'I’m Blessed Beside the River Manatawny'

Story by Kaitlyn Lyseight-Shields

Pine Forge Academy (PFA) is a gem hidden from the world behind the lush trees and River Manatawny of Pottstown, Pa. It is a place where young people of color are expected to strive for excellence and emerge as refined individuals—spiritually, mentally and academically. Boys are taught integrity and the essence of being men of God and leaders, while girls are shown the power and beauty of being proper ladies and women of God. This is a place blessed by God, evident in the staff, the school community and the very atmosphere of the campus.

As I, Kaitlyn (left), enter my senior year at PFA, I can confidently say that these past three years have been the most transformative of my teenage life. This school has not only given me just lifelong friends but sisters—my future bridesmaids and the aunts and godmothers of my future children.

PFA has taught me that living in a dorm means being open to experiences I might have never encountered. It was here that I transformed from the main troublemaker to a resident assistant this year, and from being too shy to sing in public to becoming the music coordinator, regularly performing in front of others. If you allow PFA to shape you, it will elevate you to heights you never thought possible. This realization makes my senior year both exciting and bittersweet. While I look forward to what this year holds, I must also accept that it will be my last experience as a student here.

One of my greatest fears about graduating is losing touch with the changes at the academy. This year has been filled with upgrades that I know I’ll envy as the new students enjoy them. We received new dorms and bathrooms, a lovely new ramp for the promenade and an individual control over our air conditioning units. Anyone can tell this is just the beginning of PFA’s commitment to providing us with the best. The environment here fosters a sense of security, and I will miss knowing that the intentions behind every decision are for our benefit.

PFA isn’t just focused on facilities; the staff is equally dedicated. This year, we welcomed two remarkable additions: David Martin (right), our new headmaster, who immediately caught my attention because he shares my roots in Jamaica and New York. His vibrant energy fills Wagner Hall with laughter, jokes and PFA chants—even at 7 a.m. on a Monday.

Then there’s Coach Daniel Pierre-Louis (left), affectionately known as Coach D or “D-Money.” He has quickly built strong connections with the students, becoming a pillar of support within the school.

Teachers and staff who genuinely care about our well-being; a dorm equipped with all the essentials; friends and dormmates who form a close-knit community; deans who treat you like their own child; and a spiritual atmosphere felt the moment you step onto campus—no wonder PFA has thrived for so long. It leaves a lasting impact on everyone who passes through its doors, inspiring them to contribute to the community that nurtured them. There is no place quite like this one—a campus truly grounded and blessed by God, and one I will dearly miss with all of my heart.