KnightTimes Summer 2023

Middle School students celebrated the annual Team Challenge in May. They left their classrooms for a day of competition and fun, and divided into groups to compete against each other in the water balloon toss, kickball and a faculty/student volleyball game. For more springtime fun, see page 14.

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MOST THINGS SLOW DOWN in the summer—unless you work in the Pace Academy Castle. As teachers head off campus for a well-deserved break, we pick up the pace.

From IT and Human Resources to Admissions, Advancement and our administrative staff, the Castle crew joins forces to officially wrap up one year and put things in place for the next—while attempting to stay out of the way of the frenetic facilities team. We update databases, directories, handbooks and portals; plan back-to-school events; work with incoming parent leaders; order name tags and supplies; organize training sessions and orientations; and produce printed materials, including this magazine. This year, we even launched a redesigned website (check out the new www.paceacademy.org). But in the midst of it all, we find time for fun.

This summer, many of us gathered around the table in the Castle Boardroom for lunch every day. On Wednesdays, Head of School FRED ASSAF ordered out for all of us. We launched a lunch-and-learn series including scholarly presentations on topics such as the symbolism in Taylor Swift’s Lover music video and the differences between cheese dip and queso, complete with a comprehensive taste test. We laughed. A lot.

As we kick off the new year, I’m grateful for the wonderful individuals who work behind the scenes to make the business of school happen, and I hope that you’ll thank them when you see them on campus. I’m also thankful to be part of a workplace that doesn’t take itself too seriously and, instead, seriously embraces joy.

CAITLIN GOODRICH JONES ’00 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

FUN, FUN, FUN!

SPRING CONCERTS

Band, chorus and strings groups display their musical growth

40 SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Baseball, golf, gymnastics, boys lacrosse, soccer, boys tennis and track & field

46 CLASS OF 2023 COLLEGE ATHLETES

48 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Girls lacrosse claims first title in program history; girls tennis wins fourth title in as many years

52 CLASS OF 2023 COMMENCEMENT

A celebration of 115 passionate and compassionate graduates

58 ALUMNI

58 ALUMNI UPDATES

63 ALUMNI SCHOLAR AWARD

Multifaceted KATELYN SOUZA ’24 recognized by Alumni Association

64 KNIGHT CAP

More than 125 alumni, guests, and faculty and staff make it a night to remember

66 ALUMNI EVENTS

The Alumni Lacrosse Game, happy hours in L.A. and New York City, and the Class of 1973 reunion

68 COAT OF ARMS

Pace Academy’s legacy society welcomes new members

EMILY WINWOOD ’27 (left) and KYEN WASHINGTON ’27 (right) took part in the Academic Resource Center’s weeklong Summer Bridge program prior to the start of the school year. Summer Bridge helps ninth graders new to Pace Academy transition to the Upper School—it’s part of our commitment to welcoming new students and their families with warmth and authenticity. Read the story on page 24.

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Students enrolled in the Conceptual Physics and Mathematical Physics courses competed in the Physics Phlotilla on April 28. Each team designed and fabricated its own boat and selected a creative team theme. For more photos from this joyful annual event, see page 15.

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we send this issue of the KnightTimes to press, we prepare to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus to launch 2023–2024 at Pace Academy. Energy is high, and our teachers are excited to get to know our most talented Knights ever!

While we look ahead with anticipation, we also look back with gratitude. In the following pages, we recap the end of the 2022–2023 year—from state championships (page 48) and springtime concerts (page 38) to the Alumni Knight Cap (page 64) and summer reunions (page 66). We salute the resilient spirit of the Class of 2023 (page 52); pay homage to our retiring faculty and staff (page 16) and departing Trustees (page 10); and applaud students’ accomplishments in academics, the arts, athletics and global leadership.

I hope that the celebratory tenor of this magazine helps set the tone for the months ahead. As a leadership team, we resolve to continue to breathe life into Excellence in Every Endeavor: Pace Academy’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan in joyful ways, taking time to focus on our strategic priorities while pausing along the way to revel in milestones big and small. We will focus on fostering positive relationships, encouraging each other and supporting every student entrusted to us. I hope that you will follow suit.

When you work with amazing young people, there is so much to celebrate, and I’m grateful for your partnership as we strive for excellence in all that we do.

Sincerely,

FRED ASSAF HEAD OF SCHOOL

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DIDIER BRIVAL

WHITE WINS BIG

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR of Athletics and Varsity Boys Basketball Coach SHARMAN WHITE has done it again. In his second year as head coach of the USA Men in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, White led the team to a 118–36 win over Canada at Poliforum Zamná in Mérida, Mexico. The win marked the U.S. team’s eighth-straight FIBA Americas title.

“This was an incredible journey with an incredible group of players, staff and personnel,” White says. “Being able to rep resent our country is humbling for me, and I don’t take the opportunity to serve for granted— we have servicemen and women who put their lives on the line to serve and protect the freedom of our country every day.

I’m grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to serve our country from the sidelines. GO, USA!”

THE COLLEGE BOARD, the organization that administers the SAT and Advanced Placement tests, acknowledged five Upper School students through its 2022–2023 National Recognition Program. The program honors outstanding performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments; award categories include National African American Recognition, National Hispanic Recognition, National Indigenous Recognition, and Rural and Small Town Recognition. Pace’s 2022–2023 National Recognition Program awardees were ALEX

FINN ’24, DYLAN POPO ’24, ROLAND FOSTER ’24, NICHOLAS LENNON ’23 and AIDAN CARROLL ’23

LAUNCHING THE SENTRY SERIES SCOTT

SINCE 1995, Fine Arts Center Production Manager SCOTT SARGENT has been behind the scenes of nearly every Pace Academy production, creating innovative and award-winning sets for shows from Light One Candle and Charlotte’s Web to Les Misérables and West Side Story

Over the years, proximity to the theatrical process and a dearth of quality scripts had sparked Sargent to successfully adapt several plays—his version of The Emperor’s New Clothes ran twice at Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and Pace Academy’s 2022 production of The Trouble with Tartuffe, Sargent’s reimagining of the Molière classic, won the Georgia High School Association’s region one-act competition—but it had been decades since he had truly focused on something entirely his own.

That changed when the world shut down due to the COVID pandemic and Sargent decided to dive deeper into a few original short stories he’d tinkered with over the years. His tinkering led to a rough draft of a young adult novel—and an application to graduate school. A year into Tiffin University’s Master of Humanities in Creative Writing program, Sargent decided to make the most of his coursework and to use his capstone project to tackle another novel, one that he would put out into the world.

Over the summer of 2022, Sargent spent every afternoon at the local Panera Bread, his Unlimited Sip Club membership fueling both his coffee addiction and his creativity. The result was a first draft of Caleb McCallister and the Sword of Light, a Percy Jackson-esque fantasy steeped in Celtic legend. A research expedition to Ireland and critiques from several editors helped Sargent refine his draft, which he published under the umbrella of Red Branch Books in June of 2023. Just weeks later, Caleb had jumped to No. 5 in Amazon’s Teen & Young Adult Magical Realism category, and it topped the list of new books in the Teen & Young Adult Country & Ethnic Fairy Tales & Folklore genre.

Sargent, who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, is quietly pleased with Caleb’s reception. “My hope is that middle-school kids find messages about bravery, cour age, loyalty and generosity in the book,” he says—and he’s already hard at work on a sequel. Up next? Caleb McCallister and the Pirate Queen, the second book in Sargent’s Sentry Series.

Caleb McCallister and the Sword of Light is available on Amazon. Like what you read? Leave a 5-star review!

McCallister has always thought his dad’s brother was a little paranoid. But when his parents go missing, Uncle Seamus finally loses it. He wakes Caleb in the middle of the night, they flee their home, and worse, Seamus swears all those Celtic legends Caleb has heard all his life—are actually true…”

“Fourteen-year-old Caleb

WITH THE PACE ACADEMY ADVANCEMENT TEAM

As you return to campus, you may see some new faces around the Castle. Over the past few months, the Office of Advancement has grown and evolved as five new members have joined the team— three have signed on to fill in for those who retired or moved to new positions, and two have taken on the newly created role of principal gifts officer (look for a more expansive introduction of TED JEFFRIES and HAYNES ROBERTS ’96 in the next issue of the KnightTimes !).

To help you get to know these friendly folks, we asked them each to answer two questions—one question related to Pace and one totally random. Read on to learn more about some of our newest Knights!

HEATHER WHITE

Philanthropic Leadership & Management

heather.white@paceacademy.org

404-240-9107

Q: Who was the first person you met at Pace?

A: SUSAN GRUBER, former director of admissions, when applying HARPER WHITE ’22 and JORDAN WHITE ’22 to Pre-First.

Q: If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

A: Easy—Local Three popcorn.

OLIVIA DILLON ’17

Alumni Relations

olivia.dillon@paceacademy.org

404-240-9106

Q: Which Pace teacher can you imagine being your parent?

A: Upper School math teacher KRISTA WILHELMSON immediately comes to mind. She fostered such a warm environment for the Class of 2017.

Q: What is something most people like but you don’t understand?

A: Game of Thrones —I really tried.

MAGGIE GAGE

Parent Organizations

maggie.gage@paceacademy.org

404-469-0412

Q: What artistic talent could you lend to the arts programming at Pace?

A: I have turned a classroom into Narnia with butcher paper and chalk. I jump at any opportunity to be artistic and create.

Q: What is your favorite season of the year?

A: Spring—I love to watch Atlanta bloom.

CASON GIVEN

Communications & Foundations

cason.given@paceacademy.org

404-262-3534

Q: Have you ever held any other jobs at Pace?

A: Yes, I taught seventh-grade U.S. history; worked in the Middle School Academic Resource Center; served as advancement community engagement manager; and currently fill the role of stewardship manager. I have been fortunate to meet awesome people—students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends—in these various capacities.

Q: What was your first-ever screen name?

A: CasOnStyle on AOL. And yes, 25 years later, my childhood friends still make fun of me for this.

TED JEFFRIES

Principal & Major Gifts

ted.jeffries@paceacademy.org

404-926-3725

Q: Do you have any children enrolled at Pace?

A: Yes, GAVIN JEFFRIES ’25

Q: Where is the coolest place you have ever traveled?

A: A beautiful man-made lake located in the Swiss Riviera: Lugano, Switzerland.

CHRISTINA LAMPA

Advancement Events

christina.lampa@paceacademy.org

404-926-3717

Q: What is your favorite event in the Pace calendar?

A: The first day of school. There’s something special about a new beginning and all the possibilities it holds.

Q: What is the first concert you attended?

A: In Middle School, five of my best friends and I saw Boyz II Men, TLC and Montell Jordan at Sandstone Amphitheater in Kansas City, Mo.

DEBRA MANN

Tax Credit Program & Associate Management

debra.mann@paceacademy.org

404-240-9103

Q: What is the best lunch menu item at Pace?

A: Blue cheese crumbles on the salad bar. My family is from Newton, Iowa, home of Maytag blue cheese, so no salad is complete without a little taste of home.

Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

A: To look into the future.

RUTH PEREIRA

Tax Receipts & Gift Instructions

ruth.pereira@paceacademy.org

404-240-7403

Q: What is the best part of your job at Pace?

A: The best part of my job is the sense of belonging and feeling accepted.

Q: Are you more of a dog or cat person?

A: I am a dog person.

ALICE PHILLIPS

Pace Fund & Alumni Fund

alice.phillips@paceacademy.org

404-266-4423

Q: What do you love most about Pace?

A: The Pace community. From faculty and staff to students, parents and alumni, this community is special and unlike any other in the Atlanta area. I feel privileged to work with such a close-knit team and raise funds for such a meaningful place.

Q: What is your proudest achievement outside of your career?

A: Successfully running my art and jewelry business (www.alicetrahantphillips.com).

HAYNES ROBERTS ’96

Principal & Major Gifts

haynes.roberts@paceacademy.org

404-926-3708

Q: What is your favorite Pace tradition?

A: Great American Picnic and the car parade beforehand. It’s something that I hear alumni talk about decades later. My wife teaches with JACQUELINE GREENFRIEND LAND ’94, and the two of them worked together to recreate a version of the event at Athens Academy.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?

A: In high school, every night before I left the house, my father would say, “Remember who you are.” I didn’t always obey, but it might be something I say to my daughters. It was wise without being overbearing. l

DANNY FERRY

DANIEL “DANNY” FERRY has been a member of the Pace Academy Board of Trustees since the 2014–2015 school year. During his nine-year term, Ferry and his wife, TIFFANY FERRY, have watched four of their five children graduate from Pace: HANNAH FERRY ’15, GRACE FERRY ’16, SOPHIE FERRY ’18 and LUCY FERRY ’20; JACKSON FERRY ’25, who began at Pace in the second grade, will be a junior this fall.

The Ferrys chose Pace for their family for several reasons: the school’s emphasis on the whole child, the size of the community and Pace’s strong leadership, among others. Their children’s experiences confirmed the Ferrys’ initial impressions of the school and illuminated further benefits of a Pace education as well. Specifically, opportunities for both global travel and the pursuit of varied extracurricular activities allowed each of their five children to forge a unique path. Tiffany recounts, “Each [child] has had a totally different and great experience. I think Pace is a school that fits all different types of kids and families.”

While on the Board, Ferry served on and chaired numerous committees. Most recently, he was acting chair of the Properties Committee and a member of the Planning Committee and Neighborhood Relations Subcommittee. In past years, he served on subcommittees supporting the implementation of the school’s strategic plans, including the Student Life Committee. Ferry's career has centered around collegiate and professional basketball, and he currently works as a special consultant for the San Antonio Spurs.

Ferry says, “Being on the Board has been a very rich experience because of all the smart and talented people—on both the Board and the faculty—that I have come to know and the expertise that they bring to the school community.” He feels proud of the world-class campus improvements made over the past 10 years and of the growth of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at all levels. He’s especially proud that the Board has become more reflective of the student body.

Director of Facilities DAVE FORTIER worked closely with Ferry on the Properties Committee and is grateful for Ferry’s positive approach: "Working with Danny has been a privilege and joy. He brings humility, strength, vision, clarity and humor in his leadership."

Looking ahead, Ferry notes, “The school has followed its motto in having ‘the courage to strive for excellence’ over the past nine years, and I hope it always continues to make that a focus.” l

1) Bestowing diploma to daughter Grace

5) At the 2022 Life Trustee Dinner with Ken Richards and Paul Garcia

7) Celebrating the 2019 volleyball state championship with wife Tiffany and daughter Lucy

REID FUNSTON

Departing Trustee REID T. FUNSTON has been a devoted member of the Pace Academy Board for almost a decade. Reid and his wife, CATHY FUNSTON, are parents of four Pace alumni: sons REID FUNSTON ’16 and WILL FUNSTON ’19 and twin daughters GRACE FUNSTON ’21 and SIDNEY FUNSTON ’21, and have enjoyed watching the school grow since they joined the Pace family in 2010–2011.

During the 2013–2014 school year, the Funstons jointly chaired Middle School fundraising efforts in support of the Aim High capital campaign benefiting the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School—a volunteer position that allowed them to harness their love for the school while contributing to Pace’s changing footprint and expanding influence. Funston also spearheaded the Pace Fund in 2013–2014 and 2014–2015.

Outside of his volunteer work with Pace, Funston serves as a managing partner at Reicon Capital, LLC, and he applies the depth and breadth of his workplace knowledge directly to his work on Pace’s Finance Committee, a group he chaired for multiple years. Additionally, he served on the Executive Committee as vice chair, secretary and treasurer, as well as on the Advancement and Neighborhood Relations committees.

Chief Financial Officer AJ LASHLEY reflects on Funston’s contributions to Pace: “We've been lucky to have Reid serve as the chair of the Finance Committee not once but twice. He has been a huge asset in helping oversee Pace's fiduciary and compliance responsibilities, including the operating budget, endowment and investment management, and debt financing, as well as helping the school navigate the financial complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for Reid's time on the Finance Committee and everything he's done for Pace.”

The Funstons love tennis and, as a final flourish before Funston departed the Board, the family named a tennis court in celebration of the 2019 and 2021 state-championship teams and their coaches, NEIL DEROSA and MATT MARSICO (see page 48), as part of the Accelerate Pace campaign. l

2) Left to right: Sidney, Will, Cathy, Reid, Grace and Reid

6) Grace, Reid, Sidney and Cathy in the spring of 2021 at Senior Night for the varsity girls tennis team

8) Reid presents his son's diploma during the 2016 commencement program

BEA PEREZ

After nine years of service as a Pace Academy Trustee, BEATRIZ “BEA” R. PEREZ concluded her term as her daughter ISABELLA QUINTANA ’23 graduated. Perez’s son, MATTHEW QUINTANA ’20, is also a Pace graduate, so she and her husband, KEN QUINTANA, are now parents of Pace alumni twice over.

Perez recalls being drawn to Pace for many reasons: the school’s reputation for academic excellence, its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and its programs in arts, athletics and global travel, among them. She notes, “Pace's transformative experience has left a lasting, positive impact on all of us.”

Professionally, Perez is senior vice president and chief public affairs, communications and sustainability officer at The Coca-Cola Company and, while serving on the Pace Academy Board, leveraged her industry expertise to inform her work. During her tenure, Perez influenced numerous areas of school life through committee appointments, which included chairing both the Governance Committee and the Board’s DEI subcommittee.

Head of School FRED ASSAF is particularly grateful for Perez’s service to the school and notes her dedication to furthering Pace’s mission through her commitment to Board governance, financial aid and equity, the Academic Resource Center and countless other initiatives that are central to the school’s Strategic Plan. “Bea and Ken brought not only their amazing family to Pace, but they shared all of their gifts to help craft a better school and community for everyone,” Assaf says. “I’m forever grateful to Bea for her extraordinary leadership, friendship and philanthropy.”

As Perez’s term comes to an end, she believes Pace’s future is bright, and that every student who benefits from a Pace education will contribute positively to the world around them. “I know Pace Academy will continue to foster intellectual growth and emphasize the importance of academics, arts, sports, global leadership development, belonging and mental health,” she says. “By prioritizing these areas, Pace will continue to develop well-rounded, globally-minded leaders capable of understanding and addressing complex challenges in an ever-evolving world.” l

3) Left to right: Bea, Matthew, Bella and Ken

4) Bea presents Bella's diploma during the 2023 commencement program

9) Bea, Head of School Fred Assaf, Ken and Chair of the Board of Trustees

Elizabeth Correll Richards at the Life Trustee Dinner this past May

With Gratitude For Their Service, We Say Goodbye to Three Departing Trustees

FACES & SPACES

INFaces & Spaces , we introduce members of our faculty via the classrooms and offices where they spend their time. In this issue, we talk to first-grade homeroom teacher CAMELLIA GRANT, née NALLS. Grant joined the faculty in 2018 and received the Lower School’s 2023 Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award, Pace Academy’s highest honor.

“At the beginning of every year, we brainstorm about how we want our classroom to look, feel and sound, and we use that information to develop our Classroom Promise. We talk a lot about our Noble Knights’ Pillars of Character and about going above and beyond in terms of being good to each other.”

A sign on the door of Grant’s classroom sets the tone: Everyone belongs. “I want everyone to feel accepted and safe here,” Grant says. “I want my students to feel seen and heard and to know that they play important roles in building a community in which everyone feels welcome. That’s the most important thing. I want them to be good people.”

“Students start first grade as beginning readers, and by the end of the year, they’re reading novels,” Grant says. “My hope is that each student will move on to second grade with a deep love of reading.” Some of her first-grade favorites? The Little Spot series by Diane Alber, The Cool Bean by Jory John, I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont and anything by Kevin Henkes.

“I want my students to develop a growth mindset, so we don’t say, ‘I can’t do that,’ we say, ‘I can’t do that yet.’ They need to be problem-solvers, because if you can solve problems, you can learn your way around the world.”

“Camellia has more than 30 years of teaching experience—she was a three-time Teacher of the Year in the Tuscaloosa County School System—but she always keeps learning and growing,” says Head of Lower School DOROTHY HUTCHESON. “Many of our youngest Lower School Noble Knights have become more confident readers, writers and mathematicians with her guidance.”

A native of Fayette, Ala., Grant earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from the University of Alabama and is a lifelong fan of the Crimson Tide. She treasures her relationships with the members of her large but close-knit family—nine of whom watched as Grant received this year’s Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award at the Lower School Bridging Ceremony. The Nalls family grew this summer when she married Greg Grant on July 8.

In Grant’s classroom, each student plays a part in making the day run smoothly.

“Camellia creates a warm and inviting environment for her students,” says one of her colleagues. “She approaches them with gentle understanding, which generates a sense of safety and trust. Her students learn to respect each other and every adult at Pace. You can see it in how they attend their Specials classes and in how they approach staff members with kindness and eagerness to connect. This is because of Camellia’s meaningful daily work.”

Prom photos by Rick Cone

Phlotilla

JUDY BODY

Until We Meet Again

The Pace Academy community bids farewell to retiring faculty and staff

JUDY BODY began teaching at Pace Academy in 1981. “Let’s just ponder that as a math problem for a second,” Head of Lower School DOROTHY HUTCHESON said at the Fifth-Grade Bridging Ceremony in May. “By my calculation, Ms. Body has impacted approximately 800 students!”

Body spent most of her career in second grade and loved teaching students the joys and challenges of writing clearly, reading with confidence and learning new vocabulary. She was passionate about community engagement throughout the school and spearheaded second graders’ efforts to adopt the Ronald McDonald House as their engagement focus. Body was known for celebrating the 100th day of school by dressing up as a 100-year-old with a walker and leading a parade of her “elderly” students, and she was recognized with the Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award, Pace’s highest faculty honor.

LAURIE ELLIOTT joined the Pace faculty in 1981 and held numerous roles over her four-plus decades at the school, including that of Pace parent. In addition to serving as a homeroom and associate teacher, Elliott was the first Lower School computer instructor and shepherded students from the very beginnings of computer usage in classrooms into the internet age. Working alongside her beloved fifth-grade team, Elliott enjoyed teaching math, managing the patrols, developing leadership skills in the oldest Lower Schoolers, and instilling in her students the thrill of March Madness and Braves mania. The 2021 Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award winner, Elliott saw generations of Pace students graduate and head off into the world. Now she’s ready to more fully enjoy her role as grandmother to three Knights fans.

Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving DANA JACKSON’s Pace career began in 2017, but as a Pace parent since 2011, she was no stranger to the school. Jackson seamlessly transitioned into her role within the Office of Advancement, leveraging her extensive experience in marketing and communications to benefit the school’s philanthropic initiatives. Over the course of her six years at Pace, Jackson established strong relationships with foundations, families and friends of the school; managed projects such as the Annual Report, grant requests and stewardship summaries; helped shape The Castle Circle, Pace’s planned giving society; and contributed countless articles and her meticulous editing skills to the KnightTimes magazine.

After 14 years at Pace, French instructor NANCY ROBINSON bid farewell to the Upper School, the final stop of her distinguished, decades-long teaching career. During her tenure, Robinson developed in her students a deep appreciation of the French language and prided herself on cultivating a welcoming and comfortable environment in her classroom. Her focus on speaking skills, as well as French culture and literature, produced numerous Francophiles over the years, and many of her students continued on to study the language in college and beyond. Robinson received the Cum Laude Society Fellowship for Outstanding Teaching Award in 2018 and earned the Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award in 2015.

This year’s retirees and all retired faculty and staff were honored at a reception in late March. The event took place in the Kam Memar Lower School’s Gandhi Hall and featured remarks from Head of School FRED ASSAF.

PACE ACADEMY STUDENTS OFTEN SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS BEYOND THE SCHOOL COMMUNIT Y . IN THIS ISSUE OF THE KNIGHTTIMES, WE APPLAUD…

STANDOUT STUDENTS

For clay target shooter

RORY LEE ’26, 2023 has already been a banner year. Lee placed third at the National Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Championship, won the Georgia Trapshooting Association’s Junior Division and will represent Georgia at the World Trapshooting Championships. A second-place finish at the Georgia Games qualified Lee for the 2024 State Games of America, and at the Alabama State Trapshooting Championships, he earned multiple awards in the Junior Division, including the Singles title. In addition, Lee won the National Skeet Shooting Association Masters’ 12gauge competition and placed third in trapshooting at the SCTP state tournament. l

ROMAN PACE ’29 was among the members of the Atlanta Drum Academy (ADA) to appear on the June 13 episode of NBC’s America’s Got Talent . Pace and the Atlanta-based youth percussion ensemble “beat their way into the hearts of the audience, and the judging panel, all of whom stood to their feet,” Billboard writes. The performance earned the Golden Buzzer—which automatically sends an act from the audition to the live show—from host Terry Crews. Pace has performed with ADA since 2019. l

Several Lower and Middle School students competed at the 2023 National Elementary (K–6) Chess Championships, which took place in May in Baltimore. The team of SETH YEHUDAI ’29, RYAN SCEUSI ’29, AZREN THOBANI ’29 and NATE RESNICK ’29 placed eighth in the nation, while HENRY GIES ’29, in his first competition, was eighth as an individual in the unrated division. The team of ADAM BARODAWALA ’31, LIAM CHENEVEY ’31, WILLIAM TIMBERLAKE ’31, HUNT LOWRIE ’31 and BRYSON VIEIRA ’30 claimed 16th place. l

LEARNED LATIN SCHOLARS

The National Latin Exam (NLE) strives to encourage students in their study of Latin language and culture by providing a sense of personal accomplishment and success. Students in all 50 states and 24 countries take the exam, and this year, 175 Pace Middle and Upper School students participated.

The NLE recognized 67 of those students for outstanding performance; 15 received gold medals, or Summa Cum Laude, awarded to top scorers. Gold medal winners were: EVIE BRUNT ’29, SAM HALPERN ’29, CARSON CURTIN ’29, MAC LUBER ’29, WALKER WEBB ’28, AVERY GUNN ’27, SHAAN AGHARKAR ’27, ZAKI GEORGE ’26, TIERNAN HOFSTETTER ’26, EVAN BABROW ’26, STEPHEN YANG ’25, VAN MULLER ’25, JULIA GOODE ’25, ELOWYN ALLEN ’25, BRODY MATTHIAS ’24 and OWEN ROSS ’23

In addition, four Upper School students attended the Georgia Junior Classical League (GJCL) 2023 State Convention.

CLAIRE JIANG ’25 served as a co-host of the event and was elected GJCL vice president, the first Pace student to serve as a GJCL officer. At the convention, the Pace team placed second in the sweepstakes competition. Gratulationes, Knights! l

WRAPPING UP THE YEAR IN DEBATE

Pace debaters return to the Tournament of Champions

Pace Academy Upper School debaters kicked off the second semester as hosts of the Justin Wilson Debates. In January, Pace welcomed high-school debaters from across the country to the annual invitation-only, round-robin tournament celebrating the memory of JUSTIN WILSON ’94, a Pace and University of Texas-Austin student-debater. Seven of the country’s top policy debate teams traveled from California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas and around Georgia to attend the prestigious event.

Then, Pace team members polished their research and spreading—“speed” + “reading”—skills for two statetournament competitions, the First & Second Year State Championship in February, and the Georgia Forensics Coaches Association (GFCA) State Tournament in March. At the First & Second Year State Championship, ARNAV MADDINENI ’26 and NOAH EISENMAN ’26 out-debated several of the top second-year teams in the country on their way to a quarterfinals finish. They bowed out in the quarterfinals to teammates KAITLYN GOLDBERG ’25 and AALIA MIRZA ’25, who finished as semifinalists. In the novice division, ABIGAIL RICHMAN ’25 was the tournament’s third speaker, and SERENA SHANG ’26 finished as the top speaker overall. At the GFCA State Tournament, the dynamic duo of Goldberg and Mirza placed fifth overall.

April brought the Tournament of Champions, the esteemed national competition at the end of each debate season. For the first time in several years, Pace qualified a team. WILL CANNADAY ’24 and STEVEN YANG ’25 represented the school and finished among the top 30 teams in the country.

“This team may have been young, but they were dedicated, hard-working and enthusiastic—and they came away with impressive results,” says Director of Speech and Debate ERIC FORSLUND. “I’m excited to see where the 2023–2024 school year takes them.” l

Lower School Awards

The Courage to Strive for Excellence Award [1]

Dean Brown, Emmie Chung, Mina Digumarthi & Owen Weaver

Middle School Awards

BJ Hayes Good Citizenship Award

Harper Doheny & Oliver Klein

Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship Award [2]

Brian Kim & Madeline Sappington

Jim and Lesley Wheeler

Scholar Athlete Award

Class of 2028: Gavin McGurn & Katharine Nuckols

Class of 2027: Lucy Fleming & Jess Washburn

Sanford and Barbara Orkin Scholarships

Class of 2029 [3]: Hunter Murphy, Isabelle York & Kate York

Class of 2028: Emma Alvarez & Gus Loomis

Class of 2027: Shaan Agharkar & Madeleine Ganz

Underclassmen Awards

Alumni Scholar Award

Katelyn Souza

Cara Isdell Service Learning Award

Class of 2026: Grace Richardson

Class of 2025: Amina Zubairi

Castellan Award

Hannah Much & Sidney Keys

Clyde L. Reese '76 Diversity Leadership Award [4]

Mary Oyefuga

Computer Science Department

Award for Inquiry

Asher Lubin

Computer Science Department

Award for Outstanding Achievement

Alex Finn

Crissa Noelle Hawkins Scholarship Award

Henry Gaudet & Reed Millner

Dean's Award for Character

Class of 2026: Braylon Cambor & Virginia Foster

Class of 2025 [5]: Gavin Jeffries & Madison Williams

Presentation of Awards

Distinguished Scholar Award

Morgan Goldstrom & Prabhavh Pradeep

English Department Award for Inquiry

Ryan Reiss

English Department Award for Outstanding Achievement [6]

Millie Gray

Eric Hay Henderson Jr. Friendship Award [7]

Harrison Leusink & Eva Tucker

Faculty Award for Scholarship

Class of 2026: Leena Phoenix & Jon Soren UyHam

Class of 2025: Dylan Hirokawa & Van Muller

Frances Felicité Thomas Award [8]

Mack Bybee

Frank Woodling Community Service Award

Alice Gash & Avi Narula

History Department Award for Inquiry

Dylan Popo

History Department Award for Outstanding Achievement

Will Cannaday

Horowitz Athletics Leadership Award

Elllie Siskin & Alex Trujillo

Inspiring Scholar Award [9]

Henry Levenson & Adair Smith

Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar

Athlete Award

Class of 2026: John Hardesty & Olivia Siskin

Class of 2025 [10]: Harper Auchincloss & Chandler Bing

Class of 2024: Grace Agolli & Roland Foster

Lance and Shield Award

Class of 2026: Grant Chase & Lawson Monroe

Class of 2025 [11]: Zahara Bernal & Benjamin Ganz

Class of 2024: Caroline Hood & Lamar Moore

Math Department Award for Inquiry

Alex Hayes

Math Department Award for Outstanding Achievement

David Fu

Mike Murphy Courage to Strive for Excellence Award

Class of 2026: David Halsey & Reign Sherrell

Class of 2025: Cami Crumley & Jackson Gant

Class of 2024: Adger Allen & Ansley Freudenstein

Mimi Ann Deas Award

Enrique Alvarez & Claire Jiang

Noble Knight Award

Martin Andra-Thomas & Lexi Pollard

Renaissance Award for Visual and Performing Arts

Class of 2026 [12]: Angelika Avdyeyeva & Emma Fleming

Class of 2025: Townsend Adams & Nicholas Demba

Class of 2026: Makayli Anochie & Adrienne Durr

Science Department Award for Inquiry

William Souza

Science Department Award for Outstanding Achievement

Brody Matthias

World Languages Department

Award for Inquiry

Reita Maguire (French)

Thomas Bready (Latin)

Ansli Hennings [13] (Spanish)

World Languages Department

Award for Outstanding Achievement

Ellie Carter [14] (French)

Ellie Arenth (Latin)

Hannah White (Spanish)

YEAR-END HONORS RECOGNIZE ACHIEVEMENT IN ACADEMICS, THE ARTS, ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CHARACTER

Faculty & Staff Awards

Board of Trustees 50 Years of Service Award

Helen Smith

Cum Laude Society Teaching Award

Dr. Kaylan Haizlip

John M. Anderson Excellence in Teaching Award [15]

Anna Murphy

Kessler Award for Excellence in Teaching

Camellia Nalls

Mindy Lawrence

Knight Capital Investment in Education Award

Charlie Bryant

Lolly Hand Schoolkeeper Award [16]

Erin McNicholas & Jordan Silverboard

Mary Ellen Baumie Award

Lela Wallace

Pacesetter Dedication

Allison Tarvin

Elizabeth Correll Richards & Ken Richards

CASTLE CIRCLE PROFILE

LIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS has worn many hats at Pace Academy over the past 15 years: she is the mother of two alumni; she led a capital campaign and oversaw another as chair of the Board of Trustees; she volunteered with the Parents Club in her second year as a parent; and she has participated in the Pace Fund every year since her family joined the Pace community. Now Correll Richards adds another star to her crown, providing further evidence of what Head of School FRED ASSAF describes as her boundless generosity. She, along with her husband, KEN RICHARDS, have created a living trust with Pace as a beneficiary, joining Pace’s Castle Circle, which recognizes donors of planned gifts to the school.

Correll Richards’ Pace story began in 2008 when her oldest child, COREY RICHARDS ’14, toured Pace as a prospective Middle School applicant. Reflecting on that experience, Correll Richards recalls, “Corey felt like the Middle School walls were giving her a hug. We were sold.” Two years later, in 2010, Correll Richards’ son, JAKE RICHARDS ’16, enrolled as well. In choosing Pace, the seeds of lifelong friendships were planted for the Richards family, and those seeds have borne relationships that have stood the test of time: “Over holiday breaks while our children were in college, we had a house full of Pace kids most nights,” Correll Richards says. “Pace has been a true pleasure and gift to me.”

Recognizing what Pace has given to her family, Correll Richards has prioritized engaging with the school in myriad ways, from volunteering to fundraising. In 2009, as a second-year Pace parent, Correll Richards chaired the Pace Auction and joined the Board of Trustees. Despite difficult global economic circumstances, Correll Richards led the Auction efforts with vigor and enthusiasm that translated into nearly $300,000 raised—a testament to her ability to rally those around her in support of Pace.

Following her initial foray into fundraising as an Auction chair, Correll Richards co-chaired the Aim High campaign for the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School; the campaign ultimately exceeded its $32-million goal and resulted not only in the beautiful Upper School facility we now enjoy but also in the completion of Riverview Sports Complex and Walsh Field. Correll Richards oversaw her second major capital raise with the launch of Accelerate Pace during her tenure as Board chair. Recently completed, Accelerate Pace raised more than $33 million and allowed for the construction of the Kam Memar Lower School.

Commenting on her service as chair of the Board, Correll Richards notes, “I hope to continue to build on the success of the past 60 years and not let up on the gas when it comes to pushing the school to strive for excellence.” The couple’s decision to join the Castle Circle will help ensure that Pace is in a strong position to continue its mission to create prepared, confident citizens of the world.

Of her commitment to Pace and her belief in the school, Correll Richards says it best: “I love the fact that I chaired the campaign for the Upper School, but my daughter graduated out of the trailers [erected on the practice field to serve as classrooms during construction of the building]. This was a true sign that each of us chooses to give our time and energy for the good of the school, not the benefit to our own children.” l

1) The Richards family (left to right): Corey, Elizabeth, Jake and Ken; 2) Elizabeth and Ken attend the 2017 Auction; 3) Speaking with alumni during Leadership Pace, early 2020; 4) The Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School ribbon cutting in 2014; 5) Jake's graduation in 2016; 6) Elizabeth serving as a co-chair of the 2011 Auction

ON MAY 16, members of the Pace Academy Board of Trustees and the Accelerate Pace leadership team gathered to dedicate named spaces and celebrate the installation of a donor wall recognizing the generosity of all those who contributed to the capital campaign for the Kam Memar Lower School, completed in 2021. The name of every donor at every gift level is etched into beautiful glass panels that hang alongside the History of Pace Academy exhibit given by JENNIFER and GREG GREENBAUM ’83 and their family and located just outside the Lower School cafeteria. l

for information.

Ninth Graders New to Pace Enjoy Summer Bridge Welcome

Pace Academy’s Academic Resource Center (ARC) helps ensure that every student, no matter their learning style, receives the support they need for success in Pace’s academic program and beyond. ARC learning specialists provide tutoring and other academic support to students ac cording to their individual needs to help them master content, develop as independent learners and find success in their academic endeavors.

To help ninth graders new to Pace to transition to the Upper School, the ARC staff created the innovative Summer Bridge, an optional week-long program designed to acclimate students in advance of the start of school.

“Pace is an amazing school with a lot to offer students, and our stu dents have so much to offer Pace,” says ARC Learning Specialist

MCNICHOLAS, who helped develop Summer Bridge. “We designed a program that is, above all else, fun. But, along the way, participants have pretty jam-packed days.”

Included in those busy days are “short classes to meet faculty and get a sense of what the Pace classroom is like” as well as “info sessions with the Isdell Center for Global Leadership to learn [how] they can get involved in the community and also travel globally,” McNicholas explains.

Academic Coach JORDAN SILVERBOARD notes, “Summer Bridge helps students plug in so that when they come to school they don’t feel like they are starting off behind other students who have already been at Pace.”

As someone deeply connected to the newly enrolled ninth graders, Associate Director of Upper School Admissions DE’IRE FOXX is a Summer Bridge superfan. “The relationships these students build in Summer Bridge roll over into the school year… it is so valuable for them as they embark on

Students Reflect on

Summer Bridge

“Being in the classroom at Summer Bridge showed me that the teachers are there for you and are supporting you.”

“During

“I feel like Summer Bridge is crucial for new students because you get to meet so many people and you see the learning environment and the social aspect of things; it’s really helpful to see Pace as a whole.”

—SKYLA HARRIS ’24

Summer Bridge, I was able to kickstart a few relationships that ended up turning into strong friendships in ninth grade.”

—RYAN MERLIN ’25

—GRANT CHASE ’26

“Pace is about relationships and people—and about forming strong bonds with your teachers and your classmates. For our new ninth graders, Summer Bridge is where that starts.”

—MAC MCCALLUM Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Life Trustees Convene in May

This past May, Pace Academy’s Life Trustees enjoyed the chance to connect with old friends and catch up on Pace news at a dinner held in the Kam Memar Lower School’s Gandhi Hall. More than 60 guests attended the convivial affair, hosted by Life Trustee PAUL GARCIA, who co-chairs the group with fellow Life Trustee JEFF SEAMAN Designation as a Life Trustee is an honor extended to former Board chairs and other former Trustees for extraordinary service to the Board during their tenure. The group is an enthusiastic audience regarding all things Pace, and in addition to school updates from Head of School

DURING THE ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER’S (ARC) SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAM, NEW NINTH GRADERS:

• MEET TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF

• ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE PACE CAMPUS AND CLASSROOM LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS THE ROTATING ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

• ATTEND CORE SUBJECT CLASSES TO GAIN EXPOSURE

TO THE SCHOOL’S ACADEMIC CULTURE

• LEARN ABOUT PACE PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ATHLETICS, ARTS AND THE ISDELL CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

• DISCOVER PACE RESOURCES INCLUDING THE ARC, AND THE COUNSELING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) DEPARTMENTS

PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT TO NEW STUDENTS IS THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP BONDS WITH NEW CLASSMATES AND LEARN FROM CURRENT UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT LIFE AS A PACE KNIGHT.

ASSAF and Board Chair ELIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS, guests enjoyed programming about the growth of the Academic Resource Center (ARC), presented by ARC Director MICHAEL CALLAHAN (pictured, right). l

Model UN: The Year in Review

Pace Academy Upper School students have long participated in Model United Nations (MUN), a policy simulation program that requires that students research global issues—topics such as global reparations, workers' rights and labor practices, nuclear power, poverty and maternal health—and come together at models, simulations where students act as country ambassadors to the United Nations and other international bodies.

In 2020, Pace’s program expanded to include Middle School students, resulting in increased participation, cross-divisional collaboration and a robust pipeline of student leaders. “With nearly 90 students in grades seven through 12 on our roster, I like to brag that we’re the largest team on campus,” says adviser HELEN SMITH, who, now entering her 51st year at Pace, has overseen the program since its inception.

Participation in MUN involves extensive extracurricular research, writing and preparation, as well as an ability to speak confidently from a point of view that might not be one’s own. Students do not receive grades at the end of a model. “Their reward is that they have learned —that they know more and appreciate complex global issues more than when they started,” says Smith.

The ultimate goal, reports Middle School MUN adviser KIRSTIN BAILLIE, is that students are able to participate in respectful discussions and open disagreements; that they practice empathy by understanding the security, social, economic and stability concerns of others; and that they engage in compromise by emphasizing points of agreement, as -

suaging others’ fears, and defending their viewpoints with pride and humility.

During the 2022–2023 school year, an executive board of five students and five faculty sponsors coordinated Pace’s participation in seven models—two on campus and five at locations ranging from Georgia State University to Princeton. Middle School students prepared during lunch meetings and in small groups guided by faculty advisers and Upper School mentors. Upper Schoolers worked individually and in groups, spending countless hours researching, writing and workshopping position papers. In total, students produced an astonishing 315 papers and, in a year-end survey, reported increased curiosity about global issues and improved research, writing and argumentation skills.

“Pace delegates represented member states from six continents,” Smith says. “They bridged gender, linguistic, ethnic, religious, racial and class divides; spanned centuries, covering everything from prehistoric irrigation systems to the promises and perils of artificial intelligence; interacted with delegates from more than 130 countries; explored primary sources from political manifestos to government cabinet meeting minutes; became historical players in early 21st-century Chinese education, moderate Puritans during the Salem Witch Trials and Nationalist leaders in the Spanish Civil War; and investigated topics from the ocean floor to melting glaciers and from scorching fires to devastating floods.”

The students’ hard work did not go unnoticed. Knights earned Outstanding

Delegation recognition at the Model Arab League Conference at Georgia State University, and Honorable Mention and Commendation awards at the Princeton MUN Conference. At Georgetown University's NAIMUN, standout CLAIRE JIANG ’25 was named Best Delegate in the World Health Organization, placing her among the top 40 of the 3,000 delegates, and at the Paideia School’s model, BRAYLON CAMBOR ’26 received the Distinguished Delegate award for the Crisis Committee.

“Both the factual knowledge and the negotiating skills that students have to employ at these models reflect independent learning beyond the classroom,” says Smith. “Our hope is that Pace participants use those skills to become global citizens and to influence those they encounter.”

Many MUN alumni have done just that. ANDREW NEVILLE ’20, one of the organizers of NUMUN XIX, Northwestern University’s MUN simulation, welcomed Pace delegates to the spring 2022 conference, while INDIA BEHL ’20 chaired this past fall’s Princeton MUN and, with Princeton students and Pace MUN alumni PAUL-LOUIS BIONDI ’20 and KARGIL BEHL ’22, hosted 20 Knights on campus. Countless other alumni have gone on to careers in law, government affairs, foreign policy and international relations.

“At Pace, our mission is to create prepared, confident citizens of the world,” says Smith. “MUN offers global citizenship without a passport.” l

RACHEL NICHOLSON REFLECTS ON HER EXPERIENCE AS A MEMBER OF THE LOWER SCHOOL ICGL FACULTY COHORT

CAN’T

remember the last time I went on a trip and wasn’t involved in any of the planning. When traveling, I’m the one who knows all of the confirmation codes, lodging addresses, recommended restaurants and local activities way ahead of schedule, so an April 2023 study tour to Costa Rica marked the first time that I’ve completely put my travel trust in someone else.

In this case, that trust fell to Pace Academy’s Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) as eight of my colleagues and I—members of the 2023–2024 Lower School ICGL Cohort—embarked on a weeklong expedition to dive into the coming school year’s ICGL theme of Water

Under the guidance of leaders from Ecology Project International (EPI)—a nonprofit that facilitates place-based education partnerships between local experts and youth to address conservation issues—we began our adventure by trekking through the mountains to Refugio Lapa Verde, a private nature reserve. If the effervescent colors of the vegetation weren’t enough to make us feel like we were in another country, watching a toucan fly into a guava tree certainly was. My strongest association with the bird had been a cartoon mascot on a cereal box; in reality, it was breathtaking, with a lemon-yellow face, lime-green beak and matte black wings. It had the most beautiful voice.

From Refugio Lapa Verde, we explored the rainforest, walking alongside an ocelot’s pawprints and past rows of giant mop-head hydrangeas, neon hibiscus and fluorescent bougainvillea. The view from atop a 60-foot observation tower allowed us to watch as mist from the mountains rolled over the canopy of trees and a rare king condor circled and drifted with the breeze. The sound of howler monkeys—a low, unnerving growl that rumbled from the darkness—woke us in the mornings, and was soon accompanied by a sunrise symphony of frogs, insects and birds.

We spent the majority of our time at the Pacuare Reserve, one of Costa Rica’s most important nesting sites for endangered leatherback sea turtles and part of EPI. The Reserve uses the help of students, teachers and volunteers from around the world to monitor sea turtle populations, relocate high-risk eggs and conduct related research. The quasi-island surrounded by ocean and canals is only accessible by boat.

During the boat ride to the Reserve, if someone had told me that we were entering Jurassic Park, I would have believed it. We saw crocodiles in the water as monkeys yelled above us—dinosaurs would have fit right in. We carried our luggage through the jungle before reaching the small huts that would be our homes for three days. Our accommodations were spartan: palette-wood bunk beds covered with mosquito nets, no windows, no electricity, cold water dripping out of PVC pipes and outdoor toilets facing the jungle.

During the nesting season, leatherback sea turtles are active from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Each member of our group was assigned to a four-hour nighttime shift during which we were to monitor nearly 4 miles of seashore. My first shift took place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with Sergio, an Italian wildlife veterinarian. At 1:45 a.m., my colleagues and I guzzled down some coffee in the darkness of the dining hall before heading into the jungle. I don’t have a paralyzing fear of the dark, but walking through a forest with an active jaguar population had me reaching for my colleagues. Hand in hand, we stumbled through leaves and broken palms until we made it to the beach. My eyes adjusted slightly to the light from the stars, but I could barely see my feet. How on earth was I going to see a turtle? We walked for some time before Sergio left us to approach a shadow moving near the shore. It was our first turtle.

We slowly walked behind the turtle as she prepared to lay her eggs. It wasn’t until Sergio turned on the red light on his head

WADING INTO

WATER

lamp—to avoid spooking the animal—that I realized how massive she was. I volunteered to catch the eggs, which would need to be moved to the Reserve’s hatchery. I laid on my belly, my arms outstretched into the nest. The next thing I knew, my face was squished against the turtle’s back flipper as she shifted into a trance, and more than 100 soft, warm, white, ping-pong ball-sized eggs began plopping into the plastic bag in my hands.

When the turtle began to lay false eggs—smaller decoys meant to evade predators— my colleague and I removed the bag from the nest. How did the turtle not realize that we were there? She did her camouflage dance over the nest and then, exhausted, made her way back toward the ocean. When she finally reached the water, this ancient animal, unchanged for 65 million years, quite literally washed away before us into the waves.

Long story long: My time in Costa Rica was a life-changing experience. The people we met and the experiences we had as a cohort will stay with me forever. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I would become a sea turtle midwife. Costa Rica opened my eyes to entirely new ways of seeing and thinking about the importance of culture and the natural world. I had never thought about how water informs cultural perspectives, or about the intimate relationship between water and habitats on land and under the ocean. The experience helped me see how critical it is for us to help our students understand how precious water is, and to help them become stewards of it. My Lower School colleagues and I met scientists doing incredibly meaningful work on a shoestring budget, and they simply need more help. Our interactions made me question what I can do at home to ensure that their work is not in vain. While I now eat organic bananas and am far more mindful of my water usage, I believe that the biggest change will happen in my classroom. When sharing stories from Costa Rica with our students, my colleagues and I have the power to make a lasting impact on how the next generation sees, thinks and wonders about Water. How do we live with water? How does it impact habitats? How can we better protect and care for it?

We will encourage students to get out of their comfort zones, as we did, and our experiences will serve as a guiding light as we develop curriculum, interact with students and live into our mission: To create prepared, confident citizens of the world. Until then, as they say in Costa Rica, pura vida l

WHAT IS THE LOWER SCHOOL ICGL FACULTY COHORT?

Every year, Lower School faculty from each grade and special subjects serve as part of the Lower School Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) Faculty Cohort, a group that prepares developmentally appropriate curriculum in conjunction with the ICGL’s annual theme— Water in 2023–2024.

Prior to the pandemic, the cohort engaged in an annual spring-time study tour to dive deep into the upcoming year’s theme and to plan and prepare for student learning. This past spring, the cohort returned to the skies. In April, nine faculty members explored global issues related to Water in Costa Rica. Their hands-on learning will come to life for students and the school community over the course of the school year.

IN THE LOWER SCHOOL,

the Community Engagement program, housed within the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL), strives to develop students’ understanding of community engagement through grade-level themes. Pre-First students focus on the environment; second graders dive into healthcare; students in fourth grade concentrate on homelessness and housing. The goal is to support learning around empathy and innovation in connection to global issues.

The program brings age-appropriate community partners to campus, coordinates service projects throughout the year, and, where possible, incorporates the grade-level theme into the curriculum. This past year, the fourth-grade teaching team decided to take things a step further.

“We felt the need for a community-based experience that would extend a little deeper,” says fourth-grade homeroom teacher MARTHA LEE MCCUTCHEN THWAITE ’80. “I reached out to ICGL Associate Director TED WARD in the summer of 2022 to discuss several options, and he suggested The Ansley School.”

The Boyce L. Ansley School opened in 2018 in downtown Atlanta and offers a tuition-free, privately funded education for children who have experienced homelessness. The school currently serves students in kindergarten through third grade, and provides breakfast, lunch, snacks, uniforms, school supplies, transportation and an after-school program, all free of charge. Monthly home visits and family workshops build community and provide support, and small class sizes ensure that no child is left behind. To Thwaite and her colleagues, The Ansley School sounded like a perfect fit.

“Our team Zoomed with members of Ansley’s administration and faculty, and we decided to start by creating a pen pal program between our students,” Thwaite says. “Ted spoke with our fourth graders about homelessness and its effects on children and families. Then, each Pace student was assigned to a specific Ansley School buddy. Throughout the year, they exchanged notes and photos, and our students sent socks and bookmarks as winter gifts. As the year went on, we decided that it would be wonderful for students to meet in person, so we invited our pen pals to campus.”

With the help of Pace parent and active Ansley School volunteer BECKY MAUTNER and a team of faculty and staff, the fourth grade welcomed Ansley School students during two separate springtime visits; students in kindergarten and third grade attended on one day, first and second graders on another. The agenda for both days included time on the playground and with Sir Winsalot, the fearless Pace mascot; games, crafts and other activities; and lunch in the Lower School cafeteria.

“The days were magical and filled with laughter and tears of joy,” says Thwaite. “So many memories were made. The visits were the perfect culmination of our year together—and just the beginning of a true partnership and Pace tradition.”

Thwaite’s students were equally enthusiastic. “My buddy's smile lit up my day,” says BRANTLEY SHANLEY-BALYEAT ’31. “In our hearts we will always be friends.”

MIRA ARORA ’31 reflects: “My favorite part of this relationship was getting to understand and accept that we may look or do things differently on the outside, but on the inside, we are the same and should be treated equally. I am grateful to The Ansley School for making this possible.” l

THE CLASS OF 2031 PUTS RELATIONSHIPS AT THE HEART OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

UP NEXT: The 2023–2024 school year marks the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s 10th birthday. Look for extensive coverage of TheYear of Water in our fall issue.

“My [Ansley School] buddy has shown me that no matter how hard a situation may be, friends and hope will always make it better.”

HAMPTON HOWELL ’31

WELCOME TO T H E

S HAKESPEARE MEETS HIS MATCH IN SOMETHING ROTTEN!

The Renaissance came to life in the Zalik Theater during the Upper School’s rip-roaring spring musical, Something Rotten! Under the leadership of Director of Fine Arts SEAN BRYAN , JACKSON ALLEGRA ’24 , AVA BYRNE ’23 , OLIVER LOREE ’23 , JORDAN LOUGHRAN ’23 , JACK SCHMITT ’23 , HANNAH WHITE ’24 , and the rest of the show’s talented cast and crew staged the hilarious mash-up of 16th-century Shakespeare and 21st-century Broadway. Set in 1595, Something Rotten! follows two brothers as they set out to write the world’s very first musical—with some stiff competition. Featuring outrageous song and dance numbers and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters, Pace’s production of the history-twisting tale received rave reviews.

“‘To thine own self be true’ is Something Rotten ’s message,” says Bryan. “My hope is that every member of the Pace community who saw the show took that directive to heart.” l

ERNAISSANCE

photos by

FRED ASSAF and ANN MCLEAN NAGLE ’87

FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA

The Class of 2031 took the Lower School community on a theatrical cross-country trek in Family Road Trip, the fourthgrade play. Performers delighted the audience with music and witty dialogue, making the educational journey a whole lot of fun.

FINISHING TOUCHES

VISUAL ARTISTS

in the Class of 2023 showcased their work at the Advanced Studio Art & Independent Study exhibit in April, the culmination of their creative endeavors at Pace Academy. l

OVER FIVE DAYS in June, thousands of teenage theater enthusiasts from across the country descended on the Indiana University campus for the 2023 International Thespian Festival, a celebration of all things theater. During the annual conference, students and educators grow their theater knowledge through interactive workshops, experience performances of all kinds and showcase their talents in myriad disciplines.

Among this year’s attendees were eight Pace Academy students, accompanied by Director of Fine Arts SEAN BRYAN . The Pace thespians entered their work in the International Thespian Excellence Awards (“Thespys” for short), which recognize the highest level of achievement in school theater performance, technical theater, writing and filmmaking. All four entries earned high praise. In the Theatre Marketing category, both NAILAH BEACHAM ’25 and LIAM NAGLE ’25 earned ratings of Excellent, the second-highest designation. An Excellent rating also went to JACKSON ALLEGRA ’24 , AVA BYRNE ’23 , OLIVER LOREE ’23 and ELSA NAGLE ’25 , who competed in the Musical Theatre division. Byrne and JACK SCHMITT ’23 ’s duet, Therapy from the hit Broadway show Tick, Tick, Boom, was dubbed Superior, the Thespy’s highest ranking. l

MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICIANS MAKE THE MOST OF

MIDDLE SCHOOL performing arts classes traveled to Tennessee for some spring-semester fun. The strings and chorus ensembles spent time in Nashville—the heart of the countrymusic scene—complete with visits to the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and RCA Studio B. Industry legends such as Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings recorded many of their hits in Studio B, and the Knights had the opportunity to do the same. The strings students recorded their rendition of Sinfonia by Telemann, and the chorus performed My Girl by the Temptations. Meanwhile, band students enjoyed class bonding and amusement-park activities at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. l

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND

LOWER SCHOOL STRINGS

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS

April showers and May flowers brought spring concerts to the Pace Academy campus. Over the course of five evenings, band, chorus and strings students in all divisions showcased a years’ worth of learning, effort and artistry.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STRINGS

Photos by CHUCK JORDAN

Photos by PATRICK PAN

UPPER SCHOOL CHORUS

UPPER SCHOOL BAND

UPPER SCHOOL STRINGS

Lower School strings instructor LAUREN TAYLOR’s fifth-grade orchestra students capped off the spring semester with an afternoon at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO), where they observed a professional rehearsal; toured the ASO’s facilities, including the Alliance Theatre costume and archives room; and met Michael Palmer, former ASO associate conductor and founder of the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SYMPHONY

Photos by PATRICK PAN

Photos by ANN MCLEAN NAGLE ’87

VARSITY BASEBALL

Coached by NELSON PEDRAZA , DONICE BLOODWORTH, SHANE MCGILL , L.V. WARE and JASE WRIGLEY ’94

After an appearance in last year’s GHSA Class AA semifinals, the 23 members of the varsity boys baseball team had high hopes for their 2023 campaign but were unsure of what to expect from their Class AAAA opponents.

Regular-season wins over the likes of Redan, Henry County, Lovett and Greater Atlanta Christian School bolstered the team’s hopes for a strong playoff run. The Knights faced Druid Hills in the first round of the state tournament to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, but they lost a doubleheader to North Oconee to end the season.

Region 5-AAAA recognized six Knights for out-of-the-park performances. TERRENCE

KIEL ’24 was named Player of the Year; LUCAS KLOPP ’23 and HENRY LEVENSON ’24 earned First Team All-Region honors; and JACK JANKO ’23, JACKSON HURD ’24 and ETHAN RUCKER ’24 snagged spots on the Second Team. The Knights bid a fond farewell to Janko, Klopp and JAMES ROMIG ’23 Action photos by Fred Assaf and Rick Cone

VARSITY BOYS TENNIS

Coached by MATT MARSICO, ANNA FLUEVOG and KELLY COLQUITT

For several years, the varsity boys tennis team had topped the Class AA rankings—the Knights won the 2019 and 2022 state championships and were runnersup in 2021 (COVID canceled the 2020 season). This year’s squad planned to prove that they could dominate Class AAAA as well.

The Knights, led by lone senior HUNT STEVENS ’23, breezed through their region competitors and toppled rival Lovett to win the Region 5-AAAA title. In the first round of state-tournament play, Pace dispatched Southwest DeKalb High School. The Knights went on to sweep Cherokee Bluff High School in round two, and they bested Benedictine Military School 3–0 in the quarterfinals. The Knights were no match for Westminster, however, and fell to the Wildcats in the Final Four.

When all was said and done, the dynamic doubles duo of Stevens and BROOKS GERHARD ’26 were named First Team All-Region, while MATTHEW HALL ’25 was a Second Team singles honoree. Action photos by Fred Assaf and Shawn Riddle

VARSITY BOYS LACROSSE

Coached by CHASE WINTER, BRETT DOBSON, SHAYNE JACKSON and LUKE TREVINO

In its second season under Head Coach CHASE WINTER, the varsity boys lacrosse team recorded triumphs over teams such as North Atlanta, Kings Ridge, Savannah Country Day School, Marist and—for the first time in program history—rival Westminster. The Knights began their march through the playoffs against Trinity Christian School and outscored the Lions 14–2. They went on to defeat Mount Paran Christian School in the Sweet Sixteen, triggering a rematch against Westminster. In the Elite Eight, seeking revenge for their early-season loss, the Wildcats put an end to the Knights’ playoff run.

Following the regular season, three members of the varsity lacrosse team were recognized with Area A–AAAAA All-State honors. IAN DEMPSEY ’23 was selected to the First Team roster; DYLAN POPO ’24 made the Second Team; and goalie ALEX TRUJILLO ’24 earned Honorable Mention. The team is thankful for the leadership of Dempsey, AIDAN CARROLL ’23, CHARLIE FLEMING ’23, DAVID GRICE ’23, NICK KLEIN ’23, DAVIS RICE ’23 and GRANT STEBBINS ’23

HIGH LIGHTS

Action photos by Fred Assaf

ATHLETICS

VARSITY BOYS GOLF

Coached by EDGAR EVANS and PETE POPE

Highlights of the varsity boys golf season included a win over Lovett, a first-place finish at the Alexander Cougar Invitational and a fifth-place performance at the NAJG Wolverine Invitational.

Led by seniors JACOB

GREENWALD ’23, GRAVES

HAMILTON ’23, RONAK

LALAJI ’23, NIALL LEHANE ’23, DOUG PARKER ’23 and CONNER PHELAN ’23, the Knights finished in fourth place at the area tournament and narrowly missed qualifying for state. JACK MALLARD ’25 qualified for the state competition as an individual. Action photos by Ty Freeman

VARSITY GIRLS GOLF

Coached by KEVIN BALLARD and JORGE PEREZ-CISNEROS

Victories over Holy Innocents’, Westminster and Lovett, as well as a fifth-place finish at the Alexander Cougar Invitational, set the tone as the varsity girls golf team entered the area tournament. The Knights wrapped up the competition in fourth place, just five strokes short of qualifying for state. AUDREY WELCH ’25 led the team and tied for sixth place as an individual. The future looks bright for the young squad, which will miss its two seniors: EMMA BETH NEVILLE ’23 and PEACH WILSON ’23 Action photos by Ty Freeman

VARSITY BOYS SOCCER

Coached by LUCAS MORENO, JUAN BONILLA , RICARDO PINNOCK, LEO PIRAQUIVE and ANDREW WOLVERTON

After bringing home back-to-back state championships in Class AA, the varsity boys soccer team faced stiff competition as the Knights moved up to AAAA. The team ended the regular season with a 7–4–5 record, earning wins over the likes of Woodward, Luella and Lakeside. However, Druid Hills dashed the Knights’ title hopes—Pace came up one goal short in the first round of the state tournament.

MARTIN ANDRA-THOMAS ’24 and ZACHARY LOGAN ’25 earned spots on the All-Region First Team roster, while Second Team honors went to BRIAN LEE ’23. In addition to Lee, the Knights bid farewell to BRANDON GOMEZ-MENDOZA ’23, EASTON KINCAID ’23, GERARDO OVALLE-MARES ’23 and OWEN ROSS ’23. Action photos by Fred Assaf and Shawn Riddle

VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER

Coached by DECLAN TRAQUAIR, ETHAN ECKERT, ROSS KEENAN, ERIN MILLER and MEGAN MINDEL

Hot off a Class AA runner-up title, this season, the varsity girls soccer team aimed to make its mark in AAAA—and did just that. A solid regular season led the Knights to the state tournament, where they defeated Druid Hills 4–1 to advance to the second round of competition. Despite a valiant team effort, a 2–0 loss to North Oconee in the Sweet Sixteen put an end to the Knights’ campaign.

Following the season, HARPER AUCHINCLOSS ’25, KATHERINE HEINEMAN ’25 and ALEXA IBARRA ’25 were selected to the All-Region 5-AAAA First Team; Second Team honors went to KACI MCCRAY ’24 and ELIZA FOGARY ’26. Next year, the Knights will miss their fearless leaders, CAROLINE COLE ’23 and KATE ROMERO ’23. Action photos by Fred Assaf

VARSITY GYMNASTICS

Coached by STEVE CUNNINGHAM and ANTOINETTE DATOC

This year’s varsity gymnastics team was small but mighty. With only four gymnasts on the roster— three of them freshmen—the Knights rose to the challenge, led by veteran BIANCA VANERI ’23

The squad finished second at both the Locust Grove Invitational and the Battle of Buckhead, and LEENA PHOENIX ’26 and REIGN SHERRELL ’26 advanced to state in the floor competition.

VARSITY BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Coached by JOLIE CUNNINGHAM, JASON CORNELIUS, GARY NELSON, NYLES STUART and MARIAH TOUSSAINT

After graduating nine powerhouse players in the Class of 2022, the twotime Class AA state-champion varsity boys track and field team regrouped this season under the leadership of FRANK CALDWELL ’23, WILL DELMONTE ’23, AUSTIN SCOTT ’23 and C.J. THOMAS ’23.

The young squad placed fifth in the region heading into the sectionals meet, where ILIYAN HAJIANI ’26, MATTHEW WELLS ’24 and Thomas advanced to the state competition. Thomas placed seventh in the state in the long jump; Wells, region champion in the 1600 meters, was ninth in the state event; and Hajiani wrapped up his freshman season in 12th place in the 3200-meter race. Action photos by Fred Assaf, Chad Price and Shawn Riddle

A SEASON FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

SPOTLIGHT ON VARSITY GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

There are four new record holders in town. At the GHSA Track & Field State Championships presented by Atlanta Track Club, the girls 4x800 relay squad of OLIVIA RESNICK ’25, HARRIET BLAHA ’26, CAROLINE HOOD ’24 and ZAHARA BERNAL ’25 outpaced the competition and crushed the state record—by an astonishing 10 seconds. The team’s 9:27:36 performance earned the Bob Fowler Award, given to those who break records at the state competition, and set the tone for the Knights at the meet, where six competitors represented Pace in seven events.

BROOK FUNG CHUNG ’23, region champion in the high jump, earned points for Pace as the silver medalist in her signature event and as the seventh-best long jumper in the state. In the 3200 meters, Hood grabbed gold, while Blaha was fifth and Bernal was seventh. The trio also competed in the 1600-meter race; Hood emerged victorious once again—breaking her own school record—while Blaha was seventh and Bernal was 10th. The 4x400 relay team of Resnick, MADISON WILLIAMS ’25, Bernal and Hood finished 12th in the state. When the final race ended, the Pace girls placed third overall.

Next season, the team will miss Fung Chung, ELIZABETH FEAGIN ’23, MADISON HADLEY ’23 and KATE WEBB ’23 Action photos by Fred Assaf, Chad Price and Shawn Riddle

ATLANTA TRACK CLUB HONORS HOOD

CAROLINE HOOD ’24 was among the 18 student-athletes named to the Atlanta Track Club’s 2023 Girls All-Metro Track & Field Team and was one of only three athletes selected to the team in two events: the 1600 and 3200 meters. Hood, the state champion and Georgia’s top-ranked runner in both events, won the 3200 meters at the state meet by an astounding 33 seconds. All-Metro athletes are selected based on their season and state performances.

LUCAS KLOPP

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN BASEBALL

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY FOOTBALL

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS SOCCER

PITZER COLLEGE SOFTBALL

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

KYLEN SHIELDS

BIRMINGHAMSOUTHERN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

OWEN ROSS

MADISON HADLEY

KENDALL EVANS

BEN LEACH BATES

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

IAN DEMPSEY MUHLENBERG COLLEGE LACROSSE

TROVON BAUGH

ANDREW SWANN

FIFTEEN MEMBERS OF THE PACE

ACADEMY CLASS OF 2023 COMMITTED TO CONTINUE THEIR ATHLETICS CAREERS AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL.

CONGRATULATIONS, KNIGHTS!

CARTER FREUDENSTEIN

UNIVERSITY

BRIEA CRAFT

VICTORIA HADLEY

PITZER COLLEGE SOFTBALL

FRANK CALDWELL

AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

DAVIS RICE

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS VOLLEYBALL

ANNA NUCKOLS DENISON UNIVERSITY LACROSSE

OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL SWIMMING

TENNIS & LACROSSE MAKE HISTORY

We may have jumped the gun in publishing Play Like a Girl —a feature story in the winter 2023 KnightTimes highlighting Pace Academy girls’ recent dominance in athletics and the varsity volleyball and cross-country teams’ state championships—because the Pace girls were at it again this past spring.

On Saturday, May 13, the varsity girls tennis team picked up its fourth Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state title in as many years and, just hours later, the varsity girls lacrosse team hoisted the state trophy for the first time in program history.

“If you raise the bar and keep it there, you will attract people who have the same standards,” says Varsity Girls Lacrosse Head Coach KELSEA LOWE. “Our girls have raised the bar.”

For the varsity girls tennis team, the journey to the state championship felt simultaneously familiar and unpredictable. With three consecutive titles under their belts and talented additions to the squad, the Knights and Head Coach MATT MARSICO knew they had a chance to advance through the post season, but Pace’s reclassification into GHSA Class AAAA had introduced a new roster of opponents, including neighborhood rival and tennis powerhouse Westminster.

Marsico and Assistant Coaches KELLY COLQUITT and ANNA FLUEVOG had a strategy. “I’d be lying if I were to say that winning state again was not our ultimate goal, but we knew that would not be possible if we didn’t work on smaller, more tangible goals throughout the season,” Marsico says. Those goals included developing the team’s doubles skills, creating depth and ensuring that players bought into the concept of team tennis. “In team tennis, you have to sacrifice your personal ambitions for the good of the team, which is very different from individual tennis,” he says. Marsico credits the team’s three seniors, BROOKE BRUMFIELD ’23, SARA MAZUR CAITLYN PINSKER ’23, with quickly creating strong chemistry among the players. “Our priority was to keep everyone positive and motivated throughout the

The Knights remained true to their mission and breezed through the region tournament, dropping just one game in the region finals against Lovett. Their march through statetournament play proved more challenging.

“Of all the top teams, we probably had the toughest path through the playoffs,” Marsico reports. The Knights bested Miller Grove High School in the first round but were up against a tough North Oconee High School squad in round two. A 3–1 victory over the Titans advanced the Pace team to the Elite Eight, but the Knights lost the coin toss to determine home-court advantage and had to travel to Savannah to play Southeast Bulloch High School on unfamiliar turf. Nevertheless, Pace prevailed with a 4–0 win.

Westminster awaited in the Final Four, which would take place on the Wildcats’ courts. “We knew that our path to state would run through Westminster, and we knew that that match would be our toughest challenge,” Marsico says. The Knights had not squared off against the Wildcats during the regular season, which Marsico believes benefited his team in the long run. “Our No. 2 doubles team of NAYANA NAG ’26 and LAWSON MONROE played a style that Westminster likely hadn’t seen during any other match.” The freshmen quickly put Pace on the board, and CAILEIGH PINSKER ’25 made it 2–0 for the Knights in singles play. But Westminster battled back to tie things up, putting Pace’s fate in the hands of the elder Pinsker sister at No. 1 singles.

Pinsker lost the first set and was down 3–5 in the second—just one game from defeat— when she managed to win a tiebreaker and force a third set. “The crowd at Westminster could sense that the Wildcats were close to the win, but we know that Caitlyn wasn’t going down without giving it everything she had,” Marsico remembers. In an epic match that lasted nearly five hours, Pinsker battled through leg cramps and heat to take the set 6–2 and send the Knights to the championship.

Following a Final Four that felt like a title match, the Knights faced North Hall High School in the GHSA Tennis State Championship at Berry College’s Rome Tennis Center.

POSTSEASON ACCOLADES

Tennis

MATT MARSICO

Region Girls Coach of the Year

CAITLYN PINSKER ’23

Region Girls Athlete of the Year

All-Region First Team Singles

LAWSON MONROE ’26

All-Region First Team Doubles

NAYANA NAG ’26

All-Region First Team Doubles

Lacrosse

KELSEA LOWE

All-State Coach of the Year

USA Lacrosse Georgia Coach of the Year

EMERY DUNCAN ’24

First Team All-State

VICTORIA HADLEY ’23

Second Team All-State

WELLS HOWE ’24

First Team All-State

KATIE JANKO ’23

Second Team All-State

SOPHIA MADOR ’23

First Team All-State

ANNA NUCKOLS ’23

All-State Player of the Year

First Team All-State

USA Lacrosse Jackie Pitts Award

SYDNEY VINCENT ’24

First Team All-State

Lacrosse

Photos by RICK CONE , CHUCK JORDAN and DAVE QUICK

Tennis Photos by FRED ASSAF, TJ JACKSON and CHAD PRICE

“We knew that North Hall was going to come ready to compete, and that we needed to be prepared for their best shot,” says Marsico. “We also knew that we were the stronger team at every position, and that if we stuck to our game and played up to our potential, we’d have a good shot.”

Hot off wins over Lovett and Holy Innocents’, North Hall entered the finals confident and inspired, and the Knights knew that they would have to match the Trojans’ intensity early. They did exactly that. With wins at No. 2 doubles (Lawson Monroe and Nayana Nag), No. 3 singles (Caileigh Pinsker) and No. 2 singles (CLAIRE JIANG ’25), Pace swept the match.

“The seniors on this team are so lucky to have had such an amazing end to our high-school tennis careers,” says Caitlyn Pinsker. “Starting the season, we never would have imagined how perfectly it would come together. The Westminster match is something I will never forget, and being part of a team with four state titles is incredible. I’m so grateful to our coaches and so proud of everyone involved. I can’t wait to cheer on next year’s team to a five-peat.”

The varsity girls lacrosse team’s journey to multiple state titles has only just begun, but the Knights’ performance this past season left no doubt: they are a force to be reckoned with in GHSA lacrosse.

When Lowe arrived at Pace in 2019, the 12-year-old program was very much in its infancy. A collegiate lacrosse player and a former Stetson University coach, Lowe had big plans: she wanted to put Pace girls lacrosse on the map.

COVID cut short her inaugural season at the helm, but in Lowe’s second year, the Knights made their way to the postseason for the first time in program history. In the Sweet Sixteen, they fell by 9 to the Wesleyan School. The following season, Lowe scheduled a rematch with the Wolves; Pace lost by 2. Weeks later, when Wesleyan reached out to ask if Lowe and her team would be willing to fill a hole in the Wolves’ schedule, the Knights jumped at the chance. “We thought we’d win,” she remembers. “They stomped us. It was humbling.” The next time they faced the Wolves, the Knights planned to secure victory.

The Knights’ 2022 campaign also ended in the Sweet Sixteen— that time by just one gut-wrenching goal. But the squad had tasted success, and they knew what it would take to make it to the Elite Eight. As the 2023 season approached, they got to work.

“Our goal was to get better every day,” says Lowe. “We wanted to be great, and that was going to depend on how much work the girls were willing to put in.” Optional fall workouts drew consistent attendance and, once the 14-member varsity roster was set, morning weightlifting sessions and skills work post practices kept the girls busy and created a bond so strong that Lowe and Assistant Coaches BETHANY FEVELLA, LIZ GAUF, KYLIE HOLTHAUS and JEN KRAMER used a chain with 19 links (14 players and five coaches) to illustrate its fortitude. “I told the girls, ‘Like this chain, when adversity hits us, it can’t break us,’” Lowe says. “‘You could light the chain on fire or hit it with a hammer, but the only way our team can be broken is if we do it ourselves.’”

As the season got underway, the chain and a piggy bank named Hank—who accumulated coins as symbolic “deposits” of the team’s ongoing efforts—sat on the sidelines at every game.

“We knew that we weren’t a team full of expert lacrosse players,” Lowe says. “We weren’t the most talented, and we knew that the majority of the time, the teams we were playing would be better, but that didn’t matter. We knew that we could work harder, and because we loved playing with one another, we always played for each other. Everyone bought in. We believed that that would make the difference.”

And it did. The Knights kicked off the season with a victory over Columbus High School. Then they beat McIntosh, then Eagle’s Landing, then Kings Ridge, then Forsyth Central, then Greater Atlanta Christian, St. Edward’s School out of Florida, Mount Paran, North Atlanta, Marist School, Holy Innocents’ and—much to their surprise—Westminster. “We had never been in contention with Westminster before, and we crushed them,” says Lowe. “I told the girls that I was proud of them, but we never really stopped to celebrate any of our wins. We just wanted to get better every day. We wanted to stack good days on our way to being great.”

By the time Wesleyan showed up on the Knights’ schedule, Pace had had a lot of good days. The undefeated Knights donned their black uniforms— reserved for particularly intense games—determined to defeat the Wolves for the first time and maintain their perfect record. They lost by 3, putting an end to their winning streak. But the season wasn’t finished.

An overtime win over Fellowship Christian School capped off the regular season and buoyed the Knights’ spirits as they headed into the GHSA 1A–4A playoffs. Pace earned a first-round bye and went on to rout The Walker School in the Sweet Sixteen, defeat Columbus in the Elite Eight and claim a 10–7 Final Four victory over Fellowship Christian, setting up a state finals match against Wesleyan.

“It was perfect,” says Lowe. “We had an 18–1 record, and we were going to play the only team that had beaten us—this time, on the biggest stage. Everything was in place for us to win.”

As the state-championship game got underway at Denmark High School, Knights fans watching in the stands and online weren’t quite as confident. Within minutes, the Knights were down by 3. “We weren’t fazed,” says Lowe. “We had prepared for every possible scenario, and we had a singular purpose: work harder and win the game.”

Momentum shifted, and the Knights never looked back. The 14 members of the squad gave it their all for 50 minutes of play. SYDNEY VINCENT ’24 had six goals; SOPHIA MADOR ’23 put four in the back of the net; EMERY DUNCAN ’24 recorded a hat trick; WELLS HOWE ’24, JORDYN HOWARD ’24 and ANNA NUCKOLS ’23 each scored twice. Goalkeeper KATIE JANKO ’23 and her sixth save put an end to the game. Final score: Pace 19, Wesleyan 12.

“That moment was incredible,” says Lowe. “Every senior was on the field when the final whistle blew. Those girls had spent four years building this team, having each other’s backs and encouraging one another. To watch them champion one another was just amazing.”

The team’s graduating seniors will not soon forget that sense of determination and camaraderie as they head off into the world. “I hope that future lacrosse players will remember the 2023 state-championship team not because of the win but because of how we did it,” says ANNA NUCKOLS ’23. “We prioritized, supported and celebrated each other. That made all the difference.” •

“We knew that when we stepped on the field we might not be the best players, but we knew, because we loved each other, that we’d be the best team.”

KELSEA LOWE varsity girls lacrosse head coach

“The most important lesson I took away from this season is that determination, passion and hard work eventually pay off. It might take some time to see the outcome, but if you stick to your goals and stay disciplined, then the accomplishment will come.”

KATIE JANKO ’23

DID YOU KNOW?

The varsity girls tennis team’s championship streak spans three GHSA classifications: Class AAA in 2019, AA in 2021 and 2022, and AAAA in 2023

Up to the Challenge

“As we go on to lead our lives and create new memories at colleges around the globe, remember to lead with kindness, as you have the power to bring light to someone’s season of darkness.”

— EMMA BETH NEVILLE ’23, Valedictorian

“What people will remember about you is how you made them feel. You have made me proud. You have made me laugh. Most importantly, you have made me feel loved, appreciated and included. I sincerely hope you go through life continuing to make people feel the way you’ve made me feel. I will re member you with love. Now, for the last time, go take care of each other. Make memories, not mistakes.”

— ALLISON TARVIN , Dean of the Class of 2023

The passionate and compassionate Class of 2023

Itwas the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom. It was the age of foolishness.”

“Class of 2023 Valedictorian EMMA BETH

NEVILLE ’23 opened her remarks at Pace Academy Commencement with this famous Charles Dickens passage: “As I pondered this quote,” Neville told her classmates, “I came to realize that our experience here over the past few years has been exactly that: a journey of highs and lows.”

Neville’s observation was a theme that emerged over the course of a May weekend spent celebrating the Class of 2023, a group of students whose high-school careers were upended by the COVID pandemic and a series of hardships. “We’ve been through so much together, the beautiful and the horrible,” remarked Head of Upper School MIKE GANNON at Senior Honors Day.

And while the challenges students faced during their Upper School tenure informed speakers’ comments throughout the weekend, the graduates’ resilience and responses to those difficulties were the focus.

“You have offered each other shoulders to cry on and hands to hold,” Gannon told the group. “We have noticed how you’ve carried each other through. You competed with passion and lived with compassion—I’m not sure there is higher praise to offer.”

Head of School FRED ASSAF echoed those sentiments. “Each of you, the members of the Class of 2023, has made a substantive and powerful impact here at Pace,” he said. “You will undoubtedly take that passion and compassion to our nation’s best colleges and beyond. Pace has prepared you to leave the world better than you found it. Your Pillars of Character are forever built into your foundation, and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish.”

“Pace has equipped us with not only the knowledge, but more importantly, the curiosity and skills to succeed in college and beyond. What we have learned here at Pace will stick with us for the rest of our lives.”

MARIT UYHAM ’23, Salutatorian

Keynoting Knights

This year, for the first time in school history, Pace alumni delivered both the Baccalaureate and Commencement addresses.

Reverend HANNAH KELLY ’15, curate at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church, reflected on the value of education and spirituality in her Baccalaureate message. “No matter where you are or what happens, you will have two things,” she said. “You will have your mind—what you have learned— and you will have your spirit—who you are and what you believe. Continuing to grow in your education and in your faith will help you connect with the world and grow in wonder and in reverence for it. It will help you connect with others in new ways. So, although you become a Pace graduate tomorrow, I pray to God that you will always remain a student.”

At Commencement, Carter Center CEO PAIGE ALEXANDER ’84 shared lessons she has learned over the course of her distinguished career in global development. “It’s not really how you start the game,” Alexander said, “it’s how you play it and how you adapt along the way.” She encouraged graduates to acknowledge and thank those who have aided in their success, and to challenge societal norms to advance justice. “You have to be willing to live your own truth, to practice what you preach, to walk the walk when you talk the talk, and to remember that you have been given amazing skills. You are prepared for whatever comes next.”

Arts Alliance George Mengert Lifetime Achievement Award

Lucy Bybee, Ava Byrne, Bea Chadwick, Lyndsey Davis, Jay Foster, Alex Goodrich, Barrett Hight, Nicholas Lennon, Oliver Loree, Jordan Loughran, Chris Mason, Jack Schmitt, Charlotte Vadnais & Marit UyHam

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup Owen Ross [3]

Cappy Lewis Award for Excellence in Spanish Emmy Mininberg [9]

Charlie Owens Letter Blanket Award

Trovon Baugh, Brooke Brumfield, Frank Caldwell, Cele Camp, Will Delmonte, Kendall Evans, Elizabeth Feagin, Carter

Freudenstein, Brooke Fung Chung, Madison

Hadley, Victoria Hadley, Barrett Hight, Brody Hingst, Nick Klein, Ronak Lalaji, Brian Lee, Corey Lochan, Sophia Mador, Sara Mazur, Gerardo Ovalle-Mares, Emma

Beth Neville, Anna Nuckols, Doug Parker, Conner Phelan, Caitlyn Pinsker, Davis Rice, Kate Romero, Owen Ross, Marisa Sapre, Kylen Shields, Hunt Stevens, Maddie Swartz, Bianca Vaneri, Iowa Vance, Kate Webb & Anna Zinman

Computer Science Department Award

Alex Goodrich

Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award

David Grice

Eagle Scout Recognition

Hunter Groves, Brody Hingst, Niall Lehane, Nicholas Lennon, Jack Schmitt, Adam Schultz & Austin Scott

Frank D. Kaley Award

Emma Beth Neville & Marit UyHam

George G. Kirkpatrick Pace Knight Award

Camille Caton & Jack Wagreich

Gladys Johnson Award

Brooks Nuckols & Caitlyn Pinsker [4]

Head of School Award

Trovon Baugh [6], Ella Berman, Oliver Loree & Eloise Gaudet

Hilton and Philippa Kort Service Above Self Award

England Meadows

James De La Fuente Award

Amartya Kallingal & Jack Schmitt [5]

Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar

Athlete Award

Brooke Fung Chung & Conner Phelan

Kent C. Taylor Jr. Award

Will Delmonte, Brandon Gomez-Mendoza, Ben Leach, Jae Lieberman, Charlotte Vadnais & Mary Amelia Weiss

Lance and Shield Award

Anna Nuckols & Gerardo Ovalle-Mares

Margery Russell Wilmot Spirit Award

Charlie Fleming, Corey Lochan, Sophia Mador, Sara Mazur, Davis Rice & Bianca Vaneri

Marsha Durlin Award for Excellence in English Forest Pollard [10]

Mike Gannon Award for Excellence in History

Nicholas Lennon

Mike Murphy Courage to Strive for Excellence Award

Katie Janko & Chris Mason [1]

Pace Senior Citizens

Riley Alkire, Aidan Carroll, Will Delmonte, Elizabeth Feagin, Alex Goodrich, Hunter Groves, Madison Hadley, Victoria Hadley, Will Hankins, Barrett Hight, Brienne

Hingst, Brody Hingst, Haley Hirokawa, Amartya Kallingal, Porter Kendall, Lucas Klopp, Colin Koch, Ronak Lalaji, Ben Leach, Brian Lee, Hartley Loomis, Oliver Loree, Jordan Loughran, Brooke McCullough, Sheza Merchant, Doug Parker, Davis Rice, Avery Ritchie, James Romig, Owen Ross, Adam Schultz, Thomas Stamoulis, Grant Stebbins, Hunt Stevens, Andrew Swann, Luca Tanasa, Marit UyHam, Charlotte Vadnais, Jack Wagreich, Chloe Wilbert & Reese Williams

Peter F. Hoffman Honor Scholarship

Stella Nelson & Austin Scott

Ralph Lee Newton Literary Award

Maddie Swartz [7]

Raymond Buckley Award

Briea Craft, Kendall Evans & Carter Freudenstein [8]

Ricks Carson Pace Literary Prize

Lucy Bybee

Robert A. Yellowlees Award

Janie Cross & Chloe Wilbert

Salutatorian

Marit UyHam

Science Department Award

Jordan Loughran

Sydney A. Rushin Mathematics Prize

Kate Romero [2]

Valedictorian

Emma Beth Neville

World Languages Department Award

Kate Webb (French)

Avery Abram (Latin)

This year, two senior awards were renamed to honor faculty members, both of whom retired in 2022:

Cappy Lewis Excellence in Spanish Award

Longtime World Languages Department Chair CAPPY LEWIS retired in 2022 after nearly half a century of service to Pace Academy. A master teacher and grammarian who gently demanded excellence from her students, Lewis’s enthusiastic instruction inspired deep appreciation for the Spanish language and more than prepared Pace graduates for the college classroom and beyond. The World Languages departmental award for Spanish is named in her honor and awarded to a mem ber of the senior class deemed by the faculty to be exemplary.

Marsha Durlin Excellence in English Award

For more than 40 years, MARSHA DURLIN fostered a love of literature within her students, who benefited from her challenging curriculum, her passion for the English language and her sneaky-smart sense of humor. Following Durlin’s retirement in 2022, the English departmental award was named in her honor. The recipient of the Marsha Durlin Excellence in English Award is judged by the faculty of the department to be outstanding by every measure.

Places They’ll Go!

The Class of 2023 will matriculate at the following colleges and universities:

American University

Auburn University (4)

Austin Peay State University

Bates College

Baylor University

Belmont University

Boston College (2)

Boston University

Brown University

Carleton College

Carnegie Mellon University (2)

Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University

Dartmouth College (3)

Davidson College

Denison University (3)

Eckerd College

Fairfield University

Fordham University (2)

Georgetown University (3)

Georgia Institute of Technology (4)

Kennesaw State University

Lehigh University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Muhlenberg College

New York University

Northwestern University

Oxford College of Emory University (2)

Pitzer College (2)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Santa Clara University

Texas Christian University (3)

The College of Wooster

The University of Alabama (4)

The University of Richmond

The University of Texas at Austin

Trinity College

Tufts University

Tulane University

University of Arizona

University of Chicago

University of Pennsylvania (2)

University of Florida

University of Georgia (9)

University of Maryland (2)

University of Memphis

University of Miami (2)

University of Mississippi (2)

University of New Haven

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Georgia

University of Pennsylvania (2)

University of Pittsburgh

University of Rochester

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina (3)

University of Southern California (2)

University of St Andrews, Scotland

United States Naval Academy

Vanderbilt University (4)

Villanova University

Wake Forest University (6)

Washington and Lee University

Washington University in St. Louis (2)

Wofford College (2)

Xavier University

Yale University

WHEREARETHEY NOW

UPDATES

[01] ALAINA BEACH ’00 has been elected first year director of the Marion Griffin Chapter of the Lawyers’ Association for Women, which emphasizes and addresses issues of concern to women within the legal profession. Alaina, a graduate of Davidson College and The University of South Carolina School of Law, is special counsel in the Nashville office of Lewis Thomason and practices in the areas of employment, professional liability, workers’ compensation and general insurance defense. She has been included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America and is a member of the Kids’ Chance of Tennessee Advisory Board. In her spare time, she writes, performs and records music. Alaina lives in Nashville with her husband and two young children.

[02] ROSS BROWN ’07 has been promoted to program manager within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Diabetes Translation’s Performance Improvement and Evaluation (PIE) Team. Prior to becoming program manager, Ross

worked as a health scientist with the PIE team, providing evaluation technical assistance to state health departments working to implement type 2 diabetes prevention and self-management education programs throughout their states.

Outside of work, Ross serves as an assistant coach for the Pace Middle School boys soccer team and president of the Pace Academy Association of Black Alumni. He’s also an active member of the Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club. In his free time, Ross enjoys spending time with friends and his dog, Bailey.

[03] Since receiving a B from JASON SMITH in AP Statistics, RYAN CHRISTIANSON ’13 [left] has earned four degrees in the field: a bachelor’s and a master’s from Carnegie Mellon University, and a second master’s and a doctorate from Virginia Tech, the last of which he completed in May 2023. He has accepted a position with NORC at the University of Chicago, one of the largest independent social research organizations in the U.S. Ryan is the second Christianson brother to hold a Ph.D.; MICHAEL CHRISTIANSON ’12 [right] graduated Phi

Beta Kappa from Columbia University in 2016 and went on to earn his doctorate in pure mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2021. Michael reports that the most rigorous class he has ever taken is still AP European History with HELEN SMITH. He works in the East Bay for Tanius, a proprietary trading company, designing and programming algorithms for high-frequency trading.

[04] BRIAN KLARMAN ’13 has begun a new position as a legal recruiter at Principle Recruiting in Atlanta, where he helps connect lawyers and law firms. After earning his master’s degree from Dartmouth College in 2018, Brian served as assistant director of the Barkley Forum for Debate, Dialogue, and Deliberation at Emory University, where he spent five years teaching students to communicate and training them to enter the academic and professional worlds. Working with others has always been a passion for Brian, and he hopes to use his communication, networking and coaching skills to help lawyers find satisfying career paths.

[05] COREY RICHARDS ’14 earned an M.B.A. from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. She is a digital marketing manager at Rooms To Go and launched the Grady Hospital Junior Committee, which hosted its inaugural CrossTies Gala this past March. Corey also serves as an executive committee member of the Camp Twin Lakes Junior Committee.

[06] JEB CARTER ’18 graduated from Princeton University summa cum laude with a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering and minors in applications of computing and robotics and intelligent systems. He is a member of the Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi honor societies and received second prize in the John Marshall II Memorial Award competition, given in recognition of exceptional work and achievement in a Senior Thesis Design Project. For his thesis, Knot The Average Boat: Development of a Semi-Autonomous Sailing Platform, Jeb applied his experience in mechanical design, computer science, robotics and controls to build a model sailboat with autonomous, upwind tacking capabilities. Jeb will now pursue a

master's in mechanical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

[07– 08] SAM ASSAF ’19 graduated from Notre Dame University with a degree in economics with minors in data science and classical studies. A two-sport studentathlete, Sam walked on to the Notre Dame football team and served as a scout team lacrosse defender after transferring from Amherst College. The Athletic profiled him in an April article entitled Meet Sam Assaf, Notre Dame’s 2-sport athlete who doesn’t expect to play in either. The piece highlighted Sam’s appearance in Notre Dame Football’s annual Blue-Gold Game, as well as his over-the-top work ethic, outstanding academic record (a 3.989 GPA) and selfless dedication to his teams. This fall, Sam will pursue a master’s degree at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business—and will continue to split his time between football and lacrosse.

[09] ALEXANDRA BAKER ’19 graduated from Boston College in May and, in October, will move to Cambodia for two years to teach English with the Peace Corps.

“When I first arrive, I will spend three months undergoing language and teacher training in the capital, and then I’ll move to another city to start teaching,” Alexandra writes. “I’m excited to live with a host family, better understand Cambodian culture and learn how to speak Khmer. This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I’m looking forward to the new experiences.”

[10] CATHERINE BRENNAN ’19 received the 2022 Roy Crane Award for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts from the University of Texas at Austin. The award is given each year to a student who demonstrates unique, creative effort in the performing, literary and visual arts. Catherine graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in December 2022 with a B.F.A. in studio art and a minor in rhetoric and writing. A Jefferson Scholar, Catherine also received a Certificate in Core Texts and Ideas from the University of Texas at Austin’s Thomas Jefferson Center. Catherine will attend the University of Georgia School of Law in the fall of 2023, where she has been awarded the Robert G. Edge Distinguished Law Fellowship.

[11] MICHAEL STARR ’19 graduated magna cum laude from Emory University with a double major in international relations and history. Michael is beginning his postcollege career as an associate contract specialist with Textron Specialized Vehicles in Augusta, Ga., and is considering pursuing a joint J.D./M.B.A. degree in the future. Among Michael’s fondest Pace memories are his time participating in HELEN SMITH’s Model United Nations program and running with the cross-country team at Cochran Shoals.

[12] KENDALL WILLIS ’19 graduated summa cum laude from Mercer University with a degree in education. Next up, she will teach first grade at E. Rivers Elementary School in Atlanta. “The E. Rivers community is so incredibly welcoming, and I can't wait to have my own set of kiddos!” she reports. Kendall eventually plans to pursue a master’s in teaching.

[13 –14] A special guest surprised JOELLE ZELONY ’19 at the Tufts University women’s basketball team’s Senior Night this past spring: former Pace Academy Director

of Athletics and varsity girls basketball coach DR. TROY BAKER, now Upper School director at Breck School.

The Tufts Daily profiled Joelle and her college basketball career in an article in its Commencement edition in which she credited her Pace experience with much of her success. “I had an awesome group of girls in high school that I played with… I just loved being around that atmosphere,” Joelle told the paper. “My coach from high school was amazing. He definitely helped me get to where I wanted to be, which was a high academic school with a great basketball program.” The Tufts Jumbos won the 2023 NESCAC Championship and advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament; Joelle was the team’s lone senior.

As an intern at ZIYNX, a startup that uses video to connect student-athletes and companies looking to recruit difference makers, Joelle was one of four studentathletes profiled in Front Office Sports’ Difference Makers podcast. She graduated with a degree in economics and entrepreneurship and has enrolled at Columbia University, where she will pursue a master’s in sports management.

[15] This summer, SPENCYR ARONSON ’20 interned with the National Football League’s (NFL) Player and Talent Relations Department. As interview coordination intern, she was responsible for scheduling and coordinating shoots and interviews for NFL Films programming, among other duties. Spencyr is a senior pursuing a degree in communication and media studies at the University of Michigan, where she serves on the executive board of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau. She is also a member of the Sports Business Association, the Michigan Communication and Media Professionals leadership team and The Michigan Daily newspaper staff.

[16] VIRGINIA HOBBS ’20 has started a new position as a mental health counselor with Bournewood Health Systems. A senior studying applied psychology and human development at Boston College, Virginia is excited to learn more about careers in mental health as she considers pursuing social work or mental health counseling after graduation.

[17] CLAIRE HOWELL ’21 participated in the Gates Summer Internship Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where she worked to uncover how gene expression affects pancreatic cell development and diabetes pathogenesis. After 11 weeks of summer research, Claire departed for a semester abroad in Copenhagen. In the spring, she will return to Davidson College, where she is majoring in biology and minoring in neuroscience. Following graduation, Claire hopes to pursue a career in research and a graduate degree in cell or molecular biology.

MARRIAGES

Elizabeth writes. The wedding took place at the New Orleans Museum of Art. The wedding party included Elizabeth’s siblings: maid of honor ALI GARCIA ’11 and brothers MATT GARCIA ’03, ANDREW GARCIA ’05 and former student CHRIS GARCIA Bridesmaids included HAYLEY MOYERS ’11, OLIVIA LEWMAN ’11 and LAUREN QUIN ’11. Attendees included Jordan, JAMES ABBOTT ’11, ZACH GIBSON ’11, BEN HAYS ’11, RIKI LAWAL ’11, GRIFFIN SIEGEL ’11, STEWART WHITE ’11, CASEY SHUSTER ’05, MARTHA DOWNERASSAF and Head of School FRED ASSAF

BIRTHS

[20] Lauren and FRANK WOODLING ’05 had a son, Smith Totada, at 11:59 p.m. on April 20, 2023. Smith was 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 19.75 inches.

[21] ASHLEY LOHMANN HANSON ’06 and her husband, Chris, welcomed son Wesley on Jan. 8, 2023. He joins big sister Adeline, 2.

[18 –19]

ELIZABETH GARCIA ’11 and Drew Julliett were married in New Orleans on April 15, 2023. JORDAN GONZÁLEZ ’10, Drew’s best friend and a Pace alumnus, introduced the couple while they were students at Tulane University. “Because we fell in love in New Orleans, we thought it was the perfect city for our wedding,”

Elizabeth is a co-founder of Kyle Cavan, a women-owned college jewelry company that represents more than 100 universities and Greek organizations.

“We have established ourselves as the go-to brand for students and alumni in the highly protected ‘college licensed’ market,” Elizabeth writes. “For the past few years, we have also designed gifts for Pace graduates!”

[22] MCCREA O’HAIRE STERN ’08 and her husband, Jason, had a baby boy, Jay “JJ” O'Haire, on April 17, 2023. JJ was 7 pounds, 13 ounces. McCrea leads the SkyMiles Marketing department at Delta Air Lines, and Jason is vice president of real estate development at Stern Development. They have a 6-year-old golden retriever, Mr. Fitz, who is excited to be a big brother.

[23] KATIE LUCKE VACHON ’14 and her husband, Kyle, welcomed son Elijah James on April 25, 2023. He was 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 19.5 inches.

FACULTY & STAFF MILESTONES

[24] Director of the Middle School Academic Resource Center KATY GOLDSMITH and her husband, Joe, welcomed their second child, Rosemary “Mae” Coleman, on June 7, 2023. Mae joins big brother Henry.

[25] Executive Assistant to Head of School KAITLYN GOLPHIN and Campus Police Officer CHRIS GOLPHIN had their second son, Sawyer Timothy, on April 25, 2023. Sawyer was 7 pounds, 11 ounces and 20.5 inches. He joins big brother Wyatt.

[26] On April 4, 2023, Riverview Sports Complex Manager DANIEL PRINCE and his wife, Niki Simmons-Prince, welcomed twin girls, Madeline “Maddie” Lenore and LillyAnna “Lilly” Don. Maddie was 5 pounds and 27 inches; Lilly was 4 pounds, 13 ounces and 27 inches. The girls join big brother Chandler, 2.

[27] First-grade homeroom teacher PAIGE KAGAN SMITH and her husband, Joel, had a son, Harold “Hal” Kirkpatrick, on May 10, 2023. Hal was 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 19.5 inches.

IN MEMORIAM

[28] TOM MCINTYRE, Upper School principal from 1987 to 1991, passed away on May 3, 2023, after a brief illness. A lifelong learner, Tom attended Holy Cross College, did his graduate work at Tufts University and later earned his Ph.D. from Georgia State University. While at Tufts, he met his first wife, former Pace Latin teacher ERMI MCINTYRE . They were married in 1970.

Prior to his arrival at Pace, Tom taught and held administrative positions at Westminster and Sacred Heart Prep in California. In 1992, he returned to teaching at Riverwood High School where he taught Latin, German, French, English and math.

“Tom was adamant that he was, at his core, a schoolteacher,” his family writes. “He was a genuine light for any curious and dedicated student. He imparted not merely knowledge, but an intellectual process and rigor that he believed in with a contagious moral clarity. His students knew that his classroom was much more than the title or subject matter listed in the syllabus. The true subject was a life of the mind that could be applied with equal enthusiasm to football or David Hume.”

When Ermi died in 1993, Tom diligently parented his two sons, dedicating himself to their interests and education. In 1994, mutual friends introduced Tom to Val McIntyre, and they married in 1998. In retirement, Tom enjoyed his passions: math, French, philosophy and the New England Patriots.

In addition to Val, Tom is survived by his son, Joseph McIntyre; daughter-inlaw, Erin McIntyre; and brother, Daniel McIntyre. His eldest son, Matthew, who died of cancer in 2014, was the father of Tom's four grandchildren: Jude, Anna Ruth, Liam and Elizabeth. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tom's name to Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School or the Suthers Center for Christian Outreach. l

Tom McIntyre reviews plans for the Fine Arts Center with former Head of School GEORGE KIRKPATRICK during the 1989–1990 school year.

JASON LEE '96

(left) and BEN THORPE '00 (right) present KATELYN SOUZA ’24 with the Alumni Scholar Award during the Underclassmen Awards program on May 2.

SINCE 1997, the Pace Academy Alumni Association has presented the Alumni Scholar Award to a junior who embodies the school’s values of high moral character, academic achievement, leadership and service, thereby enriching the school community as a whole. The award is funded by the Alumni Association and the Alumni Scholar Committee, which this year selected KATELYN SOUZA ’24 as its recipient.

New to Pace as a freshman, Katelyn quickly became an admired member of the Class of 2024 and the Pace community. Her teachers note how she transforms a classroom with her “happy energy, sincere interest and honest leadership,” and how she approaches school as “an opportunity to learn more about the world and herself.” Katelyn received the Courage to Strive for Excellence Award in the ninth grade, and her determination and perseverance in the classroom translates to the soccer and flag football fields (you may recognize her from the photo on the cover of the Winter 2023 KnightTimes), where she leads her teams with enthusiasm and grit. In addition, Katelyn is a member of the Honor Council and an award-winning visual artist. l

Me et Our 2023

Following a COVID-induced hiatus, the annual Alumni Knight Cap returned this spring, bigger and better than ever. On April 28, more than 125 alumni, guests, and faculty and staff—current and retired—gathered at The Carlyle for an evening of camaraderie, delicious food and fundraising. The event, chaired by BLYTHE O’BRIEN HOGAN ’03, benefited need-based financial aid.

Blythe O'Brien Hogan ’03, Chair

Heather Allen Bernes ’05

a Knightto Remember

Meredith Winitt Forrester ’95

Brooks Ficke ’03

Mary Stuart Gray ’16

Andrew Griffin ’99

Britt Jackson Griffin ’00

Sallie Hays ’13

Katie Daly Johnson ’03

Caitlin Goodrich Jones ’00

Jason Lee ’96

Meredith Gould Little ’02

Julie Newman ’96

Streeter Nolan ’09

Cally Pirrung Reighley ’08

Breck Rochow ’05

Reid Rogers ’07

The 2023 Knight CapCommittee

Emily Evans Schifter ’08

Natalie Underwood Shirley ’01

Casey Shuster ’05

Dylan Steinfeld ’15

Andrew Teegarden ’99

$10,000 / PRESENTING

Isdell Family Foundation (Cara Isdell Lee ‘97 & Zak Lee)

$2,500 / KING & QUEEN

Carlyle’s (Walt Torbert ’97, Mary Torbert Atkinson ’99 & Ben Torbert ’05)

Family Practice Center (Lindsay & Tyler Wheeler ‘00)

$1,000 / KNIGHT

Karina Khouri Belinfante ‘95 & Josh Belinfante ‘95

Cohen Dental Center (Sandi Cohen Hennessy ‘97 & Sean Hennessy ‘94)

Julia & Jim Combs ‘96

Meredith Winitt Forrester ‘95 & Jeremy Forrester

Julia Winifred Newman ‘96 Streeter Nolan ‘09

$500 / LORDS & LADIES

baby braithwaite (Chaffee Braithwaite Heilman ‘95 & David Heilman)

Allie & Zach Greenberg ‘03

Britt Jackson Griffin ‘00 & Andrew Griffin ‘99

Jennifer Healey & Quill Healey II ‘86

Blythe O’Brien Hogan ‘03 & Will Hogan

Katie & Jason Lee ‘96

Lauren Linder ‘00 & Jonathan Grunberg

Lyn & Randy Marcrum ‘80

McLeod Media

(Sarah Frampton & Will Frampton ‘99)

Melanie & Trey Pope ‘86

Mary Hipp Rogers ‘06 & Reid Rogers ‘07

$250 / PACESETTER

Bernwood Farms (Heather Allen Bernes ‘05 & Matt Bernes)

Emily & Jon Birdsong ‘03

Julianna Rue Cagle ‘03 & Spencer Cagle

Jodi & Bryan Chitwood ‘93

Chispa House (Katherine Parke Ostenson ‘08)

Sarah & Brooks Ficke ‘03

Peter Finnerty ‘07

Elizabeth & Fred Glass ‘89

Sydney & Jake Harris ‘07

Katie Daly Johnson ‘03 & Ben Johnson

Caitlin Goodrich Jones ‘00 & Wes Jones

Meredith Gould Little ‘02 & Graham Little

Kate Heyer Mandrell ‘08 & Ryan Mandrell ‘07

Kelley Harris ‘00 & Jared Paul ‘90

Peachtree Investment Partners, LLC

Rove & Roam Travel (Talbott Head Shaw ‘03)

Search Key

Natalie Underwood Shirley ‘01 & Blake Shirley ‘01

Caroline Faulkner Shirley ‘04 & Steve Shirley ‘03

Smile Midtown (Casey Shuster ‘05)

Dylan Steinfeld ‘15

Steinfeld & Steinfeld PC

Catherine Woodling ‘00 & Evan Strange

Lauren & Frank Woodling ‘05

Jo & Steve Tapper

Andrew Teegarden ‘99

Ben Thorpe ‘00

Nick Uppal ‘05

CONNECTING A cr o ss the Country

Regional alumni events are back! This summer, the Pace Academy Alumni Office hosted happy hours in New York City and Los Angeles. New York alumni—hosted by STREETER NOLAN ’09, SARA WORTH MULLALLY ’13 and KATE MULLALLY ’15 —caught up on The Standard’s Garden Terrace in the East Village, while L.A. Knights—hosted by LUCY SCHAEFER AYRES ’08, JUDSON HILL ’08, ALEX NASH ’13, WYLIE HEINER ’14 and JESSICA HAIDET ’17—enjoyed the views from Hotel Erwin’s rooftop lounge.

ALUMNI Face Off

The arrival of summer brought with it the annual Alumni Lacrosse Game, which took place at Riverview Sports Complex. Thirty members of the varsity lacrosse team past and present participated in the game and paid tribute to GORDON CORSETTI ’06 and BILLY SELMON ’11, former players who passed away this year.

CLASS OF1973 Reunites

Twenty-two members of the Class of 1973—69% of the class!—gathered in May to celebrate their 50th reunion at The Loft, Marietta. JILL PINKERTON HUITRON ’73 and SHERYL FOWLER BUTLER ’73 organized the event. The Class will celebrate its induction into the Golden Knight Club during Homecoming Weekend in October.

[1]

ALLEN ’93, HART ALLEN ’30, LAURIE ELLIOTT, TRACE DEXTER ’30 and BLAKE DEXTER ’90 gathered for a photo following the Fifth-Grade Bridging Ceremony in May. Both generations of Allens and Dexters had Mrs. Elliott as a teacher; she retired this spring after 42 years at Pace (see story on page 16).

[2] Over the summer, LAUREN LINDER ’00 and her husband, J ONATHAN GRUNBERG, traveled with their synagogue to the Equal Justice Initiative Memorial and Museum in Montgomery, Ala.—and retired faculty members SALLY FORB and KATHIE LARKIN just happened to be on the trip!

[3] CHARLIE MCALPIN '02 stopped by campus to talk shop with Isdell Center for Global Leadership Director TRISH ANDERSON. Charlie and his family live in Taipei City, Taiwan, where he is associate principal of Taipei Fuhsing Private School’s Taiwan/American program.

[4] XAVIER AGOSTINO ’22 (Harvard University), WILL ARONSON ’22 (University of Texas at Austin), JORDAN BENJAMIN ’21 (University of Georgia) and AMALIA HAVIV ’22 (University of Miami) Zoomed in to the Class of 2023’s college seminar to share their postPace experiences and guidance with seniors prior to graduation.

[5] Members of the 2022–2023 Alumni Board celebrated a successful year of programming and fundraising at Local Three Kitchen and Bar. •

RUSS

01. SAMUEL ALKIRE ’22 and RILEY ALKIRE ’23

02. EMILY CATON ’20 and CAMILLE CATON ’23

03. JOSIE CROSS ’17, JANIE CROSS ’23 and HALLIE CROSS ’11

04. BENNETT CUMMINGS ’26, WILLIAM CUMMINGS ’23, LARRY CUMMINGS ’86, CIA CUMMINGS and LILY CUMMINGS ’21

05. LUCY FLEMING ’27, CHARLIE FLEMING ’23 and PAIGE FLEMING ’19

06. MADISON HADLEY ’23, DUSTIN HADLEY ’15, LAUREN HADLEY ’15 and VICTORIA HADLEY ’23

07. REILY HAMILTON ’21 and GRAVES HAMILTON ’23

08. JACK JANKO ’23, KATIE JANKO ’23 and CHARLIE JANKO ’21

09. COLIN KOCH ’23 and LILY KOCH ’21

10. COREY LOCHAN ’23 and SOPHIA LOCHAN ’19

11. JOE LOUGHRAN ’16, KHAKI LOUGHRAN ’18 and JORDAN LOUGHRAN ’23

12. MORGAN MCCULLOUGH ’18, BROOKE MCCULLOUGH ’23 and CAROLINE MCCULLOUGH ’21

13. COURTNEY RANCK MCMILLAN ’96 and DAVIS MCMILLAN ’23

14. INSHA MERCHANT ’20 and SHEZA MERCHANT ’23

15. JOSH MININBERG ’21 and EMMY MININBERG ’23

16. ANDREW NEVILLE ’20 and EMMA BETH NEVILLE ’23

17. GERARDO OVALLE-MARES ’23 and VICTOR OVALLE-MARES ’22

18. ISABELLA QUINTANA ’23 and MATTHEW QUINTANA ’20

19. JAMES ROMIG ’23 and LAURA ROMIG ’21

20. KAYLA ROSS ’19, JULIA ROSS ’17, OWEN ROSS ’23 and ALEX ROSS ’17

21. SARAH SCHULTZ ’21 and ADAM SCHULTZ ’23

22. LAUREN STEBBINS ’20 and GRANT STEBBINS ’23

23. WAIDE SWAIN ’15, MARTHA SCOTT SWAIN ’83, JOSIE SWAIN ’23 and MAGGIE SWAIN ’12

24. FRANCESCA VANERI ’20 and BIANCA VANERI ’23

25. ERIC WILLIAMS ’87, REESE WILLIAMS ’23 and HUNTER WILLIAMS ’21

With the graduation of the Class of 2023, the Coat of Arms, Pace Academy’s legacy society, welcomed new members.

Not pictured:

ELLA BERMAN ’23 and cousins CASEY SHOULBERG ’21, JORDAN SHOULBERG ’18, CARLY SHOULBERG ’16, SAM SELIG ’21 and COOPER SELIG ’19

AIDAN CARROLL ’23 and DILLON CARROLL ’20

ELIZABETH FEAGIN ’23 and JULIA FEAGIN ’94

NIALL LEHANE ’23 and KIERAN LEHANE ’16

SARA MAZUR ’23 and RYAN MAZUR ’18

FOREST POLLARD ’23 and uncle DYLAN POLLARD ’89

JACK SCHMITT ’23 and EMILY SCHMITT ’19

BENJAMIN SCHRAGER ’23, LINDSEY SCHRAGER ’16 and HANNAH SCHRAGER ’18

ANDREW SWANN ’23 and ALEXANDER SWANN ’21

IOWA VANCE ’23 and CONNOR VANCE ’22

JACK WAGREICH ’23 and SLOANE WAGREICH ’21

966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327

www.paceacademy.org

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