Volume 46, Issue #1

Vol. 46, Issue #1

The

September 25, 2020

Knightly News

p. 5 New Chef in the Kitchen: Flik

p. 9 Black at Pace: Changes Needed

p. 11 What’s Going on with TikTok?

Pace Launches Action Plan for Racial Equity Photo: Omar López-Thismón

The summer of 2020 was marked by thousands of protests around the country calling for racial justice following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

Pace, like most institutions, vowed to make our community a more welcoming place, especially for Black faculty, staff, students and parents.

Across several weeks this past summer, the administrative team combined efforts with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team to create the Action Plan for Racial Equity, with the purpose of eradicating racism and its legacy at Pace.

“It all started with listening,” said newly appointed Director of Student Life Troy Baker. “We gathered intel from social media accounts, alumni groups and parents to synthesize where we are and what we can work on.”

The administrative team divided

Pace announces additions to the diversity, equity and inclusion team during the 2019-2020 school year.

(L-R): Omar López Thismón, Joanne Brown, Nirvana Scott and Scott Shupe. the plan into five distinct areas of focus: Listening and Learning, Teaching and Curriculum, Our Community, Our People and Joining Our Community.

Also over the summer, Head of School Fred Assaf announced new leadership to bolster the school’s diversity, equity and

inclusion efforts. In his new role, Dr. Baker “oversee[s] the student experience from Pre-First through graduation from both a strategic and programmatic perspective,” according to Mr. Assaf’s July 30 email to the Pace community. “He will partner with faculty, staff and division

leadership to create an environment that nurtures the holistic development of every student, overseeing counseling, discipline, community-building and inclusion, as well as academic and non-academic interventions.”

Dr. Baker formerly served

as Pace’s Director of Athletics.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Wright State University and his master’s in secondary education at Brown University. In addition, he earned a Doctor of Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.

“I actually didn’t study athletics in college, so I am excited to do what I know since thinking strategically about school systems is what I am trained to do,” he said.

In his July 30 email, Mr. Assaf also announced that former Director of Diversity and Inclusion Joanne Brown would serve as Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer with the start of this school year. “This elevation of title holds a new weight,” said Mrs. Brown. “It acknowledges on an institutional level that this work with diversity is a priority for our school community.”

Even before the summer, however, Pace had taken steps to boost DEI efforts by installing

(Continued on page 4)

Eight New Teachers Join Upper School

Photo: Jamie Kornheiser

Every year, Pace welcomes new faculty to the Upper School.

But this year is like no other, with eight new hires taking on the challenge of teaching high schoolers in the midst of a pandemic.

New to the math department are Judy Landers and Emily Spillane. Ms. Landers was born in Mobile, Alabama, but has lived and taught all over the eastern half of the United States including Ohio, Virginia and Michigan. She received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and earned a master’s of education with a focus on mathematics from Wayne State University.

Ms. Landers had lived in Atlanta once before, but she moved back to the city in 2009. Before coming to Pace, she worked at the math lab at Georgia State University, was a contract educator at the Dunwoody Nature

Center and a volunteer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

After seeing how COVID-19 was affecting schools, Ms. Landers realized she really wanted to help out students but was unsure where. She considered many options before accepting a position at Pace teaching Algebra II, PreCalculus Honors and Calculus Honors. “What appealed to me was that it could be an opportunity to give back,” she said.

In terms of teaching amid a pandemic, “I feel like I have 10 classes rather than five because [the Zoom students’] experience depends on if the technology is working,” said Ms. Landers.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Landers enjoys gardening, beekeeping and going on long walks. Last year, she participated in the Great Saunter, a 32-mile one-day walk around Manhattan.

AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics and PreCalculus teacher Emily Spillane moved to Atlanta with her new husband at the end of June from St. Louis, Missouri. While teaching at Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, she

(Clockwise from top left) Judy Landers, Emily Spillane, Mindy Lawrence, Duke Sherrell, Savannah Kelly, Eric Forslund, Aviva Hyams and Shresttha Dubey begin their first year at Pace. was named Teacher of the Year in 2015 and won the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017. Mrs. Spillane has a degree in economics and public policy as well as master’s degrees in both secondary mathematics and education administration.

Even though Mrs. Spillane had not planned to be a teacher, she was a part of a volunteer group in college called Peer

Health Exchange that taught health related classes to public high schools in the Chicago area.

With the intention of going to law school to focus on education law and policy, she taught for Teach for America in order to get first-hand teaching experience. “I thought I was just going to teach for a couple of years and then go back to law school,” said Mrs. Spillane. “But I ended up

really loving teaching so I stuck around with it.”

Coming to a new school brings the challenge of learning many new names, but it is even harder considering Mrs. Spillane has never seen most of the Pace community without masks. “If we are maskless at the end of the year, I feel like I am going to

(Continued on page 8)

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September 25, 2020

Pace News

The Knightly News - Page 2

Artists express support for the Black Lives Matter movement on the Atlanta BeltLine.

‘I Was Either Going To Be Arrested Or Killed’ – Q&A WITH TIGER BROWN ‘13

WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU GOT PULLED OVER? That summer, I felt hyper-aware of what was going on because there had been a few police shootings, so I personally was already grabbing my license and registration, so it didn’t look like I had to rummage through anything when the police officer came up to my car. I wanted to have everything I needed out just because I had a giant dorm room of stuff piled in the back of the car. Then, I just waited for the officer to come to the window.

But, he just didn’t come, so I finally took a look into my side mirror to see where he was. At that point, I looked out and saw him with his door open, window down and a gun pointed at me. I had no idea what was going on. I fully thought I had a brain fart and just forgot to put on my turn signal at the light. But he had his gun out.

At first, I was very confused and upset because I was not going to be able to afford a ticket right before my se-

SO, WHAT DID THE POLICE OFFICER DO NEXT? I then rolled down my window and put my hands outside because I did not know what he thought had happened or who he thought he was dealing with. He was yelling to keep them out. I guess I stayed there with my arms hanging out of the window for about 10 to 15 minutes.

After that first command, I asked if I could possibly adjust my arm as it was in an awkward position, but I got yelled at, so I just stayed where I was. The same voice then told me to open the door from the outside of the car, so I did with my arms in the air. At that point, I got to see everything that had happened on the street while I was just sitting there.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE IN YOUR CAR? As I was moving away from the car, I realized how packed the street had gotten. What was a residential street, only two blocks from campus, was entirely filled with police cars, both marked and unmarked. I could see flashing lights from each end of the intersection, blocking off the street.

The actual officers were all tactically hidden behind their cars, covered while pointing their guns at me. If the officers were not holding a gun pointed at me, they were holding a dog. What I had already thought was a bad situation became even worse because I had no idea why this was happening to me.

HOW WERE YOU FEELING WHEN YOU SAW ALL OF THE OFFICERS WITH GUNS POINTED AT YOU? As I said, I really thought I was either going to be arrested or killed. I was in my head thinking that I was literally going to get a hashtag. Then, I started thinking, what are people going to think? I just wanted to get out of the situation without being shot. The police officers were fully yelling, “[f-ing] turn around, don’t look at us, look away.” So, I did as they said.

Also, it was one of those moments when I began to take account of what I looked like, which I had never done before. At that point in time, I had just tattooed my forearm, my hair was cut in a mohawk with blonde tips,

Photo: Tiger Brown

At the end of the summer of 2016, Library Assistant Tiger Brown ‘13 was preparing for his senior year at Claremont McKenna College, where he studied economics and psychology and was a member of the ClaremontMudd-Scripps football team as a defensive back. As he was 21 and had three years of prior experience of getting settled into college, Tiger decided to take on the move-in process on his own, flying out to California by himself to get ready for school, while his parents stayed back in Georgia to help his younger brother Jean-Luc move into his freshman dorm at Mercer University in Macon.

According to Tiger, it was just a normal Tuesday, the day before football camp was starting. Since college was across the country, he had always kept most of his belongings in a storage unit near school in Claremont, California. On this day, he cleared out the unit and packed his entire dorm room into a van that his mom had previously rented for him. Staying in an Airbnb guest house before being able to move back to campus, Tiger headed back to his temporary home in his rented van.

When he took a left into the neighborhood he was staying in, pulling into the driveway of the house, a police officer behind him turned his lights on and pulled him over. It was in that moment, sitting in his Airbnb’s driveway with a cop behind him, that the normal Tuesday that Tiger had been having completely changed.

In a conversation with Tiger, he recounted this encounter that he had with the police.

nior year and upcoming football season. But when I fully realized that he still had his gun pointed at me, I stopped worrying about all money issues.

I began to think that there were only two scenarios that could come out of this situation. I thought I was either going to go to jail or I was going to die. I wanted to go to jail. There, I could figure out what was going on.

Tiger Brown, highlighted in the red circle, is handcuffed during his encounter with the police. my ears were pierced and I was wearing a snapback hat and athletic clothes. I kind of thought that that was not a good look, even though it was normal for me my entire life. It was who I had always been, so I didn’t think anything of it until that moment.

WHEN DID THE POLICE OFFICERS MAKE THEIR NEXT MOVE OR EXPLAIN THE SITUATION? Soon, an officer came up to me, and put a gun against my back. Then, he interlocked my fingers on my head, and handcuffed me, which was a very cold feeling. Also, the officer was pulling my arm back, and he expected that in one movement he could cuff me, but naturally my body gave a jerk, so with that I got told to “stop [f-ing] resisting.”

I finally got the first chance to ask what was going on, and he told me straight up, “we will let you know what is going on when we get this figured out.” I had no clue what that meant and didn’t realize that you could be put in cuffs and thrown into a car without being read your rights or being told what was even going on. He just kept telling me that he would let me know what was happening eventually.

But, at that rate, I was no longer at risk of dying as I was just sitting in the cop car. As [f-ed] up as it may seem, it was comforting to be put in cuffs and walked to a police car, which is not OK for anyone to ever have to say. However, I was still uncomfortable as I had heard of names of people, like Sandra Bland, who died in police

Vol. 46, Issue #1

Pace News

The Knightly News - Page 3

Photos: Robert Kaufman

custody, and no one knew what was going on.

I was just sitting there for I have no idea how long, wondering if I was ever going to be able to call my parents, and what they would even be able to do when I called them.

WHAT WERE THE OTHER OFFICERS DOING IN THIS MOMENT? I watched them walk around my rental, go through everything inside, talk to my Airbnb hosts and the people who were watching from the end of the street. It was a residential street, but there were shops at the end, so everyone was curious what was going on.

I was just sitting in the car chilling then, and I was just left to think. I didn’t know how I was going to operate jail, what the night was going to look like, if I was going to be able to start football the next day.

WERE YOU EVER TOLD WHAT WAS GOING ON? An officer eventually came up to me and asked, “do you know why you are here?” In my frustration, I was looking at him, saying “you tell me because I have no clue what is going on.” He then said that the car had been reported stolen. I didn’t know what that meant. I asked when it had been stolen, and he said it had been reported stolen a month prior in Las Vegas, when I was literally in Georgia.

Interestingly enough, they only had a report of a stolen vehicle, but nothing else. All they knew was there was a stolen vehicle and a Black driver. He then asked me for my license and registration, and I said it was somewhere around the van, as I had to drop it when I got yelled at for holding it. I can’t imagine what they thought when they found out they made me drop a plastic license and piece of paper.

When they finally verified my rental, they said that I wasn’t responsible and let me go. It was a total flip of innocence until proven guilty, as I was entirely guilty until proven innocent. The cops did their best to apologize, which I guess I appreciated as much as I could after they were all pointing their guns at me.

They pretty much all left, except for the initial officer who pulled me over, so I had to sit with the first arresting officer for about three hours to figure out how to prove that the car was my rental and was not stolen by me.

WHAT WERE THOSE THREE HOURS WITH THE POLICE OFFICER WHO HAD INITIALLY PULLED YOU OVER LIKE?

WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU WERE FINALLY RELEASED? Thankfully, the other officers had cleared up with my

HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED SOMETHING LIKE THIS? That night, I decided to go to campus, just hoping that someone would be there. A handful of my coaches were there, so I explained what had happened. Once I told them what happened, each and every coach of color then had a story of their own to tell me, exactly in the same way with a large number of police force, getting arrested and having no idea what was going on. That same day, five of my coaches told me that the same thing had happened to them.

HOW DID YOU PROCESS THIS EXPERIENCE, AND HOW DID YOU MOVE FORWARD? Well, the next day, the school year was starting. To be honest, I don’t think I ever gave myself enough time to sit and process it. I enjoyed school but little things stayed persistent throughout my time. When cops came to campus to break up parties, I hated that. When cops drove around, I felt uncomfortable. I just never really felt safe anymore. I just pretended that everything was OK. Before that moment, I never really understood any of this.

place. If things do not change, we are inevitably looking at a crash in this system.

WHAT PERSPECTIVE OR MINDSET DID THIS ENCOUNTER WITH THE POLICE GIVE YOU? Honestly, four or five months ago, I had no hope for this country or the system. I would not have been sitting here, talking to you, just because I would have thought it was wasting my time, as nothing was going to change.

However, my mindset now is that people are willing to listen and learn.

I have concluded that if there is someone different than you, do not form an opinion of them until you have heard them talk about their own experience. I have also become aware of other people or groups that struggle.

I started to think, what does my mom have to deal with? What does a brown man or woman have to go through that I wouldn’t understand? What do Hispanic people go through that I wouldn’t understand? What do people in the LGBTQIA community deal with that I wouldn’t understand? What do women go through that I wouldn’t understand?

Overall, my mindset now is to just shut up and listen for what you don’t know and to speak up for what you do know. My story is my story, and I couldn’t tell you what other Black men go through. I just want people to listen to others.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL WORDS TO SHARE TODAY? I would just ask anyone different from you what is going on in their lives. People are subject to things that you may never understand, but you can always try to listen. Just spread some love.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE POLICE SYSTEM CAN CHANGE? The militarization that has happened over the years is unnecessary. I think police education needs to expand.

I think police officers must be held accountable for their actions. Police officer stands for peace officer, and their job is to de-escalate. I think it is clear that that isn’t the case for a lot of officers. Somehow it has become an excuse that because their job is dangerous, they can slip up and make mistakes.

I am not saying that people don’t make mistakes, but if a doctor messes up a surgery, that is malpractice or if a lawyer starts cutting corners, they are held accountable.

There are systems in place that will hold these people accountable. I think that police officers are realistically not, though.

Another thing is that as a country, we need to recognize that the system in place was created to keep certain people in their place. The police system as is right now is geared to help certain people and keep others in their

Photo: Tiger Brown

I was not paying much attention to anything, but he then grabbed my arm, and asked if I had new ink on my arm, as I did. He even asked what my tattoo said.

He then started writing down everything about it on his notepad. It has always sat a bit strange with me that he was still identifying me after the situation had been cleared up.

Airbnb host what had happened. The Airbnb host even came up to me and let me know that he was a former convicted felon and had been to jail, but had never been arrested like that. He was nothing but apologetic.

It was crazy that my comfort came from me finding out that my Airbnb host was a convicted felon. He was an older white man on top of that, so I was just appreciative that he understood what had happened.

After that, I called my mom. It was not a fun phone call. Not a fun phone call at all. I had never had a situation in four years when my mom said she would drop everything to come see me. She was completely torn up. I said it was OK, and I guess I just was holding it together for her.

Tiger is with his parents Jack and Joanne Brown at his Claremont McKenna College graduation in 2017.

Pace News

September 25, 2020

The Knightly News - Page 4

Teachers Step Back During Pandemic

Photo: Isabel Battista

It’s already clear that this school year is like no other. With masks, social distancing and a tent over the gardens, the changes to the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School are visible to everyone on campus. However, there are some changes to the school that cannot be marked by extra precautions or new traditions. Several upper school teachers have decided to step back from teaching in the classroom this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among these are history teacher and Model United Nations advisor Helen Smith, history teacher Emily Stevens, math teacher Kimberly Goodstadt, chemistry teacher Melody Walter, English teachers Hayley Conroy and Erica Barbakow, and The Knightly News’ own Lee Wilson. Some of these teachers have been able to maintain some connection to Pace this year through part time, (L-R) Teachers Kaylan Haizlip and Helen Smith talk as Ms. Smith finishes clearing out her classroom. remote work, and all hope to be back physically at Pace next school year.

Later on in the year, Ms. Stevens plans to switch her two first days of school,” said Dr. Walter, “one for having Of course, if students have watched any assemblies focus to planning for next year. She’s hoping to make her had a baby and then one because of a pandemic.” Besides this year, they’ve likely already seen Ms. Smith make at curriculum more anti-racist, in part by drawing attention spending time with Ethan, her nearly 13-month old baby, least one of her infamous Model U.N. announcements. to how those with power structure society to ensure their Dr. Walter has also started a virtual chemistry tutoring Ms. Smith is continuing her work with the Model U.N. ongoing advantage. She will also be coordinating the Up- program, Dr. Mel’s Tutoring. Two of the biggest lesprogram even though she is not in the classroom. “I’m per School’s awards process. sons that she has learned since everything shut down in very thankful for Model U.N. because I get to interact For students who would have had Ms. Stevens this March are that “parents are superheroes” and that there’s with students and I get to meet people who are year, she advises them to “try and find ways that “a lot of resilience about me, that I didn’t necessarily not in my class,” said Ms. Smith. cause you to interact substantively with the know was already in me.”

Besides participating in several material. Try to find ways to make the “I miss the class dynamic,” said Dr. Walter. “I think “There’s online courses, the latest being a material relevant and important to something that is inspiring and exciting is everything something really “six-week art history class from you, because that matters.” that each person brings to the table in a classroom.” Dr. valuable in being in the the National Gallery in London “When I had to make this Walter wants to remind students to “think like a proton on Late Medieval Art,” she has decision about returning or not, I and stay positive” and “remember that we’re all in this same space together that also enjoyed being able to stay was met with nothing more than together.” we couldn’t recapture fully up late reading, sleeping in later support and positive messages Mrs. Conroy, who typically teaches Creative Writing on Zoom. You should never as well as spending more time from faculty and students,” said and 10th grade Literary Genres Honors, will continue underestimate the power of gardening.

Ms. Goodstadt. “It’s just been re- her role as the faculty advisor for the Knight Gallery She advises students that she ally nice to hear from those people virtually. “I am very excited to start Knight Gallery casual interactions, and I would have had in AP Comparaand feel that they’re supporting me meetings and reunite with my amazing staff,” said Mrs. miss those.” tive Politics & Government to conthrough this as much as I’m support- Conroy.

– Ms. Stevens tinue reading, learning and discussing. ing them.” Ms. Goodstadt said that her Ms. Barbakow had planned to return from maternity “Don’t let the desire to be perfect get in life this year away from the Pace campus leave this year to teach two AP Literature classes, one the way of the good,” said Ms. Smith. “This is quieter and less anxiety-inducing, and she Honors American Literature class to juniors and one year we’re facing unknown obstacles, and we all just has loved being able to be a “dog mom,” play video Honors British Literature class to sophomores. Instead, have to roll with it.” games and work as a math tutor. she will be putting off her return to the classroom for Another history teacher who is not on campus this Ms. Goodstadt advises students to make sure to do another year. year is Ms. Stevens, who has enjoyed being able to wake their homework and to try to have fun because it doesn’t Although Ms. Wilson is physically away from camup a little bit later and spend more time with her cats. only have to be serious. “I’m hoping that [students] are pus, she is still coordinating the freshman Transitions According to Ms. Stevens, she is taking time this semes- still smiling under those masks, but you can’t really see program from home and co-advising the newspaper staff ter to “switch from teaching history to curating history.” it,” said Ms. Goodstadt. “It’s definitely not as bright as it along with English teacher Robert Kaufman, who is in “I’ve inherited boxes and boxes of family history,” said usually is, but stick it out. It’s worth staying.” Ms. Good- the Knightly News classroom. “I’m grateful that I’m able Ms. Stevens. “As I organize and digitize the photos, letstadt stressed that she loves the Class of 2021 and that to work remotely and still maintain my connections with ters and records, I’m seeing the world through the eyes she really wishes that she could be here for their senior the newspaper staff and with colleagues,” she said. “It of my ancestors, which is fascinating. I even found a note year. was a wrenching decision to not be on campus this year. from my grandmother in which she reflected on the 1918 Dr. Walter has undergone a lot of change in the past I miss all the day-to-day, in-person interactions with flu pandemic.” two school years. “It’s mind boggling that I have missed students, but I’m glad I can remain involved.”

Pace Launches Action Plan for Racial Equity (Continued from page 1) DEI coordinators in each division: Nirvana Scott in the Lower School, Scott Shupe in the Middle School and Omar López Thismón in the Upper School.

“They are there to facilitate conversation within the age group they know best, help bring in age-appropriate speakers and scaffold language,” said Mrs. Brown.

The DEI team also launched student alliances and affinity groups last school year in the Upper School. “The Black Student Alliance plans to implement a curriculum that will teach racial reconciliation and provide a space to discuss and dismantle the systemic oppression of Black people,” said senior leader Cole Middleton..

This summer, Pace teachers, led by Associate ICGL Director Ted Ward and Director of ICGL Tricia Anderson, began

A.W.A.R.E, the Alliance of White Anti-Racist Educators.

The group of over 50 teachers met once a week to educate themselves on how to become better allies and properly facilitate classroom conversations.

Going into the fall, an affinity group for teachers entitled “White Affinity Group for Racial Equity (WAGRE),” modeled after and led by A.W.A.R.E. group leaders, is now meeting on a regular basis.

Part of the Action Plan for Racial Equity addresses curriculum. Over the summer, Head of Upper School Mike Gannon changed the summer reading book for all ninth-12th grade students to “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas in order to help students engage thoughtfully in today’s national discussions.

In addition, “there is now a more intentional path to intro-

ducing Black culture beyond bondage and slavery,” according to Mrs. Brown. “Across all three divisions, faculty have examined history and social studies curriculum to identify where to introduce lessons regarding ancient African civilizations and pre-colonialism,” Mrs. Brown said in a Sept. 11 email update on action plan implementation.

Under the Action Plan for Racial Equity, Pace instituted a zero-tolerance policy for any forms of racism, hate speech and bigotry. Dr. Baker is working to change the structure of the discipline system and strategically think about its effect on the community.

In the past, specifically in the 2019-2020 school year, many sports teams encountered racially charged language on the field, from the stands and even on social media. This year, the

DEI team has made it clear that they will not tolerate that sort of behavior no matter which side of the stands it comes from. Dr. Baker and Mrs. Brown have met with all the head coaches to discuss how to incorporate the Action Plan for Racial Equity into their coaching.

Also as part of the action plan, Pace will be upfront about their standards for the community and only hire those who emulate similar values. In addition, according to the plan, Pace “will be intentional about hiring, supporting, and retaining faculty and staff members who identify with groups historically underrepresented at Pace, with an intentional focus on those who identify as Black.”

Also, the admissions team will “focus outreach efforts on historically underrepresented populations.”

“At the end of the day, this is your school and it is up to you, the students, to hold each other accountable,” said Mrs. Brown.

She urges every student to lean into the Action Plan for Racial Equity instead of shying away out of fear or discomfort.

“Make it clear what our standards are, and don’t be afraid to call it what it is,” said Dr. Baker.

“Use the word racist to describe something racist rather than a lighter word like ‘inappropriate.’”

The DEI team calls upon the student body’s humility. “Enter conversations with an open mind and acknowledge that none of us are perfect and we are all just trying to learn and grow together,” said Mr. López Thismón.

“Listen more than you speak, and don’t just listen to respond.

Listen to really understand what your peers are saying.”

Pace News

Vol. 46, Issue #1

The Knightly News - Page 5

Photos: Darren Rosing

(L-R) Seniors Marc Rosenthal, Gus Thomas and Hunter Williams enjoy Flik’s rendition of the classic fried fish taco. Flik’s special ingredient is fresh mango salsa.

Upper school history teacher Christine Carter has been loving the new lunches.

New Chef in the Kitchen: Flik Dining The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a lot of tough goodbyes within the Pace community: goodbye to drinking water during class, goodbye to participating in chemistry labs, goodbye to having unassigned seats and goodbye to watching your Spanish teacher’s lip movements to understand a language you can barely comprehend. But one such departure seemed quite easy, and arguably long overdue: goodbye to Sage Dining—and hello to Flik.

After 15 years of Sage’s reign in the cafeteria, Pace administration decided not to renew their contract for this school year. “Because of their poor management, we started to look very closely at other options and put [Sage] on notice that

as a consequence of their poor performance, we were going to interview other people for the job,” said Head of School Fred Assaf. “In doing so, we found other vendors who offered us better product and better process and management.”

This change in culinary services coincides with the many changes to lunchtime in general as a result of the pandemic.

In order to reduce potential contamination, most cafeterias across the country had to switch from the traditional buffet-style approach towards grab-and-go cuisine. Thus, it was important to Pace administration that the new dining service was prepared to create a tasteful selection of boxed lunches.

“I think they’ve done an amazing job, since it was really important to us that they would provide student-friendly options in those grab-and-go boxes,” said Mr. Assaf. “They’ve also expanded the grab-and-go ap-

proach with the sandwich bar and trying to get different salad toppings and proteins. I’ve been really impressed with how well they have adapted, and that’s exactly the type of management we were looking for: people who could adapt.”

Working as the Director of Dining Services at Pace is John Young’s first Flik project. Before joining the Flik team, he worked in several university dining programs, including at Oglethorpe University, University of Central Florida and Reinhardt University.

Mr. Young is a classicallytrained French chef, and while he is fully capable of working closely with liquid nitrogen and chocolate for the “fancy stuff,” Mr. Young is more focused on the basics—and doing them right. “If you’re going to do a roasted chicken, you’ve got to make sure it’s seasoned well, cooked well, it’s moist and tastes good,” said Mr. Young. “People

sometimes try to do too much.”

Mr. Young can’t stress enough the extent to which the pandemic is limiting Flik’s services. “We would have a lot more fresh toppings at the salad bar, a lot of better options at the sandwich bar, and our menu selection would be much different in that we would be having a grilled section every day up at the hot line with burgers or dogs or chicken fingers daily,” said Mr. Young. “If this was a normal year, you’d have a lot more visually-appealing and fresher foods to choose from.”

The student response to the change in meal provider has been mixed, but students have witnessed speedy improvement in the food quality ever since the first week’s testing period.

“Like, obviously people think Sage was better, but that’s probably just because we haven’t been able to experience Flik in the same way due to the pandemic,” said sophomore England

Meadows.

While the majority of complaints revolve around coronavirus-induced limitations and the fact that grab-and-go lunches are never ideal regardless of their curator, 74% of polled senior respondents agreed that Flik Dining employees were kinder than their Sage counterparts. “They always ask how I’m doing this year,” said senior Eli Mautner.

“The woman who gives me vegetarian meals is really nice and always makes sure I have mine,” added senior Marc Rosenthal.

Nevertheless, there are a few legendary Sage meals that students hope Flik can recreate.

Among other suggested classics, students wish Flik would one day bring Rodeo burgers and breakfast for lunch back to the Pace kitchen. If there’s a suggestion any student or faculty member would like to respectfully make, the Flik team can be reached at the following email address: flik@paceacademy.org.

To date, COVID-19 has killed over 200,000 Americans, closed businesses and forced students to attend school via Zoom. The coronavirus has taken its toll in countless other ways as well, one being the lack of concern around waste. In order to prevent any unnecessary spreading of germs, schools and restaurants have turned to single use items such as disposable plastic forks, plastic takeout containers, paper napkins and disposable surgical masks.

While these items may enhance safety, they are greatly decreasing sustainability.

In efforts to keep students safe at school, Pace has introduced plastic lunch containers, plastic eating utensils and paper towels for students to clean off their desks after every class.

“I’m not necessarily concerned

about the amount of waste,” said Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) Associate Director Ted Ward. “It’s almost scary how quickly the amount of work over a number of years around the ICGL’s focus to really increase sustainability can go away.”

Mr. Ward is concerned that students have gotten out of the habit of thinking about their waste. “Water bottles like the Hydro Flask used to be the rage around here,” said Mr. Ward.

“It’s wild to me when you go into the cafeteria, and you see how many kids just pick up the tiniest plastic water bottle, and it’s like, first of all, you have a reusable water bottle that’s three times the size of that.”

Mr. Ward does not want students to think sustainability is impossible during these atypical times. “We don’t have to fight for public health, but then also give up our commitment to sustainability,” said Mr. Ward.

“In this country, we fight racism and sexism and homophobia at the same time, it is not one or the

other.”

While some waste is unavoidable, ICGL has many ideas that they want to implement going forward, starting with the Green Council. “I think we have to put students again at the forefront of fixing these problems,” said Mr. Ward. “Because what happens often, and why it’s not successful, is we have adults devise solutions for kids and they don’t have a voice in it.”

The Green Council is a student-led group that will work to increase campus sustainability, support local efforts, and fight for policies to address climate change. While students join the Green Council, the ICGL has already presented two more solutions.

“One of the things that we launched last week was this campaign of bringing your own cutlery to reduce the use of plastic forks,” said Mr. Ward. They would also like to reopen the dish pit. “Even though some

Waste a Concern Amid COVID-19 Precautions

Photo: Megan Hardesty

Sophomore Morgan Neill uses a reusable water bottle and washable mask in an effort to limit her waste.

(Continued on page 7)

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September 25, 2020

The Knightly News - Page 6

Isdell Global Leaders Tackle Global Health ster. “My favorite thing we have done so far has been reading ‘Spillover’ by David Quammen, as this book went into detail about the different viruses that have happened in the past.”

Martin also has enjoyed finding new ways to investigate global health. “Though not being able to travel has made it harder to truly immerse ourselves into the theme of global health, we have all persevered and found new ways to learn and engage with the topic,” she said. In addition to “Spillover,” the IGLs have read “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Pulitzer Prizewinner Tracy Kidder.

The book recounts the work of Dr. Paul Farmer, who, according to publisher Random House, “in medical school found his life’s calling: to diagnose and cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most.” The IGLs meet via Zoom every week to discuss current events around global health.

Although the application process is long and involved, these global leaders decided it was worth it. “I applied [to be an IGL] because I hope to pursue a future career in public health, and it all just really fascinates me,” said White. Martin is also fascinated by global health, but for a different reason. She became “enthralled” with this topic through Model UN and trips abroad.

Pradeep entered the year with background knowledge on

Photo: Ashley Myers

Anderson. “In planning for this year’s theme two years ago, we decided to flip that approach and focus on the ways the environment impacts us. Seeking a humanities-based study that After an intensive applicacould incorporate lessons from tion process, the Isdell Center our previous themes, we arrived for Global Leadership (ICGL) at global health.” selected seniors Madison Martin ICGL has five focus areas and Evan Elster and juniors Jorthat help guide the IGLs’ study dan White and Pranavh of global health. These Pradeep to repreareas of focus are: sent the student Science and “I love being an body as Isdell Technology, Isdell Global Leader Global LeadCulture and ers (IGLs) Arts, Social because I think being this school Entreprean informed citizen of the neurship year. Each year, the world is one of the most and BusiIGLs dissect ness, Comimportant things you can munity a specific Enbe.” – Madison issue by gagement and traveling to relEnvironmental Martin evant locales and Sustainability, later presenting what and Public Policy they’ve learned to the student and International Relations. body. These students sacrifice “I love being an Isdell Global a free period once a week to Leader because I think being an discuss readings and plan ways informed citizen of the world is to educate their peers. one of the most important things This year, due to changes you can be,” said Martin. “The because of COVID-19, global different areas of focus help us leaders are not able to travel or to see the bigger picture, because present in person at assemblies. a specific issue may seem small, Despite these changes, the IGLs but can affect all of these differare excited to dig into the theme ent aspects of the world.” and find other ways to educate The global leaders have students. begun learning through readings This year’s theme, Global and discussions. “Even though Health, relates to how the enviwe can’t travel this year, I find ronment and global pandemic that being a part of ICGL has affect the world. “Previous been an amazing experience, annual themes have focused on especially as the theme of global humans’ impact on the environhealth is so relevant to the time ment,” said ICGL Director Trish we are living in today,” said El-

Senior Madison Martin reviews ‘Spillover’ by David Quammen, an assigned reading for the Isdell Global Leaders. the theme. He applied because he was an ICGL Fellow for Global Health last year, and thought that the Isdell Global Leader program would give him the opportunity to “dive deeper into global health.”

White explained her thoughts about not being able to travel as

an IGL this year. “I would say that I am definitely sad that we are unable to travel this year, but luckily we live in Atlanta, where the headquarters of CDC is located, so it will still make it an interesting year considering the circumstances,” she said.

Freshmen Navigate Transition to High School want you to succeed.” According to Mrs. Terry, their teachers feel the same affection towards them.

“They are already huge fans of the Class of 2024,” she said.

A big part of the transition for freshmen is adjusting to the increased workload. “We have a lot more homework, but having free periods is nice,” said freshman Hannah Much. Free periods are typically used to work on homework or hang out with friends, and “they were, like, a lot stricter in middle school,” according to Much.

The 33 students who are new to Pace have an even harder transition, but they continue to work hard and adapt. Kohn enjoys the environment of Pace and says that her transition to Pace has been “great.”

“The easiest part was getting to know my teachers,” said freshman Ross Bernath, who is also new to Pace. “The hardest part was finding my classes the first day.” Bernath looks forward to “getting to know more people and connecting with [his] teachers more.”

Beyond making new friends, freshman Christian Johnson looks forward to playing high school sports, including football and lacrosse.

Despite the challenges, the Class of 2024 is persevering

with adjusting to Upper School and COVID-19 guidelines.

“Class of 2024 is crushing it, even given these tough pandemic times,” said Mrs. Terry. “There are so many layers of transitions happening here, and I’m just really impressed with how they’re handling all of it right now.”

Mrs. Terry believes that since the freshmen were not in high school last year, they can be leaders for our new normal.

“Instead of saying, it wasn’t like this last year, they have an opportunity to really just sort of shape what it is now.”

Photo: Stella Nelson

Transitioning from middle to high school is challenging enough. To make things even harder, Pace freshmen are maneuvering this transition during a pandemic. Even freshmen who are coming from the Pace Middle School are “picking up in person with going back to school, but it’s totally different from what they left in March,” according to Caitlin Terry, the dean for the class of 2024.

Just as the Pace eighth grade moving up ceremony had to be shifted to Zoom, the annual freshman retreat required significant modifications due to the pandemic. Instead of the usual trip to Camp Skyline, freshmen spent a Saturday morning on the Pace upper field with senior peer leaders. “It was a nice chance to meet more people in my grade,” said freshman Vivian Kohn, who is new to Pace.

There were nine stations for games, including soccer, trivia and duck duck goose. Everyone wore masks and stayed in small groups to maintain social distancing. “I’m so proud of the peer leaders for coming up with

a morning of good team building activities,” said Mrs. Terry.

Throughout the year, freshmen meet with their peer leaders every D period on Thursdays.

“We have done a scavenger hunt, and we have worked with our freshmen to form classroom guidelines,” said senior leader Hugh Douglas, whose peer leader partner is Lizzy Kaye.

“Overall, the freshmen are very receptive to Peer Leadership and the activities we do,” he said.

Mrs. Terry is already getting to know the 124 ninth graders that she will be working with for the next four years. “I have already learned that they are thoughtful,” she said. “They are good communicators, they care about one another, they’re really excited to be back together as a group, and they’re excited to have their new peers join them.”

Mrs. Terry is also thankful to be able to meet most of her students in person even though there are restrictions. “My least favorite part of the job is telling people they have to stand apart because I know how badly we all want to get together,” she said.

Members of the Class of 2024 have already expressed great appreciation for their teachers. “The teachers made it easier to transition,” said freshman Henry Levenson. “They

(L-R) Freshmen Holland Delley and Katherine Davis take on a scavenger hunt to learn the identities of their peer leaders.

Pace News

Vol. 46, Issue #1

The Knightly News - Page 7

Zoom Learning Returns To Pace

Photo: Ryan Varma

school. “It’s good because I can email teachers and talk to them more easily,” she said.

Nonetheless, getting to know the rest of her grade hasn’t been quite as straightforward as she As the COVID-19 pandemic would have hoped. “I don’t recontinues to impact schools ally know that many people,” she around the world, students of all said. “I’ve met a few people but I ages have had to adapt to taking really can’t see that many people classes online. This is true of on a daily basis.”

Pace as well, which continues to When the freshmen got tooffer its students the ability to gether for the scavenger hunt on attend classes virtually even as the first day of peer leadership, it opened its doors physically for since Daneen was on Zoom, she the new school year beginning was unable to participate. She on Aug. 12. has also had to Zoom in for subDuring the summer, the sequent peer leadership meetnumber of new COVID-19 cases ings, which has taken away from in the United States increased the bonding experience. On top from around 18,000 to over of all of this, she also faces the 75,000 daily. Within Georgia Juniors Ryan Varma and Giana Karamanolis Zoom into Mr. Player’s AP English Literature class. technical difficulties of Zoom alone, the average number of Pictured clockwise from top left: Bailey Player, Ryan Varma and Giana Karamanolis. along with the rest of the online new cases per day increased community. from around 800 to over 4,000. take” she said. On the contrary, When asked if there is a daily basis. That number has Katherine Khajavi. “There have Since then, schools that have she is taking extra precautions to anything that could be imsince dropped as students have been a few times this week reopened in the Atlanta area folprotect her grandmother, getting proved with the overall zoom become more dynamic with their where I just could not hear anylowing the summer break have tested every few weeks. “It’s experience, all four students learning process. Some stuthing at all.” witnessed a similar always negative,” she reports. had a similar response. “Some dents have made a perOne of the biggest probrise in COVID-19 Pinsker and her family, on teachers end up focusing on the manent change to lems this year has been with As cases within the other hand, decided it would people in person more, and those attending school the audio. Without any proper technical istheir communibe best to hold off on heading who are on Zoom are just kinda in person, microphones attached to either sues have started to ties. Families back to school considering how sitting there listening,” said while other teachers or students, the audio who spent high the COVID-19 numbers Polk. “I can’t really ask quesfeedback has been extremely pile up, more and more students their sumwere in Georgia. “I think that in tions,” Khajaviv added, outlincontinue to muffled, making it difficult students have found mer traveling the next few weeks if no one gets ing the struggles of grabbing her switch back to understand what’s being attending school physi- and forth be- taught at times. This has been a COVID and things are looking either inside teachers’ attention at times. or outside the pretty good, then I’ll be able to Despite this, all the students tween virtual problem across all grades. “It’s cally to be more apU.S. became go back to school,” she said. “I appreciate the efforts that all and in-person hard to hear everything that the pealing. just wish since everyone else is potential threats their teachers are making. “I learning. students say,” said sophomore back, I could be back too.” to furthering the think for the most part the teachAs technical isCaitlyn Pinsker. “It’s harder to All three students spread of the virus. ers are doing a really good sues have started to pile participate in some classes.” agreed that one job trying to include the Although the vast majority up, more and more students have According to Class of 2022 “I of the hardest virtual kids,” said of Pace students have returned found attending school physiDean Ben Ewing, some teachers think for the parts of online Pinsker. to attend school in person, some cally to be more appealing. As of have already started troublelearning was Beyond the students have chosen to take the last tally, the number of stushooting the problem, and have most part the teachseeing everytechnical issues their classes virtually out of dents attending school virtually adjusted the preferences within ers are doing a really and classroom one else back concerns regarding the safety is down to 30 students, many of Zoom to eliminate background good job trying to physically, dynamics, there and welfare of their families and whom are also attending school noise. Upon changing this setand not being are a different set themselves. “It’s just been very in person on some days. ting, he reports that students in include the virtual there with of challenges that odd.” said junior Jermiah Polk, One of the more substantial his class “have had much less kids.” – Caitlyn them. virtual kids face. who lives almost 35 miles away concerns which students and difficulty hearing their peers.”

Pinsker This is even Being on a laptop from Pace. Polk’s father works faculty both shared was with the Mr. Ewing added that some more of a challenge for hours straight while for Beecher Hills Elementary technology of Zoom. According teachers have tried other soluattending back to back classes School, a part of the Atlanta to some students, that doesn’t tions such as connecting stronger for freshman Rachel Daneen, who is new to Pace. can become extremely tiring. In Public School system. seem to be the case. In fact, microphones to their computers, Being both online and a new addition, there is the frustration Because all Atlanta public there doesn’t seem to have been while others are using AirPods student, Daneen has had to adapt of not being able to see friends. schools have started the year vir- much improvement in terms of as the microphone. in the way that she has settled For now, however, these four tually, Polk’s father is unable to connection and WiFi stability Khajavi and Pinsker’s deciinto Pace. “It’s harder to meet students plan on continuing with drive him to school as he has in despite the efforts of the Pace sions to go online this year both people,” she noted, “but picking their virtual agenda. the past “It could be better, but tech team. On top of that, as stemmed from family concerns. up the pace of things hasn’t been given the situation that we are in Pace merged both their online Khajavi, who frequently visits as hard.” She has found that, right now, it’s OK,” said Polk. academia with in person, a new her grandmother, was worried academically, being online has There were a total of 37 set of challenges has emerged. about how her interactions at had its benefits in helping her students across the Upper School “Sometimes the audio can school would affect her health. who started the year virtually on be really really bad,” said senior “It’s just not a risk I’m willing to get settled into Pace and high

Waste a Concern of that stuff is recyclable, if you eat out of it, and then put it in a recycling system, it contaminates the entire system with food waste on it,” said Mr. Ward.

Flik Dining has worked hard to deal with the unusual circumstances that come with boxed lunches. “We know that there’s roughly 1200 students here, but we don’t know how many are virtual on a given day, or how many of y’all are going to want a hot tray or a salad or a sandwich,” said Director of Dining Services John Young.

After the first week, Flik implemented some changes in their food production. “The

changes in our salad bar were done purely to help reduce waste, because we were making all these salads that had the proteins on them and only had a one day shelf life,” said Mr. Young.

“But yet, if we take the protein, separate them out and let you all choose the salad you want, we can hold the proteins longer, and then just focus on not wasting the lettuce.”

Mr. Young understands that students are hesitant to waste food in the packed meals that they do not want. “We’re going to be putting specialized items that we know that y’all like, such as the breadsticks, the French

(Continued from page 5) fries, and maybe the mac and cheese or something like that, in smaller individual containers,” he said. As of right now, he would like to encourage students to wait until the rush has passed and then go ask the staff for a certain dish if they do not want the entire meal.

Flik is also using statistics to improve their gauge on the quantity of food they need to produce.

Students have acknowledged the drastic increase in waste and understand that while some waste is necessary to combat the spreading of germs, the Pace community has room for improvement.

“With the new lunch system, I ideally eat all that I can, but I do end up wasting some of the food I do not want and I wish that like last year, we had separate bins for plastic and food waste,” said freshman Dhru Lalaji.

“We must bring back the compost bins,” agrees junior Allison Silverboard. “I also think we could switch to biodegradable or compostable containers rather than the plastic containers in the cafeteria.” Silverboard takes measures in her personal life to limit her carbon footprint as well. “I only use washable masks that I purchase from lo-

cal, small businesses,” she said.

Along with her suggestions to switch out the paper towels in classrooms with biodegradable towels and purchase disinfectants that are better for the environment, Silverboard would like to encourage Pace to use its resources to become more sustainable.

Flik has heard the community’s suggestions and is going to work with the ICGL program to implement composting systems in the lunchroom. They also donate all leftover meals to Second Helpings, an organization that supports people who struggle with food insecurities.

September 25, 2020

Pace News

The Knightly News - Page 8

New Teachers Join Upper School (Continued from page 1)

Photo: Jamie Kornheiser

here and make them well as the 2012 High School feel accepted, regardNational Champions. less of whatever their Greenhill School is also identity may be.” where Director of Athletics Chad Mr. Dubey loves Wabrek worked, so Mr. Forslund getting to interact had a connection to Pace before with students to help joining the faculty. “I have been foster their intellectual on campus several times for curiosity. “There are debate tournaments over the smart kids everywhere, years, and I also worked with and I strongly believe the [former] athletic director at in tapping into that Greenhill, Mr. Wabrek.” potential,” he said. “If Before teaching debate, Mr. you can really get a kid Forslund aspired to be an umexcited about something pire. “I actually went to profesor thinking about some- sional umpire school because thing in a different way, I wanted to be a Major League it can unlock something umpire,” he said. “That was my that is really beautiful career goal.” Instead, he acin their minds.” cepted an offer to coach debate Mr. Dubey is an in his home state of Wyoming at New math teacher Emily Spillane works with junior Harper White while avid Atlanta Hawks fan, the University of Wyoming. utilizing the new virtual technology. and has also embraced a Aside from debate, Mr. newfound hobby: cooking. “I’m Forslund loves playing golf, have to relearn everyone’s faces summer from Rhodes College trying to make really good tastwatching professional baseball and names,” she said. in Memphis with a master’s in ing food that doesn’t make you and going to the movies with Ancient World History education. He knew he wanted feel awful afterwards,” he said. friends. He is looking forward Honors and AP World History to come back home, so when he Mr. Dubey wants his stuto “growing [the debate] proteacher Mindy Lawrence was offered an interview with dents to know he gram and getting recently moved to Atlanta from Pace, he was excited for the opalways has their “If you can really get more people into Maryland. She grew up in portunity. best interest at it.” He is already Rhode Island and went to Brown During his senior year of heart. “If every- a kid excited about working on setting University, earning her undercollege, Mr. Sherrell took a body does well in something or thinkup virtual debate graduate degree in history and course called the Foundations my class, that is ing about something tournaments for his American civilization. of Education. This influenced my dream. And current debaters.

In January, Mrs. Lawrence him to go back to school for his I’m going to do in a different way, Assistant Band and her husband made the decimaster’s degree. ”It gave me the whatever I can to it can unlock someDirector Savansion to move to Atlanta with true background that I needed help them get to nah Kelly was thing that is retheir 5-year-old daughter after born and raised in terms of the courses and the that point.”

Mr. Lawrence got a job at Emory experience in the classroom.” He A native Aus- ally beautiful in their in Georgia, and Law School. Then came COValso knew he wanted to coach tralian, English minds.” – Shresttha she graduated ID-19. “Trying to [move] during from Kennesaw football, which he is now doing teacher Aviva the pandemic was some kind of State University as the varsity football quality Hyams moved Dubey nightmare. We came down one to Atlanta about in December 2019. control coach for defense. weekend, looked at a couple of This April, she had an intimate Stepping into a new job right a year ago with her husband and schools for my daughter and two children. Previously, they quarantine wedding in her parafter graduating can be chalwe looked at, like, 22 houses or had lived in Australia where her ents’ backyard with her immedilenging, but Mr. Sherrell also something and happened to find husband, who is from Georgia, ate family. She began working has to face the obstacles that the something we liked.” played professional basketball. at Pace in January; however, pandemic poses. “I don’t really The history teacher position She graduated from Austraher first semester was cut short know what you look like, I just at Pace opened up late July on lian Catholic University with a when COVID-19 struck and see your eyeballs,” said Mr. a Wednesday. By Friday, Mrs. degree in English language and ended in-person learning for the Sherrell. “And that is the toughLawrence had secured the job. literature. year. est part because as a teacher, “I knew the reputation of Pace, It was not until after having At the beginning of her colyou depend on a lot of nonverbal so when the position opened up, children that Ms. Hyams decided lege career, Mrs. Kelly began cues to manage the classroom. it just seemed like serendipity to she wanted to teach. She earned studying both nursing and music You use those nonverbal cues me.” a double degree in education and performance. However, in her and facial expressions to help History is Mrs. Lawrence’s junior year, she decided to drop you gauge where the class is, and literature. “It turned out that a nursing and pick up education. passion, in and outside of the lot of my family members that that does not exist anymore.”

Having taught at public classroom. “I love doing hisI didn’t really know as a child When Mr. Sherrell is not school for her courses in college, torical research,” she said. “Last were also educators. I think this teaching or coaching, he enjoys the smaller class sizes at Pace year I got to go to Stanford to was my calling.” working out, playing chess and really appealed to Mrs. Kelly.

Pace appealed to Ms. Hyams learn from one of watching movies. because of the many options “It was challenging [at public my history idols “If we have to wear New Analytical that it has to offer.

“There are school] because having 60-70 (Richard White, Chemistry Honors masks and wash our so many opportunities here to kids in band to teach all at once, a professor emerteacher Shresttha you can’t cater towards the indiitus at Stanford desks and spray our Dubey is also from grow,” she said. “The more I’m spending time here, I have been vidual.” who studies the hands 2,000 times a Georgia. He went seeing the diversity of every to Lambert High Teaching band gets a little Progressive Era aspect of Pace.” tricky when it comes to the and Gilded Age), day, I’m happy to do School in Suwanee Ms. Hyams loves to travel virtual learners. “We meet with and the summer that in order to stay and attended Georgia Tech for college. to watch basketball, whether them totally separately because before, I got to here.” – Mindy A few years that be to see her children, her it’s very difficult to go at the spend a month Lawrence ago, Mr. Dubey husband or her brother, who also same time,” said Mrs. Kelly. in Chicago taught at Keeping played professionally in Austra“We give them stuff online researching the Pace. “That was a nice way to lia. She looks forward to helping through Google Classroom to development of hot dogs.” all her students thrive. “We will do, and for upper school, we try While the pandemic has put a be introduced to the school,” he get through this together as a to meet with them once a week pause on “normal” for now, Mrs. said. However, when seeking a job for this year, Pace appealed team,” she said.

Lawrence is looking forward on Zoom to see their faces and to Mr. Dubey because of the Eric Forslund, new Dito, hopefully, continue teaching reassure them that they are not school’s response to the events rector of Speech and Debate, in person. “If we have to wear behind.” of the summer related to racial arrived in Atlanta on Aug. 1 Outside of playing instrumasks and wash our desks and injustice. from Dallas, Texas, where he ments, her primary being the spray our hands 2,000 times “I like that Pace Academy, as had served as director of policy oboe, Mrs. Kelly loves board a day, I’m happy to do that in one of the top institutions in the and debate for Greenhill School. games. “My siblings and my order to stay here.” state, is still making efforts to He went to college at Arizona husband’s siblings, we all get toAlso new to the history keep everybody in the commuState University and was a Colgether, like, every other week to department is Ancient World nity educated and motivated,” legiate All-American debater. play board games where we get Civilizations teacher Duke he said. “I like trying to make He coached the 2008 Collegiate really competitive,” she said.

Sherrell. An Atlanta native, Mr. Sherrell graduated this past my students feel like they belong National Debate Champions as

New Pace Teachers Lower School Ms. Natalie Catlett: Director of Design Thinking Ms. Elizabeth Collins: First Grade Associate Teacher Mrs. Jennifer Fedosky: Third Grade Associate Teacher Ms. Michelle Fuster: World Language Teacher Ms. Andrea Green: Third Grade Associate Teacher Ms. Jiwoo Lee: First Grade Associate Teacher Ms. Adrienne Margine: Pre-first Grade Associate Teacher Ms. Victa McCray: Pre-first Grade Associate Teacher Ms. Goldie Wong: Fourth Grade Associate Teacher

Middle School Mr. Chris Berry: STEAM Mrs. Julie Hampton: MS Technology, STEAM and Discovery Ms. Theresa Jespersen: History Ms. Suzanne Jurado: World Language

Upper School Mr. Shresttha Dubey: Science Mr. Eric Forslund: Director of Speech and Debate Mrs. Aviva Hyams: English Ms. Judy Landers: Math Mrs. Mindy Lawrence: History Mr. Duke Sherrell: History Mrs. Emily Spillane: Math

Other Mrs. Heather Bernes: Associate Director of MS/US Admissions Mrs. Savannah Kelly: Band Mr. Thomas Tifft: Fine Arts Center Assistant Technical Director

Vol. 46, Issue #1

Opinion

The Knightly News - Page 9

Black at Pace: Changes Needed

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

feeling somewhat alone and uncared for.

In order to properly address the many issues that are hidden beneath the surface, we must drop this guise and understand that assemblies and new faculty positions are not enough to create the perfectly welcoming environment we claim to have already achieved. Systemic changes must be made. To make changes without fixing the system we’re within is akin to using bandaids on a stab wound.

Black at Pace revealed a side to our school that most Black students had already been victims of. A side of our school that is ugly, but fixable, and which must be uncovered before any progress is to be made. The side of our school which has, thus far, placed white people at the center of every course. The side of our school that has taught its Black students about segregation and slavery, but left out the contributions of Black inventors. The side of our school that has heard white students using the N-word and ignored it, even after it was brought to their attention by Black students. The side of our school that seems to prioritize the word of white students over that of Black students in the honor and disciplinary system.

The Pace Action Plan for Racial Equity is just the first step toward making an array of changes that must be built into the framework of our community. As previously mentioned, the honor and discipline system currently in place fails to treat its Black students equally.

Pace’s Action Plan addresses this explicitly, claiming that Pace will carefully “examine the culture around the school’s disciplinary system to ensure an equitable, educational, transparent and restorative process.” Thorough examination, of course, is the first step. It is what Pace does with the findings that will prove to be the most impactful.

Though systemic change is, of course, the most important, we also must address individual encounters with racist faculty and peers. All of this leads us to one conclusion; if Pace truly wants to support the students, as the administration says it does, it must be prepared for some uncomfortable conversations.

It’s 8 a.m. on Aug. 12. Students flood into the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School from the parking lot, and some sit at home on their computers, waiting to be let into a Zoom room. The students at school greet each other differently, not with hugs or high-fives, but with an elbow bump or a simple hello. Face masks are everywhere, ranging from plain blue to bedazzled with jewels.

Desks are spaced out, hand sanitizer stations are at every door, and students line up for a temperature check at the entrance. It’s the day no one thought would arrive: the first day of school.

The reopening of schools across the country has been a controversial topic. There are problems with hybrid learning, social distancing, and scientists are still figuring out how COVID-19 affects kids compared to adults. But even through all this, reopening was the right decision for Pace and should be for most schools across the country.

The impact of the coronavirus is less widespread and severe for children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, as of Sept. 3, a total of 513,415 child COVID-19 cases in the U.S. were reported, with children representing 9.8% of all cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), children (ages 0-17) represent 22% of the population in the U.S.

The CDC reports that the “true incidence of SARSCoV-2 infection in children is not known due to lack of widespread testing and the prioritization of testing for adults and those with severe illness. Hospitalization rates in children are significantly lower than hospitalization rates in adults with COVID-19, suggesting that children may have less severe illness from COVID-19 compared to adults.”

But children can be asymptomatic and still come home and spread the virus to adults. Schools like Pace work incredibly hard to prevent this from happening.

Schools that don’t have the funding to afford thermal cameras, elaborate hybrid learning setups, and socially distanced classrooms also are not out of luck.

The CDC reports that the rate of infection among younger school children, and from students to teachers, has been low. There have been few reports of children being the primary source of COVID-19 transmission among family members.

There are also numerous alarming problems with online learning. According to the Northwest Evaluation Association, studies predict that students who lack steady instruction during the school shutdown retain only 70% of their annual reading gains compared with a normal year. According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, full-time virtual public charter schools found that they performed worse than traditional public schools and showed weaker academic gains for all demographic subgroups of students.

Lack of in-person learning is also a problem for low

income families. Low income families many times don’t have conducive spaces to learn from home, and often have limited computer and internet access, relying on the school to support their studies. A study by researchers at Brown and Harvard assessed how 800,000 students used Zearn, an online math program, both before and after schools closed in March 2020. Data showed that through late April, student progress in math decreased by about half, with the negative impact more pronounced in lowincome zip codes.

School gives students access to social and mental health services. At school, children feel safe and connected, which is associated with lower levels of depression, thoughts about suicide, social anxiety, and sexual activity, as well as higher levels of self-esteem and more adaptive use of free time, according to data from the CDC. Extended closures can also harm younger students’ development.

In an in-person school environment, children more easily learn how to develop and maintain friendships, how to behave in groups, and how to interact and form relationships. Without school, children cannot fully develop socially and emotionally. Remote learning also ignores the difficulties for students with disabilities or developmental delays.

Yes, it will be difficult. But the benefits of opening school outweigh the negative outcomes of reopening.

Schools need to reopen and invest in the future generations, but only if they are able to take precautions to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak.

A Black at Pace Instagram post chronicles racism at Pace.

Photo: @blackatpace_

This summer, the Pace community watched as marches and protests for racial justice spread across our country and the rest of the world. One such march happened right in front of our school, on West Paces Ferry.

However, as we addressed the injustices of the outside world, we began to reflect on our experiences closer to home. This reflection spawned the Black at Pace Instagram account.

Black At Pace first posted on June 17, saying that the account was created “to give space to current students, alumni, parents and teachers/faculty who have ever experienced racism, micro-aggressions or discrimination while at Pace.” In just 10 days, the account had generated 164 posts (many with multiple grievances) and 1361 followers before it stopped accepting new submissions.

The account caused a ripple through the entire Pace community. Posts ran the gamut from calling out specific faculty members to concerns about unjust discipline to use of the N-word among the student body. Black students were glad to see people finally being held accountable, while white students may have opened their eyes to the fact that Pace was not the bubble of comfort they may have seen it as before.

And so, a question remains to be answered: Has Pace failed its Black students?

Purposefully? No. However, being Black at Pace has many feeling lost and unsupported. From things like having to push harder to get into AP classes, to unexplained firings that seemed to be a result of racial conflict, it is clear to most Black students that the environment they are in was not built for them or those who would advocate for them.

Though Pace has seemingly done its best to address this issue in recent years by creating more diversity positions and making a point to hire more Black faculty, these efforts do not change the fact that Pace has failed to create a system in which all students can feel safe and comfortable.

Though I’ve been lucky enough to not have experienced the overt racism that many of my Black peers have, I have had my own run-ins with the prejudice that our own community tries to hide. Having been here since sixth grade, it would be nearly impossible for me to emerge unscathed. From teachers doling out more punishment to me than my white peers who were guilty of the same offense, to a classmate telling me my hair looked like a “mushroom cloud” I have been made forcibly aware that I am different than most of the students at Pace. Through its masquerade as a perfectly progressive and post-racial school, Pace has left its students of color

Reopening: The Right Decision

Co-Editors-in-Chief: Mary Childs Hall Jamie Kornheiser Darren Rosing

Sports Editor: Bennett Boushka Current Affairs Editor Sam Webb

Managing Editor: Ashley Myers

Web Content Editor: Gabriel Kadoori

News Editor: Isabel Battista

Multimedia Editor: Amalia Haviv

Opinion Editor: Sloane Wagreich

Photos Editor/Social Media Editor Meghna Singha

Lifestyle Editor: Megan Hardesty

Visuals Editor Kathryn Hood

Staff Writers: Niko Karetsos, Emmy Mininberg, Stella Nelson, Ryan Varma, Jack Wagreich, Mary Amelia Weiss, Jayla Wideman Faculty Advisers: Robert Kaufman, Lee Wilson Tech Adviser: Matt Walker

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 600 copies are printed by School Publications Company.

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.

September 25, 2020

Lifestyle

The Knightly News - Page 10

Students Make Productive Use of Time While Sheltering in Place

social distance.

Senior Rory Flint learned to fly planes over quarantine.

“Before I go to college, I would like to have another, more distinguishing major achievement, both for myself and the factors of my future,” he said. “I have been fascinated and involved with aviation for my entire life.”

Flint’s dad works in the aviation industry.

“I would have done this regardless of quarantine, and I’m lucky that it does not interfere,” said Flint. “Fortunately, I was not nervous starting out because I have ridden in small

four-seat planes many times...

Moving freely through the air in a very light aircraft is a unique experience, which makes me feel vulnerable, disciplined, and responsible, and I am proud to be able to operate on my own.”

The aircraft Flint trains in is a Cessna 172S, and he added that flying always brings a new challenge to work through, which makes it all worth it. “In the future, I could potentially move on to train for higher levels of aircraft, such as multi-engine and then jets,” Flint said.

While Pace students excelled in sports while in self-isolation,

many pursued arts as well.

Sophomore Sara Mazur started knitting over quarantine because she “was bored and had nothing to do.” Similarly, sophomore Brooke McCullough took up painting as her hobby while sheltering at home. She said that she painted multiple pictures of Italian landscapes.

Having already mastered the violin and piano, sophomore Eloise Gaudet learned to play her third instrument, the guitar, because she visited her grandparents who had no WiFi at their house, but they did have a guitar.

Gaudet also learned to code in

It has been six months since Pace was forced to shut its campus and shift to virtual learning last March, but COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on people’s lives. Beyond the physical and economic repercussions, the coronavirus has taken its toll on the mental health of many in the U.S. and elsewhere. Still, many people avoid seeking help when it comes to mental health because they do not want to be perceived as weak by family and friends.

“Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common,” says The Mayo Clinic on its website.

The medical center goes on to provide numerous methods that one can use to deal with this stigma, one of them being to avoid isolation by “reach[ing] out to people you trust for the compassion, support and understanding you need.” But, as the

world continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, avoiding isolation has become more challenging than ever as face to face interaction is discouraged due to safety concerns.

A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that there has been a significant increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults. In May, the weekly average number of adults in the United States reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression during the pandemic was at 34.5%. This number rose to 36.5% in June and to 40.1% in July.

In the first half of 2019, just one year ago, only 11% of adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder. This dramatic increase is largely attributed to stress caused by isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether they be introverts or extroverts, humans are a social species. Science teacher Kaylan Haizlip, despite identifying herself as a “classic introvert,” says her mental health has been impacted by the isolation she’s experienced in recent months.

“I felt very happy early on in

quarantine but then, later on, it started to negatively affect me because I wasn’t able to talk to anybody when [Zoom] school was over.”

Dr. Haizlip said that initially, Zoom calls seemed to “satisfy [her] social needs,” but gradually her longing for human contact increased as she began to realize the importance of human interaction. “I think the thing that has affected me the most, other than just interacting with people, is physical touch,” she said. “I’m not really a hugger, but I realized that I do need a hug occasionally.

I’m missing hugs.”

Adults are not the only ones whose mental health is affected as a result of isolation. According to Newport Academy, a non-profit therapy program for adolescents, socially isolated teens often experience chronic loneliness, which can result in increased stress, difficulty sleeping, increased incidence of alcohol and drug use, higher levels of depression or anxiety, and hopelessness.

Junior Hannah Genser said that she lost “tons of motivation” during quarantine. “I started to

go to bed really late, watch lots of TV and stay inside a lot,” she said. “I also lost motivation to play soccer, which I normally love.”

While most schools around the country continue their learning remotely, Pace reopened its campus with many new safety measures in place. Being able to learn in person and have socially distanced interactions with friends is improving the spirits of many Pace students and teachers alike. Put simply in the words of Genser, “I like to be

Photo: Brooke McCullough

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Pace Academy last March, students reluctantly went into shelter at home mode. Separation from friends and school seemed like it would be a solely negative and isolating experience; however, while the isolating aspect is true, Pace students came out of this unexpected time with a vast variety of new skills and habits. From trying out new fitness regiments to learning a new language, Pace Knights demonstrated their resilience under tough circumstances.

For example, freshman George Thompson decided to start mountain biking, a skill he had always wanted to try.

Thompson said that he’s also “gotten used to having to wear a mask,” a somewhat annoying but necessary habit that every student can relate to.

Senior Robert Houser improved his golf game, he said, and “ran a lot with [his] friends over quarantine” in order to productively utilize his time.

Sophomore Hanna Yilma “got into fitness” and started exercising more. Junior McLean Eagleson started running because she no longer had soccer practice. The overwhelming majority of students said that they started new hobbies due to boredom and the need for something to do while maintaining

Sophomore Brooke McCullough took up painting while sheltering in place. Pictured is her painting of a balcony in Italy.

her spare time.

Senior Harley Ryan made use of the time by learning the Greek language. “I have always been really into Latin, and I want to study Classics in college, so I wanted to get a head start on Ancient Greek before I got to that point,” Ryan said.

Ryan took a 40 hour class while at home because his in-person Latin program got cancelled due to COVID-19. “I really wanted to continue my classical studies,” said Ryan.

Both sophomore Marley Venturi and junior Margo Kaye improved their cooking and baking skills when they did not have much else to do. Kaye said that her mom was apprehensive about her going to restaurants but did not always want to cook, so Kaye started cooking more for herself.

Many students also mentioned improving their time management skills during this time, including junior Allison Silverboard. Silverboard also started a small dog walking business because she had so much more time and wanted the exercise.

“One of my neighbors reached out to me and said he needed help with walking his dogs,” she said. “I was also pretty bored and had some extra free time. This was definitely rewarding because I was able to exercise while getting to hang out with dogs. It was pretty chill.

If anyone is looking for an easy job, I would definitely recommend dog walking.”

COVID-19 Isolation Affects Mental Health

Illustration: Kathryn Hood Illustration: Kathryn Hood around other people because it makes me happier.”

Upper School Counselor Sara Eden pointed out “how much happier people are being back at school.” “Now I see many people worried about going back to [isolation],” she said. “To be able to continue in-person learning, which is so important for everyone’s mental health, Pace students must continue to do their part in social distancing and keeping the community safe.”

Lifestyle

Vol. 46, Issue #1

The Knightly News - Page 11

Students Adjust to Mask Requirement

1.

Medical Masks

2.

Gaiter

3.

Can block splashes and large particle droplets.

Not intended to be used more than once.

Separates particles in air into smaller particles.

Potentially worse than wearing no face mask; can give wearer a false sense of security.

One of the best options for masks for ordinary people. Can block splashes and large droplets, and be used more than once.

N95 Respirator

6.

Helps protect the wearer, but ineffective in protecting others. Should probably only be used when wearing a face mask.

Should not be used unless there is an emergency, ineffective as proved by historical events.

Plague Mask

Face Shield

Designed to form seal around mouth and nose.

Usually should only be used by medical personnel.

If you had told someone in 2019 that we would soon have to shield half of our faces from the world to protect ourselves from a pandemic, that person would have laughed. If you had explained to them that instead of complimenting people on their new shirt or decorated senior backpack, we would be asking where the best place to purchase a fun mask is, not only would they have been confused, they may have become concerned.

5.

Today, this abnormal reality has become the norm in our society, as masks are now an essential.

A huge variety of masks are now available for purchase, ranging from cloth masks to surgical masks and even plastic face shields. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, N95 masks are one of the most protective face masks. They are fitted and prevent any form of respiration from reaching another person.

While these masks are wellsuited for coronavirus protection, they are in short supply and utilized primarily by health care workers.

Cloth masks are the most common type of masks worn by

Graphic: Kathryn Hood

4.

Cloth Masks

Pace students, as they come in a variety of colors and patterns.

These masks properly conceal students’ noses and mouths and are relatively comfortable to wear throughout the day.

To ensure that masks are protecting not only themselves but the people around them, students can engage in what some call “the candle test.” If students can blow out a candle while wearing their mask, this means that too much air is traveling through the mask, potentially carrying the coronavirus with it.

Gaiters have also gained in popularity, but are not as protective as many may think. Gaiters are similar to bandanas, as they

are long pieces of cloth that rest around peoples’ necks and can be pulled up over their nose.

While this may seem beneficial and serve its purpose, according to The Washington Post, they should not be used as protection against the coronavirus because gaiters are often made from thinner material, allowing smaller sized particles to get through, thereby making COVID-19 easier to contract.

Pace students have mostly complied with the mask policies and are making the best of the current situation. Students and faculty wear patterned and tiedye masks to school on a day-today basis, turning masks from a

burden into fashion. “I ordered a pack of colored masks and wear a blue one every day to school,” said junior Catherine Crawford.

“I also have a few tie-dye ones and they are all very comfortable to wear during the school day.”

Students are required to wear their masks throughout the day, only removing them for lunch and when they are outside, socially distanced from one another.

“It’s nice to be able to take my mask off outside,” said senior Anthony Salazar. “Although it’s only a few minutes each day, it makes a huge difference.”

Ban on TikTok Averted with Oracle, Walmart Deal Illustration: Sam Webb

As tensions rise between the United States and China, TikTok – the popular app with over 80 million monthly users, diehard fanatics and Charli D’Amelio – continues to receive scrutiny. On Aug. 6, President Trump signed an executive order requiring ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) to either sell or spin off its TikTok business in the U.S. The order stipulated that all U.S. transactions with ByteDance would be blocked after Sept. 20 if these conditions were not met, due to national security concerns. TikTok is a video sharing platform that specializes in lip-syncing, dance and humorous videos of 15-60 seconds.

On Sept. 14, Oracle struck a deal with ByteDance that would make Oracle TikTok’s U.S. partner. Under the agreement, ByteDance would still hold a majority stake in the company, with Oracle owning 20%.

In the past, Mr. Trump has

Business analysts saw these four companies as the most likely candidates to reach a deal with TikTok after President Trump’s Aug. 6 executive order. expressed great respect for Oracle and the company’s chairman, Larry Ellison. Oracle’s cloud systems, which compete with Microsoft and Google, are poised to reap great benefits from their new position and catch up to their competitors.

Then, just before the Sept.

20 deadline, Walmart partnered with Oracle to create a new entity: TikTok Global. The new company will be headquartered in the United States. Some are critical of the deal because Byte-

Dance still will hold majority ownership in TikTok. However, President Trump has approved the deal “in concept,” according to National Public Radio (NPR). This approval is powerful enough to override the ban which was scheduled to go into effect at midnight on Sep. 20.

Analysts say that Walmart can now expand their e-commerce sector to a particular demographic, young people, and possibly sell their products on TikTok. The deal still needs

to be finalized by Oracle and Walmart, as well as by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

TikTok’s biggest opponents claim that the app is a decoy for the Chinese Communist Party’s surveillance on the American people. Others viewed the Trump administration’s executive order as a result of rising xenophobia and diminishing relations between the U.S. and China. There is no proof of either, however there are concerns that TikTok is gathering user data. This user data could be used for cyber breaches targeting American institutions, some of which have already occurred, according to U.S. officials.

Although these growing concerns cannot be disregarded, experts said that banning TikTok is an overreaction. Executives at TikTok have repeatedly stated that China has no jurisdiction over U.S. operations and that China has no access to personal information stored by the app.

Regardless, TikTok’s privacy policy states that it shares user information with a “parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of our corporate group” other-

wise known as ByteDance, the Chinese-owned company. Given that language, there is a possibility that TikTok sends user information to China, but nothing has been proven, according to Wired.

All of this scrutiny has forced TikTok to distance itself from Beijing. Over the past months, the app has taken its offices out of China and Hong Kong. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on lobbying efforts in Congress, according to Bloomberg.

The most likely scenario was for an American-based company to buy the app’s U.S. operations.

Among the potential buyers were Microsoft, Oracle, Netflix and Twitter. Bill Gates’ Microsoft had been talking with ByteDance for months, starting at the beginning of summer 2020.

The company was considered by many analysts most likely to make a deal, hence their 1.73 trillion dollar market capitalization.

The price of TikTok is unclear, but rumors range from 20 billion dollars to 60 billion dollars, according to the New York Times.

Sports

September 25, 2020

The Knightly News - Page 12

Sports Adjust to New Protocols

Photo: Bennett Boushka

As spring turned to summer, those working in the Pace athletics office shifted their focus to the next aspect of school life potentially hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic: fall sports. Preparation for Pace sports traditionally starts one season ahead of when athletes actually compete, so for fall sports that means returning to campus in the summer for workouts and practices.

This summer, however, due to the cancellation of all spring events, many questions arose about how Pace would handle workouts this summer. “Starting in March, [Gus] Whyte, Dr. [Troy] Baker, [Anna] Bush and I were having daily Zoom sessions all throughout the spring, maintaining between five to 10 options and weighing what the GHSA was suggesting, what we were hearing and what was best for Pace,” said newly named Athletic Director Chad Wabrek. “For all decisions we are balancing a fine line between GHSA protocol and school decision.”

The first teams to start activities were football, cheerleading and volleyball. In June, all three teams began workouts at the Riverview Athletic Complex where everyone adhered to social distancing protocols and wore masks at all times. “It was a terrific challenge and a wonderful opportunity to become a good team,” said Head Varsity Football Coach Chris Slade.

Another sport that started preparing over the summer for the fall season was cross country. “We are very lucky that in the past we had already practiced in groups of 10 and were usually spaced out,” said junior Robert Mallis.

“Because of this, our preseason routine stayed very similar to what we had done in the past.” Due to the emphasis on safety this summer, Pace has had no major outbreaks among its athletes or coaches.

While Pace has been able to successfully manage the situation thus far, there have been a few challenges.

“Getting to know the freshmen and integrating them into the team dynamic was more difficult this year due to having to be socially distanced and wearing a mask,” said Coach Slade. Teachers and students have also reported that meeting new people is the hardest thing about the new protocols.

Members of the Pace varsity girls volleyball team must wear masks to face their opponents on the court.

Wearing masks has also been a slight challenge for athletes who have had to wear masks while practicing and playing. “It has been manageable,” said sophomore softball player Victoria Hadley. “There have only been a few times where I found it hard to breathe because of my mask.”

Another challenge that the athletic department faced was that not every school took the same precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19. The volleyball team had to cancel a few matches because the other teams’ protocols did not comply with what Pace required, like not requiring their players to wear masks. Mr. Wabrek reported that for the athletic staff, the most difficult thing was that they could not provide certainty to the families of the athletes. “It required [the families] to be very flexible and we are very grateful that they were,” he said.

With COVID-19 expected to be a threat through the fall, many new policies and practices that have been adopted by Pace will remain in place. Fall seasons were delayed and shortened, with all senior nights moved to late August or early September. Fans have been limited

at games for most sports, with volleyball, cross country and softball currently only allowing parents and siblings of athletes to attend. For the football games, only parents, seniors, and 25 faculty members are allowed. By the time winter sports begin, students can expect to have some fans at games. However, the student sections of the past will most likely not be a possibility this year.

According to the athletic department, many of the safety protocols might remain even once COVID-19 has diminished, as they keep athletes safe. Also things like Zoom meetings may remain for the convenience of players and coaches. Players can expect updates from coaches and the athletic department through the fall and into the winter seasons.

“Overall we are focused on three things, and that is clarity, consistency and communication,” said Mr. Wabrek. “Those three words mean a lot to us, and we are doubling down on these efforts because we need our families to know that this matters to us, and that the safety and health of our students will always be number one in our mind.”

Crossing the Finish Line – XC Starts Strong

Photo: Fred Assaf

The boys and girls varsity cross country season is well underway with the region meet in less than a month, defying COVID-19 and bringing numerous victories back to Pace.

But the coronavirus has impacted the cross country team along with other Pace sports, preventing the team from training in large groups and stretching together. Fewer teams have been accepted to meets and the tents, acting as bases of operations, are significantly spread out. Varsity boys head coach Steve Cunningham split the runners into two groups; however, he soon reunited them, hoping that the senior leaders would establish a formidable, unifying chemistry with the new additions.

Runners trained throughout the summer, hoping to be fully prepared for the competitive fall season and the state championship. At meets, the teams have been limited to only racing their top 10 or 12 runners, which has been an adjustment for all

L-R) Pace runners Sam Webb, Robert Houser, Robert Mallis, George Blaha and Edward Blaha bolt around the corner of the track at the cross country time trials at Holy Innocents’ on Aug. 29. participants. The major invitational races have been cancelled, and the Knights’ schedule has changed a bit. GHSA moved the Pace athletics program down from division 3A to 2A, with the Knights now taking on new opponents such as McNair and KIPP Atlanta Collegiate. Lovett and Pace are the only two private schools in the 2A division.

The boys varsity top seven consists of juniors Edward Blaha, George Blaha, Robert Mallis

and Grant Thompson, and seniors Robert Houser, Sean Glennon and Sam Webb. At the Battle at Sandy Springs on Aug. 29, Edward and George Blaha, along with Webb, all set personal track records in the 3200. Edward Blaha was selected MileSplit GA’s runner “Who Won the Week” in GHSA Class AA after the NEGA Championships. He placed third in the 3-mile race with a time of 16:51. The varsity boys team overall has a record of 3-1.

Freshman Matthew Wells is a

powerful component of the boys top 12. “I feel the pressure to do my best because I’m going up against all the upperclassmen, but everybody does support each other on the team, so I feel like it takes some of the pressure that would be on me off,” he said.

The juniors believe he will act as one of their leading runners next year and look forward to seeing what else he brings to the table during this season.

Freshmen are also a promi-

nent element of the girls varsity team, with four in the top seven: Ellie Arenth, Emmy Batista, Caroline Hood and Wells Howe.

Rounding out the top seven are juniors Laura Arenth and Kate Jonas, and senior Hanna Vincent. “Hanna inspires me because she’s an amazing runner and such a good leader,” said sophomore Maddie Swartz.

The girls are off to an excellent start this year, with everyone getting to race on Sept. 16, according to head varsity girls coach Jolie Cunningham. The connection established between the upper and lowerclassmen has already raised team chemistry in the time of COVID-19. “Leadership by example is so important in this sport,” said Coach Cunningham.

According to Athletic Director Chad Wabrek, the girls won first place at their meet in Athens, finished seventh out of 18 in the championship division at the Carrollton Invitational on Sept. 12, and placed second at Westminster on Sept. 22. Laura Arenth was named MileSplit GA’s runner “Who Won the Week” in GHSA Class AA after the Carrollton meet, where she finished 10th with a time of 20:45.