KnightTimes Summer 2024

Graduation!

The Golden Class of 2024

Building Strength

GATEWAY TO THE PAST

Upper School students walk though the Karamon Gate at Nijō Castle, a UNESCO world heritage site in Kyoto, Japan. Read about all of our ICGL summer study tours starting on page 28.

facebook.com/paceacademy instagram.com/paceacademy youtube.com/officialpaceacademy

MY FAVORITE Pace Academy stories to write are those that showcase the wholeness and interconnectedness of the Pace experience—accounts of cross-divisional and departmental collaborations, learning that comes full circle, unexpected interests that blossom into lifelong passions.

The beautiful image on the cover of this issue is one of those stories. The piece, Fruits of the Earth by ANGELIKA AVDYEYEVA ’26, won this year’s Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) poster contest. Angelika has been at Pace since Pre-First, and I have watched from afar as she has developed her artistic talents—growing from Lower School Arts Laureate to Scholastic Art Gold Key winner.

I love that Angelika’s Pace experience is reflected in this painting. “I have wanted to create an ICGL poster since first grade,” she wrote in her artist’s statement, and she selected purple because it would stand out from the ICGL posters she has admired over the past decade. The plastic bag calls upon what she learned during 2019–2020, the ICGL’s Year of Waste, and to promote healthy choices among her peers, Angelika chose to paint various fruits rather than fast food, using acrylic and spray paint on her canvas. When it came time to donate half of her $500 prize, she chose to give the money to Sketching with Seniors, an organization founded by classmate CLAIRE JIANG ’26

To me, Angelika’s work is a beautiful expression and reminder of the many ways in which Pace shapes lives and, in turn, how each life affects our school community.

CAITLIN GOODRICH JONES ’00 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Pace Academy

966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW

Atlanta, Georgia 30327

www.paceacademy.org

Our Mission

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

Head of School

FRED ASSAF

Division Heads

DOROTHY A. HUTCHESON

Head of

GRAHAM ANTHONY

Head of Middle School

MICHAEL GANNON

Head of Upper School

Communications Department

CAITLIN GOODRICH JONES ’00

Director of Communications, editor

LELA WALLACE

Associate Director of Communications

DIDIER BRIVAL

Digital Content Producer

SAVANNAH ROOTES

Communications Associate

RYAN VIHLEN

Creative Services Manager, Graphic Designer

Contributing Photographers

JULIAN ALEXANDER ʼ17

FRED ASSAF

GEMSHOTS PHOTOGRAPHIC www.gemshots.com

NICOLE SEITZ

Contributing Writer

CASON GIVEN

Want to contribute?

To contribute ideas for the KnightTimes, please email Caitlin Goodrich Jones ’00 at caitlin.jones@paceacademy.org

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

The

International trips expose students in all divisions to perspective-expanding experiences on four continents 32 Cheers to 10 Years

Celebrating the ICGL's transformative first decade

The Year of Food Digging into the 2024–2025 ICGL global theme

38 SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Wrapping up the baseball, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, tennis and track & field seasons

46 College Athletes

Seventeen student-athletes take their talents to the next level

48 THE ALCHEMISTS

24K Magic propels the Class of 2024 onto the highway of life

54 BUILDING STRENGTH

Launching an expanded, proactive and schoolwide approach to mental wellness

62 ALUMNI

62 Alumni Updates

66 Out & About 67 Alumni Events

68 Leadership Pace: Apply Now!

69 KATE GRICE ’25 Named 2024 Alumni Scholar

70 Coat of Arms

Our legacy society welcomes new members from the Class of 2024

CONTRIBUTOR

GRACE DEMBA ’21 is a B.F.A. candidate at the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University, pursuing a major in studio art with a concentration in painting, while minoring in art history and business of the arts. Demba’s work has been featured in various exhibitions, including the Art as Connection show at the Washington University Medical School, the 2023 Business of Arts Club exhibition, the 2023 Florence Study Abroad exhibition and the fall 2023 In a Similar Vein junior B.F.A. show. In addition, she has been featured in publications such as Spires Magazine, Culturally Arts Collective and Armour Magazine. She serves as layout director of Armour, WashU’s fashion and lifestyle magazine. In her time at Pace, Grace could be found in the Fine Arts Center creating oil paintings in DONICE BLOODWORTH ’s classroom. She hopes to one day lead a creative organization while continuing her art practice.

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Pace Community,

Welcome back! In this issue of the KnightTimes, we officially close out the 2023–2024 school year and launch 2024–2025. You’ll find coverage of year-end and summer events—awards ceremonies, Commencement (page 48) and Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) study tours (page 28)—as well as new efforts such as the ICGL’s Year of Food (page 34).

Of course, I hope that you'll study every word and celebrate the many accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff, but if you’re only able to read one article, please make it Building Strength: An Expanded, Proactive and Schoolwide Approach to Mental Wellness (page 54).

Since the publication of Excellence in Every Endeavor: Pace Academy’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan, a team of Board members, faculty, staff and mental health experts has worked tirelessly to envision an expanded approach to mental wellness for the entire Pace community—one that prioritizes building skills, developing character and cultivating connections. As much as we may want to smooth life’s path for our students, the reality is that they will encounter failure and loss; they will face challenges in relationships, school and their careers. We hope to equip students of all ages with the tools they need to thrive, even when times are tough—and to teach them how to support each other on life’s journey.

Thank you for your partnership in this new endeavor—and in all that we set out to accomplish this school year. As always, it’s a great time to be a Pace Knight!

Sincerely,

FRED ASSAF HEAD OF SCHOOL

THIS

PAGE

After a lengthy writing and illustrating process, our youngest students read their first books during the annual Author’s Tea Party in April. A decades-long literary celebration, Pre-First students wear handcrafted hats, sip tea and enjoy treats with their classmates and parents. See photos from other beloved springtime traditions on page 12.

THE COVER

Each year, the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) Poster Competition challenges Upper School students to explore the ICGL’s annual global theme through art. Pieces of all mediums are accepted, and the winning piece must accurately represent the ICGL’s annual theme—this year FOOD —in a creative and inspiring way. Junior ANGELIKA AVDYEYEVA’s artwork emerged victorious in the 2024 competition. Read about the Year of Food on page 34.

FORMIDABLE FINALISTS ///

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation selected 12 members of the Class of 2024 as National Merit Finalists based on their performance on the PSAT and their academic records. Only 15,000 of the 1.5 million students who enter the competition are named Finalists. Congratulations to MARTIN ANDRA-THOMAS ’24, ELLIE CARTER ’24, CLAIRE EASTERLING ’24, ALEX FINN ’24, DAVID FU ’24, HENRY GAUDET ’24, MORGAN GOLDSTROM ’24, AMELIA HONABACH ’24, BRODY MATTHIAS ’24, ELSIE MIDDLETON ’24, ELLIE SISKIN ’24 and IS WILHELM ’24 l

JOHNSON SOUZA

Souza & Johnson Put Pace Flag Football on the Map

In July, the country’s top flag football players assembled in Los Angeles for USA Football’s first annual Select Bowl. The event exposed elite athletes—eligible for invitations to U.S. National Team Trials—to Olympic-style flag football, U.S. National Team standards and resources, and other athletes. Two Knights represented Pace Academy flag football at the Select Bowl: KATELYN SOUZA ’24 made the 2024 20U Women’s Select Grey Team roster; Head Coach TY JOHNSON helmed the 16U Girls Select Red Team. Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games—and Souza and Johnson hope to be there. l

Roberts Named GATA Trainer of the Year

The Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association (GATA) recognized Athletic Trainer ASHLEY ROBERTS as Jerry Rhea Athletic Trainer of the Year. The award honors a certified and licensed athletic trainer who demonstrates exemplary service to the athletic training profession in Georgia. Through a partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Roberts has tended to the medical needs of Pace Academy student-athletes since 2006. l

DAVID HALSEY ’26 spent part of his summer as an intern with Nation Builders, a program that brings together emerging youth leaders from America and other countries to develop solutions to problems within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Participants develop ideas that they present to representatives from the U.S. Department of State and hosts from international government agencies. Using research, video and design skills, Halsey and his team developed a curriculum for Technology and Transformation, a course to be taught at a school in Colombia. “The highlight of the program was presenting our project in front of U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield,” Halsey says. “I gave a 2-minute speech on our curriculum and had a conversation with the ambassador.” l

STANDOUT STUDENTS

PACE ACADEMY students often showcase their talents beyond the school community. In this issue of the KnightTimes, we applaud…

HARPER AUCHINCLOSS ’25 [1] , AUDREY WELCH ’25 [2] and DHRU LALAJI ’24 [3] were among the 39 students to participate in Youth Leadership Sandy Springs, a nine-month program that builds leadership and networking skills, addresses community issues and allows participants to interact with local leaders.

“I learned that one of the most important parts of living in a city is building your community and network,” Auchincloss reports. “The program prepared me for the world by introducing me to new people, doing practice job interviews and educating me on how to make working relationships with everyone that you meet.”

Welch also had a positive experience: “I learned the importance of sharing ideas and being open to perspectives that may be different from mine,” she says. l

It’s official—VAN MULLER ’25 is one of the best fencers in the country. USA Fencing selected Muller, who competes at the regional and national levels, as a 2023–2024 High School All-American.

This past year, in addition to attending two North American Cups, Muller participated in the Junior Olympics and was recognized as a member of USA Fencing's All-Academic A-Team. In the fall, Muller will complete the process to become a fencing referee. l

Pace Legends

The end of every school year inevitably brings with it a handful of difficult goodbyes as faculty and staff retire from education. This past spring, the Pace Academy community bid farewell to Computer Specialist NEIL DEROSA and Assistant Head of Middle School for Student Life MARK SOMMERVILLE . Combined, these longtime and lifelong educators dedicated 86 years of their lives to Pace.

DeRosa arrived at Pace in the summer of 1973, only a few years out of Georgia Tech. His initial job duties included teaching Upper School science and coaching boys tennis at the JV and varsity levels. In 1981, he earned his master’s in teaching from Georgia State University. Over the course of his career at Pace, DeRosa wore many hats: biology teacher, science department chair, member of the computer team, study tour chaperone, Pace parent and, most recently, IT director. He coached tennis until 2020, retiring from the courts with nine state championships under his belt.

“To generations of both students and faculty, Neil was a mentor and friend, quietly leading with calm, clarity and wisdom,” says Head of School FRED ASSAF “Neil’s care for and investment in those in his orbit was unparalleled, and the Pace community will miss him tremendously.”

Sommerville’s Pace career began in 1989 when he joined the PE department and took over the wrestling program. A graduate of Hampton University, Sommerville brought teaching and coaching experience with him to Pace, as well as a deep commitment to the children in his care. In 2010, he earned a master’s in education from Central Michigan University and, in 2017, he was appointed Assistant Head of Middle School for Student Life. The father of three Pace alumni, he is beloved by generations of Pace Knights.

“Mark has been a trusted confidant to kids and adults alike, and he led with his heart and from a place of deep faith in all that he did here at Pace,” says Head of Middle School GRAHAM ANTHONY. In honor of Sommerville’s 35 years at Pace, the Middle School created the Mark A. Sommerville Citizenship Award, given to the two eighth-grade students who best represent the ideals of honor, loyalty and personal responsibility. l

MARK SOMMERVILLE

NEIL DEROSA

LATIN STUDENTS EXCEL

Jiang, Muller lead GJCL

Athletics teams are not the only student groups that take part in year-end competitions. Every spring, Latin students in the Middle and Upper Schools go head to head against students in all 50 states and more than 20 countries in the National Latin Exam (NLE). This past year, 182 Pace Academy students took the NLE, and 97 were recognized with medals for outstanding performance.

Gold medals, Summa Cum Laude, went to top scorers BROOKE HUANG ’30, KYLIE NEWBERG ’27, ZAKI GEORGE ’26, MACK BYBEE ’26, EVAN BABROW ’26, HARRISON BROWN ’26, VAN MULLER ’25 and STEPHEN YANG ’25. George, Muller and Yang earned perfect scores, and Muller won a Book Award in recognition of a fourth consecutive gold medal. Fifteen Middle School students and 10 Upper School students earned silver medals.

Latin students also flexed their academic muscles at the 2024 Georgia Junior Classical League Convention in April. There, 27 Pace students in grades six through 12 joined more than 700 delegates from schools throughout Georgia for a weekend of competition, fun and fellowship. Babrow and H. Brown thoughtfully represented Pace as voting delegates, and two Knights landed atop the slate of state officers for 2024–2025. CLAIRE JIANG ’25 was elected

GJCL president; Muller will serve as vice president. Jiang and Muller’s first order of business was leading the Georgia delegation at this past summer’s National Junior Classical League Convention at the University of Tennessee.

At GJCL, all Pace delegates participated in academic, creative arts and graphic arts competitions. Individual awards went to ANNA BATES ’30, THEA BICKENBACH ’30, DEAN BROWN ’30, WILLIAM GRIFFIN ’30, SARA CLAIRE LADDIN ’30, ADVITHI MADDINENI ’30, ANDREW PARTIN ’30, NORA PARTIN ’30, WILLIAM RICH ’30, HUDSON TARVIN ’30, MIA ZAJIC ’30, CHARLIE HALL ’28, ANSLEY KIRBO ’28, Jiang and Muller. The Pace representatives earned second place in the large delegation category of the spirit competition. l

For the Love of Latin

For Pace Academy Upper School debate, the dawn of 2024 brought seven teams from around the country to campus to participate in the annual Justin Wilson Debate Tournament, an invitationonly round robin named in memory of alumni debater JUSTIN WILSON ’96. Pace debaters, led by Director of Speech and Debate ERIC FORSLUND and Middle School debate teacher WHIT WHITMORE, played host to some of the nation’s best high-school teams before embarking on another semester of competition.

A Debate Update Recapping THE SPRING SEMESTER

In February, the team traveled to Athens for the University of Georgia High School Bulldog Debates, where, in the varsity division, KAITLYN GOLDBERG ’25 and MEGAN KLINGLER ’25 finished in the quarterfinals and placed among the tournament’s top 10 speakers. In the novice division, KYEN WASHINGTON ’27 and SRI PADMANABHAN ’27 took home the tournament title. Washington and Padmanabhan continued their winning ways in March at the First and Second Year National Championships at Woodward Academy, where 80 teams representing 15 states vied for tournament gold. The dynamic freshmen duo finished in third place in the first-year division, defeating teams from California, Illinois, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee en route to a close 2–1 loss to a talented team from Little Rock Central High School. Their performance established them as one of the top first-year teams in the country.

The varsity season came to a close at the National Debate Coaches Association (NDCA) National Championships and the JW Patterson Tournament of Champions (TOC). The NDCA event, hosted by the University of Indiana, featured the team of Klingler and WILL CANNADAY ’24, which placed ninth overall, marking the first time in six years that a Pace squad has landed in the tournament’s final 15. At the TOC, held at the University of Kentucky, Klingler and Cannaday went 4–3, defeating teams from Texas, Florida, Maryland and Kansas, and ending the season with an impressive record.

To prepare for the 2024–2025 season, students participated in several summer debate programs. At the Northwestern Debate Institute, Washington was named top individual speaker; at the Emory University Policy Debate Institute, SHAAN AGHARKAR ’27 received top speaker honors.

“As a program, Pace debate has made significant strides in recent years,” says Forslund. “We’re grateful to the student leaders who have put us back on the map, and we’re looking forward to continued success at the top levels of the national debate scene.” l

SPRINGTIME FUN

LOWER SCHOOL

PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY

Year-end celebrations cap off a stellar semester

Lower School Awards

The Courage to Strive for Excellence Award [1]

Amiya Abel, Veronika Avdyeyeva, Madison Kedme, Chase Kothari, Lily Nordin & Hanson Torbert

Middle School Awards

BJ Hayes Good Citizenship Award [2]

Sophia Fetter & Roman Pace

Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar Athlete Award

Class of 2029: Connor Chitwood & Bodhi Venturi

Class of 2028: Grayden Auchincloss, Henry Baddley, Katie Wrigley & Megan Wrigley

Kathie M. Larkin Outstanding Achievement Award

Asim George & Chloé Quéguiner

Mark A. Sommerville Citizenship Award

Braylen Drews & Dean Hindman

Sanford and Barbara Orkin Scholarships

Class of 2030: Biddy Mautner & Emmy Webb

Class of 2029: Rohan Brahma & Jane Murphy

Class of 2028 [3]: Ann Cole Canova, Nik Kothari & Hiruni Manawadu

Underclassmen Awards

Alumni Scholar Award

Kate Grice

Cara Isdell Service Learning Award

Bobby Hanna & Campbell Hanna Castellan Award

Mary Oyefuga & Charles Smith

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

Computer Science Department Award for Inquiry

Davis Trimble

Computer Science Department Award for Outstanding Achievement

Dylan Hirokawa

Crissa Noelle Hawkins Scholarship Award

Miles Mador & Audrey Welch [5]

Dean’s Award for Character

Class of 2027: Andy Levenson & Kitty Lubin

Class of 2026: Cash Brooks & Hannelis Rodas

Distinguished Scholar Award

Stephen Yang & Amina Zubairi

English Department Award for Inquiry

Liam Nagle

English Department Award for Outstanding Achievement [6]

Caileigh Pinsker

Eric Hay Henderson Jr. Friendship Award

Nicholas Demba & Alexa Ibarra

Faculty Award for Scholarship

Class of 2027: Shaan Agharkar & Paige Vadnais

Class of 2026: John Hardesty & Rebecca McCloskey

Frances Felicité Thomas Award

Alo Paiardini

Frank Woodling Community Service Award

Addison Brooks & Jackson Dickert

History Department Award for Inquiry

Madison Williams

History Department Award for Outstanding Achievement

Olivia Resnick

Horowitz Athletics Leadership Award

Harper Auchincloss & Benjamin Ganz

Inspiring Scholar Award

Gavin Jeffries & Van Muller

Jim and Lesley Wheeler

Scholar Athlete Award

Class of 2027: Gray Muller & Conner Smock

Class of 2026 [7]: Iliyan Hajiani & Lawson Monroe

Class of 2025: Zahara Bernal & Tate O’Leary

Lance and Shield Award

Class of 2027: Lucy Fleming & Tim Harvey

Class of 2026: Jaydon Avery & Eva Swales

Class of 2025: Chandler Bing & Olivia Nelson

Math Department Award for Inquiry [8]

Jake Jones

Math Department Award for Outstanding Achievement

Enrique Alvarez

Mike Murphy Courage to Strive for Excellence Award

Class of 2027: Bayli Richardson & Aidan Schechtman

Class of 2026 [9]: Harriet Blaha & Thomas Konradt

Class of 2025 [10]: Zoe Albert & Caleb Amar

Mimi Ann Deas Award

Jocelyn Axelrod & Mack Bybee

Noble Knight Award

Marco Juarez & Megan Klingler

Renaissance Award for Visual and Performing Arts

Class of 2027: Eli Bejar & Madeline Sappington

Class of 2026 [11]: Izzie Eshiwani-Nate & Eddie Langford

Class of 2025: Nailah Beachem & Olivia Diaz

Science Department Award for Inquiry

Jackson Gant

Science Department Award for Outstanding Achievement

Drew Park

World Language Department Award for Inquiry

French [12]: Sydney Lettes

Latin: Sabrina Agharkar

Spanish: Cami Crumley

World Language Department Award for Outstanding Achievement

French: Livie Lynch

Latin: Claire Jiang

Spanish [13]: Griffin Bryan

Faculty & Staff Awards

Board of Trustees 50 Years of Service Award

Neil DeRosa

Cum Laude Society Fellowship for Outstanding Teaching

Tamara Neiley

John M. Anderson Excellence in Teaching Award [14]

Kirstin Baillie

Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award

Hayley Hardwick [15]

Brandi Wheeler [16]

Knight Capital Investment in Education Award

Mindy Lawrence

Lolly Hand Schoolkeeper Award [17]

Michael Callahan

Loridans Academic Fellowship

Charlie Bryant

Mary Ellen Baumie Award

May May Bentley Lellyett ’81

Pacesetter Dedication

Sonya McCullough

Levenson & S elmon C onclude Tenures as Pace Academy Trustees

JESSICA SUTHERLAND LEVENSON ’93 has done it all: she is a Pace Academy graduate; a parent of two Pace alumni— NOAH LEVENSON ’21 and HENRY LEVENSON ’24 —and parent to ANDY LEVENSON ’27. Along with her husband, RYAN LEVENSON, she has generously supported Pace for more than two decades through the Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program; as an Auction and Fall Fair sponsor; with regular Pace Fund and Alumni Fund contributions; and with contributions to the SHINE, Aim High and Accelerate Pace campaigns. In addition to making Pace a philanthropic priority for her family, Levenson has served on the Alumni Scholar Committee, the Alumni Board, the Knight Cap Committee, reunion committees and has joined both the Booster Club and the Arts Alliance.

Levenson served on the Pace Academy Board of Trustees for nine years and held seats on the Advancement, Governance and Properties committees. Reflecting on Levenson’s impact, Director of Advancement HEATHER WHITE says, “I am so grateful for Jessica’s commitment to Pace. She brings several lenses to the table—as a parent, a parent of alumni and an alumna herself—and her ideas have furthered the work of the Advancement Committee, helping shape the direction of advancement initiatives at Pace.”

Levenson shares that “the warm, nurturing environment is what drew our family to Pace.” This same welcoming spirit existed when Levenson was a student, a time that she recalls fondly. Particularly, she remembers bringing to life the much-loved Fall Fair Haunted House and winning the 1993 GHSA Varsity Gymnastics State Championship.

As a member of the Board, Levenson sought to “maintain and enhance the Pace experience for future classes.” Inspired by Head of School FRED ASSAF’s leadership and the support available to students through the Academic Resource Center (ARC), divisional counselors and Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) programming, Levenson lauds Pace’s inclusivity and hopes that members of the school community will continue to “celebrate one another in all endeavors.”

Levenson offers this affirmation of the Pace experience: “As a parent, watching my boys grow up supported and encouraged by teachers and coaches has been a joy. Their willingness to try new things and participate in a variety of activities is the hallmark of the Pace education.” l

BILL SELMON knows education inside and out. As president of Preferred School Care, Selmon has dedicated his professional endeavors to the worthwhile mission of delivering quality afterschool services to working parents throughout the Atlanta area.

Selmon graciously shared his knowledge and wisdom throughout his nine-year service as a Trustee. During that time, he served on both the Advancement and Governance committees. In addition to these volunteer roles, Selmon and his wife, ANGELA SELMON, led the Booster Club as co-presidents during the 2013–2014 school year.

The Selmons have consistently supported Pace through philanthropy, as well. Whether donating to the Pace Fund, securing an annual Booster Club or Arts Alliance membership, contributing to capital campaigns or giving to the school’s strategic priorities, the family has generously answered the call to support Pace.

All members of the Selmon family, including sons BILLY SELMON ’11 and KENNY SELMON ’14, shared their unique talents with the Pace community since joining Pace in 2006. Kenny is an exceptional athlete who left an indelible mark on Pace Athletics. He competed at the collegiate level as a member of the University of North Carolina track and field team and later earned a spot representing the United States in the 2020 Olympic Games, earning 10th place in the 400-meter hurdles. Inspired by Kenny’s experience, Angela Selmon authored Jumping Hurdles: An Olympian's Story of Hard Work and Perseverance, a children’s book published in 2023. Billy was also a collegiate athlete, playing basketball at Bates College, where he was named captain of his team. While at Pace, Billy played on the school’s very first football team, which was organized when he was in eighth grade. Billy passed away unexpectedly in 2023, and he is remembered for his welcoming personality and beautiful laugh.

Reflecting on Selmon’s contributions to our school, Head of School FRED ASSAF shares, “It’s impossible to quantify the impact of Bill and Angie Selmon at Pace Academy. They have enriched the lives of so many of their peers and have contributed immensely to Pace’s positive school culture.”

Selmon believes in Pace’s mission and emphasizes the importance of creating prepared, confident citizens of the world. “In a complex and rapidly changing global landscape, Pace Academy’s curriculum, which emphasizes global awareness, engagement and critical thinking, helps students develop the empathy, adaptability and problem-solving skills necessary to become responsible and active participants in a global community. Pace Academy graduates leave the school as leaders who can make a positive impact on the world.” l

New Parents Meet, Mix & Mingle

Parents of students new to Pace Academy for the 2024–2025 school year gathered in the Pace Gardens to build community and celebrate the adventures that lie ahead for their families. Guests at the New Parent Cocktail Party spent the evening meeting friends and connecting with members of the Pace Admissions and Advancement teams, as well as divisional leadership. Head of School FRED ASSAF officially welcomed attendees to Pace and conveyed the school’s collective excitement about the new families joining the fold. Carlyle’s Catering, owned and operated by siblings WALT TORBERT ’97, MARY TORBERT ATKINSON ’99 and BEN TORBERT ’05, provided delicious fare for the event. l

WALSH FIELD TURNS

WALSH FIELD BY THE NUMBERS

• Total seats: 2,600

• Gallons of field paint used per football game: 50

• Trains that pass by each day: 48 (ish)

• Varsity football home record: 34–18

• Sports Turf Managers Association Field of the Year Awards: 4

• Graduations hosted: 4

• Professional soccer teams hosted: 4

• Memories made: Countless

On Aug. 29, 2014, Pace Academy’s varsity football team secured its first home victory on its brand-new home field. The game in which the Knights defeated the Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats 14–12 launched a new era in Pace Athletics—an era in which the school’s athletics facilities matched the caliber of its student-athletes and its athletics programs. Since 2014, Walsh Field, located at the Riverview Sports Complex, has seen some 52 varsity football games, of which the Knights have won 34. Along with football, Walsh Field has hosted countless soccer, cheerleading, lacrosse, track and field, flag football and crosscountry competitions.

August 2024 marked the 10-year anniversary of the opening of Walsh Field, a facility made possible by the generosity of LEIGH DRAUGHON WALSH ’81 and TIM WALSH ’81. Leigh and Tim have rich Pace histories, starting with Leigh’s mother, LYN DRAUGHON, who taught Spanish at the school for 12 years. In addition to their own alumni statuses, the Walshes’ three children— JAMES WALSH

’12, JACK WALSH ’16 and MEGAN WALSH ’18 —also graduated from Pace. Throughout their time as Pace parents, Leigh and Tim engaged actively with the school. Leigh co-chaired the 2014 Parents Club Auction and served as a Booster Club officer, and Tim was chair of the Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2014. Tim is also a Life Trustee, a position he has held since 2015.

Plans for Walsh Field were publicized in April 2014 when Head of School FRED ASSAF announced that the Aim High campaign for the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School had exceeded its original fundraising goal of $32 million and that the additional funds raised would be earmarked for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art facility featuring seating for 780 visitors and 1,820 home fans along with a FIFA-regulation-size grass field and eightlane Beynon track. Additional features would include three press boxes, a hightech sound system, visitor and home locker rooms, laundry facilities, a sports medicine facility, a fully equipped concession stand, and areas for long jump, high jump, pole vault, discus and shot put.

Interviewed shortly before the home opener at Walsh Field, Tim remarked, “The success of Pace Athletics should match that enjoyed by the arts, debate and other extracurricular programs. The continued success of the program will increase school spirit and pride, and state-of-the-art facilities are critical to achieving that goal.” He noted that he looked forward to “generations of Pace student-athletes competing at the highest levels at Walsh Field,” a vision that has come to fruition.

Today, Tim reflects on the significant impact Walsh Field has had on the Pace community: “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Walsh Field, our entire family is deeply honored to have played a part in its creation. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how this space has become not just a place for sports, but a hub for Pace’s graduations, alumni events and community gatherings. The growth that Pace Academy has experienced has been a blessing to the community and to our family. We’re honored that Walsh Field has, and can continue to be, a resource and joy to all who use it.”

Director or Athletics CHAD WABREK emphasizes the transformational effect of Walsh Field: “The addition of Walsh Field and the surrounding eight-lane track has been a game-changer for the Office of Athletics. Not only does the facility itself include the required items for us to host area, region and state competitions, but we always receive positive feedback about the quality of the field itself, which national organizations such as the Sports Turf Managers Association have recognized as a Field of the Year on more than one occasion. Simply put, given our pursuit of excellence in everything we do at Pace, Walsh Field is yet another beaming example of the school’s commitment to providing only the best for the best.”

As the long-time head coach for boys and girls varsity track and field, JOLIE CUNNINGHAM understands firsthand the positive changes and opportunities that the facility has provided. “The track at Walsh Field has definitely been transformational for track and for track athletes,” she reports. “Before Walsh Field opened, we practiced in and around the back parking

THE TEAM BEHIND OUR TEAMS

Over the past decade, Pace Academy studentathletes have strived for excellence at Walsh Field thanks to an equally excellent facilities crew, including WES FORTIER, now director of maintenance; MATT FORTIER, now director of facilities at Franklin Road Academy; Maintenance & Grounds staff members LARRY FRICKE and PIERCE CALLENDER; and DANIEL PRINCE, Riverview Sports Complex manager since 2018.

lot on our main campus, where we had a sand pit and an asphalt strip for hurdles. We also had a high jump pit in the corner of the parking lot, which meant taking turns to determine who was going at any given time—the car or the high jumper. The running workouts were always a highlight of the day. Showing their good humor, the kids wanted us to host an invitational right after dismissal and coinciding with carpool, so that all schools could get the true ‘Pace track experience.’ That's all we had, and the kids were great; we simply made it work. So, yes—Walsh Field improved our circumstances!”

In line with Pace’s emphasis on global learning, Walsh Field has hosted players from around the world. The Mexican National Team; Juventus F.C., based in Turin, Italy; Newcastle United F.C.; and Chelsea F.C. have all practiced at the facility.

The Pace community is forever grateful to the Walshes for their generosity and for bringing this vision to life. l

DANIEL PRINCE PIERCE CALLENDER

“MUN has made me become a better global citizen because I’m able to appreciate what other ambassadors and innovators have done to create change in the world.”

—DAVID HALSEY ’26

Global Diplomats in the Making

The 2023–2024 school year in Model UN

Creating prepared, confident citizens of the world—Pace Academy’s mission—is at the heart of the school’s long-standing Model United Nations (MUN) program. Now in its fourth decade, the MUN team boasts the lengthiest roster of any extracurricular activity; during the 2023–2024 school year, 92 students in grades seven through 12 participated in the program.

Students who join the academic team research global issues in preparation for policy simulations while acting as country ambassadors to the United Nations and other international bodies. MUN utilizes and strengthens academic skills and requires students to conduct research and undertake writing exercises in order to accurately represent the viewpoint of the assigned United Nations member state. Delegates learn to negotiate effectively, base arguments on verified information and speak persuasively thanks to solid research, deep understanding of the topic, careful preparation, and collaboration with fellow students, mentors and faculty sponsors.

This past year, MUN student delegates of all levels of expertise and experience attended two models run by and for Pace students: PACEMUNC V with 55 delegates and Middle School MMUN with 18 delegates. In addition, they participated in in-town models at Emory University and The Paideia School, and in out-of-town simulations at the University of Virginia, Georgetown University and George Washington University.

At models, students confront topics not often highlighted in the classroom, such as book censorship or nuclear disarmament, discussed at the general assembly at Paideia. At Emory, students participating in a crisis committee acted as characters from The Simpsons facing a nuclear accident in Springfield. Delegates used their knowledge of science, medicine, disaster recovery and policing to resolve the crisis.

Veteran MUN adviser HELEN SMITH guided the 2023–2024 team, along with student leaders and a dedicated group of faculty sponsors and trip chaperones, including DR. CHRISTINE CARTER, DON DUPREE, DR. KAYLAN HAIZLIP, MARTY HAMBURGER, DR. TAHSEEN KAZI and DR. KATIE MOSS. History teacher KIRSTIN BAILLIE led the Middle School team, now entering its fourth year.

The addition of Middle School students to the MUN roster has created opportunities for mentorship and cross-divisional collaboration. Middle Schoolers watch as their Upper School counterparts skillfully balance busy academic, athletics and arts schedules with preparing for and attending conferences. For example, BRAYLON CAMBOR ’26 helped lead both the varsity football and wrestling teams while engaging in global diplomacy at three models. Twenty students attended two or more models; JACK ELLNER ’26 and SRI PADMANABHAN ’27 represented Pace five times, while TYLER SWARTZ ’26 and ANDREW KAMIN ’26 took part in four models.

Several students showcased outstanding performances at this year’s conferences. MUNers often work in pairs, boosting their confidence in conference discussion rooms. Middle School powerhouse duo ELIZABETH ROMIG ’28 and HIRUNI MANAWADU ’28 demonstrated excellent analytical and research skills

“As a former Pace MUN delegate, I now appreciate MUN as the ideal environment in which to hone my public-speaking skills, as I was able to engage with a community that values open-mindedness and problem solving. MUN allowed me to immerse myself in worldly topics and fostered a love of learning beyond the classroom.”

against high-school opponents and now serve as freshmen representatives on the 2024-2025 Upper School team. At Georgetown's NAIMUN, seven Pace students were honored for their research, position papers and active participation in committees, ranking them in the top 7% of participants. Notably, REESE HONEYCUTT ’26 earned Best Delegate for her role as Interpol president in Operation Thunderball 2019.

The team also interacted with a number of Pace alumni at conferences. LEAH FAVERO ’22 chaired a major committee at Georgetown’s NAIMUN, and students met with ISABEL BATTISTA ’21 at UVA’s VAMUNC. Additionally, DR. COURTNEY FREER ’04 was one of the keynote speakers at Emory’s ENMUNC.

In the coming year, Pace MUN leadership will focus on making the program accessible and affordable to students of all abilities, schedules and levels of dedication.

“The sole requirement is a willingness to work hard,” Smith says, a trait the 2024–2025 MUN student leaders exhibited over the summer as they developed background guides, generated publicity and planned weekend workshops.

“Model UN is becoming increasingly student-led, which is incredibly exciting,” Smith says. “We’ve already seen the fruits of past leaders’ labor, and we’ll build upon those successes in the year ahead.” l

—with contributions from GRACE DEMBA ’21

—GRACE DEMBA ’21

LOWER SCHOOL STRINGS

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND

UPPER SCHOOL CHORUS

MIDDLE SCHOOL STRINGS

Photos by FRED ASSAF

Photos by FRED ASSAF

Photos by ANN MCLEAN NAGLE ’87

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS

UPPER SCHOOL STRINGS

UPPER SCHOOL BAND

Spring concerts put the finishing touches on the 2024–2025 year in Pace Arts. Band, chorus and strings students in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools took The Zalik Theater stage to share their talents with the Pace community.

A HARMONIOUS

Photos by ANN MCLEAN NAGLE ’87

Photos by

FRED ASSAF

AD •VANCED ART •ISTS

Seven members of the Class of 2024 plan to major or minor in the visual or performing arts in college.

Congratulations to these student-artists:

Washington University in St. Louis, visual art

Georgia State University, video game design

New York University

Tisch School of the Arts, voice and musical theater

MARY ELLIS IRVIN

Savannah College of Art and Design, animation, industrial design and sequential art

of

REITA MAGUIRE

University

South Carolina, visual art

LAWSON GOWDER

DREW CRUMLEY

Tulane University, architecture

ELLIE CARTER Bowdoin College, visual art

CARLY CANNON

MAKAYLI ANOCHIE

Middle School band, strings and chorus students hit the road

This past spring, seventh and eighth graders in strings, chorus and band headed to the Sunshine State for a series of adventures that blended musical enrichment with year-end fun. Students and their faculty chaperones explored Universal Studios over three days, enjoying the attractions and each other’s company.

“In addition to being in a fun environment and bonding with the kids, a big highlight of the trip was our choral workshop with Keith Galasso, a retired choral director from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando,” says Middle School Choral Director DONNA POTTORFF. “Mr. Galasso worked with us on the songs we sang in our spring concert.”

Faculty members also took inspiration from the pros. “A live percussion performance in the park sparked ideas that we incorporated into our Knight of Jazz concert,” reports band instructor ELLIE NEUFELD. “We all had a blast!” l

LOWER SCHOOL

Costa Rica

An all-star group of chaperones, including REBECCA RHODES, MEGAN MINDEL , VONDA VRIELAND, DEJA SIMLEY, PASCALE BIENNE and ALYSSA BROWN, led an unforgettable Middle School trip to Costa Rica. Students visited the Women’s Cooperative, learning how local women work together to foster economic growth in their community while preserving the integrity of the land they cultivate. They also went to a cultural association, where they made traditional Costa Rican bracelets called pulseras

MIDDLE SCHOOL Japan

The uniqueness of an ICGL study tour lies in its ability to bond students and teachers beyond the classroom. Two Middle School trips to Japan, one led by JULIE HAMPTON, JASON MILLER and CELESTE ARELLANO, and the other by TAYLOR BERRY, STEWART TARVIN and DECLAN TRAQUAIR, brought Miller’s eighth-grade history curriculum to life. The two groups traversed the Nakasendo Trail, staying in traditional Japanese inns, where students experienced customs such as bathing before dinner and dressing in yukatas for meals. Exploring both rural and urban Japan, students discovered their preferences between the slower-paced life and the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Vietnam

KELLY COLQUITT, LUCAS MORENO and PATRICE WRIGHTLEWIS chaperoned an impressive group of Middle School travelers throughout Vietnam. The students witnessed firsthand the influence of Water in Vietnam by visiting the Mekong Delta and observing its essential role in providing resources like exotic fruits and honey, as well as stimulating the economy via tourism. They also explored farming practices, sampled new foods and participated in cooking classes, aligning with this year’s ICGL global theme of Food. Their Vietnamese teachers imparted ample knowledge, particularly about the Vietnam War. Visiting the War Remnants Museum and learning about Thich Quang Duc, the monk who self-immolated in protest of the war, provided a broader understanding of historical perspectives. Despite long flights and hot temperatures, these students embodied true global citizenship and eagerness to learn.

REDEFINING

SUMMER SCHOOL

THE UNIQUENESS OF AN ICGL STUDY TOUR LIES IN ITS ABILITY TO BOND STUDENTS AND TEACHERS BEYOND THE CLASSROO M .

UPPER SCHOOL Japan

—by GRACE DEMBA ’21

Led by chaperone duos LAURA AGRONT-HOBBS and KRISTA WILHELMSON, and TED WARD and ELLYE MILLAWAY, two Upper School study tours to Japan immersed students in traditional Japanese culture. The itineraries focused on Japan before British contact in the 1800s, with visits to its former capital, Kyoto, Hiroshima and the Kunisaki Peninsula. Highlights included participating in a traditional rice-planting activity, experiencing a guided Zazen meditation with a Buddhist monk, and visiting a dozen Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Through these adventures, students discovered how traditional cultural characteristics continue to influence contemporary Japan.

UPPER SCHOOL

London

A perfect blend of culture, history and art describes the Upper School study tour to London, led by SEAN BRYAN and DONNA POTTORFF, which allowed students to dive into London’s vibrant theater scene. The group attended a total of 11 performances, including three Shakespeare plays, an Arthur Miller classic, and beloved productions of Kiss Me Kate and Guys and Dolls, along with new shows like Stranger Things and the debut musical Babies. Beyond the theater, students explored London’s must-see museums, such as the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Modern. Students also enjoyed quintessential British activities like High Tea and visits to Harrods department store, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Thanks to Bryan’s exceptional organizational skills, students navigated London using the Tube, where they enjoyed hearing “mind the gap” at each stop.

[MORE]

SUMMER STUDY TOURS

UPPER SCHOOL

New Zealand

Guided by CHARLIE BRYANT, DONICE BLOODWORTH and EMILY WASHBURN, this year’s scenic tour of New Zealand engaged students in local ecosystems and Māori traditions. The group island-hopped through the country, ziplined through Waiheke, flew to Wellington and hiked Mount Cook National Park. They even cruised through Milford Sound, renowned as “the eighth wonder of the world.” Of course, students couldn’t visit New Zealand without touring Hobbiton, an iconic filming location from The Lord of the Rings movies.

UPPER SCHOOL Vietnam

Chaperones MINDY LAWRENCE and DE’IRE FOXX accompanied a group of 15 Upper School students to Vietnam. Students ventured through the Cu Chi tunnels on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, toured the War Remnants Museum and enjoyed Sun World amusement park atop Ba Na Hills. Highlights included canoeing along the Mekong River and savoring island delicacies like prawns, coconut candy, elephant ear fish and other tropical seafood. All of this made for an impactful experience.

“ BEING IN VIETNAM GAVE US A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE STARKLY DIFFERENT FROM OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. WE GAINED AN EVEN GREATER APPRECIATION FOR CLEAN WATE R , HARD WORK AND DETERMINATIO N , AND THE EFFECTS THAT OUTSIDE INF L UENCES CAN HAVE ON ONE’S CULTUR E.”

JOHN HARDESTY ’ 2 6

WHAT IS THE ICGL?

by Jenn

Launched in 2014, the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) takes the building blocks of the five-course curriculum and gives students of all ages opportunities to apply their knowledge in ways that enable them to become ethical, empathic, innovative, culturally competent and adaptable citizens of the world. The ICGL fosters a culture of global learning and leadership by exploring an annual, school-wide global theme; education around these themes is supported by curricular, co-curricular and hands-on activities, as well as a scholarin-residence program, leadership fellowships, internships and study tours.

Photos

Finch

CHEERS TO

10 YEARS!

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF THE ISDELL CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

The Pace Academy community closed out 2023–2024, the 10th year of the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL), with a celebration marking the decadal anniversary of the transformative global education program.

On May 1, Pace Trustees past and present, ICGL leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni and parents of alumni gathered in the Kam Memar Lower School’s Gandhi Hall to toast PAMELA and NEVILLE ISDELL and their foundational gift, which facilitated the launch of the ICGL in 2014.

Over the course of the evening, attendees heard from Head of School FRED ASSAF, Board of Trustees Chair ELIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS, ICGL Advisory Board Chair BRENT HASTIE, ICGL Director TRISH ANDERSON and students impacted by the program.

“As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the ICGL, my fellow students and I have learned the true meaning of global mindedness,” said JONATHAN EMMERICH ’28. “The ICGL has taught us the importance of being engaged citizens of the world and how to appreciate and interact with different cultures. I have learned to ask the question, ‘How can I, a global citizen, help solve a problem?’ The ICGL has taught us that we can take on problems in our community or far away and be part of the solution.”

Following students’ remarks, Hastie announced a $1 million gift to the ICGL from members of the Life Trustees and the current Board of Trustees in honor of the Isdell family’s life-changing contributions to Pace.

Neville, former CEO and chairman of The Coca-Cola Company and a Pace Life Trustee, closed the program. “To all of the kids here today, I want to tell you that we adults have made a mess of this planet,” he said. “But you’re learning at a very young age what needs to be done, and I know that you, individually, are committed to changing the world. I hope that my legacy will be helping you do better. I know that you will leave the planet a great deal better than we’re handing it over to you.” l

“To the Isdell family: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You’ve changed me. You’ve changed our school community. You’ve changed the lives of so many teachers and students, and you’ve made the world a better place one kid at a time. We’ve done our best to dream big, and we are grateful for all you’ve done to make that possible.”

— Head of School FRED ASSAF

For more than a decade, the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) has enlivened Pace Academy’s mission: To create prepared, confident citizens of the world. Through in-depth exploration of annual global themes— among them Water, Climate, Conservation, Energy and, this year, Food —Pace students in all divisions, guided by expert faculty, have developed leadership skills, cultural awareness and global mindsets while becoming thoughtful, engaged global citizens.

The 2024–2025 school year marks the Pace community’s second study of Food. “This year’s freshmen were in Pre-First during our first Year of Food,” says ICGL Director TRISH ANDERSON. “This time around, they’ll examine food from a very different perspective, building upon and incorporating their knowledge of previous years’ ICGL themes.”

To prepare for the year and to integrate learning around Food into classroom curriculum, cohorts of Lower and Middle School faculty engaged in immersive travel experiences this past spring. Two groups of Middle School teachers journeyed abroad: one team spent time in Chile, the other in Thailand. The Lower School cohort—one teacher from every grade level and several specialists—also traveled to Thailand.

The cohorts’ experiences, as well as a series of essential questions, will frame students’ learning in the Lower and Middle Schools. Collectively, Lower School students will ask, “Where does our food come from?,” “How does food tell the story of past and present cultures?” and “How does food connect the planet and people?” Interactive exhibits throughout the Kam Memar Lower School, designed by cohort members, will bring these questions to life and introduce the experiences in which faculty members engaged while in Thailand—activities such as seed saving, cooking classes and farming. Global Studies courses will offer additional opportunities for understanding and engagement.

Similarly, three questions will shape Middle School students’ conversations and discoveries: “Who has access to food?,” “How does food influence culture, health and happiness?” and “How does food production impact the government, economics and the environment?” Weeklong Minimesters and international study tours will further students’ understanding of the issues at play.

In the Upper School, the student-led ICGL Council will facilitate education around the theme; ICGL Food Highways Fellows—students committed to a two-year, co-curricular, team-based leadership program investigating global issues—will share their findings with the Pace community; and the 2024–2025 Isdell Global Leaders (see page 36) will engage in research, travel and independent study.

In all three divisions, ICGL Visiting Scholar DR. SHAUNA DOWNS (see sidebar) will discuss global food security and its interconnectedness with climate change and sustainable development in age-appropriate ways. Additional speakers will shed light on issues related to food, at home and abroad.

“Our hope is that, by the end of the year, all members of the Pace community will have a more nuanced understanding of the global food system, as well as the ability to think more critically about their food choices given the impact that food production has on human and environmental health,” Anderson says. l

THE YEAR OF FOOD THE

ISDELL CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP DIGS IN

Introducing ICGL Visiting Scholar DR. SHAUNA DOWNS

In September, the Pace Academy community welcomes Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) 2024–2025 Visiting Scholar DR. SHAUNA DOWNS

Downs, an associate professor at Rutgers School of Public Health, has focused her research on the design, impact and implementation of interventions aimed at promoting food and nutrition security; measuring food environments in low- and middle-income countries and their influence on sustainable diets; and examining the links among climate, food systems, diets and nutrition. Her studies have taken her from India, Kenya and Senegal to Canada, Cambodia and across the U.S.

A former Hecht-Levi Fellow with the Global Food Ethics and Policy Program at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and an Earth Institute Fellow at Columbia University, Downs received her Ph.D. in public health from the Menzies Centre for Health Policy at the University of Sydney and has a master’s in nutrition from the University of Alberta, Canada.

SERVING UP SCHOLARSHIP

Our

2024–2025

Isdell Global Leaders

SAMANTHA AYENI ’26, DAVID HALSEY ’26, REESE HONEYCUTT ’26 and CULLEN WEST ’26 are taking a bite out of the 2024–2025 ICGL theme of Food as the members of the this year’s Isdell Global Leaders (IGLs) cohort.

The IGLs, selected following an intensive application process, have committed to a year-long study of Food that includes coursework, research and two travel opportunities. They kicked off their exploration with some summer reading; Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal by Mark Bittman and the The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket by Benjamin Lorr set the stage for the learning to come.

This fall, the IGLs, alongside Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) Director TRISH ANDERSON and Associate Director TATUM BRANAMAN, will travel to New York City to explore global food policy with experts at the City University of New York and Columbia University. They will also learn about the impact of urban agriculture and dive deep into the city's immigrant past through its food. A springtime study tour to a yet-to-be-determined destination will wrap up their year of study.

ON THE MENU RECOMMENDED READING FOR THE YEAR OF FOOD

Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal: A Food Science Nutrition History Book by Mark Bittman

Avocado Anxiety: And Other Stories About Where Your Food Comes From by Louise Gray

Beyond the Kitchen Table: Black Women and Global Food Systems by Priscilla McCutcheon, Latricia E. Best and Theresa Rajack-Talley

Blight: Fungi and the Coming Pandemic by Emily Monosson

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky

Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World by Ha-Joon Chang

Endangered Eating: America's Vanishing Foods by Sarah Lohman

Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America by Marcia Chatelain

How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America by Priya Fielding-Singh

Invitation to a Banquet: The Story of Chinese Food by Fuchsia Dunlop

Kings of Their Own Ocean: Tuna, Obsession, and the Future of Our Seas by Karen Pinchin

No Meat Required: The Cultural History and Culinary Future of Plant-Based Eating by Alicia Kennedy

Plucked: Chicken, Antibiotics, and How Big Business Changed the Way the World Eats by Maryn McKenna

Reclaiming the Commons: Biodiversity, Traditional Knowledge, and the Rights of Mother Earth by Vandana Shiva

The Cow with Ear Tag #1389 by Kathryn Gillespie

The Fate of Food: What We'll Eat in a Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World by Amanda Little

The Lost Supper: Searching for the Future of Food in the Flavors of the Past by Taras Grescoe

The New Fish: The Truth about Farmed Salmon and the Consequences We Can No Longer Ignore by Simen Saetre and Kjetil Ostli

The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket by Benjamin Lorr

Seeds of Resistance: The Fight for Food Diversity on Our ClimateRavaged Planet by Mark Schapiro

Meet ICGL Associate Director TATUM BRANAMAN

“As a long-time service-learning practitioner, I love pairing academics with real-world challenges and getting students out in the community,” says Associate Director of the ICGL TATUM BRANAMAN, who joined the Pace faculty in July and now oversees Community Engagement programming across the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.

A Peace Corps alumnus, Branaman came to Pace after stints at the Atlanta Girls’ School and The Kincaid School in Houston, where she championed causes and curriculum that, like the ICGL, aimed to inspire engaged citizenship and cultural awareness. Branaman earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from the University of Central Arkansas. Read on to learn more about the newest member of the ICGL team.

Why did you choose to come to Pace?

The ICGL is well known in the independent-school world, and I have long admired its mission and programs. I could not have been more excited when I saw an opening with the ICGL. What really sealed Pace for me, though, was how much joy, mutual admiration and respect I saw between faculty and students on the day I interviewed.

What initially inspired you to become involved in community engagement and service learning?

While in secondary school, I spent a summer on Heifer International’s original ranch. Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth, and [my colleagues and I] spent weeks learning how to do that in incredibly dynamic ways. We worked the ranch, lived like people from around the world—I lived in the ranch’s rondavel, a traditional circular African dwelling—and even had our own barter and trade system for what we were making and growing. That summer was transformative, and I point to it as the reason I’ve done what I’ve done. I went on to study biology; I lived and worked in developing countries; and I became an educator.

What are your goals for the Community Engagement program in the coming years?

I am so fortunate to walk into an already robust program. Pace casts such a wide and diverse net of partners and provides so many unique opportunities for all of us to get involved; there really is something for everyone. My first goal is to help our student leaders maintain all of their amazing work and partnerships. Second, I’m really excited to explore more service-learning opportunities that will pair community engagement with what’s happening in our classrooms.

VARSITY BASEBALL

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

After a Sweet-Sixteen finish in the 2023 GHSA Class AAAA playoffs, the members of this year’s varsity baseball team had high hopes for a deep postseason run.

With regular-season wins over the likes of Decatur, Whitefield, Lovett, Hampton, Woodland Stockbridge, Holy Innocents’, Landmark Christian and Luella, the Knights earned the No. 3 seed in the region. The team faced Seckinger High School in the first round of the playoffs and fell, 1–2, to the Jaguars in a best-of-three series.

Following the season, TERRENCE KIEL ’24 was named All-Region Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Region First Team, where he was joined by MILES MADOR ’25 Second Team honors went to HENRY LEVENSON ’24 CADEN AUSTIN ’25, JACKSON HURD ’24, WILL MOORE ’24 and RYAN REISS ’24 received Honorable Mention accolades.

In addition to Kiel, Levenson, Moore and Reiss, the team bids farewell to TUCKER AUSBAND ’24, MAC BARNETTE ’24, JACKSON HURD ’24 and GEORGE LITTLE ’24

Photos by Fred Assaf, J's Sports Photos, Rick Cone and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY BOYS LACROSSE

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

Ten seniors— COLE BELINFANTE ’24, DEAN CASTILLO-WOODS ’24, LANE CANOVA ’24, ALEX HAYES ’24, HARRISON LEUSINK ’24, J.D. MASKE ’24, JOE SHIPPEN ’24, WYATT SHAW ’24, GEORGE THOMPSON ’24 and ALEX TRUJILLO ’24 —led the varsity boys lacrosse team this season.

The experienced squad earned victories over programs like Decatur, North Atlanta and Union Grove and ended the regular season with a 7–9 record, making its way to the GHSA Class AAAA playoffs once again. In the first round of tournament play, the Knights took on Bremen High School and defeated the Blue Devils 14–5. Starr’s Mill proved to be a more formidable opponent as the team’s season came to a close in the Sweet Sixteen.

When all was said and done, GRANT CHASE ’26 wound up on the All-State First Team roster, while Trujillo, the Knights’ captain and unflappable goalie, earned All-State Honorable Mention recognition. Hayes earned Academic All-American honors from USA Lacrosse.

Photos by Fred Assaf and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY GIRLS LACROSSE

Coached by KELSEA LOWE, BETHANY FEVELLA , LIZ GAUF, KYLIE HOLTHAUS and JEN KRAMER

The varsity girls lacrosse team made history when it won its first state championship in 2023. Hot off its title run, this year’s squad hoped to return to postseason glory in 2024. A tough early-season schedule helped prepare the Knights for area competition—the team bested Mount Paran, Eagles Landing, Holy Innocents’, Chattanooga’s Baylor School and others en route to the Area 4 Championship, where the Knights defeated Lovett 19–5 to become repeat area champions and earn a first-round playoff bye. In the Sweet Sixteen, the team triumphed over Whitewater, but a repeat title was not to be; the Knights fell to Westminster in the Elite Eight.

Following the season, five members of the team earned spots on the First Team All-Area and First Team All-State rosters: EVA SWALES ’26, EMERY DUNCAN ’24, WELLS HOWE ’24, REBECCA THOMPSON ’24 and SYDNEY VINCENT ’24. First Team All-Area honors also went to KINLEY STEPHENS ’26 and JORDYN HOWARD ’24; LUCY FLEMING ’28 earned All-Area Honorable Mention. Howe was also named a USA Lacrosse Academic All-American.

Next year, the team will miss the outstanding leadership of Duncan, Howard, Howe, Thompson and Vincent. Photos by Fred Assaf, Chuck

Jordan, Rick Cone and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Coached by JOLIE CUNNINGHAM, JASON CORNELIUS, NEKO FREEMAN, JODIE NETTLES and RYAN THERMIL

Determination, perseverance and a team-first mentality characterized this year’s varsity boys track and field team. Led by seniors HEVIN BROWNSHULER ’24, JORDAN BURNS ’24, MADDOX CRAWFORD ’24, HENRY GAUDET ’24, BRODY MATTHIAS ’24, SOREN MATTHIAS ’24, JAKE MILLER ’24, DYLAN POPO ’24, WILLIAM SOUZA ’24 and MATTHEW WELLS ’24, the Knights raced, vaulted, hurdled, jumped, javelined and shotputted their way across the metro area as the season progressed. At the region meet, ILIYAN HAJIANI ’26 was runner-up in the 3200-meter race; Wells was second in the 800 and third in the 1600; TIM HARVEY ’27 placed third in shot put; and the 4x400 relay team of KAI COTTON ’25, JAKE JONES ’25, ZACHARY BLACKWOOD ’27 and Wells placed third. From sectionals, five Knights advanced to the state competition in seven events, and at the end of the day, the 4x800 relay team of Wells, Jones, Hajiani and Blackwood placed sixth in the state.

HARD-WON STATE HARDWARE

GOLD

CAROLINE HOOD 1600 meters (state record)

ZAHARA BERNAL 3200 meters

HOOD, BERNAL, OLIVIA RESNICK, HARRIETT BLAHA 4x800 relay (state record) SILVER

BERNAL 1600 meters

HOOD 3200 meters BRONZE

RESNICK 800 meters

Photos by Nicholas Andrews, Fred Assaf and Rick Cone

REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS SPOTLIGHT ON VARSITY GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

CAROLINE HOOD ’24 —the lone senior on the 2024 varsity girls track and field team and a Gatorade Player of the Year— concluded her high-school career at the helm of a recordsetting, history-making squad.

Personal, school and state records rolled in for the Knights over the course of the season. At the Metro Meet, the 4x800 relay of OLIVIA RESNICK ’25, Hood, ZAHARA BERNAL ’25 and HARRIET BLAHA ’26 set a new school record. Resnick followed suit with the 800-meter race meet record at the Mobile Challenge of Champions, where the team of KIYAH BURRELL ’26, MADISON WILLIAMS ’25, Resnick and Blaha won the 4x400 relay, and Bernal cleared the competition in the mile race.

As the Region 5-AAAA meet rolled around, the 4x1600 team—Hood, Resnick, Blaha and Bernal—ranked third in the nation. At the meet, MADELINE SAPPINGTON ’27 took the region pole vault title; Hood earned region titles in the 3200 and 1600 and placed second in the 800 meters; Bernal was runner-up in the 3200 and 1600 and finished third in the 800; Resnick was region champ in the 800; and Blaha placed third in the 3200 and 1600. The 4x800 and 4x400 relays also went home with gold. The Knights finished second in the region.

From sectionals, eight members of the team qualified for state in seven events. There, the 4x800 team broke its own state record to earn its second consecutive Bob Fowler Award, given to those who set new records at the state competition. Hood earned the Fowler Award for her 1600-meter race, in which she was followed by runner-up Bernal and Blaha in fifth. In the 3200, Hood and Bernal swapped spots on the podium, and Blaha finished fourth. Resnick earned a bronze medal in the 800 meters; Sappington landed sixth in the state in the pole vault competition; and the 4x400 relay was eighth.

The Knights capped off the season with a third place overall finish in GHSA AAAA. The Atlanta Track Club named Hood to its Girls All-Metro Track & Field Team in the 1600; Hood, Resnick, Bernal and Blaha joined the All-Metro roster for the 4x800. Photos by Nicholas Andrews, Fred Assaf and Rick Cone

VARSITY BOYS GOLF

Coached by PETE POPE and TYLER RENN

A hole in one from JACK LYNCH ’26 headlined the varsity boys golf team’s 2024 season. The ace came during April’s Larry Gaither Invitational at Bull Creek Golf Course, the team’s final tournament before six players participated in the area competition. There, JACK MALLARD ’25 led the Knights with three birdies and a score of 77, while ETAN GERBER ’25 posted the team’s second-lowest round. The Knights’ eighth-place finish was not enough to send the team to state. Next year on the green, the golfers will miss ROSS BERNATH ’24, THOMAS BREADY ’24 and ZACHARY MEYEROWITZ ’24 Photos by Nicholas Andrews and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY GIRLS GOLF

Coached by KEVIN BALLARD and LIBBY GOLDSCHMID

The future is bright for varsity girls golf. Led by underclassmen standouts, this year’s squad made waves at tournaments throughout the state. Among the 14 teams competing at the Brookstone Invitational, the Knights placed fourth, kicking off the season with a bang. They followed it up with a second-place team finish at the Alexander Cougar Invitational, where AUDREY WELCH ’25 was fourth and RAINA DESAI ’26 was sixth, and they won the Battle of Buckhead, a tournament in which ALEX HARRIS ’26 placed third as an individual. Prior to heading to the area tournament, the Knights were third out of 10 teams at the Jekyll Island Invitational.

The season came to a close at the area tournament, where Desai, Harris, Welch, HANNAH HUGHES ’26 and STILES PILCHER ’27 represented Pace. Among a field of 11 teams and 53 players, the Knights finished fifth. The team bids a fond farewell to REITA MAGUIRE ’24 and MADELINE MCMULLAN ’24 Photos by Nicholas Andrews, Rick Cone and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER

Coached by DECLAN TRAQUAIR, ETHAN ECKERT, ROSS KEENAN, RICHARD MYERS and RUTH ZAPICO

With six seasoned seniors atop the roster, the varsity girls soccer squad used its experience to defeat teams such as Dalton, Lakeside, Pike County, McDonough, Stockbridge, Mount Zion, Woodland-Stockbridge, Campbell, Lovett and Hampton. The Knights ended the regular season with a record of 11–5–1 and hosted Johnson High School in the first round of the state tournament. A 2–1 win propelled the team to the Sweet Sixteen, where the Knights faced Westminster. The truly balanced game went to penalty kicks, and Pace fell to the Wildcats by one goal, bringing a heartbreaking end to the season.

All-Region First Team accolades went to HARPER AUCHINCLOSS ’25, LEXI GOODMAN ’26 and MAYA REISS ’27; ALEXA IBARRA ’25 and ANNA KATE SHELTON ’26 earned Second Team honors. The Knights say goodbye to DEYO BOURNE ’24, ALICE GASH ’24, KACI MCCRAY ’24, REID MILLNER ’24, ADAIR SMITH ’24 and KATELYN SOUZA ’24

Photos by Fred Assaf, Rick Cone, Dave Quick and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY BOYS SOCCER

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

During the regular season, the varsity boys soccer team, led by MARTIN ANDRA-THOMAS ’24, recorded wins over McDonough, Mount Zion, Woodland-Stockbridge, Lovett, Tucker and Midtown, among others. The Knights bested Lovett, 4–0, to win the Region 5-AAAA championship and hosted Cedar Shoals High School in the first round of the GHSA Class AAAA state tournament, coming up two goals shy of advancing in postseason play.

Following the season, Andra-Thomas, LANGSTON BAPTISTE ’25, ZACHARY LOGAN ’25, TERRY NOH ’25 and JACKSON WASHBURN ’25 made the All-Region First Team; Second Team honors went to ENRIQUE ALVAREZ ’25, CHRIS CORTEZ ’25 and SAM LEMUS-CASTRO ’27

Photos by Fred Assaf, Rick Cone and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY GYMNASTICS

Coached by STEVE CUNNINGHAM and ANTOINETTE DATOC

The three members of the varsity gymnastics team— GABBY MAUTNER ’24, LEENA PHOENIX ’26 and REIGN SHERRELL ’26 —tumbled, tucked, balanced and back-handspringed their way to an undefeated regular season. The Knights brought home individual gold, silver and bronze at the Battle of Buckhead, besting gymnasts from both Lovett and Westminster, and they vaulted over Alpharetta, Lassiter, Milton, Mount Vernon and Walton to rank fifth in the Classe A–5A division heading into the state preliminary meet. While the Knights failed to advance from the preliminary round of state competition (only the top four teams and eight individuals moved on to state), the 2024 season will go down as one of the best in Pace gymnastics history, thanks in no small part to Mautner’s leadership and talent.

Photos by Rick Cone and Nicole Seitz

SPOTLIGHT ON STATE RUNNERS-UP

VARSITY BOYS TENNIS

Coached by MATT MARSICO, KELLY LEWIS and JULIE LOGAN

In recent years, the varsity boys tennis team has established itself as a powerhouse in both GHSA Class AA and AAAA, and the 2024 Knights continued the program’s winning ways.

The squad put the cherry on top of an outstanding regular season by defeating Lovett to claim the Region 5-AAAA title. From there, it was on to the Class AAAA state tournament. In the first round, the Knights made quick work of East Forsyth; they swept Holy Innocents’ and Starr’s Mill in rounds two and three, respectively; and a 3–1 Final Four win over North Oconee propelled them to the state championship.

In the title match, Pace took on Westminster, the team that had eliminated the Knights in the 2023 Final Four. HARRISON SILVER ’25 led the squad at No. 1 singles; MATTHEW HALL ’25 played at the No. 2 singles spot; and, at No. 1 doubles, NOAH BENZ ’24 and DAVID FU ’24 put up a good fight. Despite the Knights’ valiant efforts, Pace fell to the Wildcats 3–0 to claim the runner-up trophy. Next year, the team will miss its fearless leaders: Benz, Fu and SOREN MATTHIAS ’24. Photos by Rick Cone and Nicole Seitz

VARSITY GIRLS TENNIS

Coached by MATT MARSICO, KELLY LEWIS and JULIE LOGAN

With four state titles under their belts, the members of the varsity girls tennis team hoped for a return to state-championship glory this season. Following a strong regular season, the Knights blew through their opponents over the course of the Region 5-AAAA tournament, ultimately dominating rival Lovett to take the region title.

In the first round of state competition, the Knights defeated East Forsyth, 4–1. The team swept Holy Innocents’ in the Sweet 16 and then defeated West Laurens to advance to the semifinals. The Knights quickly dispatched of their Final Four opponent, besting Southeast Bulloch across all three lines in straight sets. The state final was a rematch of the 2023 Final Four in which the Knights triumphed over Westminster in an epic, five-hour tiebreaker, and the Wildcats were out for revenge. ALLISON CHITWOOD ’25, CLAIRE JIANG ’25 and CAILEIGH PINSKER ’25 played singles; LAWSON MONROE ’26, NILAYA NAG ’26, NAYANA NAG ’26 and SARAH PROCTOR ’24, the team’s lone senior, played doubles. But a return to the top of the podium was not to be; Westminster took the title, 3–0.

“Pace is extremely proud of this team and especially Proctor’s leadership,” said Coach MATT MARSICO. “She will be missed next year!”

Photos by Fred Assaf, Rick Cone and Nicole Seitz

TAKING IT UP A NOTCH

Onthe first day of their senior year, the members of the Pace Academy Class of 2024 paraded up West Paces Ferry Road and arrived on campus amid much fanfare. As they yelled and honked and waved at teary parents and perturbed passersby, they proudly donned white and gold T-shirts emblazoned with 24K , a reference to 24K Magic , the hit song by artist Bruno Mars.

The parade stood in stark contrast to the start of the class’s freshman year, which took place during the height of the COVID pandemic when masking and social distancing were the laws of the land. “Some have pontificated that these pandemic experiences delayed and stunted the growth and development of teens,” said Head of Upper School MIKE GANNON during his farewell address to the class. “I’ll be quite honest: the Class of 2024 disproves this thesis entirely. Quite to the contrary, they might be the kindest and most mature collective we’ve graduated.”

As the year progressed, the group lived into their 24K motto; they sparkled, spreading laughter, joy, light and love. They built intentional relationships with younger students; they organized tailgates and Color Wars; they dedicated the yearbook to SONYA MCCULLOUGH , who leads the school’s cleaning service; they celebrated each other.

“Reflecting on this golden class—the 24K magic—and what they accomplished these last four years, it occurs to me that while they are treasured, magical, they are not gold, not even the 24-carat gold they chose as their theme,” Class of 2024 Dean CAITLIN TERRY said during Baccalaureate. “They are alchemists.”

Terry went on to describe alchemy as a chemical science and speculative philosophy dating from the Middle Ages. Its aim was to transform base metals into gold, she said. It also included the pursuit of an elixir, a universal cure and a method for prolonging life. “These alchemists, the Class of 2024, have done just that,” Terry declared. “With innumerable challenges and stripped-away supports, they took their rough high-school beginning and transmuted it beyond something golden, leaving a legacy of mattering here at Pace Academy.”

At Commencement, NBC Sports Anchor MARIA TAYLOR’s keynote address echoed that theme of transmutation, of transforming trials into triumphs. “We’re going to fail,” Taylor told graduates. “But we have to learn to fail fast. You can’t let the last play affect the next play… Your journey doesn’t have to be a straight line, a straight path, but you have to follow the opportunities afforded to you.”

She continued: “I want you to know in your heart and to trust that you are more than capable, that you have everything you need right now to become something extraordinary.” Or, one might say, to become something magic. 

“Class of 2024, this incredible road you’ve been on leads to an incredible future, and we are confident that you are ready to merge onto the highway of life. I hope you will remember that your road began here, and that you’ll always have a home at Pace Academy.”

FRED ASSAF Head of School

The Alchemists

Celebrating the Pace Academy Class of 2024

“If you ever feel uncomfortable, uncertain or not entirely confident in yourself, remember who you are and what you have created here. You are alchemists. You are more valuable than gold. You are the transformers. You changed some of the most difficult experiences in our lives into ones of joy, welcoming, acceptance, gratitude and love.”

CAITLIN TERRY Dean of the Class of 2024

The Class of 2024 By the Numbers

“As we get ready to leave this place, I ask you to remember these traits: Be clever. Be kind. Let’s not forget to find fun in the world around us. Let’s share our kindness and cleverness with the rest of the world. I am so excited to see what the future holds for each and every one of us.”

MORGAN GOLDSTROM ’24

Valedictorian

“I want to talk about how fortunate I feel to have had you all as classmates. I’ve spent the past seven years surrounded by the kindest, most generous and hardest-working people, and I want to thank you for that.”

BRODY MATHIAS Salutatorian

Senior Awards

Arts Alliance George Mengert

Lifetime Achievement Award

Jackson Allegra, Daniel Owens & Hannah White

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup Morgan Goldstrom

Booster Club Career Contribution to Athletics Award [1] Lane Canova

Cappy Lewis Award for Excellence in Spanish [2] Lexi Pollard

Charlie Owens Letter Blanket Award

Grace Agolli, Martin Andra-Thomas, Ellie Arenth, Tucker Ausband, Cole Belinfante, Gadit Bejar, Noah Benz, Hevin BrownShuler, Lane Canova, Maddox Crawford, Colin Curtin, Emery Duncan, Adrienne Durr, Claire Easterling, Roland Foster, Ansley Freudenstein, David Fu, Alice Gash, Henry Gaudet, Morgan Goldstrom, Millie Gray, Hayden Harris, Alex Hayes, Ansli Hennings, Caroline Hood, Jordyn Howard, Wells Howe, Jackson Hurd, Christian Johnson, Libby Jonas, Terrence Kiel, Cason Klarman, Dhru Lalaji, Harrison Leusink,

George Little, Reita Maguire, JD Maske, Brody Matthias, Soren Matthias, Gabby Mautner, Kaci McCray, Reed Millner, Lamar Moore, Will Moore, Sarah Proctor, Ryan Reiss, Ethan Rucker, Ellie Siskin, Adair Smith, Walker Smith, Katelyn Souza, William Souza, Rebecca Thompson, Alex Trujillo, Sydney Vincent, Matthew Wells & Ashton Wiley

Computer Science Department Award

Henry Gaudet

Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award

Martin Andra-Thomas

Eagle Scout Recognition

Adger Allen, Cole Belinfante, Drew Crumley, Colin Curtin, Katherine Davis, Hayden Harris, Will Moore, Daniel Owens, Joe Shippen & Matthew Wells

Frank D. Kaley Award

Ellie Carter

George G. Kirkpatrick Pace Knight Award

Ellie Arenth [3] & Daniel Owens [4]

Gladys Johnson Award [5]

Gabby Mautner & Soren Matthias

Head of School Award

Grace Agolli, Henry Levenson, Asher Lubin, Lamar Moore, Katelyn Souza & Hannah White

Hilton and Philippa Kort Service Above Self Award

Sidney Keys

James De La Fuente Award

Jackson Allegra & Carly Cannon

Jim and Lesley Wheeler

Scholar Athlete Award

Jordyn Howard & Matthew Wells

Kent C. Taylor, Jr. Award

Stone Chambers, Emery Duncan, Alice Gash, Alex Hayes, Ansli Hennings, Ryan Reiss & Adair Smith

Lance and Shield Award

Dhru Lalaji & Will Moore

Margery Russell Wilmot Spirit Award

Adger Allen, Ross Bernath, Libby Jonas, J.D. Maske, Rebecca Thompson & Mia Williams

Marsha Durlin Award for Excellence in English

Amelia Honabach

Mike Gannon Award for Excellence in History

Cole Belinfante

Mike Murphy Courage to Strive for Excellence Award [6]

Colin Curtin & Morgan Miller

Pace Senior Citizens

Adger Allen, Ellie Arenth, Ellie Aronson, Tucker Ausband, Cole Belinfante, Charlee Chastain, Drew Crumley, Colin Curtin, Emery Duncan, Claire Easterling, Henry Gaudet, Millie Gray, Hayden Harris, Alex Hayes, Amelia Honabach, Caroline Hood, Jordyn Howard, Wells Howe, Mary Ellis

Irvin, Libby Jonas, Cason Klarman, Dhru Lalaji, Charlotte Lemke, Henry Levenson,

George Little, Asher Lubin, Reita Maguire, J.D. Maske, Gabby Mautner, Kaci McCray, Madeline McMullan, William McMullan, Ted Miller, Reed Millner, Will Moore,

Daniel Owens, Josie Panzer, Dylan Popo, Prabhavh Pradeep, Joe Shippen, Ellie Siskin, Rebecca Thompson, Alex Trujillo, Mac Warren, Matthew Wells & Hannah White

Peter F. Hoffman Honor Scholarship

Hannah Much & Christian Johnson

Ralph Lee Newton Literary Award

Will Cannaday & Reed Millner

Raymond Buckley Award [7]

Caroline Hood & Terrence Kiel

Ricks Carson Pace Literary Prize [8]

Millie Gray

Robert A. Yellowlees Award [9]

Makayli Anochie & Reita Maguire

Salutatorian

Brody Matthias

Science Department Award

Ellie Siskin

Sydney A. Rushin

Mathematics Prize [10]

Alex Finn

Valedictorian

Morgan Goldstrom

World Language Department Award

Is Wilhelm (French) [11]

Brody Matthias (Latin)

Next Stop, College

The Class of 2024 will matriculate at the following colleges and universities:

American University

Auburn University (5)

Boston College (2)

Bowdoin College

Brown University

Carleton College

Case Western Reserve University

Clemson University (2)

Colby College

Colorado College

Columbia University

Denison University

Duke University

Elon University

Emory University

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida State University (2)

Georgetown University (2)

Georgia Institute of Technology (3)

Georgia State University

Indiana University (2)

Luther College

Macalester College

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

McMaster University

Middlebury College

Morehouse College

New York University

Northeastern University

Pepperdine University

Piedmont University

Pomona College

Princeton University

Purdue University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Sewanee: The University of the South (2)

Southern Methodist University

Stanford University

Temple University

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University (2)

The University of Alabama

The University of Texas at Austin (2)

Tufts University

Tulane University (2)

United States Naval Academy

University of California at Berkeley

University of Central Florida

University of Chicago (3)

University of Colorado Boulder (2)

University of Florida

University of Georgia (12)

University of Maryland

University of Miami (4)

University of Michigan (3)

University of Notre Dame

University of Pennsylvania (3)

University of Richmond

University of South Carolina (4)

University of Tennessee

University of Virginia (3)

Vanderbilt University (4)

Wake Forest University (3)

Washington and Lee University

Washington University in St. Louis (3)

William & Mary

Wofford College (2)

Yale University (2)

Below:

This past March, Director of Mental Wellness

ELLYE MILLAWAY previewed the Mental Wellness Initiative for all faculty and staff.

Building STRENGTH

An expanded, proactive and schoolwide approach to mental wellness

“At

Pace, we understand that healthy, happy students are better learners, and that academic excellence is only achievable when the whole child is supported.”

So begins the Student Life & School Culture section of Excellence in Every Endeavor: Pace Academy’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan. It continues: “We also deeply believe that it takes a village to raise a child, so we partner with parents and caregivers to ensure the mental, social and physical health of all students, and to support parents and caregivers as they navigate parenthood. Calculated characterdevelopment programming undergirds our health and wellness efforts in all divisions. To become prepared, confident citizens of the world, we know that students must first be good citizens—in face-to-face interactions and in digital spaces.”

The plan goes on to identify Mental Health as one of the school’s five top strategic priorities, a fitting focus given that, according to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, children and teens in America are in the midst of an unprecedented mental health crisis. Research from the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health shows that 20% of U.S. youth age 3 through 17 have an emotional, mental or developmental disorder; 60% of youth with major depressive disorders do not receive mental health treatment; and suicidal behavior among high-school students increased by 40% from 2008 to 2018. In addition, organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine have added children and adolescents in highachieving schools to their lists of at-risk groups. These are sobering statistics, but ignoring them is not an option.

“We know that mental health impacts 100% of the families in our community. We also know that children spend more waking hours in our care than at home—and that presents both challenges and exciting opportunities,” says Head of School FRED ASSAF, who sits on the Adolescent Advisory Council at Skyland Trail, a nonprofit mental health treatment organization that offers residential and day treatment programs for teens and adults.

“I talk a lot about how we need to prepare our children for the road ahead rather than prepare the road for our children,” he continues. “In my 30-plus years in education and in countless conversations with doctors and leaders in the mental health field, it has become clear to me that, as a society, our approach to tackling mental health issues in children and teens has been almost entirely reactive. I’m interested to see what happens when we employ a preventative strategy. It’s time to expand our counseling and character-education programming and implement a more proactive, schoolwide initiative around mental wellness.”

Getting to Work

Since Excellence in Every Endeavor ’s publication, a team of faculty, staff, Board members and mental health experts have worked tirelessly to develop a program that builds on existing efforts to keep mental wellness at the heart of the Pace experience for all members of the Pace community. In 2022, Assaf, Board of Trustees Chair ELIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS, Trustees BRENT HASTIE and AMY HERTZ AGAMI, Consulting Psychologist DR. CHRISTI BARTOLOMUCCI, Director of Mental Wellness ELLYE MILLAWAY and Director of Counseling Services AMELIA HARMON embarked on an information-gathering expedition.

For the past three years, Middle and Upper School students have taken a cultural climate survey and reported on, among other things, anxiety, feelings of depression and substance misuse. Armed with that data, the team began reaching out to experts in the field, gathering information on best practices, talking to counterparts at college and universities, diving deep into the principles of positive psychology and visiting schools committed to similar work. Experts at Skyland Trail, Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta weighed in on what a school community that proactively embraces wellness might look like.

Through The Positivity Project—a program that implements charactereducation initiatives in schools—Assaf and

Millaway connected with leaders in North Carolina’s Wake County Public School System. “Fred and I went to the Triangle area to meet with educators and students at three of The Positivity Project’s model schools there,” Millaway says. At each of the schools, all students and teachers take the VIA Character Strengths Survey, a personality inventory that ranks 24 character strengths—traits like Love, Creativity, Judgement, Hope and Humility.

“The idea is that when you and those around you know your strengths, you can maximize those strengths in the classroom, the school community and everyday interactions,” Millaways explains. “Fred and I had a roundtable discussion with students who shared how they use the results of their surveys to understand their top strengths—and their lesser strengths. And we heard how teachers use the results to do things like determine class groupings and encourage students in specific endeavors.”

The team also consulted with Geffen Academy at UCLA, an independent school in Los Angeles for grades six through 12. “Geffen Academy was one of the first schools to embed wellness into its curriculum,” Millaway says. There, students participate in a weekly wellness class where they learn, among other things, skills they can use to manage their mental health and build healthy relationships. The school’s annual Mental Health Education Institute provides training for teachers who want to improve their own mental health and support their students in doing the same.

The group turned to in-house experts for additional information. Pace

Consulting Psychologist DR. CHRISTI

BARTOLOMUCCI (see page 59) offered insights from her 20-plus years in private practice and, throughout the 2023–2024 school year, faculty subcommittees in every division met bi-weekly to reflect on and discuss the ways in which Pace as an institution could better support both students and faculty and staff.

Millaway also polled Upper School students in her Advanced Placement Psychology classes and asked who in the Pace community they seek out when they encounter problems. “Fifty-four students named 54 unique faculty and staff members,” she reports. “Everyone from deans

and counselors to teachers, coaches and administrators were on the list—a true testament to the adults in our community and to the importance of equipping those adults with the tools they need to support our students.”

After a year and a half of research and outreach, Millaway and company analyzed all that they had learned and, in January 2024, presented to the Board of Trustees a plan for an innovative, proactive and evidence-based mental wellness program unique to Pace Academy. In a unanimous vote, the Board approved a fall 2024 launch.

“One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Martin Seligman, director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania,” Millaway says. “‘Psychology should be just as concerned with building strength as with repairing damage,’ he says, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here at Pace. We want to equip students with the social and emotional tools they need to face life’s inevitable challenges before they arise.”

Assaf and Millaway have employed the image of a three-legged stool when discussing the pillars of the Mental Wellness Initiative. At the center sit Thriving Students, who are supported by three legs: Empowered Faculty, Informed Families and Prepared Peers

• Teamwork

• Zest

• Social Intelligence

• Humor

• Leadership

• Humility

• Perspective

• Bravery

Leadership Collaboration

The Program: Empowered Faculty

“The idea is that behind every successful student is a supportive teacher, engaged and informed parents and caregivers, and caring friends,” Hastie says. “But the adults in our community can’t successfully support students if they are not caring for themselves, or if they don’t have the language or skills with which to talk about mental health. The same goes for parents and kids.”

This past March, Millaway previewed the Mental Wellness Initiative for all faculty and staff, who then took their own VIA Character Strengths Surveys (new faculty members took the survey during new employee orientation this fall) and later donned colorful pins displaying their top strengths. Over the summer, counselors and select faculty participated in professional development, including programs from The Positivity Project and Geffen Academy’s Mental Health Education

• Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

• Love of Learning

• Curiosity

• Creativity

Curiosity

• Perseverance

• Prudence

• Hope

• SelfRegulation

Perseverance

Institute. August’s faculty and staff preplanning focused on mental wellness and included a keynote address from Geffen Academy Wellness Director and A Kids Book About Anxiety author Ross Szabo, as well as breakout sessions led by Bartolomucci, Georgia Tech Sports Psychologist Dr. Steedy Kontos and others.

Recognizing that all Pace employees influence the student experience, the school has placed greater emphasis on the wellbeing of faculty and staff. Beginning this school year, Pace offers an employee assistance program that provides all employees and their families mental health services at no additional cost to the employee. Coverage includes in-person and virtual counseling sessions, legal and financial guidance and wellness resources.

“Our faculty and staff are the heart and soul of Pace Academy,” Assaf says. “It is our responsibility to ensure that they are taken care of as people, as individuals, so they can take care of our students.”

• Kindness

• Forgiveness

• Love

• Spirituality

Empathy

• Honesty

• Judgment

• Gratitude

• Fairness

Respect

The Program: Informed Families

“We create success through partnership with parents, students and faculty” has been one of the school’s core values since its inception.

“We very much believe that it takes a village to raise a child,” Assaf says. “The term ‘Pace Family’ is not just something we say—it’s a real thing. We’re all in this together, and we know that we’re better as an institution because of that.”

Recognizing the vital role that the parent-school partnership plays in students’ lives, Pace has long provided educational opportunities for parents and caregivers—programming that the Mental Wellness Initiative will enhance and expand.

“The social and emotional skills we teach students at school are so much more effective when they’re reinforced at home,” Millaway says, “and parents—

like teachers and coaches—need the tools to know how to support those developing skills.”

To equip parents and families with those tools, the counseling team, in partnership with the Parenting Connection committee of the Pace Parents Club, offers regular educational opportunities—a professional speaker series, workshops for parents, and Coffee and Conversation events with members of the counseling department are open to all adults in the school community. Programming provides insights into child development, mental health, technology, positive parenting, substance misuse, parenting trends and other relevant topics.

In addition, the Parenting Connection Book Club facilitates discussions around texts—most recently Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation —that dive into timely, mental wellness-related subjects, and this fall launched Connection Groups, small gatherings of parents who meet throughout the year to examine specific topics such as technology and nutrition.

The counseling team also works directly with families when a child is struggling. Director of Counseling Services Amelia Harmon, Bartolomucci and counselors in all divisions maintain a wide network of partnerships with community providers such as outpatient therapists and psychologists, and connect families to those resources when needed.

The Program: Thriving Students & Prepared Peers

Because Pace students of all ages have the support of empowered faculty and informed families—because they are known and loved—they have the freedom to thrive, and to encourage their peers on their journeys of healthy development and positive well-being.

“We understand that students will face myriad challenges and difficulties—it’s life, after all—and while we can’t predict or prepare the road ahead, we can prepare them for whatever twists and turns they might face along the way,” Assaf says.

age certain traits in certain students and to help students work on those strengths that may need some attention.”

To further tailor support for individual students, Millaway and her team have asked all students to identify an adult or adults on campus with whom they feel comfortable sharing their struggles. The goal is to ensure that every student has at least one “safe and trusted” adviser to whom they can turn when in need of a listening ear.

Below:

August’s faculty and staff pre-planning focused on mental wellness and included a keynote address from Geffen Academy Wellness Director and

To that end, character education, a hallmark of a Pace education, has been elevated across divisions using the 24 VIA Character Strengths. Each of the Lower School’s Noble Knights’ Pillars of Character—Respect, Leadership, Perseverance, Empathy, Curiosity and Collaboration—aligns with four VIA Character Strengths.

“The Pillars of Character program has been incredibly effective in recent years,” Millaway reports. “By implementing the VIA Strengths survey for all faculty, staff, and Middle and Upper School students, we are building on the Lower School program and creating a common language with which all members of the Pace community can talk about their strengths. Having this knowledge and common language will allow teachers to encour-

“Research shows that supportive relationships with adults increase student engagement and academic success. When students know that they matter to just one person, they show more self-efficacy and motivation and are at a decreased risk for substance abuse and absenteeism,” Millaway says. “If a student is unable to name that person, it’s a signal for us, as a counseling team, to help that student find their place in our school community.”

In addition, Pace students of all ages have access to individual and small-group counseling sessions with licensed mental health professionals. As part of the Mental Wellness Initiative, the school has doubled the number of counselors in the Lower School and added a counselor to the Upper School team. In partnership with the class dean, RACHEL COLE will follow this year’s freshman class, the Class of 2028, over the (continued on page 61)

AT A GLANCE:

Lower School

Mental Wellness by Division

Middle School

• CHARACTER EDUCATION is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the curriculum; the Noble Knights' Pillars of Character program emphasizes six key character traits.

• Counselors offer INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SUPPORT through one-on-one and small-group counseling sessions and, if necessary, connect families to outside resources.

• Counselors teach CLASSROOM LESSONS following a structured scope-and-sequence carefully crafted to build cumulative social and emotional skills.

• MENTORING PROGRAMS like first- and fifth-grade buddies and PASS (Pace Academy Student Support) facilitate conversation about kindness, leadership, responsibility and making healthy choices.

• Teachers, trained in the principles of RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM, create joyful, safe and engaging learning environments conducive to emotional growth.

• Using the VIA Institute on Character’s 24 Character Strengths, students learn how to employ their unique strengths to enrich the school community; morning assemblies, advisory groups and classroom discussions incorporate CHARACTER EDUCATION

• In partnership with class deans and the Academic Resource Center, counselors provide INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING to address personal, social and academic concerns.

• Relationship mapping ensures that all students have SUPPORTIVE NETWORKS of trusted adults and mentors.

• As part of the Discovery program, counselors regularly deliver CLASSROOM LESSONS that develop key social and emotional skills.

• In monthly meetings, Upper Schoolers serve as MENTORS through the PASS (Pace Academy Student Support) program, where students discuss stress management and navigating adolescence.

• The student-run WELLNESS COUNCIL fosters a positive and supportive environment by coordinating initiatives and events.

• Students learn positive DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP through interactive lessons from The Social Institute.

Upper School

• Students address personal, social and academic issues in one-on-one and small-group CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING sessions.

• Assemblies and educational workshops with expert guest speakers raise AWARENESS about mental health issues and help students manage their well-being.

• MENTORING AND LEADERSHIP-DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMS include Peer Leadership, where seniors support ninth graders; PASS (Pace Academy Student Support), in which Upper Schoolers mentor younger students; and the Student Advisory Board, which actively promotes wellness through projects, activities and events.

• The PATHWAYS PROGRAM, part of the ninth-grade curriculum facilitated by trained faculty, emphasizes essential skills for SUCCESS: Self-Awareness, Understanding Emotion, Communication, Connection, Exercising Resilience, Self-Care and Self-Efficacy.

• Relationship mapping ensures that all students have SUPPORTIVE NETWORKS of trusted adults and mentors.

Get to Know Dr. Christi Bartolomucci Consulting Psychologist

DR. CHRISTI BARTOLOMUCCI joined the Pace community as consulting psychologist in 2023 and is available to meet with students, parents and caregivers to provide counseling services. The founder and clinical director of Atlanta Innovative Counseling Center, Bartolomucci specializes in working with children, adolescents and families struggling with difficulties ranging from anxiety and depression to perfectionism, body image and ADHD.

Bartolomucci is a licensed psychologist, licensed professional counselor and a certified professional counselor supervisor. She received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology and her M.Ed. in community counseling from the University of Georgia. She completed a pre-doctoral internship in child clinical psychology at the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center. Her post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric psychology was completed at Emory University School of Medicine. Bartolomucci has been in private practice in the Atlanta area since 2003.

This fall, Bartolomucci is offering a series of educational sessions for parents and caregivers entitled Raising Prepared and Confident Kids . Sessions include guidance regarding integrating mental wellness and positive psychology at home and delve into developmentally appropriate strategies for emphasizing a child's strengths and fostering resilience.

Our Mental Wellness Team

Sue Errera MA, LPC Middle School Counselor

Our Mental Wellness Philosophy

Pace is committed to fostering a nurturing, safe and positive learning environment for every student. Our mental wellness programs are dedicated to promoting healthy development and positive well-being throughout the Pace community. Through proactive prevention and education initiatives, we support the wellbeing of students, families and faculty alike.

Ellye Millaway MSW, LCSW Director of Mental Wellness, Upper School Counselor

Lele Fallon MS, LPC Middle School Counselor

What is Mental Wellness?

• Overall positive wellbeing

• The ability to cope effective ly with life’s difficulties

• Having an awareness of one’s own strengths

• Maintaining healthy relationships

Amelia Harmon MS, LMFT Director of Counseling Services, Upper School Counselor

Madelynn Coots MS Lower School Counselor

Pam Petrillo MS, Ed.S Lower School Counselor

Rachel Cole M.Ed, M.Ed, NCC Upper School Counselor

(continued from page 57) course of students’ four years in the Upper School. Next year, another counselor will join the Upper School faculty, providing support to the Class of 2029.

“We now have two Lower School counselors, two Middle School counselors and three Upper School counselors, which will allow us all to build deeper relationships with students and more easily identify concerns,” says Millaway.

Take the VIA Character Strengths Survey

Discover your character strengths using a 10-minute, free, empirically-validated survey. Visit viacharacter.org/ account/register

Education around mental wellness has also increased for students of all ages, again, with a proactive focus on building strength and mental agility. Visiting speakers from organizations such as The Social Institute and Soundcheck Prevention Network counsel Middle and Upper School students. In the Upper School, Transitions, a required class for all ninth graders, has been redesigned as Pathways, a course that helps students navigate the transition to high school and build self-awareness and interpersonal skills. Middle School advisory groups and programs such as PASS (Pace Academy Student Support) provide mentorship and facilitate discussions about mental wellness. And in the Lower School, a counseling block has been added to the eight-day rotating schedule so that counselors can maintain regular contact with all students and seamlessly integrate character-education into the curriculum.

“By bringing character education and mental wellness to the forefront of conversations and of our culture, we destigmatize mental health, and we give students the language and skills they need to approach challenges in healthy ways, to seek help when they need it and to support their friends,” Assaf says. “I’m excited to see how this initiative grows and evolves in the coming years. I’m so proud that we, as a school community, have the courage to strive for excellence when it comes to mental health.” l

Sources

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2022). 2022 National healthcare quality and disparities report (Report No. 22(23)-0030). Rockville, MD. www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/nhqdr22/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Youth risk behavior surveillance data summary & trends report : 2011–2021. www.cdc.gov/yrbs

Southeast Regional Educational Laboratory. (n.d.). How can trusting relationships with adults boost student success? https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/ regions/southwest/pdf/infographics/relsw-infographic11-508.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Protecting youth mental health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/ files/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). Vibrant and healthy kids: Aligning science, practice, and policy to advance health equity. Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on Applying Neurobiological and Socio-Behavioral Sciences from Prenatal Through Early Childhood Development: A Health Equity Approach. National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25466

Meet Dr. Ed Craighead Mental Wellness Advisory Board Chair

A council made up of experts in mental wellness fields oversees the development and implementation of the school’s Mental Wellness Initiative. DR. EDWARD CRAIGHEAD, J Rex Fuqua Endowed Chair of Emory University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, leads the group.

Craighead earned his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His career has taken him from Pennsylvania State University (State College) to Duke University and the University of Colorado-Boulder, where he served as chair of the psychology department. He joined the Emory faculty in 2006.

Dr. Craighead has co-authored or edited 13 books, including the widely used graduate textbook, Psychopathology. He helped launch and later served as editor of Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice and was editor of Behavior Therapy. He is a past-president of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy (now ABCT), the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology and the Society of Clinical Psychology (the Clinical Division of the American Psychological Association).

He received the Society of Clinical Psychology's Florence Halpern Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Clinical Psychology, and he was awarded a Presidential Citation for his lifetime contributions to clinical psychology. He recently was selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, and was named a Member of Distinction of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

ALUMNI UPDATES: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

[01] Shepherd Center recently recognized JAMES CURTIS ’90 for contributing more than 20,000 hours of volunteer work. The private, not-for-profit hospital specializes in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain and other neuromuscular conditions. “I began volunteering in 1988 because of service requirements at Pace,” says James, whose areas of volunteer service have ranged from the organization's Junior Committee and Noble Resource Center to the Shepherd Center Foundation and the Respiratory Services department. “Volunteering at Shepherd Center is a labor of love.”

[02] The University of Georgia has named HAILEY HEBEBRAND MORELLI ’12 to its 2024 40 Under 40, a list that “celebrates young alumni leading the pack in their industries and communities.” A graduate of UGA’s College of Engineering, Hailey serves as a senior consultant at FTI Consulting, where she provides services for the design and construction industry, including expert

witness testimony, project management and advisory support. She also helps grow the company through recruitment efforts and outreach. Hailey was selected as the convocation speaker for the College of Engineering’s Class of 2017, the inaugural chair for the UGA College of Engineering Alumni Board and now serves on the UGA College of Engineering Advisory Board.

[03] MEGAN MCCURRY ’13 has joined Boston-based biotech startup Holobiome as a scientist in microbiology working on the gut-brain axis. Prior to her time at Holobiome, Megan earned her Ph.D. in chemical biology from Harvard University and worked as a postdoctoral fellow in her Ph.D. lab to write and publish a paper about her thesis work. The paper, Gut bacteria convert glucocorticoids into progestins in the presence of hydrogen gas, describes how bacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal tract can perform a chemical reaction that produces a drug used to treat postpartum depression. It has been published online at Cell, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

[04] DYLAN STEINFELD ’15 was promoted to senior manager, Pro Strategy at The Home Depot. In his new role, Dylan leads projects and teams in finding innovative ways to better service the ProRenovator and Remodeler customer. A graduate of Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business, Dylan began his career at Deloitte Consulting and joined The Home Depot’s pricing team as an analyst in 2020. Dylan serves on the Scheller Young Alumni Advisory Board and on the Pace Academy Alumni Board, where he co-chairs the Young Alumni Committee.

[05] After spending the past three years in London, LAUREN ARCHER ’16 has returned to Atlanta to work as associate manager of channel development at Newell Brands. In this role, Lauren helps manage and develop the company’s Home & Kitchen offerings, growing its U.S. market and reach while working with brands such as Crock-Pot, Rubbermaid and Mr. Coffee.

[06] HAYDEN SAMPLE ’20 has joined Intuitive Surgical as a Genesis associate product marketing manager. In her role, Hayden collaborates with cross-functional teams and healthcare professionals to enhance robotic surgery programs. She earned her degree in biomedical engineering from Wake Forest University.

[07] EVERETT O’GORMAN ’20 graduated from the University of Georgia and moved to Charlotte to work as an enterprise analyst in the Truist Leadership Development Program. During the 10-month program, Everett will learn the integral parts of the company—from risk and audit to finance and corporate strategy.

[08] KRISTIN HARTMAN ’21 spent the summer as a corporate real estate intern at American Airlines’ Dallas-Fort Worth headquarters. Kristin, a senior at Texas Christian University majoring in business, worked alongside American’s Airport Affairs and Properties teams, focusing on process-streamlining projects, real estate-management operations and docu -

mentation of procedure improvements relating to the airline's real estate. “I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the airline industry and the complex details, regulations, and processes related to airport affairs and properties,” she writes.

[09] NOAH BENNETT ’21, a senior architectural engineering major at North Carolina A&T State University, interned as a building information model (BIM) technician in the design and engineering department at Clayco, a full-service real estate, architecture, engineering, design-build and construction firm. Upon graduation, Noah plans to work as a BIM technician or drafter for a construction or architecture firm.

[10] NILE BENNETT ’22 recently completed a stint as an environmental affairs intern at Yale University, where he worked with the environmental, health and safety program in environmental compliance. Nile’s duties included testing air tanks, retrieving water samples, monitoring power plants and working on a Title V permit.

Nile attends Miles College and is the first student from a historically Black college or university to intern with Yale Environmental Health & Safety.

[11] ALLIE CAMPBELL ’22 served as the on-field host for the Macon Bacon, a summer collegiate baseball team located in Macon, Ga. Allie and the team’s mascot, Kevin, a 7-foot strip of bacon, entertained thousands of fans before and during games, and she conducted sit-down and sideline interviews with players and coaches. A junior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Allie plans to pursue a career in sports broadcast journalism. During the academic year, she works in operations support for the SEC Network; co-hosts SimplyPut , a podcast that helps students understand current events in news and sports; and has co-hosted Overtime, a Fox Sports Radio show. Her content can be found on her website, allie-campbell.com

MARRIAGES

[12–13] HANNAH KELLY VANDERMALE ’15 and John Preston “JP” Vandermale were married April 27, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Philip. A reception at the Kelly residence followed. MORGAN KELLY ’16 served as the maid of honor; JILLIAN PAUL ’16 was a bridesmaid. Attendees included GRANT KELLY ’20, TYLER KELLY ’20, AUSTIN KELLY ’20, JULIA BECK ’15, LARINE HAMIED ’15, ANNA HOFFMAN IMPERIAL ’15, SAL LETTES ’15, KATIE NELSON ’15, LACEY O’SULLIVAN ’15, ERIN RAWLS ’15, HANK ASSAF ’15, MARTHA DOWNERASSAF and Head of School FRED ASSAF. The couple lives in Atlanta.

[14 –15] JOE LOUGHRAN ’16 and Mary Elise Loughran were married in St. John Orthodox Church on June 8, 2024, and celebrated with a reception at Dixon Gallery & Gardens in Memphis, Tenn. The wedding party included JAKE RICHARDS ’16, JORDAN LOUGHRAN ’23 and KHAKI LOUGHRAN ’18 BRAD RUBIN ’16, PHILIP ELLIOTT ’16, JACK DOUGLASS ‘18 and COREY RICHARDS ’14 also attended.

FACULTY & STAFF MILESTONES

[16 –17] Middle School math teacher

TAYLOR BERRY married Brian Johnson on March 2, 2024, in Roswell, Ga.

[18] Digital Content Producer DIDIER BRIVAL and his wife, Lynzee Stewart, welcomed daughter Emeline Esme on Aug. 15, 2024. Emeline joins big brother Ollie, 5.

[19] Second-grade homeroom teacher

EMILY WESNOFSKE CURRY and Brian Curry were married May 4, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Brian is a pediatric cardiology fellow at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The couple met as freshmen at the University of Georgia and have been together for 10 years.

[20] Middle School Learning Specialist

JULIA EGBEBIKE and Christian Wilson were married on June 22, 2024.

[21] Upper School English teacher and Class of 2028 Dean TAMARA NEILEY and her husband, Eric, welcomed son Everett Walker on July 1, 2024.

BIRTHS

[22] GEORGIA EVERT O’DONOGHUE

’07 and her husband, Brendan, welcomed twins Sutton and Conor on March 5, 2024. They join big brother Michael, 3. The family lives in Atlanta.

[23] SYMONE SOMMERVILLE JONES

’14 and her husband, Jeremy, had a baby girl, Jade Symone, on Aug. 5, 2024.

IN MEMORIAM

[24] STEVE LARKIN, beloved husband of longtime faculty member KATHIE LARKIN, died on July 23, 2024, following a fall at his home. The Larkin family joined the Pace community in 1979, when daughter DODIE LARKIN YOUNG ’92 enrolled in Pre-First. JOHN LARKIN ’96 became a Pace Knight in 1983, and Kathie became a faculty member in 1984, serving first as a Lower School teacher and, later, as Assistant Head of Middle School for Academics. Kathie retired in 2022 after 37 years at Pace.

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Steve graduated from Christian Brothers High School and the University of TennesseeKnoxville, where he met Kathie. The college sweethearts married and, in 1979, moved to Atlanta, where Steve pursued a career in construction management. He loved Tennessee football, golf, and his roles as husband, father and grandfather to his five grandchildren.

“Steve will be remembered for his quiet, gentle nature and sense of humor,” the family writes. “He spent countless hours building LEGOs with his grandchildren, grilling on his multiple grills, working on puzzles and hosting Pace Academy faculty parties. He thought of others first, saw the best in people, and was happiest when he was with Kathie, his children and his grandchildren.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation or Christian Brothers High School. l

[1] TYLER WHEELER ’00, ALISON WHEELER DUNAGAN ’01 and JONATHAN KORT ’00 ran into each other at a youth lacrosse tournament in Aspen, Colo., in which Alison’s son, Wheeler, and Jonathan’s son, Hilton, were competing.

[2] ERIC RIDDELL, ZACK EZOR, LARA GOODRICH EZOR, MCKINSEY BOND and ANNA RHODES, all members of the Class of 2006, reunited in Durham, N.C., over Labor Day Weekend.

[3] Dean of Students ERICA BARBAKOW caught up with PATRICK MARKWALTER ’19 and TIM COLEMAN ’16, both of whom are serving as varsity football coaches this fall.

The Alumni Association’s annual New York City happy hour was a big success! More than 55 alumni joined the Head of School FRED

ASSAF, MARTHA DOWNERASSAF, Director of Advancement

HEATHER WHITE, former Principal Gifts Officer HAYNES ROBERTS ’96, Dean of Students

ERICA BARBAKOW, former Dean of Students GUS WHYTE and Alumni Manager OLIVIA DILLON ’17 at The Wren near the East Village. “We had such a lovely time that we extended our stay at the venue,” Olivia reports. “We cannot wait until next year!” l

The Alumni Lacrosse Game is a beloved alumni tradition that takes place every May. This year, more than 40 players participated, and the alumni team emerged victorious. Thanks to Director of Athletics

CHAD WABREK , lacrosse coach CHASE WINTER and those who volunteered their Saturday morning to help the Alumni Office pull off the event.

Alumni Events

Photos by Chuck Jordan l

To apply, visit:

www.paceacademy.org/alumni/leadership-pace

Questions?

Reach out to Alumni Manager OLIVIA DILLON ’17 at olivia.dillon@paceacademy.org.

PACE

Leadership Pace is back! The one-day program aims to increase alumni engagement, inform alumni about Pace today and assist alumni in becoming involved in volunteer roles. Participants will obtain an integrated view of Pace, the internal and external forces that affect the school’s direction and the challenges it faces. Program participants will engage with senior school administrators and discuss Pace’s strategic plan and future.

Leadership Pace 2025 will take place on the Pace campus on Friday, Jan. 24. Graduates are then invited to attend the annual alumni Knight Cap event on Saturday, Jan. 24, where they will be celebrated among their peers.

MEREDITH WINITT FORRESTER ’95

(left) and BEN THORPE ’00 (right) present KATE GRICE ’25 with the Alumni Scholar Award during the Underclassmen Awards program on April 30.

SINCE 1997, the Pace Academy Alumni Association has annually recognized a junior with the Alumni Scholar Award, celebrating those who exemplify the school's values of integrity, academic excellence, leadership and community engagement. This year, the award was presented to KATE GRICE ’25 in recognition of her significant contributions to the school community.

Throughout her time at Pace, Kate has engaged passionately in academics, athletics and extracurricular pursuits. She received the Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar Athlete Award for leading her softball team to regional victory, serving as captain of the varsity girls basketball team and advocating for mental health in athletics through Pace’s Social Innovation Fellows group. Beyond sports, Kate has been an active member of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Club and co-founded Pace’s Pickleball Club. She is a devoted leader, committing her time to the Student Council and playing a pivotal role in organizing TEDxPaceAcademy events.

Reflecting on her journey, Kate says, “Pace Academy has been instrumental in shaping my diverse interests and achievements, and I'm grateful for the supportive community that has enriched my experience.” l

Me et Our 2024

ALUMNI SCHOLAR

[1] JACKSON ALLEGRA ’24, KATE ALLEGRA TORNUSCIOLO ’01 and JOEY ALLEGRA ’96

GRACE AGOLLI ’24 and ADA JANE AGOLLI ’20

[2] ADGER ALLEN ’24 and RUSS ALLEN ’93

MARTIN ANDRA-THOMAS ’24, KLARA ANDRATHOMAS ’20 and MISHA ANDRA-THOMAS ’17

ELLIE ARENTH ’24, LAURA ARENTH ’22 and MADELINE ARENTH ’19

ELLIE ARONSON ’24, MATTHEW ARONSON ’22 and WILL ARONSON ’22

[3] COLE BELINFANTE ’24, JOSH BELINFANTE ’95 and KARINA KHOURI BELINFANTE ’95

[4] DEYO BOURNE ’24 and EMERY DEYO BOURNE ’89

[5] THOMAS BREADY ’24 and SAMUEL BREADY ’22

[6] ELLIE CARTER ’24 and JEB CARTER ’18

CHARLEE CHASTAIN ’24, THEA CHASTAIN ’22 and AUSTIN CHASTAIN ’21

EMERY DUNCAN ’24, EVAN DUNCAN ’20 and ELLIE DUNCAN ’17

[7] ADRIENNE DURR ’24 and MADISON DURR ’21

FERRIS FLINT ’24 and RORY FLINT ’21

With the graduation of the Class of 2024, the Coat of Arms, Pace Academy’s legacy society, welcomed new members.

ANSLEY FREUDENSTEIN ’24 and CARTER FREUDENSTEIN ’23

DAVID FU ’24 and MICHAEL FU ’21

[8] ALICE GASH ’24, LUCY GASH ’19 and EMMA LAURA GASH ’16

[9] HENRY GAUDET ’24 and ELOISE GAUDET ’23

[10] MILLIE GRAY ’24, JACKSON GRAY ’20, JULIA GRAY ’18 and MARY STUART GRAY ’16

HAYDEN HARRIS ’24 and HELENA HARRIS ’21

ANSLI HENNINGS ’24, AHSAN HENNINGS ’19 and ARLEN HENNINGS ’06

CAROLINE HOOD ’24, KATHRYN HOOD ’21 and ERIN HOOD ’20

JORDYN HOWARD ’24 and ZACHARY HOWARD ’20

WELLS HOWE ’24 and SAM HOWE ’22

DHRU LALAJI ’24 and RANAK LALAJI ’23

HARRISON LEUSINK ’24 and HENRY LEUSINK ’22

[11] HENRY LEVENSON ’24, NOAH LEVENSON ’21 and JESSICA SUTHERLAND LEVENSON ’93

GEORGE LITTLE ’24, CHARLOTTE

LITTLE ’20 and ASHLEY LITTLE LUETTERS ’16

J.D. MASKE ’24 and EMMA STEWART MASKE ’22

GABBY MAUTNER ’24, ELI MAUTNER ’21 and LEAH MAUTNER ’19

ZACHARY MEYEROWITZ ’24, ABIGAIL MEYEROWITZ ’19 and MOLLIE MEYEROWITZ ’22

[12] TED MILLER ’24 and CHIP MILLER ’85

[13] HANNAH MUCH ’24, ETHAN MUCH ’18 and RACHEL MUCH ’15

LEXI POLLARD ’24 and FOREST POLLARD ’23

[14] PRABHAVH PRADEEP ’24 and PRANAVH PRADEEP ’22

SARAH PROCTOR ’24 and HOLLAND PROCTOR ’22

WYATT SHAW ’24 and GRANT SHAW ’22

[15] JOE SHIPPEN ’24, MAE SHIPPEN ’20, BILL SHIPPEN ’85, JANE SHIPPEN LEVINGS ’90 and MARGARET SHIPPEN SANDERS ’81

JORDAN SLOAN ’24 and MAKENZY SLOAN ’22

REBECCA THOMPSON ’24, GRANT THOMPSON ’22 and BEN THOMPSON ’18

SYDNEY VINCENT ’24 and HANNA VINCENT ’21

MATTHEW WELLS ’24 and THOMAS WELLS ’22

MIA WILLIAMS ’24 and JAE WILLIAMS ’22

JOVANA WILLOUGHBY ’24 and JAXON WILLOUGHBY ’22

Thank you for making the Pace Fund your Priority One! The timeline shifted to a three-month campaign (October–December), and our Pace community answered the call! We did it!