KnightTimes Summer 2021 by Pace Academy

SUMMER 2021

EIGHT OF 12 VARSITY SPRING TEAMS BATTLE FOR STATE TITLES

A season to

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F PA C E A C A D E M Y

College Counseling

Remember

GRADUATION!

THE REMARK ABLE CLASS OF 2021

Partnering with students and parents through the pandemic

OCTOBER 30

AT RIVERVIEW SPORTS COMPLEX paceacademy.org/fallfair

The college search can be a daunting process—throw in a global pandemic, virtual school and new standardized testing requirements, and it has the potential to become downright disastrous. But never fear, the Pace Academy Office of College Counseling is here! Throughout the 2021–2022 school year, Director of College Counseling JONATHAN FERRELL and his expert team navigated unanticipated twists and turns with grace, humor and aplomb, using their knowledge and extensive experience to shepherd the members of the Class of 2021 to their college homes. In College Counseling in the COVID Era (page 54), we explore the changing landscape of college admissions and the ways in which Pace has anticipated and adapted to recent developments—just one of the many examples of our faculty’s ingenuity and above-and-beyond dedication to their students. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to learn more about our outstanding faculty, staff and students in this issue and, as we embark on the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s Year of Education (page 32), take a moment to reflect on the impact Pace has had on your life. I, for one, am grateful and proud to be part of this community.

CAI T LI N G O O D R I C H J O N E S ’00 D I R E C TO R O F C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

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THE PHOTO: Middle School Team Challenge Day was May 7. Students, faculty and staff found creative ways to pull off year-end traditions like field days, class trips and senior send-offs. See more photos on page 10.

PACE CARES When our families and staff are in need, Pace Cares.

GUES T WRITERS 966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327 www.paceacademy.org

HEAD OF SCHOOL F RED A S S A F

DIVISION HEADS DOROT H Y HU TCHE S ON Interim Head of Lower School GR A H A M A N T HON Y Head of Middle School MICH A EL GA NNON Head of Upper School

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

AUDREY HOLTON ’21 AUDREY HOLTON is a rising freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. During her time at Pace Academy, Holton participated in all theatrical and choral productions, founded the autism outreach service club PacePals, served as a Pace Ambassador and was a member of the Student Advisory Board. At the University of Texas at Austin, she plans to major in vocal performance and minor in business. She enjoys reading mystery books, record shopping, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

CONTENTS 06 NEWS 06 LEADERSHIP UPDATE Introducing Interim Head of Lower School DOROTHY HUTCHESON

C A I T L IN G OODRICH JONE S ’0 0 Director of Communications, editor DIDIER BRI VA L Digital Content Producer M A RY S T UA R T GR AY ’16 Communications Associate RYA N V IHL EN Creative Services Manager, Graphic Designer L EL A WA L L ACE Digital Communications Manager

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

30 SPRING CONCERTS

09 LITERARY STATE MEET RYAN VARMA ’22 wins gold.

31 COLLEGIATE ARTISTS

AROUND PACE A look at what’s happening on campus 10 END-OF-YEAR ACTIVITIES Continuing honored traditions in the midst of a most unusual year

F RED A S S A F GEM SHOT S PHOTOGR A PHIC w w w.gemshot s .com

15 BUCK WOODRUFF BIDS FAREWELL TO THE BOARD

SM A X PHOTOGR A PH Y w w w. smaxar t .com

16 PLANNED GIVING CORNER FRED GLASS ’89

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

18 UNDERCLASSMEN AWARDS

DA N A R AW L S

22 OUR PEOPLE Tracking progress on our Action Plan for Racial Equity

To create prepared, confident citizens of the world who honor the values and legacy of Pace Academy.

To contribute ideas for the KnightTimes, please email Caitlin Jones at caitlin.jones@paceacademy.org.

28 MAMMA MIA! The Upper School musical brings song and dance to Riverview Sports Complex.

08 THE KNIGHTLY NEWS Our student newspaper earns “All Georgia” honors.

12 RETIRING FACULTY AND STAFF DEB COOK, LISA RICHARDSON, CHARLES SMITH, PAM TISDALE, LIZ TUTT and LEE WILSON

OUR MISSION

28 ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS

24 ACCELERATE PACE 25 DONOR PROFILES JULIA and JAMES COMBS ’96, KATHERINE and JACK JONES, and MILOS PRVULOVIC and ALENKA ZAJIC 26 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Putting the finishing touches on the Kam Memar Lower School

31 ADVANCED STUDIO ART EXHIBIT

32 ICGL The Isdell Center for Global Leadership 32 THE 2021–2022 ICGL THEME: THE YEAR OF EDUCATION 36 SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Baseball, girls golf, girls lacrosse and girls soccer 39 THE NEXT LEVEL: CLASS OF 2021 COLLEGIATE ATHLETES 40 A SEASON TO REMEMBER Brilliant successes for boys golf, gymnastics, boys lacrosse, boys soccer, boys and girls tennis, and boys and girls track and field 48 CLASS OF 2021 GRADUATION An unforgettable class transformed by unprecedented obstacles 54 COLLEGE COUNSELING IN THE TIME OF COVID Students rely on steady counsel in these turbulent times. 58 ALUMNI 58 ALUMNI UPDATES 63 MEET NEW ALUMNI DIRECTOR COURTNEY SCHAFER DEVEAU ’07 64 CLASS OF 2021 LEGACIES 65 OUT AND ABOUT

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Dear Pace Community, We are in the midst of Accelerate Pace, a capital campaign for the beautiful new Kam Memar Lower School, set to open this fall (see page 26). To keep our fundraising efforts front of mind, colorful banners with campaign taglines dot our campus. The banner directly outside my office window is pink, red and white and reads ACCELERATE JOY. As the pandemic persists and our students return to school safely, Accelerate Joy has become something of a mantra for me and for our faculty and staff. It is not an easy time to be a child, and yet, as I leave my office every day, I am reminded that, despite its challenges, my job—our job—is to spread joy and to love the children entrusted to us for exactly who they are. Yes, we must teach them math, English and science, but more than that, we must safeguard their well-being, instill lessons of character, model compassion and celebrate their many milestones, big and small. In this issue of the KnightTimes, we look back on recent moments of joy: We salute the Class of 2021 (page 48), recap year-end festivities (page 10), and applaud our artists, athletes and global leaders. We also reflect on the changes the COVID pandemic has had on the college-counseling process (page 54) and bid a fond farewell to our retiring faculty and staff (page 12). As we embark on a new school year, I hope you’ll join me in Accelerating Joy. Let’s care for each other, put the health and safety of our community first and take every opportunity to celebrate wonder in the day to day. It’s going to be a great year! Sincerely,

FRED ASSAF

HEAD OF SCHOOL

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

THE COVER After an unpredictable senior year, the members of the Class of 2021 celebrated their final day of classes at Great American Picnic, a longstanding Pace tradition. Image by FRED ASSAF

THIS PAGE Spring marked the end of an era, as the youngest Assaf son graduated with the Class of 2021. Pictured left to right: SAM ASSAF ’19, JACK ASSAF ’13, FRED ASSAF, TOMMY ASSAF ’21, MARTHA DOWNER-ASSAF, HANK ASSAF ’15 and MICK ASSAF ’16

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

NEWS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Lower School Leadership Changes Hands

Moseley signs off, Hutcheson hops aboard

ith the close of the 2020–2021 school year, SYREETA MOSELEY bid farewell to her role as Head of Lower School and transitioned to that of full-time Pace Academy parent to daughter RAINA MOSELEY ’22 and son COLESON MOSELEY ’29. “Over the past seven years, Syreeta has shepherded the Lower School through both a pandemic and a massive construction project,” Head of School FRED ASSAF wrote in a letter to the Pace community. “She has overseen significant updates to our curriculum; implemented dynamic professional development initiatives; revamped our Noble Knights’ Pillars of Character program; embraced the mission of the Isdell Center for Global Leadership; fully incorporated principles of global leadership into the classroom; and led with grace, humor, compassion, professionalism and resolve, always keeping our students at the center. I cannot thank her enough.” Over the 2021–2022 year, as the school conducts a national search for the next Head of Lower School, veteran educator DOROTHY HUTCHESON will serve as Interim Head of Lower School. Hutcheson has worn many hats throughout her 40-year career—from classroom teacher, college counselor and dean of students to consultant, executive coach and head of school. Most recently, Hutcheson served as interim director of the Village School (kindergarten through sixth grade) at Chadwick

el e s o M

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Hu t

n o s e ch

School in Palos Verdes, Calif. From 1992 to 2012, she was head of the Nightingale-Bamford School, an independent, K–12, girls’ school in Manhattan. Her resume also includes time at The Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn and at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh. Dorothy has served on the boards of six independent schools, the National Association of Independent Schools and the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Education at Teachers College, among others; her list of professional honors and affiliations is long. Hutcheson’s arrival at Pace represents a personal homecoming; she is an Atlanta native and a Westminster alumna. She graduated magna cum laude from Duke University and earned a master’s in school counseling from Duquesne University. Hutcheson also participated in Columbia University’s Klingenstein Visiting Heads Program and holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. “We are thrilled to have such a seasoned and spirited educator join our ranks,” Assaf says. “Dorothy understands our school’s mission to create prepared, confident citizens of the world, as well as our ongoing efforts to ensure that Pace is a welcoming and inclusive place for all members of our community. Under Dorothy’s guidance, and with our leadership team’s passion and expertise, our Lower School students, faculty, staff and parents are in good hands.”

LEARN MORE about Interim Head of Lower School Dorothy Hutcheson at www.paceacademy.org/meet-dorothy-hutcheson.

NEWS

Meet Future Scientist Sydney Faux “Alexa, who is SYDNEY FAUX ’22?” “Sydney Faux, a rising senior at Pace Academy, is an expert in the area of artificial intelligence and its carbon footprint. Her work has been recognized at local and regional science competitions and at the 2021 International Science and Engineering Fair.” As always, Alexa is correct. Faux, who has positioned herself as a thought leader at Pace through programs such as the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s Global Fellows initiative, participated in the 2021 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The event brings together hundreds of high-school students from around the world to display their research projects and win prizes. To qualify, students must place at ISEF-affiliated regional or state sciences fairs—Faux won gold at the Atlanta City Regional Science Fair and went on to win the top prize in the Systems Software category at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair, where she also earned second honors across all projects and won a University of Georgia Mathematics Award. “My project tackled the carbon footprint issue of artificial intelligence [AI],” Faux explains. “Training AI models can require an immense amount of computing power and energy, which can generate a large carbon footprint. It also does not help that AI has become an increasingly important part of our lives and is currently being used in digital assistants like Alexa and Siri, Netflix recommendations, healthcare diagnostic tools and autonomous vehicles. Therefore, my project presented a novel algorithm that can prune, or remove unnecessary computations, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) models—AI models that work on images and video— before they are trained, which reduces their energy use and carbon footprint.” Faux’s algorithm impressed the judges at ISEF, which took place virtually this year. She placed fourth in her category and received a fourth-place award from the Association of Computing Machinery. Both distinctions came with $500 cash prizes. “Working on this project was frustrating at times, but ultimately rewarding, and I am thankful to [Upper School Computer Science teacher] CHRISTINA SNYDER for helping me code my project,” Faux says. “I found a new love for research and AI and hope to pursue them in the future.”

ARE YOU A CASTLE CIRCLE MEMBER? Have you included Pace in your will or estate plan? If so, you are a Castle Circle member, and we hope you’ll let us know! If you’d like to confirm—or explore— Castle Circle membership, please contact DANA RAWLS in the Office of Advancement at 404-262-3534 or dana.rawls@paceacademy.org, or visit www.paceacademy.org/supportpace/planned-giving for information.

NEWS

! A R T EX Read All About It!

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! A R T EX

In the annual Georgia Scholastic Press Association (GSPA) high school journalism competition, the Upper School print newspaper, The Knightly News, earned “All Georgia,” GSPA’s top honor for publications. The paper, under the leadership of faculty advisers LEE WILSON and ROBERT KAUFMAN, has previously been recognized with General Excellence Awards in its size category but is a first-time recipient of an All Georgia Award, which measures it against newspaper programs of all sizes across the state. In addition, The Knightly News website won the General Excellence statewide competition for the small schools category, and Knightly News staffers earned individual awards. Three students won All Georgia awards: KATHRYN HOOD ’21 for her layout design of the paper’s 2020 election

spread; DARREN ROSING ’21 for his criti-

cal review of the 2020 Winter Showcase; and senior SLOANE WAGREICH ’21 for her news story COVID-19 Affects College Process. Superior rankings went to MEGAN HARDESTY ’22 for her news story Pace Hosts First Ever TEDx Conference; Hood for her illustration Gifted Kid Burnout Can Plague High Achievers; and Rosing for his feature profile Spotlight on Faculty Passion Project: Let America be America Again.

Knightly News earns GSPA top prize

NEWS

V A R M A

FALL 2020 : Me Pa r a mbe die s r s of Cen clu b the Z t e r p re p co m a ban mu n a re d it y e onat ngag io n s em .

VARMA WINS

LITERARY MEET GOLD

In April, Upper School students participated in the Georgia High School Association State Literary Championship and came away with impressive results. The competition challenges participants’ written, public speaking and musical skills in categories such as Oral Interpretation,

MIDTOWN ROTARY HONORS MAUTNER

W H I T E

N M A N U L L

Rhetorical Essay, Solo, Trio and Quartet. OLIVIA ULLMANN ’21 placed fourth in the Argumentative Essay category; HANNAH WHITE ’24 placed fourth as well for her Personal Essay. RYAN VARMA ’22, competing in the Extemporaneous Speaking category, took home the state title.

e nt ELI MAUTNER ’21 is a longtime volunteer at the Zaban Paradies Center (ZPC), an organization that empowers couples experiencing homelessness or financial vulnerability to transition to lasting economic stability. “I was first introduced to ZPC in sixth grade when I helped my mom run a game night there,” Mautner recalls. “The residents were skeptical at first, not even wanting to participate. However, just a few minutes in, the energy started to pick up, and the residents, my friends and I were all having fun. Since then, I have loved bringing energy and fun to Zaban and supporting the residents in any way I can.” Mautner’s involvement with the program over the past seven years has included serving and eating meals with ZPC residents, making welcome baskets, organizing karaoke nights, collecting supplies and fundraising. He’s encouraged other Pace students to become involved as well and has coordinated volunteer events. In recognition of Mautner’s outstanding service to ZPC, the Midtown Atlanta Rotary Club honored him with one of two 2021 Barbara Rose Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards.

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

AROUND PACE A Look at What's Happening at Pace

CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION The 2020–2021 school year may not have included beloved events like the Fall Fair and the Pace Race, but that didn’t stop students, faculty and staff from finding creative ways to pull off year-end traditions like field days, class trips and senior send-offs.

Great American Picnic April 30

Middle School Team Challenge Day May 7

Senior Pet Day April 27

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AROUND PACE

Junior-Senior Prom April 17

Prom photos by Kate Awtry

Senior Prank April 29

Pre-First Fun Day April 29

Eighth-Grade Civil Rights Trip April 30

Lower School Field Days May 18 & 19

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

AROUND PACE

So Long, Farewell to Retiring Faculty & Staff

Retiree

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Coo k du ring the 1 98 3 – 1984 scho o l ye ar.

AROUND PACE

More on Next Page!

Deb COOK

Lower School Learning Specialist In her 40 years at Pace Academy, Lower School Learning Specialist DEB COOK made a lasting impact in the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and on generations of students. She joined the faculty in 1981 to teach Pre-First and first grade before stepping into the learning specialist role, receiving the Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award twice along the way.

As a child, Cook was profoundly impacted by her secondgrade teacher, who demonstrated the difference support makes in a student’s academic journey. So when, after 30 years of teaching, she saw the need for “twice exceptional” students to have more assistance, she transitioned into the learning specialist position. “Many Pace students are creative problem solvers who might not easily learn in the traditional way,” she says. “I loved supporting these students and helping the teachers help these students.” Cook’s favorite aspects of independent-school teaching were the creativity and innovation it allowed. Being included in decision-making aided the feeling that she “could make a difference at Pace,” and a difference she made, indeed. She was one of the teachers who defined Pre-First when it was established, designed the original playground and created Light One Candle, Pace’s annual Lower School holiday program. It was her part in these institutions and many more that made Cook an influential member of the Pace faculty. Though she’s retiring, Cook’s inexorable dedication to education keeps her busy. She has opened a private practice for student support and welcomed her second granddaughter this summer. l

Lisa RICHARDSON Lower School Learning Specialist

In her seven years at Pace, Learning Specialist LISA RICHARDSON’s enthusiasm and dedication to fostering a love of learning in all students made a significant impact in the Lower School ARC. Richardson joined the Pace faculty in 2014 with over 20 years of teaching experience under her belt. Recognizing the priority of ensuring success for students of all ages and levels of ability, she played a vital role in the growth of the ARC, providing support to students, teachers and parents alike. “Lisa deeply loved the children she worked with and used creativity and excitement to help them overcome reading and language-based challenges,” says Director of Lower School Student Life KACY BRUBAKER. “She was a data person who could decipher complicated reports but was better known for her hugs, shark pajamas and the way she supported her students.” After 35 years of teaching, Richardson looks back at her time at Pace with endearment, but now is excited to spend more time with her family and travel the world. l

Charles SMITH Facilities Associate

For 28 years, Facilities Associate CHARLES SMITH brightened the Pace campus with his famous smiles. No matter who encountered him—student, parent and faculty alike—no one felt like a stranger at school thanks to Smith. His sunny attitude wasn’t the only way he helped the community, though. Smith served as Pace’s official mailman and performed a broad range of tasks, from cleaning gutters to mowing the front lawn. While he enjoyed everything about the job, Smith remarks that his favorite part was always the people that make up the Pace family. Smith is also an incredibly talented musician; he plays the guitar, bass and harmonica. In his younger days, he dreamt of playing in a band full-time, and he even graced several school dances and events with his bandmates and talent over the years. Many have mourned with Smith the unexpected passing of his wife, Christa, shortly after retirement. As he navigates this change, he has many shoulders to lean on at Pace where he remains beloved, in addition to the love of his children and grandchildren. At Pace, Smith has left an indelible imprint. Maintenance & Grounds Staff Associate CHRIS BEVEL notes, “He impacted the Pace community through the love he showed to everyone.” l

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

AROUND PACE W il s

on in 2018

So Long, Farewell to Retiring Faculty & Staff

Pam TISDALE

in Tut t 5 8 19

Administrative Support Staff

PAM TISDALE retired from Pace following an impactful 27-year tenure as an administrative support staff member, but the community was already familiar with her kind demeanor and dedication

to detail when she joined the staff in 1992. As a stay-at-home mom to two Pace graduates, CHARLIE TISDALE ’95 and JACK TISDALE ’99, Tisdale became a regular parent volunteer when her elder son enrolled in Pre-First. Prior to having children, Tisdale spent eight years teaching high-school history in Fulton County Schools, so she was well-attuned to the demands and culture of a busy school community. At Pace, Tisdale’s steady contributions ranged from keeping the calendar updated and organized to managing awards at school ceremonies. Though her work was often behind the scenes, students and faculty alike will agree that she was integral to keeping school life running smoothly. “There was hardly a day that I did not learn something new,” she says of her wide array of tasks. But more than the work itself, it is the relationships with coworkers that Tisdale treasures most, as she notes that she “will miss the daily contact with faculty and staff. That was the best part of the work.” In retirement, Tisdale plans to spend more time in her garden and looks forward to traveling. l

Lee WILSON

Transitions Program Coordinator, Newspaper Adviser

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Physical Education Teacher & Former Varsity Girls Soccer Coach LIZ TUTT embodies passion, grit and dedication to athletic excellence, and through her collective 38 years as a physical education teacher and varsity girls soccer coach, she vastly contributed to Pace’s legacy of creating well-rounded and talented scholar-athletes. Initially joining the faculty to coach and spearhead the school’s outdoor education program (now part of the Isdell Center for Global Leadership), Tutt later added PE teacher, and even assistant athletics director at one point, to her Pace resume.

Retiree

Over her 13 years on the Pace faculty, LEE WILSON helped generations of Upper School students find the perfect library book, publish a polished Knightly News article and transition seamlessly into ninth grade. More than for her actions, though, Wilson will be remembered at Pace for her selfless leadership and unwavering positivity. Though Wilson joined the Pace faculty in 2008, her immeasurable impact on the school community began years earlier; she became an active parent volunteer when her daughter MICHELLE GOLD ’08 enrolled in Pace’s seventh grade. Wilson, who had previously held marketing and communications positions in the mental health field, longed to increase her involvement with the school. When her younger daughter, LAUREN GOLD ’12, began ninth grade, she jumped at the chance to work as a library assistant.

Liz TUTT

Wilson sought an opportunity to work more closely with students and soon landed the newspaper adviser position. “The newspaper seemed a natural fit because of my background in communications,” she remarks. “I had to learn a great deal on the job, but absolutely loved working with the staff.” In addition, in 2010, Wilson became the driving force behind the ninth-grade Transitions program. As program coordinator, she employed her mental-health-field experience to develop a curriculum aimed at helping freshmen make a successful adjustment to high school. These transitions of her own demonstrate Wilson’s impact: she never stopped striving to better herself and the school community around her. “The Upper School has the most brilliant, interesting, caring faculty and staff, and I

AROUND PACE

Tutt recalls fond memories of her tenure as a coach, including the relationships she built and opportunities she had to “branch out and try new things.” She earned state recognition for her coaching accomplishments and prowess, led numerous title-winning teams, including five state champions, and coached many notable players who went on to compete at collegiate and professional levels after Pace. She is heading into much-deserved retirement as the longest-tenured female coach in Pace history. “[Coaching] takes a lot of energy, effort and time, and gives rewards back,” Tutt says. “You have your ups and downs and triumphs with your kids. That was a very rewarding part of my career. It’s always the people. You’re always working with kids.” While Tutt formed countless meaningful relationships throughout the years, one stands out in particular: she happened to meet her husband, GRAHAM TUTT, through coaching Pace soccer. The pair plans to travel frequently this year and visit family all over the country. l

have learned so much from them,” she says. “I will miss seeing my colleagues on a daily basis, but I will miss the students just as much. I loved being in an academic environment where I was constantly learning and growing.” In retirement, Wilson has no plans of becoming bored. She looks forward to spending more time with her daughters, reading, hiking and volunteering with Atlanta’s refugee community. She hopes to continue cheering on Pace students, so keep an eye out for her at upcoming theatre productions and sporting events. l

Woodruff Bids Farewell to the Board Following a second three-year term as a member of Pace Academy’s Board of Trustees, RICHARD “BUCK” WOODRUFF stepped down this past May. During his tenure, Woodruff served on the Board’s Advancement Committee as well as the enrollment/admissions and global citizenship subcommittees of the Strategic Planning Committee that created the plan that spanned 2016–2021. In addition to his Board contributions, Woodruff’s commitment to the school will be remembered through his family’s namesake, the Woodruff Library, a focal point of the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School. The library, which opened along with the Upper School in 2015, was made possible by a gift from Woodruff and his wife, ANN WOODRUFF, as well as his late mother, JANE WOODRUFF, who passed away in August at age 95. Beyond his volunteer service to Pace and other organizations, Woodruff, a University of Georgia Bulldog and graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program, has keen passions—for business as well as all things automotive. The owner of multiple Honda dealerships in his career, including Acura/Honda Carland, Woodruff has for decades been buying Army Surplus Jeeps and fixing them up. Son HARRISON WOODRUFF ’18 shares this passion “for mechanical things”—in fact, the pair was featured in an article about their Jeep hobby in The Wall Street Journal in June. Two of the couple’s three children attended Pace: Harrison, who enrolled at Texas Christian University after graduation, and LILLI WOODRUFF, who attended Pace from first through 10th grades, changing school settings as a junior to pursue a passion for horseback riding and showing. Soon to begin her sophomore year at the University of Alabama, she is now busy with college and has passed the riding reins to her mother, who is renewing her own childhood passion for showing horses. As far as next steps, Woodruff will continue pursuing his passions. “I plan to remain focused on the business, but hope to find more opportunities to be at our horse ranch, Round Meadow Ranch, in Montana,” he says. “I’m also excited to support Ann as she continues in the show ring, and to have time with Harrison, Lilli and our oldest, Carolina, and her son—our first grandson—Tripp.” l

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

AROUND PACE

PLANNE D GIVING CORNER

We asked Castle Circle member FRED GLASS ’89—father of a current Pace Academy student and an alumna, husband of a Pace employee, longtime Atlantan and devoted Pace history scholar—to share his thoughts on the school’s impact on the community, what Pace has meant to him and why planned giving is a meaningful way to support the school.

Reflections

FROM A PACE ALUM Figures OF INFLUENCE

1. FRED GLASS ’89 and STEVE CUNNINGHAM during the 1985 cross-country season 2. MILLS B. LANE, JR.

3. CHARLIE OWENS, 1986–1987 school year

4. B.J. HAYES, 1983–1984 school year 5. FR ANK K ALEY, 1971–1972 school year 6. CHRISTINE CARTER, 2021

7. EMILY STEVENS, 2006

8. HELEN SMITH, 2011–2012 school year

9. JANE SIBLEY, 1985–1986 school year 10. K ATHLEEN GLASS ’23, ELIZABE TH GLASS, MERRIT T ANN GLASS ’19 and FRED GLASS ’89

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AROUND PACE

WHY PACE?

Atlanta has its share of great schools, but none truly compare to Pace Academy. Since its inception, Pace has been the school of choice for families that seek a more intimate feel—but beyond its “family school” reputation, Pace offers students a well-rounded education of academics, arts, athletics and global leadership programming, which has gained the school national recognition. Top colleges and universities know what to expect from Pace graduates, and college acceptances are more varied and impressive with each graduating class. I believe strongly that Pace is even more so now a unique “gem of a school”—a description given to it in 1958 by MILLS B. LANE, JR., then-president of the former Citizens and Southern National Bank, the institution that provided the original loan for Pace’s founding—and that it holds a position of importance for the future of Atlanta and Atlanta’s global influence. It has been said that America’s great contribution to the world is our colleges and universities that attract the best and the brightest, and similarly I believe that it is great elementary and secondary schools that attract families to America’s great cities. Pace certainly serves that role for Atlanta.

WHAT DOES PACE MEAN TO ME?

I believe that teachers are doing the most important work in America today and that the future is hugely dependent on how well they do that work. Great teachers transfer their passion for their subject matter to students and inspire in them curiosity and a love for learning. They possess a sincere concern for the well-being of their students and can identify and develop that special spark of talent unique to each one. I am convinced that Pace has more than its share

of great teachers and that this has been the case ever since the arrival of FRANK KALEY, the first Head of School, in 1959. I am amazed by the quality of the teachers Pace consistently attracts and retains and see distinct similarities among those who have taught my daughters, MERRITT ANN GLASS ’19 and KATHLEEN GLASS ’23, and those who taught me at Pace in the 1980s. When I consider my time at Pace and how it affected the person I am today, my teachers made all the difference. I recall how [retired longtime teacher and coach] CHARLIE OWENS convinced me as a 12-year-old that Pace was the right place for me. Many describe him as one of baseball’s great ambassadors, but he was also a great ambassador for Pace. If not for Charlie, I doubt that I would have had my start at Pace, and I remain grateful to him both as a coach and a teacher. I also think of [PE teacher and coach] STEVE CUNNINGHAM, who transformed me from a kid who did not know what cross-country was into a competitive runner. This was probably my quintessential Pace experience, and countless Pace students and alumni can relate similar experiences. I sense that he saw my potential far before I ever did, and it was an honor to have been a member of two of his state-championship teams. I remember seventh-grade American history with [retired longtime faculty member] B.J. HAYES and the passion she ignited in me. To this day, I’m crazy about American history and am always reading one book or another on the subject. I also think of [retired longtime teacher] JANE SIBLEY and her AP art history class. I love art history and know my fascination is largely due to her enthusiasm and passion. Perhaps the greatest benefit of my

experience is that it directly influenced the decision that my wife, [Pace Advancement team member] ELIZABETH GLASS, and I made to send our daughters to Pace. As Pace students, they have far eclipsed me in terms of academic prowess and will likely leave me as a mere footnote in the annals of school history. Both have a strong bent for history and have excelled in it. Merritt Ann is actually double-majoring in art history and government at Georgetown University. While credit for their passions definitely goes to Pace history teachers like CHRISTINE CARTER, EMILY STEVENS and HELEN SMITH, I can’t help but think that my own Pace teachers and experiences have also been influential.

? WHY MAKE A PLANNED GIFT TO PACE?

Making a planned gift is an easy—and potentially the most impactful—way an individual or couple can contribute to Pace. A large bank account and team of advisers are not required, and a planned gift can be as simple as a beneficiary change to a 401(k), IRA, life insurance policy or will. A thoughtfully positioned planned gift can help create long-term financial stability for Pace and enhance its ability to deliver on its mission. A donor who arranges a planned gift to Pace appreciates the school’s role in developing young people to have the courage to strive for excellence and in creating prepared, confident citizens of the world. The Castle Circle was established to recognize these donors, who share a common passion for Pace and have taken steps to include it in their estate plans. l

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

AWARDING EXCELLENCE A TIP OF THE HAT TO OUR OUTSTANDING UNDERCLASSMEN, FACULTY AND STAFF

LOWER SCHOOL AWARDS ✦ The Courage to Strive for Excellence Award

Grayden Auchincloss, Katharine Nuckols, Ava Piduru, Noah Sender, Eliza Smith & Aleksi UyHam

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS ✦ B.J. Hayes Good Citizen Award Anna Kate Shelton & Zach Sitterle

✦ Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship Award

Jackson Washburn & Amina Zubairi

✦ Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar Athlete Award SEVENTH GRADE: Britton McGurn & Owen Rice EIGHTH GRADE: Chandler Bing & Beatrix Boehner

✦ Sanford and Barbara Orkin Scholars SIXTH GRADE: Alex Eachus & Campbell Hanna SEVENTH GRADE: Mack Bybee, John Hardesty & Lawson Monroe EIGHTH GRADE: Benjamin Ganz, Kate Grice & Sydney Lettes

UPPER SCHOOL UNDERCLASSMEN AWARDS ✦ Alumni Scholar Award Kargil Behl

✦ Cara Isdell Service Learning Award

Alice Gash & Brooks Nuckols

✦ Clyde L. Reese ’76 Diversity Leadership Award England Meadows

✦ Columbia University Book Award Allison Silverboard

✦ Computer Science Department Award Cole Kaplan

✦ Crissa Noelle Hawkins Scholarship Award

Xavier Agostino & Kate Grabowski

✦ Dartmouth College Book Award Pranavh Pradeep

✦ Dean's Award for Character CLASS OF 2024: Ansley Freudenstein & Asher Lubin CLASS OF 2023: Carter Freudenstein & Emmy Mininberg

✦ English Department Award George Blaha

✦ Eric Hay Henderson, Jr. Friendship Award Jude Black & Maggie Pope

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

✦ Faculty Award for Scholarship

CLASS OF 2024: Morgan Goldstrom & Brody Matthias CLASS OF 2023: Oliver Loree & Kate Webb

✦ Frances Felicité Thomas Award Henry Levenson

✦ Frank Woodling Community Service Award Leah Favero & Gabriel Kadoori

✦ Georgia Institute of Technology Mathematics Award Jason Tapper

✦ Georgia Institute of Technology Science Award Laura Arenth

✦ Harvard University Book Prize Sydney Faux

✦ History Department Award Eddi Aronson

✦ Horowitz Athletics Leadership Award

Taylor Knowlton & Sam Howe

✦ Jefferson Book Award Raina Moseley

✦ Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar Athlete Award CLASS OF 2024: Jackson Hurd & Ellie Siskin CLASS OF 2023: Niko Karetsos & Emma Beth Neville CLASS OF 2022: Edward Blaha & Kate Jonas

✦ Lance and Shield Award CLASS OF 2024: Grace Agolli & Hevin Brown-Shuler CLASS OF 2023: Anna Nuckols & Davis Rice CLASS OF 2022: Gabby Hudson & Hunter Rocker

AROUND PACE

✦ Mike Murphy Courage to Strive for Excellence Award

FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

CLASS OF 2024: William McMullan & Katelyn Souza CLASS OF 2023: Trovon Baugh & Brooke Brumfield CLASS OF 2022: Ben Schiffer & Norah Wagoner

✦ Cum Laude Society Teaching Award Ted Ward [5]

BEHL NAMED 2021 ALUMNI SCHOLAR

✦ John Anderson Excellence in Teaching Award

✦ Mimi Ann Deas Award

Ashley Clay

Marit UyHam

✦ Kessler Award for Excellence in Teaching

✦ Renaissance Award for Visual and Performing Arts

Laurie Elliott & Tamara Neiley [3]

CLASS OF 2024: Jackson Allegra, Cece Hale, Amelia Honabach & Hannah White CLASS OF 2023: Ava Byrne, Cele Camp, Janie Cross & Owen Ross CLASS OF 2022: Caroline Brown, Nikki Byrne, Emma Stewart Maske & Shaliezeh Thobani

✦ Knight Capital Investment in Education Award Allison Tarvin

✦ Lolly Hand Schoolkeeper Award Matthew Smentek

✦ Mary Ellen Baumie Award Anna Gretchen

✦ Smith College Book Award Marielle Frooman

✦ Wellesley College Book Award

✦ Pace Parents Club 20 Years of Service Award

Chris Bevel [6], Donice Bloodworth [1] & Don DuPree [2]

Megan Hardesty

✦ World Language Department Awards

✦ Pacesetter Dedication Krista Wilhelmsen [4]

Jayla Wideman [French] Meghna Singha [Latin] Shania Porter [Spanish]

✦ Yale University Book Award Carly Appel

Photographs by Chris Berry

Each year, the Pace Academy Alumni Association selects the Alumni Scholar: a rising senior who demonstrates outstanding moral character, academic excellence, service and leadership within the community. Presented this year by Alumni Scholar Committee Chair CHARLEY BRICKLEY ’88, the award is one of the highest honors an underclassman can receive. In addition to the title, the recipient is awarded a generous scholarship toward senior-year tuition. The 2021 Alumni Scholar Award recipient is KARGIL BEHL ’22. Student Body Treasurer, a peer leader, math team member, Admissions Ambassador, Model United Nations (MUN) Executive Board member, and track and crosscountry star, Behl has exhibited leadership in nearly every facet of Pace student life. He is a Mimi Ann Deas Award recipient, a Sanford and Barbara Orkin Scholar, a member of the Cum Laude and National Honor societies and a recipient of the Pace Academy Award for Academic Excellence. He was also nominated through Pace to participate in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program in the mathematics field. Behl’s senior year marks his ninth at Pace, and he hopes to continue exemplifying leadership to younger students. “In peer leadership, I get to advise freshmen on how to maximize the high-school experience just as my peer leaders did for me,” Behl says. “In other activities like cross-country, MUN and math team, I hope to set an example for my younger peers. Over the past four years, many older students have impacted me greatly, so I want to follow in their footsteps and pay it forward.” l

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

AROUND PACE

HOWE, KNOWLTON RECEIVE HOROWITZ ATHLETICS LEADERSHIP AWARD & LAUNCH ATHLETICS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

MEADOWS RECEIVES REESE DIVERSITY & LEADERSHIP AWARD

Named for JUDGE CLYDE L. REESE III ’76, one of the first Black students to graduate from Pace Academy, the Reese Diversity and Leadership Award honors a student who demonstrates integrity and morality, and the drive to expand diversity and inclusion efforts within the Pace community. This past spring, the Association of Black Pace Academy Alumni recognized ENGLAND MEADOWS ’23 as the 2021 recipient. Meadows is unwavering in her commitment to progress and diversity in all that she does. Motivated by the goal to “be intrusive in spaces that aren’t inclusive,” she strives to create and uphold safe spaces where students can “embrace culture, share experiences and connect with people that look similar or experience commonalities.” She co-leads the Pace Academy Board of Diversity and the Black Student Alliance, and outside of Pace, she is a part of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project. She was also named an Arts Laureate her freshman year. As an upperclassman, Meadows will continue advocating for progressive change in the community. “As much as I love leading, expanding overarching goals happens through the people; they inherently are the change and movement needed to progress,” she remarks, noting that integrity, morality, leadership and excellence are ever-evolving values. “As long as these words are changing, we must make sure the spaces, curriculums and systems are accommodated as well. This is why I firmly believe that we cannot change our ways if our spaces stay stagnant… This is why we advocate for progressive change.” l

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

Established alongside the Horowitz Athletics Leadership Endowment by alumnus SCOTT HOROWITZ ’84, the Horowitz Athletics Leadership Award recognizes two junior student-athletes who “consistently demonstrate qualities that represent positive athletics leadership.” For leadership and contributions to teammates and peers alike, this past year’s honor was awarded to SAM HOWE ’22 and TAYLOR KNOWLTON ’22. Accompanying this award is a new initiative by Pace Academy Athletics to develop leadership opportunities for student-athletes. Horowitz believes that “through sports, students learn to be inclusive and to support their teammates’ successes,” so the award recipients will participate in training to develop these and other leadership skills and then co-lead the Athletics Leadership Council for the 2021–2022 school year. Director of Athletics CHAD WABREK has partnered with an influential mentor and fellow coach, James Leath, to shape the training for Howe and Knowlton in areas of leadership, mental resilience and character development. The co-leaders will use this training to initiate future education, discussions and gatherings for the other student-athletes in the council, sophomores and juniors selected by their respective head coaches. Overall, the ultimate goal is “to help guide the next wave of potential leaders who… fit the mold and spirit of the Horowitz Award, much like [Howe and Knowlton],” says Wabrek. The council is aimed to shape students who selflessly lead by example, inspire those around them, exemplify sportsmanship, exhibit relentless work ethic and commitment and personify the Pace motto: To have the courage to strive for excellence. While the program officially launched last school year, implementation of the leadership council was hindered by pandemic-related challenges. Now Howe and Knowlton are excited and honored by the opportunity to be part of the council’s formation. Knowlton is an instrumental member of the varsity girls volleyball team, and her presence shines equally bright on the court and in the classroom. Though Howe has participated on many teams, from cross-country to lacrosse, his “main sport” is wrestling, and he has captained the team since his sophomore year. “My goal for this council is to help guide younger students who are put in leadership positions early on in their athletics careers like I was,” he says. The pair looks forward to working with the council to develop opportunities and programming that have a positive influence on the school community. l

HOWE KNOWLTON

SAVE THE

DATE

FOUNDRY AT PURITAN MILL

APRIL 2 Pre-apply now for the

2022 TAX YEAR

 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR FORM IS DEC. 15, 2021.

he Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program allows individual and corporate taxpayers to donate a portion of their state tax liability to a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO). The funds are then used for need-based financial aid at the independent school(s) of the taxpayer’s choice. This program plays a critical role in Pace Academy’s overall financial aid program.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Debra Mann in the Office of Advancement at debra.mann@paceacademy.org or call 404-240-9103.

PARTICIPATION IS EASY!

Visit www.paceacademy.org/ tax-credit to submit your form electronically, or print and mail the paper form.

O U R AC T I O N P L A N F O R R A C I A L E Q U I T Y:

TRACKING OUR PROGRESS MAKING STRIDES IN THE AREA OF OUR PEOPLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, Pace Academy published its Action Plan for Racial Equity, a living document created to “eradicate racism and its legacy, and to dismantle any racial hierarchies within our school community.” To accomplish these goals, foster true racial equity and ensure that every community member feels supported, valued and safe, we have since embarked on an examination of institutional practices, policies and procedures—and are implementing meaningful changes. The Board of Trustees, Head of School FRED ASSAF, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer JOANNE BROWN and Director of Equity and Inclusion NIRVANA SCOTT are working alongside dedicated students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents and alumni to realize the action items detailed in the plan. The plan focuses on six areas: Teaching & Curriculum, Our Community, Listening & Learning, Our People, Joining Our Community and Our Pledge. In each issue of this magazine, we report on strides made in one of these areas. Up next? Our People.

ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION ON OUR PROGRESS IS AVAILABLE AT www.paceacademy.org/diversity-inclusion.

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

University of Virginia Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Partnerships Kevin McDonald spoke to all faculty and staff during the 2021 pre-planning week. He is pictured with current faculty and staff who are also UVA alumni.

The Office of Diversit y, Equi ty and Inclusion kicked of f the year with a full day of training for fa culty and staf f.

“To foster a sense of belonging in our school community, all students must see themselves reflected in our leadership, faculty and staff, and must experience meaningful, intentional and authentic support,” the Action Plan for Racial Equity states. To ensure that Pace is a safe, supportive space in which to work, the plan calls for regular training for all faculty and staff, with specific antiracist and anti-bias train-

ing for school leadership, admissions committees, department chairs and new faculty mentors. That work began prior to the start of the 2020–2021 school year, when all faculty and staff took part in mandatory training during the pre-planning period. To build upon the learning inspired by those educational sessions, the Office

AROUND PACE of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion presented professional development programming related to antiracist pedagogies and practices throughout the school year. And, in the wake of acts of violence against people of color, the team shared with faculty and staff resources for discussing difficult events with students and offered both students and adults on campus spaces for dialogue and reflection. In addition, to better recruit, hire, support and retain faculty and staff members who identify with groups historically underrepresented at Pace, Chief Human Resources Officer STEPHANIE CANTILLO worked closely with Brown to update the language used in job postings, on the employment page of the Pace website and in interviews with finalists. In an effort to be more intentional and inclusive, she also widened the net when it came to posting positions. “Pace is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body and actively seeks candidates from historically underrepresented populations,” job descriptions now read. They go on to include as an essential responsibility “ongoing training, professional development and education in antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion.” Candidates applying for faculty positions now understand that they must effectively incorporate principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into their teaching; further, belief “in the critical importance of diversity in the life of a school” is listed among the qualifications for all employees. Potential employees took notice. “Throughout the hiring process for the 2021–2022 school year, we heard time and time again—from candidates of all backgrounds—that our stated commitment to racial equity was one of the things that led them to apply,” Cantillo reports. To further support inclusive hiring practices, Brown and Cantillo engaged Strategenius, a search firm for independent schools seeking diverse candidates for teaching and leadership positions. Strategenius provided anti-bias hiring training to the administrative team prior to the start of the hiring season. “Already, we’ve seen that these efforts are paying off,” Cantillo says. “The changes we’ve made have helped us hire faculty and staff who we know understand our community’s values, standards and expectations—who truly believe in our Action Plan for Racial Equity—and I’m excited to report that 31% of those new hires are people of color.” As new faculty and staff come onboard, their orientation includes a session regarding school culture as it pertains to diversity, equity and inclusion, and those who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) will participate in check-ins with BIPOC mentors to support their transition to Pace. “To truly create prepared, confident citizens of the world, the Pace community must reflect our global community,” Brown says. “Our students should see themselves reflected in their teachers and their teachers’ experiences—and vice versa. I’m excited about the progress we’re making and look forward to continuing our work in the coming school year.” l

OUR GROWING

DEI TEAM

In July, Lower School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator NIRVANA SCOTT assumed a new role: Director of Equity and Inclusion. The new position is part of an expansion of the DEI team, which also includes the addition of coordinators in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools—bringing the total number of DEI coordinators to six, two in each division. All coordinators are Pace employees who will continue to serve in their primary roles while supporting DEI initiatives and programs.

LOWER SCHOOL AMY UNDERWOOD Lower School Director of Curriculum and Professional Development A S H L E Y Z O M A LT Lower School Counselor

MIDDLE SCHOOL A S H L E Y C L AY Middle School Counselor S CO T T S H U P E History Teacher

UPPER SCHOOL N I K K I M CC R A R Y Assistant to Head of Upper School, Transitions Advisor DUKE SHERRELL History Teacher

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

accelerate.paceacademy.org

ACCELERATE PACE

MILOS PRVULOVIC & ALENKA ZAJIC “WE DID OUR HOMEWORK on schools in Atlanta—including school visits, research on academics, information from other parents and the experiences of our daughter, MIA ZAJIC ’30, when visiting. Finally, taking into account Mia’s personality, we chose Pace. We felt it combines strong academics with support for students' creativity and individuality, and [four years later] we are happy to report that Mia is thriving! When the Accelerate Pace campaign started, we were especially excited about the new Lower School building… the least impressive part of Mia's experience had been the lack of space for the Lower School. The new building will go beyond merely correcting that, allowing future generations of Lower School students to have an even more awesome experience! The recent passing of Mia's grandfather, ‘Grada,’ whose life's work was to help others, inspired us to dedicate our contribution to his memory.” l

Three families share the reasons they’ve chosen to Accelerate Pace

KATHERINE & JACK JONES “IN TIMES OF CHANGE, it’s important to be able to have a ‘North Star.’ Our first year at Pace was marked by the biggest change our world has seen in over 100 years, and during that time, Pace played a vital role in providing that North Star for our family and for our son, RYAN JONES ’33. We have been blown away by the leadership of [Head of School] FRED ASSAF and by so many others in admissions and administration and on the faculty. Even as a newer Pace family, we have quickly gained the confidence and the belief that we have found the right long-term home for our children. The Accelerate Pace campaign has provided our family a route to make a lasting contribution to the Pace community and, when we lost a parent last spring, we had the inspiration to make our gift as a memorial for ‘Big Jack,’ Ryan and [our daughter] Lily’s grandfather. Big Jack loved to read and provided all three of his kids and 11 grandkids with that same love, so it was only appropriate to have a spot in the library memorializing that passion. We are thankful to be a part of the Pace community and look forward to the next 13 years together!” l

JULIA & JAMES COMBS ’96 “AS A 1996 GRADUATE and Pace Academy Lifer, I can vividly remember starting my Pre-First year in the fall of 1983. This was the year the then-new Lower School building opened on the Pace campus. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to spend seven important years of my life in the Lower School with its nurturing staff. With our daughter, CAROLINE COMBS ’32, going into the second grade, my wife [JULIA COMBS] and I want to give her the same opportunity in what will be an even better facility for Caroline and her classmates to learn, thrive and enjoy all the Pace experience brings.” l

WHY WE GIVE

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

ACCELERATE PACE

July 12

June 9

July 12

May 24

July 12

May 24

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

ACCELERATE PACE

May 24

THE FINISHING TOUC H E S A FINAL CONS TRUCTION U P D AT E

ith summer in the rearview, progress on the Kam Memar Lower School is—pardon the pun— accelerating to a close. From the creation of a commercial kitchen where the existing classroom building’s former music room once stood to the installation of final finishes throughout the new facility, the daily changes are dramatic. “To say that the plan is coming together would be an understatement,” says Project Manager BOB MILLS, president and chief operating officer of UDS Development Services and parent of two Pace Academy alumni. At print time, crews had completed their exterior brick and cast-stone work and shifted their focus to the outdoor hardscapes, including what the project team likes to call the World’s Greatest Playground. “The playground is guaranteed to exceed even the highest of expectations! It’s really that cool,” Mills reports. Landscaping will also include the planting of more than 150 trees and the addition of a newly sodded yard along West Paces Ferry Road. “What was once a dusty—or more often muddy—construction site, is truly being transformed before our eyes,” says Mills. “We can’t wait to share it with the entire Pace community.” l

August 16

OUR PROGRESS As of June 30, 2021, Accelerate Pace gifts and pledges totaled $24,231,661—70% of our $35-million goal. Help us pick up the pace by making your gift or pledge today at accelerate.paceacademy.org.

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS

BY AUDREY HOLTON ’21

“Without a song or a dance, what are we?” These spirited ABBA lyrics capture the heart of the cast, crew and director of the Pace Academy Upper School spring musical, Mamma Mia! At the end of a year filled with social distancing, masks and virtual theatre, Director of Fine Arts SEAN BRYAN decided it was the perfect time to put on a crowd favorite filled with flare pants, disco boots and songs from ABBA Gold happily sung by all generations. However, a few obstacles stood in the way of this fun-filled, heartwarming show. First, the performance could not be staged in the Fine Arts Center like any normal year, because the actors would have to wear masks (and as you can imagine, belting ABBA and busting out disco choreography is not easy from behind a face covering). The show would have to take place outdoors. So, Technical Director SCOTT SARGENT stepped in and agreed to build a set from scratch—alfresco. But where? Practice fields were in full use; the main campus parking lot was out of the question—it seemed there was no space on campus that could house the musical. Undeterred, Bryan looked elsewhere and discovered an unused stretch of asphalt at Riverview Athletics Complex. The eager and excited cast set off into uncharted territory and worked to transform the area between the baseball and football fields into the Greek island of Kalokairi. They began to rehearse on Sargent’s complex, mammoth set, complete with rotating bedrooms, ladders and the traditional Greek-style “rake,” or downward slanted stage. This took hard work, but the cast remained extremely dedicated and rehearsed rain or shine; they even sat under the stage one day as it poured rain and ran lines and songs together. In the words of JACK CARSON ’21, who played Bill, “The cast was a family for better or for worse. We went through the hardships as a family, and we went through the good times as a family.” Following months of hard work and hindrances, opening night finally arrived. After such a drought in live theatre, the cast was beyond excited and delivered four electrifying performances. I feel fortunate to have been a part of the Mamma Mia! production. As a cast and crew, our ultimate goals were to be together, to do what we love and to put a smile on peoples’ faces. During this process, we learned to adapt, cooperate and truly became a family like never before. At the heart of the show was a group of people thankful to have had this opportunity, thankful for the music. l

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

Mamma Mia closes out the year on a high note

Photography by CHRIS BERRY

ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS

Thank You

FOR THE MUSIC KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS 5th-Grade Strings May 17

Middle School Strings May 10

Upper School Chorus April 29

Upper School Band April 27

Upper School Orchestra May 3

After COVID canceled live performances in the spring of 2020, and performing arts faculty shared students’ work via video, outdoor performances and other creative avenues throughout the fall and winter, music returned to the Fine Arts Center as the school year came to a close. Thanks to an updated air filtration system, masks and limited-capacity seating, strings, chorus and band students in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools presented their spring concerts live in front of their parents and friends.

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

Concerts Return

to the Stage

After putting the finishing touches on a year’s worth of work, seniors in Advanced Studio Art shared their final exhibit with their families.

Closing the

Pace Portfolio 2

Act II

1 3

Seven members of the Class of 2021 plan to major or minor in creative writing or the visual or performing arts in college. Congratulations to these artists! 1. JACK BROWN The New School creative writing and fine arts 2. GRACE DEMBA Washington University in St. Louis communication design

3. AUDREY HOLTON University of Texas at Austin vocal performance 4. KATIE KHAJAVI Parsons School of Design fine arts 5. JONNY SUNDERMEIER Trinity College music 5

6. MILES WALLACE Belmont University audio engineering

7. ALIVIA WYNN Northwestern University creative writing

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

Artwork by KATHARINE NUCKOLS ‘28 AVA PIDURU ‘28 SOPHIA RESNICK ‘28 EMILY SEGALL ‘28

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

ICGL Isdell Center for Global Leadership

WELCOME TO

THE YEAR OF E DUCAT ION FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, the Pace Academy community has animated the school’s mission, To create prepared, confident citizens of the world, through the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) and its annual global theme. Students of all ages, led by our expert faculty and staff, have learned to think critically, challenge perceptions, embrace curiosity, develop global mindsets and build cultural appreciation by exploring issues surrounding Water, Food, Climate, Conservation, Energy, Waste and Global Health. During the 2021–2022 school year, we turn our attention to Education, a topic that undergirds all of our previous study. “Our exploration of this year’s theme will focus on Education from a global perspective,” reports ICGL Director TRISH ANDERSON. “While we will do some comparative reflection on curriculum and pedagogy here in the U.S. and abroad, we’ll also dig into bigger issues such as global access to education, the relationship between education and economic development, how organizations and teachers are working towards educational equity and how education is adapting to the 21stcentury needs of students.” “How can we increase access to education in the world today?” tops the ICGL’s list of inquiries. Students, faculty and staff will examine the role education plays in overall social and economic development at the local and global levels and hear from ICGL Visiting Scholar Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE USA. Nunn will describe the organization’s work to overcome poverty and social injustice using education as a vehicle for economic development (see page 34). Asking “How have people past and

present worked toward an equitable education experience for all?” will help frame lessons and discussions around educational equity in the U.S. and around the world, as will a partnership with the Southern Education Foundation, a nonprofit committed to advancing policies and practices that elevate learning for low-income students and students of color in the southern states. Finally, the question “How do children learn best?” will allow students to think critically about their own experiences, explore the differences between learning and education, participate in conversations to define “best” and investigate various educational systems around the world. The Year of Education will come to life in each division in age-appropriate ways, from topical posters throughout the Lower School to a speaker series, assemblies, lunch-and-learns, discussion groups and Zoom meetings. The theme will also be explored as part of the curriculum in multiple Lower, Middle and Upper School classes. “Although we have come a long way, there are still 121 million children between the ages of 6 and 15 out of school around the world—and that does not account for the children who missed school as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Anderson says. “I’m hopeful that as our students engage in hands-on activities, research, travel and debate, they will begin to think about the roles they might play in advocating for increased access to education for all children, as well as increased educational equity in the U.S. and abroad.” l

EQUALITY VS. EQUITY IN EDUCATION

Educational equality assumes that every learner has the same needs. Educational equity acknowledges that every learner is unique and has individual needs that must be incorporated into their educational experience.

“Knowledge is power. Education is liberating. Education is the premise of progress in every society, in every family.” KOFI ANNAN United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize recipient KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

CAMPBELL SILV ERBOA RD THOBANI

NOW ENTERING ITS SECOND YEAR, the ICGL Community Engagement Board evaluates and plans engagement opportunities that support Pace’s partner organizations. When possible, the group’s efforts incorporate the ICGL’s 2021–2022 annual theme, Education, and connect students, parents, faculty and staff in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. This year’s Community Engagement Board leaders are LAURA ARENTH ’22, EDDI ARONSON ’22, ALLIE CAMPBELL ’22, CATHERINE CRAWFORD ’22, MARISSA GOVIC ’22, MARGO KAYE ’22, RAINA MOSELEY ’22, MAGGIE POPE ’22, ALLISON SILVERBOARD ’22, PIERCE SMITH ’22, ALEXANDER SPINELLI ’22 and SHALIZEH THOBANI ’22. l

K AY E

ARONSON POPE SPINELLI

GOVIC

ARENTH CR AWFORD MOSELEY SMITH

ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

ICGL

FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA:

Phot o fro ma Uppe r Sch ool ICGL s tud y tou r.

2 0 17

AN ICGL TRAVEL UPDATE

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE is one of the five pillars that, by Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) standards, define a global leader—leadership ability, global mindset, engaged WE’ RE GOI citizenship and cultural awareness/appreciation are the other NG BAC T K O A four—but just days after ICGL spring-break trips returned to LAS KA! the U.S. in early 2020, the COVID pandemic paused travel around the world. Our citizens of the world stayed put during the 2020–2021 school year, successfully exploring the theme of Global Health on campus and within local communities, but this year, Pace globetrotters will be back at it—on a smaller scale. “In planning for 2021– 2022, we wanted to offer robust ICGL travel offerings that also offered peace of mind to parents, faculty and students,” ICGL Director TRISH ANDERSON says. “At any given time these days, the inconsistencies around travel are huge—different destinations have different vaccine and testing requirements, and travel policies can change at a moment’s notice—so the ICGL Advisory Board made the decision to travel within the U.S.” On the itinerary are a fifth-grade trip to Maryland’s Eastern Shore exploring the intersection of Native American and colonial history with water issues around the Chesapeake Bay; Middle School adventures to Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone National Park and other outdoor locales; and similar Upper School excursions. “We loved the idea of taking advantage of the diverse outdoor experiences available domestically, which also allows us to avoid cities and explore areas with more open spaces, smaller communities and higher vaccination rates,” Anderson says. “The U.S. offers so many opportunities for interesting conversations. I’m excited to see where this year takes us.” l

SINCE 2015, ICGL 2021–2022 Visiting Scholar Michelle Nunn has served as president and CEO of CARE USA, a leading humanitarian organization that fights global poverty and provides lifesaving emergency assistance in more than 100 countries. Under Nunn’s leadership, CARE has invested in innovative new programs and partnerships to expand its impact and has set a goal of increasing CARE’s micro-savings program that helps individuals build savings to 60 million participants by 2028. Before joining CARE, Nunn’s experience included significant time in civic and public service—as a social entrepreneur, a nonprofit CEO and a candidate for the U.S. Senate. She co-founded the volunteer-mobilization organization Hands On Atlanta and oversaw its merger with Points of Light, creating the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. Nunn served as Points of Light CEO from 2007 to 2013. Nunn’s October visit to Pace, part of the school’s ongoing partnership with CARE, will include time with students in all divisions; Lower and Middle School students will continue to work with local CARE representatives following Nunn’s presentation. l

MEET ICGL VISITING SCHOLAR

MICHELLE NUNN

RECOMMENDED READING Building Better Citizens: A New Civics Education for All by Holly Korbey Cutting School: The Segrenomics of American Education by Noliwe Rooks

LEADERS IN EDUCATION

The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education by Diane Ravitch Democracy's Schools: The Rise of Public Education in America by Johann Neem Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life by William Deresiewicz The Freedom Schools: Student Activists in the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement by John Hale The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai GERBER

SMITH

MILLNER

LEVENSON

HOOD

AS THE PACE ACADEMY community embarks on an exploration of the issues surrounding the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s (ICGL) 2021–2022 global theme of Education, RILEY ALKIRE ’23, BRIAN LEE ’23, LEAH FAVERO ’22 and RYAN VARMA ’22 will stand at the front of the class. Selected as this year’s Isdell Global Leaders (IGLs) after an in-depth application process, the cohort has committed to a yearlong study of Education that will include coursework, research and two travel opportunities. “Our hope is that these IGLs gain a big-picture understanding of what future innovations in education may look like and how we might close the gap between elite, innovative and struggling schools,” says ICGL Director and IGL faculty adviser TRISH ANDERSON. Alongside Associate Director of the ICGL TED WARD, Anderson and the IGLs will use their insights and experiences to inform their work on campus as they help enlighten the Pace community regarding the education-related issues facing the world today. l

The Lost Education of Horace Tate: Uncovering the Hidden Heroes Who Fought for Justice in Schools by Vanessa Siddle Walker

PEER TO PEER THE 2021–2022 EDUCATION ICGL STUDENT COUNCIL

THIS YEAR, 13 Upper School students will partner with ICGL faculty to bring the topic of Education to life for the school community through events, educational initiatives and advocacy. The 2021–2022 ICGL Student Council includes CAROLINE HOOD ’24, HENRY LEVENSON ’24, REED MILLNER ’24, ADAIR SMITH ’24, SIMON GERBER ’23, VICTORIA HADLEY ’23, CAITLYN PINSKER ’23, SAMMY FINKELSTEIN ’22, AMALIA HAVIV ’22 and PRANAVH PRADEEP ’22. Three spots will open to the Class of 2025 at the start of the school year. l

PRADEEP

H AV I V

FINKELSTEIN

PINSKER

HADLEY

The Prize: Who's in Charge of America's Schools? by Dale Russakoff Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools by Jonathan Kozol The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley The Teacher Wars: A History of America's Most Embattled Profession by Dana Goldstein A World-Class Education: Learning from International Models of Excellence and Innovation by Vivien Stewart

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

ATHLETICS

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

VA R S I T Y BAS E B A L L

ATHLETICS

Coached by DONICE BLOODWORTH, JASE WRIGLEY ’94, NELSON PEDRAZA and LV WARE The varsity baseball team’s postseason journey began on a high note when the Knights defeated rival Lovett in a best-of-three series to claim the region title. The topseeded Knights then bested Dade County High School in a state-playoff doubleheader to advance to the second round of the GHSA Class AA state tournament. Haralson County High School proved a formidable opponent and ended the team’s season with a 5–0 game-three win. Following the season, eight Knights received All-Region honors. DONICE BLOODWORTH was named Region 6-AA Coach of the Year, while junior RJ AUSTIN earned Region 6-AA Player of the Year honors. Austin was also selected to the AllRegion First Team alongside JAE WILLIAMS ’22, CHARLIE JANKO ’21 and JAYDEN THOMAS ’21. Second Team honors went to MICHAEL LYNCH ’22, MJ MORRIS ’22 and GUS THOMAS ’22. Next season, the team will miss the enthusiastic leadership of its senior members: NOAH BENNETT ’21, RILEY FOX ’21, Janko, G. Thomas and J. Thomas.

VA R S I T Y GIRLS GOLF Coached by KEVIN BALLARD and TREVOR SMITH With eight student-athletes on the roster, this year’s varsity girls golf team was small but mighty. EMMA BETH NEVILLE ’23 consistently led the Knights, placing among the top finishers against the likes of Holy Innocents’, Lovett, Westminster, Riverwood and Marist. The two seniors, LIZZY KAYE ’21 and REILY HAMILTON ’21, also contributed to the team’s success. The Knights’ performance during the regular season and at the area tournament qualified them for the 36-hole state championship at Southern Hills Golf Club, where Neville once again led the squad, placing 33rd overall.

ATHLETICS

VA R S I T Y G I R L S SO C C E R Coached by DECLAN TRAQUAIR, ROSS KEENAN, DAREN SILBERMAN, KAITLYN KERRIGAN and TAMARA NEILEY

VA R S I T Y G I R L S L AC R O S S E Coached by KELSEA AYERS, JULIA COUCH, BETHANY FEVELLA, TAYLOR OLIVER and MAR-NAYE WHITAKER

Signature victories over competitors such as Denmark High School, Marist, Woodward, Grady and Dunwoody set the tone for the varsity girls lacrosse team in the Knights’ first full season with head coach KELSEA AYERS at the helm. Under the leadership of MARY CHILDS HALL ’21, AMALIE LITTLE ’21 and AMALIA MAXA ’21, the team defeated Mount Paran Christian School in round one of the GHSA Class AA state playoffs and advanced to the second round for the first time in the young program’s history. A loss to Wesleyan capped off the Knight’s notable run. First Team All-Area honors went to ANNA NUCKOLS ’23 and SYDNEY VINCENT ’24. Hall, Little, GRACE HEINEMAN ’22, MCKENZIE MARTIN ’22 and ALEX SPINELLI ’22 earned Second Team All-Area recognition. Photography by ASHFORD LITTLE

The varsity girls soccer team’s regular season culminated in a 4–0 win over Tucker High School during which the team celebrated the contributions of seniors LILY CUMMINGS ’21 and CAROLINE JANKI ’21. The Knights went on to charge through the first two rounds of the GHSA Class AA state playoffs, notching decisive victories over Gordon Central, Rabun County and Oglethorpe County before falling to Bremen High School in the semifinals. Eleven underclassmen earned All-Region recognition, a nod to the team’s future prospects. CARLY APPEL ’22, DYLAN BAKER ’22, MORGAN NEILL ’22, KACI MCCRAY ’24 and ADAIR SMITH ’24 were named to the All-Region First Team. Second Team All-Region honors went to MCCLEAN EAGLESON ’22, MARIELLE FROOMAN ’22, HANNAH GENSER ’22, MEGAN HARDESTY ’22, ELIZABETH FEAGIN ’23 and KATE ROMERO ’23.

TAKING IT UP A NOTCH This fall, 13 members of the Pace Academy Class of 2021 representing nine sports will join athletics teams at their respective colleges and universities. Congratulations and good luck, Pace Knights!

KN IG HTS COM M IT TO COLLEGE ATH LETI C S

ATHLETICS

1 2

3 4 5 5

6 7 8

CHRISTIAN Bing

HOWARD UNIVERSITY Football

MATTHEW Cleveland

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Basketball

JORGE Gonzalez-Hernandez

OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY Soccer

EVAN Karetsos

DICKINSON COLLEGE Lacrosse

LIZZY Kaye

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA Diving

AMALIE Little

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Swimming

MAGGIE Jenkins

GEORGIA TECH Cheerleading

COLE Middleton

CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY Basketball

SYDNEY Silverstein

DENISON UNIVERSITY Softball

EVAN Smith-Rooks 10 OBERLIN COLLEGE Football

JONNY Sundermeier 11 TRINITY COLLEGE Track

ALEXANDER Swann 12 MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE Track

JAYDEN Thomas 13 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME Football

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

ISTORY BOOK

A SE A SO N FO R TH E 40

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GIRLS TENNIS

B OYS SO CCE R

S TAT E C H A M P S

B OYS TR ACK & F I E LD

B OYS G O LF

S TAT E C H A M P S

RUNNERS-UP

GIRLS GYMNASTICS

B OYS L ACR O SS E

RUNNERS-UP

B OYS TE N N I S

GI R L S TR ACK & FI ELD

RUNNERS-UP

SPRING TITLES

I N DIVI D UAL ACCO L ADE S

GYMNASTICS Gabby Mautner All-State

B OYS G O LF Ben Shelton All-State Honorable Mention

B OYS L ACR O SS E Head Coach Grady Stevens Georgia Coach of the Year Evan Karetsos First Team All-State US Lacrosse All-American Niko Karetsos First Team All-State Steven Morrisroe All-State Honorable Mention Jason Tapper Second Team All-State US Lacrosse All-Academic Tripp Trimble Second Team All-State

B OYS SO CCE R Coach Lucas Moreno All-Region Coach of the Year Jeremy Avellaneda First Team All-Region Juan Figueroa Second Team All-Region

hen the world came to a screeching halt in March 2020, so too did Pace Academy Athletics. The Knights’ busiest season of the year ended before spring teams truly had an opportunity to show their stuff, live up to their expectations and manifest their goals. This past spring, Pace student-athletes at all levels more than made up for those missed opportunities. Of 12 varsity teams, an astonishing eight battled all the way to the state finals; three—boys soccer, girls tennis and boys track and field—brought home championship titles; and, as a collective, Pace boys teams earned the Regions Bank Class AA 2021–2022 Directors’ Cup. “It was a tremendous season for our Pace Knights and a wonderful way to wrap up a successful year,” says Director of Athletics CHAD WABREK. “I couldn’t be more proud of our student-athletes, coaches and community members. They adapted to ever-changing COVID protocols and the challenges associated with a global pandemic while staying focused on their objectives and representing Pace with grace and pride.” Read on to learn all about our state champions and runners-up (listed chronologically according to state competition dates).

Jorge Gonzalez-Hernandez First Team All-Region Region Player of the Year Brian Lee First Team All-Region Jack MacRae Second Team All-Region Gerardo Ovalle Second Team All-Region Victor Ovalle First Team All-Region Noah Prout First Team All-Region Jeffrey Ramos First Team All-Region Jaxon Willoughby Second Team All-Region

TR ACK & FI ELD Coach Jolie Cunningham Class AA All-Metro Coach of the Year Laura Arenth Academic All-American

EIGH T VA R S I T Y TEAMS EARN S TAT E CHAMPIONSHIP OR RUNNER-UP TITLES KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

SPRING TITLES

GY M NAS T I C S The varsity gymnastics team kicked off the Knights’ quest for Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state gold. Regular-season wins over the likes of Lovett and Westminster boded well for the squad, which ranked fourth in GHSA classifications A through AAAAA—a mere five one-hundredths of a point behind the Wildcats—heading into the state preliminary meet. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Knights advanced from the preliminary round of state competition to the finals. North Oconee High School had qualified for the finals 10 points ahead of second-seed Oconee High School, but less than 3 points separated Oconee from Pace and Westminster, the third and fourth seeds, respectively. “The real battle was for state runner-up,” says longtime head coach STEVE CUNNINGHAM. After the first three rotations, the Knights held second place by a slim margin; they knew they had to execute their remaining routines cleanly—and they did. With strong leadership from seniors HAYLEY CAVINDER, MAGGIE JENKINS, EVE KOGON and CASEY SHOULBERG, the team brought home the hard-earned and well-deserved second-place trophy with a season-high team score of 105.73. Freshman GABBY MAUTNER, the lone Knight to qualify for individual medals, claimed the balance beam state title. She placed second in all-around competition, third on bars and vault and fifth on floor. “The most impressive quality about this team was its ability to perform at their best when it mattered most,” says Cunningham. “They were the only team to improve their team score from the regular season to the preliminary meet and from prelims to the state finals.” Photography by CRYSTAL MOORE

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TE N N I S The varsity girls and boys tennis teams entered the postseason hoping to build on the precedent they established in 2019, when both squads bested Lovett to earn state gold. “The teams were disappointed last year when we didn’t have the chance to defend our titles, so it was especially nice to have the opportunity to do that this season,” says head coach MATHEW MARSICO. The region-champion girls breezed through victories over Chattooga High School, Rabun County High School, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and Berrien High School en route to the GHSA Class AA finals, while the boys’ journey to state included decisive wins over Chattooga and Banks, Bacon and Bleckley County high schools. In rematches of both the 2019 state and 2021 region finals, the Knights faced the Lovett Lions in the GHSA Tennis State Championship at Berry College’s Rome Tennis Center. The threat of rain did little to deter the girls, who took the courts first. GRACE FUNSTON ’21, SYDNEY FUNSTON ’21, LILY KAHN ’21, JAMIE KORNHEISER ’21 and SIDNEY SILVER ’21 led the experienced squad. BROOKE BRUMFIELD ’23 and S. Funston at No. 1 doubles, PAIGE MASSEY ’24 at No. 2 singles and KATE JONAS ’22 at No. 3 singles brought home victories to clinch the title. The boys fought hard but couldn’t pull off the win and ended the season as state runnerup. JORDY ELSTER ’21, MATT GENSER ’21 and ELI MAUTNER ’21 wrapped up their Pace tennis careers with impressive performances. Photography by THE ATHLETIC IMAGE Girls group photo by FRED ASSAF

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SPRING TITLES

SOCCE R

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The Pace-Lovett state-championship rivalry continued as the varsity boys soccer team also faced the Lions for Class AA bragging rights. To earn a place in the title game, the Knights—guided by head coach LUCAS MORENO—defeated Fannin County High School, Riverside Military Academy, Putnam County High School and Gordon Central High School, outscoring their playoff opponents 23–1. In the finals, however, the Lions challenged the Knights’ high-scoring habits; neither team managed to get the ball in the net as the clock expired on regulation play. Two overtime periods proved equally uneventful, and the game went to penalty kicks. Seasoned players LOGAN BAKER ’21, JORGE GONZALEZ-HERNANDEZ ’21, ANDERSON LARA ’21, JACK MACRAE ’21 and NOAH PROUT ’21 helped their teammates maintain composure and, after a tremendous save by sophomore goalie OWEN ROSS ’23, the Knights claimed the title 5–3—the team’s first since 2006. “The amount of work and time these players put in speaks volumes about their desire to be champions,” says Moreno. “I’m very proud of our seniors. For four years, they’ve worked to create a culture built on hard work and discipline. I’m looking forward to what our underclassmen will do next season now that they’ve experienced what it takes to be state champions.”

LACR OS S E Also hoping to make history was the varsity boys lacrosse team. Pace had not advanced to the state championship since 2000 and 2001, when they finished as runner-up. With a seniorheavy squad—TOMMY ASSAF ’21, BENNETT BOUSHKA ’21, GEORGE CREASMAN ’21, EVAN KARETSOS ’21, STEVEN MORRISROE ’21 and TRIPP TRIMBLE ’21—and an outstanding regular season behind them, the Knights hoped to capture their first-ever state title. The No. 2-seed Knights made quick work of their playoff opponents, Darlington School, Decatur High School and Holy Innocents’ in advance of a well-contested Final Four battle versus Greater Atlanta Christian School, followed by their final contest against powerhouse Blessed Trinity. Cheered on by a packed and raucous crowd of Pace fans, the Knights gave the Titans a run for their money in the graduation-day matchup but came up short, 12–8, to finish the season in second place overall in Class A–AAAAA. The season was head coach GRADY STEVENS’ last at the helm as he has since departed Pace for law school. “This season I could not have been more proud of our team,” Stevens says. “Day in and day out, they had a tremendous work ethic, took care of each other and loved competing. They never backed down from a challenge and played some terrific lacrosse!” The team looks forward to welcoming new head coach CHASE WINTER next season.

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

TRAC K&F I E LD Graduation day also marked major milestones for the varsity boys and girls track and field teams. Led by LAURA ROMIG ’21, HANNA VINCENT ’21, CHASE AUSTIN ’21, SEAN GLENNON ’21, ROBERT HOUSER ’21, MARC ROSENTHAL ’21, ANTHONY SALAZAR ’21, JONNY SUNDERMEIER ’21, ALEXANDER SWANN ’21 and SAM WEBB ’21, the Pace squads had both finished second in the region and hoped to capitalize on that momentum at the state meet. Over the course of the three-day GHSA Track & Field State Championships, 22 Pace student-athletes competed for places on the podium. When all was said and done, the boys were crowned state champions—the Knights’ first track and field title since 1972—and the girls were runners-up. “These results have been a long time coming,” says head coach JOLIE CUNNINGHAM. “They were possible due to the dedication and hard work of every individual on these teams. I’m so proud of all of them.” Individual track and field state titles went to LAURA ARENTH ’22 (1600 and 3200 meters), EDWARD BLAHA ’22 (3200 meters) and JOHN CATHERMAN ’22 (100 and 200 meter). Earning silver medals were KATE JONAS ’22 (3200 meters), E. Blaha (1600 meters), BROOKE FUNG CHUNG ’23 (high jump), the girls 4x400 relay (Vincent, Romig, REBECCA THOMPSON ’24 and Fung Chung), the boys 4x800 relay (E. Blaha, GEORGE BLAHA ’22, ROBERT MALLIS ’22 and GRANT THOMPSON ’22) and the girls 4x800 relay (Arenth, Jonas, Romig and Vincent). Bronze medals went to G. Blaha (3200 meters), G. Thompson (800 meters), Swann (300 hurdles), Romig (800 meters) and the boys 4x400 relay (Catherman, Sundermeier, Swann and G. Thompson). In addition, Mallis (3200 meters), G. Blaha (1600 meters), CAROLINE HOOD ’24 (1600 and 3200 meters), Sundermeier (400 meters) and Vincent (800 meters) earned fourth-place spots on the podium. FRANK CALDWELL ’23 was fifth in the high jump; JORDAN WHITE ’22 put in an eighth-place finish in the 1600 meters; GABBY HUDSON ’22 was eighth in the long jump; and Jonas was eighth in the 800 meters. Arenth and the Blaha brothers went on to represent the Knights at the Wingfoot Night of Champions, where Edward finished the 3200meter race in third place with a new school record.

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

SPRING TITLES

GOLF Varsity boys golf head coach SCOTT SHUPE and his players did Pace proud when they wrapped up the year for Pace Athletics with a runner-up finish at the state championship. Following regularseason wins over the likes of Marist, Columbus High School and Harrison High School, the squad had placed second behind Lovett at the area tournament. The Lions outscored the Knights again at the 36-hole state event at Southern Hills Golf Club. Steady standout BEN SHELTON ’22 led the Pace team with a score of 150—6 over par—to finish in fifth place overall. DOUG PARKER ’23 and RONAK LALAJI ’23, who tied for 17th, followed. With RIVERS GRAHAM ’21, NOAH LEVENSON ’21, JOSH MININBERG ’21, SAM SELIG ’21 and HUNTER WILLIAMS ’21 graduating, it will fall to Shelton, WILL ARONSON ’22 and WILLIAM BAKER ’22 to lead next season’s squad.

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

CLASS OF 2021

An Unforgettable Class, An

Unforgettable Year 48

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

“How do you say a run-of-the-mill goodbye to a class that became something remarkable?” Head of Upper School MIKE GANNON asked 110 soon-to-be Pace Academy graduates and their parents during Senior Honors Day. It was a question that the Pace faculty and staff felt deeply. The class’s final 14 months of high school had been anything but run-of-the-mill. As REV. DR. TONY SUNDERMEIER, a Pace parent, recounted in his David-and-Goliath-inspired Baccalaureate address, the Class of 2021 had “faced some giants… the coronavirus pandemic, the pandemic of political hostility and division within our land, and the

CLASS OF 2021

A final farewell to our seniors pandemic of rooted racism in far too many spheres and sectors of our society.” These “giants,” Gannon argued, “revealed what this class had within them all along,” namely their willingness to show up for each other, to play by the rules, to be kind and respectful and to live honestly. “Our seniors and our faculty led us through an unforgettable school year,” Gannon said. “In the midst of a pandemic, we didn’t miss a day of school. Not one day… I want to say this so everyone can hear it: it could not have happened without the senior class. They are one tough group of kids.” The Pace community celebrated the Class of 2021’s perseverance, selflessness

and indomitable spirit during graduation festivities in May. Senior Honors Day, held in the Inman Center Gym with limited attendance, kicked off the weekend’s events. Baccalaureate and Commencement, streamed live online for extended family members and friends to see, took place on the Riverview Sports Complex’s Walsh Field rather than on campus and in a nearby church as in years past. It was a fitting end to a school year marked by unpredictability and ingenuity. “This year, the most impactful of Pace rituals have been more limited,” Dean KRISTA WILHELMSEN told her class at Baccalaureate. “Still, you are gracious and resilient; you have adjusted with understand-

ing and acceptance. Despite a different sort of ending, we have experienced many highlights and victories, and I attribute this to the excellence of the Class of 2021, along with the strength and unmistakable goodness that is the Pace community… Though this goodbye is uniquely different, it’s also joyful. I celebrate and recognize you for the countless ways you have awed, inspired and achieved in the past four years, even despite recent adversity. You led beautifully by example. I am so proud of you. I miss you already.” •

More graduation coverage on the following pages!

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

CLASS OF 2021

THE CLASS OF 2021

BY THE NUMBERS 50

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

110

793

MEMBERS

APPLICATIONS TO 178 COLLEGES

ACT AVERAGE

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS

89%

16%

SCORED 3 OR HIGHER ON AP EXAMS

PACE ACADEMY LIFERS

OF THE CLASS WILL REMAIN IN GEORGIA

COLLEGE ATHLETES

CLASS OF 2021

“Class of 2021, I want to offer myself and all of you a challenge as we move on to the rest of our lives. Don’t just check the boxes. Don’t keep your head down. Don’t exist within any system without wondering if it should change. Look around at the world we live in. Look at all of its problems and opportunities and flaws… and then make something new with the ideas and knowledge in your head and everything you have yet to learn. Be creators, not upholders in the world.” LAURA ROMIG Class of 2021 Valedictorian

“My life has been nourished by the Pace community. What I have observed over the past 13 years is that we cannot go through life alone. We must live in the moment and connect ourselves with people who have our backs. Similarly, we must work to discover what we love, and in doing that, must surround ourselves with people we love and who love us. Those connections are the purpose of this life.” MARY CHILDS HALL Class of 2021 Salutatorian

“Pace has prepared you for the rigorous academic challenges you will face, but it has also taught you the importance of being good

GRADUATES ARE THE SOLE MATRICULANT TO THEIR COLLEGE

people. Your character speaks volumes, and I have no doubt that you have been prepared with the tools necessary to persevere.” RONNIE BROWN

Commencement Speaker Pace parent, financial advisor and former NFL running back

COLLEGES IN 25 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

CLASS OF 2021

Senior Awards Arts Alliance George Mengert Lifetime Achievement Award Jack Brown, Jack Carson, Jacqueline Cunningham, Audrey Holton, Kate Mallard, Harley Ryan, Jonny Sundermeier, Olivia Ullmann, Denzel Welsh & Alivia Wynn

Booster Club Career Contribution to Athletics Award Lizzy Kaye & Amalie Little

Girl Scout Gold Award Recognition Jordan Benjamin, Sarah Schultz, Abby Sroka & Olivia Ullmann

Booster Club Pace Silver Knight Award [1] Maggie Jenkins

Gladys Johnson Award Eli Mautner & Sydney Silverstein

Charlie Owens Letter Blanket Award Tommy Assaf, Logan Baker, Pearson Bates, Isabel Battista, Christian Bing, Hayley Cavinder, Lily Cummings, Jacqueline Cunningham, Jordy Elster, Grace Funston, Sidney Funston, Matt Genser, Jorge Gonzalez-Hernandez, Rivers Graham, Helena Harris, Mary Childs Hall, Kathryn Hood, Robert Houser, Caroline Janki, Maggie Jenkins, Justin Johnson, Evan Karetsos, Lizzy Kaye, Eve Kogon, Jamie Kornheiser, Anderson Lara, Amalie Little, Jack MacRae, Amalia Maxa, Cole Middleton, Josh Mininberg, Hannah Pace, Mary Paige Pope, Noah Prout, Laura Romig, Marc Rosenthal, Anthony Salazar, Casey Shoulberg, Sidney Silver, Sydney Silverstein, Jonny Sundermeier, Alexander Swann,

Headmaster's Award Isabel Battista, Marc Rosenthal, Darren Rosing & Alivia Wynn

Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award Michael Fu Eagle Scout Recognition Tommy Assaf, Tripp Trimble & Miles Wallace English Department Award Elliot Mathis Frank D. Kaley Award Jamie Kornheiser & Laura Romig

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Photographs by CHRIS BERRY

George G. Kirkpatrick Pace Knight Award Mary Childs Hall & Cole Middleton

Computer Science Department Award [4] Kristin Hartman

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup Anthony Salazar

Jayden Thomas, Tripp Trimble, Hanna Vincent & Sam Webb

Hilton and Philippa Kort Service Above Self Award Olivia Ullmann James De La Fuente Award Audrey Holton & Kate Mallard Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar Athlete Award Tripp Trimble & Hanna Vincent Kent C. Taylor, Jr. Award Jacqueline Cunningham, Claire Howell, Eve Kogon, Chase Austin, Anderson Lara & Denzel Welsh Lance and Shield Award Sydney Funston & Jayden Thomas Margery Russell Wilmot Spirit Award [2] Audrey Holton, Caroline Janki, Casey Shoulberg, Will Brennan, Noah Prout & Gus Thomas Mike Gannon Award for Excellence in History Hunter Williams Mike Murphy Courage to Strive for Excellence Award [3] Jordan Benjamin & Myles Bolton

Pace Senior Citizens Tommy Assaf, Sloan Baker, Bennett Boushka, Emily Butler, Hayley Cavinder, Austin Chastain, George Creasman, Aiden Critz, Sean Glennon, Rivers Graham, Mary Childs Hall, Kristin Hartman, Kathryn Hood, Caroline Janki, Dylan Kaminski, Lily Koch, Noah Levenson, Kate Mallard, Madison Martin, Elliot Mathis, Ashley Myers, Hannah Pace, Mary Paige Pope, Laura Romig, Harley Ryan, Sarah Schultz, Hayden Schwartz, Sidney Silver, Sydney Silverstein, Abby Sroka, Alexander Swann, Sloane Wagreich, Miles Wallace & Hunter Williams Peter F. Hoffman Honor Scholarship Tommy Assaf & Ashley Myers Ralph Lee Newton Literary Award Kathryn Hood Raymond Buckley Award Matthew Cleveland & Lizzy Kaye Ricks Carson Pace Literary Prize Laura Romig & Alivia Wynn Robert A. Yellowlees Award Grace Demba & Katie Khajavi Salutatorian Mary Childs Hall Science Department Award Reily Hamilton Sydney Rushin Mathematics Prize Rory Flint Valedictorian Laura Romig World Languages Department Award Isabel Battista (French) Helena Harris (Spanish) Harley Ryan (Latin)

CLASS OF 2021

You’re Off & Away OLIVIA ULLMAN JOHNSON SCHOLAR Washington & Lee University The Johnson Scholarship Program selects students on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and their potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the W&L campus and of the world at large in years to come. In addition to tuition, room and board, Johnson Scholars receive funding to support summer experiences during their time at W&L.

Distinguished Scholars Two members of the Class of 2021 have received full-tuition merit scholarships at their respective universities.

The Class of 2021 will matriculate at the following colleges and universities: Auburn University (4) Belmont University Berea College Boston College Bowdoin College Brandeis University Brown University (2) Chapman University Cleveland State University Colgate University Columbia University Cornell University Davidson College Denison University DePaul University Dickinson College Emory University Florida State University Furman University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology (4) Georgia State University Holy Cross College Howard University (2) Indiana University Bloomington (3) Louisiana State University Miami University, Ohio Middlebury College Morehouse College

North Carolina A&T State University Northwestern University (2) Oberlin College Parsons School of Design at The New School Southern Methodist University (2) Syracuse University Texas Christian University (3) The New School The University of Alabama (4) The University of Texas at Austin (2) Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University (6) University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of Colorado Boulder University of Denver University of Georgia (9) University of Maryland University of Miami (3) University of Michigan (3) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Notre Dame (2) University of Virginia (5) Wake Forest University (5) Washington and Lee University Washington University in St. Louis (2) Wesleyan University

DENZEL WELSH POSSE SCHOLAR Brandeis University The Posse Foundation believes that the leaders of the 21st century should reflect the country’s rich demographic mix, and identifies, recruits and trains individuals with extraordinary leadership potential. Posse Scholars receive full-tuition leadership scholarships from Posse’s 63 partner colleges and universities.

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

Our counselors reflect on how the pandemic has affected college admissions at Pace and beyond

COLLEGE COUNSELING IN THE COVID ERA In

a March 2021 Wall Street Journal article entitled College Admission Season Is Crazier Than Ever. That Could Change Who Gets In, authors Melissa Korn and Douglas Belkin discuss the impact of highly selective colleges and universities’ decisions to waive standardized test requirements in light of the COVID pandemic’s impact on students. The change resulted in “an unprecedented flood of applications and what may prove the most chaotic selection experiment in American higher education since the end of World War II,” Korn and Belkin write. “The question hanging over higher education… is whether this influx will permanently change how colleges select students and, ultimately, the makeup of the student population.” The question of how college application processes would be affected by new testing policies was just one of many chal-

SUMMER 2021 ||| KnightTimes

lenges that arose for the Pace Academy Office of College Counseling at the height of the pandemic. When Pace transitioned to virtual learning in March 2020, a majority of seniors had made their college choices. “In terms of our operations, the Class of 2020 wasn’t severely impacted,” explains Associate Director of College Counseling BEN WESCOTT. “The Class of 2021, however, is a different story.” As Pace shuttered its campus in March 2020, so too did colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. Visiting colleges during the spring and summer of junior year as is typical simply was not possible, so when the Class of 2021 returned to Pace for the start of their senior year, few had solidified their top choices. That sense of indecision and unpredictability characterized the year, reports Director of College Counseling JONATHAN FERRELL.

What was not up for debate was the team’s commitment to supporting Pace students and families. “We had to quickly wrap our minds around what was going on and determine how we were going to walk through this and serve our kids,” Ferrell says. “We didn’t get to shut down. Instead, we adapted, and we adapted well.” In a normal year, the Office of College Counseling provides student and parent programming for grades nine and 10; the official search process kicks off during junior year when students are assigned a college counselor, take the PSAT, attend college fairs, meet with college representatives visiting Pace, register for and take standardized tests and participate in college tours. Senior year is equally busy—filled with essay and application workshops, family meetings, and additional college fairs and visits.

COLLEGE COUNSELING Associate Director of College Counseling BEN WESCOTT kicks off the 2021–2022 school year with a critical presentation about the college process.

Typically, by spring break, approximately 80% of a given class has determined their college home. It’s a thoughtful, strategic process, one in which the Office of College Counseling works hand in hand with parents and students to hone college lists and find the perfect post-Pace fit. But in lieu of in-person meetings and workshops, the 110 members of the Class of 2021 and their parents found themselves Zooming into conversations with their counselors and attending virtual college admissions programs. With guests—including parents—unable to visit the Pace campus throughout the 2020–2021 school year, “it was much like being at a boarding school,” Ferrell says. “There, college counselors interact with students in person, but interactions with parents take place almost exclusively on the phone, via email or via Zoom.”

Ferrell contacted colleagues at boarding schools to gather their best practices and ideas, and the new format worked better than anticipated. “Meeting with parents this past year was actually far easier,” Wescott says, citing many parents’ busy work and travel schedules. “In some cases, we saw more of students’ families than we might have in a normal year.” The Office of College Counseling’s virtual offerings extended beyond parent meetings; the team partnered with other area independent schools to offer specialized online curriculum covering everything from business and engineering programs to historically black colleges and universities. And when the ACT canceled test dates, Pace offered the test on campus to all juniors and seniors. Associate Director of College Counseling PAM AMBLER appreciated building relationships with students and parents through new channels. “I would see inside families’ homes when we would Zoom,” she says. “Kids would show me their desks, their rooms. We connected in interesting ways—ways we hadn’t before. It was an unexpected silver lining.” Ambler and her colleagues found another silver lining in the pace of pandemic life, particularly from March 2020 through the start of school that August. Without the structure and demands imposed by participation in extracurricular activities, travel and the general breakneck speed of adolescence, students were forced to slow down, discover new hobbies, reconnect with family members, get to know their neighbors and pursue genuine interests. “In a way, it was refreshing,” she says. “It allowed our students to be more reflective, and we worked to reposition them so they could effectively share those stories.” For many students, broader horizons on the home front and virtual access to college admissions teams near and far led to interest in schools they might not have considered in a normal year. In addition, test-optional policies meant that students who may have selected out of an applicant pool instead selected in. They thought, Why not give it a shot? “When students have unlimited access to a college, they often get hooked on one school, visit multiple times and believe it’s

the perfect place. Their search stops there,” says Wescott. “In this situation, that couldn’t happen.” Across the board, the Pace Class of 2021 submitted more applications per student—an average of 7.1 versus the Class of 2020’s average of 6.68—and fewer were willing to apply “early decision,” a process in which students “make a binding commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll and withdraw all other applications,” according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Applicants nationwide followed suit. According to the Wall Street Journal, Harvard’s applications increased 42% over the previous year. Yale, Columbia and Stanford were so overwhelmed that they pushed back the date to announce admissions decisions. Common App, which serves more than 900 institutions of higher education, reported that America's colleges averaged an 11% bump in applications. Without in-person interviews or test scores to evaluate applicants, many in the industry wondered how decisions would be made. Needless to say, no one—not college admissions offices, school leaders or college counselors—knew quite how the year would shake out. “When all was said and done, we had a really great year,” Ferrell reports. The members of the Class of 2021 happily enrolled at 57 colleges in 25 states and the District of Columbia (see page 53 for the full college list). What was interesting, however, was how the pandemic may have shaped students’ decisions. “At the beginning of the year, so much was unknown and so many students were indecisive—for good reason,” Ferrell says. Students at Pace and across the country had faced disappointment again and again: plans canceled due to COVID, missed opportunities, illness in their families, increased anxiety and general exhaustion. “This past year, we all just wanted a win,” Ambler says. “Kids wanted the good parts of ‘normal’ to come back.”

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

COLLEGE COUNSELING And so, when selecting schools, many students in the Pace Class of 2021 were disproportionately drawn to the places they sensed could provide that sense of normalcy and familiarity. In some cases, a large public university that had reopened a nt ss i s t to visitors during the ve A i t a g r se l i n i n i st pandemic won out n m u d o A s eC ol l e g iam over a more selective fo r C l a W i l l ki liberal arts school conductSha ing virtual classes. More than in years past, Pace students elected to stay close to home: 16% will attend school in Georgia. Schools in Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, North Carolina and Alabama will also welcome large numbers of Pace graduates. “By and large, our students picked schools that were more accessible to visit,” Wescott reports. “They could visualize themselves having good experiences at those places.” Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, the University of Southern California, George Washington University, Sewanee: University of the South and Rhodes College were among the schools that accepted Pace students, but where students chose not to enroll. “Logistics aside, COVID might have simplified things,” Ferrell says. “In many ways, this year was a college counselor’s dream. Instead of getting caught up in big names and status, kids chose where they really wanted to go, where they thought they could be happy. That makes me happy.” Much about the college admissions landscape remains to be seen. At print time, a growing list of colleges and universities required that students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against COVID before returning to campus—a controversial mandate in many states that, for better or worse, will likely impact admissions. The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia announced that its 26 colleges and universities will require applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score for admission; several Florida

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schools followed suit. A longer list of schools such as Harvard University, Amherst College, Tufts University and the University of Virginia declared their intent to remain test optional. Institutions of higher education around the country shared metrics regarding their atypical year while formulating plans for the coming season, which, in many ways, could be just as anomalous. Pace’s Office of College Counseling is in a similar situation. “For the past 18 months, we’ve been building a car and driving it at the same time,” says Ferrell. “This summer, we pulled off at a rest stop to catch our breath and review what worked and what didn’t. Then we got back on the road.” Ferrell is proud of the ways his team adapted to the unprecedented challenges. “We had to evaluate our processes, make changes in real time and then pass that knowledge on to our students and families, who had to readjust as well,” he says. “Ultimately, I think we’ll all look back on the 2020–2021 school year as one that made us more nimble, more thoughtful and more creative. It made us better.” •

o r of D irect se l i n g e C ou n Colleg th a n Jona el l Fer r

Associate D ire

ctor of College Couns eling Pam Ambl er

Leaders in COLLEGE COUNSELING More than 1,100 college counselors from across the South tuned in to the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling’s (SACAC) 2021 conference in April. Director of College Counseling JONATHAN FERRELL, who served as SACAC president for the 2020–2021 year, oversaw the virtual event, themed Renewing Our Commitment. Ferrell also served as a featured speaker and, with National Association for College Admission Counseling CEO Angel Pérez, addressed the topic of leading through the dual pandemics of COVID and racial injustice. During the conference, Associate Director of College Counseling PAM AMBLER received the William Starling Award for Mentoring, one of the seven awards SACAC bestows annually on its members. The award, named for the longtime dean of admissions and financial aid at Wake Forest University, recognizes an individual who sets an example of integrity and shapes the best in people, who sees beyond the day-to-day and inspires rather than demands quality. “Pam continues to provide me and so many others with sage advice and an understanding ear, and always [shows] a willingness to help out,” said SACAC Past-President Jessica Sant. “She has students’ interests at heart while also being able to wonderfully support her colleagues in this profession. She encourages and lifts us up—Pam believes in people and brings out the best in them.” •

COLLEGE COUNSELING

Introducing

AMY RU F F

This summer, AMY RUFF joined the Office of College Counseling as an associate director. The strategic addition to Pace Academy’s already robust team provides increased services for students and families by lowering the student-tocounselor ratio while allowing the team to expand its work on behalf of the school and its students. Ruff comes to Pace from the University of Michigan, where she served as regional recruitment coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions since 2017. In her role, Ruff developed and executed strategic recruitment initiatives across the southeast, collaborating with college counselors from Florida, Texas and Georgia high schools—including Pace. Prior to her time at Michigan, Ruff was associate director of admissions for Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. In addition, she spent nearly four years in multiple roles within Florida State University’s Office of Admissions. “I've worked in the Atlanta area for years recruiting fantastic students, and there's always been something special when stepping on the Pace campus,” Ruff reports. “The students are engaged and intentional, motivated to think critically and positively contribute to the community around them, while most importantly being themselves. Applying to college can feel complex and overwhelming, and I'm looking forward to developing trusted partnerships with Pace students and families to navigate each step.” Ruff is a graduate of Assumption College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication. She went on to receive a master’s in strategic communication from Purdue University. “When it comes to college counseling, our students deserve the best,” says Director of College Counseling JONATHAN FERRELL. “I believe that we have the best team in the business, and adding Amy will make us even better. She has been an amazing advocate for Pace students interested in the University of Michigan, and she's been an invaluable partner to our office over the years.” Ruff’s hiring brings Pace’s college counseling team to five. In addition to Ferrell, she joins Associate Directors of College Counseling PAM AMBLER and BEN WESCOTT and Administrative Assistant for College Counseling SHAKILA WILLIAMS. “I'm excited to bring my knowledge and range of experiences in admissions, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to join the Pace community,” Ruff says. •

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

ALUMNI

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

UPDATES [1] MAYMAY BENTLEY LELLYETT ’81 has returned to Pace as the receptionist in the new Kam Memar Lower School. MayMay is the parent of two Pace graduates: BENTLEY LELLYETT ’12 and EMMA LELLYETT ’18. [2] DAVE LIEBMANN ’87 has been named assistant head of school at Kingsley Montessori School in Boston. “As assistant head, I'm overseeing the academic program and the supervision of the faculty,” he says. The school is in Boston's Back Bay, a short walk to the Public Garden and its famous swan boats. Additionally, Dave earned a Master of Education degree from Harvard University this year. [3] KRISTIN CHICK CARPENTER ’07 started a new job at Dorsey Alston Realtors. Kristin originally worked in corporate finance at Deloitte before joining Teach for America and then Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. “I am the daughter of an

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architect, an investor in real estate and a self-proclaimed ‘DIY contractor,’” Kristin writes, so she brings a creative eye and a can-do attitude to helping her clients envision their dream homes. In her spare time she serves on Pace's Alumni Board, among other affiliations. [4] MATT SIMONDS ’07 has joined the North Atlanta office of Sotheby’s Fine Homes. A lifelong athlete, Matt started his career in sales in the sports equipment industry, developing strong negotiation skills and an ability to acutely listen to customers and clients. Matt began his real estate career working on the investor side of the market and now looks forward to working with families at Atlanta Fine Homes. [5] JAMES BURGE ’10 started a new job as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist at the DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability. [6] Former Pace Alumni Relations Manager HAYLEY SHOJI COATES ’12 and her husband, Jason, moved from Atlanta to

Portland, Ore., where Hayley is working as a business operations specialist at Percipio Consulting Group. The couple is enjoying the less humid weather as they eat their way through their new city. [7] After five years as an engineer for a Buckhead construction manager, HAILEY HEBEBRAND MORELLI ’12 recently pivoted into construction claims consulting and now works with a startup company in Midtown Atlanta. In addition, Hailey and her husband bought a new house in Sandy Springs in June. [8] JARED ALLEN ’13 graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law and will soon move to Savannah for a two-year federal clerkship with the Honorable Judge R. Stan Baker, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. Jared has also accepted a position at Alston & Bird, LLP in Atlanta, which will begin at the conclusion of his clerkship. [9] TIGER BROWN ’13, who joined the Pace Woodruff Library staff in 2019, has

ALUMNI

taken on an additional role at the school. During the 2021–2022 school year, Tiger will lead the Transitions program, which helps orient ninth graders to life in the Upper School. [10] MICHELLE YANCICH ’13 has returned to Pace to teach Upper School Latin and English. Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from Yale University and a master’s degree in Latin from the University of Georgia. Michelle most recently taught seventh-grade Latin in a barn during the COVID pandemic, proving their adaptability and passion for the subject. Their previous experience also includes teaching in Tuscaloosa, Ala., from 2017 to 2019. Michelle strives to be an inclusive and caring educator. “Diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and structure are foundational for my teaching philosophy.” In their free time, Michelle enjoys singing and choral music, LGBTQ+ education and TikTok. [11] After two years in New York, EVELYN HOBBS ’14 started as an analyst on the

Category Experience Team at Lowe’s Companies in Charlotte, N.C. Evelyn works on a team that helps evaluate the online customer experience while also analyzing the industry to create and test data to improve shopping. “It has been a challenging but rewarding role, and I look forward to helping grow the business in strategic ways,” she says. “If anyone from Pace is in Charlotte, please reach out and let me know. I would love to connect! Go, Knights!” [12] TANNER LEWIS ’15 was a Woodruff Scholar at Emory University and graduated summa cum laude in 2019 with majors in economics and quantitative science. During his time at Emory, Tanner studied abroad in Spain and participated in debate as part of Emory’s Barkley Forum. He also earned highest honors for his economics honors thesis. After graduation, Tanner started a job as a business analyst for McKinsey and Co. in its digital practice. In July 2021, he began a 12-month position as the business manager at the Atlanta

Committee for Progress (ACP) as part of McKinsey’s secondment program. ACP is a public-private partnership that focuses on addressing the most critical issues facing Atlanta. Tanner looks forward to giving back to his community in this new role. [13] PAYTON GANNON ’16 received a Fulbright Scholarship for independent research in Italy and will be based out of the University of Bocconi in Milan for the year. Payton’s research focuses on the effects of Italian Catholicism on reproductive rights in Italy. The year-long project will involve travel to 15 of the 20 regions of Italy to interview OB-GYNs. Payton was originally selected to be part of the 2020 Fulbright Cohort, which was delayed due to the COVID pandemic. Payton graduated from Brown University with degrees in political science and gender studies. She will join the Georgetown Law School Class of 2025 upon her return.

HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US! alumni@paceacademy.org KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

ALUMNI

[14] MARY STUART GRAY ’16 returned to Pace to start a new position as communications associate. As a member of the communications team, her goal is to “never stop learning, and to help tell the stories of the amazing things that happen every day within the Pace community—both seen and unseen.” [15] HARRISON RAY ’16 graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May with a bachelor’s degree in information technology. He was selected as one of the Naval Academy’s 27 Bowman Scholars and completed a year-long research project focused on implementing resiliency in exact matrix computations. He also served as weapons training commander for all freshmen in 2020 and as a platoon commander in the spring of 2021. He was commissioned into the Navy as an ensign and is serving on temporary duty at the Naval Academy, teaching offshore sailing. In October, Harrison will participate in the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command program and spend a year training on nuclear propulsion and submarine prototypes. After completing training, he will join the fleet on a submarine. [16] PRASHANTH KUMAR ’17 graduated from Harvard University with a degree in applied mathematics and biology. He was one of 14 seniors in the Harvard Class of 2021 selected as senior class marshals, who collectively comprise the Senior Class Committee and are tasked with organizing class-wide events through Commencement. Prashanth’s classmates elected him Second Marshal. Following graduation, Prashanth moved to New York to begin his next chapter as an M.D. candidate at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. [17] CARLY SILVERSTEIN ’17 graduated from the University of Georgia in May and will attend the University of Michigan to pursue a master’s in social work with an athletics counseling focus. She recently started her own brand, CarlyMax, to raise awareness and break the stigma of mental health issues in athletics, to provide a platform for athletes to share their stories and to share resources to support and inspire athletes at all levels. “Managing football at Pace, then continuing to work for Georgia Football, made me realize the stress and pressure student-athletes go through on a daily basis,” she says. “I wanted to combine my love of sports and helping others and decided to go into social work.” Carly hopes to gain a well-rounded knowledge of social work from Michigan’s School of Social Work while maintaining her focus on athletics. After completing her master’s, she plans to become an athletics mental health and performance counselor for college football and hopes to eventually open her own holistic health practice. [18] PAIGE DEMBA ’18 is a senior at Ball State University where she is pursuing her BFA in acting. This fall, Paige will be on the directing team for Ball State’s production of ROE. Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion, is still fiercely debated. The incisive play cuts through the headlines

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16 17

ALUMNI

and rhetoric to reveal the divergent personal journeys of lawyer Sarah Weddington and plaintiff Norma McCorvey (“Jane Roe”) in the years following the fateful decision.

[19] ABBY RAY ’19 is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in cognitive science and minoring in fine arts. She recently illustrated the Davidson University freshmen handbook in collaboration with EMILY SCHMITT ’19 and is illustrating a children’s book in collaboration with GILLIAN WEITZNER ’19.

MARRIAGES [20] WHITNEY WHITE ’00 and Zach Warnke were married on June 11, 2021, at Hidden River Events in Swannanoa, N.C. LAURA ADILMAN ’99, SARAH BRITTINGHAM ’00, BRITTNEY CURTIS ’00, LAUREN HARTMAN ’00, TEMPLE MOORE ’00, JINSIE WARD PREDDY ’00 and CATHERINE WOODLING ’00 served as bridesmaids. Other Pace attendees included JENNY GUILLAUME ’00, KAREN MARGOLIS KAYE ’00, DAVID LEWIS ’00 and LANE MILLER ’00. Whitney and Zach live in Atlanta.

21 22

[21] JODI SHEFFIELD ’05 married Bram Cohen on April 16, 2021, in Savannah. They were joined by their families and a close group of friends, including bridesmaids ALINE ANSPACH KUKANZA ’05, CHRISTINA MORRISON ’05, MCKENZIE BLANCHARD ’05 and VANESSA PETROSKY ’05. Additional Pace alumni in attendance included MAGGIE MATHEWS WINGO ’05, LIA MORAITAKIS HOOFF ’05, JENNI RIDALL ’05 and BRECK ROCHOW LICHTENSTEIN ’05. The couple met through mutual friends while living in New York and moved to Los Angeles where they have been for the past four years. They will soon pack up for their next adventure—a move to Atlanta toward the end of this year. [22] ALLISON KESSLER ELLISON ’06 and PERRYMAN ELLISON ’05 were married on June 6, 2020. They had an intimate ceremony in the Ellison family’s backyard including KATHERINE RANKIN MADDUX ’06, EMILY EVENSON HANLEY ’06, HARRISON KAUFMAN ’06 and ANDREW HENDERSON ’05. They will host a larger wedding celebration in September.

[23–24] ANNIE RIDDELL ’12 married Nick Trinchere on July 17, 2021, at Veritas Winery in Charlottesville, Va. ASHLEY RIDDELL ’11, MAGGIE RIDDELL ’08, CLAIRE QUINTRELL ’12 and JESSICA DIORIO ’12 were bridesmaids. Other Pace attendees included ZEENA LATTOUF ’12 and ERIC ESTROFF ’12. The couple met at the University of Virginia.

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ALUMNI

BIRTHS [25] TC DEVEAU ’01 and his wife, Hannah, proudly welcomed their second child, Griffin Todd, in early February 2021. The family is overjoyed and reports that older brother Carter is absolutely smitten.

[26] Kelsey Breining Garcia and ANDREW GARCIA ’05 welcomed their first child, Theodore “Teddy” Reu, on June 17, 2021, in New York City. Teddy was 7 pounds, 5 ounces. Andrew, Kelsey, Teddy and their dog, Otis, will move to Atlanta this fall, and Andrew looks forward to introducing Kelsey and Teddy to the Knights community! [27] MARISA LEVI ’05 and her husband, Andrew Staines, welcomed twins Natalie Emma and Evan David on Feb. 6, 2021. They join big brother Joshua, 2. The family lives in New York. [28] JAKE HARRIS '07 and his wife, Sydney, welcomed son Henry Michael on Aug. 19, 2020. Jake is a lawyer at King & Spalding LLP; Sydney is a corporate event planner for Presenting Atlanta.

[29] LAUREN KRAVITZ HAIRE '07 and her husband, John, had a son, William “Banks,” on May 25, 2021.

FACULTY & STAFF MILESTONES [30] Associate Director of College Counseling BEN WESCOTT and his wife, Kristin, welcomed daughter Lane Simmons on June 30, 2021. She was 7 pounds, 3 ounces and 20.25 inches.

IN MEMORIAM

[31] PETE CORRELL (pictured far left) passed away on May 25, 2021, at the age of 80. Pete was the father of Board of Trustees Chair ELIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS, father-in-law of former Pace parent KEN RICHARDS, and grandfather of Pace alumni COREY RICHARDS ’14 and JAKE RICHARDS ’16. Pete and his wife, ADA LEE CORRELL, have been ardent Pace supporters; the Upper School’s Correll Richards Family Student Terrace bears their name. “It’s fair to say that the school Pace is today is due in large part to the behindthe-scenes stewardship and counsel of Pete Correll,” says Head of School FRED ASSAF. “His wisdom and his personal interest in Pace’s growth and success will never be forgotten.” Pete, a native of Brunswick, Ga., attended the University of Georgia and earned a master’s degree from the University of Maine. He worked for more than 30 years in the paper industry, eventually joining Georgia Pacific in 1988 and taking over as CEO and Chairman of the Board in 1993. He retired from Georgia Pacific in 2005. The Correll family is renowned for their philanthropic work in Atlanta and beyond. In addition to Pace, the University of Georgia, Grady Hospital, Emory University, the College of Coastal Georgia, the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia and the Georgia Aquarium are among their beneficiaries.

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“As a student, I was always comforted by Pace’s supportive culture, but motivated by its motto: To have the courage to strive for excellence. Pace continues to advance, and I am proud of its forward-facing mission today.”

night pride runs deep for Alumni Director COURTNEY SCHAFER DEVEAU ’07, the newest member of the Pace Academy Advancement team. “I really valued my education and upbringing through Pace,” says Courtney, who played varsity tennis for the Knights and served as a Student Council representative and a senior peer leader. “My time as a student helped shape me into the person I am today, and I'm excited to give back in a meaningful way,” A University of Virginia graduate, Courtney moved to New York after college, managing alumni programming and engagement for The Virginia Club of New York. Following her passion for art, she joined The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 2013 and spent eight years in MoMA’s Affiliate Programs and Membership departments, overseeing patron groups and high-level donors through cultivation, event planning and fundraising. An active alumna and a 2016 graduate of Leadership Pace—an initiative that fosters the next generation of school leadership and facilitates deep alumni engagement— Courtney is eager to contribute to an already thriving program. “I hope to further engage our alumni community—over 4,000 people today!—and to foster connections not only between alumni but with students, faculty, staff, parents and grandparents,” she says. “I'm excited to fundraise for critical support which will help Pace continue to grow. In particular, I am looking forward to working on the Accelerate Pace campaign during this pivotal chapter in the school’s history.” Courtney and her husband, fellow Pace Knight PATRICK DEVEAU ’05, are also excited to introduce the newest member of their family, infant son Chip, to their Pace family. “Returning to Pace also means coming home to Atlanta,” Courtney says. “Having just started a family, I'm looking forward to providing a similar upbringing for my son.” •

MEET ALUMNI DIRECTOR

COURTNEY SCHAFER DEVEAU ’07

JOIN U S OCTOBE R 1 & 2 REGIS TER BY SEPTEMBER 27

www.paceacademy.org/homecoming-reunion-weekend

H AV E Q U E S T I O N S ?

Contact Courtney Schaefer Deveau ’07 courtney.deveau@paceacademy.org or 404-240-9106.

A Second Generation of

With the graduation of the Class of 2021, the Pace Academy Alumni Association welcomed 13 legacies to its ranks. [1]

CATHERINE BRENNAN ’19, WILL BRENNAN ’21 and BOB BRENNAN ’88

[2] BAY BRICKLEY ’19, LANE BRICKLEY ’21 and CHARLEY BRICKLEY ’88 [3] JENNIFER SMITH ’12, AMY BUTLER ’18, EMILY BUTLER ’21 and SCOTT BUTLER ’81 [*]

JOHN CRITZ ’91 and AIDEN CRITZ ’21 *not pictured

[4] LARRY CUMMINGS ’86 and LILY CUMMINGS ’21 [5] BROOKS HATFIELD ’88 and GRACE HATFIELD ’21

Have you liked or joined us yet?

[6] NOAH LEVENSON ’21 and JESSICA SUTHERLAND LEVENSON ’93 [7] ASHLEY MYERS ’21 and JAY MYERS ’86 [8] TREY POPE ’86 and MARY PAIGE POPE ’21 [9] NOAH PROUT ’21 and ALISON BERKOWITZ PROUT ’94 [10] SARAH MCGOVERN SILVER ’92 and SIDNEY SILVER ’21 [11] MILES WALLACE ’21 and CAROLYN ROBBINS WALLACE ’80 [12] ERIC WILLIAMS ’87 and HUNTER WILLIAMS ’21

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www.facebook.com/paceacademy alumniassociation www.instagram.com/ pace_alumknights www.linkedin.com/groups/160587

ALUMNI

The Class of 1973 celebrated its reunion in July 2021. Thirteen of the 30 members of the class attended the gathering, which was hosted by BOB LIGGETT ’73.

Outscoring

THE OLD GUYS The varsity lacrosse team overcame alumni players 8–7 at the third annual alumni lacrosse game on May 22 at Riverview Sports Complex.

OUT AND ABOUT

Advice from THE EXPERTS

As the Class of 2021 bid farewell to Pace, several alumni returned to offer advice on the transition to college. The panel, facilitated by the Office of College Counseling, included MADELINE ARENTH ’19, MOLLY BUFFENBARGER ’20, EVAN DUNCAN ’20, LUCY FERRY ’20, MORGAN MARTIN ’19, PAYTON PAYNE ’20, WILL REHMERT ’20 and MATTHEW QUINTANA ’20. While they were in town visiting their daughter, who plays lacrosse for Butler University, MARK ATTAWAY ’89 and LESLIE YOUNG ATTAWAY ’89 dropped by Harley-Davidson of Indianapolis to see JULIAN HARTNESS ’89.

KnightTimes ||| SUMMER 2021

966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327 www.paceacademy.org

RECEIVING MULTIPLE COPIES? If you have received multiple copies of this publication, please contact the Advancement Office at 404-240-9103 or advancement@paceacademy.org to update your information.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACCELERATE GIVING! With more than 70% of the Accelerate Pace

Visit www.accelerate.paceacademy.org for

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KnightTimes Summer 2021

Articles inside

OUT AND ABOUT

COLLEGE COUNSELING IN THE TIME OF COVID

OUR PEOPLE

RETIRING FACULTY AND STAFF

MEET NEW ALUMNI DIRECTOR

BUCK WOODRUFF BIDS

LITERARY STATE MEET

SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

THE KNIGHTLY NEWS