Vol. 40, Issue 3

Vol. 40, Issue #3

The

November 14, 2014

Knightly News

p. 2 Knight Mascot Unmasked

p. 3 Five Minutes with Carson Myers

p. 5 Future of Knight Cup Precarious

Shots Fired: Shooting Club Stays Alive Shooting and guns are controversial subjects nowadays, which is why many students were surprised to see a Shooting Club booth at this year’s Club Fair. Club founder, junior Jared Goldman, and his faculty sponsor Mr. Canfield both believed it was time to bring back the Shooting Club to Pace. Jared’s interest in reviving the club stemmed from his older brother Austin’s (‘12) involvement with the club in the past.

Jared received permission from both Mr. Gannon and Coach Palmerton to pursue his dreams of a skeet shooting club last spring. “A bunch of people found the idea of going out on the weekend and shooting with Mr. Canfield awesome,” said Jared. “Mr. Day also told me last year that he wanted to go too, so there is definitely faculty interest in addition to the 80 students who signed up.”

Jared’s aspirations to create a shooting team began last year, especially after learning that the Woodward team had won the state championship in skeet shooting. The visionary decided that the best course of action

would be to start a club.

Jared’s club began to attract the attention of students after Club Fair, when he began to make announcements in morning assemblies asking which students owned guns and had shooting proficiency. However, Jared received an email from a Student Council representative shortly afterwards, alerting him that his club was dissolved. Student Council stated that the club had “liability issues,” and the lack of funding and his role as head of another club, the Music Club, were added obstacles to the club’s potential success.

“Liability really isn’t a factor in any sport, especially because we require parental consent, so Pace wouldn’t be liable anyway,” said Jared. “[The lack of funding] is justifiable. So I wasn’t mad about that. I was just mad the club couldn’t exist.”

In order to justify his case, Jared went to a Wednesday morning Student Council meeting and gave a presentation on the safety precautions taken in skeet shooting and the precautions all participants would be required to take. Attempting to address all of their concerns, he brought in all the safety equipment along with a toy gun to demonstrate proper gun etiquette.

Photo: Julia Beck

Julia Beck

Co-Editor in Chief Class of 2015

but a skeet shooting club is very fun and very safe, and I can help change that stigma.”

In a 15-3 vote, Student Council decided to allow the shooting club to exist as a Pace organization, but under two conditions.

The first was that Shooting Club still would not receive funding, so participants would have to pay for the boxes of shells when

they go shooting. The second restriction was that every hopeful member who has no experience with guns or skeet shooting must attend a meeting without touching a weapon the entire time.

Not until the second meeting are the students allowed to participate, after having learned all the safety precautions.

“What that will likely do is if you are really excited about doing this club, then you will be willing to sit through these two meetings, and get your chance to learn to shoot,” said student body president and senior Matt Tanenblatt. “However, most people wouldn’t want to just sit there, so they are less likely to do this, which will [solve] the gun safety issue.”

Student Council acknowledges the strictness of this rule. However, since the safety of students is the top priority, Student Council decided the restrictive measure was necessary to prevent any accidents associated with Pace’s name.

The Woodward team, which served as a model for Jared, is composed mostly of students who go shooting on their own and are well-versed in how it works. “If [students] do shoot competitively, I think it’s fair that they would have their own club through Pace,” said Matt.

to fruition. “I always thought that it would be such a great club and had wanted to start it for years, but I never knew how to begin the club,” said Sarah. “I finally came up with the idea of composting, and thought that it would be a perfect way to kickstart the club.”

Meetings consist of identifying ideas for future projects as well as videos to raise awareness about being eco-friendly.

Two videos have already been created by the Green Team, with the second slated to be shown in assembly very soon. The first, created by sophomore Landon Goldstein, focused on the importance of using the compost bins in the cafeteria. The second video, starring junior Carlee Pokalsky, focuses on recycling in the Upper School.

A new video called “American Idle,” created by sophomores Eno Reyes and Rob Warren, is in the works and will focus on car

idling in the Pace carpool line and how to prevent it. Future plans also include a competition for creating the labels for the recycling bins.

As Sarah approaches graduation, the daunting task of appointing a successor looms over her. “As of right now, the race of leadership is anyone’s game,” she said. “The front-runners, juniors Tory Dancu and Jake Jenkins, are two core leaders in the organization right now, and I think that both would be great leaders. Another possibility would be to keep power hereditary and pass the torch to my brother [sophomore] Sammy Lettes, but I think the power would go to his head.”

With over 50 members, the Green Team has experienced a meteoric rise in interest and involvement, and likely will remain sustainable next year without the one and only Sarah Lettes leading the charge.

Junior Jared Goldman shows off his safety gear and toy gun.

Student Council reacted positively to this presentation, and they decided to take another vote on the club’s existence.

“Pace is known for being diverse, and I think that having a shooting club, football team and water polo club shows a diverse student body,” said Jared. “Also, guns have a really negative connotation for obvious reasons,

Photo: Christopher Howard

New Green Team Makes Pace Greener Chris Howard Staff Writer Class of 2017

Every Monday morning, students pack into the Inman Center conference room to make plans to improve eco-friendliness in the Pace community. Club president and senior Sarah Lettes leads the Green Team in initiatives around the school, including the recent “Take Me Outside Day,” which encouraged students to spend time outside and ignore electronics for a day. Among other recent efforts, the most notable change is the addition of compost bins in the cafeteria.

Instead of throwing away partially eaten food, students dump their unwanted refuse into these bins which then decomposes and turns into fertilizer. This helps decrease the amount of trash the Pace community produces and provides a way to recycle the

Green Team members are excited about the new recycling bins in front of the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School. food that we don’t eat.

The idea of the Green Team

was born last spring, but it took lots of planning to bring the idea

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Pace News

November 14, 2014

The Knightly News - Page 2

Pace Students, Teachers Explore Japan Photo: Thomas Hattori

Landon Goldstein Staff Writer Class of 2017

Our journey to Japan began with a 14-hour non-stop flight around the world. Eleven students led by Mr. Hattori and Ms. Barbakow went on this amazing trip. “It was a younger group than last time... but I thought there was a lot more enthusiasm,” said Mr. Hattori.

Battling the jet lag, we woke up that first morning and were quickly on our way to the Tsukiji fish market, the largest fish market in the world. It was here that we first experienced Japanese culture and society.

At most locations we split into small groups to explore, which allowed us to naturally indulge in the culture as opposed to having it explained by a tour guide.

Also, we veered away from the popular tourist spots, immersing ourselves in Japanese lifestyle.

The second day we went to the Akihabara district, where you can find all the animé and video games one could ever want. This was a favorite for many students, including senior Jonathan Spalten. Many of the

The group visited the Tokyo Skytree, an observation tower 450 meters high. students purchased traditional Japanese sweat jackets, a musthave for any visitor of Japan. As we were returning to the hotel, Mr. Hattori surprised the group with a karaoke party.

We spent Monday at Seigakuin High School, a private school in Tokyo. We were paired with students from Tokyo’s international college in order to help the Japanese students with

their projects on Hiroshima. The projects were in English, and we were able to help correct their grammar and word arrangement. “It was hard to help them because they rarely knew what I was saying,” said sophomore Sammy Tannenblatt. “However, there were some kids who were better at English than me.”

The following day we took a Shinkansen, or a bullet train,

to Kyoto. There, we visited Kiyomizu-dera: a Buddhist temple which was within walking distance from our hotel. Once we left the temple, senior Waide “Mr. Miyagi” Swain discovered a sign that said “Monkey Park,” and we decided to explore. After an extremely difficult hike up an enormous mountain, we found ourselves surrounded by monkeys.

Photo: Fred Assaf

Model UN ‘Hungary’ For Success Eno Reyes Staff Writer Class of 2017

Most upper school students have heard the cries of an imminent “SUSMUN” conference from Ms. Smith during morning announcements, but few actually know what goes on in Ms. Smith’s room after hours. Model UN is one of the few Pace extracurricular activities that lets you simulate being a major world leader, debate current events, and pass resolutions that affect your fellow participants.

Countless hours will be spent by those brave souls enduring the topic paper writing process, all for the sweet reward of a successful conference. “I like Model UN because it lets me spend more time with Ms. Smith,” said sophomore Max Irvine. If that doesn’t ignite a Model UN flame in your heart, wait until you hear about the trips.

“The Model” as some participants call it, goes to many locations for their conferences.

Whether it’s Emory University in Atlanta’s own backyard, or Budapest, Hungary, the Model

UN world knows that Pace will be there. Pace is consistently recognized at both the individual and delegation level. “It’s not about the winning at these types of things,” said Ms. Smith, “There’s always going to be someone better than you. We do Model UN for the experience and the learning that comes from it. The awards are just a bonus.”

This year, Pace will be attending a variety of conferences, some new and some old.

The return of the SUSMUN and TUFTS conferences are highly anticipated, and a planned trip to China over spring break will allow Model UN participants to experience a conference from a whole new perspective. “I’m really excited about the China trip,” said sophomore William Robbins. “I can’t wait to experience a whole new culture and learn about the world from a totally different angle.”

Model UN is led by Mr. Newman and Dr. Dupree, in addition to Ms. Smith. “Model UN is like selling your soul to Ms. Smith and rotting in purgatory, but in a good way,” said sophomore Jonathan Boss. Students leave on Nov. 22 for the next Model in Budapest, Hungary.

Photo: Eno Reyes Ms. Smith works with sophomore Jonathon Boss on Model UN.

From Kyoto, we took another Shinkansen to Hiroshima where we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. It was very sad and awakening walking through the museum, and everyone learned a lot about atomic bombs and their lasting effect on the people of Hiroshima.

We then headed towards the children’s memorial, and hung up 1,000 paper cranes. This was a big moment for everybody, because we had spent many hours constructing the cranes and stringing them together. This tradition began when a young girl, Sadako Sasaki, was diagnosed with leukemia ten years after the atomic bomb. She was told that she had only one year to live, and in order to relieve her stress she began folding 1,000 cranes. Sadly, she passed away after reaching only 644.

We took a five-hour trip on the bullet train back to Tokyo, where we spent our final evening in the Riverside Capsule Hotel.

This was not a typical hotel; the rooms were capsules stacked on each other, with just enough room to say that it was not too small. “I could barely fit,” said sophomore Ben Siegel.

Can you spot the Knight in the crowd?

Knight Mascot Unmasked Grace Francour

Features Editor Class of 2015

You see the mascot at every sporting event. He hangs out with all the cheerleaders and is friends with every lower schooler at Pace Academy. “The little kids love the Knight,” said Headmaster Mr. Assaf. “It’s the most asked question: ‘Who is the Knight?’” Truly a celebrity on the Pace campus, the mascot is known by all, but how well do you really know the Pace Academy Knight? Everyone has a story, including the new knight mascot.

The costume itself was designed by the company that does most all of the college mascot costumes. It was supposed to be ready for the opening of Walsh Field, but there was a mishap and the company couldn’t get it to Pace in time. “However, they’ve been really super nice to us and they’re going to clean it forever and take care of our knight,” said Mr. Assaf.

There are three spirited students inside the costume who are responsible for getting the fans pumped up during games. Senior Caroline Denny usually transforms into the Knight during the second half of games, ready to take on the challenge of either continuing the hype or amplifying it. Caroline decided to don the ensemble after hearing there was a new costume. “I’m a senior and I love Pace, so I thought it would be a really fun thing to do,” said Caroline. “Plus, the old costume was a little scary, so this one is really fun.”

Although it is “like an oven” inside the costume, she wants to continue being the Knight, hoping to help out at basketball games as well. “The best part is all the younger kids’ reactions to seeing the Knight,” she said.

“They get so excited.”

Sophomore Libby Sams chose to be the mascot for an entirely different reason. “It sounded really fun and the sleep-in days are awesome,” said Libby. As a reward for their performances at the games, the

mascots are given the privilege of choosing an 80-minute period to sleep-in for every game they work. While the added perks are nice, Libby’s favorite part about wearing the costume is that “usually people assume it’s Parkes Tesler in the costume, so I can do anything I want and they will never know it was me.”

Surprisingly, the costume isn’t hard to move around in, but there are some complications if you’re not very tall. “I always forget how much bigger the limbs are, so I run into a lot of things,” said Libby.

It was an impulse decision for junior Parkes Tesler to don the mascot costume. Most often seen at the beginning of games, Parkes loves being the mascot because “the little kids smile when they see [him].” However, as fun as being the mascot is, it isn’t an easy job. “Stepping into the costume is like stepping into ‘H-E-double-hockey-sticks’ itself,’” said Parkes, referring to how hot the costume can get while one is moving around so much.

Pace News

Vol. 40, Issue #3

The Knightly News - Page 3

Five Minutes with Carson Myers Co-Editor in Chief Class of 2015

Knightly News: Hello, Carson!

Carson Meyers: Hey, Dean!

KN: So Carson, what's your favorite thing to do at the Academy?

CM: I really like music and enjoy singing. I think people probably know that about me, but, yeah. Singing. I'm also on the Green Team.

KN: Any songs you really like to sing these days?

CM: I love Sara Bareilles! I love playing her songs on piano, how she sings, and her voice in general.

KN: Will you be at Cabaret this year?

CM: Probably, yeah.

KN: What do you think of Pace chorus?

CM: It's really fun. Ms. Wallace is a good teacher, and it's just really great overall.

KN: Are you in the Pace fall musical?

CM: Yes! I'm actually Cinderella's stepmother. It's been a challenge for me since I'm not used to playing such a mean character. I also have to yell at [senior] Caillin Cooke a lot, which is so hard because she's so nice.

KN: Cool! How many Pace shows have you been involved in?

CM: Three in Middle School, and this is my second upper school production.

KN: Have you ever had anything funny happen during a show?

CM: So, in "Canned Hamlet," someone forgot to ring a bell.

[Juniors] Brendan Pace and Jared Goldman had to improvise for over three minutes, and it was hilarious. They started talking about space aliens.

KN: Changing gears, how long have you been at Pace?

CM: I'm a lifer.

KN: So, which transition was harder: freshman to sophomore, or Middle School to freshman?

Photo: Sammuy Tannenblatt

Junior boys agree: Sweaters are "in" right now.

Sweaters Are the Move On Wednesdays Zack Kaminsky Staff Writer Class of 2016

Sophomore Carson Myers is an amazing singer and a Pace lifer.

Player? I Hardly Know Him! Mark Handler Online Editor Class of 2016

Most every Pace student is aware of Mr. Player's exquisite English expertise and dapper apparel, but few know of his fascinating background. Having grown up in Georgia, Mr. Player attended The Westminster Schools. He earned his Bachelor's degree at Furman University and his Master's in American Literature from Florida State University. Throughout his life, Mr. Player has been a musician.

He is a talented guitarist, pianist and bass player, and describes himself as having dabbled in drums. "I have a very serious interest in music," he said. "It is really always on for me in some regard. I play it when I'm driving, I play it when I cook, and I have always imagined it as sort of a soundtrack to my life."

Mr. Player shares this love of music every day with his students. "I always play music when kids walk into the classroom," he said. "Part of that is a pedagogical tool. I read a book that described students as needing a palate cleanser. I use it as a subconscious signal for you guys. This way you get this sense that, 'Oh, I'm in English class now,' and you sort of decompress whatever you had last in your mind."

Mr. Player also assists his wife with her writing by creating specific playlists for her. "As somebody who she confides in with her ideas, I actually make these mixes for her as she's writing," said Mr. Player. "So she sort of gives me the plot of the story, and as I start reading these very early versions of her drafts, I'll make these mixes and she'll continue to write under the music I provide, and hopefully it will inspire her... And

then at the end I'll compile them into multiple mixes while she's revising, so she'll get maybe five or six mixes over the course of her writing the book, and at the end, we'll choose the best ones together and that will be what she edits to."

Mr. Player described his musical mixes as having an actual influence on his wife's writing.

"I ended up putting in a mix "Bold is Love" by Jimi Hendrix, and in that song he paints a picture of soldiers under all these different colored banners," he said. "So she ended up creating an underlying color scheme within her novel as a result of that song. So it's like these little clues and almost like little inside jokes we have within the novel."

He describes it as a "fun game" and claims, "It's great for her to come to me and tell me '1920s,' and so I have to ask, 'Do I want songs from that time, or songs that are evocative of that story or even a little bit of both?' Once she wrote [a] novel that was set in the Medieval era, which was quite challenging."

Mr. Player has been composing his own music for almost 20 years. "I usually just do it for myself," he said. "When I was in high school and college and then out of college, I was in a few different bands. I was in a band called Anderson Fall, which is just a terrible name for a band.

But in graduate school, I was in

a band called The Hip Replacements, which was like the greatest name for a band ever because we were all 25-year-old guys who would play at these college parties." Mr. Player's music can be found on SoundCloud.

Music is not the only indulgence in the Player household.

Mr. and Mrs. Player are actually fairly accomplished cooks. "She cooks a lot of homespun recipes like casseroles and meatloaf," said Mr. Player, referring to his wife. "She does a lot of improv cooking, so we have all these ingredients and she'll cull them together and make a stir fry or something like that. She's a really good cook. I love to put on Sinatra and Dean Martin when I cook, so I cook a lot of Italian food as a result."

The Players like to jam and hang out with their five pets as well. The Australian Shepherd mix is named Fred and is described as a "goof ball and just a really good boy." The miniature Australian Shepherd mix is named Little Bit, or "Bitty," and the Pit Bull mix is named Mimi and is described as "the elder statesman." The two cats are Mazie and Kiki (who are up for adoption, by the way. Take a look outside Mr. Player's room on the third floor if you are interested). Mr. Player's passion for music, cooking and animals is unparalleled by most. Without a doubt, this Player's got talent.

Photo: Mark Handler

Walking through the hallways of the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School, students may have noticed something a bit unconventional about the attire of a number of their classmates. These students take part in a new trend called "Sweater Wednesday," which aims to bring style and class to Pace Academy.

The junior boys originated the trend, which now takes place every other Wednesday.

"Sweater Wednesday was started because [junior] Alec Rogers always wore sweaters," said junior Jack Dwyer. "[Junior Bailey O'Sullivan] started going around telling everyone, 'We're wearing sweaters tomorrow! We're wearing sweaters tomorrow!'"

The rules are simple: wear a sweater (preferably a V-neck) to school, and don't wear the same sweater twice in a row. "Sweater Wednesday allows me to express myself in ways I never could imagine," said junior Hobie Malik. Of the current 21 participants, 20 are juniors and one is freshman Gunnor Faulk. The trend, however, is not exclusive, and all Pace students are encouraged to join the fun.

Participants have worn many stylish sweaters, and highlights include junior Ethan Freishtat's Polo sweaters and junior Peyton Attridge's patterned sweaters. "My sweaters mean a lot to me because they are handknitted by my grandma," said Peyton. His favorite sweater is his brown sweater with shapes between rows of stripes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Bailey and classmate Jack Walsh are infamous for having worn quarter-zip sweaters and sweater vests because they do not own V-necks. "I think it's cute," said Jack about his sweater vest he wore one recent Wednesday.

In coming weeks, the popularity of the movement is bound to rise. Students are drawn to it, and can convey their personality and sense of style through the patterns and stripes or just stay comfortable in a nice, warm sweater as temperatures drop. "I think it's the greatest idea since Tender Tuesday," said sophomore Barrett Baker. "Although Tender Tuesday fell through, I think Sweater Wednesday will definitely survive." The idea is beginning to gain traction in other grades. "I like sweaters, I just don't really like pants," said sophomore Ramiro Juarez.

To quote the Most Interesting Man in the World, "Stay classy, Pace Academy."

CM: Definitely freshman to sophomore. Freshman year was much easier than sophomore year, and they ease you into the Upper School. I know that sounds weird, but it's true.

KN: Any classes you've found particularly challenging this year?

CM: Mr. Smith, Algebra II. It's hard but really rewarding. Mr. Smith is really nice, too.

KN: You said you were on the Green Team. Can you give us the inside scoop on what they're up to?

CM: We're making this little compost garden, and it should be a really nice addition to the composting program.

KN: Now for a hard-hitting question. What's your stance on the Shooting Club?

CM: Oh gosh, I don't know! I haven't really thought about that. (looks away) KN: Thanks so much for talking with us. Have a good day Carson!

CM: You too!

Photo: Dean Papastrat

Dean Papastrat

Mr. Player balances the tasks of both reading and playing music.

Pace News

November 14, 2014

The Knightly News - Page 4

PABD Focuses on Sex, Gender Photo: Alexis Wilkins

Alexis Wilkins Staff Writer Class of 2017

Pace Academy’s Board of Diversity is flying high with new ideas this year, with a new topic of discussion planned for each month. For November, PABD is focusing on Sex and Gender.

PABD members are making posters about feminism and women’s issues. They also plan on explaining different gender labels to the Pace community.

Gender is defined by classes of nouns and pronouns in which people choose to distinguish themselves. Sexuality is defined by either of two main categories (male and female) into which humans and many living things are placed depending on their reproductive organs. However, people tend to overlook the differences in these definitions.

Many people unconsciously say that there are only two labels of gender: male and female. But these labels are actually sexes, not genders.

Gender binarism is a social boundary which separates people into two categories: male and female. Many do not realize that there are more ways in which people choose to identify themselves. These labels discourage people from mixing or crossing gender roles. Gender binarism is a predominant cause of stereotyping. The media tends

Senior Jeri Brand met up with Pace alumna Amelia Hess ‘14 to celebrate the Atlanta Pride Festival in October. to perpetuate the “males should be masculine; females should be feminine” stereotype. Society tends to forsake anyone who decides to go against this “norm.”

“For people like me, who identify totally outside of that, it is hard to explain to people what that means,” said senior Jeri Brand. Manifestation of gender binary such as gender selection on tests and applications – giving people a choice between “female” and “male” – can be very irritating, especially for someone who does not identify as “male” or “female.”

Nowadays, some forms and applications give an “other” option, which is an improvement, but Jeri says that option should be universally available. Another issue is the male and female

restriction, such as participation on sports teams and distinct “women” and “men” restrooms.

Gender dysphoria is termed as discontent with the sex one was assigned at birth. Lots of people think that there are only two types of pronouns, masculine and feminine. Many people are also very confused with the idea of a gender neutral pronoun.

English has four singular pronouns: masculine (he, him, his), feminine (she, her, hers), neuter (it, itself, its), and nonspecific (they, them, theirs).

Alumna Amelia Hess ’14 believes that you should not automatically assume a person’s pronouns if you don’t know the person. According to Amelia, “Society often marginalized people by prematurely label-

ing them based on their gender expression, or their outward appearance: how they dress, act, etc.”

Amelia says “a good way to find out someone’s pronouns if you do not know them is to introduce yourself. Say, ‘Hello, my name is Amelia and my pronouns are she, her, hers.’ This initiates a situation in which the person can tell you their pronouns in a way that doesn’t have a lot of pressure involved.”

Many languages, such as Bengali, Finnish, Turkish, Hawaiian and Japanese, do not have grammatical gender. However, English speakers have grown up with a language which has mainly limited us to the gender specific “she, her, hers” or “he, him, his” pronouns. Some people identify themselves with the gender neutral “they, them, theirs” pronouns, which lots of people in today’s society tend to refuse. They cannot wrap their head around the plural “they” describing one person.

“This is only because we have grown up in a society which is inherently cissexist,” said Amelia. “Just because ‘she’ or ‘he’ is the only thing you have heard before does not mean it is right, and it doesn’t give you the power over other people to tell them how they can or can’t identify. Your main priority should be respecting that person’s life and struggles. Their life and humanity is worth more than your difficulty with respect.”

Drop It Like It’s Hot: Freestyle Friday Brian Sloan

Staff Writer Class of 2017

Braylin’s palms are sweaty, his knees weak, his arms heavy.

Formulating his thoughts one last time, he concentrates all of his energy on the powerful words radiating from his mouth.

“Pace Academy: 2-1, that’s the world’s greatest typo,” spits senior Braylin “Kool-Kid” Robinson on an early Friday morning. The audience waits, hanging onto every word produced by the lyrical genius. “Bray” certainly spat fire that morning, even if his rhymes were a direct insult to the entire football team.

This is Freestyle Friday, an event most Friday mornings that features the true literary minds of our student body in a congregated performance of dance and song. If one hopes to compete, they better be quicker than quick and have lyrics that are slicker than slick. The sacred occasion has legendary and mysterious origins. However it is believed that the first “Freestyle Bars” were dropped by the Class of 2014, in particular “Rap God” Osei Avril. Soon his partner in crime Kameron Uter decided he was about to tear the rap game up. The sensation known as Freestyle Friday began to sweep the school by storm.

Friday mornings, the stu-

dents of Pace Academy eagerly file into the FAC in order to jam and vibe along with their fellow classmates. “Freestyle Friday is a great break from the conventional school day,” said sophomore Will “Papa Doc” Movsovitz. “I constantly have a fever which can only be cured through hot beats and straight up vibing.”

As Freestyle Friday ascends to greater prominence, so does the responsibility that comes with it. Recently, there has been controversy surrounding the treasured event concerning students’ “slick fouling” their fellow classmates, creating friction. The recent addition of Timothy “The Truth” Coleman

II and others has transformed the landscape of Freestyle Friday into a much more competitive environment. Although more entertaining for some, this shift in the nature of Freestyle Friday could be potentially dangerous.

“We were rapping for the hell of it, but nowadays we are rapping to stay relevant,” said sophomore Sophie Blasberg.

Freestyle Friday is gradually evolving, and it may not be long before the tradition is gone altogether. In order to preserve the event, the student body must revert back to the Freestyle Friday of the classics. In the wise words of Nas, “Hip Hop is dead,” and it may be a while before it is resurrected.

Freshmen Connect With Local Community Staff Writer Class of 2016

In the fall, while the juniors and sophomores take the PSAT and seniors are working on college applications, the freshman class enjoys an annual Service Day. This year, on Oct. 15, the freshmen split into their Transitions groups and worked at the Guice Center, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Sylvan Hills Center, and the Homeless Pets Foundation.

The Guice Center and Sylvan Hills Center are Easter Seals

child development centers for children who range in age from six months to five years. At the centers, students helped the teachers with classroom activities, including arts and crafts, games, and music and dancing with the children. “We got to take care of little kids and take them to the playground,” said freshman Nate Reese.

At the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Product Rescue Center, freshmen sorted and boxed food and health supplies to be distributed to Atlanta families in need. The products, often donated by large corporations such as CVS and Walmart, come

to the facility in large shipments.

The donations are unloaded and then sorted into different categories. “It was enjoyable and there was a lot of food,” said freshman Bobby Mills. This year, the freshmen sorted 7,754 lbs. of food, constituting 6,461 meals.

Freshmen who volunteered at the Homeless Pets Foundation walked dogs and played with the animals. The animals at the shelter do not have owners and are taken care of by the Foundation until they are adopted. Working with the animals, who are in need of care and attention, was an entertaining way to spend the day and volunteer, said students.

Photo: Lee Wilson

Zack Kaminsky

Survival Tips For Freshmen Jack Zook

Staff Writer Class of 2016

It doesn't take long to realize the implications of being a freshman in high school. Every year on the first day of school, freshmen listen to the seniors spitting out statistics on how much time they have left in their four years at Pace. While hearing these numbers might make freshmen sad and anxious, it's important to use that time wisely and to the best of your ability. Here are some tips on how to make it through all 3,000-something classes before graduation day:

1

"Always communicate with your teacher," says senior Trevor Cefalu. "Any time you think you need help on an assignment, go see them during a free, before or after school, or whenever. They are the ones who determine your grades." They're also the ones who write your letters of recommendation when you are applying to college.

2

Use your free periods wisely.

You can save yourself an hour a night if you complete part of what you need to accomplish during the day. "I like getting my homework done during the day so that I can go home and watch Harry Styles work his magic," said junior Erica Kahn. Whether you watch Harry Styles or enjoy other pursuits, working during frees keeps you organized and not having to rush your work.

3

Don’t be afraid to commit to something.

4

Get enough sleep.

"It is important to play a sport or have an extracurricular activity," said Mr. Callahan.

"Having something outside of school can help you manage your time, lessens chance for procrastination, and it lets you partake in something you enjoy."

The rest of these tips are pointless if you're asleep during your classes.

5

Freshman Kate Snyder volunteered at the Easter Seals’ Guice Center.

Build a strong relationship with your teachers.

Stay on top of your studies.

Contrary to popular belief, your grades in ninth grade will go on your final transcript that colleges see your senior year.

The most important part of school is the actual school part.

Opinion

Vol. 40, Issue #3

The Knightly News

Co-Editors in Chief: Julia Beck Dean Papastrat Managing Editor: Josh Blank Features Editor: Grace Francour Opinion Editor: Conor Pelletier Sports Editor: Joe Loughran Online Editor: Mark Handler

Staff Writers: Andy Bainton Landon Goldstein Dori Greenberg Jordan Harris Christopher Howard Zack Kaminsky Sean Murtaugh Eno Reyes Libby Sams Brian Sloan Alexis Wilkins Jack Zook 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.

Knight Cup Success On Precarious Cliff Knightly News

House Publication 2014-2015

Perhaps you know of the Knight Cup. You may not know what team you’re on, but you certainly know what it is. It’s that thing with a bunch of challenges and houses, right? Well, simply put, it is. But, you probably don’t have an understanding of why it came about in the first place.

Creators of the Knight Cup originally intended to encourage a sense of community across all grades, break up cliques and imbue a vigorous spirit within the student body. Through challenges ranging across a variety of disciplines, students would bond with each other, discover new friends and perhaps form lifelong relationships.

The socially inept techies, magnificent actors, bookworms, buff athletes and all other types of students would finally reach out and work together to succeed. And, despite the pressure and attention devoted to the challenges, Knight Cup would only represent one aspect of student life, not consuming all other facets the way Spirit Week does.

These good-natured intentions, so nice on paper, seemed well

Gap Years Are Good Julia Beck

Co-Editor in Chief Class of 2015

In the U.S., there is one life path that people are expected to take in order to be highly successful. Trained to believe that there is only one option, students flow mindlessly from high school, to college, to graduate school, to their job. However, this path isn’t always the right one; there are so many more options out there.

One such option is the “gap year.” Already very popular in many other parts of the world, a

Landon Goldstein Staff Writer Class of 2017

gap year is usually a year after high school devoted to service or charity work, internships and travel. There are studies that show that gap years make students more confident, more aware of the world around them, and more prepared to make decisions because they know what they want to do with their lives.

In other countries, gap years are embraced as a way for students to gain real-world experience, expand their horizons, and learn how to adapt to new situations in a safe environment.

Overall, gap years are supposed to take students out of their comfort zone. When forced to push their limits, students really learn

Photo: Lee Wilson

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

The Knightly News - Page 5

who they are and what they want to be, ultimately better preparing them for college, graduate school and beyond.

These are years dedicated to growth, not the stress of decisions and school. In the U.S., however, people have a habit of looking down on gap years. Although there is currently a growing trend towards them, many still view them as “lazy years,” and that students are avoiding school, work and the real world.

But if students approach a gap year with a plan, it can be one of the most meaningful years of their lives. Going abroad can teach them a new language, a valuable skill in the

(L-R) Sophomore Landon Goldstein and senior Anna Hoffman construct paper airplanes as part of a Knight Cup challenge. within reach.

However, this has not been the case. The Knight Cup has not soared in popularity, nor has it really caught on in a significant manner. Challenges come and go but are few and far between, generally lacking in student participation. The entire program seems to be fading away in front of our eyes. If we brought back the Knight Cup at full-strength and made it what it was supposed to be, student life would improve tenfold.

Imagine it this way: monthly powder puff games, grand banners hanging in the Commons, “Academy Idol” (throwback to Cabaret), or a new field day

for upper school students. Try speed kayaking and canoeing, or maybe even a rafting challenge.

How about relays in a National park, or holding a legendary Super Smash Bros. competition in the FAC? The possibilities never end.

With a creative spark, positive attitude and a little bit of that good old Academy magic, we can make Knight Cup a treasured Pace tradition. Though Dean of Students Mr. Hall and the administration can work to remedy some of the minor issues getting Knight Cup on a roll, only we can weave it into the existing Pace culture. It starts with us, now.

business world, and jobs and internships can also put students ahead of their peers with experience beyond the classroom.

Another argument against the gap year is that it is a “rich kid” thing. Obviously, gap years are not for everyone, but there are paid internships and job opportunities in the U.S. and abroad, helping to make gap years more available to all. Some gap year companies also offer financial aid for their programs, again making the opportunity available to a wider range of people.

The view of gap years as a “year off” (again, false) is the root of another poor argument against them: that students who take them lose momentum in their schooling, and thus in life.

This is not true because many gap years help prepare students for schooling better than jumping straight into it would.

Some people who take gap years never do return to college, but while the perception is that this happens to everyone, it is actually very few.

The people who end up not going back to school often were lucky enough to find their passion and be able to actively work on it early in their life. These people gained so much momentum they did not even need to go to college.

The majority who do go back to school return more prepared and invigorated, not stalled out, with goals and dreams – goals they might not have found if not for their gap year.

What’s Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dish?

Photos: Landon Goldstein

(L-R) Sophomore Barrett Baker, junior Frances Crisler, sophomore Samantha Moreland, and Mr. Gannon have varied opinions on the best Thanksgiving food.

Lifestyle

November 14, 2014

The Knightly News - Page 6

Shake Shack Fails to Live Up to Hype Managing Editor Class of 2015

Beginning with a hot dog cart located in Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, Shake Shack has since grown to become one of the most famous burger joints in the United States. The restaurant was established in 2000 by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group to help support Madison Square Park Conservancy’s art installation. The small stand was an immediate hit, and four years later, earned itself a bid to become a full-time kiosk in the park.

Ten years later, the Shake Shack now has stores in eight states in the U.S. and eight different countries including Russia, Qatar and England. The “Shack” has earned a multi-

tude of awards such as “Travel and Leisure’s Best Hot Dog in America,” and famous food critic Andrew Zimmerman’s “Best Burger in the U.S.” Not only is the food nationally recognized, but Shake Shack is known for an atmosphere that few other burger and hot dog joints can successfully compete against.

A week ago, I visited the recently opened Shake Shack in Buckhead along Peachtree Road.

The new restaurant fits perfectly in its location due to all of the new retail and restaurants opening around it.

Only open since Sept. 30, the Shack has been extremely popular, almost always having a line of customers that is out the doors and down the street. Although intimidating, the block-long line moved rather quickly and I was able to order in roughly 25-30 minutes. Shake Shack helps the

line seem shorter by providing quick snacks of featured items on the menu.

Inside, the decor is very modern and spare with large windows and white marble tables. The menu doesn’t have a wide variety of options, with only five burgers and four hot dogs offered. In addition to the burgers and hotdogs, the choices are cheese fries or regular fries with your meal. The best part of the menu, and certainly the most elaborate, is the frozen custard section. These delicious desserts are served in a multitude of ways with a plethora of toppings and mix-ins. For my meal, I tried the traditional Shack burger served with fries, a black and white milkshake, grape lemonade and The Concrete Jungle.

Although the Shack is famous for its burgers, I didn’t think that the burgers lived up

Photo: Madison Square Park

Josh Blank

The original Shake Shack is in Madison Square Park, in NYC. to their hype. They didn’t have much flavor nor were the beef patties juicy. The shake wasn’t great either. It was neither super cold nor did it have a lot of flavor. However, the lemonade, Concrete and fries were all fantastic. The crinkle cut fries, cooked perfectly and seasoned superbly, give customers a yummy side option. The Con-

crete, a frozen custard-ice cream blended at high speed, allows one to get creative with all of the mix-ins and flavors available.

This tasty treat alone gives me reason to return for more. Although I didn’t love the Shack, I would highly recommend going to the restaurant for the unique atmosphere that it provides for customers.

#FAF: Free Art Friday Sweeps Atlanta Online Editor Class of 2016

Atlanta’s art culture is being rapidly renovated by a unique free art movement. This movement, inspired by a furniture maker, now artist, called Evereman, is a collection of anonymous artists who are known only by their Twitter names. They distribute their art throughout Atlanta and post pictures of their art online.

The idea is very similar to that of the secretive artist Banksy. The only difference is that the art is tangible and takeable. Often magnetized, these art pieces can be found on metal objects like a stop sign or building throughout the city. The best part is that they are completely free for people to take. This creates an exciting and competitive hunt, especially for popular pieces such as ones made by Evereman, Catlanta and Fenix.

All artists display their

pieces through Twitter, followed by #FAF or #FAFATL. So if you hope to claim a piece, you must act fast, because pieces are snapped up very quickly by followers. It is also possible that an artist will leave the art on public structures meant for somebody to simply stumble upon. “Creating your art is an exciting process. I use a scroll saw to cut the wood into cowboy hats which I then spray paint and decorate,” said aspiring artist Outlaw ATL (@Outlaw_ATL). “I try to make my pieces as creative as possible so that more people will join the hunt.”

Artists generally hide works the first Friday of every month, but art can always be found, especially at big Atlanta events like Braves games or other festivities. The idea centered around this movement is to encourage a new type of artistic expression while getting people to venture out and see parts of Atlanta that they may have not seen before. The prize at the end is a nice bonus, too.

Photo: Mark Handler

Mark Handler

(Clockwise from top left) Atlanta artists @Outlaw_ATL, @Catlanta, @Evereman and @FenixATL display their creative works.

Black is Back: Two and a Half Looks with Taylor Photo: Libby Sams

Taylor shows off her colorful style and Birkenstocks.

Libby Sams Staff Writer Class of 2017

This month, Three Looks highlights the Academy’s growing “hipster” following, as exemplified by sophomore Taylor Upchurch. This girl purposefully pushes the envelope of societal norms with her “artsy” style and isn’t a stranger to wearing black on black. When asked about her favorite outfit, she simply responded, “Whatever is the most comfortable, probably jeans and sandals. My favorite color is red, but I wear a lot of black.” Effortlessly, Taylor pulls away from Pace’s mainstream into cooler waters with fashions like pairing socks and Birkenstocks.

“Birkenstocks and socks

aren’t socially acceptable,” argues sophomore Mia Wright, though it is obvious that Taylor’s haters only ignite her desire to be different from everyone else.

She shops at Urban Outfitters, Free People and Anthropology to widen her artsy wardrobe options and add more clothing items of the color black.

Taylor can be spotted sporting her signature bell-bottom jeans, bringing back a classic Seventies style while adding her own flair. “Yes, actually, the breeze on my knees is nice,” says Taylor, describing her jeans.

But the question remains, what will she do next? Her growing fashion following has been left in the dark, literally, and they want to know what Taylor’s newest trend will be. In response, she said mysteriously, “Crocs and socks. That is all.”

Thanksgiving

Vol. 40, Issue #3

The Knightly News - Page 7

Holiday Service Opportunities Abound Photo: Fred Assaf

Conor Pelletier Opinion Editor Class of 2016

Pace’s devotion to serving the community is elevated during Thanksgiving. There are many different service projects and community agencies that need volunteers and donations, especially this time of year.

One of these service projects is Thanksgiving Blessings, led by sophomore Emily Kurzweil and her family. It provides Thanksgiving meals to people who are struggling financially.

Emily credits the holiday season for the large number of donations given to the service project. “I think when the holidays come, more people realize how lucky they are to have what they have, and they want to help out someone else,” said Emily.

Thanksgiving Blessings is a great opportunity for people to give back to the community. “I just want people to know that this is a very good cause and any

Freshman Shaaz Thobani works hard at the Atlanta Community Food Bank on Freshman Service Day. donations will help,” said Emily.

Another service project with a Pace connection is the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Senior Larine Hamied, junior Mark Handler and sophomores Brian Sloan, Jessica Haidet and Alexis Wilkins are the service leaders for the project..

The Pace service project

sorts food at the Food Bank’s Product Rescue Center on Saturday mornings. Although Food Bank uses volunteers throughout the year, it sees increased participation during the Thanksgiving season, with an enormous amount of food donated that has to be sorted and distributed to those in need. Food Bank is

always looking for volunteers and there are always opportunities to help.

There are many service opportunities outside of Pace to show your thanks on Thanksgiving. One of these organizations is Hosea Feed the Hungry. Although Hosea Feed the Hungry helps in many different ways,

Photo: Maggie Wray

Give Thanks for Pies Sean Murtaugh Staff Writer Class of 2016

If you are looking for something to keep you busy this Thanksgiving while your annoying relatives are in town, look no further. The best Thanksgiving meals consist of preparing, sharing and eating delicious pies: a perfect recipe for a peaceful holiday break. Below are some of my favorite conventional Thanksgiving pie recipes, all of which are sweet, savory and simple.

Apple Crumble Pie:

Ingredients: 1 (9 inch) deep dish pie crust 5 cups apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced 1/2 cup white sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/3 cup white sugar 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons butter Directions: PREP: 30 mins COOK: 40 mins READY IN: 1 hr. 10 mins Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange apple slices in unbaked pie shell. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples.

Mix 1/3 cup sugar with flour; cut in butter until crumbly.

Spoon mixture over apples.

Bake in preheated oven until apples are soft and top is lightly browned, about 40 minutes.

Pumpkin Pie:

Ingredients: 1 1/2 pints vanilla ice cream, softened 3 eggs 1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 (9 inch) unbaked pie shells

Photo: allrecipes.com Above is the final product of the delicious apple crumble pie recipe.

Directions: PREP: 15 mins COOK: 45 mins READY IN: 1 hr.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place ice cream near the warm oven to soften.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs. Stir in the pumpkin puree, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Mix in soft ice cream until smooth. Pour filling into two 9 inch pie shells.

Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake an additional 30 to 40 minutes, or until filling is set.

Cherry Pie:

Ingredients: Pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie 4 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup white sugar 4 cups pitted cherries 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 tablespoons butter Directions: PREP: 30 mins COOK: 50 mins READY IN: 3 hrs. 20 mins Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll out half the pie crust and line a 9-inch pie pan. Refrigerate until needed. Roll out the top crust and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine tapioca, salt, sugar, cherries, and extracts. Let stand 15 minutes. Turn out into bottom crust and dot with butter. Cover with top crust, flute edges and cut vents in top. Place pie on a foil-lined cookie sheet, in case of drips.

Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Let cool for several hours before slicing.

the organization was built on feeding those in need. Founded in 1971 by Rev. Hosea Williams and his daughter Juanita T. Williams, Hosea Feed the Hungry began by distributing food and other resources to the Atlanta area. The organization accepts donations of food and other items and uses volunteers to help distribute these resources.

On Thanksgiving Day, they need more than 900 volunteers to serve dinner to thousands of people (between 5,000 and 8,000 in past years).

St. Francis’ Table is another organization that is always looking for volunteers and other resources. Based in the heart of Atlanta, St. Francis’ Table is a soup kitchen that gives out thousands of meals every year, especially during the Thanksgiving season.

They also accept pre-made foods such as sandwiches that are distributed every day. So if you find yourself feeling thankful and want to give back to the community, there are many ways to be helpful.

Juniors Ashley Little and Maggie Wray enjoy their time on the water.

Survival Guide To Thanksgiving Grace Francour

Features Editor Class of 2015

With some of the busiest and most stressful weeks quickly approaching, students yearn for the few days of Thanksgiving break to decompress, prepare for the next week of school, and share a feast with family and friends. However, this period of much-needed relaxation is often interrupted by nosy relatives, homework, college applications (for seniors) and sometimes stressful travel. In order to get the most out of Thanksgiving break, students must have a strategy going in.

The main focus of Thanksgiving break should be just that: a break, a hiatus from the hectic bustle of school life. This fiveand-a-half-day stretch is ample time to rejuvenate one’s mental health and well-being. One way to focus on yourself without any distraction from the many family members who may be taking over your household is to try to get out of the house and enjoy the crisp fall weather.

Atlanta offers a variety of places to unwind such as Stone Mountain, Piedmont Park, the Atlanta BeltLine, and the Chattahoochee River. Activities such as hiking, rollerblading in the park or on the BeltLine, or tak-

ing in the beauty of the ‘Hooch and contemplating this year’s Isdell Center theme of water, provide a relaxing escape and a much needed distraction from everyone’s to-do list.

No matter how much you might want to disregard even thinking about college (and college applications if you’re a senior), if your relatives are in town, chances are you will have to discuss it at some point (probably over and over).

The best way to avoid being interrogated about the college process is to choose one college and have a few brief facts/reasons why you are interested in said college. After that, keep it vague and hopefully the interrogator will drop the subject, satisfied with the little tidbit of information given. For seniors with many deadlines soon after Thanksgiving, taking some time out of break to finish applications will lessen stress later on, and, let’s be honest, it feels great to cross something off the to-do list.

The same goes for schoolwork. While it is OK to ignore your homework for a day or two, leaving everything until the last day will culminate in an inordinate amount of stress. Here’s something to consider while deciding how to spend your break: you have as many hours in a day as Beyoncé. Use them well.

November 14, 2014

Sports

The Knightly News - Page 8

Samuel Sloman Boots Way Into Spotlight Staff Writer Class of 2016

There comes a time during every Pace Academy football game where everything comes to a halt. The ruckus occurring on the field, the disputes being held on the sidelines, and the never-ending conversations in the bleachers all freeze in anticipation of a critical play. Head Coach Chris Slade calls on the 5'8", 170 lb. junior who emerges from his special teams shell and saves the day for the Knights. He (actually, his leg) is the ultimate secret weapon. He is Samuel Sloman.

"I guess you could say I'm a boss," Samuel said with a smile.

Samuel is definitely enjoying his spot in the limelight as the Knights' all-star kicker/punter.

He has made seven out of ten field goals this season, and has

a 100% extra point percentage.

However, it's not just the strong leg that feeds the fascinating enigma that is Samuel Sloman.

The Roswell native grew up on the same field, yet between different lines than that of the gridiron. "I have been playing soccer since I was little," he said.

"I have played for the Knights' soccer teams and athletic club teams outside of Pace." His position is goalie. Despite being considerably shorter than the average height of a college goalkeeper, Samuel has achieved success at the position that is dominated by the giants of soccer. "It's all about heart and determination," he said.

To have the courage to walk onto an unfamiliar field, put on a uniform that one has never worn, and play a completely new sport, takes a ton of heart and determination. After being persuaded by many in the community, especially Coach Slade, Samuel

Joe Loughran Sports Editor Class of 2016

While everybody at Pace is aware of, or plays, big varsity sports such as football, basketball, cross country or volleyball, there are sports teams at Pace that few people follow or even know exist. But club sports are increasingly gaining attention at Pace because they are a great way for interested teachers and coaches to develop their love for a sport outside of the GHSA format.

Water Polo is the best known club sport at Pace, and the Equestrian Team is notable because of their recent successes. However, there is another relatively new club sport that has gained prominence in the past year at Pace: the Mountain Biking Club. The club, which consists of only a few high school members, competes in races at various locations through the Georgia High School Cycling League.

The league was founded by Dan Brooks, who has an extensive history of mountain biking and three young children who attend Pace’s Lower School. Last spring, Mr. Brooks approached

Pace middle school math teacher Mr. Marshburn about the possibility of starting a Pace team for the league. Mr. Marshburn, who has loved cycling ever since he was a child and bikes to work almost every day, gladly accepted the challenge.

Mr. Marshburn is pleased with the way the team has performed so far. “It’s going pretty well,” he said. “Our numbers are still small, but we’re hoping to grow. We’ve been doing lots of rides on nearby trails, and we’ve even had the first Pace student to reach the podium [freshman Jackson Fuller].”

While there are only a few members in the club, the students who participate have had a blast. “I love going out on the trails to ride with Mr. Marshburn and the guys,” said sophomore Thomas Hoover. “I also love seeing all of the nature out on the trails.”

The racers have improved each race, with four races on the GHSCL schedule. Jackson finished sixth in the first race for freshmen and fifth in the third freshman race, which put him on the podium. Thomas finished seventh in the third sophomore race. Freshman Eli Asher, the only student to participate in every race, has finished 8th, 11th, and 8th in the first three races.

Photo: Jesse Marshburn Freshman Jackson Fuller and sophomore Thomas Hoover race for the Mountain Biking Club at a competition earlier this year.

Knights’ kicking ace Samuel Sloman has been a positive addition to the squad. Here, he kicks off against the Lovett Lions.

He also loves fishing and hanging out with friends. But most of all, Samuel loves all things affiliated with the University of Georgia Bulldogs. When asked about the possibility of being a kicker for the 'Dawgs, he said

Photo: Fred Assaf

Mountain Biking Club Kicks Off

suited up in #80 for the Navy and White. "I never thought I had time for it in the past," Samuel recalled. "I came to the first practice open-minded. I really wanted to start a new chapter in my athletic career."

He has had the benefit of being personally tutored by noted kicking guru Cedric Oglesby.

One of the Knights' special teams coordinators, Coach Oglesby was a place kicker for the Bulldogs of South Carolina State University and the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. "He's really been a key factor in my development," Samuel said. "He and the other coaches feel that I have a chance to play college football.

Right now, I just have potential and I need to develop. I know I can be good."

When he's not developing his potential, Samuel enjoys eating Chick-fil-A and watching movies, including his personal favorite, "Remember the Titans."

Photo: Fred Assaf

Jordan Harris

with a smile, "That would be the most ideal situation. It would be the opportunity of a lifetime and a dream come true." Look for Samuel to make big waves in the future as he continues to boot the Knights to success.

Girls B-Ball Takes On AA Dori Greenberg

Staff Writer Class of 2016

Senior Elijah Holifield looks to improve on last year’s stellar season.

Boys Basketball Poised for Success Conor Pelletier Opinion Editor Class of 2016

Wake up, work out, go to school, work out some more, sleep, repeat. This is the lifestyle of the Pace basketball players who are working hard to make their first season in the AA classification their best season ever.

Every day, the athletes work tirelessly with their conditioning, weight training and skills workouts. Head Coach Demetrius Smith has put a new emphasis on preseason training, and the team is poised to make an immense leap this year.

The team is led by seniors Elijah Holifield, Elijah Sheft and Waide Swain. Other impact players include juniors Zack Kaminsky and Jordan Harris, along with sophomore Wendell Carter, a new member of the team.

The focus of the team this year will be to play in transition and try to attack the basket, rather than run set plays in a half-court offense. The Knights are able to run this sort of offense because of the athleticism at every position on the floor.

However, defense is the Knights’

main priority. “I think the most important aspect of our team is our culture,” said Elijah. “Last year, we didn’t have a winning attitude for long periods of time during the course of the season, and winning starts with your mentality.” The Knights will be a very entertaining team this year, as their combination of athleticism and fast-paced play will be worth the price of admission.

The Knights face a major challenge in playing their first season in AA. With other tough teams in the region such as Greater Atlanta Christian and rival Holy Innocents’, the Knights will be fighting hard to win the region and to make the state playoffs.

However, this Pace team has the ability to employ different lineups in the middle of games that vary in size and speed, which can surprise opponents and give the Knights the advantage in tight games. The basketball squad also has a medley of shooters who can spread out the defense and allow for drives to the paint. The Knights’ offense this year appears to be potent and the defense will be as intense as ever, pointing to a good shot at future success.

Considering the roughly five-month season ahead, both players and coaches are preparing for a cold winter consisting of a lot of basketball. The girls team will face many challenges this season. The team has acquired a new head coach, moved up to AA, and will have fewer girls playing than in previous years. “I see a lot of potential that needs to be tapped into, but as far as overall, I think that all of them will play significant roles in what we are about to accomplish,” said Head Coach Brian Jones.

Coach Jones has a positive attitude and high hopes regarding the season. While he is still learning the ropes, he is organized and prepared. “As a coach, you always have expectations,” he said. “Now, those can be changed once you see what you have, but right now I think we’re in a good state in terms of I get to really build this, because there is not a lot there. I’m really grateful for that.”

The AA region consists of a difficult group of teams, including six-time state champion Wesleyan, a nationally respected team that just barely lost in the championship last year. “I’m not really sure what to expect this season, because we are a really young team and we will face better teams,” said senior Lauren Hadley.

To read more, go to http:// knightlife.paceacademy.org/ knightlynews