Would you like to experience the summer of a lifetime? If the answer is yes, then you should check out Project Contemporary Competitiveness (PCC) – advanced studies program, a summer program for rising “high ability” high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors that runs from the end of June to the beginning of August at Stonehill College in North Easton, MA. In six short weeks you can meet the most amazing people and make the best memories you ever have.

I attended PCC last year (before my freshman year at Abington High School), and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned new things about the world and grew as a person. Coming from a small town, I thought that everyone was the same. When I got to PCC I met so many new people, and made so many friends; even best friends. All were so different, but no one treated each other differently. We all grew to love each other and to just be ourselves. I hope to be friends with them forever.

You can learn a lot at PCC. According to their website, the program “cultivates individual and collective growth, propels learning, collaboration, co-creation and supports relationship-building.” Towards that, you take two courses that can vary from improv (acting) and dancing to forensic science and psychology. When I went to PCC, I took Adolescents and the Law, and Forensic Science. The classes were fun, and I learned a lot. Unlike classes in high school, they are about two hours long and there are a lot of activities and field trips.

Social activities include shows and dances every week, and every night a guest speaker or group comes to talk. There was never a boring day. Even on rainy days we could play in the rain, stay inside, hang out with your friends, do crafts or just talk. Spending time in a college dorm with a roommate was such fun. We grew so close as did the other girls on my floor; like a family.

Before I arrived, I thought I wouldn’t like PCC. I was afraid that I would get judged, or I wouldn’t make friends, but on the first day I had already made so many friends because nobody judged anyone. Danielle Panico (AHS Class of 2018) attended PCC in 2014 and 2015, and she describes it like this. “PCC is the best place on earth because of the ‘PCC magic.’ When I try to explain it to people …. I tell them that PCC magic is the  reason why 400 teenagers, that don’t know each other, can walk in, spend six weeks together, and walk out as a family, no matter how different they may be,” said Panico.

I learned new things about the world and grew as a person. Thanks to PCC, I am not afraid to be myself, and I know that it is okay to be different. I highly recommend PCC for everyone; you will not regret it.

If you are interested in making some magic (even this summer), check out their webpage (pccasp.org), talk to students that have attended and see your guidance counselor.