Young Life to debut at Philip Simmons High School

Students at Philip Simmons High School will soon be able to experience yet another extra-curricular activity – and those behind it believe it will have potentially life-changing implications. Young Life, a Christian ministry for teens and young adults, will debut for PSHS students this week.

“Since the start of Philip Simmons High School, we’ve felt a little tug to bring Young Life there,” explained Daniel Island resident Tracey Thomas, who serves as director of Wyldlife, Young Life’s middle school program. “The school has had such a positive atmosphere from the start surrounding it, whether that be through athletics, teachers, administration or just parents that were excited about it…Really the push to start Philip Simmons Young Life came from a group of parents and adults in the community who wanted it there.”

PSHS joins a list of 11 area high schools that offer Young Life, including a group on Daniel Island, where students from several area schools have been convening weekly for the last five years to experience the program.

“The (Daniel Island) group has been a mix of kids from a number of schools, but the majority coming from Bishop England and…Philip Simmons,” added Thomas. “Now we will simply split. Bishop England kids will stay with Daniel Island Young Life and Philip Simmons kids will head to our new Philip Simmons Young Life.”

Daniel Island and Cainhoy area kids who attend other schools, such as Academic Magnet or Oceanside Academy, are welcome wherever they feel most comfortable, continued Thomas.

“We will never turn kids away and want all to be involved.”

The new PSHS Young Life will be led by three College of Charleston students who each experienced Young Life in their own high schools – Anne Morgan Alligood, Ally Hunt, and Ben Harley. After completing a six-month training program, the trio learned of their placement at a recent gathering of local student leaders.

“When I got placed as a leader at Philip Simmons I was nervous at the idea of starting something from the ground up, but I also feel lucky to have the opportunity to be there from the beginning,” said Alligood. “I hope to share with the kids what real relationships look like and what it looks like to live in community.”

“We are so excited to start jumping in,” added Hunt. “…I am most looking forward to building a friendship with the high schoolers and families at PSHS.”

“I personally hope to share the love of Jesus Christ with the students and to encourage them on a daily basis,” noted Harley. “Life is not something you can do alone and I want to create a sense of community where students are able to go.”

Adding YL to Philip Simmons will bring new opportunities for kids, said Thomas.

“They can expect volunteer leaders who show up for them,” she explained. “They can expect to see those leaders at track meets, cheering them on at football games, and wanting to build relationships with them. Eventually, they can expect some weekly meetings where we can laugh together, be involved in silly skits and fun games and hear about a God that loves them like crazy.”

And the timing couldn’t be more important, added Thomas.

“I’ve heard it said before that high school kids are constantly asking themselves three questions – 1. Who am I? 2. Where do I belong? 3. Do I matter?...I love Young Life because we get to walk alongside teenagers and their families and share with them that they do matter…and that God has called them into a great purpose.”

The PSHS Young Life kick-off event will be held on March 28, at 6:15 p.m. in the Paxton Point Hope Apartment Club House (near the intersection of Clements Ferry Road and Point Hope Parkway). All PSHS students are welcome. The group is also looking for adults and community members to be involved. For additional information, contact Thomas at (412) 852-2123 or tlengyel91@gmail.com.