Vol. 42, Issue #5
The
February 3, 2017
Knightly News
p. 6 Spirit Week
p. 8 Valentine’s Day
p. 12 Falcons Poised to ‘Rise Up’
World Marches for Women’s Rights Sydnie Jiang Staff Writer Class of 2018
Photo: Paige Demba
On Jan. 21, one day after Donald Trump’s inauguration, 500,000 people marched for women’s rights in Washington, D.C. Sister marches were held in cities all over the world and on all seven continents, from Atlanta to Auckland, New Zealand. The Women’s March on Washington, including its sister marches, drew well over three million marchers in the U.S. (with some estimates over five million) and between 266,500 to 357,000 people internationally, according to The New York Times. The Women’s March was described by several news outlets as the largest protest march in the history of the U.S. The march aimed to send a message to the world on the first day of America’s new government that women’s rights are human rights. March organizers set forth a comprehensive platform of unity principles that included women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQIA rights, civil rights, immigrant rights and environmental justice, among other principles. It was an opportunity to
come together with other individuals and communities who want to ensure that the rights of all people are recognized and protected. Marchers included every manner of people, of different genders, faiths, races, cultures and sexual orientation, because the march sought to include a large, diverse body that could not be ignored. The march was peaceful, with no arrests. Words have always carried tremendous power behind them, and some people feel that lately words have taken on a kind of negative power, including Pace Director of Communications Caitlin Jones. “A lot of language that has been thrown around recently challenges the rights of everyone,” said Mrs. Jones. “My response is to counter negative words with positive words, and I think that this march communicates a positive message.” Mrs. Jones marched with friends and family members in Washington. Many Pace faculty members and students attended the Women’s March in Washington and in Atlanta. Pace counselor Kacy Brubaker made the trek up to Washington to make her voice heard. “I have a responsibility to not only use my voice to stand up for myself but also to stand
Clockwise from left: Senior Mia Wright, junior Paige Demba, senior Carson Myers, senior Ellie Duncan and Cory Bush ‘14 march at the Women’s March in Atlanta on Jan. 21. up for the rights of all persons,” she said. “I am never truly free
while others are still being treated unjustly.”
People marched for a variety of reasons. For example, they wanted to raise awareness for certain rights that women should be guaranteed or even to protest the new president. Pace alumna Payton Gannon ‘16 marched in Washington not only because feminism is an important part of her life, but because protecting Planned Parenthood is an issue of concern to her. “Reproductive rights are important to me because women have to have bodily autonomy to truly control their own lives,” said Payton. “Planned Parenthood helps so many people every day, and I am afraid that the government might defund it.” Freshman Sandy Lum also attended the Women’s March in Washington. Waking up at 7 a.m. to get on the Metro, she had to wait for four trains (because of the crowds) until she could get on safely. Despite all the hassle to get there, Sandy thought the march was a life-changing experience for her. “It was amazing to see people of all ages, religions and races together in one place raising awareness for what they believe is right,” said Sandy. “Everyone who attended each had their own reason for being there.”
Students Say ‘Guttentag’ to Germany Genna Schwarz Staff Writer Class of 2019
Photo: Liz Wiedemann
Arriving in the beautiful city of Munich on Jan. 8, Pace students began their ICGL trip to Germany with a snowy walk to Marienplatz, the city’s main square. Led by history chair Tim Hornor, Stewardship Manager Liz Wiedemann and math teacher Jason Smith, 14 juniors and seniors spent Jan. 8-16 learning about “old” and “new” Germany. The first day included a tour of the Munich Frauenkirche, a Catholic cathedral, and a dinner at the Hofbräuhaus, where classic German meals are served. “When arriving on the first day, I already knew this would be one of the best experiences of my life,” said senior Sophie Zelony. “I could not wait for the
rest of the trip.” On Monday the crew boarded a train for the Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace. “It was like nothing I have ever seen before,” said senior John Propst. “It was far from anything one would ever see in Atlanta and it was an amazing experience going through the Alps.” A walking tour guided by Mr. Hornor was the next stop for the students on Tuesday morning. Later that day the group visited the Antikensammlungen and Alte Pinakothek museums followed by a scrumptious German dinner at Spatenhaus and the opera. “I hate the opera but seeing ‘Carmen’ was a eyeopening event that I never knew I could love so much,” said senior Zoe Weitzner. The following day the group visited the Dachau Concentration Camp, (Continued on page 3)
Pace students on the Germany trip take a tour through snowy Munich.
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Pace News
February 3, 2017
The Knightly News - Page 2
Art Competitions Recognize Bloodworth Abby Meyerowitz Staff Writer Class of 2019
Photos: Abby Meyerowitz, Donice Bloodworth
Recently, visual arts teacher Donice Bloodworth traveled to Miami for the Seventh Annual Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series. According to New York Style Guide magazine, the annual arts competition is a search for “the next big name in visual arts,” bringing 16 finalists to Scope Miami Beach. The artists showcased their work in front of an esteemed panel of judges including Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation co-founder, Danny Simmons. Mr. Bloodworth’s winning piece, “Naturally II,” was chosen out of thousands of submissions. “Around 50,000 artists were invited to submit their work,” said Mr. Bloodworth. “They pick the winners regionally and I won the regional award. Then, I was one of the finalists that got invited to Miami.” Mr. Bloodworth enjoyed a luxurious trip filled with different art showcases every day. “They flew me down and we stayed in a really nice hotel for four days,” said Mr. Bloodworth. “We got tickets to everything there and it was all already paid for.” Additionally, the artists enjoyed spending their nights at chic Miami clubs. “[There] was an exclusive event on a rooftop in Miami and we even had to go in a secret elevator to get there,” said Mr. Bloodworth. “Russell Simmons and his brother, who is also an artist, hosted the party. Jermaine Dupri was the DJ, and
Mr. Bloodworth’s winning piece, “Naturally II” (right), is part of a 25-piece series. celebrities Rosario Dawson, A$AP Rocky and Big Sean were all there.” Artists submitted a large variety of artwork to the competition. The grand prize winner was a man named Darius Frank who created a 12” x 12” por-
trait of a girl. The second place winner created Louis Vuitton luggage out of Legos. “It was huge, four feet tall, probably six or seven pieces of luggage,” said Mr. Bloodworth. “It was really cool.” As the winner, Darius Frank
basically bought one of those little toy buildings and blew up all the pieces to make that,” said Mr. Bloodworth. Only the most high quality art is selected by the visual arts teachers to be shown in the hallways of the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School. “We try to pick the very best work and we try to give everyone a chance,” said Mr. Knott. “The purpose of the art around Pace is to give visibility to our program and give the kids a chance to exhibit their work in a public space,” said Mr. Knott. “There are kids in Advanced Studio Art and independent study that have shows here every year but many kids never receive that chance.” Thus, some of the art is portrayed throughout the Upper School to further enlighten students and teachers about the visual arts program. “Most of it is student work, so it’s good to see what we’re doing over here,” said Mr. Bloodworth. “A lot of people don’t often come down our hallway, so having stuff out in the Upper School gives the students exposure so teachers and other people are able to see what they’re doing.”
Students’ work is displayed in the FAC lobby.
will now move on to collaborate with New York-based non-profit arts organization Creative Time, on a groundbreaking public arts project scheduled to be unveiled in Spring 2017. He also won a solo exhibition at next year’s Scope Miami Beach, according
to New York Style Guide. Mr. Bloodworth was recently selected as a finalist for The Black Arts Expo, a juried art exhibition in Miami during the month of February. Awards will be announced Feb. 27.
Student, Faculty Artwork Brightens Hallways Abby Meyerowitz Staff Writer Class of 2019
Photo: Abby Meyerowitz
Pace hallways are brought to life with outstanding artwork created by students and faculty members. Visitors on admission tours that come through the halls admire the beautiful paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photographs hanging on the walls or sitting in the display cases. But who’s responsible for displaying such marvelous work? Drawing and painting teacher Donice Bloodworth, ceramics teacher Mark Knott, and photography teacher France Dorman work hard to organize and display the art created by students in Pace’s Fine Arts Center, or FAC. They also contribute some of their own work to display. “We’re tasked with keeping up with it and trying to keep things updated as much as we can,” said Mr. Bloodworth. One astonishing sculpture located in the FAC lobby is shaped as a motorcycle. It was created by FAC technical directer Scott Sargent and his stagecraft class. “They
Pace News
Vol. 42, Issue #5
The Knightly News - Page 3
Lattouf Helps Syrian Refugees in Jordan George Shepherd Staff Writer Class of 2018
Photo: Zeena Lattouf
Pace students and faculty who traveled on the Germany ICGL trip were not the only Knights to traverse the globe this January in pursuit of global leadership. Assistant Director of the Isdell Center for Global Leadership Zeena Lattouf trekked to her home country of Jordan. Ms. Lattouf lived in Jordan for six years as a child and most of her extended family lives there. This was her second time visiting the Zaatari Syrian Refugee Camp in Jordan. Her first visit was last year, thanks to a research grant through Emory University which focused on the need for improved education in refugee camps. Ms. Lattouf returned last month to address public health issues and the conditions of the refugee camps, through health education and researching the integration of refugees into the host community. Ms. Lattouf honed in on the large-scale education component and the need for improved education within refugee camps through preventive health and dental care. According to Ms. Lattouf, one reason why kids aren’t going to school is because of financial challenges. Other challenges that prevent students from attending or focusing in school include mild health conditions like upper respiratory tract infections (sinus infections) and severe dental pain. Most importantly, poor teacher quality has significant ramifications on the academic progress, meaning teachers pass failing students to the next grade level; a 13-year-old in seventh grade is likely illiterate. Ms. Lattouf visited the Kuwati School which has 500 children in grades 1-5 and 150 children in kindergarten. Students attend school for three hours a day, which is less than half the UNICEF minimum hours for an adequate education.
While working with a group of doctors, dentists and medical students, it became evident that the health care in the refugee camps could be better if there was more education regarding how the refugee population could solve the problems that doctors targeted. During her first trip to Jordan a year ago, Ms. Lattouf formed a relationship with an 11-year-old Syrian boy. This bond kickstarted her desire to address the need for a better education for children who have survived the conflict in Syria. “The first time I came back [from Zaatari] I was emotionally affected, because it was my first time entering an environment as desperate as it was,” said Ms. Lattouf. Upon her return, she noticed that the atmosphere was more hopeful. Ms. Lattouf met the founder of “We Love Reading” and learned about the organization’s amazing success of creating a library in every neighborhood in Jordan. Her most inspiring opportunity was reconnecting with the young boy, who had since moved out of the refugee camp with his family. “Meeting that family in particular was extremely rewarding,” said Ms. Lattouf. “The older sister is 14 and is studying journalism. She tells the stories of the refugees as a refugee.” Ms. Lattouf is interested in bringing refugee populations into communities and helping them become active members of the society. She has founded “The Hope Education Project,” which focuses on connecting high school students with Syrians that have recently moved to Atlanta. The Atlanta students become buddies with the Syrian families and help with English language development. There are currently six million internally displaced Syrians and two million that have left the country permanently. Jordan has 600,000 registered Syrian refugees and 65,000-80,000 in Zaatari (at peak, 200,000). Zaatari has 15 schools, which are owned and run by the UN
Zeena Lattouf reconnects with a young boy on her trip to Jordan in January. and the Jordanian government. These schools are overpopulated and underfunded. The funding issue, combined with rising rents and decreasing job opportunities and wages due to Syrian immigration, have caused tension between Jordanians and Syrians. Each refugee living in Zaatari receives 25 JD’s per month, about 97 cents per day, from the UN and the Jordanian government. This payment is their only form of official income. Legal policies preventing
individuals with refugee status to work, make it near impossible for Syrians to find work in Jordan. Because of this, Syrians are hired under the table for lower wages. Countries and organizations are starting to balance funding between underserved Jordanians and refugee camps to help ease tensions. Ms. Lattouf has determined that education is an integral component to creating a better future for refugees. She aims to write a plan that addresses
the intersection of preventative health education and primary and secondary school education among refugee populations. “I want to empower individuals to lead public health education within their camp neighborhoods and their children’s schools,” said Ms. Lattouf. “Hopefully, this leadership opportunity will give adults a sense of self-worth, while increasing school attendance.”
Students Say ‘Guttentag’ to Germany (Continued from page 1) Genna Schwarz Staff Writer Class of 2019
Photo: Sarah Kitchen
where they endured a painful, yet educational tour. Thursday was the group’s first full day in Berlin where they walked to the Potsdamer Platz, the Berlin Wall and Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial, a memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe. Later they visited the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag Building, a historic building constructed to hold the Imperial Diet of the German Empire. Friday was referred to as
“museum day” for the students. They visited the Berliner Dom, the Pergamon Museum, Neu Synagogue and the KaDeWe, Berlin’s premier luxury retail destination. Their weekend was also filled with learning, including a visit to The Topography of Terror Museum and Hitler’s Führerbunker. Finally, on Sunday they walked to Sans Succi, the palace of Frederick the Great, and had their last meal before leaving on Monday. “Overall the trip was a success,” said Sophie. “I could not have asked for a better group of students and teachers. They enhanced the trip to make it better than I could even imagine.”
Students struggle through below zero degree weather in Munich, Germany.
Pace News
February 3, 2017
The Knightly News - Page 4
Students Pay High Price for Excellence Sloan Wyatt Lifestyle Editor Class of 2018
Photo: Sloan Wyatt
To what extent are students expected to push themselves during their pursuit for excellence? Do we stop when our hours of sleep are dwindling, our mental state waning and our optimism beginning to dull? Or do we persevere for the sake of student recognition and acceptances into prestigious universities? “To have the courage to strive for excellence” is the motto of Pace Academy. Courage is defined as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery” (Merriam-Webster). This is the skill that the faculty of Pace Academy work tirelessly every day to instill in their students, the mind and spirit needed to succeed. However, being a Pace student is not only achieving a nearly perfect grade point average. Being a Pace student means presenting yourself each and every day as a well rounded ambassador of the world. Academics, extracurriculars and service
Junior Lizzie Marr has been intrigued with Indiana University ever since she visited sophomore year while on Pace’s annual college trip. play crucial roles in the schedules of the average Pace student. Aside from meeting the requirements of 40 hours of community service and at least one varsity sport (or a gym class), students desperately try to make themselves the “perfect candidate” for college, through exceptional performance in each sector. This is the balancing act of Pace Academy, accomplished by juggling both the expectations of parents and faculty with one’s
own expectations. This is how we achieve excellence, but at what price? “I think it has gotten more competitive since I first started here,” said guidance counselor Sara Eden. “I think the stress levels have slowly risen along with this competitiveness.” Mrs. Eden has been a faculty member of Pace for nine years, and her role as counselor requires her to be attuned to the mental health of students in the Upper School.
Although mental illness is no more common these days than it was nine years ago, Mrs. Eden has worked to make the Upper School a safe, supportive space for student concerns, including concerns about stress. Mrs. Eden said that she finds the college process to be the source of Pace’s competitive atmosphere. “There’s a trickle down effect,” she said. “It stresses out parents, children and then it works its way through our classrooms. If students are worried about the college process, they typically opt to take classes that not only push themselves but may wear themselves thin. I think we lose sight of being wellbalanced when we focus on the college process.” She went on to say how much of this pressure is self-inflicted, as many students and parents are more worried about the names of the colleges they aspire to as opposed to finding the right fit. There’s a certain expectation in a college preparatory school that students should go on to prestigious institutions such as University of Pennsylvania, Brown and Vanderbilt. However, getting accepted to these colleges is no simple feat. Nowadays, colleges look for ap-
‘Yamily’ Grinds Year Round Sloan Wyatt Lifestyle Editor Class of 2018
Photo: Sloan Wyatt
Anxiously fiddling with her layout, junior Sydney Muse appears fixated on her page. Stopping only to share an occasional comment, this unwavering concentration is standard in the yearbook staff computer lab in the Fine Arts Center. Today is no different. Sydney is rushing to complete her Jan. 12 deadline before switching gears to editor mode. Once the staff makes their deadlines, all of the completed pages are turned over to their respective editors, undergoing a meticulous editing process. However Sydney, unlike the rest of the staff, is faced with the task of completing and editing the entire senior section. Her position is rather unorthodox for a junior, usually shared between two senior editors, but Sydney is captivated by the job. “I’ve always loved the section,” Sydney said. “It tells the story of a grade, how they’ve grown up and who they’ve become. There’s something about it that caught me. I wanted to do them [the seniors] justice, especially after everything they’ve been through.” Sydney’s efforts are just one part of the process, a single, but vital component to the yearbook staff’s work. Working alongside her, juniors David Roos and Jordan Shoulberg playfully bicker over design. The self-proclaimed “yearbook husband and wife”
have worked tirelessly since the summer, creating “click-n-go” templates and reviewing look books. Outside of class, they analyze every page for consistency, searching for errors as simple as font selection and sizing. Every page must coordinate with the year’s theme and depict a proud representation of Pace. Most staff members are assigned around 24-48 pages for the year, spread over five deadlines from mid-September to the final class deadline of Feb. 10. The staff is broken up into pairs for each assignment, with pairs changing throughout the year. This allows students to utilize teamwork skills while constructing their pages. While the process often entails compromise and critique, overall it is helpful, especially for incoming staff members. Before a deadline, hours of outside work is poured into pages. Jordan shared that she has often spent over 20 hours a week at home doing classwork since she became an editor. However, the composition of the yearbook is in no way an individual effort. In August, the entire staff visited Jostens’ annual private school yearbook workshop held at Westminster. There they met with a creative account manager to prepare for this year’s edition. Jostens is the publisher of the yearbook. The staff brainstormed ideas for this year’s theme by asking one another what it means to be a part of the Pace community and to be a Pace Knight. In creating the theme, the Yamily (short for yearbook family) searches for a perfect balance
plicants who demonstrate clear leadership, dedicated community service, impressive test scores and eloquent admissions essays. Often parents instill in their children a burning desire to go to an Ivy League school or to match their parents’ success, setting unreasonable expectations for them unknowingly. But the stress and anxiety can also be attributed to students who all too often place the burden on themselves. We are told that sports, clubs, internships and travel will make us attractive in the eyes of admissions, but also to not neglect academics. Associate Director of ICGL Zeena Lattouf ‘12 remembers her time as a Pace student, noting how she was “consumed” by the college process both her junior and senior year. “I think it’s harder for students to manage their schedules now,” said Ms. Lattouf. “I think Pace offers a lot more AP classes now than it did when I was a student, which makes students think that they have to take even more APs, which definitely places more academic stress on the student body.” But APs are not the only stress-inducing classes. For (Continued on page 5)
Before deadline, juniors Sam Delman and Jack Douglass examine their layouts. between sentimentality and innovation. “Just Getting Started” and “Our Turn” are memorable titles that lead into 320 pages of material. Each year’s theme steadily builds on the previous edition, leaving students and faculty members wondering what this year’s theme could be. Incoming sophomores and juniors enjoyed the workshop’s hands-on experience because they were able to dive into their work right off the bat, asking questions and acclimating to the yearbook environment. Jordan was even able to work individually with a graphic designer and run ideas by him, while picking up new techniques. It is the job of David and Jordan, along with the six other editors, to review and correct each draft before sending it to the coeditors in chief, seniors Lindsay Fisher and Olivia Baker. Junior
Jack Douglass is the Copy Editor, junior Isabella Doerr manages the lower school section and junior Virginia Hall handles the middle school section. Lindsey and Olivia, alongside faculty advisor Ryan Vihlen, provide the final approval. “It has been an amazing journey to see the production of the yearbook,” said Olivia. “From the first meetings about design concepts in the summer to sending the book off to the printer, it’s a fantastic and bittersweet experience to see all the staff’s hard work and our last year at Pace go to print.” After receiving the co-editor’ blessing, the pages are sent off to the printer. Because of the colossal number of pages that go into each yearbook, sections are sent to the printer at each deadline, not all on the last deadline. By February the final chunks of
the publication are completed, and the staff begins to tackle their next challenge: the spring supplement. Besides the supplement, during second semester the Yamily focuses on assigning leadership roles, as staff members and editors apply for new positions and undergo an interview process. By mid-semester all editors are chosen, and slowly get accustomed to their new roles for the upcoming year. The new co-editors in chief take the reins on the spring supplement, and the seniors begin to take a back seat. By May, all of the new jobs have been assigned and new staff members recruited, setting the yearbook program up for another successful year of publishing lifelong memories. By August they begin the work again, another year in the life of the Yamily.
Pace News
Vol. 42, Issue #5
The Knightly News - Page 5
Inside Pace College Process Anna Stone
Staff Writer Class of 2018
Photo: Anna Stone
For some high schoolers, the thought of the college process is often accompanied by fear and apprehension. Underclassmen may not know what lies ahead of them, and the junior class is just starting to learn. But Pace has an extensive process to prepare its students for success and acceptance into the schools on students’ lists. Many people may believe that Pace’s college prep begins in junior year, but it really begins freshmen year. Pace uses Transitions classes, which meet once per eight-day rotation, to help the freshmen acclimate to high school life and gain valuable tools, like time management skills. While the topic of college is also raised, the teachers try to refrain from stressing out the students prematurely. Despite those efforts, freshman Claire Wierman already feels some stress about college. To combat it, she is trying to be proactive and prepare by “taking the right classes and getting onto the AP track.” In sophomore year, students take the PSAT for the first time and gain insight as to what they need to do to prepare for the SAT junior year. Math teachers may begin to give the students ACT/SAT problems to prepare them. In addition, sophomores may take Mr. Hornor’s or Ms. Smith’s AP European History class, which prepares them for college level difficulty. Through-
Senior Kate Trimble discusses her future with her college counselor Amy Secor. out sophomore and junior year, students meet with their dean to determine the best course load for them, with the college process in mind. Usually, taking more AP classes in junior year will be advised to make students more competitive college candidates and to further prepare them for college-level classes. In junior year, the subject of college is explored to a greater extent. Students are allowed to sit in on college meetings with representatives from prospective schools. Juniors are also strongly encouraged to attend the College Fair, where juniors and seniors at many Atlanta schools see hundreds of colleges and universities. Later in the year, the juniors
Students Pay High Price
(Continued from page 4) freshmen and sophomores, who are offered either no APs or one AP (sophomores can take AP European History), stress is concentrated in the growing pains of adapting to the Upper School and its rigor. “I think that each grade’s stress is individual,” said freshman dean Grady Stevens. Mr. Stevens, a three-sport high school athlete himself, understands the difficulty of being a student while balancing a demanding schedule. Because of this, he works to design his classwork so that it is manageable for all students, preferring weekly work for his freshman history class and nightly evaluations for his junior and senior Latin classes. “My approach has a bit more to do with the subject matter than the grade level,” said Mr. Stevens. “I try to make the expectations known up front and reasonable, and then make class time more rigorous. I’d rather reinforce their work and growth in the classroom through homework on a weekly basis.” For junior Sam Delman, hours of daily homework have been her routine since freshman year. “I think a lot of it is
Pace’s atmosphere,” said Sam. “I made a bad decision to take five honors classes freshman year, so I didn’t have an option this year to move down because that would look bad on my transcript. I think I was encouraged by my teachers to take hard classes but then I ended up taking only hard classes. My stress is my fault because I’m a perfectionist, but my course load is because of Pace.” On top of her now four AP classes and one honors class, Sam is on the equestrian team outside of school, leads The Universal Language Club and played varsity soccer. She described coming home most days, worn out by seven hours of schooling, welcomed by five to six hours of homework on her itinerary. But despite the sleepless nights and occasional tears, Sam said that her zeal for learning is the primary reason she pushes herself so hard. “I like a challenge,” she said. “Regardless of my hours of homework and anxiety brought on by tests, I love the opportunities I receive as a Pace student. And at the end of the day, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
are given a NAVIANCE account, a crucial tool in Pace’s college process. On NAVIANCE, students can see their previous PSAT, SAT and ACT scores. They can also find possible colleges in its database and compare their current test scores and GPA with previous acceptees. Juniors will continue to use this resource throughout junior and senior year. In addition, juniors are encouraged to attend multiple talks hosted by the college counselors, which provide insight into the process. Juniors learn who their college counselor is in December and are asked to complete a survey so the counselor can learn more about the student’s character and interests. Meetings with
college counselors start after winter break. At this point in the year, juniors are just starting to actively participate in the college process and so many still feel unprepared. “I’m more stressed than before the process began,” said junior Marc Mitchell. “All that’s happened is that my list of colleges has broadened.” That may change as juniors begin to meet with their counselor more and more throughout the year. In the beginning, the meetings are about learning about the student and his/her preferences. Over time, the meetings will focus more on colleges, but the personal connection between counselor and student will continue to develop. Although students officially have one college
counselor, all the counselors are helpful in the process. “We are pretty collaborative as a team,” said Director of College Counseling Gavin Bradley. “We work hard to know all the students individually, along with the class as a whole.” Seniors begin working as early as summer to get a head start. The college counselors task the students with making a resumé and filling out questions about themselves to prepare for college applications. Later, students must fill out the Common Application with the help of the counselors. In this time period, the counselors hold after-school meetings with the parents and senios. Ultimately, the responsibility to apply to colleges is left up to the seniors, and they must fill out applications themselves, although the counselors are always ready to help. After a senior has been accepted into a college, they are able to put a flag where the school is on a map outside the college office. Many seniors get to put multiple flags on the map with multiple acceptances. Senior Taylor Upchurch, who was accepted to New York University, advises students to “go on Pace’s college tours early to think about where you want to go and what you want in a college.” Although it may seem beneficial to start the college process as early as possible, Mr. Bradley advises otherwise. “Underclassmen should be where they currently are grade-wise and be the best at that, instead of focusing on being a perfect college applicant,” said Mr. Bradley.
Scholastic Award Recipients Announced
Gold Key: Grace Dwyer (‘18) - Humor, “Bread and Butter” This piece has been nominated for the prestigious “American Voices” award, and enters competition with other essays from around the nation. Silver Key: Mckenzie Baker (‘17) - Poetry, “Blackening” Emma Downey (‘17) - Poetry, “Insomnia” Grace Dwyer (‘18) - Personal Essay/Memoir, “Promenade” Julia Gray (‘18) - Poetry, “Intrusive Thoughts” Julia Gray (‘18) - Personal Essay/Memoir, “Lemons” Julia Gray (‘18) - Short Story, “Love Never Strikes the Same Place Twice” Mia Wright (‘17) - Poetry, “Son” Mia Wright (‘17) - Personal Essay/Memoir, “Coretta” Honorable Mention: Delvalo Batey (‘18) - Flash Fiction, “Georgia Forever” Mckenzie Baker (‘17) - Short Story, “In-Between” Mckenzie Baker (‘17) - Poetry, “The Mask” Emma Downey (‘17) - Poetry, “Military Man” Sam Hawn (‘17) - Poetry, Poems (A student may include up to five poems in one entry; Sam was awarded for the overall quality of his entry.) Davis Mathis (‘19) - Personal Essay/Memoir, “A Moment of Panic” Justin Morris (‘18) - Flash Fiction, “See You Soon” Reilly Murtaugh (‘18) - Poetry, “Tribute to Pulse” Anna Stone (‘18) - Science Fiction/Fantasy, “Terra’s Will”
February 3, 2017
Spirit Week
The Knightly News - Page 6
Spirit Week Freshmen: ‘The Incredibles’ Every year, freshmen are only given $500 to spend on Spirit Week. They have the difficult task of allocating their small budget across decorations, banner and costumes. The Class of 2020 underachieved with their decorations this year, only using paper cutouts in the gardens between the Inman Center and the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School. But in their defense, this is the most difficult area of the Upper School to decorate, as students never know what to expect with the weather. Expectations for the freshman performance during Spirit Week are never set high, but this class exceeded expectations with a clean intro and simple yet cute costumes for their theme, “The Incredibles.” Although the big group formations were incoherent, the choreography was pretty together. Freshman Ben Crawford’s bottle flip was so close, and it was still a creative crowd pleaser even though it failed. One of the favorites of the freshman dance was the battle scene between Syndrome and the Incredibles. Freshman Blake Maner (Syndrome) got the whole school cheering in the battle dance, making it a crowd favorite. Overall, the freshmen did a fine job.
Sophomores: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Five hundred dollars is added to the class budget each year for Spirit Week, allowing the sophomores to create more intricate decorations and costumes with double the money than they had the year before. The Class of 2019 decorated the cafeteria with bright colors to replicate the city of Oz. The most creative aspect of their decorations was probably the duct tape “yellow brick road” near the back of the cafeteria. The sophomores opened their dance with originality, creating a “tornado” with the leads lifting and spinning sophomore Emily Pulver (Dorothy) in the middle. They did a terrific job of telling the story of “Wizard of Oz” with impressive choreography and clean formations. A couple of highlights from this dance were sophomore Max Creasman’s toe touch and Gillian Weitzner’s Tin Man isolations. As a class, the sophomores were the most together and in sync with their choreography.
Vol. 42, Issue #5
Spirit Week
The Knightly News - Page 7
Juniors: ‘Harry Potter’ The Class of 2018 transported their peers to the wizarding world of “Harry Potter” for Spirit Week. Walking through the Inman Center was like walking through the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Colorful banners and flags represented the four houses of Hogwarts, and painted signs depicted famous scenes from the books and movies. Even though the decor slowly deteriorated throughout the week due to students being students, Inman was still a magical experience. The junior banner illustrated Harry, Ron and Hermione in front of the iconic Hogwarts castle. Charlie Stonecipher (Harry Potter) joined by his classmates Schuyler Drose and Jordan Shoulberg (Ron and Hermione) danced with wizardly charm and stature. Other characters included Bellatrix Lestrange, Dobby, and of course, Lord Voldemort. The juniors earned second overall for their Spirit Week participation.
Seniors: ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales’ The reigning Class of 2017 brought the school back to the times of princes, princesses and magical creatures with their final Spirit Week theme of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales.” Careful to keep their theme a secret, they stayed up the whole night before Friday in order to execute all of their decoration plans. Pace faculty, staff and students arrived at school that Friday morning to find elaborate, whimsical portrayals of all of their favorite fairy tales. The second floor of the Upper School depicted various stories, like “Snow White,” “The Three Little Pigs” and “The Little Mermaid.” Colorful streamers and cardboard castles were placed around every corner. The senior banner contained images from the classic fairytale scenes from “Cinderella,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and “The Three Little Pigs.” When it came time for the senior dance on Friday afternoon, Molly Levine (Little Red Riding Hood), Carson Myers (Fairy Godmother) and Ben Siegel (Papa Bear) performed a truly magical show. The Class of 2017 has a reputation for impressive Spirit Week skits, so it was no surprise when “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” took first place.
Valentine’s Day
February 3, 2017
The Knightly News - Page 8
Five Minutes with Molly and Brian Alexis Wilkins
Co-Editor-in-Chief Class of 2017
Photo: Molly Levine
Knightly News: Hello, Molly and Brian! Brian Sloan: Hello, I’m Brian. KN: How long have you been dating? BS: Should we get the exact amount? Molly Levine: Over two years. Two years and… BS: Four months. KN: What was your first official date? BS: We went to OK Cafe. KN: What is Molly’s favorite color? BS: Blue? ML: Mhm. KN: What is Brian’s? ML: Red. KN: What is a phrase that Brian says a lot? ML: Um... BS: Do a funny one. ML: Now I can’t think of one. BS: Can I say mine? Molly says
Seniors Molly Levine and Brian Sloan had fun at their final PDC together on Jan. 8.
ML: His smile. BS: Her radiant glow. ML: We also have the same birthday. KN: What did you do to celebrate your birthday? ML: We went out to dinner. BS: At a very fine sushi establishment. KN: Who did you both like in middle school? BS: I was not attracted to any sex. ML: Harry Styles. KN: Who is more competitive? ML: Brian. BS: Probably me. KN: What is Brian’s favorite song? BS: Remember? You know it, by Rihanna. ML: Are you serious? BS: "Disturbia" by Rihanna. KN: What is Molly’s? BS: Probably a song by One Direction. KN: And finally, do you plan to stay together through college? BS: Yes. ML: Yes.
“bruh” a lot. ML: Brian says “eureka.” BS: That’s not a good one. KN: What is one thing Brian does that gets on your nerves? ML: Um…
BS: Say it. ML: Not showering and smelling really bad. BS: That’s so foul! KN: What is one thing Molly does that gets on your nerves?
BS: Hmm… ML: (Whispering) BS: She doesn’t get on my nerves. KN: What is your favorite thing about the other person?
ships and breaking numerous hearts, is named 2017’s Most Eligible Bachelorette by The Knightly News. Last year’s Valentine's Day involved her watching Netflix by herself. “Pretty much anything can beat last year’s Valentine's Day,” said Avi. Thinking ahead to her current plans for the most romantic day of the year, she shook her head sadly and said she would “probably be ordering a heart shaped pizza and eating it by myself.” But don’t fear, Avi is looking for someone to share her pizza with this year. Men who are tall, on the math team, and participate in JV soccer are exactly what Avi is looking for.
For those people who don't know Avi well, she is Indian, she likes playing the game "Chutes and Ladders" and her favorite pastime is sleeping. She admits that her celebrity crush is Robert De Niro. Consistent with the older men preference, she is susceptible to upperclassmen. Fortunately, she does believe in love at first sight. “That’s how I met Max [Appel],” said Avi. “Sometimes, when I see a really attractive person I fall in love, but usually they don’t love me back.” For men trying to catch her eye, her ideal date is a drive-in movie. If these qualities seem highly appealing to you, then Avi Arora is your girl this Feb. 14.
Sophomore Avi Arora poses with one of her men, sophomore Max Appel.
Most Eligible Bachelorette: Avi Arora Amy Butler
Opinion Editor Class of 2018
Photo: Amy Butler
As Valentine’s Day approaches, thousands of desperate bachelors plan for another night of people-watching in hopes of finding the perfect girl. Over time, these men become more hopeless and are on the brink of giving up. However, they have not seen this girl before. She is none other than sophomore and tennis star Avi Arora. With her amazing skills serving tennis balls, this year she is ready to serve up some love. Avi, after being in various relation-
Most Eligible Bachelor: Realus 'Booman' George Jonathan Rushton Managing Editor Class of 2018
Photo: Fred Assaf Realus shows his sensitive side, signing an autograph for a young fan.
If you’re looking for a date on Feb. 14, look no further than junior Realus “Booman” George. Whether it’s dropping bars on Soundcloud or laying the hammer on the football field, Realus can be your dream date. Although Realus’ hard-hitting reputation may precede him, he can be your “boo” for Valentine’s. His exuberant personality and constant jokes have distinguished him over all the other available men at Pace Academy, making him the most eligible bachelor at Pace. Our bachelor likes to spend his time playing “NBA 2K” and “Madden” on his Xbox, and stays active by working out and grinding on the football field. “I need to stay in shape for football, but treating my girl to a movie
and dinner is just as important to me, no doubt,” said Realus. Although “Booman” is known for his famous rap sensation “X-Files,” his musical appreciation extends to many genres that make an appearance on his playlist. The soundtracks to his life are “Big Rings” by Drake and Future (due to being football state champions) and “The Climb” by Hannah Montana. “People don’t realize how big of a fan I am of country music, especially Corey Smith’s ‘I Love Everyone,’” said Realus. “Whatever genre she wants to listen to, I will listen along with her.” Although everyone knows him for his famous nickname “Booman,” he claims that his closest lady friends call him “hot chocolate.” Booman says that his romantic side is the most overlooked part of his persona. “My ideal date would be going to a Falcons game then a meal at Mary Mac’s, but on special
occasions like Valentine’s Day, I would treat her to something more special,” said Realus. As a standout athlete, Realus is in search of a fellow athlete to share the evening. “Beyond her being an athlete, I don’t have a specific ideal in my head, but I will know when we are together,” said Realus. The most important aspect for Realus is to find a woman who’s open for a romantic and fun night with “Boo.” His past Valentine’s Day nights have usually been spent playing Xbox, but Realus feels confident that this year will be different. “My wingman and fellow bachelor [junior] Delvalo Baitey will be out to find young love for the both of us this year,” said Realus. “We are both ready to treat our girls to the best Valentine’s Day of their life.” If you are looking for a man to spend your Valentine’s Day with, look no further than Realus George.
Valentine’s Day
Vol. 42, Issue #5
The Knightly News - Page 9
Photo: Eden Kerker
Valentine’s Day Gifts Sure to Please
interests and creating something like a birdhouse or knitted bag is a very thoughtful and sweet gesture of love. Something Warm and Cozy – Winter is the perfect time to give someone a fuzzy blanket or soft pajamas, maybe even a Snuggie! Whatever it is, it’ll warm them up and melt their heart.
Photo: Anna Stone
A Meal – In the same vein as handmade gifts, a meal is something that can really demonstrate your thoughtfulness. Like the old saying goes, “The fastest way to someone’s heart is through the stomach.” Cooking someone's favorite meal can show an investment of time, care and interest.
Junior Ibum Obu (L) gives junior Spencer Sinclair a cake to celebrate their friendship.
Anna Stone
Staff Writer Class of 2018
It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. To celebrate, you may want to consider a gift for your friend or loved one. For those looking for inspiration, here are some ideas: Chocolate/Candy – Delectable edibles are a classic that most everyone enjoys. This tradition is alive for good reason – it's delicious! Pictures – Whether it’s a small photo in a cute frame or a humongous collage, photos of good times spent together are a sentimental gift that can last for decades. Jewelry – A dazzling piece
Landon Goldstein Co-Editor-in-Chief Class of 2017
of jewelry is guaranteed to express your love and make your special someone happy – provided that it’s their style, of course. Tickets – Tickets to a football game, concert, movie or any other occasion are a great way to give someone a thoughtful gift while providing an excuse to spend more time with them. It’s a “two-for-one” that can be incredibly fun! Coupons – Making coupons is a great way to give someone exactly what they want in a way that is affordable and easy. Coupons for personal favorites like massages can win someone’s heart without spending a lot of money. A Handmade Gift – Nothing is more personal than something that is crafted by hand. Keeping in mind someone’s
Cool Technology – In this age of rapidly evolving technology, your special someone will appreciate receiving the latest and most innovative gadgets, such as pocket printers or drones. Something Personal – People want to know that they are cared about and understood. A gift that expresses that will mean a lot to them and is the optimal gift for a friend or partner. Caution: you should always think carefully before you buy or make anything. If you get them a gift and they do not have one for you in return, they may feel too guilty to truly enjoy Valentine’s Day. Your special someone may also be upset if you spend too much money on them or spend money at all since you are buying into a capitalist holiday. Either way, proper communication should be established prior to any action no matter how caring or well-meaning that action may be.
Senior couple Keely Harris and Will Trimble study together.
Valentine’s Day Survival Guide: Singles Edition Eden Kerker Staff Writer Class of 2019
Flying solo this Valentine’s Day? No problem. No need to turn on those sappy Nicholas Sparks movies and indulge in the infamous heart-shaped boxes of chocolates this year. Make this year's Valentine's Day your own day to get off the couch and pause your show on Netflix. Get all your single friends together and do something fun that you wouldn't normally do. Go paint-balling, laser tagging or even check out the nearby ice skating rink with your friends. If you really feel like staying home this Valentine's Day, you can still invite your friends over and make it a fun day. Have a “girls- or guys-night-in," and get all your friends to bring over some ingredients to bake your favorite treats. Get in your comfiest clothes and put on some of the best all-time comedy films, including "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off," and get ready to laugh your head off. Make this Valentine's Day a family day and spend the day with your loved ones. Go on
a hike by the Chattahoochee River and enjoy the fresh air or go shopping with your parents and buy the new jacket you've been dying to wear. Today is the perfect day to go to your favorite restaurant and order that chocolate mousse cake for dessert or even an excuse to indulge in a spa day with your family and just relax. According to a study published in a journal called "Society and Animals," it is scientifically proven that puppies enhance your self esteem and make people happier. Go visit a pet store and play with furry friends or grab your own dog and run around a park with him/her. A 2011 study from the "Journal of Personality and Social Psychology" and research at University of Missouri- Columbia scientifically proved that pets brighten your mood, so if you are feeling down, Petland is a good destination to consider. It's easy to feel jealous or frustrated on the most romantic day of the year, but only if you let it affect you. Enjoy the day and make it about treating yourself to whatever you want. If you’re single, then it's a day just for you.
Students Anticipate Valentine’s Day Perks
Photos: Landon Goldstein
(L-R) Freshman Darren Mays, junior Sophie Porson, sophomore Nathaniel Robinson and senior Sandy Xie share what they look forward to on this special day.
Opinion
February 3, 2017
The Knightly News
966 West Paces Ferry Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327 (404) 262-1345 Knightlynews@paceacademy.org Published by students at Pace Academy Member of Georgia Scholastic Press Association Co-Editors in Chief: Landon Goldstein Alexis Wilkins
Lifestyle Editor: Sloan Wyatt Online Editor: Sarah Kitchen Opinion Editor: Amy Butler Sports Editor: Michael Simon
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Lee Wilson Tech Adviser: Mr. Matt Walker
The Knightly News Editorial Policy The Knightly News is the student-run newspaper of Pace Academy. For over 40 years it has reported the news that affects Pace, as well as the opinions of students. The Knightly News is published by the students of Pace Academy, and approximately 500 copies are printed by Florida Sun Printing. The Knightly News welcomes letters to the editor
and guest opinions, which may be edited for spelling and grammar, as well as space constraints. Neither Knightly News-generated opinion pieces nor guest opinions are reflective of the official policy of Pace Academy. Every effort is made to publish accurate facts, but if you recognize an error or omission, please email knightlynews@ paceacademy.org.
Clubs Fail to Live Up To Expectations Amy Butler
Opinion Editor Class of 2018
“Remember to join clubs” is something heard constantly by upper school students at the beginning of the school year. The Club Fair eventually comes around in mid-September and students obediently sign up for numerous clubs, anticipating the first time that each club meets. However, not all clubs even reach this stage. Pace can be applauded for giving freedom to students to share their passions and hobbies by allowing them to start their own clubs. Student Council approves each club, but the requirements are minimal for a club to be declared legitimate. Essentially, the only necessities are a teacher sponsor and a completed form. There are usually over 40 clubs initially, but only about 30 even meet at least once. Clubs should be more strictly monitored to ensure that they meet and that leaders maintain communication with their members throughout the year. Service clubs are some of the most responsible clubs in terms of how often they meet. The projects also have a faculty member, Director of Service Learning Zeena Lattouf, in
Photo: Sloan Wyatt
Managing Editor: Jonathan Rushton
Staff Writers: Margaret Bethel Graham Hurley Sydnie Jiang Eden Kerker Abby Meyerowitz Genna Schwarz George Shepherd Anna Stone
The Knightly News - Page 10
During the first and only time that Hiking Club has met, the members hiked up Blood Mountain. charge and providing oversight. Most service projects, such as La Amistad and Trinity Night Shelter, meet routinely due to how important the Pace volunteers are to the people they visit. Other clubs, for example the Hiking Club and the Cereal Club have met either once or not at all. Most club leaders are initially motivated and excited about their club at the beginning of the year, but as homework and sports pile on, it is difficult to maintain any momentum and organize meetings. It is disappointing for students who sign up for many clubs and never get the chance to participate in them. In following years, Student Council should be clear with club leaders about
expectations to run a club before they sign up. One change they could make is requiring each club leader to turn in a tentative schedule of when they hope for their club to meet, so there is at least a plan for them from the start. One aspect of creating a club that is typically overlooked is the faculty sponsor. When faculty members agree to help sponsor a student’s club, they usually do not know much about the club and simply agree for the student’s sake. Another way to get clubs to meet more often is to ask the faculty sponsor to assume a bigger role in the club and check up on the club leaders throughout the year to keep them motivated.
no core classes, enabling them to focus on their Janterm course. Mt. Vernon Presbyterian holds their “Interim” the week before spring break, offering both global trips and in-school courses such as hiking and visiting museums. Mt. Vernon, like Westminster, suspends classes for the week in order to devote full days to the Interim experience. The intended purpose of Minimesters is to have fun and explore new topics. Courses of actual depth can prepare students for real-world application of useful skills. Current classes
such as Football Strategy point towards a bright future, but the ideal Minimester balances fun and education. Sports medicine can become a career. “I think that having more time and having the whole [Upper] School participate would be worth the loss of class time,” said Mrs. Secor. While there is little probability for change in the short term, I urge the decision-makers to rethink Minimesters. A program with such good intentions should in no way settle for mediocrity.
Minimesters Could Use Further Tweaking Sloan Wyatt Lifestyle Editor Class of 2018
The Jonathan Day-inspired “Minimesters” have been a staple in the Pace curriculum since the program was founded four years ago. Modeled to fit within the class schedule, Minimesters replace students’ standard science classes for a full eight-day cycle in January. With courses ranging from Cooking Science to Swamp Ecology, all upper school students, except those taking AP Psychology, AP Biology or AP Physics, are given the freedom to explore different areas of scientific study. Immersing themselves in new topics, students have commended Minimesters for their ability to shake up the routine. The program’s social reach is impressive, connecting students across grades and fostering student-faculty relationships. Although the program has new leadership with science department chair Dr. John Pearson, it still maintains its original emphasis. However, Minimesters are far from perfect. Right after winter break in the upper school, students embark on roughly two-week excursions meant to introduce them to unconventional coursework. Even though the nine or so course offerings are crafted
with the students’ best interests in mind, Minimesters have been criticized for lack of both diverse and engaging courses. Many of the classes are offered every year, which reduces the number of available options over time. Several students have said that they have taken the same course more than once. Although the teachers have good intentions, Minimesters will never be as effective if our school continues to limit them to five 50-minute sessions and one 80-minute class. (Classes rotate out twice during the eight-day cycle.) Biology teacher Kevin Ballard described his course as an opportunity to “get your feet wet,” both literally and figuratively, in Swamp Ecology. However, students are unable to grasp the magnitude of ecology when half of their class time is spent on a bus traveling to the swamp. Swamp Ecology is not the only course short on time. Anatomy teacher Amy Secor noted that at her old school they participated in “Winterums,” a program that devotes a whole block of the day to students’ selected courses. Winterums allowed Mrs. Secor to spend extended periods of time not merely cooking, but discussing the chemistry behind food composition and the cooking process without feeling rushed. Neighboring schools Westminster and Mt. Vernon Presby-
terian offer alternate schedules for their respective programs. Westminster’s “Janterm” is a popular feature of their yearly schedule where students delve into topics from any department on a local, national and international level. Described as a three-week intensive, Janterm offers experiential, crossdisciplinary and project-based learning, even allowing upperclassmen the opportunity to participate in internships instead of scheduled classes. At Westminster during the three weeks, all students except those taking AP Chemistry have
Conflict of Interest
Miles Hsu
Guest Contributor Class of 2017
Lifestyle
Vol. 42, Issue #5
The Knightly News - Page 11
Releases, Losses Mark 2016 Music Scene Graham Hurley Staff Writer Class of 2018
Photos: chanceraps.com, rihannanow.com, thechainsmokers.com, twentyonepilots.com
In the world of music, 2016 was a depressing year. Legends Prince, George Michael and David Bowie all passed away, along with many other supremely talented artists. But 2016 also provided us with outstanding albums and songs coming from industry giants as well as new artists. David Bowie released Blackstar this year before he passed away. Hip-Hop/Rap dominated the charts this year, thanks to the numerous albums dropped. The Life of Pablo, Kanye West’s seventh studio album, was arguably the most hyped up album of the year, aside from Drake’s Views. Although the album had a few joke songs, like “I Love Kanye” and “Famous” (to an extent), it was still an excellent album with deep songs like “Ultralight Beam” and “Real Friends.”
Clockwise from top left: Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper, Anti by Rihanna, Collage by The Chainsmokers and Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots. Also, the album has more upbeat songs, like “Father Stretch my Hands Pt. 1” and “Waves.”
Chance The Rapper was a fairly unknown rapper until he released his third album Color-
ing Book, which was a pleasant surprise. Chance’s album exploded with the songs “No Problem” and “Angels.” Aside from these two giants, Frank Ocean released his second studio album Blonde and J. Cole released his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only. The year 2016 produced many pop and alternative hits as well. The year started off strong with “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake. Twenty One Pilots saw success in 2016 after the release of Blurryface which came out in late 2015. The band’s hit singles from this album were “Ride” and “Stressed Out,” but they produced another number one hit with “Heathens,” part of the “Suicide Squad” soundtrack. Rihanna and Beyonce exploded on the charts this year with their hit albums Anti and Lemonade, respectively. Lukas Graham received international attention with “7 Years” which peaked at number two on the “Billboard 100.” Starboy by the Weeknd came out in December,
capping the year with a fantastic album. Many of the highest-ranking songs of 2016 shared the theme of having dance beats, as well as electronic vibes in the background. “Cold Water” by Major Lazer and “Let Me Love You” by DJ Snake are perfect examples. “I Took A Pill in Ibiza” by Mike Posner topped the charts for almost half of the year as well. The year 2016 was a big one for The Chainsmokers, who became popular off of the song “Rozes.” Thereafter, the duo’s popularity skyrocketed after the release of “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Closer,” the latter being one of the most popular songs of the year. Although 2016 was a depressing year with the loss of so many beloved artists in the world of music, many of the albums and songs that came out this year helped alleviate the sadness. The year was filled with terrific offerings from numerous genres, with a wide variety of music to appeal to all types of people.
Veteran Bachelor Looks for Love Genna Schwarz Staff Writer Class of 2019
Looking for his fourth chance at love on national television, Nick Viall becomes the newest star of one of the most iconic reality TV shows, ABC’s “The Bachelor.” The software sales executive from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who now lives in Chicago was on both Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe’s seasons of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” where he emerged as a finalist. However, he was highly disliked by almost all viewers. He’s not only disliked for his arrogant attitude, but also because of his outburst on one of “The Bachelor’s” live specials “After the Final Rose,” where he disclosed personal details about his
relationship with Andi. He later joined Kaitlyn’s season and was not able to restore his reputation. Nick then appeared in the cast of ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise.” Although he never found love with any of the other women, he was completely civil and genuine, which softened many viewers’ negative opinions. Because of “The Bachelor” fans’ various opinions, Nick might just be one of the most controversial bachelors ever. “It’s a winless battle to try to be liked by all,” said Nick in an exclusive interview with People magazine. “If you’re going to be interesting, you’re not going to be loved by everyone.” In the first episode of Nick’s season, all 30 women were introduced. One of the contestants, Lacey, rode in on a camel while another, Alexis, wore a
shark suit that she claimed was a dolphin. Corinne, a multibillion dollar business owner, was the first to start the drama with her extremely outgoing personality and confidence that she would win the “first impression rose,” a rose given on the first night to the girl Nick feels the most connection to. Instead, Rachel, an attorney from Dallas, captured Nick’s attention and received the first impression rose. “I’m really excited that Corinne did not receive the rose that night because if she did I would have lost respect for Nick and questioned if he was really looking for a good wife,” said freshman Sophie Lettes. Although many of Nick’s fans believe many of the girls are not the one, they see hope in other contestants including Vanessa, a special education teacher
their snow boots and heavy coats on the rare occasion of snow, if it even comes. “It’s just cold and there’s no snow,” said freshman Paul-Louis Biondi. But there are no evil weather gods controlling our city, constantly keeping us in a state of confusion about our environment. Instead, a number of factors contribute to the erratic weather patterns we observe. Geographically, Atlanta is unlike most major cities because it lacks natural barriers that traditionally would prevent urban sprawl and development. The region surrounding the city is flat, bordered by mountains to the north, with higher altitude, and lower altitudes in the southern region. Weather from surrounding regions and states
that eventually reaches Atlanta must travel through these natural obstacles, taming any extreme conditions. The severity of these traveling conditions cannot be predicted, though, as some tornadoes, hurricanes and snowstorms are able to pass through the mountains or lowlands. In addition to the occasional storms that pass through Atlanta, the inconsistent rainfall also contributes to its unpredictable climate. In the fall of 2016, over a month passed without rain. However, some weeks seem to bring rain each day. “It’s cold and then hot and then cold again,” said senior Michael Chen. “It just never stays the same.” These trends of rainy weeks and sunny weeks make the occasional snowfall hard to evalu-
from Canada, and Danielle M., a neonatal nurse from Nashville. Another contestant Liz, who had previous relations with Nick, came on the show surprising him nine months after their last encounter, but none of the other girls knew their secret. Nick, in the second episode, came to the conclusion that Liz was only there to be on TV because she could have contacted him any time before if she really wanted a relationship with him. “Thank God he sent her home,” said junior Melanie Crawford. “She was not there for the right reasons, and I think he made a really smart decision.” In the third episode, Nick went on a one-on-one date with Vanessa to a one-of-a-kind zero gravity airplane that simulates what it feels like to be in space. Nick told Vanessa that because of her he felt hopeful he would
Atlanta Weather Baffles Students Sarah Kitchen Online Editor Class of 2017
Photo: Anna Stone
Atlanta’s weather is known for being unpredictable and independent of following “seasons.” The city’s southeastern location contributes to mild low temperatures and averages higher than other regions, but the warm climate is not all that makes the weather so quirky. Once fall arrives, each week seems to bring a new season, constantly shifting from pleasant and sunny to rainy and warm to frigid and cloudy. Seeing shorts and T-shirts in December and January is not at all unusual, while some Atlantans get excited to break out
find love. On the other hand, drama with Corinne grows rapidly. Many of the women are nervous if Nick’s intentions are real because he really likes her, and in the fourth episode, things grew even worse. Corinne seems to be a fan favorite but not a woman in the house favorite, and she finally confronted the women. Taylor becomes a new problem in the house, with her condescending attitude, and her fight with Corrine becomes ridiculous when Taylor continues to call Corrine intellectually slower than herself. Along with the drama, Nick went on two romantic one-onone dates in his hometown with Raven and Danielle, who both received roses. Overall, Season 21 of “The Bachelor” is starting off the season in its typical way, with tons of drama and hope of love for Nick Viall in the future.
(L-R) Seniors Will Movsovitz, Alex Ross, Justin Rayman and Drew Simons enjoy the sunny, warm weather during the Atlanta winter. ate, because the amount of time snow will stay on the ground and threaten transportation could be
short on a sunny day or last a week and cause a “Snowpocalypse” on a cloudy one.
Sports
February 3, 2017
The Knightly News - Page 12
Girls Basketball Prepares For Playoffs Sydnie Jiang Staff Writer Class of 2018
Photo: Fred Assaf
While some students were busy relaxing during winter break, the girls varsity basketball team was preparing for the Campbell High School Christmas Tournament. The girls were off the first week of break, but were back in the gym Dec. 26 for practice. The girls left the tournament with one win and two losses under their belt. The team got off to a fair start with a 4-4 record before entering the tournament. The first half of their season included many close losses. According to assistant coach Joe Sandoe, it made the team more “battle-tested” because they gained more experience with every game. “It helps that the girls have really good chemistry,” said Coach Sandoe. “Anytime you have good chemistry on the team, it spills onto the court.”
Sophomore Paige Fleming surveys her options against Westminster on Dec. 9.
senior Mckenzie Baker. This talent and hard work was evident in the Knights game against the Wildcats Dec. 9. The girls played well but lost to Westminster in a tough match 33-34. Westminster is a known Pace rival, and it might even surprise people that Pace only lost by one point, but this girls’ varsity team has been improving on both their team dynamic and their skills to make the best out of play with tough opponents. The girls suffered a second loss to Westminster, 41-31 on Westminster’s home turf on Jan. 24. But the Pace girls beat the number one team in the region, Redan, 43-38 in an away game on Jan. 25. To keep their winning streak going, sophomore Kayla Ross made a buzzer-beater to beat the Lovett Lions 34-32 on Jan. 27, improving their win-loss record to 10-9. The team plays their final regular season game tonight in an away game against Stone Mountain at 5:30 p.m.
As the team entered the second half of the season, they had a good grip on what to expect from teams they had already played. Since this is the first year that Pace is playing in 3AAA, the team has played a lot of schools that they have never
seen before. But as they entered the last leg, they had more knowledge to work with. Earlier in the season, sophomore Joelle Zelony was optimistic. “I think we could win region because both of the region games we lost have been
in the last minute,” she said. “We can definitely go far in the state tournament.” The girls had lost two league games and won two before winter break. “Every returning player has matured and we have gained lots of talented freshmen,” said
senior Olivia Baker, freshman Erin Hood, senior Alex Kaye, sophomore Charlie Kaye and senior Connor LaMastra already had multiple state-qualifying performances. “The athletes were prepared to push themselves as far as possible,” said senior Mitchell Zwecker. With six senior captains, this year’s team is huge. Olivia, Alexis Benson, Alex, Connor, MacRae Oglesby and Mitchell have all offered a wide range of experience. Each captain has worked extremely hard and shared their passion for the program to ultimately improve the team. Their role was to make sure that everyone was respectful and acting together as a team. Connor LaMastra has an insanely difficult schedule since he also swims for Dynamo, a prestigious swimming club. “I
do come to most of the meets, but managing a schedule with two different swim teams definitely isn’t very easy,” said Connor. “As a team captain I want to create a team atmosphere that makes swimming not just a sport, but something that everyone enjoys and wants to do every year.” The last month of the season has been exciting. Athletes have done their best to bring in new times to qualify for state. New school and pool records are nearing All-American consideration performances. Before the state meet, Coach Ague weighed in on the team. “I am really excited to have the opportunity to step on the deck at Georgia Tech on Feb. 2 with this team and see them make a statement against all the 1A-5A competitors,” he said
Seniors have worked hard in anticipation of the state meet, continuing through this weekend at the Georgia Tech Natatorium.
have played in the playoffs, the Falcons will defy the Las Vegas odds and take home the city’s first major sports championship since the Braves’ World Series win in 1995. Brady, who missed the first four games due to a suspension, has been a man on a mission since his return. Throwing for 28 touchdowns and a measly two interceptions, Brady affirmed his place as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. On the other sideline, Matt Ryan has produced his best season in the NFL by throwing for 4,955 yards and 38 touchdowns, while leading the Falcons to their first Super Bowl since 1999. Super Bowl LI will prove that defense wins championships. Scoring an NFL-best 33.8 points per game and averag-
ing an NFL’s second best 416 yards per game, the high flying Falcons will test a solid Patriots defense. With weapons such as Tevin Coleman, Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones, the balanced Falcons attack has proven their ability to score at will against any team in the NFL, and they will do so again this Sunday in Houston. Patriots’ cornerback Malcom Butler will be looking to take Jones out of the game, but Ryan will have no trouble throwing to other receivers, as he has thrown to an NFL-record 13 different receivers. With the addition of Alex Mack at center for the Falcons’ offensive line, the Patriots’ front seven will not be able to pressure and sack Ryan enough to throw him off his game. With both teams having the
ability to spread the ball around to every man on their offense, the game will be decided on the defensive side of the ball. The weakness in the Falcons’ game early in the season was their young defense, as they start three rookies and four secondyear players. But as the season progressed this year, the defense has proven itself with NFL sack-leader Vic Beasley Jr. proving his high draft value. Deion Jones, a second round pick, has been a surprise at the linebacker position, leading the defense with two touchdowns. The Falcons’ defense lives off turnovers, so the key for them is forcing Brady and running back Legarrette Blount into giving up the ball. The swarming defense should be able to do
Swimmers Dive into State Meet Feb. 2-4 Graham Hurley Staff Writer Class of 2018
Photo: Fred Assaf
For the past two years, Pace Academy has had stellar performances in swimming and diving, and the team continues to stay on track to extend their control another year. The team is motivated by the performances of former Pace students and state-champion swimmers and divers Grace Ferry ‘16, Madison Graham ‘16, Harrison Moncino ‘15 and Owen Moncino ‘16. Swimming and diving meets are intense, and each role in every event has tremendous impact on the overall outcome. Last year, the boys finished 8th in the A-5A state meet while the girls had a fantastic performance with a 4th place finish. Early on,
Falcons Poised to ‘Rise Up’ in Super Bowl LI Jonathan Rushton Managing Editor Class of 2018
This year’s Super Bowl matches up two NFL powerhouses, as the red-hot Atlanta Falcons take on a staple of the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots. The NFL promised land contains two teams with sensational quarterbacks, looking to find the perfect end to their respective seasons. The Patriots’ Tom Brady will appear in his seventh Super Bowl, having already won four, while the Falcons’ Matt Ryan looks to assert his legacy by bringing home the first ever Falcons Super Bowl win. Given the sensational football the Falcons
this, allowing their almost unstoppable offense more time on the field and giving the Falcons the advantage. Although the young Falcons defense has already beaten Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they face their toughest challenge yet. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, one of the most legendary coaching and quarterback duos, will look to expose the inexperienced Falcons. With 23 players on the Patriots having played in the team’s last Super Bowl appearance, they already know what it takes to win. The biggest question for the Falcons is how they will be able to adjust to the pressure. But the Falcons’ hot streak will be too much for the more experienced Patriots, ultimately resulting in the win for Atlanta.