KnightTimes Winter 2023

PLUS: EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS, THE ICGL’S YEAR OF TECHNOLOGY & A SHARED NFL DREAM

“ It's all about relationships .

” Our Girls Dominate the Fall Season

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PACEACADEMY.ORG/ AUCTION

YOU CAN LEARN A LOT about a person from the spaces they occupy. Objects and art on display may tell stories or recall specific memories; color choices and design decisions can indicate personality traits; and order or messiness might signal a systematic thinker versus a creative type.

I’ve always been fascinated by the ways in which our homes or offices—the spaces in which we spend most of our time—reflect who we are, so I’m very excited about the addition of Faces & Spaces to the KnightTimes. In this recurring column, we’ll introduce faculty by way of the classrooms or offices they call home, and we’re kicking things off with the best of the best: Upper School English teacher EMILY WASHBURN. Now in her ninth year at Pace, Washburn brings infectious joy, curiosity, empathy and wit to Literary Heroes and Advanced Placement Language and Composition and to the Pace Academy community.

I hope you’ll take a moment to explore her classroom (page 14) and learn more about this educator extraordinaire—and that you enjoy the rest of this issue, which celebrates many of the others who make Pace such a special place.

CAITLIN GOODRICH JONES ’00 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

GUEST WRITERS

PAT LEONARD Pat Leonard is the New York Daily News’ Giants beat writer and National Football League columnist. He has worked at the News since May 2010, and is in his sixth season covering the New York Giants following five on the National Hockey League’s Rangers. Leonard graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2006.

CAITLYN PINSKER ’23 Caitlyn Pinsker joined the Pace Academy community as a freshman. Pinsker is a member of the varsity tennis team as well as an active participant in the Community Engagement program, tutoring children at Peachtree Presbyterian Church as co-leader of Pace’s La Amistad Club. She is the founder of Positive Mirroring, a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta that raises awareness for mental health. This year, Pinsker is one of four Isdell Global Leaders investigating the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s theme of Technology. She will attend Vanderbilt University, where she plans to major in human and organizational development and minor in business. She hopes to continue exploring Technology through research opportunities at Vanderbilt.

PRABHAVH PRADEEP ’24 Prabhavh Pradeep has attended Pace since Pre-First. He plays cricket at the Under-19 level and has a passion for social justice and advocacy. As a member of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Pradeep helps devise projects that combat social injustice in Atlanta. He is one of the four Isdell Global Leaders responsible for exploring the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s theme of Technology. Pradeep’s high-school experiences underpin his plans to pursue business with a concentration in social impact and responsibility in college.

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Pace Community,

I hope your 2023 is off to a great start! We closed out 2022 with memorable musical performances (page 30), state championships (page 46) and dominance in debate (page 10), and we rang in 2023 with Spirit Week (page 20), Upper School minimesters (page 21) and our first Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) international study tour since 2020 (page 27). Needless to say, the past few months at Pace Academy have been filled with the joy and excitement that come with day-to-day life on our campus.

In this issue of the KnightTimes, we recap recent events and highlight student and faculty accomplishments. We also take a closer look at the college-placement process, a strategic priority for our school. The Art and the Heart of College Counseling (page 50) explores the importance of relationship-building in college counseling as well as our team’s people-centered approach to finding the best post-Pace fit for our graduates.

Relationships like those between our students and teachers are what make Pace such a special place, and they are what make saying goodbye to beloved members of our community so hard. In recent months, we have lost several Pace pillars past and present—individuals like JUDGE CLYDE

L. REESE III ’76, a Pace Trustee and one of the school’s first Black graduates, and JIM WITHERS, who spent a quarter of a century educating Knights in the classroom and on the basketball court. We salute Judge Reese, Mr. Withers and others we have lost on page 59.

As we look ahead to spring and the many milestones and celebrations in store, I want to thank you for your partnership and your generous support of our mission. As always, it’s a great time to be a Pace Knight!

Sincerely,

FRED ASSAF HEAD OF SCHOOL

THE COVER

KAITLYN SOUZA ’24 runs the ball into the endzone during a flag football game this past fall. The addition of flag football to the Georgia High School Association’s list of official varsity sports has coincided with an era of dominance for Pace Academy’s girls teams, in particular the volleyball and cross-country squads. Read more about the Knights’ successes on page 46. Image by FRED ASSAF

THIS PAGE

Twenty-one Upper School students explored German history, art and culture during a weeklong study tour in January. Students dove deep into the country’s complicated past while visiting many museums and memorials. Here, the group pauses in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. See more photos on page 27.

SINCE OPENING IN OCTOBER

2021, the Kam Memar Lower School has received rave reviews from students, faculty, staff and parents alike— and with the unveiling of the 2022 ENR Southeast Best Project Awards, the building can add another group of fans to its list of admirers. Engineering News-Record (ENR), “the Bible of the construction industry,” according to those in the business, recognized the Kam Memar Lower School with an Award of Merit in its K–12 Education category. The award highlights the outstanding work of Director of Facilities DAVE FORTIER and his team, general contractor New South Construction Co., and Pace’s other construction partners in tackling the logistical and safety challenges the project presented. “The project sustains Pace’s efforts to provide students with a safe, stimulating learning environment using the best available educational tools and technology,” ENR writes. l

LOWER SCHOOL AN AWARDWINNING

THE ENTIRE PACE ACADEMY COMMUNITY knows that Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer JOANNE BEAUVOIR BROWN sparkles. “Joanne is an incredibly effective leader,” says Head of School FRED ASSAF. “I’m thrilled—but not at all surprised—that institutions and organizations outside of Pace have recognized how her light and her vision for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work has impacted our school community.”

In December, the University of Virginia’s Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion released Amplify Excellence: UVA Alum Joanne Beauvoir Brown Talks Diversity and Inclusion at Pace Academy, a film that highlights Beauvoir Brown’s personal journey and her work to foster a sense of belonging for all members of the Pace community.

Then, at a January gala, the Not Alone Foundation and the Academy of the Diamond Awards recognized Beauvoir Brown with a Diamond Award for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Education Leadership. The Diamond Awards honor individuals who, through their perseverance and success, have made a significant impact on their industries at the local, state or international level. This year, the organizations specifically celebrated essential workers—the heroes who “demonstrate continued dedication, commitment, service, humility and sacrifice for the community… leading by example in making the world a better and safer place for all of us to live.”

“DEI is heart work—and hard work,” says Beauvoir Brown. “I’m humbled by this recognition and overwhelmingly grateful to do what I love in a community that supports and strives for excellence in DEI.” l

View Amplify Excellence: UVA Alum Joanne Beauvoir Brown Talks Diversity and Inclusion at Pace Academy at tinyurl.com/joannebeauvoirbrown.

UVA, Diamond Awards Honor

BEAUVOIR BROWN

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES (T1D) has spurred CAILYNN BENNETT ’27, SAVANNAH FRIEDMAN ’27 and ALSTON MALLIS ’26 to feel passionately about fighting the disease. This past fall, each student formed a team to participate in One Walk, a fundraising initiative of JDRF, which funds advocacy and research around T1D—and when they realized that three Pace teams existed, they decided to join forces.

“I fundraised and spread awareness by soliciting donations from my friends, family and social media contacts, and by explaining how big an impact these donations can make to improve technology people with T1D use every day,” says Bennett. “I want to help find a cure.”

A host of Pace students, parents and friends joined Bennett, Friedman and Mallis, a JDRF Student Ambassador, at One Walk in late October, and together, the teams raised more than $48,500, making Pace the top fundraiser at the Atlanta walk, and the No. 2 school team in the country.

“I was excited by all of the support,” says Mallis. “My friends really stepped up and contributed their time. We had a good time at the Walk and are excited for next year’s event. I’m so grateful for JDRF.”

Friedman, who has participated in the JDRF Walk since she was 7 years old, agrees: “The number of people from the Pace community participating in the Walk grows each year, emphasizing how supportive the Pace community is,” she says. l

CURE WALKING FOR A

LIGH TS, CAMERA, TAKING ACTION

When an unprecedented pandemic hit in March 2020, most house-bound teenagers coped with isolation, anxiety and boredom by picking up hobbies and binge-watching Netflix—but not JACK WAGREICH ’23. The film fanatic combined his lifelong passion and sudden surplus of time to build a virtual film festival platform for fellow lovers of the storytelling medium whose in-person events were now canceled. “I was searching for connection and social inspiration,” Wagreich says, and he knew that others were, too. “Film is such an amazing source of both of these… I wanted to build an online platform with free submission so that anyone anywhere could participate.”

So he got to work. Wagreich built a website from scratch and spent the next 10 months cold calling and emailing festivals and filmmakers—anyone in the industry that he could find—and ultimately connected with a slew of student filmmakers around the globe. He created an ambassador program to help judge the film submissions, and in January 2022, Wagreich hosted the inaugural, and highly successful, International Youth Film Festival (IYFF).

The first IYFF had no central theme, but several of the featured films focused on issues of social justice, which inspired Wagreich. “After that first festival, I looked for films and work that highlighted communities through a lens of social justice,” he explains.

Wagreich connected with the Atlanta-based National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) and Bykids, an organization that puts cameras in the hands of youth. From the Black Lives Matter movement to climate change, anti-semitism to juvenile prison reform, Wagreich was so galvanized by the slate of submissions and their mission-driven topics that he decided the second IYFF event should be focused accordingly—thus emerged the IYFF Social Justice Symposium, held at the NCCHR on Oct. 27.

This event aimed to “highlight and reflect on the active role Gen-Z has taken, and is taking, in protesting injustice in society today,” he says. In addition to screening the three winning film submissions, each of which addressed “pivotal topics in our current global climate,” the entirely youth-run symposium featured keynote speakers and a panel of social-justice-focused film students. “It was incredible to see and hear my generation using its voice,” Wagreich muses.

On the heels of these impactful events, Wagreich is looking forward to the next festival and is already in the process of collecting submissions from an expanding international network. So far, he’s received films from India, Argentina, Scotland and more. From conversations with fellow young people who share his passion for film to the films themselves, he has been moved by the stories he has heard and is excited about continuing the connections he has made.

As this is his final semester as a Knight, Wagreich is confident that he will continue to work on this venture in college—maybe even evolve it into a fully-fledged nonprofit—and hopes to study film at the University of Pennsylvania. l

ENGAGEMENT ALL-STARS

Reporter Newspapers and Atlanta

INtown named SHEZA MERCHANT ’23 and AVI NARULA ’24 to their 2023 20 Under 20, a list of young people making a difference in their communities.

Merchant has a passion for making education accessible and equitable, and for nearly a decade has participated in Pebble Tossers, an organization that helps youth engage in volunteerism.

In 2014, she founded Supplying Hope Around the Globe, which has worked with Pace’s Isdell Center for Global Leadership and other partners to collect gently used school supplies and children’s books and distribute them to refugee students. Merchant also leads weekly virtual English classes for highschool students in Pakistan.

Narula’s focus is on homelessness and hunger. A longtime volunteer with Intown Collaborative Ministries, Narula has collected hundreds of cold-weather wardrobe items over the past three years—even personally delivering them to those in need throughout the pandemic. In the fall of 2022, he merged his involvement in service and the Pace water polo club by collaborating with the Georgia High School Water Polo Association to organize a postseason tournament that featured a toiletry item collection for the Rapid Re-Housing Program. l

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation (PAGE), the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Education have recognized EMMA

BETH NEVILLE ’23 as Pace’s 2023 STAR Student. The PAGE STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program requires that STAR nominees achieve the top SAT score on a single test date and be in the top 10% of their class. STAR Students then choose a STAR Teacher who has inspired them to strive for excellence. Neville selected as her STAR Teacher Upper School science instructor and dean ALLISON TARVIN Neville’s leadership touches every area of Pace life. From Math Team, Model United Nations, TEDx and the Women Mentoring Women club, to softball, golf, band and community engagement, she does it all— and she does it all well.

NE VILLE NAMED 2023 STAR STUDENT

STANDOUT STUDENTS

Pace Academy students often showcase their talents beyond our school community. In this issue of the KnightTimes, we applaud:

NATE RESNICK ’29, RYAN SCEUSI ’29 and SETH YEHUDAI ’29, the 10th-place team at the 2022 US Chess National K–12 Grades Championship.

KAHLEN WRIGHT ’26, who danced the role of Young Marie in the Atlanta Ballet’s 2022 production of The Nutcracker

WILLOW RICE ’33, the 2022 USA Georgia State Level 2 Beam Champion in the Child C division, and the second-place all-around gymnast in the same classification.

“Emma Beth is one of the brightest minds I’ve ever taught,” says Tarvin. “More importantly, she is one of the kindest, most thoughtful students I know. Emma Beth is humble enough to do the jobs that no one else wants to do. She doesn’t seek the limelight. Instead, she looks for ways to support the people around her.” l

AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE

Johns Creek Tournament

Peach State Classic

Peach State Classic

Peach State Classic

Peach State Classic

New Trier Trevian Invitational

Marist Online Season Opener

Marist Online Season Opener

Marist Online Season Opener

AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE

Either way, fall was a winning semester for Pace Debate

“The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.”

Whether you agree or disagree with the statement above, this year’s high-school policy debate’s official resolution, the 51 members of Pace Academy’s Upper and Middle School debate teams are prepared to take you on.

Speaking at around twice normal conversational speed, or “spreading” (“speed” + “reading,” a feature of high-school and college policy debate), every Pace debater stands ready to upend your point-of-view with well-rehearsed arguments steeped in research, whether in support of the resolution (the affirmative, or “aff” team) or in opposition to it (the negative, or “neg” team).

Tirelessly researching and preparing arguments and exhaustively practicing speeches during the fall semester served Pace’s team well, and across the board Pace Debate notched impressive achievements. “Our team is young, but it has made its mark on the high-school debate landscape,” says Director of Speech and Debate ERIC FORSLUND. “The team is bright, talented and ready to put in the work it takes to win. Their efforts over the semester paid off, and we enjoyed remarkable success. I am incredibly proud of them.” l

…or Negative?

SEPTEMBER

The teams opened the season in Lexington, Ky., facing debaters from 14 states. The only team without a senior in the semifinal rounds and the youngest team overall, Pace won third place thanks to the dynamic duo of STEPHEN YANG ’25 and WILL CANNADAY ’24. Every Pace debater finished with at least two wins, and Cannaday and Yang earned a first bid to compete in the Tournament Of Champions (“the TOC”), the esteemed tournament at the end of each debate season. Competition in the TOC requires two bids.

Here’s a rundown on Pace Debate thispastfall:

At the Johns Creek debate tournament, NOAH EISENMAN ’26 and REESE HONEYCUTT ’26 went undefeated and were winners in the rookie division.

During the Marist Online Season Opener, ARNAV MADDINENI ’26 and ZAKI GEORGE ’26 finished in first place in the junior varsity division; Maddineni finished as the third speaker; George was fourth. In addition, PAYTON WOODS-FORTAS ’26 and SAYA BRAHMA ’26 teamed up with CAILEIGH PINSKER ’25 to win the rookie division. In the varsity division, LUCA TANASA ’23 and KABIR SINGH ’23 finished ninth.

OCTOBER

At the New Trier Trevian Invitational in Chicago, Yang and Cannaday were ranked 17th of the top 80 policy debate teams in the country. Following their successes, they ranked 29th nationally in the high-school debate coaches’ annual poll. Finishing as quarterfinalists at the Meadows Invitational Tournament in Las Vegas, the duo received a second TOC bid and will compete in April at the national event, hosted annually by the University of Kentucky. The team of Singh and MEGAN KLINGLER ’25 also finished strong, notching ninth place.

NOVEMBER

At the Peach State Classic in Carrollton, Ga., 18 debaters represented Pace—the most Knights to debate at a single tournament in many years. An impressive 12 finished with winning records. The ninth-grade pair of Maddineni and George defeated sophomores, juniors and seniors to claim the championship title. In the rookie division, BEN RODBELL ’27 and WILL MCDAID ’27 bested high-school opponents in the semifinals to win first place. CLINTON GOODE ’27 and SHAAN A. ’27 ranked as rookie quarterfinalists. Singh and Tanasa also reached the quarterfinals in the varsity field.

DECEMBER

The pair of ABIGAIL RICHMAN ’25 and SERENA SHANG ’26 helped the Pace team to a strong year-end finish by notching second place in the Lassiter Invitational, hosted by Lassiter High School in Marietta, Ga. The teammates rounded out their victory with individual speaker awards: Shang received second place, and Richman was third. The tournament took place on the National Speech & Debate Association’s popular virtual platform known as NSDA Campus.

AROUND PACE

Mental Health M A T T E R S

Excellence in Every Endeavor: Pace Academy’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan names mental health as one of the school’s top five strategic priorities. Led by an expert counseling team, Pace already offers robust mental health programming at all levels, so the plan calls for continued focus on professional development for faculty and staff and education for parents and caregivers, as well as expanded partnerships with neighboring schools and consulting professionals. The goal is to destigmatize mental health challenges within the Pace community and beyond, the plan states.

During the first semester of the 2022–2023 school year, the counseling team, in partnership with division leadership and the Parenting Connection, a committee of the Parents Club, offered myriad ways for students, parents, caregivers, faculty and staff to engage in education and conversation around mental health.

Programming for adults included Approaching Anxiety, an evening with Professor Allison Edwards, author of Why Smart Kids Worry ; Navigating Life Transitions: A Psychiatric Approach with Dr. Ben Hunter of Skyland Trail, a residential mental health treatment center; and conversations with Colin Thomas, an adolescent addiction counselor at Caron Atlanta Outpatient Treatment Center. In addition, the Lower School’s Coffee & Conversation series afforded parents and caregivers opportunities to discuss topics such as stress management, executive functioning and positive discipline. Student programming included self-care workshops and exam stress breaks, peerto-peer mentoring initiatives such as PASS (Pace Academy Student Support), topical assemblies, small-group sessions and guest speakers. Additionally, individual counseling resources are available to students. l

Dr. Ben Hunter presents to Upper School students

Parenting Connection with Allison Edwards, LPC

PASS members meet with Lower School students

A Night Out with Keeping Pace Benefits Summer Enrichment Program

This past November, Pace Academy parents, faculty, staff and friends gathered at Urban Tree Cidery in Atlanta’s West Midtown for A Night Out with Keeping Pace, an event held each fall to raise funds for Keeping Pace, the school’s summer program for youth from underserved communities.

Keeping Pace offers elementary and middle-school-aged youth an enriching camp experience that includes academics and activities such as art classes, swimming and farm-to-table cooking. Since 2019, the program has also offered tennis instruction thanks to support from the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) Foundation. In 2022, Keeping Pace began a new partnership with La Amistad, a nonprofit organization that offers programming to empower Latino students and families.

Guests at A Night Out enjoyed browsing and casting bids at the silent auction as they socialized, sipped wine, beer and Urban Tree’s award-winning ciders, and noshed at tasting stations provided by Joey D’s Oak Room.

The event was complemented by a virtual auction. Proceeds will support Keeping Pace this summer, its 18th year. l

Thankful for Grandparents & Special Friends

Thanksgiving week, the Pace Academy community was especially thankful as grandparents and special friends returned to campus, renewing beloved Pace traditions put on hold the past two years by the pandemic.

Monday’s events included a luncheon in the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School for donors with Head of School FRED ASSAF and an evening reception in Gandhi Hall for grandparents of children in all grades. Reception guests enjoyed mingling with other grandparents and Pace administrators, delicious fare and cocktails, and a holiday performance by the Upper School chorus. On Tuesday, grandparents and special friends of students in Pre-First through fifth grades spent the morning visiting their excited young classroom hosts and experiencing the magic of the Kam Memar Lower School. l

“I had a moment where I was shifting gears from practicing law to teaching. My brother, Edward, gave me this quote from The Little Prince: ’A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born.’ I feel like there’s so much hope in that.”

All over Washburn’s classroom are finger puppets of famous writers and thinkers like Edgar Allan Poe, Sojourner Truth, Virginia Woolf and James Baldwin.

ALIVIA WYNN ’21, a student at Northwestern University, won the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards’ highest honor for Victory Garden, a poem Washburn now teaches. This article about Wynn hangs alongside images of Sojourner Truth and Toni Morrison as a reminder that great writers are alive and working today.

Washburn began her career teaching English and received a master’s in higher education administration from Vanderbilt before earning her J.D. and practicing law. She returned to the classroom and taught at Woodward Academy before leaving to raise her two young children, JACKSON WASHBURN ’25 and JESS WASHBURN ’27—and then she decided to go back to school. “I fell in love with David Foster Wallace while getting my master’s in English at Georgia State,” she says. “I love this quote: ’The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day.’”

This painting, a relic from Washburn’s grandmother’s home, reminds Washburn of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, one of her favorite novels to teach.

Washburn’s growing turtle collection is made up of gifts from students—references to a pivotal metaphor in Toni Morrison’s Beloved

“Ultimately, the reason we read is to gain perspective and feel empathy for another’s experience. A good reader needs to position oneself as an ally to the characters. Empathy is essential to good reading.” Washburn says.

INthis issue of the KnightTimes , we’re launching Faces & Spaces , a recurring column that introduces members of our faculty via the classrooms and offices where they spend their time. First up? Upper School English teacher EMILY WASHBURN, who joined the faculty in 2014.

01. “I saw this sticker at a record store in Memphis and said, “’I need that.’”

02. Washburn received the Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017, Pace’s highest faculty honor. “I teach because there’s joy in the discovery, and because I honor the discipline that it takes to get better at writing,” she says. “Teaching is premised on the process of becoming. None of us is a finished product. Instead, each of us is working to improve some skill set or knowledge base—teachers, too. The classroom is an inherently hopeful space."

03. A baseball glove covered in green ink was a gift from longtime Pace English teacher MARSHA DURLIN, now retired, who received it from a student years ago. The glove was inspired by The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. “My brother Allie had this left-handed fielder’s mitt,” Salinger writes. “...He had poems written all over the fingers and the pocket and everywhere. In green ink. He wrote them on it so that he’d have something to read when he was in the field and nobody was up to bat. He’s dead now.”

04. Washburn’s parents once owned the Montgomery, Ala., home of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. When Washburn and her family moved to Mobile, they kept the Fitzgeralds’ bathroom sink, which now sits in Washburn’s classroom as a shrine to the author.

05. Colorful rubber duckies are remnants of the Class of 2021’s senior prank.

A map of Ohio’s Underground Railroad that Washburn uses to support students’ reading of His Promised Land, the autobiography of John Parker. Parker was born into slavery, bought his freedom and then worked as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

06. A Duke and Emory Law grad and a litigator in a previous life, Washburn co-leads the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s Five Freedoms of the First Amendment Fellows program. This scale reminds her of the balance between individual liberty and the rights of society.

07. Washburn employs the discussionbased Harkness method in her classroom. During conversations, one student charts who speaks and to whom, as well as when someone refers to the text at hand. “You wind up with this really beautiful map of a 50-minute class period,” says Washburn.

FACES & SPACES

Native American/Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month [01–02]

During the month of November, the U.S. celebrates Indigenous peoples past and present during Native American/Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month. The Lower School community, led by Pace parent BILLY RICE, WINDLAND RICE ’31 and WILLOW RICE ’33, honored the occasion by learning about the Coquille Tribe and the potlatch tradition in which tribe members gather and discard items while reflecting on how the giving up of those items impacts the community. Students also heard about life as a child on a reservation from an eighth-grade member of the Numa Tribe, a relative of fourth-grade teacher MARTHA LEE MCCUTCHEN THWAITE ’80 and her husband, WALTER THWAITE ’82

Professional Development [03–04]

Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer JOANNE BEAUVOIR BROWN and Head of School FRED ASSAF were among a group of educational leaders at the Equal Justice Initiatives’s Education Convening in Montgomery, Ala. The convening of educational leaders included a tour and study of the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, followed by participation in facilitated programming with Equal Justice Initiative Executive Director Bryan Stevenson and his staff about teaching the history of racial injustice in America.

In addition, a cohort of Pace faculty and staff attended the National Association of Independent Schools’ People of Color Conference in San Antonio, which celebrated the theme OUR –Reunited in Purpose: Elevating Our Worth, Our Agency & Our Excellence

Kwanzaa Celebrations [05–06]

The history and traditions of Kwanzaa came to life during Lower School Community Time as students, led by HARRISON BROWN ’26 and DEAN BROWN ’30, educated their peers about the holiday, an annual celebration of African-American culture.

A Focus on Neurodiversity [07–08]

With the support of the Academic Resource Center (ARC), the DEI Office launched an affinity group for neurodiverse students in the Upper School—those who struggle with learning or thinking differences like autism, ADHD or dyslexia. To further support learning around neurodiversity, the ARC has offered a professional development series for Middle and Upper School teachers.

DEI in Film & Literature [09]

Upper School students—members of the Black Student Alliance, those who had completed a Black Panther unit in their American Literature class and others—ventured off campus for a viewing of the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The outing, a collaboration between the Upper School English department and the DEI team, was followed by a group reflection and talkback session.

Seeking Feedback

Middle and Upper School students, faculty and staff, and all Pace parents were invited to participate in the school’s annual cultural climate survey. Questions centered on personal values, empathy and kindness, depression and anxiety, substance use, belonging, and relationships with family and friends. Responses will inform programming and initiatives needed to create a stronger sense of belonging and wellness within the Pace community.

Sunday Supper [10–11]

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Office of DEI, in partnership with Hands On Atlanta, hosted its sixth annual Sunday Supper on the eve of the holiday. The intimate and thought-provoking experience included a potluck dinner and guided conversations around Dr. King’s vision for economic justice, in particular, issues of housing and equity.

IONS: In Our Neighbors’ Shoes

Launched this past fall, In Our Neighbors’ Shoes (IONS) brings together parents and caregivers for community-building and intentional discussions about their lives and experiences. Conversations explore perspectives and allow community members to share and grow together, while exploring concepts related to DEI. All parents and caregivers are invited to attend, and meeting dates are published in This Week at Pace.

Lunar New Year [12–14]

Lower School students and faculty celebrated the Year of the Rabbit with a special Community Time, featuring student leaders and the Chien Hong Lion Dance Troupe. The celebration continued in the Middle and Upper Schools with educational activities organized by the student-led Asian Alliance. l

In keeping with its 2022–2023 theme, AMPLIFY, the Pace Academy Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) continues to develop programming that amplifies the voices of the unheard. From cultural celebrations and conferences to field trips and feedback, recent DEI efforts have included…

THE STORY OF

GANDHI HALL

In 2021, Pace Academy parents KAVITA KOTTE and SAMIR BHATIA had a novel idea for a challenge grant that would expand giving to the Accelerate Pace capital campaign for the Kam Memar Lower School and provide an opportunity to honor the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Partnering with the school, the couple issued a donor challenge for contributions to name a space for Gandhi, a unique request that resonated in the Pace community—achieving results that exceeded expectations.

The dedication of Gandhi Hall, the Lower School’s multipurpose meeting and performance space, took place this past fall and featured meaningful program contributions from students. MINA DIGUMARTHI ’30, NEAL DIGUMARTHI ’30, ADVITHI MADDINENI ’30, SHRIYA MUKKAMALA ’30 and JUHI PATEL ’30 headlined the event, describing their personal connections to Mahatma Gandhi and sharing stories of his life and achievements.

Lower School Art Teacher RACHEL NICHOLSON presented a Rangoli—a type of Indian folk art—constructed of colorful tissue paper, created by fifth-grade student-artists for the dedication as well as Pace’s school-wide celebration of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, underway that same day.

Head of School FRED ASSAF thanked Kotte, Bhatia and others present for their generous support in making Gandhi Hall possible. He also recognized artist Alexi Torres for his oil painting of Gandhi, prominently displayed in the space. Torres is known for complex works that intricately weave together organic and symbolic elements. On close inspection of the painting, woven peace symbols are visible throughout. l

Kavita Kotte and Samir Bhatia with their children—Ambika Bhatia ’29 and Roshan Bhatia ’32—and artist Alexi Torres

SHARE GANDHI CONNECTIONS AND STORIES

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD: FIFTH-GRADERS

Shriya Mukkamala focused on Gandhi’s impact on India and the connection she sees between Gandhi and Pace: “Gandhi connects to Pace Academy because our mission is to prepare confident citizens of the world… he inspires me to advocate for others in a non-violent and peaceful way,” she said.

Gandhi inspires Advithi Maddineni “because he reduced racism all over the world,” she explained. “He faced many difficulties because of discrimination directed toward Indians… hardships that he faced helped awaken his soul to social injustice, and he became an activist.”

Neal Digumarthi recounted the 1930 “Salt March” led by Gandhi and 70 followers, who walked 240 miles from Gujarat in western India to the Arabian Sea. “My great-grandfather’s niece was born in a British jail because her mother was imprisoned for participating in the Salt March when she was pregnant,” he said.

Many of Mina Digumarthi’s ancestors participated in India’s freedom marches. She related how Gandhi’s peaceful protests inspired the actions of other leaders, particularly Martin Luther King Jr. “King led nonviolent peaceful protests against unfair laws in the Black community in America,” she said.

“Gandhi graduated from Samaldas College in Bhavnagar, Gujarat,” said Juhi Patel. “I feel connected to Gandhi because my grandparents also grew up in Gujarat.”

The Mo s t Sp irited We e k

With class themes ranging from Peter Pan and Phineas and Ferb to Monsters, Inc. and Willy Wonka, this year’s Spirit Week, an annual competition between Upper School classes, showcased students’ creativity and unity. l

As has been tradition for over a decade, Upper School students returned from winter break and enjoyed temporarily replacing their regularly scheduled history and science classes with unique, hands-on “minimester” courses for the first seven days of the spring semester. Minimesters give faculty an opportunity to share their academic passions—that may lie outside Pace’s typical course list—with students. Additionally, students get a chance to shake up their class rosters and learn alongside peers from different grade levels.

From Medieval Roots of Japanese Culture to The 19thCentury Whaling Industry’s Captains of Color and The Science of String Instruments to Rube Goldberg Machines, this year’s slate of special subjects knew no bounds.

“I love minimesters because we get a glimpse into subjects that you don’t normally study in school,” says junior BRODY MATTHIAS

“This year, I took Racial Integration in College Football with [Upper School history teacher GARY NELSON]—it was really interesting.” l M A S T E R

MINIMESTERS

CASTLE CIRCLE

THE KELLY FAMILY

“Education has always been a top priority for our family. Anne and I are so grateful for the incredible impact the Pace Academy education has made in the lives of our children,” says Pace Life Trustee GREG KELLY. Greg and his wife, ANNE KELLY, have four children who are all Pace alumni: GRANT KELLY ’12, HANNAH KELLY ’15, MORGAN KELLY ’16 and TYLER KELLY ’20. Greg served as a member of Pace’s Board of Trustees for nine years, including three as chair, and was named as a Life Trustee in 2020.

Anne and Greg’s gratitude for their children’s Pace experiences inspired them to arrange a planned gift for the school in 2018, when their youngest, Tyler, was still in the Upper School. As a result of their gift,

the Kellys are members of The Castle Circle, which recognizes Pace’s planned gift donors.

“Our feelings about Pace and desire to help ensure its strong future inspired us to include a bequest for Pace as we were updating our will,” Greg says. “Pace was such a gift for our family. We are delighted to give back.”

Anne recalls choosing Pace for their children. “We were seeking a top-tier school that would nurture each one,” she says.

“Even when they were small, we knew how very different each was, and we knew Pace was the school that would offer each an individualized experience and an excellent education. We are grateful to this day for the Pace faculty, who did a wonderful job, varying their teaching styles and approach -

es to fit the needs of each child.”

The Kellys arrived at Pace in 2002, when Hannah enrolled in Pre-First. Morgan and Tyler followed in Hannah’s footsteps and joined Pace in their respective Pre-First years. In 2004, Grant joined the Pace community as a fifth-grader after addressing his dyslexia at the Atlanta Speech School.

“All of our children thrived at Pace, and it prepared them well for not just college but life beyond too,” Greg says. “Grant and Hannah both attended Duke University. After arguing about Apple versus Microsoft with classmates SIMON WU ’12 and JOHN CAROLIN ’12, Grant fittingly now works for Apple. Hannah finished divinity school at Emory University this year, and was just ordained in the Episcopal Church. Morgan

graduated from University of Southern California and is working for marketing agency Times10 in LA. Tyler also chose to become a Duke Blue Devil and is a junior.”

Greg’s years of service on the Board, from 2011–2020, provided him opportunities to engage in the work of the school. Anne was also an active volunteer over the 18 years their children were enrolled. She helped in the Lower School front office and with the fine arts program, worked at the snack bar, and assisted with the Fall Fair—and always made time to lend a hand wherever one was needed.

“The Kelly family—Anne, Greg and each one of their children—has contributed in countless ways to the tapestry of our community,” Head of School FRED ASSAF says.

“During his tenure on the Board, Greg’s professional expertise as a senior partner at McKinsey & Company was invaluable, and as the son and grandson of educators, he brought to the table a multifaceted understanding of schools that formed his unique and valuable perspectives. We are grateful that Anne and Greg have chosen a planned gift as a way of showing Pace their appreciation and vision for its future success,” he adds. l

Have you included Pace in your will or estate plan? If so, you are a Castle Circle member, and we hope you’ll let us know!

1. The Kelly family in 2022; 2. Anne and Greg at the 2013 Auction; 3. Morgan during the 2012–2013 school year;

4. Tyler performs in the one-act play She Kills Monsters in the fall of 2019; 5. Grant and Greg embrace at graduation in 2012; 6. Hannah at the 2012 fall sports festival

THE YEAR OF TECHNOLOGY

From museums and med tech to robots and augmented reality, here are some of the ways the Pace community is talking about the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s 2022–2023 theme of Technology.

STADIUM STEAM [01]

Third graders’ STEAM studies came to life during a fall field trip to MercedesBenz Stadium, where students learned about sustainability and the environment. The zero-waste facility is the first professional sports stadium to achieve TRUE Platinum certification, meaning it employs processes that consider the entire lifecycle of products used within the facility. Mercedes-Benz is also the First LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certified stadium in the country.

TECHNOLOGY ON DISPLAY [02]

Technologies past and present took center stage during the fourth grade’s field trip to the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Ga. In the Crossroads Gallery, students explored communications technology, while the Millar Science in Motion Gallery took students on a journey through 100 years of changes in transportation technology.

MED TECH MADE BETTER [03 – 04]

Fifth-graders in HAYLEY HARDWICK’s science classes spent the first half of the year studying the circulatory and nervous systems. To take their exploration further and incorporate the ICGL theme of Technology into their study, students were asked to use their newfound knowledge of biology to improve existing medical technology for the benefit of those systems—and then pitch their innovations to a “hospital board” composed of Pace faculty. Students put their research, critical thinking and presentation skills to the test to create their new and improved products and craft their pitches. From nano medicine to portable CT machines to easy-to-open Band-Aid packaging, students’ interests and innovations ran the gamut and impressed the expert judges.

FACT OR FICTION? [05]

In collaboration with the Middle School Action Studio, KIRSTIN BAILLIE’s seventhgrade history students honed their digital literacy skills through a week-long exploration of news and media and the ways in which technology can be leveraged or abused in communication. Students teamed up to design their own fact and fake news stories, tweets or websites, which their peers and teachers then determined to be actual, altered or falsified.

A ROBOT PARADE [06]

Middle School Tech Studio classes studied the history, art, engineering and technology required to pull off the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and staged their own march through the Middle School halls. Using what they’d learned, the enthusiastic engineers created balloon floats and programmed the robots that pulled them.

TECH TAKEOVER [07– 09]

The Middle School schedule took a back seat to technological investigation for one day in November as students immersed themselves in Technology. The second division-wide STEAM Day of the school year focused on how technology creates issues around access, equity, innovation and sustainability.

“Students considered three questions,” says Director of STEAM and Design DR. KIRSTEN BOEHNER. “We asked: How does technology change existing patterns, such as the ways we express ourselves or connect with others?; how does technology solidify patterns or prevent change, such as how is bias embedded in algorithms?; and how do we draw the line between humans and technology?”

Hands-on activities organized around specific themes brought these questions to life. In Technology and Games, students explored the future of e-gaming, including games and urban planning design platforms, and Head of School FRED ASSAF challenged students to use the CoSpaces, an augmented reality program, to design a “Smart Castle.” In Physical Technology, students questioned how new technology changes physical activities such as sports and travel.

“For example, students experimented with assistive technology to simulate playing Goalball, a game for visually impaired players,” says Boehner. “At another station, students debated instances in which technology creates an unfair playing field. Students also used virtual reality headsets to visit sculptures around the world and consider how virtual field trips would enhance or deter physical travel.”

Finally, in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, students considered the impact of coded bias and played with algorithms to teach machines how to sort

images. “Overall, students and teachers alike found the day to be equal parts exhausting and exciting as they discovered the complex promise and the pitfalls of Technology,” Boehner reports.

SUPER-POWERED PROBLEM SOLVING [10 –11]

When planning for Middle School ICGL Days—grade-level deep dives into this year’s theme of Technology —Director of Middle School Global Leadership PATRICE WRIGHT-LEWIS wanted to connect the discussion to past ICGL themes and, ultimately, to the United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. The SDGs “recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth—all while tack ling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests,” the UN writes.

“The ICGL launched when this year’s eighth graders were in Pre-First,” says Wright-Lewis, “so those students have working knowledge of all of the previous themes”—topics such as Water, Waste, Energy, Conservation and Education. “My goal was for students to revisit specific themes and understand how technology has been used or is being used to solve problems in those areas.

The SDGs help tie it all together.”

Split into teams, students spent the day conducting research and, based on their findings, using Pixton, an avatar builder, to create Tech Super Heroes. Students discussed the hero’s journey, developed back stories and special powers for their superheroes, invented villains and, at the end of the day, presented their final concepts to classmates.

“The exercise required students to use higher-level thinking skills to apply the concepts they had learned and solve realworld problems,” Wright-Lewis reports. “And they had fun in the process!” l

KARETSOS

EXPERT ENGAGEMENT

The Upper School’s ICGL Speaker Series continues. TYLER PROCHNOW ’84, president and COO of HomeBase, an AIbased smart building technology, visited an Upper School assembly in October. Prochnow shared lessons from his experience as an entrepreneur and discussed how expectations around traditional career paths have shifted over time, particularly in technology.

“Technology is a great mover and leveler of the playing field, but it also involves risk,” Prochnow told students. “There’s so much opportunity, but you have to understand why people are building technology and look at it with purpose… This is the best time in history to start thinking big. You no longer have to be a specialist to create software or technology that will change the world. You just have to have the idea. But you do have to have an understanding of the world and the problem you want to solve—and of the people who you want to solve a problem for. That’s what Pace is teaching you: how can you use what you’re learning to make an impact. You all have the capacity and ability to change the world—[both] the skill set and the socialization of knowledge. If you have an opportunity, you can do it.”

Prochnow’s presentation was followed by a visit from SPYRO KARETSOS, chief compliance officer at Google and the parent of a Pace alumnus. In a conversation with Head of School FRED ASSAF before a student audience, Karetsos discussed everything from content moderation and COVID to artificial intelligence and responsible innovation. “Have an open mind with your life,” he told students. “Every decision you make is the next decision in a chain of decisions that will compound to get you where you are today.” l

Willkommen

AN UPPER SCHOOL STUDY TOUR TO GERMANY KICKS OFF THE YEAR OF ICGL TRAVEL

Following the winter break, 21 Upper School students and faculty advisers

TIM HORNOR, DR. HEATHER PATRICK

MCCLOSKEY ’89 and JASON SMITH boarded a plane bound for Munich and kicked off a weeklong exploration of German history, art and culture. From Neuschwanstein Castle and Nuremberg to the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin’s many museums and memorials, students dove deep into the country’s complicated past and gained a better understanding of how Germany’s history has shaped its present. l

1. Dürer, Albrecht. Portrait of Oswolt Krel (detail). 1499, Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany

1.

TALKING TECHNOLOGY IN THE HUB

THIS YEAR’S ISDELL GLOBAL LEADERS TAKE LEARNING ON THE ROAD.

1858, jurist and legal scholar Oliver Wendell Holmes dubbed the Massachusetts State House, located atop Boston’s Beacon Hill, “The Hub of the Universe.” The city quickly adopted the nickname—and has embodied its moniker ever since. The Boston of today is a hub for finance, culture, academia, venture capitalism and, this year’s Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) theme, Technology “We chose Boston as our first study tour destination because of the transparent and collaborative nature of the research conducted there, specifically in the field of medical technology,” says PRABHAVH PRADEEP ’24. Pradeep is one of four 2022–2023 Isdell Global Leaders (IGLs), Upper School students who have committed to a year-long study of Technology, including coursework, research and two travel opportunities.

Pradeep, fellow IGLs ELOISE GAUDET ’23, CAITLYN PINSKER ’23 and HENRY LEVENSON ’24, and faculty advisers TRISH ANDERSON and TED WARD traveled to Boston in October to immerse themselves in issues surrounding biotechnology. Their meetings with medical professionals, research scientists, investors, academics and city leaders revolved around themes that included: “bench-to-bedside” projects, the quest for overarching solutions and the value of transparency.

“Before the trip, we hadn’t heard the term ’bench to bedside,’” says Gaudet. “’Bench’ refers to labs or research facilities, whereas ’bedside’ refers to actual patients, so the term implies that the research is benefiting real patients.” The phrase came up repeatedly in conversations with experts at Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT and Moderna, where Senior Vice President of Investor Relations Lavina Talukdar shared with the IGLs her experiences securing funding to develop the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.

The use of technology in developing solutions to global issues and the importance of transparency in the development and implementation of those technologies were topics that undergirded the IGLs’ conversations wherever they went. They further honed in on the relationship between technology and finance during meetings at investment management firm BlackRock and MIT Investment Management Company, where the group met with JOEL COHEN ’06 (see sidebar) “to better understand the global connectivity of financial markets and the importance of transparency when it comes to maintaining investor relations and effective communication,” Pinsker says.

“There is a major problem with opacity in the field of technology,” Levenson adds. “Humans create groundbreaking

innovations that can do great things in the world but have consequences because of their lack of transparency. These opaque codes, data sets or inventions are called black boxes— we see the inputs and outputs but not the steps taken to achieve those outputs. Coders make programs, but those programs become so advanced that, after a while, no one knows how they work or how to fix problems when they arise.”

At Draper Laboratory—a defense contractor and nonprofit dedicated to the design, development, integration and testing of algorithms and software for autonomous systems—IGLs met with EMILY BRAUNSTEIN POLLOCK ’97 (see sidebar) to discuss the need for data privacy and security when it comes to the technology developed for national security. “While opacity can be a drawback when working with datasets that contain inherent bias, opacity and cybersecurity are often critical when working with sensitive data and systems critical to national security,” Anderson says.

“Our time in Boston made me realize that there’s great potential in terms of technology—but that there are drawbacks as well,” says Levenson. “We’ve got to keep humans at the center and learn how to harness the good that comes with technological advancement, without negatively affecting others.” l

“Technologyisthe applicationofscientific knowledgeincreating practicalsolutions.”

PINKSKER ’23

JOEL COHEN ’06 serves as a global investor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Investment Management Company (MITIMCo). After graduating from Pace Academy, Cohen received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University. In 2010, he joined MITIMCo, which strives to “deliver outstanding long-term investment returns for MIT.” The company invests MIT’s endowment, and the returns support research and academic projects for the school.

Cohen explains that part of how he earned the job was through the Pace community. “I attended a Pace alumni lunch after graduation where I mentioned to [Head of School] FRED ASSAF that I was interested in finance. A couple steps later, through someone Fred introduced me to, I stumbled across this obscure but interesting corner of the finance industry known as endowment management,” says Cohen.

When this year’s Isdell Global Leaders (IGLs) met with Cohen, he shared that the MITIMCo team’s goal is always high investment returns because this allows MIT students to have access to better resources, so they can, in turn, make the world a better place. In order to achieve this goal, Cohen and the other investors travel globally in search of companies in which to invest and achieve higher returns. Of course, technology is also a huge part of his job. “I realized early in my career that the ever-burgeoning amount of data out there and ever-increasing internet connectivity created new ways to find investment opportunities.”

Cohen recognizes that endowment investment is a less common career option, and that the IGL program is “powerful for expanding students’ horizons and showing them what opportunities and problems are out there to be tackled.” He is an amazing example of looking at technology through a different lens for the improvement of society.

—by CAITLYN PINKSKER ’23

ALUMNI

IN TECH

POLLOCK

EMILY BRAUNSTEIN POLLOCK ’97 is a highly skilled software engineer at Draper Laboratory who has contributed to the development of numerous software systems for various industries, including aerospace, undersea and defense applications. Pollock’s work experiences have given her a unique perspective on the evolution of technology. Over the past few years, Pollock recalls that technology played a pivotal role in helping us adapt to the pandemic through remote work. When reflecting on her educational journey, Pollock highlights the stark contrast between the technology available when she was a Pace student and what is accessible to students today. “For context, it’s important for students and younger alumni to understand how different everyone’s use of technology was back then. The first widely used web browser was invented my freshman year [of high school]. I did all of my research papers at Pace using the card catalog, because the school library wasn’t computerized yet. No one googled anything because Google hadn’t even been founded yet.”

Despite these limitations, Pollack gained exposure to the field of computer science during her senior year of high school through a course that was only offered after a petition from students, including herself. She believes that programs such as the Isdell Center for Global Leadership, which focuses on experiential learning, are crucial for students’ growth throughout their lives.

—by PRABHAVH PRADEEP ’24

and PRABHAVH PRADEEP ’24 introduce the influential Pace alumni they met in Boston.

Band, chorus and strings students in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools ushered in the holidays with a series of winter concerts.

Upper School Chorus

Middle School Chorus

PHOTOS: CHUCK JORDAN

PHOTOS: ANN MCLEAN NAGLE

Middle School Strings

Upper School Band

Middle School Band

Upper School Strings

Lower School Strings

the CANDLE BURNS BRIGHT

The Lower School’s beloved holiday tradition, Light One Candle, returned to the Zalik Theater stage for its 31st year. The theatrical retelling of the Hanukkah and Christmas stories featured students in PreFirst, first and fifth grade.

BRIEA CRAFT ’23 , KATHERINE DAVIS ’24 , KATELYN SOUZA ’24 and ELOWYN ALLEN ’25 were among a group of student-artists from across the state whose works were selected by acclaimed ceramicist Rich Brown for inclusion in the 2023 Georgia High School Ceramics Exhibition. The exhibition, which took place at LaGrange College, culminated in a January symposium, where Craft and Davis’s works received two of the 10 Merit Awards bestowed by the judges. l

Creativity

ON DISPLAY

The jury is unanimous in its verdict: Pace Academy has an amazingly talented cohort of visual artists in the Upper School. This fall, the visual and performing arts department solicited submissions for its inaugural Fall Juried Art Show. More than 70 students obliged, entering pieces created in Pace classes, as well as work produced on their own time. The result was an astonishing and diverse exhibition dis played in the Fine Arts Center’s Zalik Theater.

ADRIENNE DURR

’24 took home the award for Faculty Best in Show, while GABBY EMCH ’26 claimed the prize for Advanced Studio Best in Show. l

Ceramicists

Souza

Allen

Craft

Davis

ADRIENNE Durr

JACKSON Allegra OLIVER Loree

KATE Cunningham

GABBY Emch

Angelika Avdyeyeva ’26

Isabelle Wilhelm ’24

Iowa Vance ’23

Ellie Carter ’24

Griffin Bryan ’25

Reita Maguire ’24

Sophia Resnick ’28

Grayson Lohr ’31

Lyla Lowery ’31

Sarina Soni ’32

Mira Arora ’31

Paige Vadnais ’27

Emma Alvarez ’28

Gavin McGurn ’28

Ambika Bhatia ’29

Caroline Almond ’28 and Emma Timberlake ’28

UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS GIVE THEIR REGARDS TO BROADWAY

TWENTY UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS took a giant bite out of the Big Apple over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Led by Director of Fine Arts SEAN BRYAN , with assistance from Technical Director JAX WRIGHT and performing arts teacher DONNA POTTORFF, students spent four days taking in all things theater on the Great White Way and beyond.

The itinerary included Broadway productions of Some Like It Hot , August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson , Death of a Salesman , Kimberly Akimbo, Little Shop of Horrors and Magnet Theatre’s improvised musical, Musical Megawatt ; workshops in improvisation and stage combat; a trip to the newly opened Museum of Broadway; ice skating at Rockefeller Center; and more than their fair share of diner food and New York-style pizza.

“There wasn’t a dull moment on our trip,” says OLIVER LOREE ’23 “My biggest takeaway from the experience was this: If you’re on the fence about something, go for it. You never know what kind of adventures you might have.” l

A BUMPY ROAD TO STATE

OR: THE TROUBLE WITH RENTAL TRUCKS

When discussing the 2022–2023 theater season with Production Manager SCOTT SARGENT, Director of Fine Arts

SEAN BRYAN suggested Moliére’s Tartuffe for the Upper School one-act play and the school’s entry in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) One-Act Competition.

Sargent’s response? “I hate Tartuffe In search of a solution, Sargent, who recently earned his master’s in creative writing, offered to adapt Tartuffe and turn the often-stuffy period comedy, a high-school theater staple, into something a little more slapstick.

Bryan bit, and the result was The Trouble with Tartuffe , an adaptation that follows a high-school acting troupe performing Moliére’s masterpiece on a shoddy, shaky set and without a faculty director. Unrequited love, theater humor and a whole lot of drama made Pace’s original production an innovative, hilarious take on the classic.

Following performances in the Fine Arts Center’s Zalik Theater, the cast and crew took the show on the road to the Henry County Performing Arts Center, where The Trouble with Tartuffe nabbed first place, as well as awards in the Best Set and Best Costumes categories.

OLIVER LOREE ’23 was named Outstanding Actor; CHARLOTTE VADNAIS ’23 and ALEX GOODRICH ’23 received All-Star Cast honors; and sophomore NICHOLAS

DEMBA earned Supporting Actor recognition.

Their performance at region qualified the Knights for the state competition, which took place at Northside High School in Warner Robins—and not even Sargent could have scripted the cast’s debacle of a journey down south.

On a sunny Saturday, the thespians loaded their set, props and costumes into a rental truck before piling onto a passenger bus and departing Pace for Warner Robins. They hit the road at 6:30 a.m., planning to arrive with ample time to unload, assemble the set, and don makeup and costumes prior to their 11:30 a.m. performance slot. Instead, Bryan—

aboard the bus—got a call from Sargent and Technical Director JAX WRIGHT. The U-Haul had tanked 20 minutes away from Northside High School, calling it quits on the narrow sliver of shoulder between the guardrail and oncoming traffic.

“We brainstormed every scenario and went through all of our options,” says Bryan. “Ultimately, we opted for safety.” The U-Haul, delivered by a tow truck, pulled into the school parking lot at 10:50 a.m. “Then, the cyclone

began. The cast and crew unloaded the costumes and the set, got into costume, built the set and, miraculously, loaded it into the theater by 11:25 a.m. At 11:30, the kids delivered a tremendous performance.”

Against impressive competitors, The Trouble With Tartuffe placed fifth in the state, and Loree and HANNAH WHITE ’24 were named to the All-Star Cast. “After the crazy morning we all had, I just sat there glowing with pride,” Bryan says. l

VARSITY BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY

Coached by STEVE CUNNINGHAM, JOLIE CUNNINGHAM and TAMARA NEILEY

The varsity boys cross-country team exceeded expectations in what was predicted to be a rebuilding year. The defending state champion graduated six of its top seven runners from the 2021 season, so it was up to WILLIAM CUMMINGS ’23, WILL DELMONTE ’23 and returning state competitor MATTHEW WELLS ’24 to guide the young team.

Over the course of the season, the Knights saw their training pay off—times dropped as the team found its rhythm, and at the region meet, Pace finished second, led by Wells, who claimed the region title. The harriers ended their run at the state meet where, despite their inexperience, the Knights placed fourth among 32 teams. No doubt, the future looks bright for boys cross-country. Images by FRED ASSAF, Rick Cone and CHUCK JORDAN

ESPORTS

Coached by CHARLIE BRYANT

In its most diverse season of competition to date, the Pace Eknights fielded four teams, which faced schools from across the state in three online games: Rocket League, Splatoon and Super Smash Bros. The Rocket League team and one of the two Smash Bros. squads finished the season with 4–3 records, missing the playoffs by tiebreaker points. Each team fought hard and learned together throughout a great season.

The Eknights will miss JAY FOSTER ’23 and WILL HANKINS ’23’s leadership and energy. Foster is the first player to compete in Pace Esports—now in its fourth season as a GHSA-sanctioned sport—all four years of high school.

VARSITY FOOTBALL CHEERLEADING

Coached by CAMERON RUSS ’17, JORDAN LEET and SONJA RUSS

This past fall, the varsity football cheerleaders were an endless source of school spirit as they rallied Pace fans and supported the varsity football team in its march to the state playoffs. Friday nights at Riverview Sports Complex, spirit days and pep rallies provided the squad ample opportunity to perfect their pyramids, throw their toe touches and steer the stands with their catchy chants. The team bids a spirited farewell to AVA BYRNE ’23, BEA CHADWICK ’23, BRIENNE HINGST ’23, JOSIE SWAIN ’23 and REESE WILLIAMS ’23 Images by FRED ASSAF, Dave Quick and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY FLAG FOOTBALL

Coached by TY JOHNSON, ALTHEA MCNICHOL and FELICIA SLATON

Flag football fever gripped the Pace community this fall as the Knights, in their third season as a varsity team, continued to establish themselves as a powerhouse on the field. The repeat area champions took on Towers High School, North Oconee High School and Calvary Day School en route to the Final Four, where Harris County High School proved a formidable opponent. The Knights fell in overtime 13–6, bringing their overall record to 17–2.

Following the season, eight members of the team earned All-Area accolades: KATELYN SOUZA ’24 was named All-Area Player of the Year and received First-Team honors alongside HARPER AUCHINCLOSS ’25 and BROOKE FUNG CHUNG ’23 ANSLI HENNINGS ’24 and HANNA YILMA ’23 landed on the AllArea Second Team, and MILLIE GRAY ’24 and ERIELLE HARRIS ’24 earned Honorable Mention recognition. TY JOHNSON was named Area 7 Coach of the Year.

Next season, the team will miss the leadership of Fung Chung, Yilma, BROOKS NUCKOLS ’23 and HERMELA TEFERI ’23.

VARSITY FOOTBALL

Coached by NICK BACH, JAMAREE GORDON, DARRELL HOLMES, KEVIN JOHNSON, PATRICK MARKWALTER ’19, GARY NELSON, RON VEAL , SEKOU WALTON and ARIUS WRIGHT

In its inaugural season under Head Coach NICK BACH, the varsity football team notched signature wins over the likes of Holy Innocents’, Westminster and Greater Atlanta Christian School to finish the regular season with an 8–2 record—the Knights’ highest win total in seven years. The team entered the state playoffs as the No. 3 seed and faced perennial powerhouse Stephenson High School in the first round. Despite four touchdowns from TERRENCE KIEL ’24, the Knights fell to the Jaguars in a 40–38 heartbreaker to end the season.

Sixteen members of the team received AllRegion recognition. Kiel was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year, while CONNER PHELAN ’23, KENDALL EVANS ’23, TROVON BAUGH ’23 and COOPER WILLIAMS ’25 made the First Team Offense. DAVIS RICE ’23, HEVIN BROWN-SHULER ’24 and JORDAN BURNS ’24 collected posts on the First Team Defense. KYLEN SHIELDS ’23, FRANK CALDWELL ’23 and ANDREW SWANN ’23 received Second Team honors, and ZACHARY LOGAN ’25, ROLAND FOSTER ’24, JAYDEN MOCK ’24 and ASHTON WILEY ’24 scored Honorable Mention recognition. Baugh and BrownShuler also received All-State honors; Keil earned All-State Honorable Mention.

The team says goodbye to eight seniors: Baugh, Caldwell, Evans, BRODY HINGST ’23, Phelan, Rice, Shields and Swann.

MOUNTAIN BIKING CLUB

Coached by ROB BETHEA

Open to students in grades seven through 12, this year’s mountain biking club team was small but mighty, with a roster of seven student-athletes. The Middle and Upper School squads participated in five Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League competitions over the course of the season, traveling to Acworth and Allatoona and everywhere in between. The Knights were led by newcomer standout MASON GREGORY ’26, who landed on the podium among the top three riders in several races. Next year, the team will miss the leadership of GRAVES HAMILTON ’23 and JORDAN LOUGHRAN ’23

WATER POLO CLUB

Coached by JOHN AGUE and JEN KRAMER

Wins over Calhoun, Collins Hill and North Forsyth high schools, as well as the Norcross and Viking water polo clubs, propelled this year’s water polo club team to the state tournament. After defeating the Norcross and Chamblee club teams in the state competition, the Knights faced the Wildcats A of Cherokee County—a competitive club team undefeated over the past two years and the defending state champion. Despite a valiant effort, Pace fell to the Wildcats, 13–9, to claim second place in the state.

Following the season, the Georgia High School Water Polo Association recognized AVI NARULA ’24 as First Team All-State; HENRY BRYAN ’25, QUINN CULPEPPER ’25 and CARTER FREUDENSTEIN ’23 earned Second Team honors; and LANE CANOVA ’24 notched an Honorable Mention. The team bids farewell to Freudenstein, AIDAN CARROLL ’23, BARRETT HIGHT ’23, COREY LOCHAN ’23 and LUCA TANASA ’23

VARSITY SOFTBALL

Coached by SELENA PATTERSON, KAYLA CATO, LAUREN HADLEY ’15 and JASON MILLER

A nonstop schedule kept the 12 members of the varsity softball team busy during the regular season. Led by MADISON HADLEY ’23, VICTORIA HADLEY ’23, SARA MAZUR ’23 and EMMA BETH NEVILLE ’23, the squad notched big wins over teams such as McDonough, Lovett, Holy Innocents’ and North Atlanta on their way to the super regional playoffs, where the Knights concluded their postseason run following losses to East Forsyth and Northwest Whitfield high schools. When all was said and done, the team boasted an impressive 19–12 overall record.

Six Knights received AllRegion 5-AAAA honors. LAUREN KAMIN ’26 and VICTORIA HADLEY ’23 found themselves on the All-Region First Team; MADISON HADLEY ’23 earned the Pitcher of the Year title; catcher KATE GRICE ’25 scored a spot on the Second Team; SARA MAZUR ’23 and EMMA BETH NEVILLE ’23 received AllRegion Honorable Mentions; and SELENA PATTERSON was named All-Region Coach of the Year. In addition, Grice was named First Team All-State.

It’s been 50 years since Title IX, part of the Education Amendments of 1972, declared that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

The glass-ceiling-shattering legislation granted new opportunities to women and girls across the country, and while it did not specifically mention athletics, the law ushered in a new era for organized women’s sports—largely unrecognized in the U.S. prior to the implementation of Title IX.

Pace Academy, founded in 1958, graduated its first class in 1964. That year, the school fielded varsity boys soccer and basketball teams, while girls could participate in cheerleading. In the ensuing five years, boys track, wrestling and baseball debuted on the Pace campus, and sports offerings for boys expanded to include younger students.

A competitive girls tennis team is lauded in the 1969 Pacesetter, but absent from yearbooks of subsequent years. The program coverage is followed pages later by an article entitled Weaker Sex Proves Physical Fitness, about the third annual Pace Academy Physical Fitness Invitational for Girls, where Pace earned the high-school team award for competing in events such as the obstacle course and sit-up challenge. Needless to say, a varsity athletics program for girls did not appear to be on the radar.

That seemed to change, however, in 1972, with the advent of Pace’s girls swimming program. Pace added varsity girls tennis and volleyball to its athletics offerings the following year, and girls joined the cross-country team in 1974, the same year a varsity girls track team, a junior varsity volleyball squad and a girls gymnastics program arrived on the scene.

It’s hard to say whether Pace’s growth as a school inspired the programmatic expansion, or whether Title IX and events on the national stage influenced these decisions, but regardless, something shifted. One thing is certain: the trailblazing female student-athletes of yesteryear would be awestruck by and immeasurably proud of the accomplishments of their successors.

This fall, Pace student-athletes made school history. Competing in a higher classification, the varsity girls volleyball team brought home its sixth first-place trophy in as many years; the varsity girls cross-country team earned its third consecutive state title; and varsity girls flag football, an official Georgia High School Association (GHSA) sport since 2020, advanced to the state semifinals—its longest postseason run to date (see coverage on page 42).

While the success of girls sports at Pace is not new, this level of dominance is. In the past five years, Pace teams have earned 20 GHSA state titles, compared to the seven brought home by the Knights from 2013 to 2018. Eleven of those titles belong to girls teams, and varsity volleyball tops both the boys and girls lists with six.

“This season, I felt the pressure of Pace’s past success,” says Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Volleyball Coach CATHERINE MONROE . Following the reANNA BUSH, who had coached varsity volleyball for 11 years, Monroe joined Pace Athletics this past fall after five years at the helm of Westminster’s program—meaning she had been on the opposite side of the net during the Knights’ 2017 and 2018 state championships. 

TWO FALL TEAMS

MAKE PACE HISTORY WITH REPEAT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

“My goal was to not rock the boat,” Monroe says. “During team camp in the summer, I saw the kind of talent and skill that our players brought to the court. They just needed to know how to put it together.”

With the help of assistant coaches SCOTT MCEWAN and AMY VANSANT, Monroe’s hope was to strike a balance between discipline and fun, which proved to be a winning combination. The Knights dropped only one game all season—to eventual Class 6A state champion Pope High School. The struggle, then, became how to maintain momentum and continue to improve. Monroe turned to captains RILEY ALKIRE ’23, BRIEA CRAFT ’23 and GRACE AGOLLI ’24. “I told them, ’We’re winning, and we’re winning easily,’” says Monroe. “’How are you going to continue to challenge yourselves?’ Those girls stepped up as leaders; they didn’t let the team become complacent.”

Joining the squad this season were five freshmen, several of whom had observed throughout their Lower and Middle School years as the varsity volleyball program gained prominence in Atlanta and around the Southeast.

“I always looked up to the girls on the teams before,” says BRITTON MCGURN ’26 “Watching them was amazing, but it was an even bigger thrill to be able to play with them. The upperclassmen made sure we were included in anything that was happening.”

Cultivating a spirit of inclusion was intentional. “Those of us returning to the team were supportive and patient with the new players as they grew to feel more comfortable,” says Craft. “Once they got to that point, there was a clear, positive change in our performance. We also made a point to plan opportunities for team bonding, specifically a team sleepover, which really helped us become closer.”

That sense of camaraderie and the depth of talent on the team gave Monroe confidence heading into the state-finals match against rival Lovett. The Knights had faced the Lions twice before this season and had come away with as many victories.

“We just focused on us and on what we did well,” Monroe says. The rest took care of itself. The Knights swept Lovett in three sets (25–11, 25–23 and 25–20) to claim their sixth consecutive state championship.

“We have no regrets about this season,” says Monroe, whose squad snagged the No. 17 spot in MaxPreps’ national high-school volleyball rankings. “The team surpassed all of my goals and expectations. There was a lot of pressure, and they handled it beautifully.”

Pressure was not an unfamiliar concept to this year’s varsity girls cross-country team, either. “Even when everything has gone really well all season, it depends on how you handle the pressure when you line up at the state meet,” says longtime Head Coach

JOLIE CUNNINGHAM

“This volleyball season I learned that no matter what, you should always give 100% in whatever you do. The only way you’re going to grow is if you give your all every day.”

BRITTON MCGURN ’26

“Joining a team that had won back-to-back cross-country state championships was motivation to grab the title again.”

HARRIET BLAHA ’26

“I hope that Pace volleyball has continued success and that the players continue to be leaders within the Pace community, giving the younger girls at the school role models to look up to.”

GRACE AGOLLI ’24

Cunningham wasn’t quite sure how her team would fare. The defending state champions faced several unknowns: they had graduated LAURA ARENTH ’22 and JORDAN WHITE ’22, two of their top five runners; CAROLINE HOOD ’24, the 2021 individual gold medalist, was sidelined with an ankle injury; and they were competing in Class 4A, two classifications higher than the previous year. They would undoubtedly face Westminster—and the Wildcats’ nine consecutive state titles—at the state meet.

As the season got underway, newcomers ZAHARA BERNAL ’25, HARRIET BLAHA ’26 and EVA SWALES ’26 stepped up to the challenge as members of the Knights’ top seven, as did returning runners OLIVIA RESNICK ’25, ELIZABETH FEAGIN ’23 and KATE WEBB ’23. Hood recovered in time to finish first at the region meet, followed by Bernal, Blaha and Resnick in second, third and fourth place, respectively.

Despite claiming the region title and performing well throughout the season, the young team was nervous about its postseason prospects. “I was not as confident going into state as I was in 2021,” says Webb. “Moving up divisions meant we were facing more intimidating and more powerful teams. It was mentally taxing.”

A challenging course intensified the pressure. “Carrollton is absolutely brutal,” says Feagin. “I’ve run it at least five times, and it never ceases to amaze me how miserable it is. It truly embodies the saying ’uphill in both directions.’ The entire thing is basically one big, long hill.”

Nevertheless, as they say, they persisted. “One of the longest state-championship winning streaks in the history of the girls side of the event came to an end Saturday at the GHSA Cross-Country State Championships in Carrollton on the final day of competition,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote. “[Silver medalist] Caroline Hood, Zahara Bernal and Harriet Blaha finished in the top five to help Pace Academy secure the championship.”

“Watching the girls realize they had won was a highlight of the season,” says Cunningham. “It could have gone several ways.” In the end, Pace emerged victorious, followed by North Hall and Starrs Mill high schools. Westminster was fourth. The Knights’ performance put Pace in second place across all classifications in the postseason rankings, just behind Class 7A Marietta High School.

So, what’s next for Pace Academy girls cross-country? “I think the volleyball team’s six-peat sounds pretty good,” says Feagin. “I can only hope that the cross-country team can replicate that. I’d love to see future teams continue our winning streak.” •

Source: A History of Women in Sport Prior to Title IX , Richard C. Bell, Ed.D., J.D.

Photographers: FRED ASSAF, CHUCK JORDAN and Nicole Seitz

POSTSEASON ACCOLADES

Volleyball

CATHERINE MONROE Coach of the Year

GRACE AGOLLI ’24

All-Area and All-State Player of the Year

BRIEA CRAFT ’23

All-Area and All-State Teams

AVCA Third-Team All-American

DHRU LALAJI ’24

All-Area and All-State Teams

ELLIE SISKIN ’24

All-Area and All-State Teams

Cross-Country

ZAHARA BERNAL ’25

All-State and Powerade All-Metro Teams

HARRIET BLAHA ’26

All-State Team

CAROLINE HOOD ’24

All-State and Powerade All-Metro Teams

OLIVIA RESNICK ’23

All-State Team

College Counseling

THE ART & THE HEART of

Director of College Counseling Jonathan Ferrell discusses the college process with a family in February.

Meaningful, intentional relationships— between students and their teachers, their coaches and their advisers—combine to create Pace Academy’s secret sauce. So, it makes sense that the same recipe for success would apply to the Pace Office of College Counseling.

Led by Director of College Counseling

JONATHAN FERRELL , the members of the College Counseling team—Associate Directors PAM AMBLER, AMY

and BEN WESCOTT and

RUFF

Administrative

the red carpet for college admissions professionals from more than 130 institutions wishing to meet with interested students.

“Pace students are known for being intellectually curious hard workers. They are seen as students who love learning for learning’s sake. As someone who has read college applications from Pace since the early 2000s, I am

graduate from Pace Academy.”

Assistant

MELANIE POPE

—build relationships with the students and families in their care in an effort to cultivate distinctiveness in students and determine their most appropriate post-Pace homes. But to successfully guide students to the institutions most suited to their interests, talents and needs, the best college counselors must also know the colleges and universities to which students apply.

Excellence in Every Endeavor: Pace Academy’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan, now in its implementation phase, stresses the importance of strategic partnerships and the intentional cultivation of relationships with colleges and universities in an effort to build the Southeast’s strongest and most innovative college counseling program.

“Computers don’t make decisions for college admissions offices—humans do!” says Wescott, who worked in admissions at Rhodes and Roanoke colleges before his arrival at Pace in 2018. “Having close colleagues on the other side helps us better understand a university’s goals and initiatives, which helps us be better advisers to applicants.”

After staying put throughout the COVID pandemic, Pace college counselors have been hitting the road again and welcoming representatives from across the country to campus. Thus far this school year, the Office of College Counseling has rolled out

“We are fortunate that so many different colleges and universities choose to visit Pace each year, and that provides the foundation for building relationships with each school,” says Ruff. “Through these meetings, we learn about the institutions’ values and strategic priorities, and how those impact what they’re looking for in the admissions process. Most of these conversations have an element of trust and confidentiality, and being able to transparently share nuance—from admissions officer to college counselor—is why the relationship component is so foundational. For us, learning these nuances over time through these conversations and other touch points helps inform strategy for a student when applying, which I think sets our college counseling team apart from others.”

This past winter, representatives from Brown University, the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University and Emory University joined Pace college counselors at the Junior College Kickoff, an annual event. The panel discussion for Pace juniors and their parents and caregivers provided families an opportunity to better comprehend the admissions process from the applicant, school and college perspectives.

“This was the first time we’d included college reps in this event,” says Ferrell. “We talked about building college lists, what to expect when visiting campuses, philosophies around standardized testing and how different colleges vet applications. The representatives who joined us took time out of their busy application-reading seasons to speak to our community, which is a testament to both the quality of our graduates who attend those universities and to the relationships our office has fostered.”

Sarbeth Fleming, senior associate dean of admission and director of onboarding

always impressed with the quality of young people who

SARBETH FLEMING

Emory University

AT PACE, relationships are the foundation of the college-placement process.

Demystifying the College Process

It’s no secret that the collegeapplication process causes stress for students and parents alike. Prospective parents—even at the Pre-First level—often inquire about college acceptance data and analyze schools’ annual college lists. In an effort to prepare students and their parents for the road ahead, dispel myths and preemptively assuage anxiety, college counseling programming for both parents and students begins in the ninth grade.

As freshmen, students are introduced to the college process and the College Counseling team in their Transitions classes, while a NinthGrade Parent Night helps parents understand what lies ahead.

This year, the Office of College Counseling has reimagined programming for 10th-grade students and their parents and caregivers and, in February, college counselors delivered four programs to sophomore students. Topics included demystifying the rankings, defining college settings, and understanding the Pace curriculum and the weighting of a Pace GPA, as well as assuming a college application reader’s point of view.

The educational sessions served as the foundation for “Choose Your Destination,” a springtimee assembly for sophomores and juniors, during which college counselors will present four real institutions anonymously and introduce four distinct student profiles. Based on the prescribed students’ dispositions and interests, Pace students will determine the best fit for each persona.

“We hope that this interactive exercise will help students begin to think critically about how a campus environment, typical class size, and the provision of resources and opportunities may impact the student experience,” says Associate Director of College Counseling PAM AMBLER. A parent-specific program covering the same topics will follow. •

and student flourishing at Emory University, served on the panel. “School college counselors know applicants best and can provide those of us on the university side an overall view of who students are in the context of the Pace community,” she says. “They are the ones we call if there is a change in our policy or if we need to ask more questions about an application. We see the high-school college counselors as our ’colleagues on the other side of the desk’—and, to put it simply, Pace college counselors are experts.”

While facilitating programming at home, Pace college counselors also make time to travel, and they use data to strategically target their adventures. “We regularly look at the schools in which our students express the most interest,” says Ferrell. “If a particular college is especially popular, we identify similar schools that our students might not know as much about but might ultimately like. We then visit those schools to learn more so we can share our findings with our students—and make sure Pace is top of mind for those colleges.”

“While it’s hard to step away from my desk at Pace, visiting campuses allows me to remain at the forefront of the rapidly changing landscape of college admissions,” says Ambler, whose recent travels have included stops at Rice University, Dartmouth University, the U.S. Naval Academy and Wellesley College.

Counselors’ college visits always include time with the Pace alumni enrolled at those institutions. “We want to know how Pace graduates fare after Pace,” says Ferrell. “How was the transition? What was the adjustment like in terms of academics? How are our graduates plugging into their school communities? That kind of information informs our recommendations for current families.”

Ambler agrees: “There’s nothing like witnessing the confidence of a college student as they tour me around their home away from home,” she says. “Practically speaking, it’s always nice to check in to ensure a student is finding ways to maximize their experience. I learn a lot by asking what has surprised them about life in college thus far.”

Associate Director of College Counseling

Amy Ruff

Counselors also leverage their connections with young alumni during the annual college tour for Pace sophomores and juniors, back this spring after a COVIDinduced hiatus. In February, 38 students, along with their class deans and members of the College Counseling team, visited nine schools in the Carolinas. In an effort to expose students to myriad types of institutions, this year’s tour included stops at Clemson University, Davidson College, Duke University, Elon University, Furman University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University and Wofford College. At each stop, the group met with recent Pace graduates and college admissions staff.

“Again, it’s all about relationships,” says Ferrell.

This past December, increasing interest in international experiences combined with the varsity boys basketball team’s appearance at the Hoophall International tournament prompted Ferrell to cross the pond and get to know NYU London, the University of St Andrews, The University of Edinburgh and The American University of Paris. Head of School FRED ASSAF tagged along for a portion of the trip. While at St Andrews, where seven Pace students have matriculated over the past 10 years, Ferrell led a professional development session with the St Andrews admissions team that focused on the current college-counseling landscape in the U.S. Colleges, universities and professional organizations frequently turn to Ferrell and his team for expert counsel. Ferrell, who recently served as president of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC), is now SACAC’s board adviser, and has been actively involved with the National

Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), which allows him to “contribute to national issues that trickle down.”

Other members of the team serve on Counselor Advisory Boards (CAB), groups composed of select high-school counselors who advise an office of admissions on issues related to the college admissions process and student retention. Ambler, a frequent presenter at NACAC and SACAC conferences and a former member of Vanderbilt’s CAB, now sits on the CAB at Mercer University. Wescott serves as an adviser for Revolution Prep, a company that offers SAT and ACT preparation courses. Ruff, the most recent addition to the team, previously served as regional recruitment coordinator in the University of Michigan’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, a role that required her to collaborate with college counselors and professional organizations across the Southeast.

Pace students benefit from counselors’ professional affiliations: “CAB meetings provide a forum for discussing current educational trends,” Ambler reports. “We learn about university departments and programs, and we have the opportunity to get feedback from our former students now enrolled at those schools.”

“As a school, our mission is to create prepared, confident citizens of the world,” says Ferrell—and the Office of College Counseling is a critical piece of that process. “In all that we do, we want to position Pace graduates for success so that they can contribute in meaningful ways wherever they land. It’s an honor to be a part of that. My team and I truly treasure the relationships we build as we work with students, families and colleges to determine students’ next steps.” •

Associate Director of College Counseling

Pam Ambler

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

UPDATES

[01] In late 2021, KIP PASTOR ’00 founded Pique Action, a new media company on a mission to fight climate change with viral storytelling. Pique Action aims to change the conversation around climate by producing and distributing short-form videos that elevate solutions and drive action.

The company has already produced more than 550 micro documentaries profiling diverse founders and the innovative technologies they’ve developed to combat climate change. Topics range from cellular agriculture to carbon capture to wave energy and feature global companies from Berkeley to Bangalore. Pique Action has filmed in 21 cities, eight states and seven countries; has amassed more than 15 million views across platforms; and has more than 225,000 TikTok followers. This past summer, the company announced the close of a $1 million pre-seed fundraising round.

“We are the opposite of doomscrolling,” Kip says. “We want to change the conversation around climate to be focused on what we can do and not the doom and gloom that leaves us powerless and full of anxiety. We’re starting with shortform content to reach different audiences

where they watch video, and ultimately will produce multiple formats across all distribution channels.”

Kip is an innovative and award-winning filmmaker who has produced viral traditional and digital content that has generated billions of views. He has directed and produced feature films, documentaries and commercials that have played theatrically, on television and worldwide, including In Organic We Trust, Sickhouse, 60 Second Docs and How to Stop a Pipeline. Most recently, Kip was the executive vice president of production at Indigenous Media, a next-gen studio. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America, a board member of FEAST and an advisory board member of the WunderGlo Foundation. Kip believes that filmmaking is the most effective medium to disseminate big ideas and effect real change. He and his wife, Sam Shuman, welcomed their second daughter, Bobbi Lake, on Dec. 19, 2022. She joins big sister Skye, 2.

[02] ELLEN ROSE ’02 launched Rose Media in August 2022 in Charleston, S.C. The public and media relations firm is dedicated to boosting awareness for mission-driven businesses and nonprofits across the country. Most of Rose Media’s clients are woman-

owned and operated companies that strive to make a difference in the arts, education and technology spaces.

[03] HALLIE CROSS ’11 joined Save The Music, a New-York based nonprofit organization, as director of creative marketing. In this role, she facilitates new music-industry partnerships and develops digital content series through the power of student- and teacher-led storytelling. Save The Music is dedicated to providing music education programs to public schools nationwide. With several active programs in the Atlanta area, Hallie is thrilled to elevate her passion for music while giving back to the community in which she grew up.

[04] DANIELLE KERKER GOLDSTEIN ’11 was named to the Atlanta Jewish Times’ 2022 40 Under 40 list. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Danielle graduated from Emory University with a joint J.D./M.B.A. degree and was first in her law school class. While at Emory, she served as the editor-in-chief of the Emory Law Journal and worked as a student attorney for the Juvenile Defender Clinic—providing legal advocacy in areas such as special education, mental health and public benefits.

Following her graduation, Danielle joined Alston & Bird’s litigation group and will clerk with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals come summer 2023.

“It is an honor to be recognized on the 40 Under 40,” she told the Atlanta Jewish Times. “My siblings… and I grew up here in the Atlanta Jewish community. I have always felt supported by this strong community and am excited to be part of its future.” Danielle and her husband, Brad, have a daughter, Kira, 9 months old.

[05 – 06] CAROLYN PROPST ’15 organized and hosted her first professional art show, Quarter-Life Crisis: A 20-Something Art Show, in November 2022 at The Creamery Studios in Atlanta. She created the event to showcase the diverse stages of life in one’s 20s—from living at home to owning a home to finishing school or having children—through work by young artists. The lineup of featured creators included Carolyn, fellow Pace alumna LYDIA JAMES ’15 and six other artists. Longtime visual art teacher DONICE BLOODWORTH Carolyn’s instructor while at Pace—sat on the show’s selection committee.

With the exhibit, Carolyn’s mission was “to create a more accessible show application process designed for younger,

emerging artists.” She also hoped to provide networking opportunities. “Many artists, myself included, are intimidated by applying to galleries and juried shows, so I wanted to make an event that felt less scary,” she says. Carolyn feels most proud of executing a show “that felt fun and laid back but still professional and real, without sacrificing the personality of the artists and their work—it’s the kind of show I’ve always wanted to be a part of and wished I could find, and I’m really excited to keep putting them on in the future!”

On the heels of this career milestone, Carolyn is spending the winter months in Scotland, studying history and painting landscapes, and planning a June 2023 exhibition.

[07] BEN BERNSTEIN ’18 began a position as corporate partnerships trainee with the Atlanta Braves, where he helps fulfill partner contracts with the Braves, including managing suites, signage and branding. “I get to be part of the relationships between my clients and the Braves and make sure that all their needs are taken care of,” he says.

[08]

After graduating from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications in May 2022, Emme led cultural immersion trips in Fiji with Moondance Adventures before joining the Atlanta-based public relations and marketing firm. She specializes in client advisory, media relations and public relations for her client base, which includes Chick-fil-A and Primrose Schools.

[09] JUSTIN MORRIS ’18 directed the short film Black Star as part of the Beats By Dre 2022 HBCU Beats Black Creators Program. The three-month program, tailored to HBCU students and recent graduates, aims to uplift the next generation of young Black creatives. Justin, who graduated from Howard University in 2022, was inspired by the 2022 theme: Black Futurism

“My favorite part of working with Beats By Dre was the access to resources and knowledge that they provided,” he says. “Not only did I get real-world experience being a director on set, but I also learned the degree of responsibility that comes with holding such a title.” At 22, Justin was younger than most of the 60 crew members he supervised on the shoot. “I had to acclimate quickly to the environment,” he says.

EMME MANER ’18 joined Jackson Spalding as a public relations specialist.

“I just took it day by day and tried my best to tell a compelling story.” Black Star ’s message is that creative liberation comes from facing one’s fears and trusting oneself.

Justin traces his own creative liberation back to his days at Pace. He took advanced studio art with teacher DONICE BLOODWORTH, where Justin remembers coming into his own as an artist. Things came full circle when he asked to borrow some of Bloodworth’s paintings for his film’s set. “Using Donice’s artwork was a nobrainer for me,” Justin says. “He taught me the level of work it takes to become good at an art form.” Black Star can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl7LP_vqdzw

[10] CAROLINE SINGLETON ’19 has started a position as development and events planning intern at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas. In her final semester at Furman University, Caroline is completing her degree in communication studies on a media track with a minor in poverty studies. In her role, she helps plan fundraising events and works to increase social media engagement. “I am excited to gain familiarity with the nonprofit world

with an organization whose mission is to keep families close,” she says.

[11–13] RIVERS GRAHAM ’21 and KRISTIN HARTMAN ’21 are two of the 34 members of the Texas Christian University (TCU) Neeley Fellows Class of 2025 cohort. The Neeley Fellows Program is the premier undergraduate honors business program at TCU. It emphasizes personal, professional and academic development through honors curriculum, professional activities and business opportunities. Each semester, students take two honors business classes and visit business capitals across the world with their cohort.

Rivers is thankful for the program’s professional benefits, as well as the close-knit cohort experience and rigorous academic opportunities. “It genuinely feels like I am in a Pace classroom for one class every day,” he says.

Kristin agrees. “Neeley Fellows has completely transformed my college experience,” she writes. “I have learned communication, analytical and goal-setting skills, and it’s nice having Rivers in the program as a familiar face and friend. I cannot

wait to see what the program will bring for me in the future.”

Outside of Neeley Fellows, Rivers is head of the Learning Community Committee within Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Kristin is majoring in finance with real estate and minoring in computer science. Additionally, she serves as treasurer for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and participates in TCU’s real estate club and Women’s Business Network.

[14 –15] SYDNEY SILVERSTEIN ’21 won a gold medal as a member of Israel’s 18U softball team at the 2022 Maccabiah Games, which took place this past summer in Kunovice, Czech Republic. This was Sydney’s second year on the team—she previously had the opportunity to travel to Prague for the 2021 Games. “There is just something so special about representing a country and playing overseas,” she says. Sydney is a sophomore at Denison University, where she is on the NCAA Division III softball team and studies health, exercise and sports science. She earned the North Coast Atlantic Conference’s Athlete of the Week award in the spring of her freshman year.

MARRIAGES

[16] CHRISTINA MORRISON THOMPSON ’05 married Mark Thompson on Aug. 6, 2002, at the Ham Polo Club in London. Attendees included ASHLEY MORRISON

SOLDAN ’00, CHARLIE BUTLER ’05, JODI SHEFFIELD COHEN ’05, COURTNEY

SCHAEFER DEVEAU ’07, PATRICK DEVEAU ’05, ANDREW GARCIA ’05, VANESSA PETROSKY HAGOOD ’05, LIA MORAITAKIS HOOFF ’05, ALINE

ANSPACH KUKANZA ’05, JENNI RIDALL LATA ’05, HENRY MCALPIN ’05, BRECK ROCHOW ’05, CASEY SHUSTER ’05, MAGGIE MATHEWS WINGO ’05 and former student BEN LOWENTHAL

[17] CALLY PIRRUNG REIGHLEY ’08 married Tyler Reighley in Harbor Springs, Mich., on July 30, 2022. The couple met through a mutual friend while living in Chicago and now live in Atlanta’s Peachtree Hills neighborhood. Many Pace alumni and parents of alumni attended the wedding, including LUCY SCHAEFER AYRES ’08, SAM BIRDSONG ’08, SAMANTHA MOVSOVITZ

GELMAN ’08, JUDSON HILL ’08, SCOTT JOSPIN ’08, CAMERON KENNELLY ’08, KATE HEYER MANDRELL ’08, RYAN MANDRELL ’07, FENWAY MERLINO ’08, MCCREA O’HAIRE STERN ’08 and former student CHRIS GARCIA .

[18] LAUREN MELVILLE ’13 married Pierce Bishop on Oct. 29, 2022, at the Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta. The couple met through a mutual friend while living on opposite coasts, which quickly prompted Lauren’s move back east in early 2020. One pandemic and several years later, they decided to tie the knot, with their mutual friend officiating! The wedding party included ARIEL STERN ’13 as maid of honor; other alumni in attendance included RENEE LEWIS ’13, MEGAN MCCURRY ’13, LAUREN SCHAFFER ’13 and SAM SCHAFFER ’13. Lauren and Pierce live in Atlanta with their rescue dog, Rooney. Pierce works in consulting, and Lauren is a therapist.

[19] CHARLIE BURRUSS ’14 and Morgan Russell Burruss were married on Nov. 12, 2022, at Athens Country Club in Athens, Ga.

TOMMY BURRUSS ’14, CAROLINE MILLS BURRUSS ’15, SAM DOWNEY ’14, BOBBY STONECIPHER ’14, and former students BUD BURRUSS and JONES KOLBINSKY were in the wedding party. CALLIE CUNNINGHAM ’14, KAL GOLDE ’14 and JACOB ST. AMAND ’14 attended. The couple lives in Athens, Ga., with their chocolate lab, Millie. Charlie works as a medical sales representative with Medicraft, and Morgan is an ENT physician assistant.

[20] JACLYN LUND HILLMAN ’14 married Ben Hillman on Nov. 5, 2022, at King Family Vineyards outside Charlottesville, Va. Alumni in attendance included maid of honor ABIGAIL LUND ’19; bridesmaids REBECCA HUSK ’15, GWYNNIE LAMASTRA ’14 and KATIE LUCKE VACHON ’14; MERRITT ANN GLASS ’19 and LILY RECKFORD ’19; and Pace Latin faculty MICHELLE YANCICH ’13, KIM PETERSON and ELIZABETH KANN. The couple calls Columbus, Ohio, home. Jaclyn teaches AP Latin at Bexley High School, and Ben is a data scientist. They bought their first home in late 2021, where they live with their two pups, Callisto and Aurora.

HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?

BIRTHS

[21] MEREDITH WERTHEIM BLECHMAN ’02 and her husband, Andy, welcomed Eleanor Liv on Oct. 26, 2022. Eleanor joins big sister Remy and big brother Henry. The family lives in Serenbe, just outside of Atlanta.

[22] HEATHER ALLEN BERNES ’05 and her husband, Matt, had their second son, Austin Daniel, on Dec. 29, 2022. Austin weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and was 19 inches. Following family tradition, he was born at Northside Hospital—just like his mom, dad, brother, aunt AMANDA ALLEN SCOTT ’08 and uncle JARED ROBBINS ALLEN ’13. “Big brother Jackson is adjusting well to his new role in the family and loves giving hugs and kisses to baby Austin,” Heather writes. Austin’s grandmother, ALLISON ROBBINS ALLEN ’77, and great aunt, CAROLYN ROBBINS WALLACE ’80, are also proud Pace Knights.

[23] LARA GOODRICH EZOR ’06 and ZACK EZOR ’06 welcomed daughter Colleen “Lena” Goodrich on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2022. Her big brother, Samuel, 2, and her parents are “forever grateful and smitten.” The family lives in Durham, N.C.

[24 – 25] MEGAN ELLIOTT LONG ’07 and her husband, Brandon, had a daughter Elliott “Ellie” Mae [24] , on Oct. 30, 2022. Ellie joins brothers Brett, 3, and Easton, 1 [25] , who was born on March 25, 2021. Fifth-grade teacher LAURIE ELLIOTT is the proud grandmother.

[26] KATE HEYER MANDRELL ’08 and RYAN MANDRELL ’07 welcomed their second daughter, Remi Olivia, on Sept. 26, 2022. She joins big sister Emma and dog King Louie.

[27] HAILEY HEBEBRAND MORELLI ’12 and her husband, Reid, welcomed daughter Piper Reid on Oct. 16, 2022. Piper has settled into the family home in Dunwoody with her two fur siblings and has loved having all her grandparents in Atlanta. “Piper is already so loved!” the Morellis report.

FACULTY & STAFF MILESTONES

[28] Upper School Counselor AMELIA TUTTLE HARMON and her husband, Forrest, welcomed Thaddeus “Thad” Thomas on Nov. 4, 2022. He joins big brother Forrest.

[29] Lower School Nurse MORGAN MILLER and Justin Basinger were married Oct. 8, 2022, in Madison, Ga.

[30] Lower School teacher CAROLINE MOLYNEUX and her husband, Matt, welcomed Michael Erwin “Winn” on Sept. 30, 2022. Winn was 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 21.5 inches.

IN MEMORIAM

[31] THALIA MARLENE ASSAF, mother of Head of School FRED ASSAF, died peacefully on Dec. 4, 2022, at the age of 85. She had battled dementia since 2009. “Thalia was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of everyone she met with her kind and compassionate spirit,” her family writes.

The youngest of six siblings, Thalia was raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. In 1960, she married EUGENE ASSAF, and they were happily married until Eugene’s death in April 2021. In her professional career, Thalia managed the Holiday Pancake House in Scranton, Pa. After retiring, she and Eugene moved to Harrisburg, Pa., where Thalia devoted her life to making a home and volunteering with various community endeavors. She was an active volunteer for Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey’s campaigns, and she took great joy in her appointment to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Library Development. Thalia loved to sing, play the piano, golf, cook and shop—hobbies she continued when she and Eugene moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and ultimately to Atlanta.

“Thalia was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who always put her family first,” the family writes. “She was a

faithful Catholic who never missed Mass; clergy often frequented her dining room. Relatives and friends remember her delicious Lebanese cooking and her warm home in which all were welcome, no matter the hour. ’The more the merrier’ was Thalia’s mantra.”

Thalia is survived by her sons, Gene (Elizabeth McHenry) and Fred (MARTHA DOWNER-ASSAF), and seven grandchildren, including JACK ASSAF ’13, HANK ASSAF ’15, MICK ASSAF ’16, SAM ASSAF ’19 and TOMMY ASSAF ’21. Donations in her memory can be made to Scranton Preparatory School or to Pace Academy.

[32] NATHAN BLAU ’66 passed away on Dec. 5, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer and affiliated ailments. He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Anna Zaibel Blau, and his son, Aaron Saul Blau.

“Nathan had the biggest heart and was happiest when helping others and donating much of his time to charitable causes, including his beloved synagogue,” the family writes. As an attorney, he provided pro bono legal services to help abused women and children fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking. Donations may be made to Congregation Shaarei Shamayim in Atlanta. 

[33 –34] GORDON CORSETTI ’06 died by suicide on Friday, Dec. 2, following a 20-year battle with depression. Throughout his adult life, Gordon advocated for those struggling with mental illness, raising awareness through his company, Mental Agility, and through speaking engagements. After graduating from Pace, where he was a standout lacrosse player, Gordon attended Presbyterian College and was a member of the lacrosse team. He discovered a passion for lacrosse officiating and went on to become an expert, even authoring the book Advanced Rules: Improving Your Lacrosse Officiating

Gordon is survived by his fiancée, Lisa Köngeter; his parents, MARY JO CORSETTI and LOU CORSETTI; and his sister, Caitlin Corsetti Luscre. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Gordon Corsetti Mental Agility Fund.

[35] PAULETTE OWENS, wife of longtime faculty member CHARLIE OWENS, passed away on Nov. 11, 2022. Charlie joined the Pace faculty in 1968 and retired in 2018— with Paulette by his side. A graduate of Southwest High School, Paulette worked

as an accountant for Delta Air Lines and “enjoyed reading, sitting by the pool and going to lunch with her girlfriends,” her family writes. She delighted in her daughters, KIMBERLY OWENS VALENTINE ’94 and KELLY OWENS MILLER ’00, and in her grandchildren, Cadence and Cash Miller. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association.

[36] JUDGE CLYDE L. REESE III ’76, a member of the Pace Academy Board of Trustees and one of the school’s first Black graduates, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 17, 2022. A judge for the Georgia Court of Appeals since 2016, Clyde served as Pace’s 2020 Commencement speaker and is the namesake of the Clyde Reese III ’76 Diversity Leadership Award, created through a 2020 alumni endowment to recognize a student who works to further the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Clyde obtained his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and his J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Prior to his appointment to the Court of Appeals by then-governor Nathan Deal, he had an extensive legal

career with positions including attorney general for the Georgia Department of Law, law partner at Reese & Hopkins, general counsel and commissioner for the Georgia Department of Community Health and commissioner for the Georgia Department of Human Services. Clyde, a member of the Friendship Community Church for more than 36 years, was the proud father of five children and had three grandchildren.

[37–38] BILLY SELMON ’11, the son of ANGELA SELMON and BILL SELMON, a Pace Trustee, passed away on Jan. 28, 2023, following complications from emergency abdominal surgery.

Billy was a member of Pace’s football and basketball teams and went on to study economics and play basketball at Bates College, where he met Hillary Throckmorton. Together they traveled the world, spoiled their beloved dog and bought their first home. They were married on Aug. 28, 2021, and Hillary is expecting their first child in May 2023. Following college, Billy worked in property management in Boston, spent a year in banking in Maine and most recently served as a consultant

at Empower Retirement in Atlanta. He was a proud member of Shad Nation basketball and he loved to golf, listen to good music and cook.

“Billy’s glowing smile and infectious laugh will never be forgotten,” the family writes. “People gravitated toward Billy because of his warmth and laid-back charm. He was everyone’s biggest hype man, especially for his younger brother, KENNY SELMON ’14 No matter who you talk to, Billy was unanimously an amazing husband, son, brother, co-worker and friend. Every single person who knew him has a story about how good Billy made them feel.” Donations to support Billy and Hillary’s child can be made via www.gofundme.com/f/selmon-family

[39] SALLY WESTERLUND, a member of the Pace staff from 1996 to 2006, died on Dec. 24, 2022, following a battle with dementia. Dubbed “our favorite Pace mom” in the 1998 Pacesetter, “Mama” oversaw spirit activities, coached cheerleading, and ran the Student Center and Snack Bar.

A beauty pageant queen, Sally spent her childhood in Lumpkin, Ga., where she grew up fishing at her beloved family lake, “The Pond.” She attended Florida State University and was a proud member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. “Sally was an avid reader, a master gardener, an animal lover, a proud Pace faculty member and a Seminoles Football fan,” her family writes. “She was naturally social and nurturing. Sally had a beautiful and endearing smile and easily made friends everywhere she went… She had a great sense of humor and a distinct Southern accent. She was happiest at The Pond surrounded by family and friends.”

Sally is survived by her children and their spouses: SINGER WESTERLUND HUGHES ’94 and ANDREW HUGHES ’94, JEFF WESTERLUND ’98 and HALEY BRUMFIELD WESTERLUND ’03, and LACY WESTERLUND ’98. She has one grandson, Jack. Donations can be made to ASPCA or the Dementia Society of America.

[40 –41] JIM WITHERS, a member of the Pace faculty from 1975 to 1999, passed away on Nov. 10, 2022, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. A graduate of The Westminster Schools and the University of North Carolina, Jim devoted much of his career to education and was a triple threat—a consummate teacher, coach and counselor. While working at Pace, he earned a master’s in psychology from the University of West Georgia and went on to serve as head of the Friends School of Atlanta, where he worked until his retirement from education in 2003. Following that retirement, Jim moved into the field of executive coaching.

In 1994, Jim married the love of his life, Lisa Haverty. In addition to their shared passion for education, Jim and Lisa loved to travel, cherished spending time with friends and family, and enjoyed weekends at their home in the North Georgia mountains. Jim was an avid golfer and a devoted fan of UNC Tar Heels basketball. He en -

ALUMNI EVENTS

SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNI SPEAKERS 01– 02

In Engaged Citizenship class, sixth-grade students reflect on how they actively shape their communities as individuals and how their communities in turn shape them. This year, students have been meeting with and interviewing Pace alumni to learn how they navigated the connection between identity and community during their time at Pace, and how they continue to navigate this concept in their communities beyond Pace.

ASHLEY MCFARLIN ’99, ANDREW HAWKINS ’04, KIMMY YON ’92, DAVID LIEBMANN ’87 [01] and LISA BOREN SIVY ’90 [02] are some of the visitors who volunteered their time to their fellow Knights.

THANKFUL REUNIONS 03 – 04

Thanksgiving week brought a pair of lively reunions for alumni in town for the holiday. The Class of 2012 [03], hosted by ERIC ESTROFF ’12, CAL HARRIS ’12, ZEENA LATTOUF ’12 and JONATHAN WEBSTER ’12, celebrated its 10-year reunion at Hampton + Hudson. Following suit, OLIVIA DILLON ’17, KEELEY HARRIS ’17, CHRIS HOWARD ’17, MAX IRVINE ’17, PRASHANTH KUMAR ’17, WILL MOVSOVITZ ’17 and MARY BROOKS PERKEY ’17 rounded up the Class of 2017 [04] to commemorate their five-year reunion at Ormsby’s.

EXAM ENCOURAGEMENT 05 – 06

The Association of Black Pace Academy Alumni treated Upper School students to a cookie and hot cocoa bar in the Seaman Family Student Commons to spur on weary studiers before they faced winter exams.

COLLEGE ALUMNI COME HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 07 – 09

Just as students were fleeing campus following the completion of finals, college-aged alumni from the Classes of 2019 through 2022 arrived on campus to catch up with former classmates and teachers at the annual College Alumni Holiday Lunch.

ALUMNI BASKETBALL NIGHT 10 –12

Alumni of all ages dug out their Pace gear and made the familiar Friday night trip to the Inman Center for Alumni Basketball Night in early February. Along with faculty, friends and family members, they enjoyed dinner from Low Country BBQ before joining student spectators in the stands to cheer on the Knights against the Lovett Lions.

[1] CARLY SILVERSTEIN ’17 and MARK ANTHONY SOMMERVILLE ’17 cheered on the University of Virginia against Georgia Tech at a fall football game in Atlanta. They caught up with UVA holder JARED RAYMAN ’19 and former Pace football coach CHRIS SLADE after the Cavaliers’ victory.

[2] JOE LOUGHRAN ’16, corporate partnerships manager for the Atlanta Falcons, stopped by the Falcons Training Facility to cheer on the varsity flag football team in the GHSA Final Four. (Pictured with Director of Athletics CHAD WABREK )

[3] Several alumni who played varsity basketball at Pace dropped in on a team practice over winter break to observe, lend expertise and give advice to current players. (Pictured: JOSH REED ’22, COLE MIDDLETON ’21, Coach SHARMAN WHITE, MADISON DURR ’21 and MATTHEW CLEVELAND ’21)

[4–5] Associate Director of College Counseling PAM AMBLER caught up with EMMA SHELTON ’20 and SAM BROOKS ’22 in Nashville while attending the Vanderbilt University Counselor Conference.

ADAIR ROGERS VILELLA ’02

IN EARLY NOVEMBER, a group of women gathered at Trade School, an advertising agency in Atlanta’s Underwood Hills neighborhood. They were there to hear from Trade School Co-Founder and President GENNA GADDY FRANCONI ’02, Managing Director Sarah Anderson and Head of Growth Christy Cross about how, in 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, the women launched a company that today employs 130 people and boasts clients from The Home Depot and FedEx to Sweetwater Brewing and Morris Brown College.

Composed of Pace Academy alumni spanning multiple generations, the group discussed entrepreneurship and leadership, sharing lessons learned throughout their careers and giving voice to the common challenges women encounter in the workplace and at home. ADAIR ROGERS VILELLA ’02 was the organizing force behind the event.

A sales operations business consultant with more than 15 years of experience driving revenue for large corporations, startups and small businesses, Vilella began her career in California, working in the corporate health, wellness and medical spa startup space. In 2022, she opened La Pausa Consulting, her private practice. But when Vilella and her husband, Joaquim, moved to Atlanta two years ago, she felt adrift and alone. “I had spent many years building an amazing network of women and other entrepreneurs who were genuinely interested in helping each other out,” she says. “I missed that community.”

Vilella decided to take matters into her own hands. In the summer of 2022, with the help of Alumni Director COURTNEY SCHAEFER DEVEAU ’07, she started the Women’s Knight Network, hoping to create “a place for women to come together, be inspired and genuinely help one another—whether that’s help with career growth, finding a new job, networking or juggling the work-life/mom-life balance,” she says.

Thus far, Women’s Knight Network gatherings have included virtual coffee chats, a conversation with author Susan Sloan; an evening with surgeon, businesswoman and Pace parent DR. ALLYSON MASKE; and the Trade School event.

“My hope is to triple the size of the group and for more alumni to come forward with creative ideas and unique locations for the group to meet,” Vilella reports. “We are trying to use this as an opportunity for Atlanta-area alumni to shine, host an event at their business and/or hear from engaging speakers. We want every person who attends a Women’s Knight Network event to walk away inspired, with a new plan of attack and a new friend.” •

To learn more about the Women’s Knight Network or become involved, email alumni@paceacademy.org

PACE KNIGHTS FOR LIFE

The following article was adapted from a piece by New York Daily News reporter

Pat Leonard, published on Dec. 30, 2022, in advance of the Colts-Giants matchup on New Years Day. It is published here with permission from the New York Daily News

EVERY GROUP OF FRIENDS HAS SAT down on a neighborhood bench, on a field, or under a basket at least once in their sports-playing childhood and dreamt of playing professional sports. But most of them don’t actually do it. Most of them can’t get together like Giants left tackle ANDREW THOMAS ’17, Chargers left tackle JAMAREE SALYER ’18 and Colts running back DEON JACKSON ’17 and say, “We did it.”

“This past offseason we had dinner, we sat down, and sometimes you’re so focused on the next day and getting better, you don’t take a second to just sit back and think about how far we’ve come,” Thomas told the Daily News of the three

former Pace Academy teammates. “We were talking about this way back in high school, playing in the league. It’s cool to see your friends, people you grew up with, have success.”

Jackson and Salyer exchanged and signed each other’s jerseys after [the Chargers’] 20–3 Monday Night Football win over the Colts in Indianapolis on Dec. 26. So Jackson knows at least one thing he’s taking home from the Colts’ visit to MetLife Stadium to face the Giants, when he and Thomas will step onto a football field as foes for the first time.

“Andrew’s gonna have to come off with his jersey. I need that,” Jackson told The News [before the Jan. 1 game] with a laugh. “This is something we dreamed of. Two weeks in a row to play against friends from high school is crazy.”

Their paths from Pace have varied since winning the Georgia 2015 Class AA state championship game [in 2015, a game that also included SAMUEL SLOMAN ’16, who went on to play as a placekicker for several NFL teams].

Thomas was the Giants’ fourth overall

pick of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Jackson was an undrafted Colts player signing in 2021 out of Duke… Salyer, Thomas’ friend since middle school who followed him to both Pace and Georgia, was a Chargers sixth-round pick this past spring. But they’ve all found a place in this year’s NFL.

Thomas has been a Pro Bowl-level left tackle, even though he got snubbed in the voting. “We always knew he was that caliber of player,” Salyer said of Thomas. “He’s someone to look up to. I always have and still do.” Salyer has helped the Chargers clinch a playoff berth... “Jamaree comes to work every day with the mindset that he is gonna do whatever he can to reach his goals,” Thomas said. “Obviously I feel like he should have been drafted higher.” Jackson has been an opportunistic dual-threat runner and pass-catcher out of Indy’s backfield.

Nothing came easy to these young men, though. That’s what is so special about their story. KEVIN JOHNSON, Pace’s Brooklyn-born offensive line coach since 2010, woke at 3:30 a.m. daily to put Salyer and Thomas through 6:15 a.m. workouts.

Giants’ ANDREW THOMAS , Colts’ DEON JACKSON , Chargers’ JAMAREE SALYER living shared and “surreal” NFL dream

“I told them to take care of your books and play ball, and I’d help them with everything else,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who was also offensive coordinator at the time, honed their techniques, took them to camps, and even made Thomas quit baseball to limit his extracurriculars to football and music. He took the players on recruiting trips, too.

“Coach Kev called it ’the blueprint,’” Salyer said of Johnson’s structure.

Jackson, a receiver and defensive back at the time, was working out three times a day as a high-school sophomore, plus lifting weights and going to practice daily, in addition to extra field work.

“People don’t understand how much work we put into this,” he said.

Johnson’s line for Jackson was always: “Don’t miss the bus.” In other words, even though he was talented, be on time and do the work and do things the right way.

“Don’t miss the bus is real,” Jackson said with a laugh. “That’s something he was preaching to me. Now it’s playing out pretty much exactly how we planned. Coach Kev had us on a plan. We stuck to the blueprint.”

They saw the returns of their hard work well before the NFL, like in Thomas’ freshman year at Georgia when Salyer was still back at Pace in his senior season.

“I’ve never told this story before,” Johnson said. “Part of the reason Georgia recruited Andrew hard was because they wanted Jamaree. Georgia didn’t intend for Andrew to be ready to play. But then in the second week of camp, I got a call from [then-Georgia offensive line coach] Sam Pittman.

“He says, ’What are you doing up there at Pace Academy?’ Andrew is probably our third or second best offensive lineman on the team. We’re gonna start him at guard,” Johnson recalls. “I told him he could put him at guard. Andrew just wants to play. Then the next week, he called again and said, ’Coach, he’s outplaying everybody. We’re putting him at right tackle the first game.’”

The rest is history, and the Pace crew remains fiercely loyal. Johnson is still offended by Thomas getting “snubbed in the Pro Bowl” voting. [Thomas was later named to the NFL AP All-Pro Second Team.]

“Knowing him, he took it personally,” Johnson said of Thomas. “I know I took

it personally. But that just puts more fuel on the fire.” Jackson wrote. Salyer said Jackson told him “he’s proud of me” on the field as they traded jerseys.

“Running out of the tunnel on Monday Night Football was a big moment for me,” Salyer said.

Thomas said he’s “excited” for Jackson, “a very gifted athlete” who “worked hard and always did extra.”

Thomas admitted he had been hoping that he and Salyer—who have “played together all the way up” since they were 12 years old at Chapel Hill Middle School in DeKalb County—would end up on the same NFL team, too.

“I was hoping to [keep playing with him] when he came to the league just to go and finish it, but it didn’t work out like that,” he said with a smile. “Maybe we still got some time, who knows.”

In the meantime, he’ll settle for meeting his good friend Jackson at the 50-yard line and appreciating all over again what Johnson described as a “special” achievement. “It’s a lot of years in the making,” Jackson said. “It’s surreal.” •

THOMAS

JACKSON

IndianapolisColts

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966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327

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