KnightTimes Summer 2014

SUMMER 2014

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F PA C E A C A D E M Y

WATER

The Isdell Center for Global Leadership Theme Plus Girls Soccer Takes State | Graduation | A Love Letter to "Mrs. V"

Save The Date For The 51 St Fall Fair!

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 10 A.m. – 4 P.m.

VISIT www.paceacademy.org/fallfair for event information & sponsorship opportunities.

Join the Pace community for a day of “Legendary Fun!”

S U M M E R 2 0 14

Letter from the Editor My Pace career began in the ninth grade, and while I had an outstanding Upper School experience, I sometimes regret that I missed the magic of the Lower School.

Now a Pace employee, I find myself trekking through the playground and up to the Randall House on days when my mood needs a bit of a boost. It’s a happy place—and despite the hundreds of energetic children who inhabit its colorful walls, it’s perfectly peaceful.

In her 31 years at Pace, retired Head of Lower School Anna Valerius enveloped students and colleagues alike in her warmth, creating an environment in which learning and love abounded (see story on page 34). Valerius reminds us just how formative individuals and early experiences can be in the lives of young students. She, like Presidential Award-winning educator Christy Garvin ’88 (profiled on page 46), has forever changed the lives of thousands of students.

Twenty-five of those students—“Pace Lifers”—crossed the stage during this year’s graduation ceremony. In this issue, we celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2014 and the end of another successful school year.

We also look ahead to August when we’ll welcome students to the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School for the very first time, cheer on the Knights at the newly christened Walsh Field and officially launch the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (see story on page 30). I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited. It’s going to be a great year!

Caitlin Goodrich Jones ’00 Director of Communications

On the cover: Isdell Center for Global Leadership Director Trish Anderson snapped this beautiful image while on an Upper School global education trip to South Africa in June. The photo was taken at the start of the Dolphin Trail in Garden Route National Park.

Pace Cares When our families and staff are in need, Pace Cares.

Contact us to deliver a meal: 404-926-3727 pacecares@paceacademy.org KnightTimes | Summer 2014

3

Th e M a g a z i n e o f Pac e Aca dem y

KnightTimes

Contents 6 NEWS What you need to know

34 A Love Letter to "Mrs. V" Pace says goodbye to retired Head of Lower School Anna Valerius

12 PACESETTERS Honoring students who set the pace outside of school

14 AROUND PACE A look at what's happening at Pace

22 The Sisterhood Girls soccer crowned state champion

36 End-of-Year Awards 38 Graduation The Class of 2014 goes out in style

44 ALUMNI

24 Spring Sports Highlights A synopsis of athletic achievements

44 Golden Knight Club 46 Meet Christy Garvin '88 48 Where Are They Now? 54 Out and About

30 2014 –2015 ICGL Theme Water is selected as the inaugural Isdell Center for Global Leadership theme

966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327 www.paceacademy.org

Fred Assaf h e a d OF SC HOOL

Division Heads Michael Gannon h ea d of u pp e r sch ool

John Anderson HEAD OF MIDD LE SC HOOL

Syreeta Moseley HEAD OF LOWER SC HOOL

Communications Department Caitlin Goodrich Jones ’00 DIREC TOR OF C OMMUN IC ATIONS , ED ITOR

Ryan Vihlen C REATIVE SERVIC ES MAN AGER , GRAPHIC DE S IGN ER

Lela Wallace

Contributors Morgan Brewton-Johnson ’14 A recent Pace graduate, Morgan BrewtonJohnson will begin her freshman year at Princeton University in the fall. She plans to study anthropology and visual art. While at Pace, Brewton-Johnson was a member of the Barbara and Sanford Orkin Society, the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, photography and travel.

She interned with the Pace Communications and Advancement departments over the summer.

Robin LaLone ’12 Robin LaLone graduated from Pace with honors and will begin her junior year at Auburn University this fall.

LaLone is majoring in communications with a minor in Spanish. She is a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and volunteers with Reading is Fundamental, an organization that provides literacy resources to children and families. LaLone plans to graduate in December 2015 and hopes to pursue a career in public relations.

4

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Our Mission To create prepared, confident citizens of the world who honor the values of Pace Academy and who will preserve the legacy of our school for future generations.

Pace Cares Are you aware of a member of our community who is experiencing an illness or loss or is blessed with a new arrival? Pace Cares would love to help by delivering a home-cooked meal prepared by our dedicated volunteer cooks. Please call the Pace Cares hotline at 404-926-3727.

To contribute ideas for the KnightTimes, please email Caitlin Jones at cjones@paceacademy.org.

Letter f ro m the Hea d o f Sch ool

Dear Pace Family, Another school year has come to a close—and what a banner year!

We watched the new Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School become a reality, started construction on Walsh Field and made plans for the Isdell Center for Global Leadership. The Parents Club Auction raised a record $578,000; we exceeded our 2014 Annual Fund goal, celebrated state championships, and applauded our artists and scholars. It was a truly unprecedented—and busy! —time for Pace Academy!

People often ask me if I tire of the pace of Pace, particularly during non-stop months like May. My answer is always no—and it’s true. I love school life. The events and celebrations, everyday discoveries and major milestones energize me. (It also helps that I function pretty well on little sleep!)

Every year, these moments and memories culminate in graduation weekend, when we celebrate our seniors and those who have supported them throughout their journeys at Pace. It’s a sweet time, one of my favorites.

This year, the presence of several members of Pace’s first graduating class, the Class of 1964, made the graduation festivities even more special. These “Golden Knights” serve as a wonderful reminder of our school’s beginnings and the values we still hold dear.

I want to thank all of you—our steadfast faculty and staff, our enthusiastic and enterprising parent community, our inquisitive, joyful student body, our alumni, grandparents and friends—for carrying forth those values day in and day out. You keep me on my toes and make amazing years like this possible.

Thank you.

Here’s to Pace Academy’s exciting future!

Sincerely,

Fred Assaf Head of school

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

5

NEWS (What you need to know)

The 2013–2014 Knightly News staff

Remarkable Reporting The Upper School newspaper, the Knightly News, placed first in the state in the medium school category of the 2014 Georgia Scholastic Press Association (GSPA) General Excellence competition.

The GSPA assists Georgia high school media programs and students by encouraging their production of quality publications and broadcast programs through instruction and contests. The GSPA awards one all-state winner and three General Excellence designations— one in each of the small, medium and large school categories.

Senior co-editors-in chief Wilson Alexander and Hayley Silverstein led the 2013–2014 Knightly News; Lee Wilson served as faculty advisor.

Latin Lives On In April, 28 Middle and Upper School Latin students traveled to Eatonton, Georgia, for the 2014 Georgia Junior Classical League (GJCL) Convention. More than 800 students participated and tested their knowledge of subjects such as ancient geography, Latin literature, grammar, mythology, reading comprehension and Roman history.

Pace students left with 59 awards or placements in the competitive events, and three received overall awards based on their combined event totals. Seniors Jaclyn Lund and Michael Sloman placed ninth and 20th, respectively, and sophomore Andrew Wu was 25th. Pace placed fifth overall in its division and fourth in terms of points per delegate.

Lund finished second in the overall graphic arts competition.

Spring also brought the National Latin Exam for Middle and Upper School students.

Thirty-three Upper School and 23 Middle School students received awards on the 40-question, multiple-choice test. Sloman and Lund won gold medals and received National Latin Exam Book Awards. Sloman also scored in the top 30 on the Classical Association of the Midwest and South Annual Latin Translation contest.

Other gold medal winners were junior Jonathan Spalten; sophomores Andrew Wu, Conor Pelletier, Johnny Reece and Frances Crisler; freshmen Jack Wallace, Katy Leitz, Julia Ross, Alexis Benson, Prashanth Kumar and Kyle Duval; and eighth-graders Chip Ratcliff, Eric Schank and Jackson Fuller. Schank and Fuller received perfect papers for the second consecutive year.

Pace Latin students

6

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

NEWS

Masters of the Written Word

Coming Soon to the Pace Stage The Middle and Upper School theatre departments have announced their 2014–2015 seasons. Save the date for the following productions:

Middle School

Upper School

10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse Oct. 9 & 10, 2014

Into the Woods Nov. 13–16, 2014

ll

y R yan Harle

Established in 1980, the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) identifies academically gifted youth and offers services and programs to help them reach their highest potential.

This year, many Pace Lower and Middle School students qualified for the program. Congratulations to fourth-graders Carly Appel, Pranavh Pradeep and Meghna Singha, and seventh-graders Margaret Bethel, Catherine Brennan, Cole Campbell, Tess Eichenlaub, Carter Ferguson, Jack Ferguson, Tyler Henderson, Harrison Husk, Tase Karamanolis, Abigail Lund, Mitchell O’Berry, Susie Pieper, Blake Rodriguez, Jacob Sloman, Michael Starr, Henry Todd and Charlie Trimble.

Marit

TIP-Top Scholars

Uy H a m

Assassins April 23–25, 2015

Romig

Improv Throwdown! (Version 2.0) April 2, 2015

The Glass Menagerie Jan. 29 & 30, 2015

Ha

Laura

Disney’s Mulan Jr. Feb. 20–22, 2015

For years, Lower School students have donned their thinking caps and participated in the WordMasters Challenge, a national competition that encourages growth in vocabulary and verbal reasoning. More than 125,000 students from schools across the country take part in the Challenge, which includes three tests that measure analytical and metaphorical thinking skills.

Since 2003, Pace students have dominated the competition’s blue division. This year, they were up for a new challenge and entered the gold division. After compiling results from all three tests, Pace’s teams placed at the top among competing schools. The third grade ranked fourth in the nation, the fourth grade was 10th and the fifth-grade team placed first. Thirdgrader Marit Uyham and fifth-graders Mary Childs Hall, Laura Romig and Harley Ryan received high honors.

Mary Ch ild s

Scenes from Pace's 2002 production of Into the Woods

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

7

NEWS

Farewell and Thanks to Retiring Trustees Three members of the Board of Trustees completed their terms this summer, and the Pace community thanks them for their dedicated and generous service to Pace.

Bill Lellyett Bill Lellyett has been an active member of the Board of Trustees since 2005. He served on the properties and finance committees, providing invaluable insight and strategy regarding fiscal responsibility and investments. Lellyett also has been a hands-on parent volunteer.

He will continue to serve as an assistant varsity football coach for the Knights, a role he has played since the program’s early days. Lellyett has two children: son Bentley ’12 and daughter Emma ’18.

Jeff Seabright Jeff Seabright began his service to the Board of Trustees in 2008 and contributed as a member of the planning committee. He frequently served as a liaison between Pace and several Atlanta corporations. Seabright and his wife, Sally, moved to London this summer, while their daughter, Hannah ’14, remained in the U.S. to attend Colorado College.

Randy Quintrell Randy Quintrell has long been a part of the Pace family. His wife, Nancy, teaches Middle School English, and their children Bailey ’05, Elisabeth ’08 and Claire ’12 are all Pace graduates.

Quintrell joined the Board of Trustees in 2008 and served on the governance and properties committees.

Leigh & Tim Walsh

Board Chairman Tim Walsh ’81 Signs Off Without a doubt, Board of Trustees Chairman Tim Walsh ’81 has led Pace through one of the most exciting times in the school’s history. The first alumnus to serve as chair, Walsh took the reins in 2011 and assumed the daunting task of raising $32 million to build a new Upper School. He did just that—and so much more.

Under Walsh’s leadership, Pace finalized plans for the new facility and launched the Aim High capital campaign, which exceeded its goal by raising more than $35 million. Pace broke ground on the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School in May 2013, and the project remains on schedule and on budget.

Walsh also played a vital role in creating and securing funding for the Isdell Center for Global Leadership. He ensured Pace remained financially strong during tough economic times, and he oversaw the initial stages of the Board of Trustees' next strategic planning process.

Walsh was a constant presence on the Pace campus during his tenure as chair. From athletic and arts events to faculty meetings and student celebrations, he never missed a beat.

He was approachable, knowledgeable and passionate about his role.

“Tim’s leadership has had a monumental impact on Pace Academy,” says Head of School Fred Assaf. “He struck a perfect balance between business and heart. He’s been a sounding board during challenging times and an enthusiastic supporter always. Pace will be forever grateful to Tim for his service.”

As a parting gift, Walsh and his wife, Leigh Draughon Walsh ’81, made the largest alumni contribution ever given to a Pace capital campaign, allowing the school to fulfill its vision for the Athletics Complex on Riverview Road. Walsh Field will open this fall.

Walsh’s brother, Jim Walsh ’77, spoke at Pace commencement in May and paid tribute to his brother’s service to the school (see story on page 40). “Tim and Leigh Walsh and their family have devoted themselves to Pace Academy,” he said. “It’s one thing for me to swoop into town and give an almost amusing speech. It’s quite another to work day in and day out, year after year, building an enduring institution that will touch the lives of thousands of families for decades to come.”

Walsh will remain on the Board of Trustees in the role of vice chairman for the 2014– 2015 school year. Tim and Leigh Walsh have three children: James ’12, Jack ’16 and Megan ’18.

8

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

NEWS

Thank you to the 266 taxpayers who redirected a portion of their state tax liability and contributed $809,838 to the 2014 Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program!

Big-League Recognition Senior baseball standouts

Kameron Uter and Raphael Ramirez were drafted during the

2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Uter went to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 12th round, and the New York Mets selected Ramirez in the 18th round.

Both players have decided to sign professional contracts, forgoing the opportunity to play for Division I schools. Ramirez is playing for the Mets organization in the Gulf Coast League; Uter is playing for the Dodgers organization in the Arizona League.

This marks the first time in five years that a Knight has been selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Draft. The Colorado Rockies drafted Brandon Thomas ’09 in 2009, but he elected to enroll at Georgia Tech and currently plays for the Class-A Yankee-affiliate Charleston RiverDogs.

Because of this program, Pace can provide need-based financial aid to deserving families who want access to better educational opportunities for their children.

The state anticipates that 2015’s $58 million in tax credits will be claimed in the first week of January! Pace has begun accepting pre-applications for the 2015 tax year. Funds are available based on the date forms are received. It may seem early, but please don’t wait!

Payment is not due until March 2015.

Participation Is Easy!

Visit www.paceacademy.org/taxcredit to submit your form electronically, or mail a completed form to the address provided on our website.

Questions?

Contact Advancement at advancement@paceacademy.org or 404-240-9103.

NEWS

The final presentation on April 30, 2014

Belief in the Quadruple Bottom Line

Scootle focuses on people, purpose, planet and profit to win the first Social Entrepreneurship Challenge.

When Upper School faculty member Tommy Hattori launched the inaugural Pace Academy Social Entrepreneurship Challenge in the fall of 2013, he had little idea what to expect.

The concept was compelling: a competition sponsored by Pace and City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s office in which student teams solve real-world issues through social entrepreneurship and innovation. Seed money—$10,000 to be exact—was at stake, but participation would require a significant investment of time for already-busy students. Would anyone take the challenge?

Apparently, free enterprise is alive and well in the Pace Upper School. Eleven teams decided to tackle the 2014 issue: Atlanta’s transportation problems—more specifically, traffic. Students jumped right in, and community mentors guided them through the businessdevelopment process, helping to refine ideas and assess feasibility while providing real-world insights.

“As is the case with most start-ups and entrepreneurs, only the strong survive,” Hattori says with a laugh. By April, five teams remained.

The final teams presented their business plans to a panel of judges, which included prominent members of the business community, the Atlanta City Council and the Pace faculty. Judges based their evaluations on creativity, feasibility and impact, ultimately recognizing three teams for their efforts.

10

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Honorable Mention Goes To… Freshmen Seth Swiecichowski and Max Irvine suggested Hitchhikr as a solution to commuting congestion. The app, “a bold approach to modern ridesharing,” connects commuters in real time based on their interests and locations.

With a “give-a-ride, take-a-ride” approach, Hitchhikr rewards participants with points that can be cashed in for prizes or money, and promotes deals at local establishments along a rider’s route. The result?

Reduced emissions, fewer car accidents, job growth and happy citizens.

Nora Harlin & Rachel Much And with POW (Produce on Wheels), juniors Nora Harlin and Rachel Much addressed the connection between transportation and urban food deserts, areas without access to fresh, healthy and affordable food.

They proposed repurposing a school bus as a mobile, green grocery store to provide produce at a reduced cost, thereby decreasing transporSeth Swiecichowski & Max Irvine tation needs and promoting healthy lifestyles.

NEWS

And the Winner is…

What if one app could simultaneously improve traffic flow, encourage volunteerism and healthy living, promote local businesses and spur a growing economy? Juniors Larine Hamied, Tanner Lewis and Matt Tanenblatt think it’s possible and believe Scootle is the solution.

“Originally, Scootle was little more than a clone of Google Maps that incentivized alternate transportation methods,” says Lewis, Scootle’s COO. “But over time, we thought about how we would incentivize walking and taking public transportation and changed our idea.”

Their resulting concept gets cars off the road at rush hour through an app that suggests non-driving activities in four categories: Food, Lifestyle, Volunteer and ATL. Scootle partners with local businesses like gyms, restaurants, attractions and nonprofits to offer deals—say 50 percent off at Buckhead Pizza from 5 to 7 p.m.—including maps and directions. The company takes a cut of the partner’s profit, and users are rewarded for purchases or volunteer time with “Scootles,” points that can be redeemed at partner establishments.

By May, the Scootle team—with guidance from mentor, Pace parent and Treehouse Advisory Group President Faraz Zubairi—already had buy-in from nonprofit organizations Hands On Atlanta and Points of Light, as well several restaurants and fitness facilities.

“Scootle is a truly innovative approach to Atlanta’s traffic issue,” says Gina Simpson, Hands On Atlanta’s president and CEO. “It will not only alleviate congestion but also promote a greater sense of community through its emphasis on service.”

Isn’t that the very definition of social entrepreneurship?

Go Forth and Prosper The Scootle team had its detailed budget and business plan ready to go prior to the competition’s close, and with its $10,000, is planning a September 2014 launch. Thanks to Zubairi’s generosity, Hamied, Lewis and Tanenblatt have moved into Treehouse Advisory Group’s office for the summer and are working there to build Scootle BETA, close deals with partners and prepare to unveil Scootle v2.0. “[Hamied, Lewis and Tanenblatt] conceived Scootle, and I want them to take it to fruition and have a scalable business grow around it,” Zubairi says. “It’s going to be a fun ride.”

All three agree that entering the Challenge has already changed their lives. “I improved my brainstorming skills, learned how to make a professional PowerPoint presentation and worked on how to cooperate effectively with other group members,” Lewis says. “I also learned about every step of the entrepreneurial process, from brainstorming the original idea to budgeting the winnings from the competition.”

The primary takeaway for Scootle CEO Tanenblatt? “I learned that becoming an entrepreneur and ‘going for’ a certain idea is truly possible,” he says. “Your risks really can be rewarded if you work hard for them.”

Larine Hamied

Tanner Lewis

Matt Tanenblatt

The 2015 Pace Academy Social Entrepreneurship Challenge will be incorporated within the new Isdell Center for Global Leadership.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

11

PACESETTERS (Honoring students who set the pace outside of school)

From left to right: Jordan Loughran; Trey Loughran; Khaki Loughran; Lee Loughran; Darren Adkins, Resident Manager of the Ronald McDonald House, and Jane Sibley

Inspirational Artwork

Grace Ferry

Madison Graham

This spring, eighth-grade artist Khaki Loughran and Middle School art teacher Jane Sibley traveled to the Ronald McDonald House on Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Loughran’s parents, Lee and Trey Loughran, and her brother, third-grade student Jordan, joined them. There, Loughran presented one of her framed paintings to Ronald McDonald House representatives.

The painting will hang in the facility, which provides a home away from home for families with ill and injured children who must travel to receive treatment. The Ronald McDonald House is a cause close to the Loughran family’s heart as Jordan Loughran was a cancer patient but is now in remission.

Swimming for Cancer Research On May 4, Middle and Upper School swimmers, Pace parents and faculty quite literally made waves to fight cancer when they participated in the Swim Across America Atlanta Open Water Swim. The eight members of Team Pace swam varying distances in Lake Spivey and raised $5,255 for the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Team Pace, captained by sophomores Madison Graham and Grace Ferry, swam in honor of eighth-grader Sophie Ferry, a current patient at the Aflac Center, and third-grader Jordan Loughran, a former Aflac Center patient.

Trey Loughran, Joe Loughran and John Ague

12

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

PACESETTERS

Payton Payne and Insha Merchant sort school supplies before donating them to I Care Atlanta.

A Second Life for School Supplies Every summer, students and parents head to Target or Walmart or their local drugstore to purchase school supplies for the coming year.

But what happens to all of those binders, crayons, pencils and glue sticks when it comes time to clean out lockers, cubbies or backpacks at the end of the year? Oftentimes they end up in the trash, only to be replaced by identical implements a few months later.

But what if students could do something good with their leftover school supplies? Enter sixth-grader Insha Merchant. “I started thinking that people might be able to use [Pace students’] school supplies that were in good condition,” Merchant says. She recruited classmate Payton Payne, and together the girls organized a school-supply drive in the Lower and Middle Schools in May. Merchant and Payne initially hoped to send the supplies to a boarding school for impoverished children in Karachi, Pakistan, where Merchant’s grandparents volunteer as English teachers, but they soon discovered that shipping to South Asia is more than a little bit pricey.

So, the girls decided to send one box to Pakistan and donate the remaining supplies locally.

They researched nonprofits that might accept the supplies and came across I Care Atlanta Inc., an organization devoted to ending homelessness by reaching out to the working poor and homeless men, women and children in the metro Atlanta area. I Care Atlanta gladly agreed to take the gently used supplies and host a back-to-school

party during which children could “shop” for the coming year.

With their objective in mind, the girls got down to business. “We set up a meeting with [Head of Lower School Anna Valerius], and she helped us spread the word through parent grade reps and teachers,” Merchant explains. “We made a flyer that went home in Lower Schoolers’ backpacks, and we made announcements in Middle School assemblies. Then we set up bins in both buildings.”

When all was said and done, students and teachers had filled 10 large boxes with every sort of school supply imaginable —more than 400 pounds worth! Merchant, Payne, third-grader Sheza Merchant and Merchant’s mother, Nadya Merchant, spent a full day organizing the donated items before handing them over to I Care Atlanta and shipping a box off to Pakistan.

“It was really neat to see the whole school come together,” says Insha Merchant. “And no one had to spend any money—this was stuff that everyone already had.”

The drive was so successful that the girls are considering making it an annual event. “It was fun to do this with a friend,” Payne says. “And so many teachers told us they really appreciated us organizing it.”

At the end of the day, the girls accomplished their mission: “There will be fewer school supplies in the landfills and more for people to use,” Merchant says. “That’s pretty cool.”

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

13

AROUND PACE (A look at what's happening at Pace)

Around the World in Seven Hours

Cara Isdell Lee '97, Rory and Zak Lee

On May 2, Lower School students embarked on an exciting and educational trip around the world when Pre-First student Rory Lee became Principal of the Day. The Lees and their extended family love to travel and wanted to share some of their global experiences with others in the Lower School.

The sprawling display took over the Lower School, the playground and the Castle lawn as students visited themed areas, each of which related to one of the seven continents.

An educational element accompanied each stop, and students received passports that were stamped along the way.

Photos by Jon-Michael Sullivan

14

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

AROUND PACE

Seniors Sign Off at Great American Picnic Every spring, seniors mark the last day of class with Great American Picnic, informally known as “GAP.” This year, members of the Class of 2014 gathered early on the morning of May 2 to don matching tank tops and parade along Paces Ferry Road to their final morning assembly.

The annual Physics Phlotilla followed. Students watched as costumed freshmen raced colorful boats constructed of duct tape and cardboard across the natatorium’s pool. For lunch, seniors grilled hot dogs and burgers in the Gardens, and later, water fights and a senior-faculty kickball game ensued. The day concluded in the Fine Arts Center as seniors shared memories and advice with underclassmen.

Challenge Accepted Tug of war, water-balloon games, trivia and sack races are just a few of the activities that pit Middle School students against each other on the annual Team Challenge day.

The friendly competition between brightly attired teams took place on May 9 and included an animated faculty-student basketball game.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

15

AROUND PACE

Upper School Chorus

Middle School POP, Etc.

Upper School Knight of Jazz

An Artistic Ending Middle School Band 16

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Pace’s talented visual and performing artists and faculty outdid themselves during the final weeks of the school year. From exhibitions, plays and an improv throwdown to strings, band, dance and chorus concerts, the Fine Arts Center burst with activity.

AROUND PACE

Middle School Improv Throwdown

Fourth-Grade Play Photo by Dave Aton

Upper School Advanced Studio/ Independent Study Show

Upper School Atlanta Celebrates Photography

Lower School/ Middle School Strings KnightTimes | Summer 2014

17

AROUND PACE

Cooper Peery

Sam Downey & Rebecca Husk

Sam Nail & Bobby Stonecipher

Shakespeare Takes Center Stage The last time Pace’s Upper School theatre department undertook a Shakespeare play was in 2004, when A Midsummer Night’s Dream graced the Fine Arts Center stage.

The Bard returned this spring with the Upper School’s production of Much Ado About Nothing.

One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Much Ado About Nothing is the tale of two couples: Beatrice and Benedick, who profess to hate each other but are secretly in love; and Claudio and Hero, young lovers forced apart by a nefarious plot.

“Much Ado About Nothing traffics in words,” says Director George Mengert.

“Words are a major source of the play’s humor, [but] they also serve as weapons that can wound… and can even be a deadly poison when they take the form of slander and deception.”

The talented cast, led by junior Rebecca Husk as Beatrice and senior Sam Downey as Benedick, tackled the difficult and complex material with tenacity, delivering performances that made Shakespeare’s words relatable and entertaining.

Spotlight on the Equestrian Club The Middle and Upper School equestrian club is a relatively new addition to Pace’s club scene, but under the leadership of faculty advisor Emily Camp and with the support of some very dedicated parents, the club recently completed its third season and continues to grow.

This season, four members of the club advanced to regional competition, and eighth-grader Ashley Yoffee made it all the way to Zones. Two of the club’s members, Callie Cunningham and Elizabeth Ratcliff, graduated with the Class of 2014 and had a hand in getting the club off the ground and running.

“The club came about because a lot of [students] were already riding on their own, and we wanted to have a way to do it for our school,” Ratcliff says. “In ninth grade, I rode on [another school’s team] since Pace didn’t have one at the time. I made it all the way to the national finals, and I really wish I could have been there representing Pace.”

The club practices together twice a month, but all of its members train individually as well. Shows typically take place well outside of Atlanta, so fan support is slim, but that didn’t bother Cunningham.

“Being able to ride for my school was the best part of the club,” she says. “Riding has always been my first passion, so it was really cool to finally share that and be able to participate in riding with my peers in my own community.”

New Beginnings Some say life begins at retirement, but those who know the three Pace teachers who retired this year would certainly beg to differ.

Jere Each has contributed Link immensely to the life of the Pace community and will be missed.

Head of Lower School Anna Valerius bid farewell to Pace after 31 years of service (see story on page 34); Middle School learning specialist

Peggy ClarkE

inspired students to believe in themselves and overcome academic challenges during her six years at Pace; and Upper School English, history and Latin teacher Jere Link, a three-year veteran of the Academy, retired from full-time teaching following a 26-year career.

Peggy Clarke

AROUND PACE

Students at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis

Above, left to right: Rev. Dr. Michael Neely Harris, Sylvia Harris, Head of Middle School John Anderson and Director of Diversity Rick Holifield

Understanding the Past to Inform the Present The Civil Rights Trip has become a popular year-end tradition for the eighth grade.

This spring, the Middle School leadership team implemented a pre-trip curriculum that allowed students to better understand the significance of the historical locations that they would visit.

Students spent three foreign-language class periods learning about the lives of Spanish- and French-speaking immigrants in the United States. “The purpose of the unit was to make connections between our language studies and the trip,” says eighth-grade dean Holly Jiménez.

The day prior to departure was entirely dedicated to issues of civil rights and diversity.

Rev. Dr. Michael Neely Harris, pastor of Atlanta’s Wheat Street Baptist Church, and his wife, Sylvia Harris, an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement, shared their very personal experiences with students.

Afterward, eighth-grade faculty members led breakout sessions during which students discussed issues related to micro aggressions, immigration, biographies and women's rights.

Students left Pace with the knowledge and vocabulary to process the experiences of the trip.

The journey from Atlanta to Memphis included stops at Montgomery’s Rosa Parks Museum; Selma’s Voting Rights Museum and Edmund Pettus Bridge; and Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

In Memphis, students visited the Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and home to the National Civil Rights Museum. The trip even included a surprise visit with retired Pace faculty member B.J. Hayes, who now lives in Birmingham.

SustainabLE Living Upper School students enrolled in Scott Sargent’s sustainability class spent the past year designing and constructing a sustainable housing project. The Pace Academy Compact Roaming Autonomous Sustainable Home (or Pace Academy CRASH Pad, for short) was built on campus from environmentally responsible materials. The 8´ x 16´ structure, built for sustainable living, has been constructed on top of a trailer frame so that the dwelling is completely mobile. Featuring off-thegrid components like solar panels and a compost toilet, the project will be exhibited during the coming school year to demonstrate the viability of green technologies for residential use.

Ted Hobbs and William Pair

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

19

AROUND PACE

Move-In Ready Construction of the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School is nearly complete.

Crews spent the summer putting the finishing touches on the building, and faculty will move in in early August.

20

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

AROUND PACE

A New Home for the Knights Summer was anything but slow for crews charged with constructing Walsh Field. The facility, located at Pace’s Athletics Complex, must be completed prior to the Knights’ first home football game on Aug. 29. Work on the state-of-the-art stadium and track began in March and continues at breakneck speed.

Walsh Field, named in honor of Leigh Draughon Walsh ’81 and Tim Walsh ’81, will complete the school’s original vision for the property on Riverview Road in Cobb County. It is being built adjacent to the Athletics Complex’s multipurpose field and will include bleacher seating, a FIFA-regulation grass field and a Beynon track.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

21

GIRLS SOCCER

The Sisterhood: A Cinderella Story Varsity girls soccer brings home a state championship for the first time since 1997.

22

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

GIRLS SOCCER

The term “Pace family” may be overused.

“Pace is a family school,” Head of School Fred Assaf often says. “Parental involvement is central to our school’s culture and success,” the admissions team tells prospective families. We have more sets of siblings (and twins!) than we can count. While the term may be a little worn-out, it’s far from cliché; it’s accurate.

This spring, the varsity girls soccer team—“the sisterhood”—reminded the school community just what it means to be part of the Pace family.

The Knights wrapped up the regular season with a 9–5 record. They were the underdogs— ranked ninth going into the Georgia High School Association state tournament. Not one of the team’s six seniors planned to play college soccer, and starting goalkeeper Avery Queller, a freshman, was new to the team.

None of that seemed to matter to the Knights.

“This season felt different from the start,” recalls senior captain Evelyn Hobbs.

There was a sense of camaraderie that trumped that of previous teams due—some thought—to the Knights’ five pairs of sisters: freshman Isabella Abdullah and junior Carolina Abdullah; freshman Jessica Haidet and senior captain Kelliann Haidet; senior Arden Carlton and sophomore Cater Carlton; junior Rachel Morrisroe and senior manager Kate Morrisroe; and sophomores Natalie and Stephanie Novellas.

But it was more than that. “Honestly, ‘the sisterhood’ didn’t have much to do with the sisters on the team,” Hobbs says. “It was more about how close everyone was.” Between slumber parties and late-night group text messages, the girls bonded over the course of the season, and with that closeness came confidence.

Prior to the Knights' first-round tournament match against Towns County High School, Hobbs pulled out a marker and wrote “sisterhood” on her teammates’ right wrists. “I did it so we could look down and be reminded of who we were playing for.” The team kept winning—the Knights defeated Towns County 8–0—and the temporary “tattoos” stayed.

The girls beat the Walker School in the second round of the state tournament and bested rival Holy Innocents’ 4–3 in the quarterfinals. It was a come-from-behind victory;

the Knights trailed 1–3 only to tie it up and win in penalty kicks.

The girls took on Savannah Country Day School in the semifinal match. Lightening, thunder and rain delays didn’t stop the Knights; they triumphed 4–0. Raucous Pace fans of all ages packed the stands at the Athletics Complex—their school spirit far from dampened by the dreary weather.

Students in all divisions, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff and friends—the Pace family—showed up at Emory University’s Woodruff Field on May 17 to support the sisterhood in the GHSA Class A state championship against top-ranked First Presbyterian Day School. Graduation, scheduled for that afternoon, was pushed back an hour so Knights fans could cheer on the team.

The Vikings had won three of the past four state championships and were riding high following an undefeated season in which not one of their games had gone to penalty kicks. “We knew we were the underdog, but comebacks kind of became our specialty this year,” Kelliann Haidet says. “I think we were the only people who really knew that our team could [go all the way].”

The Vikings scored first, but Cater Carlton responded with a goal, and later, senior captain Kandace Thompson tied the game at 2 with a header. Following two 5-minute overtime periods, the score remained tied, and the game went to penalty kicks. Queller was calm under pressure and delivered a tremendous save while her teammates sealed the deal. Sophomore Cadie Schiffer scored the final penalty kick to give the Knights the victory and the state title.

The crowd erupted, and Knights fans stormed the field. “It was exhilarating,” coach Liz Tutt told the Northside Neighbor. “The game was tight the whole time, and to get to watch my girls jump for joy filled my heart. It was just awesome.”

It was a fitting end to a hard-fought season and the fulfillment of a dream for Hobbs and her fellow seniors. “My goal in high school had been a state championship, and this was the last team that could make that happen,” Hobbs says. “I couldn’t have asked for a better end to my Pace career.” •

Did You Know?

Senior Evelyn hobbs broke a 1984 record to become the Knights’ second alltime leading scorer with 47 goals.

The Senior Squad The Knights’ state-championship team included six members of the Class of 2014: Arden Carlton, Kelliann Haidet, Evelyn Hobbs, manager Kate Morrisroe, Elizabeth Roos and Kandace Thompson.

The Woman Behind the Wins Under the leadership of longtime coach head Liz Tutt, the Pace girls soccer program has established a legacy of success.

Tutt began coaching during the team’s inaugural 1982 season, and since then, more than 25 of her players have gone on to play college soccer. She coached twotime All-American Kim Szurovy ’97, as well as All-SEC and former professional player Carrie Patterson ’06.

In 1997, USA Today ranked the Knights the fourth team in the nation, and the team has been ranked No. 1 in Georgia three times. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has named Tutt its Coach of the Year twice, she has thrice been a Georgia High School All-Star Coach and she was the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year four times.

This season, Ron Apollon, Caroline Trotter ’06, Graham Tutt and Gus Whyte served as Tutt’s assistant coaches.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

23

Coach Tutt

SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

A Banner Year for Pace Athletics (Or, Don’t Fight with the Knights) Few in the Pace community can remember a school year in which the Knights saw so many successes. Between thrilling post-season runs, state-championship wins for girls cross-country and soccer, and state medals for the Knights’ swimming and diving and track stars, Pace’s student-athletes set a new level of athletic excellence.

The Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA) named Athletic Director Kris Palmerton Region 5A Athletic Director of the Year for the eighth time, and when all was said and done, GADA ranked Pace third in Class A out of 82 schools for the 2013–2014 year. Read on for recaps of Pace Athletics’ spring season.

Kameron Uter

Jared Datoc

Cooper Drose

Raphael Ramirez

Noah Brooker

Chase Uter

V a r s i ty B a s e b a l l Coached by Matt Hall The varsity baseball team completed an outstanding season with an 18–6 record—the Knights’ most season wins in more than a decade.

The team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state tournament before falling to Hebron Christian School.

In addition to post-season play, highlights of the regular season included series sweeps over Strong Rock Christian School, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and Landmark Christian School.

24

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Seniors Jared Datoc, Raphael Ramirez, Will Rucker and Kameron Uter and junior Chase Uter received First Team All-Region honors. Junior Dylan Steinfeld was named a Second Team All-Region player.

Coach Hall's team will lose seniors Wilson Alexander, Marc Bernstein, Datoc, Ramirez, Rucker, Sam Rubenstein, Christopher St. Paul and Kameron Uter.

SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Tripp Conrad

Jack Dwyer

Jack McMillin

V a r s i ty B o y s G o l f Coached by Bailey Player At the start of the season, the six members of the varsity boys golf team hit the greens bent on success—and succeed they did.

The Knights advanced beyond the region tournament for the first time in six years, and while the team’s score of 326 at the sectionals tournament was not sufficient to advance to the state competition, it marked the Knights’ best performance in an 18-hole tournament.

Freshman Alex Ross advanced to the GHSA state tournament as an individual. The team will lose senior Tripp Conrad.

Kelly Brown

Elise Bradshaw

Lydia James

Sandy Xie

V a r s i ty G i r l s G o l f Coached by Christy Ellis The varsity girls golf team had a strong season, which included a trip to the GHSA sectional and state tournaments for junior Julia Beck. Next season, the team will miss seniors Kelly Brown and Madison Hoff.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

25

SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Austin Little

Mick Assaf

Owen Moncino

Jean-Luc Brown

V a r s i ty B o y s L a c r o s s e Coached by Tom Kates It was an exciting season for varsity boys lacrosse. The Knights ended their 2014 run with a 10–9 record and an appearance in the state playoffs.

They took on defending state champion Westminster in the first round of post-season play, and despite a valiant effort, Pace fell 6–16.

The team will lose seniors Charlie Burruss, Tommy Burruss, Baiza Cherinet, Wilson Crisler, Carter Draughon, Nathan England, Jason Malik, Jake Pokalsky, Josh Sloan, Keith Tremege and Phillip Werner.

Caillin Cooke

Libby Sams

Juliana DeRosa

Elizabeth Willis

V a r s i ty G i r l s L a c r o s s e Coached by Courtney Morrison The varsity girls lacrosse team—still a relatively new addition to Pace Athletics—made program history this season, beating its all-time win record and delivering its first shutout in a 14–0 contest with Rockdale County High School.

The team bids a fond farewell to seniors Sarah Jacobson, Jaclyn Lund and Katherine Merritt.

26

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Jordan Brown

Stephen Reisner

Josh Rogers Kenny Selmon

Osei Avril

Katie Williamson

Shabrea Duffy Julia Ross

Xori Johnson

Molly Marks

V a r s i ty T r a c k & F i e l d Coached by Jolie Cunningham The varsity girls and boys track and field teams wrapped up successful seasons with equally remarkable outings at the GHSA state meets. Both teams placed fourth in Class A and returned to Atlanta with award cups in hand.

For the girls, junior Lauren Hadley was the Knights’ top point winner. She placed first in the 300 hurdles, third in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump. Hadley also ran the anchor leg of the 4 x 100 relay, and she and her teammates (freshman Sophie Blasberg, sophomore Molly Marks and senior Shabrea Duffy) brought home the bronze in the event.

The 4 x 400 relay team of Blasberg, freshman Julia Ross, Marks and senior Katie Williamson placed second. Blasberg was seventh in the 300 hurdles, and Ross placed fifth in the 800 meters. Duffy, seeded seventh going into the 100 hurdles, finished in third place.

The boys picked up right where the girls left off. At the state meet, senior Josh Rogers finished in sixth and seventh place in the 1600 and 3200 meters, respectively. The 4 x 100 relay team of freshman Deon Jackson, sophomore Xori Johnson, and seniors Jordan Brown and Kenny Selmon was fourth.

Selmon set a state record in the 110 hurdles with a time of 13.96 and went on to break a 20-year state record in the 300 hurdles, running the fastest time in all GHSA classifications.

The 4 x 400 relay team (Johnson, Rogers, Brown and Selmon) finished the meet for the Knights. The boys ran their fastest time of the season and crossed the line as state champions.

The team bids farewell to seniors Callie Cunningham, Duffy, Mary Liles Fiveash, Olivia Levine, Emilia Tripodi, Williamson, Brown, Denzel Franklin, Wylie Heiner, Rogers and Selmon.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

27

SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Jay Kumar

Prashanth Kumar

Kal Golde

Daniel Gray

V a r s i ty B o y s T e n n i s Coached by Neil DeRosa The 2014 varsity boys tennis team was a force to be reckoned with, and the Knights defeated Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School 3–0 to take the area title for the second year in a row.

Wins over Aquinas High School and Christian Heritage School led the Knights to the GHSA semifinals, where they fell to the Brookstone School. The team concluded the season with a 14–3–1 record and loses seniors KAL GOLDE, Daniel Gray, Jay Kumar, David Martos and Anshuman Parikh.

Mark Handler

Hobie Malik

V a r s i ty B o y s S o c c e r Coached by Brooks Fleming

William Rushton

28

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Following a strong season, the varsity boys soccer team’s state-tournament run was a tale of close games.

The Knights kicked off the GHSA state tournament with a convincing 4–0 win over Providence Christian School, but narrowly defeated Pinecrest Academy 1–0 in the second round to advance to the Elite Eight. Atlanta International School proved to be a worthy opponent, and the Knights fell to the Eagles 0–1 to end an outstanding season.

The team will say goodbye to seniors John King, Jeremy Paul, William Rushton, Aaron Wasserman and Caleb Williams.

SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Katy Leitz

Erin Rawls

Micaela Robinson

V a r s i ty Gy m n a s t i c s Coached by Steve Cunningham The varsity gymnastics team finished the regular season with a season-high score of 92.5 and wins over Dutchtown, Eagle’s Landing and OLA high schools in the final meet of the year.

Junior Erin Rawls and freshman Molly Jacoby advanced to the post-season and represented Pace in the preliminary meet. The team bids a fond farewell to seniors Katie Lucke, Micaela Robinson and Symone Sommerville.

Lali Zamora

Nicole Shafer

Julia Stern

Anna Hoffman

Haley Epstein

V a r s i ty G i r l s T e n n i s Coached by Sara Eden The varsity girls tennis team went into the region tournament as the No. 1 seed and overcame Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School to become back-to-back area champions.

The Knights’ post-season run took them to the Elite Eight of the GHSA state tournament, where they lost 2–3 to Whitefield Academy. The team bids a fond farewell to its single senior, Pate Hardison.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

29

Water: THE Inaugural ICGL Theme

the year of water 30

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Water: THE Inaugural ICGL Theme

Middle School students visited the Icelandic waterfall Seljalandsfoss over the summer.

Photo by Laura Inman

The Isdell Center for Global Leadership announces its 2014–2015 theme, names Visiting Scholar “Water is, quite literally, everywhere,” journalist Charles Fishman writes in The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water.

“We use it to baptize our children, and we use it to launch the most advanced spacecraft ever created. Water creates both the hypnotic majesty of Niagara Falls and the miniature, untouchable filigree of each snowflake… Water is both mythic and real. It manages to be at once part of the mystery of life and part of the routine of life.

“Given that water is both the most familiar substance in our lives, and the most important substance in our lives, the really astonishing thing is that most of us don’t think of ourselves as having a relationship with water.”

Fishman’s right. How often do we consider water’s role in the computer chips that power iPhones, the spread of disease in developing nations, the taste of coffee or the fountains on the Las Vegas Strip?

Pace Academy’s Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) is out to change that. When the school-wide program launches in August, the ICGL will explore water as its inaugural theme. Education around water and water issues will be supported in all divisions by curricular, co-curricular and hands-on activities, as well as leadership fellowships, internships and study tours.

Fishman will kick off the conversation as the first Isdell Visiting Scholar. He visited Pace this past spring to meet with ICGL Director Trish Anderson and key members of the Pace community. “[Fishman’s] investigative, journalistic approach to the topic of water models exactly what we want our students to learn as they develop their voices and skills as emerging global leaders: curiosity, creativity, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate with clarity and empathy when it comes to complex issues,” Anderson says.

In September, Fishman will spend time with students and teachers in each division, meet one on one with the 2015 Isdell Global Leaders and begin a dialogue that will undergird the Pace community’s yearlong study.

“By May 2015, each and every Pace student will be able to say that he or she has a deep, meaningful and personal relationship with water,” Anderson says.

Read on for more details.

DID YOU KNOW? • An elephant drinks 150 liters of water a day?

• Diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war?

• Of the 30,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions, 90 percent are children under 5 years old?

• Every day, Americans flush 5,700,000,000 gallons of clean drinking water down the toilet?

• In Africa, people spend 40 billion hours every year walking for water?

• One of every six gallons of water pumped into water mains by U.S. utilities leaks back into the ground?

Sources: www.charitywater.org and The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water

by Charles Fishman

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

31

Howard

Ross

Rogers

Lettes

2014–2015

Water: THE Inaugural ICGL Theme

Unprecedented Opportunity Introducing the inaugural Isdell Global Leaders In the fall, freshmen Christopher Howard and Julia Ross, sophomore Alec Rogers and junior Sarah Lettes will dive into water, the ICGL annual theme.

The four Upper School students received the inaugural Isdell Global Leaders Award and will work together throughout the coming year to explore water through travel, research and customized learning experiences.

“By focusing on this area of critical global concern, we hope that our Isdell Global Leaders will become more intellectually attuned to the issues that face us all, more able to envision multiple methods for addressing complex challenges and more engaged as global citizens in the stewardship of our shared resources,” says ICGL Director Trish Anderson.

The Isdell Global Leaders will meet once during every eight-day cycle as an independent-study class, and their travels will take them to the Chattahoochee River in Georgia and Florida, the Rio Bravo del Norte and the Okavango River Delta in Africa.

In the spring, the students will prepare lessons and presentations for Middle and Lower School students and will share their work with Upper School students through multi-media installments. At the end of the year, each Isdell Global Leader will create a digital portfolio of his or her work that reflects on the various aspects of the learning experience.

“Our Isdell Global Leaders will have unprecedented learning opportunities,” Anderson says. “I’m excited about the deep sense of dedication and excitement they each will bring to the process.”

Upper School students witnessed life on the water in Siem Reap, Cambodia, during a global education trip in March.

Starting the Water Conversation Lower School students, in partnership with the non-profit organization Students Rebuild, have figured out how to extract water from handmade beads. This spring, they participated in the Students Rebuild Water Challenge, which generates funding for water projects in Tanzania.

Students crafted piles of colorful paper beads, and each bead— thanks to matching funds from the Bezos Family Foundation—will provide one individual access to clean water. Through the Challenge, Students Rebuild will support 41 water projects that will bring clean water and more sanitary conditions to more than 16,000 people in Tanzanian schools and communities.

As part of the bead-making process, students learned about the power water can have in developing communities through resources from charity:water, “a non-profit organization on a mission to bring clean and safe drinking water to every person on the planet.”

32

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

The ICGL supports and enhances Pace Academy’s mission to create prepared, confident citizens of the world.

Water: THE Inaugural ICGL Theme

Meet Charles Fishman As a reporter, ICGL Visiting Scholar Charles Fishman has tried to get inside organizations, both familiar and secret, and explain how they work. Over the course of his career, he has written for the Washington Post, the Orlando Sentinel, Raleigh’s News & Observer and Fast Company—his current gig.

He wrote New York Times bestseller The Wal-Mart Effect and has won numerous awards, including three times receiving UCLA’s Gerald Loeb Award, the most prestigious award in business journalism.

In the course of reporting about water to write The Big Thirst, Fishman stood at the bottom of a half-million-gallon sewage tank, sampled water directly from the springs in San Pellegrino, Italy, and Poland Spring, Maine, and carried water on his head for 3 kilometers with a group of Indian villagers. As a result of his travels, he has come to understand water and water problems— and how people solve them.

Fishman will bring that understanding with him to Pace, where he hopes to help students explore the subject in ways that expose new things about water, including their own hidden attitudes and assumptions.

Fishman also plans to bring the party. “Tackling a topic like water can reveal the world in ways [students have] never imagined—and that’s not a chore, it’s great fun,” he says. “Plus, I don’t do tests, papers or problem sets. I’m hoping to participate in the biggest water gun and water balloon fight in history during my time at Pace.”

Fishman believes water is “a brilliant theme” for the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s inaugural year. “Everyone at Pace, everyone in Atlanta, everyone in the world, has personal experiences with water every day,” he says. “Everyone at Pace is also going to have water problems… and the water problems of Atlanta are going to look like the water problems of Barcelona or Mumbai in some really important ways. If you start to understand your own water problems, that will connect you to the changes, the struggles, of people with water problems anywhere.”

But Fishman’s message is not one of gloom and doom—far from it. “Water problems are solvable,” he explains. “But only if we—ordinary people—understand water and jump in and help.”

Fishman grew up in Miami, Fla., and went to Harvard. He lives outside Philadelphia with his wife, also a journalist, their two children, their two Labradors and their two parakeets. He likes his water from the refrigerator spigot, with ice, or splashing across the bow of a Sunfish. •

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

33

A Love letter to "Mrs. V"

A Love Letter to M “ rs. V ” Head of Lower School Anna Valerius retires after 31 years at Pace.

Oftentimes the greatest love stories begin quietly—without cheers or fireworks or loud applause. Relationships evolve and deepen over time, friends smooth each other’s rough edges and trust builds until love—suddenly— just exists.

It was that way for retired Head of Lower School Anna Valerius —“Mrs. V”— and the Pace community. “There wasn’t an ‘ahha’ moment when I knew that this was the family I wanted to belong to forever,” Valerius says. “It happened systematically and slowly… and then I just knew.”

She smiles. “It was sort of like falling in love. I’m definitely in love.”

For thousands of Pace students, parents and alumni, the feeling is mutual.

Valerius came to Pace after teaching at Sarah Smith Elementary School. She arrived on her first day excited about the newness of the situation and the prospect of getting to know students and colleagues—and was promptly sent home.

“They were just finishing renovations to the Lower School, and there were workers everywhere,” she recalls. “We thought that we

34

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

were going to move into our new classrooms but were told that construction required more time. I think I just laughed and came back the next week.”

Since then, Valerius has handled all of the surprises, milestones and joys inherent in raising children of character with the same calm and graceful spirit.

As a first-grade teacher, she loved the excitement of that “magical” time when students enter the classroom eagerly anticipating whatever the day might hold. And as an administrator, Valerius never stopped marveling at the enchantment of childhood.

“Students came in through the front door with bright eyes and big smiles,” she says.

“Every single day was different and joyful and exciting.”

The magic of the Pace Lower School can be attributed to Valerius, her team of master educators and the very basic belief that every child needs love. Those who know Valerius well will tell you that her educational philosophy is simple: “Teaching brains and touching hearts.”

It’s what sets Pace apart from other fine schools, Valerius believes. “We certainly have a rigorous curriculum, but we place just as

much emphasis on loving and celebrating each child. That cognitive growth along with a truly nurturing environment is our formula for success.”

Valerius says that she measures success by the difference one makes in the lives of others. By that definition, her Pace career was much, much more than a triumph. She gave the school community the Holiday Program, introduced character education, championed innovative curriculum, and for 18 years, greeted students with handshakes or hugs every morning. She listened as students shared news of lost teeth, scraped knees, summer adventures, classroom discoveries and new shoes. She made a million differences.

Goodbyes are hard, and sometimes the right words don’t come easily. But when asked what she wants to tell her former students upon her retirement, Valerius doesn’t hesitate. She keeps it short and sweet and says through tears, “I’m proud of you, and I still love you.”

Again, the feeling is mutual.

The Long Farewell It was a bittersweet spring semester for Lower School students, teachers and parents.

In the fall, longtime Head of Lower School Anna Valerius announced that she would retire at the end of the school year.

With the announcement, the Pace community sprang into action and made plans to celebrate its beloved “Mrs. V.” The Parents Club’s annual Auction & Gala was a tribute to Valerius, the “Queen of the Knights,” and raised $578,000 for the school. Parents and faculty wrote Valerius notes of appreciation; former colleagues and alumni reached out to share memories, thanks and well wishes; Lower School students suggested creative retirement activities.

From videos, poems and clever songs to carefully crafted bulletin boards and heartfelt tributes, the Pace community gave Valerius the sendoff she deserved.

It all culminated on May 22, the second-to-last day of school. That morning, students and faculty lined the Lower School driveway, wearing T-shirts that read, “I ♥ Mrs. V!” Each held a flower, one of Valerius’s most favorite things.

Valerius, instructed to arrive later than usual, was delivered by her husband, Alan, to the base of the driveway, where Head of School Fred Assaf waited in a golf cart. The couple climbed aboard and slowly made its way through the tunnel of cheering students, teachers and parents to reach the Randall House door.

There, the fifth grade delivered inspirational words from James Dean’s book Pete the Cat, and the Minstrels sang The Lord Bless You and Keep You, one of Valerius’s favorite songs.

Then, one by one, students and faculty members made their way through the Lower School front door, where “Mrs. V” stood one last time. There were handshakes and hugs, laughter and tears. At the end of it all, vases of flowers filled the Lower School’s Goldman Conference Room, a testament to the beautiful impact Anna Valerius has had on her school home.

View video tributes to “Mrs. V” at www.paceacademy.org/celebratingmrsv. •

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

35

upper school Agnes Scott College Book Award Moriah Wilson

Alumni Scholar Award Jack Spencer

Cara Isdell Service Learning Award Alec Rogers

Columbia University Book Prize Trevor Cefalu ❼

Crissa Noelle Hawkins Scholarship Award

Nora Harlin & Davis Miller ❷

Dartmouth College Book Award Larine Hamied

Dean’s Award for Character

Class of 2017: Summer Brown & Jack McMillin ❹ Class of 2016: Hope Lennox & Philip Elliott ❺

Eric Hay Henderson Jr. Friendship Award

Caillin Cooke & Kamran Sadiq

Faculty Award for Scholarship Class of 2017: Will Movsovitz & Sophie Zelony Class of 2016: Johnny Reece & Sarah Werner

Frances Felicité Thomas Award Annie Nottingham

Frank Woodling Community Service Award Grace Francour & Jack Spencer

36

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Georgia Institute of Technology Mathematics Award Erin Rawls

Georgia Institute of Technology Science Award Jeri Brand

Harvard University Book Prize Mark Grenader

History Department Award Lacey O’Sullivan

Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar Athlete Award

Class of 2017: Ross Cefalu & Julia Ross Class of 2016: Madison Graham & Anthony Trinh Class of 2015: Julia Beck & Trevor Cefalu

Lance and Shield Award

Class of 2017: Jordan Payne & Zoe Weitzner Class of 2016: Cater Carlton & Xori Johnson Class of 2015: Harrison Moncino & Elizabeth Willis

Mike Murphy Courage to Strive for Excellence Award

Class of 2017: Justin Rayman & Kate Trimble Class of 2016: Stephen Reisner & Anna Van Zyverden Class of 2017: Josh Blank & Lane Dikeman ❽

Mimi Ann Deas Award

Tory Dancu ❸ & Jack Eichenlaub

Renaissance Award for Visual and Performing Arts

Class of 2017: Whit FitzGerald, Alex Kaye, Kate Trimble & Mitchell Zwecker Class of 2016: Ryan Duvall, Payton Gannon, Hope Lennox & Jillian Paul Class of 2015: Sam Nail, Cooper Peery, Carolyn Propst & Braylin Robinson

Sewanee Book Award for Excellence Tanner Lewis

Smith College Book Award Julia Beck

University of Pennsylvania Book Award Maria Grenader

Vanderbilt University Book Award Jonathan Spalten ❻

Wellesley College Book Award Hannah Kelly ❶

Yale University Book Award Erin Rawls

End-of-the-year awards recognize outstanding students and faculty.

AWARDS

MIDDLE SCHOOL BJ Hayes Good Citizenship Award Max Creasman & Lily Reckford ❺

Orkin Scholars

Sixth Grade: Paul-Louis Biondi & Rachel Kann Seventh Grade: Jacob Sloman & Gillian Weitzner Eighth Grade: Michael Simon ❹ & Marina Hashim

Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar Athletes

Seventh Grade: Chase Karamanolis & Kayla Ross ❸ Eighth Grade: Melanie Crawford & Andrew Pace

Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship Award

Maggie Cushman & Chip Ratcliff ❷

Excellence in Teaching Awards The Kessler Award is presented to members of the Lower and Upper School faculty who exemplify Pace’s motto, “To have the courage to strive for excellence.” The Alumni Association and the Kessler Foundation co-sponsor the award, which includes a stipend for a travel study experience.

With the addition of the Middle School in 2005, Pace and the Alumni Association began presenting a similar award to Middle School teachers. The award is presented each year to a teacher who makes a positive difference in the lives of students.

This year’s Excellence in Teaching Award winners are: Amanda McGehee (Lower School), Mary Merritt (Middle School) and Erica Barbakow ❻ (Upper School).

Class of 2013 Outstanding Teaching Award Jonathan Day ❼

Cum Laude Society Teaching Award Keith Newman

Knight Capital Investment in Education Award Helen Smith

Lolly Hand Schoolkeeper Award Krista Wilhelmsen

Loridans Academic Fellowship John Pearson

LOWER SCHOOL Citizenship Award

Jack Brown & Laura Romig ❶

Pace Parents Club 20 Years of Service Award Debbie Pierce & Pam Tisdale

Pace Parents Club 30 Years of Service Award Kathie Larkin

Pacesetter Dedication

Facilities & Maintenance staff

Finishing Strong KnightTimes | Summer 2014

37

GRADUATION

The Class of 2014 …

• Will matriculate to 53 colleges and universities in 22 states and the District of Columbia • Averaged nearly 1300 on the SAT • Includes nine National Merit Finalists, three National Merit Scholars and two National Achievement Scholars

38

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

GRADUATION

Chicken biscuits and the class of 2014 A fond farewell to Pace Academy’s “most-loved”— and largest—class According to Class of 2014 Dean Allison Riley, “everyone loves chicken biscuits.” She feels the same way about the 107 members of her class, the largest in Pace history. In fact, general affection for the buttery, crumbly concoctions is so great that Riley dubbed her assemblage of adolescents “chicken biscuits,” the ultimate term of endearment.

Riley shepherded the Class of 2014 from its transition to the Upper School through academic challenges and college acceptances and into the high-school home stretch. For Pace seniors, the month of May will forever be a simultaneously emotional, exhausting and exhilarating dash to the finish line. Final classes, AP exams, senior pranks, Great American Picnic and goodbyes culminate in a three-day celebration of the class and its accomplishments.

The festivities began with a luncheon at the Head of School’s residence, marking the seniors’ official welcome to the Alumni Association.

Students accepted awards during Senior Honors Day and heard from Rev. Don (“Don’t screw it up!”) Harp at Baccalaureate. They posed for— and posted—countless photos, took in the wise words of Jim Walsh ’77 at commencement, and celebrated with family and friends.

While the calendar of events remained consistent with years past, there was something special about the merriment surrounding the Class of 2014. For some it was the excitement of the girls soccer team’s state-championship run (see story on page 22); others could see the light at the end of the Upper School-construction tunnel. But for all who participated in the festivities, the generous, loving spirit of the Class of 2014 pervaded.

“From the start, this was a different year,” said Head of Upper

School Mike Gannon in his farewell remarks to the seniors during Honors Day. “With a cloud of dust and backhoes, the old [Upper School] came down, and a new one rose from the ground… It seems to me the experience is akin to watching your younger sibling eat an ice cream cone that you cannot have.”

Gannon continued: “Coming into the year, I was anticipating some resentment, and yet nothing could have been further from the case…

This class was grateful for what they had, not resentful for what they did not. If that’s not the definition of maturity, I don’t know what is.”

It was a sentiment Riley echoed in her send-off. “You went about this year’s awkward transition smooth as glass, business as usual, graciously waiting for your younger peers to enjoy the building going up next to you and leading the school in the search for excellence,” she told the class. “Clearly, you have embraced the core goal of Pace: development of the whole person… I’m proud of your growth and optimistic for your future.”

Gannon has a penchant for hyperbole and has made a tradition of publicly declaring past graduating classes “the best” or “the most” at one thing or another. “It’s a train I’m going to get off sooner or later, lest it become insincere,” he said. “But not yet and not with this group.”

He closed his goodbye with a declaration: “This is the most loved class I’ve worked with. Each and every student has a faculty member whose first words about him or her—warts and all —are, ‘I love that kid.’ And real love is reciprocal. That’s not true every year and makes this group really special. We will miss you.”

Goodbye, chicken biscuits.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

39

GRADUATION

International Security Expert Jim Walsh ’77 on… Love?

In an excerpt from his 2014 commencement address, Walsh sheds light on “the single most important and powerful dimension to existence.”

I want to tell you a story and to confess to you the most important and surprising thing I have learned over my five decades on terra firma.

This story, which I understand to be actually true, is about a child who did not get into Pace Academy. The child was applying to kindergarten, came in, took a test of some kind, but then the family received notification that he or she had not been accepted. The father of the child was—how could one put this?—well, he was not inclined to take no for an answer. He marched into the headmaster’s office with the child in tow and demanded that the child be accepted. The headmaster, a kindly fellow with a good heart, relented and the child began at Pace.

Thirteen years later, after compiling a fairly successful but not stellar record of academic achievement, this same student applied to college. The applicant was accepted by some colleges and rejected by others. One of the acceptances came from an Ivy League school, so the student said yes.

Upon arriving at the campus, the student was told that the school had erred and had accepted more students than it should have. It accepted so many new students, that there were protests on campus that the new students would stretch the ability of the school to meet its responsibilities.

The name of this student, the student rejected by Pace when he was four years old, who got into college perhaps because of an error in the matriculation model, is Jim Walsh. And he stands before you today.

My life story points to a lesson, for me anyway, about the importance of chance, fortuna. And it has implications for how I should understand my own accomplishments and failures, and how I might view others.

Now don’t get me wrong. I believe in hard work, in part because it is one of the few domains over which we have some control. Hard work matters. Pasteur’s counsel that “chance favors the prepared

40

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

mind” has long been a core precept for me.

But let’s be clear. Chance is in the driver's seat. I may be the passenger, and I might have brought my GPS and a packed lunch, but fortuna is driving.

If not for a cantankerous father and some bad math, I would not have gone to Pace and likely would not have attended Brown [University]. But of course, fortune is not always favorable. The good and well deserving are often dealt cards that leave them worse off than any ethicist would deem fair.

My intuition is that this is true for all of us —that we have all benefited or paid dearly or benefited and paid dearly because of the whims of chance. Our place and date of birth, the strengths and faults of our parents and friends, our own endowments—be they skill in math, music or mountain biking —are mostly gifts that have been given to us.

As I reflect on that truth and try to take it all in, it is clear that they are important implications. Maybe I am not as awesome as I think I am, or more precisely, maybe I am awesome in large measure because of the gifts I have received.

It also suggests that some of those kids who did not get into Pace, did not go to a fancy college, are as talented and full of potential as those of us who did. That if not for a twist here and a turn there, they would be sitting in these pews or up at this podium.

What is especially powerful for me is the notion that had I not gotten into Pace, I would still have been me. I’d still be a smart guy.

Some things would not have changed. At my core, I would still be that bag of genetic material and experience that is Jim Walsh. But my opportunities and my place in the world might have been very different, in part because of how others viewed me.

This tells me that credentialing—one’s school, one’s zip code, the summer internships—should be treated as a possible indicator of future success, but not a demarcation of who has potential and who does not, of who is worthy and who is not.

GRADUATION

Walsh’s Words of Wisdom: “The Buzzfeed Version”

Walsh delivered Pace’s 2006 commencement speech and offered the Class of 2014 the “speed-dating version" of his previous address:

Earlier, I referred to the powerful and often debilitating ways in which selection bias cuts us off from the world, narrows our view, and undermines our ability for empathy and learning. And as I said, one way to counter that bias is to make affirmative choices that put you in regular, authentic exchange with those who are different.

Another mental trick for minimizing the damage is a clear understanding of the role that fortune plays —for good and for bad —in your life and in the life of others.

Finally, I want to end this sermon on a personal note. At the ripe old age of 54, I have arrived at a conclusion about life, about what is more important than anything else. My guess is that telling you this now is not going to be particularly useful to you, but I find it to be such a surprising and powerful fact that it seems wrong not to offer it up for consideration.

I believe the most powerful force on earth is love. Not hatred nor interest, not group identity, not guns nor armies. All of those are very powerful, but love is more so.

I know this sounds platitudinous, but it did not come from a song or a TV commercial, and it is the least likely conclusion that I would ever have come to. I work in international security; I deal with tyrants and tragedies, death and dystopia. And personally, my Irish Catholic parents would just as soon repress an emotion as feel or express it. I do not come to this conclusion easily or naturally.

But I remember a particular moment —a flash—that occurred sometime in the last year or so. Suddenly I just looked up, it hit me, and I realized that love is the most powerful force that humans can muster. And I don’t mean just romantic love or filial love. I mean a pure and powerful feeling that anyone of us can have for another, even a stranger.

I don’t expect love to persuade the North Koreans to give up their nuclear program or to stop the kidnappings by Boko Haram, but it also would not surprise me if at some point in some distant future it might make a difference even for problems such as these. I am not saying it’s time to lay down our weapons, but I also cannot deny what decades of working on human problems has revealed to me.

Now, I don’t know what to tell you about this conclusion, how to act on it, what to do with it. But I am convinced, as God is my witness, that love is the single most important and powerful dimension to this thing we call existence.

I guess, for now, I just want you to entertain that as a possibility. Do not prejudge it. I want you to bookmark it, so that when fortune strikes, and this becomes evident in some future moment, you will have a prepared mind and heart.

Walsh is a world-renowned expert in international security and a research associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Security Studies Program. He focuses on international security and nuclear weapons and has traveled to Iran and North Korea for nuclear talks. Walsh’s comments and analysis have appeared in major news publications and on every major national and international TV news channel.

• If you are nice, people will be nice to you.

• Fight for your friends.

• Don’t give up on those who love you.

• Look at yourself in a way that is both forgiving and fearless.

• Look beyond yourself; engage the other.

• Ask to see the data.

Avril and Golde Receive Prestigious Scholarships When seniors Osei Avril and Kal Golde begin college in the fall, they’ll join

an elite group of students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Georgia, respectively.

Avril is one of 1,000 Gates Millennium Scholars selected from more than 52,000 applicants. The program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provides minority students good-through-graduation scholarships to use at the college or university of their choice, as well as graduate-school funding in target disciplines and leadership-development opportunities.

Golde has received the University of Georgia’s premier undergraduate scholarship, the Foundation Fellowship. The scholarship offers a stipend that approximates the cost of attendance and provides study-abroad opportunities, research and academic conference grants and student support. Only 22 first-year students received the Fellowship; Jon Adelman ’13 was among the 26 Fellowship recipients in the Class of 2013.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

41

Senior awards Arts Alliance Career Contribution to the Arts

Cory Bush, Charlie Burruss, Baiza Cherinet, Sam Downey, Dan Gray, Jaclyn Lund, Alexandra McCorkle & Michael Sloman

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup Sarah Sukin

Booster Club Career Contribution to Athletics

Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award Charlie Burruss

English Department Award Kevin Silverstein

Foreign Language Department Award

Margery Russell Wilmot Spirit Award Katie Brewster, Cory Bush, Sam Downey, Evelyn Hobbs, Kenny Selmon & Phillip Werner

Mike Murphy Courage to Strive for Excellence Award Dishon Davis & Anna Luetters ❸

Pace Literary Prize

Keith Tremege & John King

Hayley Silverstein (French) Michael Sloman (Latin) Madison Hoff (Spanish)

Charlie Owens Letter Blanket Award

Frank D. Kaley Award

Hallie Bedol, Morgan Brewton-Johnson, Charlie Burruss, Tommy Burruss, Arden Carlton, Wilson Crisler, Callie Cunningham, Jared Datoc, Caroline Draughon, Carter Draughon, Lauren Flick, Pate Hardison, Wylie Heiner, Evelyn Hobbs, Ally Jones, Jay Kumar, Olivia Levine, Alexandra McCorkle, Will Rucker, Michael Sloman, Symone Sommerville, Jacob St. Amand, Elle Stang, Bobby Stonecipher & Katie Williamson

Wilson Alexander, Mackenzie Attridge, Hallie Bedol, Marc Bernstein, Katie Brewster, Morgan Brewton-Johnson, Kelly Brown, Alex Bussey, Eda Calapkulu, Arden Carlton, Tripp Conrad, Callie Cunningham, Jared Datoc, Mark DiMeglio, Carter Draughon, Mary Liles Fiveash, Lauren Flick, Denzel Franklin, Kal Golde, Daniel Gray, Kelliann Haidet, Pate Hardison, Evelyn Hobbs, Madison Hoff, Sarah Jacobson, John King, Jay Kumar, Gwynnie LaMastra, Katie Lucke, Anna Luetters, Jaclyn Lund, Katherine Merritt, Jake Pokalsky, Raphael Ramirez, Corey Richards, Josh Rogers, Elizabeth Roos, Sam Rubenstein, Will Rucker, Kenny Selmon, Aaron Simon, Michael Sloman, Symone Sommerville, Christopher St. Paul, Elle Stang, Kandace Thompson, Keith Tremege, Kameron Uter, Aaron Wasserman, Phillip Werner & Katie Williamson

Kal Golde & Josh Rogers

George G. Kirkpatrick Pace Knight Award

Katherine Merritt & Nathan Sokolic ❻

Gladys Johnson Award Will Egan & Sarah Jacobson

Headmaster’s Award

Peter F. Hoffman Honor Scholarship

Hilton I. Kort Service Above Self Award

Ralph Lee Newton Literary Award

Callie Cunningham

History Department Award

Baiza Cherinet & Riley Muse ❺

John Morrison & Hayley Silverstein ❽

Raymond Buckley Award

Elizabeth Roos

Denzel Franklin, Evelyn Hobbs & Kenny Selmon ❶

James De La Fuente Fine Arts Award

Robert A. Yellowlees Award

Jim and Lesley Wheeler Scholar Athlete Award

Kandace Thompson & Keith Tremege

Kent C. Taylor Jr. Award

Hallie Bedol, Kelliann Haidet, Gwynnie LaMastra, Alexandra McCorkle, Will Rucker & Aaron Wasserman

Lance and Shield Award

Alex Bussey, Callie Cunningham & Kameron Uter

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Pace Senior Citizens

Tommy Burruss, Shabrea Duffy, Sam Rubenstein & Katie Williamson

Cory Bush & Sam Downey ❹

42

Katie Duval ❼

Jason Malik & Sarah Sukin

Salutatorians

Josh Rogers & Sarah Sukin

Science Department Award Katie Duval

Sydney Rushin Mathematics Prize Josh Rogers ❷

Valedictorian Kal Golde

GRADUATION

College Choices Wilson Alexander, University of Georgia Mackenzie Attridge, University of South Carolina Osei Avril, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hallie Bedol, College of Charleston Marc Bernstein, Vanderbilt University Katie Brewster, Rhodes College Morgan Brewton-Johnson, Princeton University Jordan Brown, University of Pittsburgh Kelly Brown, Southern Methodist University Charlie Burruss, University of Georgia Tommy Burruss, University of Georgia Cory Bush, New York University Alex Bussey, University of New Haven Eda Calapkulu, University of Georgia Arden Carlton, James Madison University Hunter Cesinger, University of Colorado at Boulder Scarlett Chang, University of Georgia Baiza Cherinet, Rhodes College Tripp Conrad, College of Coastal Georgia Jessica Cooper, University of Georgia Wilson Crisler, University of Mississippi Callie Cunningham, Georgia Southern University Jared Datoc, Georgia Institute of Technology Dishon Davis, Auburn University Mark DiMeglio, Boston College Tess Dillon, University of Alabama Sam Downey, New York University Caroline Draughon, Wake Forest University Carter Draughon, Durham Technical Community College Shabrea Duffy, Georgia Southern University Katie Duval, Emory University Will Egan, University of Georgia Nathan England, University of Virginia Mary Liles Fiveash, University of Georgia Lauren Flick, Boston College Kenneth Foote-Smith, University of Miami Denzel Franklin, Stanford University Kal Golde, University of Georgia Daniel Gray, Northeastern University Max Greenberg, University of Michigan Kelliann Haidet, University of California at Berkeley Harrison Halberg, Vanderbilt University Pate Hardison, University of Georgia Wylie Heiner, University of Miami Amelia Hess, Tulane University

Evelyn Hobbs, Wake Forest University Madison Hoff, Wake Forest University Erik Howard, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sarah Jacobson, University of Georgia Kyle Johnson, George Washington University Alexandra Jones, Northeastern University Mackenzie Kelly, Elon University John King, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Jay Kumar, Washington University in St. Louis Gwynnie LaMastra, Johns Hopkins University Armani Lashley, Undecided Olivia Levine, University of Texas, Austin Katie Lucke, University of Notre Dame Anna Luetters, Southern Methodist University Jaclyn Lund, University of Virginia Jason Malik, University of Colorado at Boulder David Martos, University of Georgia Alexandra McCorkle, Elon University Katherine Merritt, Vanderbilt University John Morrison, University of Alabama Kate Morrisroe, University of Alabama Riley Muse, University of Georgia James O’Brien, Southern Methodist University Michael O’Brien, Holy Cross College Anshuman Parikh, Emory University Jeremy Paul, Georgia Institute of Technology Jake Pokalsky, University of Georgia Raphael Ramirez, North Carolina State University* Elizabeth Ratcliff, University of Virginia Corey Richards, University of Georgia Micaela Robinson, University of Texas, Austin

Josh Rogers, Princeton University Elizabeth Roos, Washington and Lee University Sam Rubenstein, University of Pennsylvania Will Rucker, University of Virginia William Rushton, University of St Andrews Coco Schiffer, Loyola Marymount University Hannah Seabright, Colorado College Kenny Selmon, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hayley Silverstein, Emory University Kevin Silverstein, Princeton University Aaron Simon, University of Michigan Josh Sloan, University of Pennsylvania Michael Sloman, University of Georgia Nathan Sokolic, Haverford College Symone Sommerville, Georgia Southern University Jacob St. Amand, University of Georgia Christopher St. Paul, University of Georgia Elle Stang, University of Southern California Bobby Stonecipher, Furman University Sarah Sukin, Yale University Kandace Thompson, Texas A&M University Keith Tremege, University of Georgia Emilia Tripodi, Fairfield University Kameron Uter, Wake Forest University* Maddie Wanzer, University of Alabama Aaron Wasserman, Georgia Institute of Technology Phillip Werner, Georgia Institute of Technology Caleb Williams, Furman University Katie Williamson, Vanderbilt University Alex Woods, Morehouse College Jules Zappone, University of Arizona •

* See page 9 KnightTimes | Summer 2014

43

ALUMNI

Sherilyn Bell Parker Allyn Ballou Veatch

Diane Herbert Gunter Douglas REID, deceased

Eric Lee

A Tribute to the Class of 1964

Hunter Hogue

Martha Pafford Schindhelm Linda Moore, deceased

David Rumrill Jack Rice Henry L. Singer II

Danny Thompson, deceased

Pace Academy’s first graduating class joins the Golden Knight Club.

In the grand scheme of things, Pace is a young school, but despite its youth, a sense of tradition, respect for the past and reverence for those who came before pervade the school community.

To honor Pace’s history and begin a new tradition, the members of Pace’s first graduating class, the Class of 1964, were invited to this year’s commencement. Four of the class’s nine surviving members and one member of Left to right: Eric Lee, the Class of 1965 attended and were honored Hunter Hogue, Martha Pafford Schindhelm during the ceremony as inaugural members of and David Rumrill the Golden Knight Club.

Following graduation, alumni and guests celebrated their 50th reunion with dinner at the Blue Ridge Grill. They reminisced about favorite faculty members, playing multiple sports due to Pace’s small size and the academic flexibility they enjoyed as students. The strong bonds of this dynamic graduating class were evident even 50 years later.

Going forward, Pace will invite its Golden Knights back to campus each spring to celebrate with the future members of this elite group.

Save the Date

Homecoming

& Reunion Some Things Never Change In the 1964 Pacesetter, Allyn “Lynn” Ballou Veatch ’64 published the following reflection on behalf of Pace’s first graduating class. Her words hold true today.

“Brief were our days among you, but what was given us here, we shall keep. Yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.” — Khalil Gibran Today, June 7, 1964, the first senior class will graduate and leave Pace. We graduates will remember our school as a dominant factor and influence in our lives… as a steppingstone to maturity or self-discipline which will enable us to accept responsibility. Here we have learned to pride ourselves in excelling.

Our thoughts and opinions have always been heard with understanding and consideration. We, the students, realize we are not just names in a file, but, as individuals, are considered of utmost importance to Pace. The Board of Trustees, administration and faculty have taken a personal interest in the problems, desires and needs of each member of the first graduating class. We have found warm and rewarding friendships with our fellow students in the atmosphere of closeness which has been characteristic of Pace since its beginning.

The great pride our school has taken in its students and their accomplishments has endowed us with a greater pride in ourselves. Pace has guided and taught us to do the best of which we are capable, to accept defeat as a challenge and to direct our lives towards a goal of excellence.

Every day at Pace has presented to each of us: an opportunity to grasp knowledge—a knowledge and awareness of the world in which we live, an opportunity to increase understanding—an understanding of which will help us to live in peace with mankind; and an opportunity to gain greater insight—an insight into the reactions and emotions, not only of ourselves, but also of others.

We have grown up with our school; this graduation marks a major milestone in the growth of Pace. The senior class is honored to have been a part of the accomplishment. As we enter college life and later assume our place in the adult world, we hope we can attain that for which we have been prepared.

We will proudly wear the name of the first graduating class of Pace Academy and carry forth, with determination and dedication, the tradition of our motto that has been instilled into our hearts and minds: “TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE.”

Weekend

2014 Oct. 10 –11, 2014

Reunion Gatherings for the Classes of 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004 & 2009 More information at: www.paceacademy.org/ alumni/reunion #ReuKNIGHT2014

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

45

ALUMNI

An Educator of Presidential Proportions The White House honors Christy Garvin '88 with teaching award.

Christy Garvin ’88 has received many awards throughout her 21-year teaching career, but this year she accepted an accolade that was a cut above the rest: the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). President Barack Obama presented the award to Garvin at the White House. Along with the award and a trip to Washington, D.C., Garvin also received $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Garvin knew she wanted to be a teacher as far back as her fourthgrade year. Inspired by the love and care of her own teachers, she aspired to give back in the same way. Garvin started at Pace in the ninth grade; the school’s small size and challenging academics appealed to her. “I had been in different private schools since kindergarten,” she says. “My parents let me pick where I wanted to go. After a lot of research, I decided I wanted a smaller, more family-oriented environment that was big into academics, and Pace was the perfect fit.”

From playing on the softball and basketball teams to bonding with her classmates during senior year, Garvin attributes her love for school to Pace. After graduating in 1988, she studied at Presbyterian College and earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and elemen-

46

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

tary education. Years later, she received a bachelor’s in biology and a Master of Education in adolescence science education.

Today, Garvin applies everything she learned at Pace and in her college career to her own classroom. She currently teaches fourth and fifth graders in the gifted program at Vaughn Elementary in Cobb County.

A parent of one of Garvin’s students anonymously nominated this charismatic teacher for the PAEMST. The nomination followed a unit on scuba diving and a field trip to the Discovery Cove theme park in Orlando, where students learned the ins and outs of scuba diving and swam with dolphins.

Garvin believes in letting her students see for themselves what the world can teach them. “I want to be seen as a facilitator of learning,” she says. “Instead of trying to impart knowledge on students, I give them the freedom to discover it for themselves. I encourage my students to be hands-on. I get them outside and get them traveling as much as I can.”

Garvin teaches from experience. She has her pilot’s license and scuba certification; she even made it to the final rounds of NASA’s Educator Astronaut selection process. She centers her classroom

ALUMNI

around the values of her teaching motto: “I will help you learn to dream and set goals, show you that your dreams can be a reality, and then equip you with the attitudes and skills necessary to achieve those dreams.”

Following her nomination for the PAEMST, Garvin took part in a six-month application process, which included filming herself teaching, transcribing her teaching methods and submitting several essays on teaching topics. All of Garvin’s hard work paid off in early March when she arrived at the White House with the other 102 award recipients and met with President Obama.

“Meeting with the President was quite an experience,” Gavin explains. “He spent time with us talking about what he’s trying to accomplish regarding our country’s education system. He also asked us if what he has implemented so far has paid off in schools around the country.”

Garvin notes that a big snowstorm hit Washington the week of her trip, and the White House was virtually empty. She remembers looking out the window and seeing first daughters Sasha and Malia Obama building snowmen on the back lawn. “It truly was an amazing experience and one I will never forget,” she says.

This may have been Garvin’s first time meeting the President, but she is no stranger to awards. She has been recognized several times at the state level and received the 2010 Aeronautics Educator Award, given by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Garvin was named Georgia’s 2003 Science Teacher of the Year and was the Aerospace Education Foundation’s Presidential Advisor for Scholarship for the 2001–2002 school year.

Between research in the Arctic Circle and coral reef conservation in Belize, Garvin practices what she preaches. Like her students, she is open to learning new things and looks forward to seeing what else the world can teach her.

— by Robin LaLone ’12

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

47

ALUMNI

Where Are They Now? In June, The Wall Street Journal’s Venture Capital Dispatch featured Lindy Morris Fishburne ’88, executive director and cofounder of Breakout Labs. Breakout Labs is a fund that supports a growing list of “hard science startups” in areas ranging from food science and biomedicine to clean energy.

started his research lab rotation in June 2014 and credits his interest in microbiology to former Pace faculty member Kevin Brown.

Ent Federal Credit Union recently promoted Victoria Selfridge ’92 to vice president of Corporate Communications. Ent is the largest local credit union in Colorado with membership of more than 236,000 and assets of more than $4 billion. This fall, Victoria and her husband, Brian, are going on safari in Botswana and Zambia to celebrate their 10-year wedding anniversary—and their 40th birthdays.

On May 17, 2014, Brian Abrams ’07 graduated magna cum laude and in the Brian Abrams '07 top four percent of his class from the University of Georgia School of Law. In August, he will begin a two-year clerkship with Federal District Judge Harold Murphy.

Christopher Tolleson ’98, a neurologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, received a Master of Public Health degree in May 2014. He and his wife, Leigh, have a young son, Gabriel.

Lauren MacKay Johnson '04 (far left) & MaryBeth Culp '05 (far right)

On April 24, 2014, Lauren MacKay Johnson ’04 and MaryBeth Culp ’05 were inducted into the University of Georgia’s Beta Chi Chapter of the Delta Omega Honor Society in Public Health. Both Lauren and MaryBeth graduated with their Master of Public Health in May.

Following graduation from Vassar College in 2008, Maureen Saunders ’02 lives in Maggie O’Haire Wayne, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Phila’04 received a Fuldelphia, and has been working as a bright Postgraduate pre-kindergarten teacher at The Children’s Scholarship to conSchool of Cabrini College. In May, she earned duct human-animal a Master of Education from Cabrini College. interaction research Maggie O'Haire '04 Maureen will soon leave her teaching position in Australia. While to work as a direct therapist for students with completing her Ph.D. at The University of special needs in the area of early intervention. Queensland, she served as project director Jon Glass ’03 for a NICHD-WALTHAM-funded grant to has been named a study animal-assisted intervention for chilvice president at dren with autism spectrum disorder and their Armstrong Lambert peers. Maggie recently returned to the United Associates, a full- States and has accepted a position on Purdue service commercial University’s faculty. real estate firm speIn December 2013, Michael Hawkins cializing in tenant ’06 graduated magna cum laude from Georrepresentation and Jon Glass '03 gia State University leasing. Jon works with a degree in biolwith clients in Atlanta and around the country ogy. He has received to identify needs and possible office options. a five-year fullHe then negotiates deals or works with tuition scholarship companies to renegotiate leases in their existto the University of ing spaces. In addition, Jon oversees human Texas at Austin and resources and assists with marketing efforts. plans to graduate Michael Hawkins '06

48

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

with a Ph.D. in microbiology. Michael

In addition to her day job as a senior associate at McKinsey & Company, Kate Heyer ’08 has become COO and co-owner of TreeSleeve, a start-up company founded by Kate’s classmate at the University of Richmond. The company produces sleeves for coffee cups out of bagasse, waste created when sugarcane is crushed to make sugar. TreeSleeve sources bagasse from developing nations, and for every purchase, plants a tree within a deforested part of the world.

The product is represented in nearly 90 percent of independent coffee stores in Connecticut, but Kate and her team, which includes Creative Director Sarah Butler ’07, hope to penetrate the national market by fall.

“At TreeSleeve, our mission is to help eradicate the cycle of deforestation affecting our planet every day, starting with coffee shop waste,” says Kate. “Millions of trees are cut down each year to produce single-use paper coffee sleeves. As a company, we believe we only do well by doing good.” TreeSleeve hopes to expand its offerings to cups and lids in the near future.

ALUMNI

Megan Elliott ’07 graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in May 2014. In addition to the commencement ceremony, Megan’s graduation weekend included a proposal from longtime boyfriend Brandon Long.

She recently moved to Houston, Texas, to pursue a career as a prosecutor.

Sam Elliott ’09 graduated from Georgia Tech with high honors and an industrial engineering degree. He will start work with Deloitte in Atlanta this fall.

In December 2013, Katie Abrams ’10 graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia Terry School of Business. Katie works for the Atlanta Hawks.

Megan '07 & Sam Elliott '09

May 31 at Boston Common’s Lambert Marketplace. Temple Twist released a limited amount of Original Temple Twist Bottles, and an additional 1,000 units of the special edition summer-sized bottles were produced for a mid-July Atlanta launch. Temple Twist will be sold in 12-ounce bottles at independent grocers and boutique restaurants throughout Boston.

“My team and I wanted to create a beverage with exceptional taste, healthy strides, environmental awareness and, most importantly, fun,” Jon says. “Temple Twist bottles all-natural and organic ingredients in recyclable glass and quenches soda cravings without the unnecessary additives. We’ve combined an original taste with an organic twist to create a product that is satisfying and refreshing.”

Jon, who served as president of the Pace Class of 2010 and the Emerson College Class of 2014, now leads Temple Twist full-time.

Learn more at www.TempleTwist.com.

Tommy Burruss ’14 interned with New South Construction Company over the summer and was assigned to the Pace Upper School project.

Kenny Selmon ’14, state-champion hurdler, continued competing (and winning!) over the summer. He won a national title in the 400 hurdles at the 2014 New Balance Nationals Outdoor championships with a time of 50.48 seconds—the nation’s No. 1 performance among prep competitors in 2014. In recognition of his outstanding high school career, Gatorade named Kenny the Boys Track and Field 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year.

Nathan Sokolic ’14 spent the summer before freshman year of college as a Bank of America Student Leader. The program connects young leaders with employment that helps give them the necessary tools to serve their communities. Nathan participated in internships with the East Lake Foundation, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch.

He also traveled to Washington, D.C., to take part in the 2014 Bank of America Student Leadership Summit.

Katie Abrams '10

Jon Allen ’10 loves Shirley Temples— so much so that he created an all-natural, organic version of the popular beverage during a yearlong entrepreneurial studies class at Emerson College. His concept won the school’s 2013 E3 (Emerson Entrepreneurial Experience) competition, and Jon received $10,000 in funds and professional services to pursue his idea.

With the capital, Jon launched Temple Twist, a soft drink that made its debut on

Kenny Selmon '14

Brian Klarman '13 (right) with fellow Emory University debaters.

Brian Klarman ’13 has continued his outstanding debate career as a member of Emory University’s debate team. Brian and a classmate represented Emory in the prestigious Lafayette Debates, which are hosted by the French Embassy and George Washington University’s Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies. More than 50 teams—many of them made up of senior debaters—representing 28 schools were invited to participate. Brian and his partner won the tournament, and as a prize, were invited to travel to France in June to meet with French government officials, intellectuals and businesspeople.

Temple Twist founder Jon Allen ’10 with comedian Jay Leno, a fellow Emerson College alumnus and the school’s 2014 commencement speaker.

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

49

ALUMNI

1

BIRTHS

MARRIAGES

David Liebmann ’87 and his wife, Anna Catone Liebmann, had a daughter, Grace Catone, on April 2, 2014.

Nancy Shippen Livengood ’89 married Thomas S. Livengood on May 25, 2013, at Kairos Church in Atlanta. Jane Shippen Levings ’90 served as the matron of honor, and Jay Shippen ’96 was best man. Bo Shippen ’84, Margaret Shippen Sanders ’81, Bill Shippen ’85, Noel Turner ’70, Mary Charles Capps Pryor ’89, Kelly Nugent Motz ’90 and Catherine Vickers Cornell ’90 attended.

The Livengoods honeymooned in Costa Rica and now live in Atlanta. Nancy is an artist and has started painting live events such as weddings, graduations, anniversaries and corporate events.

Elizabeth Jablonski-Diehl Newcamp ’00 and Jeff Newcamp welcomed Oliver Michael on May 10, 2014. He weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20.5 inches. He joins big brother Henry, 2.

Gregory Simmons Lemos ’00 and her husband, Rob, welcomed Joshua Robert on March 27, 2014, at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20.5 inches. Joshua joins big sister Eliana, 1.

2

3

4

5

On May 6, 2014, Alison Wood Meyer ’00 and her husband, Charlie, had a daughter, Susan Pearce. Susan joins big sisters Frances, 4, and Tate, 2. The family lives in Houston, Texas.

Caroline Cardon Nolan ’00 and her husband, Casey, welcomed Hudson Wade on April 8, 2014. Hudson weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and joins twin big brothers Carden and Aiden, 3. The family resides in Arlington, Virginia.

Katie Tison Baddour ’02 and her husband, Michael, had a daughter, Southwood “South” Nassif, on May 9, 2014.

6 8

7 9

Genna Gaddy Franconi ’02 and her husband, Peter, welcomed Virginia Grace on May 15, 2014. The family is happy to be back in Atlanta after five years in New York City. Genna serves as a vice president and director of content strategy and social media for 22squared, an advertising agency in Midtown.

Kelly and Pete Goodrich ’03 welcomed son August “Gus” William on May 19, 2014. He was 7, pounds 6 ounces and joins big sister Louisa, 2. The family lives in Christchurch, Virginia, where Pete teaches history and serves as a soccer and basketball coach at Christchurch School.

DaniEle Bourget Simon ’00 married Matt Simon in Philadelphia, on March 29, 2014. Pace alumni in attendance were matron of honor Lauren Linder Grunberg ’00, bridesmaid Jeaneva Hollins ’00, hostess Celena Coachman ’00, Whitney Allsopp Jackson ’98 and groomsman Marc Bourget ’97.

Daniele and Matt received undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and work as emergency medicine physicians. Matt is an assistant professor at Temple University Hospital, and Daniele recently finished her final year as a resident at Temple University Hospital. She joined Pennsylvania Hospital’s emergency department faculty in July 2014.

Meredith Gould Little ’02 married Graham Little on May 10, 2014, in Seaside, Florida. The couple met as students at Rhodes College. Pace alumni in attendance were Meredith Wertheim Blechman ’02, Britton Parker ’02, Emily Nickerson ’02, Jessie Duhon ’02, Lucy Inman ’02, Jennifer Rybert ’02 and Ellen Rose ’02. Katie Tison Baddour ’02 was a bridesmaid but welcomed a child on May 9 and could not attend.

Tara and Danko Barisic ’03 had a healthy and happy baby girl, Elise Petra, on Jan. 8, 2014. The family lives in San Antonio, Texas.

1) August "Gus" William Goodrich with big sis Louisa; 2) Susan Pearce Meyer; 3) Grace Catone Liebmann; 4) Virginia Grace Franconi; 5) Hudson Wade Nolan; 6) Oliver Michael Newcamp; 7) Joshua Robert Lemos; 8) Southwood "South" Nassif Baddour; 9) Elise Petra Barisic

50

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

ALUMNI

Graham and Meredith live in New Orleans, where Meredith is a certified public accountant and a finance-reporting manager at Cox Media Group. Graham is a commercial real estate broker.

Caroline Faulkner ’04 and Steve Shirley ’03 were married May 10, 2014, on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. Their reception took place at the Pink Sands Hotel.

Katie Daly Johnson ’03, Jon Birdsong ’03, John Belle Lattimer ’03, Andrew Alexander ’04, Mary Radford Wyatt Von Werssowetz ’04, Sarah Baxley ’04, Dana Cohen ’04, Blake Shirley ’01, Natalie Underwood Shirley ’01 and Alec White ’03 attended. Caroline and Steve live in New York City. Caroline is an account executive for fashion designer Lela Rose, and Steve is a product manager for Spotify.

Katie Daly Johnson ’03 married Ben Johnson on April 12, 2014, at the Johnson’s family farm in Culloden, Georgia. Pace friends in attendance were maid of honor Molly Daly ’07, Laura Ridall Torbert ’03, Walt Torbert ’97, Steve Shirley ’03, John Belle Lattimer ’03, Jon Birdsong ’03, Andrew Alexander ’03, Brooks Ficke ’03, Alec White ’03, Caitlin Goodrich Jones ’00, Talbott Head SHAW ’03, Blythe O’Brien Hogan ’03, Susanna Shakespeare Karshner ’04, Jenni Ridall Coale ’05 and former faculty member Kevin Coale. Ben and Katie live in Atlanta, where Ben works in commercial real estate. Katie is a marketing communications supervisor at Comcast.

Adrienne Barbour ’04 married Robert Kyle May, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on May 24, 2014. The ceremony was held at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans with Liles Wilson ‘04 serving as one of Adrienne’s bridesmaids. The couple met at Tulane University and currently reside in New Orleans. Adrienne, a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, is an associate in the law firm of Shields Mott, LLP. She joined the firm

shortly after graduating in 2013 from Tulane University Law School, where she was editorin-chief of the Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property. In 2008, she graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University’s honors program in American Studies. Kyle, who earned his Bachelor of Science and M.B.A. from Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, is an equity analyst with Capital One Securities.

Laura Coker Bussert ‘04 and Jarred Bussert were married at Atlanta’s Northside United Methodist Church on March 29, 2014. A reception followed at King Plow Arts Center. Lindsey Williamson ’04 served as the maid of honor, and Sarah Johnson Cossich ’04 was as a bridesmaid. Bo Coker ’01 served as a groomsmen, while Morgan Hill ’03 was a reader. Valerie Skinner ’04, Courtney DeLaney ’04, Liles Wilson ’04, Molly Levenson Eisenberg ’04 and Tim Schaetzel ’04 were in attendance as well.

Laura attended Presbyterian College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She now works as a human resources generalist for Charter Communications over the technical operations area. She is based out of Duluth, Georgia, but has locations in Smyrna, Athens, Gainesville, Cedartown, Carrollton and Piedmont, Alabama. Jarred is a native of Savannah, Georgia, and attended Savannah Christian Academy. He graduated in 2007 from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in real estate. Jarred works for RaceTrac Petroleum as a senior manager over IT developers.

In their free time, Laura and Jarred enjoy weekly dinners at Jalisco’s with their family and friends, sports—mainly running—tennis for Laura and golf for Jarred. Laura will compete in her fifth half marathon in October, and Jarred will participate in his first Sprint Triathlon in November. The couple live in Atlanta’s Brookhaven neighborhood.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1) The Barbour/May wedding; 2) The Coker/Bussert wedding; 3) The Faulkner/ Shirley wedding; 4) The Shippen/Livengood wedding; 5) The Daly/Johnson wedding; 6) The Gould/Little wedding; 7) The Bourget/Simon wedding

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

51

ALUMNI

Charlie Burruss ’14, David Burruss ’74 and Tommy Burruss ’14

Karen Greenberg St. Amand ’81 and Jacob St. Amand ’14

Alison and Jonathan Levine ’77, Olivia Levine ’14, Molly Levine '17 and Alexa Levine '20

Neil Conrad ’84, Tripp Conrad ’14 and Ann Douthitt Conrad ’84

Olivia Dillon ’17, Mary McCune Dillon ’81, Tess Dillon ’14, Mike Dillon and Claire Dillon ’11

Kelly Klumok Schiffer ’87 and Coco Schiffer ’14

Bo Heiner ’84 and Wylie Heiner ’14

Jody Beckman Rushton ’81 and stepson William Rushton ’14

Generations of Grads Last year, Pace started a new tradition and photographed alumni parents with their graduating seniors. The tradition continues! Congratulations to the newest Pace alumni and their parents!

52

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Alumni Prep Class of 2014 for College In recent years, Pace’s College Counseling Office has coordinated a half-day college seminar for members of the senior class during their final week on campus.

The event includes information about the transition from high school to college and advice from recent Pace graduates regarding their own experiences.

This year, Zeena Lattouf ’12, Jakob Jorgens ’12, Annie Riddell ’12, Morgan Frazier ’13, Michelle Yancich ’13, Sarah Boone ’13, Sydney Willis ’13, Adam Ellender ’13, Alexander Reckford ’13, Adri Urquieta ’13, Alex Paré ’13 and Caroline Smith ’13 served on the panel and provided invaluable insights to the Class of 2014.

ALUMNI

Alumni Association Hosts Inaugural Knight Cap On Friday, April 25, more than 150 alumni, faculty and friends gathered at Chastain Horse Park for the Alumni Association’s inaugural Knight Cap. The evening included bourbon and wine tastings, food by Avenue Catering Concepts and a silent auction. Austin McDonald ’97 and Emery Deyo Bourne ’89 cochaired the event, which raised more than $18,000 for the Alumni Fund.

All alumni are invited to join the Alumni Association for the 2015 Knight Cap. Details to come!

Photos by Ashton Staniszewski

Sponsors king & queen Sponsor $2,500 McDonald Development Company

knight Sponsors $1,000

Josh Belinfante ‘95 & Karina Khouri Belinfante ’95; Charley Brickley ‘88 & Suzie Brickley; Austin McDonald ‘97 & Stephanie McDonald; Jared Reisman ‘97

lords & ladies Sponsors $500

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Dave Cleveland & Elizabeth Dangar Cleveland ‘92; Quill Healey ‘86 & Jennifer Healey; HMI Properties; Julie Newman ‘96; John & Jane Ridall

pacesetter Sponsors $250

Wheeler Bryan ‘98 & Katy Bryan; Doug & Nancy Bryant; Dexter Companies, LLC; Andrew Griffin ‘99 & Britt Jackson Griffin ‘00; BizHelp Consulting—Cindy Gay Jacoby ‘83; Will Killgore & Maggie Isler Killgore ‘96; Ryan Levenson & Jessica Sutherland Levenson ‘93; Mike McCloskey & Heather Patrick McCloskey ‘89; Greg Mullin ‘90; David Silbert & Elizabeth McNeill Silbert ‘99; Ian Smith ‘90 & Norah Smith; Andrew Teegarden ‘99 & Kimbrell Teegarden; Ben Thorpe ‘00; Michael Wagoner & Deborah Celecia Wagoner ‘84; Tim Walsh ‘81 & Leigh Draughon Walsh ‘81; Tyler Wheeler ‘00; Catherine Woodling ‘00

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

53

ALUMNI

Alumni Out And About Send your news and photos to alumni@paceacademy.org.

Kip Pastor '00 and Andrew Alexander

Cocktails in California On April 21, several Pace alumni gathered at The W in Los Angeles to catch up with classmates over cocktails. Andrew Alexander ’04, a member of the Alumni Association Board, organized the event.

A Warm “Welcome Home” for Walsh Prior to Jim Walsh ’77’s commencement address on May 17, Leigh Draughon Walsh ’81 and Tim Walsh ’81 hosted alumni and faculty at a reception at their home.

Front, left to right: Patty Heerman Perkins ’77, Jim Walsh ’77, Shari Abrams Marx ’77, Gary Marx ’77, Mary Bradshaw Zizzi ’77, longtime faculty member Helen Smith and Tuck Perkins ’76; Back, left to right: Paul Zizzi, Phil Thompson ’77, Jonathan Levine ’77, Scott Perkins ’77, Randy Marcum ’80 and Tim Walsh.

It’s a Small, Small World

Are you interested in helping coordinate your class’s upcoming reunion?

Networking in New York

Email alumni@paceacademy.org 54

KnightTimes | Summer 2014

Kimmy Coburn ’02 recently connected with Cameron Smith ’05 in the city of Cork, Ireland (pictured above). Kimmy was exploring the Emerald Isle, and Cameron, a performer on Cunard’s Queen Victoria, was docked in Cork for the day. “I saw Kimmy’s Facebook status that said she was vacationing in Ireland and messaged her,” Cameron says. “It happened to work out that we could meet for tea and coffee before she left town to continue her travels!”

On June 11, more than 30 Pace alumni in the New York City area reunited for a happy hour at Ainsworth Park, located in the Gramercy/ Union Square neighborhood. Courtney Schaefer ’07 coordinated the event.

ALUMNI

Lindsey Zwecker ’13, Ariel Stern ’13, Sydney Willis ’13 and Sarah Boone ’13

Ricardo Goellnicht ’12 and Ryan Berry ’12

Spencer Receives 2014 Alumni Scholar Award In 1995, a group of Pace alumni established the Alumni Scholar Award, a unique distinction awarded to exemplary students who epitomize Pace values. The award was created to provide a significant alumni gift to the school’s endowment fund, to encourage alumni involvement in the Pace community and to promote student awareness of the importance of alumni support.

It is given annually to a student selected by the Alumni Scholar Award Board, made up of alumni and faculty and chaired by John

Inman ’83.

Jack Spencer ’15, son of Elizabeth Bridges Spencer ’81, received the 2014 Alumni

Bottom, left to right: Mary Elizabeth Morse ’11, Lindsey Zwecker ’13 and Katie Thompson ’11; Top, left to right: Reade Midyette ’11, Billy Tutt ’11, Jared Wasserman ’11, Lucy Wellborn ’13 and Caroline Smith ’13

Once a Knight, Always a Knight Young alumni turned up at the varsity girls soccer team’s state semifinal and final matches in May and cheered the Knights to victory.

Scholar Award. Jack is an involved member of the Pace community, and can be found mentoring eighth graders with Pace Academy Student Support or cheering enthusiastically at basketball games with the Knights of the Round Table.

A talented athlete, Jack received the Lance and Shield Award his freshman year, has started at center for the varsity football team since his sophomore year and co-founded the Pace chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in his junior year. Outside of Pace, Jack is an Eagle Scout, an active member of his church’s youth group and is pursuing an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduating, Jack plans to study engineering and become a Naval fighter pilot.

— by Morgan BrewtonJohnson ’14

Have you liked, followed or joined us yet?

www.facebook.com/ paceacademyalumniassociation

www.linkedin.com/ paceacademyalumniassociation

www.twitter.com/ pacealumni

966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327 www.paceacademy.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED If you have received multiple copies of this publication, please contact the Advancement Office at 404-240-9103 or advancement@paceacademy.org to update your address.

The Annual Fund powers every program and every person at Pace Academy.

More than 1,085 parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Pace Academy contributed to the 2014 Annual Fund.

We surpassed our $1-million goal and raised more than $1.2 million.

Thank you!

The Annual Fund provides crucial support for operating expenses, technology, the arts, athletics, faculty, student activities and campus facilities.

Special thanks to our 2014 Annual Fund volunteers for their time, energy and commitment to Pace Academy. www.paceacademy.org/annualfund