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TOMORROW'S LEADERS
Our Student Panel
Inspired by Students, With Students in Mind
Meet Our Student Advisory Panel.
These students are passionate about the mission and vision of PPA, and they have contributed valuable insights to our collaborative discussions.
They have each experienced different educational approaches and shared their perspectives on creating a more ideal learning environment.
Hannah
Graduate of a SC Online High School | Pursuing a BA in Criminal Justice | Scholarship Recipient | NCAA Division II Cross Country & Track & Field Collegiate Athlete
Contributing to this project just makes me want to go back to high school! I would have loved to have a fitness-based curriculum that challenged me both academically and physically. Additionally, having a faith-based approach is so important to me as it fosters strong ethical values that are essential in life. The best connections I made throughout my schooling were through sports, so having a place that offers quality education, strong faith values, and opportunities for friendships through sports would be an amazing opportunity.
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Using online curriculum worked exceptionally well for me because of its flexibility, the accessibility of teachers, and the opportunity to engage in a variety of sports activities. I also had the chance to bond with my siblings in a way I wouldn't have otherwise.
I truly believe this is something everyone should experience!
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Michaela
Graduate of a SC Online High School | Pursuing a BS in Accounting | Scholarship Recipient | NCAA Division II Cross Country & Track & Field Collegiate Athlete
Looking back, I wish I had had the option to attend a program like PPA! I love how it offers a strong community but still provides the flexibility I needed as an athlete and dancer. The most challenging part of online school was not getting to see my friends during lunch and recess. However, I was still able to participate in sports, which made a big difference.
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What I liked most about online learning was the ability to focus without distractions. In traditional classrooms, I often felt for my teachers, who had to spend so much time managing behavior and keeping large classes focused. In my advanced math classes, it was difficult to follow instructions with all the distractions. Online learning allowed me to concentrate and complete my work faster—about half the time compared to in-person school—while still having the opportunity to take honors, AP, and dual enrollment courses. These skills have been invaluable. Because of them, I've excelled in college, all while balancing my responsibilities as a collegiate athlete.
Hunter
Graduate of a SC Online High School | Pursuing a BS in Sports Management | Scholarship Recipient | NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Collegiate Athlete
I am pleased to serve on PPAs advisory panel and most excited about the focus on fitness and strength through exposure to a variety of sports. As a sports management major, I understand the value behind cross-training and developing a wide range of sports skills. It’s about activating various muscle groups and improving overall athleticism, which is something PPA emphasizes.
I moved to online school in 7th grade because personal values didn’t align the behaviors allowed in my previous school. One of the biggest benefits of taking NCAA accredited online courses was that I excelled even further, leading to my acceptance into National Honor Society, and English, Math, and Science honor societies. Plus, the freedom in my schedule allowed me to attend recruiting showcases for soccer, helping me achieve that goal.
Arianna
Graduate of a SC Online High School | Pursuing a BBA in Business Administration | Scholarship Recipient | NCAA Division II Volleyball Collegiate Athlete
I’m most pleased about PPA for students whose learning styles don’t fit the traditional model. As a visual learner, I know how important it is to be allowed to work at my own pace and to reorganize information in a way that helps me learn best. In my earlier years, I found that the traditional classroom didn’t accommodate my learning style, and I became frustrated.
Using an online program gave me the time and flexibility to bring the subjects to life in a way that resonated with me. I started to love learning in a way that aligned with how I was created to learn. Additionally, I had extra time to take a culinary arts classes. These necessary skills have translated into success in college. I can easily prepare nutritious meals at college in order to support my health!
As a senior, I’m already taking courses toward my MBA in Business Management and Design, and know that the flexibility my parents and I found for high school has set me up for long-term success.
Wynleah
Current SC Online High School Student | High School and Club Volleyball Player | Youth Leadership Team Member
I am so excited about PPA because I love being with people! I thrive in a community where we can safely learn and grow together in positive ways!
One of the best parts of PPA is that it allows students to move forward with the things they love while giving them intentional time to focus on their passions and things that will ultimately help with their long-term goals. For example, as a freshman, I’m already working on lining up an internship with a local veterinarian because I plan to become a vet. The flexibility and support at PPA make it possible for me to gain real-world experience while excelling academically.
I moved to online school in 7th grade as an academically advanced student and allowed the opportunity to be placed in even more rigorous curriculum. By 8th grade, I was taking high school-level courses, earning three high school credits! Now, I’m on track to begin dual enrollment, with the option to graduate early.
Having the flexibility yet support that PPA offers is going to allow students to focus on what they love most. For example, I have extra time to devote to my missionary work. Right now, I’m on the leadership team to plan sports and games for my summer trip to Guatemala. PPA students are going to get this kind of time back! Time that allows them to make a difference!
John
Current SC Online High School Student |
Our Leadership
Coach Lanier, Director of Operations
Promoting essential youth opportunities leading to a quality life
today and tomorrow.
Coach Lanier's greatest passion is witnessing a child’s success, especially the moment when they realize, “I did it.” He finds the joy in that moment irreplaceable. After earning his BS in Sports Management with a Biology minor from Erskine College, Coach Lanier continued coaching at Erskine College's soccer camps while working as a personal trainer in Greenwood, SC.
Family life soon became central to his mission, all while pursuing project management and later building his own landscape business in South Carolina. Coach Lanier dedicated countless hours to the success and growth of children, coaching numerous morning club and after-school soccer teams, including those of his daughters and community schools in Blythewood and Irmo, SC. He also enjoyed teaching and leading both children's and youth church groups, further expanding his dedication to guiding youth toward the importance of community and personal values. For the past three years, he has served as the physical education teacher for middle and high school students at a hybrid school in Irmo, SC.
Coach Lanier is the current Director of Coaching for the PAC Soccer Program and serves as the varsity girls’ head coach. He has been coaching varsity girls at Providence Athletic Club since 2018. He also spent two summers at Cosdecol Soccer School in Medellín, Colombia, training aspiring national soccer players. Devin holds National F, E, and D Coaching Licenses.
Coach Holly,
Fitness and Nutrition Consultant
Fueling Youth Potential Through Strength, Stability, and Smart Nutrition.
Coach Holly is a dedicated volleyball coach and personal trainer with a lifelong passion for athletic performance. She competed in indoor volleyball from middle school to college and understands the discipline, teamwork, and resilience needed to succeed. After experiencing an injury as a college athlete, she prioritizes full-body stability and flexibility to help athletes withstand the physical demands of sports and prevent injuries. With over a decade of coaching experience, she has led teams from recreational leagues to elite clubs and eight winning high school seasons. She has trained over 100 volleyball and soccer athletes, specializing in injury prevention, strength training, and sport-specific performance. A NASM-certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and youth injury prevention specialist, Coach Holly instills integrity, team unity, and mental toughness in her athletes. As a mother of four, including two NCAA athletes, she understands the challenges young athletes face and is committed to helping them set and achieve realistic goals.
She developed and implemented a successful mental game program for high school athletes, proving invaluable during challenging moments. Above all, Coach Holly is her players’ biggest fan—pushing them beyond their limits to unlock their full potential on and off the court.
Innovation Consultant: Name to be announced soon
Guiding youth to exceed their own expectations.
Our Innovation Consultant brings an invaluable wealth of experience as an entrepreneur, with expertise in design thinking and education leadership.
Our Advisory Team
Our Advisory Team is made up of dedicated parents, many of whom are leaders in today’s workforce as business owners, and some of whom have experience as both home and certified educators. They have firsthand experience with a variety of educational models, including online school, traditional public school, private school, and traditional homeschooling.
Their collective insights, drawn from both their professional and personal lives, have helped shape the vision and mission of Palmetto Power Academy©. By leveraging the strengths of each educational approach they’ve been a part of, they are using those insights to meet the needs of children just like their own.
They have designed a flexible learning environment that fosters social interaction and innovation without re-institutionalizing the educational experience or imposing the constraints of a required setting. We are fortunate to have a team with such a depth of experience, working together to create the best learning environment for your students.