Vol. 43, Issue #6
The
March 2, 2018
Knightly News
p. 2 Five Minutes with Junior Abby Ray
p. 4 Migos Impress with New Album
p. 7 Boys Basketball Falls Short of Ring
Charlie Owens Retires After 50 Years Time and time again, as up-
Sloan Wyatt per school students and faculty News Editor Class of 2018
Photo: Pacesetter Staff
“Kind, gentle... and brilliant.” When describing Math Department Chair Charlie Owens, English teacher Rick Canfield speaks with admiration. “I remember when I first came here [Mr. Owens] was teaching in the attic of the Castle,” said Mr. Canfield. “Do you know how big those windows are?” Making a small square with both of his hands, Mr. Canfield demonstrates the size of the antique windows. "If there had been a fire," he continues. “They all would've been gone.” However, Mr. Owens has never let obstacles stop him from teaching. Ask math teacher Heather McCloskey. As a student, Dr. McCloskey remembers sitting on the floor of Mr. Owens' office to learn a math class that Pace did not officially offer. Why? Dr. McCloskey smiles as she says, "just because he wanted to."
describe Mr. Owens, the same words appear: kind, gentle, brilliant, talented, understanding. "He's just a funny guy," said senior and former student of Mr. Owens' Marc Mitchell. Head of Upper School Michael Gannon describes him as a "quiet presence" on campus. But Dean of Students and fellow math teacher Gus Whyte best captures the essence of Mr. Owens, saying "he is the guy who built this school." In December 1968, Mr. Owens joined the Pace Academy faculty. He began as a math teacher with a focus in calculus. It was not until the next year that Mr. Owens began coaching the baseball team. Under his guidance, the Knights won more than 500 games, three state championships and eight region championships. He also shepherded seven players towards signing professional baseball contracts. Mr. Owens coached the Knights until 2009 when he stepped down because of the lengthy time commitment.
Mr. Owens pioneered the AP Calculus program and was among the first teachers to teach summer school. He has served as both the assistant head and the head of the Upper School. He received Pace’s prestigious Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award and was named STAR teacher six times. In 1988, Pace's yearbook Pacesetter acknowledged that "it is Charles Owens' genuine warm manner that captivates the people around him." He is indispensable. Currently, Mr. Owens has settled for a more “relaxing” position as chair of the math department. He has served in that position on and off since the 1970s. Nowadays Mr. Owens works more behind the scenes. Besides his 50 pre-calculus students, many Pace Academy students could not point you to his office. Nevertheless, there is respect associated with his name. Faculty and students alike notice the Charlie Owens Baseball Complex at Riverview and his photo on the cover of The Knightly News' first issue this year. "Put
Mr. Owens has left a lasting imprint at Pace. simply," said Mr. Gannon. "He is a Pace legend." Although he is no longer running the school or pioneering the baseball program, Mr. Owens is forever ingrained in Pace's history. He represents the character that Mr. Whyte calls upon students to uphold every day,
the excellence to which Pace students strive to achieve and the commitment exhibited by faculty. After 50 years of setting an example, Mr. Owens deserves a break, but that will not make his absence next year any easier for his Pace family. He will forever be a Knight.
Students Tour Carolina Colleges Aman Hashim Staff Writer Class of 2020
Photo: India Behl
Over the President’s Day weekend many Pace sophomores and juniors traveled to North and South Carolina to get a firsthand look at several colleges. They toured a variety of schools ranging from the well known, like Clemson University, Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to smaller schools such as Elon University, Furman University and High Point University. The trip, organized by the Pace college counseling office, gave students a chance to walk around the campuses, eat in the dining halls and purchase various souvenirs in the book stores. Most sophomores were looking to begin their college process and wanted to get a feel for different-sized campuses, the numbers of students at each school and a sense of what college is like. Prior to the trip sophomore Emily Caton said, “I am really eager to find out what type of school I would belong at.
Sophomore girls enjoy the Elon University campus in Elon, North Carolina. I can’t wait to explore some of the top colleges in the country like Duke.” The juniors are a bit further along in the process and some already had an idea of where they would like to apply. “We tend to do these colleges every year mostly because you can really get a good idea of different types of colleges,” said Director of College Counseling
Jonathan Ferrell. “Obviously the colleges that the students know about such as Duke and Chapel Hill stick with them, but they are often surprised by the ones they were not aware of, for example Elon and High Point.” For the students who would rather remain in the East, some of these colleges were just the perfect fit. This trip was the first time
for many of the students viewing a college outside of Georgia. A lot of the kids fell in love with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “As soon as we stepped on the Wake Forest campus I adored it,” said sophomore Meryll Asher. “The buildings were very pretty and the academic program seems achievable. The social life is
very lively and everyone comes out to attend the sporting events, which is cool.” Other students had conversations with some of the Wake Forest students and enjoyed the friendliness around the campus. Another favorite was Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. They admired the medieval look of the campus and its buildings. “The best for me was Duke for sure, because it is pretty much the whole package of college,” said sophomore Austin Kelly. “They value academics and sports equally, two very important aspects in my life. I could see myself there in a couple of years.” Others showed their spirit by purchasing sweaters, hats and other items to express their love for Duke. Some of the sophomores and juniors liked Elon University. “I for sure thought Elon was pretty cool because of how much it reminded me of Pace – a smaller, get-to-know-everyone type of school,” said junior Brogan Smith. After touring a variety of different schools, the students can’t wait to visit more colleges around the country.
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Pace News
March 2, 2018
The Knightly News - Page 2
Five Minutes with Abby Ray Amy Butler
Co-editor-in-chief Class of 2018
Sydnie Jiang
Managing Editor Class of 2018 Just around this time last year, Pace announced a partnership with the Rick McDevitt Youth Center to create Peoplestown Academy. Upper school students and faculty members traveled to the Peoplestown community near the former Turner Field to help tutor kids in grades 5-12. But this spring, Pace volunteers will not be tutoring there due to the unavailability of teachers and coordination difficulties. “It was a combination of things,” said Director of Community Engagement Zeena Lattouf. “There was miscommunication between us and the leadership at Peoplestown.” The leadership at Peoplestown told families that Peoplestown Academy would be an enrichment program, though according to Ms. Lattouf, their conversations with Pace faculty reflected plans for a tutoring based program. “It was harder last semester to get the Peoplestown kids motivated,” said Ms. Lattouf. “We realized that they might have been expecting something other than homework help, which explains some of our challenges. So, we decided to take this semester to plan with leadership at Peoplestown about how to best serve the community within the constraints of the school day." “I’m really going to miss being with the kids,” said senior
community engagement leader Sydney Muse. “It was great hanging out with them and watching their progress.” In the fall semester, student and faculty volunteers shuttled down to the Peoplestown community on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Elementary school and middle school students worked in one room while the high school students were in another. The faculty members helped the high school students with their homework while the elementary and middle school students learned by playing educational games with Pace student volunteers. Biology teacher Dr. Kaylan Haizlip helped with Peoplestown Academy on Tuesdays last semester, and she worked with high school kids and helped with their biology assignments. “I loved working with those kids,” said Dr. Haizlip. “But it was really difficult to coordinate schedules, especially since the kids don’t go to our school so we don’t know their schedules.” As for the future, Ms. Lattouf and program leader and Pace middle school teacher Ed Williams are working together to make a plan that benefits the Peoplestown students while also working with their own scheduling constraints. “Our goal is to just create an excitement for learning, whether it’s through science experiments or films or excursions,” said Ms. Lattouf. Ms. Lattouf is open to any feedback or suggestions from students on how to revamp the Peoplestown Academy program.
Junior Abby Ray dances in a scene in the Pace fall musical, "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat." are going to Big Bend National Park, which is in Texas. I am really excited for that because I had been to Yellowstone before, but I have never been to Big Bend. I love the desert, so I’m really excited to get to spend time there and learn about the topography and wildlife. KN: What made you interested in the ICGL program? AR: Just the theme of conserva-
tion and the opportunity to be able to learn about something I really care about on a more intimate level and being able to learn, because I want to learn. KN: If you could have one super power what would it be? AR: I guess I would probably want to be able to fly. KN: Thanks, Abby! AR: Thank you!
Photo: Lily Wagoner
Peoplestown Put On Hold for Spring
really fun. KN: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you bring? AR: Duct tape for sure. Rope and a movie. But I guess I would have to bring something to watch the movie on, too. KN: What’s your favorite part about Pace? AR: I really like the community of it, and I really like my friend group, but I like how I’m able to have a good social life and have really challenging classes. KN: What do you like to do in your free time? AR: Umm, I like to listen to music and taking long drives. Or I draw. KN: What do you enjoy most about being an ICGL Scholar? AR: I like the subject matter the most, definitely. And the trips. The trips are really fun. I have always been really into biology, and conservation is something that has always been on my mind, so it's really interesting to get to know about it on a deeper level. KN: What has been your favorite trip so far? AR: We did Yellowstone in the fall and then in a few weeks we
Photo: Laura Inman
Knightly News: Hey, Abby! Abby Ray: Hey! KN: When did you come to Pace? AR: I came in ninth grade. KN: What’s your favorite class at Pace? AR: Hmm. I like Mr. Smith’s class because I like Mr. Smith, but I don’t like math that much (laughs). I also really enjoyed Ancient Civilizations with Ms. Stevens because that was a really interesting class, but I’m not that much of a history person. I love English this year because I really like the books we are reading, especially "The Things They Carried" but I’m not normally an English person (laughs). KN: When did you start doing art? AR: Well I’ve always sort of drawn, but I guess it doesn’t really count until you actually make stuff that is good. So it was probably in middle school when I really started to get into art.
KN: What made you decide to start doing art? AR: I’ve always really liked nature so I enjoy drawing animals and stuff like that. Over time I have shifted to doing more people. I guess art is just an outlet for me; it's very meditative because you just focus on one thing. KN: What’s your favorite type of art to do? AR: Recently I have been doing a lot of paper maché and sculpture-type work, but probably graphite drawings are my favorite. I enjoy painting and doing pastels as well. KN: When did you start dancing? AR: When I was four. KN: What is your favorite type of dance to do? AR: Definitely contemporary. KN: What is your favorite role you have played in Pace theater? AR: I really enjoyed the scene I did in the Winter Showcase this year. It was from "Hills Like White Elephants," so that was really cool. I also really liked the role I had in the musical this year, "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat." I was a dancer in one of the songs, so that was
Junior Lily Wagoner (right) and eighth grader Norah Wagoner sold many pieces at a trunk show at the Boutique Bargains Warehouse Sale on Jan. 27.
Students Become Entrepreneurs Jill Rawls
Staff Writer Class of 2019 Some students add to their heavy load of school work by investing their time and energy in working for a business. While some students make money through babysitting, working at a fast food restaurant or waiting tables, juniors Ben Solomon and Lily Wagoner, as well as senior Nate Reece, have all deviated from the path of the average Pace student by becoming student entrepreneurs. Solomon has earned money in a number of ways, but now his primary business is selling through eBay. “Being a reseller on eBay has been an extremely easy way to attain work experience while still in high school, because I am able to work from home,” said Solomon. “It gives me the opportunity to almost have my own business and work with the market trends to figure out what people will want to buy.” Selling on eBay can happen in two main ways: selling your own things directly, or reselling the products of wholesalers who generally sell items in
bulk. Solomon only works as a reseller, earning a profit through buying and selling other people's products and dealing also with the marketing and shipping aspects of business. Wagoner, along with her eighth-grade sister Norah Wagoner, started her own jewelry business in August 2016. In search of a gift and unable to contact a local jewelry designer, the sisters decided to design and create their own jewelry, which led to the development of their business, TWIST By W. "TWIST has grown rapidly in the past year through Instagram and Facebook, trunk shows and local promotion,” said Wagoner. “Creating twistbyw.com has let TWIST By W expand nationwide. We now have an efficient and easy way to manage shipping and communication with all of our customers.” However, the business has required a lot of work, and it sometimes compels them to spend a full day working and making jewelry. “We have a lot of really great months but we also have some slow months,” said Wagoner. “But the opportunities that we have received from TWIST have been amazing and we are thrilled when we see
girls and women smiling in their TWIST By W jewelry.” Reece busies himself by primarily handling the research and development (R&D) aspect of an investment business, Birch Island Capital. Reece’s brother, Johnny Reece '16, was the chief figure in creating the business after graduating from Pace and attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “We originally started under the name of Ocular Capital with two other coders, but stuff happens and I stepped in and we became BIC,” said Reece. The business, a wealth management firm and hedge fund, deals with investing and trading. “I'm in high school so I can't practically trade, so Johnny handles all the trading,” said Reece. However, he spends a lot of time working to find a more efficient system for the business to run on because, in his opinion, the current system is too slow for the demands of the business. “My favorite part of the work is that in the end, I'm just grappling with a massive puzzle,” said Reece. “I don't ever expect to solve it per se, but being able to try and break down the ‘random walk on Wall Street’ is beyond intriguing for me.”
Pace News
Vol. 43, Issue #6
The Knightly News - Page 3
Pace Expands Computer Science Offerings Charlie Hirsch Staff Writer Class of 2019
microcontrollers. The internet of things is the interconnection of physical devices with embedded computing devices through the internet. Along with the two computer science courses, the new teacher will help coach the upper school robotics team. Interviews for the position will take place in the spring. Computer science can sound like a daunting subject for some students, but Ms. Snyder has some advice for students trying to figure out their course selections for next year. “Honestly, anybody can take AP Computer Science Principles; if you are remotely interested in figuring how how the internet works or even if you are generally conscious of the new tech world, then you are a fit for the course,” she said. “I think it will be great for Pace to be able to expand its offerings. It is the reality of the world that computer science tools are extremely valuable for all people.”
Decide Whether the ACT Or SAT is Right for You
Photo: Eden Kerker
Junior Regan Bates takes a practice ACT in the Student Commons. “I take the ACT and it’s
Eden Kerker really hard for me to finish
Lifestyle Editor Class of 2019 Dreadful standardized tests frustrate juniors as they begin the college process. The SAT and ACT tests consume a lot of time, in that juniors are tasked with doing many hours of ACT or SAT prep and practice tests in addition to heavy work loads, sports and extracurricular activities. The ACT is composed of English, math, reading and science sections, whereas the SAT includes reading, writing and language, calculator math and non-calculator math. Both have an optional essay. One of the biggest differences between the two tests is the timing. The SAT is a better test to take for people who feel that they need extra time.
the sections,” said junior Calla Kaminsky. “It’s more for the reading and science sections than any other.”
The ACT reading section allots 35 minutes for 40 questions and the SAT reading section allots 65 minutes for 52 questions. “I had such a hard time with timing so I had to switch to the SAT,” said junior Nicole Petrosky. “The questions are harder but at least I can finish the sections now. I’m also not freaking out and rushing the whole time so I feel like I get more questions right when I'm calmer.” The ACT tends to be more straightforward than the SAT. But, even though you get less
time to answer each question, it still takes a lot of brain power to fight through the questions. The other big difference between the tests is how the ACT also includes a science section, which seems to be one of the harder sections. Although some students despise the science section because of the timing and their unfamiliarity with it, some students love it. “The science section is my best section,” said junior Jenny Luetters. “You don't really need to know a lot of science. It’s just reading graphs.” If you are a sophomore or a junior still unsure about what test to take, make sure you think about all of the pros and cons for each test. Take both tests and see what’s right for you. If you get similar scores, choose the test that you feel most comfortable with. However, don't be afraid to switch from one test to another.
Photo: Joanne Brown
As the global emphasis on computer science and technology continues to escalate, so does computer science in the Pace Academy Upper School. Pace is hiring a second computer science teacher to the faculty who will offer two new courses in the fall: Computer Science Applications and AP Computer Science Principles. AP Computer Science Principles is a year-long course offered to juniors and seniors. “Principles is cool because it looks at technology with a broad scope,” said Pace registrar and computer science teacher Cristina Snyder. The course will involve basic problem solving and algorithms along with a little bit of programming. “Programming is just a piece of it; it’s more about looking at big data,
how the internet works and what is cybersecurity,” said Ms. Snyder. “The class will look at technology through a global lens and analyze how it has shaped the modern world.” AP Computer Science Principles is different from AP Computer Science A in that the latter is, according to Ms. Snyder, “full blown programming,” and students must have a deep understanding of general logic to succeed. “For the Principles class, all you have to do is be interested in technology,” said Ms. Snyder. The CP semester elective Computer Science Applications will be developed with the new teacher and offer a flexible and new curriculum. Intro to Programming is a prerequisite to the elective, so students must have a grasp on programming before taking the course. The course could focus on Android app development, the advanced web or diving more into the “internet of things” and utilizing Arduino
Mrs. Brown was crowned Mrs. International 2000.
Teachers Perform In, Out of the Classroom Michael Simon
Co-editor-in-chief Class of 2018
If you are one of a number of students who think faculty members do not lead interesting lives outside of the classroom, you are mistaken. The Pace Academy faculty is composed of normal everyday people just like the student body. Similar to the student body, some teachers have unique hobbies and passions that they pursue outside of school. Director of College Counseling Jonathan Ferrell has a talent that almost resulted in him making national television. Last school year, Mr. Ferrell's first year working at Pace, he helped out with math teacher Krista Wilhelmsen's freshman Transitions class. During a game of "Two Truths and a Lie," Mr. Ferrell was able to stump the freshmen. When it was his turn to give two truths and one lie, Mr. Ferrell said, "I am 35 years old, I have sung at the White House and I tried out for 'American Idol' and made the round before the televised round." The freshmen in that Transitions class learned that Mr. Ferrell's hidden talent is his impressive voice. (At the time, Mr. Ferrell was not 35.) He started singing in church when he was just a young kid, and he has continued ever since. When "American Idol" was up-and-coming, his sister convinced him to audition. “What you see on TV is magnified,” said Mr. Ferrell. “It is like hundreds of thousands of people outside in this long line. People are out there singing, and people are dressed up in costumes.” Mr. Ferrell, with his sister by his side, made it all the way to the round right before singing in front of Simon Cowell on national television. Another familiar face around Pace Academy is Director of Diversity and Inclusion Joanne Brown. Mrs. Brown first started working at Pace in 2009 as the Associate Director of Admissions for the Middle and Upper Schools. However, before joining
the Pace community, she was named Mrs. International in 2000. The Mrs. International Pageant aims to promote married women – their accomplishments and their commitment to their family and their marriage. "I first wanted to compete because, as a law student, I always loved public speaking," said Mrs. Brown. "Part of the Mrs. system is that you have to run on a platform. For me, I had just stepped away from making partner at my [law] firm, so my platform was that married women cannot have everything; we need to make sacrifices in our lives." In order to compete for the Mrs. International title, Mrs. Brown had to qualify for that specific pageant. To do so, she won three preceding pageants, including the Mrs. Georgia America pageant in 1996. From there, she competed in and won the Mrs. Georgia United States pageant in 1997 and Mrs. Georgia International pageant in 2000, which established her as the Georgia representative for the Mrs. International pageant. On the side, in between all of her competitions, Mrs. Brown served as a coach for competitors from Georgia who were hoping to win Teen USA pageants. New to Pace this year is English teacher Robert Kaufman. Due to his new status, many students simply know Mr. Kaufman as the teacher who loves to sing while walking the halls. Mr. Kaufman's talent was discovered randomly by junior Jack Thomson, who happened to see Mr. Kaufman performing poetry while at dinner one night. "I have been writing and reciting poetry for about three years at various open-mic nights," said Mr. Kaufman. "The motivation for my poems is events in my life that move me to feel something deep and might move one of my readers or listeners to feel something, too." So, whether it is competing in beauty pageants, singing for "American Idol" or performing original poetry at open-mic nights, some teachers definitely have lives outside of school.
Lifestyle
March 2, 2018
The Knightly News - Page 4
Migos Do It for the Culture, Again Will Zook
Staff Writer Class of 2019
Photo: Wikimedia Commons-
Arguably the hottest rap group of the 21st century, Migos are riding their wave to the top of the charts once again. Quavious Keyate Marshall (Quavo), Kiari Kendrell Cephus (Offset) and Kirshnik Khari Bell (Takeoff) follow up their breakout album “Culture” almost exactly one year later with the sequel, “Culture II.” This highly-anticipated album featured a release party in New York, and opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 after selling 200 thousand units in the first week. Riding the coattail of the smash that was “Culture,” Migos did not slow down for the rest of 2017. Their single from “Culture,” “Bad and Boujee,” catapulted the group into superstar territory and created one of the most popular memes of the year. This year saw the group flourish both as a trio and as individuals. Collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, such as Calvin Harris and DJ Khaled, Quavo, Offset and Takeoff spent more time in the spotlight than
out of it this past year. Quavo and Offset also dropped collaborations, with “Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho” featuring Travis Scott, and “Without Warning” featuring 21 Savage and Metro Boomin, respectively. Finally, the three reconvened and dropped “Control the Streets Volume 1” under the moniker Quality Control, the trio’s record label that now includes other big names such as Lil Yachty and Lil Baby. Where “Culture II” truly shines is within the production aspect of the songs. Co-executive producers DJ Durel and Quavo assemble some of the biggest names in hip-hop, as well as a few surprises, to create one of the best produced rap albums in recent memory. Rap production legends such as Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, Buddha Bless, Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Cardo and 808 Godz all lend their services to the album, but even Pharrell and Kanye West get in on the action. The beats on the album are all very clean and clear which adds to the punching flows from the trio. Wow, this album is loooong. Standing at 24 tracks, “Culture II” is Migos’ longest project to date with a run time of around 1
Atlanta rap group Migos released their third studio album “Culture II” on Jan. 26. hour and 45 minutes. Although a sequel in name to “Culture,” the extended tracklist works against Migos’ favor, causing the middle of the album to begin to blend together with no track really standing out from another. But that isn’t the point of this album. Migos songs have never really been made to sit down and listen through the entire album; they are hard-hitting bangers
used to excite those who listen to them. Along with the bangers, Migos experiment more on this album than ever before, and for the most part, it pays off well. “Gang Gang” and “Made Men” both see Migos slow the beat down from their typical trap style to provide more of a melodious sound. The features on “Culture II” are hit or miss, with Travis Scott, 21 Savage and Post
Malone all offering solid hooks, while Drake and Gucci Mane don’t add very much to their respective songs. Listening to this album, one point is very clear: Takeoff is ready to take over. He explodes on “Culture II” with quick, precise and biting flows. Takeoff has always been the least popular Migo on the national scale, but “Culture II” makes a point to change that. When Quavo begins to feel repetitive and Offset sleepwalks through a song, Takeoff is there to pick up the energy and spit nasty bars to electrify the beat. “Too Much Jewelry” and “Notice Me” are standouts where Takeoff truly gets a chance to show off his ability. My personal favorites from “Culture II” include the Pharrellproduced and official 2018 NBA All-Star Game song “Stir Fry,” the low-key “Made Men” and the Columbian-inspired “Narcos.” While “Culture II” may not live up to its predecessor, it certainly holds its own and will make a nice addition to Migos’ repertoire. As long as they can build on their sound from here, it seems that nothing can stop this trio from continuing to skyrocket.
‘Fortnite’ Gains Popularity Virtual Reality
Hints at Future
Zachary Howard Staff Writer Class of 2020
Social Media Editor Class of 2018
Photo: George Adams
Sophomore Ben Crawford sits in his dark basement, microphone plugged in, music blaring while he is frantically clicking the Xbox controller. He is playing “Fortnite,” a video game that was originally released on PC only, but has recently become wildly popular worldwide. The game is one of the most interesting video games in recent memory, not only because of the game itself, but primarily because of the buzz surrounding it. In a very short amount of time, the game went from being little known to one of the leading games on the market. Some people think that it may be because it’s the only free Player versus Player (PvP) console game, and there is simply no other good option. Crawford, however, has a different opinion. “I think that the game has become so popular because of how many different aspects it brings to the table,” he said. “Not only does it require skill, it also requires immense planning and guessing. It’s very entertaining and enjoyable to play and I think it can be used as sort of a stress reliever to take your mind off school. At the very least, it’s a fun way to connect with your friends.” Crawford is not the only one who thinks this way. “The game is just genuinely enjoyable,” said sophomore Sam Adams. “It allows you to take your mind off
Graham Hurley
Sophomore Sam Adams loves every aspect of the game. things, have fun and talk to your friends, all at the same time. It’s everything you could ask for in a video game.” “Fortnite” was released on gaming consoles on Sept. 26 by Epic Games. The goal of the game is to defeat all other players in the game. With close to 100 people in one “lobby” at a time, the game uses a “Battle Bus” to transport players from the lobby onto the map, where they then deploy out of the bus and parachute down to earth. There they begin looting houses and searching chests in order to acquire guns, healables (used to boost and restore players’ health) and resources to survive. Once achieved, the players then turn their attention towards each other. In solo mode, it is the last one standing, meaning the goal is to be the only one left on the map. However, when playing as a “duo” (a two player team) or a “squad” (four players), the rules change a bit. The goal is now
to carry your “squad” or “duo” to victory and be the last team standing, not necessarily the last player standing. The developers ran into a problem, however, when they realized that the map was too big, and, as the players dwindled down, it became harder and harder to eliminate people as they became further and further separated. To solve this, they created “the storm” which forms at the beginning of games and continually shrinks the playing field until the game ends (think “Hunger Games”). If caught in the storm, you begin to lose your health, and will eventually die. “Fortnite” has achieved extraordinary popularity in a matter of months, and because of this, some may expect a quick and bitter crash for the game. However, there is a different feel to this game. “There are so many aspects of this game that make it so enjoyable, so I think that ‘Fortnite’ is here to stay,” said sophomore George Adams.
Over the past few years, the virtual reality (VR) marketplace has exploded with multiple headsets and concepts that could potentially shape our future. However, many people may not know exactly what VR is. Currently, you put a VR headset on and have a 360 degree view of a computer-generated scenario. VR’s explosion in popularity has come about mostly due to video games. Some of the biggest game developers, like Bethesda and Square Enix, have begun to create versions of some of their flagship franchise games in VR. Recently, a game called “VRChat” has seen a drastic increase in the number of players. In this game, people create avatars based on practically anything and go around to different user-created worlds and chat with other players. There are two primary brands of VR headsets that people buy to play VR games: the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift. Both are fairly expensive, with the Oculus Rift priced at $400 and the Vive at $600. Recently, however, Sony released their own headset titled Playstation VR to compete with HTC and Oculus, but the downside is that it is only compatible with the Sony Playstation.
VR has a plethora of different uses outside of video games. In the field of medicine, VR is being used for both doctors and patients, and its results have been exciting. Surgeons use a series of 2D images to piece together a patient’s complex anatomy. EchoPixel has created a platform called TrueVR which allows physicians to view a patient’s organs and body tissue in a 3D form. Meanwhile, patients have been introduced to VR worlds to reduce stress levels. Rehabilitation after a stroke is a tedious process, but the Swiss company MindMaze has created a program called MindMotionPro which allows patients to practice lifting their arms and moving their fingers. Armies across the world use VR for specific training like pilot training and even parachute simulation. Virtual flight simulators have been used for over 20 years to simulate the experience of flying. NASA has also used VR for a long time, most notably for the use of immersive VR to train astronauts in zero gravity situations. The future of VR is upon us. Two years ago Microsoft announced their Hololens, which gives a mixed reality experience as opposed to a completely virtual experience. The uses for technology like this are endless and it can benefit architects, technology developers and doctors in ways that were previously unimaginable.
Lifestyle
Vol. 43, Issue #6
The Knightly News - Page 5
Set Clocks Forward on March 11 try to implement daylight saving
Zachary Howard time, in 1916 during the heat of Staff Writer Class of 2020
Photo: Zachary Howard
In 1784, while acting as an American delegate in Paris, Benjamin Franklin came up with an idea in his essay “An Economical Project” that changed the way we keep time. He estimated that if Parisians woke up at dawn and went to bed at dusk, they could save the equivalent in today’s dollars of $200 million “through the economy of using sunshine instead of candles.” But it was an Englishman named William Willett who came up with the idea of moving the clocks forward between the months of April and October. He proposed this idea in 1905, but Willett died before seeing his idea come to life. Germany was the first coun-
World War I. The United Kingdom followed suit just weeks later. The United States enacted the initiative in 1918. Immediately after the war, daylight saving time was repealed, largely due to the unpopularity among farmers because they had to wait an extra hour each morning for the dew to evaporate from their crops. It was reintroduced during World War II, and again repealed almost immediately after the war’s end. Finally, in 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which made daylight saving time a standard in the United States. “I think that the modern world we live in today, especially in a place like Pace, does not necessarily need daylight savings, and that’s simply because the world has adapted and
Mr. Stevens prepares to set his clock forward for daylight saving time. changed to where the farmers are not necessarily a priority, and they also have other resources that can provide light much longer than an hour of more sun can,” said Sophomore Dean and Varsity Lacrosse Coach Grady
growth of its infrastructure,
Graham Hurley especially with the construction
Social Media Editor Class of 2018
A study conducted in 2016 by FilmL.A. reveals that the state of Georgia is now the biggest filming location in the world. According to Governor Nathan Deal’s office, Georgia hosted a whopping 320 high end TV and film productions in fiscal year 2017. Throughout FY 2017, the film and TV industry generated $9.5 billion for the state. In 2007 the state government spent $67.7 million in incentives to attract film and TV projects, and now Georgia is spending $2.7 billion. In a mere 10 years, Georgia has eclipsed Hollywood as the most popular filming location on the planet. The explosive growth of the industry in Georgia has brought many positive changes to the city. It has provided thousands of jobs for the state, has allowed small businesses to grow and flourish, and has attracted new tourism to the state. In addition, the state has seen significant
of Three Ring Studios, a massive studio complex in Covington with state of the art facilities for film and television, music and gaming. Georgia universities are taking advantage of this unprecedented growth by offering film production courses. Clayton State offers a film production curriculum where students can gain skills in storytelling, compositing, editing, special effects, motion graphics and sound effects. Over the years, some of the biggest movies and TV shows have begun filming in Georgia. Netflix productions like “Stranger Things” and “Ozark” are filmed almost exclusively in Georgia. The question that many ask is: why Georgia? Georgia is appealing to directors for its diversity, farmland, skyscrapers, coastline and massive interstate system. What is especially appealing is the airport. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has been the busiest airport in the world for years. The transportation aspect of Atlanta’s airport is invaluable
to directors. Currently, some of the biggest Marvel movies are being filmed here, including “Venom” and “Ant Man and the Wasp.” Some of Georgia’s most famous landmarks have been receiving a heap of attention from the industry. Atlanta’s historic Swan House was popularized as a film site thanks to “The Hunger Games” trilogy, and it now receives two to three film requests per year. One of the huge fight scenes in “Captain America: Civil War” was filmed at Porsche Experience Center right next to the airport. Piedmont Park was used in the filming of the highly anticipated sequel: “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” In addition to providing revenue and visibility for the state, the film and television industry has likely assisted in attracting Amazon to consider Atlanta as a spot for its second HQ. Georgia’s high investment in the film industry has earned itself the title of the Hollywood of The South. But expect the industry to continue to grow in Georgia, as it’s only getting started.
Photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development Hundreds of production and other film related jobs have come to fruition thanks to the expansion of the film and TV industry.
Photo: BagoGames
Georgia the No. 1 Filming Location in the World
Stevens. “However, I do like the system for sports because it is much more fun to practice while the sun is still up instead of while it’s setting, and it’s also warmer.” Spanish teacher Paula Pontes
also enjoys daylight saving time, but for a different reason. “I was born in Brazil and I visit a lot, so I like the concept of daylight savings because the time change from Atlanta to Brazil is only one hour.” However, some students dread when the clocks spring forward. “I don’t like daylight savings because we lose an hour of sleep [in the spring], and it’s hard with school and sports to lose an hour of sleep,” said freshman Sam Webb. While daylight savings was intended to help people and armies utilize more daylight hours in the evening, today there are mixed opinions about whether the system is needed. The state of Arizona, for example, opted out of the Uniform Time Act in 1968, with the exception of the Navajo Nation, which does observe daylight saving time.
Daniel Kaluuya is nominated for Best Actor for his role in "Get Out."
Academy Awards Air on March 4 Ben Ginsberg
Staff Writer Class of 2020
As March begins, arguably one of the most important award ceremonies of the year is approaching: the Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars. This March 4 marks the 90th installment of the award ceremony that celebrates the achievements of many notable artists and movies released over the past year. The Academy Awards is typically hosted by a comedian or entertainer who runs the entire show. After his successful performance at the 2017 Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel was asked back to host again this year. The Academy Awards are given in categories such as Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Leading Role and many others. With last year’s winners of “Moonlight” for Best Picture, Casey Affleck for Best Actor and Emma Stone for Best Actress, the 2018 Oscars will soon crown the winners of this year’s best movies. Nine movies were nominated for this year’s Best Picture award, but two movies in particular stand out for me. One of the more favored movies to win is “Get Out,” written and directed by Jordan Peele. “Get
Out” is an interesting take on racism in today’s world with a horror movie twist. “Dunkirk,” another top rated movie, is the story of British and French soldiers stranded on a beach in France in World War II with German forces surrounding them. “I thought that ‘Dunkirk’ was fantastic,” said English department chair Marsha Durlin. “The portrayal of a common soldier by Fionn Whitehead was amazing.” Mrs. Durlin’s favorite character in the movie was Tom Hardy, portraying a British fighter pilot. “Although many parts of ‘Dunkirk’ were dramatic and fun to watch, there was never a shot of the British citizen ships all crossing the horizon with all of the soldiers cheering,” said Mrs. Durlin. “Although this was meant to be historically accurate, a final shot with the escape of the soldiers would have made a great addition to the movie.” Although “Dunkirk” is a favorite of many, “Get Out” may be more likely to win. “Out of all of the nominations, my personal favorite was ‘Dunkirk,’” said English teacher Bailey Player. “The cinematography was fantastic, and the director, Christopher Nolan, was great. But, if I had to vote on which one will win the best picture category, I would have to vote for ‘Get Out.’”
Opinion
March 2, 2018
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: Amy Butler Michael Simon Managing Editor: Sydnie Jiang News Editor: Sloan Wyatt Opinion Editor: Genna Schwarz Lifestyle Editor: Eden Kerker Sports Editor: George Shepherd
Staff Writers: Ben Ginsberg Aman Hashim Charlie Hirsch Zachary Howard Blair Myers Jill Rawls Charlie Warren Will Zook Social Media: Graham Hurley 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.
Aaron Pascaner Guest Contributor Class of 2019
‘Room Occupied’ Signs an Improvement Genna Schwarz Opinion Editor Class of 2019
“Do Not Disturb” signs are a trademark of the hotel industry, guaranteeing privacy and peace for the duration of a guest’s stay. For decades, hotels have allowed customers to hang the signs on their door handles for as long as they want. Is this too lenient? Some hotels believe so. After the devastating mass shooting on Oct. 1 at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, the use of this ubiquitous sign needed rethinking. Home-grown terrorist Stephen Paddock shot and killed 58 people and injured 851 from a suite in the Mandalay Bay Hotel that October night. The 64-year-old transported suitcases of weapons through the hotel undetected. The amount of privacy the hotel provided over a period of days ultimately aided Mr. Paddock in carrying out the disastrous event. Since then, several Las Vegas strip hotels and four Walt Disney World hotels in Orlando (the Polynesian Village Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Contemporary Resort and the Bay Lake Tower), have all replaced the “Do Not Disturb” signs with “Room Occupied” signs. The hotel staff are able to enter the rooms before the end of every 24-hour period despite the presence of a sign. However, if the sign is on the door, the employee must knock and identify themselves before entering. Although the rule could be viewed as an invasion of privacy, if done correctly, it is a valid step towards improved safety around the country. There is no justifiable reason
Photo: Jill Rawls
Web Content Editor: Abby Meyerowitz
The Knightly News - Page 6
Junior Emily Schmitt puts a “Do Not Disturb” sign on her hotel door during the Pace college trip. for leaving the “Do Not Disturb” sign outside of a hotel room door for more than 24 hours. There should usually be at least 10 minutes in every guest’s stay each day that they are doing something either outside the hotel room or inside the hotel room that requires little privacy. If this is the case but the customer disagrees, it gives reason for the hotel to be concerned with the guest’s intentions. In addition, every hotel room is the property of the hotel owner or business, not the customer. Hotel managers have the right to create privacy regulations that protect the safety of all their guests. If they believe someone is obstructing the law or doing something harmful on their property, they have the right to try and manage it. In order to apply the rules
successfully, the hotel needs to create a contract with each guest before they complete their purchase. The contract should require a signature agreeing to take down the “Room Occupied” sign once every 24 hours. The hotel could provide an additional smartphone application which would allow the guest to notify the hotel when their room is free to enter. The app would also notify the user how much time they have left in the 24-hour period. If the time runs out, the hotel staff has permission to come to the door and ask to come in. This will help avoid unwanted hotel employee visits and miscommunication between hotels and their customers. Ultimately, the new rules will increase hotel safety, and that is one of the hotel industry’s top priorities.
Net Neutrality Must Be Preserved Graham Hurley
Social Media Editor Class of 2018
Throughout November and December, Twitter feeds were filled with posts rallying against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on the issue of net neutrality. With the current net neutrality laws, all internet data must be treated equally by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and ISPs cannot discriminate or charge differently based on user, website, platform or content. If these laws disappear, then ISPs like Comcast and Verizon can restrict content behind paywalls in order to charge extra for ac-
cess to specific websites. For example, they could decide to charge an extra $15 a month (or more) for customers to gain access to video streaming sites like Netflix, YouTube and Hulu. During Obama’s presidency, The FCC passed a law in 2015 that made broadband internet service a state telecommunication service, thereby preserving net neutrality. On Dec. 14, 2017, the FCC voted 3-2 to repeal the current net neutrality laws and now, the U.S. Senate is one vote away from undoing that action. Fifty Senators, including all 47 Democrats, two independents, and Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine have endorsed the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to restore regulations preserving net neutrality. They need one more Republican
to ensure CRA’s passage. If it passes the Senate, it still has to get through the House, and the president would need to sign it. The battle is also being fought in the courts, with the attorneys general of Washington state and New York filing suit against the FCC. There is still hope, but the past has shown that ISPs have immense control over our internet services when net neutrality laws are not in place. Before the current net neutrality laws, Comcast secretly throttled or slowed down uploads from peer-to-peer file sharing applications like BitTorrent, which is a protocol used to share large files over the internet like movies and music. Comcast did not stop throttling these applications until the FCC ordered them to cease.
Throttling and paywalls are almost certain with the repeal. Surprisingly, millions of people sent letters and emails to the FCC begging them to not repeal these protections, but Mr. Pai and the FCC didn’t give these people a lick of attention and chose to rescind net neutrality without mentioning the comments once. Throughout the net neutrality controversy, Mr. Pai never gave a reason as to how the repeal would benefit the American people. He never sat down with any of his critics to make a persuasive case as to how net neutrality will be good for the country. Republican congressmen have been bought out by these ISPs to get net neutrality repealed. Companies and organizations seeking to repeal net
neutrality spent $110 million in federal lobbying in 2017, according to OpenSecrets.org. Congressmen were given thousands of dollars for their votes this year, with some legislators receiving over a million dollars in donations since 1989, according to The Verge. It seems almost as if these congressmen do not care about how the repeal will affect the American citizens. The public outcry against the repeal has been unreal so far. Amongst the millions of messages sent to the Senate, thousands of calls were made to Republican senators and representatives, yet none of these calls seemed to help at all. The one vote will be hard to obtain, but the people can certainly project their voices of discontent so that the rules can stay intact.
Sports
Vol. 43, Issue #6
The Knightly News - Page 7
Boys Basketball Falls Short of 'Three-Peat' Team loses to GAC 54-57 in the Sweet 16. Michael Simon
Co-editor-in-chief Class of 2018
Sonoraville offense by containing their best player. Offense came easy for the Knights, as Kelly and Middleton were able to dominate inside the paint. The Knights overpowered Sonoraville, cruising to a 62-43 victory which sent them into the Sweet 16. The Knights obviously did not fare as well against the Spartans from Norcross. However, this game was arguably the Knights most well-played contest by the team all season. This game was truly a team performance, as the Knights played 11 of 14 available players, with key performances coming from freshman Jayden Thomas, sophomore Reign Watkins and junior Jaquari Wiggles. The game came down to a last second three-point attempt by Watkins, which clanked off the left side of the rim. Undoubtedly, the biggest concern of the season for the Knights was how the team would replace the large void, both literally and figuratively, left by the absence of Wendell Carter, Jr. who now plays for Duke. Although the Knights did not return to the state championship game, the team was able to come together throughout the long season and learn to play without the ability to be bailed out by the 6'10” Carter, Jr. This season, the Knights averaged around 57 points per contest, while only giving up around 50. Despite the quick exit from
Photo: Fred Assaf
Silence enveloped the Knights' locker room. There were no words to be spoken. The only sounds came from the occasional rummaging through a backpack. Heads were dropped and shoulders slouched. The season was over. The Pace Academy boys varsity basketball team had just lost a three-point heartbreaker to the talented Greater Atlanta Christian School on Feb. 21, ending the Knights' hopes of back-toback-to-back state championship titles. The game was intense for all 32 minutes, and despite the Knights' early exit from the Georgia High School Association State Playoffs, their season was far from disappointing. Early in the season, the team lost seniors Harrison Lewis, Jonathan Rushton and Michael Simon due to various injuries. However, the Knights still had three seniors in Isaiah Kelly, Zack Leven and Jack Wray, who led the squad phenomenally all season. Kelly was the Knights' leading scorer in the regular season, the region tournament, and the state playoffs and surpassed the 1,000 point mark on Senior Night on Feb. 2 during a 80-33 rout over Stone Mountain. The Knights' 11-3 region record placed them as the number
two seed entering the region tournament, with losses coming from Towers and from Cedar Grove, twice. In the first two rounds of the region tournament, the Knights defeated Stone Mountain and Towers by scores of 73-38 and 54-52, respectively. The two-point victory over Towers is credited to freshman center Cole Middleton's last second jump shot. In the region championship game, the Knights lost another closely fought game to the Cedar Grove Saints by a score of 4544. However, the Knights still secured the number two seed heading into the state playoffs with their wins over Stone Mountain and Towers. Needless to say, the Knights were riding momentum heading into the state playoffs. Over the previous nine games, the Knights were 7-2, with their only losses coming from Cedar Grove, and the region championship one-point loss proved that the Knights were closing the gap between them and the Saints, who had previously beaten the Knights by 11 and 15 points. Pace Academy's draw matched them up with Sonoraville High School out of Calhoun, Georgia in the first round of the state playoffs. The Knights began their quest for a third straight state championship ring with a dominant performance on Feb. 17. The Knights defense was able to slow down a fast-paced, high-powered
Senior forward Isaiah Kelly drained this three-point shot with under 30 seconds left to put the Knights within three points during the Sweet 16 game against GAC. the state playoffs, 10 of the Knights' 14 players were underclassmen. The experience they gained throughout the season, whether it be the region championship, Sweet 16 or a national tournament, was priceless, and
will prove helpful for the squad in the coming season. Furthermore, the team knows what it is like to lose in a heartbreaking game. The team will be hungry for another run at the title in the 2018-2019 basketball season.
Girls Lacrosse Gets New Coaching Staff Sydnie Jiang
Managing Editor Class of 2018
Photo: Caroline Singleton
The Pace girls varsity lacrosse team underwent major changes at the beginning of the 2017-2018 spring season, including the introduction of a new coaching staff and the creation of a junior varsity team. Girls lacrosse has never before had a JV team, but interest in the sport has consistently increased over the years, so the new JV team was created to include mostly freshmen. Although it is a rather small team of players, this is a step forward for the girls lacrosse program. Assistant Athletic Director Courtney Morrison was the head coach for the varsity team for previous seasons, but she is stepping aside from the head coaching position, as she recently had a baby, her second. The new head coach is Amanda Guthrie, a community coach who played Division One lacrosse at the University of Detroit Mercy. She also coaches a club team at Storm-LB3 Thunder Lacrosse. Joining her are new Assis-
The girls varsity team convenes after their first scrimmage. tant Coaches Molly Millard and Sydney Holman. Coach Millard played as a defender for the University of Virginia, and Coach Holman played as an attacker for the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she won the
National Championship. With this drastic change in the coaching staff, the girls lacrosse program is headed in a new direction. “The foundation we want to create is one that helps the girls see how truly
valuable they are,” said Coach Guthrie. “From team manager to our potential All-Americans, we want every girl to see how great she is.” Coach Guthrie wants every player to see how her unique role on the team helps advance
Pace lacrosse, and she wants to build the mindset that a win is not just based on the scoreboard, but also on if a player walks off the field feeling good for exactly who she is. “We want to create a new culture that fosters leadership, team camaraderie and an internal drive in each girl to want to step onto the field and put in the work to become better,” said Coach Guthrie. Junior Madeline Arenth is especially excited for the new coaching staff this season. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how the rest of this season goes,” said Arenth. “We’re extremely fortunate to have Division One coaches, and we’re all excited to learn from them.” Though the team started the season off with a loss to Lovett, stick skills and game IQ have increased considerably. “We just look like a completely different team,” said sophomore Claire Wierman. “Most of us are returners, but we’re clicking really well and we’re playing really great.” The team won their second game 19-10 against Riverwood on Feb. 22. They play tonight at 7:30 at home against Sequoyah.
March 2, 2018
Sports
The Knightly News - Page 8
State Ring Eludes Boys Tennis; Girls off to Strong Start Charlie Hirsch Staff Writer Class of 2019
Photo: Fred Assaf
The boys varsity tennis team has successfully reached the GHSA State Championship for three years in a row. The team has also achieved another difficult feat. They have lost in the GHSA State Championship for three years in a row. Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC), Lovett and Westminster beat the Pace team in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 state championships, respectively. The bitter endings to the seasons were blemished by injuries, nail-biting losses and a dominating 2017 Westminster tennis team. The “cramp match” of the 2016 championship match against Lovett featured thenjunior Prushanth Kumar '17 and his severe hamstring cramps that had not appeared until the championship. He finished the match through excruciating pain, but was unable to secure the victory. The 2017 state playoffs were played without the help of star player Will Funston. The junior broke both of his wrists in the region tournament, unsurprisingly against Lovett. “I was back pedaling and fell on my wrists," said Funston. "After a couple
Senior David Leven lunges for a volley in the 2017 state playoffs. points thereafter I had to forfeit the match and soon learned I fractured a growth plate in my right hand and suffered a hairline fracture in the left. We had been working hard all year to get to state and it was tough sitting on the bench knowing I couldn’t help.” It took four months for his wrists to heal, but now he is healthy and battling well at the No. 1 singles spot this season. Senior David Leven is undefeated at No. 1 doubles this season and played No. 1 doubles in the past three state championships. “Of course it hurts to lose in the finals, but I don’t think it’s truly as devastating as most people would think,” said Leven.
“It’s an awesome experience to play in the state finals in the first place.” His teammate, sophomore Rohan Jatar, does not share Leven's attitude towards losing in the finals. “It [stinks] to lose the final match after you’ve worked the whole season to get there; it makes me want to win this year that much more,” said Jatar. This year could finally be the year, however. The team lost two starting seniors to graduation and now the four juniors and sophomores have more experience and talent. “Despite our past I’m optimistic that we can win this year,” said Leven. The girls varsity tennis
team has experienced similarly troublesome state tournaments. The team may have lost two seniors, but they got an influx of talent from the freshman class. “We faced a tough Calhoun team in the playoffs last year, but we can probably compete for state with the help of freshmen Sidney and Grace Funston,” said star player and junior Avi Arora. The Funston twins quickly acclimated to the varsity atmosphere and already share goals with the upperclassmen. “I didn’t know what it would be like to have an effect on the outcome of the match for the entire team,” said Grace Funston. “There’s definitely pressure involved,
but the team tennis experience is different and fulfilling.” Her sister Sidney plays No. 2 singles and has high hopes for the season. “I want to do well in the region tournament and make it to the state finals like the juniors did when they were freshmen." The boys team also has two aspirational freshmen contributors. The representation from all four grades contributes to cohesion and unity for the team. “I never thought the upperclassmen would be as welcoming as they are,” said freshman Jordy Elster. Misconceptions about varsity tennis permeate the incoming freshmen every year. “I didn’t exactly think freshman duties would be a thing,” said freshman Matt Genser. Though these two freshmen have only spent six weeks with the team, they share the same aspirations as everyone on the boys and girls varsity tennis teams. “The goal is to win the state championship,” agreed both Elster and Genser. “No matter what it takes,” added Genser. Thus far, the boys are 6-1 with their only loss coming to 7A tennis powerhouse, Walton. Overall their individual match record is 19-11. The girls have also only lost to Walton, with a 6-1 match record and individual match record of 20-10.
Wendell Carter, Jr. Shines at Duke George Shepherd Sports Editor Class of 2018
Photo: Greg Blythe
Virtually every member of the Pace community remembers the charismatic, 6’10” senior who brightened our campus – on the court, on the stage and in the classroom. His name is Wendell Carter, Jr., and his journey continues at Duke University. Carter was a two-time GHSA state champion, a McDonald’s All-American and played in the Jordan Brand Classic. Coming out of Pace, Carter was ranked the No. 7 player in the nation by 247Sports and No. 5 by ESPN and had dozens of schools recruiting him. Carter narrowed his college list down to Georgia, Duke, Harvard and Georgia Tech before committing to Duke on Nov. 23, 2016 by posting a James Bond-themed commitment video. Carter has had a remarkable freshman season at Duke so far and has played an integral role for the Blue Devils. Duke has several big time players like Grayson Allen, Marvin Bagley III and Trevon Duval, but these stars have not stopped Carter from standing out on his own, making a name for himself on
Coach Demetrius Smith (second from right) and Coach Greg Blythe (far right) visit Wendell at Duke. college basketball's biggest stage. Carter’s efficiency on the court has been unmatched, as he dominates several stats in the ACC, one of the NCAA’s most impressive conferences. Carter is fourth in the ACC in rebounds per game (9.5), fifth in field goal percentage (.585), fifth in blocks per game (2.20) and second in player efficiency rating (29.94). Several current Pace students and faculty have continued to
watch Carter thrive at the next level and are always on the lookout for the Duke hoops team. In late October, Pace’s fifth grade class went on a field trip around the Carolinas and made a stop at the Duke basketball practice facility. Carter carved time out of his busy schedule to talk to the class and take some pictures before an exhibition game versus Northwest Missouri State. Other Knights haven’t had
the opportunity to reconnect with Carter since he arrived at Duke, but that has not stopped them from continuing to watch him play. “Every time the Duke games are being televised I make sure to tune in to watch Wendell," said senior Charlie Stonecipher. "It’s pretty cool to know that I was teammates with him at Pace and now he’s playing with the best.” Junior Patrick Markwalter
has also been watching Carter throughout the season, but cannot bring himself to cheer on the Blue Devils. “I’m a Georgia Tech fan so there’s no way I can pull for a different ACC team like Duke," said Markwalter. "I’ll be one of the first people to buy his jersey once he gets to the NBA, though.” After all of his early success at Duke, what will be the next step for Wendell? ESPN staff writer David M. Hale wrote a piece about how, in a way, Wendell is currently a “forgotten star” for Duke, but is playing one of the most important roles for the team. Hale asked Carter about the tattoo across his chest and noted that the “wings that poke out from his jersey serve as a fitting tribute to a career about to take flight.” This impression that Carter’s career is just getting started could not be more true. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman predicted that Carter would be picked 11 overall by the Utah Jazz in a 2018 NBA Mock Draft. “A skilled big with post footwork, shooting touch and rebounding instincts, Carter averages 21.9 points and 14.3 boards per 40 minutes," said Wasserman. "His value would get a boost if he can show he's quick enough to guard power forwards.”