to the cerebral development of its students. They report that chess may help grow dendrites, raise IQ scores and increase problem-solving skills.

Members participated in several matches against other private and charter schools, and the club has consistently finished in the top 10. In fact, club president and senior Kevin Zapata (pictured) placed fourth in the Penn-Jersey Athletic League in his latest match. Zapata has been in love with chess from a young age. His keen ability to play is only surpassed by his academic attainments.