KnightTimes Spring 2022

SPRING 2022

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

50 in the

POOL Swimming & Diving marks a half-century

SPRING EVENTS COMMEMORATE ACCELERATE PACE CAMPAIGN SUCCESS

CE LEBR AT ING

THE KAM MEMAR LOWER SCHOOL

PRESE NTING

DA N C I N G Q U E E N

W H AT A K N I G H T! T H E PA RE N TS C LU B A PPREC I AT ES T H E SU PP O RT FROM T H E D O N O RS A N D S P O NSO RS O F I TS 20 22 AUC T I O N, D ISCO K N I G H TS! S T AY I N ’ A L I V E

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BOOGI E F EVE R

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L A S T DA N C E

U YO K AN TH UR O TO US O R NE S GE OR S N S PO

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Tanya & Raj Kothari

Jennifer & Doug Astrop

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Karina Khouri Belinfante '95 & Josh Belinfante '95

Melinda Chandler & Mikel Muffley

Shannon & Tom Dempsey

Peachtree Smile Center LLC

Lauren Lorberbaum & Sean Donohue

Crystal & Alpesh Shah

Cindy Davis|Greenberg Traurig LLP

Mindi and Pete Shelton

Highland Diamond

Natasha & Christopher Swann

We honored our swimming and diving seniors in January.

THE EDITOR MY HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS CAREER included a month or two of junior varsity gymnastics (I broke a toe) and two unremarkable seasons of swimming (I may have exaggerated an injury to get out of competing in the 200 butterfly). Needless to say, I did not go down in the annals of Pace Academy history for my athletics accomplishments—but I gave it a shot.

My stint as an AquaKnight did, however, provide a glimpse of what it takes to be a high-caliber studentathlete and a better understanding of the unique brand of camaraderie forged when teammates come together toward a common goal.

While writing 50 Years in the Pool (page 38), I had fun recalling early morning swim practices and the feel of flippers, and I marveled at the way the Pace campus has been transformed over the past half-century. Paging through old yearbooks and talking with swimmers and divers past and present made me even more proud of our current student-athletes and the ways in which they balance their myriad commitments while representing our community with decency and determination.

CAI T LI N GOODRICH J O N E S ’0 0 DIRECTOR OF C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

I hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane—and that you also feel great pride in the accomplishments of all of our students, faculty and staff detailed in this issue. Go, Knights!

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PACE CARES

When our families and staff are in need, PACE CARES. Contact us to deliver a meal: pacecares@paceacademy.org

GUE S T WRIT E R 966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327 www.paceacademy.org

HEAD OF SCHOOL F R ED A S S A F

DIVISION HEADS DOR O T H Y HU T C HE S ON Head of Lower School GR A H A M A N T HON Y Head of Middle School MI C H A EL GA NNON Head of Upper School

SARAH LETTES ’15 is a transportation specialist for

ICF, an environmental consulting firm in Washington, D.C. While at Pace, Lettes ran cross-country and track, participated in Student Council and took part in the first year of the Isdell Global Leaders program. She also helped start an environmental club and Pace's composting system. In 2019, she graduated from Brown University, where she studied economics. In her free time, Lettes loves running, hiking and listening to music.

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M A R Y S T UA R T GR AY ’16 Communications Associate R YA N V IHLEN Creative Services Manager, Graphic Designer

GEM SHO T S PHO T OGR A PHI C w w w.gemshot s .com LEO PHO T OGR A PHER w w w.leophotogr apher.com SM A X PHO T OGR A PH Y w w w. smaxar t .com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER DA N A JAC K S ON

OUR MISSION To create prepared, confident citizens of the world who honor the values and legacy of Pace Academy.

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

24 A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Strings concert celebrates cinema

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25 MIDDLE SCHOOL PHOTO CONTEST

08 CHRIS ALUKA BERRY Middle School STEAM teacher opens two photography exhibits

26 THE UPPER SCHOOL'S ANNUAL WINTER SHOWCASE

09 TEAM ANSWER FOR CANCER Pace cohort wins LLS Students of the Year Competition

27 THIRD-GRADE PLAY

09 JONATHAN FERRELL HONORED Director of College Counseling receives Friend of TACAC Award

LEL A WA LL AC E Digital Communications Manager

C HR I S A LUK A BER R Y

24 SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL

07 NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS

DIDIER BR I VA L Digital Content Producer

ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS 22 ANYTHING GOES The Middle School musical

07 STATE LITERARY CHAMPIONSHIP CARLY CANNON ’24 wins gold

C A I T LIN GOODR I C H JONE S ’0 0 Director of Communications, editor

F R ED A S S A F

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06 MEET AUTHOR SIDNEY KEYS ’24 Empowering boys and advocating for African American literature

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

NEWS

AROUND PACE A look at what’s happening on campus 10 DISCO KNIGHTS The Parents Club hosts our first in-person Auction since 2020 12 FACES OF PACE Behind the scenes with HEATHER ALLEN BERNES ’05, MEGAN MINDEL and GEORGE SOKOLSKY 14 UPPER SCHOOL MATH TEAM 14 MODEL UN: ON THE ROAD AGAIN An update on our thriving policy simulation program 15 DAY OF GIVING The Pace Fund event encourages giving and emphasizes gratitude 16 LIFE TRUSTEE DINNER 18 CASTLE CIRCLE MEMBER PROFILE BRENT EDEN ’98 and SARA EDEN make provisions for a planned gift 20 DEI: TRACKING OUR PROGRESS Cultivating a sense of belonging

26 SECOND-GRADE PLAY

27 SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM 28

ICGL The Isdell Center for Global Leadership 28 THE YEAR OF EDUCATION 30 SPRING-BREAK STUDY TOURS

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WINTER SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Basketball cheerleading, boys basketball, girls basketball and wrestling 36 38TH ANNUAL PACE RACE

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50 YEARS IN THE POOL Our swimming and diving program celebrates its golden anniversary

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ACCELERATING TO THE FINISH LINE Spring events commemorate campaign success as students make the Kam Memar Lower School feel like home

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ALUMNI 52 ALUMNI UPDATES 58 ALUMNI EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT JAMES MICKENS ’97, professor at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences 60 ALUMNI IN LOVE, PART 2 63 ALUMNI EVENTS 66 FROM THE ARCHIVES

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Pace Community, As the 2021–2022 school year accelerates to the finish, I’ve been reminded again and again why I love my job. We’ve celebrated college acceptances and academic accomplishments, cheered our student-athletes to postseason victories, taken in spectacular spring concerts and visual arts exhibits, traveled the country and witnessed the astounding generosity of the Pace Academy community— thank you for making all of that possible!

Our springtime traditions and celebrations have been made all the more memorable by the successful conclusion of the Accelerate Pace campaign—a milestone moment for our school.

When we launched Accelerate Pace three years ago with a goal of $33 million, we faced extraordinary circumstances; nevertheless, we charged ahead, led by our Board of Trustees and Board Chair ELIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS. The beautiful Kam Memar Lower School is now officially open (see coverage on page 44), thanks to more than 1,000 gifts from members of our school family and friends in the greater Atlanta community. Regardless of size, each gift represents a commitment to our mission, our faculty and staff, and the children in our care.

As we bid farewell to the Class of 2022 and look ahead to the coming academic year, I want to once again thank our COVID Response Team and medical advisers—their time, effort and expertise have allowed us to remain healthy and in school this year. I also want to thank you for your continued partnership and for your belief in our shared vision and values. I’m grateful to be part of this special community.

THE COVER When SOPHIA PIDURU ’33, LAYLA MCCALL ’33, CHRISTIAN FLETCHER ’33 and HOLDEN HOWELL ’33 enrolled at Pace Academy, the Lower School was a construction zone. Today, these first graders and their classmates are among the 373 students who call the new Kam Memar Lower School home.

Image by DIDIER BRIVAL

THIS PAGE In March, more than 30 alumni leaders gathered in the Kam Memar Lower School for a "fireside chat" with Head of School FRED ASSAF. See more on page 63.

Sincerely,

FRED ASSAF

HEAD OF SCHOOL

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NEWS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE KEYS TO LITERACY

MEET BESTSELLING AUTHOR SIDNEY KEYS

As a young child, SIDNEY KEYS ’24 found respite from a persistent stutter in reading, but he quickly grew tired of books that didn’t reflect his identity as a Black boy.

Keys decided to take matters into his own hands and, in 2016, founded Books N Bros with his mother, WINNIE THOMPSON. The book club strives to empower boys while advocating for African American literature. Each month, Keys selects a book and mails it to Books N Bros members along with discussion guides and other book-related items.

Now, in addition to “activist” and “entrepreneur,” Keys can add “bestselling author” to his resume. In 2021, he published Cool Bros Read, a children’s book that documents his literary journey and has landed atop Amazon’s list of bestsellers. His efforts have been covered in publications like Oprah’s O Magazine, Scholastic Choices and HuffPost.

Keys, who moved from St. Louis to Atlanta last year, has found a home at Pace. “My experience so far has been amazing,” he says. “I’ve been exposed to many different people and activities that I wouldn’t have been as keen to involve myself with if it wasn’t for how Pace welcomed me with open arms. My dean [CAITLIN TERRY] has made my transition spectacular.”

Next up for Keys? “I plan to continue advocating for literacy—specifically African American literacy—by providing resources to underserved communities,” he says. l

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AUCHINCLOSS, GRAY & MEYEROWITZ WIN SCHOLASTIC WRITING AWARDS For nearly 100 years, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have supported the future of creativity by recognizing outstanding young artists and authors across the country.

Thousands of students enter the annual competition for the opportunity to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published, and this year, MILLIE GRAY ’24, MADISON AUCHINCLOSS ’22 and MOLLIE MEYEROWITZ ’22 received Writing Awards. Auchincloss earned Honorable Mention recognition in the personal essay and memoir category; Meyerowitz claimed a Silver Key for her short story; and Gray brought home two Honorable Mentions and a Silver Key for poetry. l

KAPLAN

FROOMAN

FAUX

CHERN

CATHERMAN

NEWS

FIVE PHENOMENAL FINALISTS

BYRNE

DAVIS

SCHMITT

MASON

WHITE

WEBB

HINGST

CANNON

After winning 10 medals—seven of them gold—at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) regional literary meet, a delegation of Pace artists, performers, writers and public speakers advanced to the State Literary Championship in March.

Against the top performers in GHSA Class AA, CARLY CANNON ’24 claimed the title in the Girls Solo category with her performance of Zueignung by Strauss and Lungi dal caro bene by Sarti. Cannon joined AVA BYRNE ’23 and LYNDSEY DAVIS ’23 in the silver-medal-winning Girls Trio. Also placing second in the state was JACK SCHMITT ’23 in the Boys Solo category. The boys quartet—Schmitt, BRODY HINGST ’23, JORDAN LOUGHRAN ’23 and CHRIS MASON ’23—brought home bronze. Other state qualifiers were HANNAH WHITE ’24, KATE WEBB ’23 and RYAN VARMA ’22. l

LOUGHRAN

ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

CANNON EARNS LITERARY MEET GOLD

VARMA

Congratulations to JOHN CATHERMAN ’22, BENJAMIN CHERN ’22, SYDNEY FAUX ’22, MARIELLE FROOMAN ’22 and COLE KAPLAN ’22, who have been named National Merit Finalists based on their performance on the PSAT. The distinction places them among the top 15,000 of the 1.5 million students who entered the 2022 competition. l

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E. caballus: The Domesticated Horse at the Griffin celebrates horses and includes pieces by seven photographers. Berry’s nine color images come from his Second Chances: Josh’s Salvation collection, the story of an Army veteran serving a prison term for second-degree burglary who qualified to work with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

“Even without knowing that backstory, Berry’s photographs convey a sense of inspiration and possibility,” writes Mark Feeney of the Boston Globe.

In Affrilachia: The Remnant that Remains at the MSMA, Berry’s photos capture Black culture and history in the Appalachian region in an attempt to document the moments that define their communities. “[Berry’s] hope is to immortalize these moments in a disappearing, and often undocumented, history,” writes reporter Hadley Cottingham. Three of Berry’s photos are now part of the MSMA’s permanent collection. This project will also be available in a coffee table book, which will be published by the University of Kentucky Press in 2023.

TWO NEW EXHIBITS SHOWCASE THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF STEAM TEACHER CHRIS ALUKA BERRY

THE ART OF

When CHRIS ALUKA BERRY joined the Middle School faculty in 2020 as a part-time STEAM teacher, he brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from his years as a freelance photojournalist for news organizations such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Reuters.

A four-time South Carolina News Photographer of the Year, Berry, who teaches Art & Science, balances his teaching responsibilities with photo assignments that take him throughout the U.S. Recently, his work was featured in exhibitions at two museums: Boston’s Griffin Museum of Photography and The Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art (MSMA) at Piedmont University.

“Photography is such a wonderful tool for art, science, social justice and pure joy,” says Berry.

“I consider it a great privilege to instill this love for photography in the minds of our students.” l

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OB SER VA

J

COMMITTED TO A CURE PACE TEAM WINS LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY’S STUDENTS OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

NEWS

ORDAN LOUGHRAN ’23 (pictured, left) was 2 years old when he was diagnosed with ALL Philadelphia chromosome leukemia, a disease that required chemotherapy, radiation and two bone marrow transplants to achieve remission.

During Loughran’s two bouts with the blood cancer, he and his family found support with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), an organization that funds research; provides education and support for patients, survivors, families and healthcare professionals; and advocates for policies at the state and federal levels. So, when Loughran—now 12 years cancer-free—was nominated to participate in LLS’s Students of the Year Atlanta program, he jumped at the opportunity to give back to the organization that saved his life.

The program brings together exemplary high-school students to raise funds for LLS while developing entrepreneurship, marketing and project-management skills. Joining Loughran on Team Answer for Cancer were co-captain ALICE VOIGT ’23 (pictured, right) and BARRETT HIGHT ’23 (pictured, center), whose grandmother is fighting an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“The cause is very near and dear to our hearts,” says Hight. “We had a great team of 24 [other students] that was committed to raising money for this great cause because we’ve seen how [LLS] has affected people in our lives.”

Over the course of the seven-week fundraising campaign, Loughran, Hight, Voigt and their team recruited corporate sponsors like Chick-fil-A, Papa John’s, Google and Equifax; sent hundreds of solicitation emails to personal contacts; and partnered with Scofflaw Brewing to host a fundraising event. A beautiful video featuring students’ personal stories and a song performed by Hight and former Pace student LEAH FASER helped bolster awareness and donations. When all was said and done, Answer to Cancer emerged victorious, outraising 33 area teams to claim the top prize and advance to the national competition, for which results will be announced in June.

“We had so much support from friends and family,” Loughran reports. “We are just so happy to know that all we raised will go directly to patients in need and contribute to the development of better treatments to finally find a cure for cancer!”

Four other Pace students contributed to the success of the 2022 Students of the Year program: ELSIE MIDDLETON ’24, CARLY CANNON ’24 and MILLIE GRAY ’24 led Team Secure the Cure, while VIVIAN KOHN ’24 spearheaded Team Saving Our Youth. l

TACAC HONORS FERRELL At the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) 2022 conference in April, Director of College Counseling JONATHAN FERRELL officially completed his term as past president of the nonprofit organization and received the Friend of TACAC Award, given by the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC) to individuals or organizations who make significant contributions to the association or its mission. As president of SACAC, Ferrell reached out to TACAC representatives in the wake of an unprecedented 2021 snowstorm and re-established the TACAC member relief fund, which raised more than $18,000 to assist members as they recovered from Winter Storm Uri. l 2022

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AROUND PACE A LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PACE

THE PARENTS CLUB AUCTION THE PARENTS CLUB’S

off-thehook efforts have kept school spirit stayin’ alive throughout the pandemic, and the Pace community was ready to party at Disco Knights on April 2, the first in-person Auction since 2019. Led by co-chairs ELISHA ALDEN, NICOLE HARMON and KATIE WEAVER, the event brought together parents, faculty, staff and friends of the school for an evening of fun and fundraising at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. l

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AROUND PACE

Photos by CHRIS ALUKA BERRY

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AROUND PACE

Associate Director of Middle and Upper School Admissions How did you come to work at Pace?

Shortly after moving back to Atlanta, I participated in Leadership Pace [a selective two-day program that brings together Pace alumni for an inside look at their alma mater] as a way to reconnect with the school and become a more actively engaged alumnus. When I signed up, I really had no idea what to expect out of the weekend and certainly didn't know that it would ultimately lead me to the Admissions team and a job that I love, but I'm so glad that it did!

What do you do that falls beyond the scope of your job description?

In addition to my role in Admissions, I am a sixthgrade adviser and one of the faculty facilitators of the Jewish Affinity Group. After participating in Leadership Pace, I also joined the Alumni Board and am currently finishing up my second year of a three-year term—although my service on the Alumni Board is technically not a part of my job, it’s yet another way I plug in to the life of the school.

Why is Pace a special place to work?

Pace is a special place to work for many of the same reasons that it is a special place to be a student. That sense of community, of family and of unwavering support is ubiquitous. As an alumnus, I feel like I’m coming home every day I come to work. The teachers are amazing. The students are amazing. The parents are amazing. The relationships are dynamic. There is a passion for learning and a desire to make an impact that floods the Pace campus that I find inspiring—and it all feels so natural and authentic.

HEATHER ALLEN BERNES ’05

FACES OF PACE GET TO KNOW THE PACE

ACADEMY STAFF

MEMBERS

WHO MAKE

THE BUSINESS

In early 2020, Bernes attended Leadership Pace.

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Administrative Assistant to Head of Lower School

MEGAN MINDEL

What do you do that falls beyond the scope of your job description?

I believe that working in a school means that you always have to be willing to wear many hats throughout the day. Even if something is not specifically written in my job description, I just appreciate the opportunity I have to explore other areas of the school. I have had the chance to sub in P.E., attend plays and events, hang out with the students at recess and lunch, meet with parents and families working at the front desk, and coach junior varsity and varsity soccer!

Why is Pace a special place to work?

Pace’s traditions and the ways in which members of the community support one another make this place unique. It’s special to see families with generations of Pace students appreciate the events and traditions that tie them all together. I love that when you see a Lower School play, upperclassmen attend and are genuinely excited to reminisce about the roles they played when they were in the Lower School. I also appreciate that in the midst of a Sweet Sixteen soccer match—a huge moment for an athlete—our team’s players wanted to know how their friends on Pace’s baseball team were doing in their playoff game and rushed to support them as soon as possible.

Is there one particular memory or experience that defines Pace for you?

The Pace community has welcomed me so wholeheartedly! One moment that stands out was having the fifth graders bring me a birthday banner and sing to me a few weeks after I started. I didn’t know that anyone even knew it was my birthday, but it made me feel so special. I’ll also always be especially proud of this year’s junior varsity soccer team and staff. This was my first experience coaching at Pace, and I could not have asked for a better group of girls. They put their hearts into everything, and the team grew so much throughout the season.

Systems Administrator - IT Department How did you come to work at Pace?

I was ANSHUMAN PARIKH ’14’s kindergarten teacher. When he came to Pace, his mother told ANNA VALERIUS, then Head of the Lower School, about me. Pace reached out and invited me in for a job interview. When I got the job in the spring, I asked if I could start sooner than August, and they let me work with the IT department over the summer. After a few years teaching first grade, I made the switch to the IT department—a very special place at Pace.

What do you do that falls beyond the scope of your job description?

I secretly love being an announcer, so I run the timing system and the mic at swim meets in the natatorium and announce track meets at Walsh Field. Even though I don’t get to use a microphone, I help with gymnastics meets as well.

Why is Pace a special place to work?

The people who work here take great pride in their crafts. It’s wonderful to be part of a team where exceeding expectations is the baseline. Pace gives people the security and freedom to be who they want to be. For example, I had a crazy idea to celebrate Father’s Day one year. I parked my Harley Davidson in the Lower School cafeteria and did a photo shoot with Lower School dads “riding” the bike with their first graders on the back—complete with sunglasses.

I couldn’t believe they let me do that!

Sokolsky teaching his first-grade students (members of the Class of 2015) in the spring of 2004.

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Model UN: ON T H E

MA S TE R

Mathematicians OVER THE COURSE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, members of the Upper School math team, led by faculty adviser JASON SMITH, participated in a series of tournaments and tests to measure their mastery of mathematics against competitors from other schools.

The team kicked off the year at the prestigious Rockdale County Math Tournament, the first inperson competition in Georgia since early 2020.

There, KARGIL BEHL ’22, BENJAMIN CHERN ’22, COLE KAPLAN ’22, CAMERON SAINI ’22, EMMA BETH NEVILLE ’23, AVI NARULA ’24, PRABHAVH PRADEEP ’24 and STEPHEN YANG ’25 placed second among all Georgia schools competing. The team went on to participate in the annual Kennesaw State University competition, where Behl, Kaplan, Chern, Yang, PRANAVH PRADEEP ’22, MARIT UYHAM ’23 and DAVID FU ’24 advanced in the competition with scores in 90+ percentile. After the final round, Yang finished fourth in the state, while Behl was 20th.

In addition, Behl, Kaplan, Fu, Yang and JASON TAPPER ’22 qualified for the American Invitational Math Exam, a three-hour, 15-question challenge.

For only the second time in school history, a Pace student advanced to the third round of competition, the USA Junior Math Olympiad. Yang, one of approximately 250 students to qualify for the USAJMO nationwide, took the nine-hour, sixquestion exam in March and received Honorable Mention recognition.

The team went on to compete at the St. Valentine's Day Mathacre, where Pace’s eightperson squad finished second in the state among large schools, and Behl tied for second overall, individually. They wrapped up the season at the invitation-only State Math Tournament in Macon.

The team of Behl, Pranavh Pradeep, Fu and Yang was first in Class AA, fourth in the Georgia High School Association and fifth overall statewide. Yang finished in sixth place individually; Behl was 10th. l

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ROA D AG A I N

MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN) continues to thrive at Pace Academy. The policy simulation program expanded to include Middle School students last year, and this year, nearly 100 students across the Middle and Upper Schools participated. For the first time since 2020, students traveled to in-person models in Atlanta and around the country, conducting extensive research prior to each event to prepare for their roles as country ambassadors to the United Nations and other international bodies.

“For every position paper I write, I spend anywhere from 15 to 20 hours researching, reading, taking notes, discussing the topic with teachers and other delegates, and then writing and rewriting my paper,” says VAN MULLER ’25, who specialized in crisis committees this year—an impressive feat for a ninthgrader. “It takes a good deal of time, but all you really need to participate in Model UN is a sense of passion for global issues, a dedication to problem solving and a willingness to learn and grow.” Echoing Muller’s comments, MUN veterans suggest students commit two to three hours a week in the four to six weeks before a conference, noting that efficient use of time allows any interested student to participate.

Under the leadership of longtime MUN adviser HELEN SMITH, Executive Board members organized an introductory Pace model, with students then taking part in models at Georgia State University, the College of William and Mary, Columbia University, Georgetown University, Northwestern University and Tufts University. Pace students stood out across the board as they tackled issues ranging from climate change to women’s health and cyberwarfare.

Several students received individual accolades at large national-international conferences. KATE WEBB ’23 received MUN’s highest recognition as Best Delegate in the Arctic Council at William and Mary’s virtual MUN, and she was named Best Delegate in the Nollywood Crisis Committee at Georgetown’s NAIMUN. At Northwestern, Webb and DAVID GRICE ’23 received Diplomacy Awards, while EMMA BETH NEVILLE ’23 earned Best Delegate designation in the Russian Supreme Soviet.

“The success and enthusiasm of these delegates and sponsors lay a solid foundation for the 2022–2023 policy simulation program, the result of the hard work of student delegates in grades seven through 12 and many volunteer faculty sponsors, including DR. KAYLAN HAIZLIP, DON DUPREE, MARTY HAMBURGER, KIRSTIN BAILLIE, DR. CHRISTINE CARTER, CHARLIE BRYANT, MICHELLE YANCICH ’13 and ARMANDO VIZCAINO-SANTIAGO,” says Smith. l

AROUND PACE

Pace’s DAY OF GIVING 2022 ONCE-A-YEAR EVENT CALLS

attention to the Pace Fund and shows appreciation to Pace Fund donors.

DURING MORNING CARPOOL on April 12, Pace Academy students joined parent-volunteers, faculty and staff to greet drivers with smiles, waves and swishing pom poms while holding signs stating “Every Knight has a unique story” and “Together we are ALL IN!” The show of Pace spirit kicked off the school’s Day of Giving, an annual event to remind those yet to make their yearly Pace Fund gift that it’s not too late, and to thank those who have already given.

While encouraging new donations is always a goal, Pace Fund Director ALICE TRAHANT explains that the Day of Giving is just as much about donor appreciation. “Of course we hope to encourage new gifts, but so many families have already given by this point in the school year that it’s really important to show them gratitude,” Trahant says. “We also hope the day helps spread the message that Pace Fund gifts make a difference to every single student.”

Expressing thanks to donors was a focus of the day’s lunchtime festivities. Students, faculty and staff took a few moments to write thank you notes and add sentiments to a Pace Fund banner. Each year, these notes and the banner are presented to Pace Fund volunteers and donors.

Trahant is pleased with the Day of Giving results.

“For families that have waited to participate in the Pace Fund, the Day of Giving is a great reminder,” she says. “We attribute 58 new gifts totaling $53,456 in contributions and pledges to our efforts.

Plus, we had the chance to raise spirits during carpool, which is a bonus for everyone!” l

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AROUND PACE

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Dinner Reconnects Life Trustees to Pace, Each Other In April, Pace Academy Life Trustees gathered in the Kam Memar Lower School for a dinner hosted by JEFF SEAMAN, who recently joined fellow Life Trustee PAUL GARCIA as a co-chair of the group.

Designation as a Life Trustee is an honor extended to former Board chairs and other former Trustees for extraordinary service to the Board during their tenure.

Garcia welcomed guests and introduced Seaman, who spoke about progress at Pace as well as the many contributions made by Life Trustees. Head of School FRED ASSAF provided an update on the state of the school, touching on a wide range of topics such as admissions; college placements; and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

In final remarks from current Board Chair ELIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS, the Life Trustee group became the first to receive official notification that Pace had achieved the fundraising goal for the Accelerate Pace campaign.

The nearly 50 guests welcomed the opportunity—long overdue as a result of the pandemic—to reconnect with old friends, share laughs and memories, and set foot for the first time in the new Kam Memar Lower School. As the dinner wound down, many lingered—some touring the new facilities, and others spending a few more moments with old friends. l Photography by CHRIS ALUKA BERRY

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AROUND PACE

CASTLE CIRCLE MEMBER PROFILE Having each spent 13 years at Pace, Castle Circle members BRENT EDEN ’98 and SARA EDEN are by all means a “Pace couple”—but not in the usual sense. Brent, a Pace Lifer, was a student from Pre-First through graduation in 1998; Sara joined the Pace community 10 years later—as a faculty member teaching AP psychology and serving as Upper School counselor. Sara worked at Pace until 2021, when she departed to focus on their family and two sons, Miles, 7, and Caleb, 4. Now married 10 years, the couple values

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The Magazine of Pace Academy

the impact Pace has had in their lives and hopes to one day send their sons to Pace. For them, the decision to make provisions for a planned gift to Pace was an easy one. Read on to learn more about the Edens’ Pace story.

WHEN DID YOU FIRS T F I N D O U T Y O U H A D PA C E IN COMMON? SARA

On our first date— a blind date! In fact, we talked a lot about Pace. It was clearly a positive experience for both of us.

W H AT D O Y O U VA L U E M O S T F R O M Y O U R T I M E AT PA C E ?

SARA

Brent and I highly value our relationships, whether with friends or family. For both of us, Pace is a place where relationships have started, grown and thrived. We were both at the school for 13 years—Brent was a student, while I was a teacher—and we both found that the community felt like our family. It continues to feel like family even though we aren’t on campus daily anymore. Our strong relationships continue and are one important facet of the lasting impact of Pace on our lives. Over our combined 26 years, there are so many milestones in our lives in which Pace has played a part!

W H AT I S M E M O R A B L E A B O U T Y O U R PA C E E D U C AT I O N ?

BRENT

In addition to creating lifelong relationships, I appreciate that Pace instills in students an ethos that values continuous learning and always striving for excellence. I believe the school plays a vital role in providing students with foundational skills that contribute to the ability to lead a thoughtful and meaningful life—professionally as well as personally.

The Pace community also provided each of us with strong role models.

Though we were part of the school at very different life stages, the influence of members of the faculty and administration was significant, and plays a role in our lives to this day. Being around people who excel in so many aspects of learning and life has been a gift to us both.

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE CAS TLE CIRCLE? BRENT

Giving back to the organizations and institutions that have impacted your life is not only a way to say thank you, but also a way to ensure that others who come after you can enjoy the same experiences. It is important to

me that future Pace students have the same opportunities I had. Planned giving is a fantastic way to achieve this objective since the gift is a future one, not a present one, and can be structured in almost any way that makes the most sense to the individual and their circumstances. The best fit for us was naming Pace as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, but others can choose their own specific ways to give back through a planned gift. l

ARE YOU A CASTLE CIRCLE MEMBER? Have you included Pace in your will or estate plan? If so, you are a Castle Circle member, and we hope you’ll let us know!

If you’d like to confirm—or explore— Castle Circle membership, please contact DANA JACKSON in the Office of Advancement at 404-262-3534 or dana.jackson@paceacademy.org, or visit www.paceacademy.org/support-pace/ planned-giving for information.

TRACKING OUR PROGRESS

I N V E S T I G AT I N G INSTITUTIONAL R ACISM IN SCIENCE

OBSERVING R AMADAN

C E L E B R AT I N G LUNAR NEW YEAR

Ninth-grade students used the research and critical-thinking skills they have developed in science classes to examine underrepresentation in the field of science. Students investigated some of the causes and correlations that contribute to a lack of diverse backgrounds in the scientific community, then led in-class presentations to share their findings and facilitate discussion. /////

To mark the arrival of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month and a period of introspection, communal prayer and fasting, Lower School parents led by HANAN IDRIS created a Good Deeds Tree in the Pre-First hall. Throughout the month, Pre-First students reflected on their good deeds and recorded them on leaves, which were then placed on the tree. They also celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, and explored the Ramadan and Eid-themed books on display in the Soni Family Library. /////

More than 1.5 billion people across the world celebrate Chinese New Year and, with the help of students and parents, festivities for the occasion, also known as Lunar New Year, came to the Pace campus in February. In addition to educational programming, Lower School students enjoyed a special Chinese lunch and received traditional holiday items such as paper lanterns and lucky coins. Middle and Upper School students took part in student-led assemblies and celebrated with dumplings and red envelopes under the Gardens tent. /////

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON OUR PROGRESS IS AVAILABLE AT

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AROUND PACE

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION “Building a community that lives its values of love, respect and celebration of our differences is a place we inhabit, not a job we finish. Love never finishes its work. Respect is never completed.

Celebration of difference does not have an end date. It is perpetual.”

Pace Academy, Answering the Call for Racial Equity, HONORING BL ACK EXCELLENCE

REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST

This year’s Black History Month programming highlighted the rich histories and contributions of Black people in America. Students in all divisions enjoyed lessons in jazz from Pace parent ANTON HARRIS and his jazz quartet; studentled presentations explored the diversity represented within our own Black community; Middle School students shared weekly presentations on Black history, music, food and pop culture; and the Black Student Alliance collaborated with the Woodruff Library to share resources and content for a month-long display entitled HBCUs, Social Activism & The Divine Nine. To continue the conversation at home and learn more about Black history at the local level, Lower School students used “Activities Passports” to explore Atlanta. /////

During a special assembly, Upper School students heard from Holocaust survivor George Rishfeld, a representative of the Bremen Museum’s Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, who shared his memories of life in Poland during World War II. Rishfeld emphasized the importance of education and of understanding history. “Learn and be smart enough to know what’s true,” he told students. “Love your parents. Love yourself. Love this country—and make sure that history doesn't repeat itself, that it doesn’t happen here.” /////

June 25, 2020 In the spirit of this year’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion theme—Affirm the work. Acknowledge the growth. Advance the mission.—we’re recapping recent programming that demonstrates how we strive to cultivate a sense of belonging for every member of the Pace Academy community. /////

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ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS

Under the expert eye of Middle School Drama Director PATRICK CAMPBELL, the cast and crew of Anything Goes, this year’s Middle School musical, took audiences on a high-seas adventure. During the production’s two-day run, students belted and tap-danced their way through the shipboard comedy, which featured Cole Porter classics like You’re The Top, It’s De-Lovely and I Get A Kick Out Of You. l photography by CHRIS ALUKA BERRY

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FREE Laughs!

Pace’s favorite— and only—Middle School game show hit the Zalik Theater stage in late March. Participants delighted attendees with theater improv games that pitted mixed-grade teams against one another in a battle of wits before an American Idol-style judging panel and an audience. l

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LOWER SCHOOL KNIGHTS OF THE ARTS

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M I D D L E S C H O O L A R T S L A U R E AT E S U P P E R S C H O O L A R T S L A U R E AT E S

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APPLAUDING EXCEPTIONAL ARTISTS

EVERY SPRING, the Visual and Performing Arts department recognizes outstanding student-artists in each division.

Lower School Knights of the Arts, honored during a special assembly, are selected by their performing and visual arts teachers and must exhibit excellence, dedication and passion in one or more areas of the arts. This year’s Lower School Knights of the Arts are ISABELLE TIMBERLAKE ’34, DEUCE BROWN II ’34, CATHERINE CURRY ’33, KNOX KORVER ’33, AVNI DOSHI ’32, JACK FLAUM ’32, LEENA NIA ’31, BRANTLEY SHANLEY-BALYEAT ’31, LILA LESLIE ’30, DEAN BROWN ’30, NATHAN WU ’29, AZLYN JOHNSON ’29, AARON HARRIS ’29 and HELEN MITCHELL ’29.

Middle and Upper School Arts Laureates, students selected by the arts faculty for excellence in their respective mediums, are recognized throughout Spring Arts Week, when they share their work and talents with classmates. This year’s Arts Laureates are LEXIE KAUFMAN ’28, SOPHIA RESNICK ’28, JOY WALLACE ’27, PAIGE VADNAIS ’27, TEAH CHARKAWI ’26, NOAH EISENMAN ’26, CLAIRE JIANG ’25, LIVIE LYNCH ’25, REITA MAGUIRE ’24, CARLY CANNON ’24, AVA BYRNE ’23, JANIE CROSS ’23, BARRETT HIGHT ’23, MARIT UYHAM ’23, ELEANOR DUPREE ’22, MARIELLE FROOMAN ’22, MADDIE HALE ’22 and LAUREN SMITH ’22. l

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Let’s All Go to the Movies Middle and Upper School strings students impressed their Zalik Theater audience with A Night at the Movies, a March concert including iconic scores, beloved theme songs and soundtrack favorites from a wide range of classic films. From Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Avengers, to Moana, Star Wars and The Lion King, musicians transported the crowd straight to Hollywood. l

ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS

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B Y E VA S WA L E S ’ 2 6

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M A X H A M I LT O N ’ 2 7

BY ISSAC FINN ’26

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BY CONNOR GOLDSTROM ’27

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a unique critique Students in CHRIS ALUKA BERRY’s seventh- and eighth-grade photography classes took part in a contest that put their work in front of a truly expert eye. After a peer review identified the top images among students’ pieces, Al Anderson, White House photo editor under President Barack Obama, selected a handful of winning works. l

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ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS

An Educational Performance Second graders brought poems, jokes and songs to life in The More You Know, a play inspired by this year’s Isdell Center for Global Leadership theme of Education. l

SHOWSTOPPING SHOWCASE

When it comes to the Upper School’s annual Winter Showcase, students run the show. This year, NIKKI BYRNE ’22, REBECCA KANN ’22, MOLLIE MEYEROWITZ ’22 and JAYLA WIDEMAN ’22 took charge and directed the four pieces comprising the theatrical event. Meyerowitz and Wideman wrote and directed original pieces; Kann and her talented team of thespians presented their performance in film format; and Byrne shepherded a scene from Present Laughter by Nöel Coward.

From set and prop design to rehearsal scheduling, students managed every aspect of the Showcase, making it a production to remember. Photos by CHRIS ALUKA BERRY

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ALL ABOUT PACE ARTS

THEIR “A” GAME Atlanta Hawks fans enjoyed the tremendous talents of our Lower School Knight Stars and sixth-grade chorus as the ensembles sang the national anthem before two games in March. l

THE PROCESS IS THE PRODUCT When Director of Fine Arts SEAN BRYAN and performing arts teacher DONNA POTTORFF decided to reimagine this year’s third-grade play, they brought in the professionals: Pace Academy’s third-grade students.

Over a six-week period, students enjoyed lessons in literature, theater, music, collaboration and ingenuity while creating Charlotte’s Web Redux, a dramatic interpretation of E. B. White’s classic barnyard tale. Bryan and Pottorff provided the premise: as Pace third graders prepare for a quiz on Charlotte’s Web, they spend their recess period reenacting the story for each other. From there, the students filled in the rest.

“Everyone split up into groups,” explains OLIVIA KAUFMAN ’31. Each group was assigned a portion of the book, and students improvised to bring the scene to life, incorporating real-life characters like their teachers, Head of Lower School DOROTHY HUTCHESON, and Head of School FRED ASSAF. “Mr. Bryan and Mrs. Pottorff wrote down what we were saying as we acted things out,” Kaufman continues. “The story was sort of hidden, and then they helped us [refine our] lines, and that became our script.”

The creative process gave students ownership of the production. “Instead of just reading a script and memorizing it, we had to try harder and really pay attention,” says KINSEY CRUMLEY ’31. “We realized that putting together a play is a long process—it’s harder than you think! And you can’t complain about anything when you’re the one in charge of writing it.”

Kaufman agrees: “We had to really focus and pay attention,” she says. “We had to put ourselves in our teachers’ shoes and plan things out. It was different from any other play I’ve done.”

That, says Bryan, was the point. “We really wanted students to get creative and to have fun.

We wanted to show them that there should be joy in the journey.”

Featuring songs like Aretha Franklin’s Respect, Sunshine Day from The Brady Bunch and Our Head is Fred (a parody of Fred from Once Upon a Mattress), Charlotte’s Web Redux was a delightful look inside the minds of the Class of 2031 and provided all students opportunities to shine.

“It was so fun,” reports ADHRIT PATHAK ’31. “Even though I got nervous, I would do it again.” l

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ICGL ISDELL CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

[1] TOY STORIES In an effort to prevent toys from ending up in landfills, first-grade students activated their inventive powers to transform old toys into new ones. They kicked off the process by deconstructing various toys, which allowed them to better understand each item’s parts, purpose and complexities— and to explore how pieces of different toys might come together in unexpected ways.

[2] A BOOK IN A BOX Second graders created unique story boxes for Ellis Center, a nonprofit that serves children with complex communication needs and multiple disabilities.

Story boxes brought together 3D artifacts representing objects, characters and experiences in books so that children with visual impairment could read them through a multisensory approach that emphasized tactile perception and exploration.

[3] HOT OFF THE PRESSES In a melding of classroom, Design Thinking and technology curriculum, third-grade designers created the second edition of an ICGL magazine—this year focused on Education. From analyzing magazine structure and consulting with KnightTimes editor CAITLIN GOODRICH JONES ’00 and graphic designer RYAN VIHLEN, to writing and editing content and designing infographics, students learned about the ins and outs of magazine production before assembling their final product.

[4] DESIGNING FOR LEARNING Fourth graders have become experts in ideal learning environments. In teams of two, students investigated challenges their classmates face and worked together to propose solutions and design prototypes— everything from creative learning tools to classroom rituals. “Throughout this project, our Design Thinkers have become more aware of how some challenges we face as learners are shared, and some are unique to us as individuals,” says Director of Design Thinking NATALIE CATLETT. “But most importantly, we can be actionable in creating solutions.”

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[5] HIGHLIGHTING HEROS IN EDUCATION For years, the ICGL has partnered with PRECE, an educational program in Cipo, Brazil, working to combat poverty through cooperative learning—and one of this year’s Lower School ICGL Education Heros.

During a special assembly, fourth and fifth graders learned more about Brazil and the organization’s work and heard from Upper School students involved in a virtual book club with PRECE students.

[6] THE HEART OF THE MATTER In the spirit of experimenting with new forms of learning, Middle School science teacher LISA DUBOVY designed a different approach to her unit on the cardiovascular system. Before their dissection lab, sixth graders examined and dissected a heart in augmented reality (AR). This technology allowed students to analyze each component from different angles in three dimensions, greatly aiding their understanding when they subsequently worked with an actual sheep’s heart.

In addition, students in Dubovy’s STEAM class learned how robots and medical technology are influencing heart treatments and surgery, before designing their own interactive installations for EV3 robots to trace the path of blood on a large-scale model of the heart. One group created a simulation in which a surgeon operated the robot via Zoom and a remote control in order to remove a blood clot. Students shared their work with the rest of the sixth grade during science class, allowing their classmates to experiment with remote robotic surgery.

“By approaching this unit from a variety of angles, students developed a deeper understanding of the heart’s anatomy than in previous years,” Dubovy reports.

[7] PASTIMES AROUND THE WORLD Faculty and staff typically lead Middle School clubs, but this year, in the spirit of exploring Education and self-directed learning, students were invited to create and run their own clubs. A group of eighth-graders, sponsored by history teacher JASON MILLER, decided to dive into pastimes around the world as a means of understand-

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ing different cultures. Each week, students report on a new pastime—for example, Indian cultures and the game of cricket— and then experience it for themselves.

[8] THE VALUE OF FINANCIAL LITERACY After participating in self-directed learning exercises this past fall, seventh graders interested in continuing to learn about financial literacy formed an investment club to cover topics such as capital, debt and markets. With help from Director of STEAM and Design DR. KIRSTEN BOEHNER, students created a preliminary curriculum and interactive games that they debuted at the ICGL Showcase in March. To start the investment process and open the opportunity to their classmates, students continue to refine their curriculum with help from JONATHAN MERLIN ’22, president of the Upper School’s Knight Capital Investment Club, and from Pace parents, including Knight Capital adviser MICHAEL MERLIN. [9] ROBOKNIGHTS RULE Pace is quickly becoming a robotics powerhouse. This year, the school fielded seven teams across the Lower, Middle and

ICGL 7

From technology and toys to magazines and Middle School clubs, here are some of the ways in which the Pace community continues to learn about the 2021–2022 Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) theme of Education.

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9 Upper Schools, five of which took part in the STEAMsport FIRST Lego League Challenge for elementary and middle-school students.

Four Pace squads advanced to the Super Regionals level of competition, where the sixth-grade Creative Coders were named grand champions. Based on their performances at Super Regionals, the young team, along with two other Pace squads, qualified for the First Lego League State Championship at Georgia Tech. The eighth-grade Twinkle Tech claimed third place in Robot Design, and the Creative Coders team took home the third-place trophy for their Innovation Project.

Two Upper School teams competed in the First Tech Challenge’s Marist League. Team 112 won the second-place Think Award, given to the teams that remove engineering obstacles through creative thinking. Team 15290 took second place in the Design category, which recognizes a robot’s functional and aesthetic design elements.

[10] BUILDING JOY In recognition of the socio-emotional aspects of learning, the Middle School arts elective faculty created a day in which

THE YEAR OF EDUCATION

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students used various artistic mediums to respond to the challenges and stress of the past two years. In preparation for the event, Boehner and teachers TARA HARRIS, KATY COWLES, ANNA MURPHY and DONNA POTTORFF participated in a workshop with Urban Conga, a community play consultancy, and students responded to a survey asking: What joy do you bring to Pace?, What joy have you found at Pace? and What joy do you seek at Pace?

Students and faculty across the arts electives then designed and built sand pendulums, sound visualizers, amorphous Legos, a spray-painted mural of layered joy, wire sculptures and a giant collaborative piano. “Overall, the day was a great opportunity to reflect on and share in the many experiences of joy at Pace,” says Boehner.

[11] SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION The Upper School ICGL Council spent the month of March drawing attention to issues around early childhood education.

The group investigated states’ varying policy environments and the battle for universal pre-kindergarten, while connect-

ing with local partners and the Georgia Department of Education and hosting a viewing of Brain Matters, a documentary about the critical nature of the early years of life. In April, the group turned its focus to post-secondary education.

[12] SHOWCASING THE YEAR OF EDUCATION All members of the Pace community were invited to the annual ICGL Showcase on March 24, an opportunity for students from all grade levels to speak about their learning around this year’s theme of Education and to show off their classroom and cocurricular projects.

“After a two-year, COVID-induced hiatus, it was wonderful to have parents back on campus for an ICGL Showcase,” says ICGL Director TRISH ANDERSON. “The adults were uniformly impressed with the students’ ability to explain the significance of their research, the design process that went into the creation of their final projects and the importance of their learning as it related to the theme of Education.” l

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ICGL

Four Corners

South Florida The ecosystem of the Everglades and the Florida Keys exists nowhere else on the planet and presents a unique opportunity to observe the effects of climate change and human impact—a fact Middle School students and faculty members MARTY HAMBURGER and ALYSON TOCKSTEIN now know well.

Designed through a lens of ecology and conservation, the South Florida study tour enabled participants to explore and appreciate both the natural and urban ecosystems of the area, and to understand how cultural art reflects their interconnectedness. Students learned from Key Largo MarineLab scientists, snorkeled, and studied mangroves and coastal ecosystems. They then spent two days in the Everglades at the Deering Estate and Shark Valley where they kayaked and examined the protected habitat, comparing it to coastal waters.

“The trip made me aware of how much danger native animals face in the Everglades and South Florida,” says SPENCER WILHELMSEN ’26. In the Wynwood Arts District, Miami’s creative and cultural hub, students were introduced to the history of graffiti, met local business people and saw how art can be used to communicate science.

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Led by faculty members KIRSTIN BAILLIE and SCOTT SHUPE, a Middle School group traveled to the Four Corners region—where Colorato, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet—to better understand the past, present and future of American Indian societies.

“We were fortunate to learn specifically about the Hopi and Navajo peoples, and to spend time with individuals representing both cultures,” says Shupe. Relating learnings to the 2021–2022 ICGL theme of Education, students gained perspective on how differently they learn at Pace Academy compared to those growing up on Indigenous lands. “It was remarkable to dive in and unpack those differences,” says Shupe.

“This trip was such a fun experience, especially discovering more about the ancestral Puebloans and their culture,” recalls CONNER SMOCK ’27.

Denver

ICGL

Twelve students and faculty members TRISH ANDERSON and TAYLOR BERRY set out for Denver over spring break to explore the city and its surroundings through the lens of food systems, social enterprise and community art.

Denver is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States, and much of this growth is centralized in the downtown area. Students explored this new urbanism and its impact on residents and the natural environment through an Amazing Race on the downtown Mall; a walking tour of an emerging neighborhood’s community art followed by a Missing Mural Challenge; a visit to the Bluff

THE ICGL HITS ALL FOUR CORNERS (AND MORE!) OF THE U.S. ON SPRING-BREAK STUDY TOURS

Lake Nature Center where the group explored issues of accessibility to nature; a day at Uproot Farms where students mixed compost, planted seedlings and learned about the importance of seed collection for future generations; and an afternoon at a local food bank. To top things off, it snowed upon the group’s arrival, which made exploring Red Rocks Amphitheatre and hiking Flat Irons in Boulder, Colo., all the more exciting.

“Several snowball battles were fought!” remarks Anderson.

The group returned to Atlanta with a new appreciation for the interconnectedness of urban and rural spaces, the complexity of food security in urban environments, and the ways in which people can engage in community-building through the arts and social entrepreneurship. 

CROSS-COUNTRY ADVENTURES

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Philadelphia

ICGL

Reflecting on the pivotal role Philadelphia has played in the formation of the country’s political identity, faculty members JOANNE BROWN and TED WARD and eight Upper School students headed to the city to dive into the development of the nation’s criminal justice system. The group followed the rise of the penitentiary movement at Eastern State Penitentiary and saw how groups like the historic Pennsylvania Prison Society and the Defender Association of Philadelphia continue to advocate for reform in the carceral system.

Along the way, they explored Philly’s acclaimed food culture, checking out the iconic Reading

Olympic Peninsula A group of Middle School adventurers and faculty members KELLY COLQUITT and PATRICE WRIGHTLEWIS ventured to the Olympic Peninsula to learn about the area’s natural history. Highlights included exploring the forests around the peninsula, whale watching in Puget Sound, exploring tidepools on breathtaking beaches and venturing into Seattle to witness city life in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to studying geographic history, the group learned about the experiences of the area’s Indigenous and Asian American populations.

“Being able to go to the Olympic Peninsula was an incredible experience,” says REESE HONEYCUTT ’26.

“I loved learning about the environmental policies and ecosystems in Washington. I also loved our visit to the Quinault Indian Nation and getting the opportunity to see a day in the life of the local people.”

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Terminal Market where they sampled everything from the city's best handdrawn noodles to its eponymous cheesesteaks. “Beyond cheesesteaks and hot dogs, we learned a lot of historical context through exploring food culture,” explains ENGLAND MEADOWS ’23. “Immigration has strong footholds in Philly, so we ate Greek, Italian, Mediterranean—so much food! It was awesome exploring different parts of the world within a city.” Ultimately, meeting and building relationships with Philadelphians was the most impactful part of the trip, says Meadows. “We spoke with leaders within minority communities who have made vast contributions to Philly’s art culture, as well as individuals with family members currently or previously in the carceral system.

Building those personal connections was far more impactful than learning about it in books, TV or movies.” l

CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

SIX WEEKS OF CAMP PROGRAMS

JUNE 6–JULY 22 ATHLETICS, ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT CAMPS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR GRADES K–12 OPEN YOUR CAMERA APP AND POINT IT HERE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.paceacademy.org/summer-programs

THANK YOU TO OUR PACE RACE SPONSORS

IN-KIND SPONSOR:

SHANNON & TOM DEMPSEY ANN MARIE & MARIO GOVIC JANE & DEREK HARDESTY JENNIFER & BRANDON HAYES LAURIE & HAMPTON MALLIS AMY & ERIC MININBERG BEA PEREZ & KEN QUINTANA NATASHA & CHRISTOPHER SWANN

ATHLETICS

WINTER SPORTS HIG H LI G H T S

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VARSIT Y BOYS BASKE TBALL Coached by SHARMAN WHITE and MASON AMBLER Led by a trio of seniors—MATTHEW ARONSON ’22, BUCK HALL ’22 and JOSH REED ’22—the varsity boys basketball squad was the team to beat in GHSA Class AA. In their fourth season under Head Coach SHARMAN WHITE, the Knights consistently sat atop the AA rankings and hoped to claim their third consecutive state title.

The team wrapped up the regular season with an 18-game winning streak, which included victories over McNair, Washington, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate and Lovett. The Knights then advanced through the region tournament, defeating Columbia High School by 11 points for the 6-AA title—their third consecutive—and a No. 1 state-tournament seed. In round one of tournament play, the team emerged victorious over Elbert County to advance to round two against Butler High School out of Augusta. Unfortunately, a return trip to the state championship was not to be: the Knights fell to the Bulldogs 60–56 and ended the season ranked third in Class AA. Postseason accolades rolled in for the Knights. The Atlanta Tipoff Club named Reed to its First Team All-Metro roster, while the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) recognized Reed as Class AA Player of the Year and selected him to play in the GACA All-Star Game. In addition, the GHSA named Reed Region Co-Player of the Year, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution selected him as Class AA Player of the Year.

What’s more, BRYSON TILLER ’25 was named to the GHSA All-Region First Team and the GACA All-State Team; he also received Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State Honorable Mention recognition. KYLE GREENE ’24 made the GHSA All-Region lineup and was selected to the GACA All-State Team; LJ MOORE ’24 received All-Region Third Team honors; White was named Region Coach of the Year.

VARSIT Y GIRL S BASKE TBALL Coached by CHRISTAL CALDWELL, MEAGHAN CATRON and KENNESHA NICHOLS In their first season under new Head Coach CHRISTAL CALDWELL, the varsity girls basketball team wrapped up its 2021–2022 campaign with an overall record of 16–7 and a return trip to the GHSA Class AA state tournament.

The regular season included wins over the likes of Lovett, North Atlanta, Booker T. Washington, McNair and Towers. The Knights secured the No. 1 seed on the west side of Region 6-AA to advance to the region championship, where they finished second in the region behind a tough Columbia High School team. While the team’s postseason run ended with a 35–48 loss to Banks County High School in the first round of the state tournament, Caldwell is proud of the team’s progress and of the growth of the girls basketball program as a whole.

“From our seventh graders to our varsity players, our studentathletes embraced the changes being made and came in every day ready to do whatever it took to make our year a success,” Caldwell says. “As a result, we made tremendous strides. I’m looking forward to future successes for this program and to working with the amazing young ladies to come.”

Following the season, GABBY HUDSON ’22 was named the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s (GACA) 6-AA Player of the Year and landed on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s All-Metro Second Team and All-State Honorable Mention rosters. SYDNEY MIDDLETON ’22 received GACA Second Team honors. Caldwell and her team will miss the leadership of MEGAN HARDESTY ’22, Hudson, MARGO KAYE ’22 and Middleton.

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THE PACE RACE RETURNS Nearly 400 members of the Pace community participated in the Booster Club’s 38th annual Pace Race on March 19—the first since COVID canceled the event in 2020. Pace parents SARA BLACKWOOD and FRED GLASS ’89 chaired the 1-mile walk/ run and 5K race that support Pace Athletics and physical education programs in all divisions.

Photos by JULIAN ALEXANDER ’17

VARSIT Y BASKE TBALL CHEERLE ADING Coached by KATELYNN CRAIG

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The 13 members of this year’s varsity basketball cheerleading team ensured that the girls and boys basketball squads felt the love as they progressed through their months-long season. The young team was responsible for spreading school spirit on campus and on the court—and from game-day cheers to halftime routines, the Knights never failed to pump up the fans in the stands.

VARSIT Y WRES TLING

ATHLETICS

Coached by DEVIN BILLINGS With seven seniors, this year’s varsity wrestling squad leveraged its experience to land at the state meet as a team for the second consecutive season. The Knights’ journey to the tournament included a second-place finish at the area duals and outstanding performances at the area championships, where SAM HOWE ’22, HENRY LEUSINK ’22 and ALEX MATHIAS ’22 earned titles in their respective weight classes.

Eight wrestlers qualified for the GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Championships. Howe topped the Class AA podium in the 145-pound weight class, making him Pace’s first wrestling state champion in 25 years (see sidebar). In their respective weight classes, BEN SCHIFFER ’22 finished with a silver medal, Mathias took third and Leusink was fifth. As a team, the Pace grapplers placed seventh in the state, the Knights’ highest team finish in school history.

In addition to Howe, Leusink, Mathias and Schiffer, the team bids a fond farewell to NILE BENNETT ’22, JUDE BLACK ’22 and THOMAS WELLS ’22.

S POT L I G H T O N

SAM HOWE, STATE CHAMP

“Throughout his wrestling career, SAM HOWE ’22 has been on a constant climb to the top,” says varsity wrestling head coach DEVIN BILLINGS. “As a sophomore, he was making sacrifices to be the best in the state— and those certainly paid off.”

Howe wrapped up his time on the mat with 140 total career wins—a school record—and a state-championship medal in the 145-pound weight class. A three-time captain for the Knights with more than 75 career pins, Howe placed third in the state in 2021 and qualified for the 2020 tournament.

“Not only has Sam been a hard worker on the mat, but he’s been a student of the sport as well, constantly talking strategy and making adjustments to gain the advantage over his opponents,” Billings says. “Wrestling is the most fair sport in the world; you earn what you put into it. Sam did all the little and big things perfectly, and his focus and dedication amounted to a state title.”

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JENNY FOSTER KING ʼ94 flies off the starting block during the 1992–1993 season.

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SWIMMING & DIVING

PACE’S SWIMMING AND DIVING PROGRAM HITS THE HALF-CENTURY MARK PACE ACADEMY, 12 YEARS OLD IN 1970,

greeted the new decade with a list of plans for much-needed improvements to its growing campus. Among the proposed projects was the construction of "a new, competition-sized indoor swimming pool."

The $100,000 enhancement—a component of a $300,000 campaign—seemed extravagant at the time, especially when considered alongside other items such as additional classrooms, a library, air conditioning and more cafeteria space. Expecting pushback, the Board introduced the plan with arguments to support the pool's case. They contended that “young people must have an outlet for their energies… without constructive outlets, they can fall into bad habits and get into trouble. A swimming pool is a major attraction for all youth.” In addition, a natatorium would allow the school to incorporate swimming into the physical education program.

Board members committed $100,000 toward the campaign, and the Pace Parents Club agreed to raise $125,000. By early 1971, school leaders felt confident that they would meet their goal and began to finalize construction plans.

When the 1971–1972 school year began, students found a new classroom building and, adjacent to William T. Boyd Memorial Gym, a natatorium, complete with a pool and diving facilities. That same year, Pace introduced its first swim team, a small group of young women in white swim caps and striped bathing suits who launched a tradition of striving for excellence in the pool.

Pace Academy’s first swim team made a splash during the 1971–1972 school year.

In the 1972 Pacesetter, coverage of the budding program is limited to photos of participants and the new facility; there is no text about the team or its performance. However, that second year, with a roster of nine led by coaches ANADORA MOSS and DIANE MINICK and captain LYNN THOMPSON BARKSDALE ’74, the program fielded a junior varsity team and qualified four swimmers for the state competition, where MILDRED MCKENZIE ECKERT ’75 finished among the top 10 in the butterfly event.

Boys swimming made its debut during the 1973–1974 school year with Moss at the helm. With just nine student-athletes on each varsity squad, the Knights simply couldn’t compete against programs from larger schools, so Moss and succeeding coaches JANET MYERS and MARK CALHOUN focused on individual goals for each of their swimmers.

“The team was tiny but close-knit,” recalls longtime Upper School Spanish teacher CAPPY LEWIS, laughing that she served as “the enthusiastic but ignorant assistant coach for a few years.”

“We used to drive to swim meets in a Chinook RV—it felt like a road trip in that thing,” says BETSY BRADY ORR ’78. “We were small but mighty, and although there weren’t many of us, we felt just as supported and important as any other Pace team.”

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1 SWIMMING & DIVING 1. For the past 50 years, Lower and Middle School physical education classes have benefited from proximity to a pool. Pictured here are members of the Classes of 1999, 2000 and 2001.

2. From 1972 to 1997, the GHSA did not segment swimming and diving teams by classification, meaning that all schools in the state competed against each other. Nevertheless, the AquaKnights, pictured here in 1987, saw success.

3. RAHIMA DOSANI ’05, Pace’s first All-American diver, and SARAH ROBERTSON ’06 helped lead the diving program to new heights.

4. Under the leadership of coach TRENT TREES, the swimming program experienced tremendous growth in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Trees, pictured second from left, focused in particular on expanding programming at the junior high level.

5. During construction of the Inman Center in 1999, crews excavated the land adjacent to the rear parking lot and began work on a new pool. Until the Garcia Family Middle School opened in 2004, the pool was covered by a domed enclosure.

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6. Pace Academy’s original pool, pictured during the 1987–1988 school year, opened in 1971 and was located on the site where the Inman Center Snack Bar now sits.

7. BETSY BRADY ORR ’78, a member of one of Pace’s first swim teams, cheered on her daughter, CORINNE ORR ’15, decades after her own time in the pool. “It was surreal to watch Corinne swim, even though it was in the bigger, better and newer pool,” Betsy says. “The smell of chlorine always takes me back to my swimming days, so I got to relive a lot of my memories while Corinne was on the team.”

Since 1999, JOHN AGUE has led Pace’s thriving aquatics programs.

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The program gained momentum in the early 1980s when coach TRENT TREES arrived. “My first year, we had five varsity girls, nine varsity boys and no divers,” Tree recalls. “Over time, the team grew to nearly 40 varsity swimmers and 10 divers. With those numbers, we began to show up at state championships and placed among the top 10 teams multiple years.”

Four members of the 1984–1985 squad advanced to the state meet, where MARC CROGGON ’85 brought home silver in the 100 freestyle. He claimed gold in the same event the following year, his “proudest accomplishment as a Pace swimmer,” he says.

Croggon, who later swam for the University of North Carolina, also became the school’s first swimming All-American, a feat not repeated until 2001 when SCOTT GARDNER ’01 set a state record in the 50 freestyle and earned silver in the 100 breaststroke.

In the years immediately following Croggon’s success, the boys and girls teams, now dubbed the “AquaKnights,” continued to qualify a handful of swimmers and relay teams for state competition. Most notably, the 1988–1989 boys squad finished seventh in the state—quite an accomplishment given that swimming at that time was not segmented by classification; all schools in the state competed against each other.

While Pace’s teams did not necessarily stand out at the state level in the early 1990s, their ranks grew and individual swimmers excelled under the leadership of coaches JEFF BARCLAY, MIKE BROWN and Minick, who returned to the pool deck 20 years after the program’s launch. Trees continued to coach diving and water polo until he left Pace in 1998; in addition to his day job lead-

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ing Painting by Trees, he now referees high-school diving for the Georgia Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Officials Association.

KELLY COOK KENT ’92 proudly qualified for the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke state finals her junior and senior years, but competing on the relay teams as a junior holds a special place in her heart. “I loved the Pace relays,” she says. “I was very honored to be a part of them.”

In true Pace fashion, Kent notes that her teammates were wellrounded students with significant talents beyond the pool. “We had top soccer players as well as kids who did the musical each year.

Many were incredible students, too,” says Kent, who attended the University of Arkansas on a cross-country and track-and-field scholarship and participated in the Olympic Triathlon trials.

During the 1997–1998 season, a particularly impressive group of freshmen entered the pool for the AquaKnights. Gardner, former student EVAN DELANEY and LANE SHAKESPEARE ’01 bolstered the boys team, joining veterans GEOFFREY ROGERS ’99, STEVE ANTONIEWICZ ’98 and NICK ZECKETS ’98 on the state relay squads and as individual competitors. For the girls, ERICA PETROSKY DELANEY ’01 made a splash, following in the footsteps of CAROLINE BRIDGES DRIEBE ’96, LAUREN CLARKE ’96 and KATIE MAYER LARSON ’97, an All-American water polo player and a national-championship-winning coach at the University of Florida.

The 1999–2000 season was marked by big changes. The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) restructured state competitions, creating a state meet for each classification. Pace fell squarely in

HARRISON MONCINO ’15

ANDREW LYBARGER ’08

“Pace diving will always

“Many of my fondest high-

be special to me. Prior to

school memories are of Pace

joining the team, I thought

swimming. My teammates

of diving as an individual

all four years were very

endeavor, but when I saw it

competitive and highly

as an something that could

invested in the team, and

help a team win meets, I fell

Coach Ague did an excellent

back in love with the sport.

job fostering camaraderie

It gave me the foundation to

while making sure we were

go on to college diving and

healthy and performed well

to have fun doing it.”

academically.”

Class A, the division for the smallest schools. At the same time, the AquaKnights welcomed a new head coach, JOHN AGUE. Ague, a former high-school and college swimmer, had been teaching P.E. and coaching a year-round swim team in New Orleans.

He took charge of a team that had been without a pool for the past season; a new pool was being constructed as part of Educating for Life, the capital campaign that also brought the Inman Center.

Completed during the 1999–2000 school year, the new pool stood on its own alongside the rear parking lot and underneath a domed enclosure, which students affectionately called “the Bubble,” until it was finally ensconced within the new Garcia Family Middle School building in 2004, becoming today’s Natatorium.

Ague hit the ground running, taking advantage of the teams’ existing talent while recruiting new swimmers, divers and water polo players from within the student body. At the 2000 GHSA Class A State Championships, the varsity girls finished second in the state; the boys were third. The following year, the Knights moved up a classification. The girls clinched the Class AA title, placing sixth across all classifications; the boys team was Class AA runner-up and fifth overall.

Now head swimming coach for 22 years, Ague says, “My goal has always been to be among the top 10 teams in our classification, and we were fairly consistent with that in the early and mid 2000s.” Swimmers like ALLISON PAULK ’02, DAVID ROGERS ’02, SANDY ALEXANDER ’03, JON GLASS ’03, GEOFFERY MILLER ’04, TOM ALEXANDER ’05, DANIEL SCHAFFER ’07, ANDREW

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FREUDENSTEIN WINS DOUBLE GOLD, BOYS PLACE THIRD The varsity swimming and diving program’s 50th season came to an end at the GHSA Swimming & Diving State Championship, where 13 AquaKnights had qualified to participate.

CARTER FREUDENSTEIN ’23, the top seed in the 200 individual medley, dominated the race and took gold—finishing more than 2 seconds ahead of the runnerup, earning All-American consideration.

Freudenstein did the same in the 100 but-

terfly and added a new school record and an additional All-American Consideration time to his already impressive resume.

The boys 200 freestyle relay team— Freudenstein, LANE CANOVA ’24, SAM BROOKS ’22 and REID RICHARDSON ’25— placed third with a new school record. The boys 400 free relay—Freudenstein, Brooks, Canova and BARRETT HIGHT ’23—were second in a nail-biter of a race in which the team crushed the school record by more than 4 seconds. At the end of the day, the varsity boys brought home the Class A– AAA third-place trophy.

The Georgia High School Swim Coaches Association named six Knights to its list of All-State honorees. Brooks, Canova, Hight and Freudenstein received First Team honors; Richardson was named Second Team All-State; COREY LOCHAN ’23 earned Honorable Mention recognition.

Freudenstein was also named Co-Swimmer of the Year. Images by: Fred Assaf, River Oak Photography and smaX Photography

SALUTING OUR SENIOR SWIMMERS For the following student-athletes, the 2021–2022 season marked their last in the Pace pool: SA M BROOKS L E A H FAV E R O K AT E G R A B O W S K I R AINA MOSELEY ANNA ROSENBLOUM C A MERON SAINI C O N N O R VA N C E

SWIMMING & DIVING

LYBARGER ’08, ADAM ROSENTHAL ’08 and ALEX WILSON ’09 led the AquaKnights to top-10 finishes, while AllAmerican divers RAHIMA DOSANI ’05 and EMILY KAPLAN ’10 also played a vital part in the program’s success.

“I was really proud to be the first Pace diver to be an AllAmerican and to place in the state championship a couple of years in a row,” Dosani says. “The discipline, hard work, dedication and drive I used to get to that point amounted to one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.”

Despite fielding small teams, Pace divers, under the direction of coach JIM EBERT, continued to dominate. A four-time All-American, HARRISON MONCINO ’15 earned his first of three state titles as a sophomore. His brother, OWEN MONCINO ’16, also an All-American, claimed silver at the 2016 state meet. The Moncinos’ success coincided with and contributed to what the spring 2016 issue of the KnightTimes dubbed The Golden Age of Pace Swimming.

“Never in its 45-year history has Pace Academy’s varsity girls swimming program boasted such a strong group of student-athletes,” the magazine reported. GWYNNIE LAMASTRA ’14, BRENNER APPEL ’16, GRACE FERRY ’16, MADISON GRAHAM ’16, ANNA VAN ZYVERDEN ’16 and OLIVIA BAKER ’17 set a new standard for the AquaKnights, ultimately leading the team to the 2016 Class AA state title, where Ferry was state champion in two individual events. Not to be outdone, the boys team, led by CONNOR LAMASTRA ’17, ALEX KAYE ’17 and CHARLIE KAYE ’19, saw success in the following years; LaMastra was second in the state in the 100 butterfly in 2017, and C. Kaye brought home gold and silver in 2018.

Each member of this core group of swimmers went on to compete at the collegiate level, and Van Zyverden returned to the Pace natatorium in 2021 as a coach—just missing ERIN HOOD ’20’s multi-medal state run but in time to see All-American diver LIZZY KAYE ’21 claim her fourth consecutive title.

SCOTT GARDNER ’01

ERICA PETROSKY DELANEY ’01

“I remember how awesome

“Coach Ague is synonymous

everyone on the team was to-

with Pace swimming, and

ward each other; we were fun,

he had a lasting impres-

loving and so supportive. I can

sion on me and the rest

still see my teammates behind

of the team. Long meets,

my lane cheering me on.

early morning practices

Coach Ague will occasionally

and the smell of chlorine

tell me when there’s someone

helped bond the members

chasing one of my records. I’m

of the team.”

happy to be someone’s motivation. It makes me feel like I’m still helping the team.”

As he looks ahead to the next 50 years of Pace swimming, Ague is proud of the program’s progress. “We’re in a really strong position,” he says.

“Our current Lower and Middle School students have watched our recent success and are excited to be part of our program, to continue that level of competition. My goal is to maintain that same level of excellence. I’m excited about what the future holds.” •

Today, Pace’s state-of-the-art natatorium hosts swimming and diving meets, water polo games, P.E. classes and special events, such as the annual Physics Phlotilla.

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KAM MEMAR LOWER SCHOOL

ACCELERATE PACE CROSSES THE FINISH S PR I N G E V E N T S CO M M E M O R AT E C A M PA I G N S U CC E SS A S S T U D E N T S M A K E T H E K A M M E M A R LOW E R S C H O O L F E E L L I K E H O M E .

Pace Academy celebrated the Kam Memar Lower School with an official dedication on March 20, followed by a community open house on April 3. Although the new Lower School building has been open for school since October 2021, the celebrations marked successful completion of the Accelerate Pace fundraising campaign.

Pace parents DIANA and BIJON MEMAR contributed Accelerate Pace’s lead gift and named the new Lower School in memory of Bijon’s late brother, Kam Memar. In 1998, Kam was tragically killed in a car accident.

“Kam valued education and family above all else, and our experience at Pace has been unbelievable and reflects those values.” Bijon says. "Pace is one of the premier schools in the country, and Kam would have been proud that his name is on the building.”

Nearly 100 guests attended the dedication, including the Memars’ children, MICHAEL MEMAR ’25 and MADELINE MEMAR ’27, and Bijon and Kam's mother, FARAH MEMAR. Also present were the six Accelerate Pace campaign committee co-chairs (see photo on page 48), Pace administrators and Board members, and key project personnel including residential designer William T. Baker and representatives from

New South Construction and the architecture and design firm TVS. Two weeks later, Pace grandparents, retired faculty and staff, alumni, neighbors and other friends of the school attended a community open house that offered a peek inside the new Lower School.

Attendees took self-guided tours, marveled at “The World’s Greatest Playground” and delved into Pace history in the thoughtfully curated “Story of Pace” exhibit (see story on page 51).

 Members of the Class of 2030, this year’s third grade, enjoy “The World’s Greatest Playground.”

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KAM MEMAR LOWER SCHOOL

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Board of Trustees Chair ELIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS, BIJON and DIANA MEMAR and Head of School FRED ASSAF celebrate the official opening of the Kam Memar Lower School, named in memory of Bijon’s late brother.

2. More than 1,100 square feet dedicated solely to science make for an active classroom experience.

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Head of Lower School DOROTHY HUTCHESON welcomes guests to the Kam Memar Lower School dedication.

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Attendees at the March dedication event included members of the Board of Trustees, campaign leaders, Pace administrators and key project personnel.

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The Kam Memar Lower School’s ground-floor gym opens onto the playground—it’s the perfect spot to stay active when the weather won’t allow for recess outside.

6. Lower School students now attend music classes in a state-of-the-art, 1,700-square-foot classroom down the hall from a 1,100-square-foot space that accommodates the growing strings program. During the 2022– 2023 school year and going forward, the strings program will begin in the third grade, one year earlier than classes were previously offered.

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Quiet nooks for reading, designated spaces for small-group work, a video conferencing area and open shelving make the Soni Family Library an academic hub for students and faculty alike.

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8. The Lower School cafeteria, expanded and renovated as part of the Accelerate Pace campaign, is now the perfect spot for grade-level gatherings.

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Pace parents ALLYSON and JIM MASKE, TAYLOR and RONNIE BROWN, and AMY HERTZ AGAMI and RONNIE AGAMI served as co-chairs of the Accelerate Pace campaign.

10. To Accelerate Play was a key initiative of the Accelerate Pace campaign.

Now, students enjoy a state-of-theart outdoor space where playground elements, organized based on age level, encircle a grassy center area for sports and games. ADA-accessible elements ensure that the playground accommodates all students.

11. The new science classroom provides plenty of space for group work, experimentation and hands-on learning.

12. Board Chair ELIZABETH CORRELL RICHARDS expresses appreciation to the Memar family and other event attendees. Richards also commended her fellow Trustees: “It took courage to push forward with this project during a pandemic in which we were not able to raise money in the typical fashion.”

13. Longtime Pace traditions like First Grade Pet Day are finding new homes inside—and outside—the Kam Memar Lower School.

14. More than 30 families contributed to the Accelerate Pace campaign through a matching gift opportunity conceived

by Pace parents KAVITA KOTTE and SAMIR BHATIA. These gifts, totaling nearly $1 million, allowed for the naming of the Mahatma Gandhi Presentation Room in the Kam Memar Lower School.

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KAM MEMAR LOWER SCHOOL

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15. KNOX FORTIER ’34 and DAVIS FRIEDMAN ’34 are members of this year’s Pre-First class, the first group of students who will spend the entirety of their Lower School careers in the Kam Memar Lower School.

16. Lower School strings teacher LAUREN TAYLOR conducts as students perform during the Kam Memar Lower School dedication event.

17. Creativity and imagination abound in the Kam Memar Lower School’s Design Thinking Lab.

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The History of Pace Exhibit space was made possible by a gift from Pace parents JENNIFER GREENBAUM and GREG GREENBAUM ‘88 and their family.

The Story of Pace

by RYAN VIHLEN Creative Services Manager

C R E AT I N G A S C H O O L H I S T O R Y E X H I B I T I N T H E K A M M E M A R L O W E R S C H O O L It’s no secret that I am fascinated (obsessed, maybe?) by the history of Pace Academy. My passion for preserving and sharing our story was called upon in January of 2021 when Director of Facilities DAVE FORTIER and Director of Communications CAITLIN GOODRICH JONES ’00 approached me about a very special project for the Kam Memar Lower School. Simply put, my assignment was to collect, curate, research, write, design and install a school history exhibit within the new building.

During the spring of 2021, much of my time was spent researching and writing while making contact with scores of current and former faculty members as well as alumni. I waded through neglected corners of our digital archive and digested decades of KnightTimes and alumni newsletters. Later on, I even explored the dusty crevices of the Castle’s attic!

Securing the necessary artifacts to present a balanced representation of Pace history proved to be my biggest challenge and would not have been possible without contributions from some very generous individuals. Donors are acknowledged within the final exhibit, but the single most significant contribution came from the president of our first senior class, MARTHA PAFFORD SCHINDHELM ’64.

Seven of her donated artifacts are now on display, including her diploma, class ring and James de la Fuente Fine Arts Award.

After a very busy summer and fall of 2021, I was finally able to redirect my focus back to this project earlier this year. I carefully cleaned all of the artifacts, acquired the necessary display hardware, finalized the descriptive text and completed the installation.

I hope my efforts will generate meaningful discussion about and a deeper understanding of the Pace story. • 2022

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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UPDATES [1] JAMES CURTIS ’99 served as an executive producer on melodic hard rock band Resist & Bite’s eponymous debut album, available via Lor Live Records.

[2] JULIANNA RUE CAGLE ’03 has been named president of The Goizueta Foundation, effective May 2022. She will lead the work of The Foundation to advance academic achievements and outcomes in K–12 and early childhood education, and to create a stronger Atlanta. Previously, Julianna served as The Foundation’s vice president of programs.

PETER FINNERTY ’07 returned to Atlanta in December 2021 after receiving his master’s degree in history and working for five years in New York. As director of major gifts and individual giving at the Atlanta History Center, he oversees corporate and planned giving programs and recruits highlevel donors and, this past April, executed the annual Swan House Ball. Peter lives in Atlanta’s Ansley Park neighborhood.

[3] RIKI LAWAL ’11 joined Nike’s digital product creation team as a product man-

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ager and leads all aspects of the lifecycle of digital products—from concept and testing to launch and maturity. Riki works alongside the user experience, technical product management and development teams to gather user-centric insights and launch intuitive new product merchandising experiences for Nike teams around the world. These digital experiences power the global product merchandising processes and lead the way in establishing the organization’s future platform strategy. “I am passionate about designing thoughtful experiences and motivated by the opportunity to think creatively about how to turn ideas into tangible products that solve problems and/or bring joy to people around the world,” she says.

[4] In December 2021, JONATHAN WEBSTER ’12 graduated from Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration with a master’s in hospitality management and real estate and joined the CBRE Hotels Capital Markets team. He earned an MBA from the University of New Hampshire in 2020. “I would not have had this opportunity without the guidance and support of my former employers, managers and co-workers at the Boston Red Sox and The Aspire Group Inc.,” Jonathan reports.

“I’m also grateful to my professors and ad-

ministrators at The University of Alabama and the University of New Hampshire Paul T. Paul College of Business.”

[5] EMMA DOWNEY ’17 was one of 12 members of the Tufts University Class of 2022 to receive a 2022 Senior Award, given in recognition of academic excellence, campus and community participation, and outstanding leadership. Emma received the award based on her GPA, as well as her leadership in Tuft’s Women in STEM, an organization through which she helmed Tuft’s no-cost tutoring center for middle- and high-school students. Emma also received the Lt. Commander Robert James Manning Memorial Prize Fund for excellence in engineering.

Last year, Emma conducted research in the area of lipid nanoparticle development at Moderna and is currently a researcher at Bolden Therapeutics, examining neurogenesis for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. After graduation, Emma plans to pursue a Ph.D. in neurology or biomedical sciences, with the goal of developing new therapies for neurological diseases.

[6+7] In August 2021, MOLLY JACOBY ’17 joined University of North Carolina Athletics as assistant director of on-campus recruit-

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ing for football. In this role, Molly plans on-campus visits for recruits, leads campus and facilities tours, and builds relationships with the athletes and their families that last well beyond their recruitment. Molly credits her prior experiences working with the University of Georgia football team and managing Pace’s varsity football team with giving her the skills needed to succeed in this position.

“Watching the 2022 UGA seniors, my first recruiting class at UGA, win a National Championship was such a special moment that I will never forget,” she says. “I cannot stress enough how grateful I feel to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from such an amazing group of people.

And, of course, I never would have gotten into the business if it weren’t for [former Pace football coaches] CHRIS SLADE and TERRENCE EDWARDS. Those two—as well as my Pace experience as a whole—set me up for opportunities I didn’t know were possible when I was just a senior in high school. I look back on who I was when I was a football manager, and I know that that girl would be so proud of where I have ended up today. This position is only the beginning, and I am so excited to continue to grow in this field. Go, Heels!”

[8+9] SAM ASSAF ’19, a junior at the University of Notre Dame, is a member of the varsity lacrosse and football teams and was one of only 16 student-athletes named to the Notre Dame 4.0 Club for both the 2021–2022 fall and spring semesters. The elite group is composed of individuals who received a 4.0 grade point average.

Sam is majoring in economics, with a concentration in financial economics and econometrics, and minoring in data science and classical studies.

[10] CHARLIE WARREN ’19, a junior at the University of the South and a member of the Sewanee lacrosse team, was named the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Defensive Player of the Week for the week of April 11, 2022. The conference office selected Charlie after a series of games against Oberlin, Hendrix and Rhodes colleges in which he won 46 face offs and added 27 ground balls.

Charlie is an environment and sustainability major with a minor in economics. A member of Sigma Nu fraternity, he is also involved in the Sewanee Outing Program.

This summer, Charlie will serve as a Wilderness

Ranger Fellow with the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation, doing hands-on forest management in Idaho’s Nez PerceClearwater National Forest.

[11+12] MATTHEW CLEVELAND ’21 had a tremendous freshman year at Florida State University. A member of FSU’s men’s basketball team, Matthew landed on the Dean’s List and served on the Florida State Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He was named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Freshman of the Week twice, received the ACC Sixth Man of the Year Award and was selected to the ACC AllAcademic Men’s Basketball Team. Matthew made headlines when he sank a miraculous buzzer-beater from half-court to beat the University of Virginia, finishing the game with 20 points. He went on to score a career-high 21 points to lead FSU to an 86–73 victory over the University of North Florida. In recognition of his outstanding performance, Matthew received the 2021–2022 Rookie of the Year Golden Nole Award.

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BIRTHS [13] DANIELE BOURGET SIMON ’00 and her husband, Matthew, welcomed daughter Melody Seraphina on Feb. 3, 2022.

She was 7 pounds, 7 ounces and joins big sister Mirabelle.

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[14] SARA HAYES STEWART ’04 and her husband, Robby, welcomed Boaz Liam on Nov. 11, 2021. His older sisters are Mia, 8, and Elizabeth, 5. The family lives in Birmingham, Ala. [15] ALINE ANSPACH KUKANZA ’05 and her husband, Thomas, welcomed Jules Thomas on Feb. 13, 2022. Jules weighed 8.5 pounds and joins big brother Henry, who has quickly become his No. 1 fan. The family lives in Brussels, Belgium.

[16] JENNI RIDALL LATA ’05 and her husband, Mike, had a son, Claude Wainwright, on April 15, 2022. He was 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Claude joins big brothers Oscar, 20 months, and Henry, 10, who are thrilled to add another boy to the crew.

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[17] EMILY ALEXANDER BRUECK ’06 and her husband, Alexander, welcomed their son, Robert Franz Josef, on Feb. 23, 2022. “Robert has brought so much joy and celebration to our family,” Emily writes. “We are so in love with our new addition!”

[18] KRISTIN CHICK CARPENTER ’07 and her husband, Danny, welcomed daughter Evelyn and son Henry in February 2022. The couple lives in Atlanta’s Virginia Highland neighborhood with their dogs, Laney and Archie, and could not be more excited that these new additions have joined their family. In her spare time, Kristin serves on Pace’s Alumni Board.

[19] COURTNEY WOODS ’07 and her husband, Tully Ackland, welcomed daughter Vesper Quinn Woods-Ackland on Aug. 27, 2021. “Vesper is such a happy and funny little girl,” Courtney reports. “She loves to smile and babble, and she will only take her pacifier if we hum Darth Vader’s theme from Star Wars.”

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MARRIAGES [20] MATT GONZALEZ ’09 and Sarah Bullock were married on March 6, 2021, in New Orleans. “It was a full-on New Orleans wedding, held at Degas House and complete with a Second Line brass band and a post-ceremony parade,” Matt reports. The couple lives in Dallas with their beloved cat, Maverick. Matt works for Diageo, the international beverage company that bought a start-up selzer company Matt had helped to grow.

Sarah works in environmental compliance regulation, with a focus on oil companies.

[21] KATIE KIBLER ’12 married Lucas Woodward on Sept. 25, 2021, in Burlington, Vt. The couple met at Colby College in Maine and now lives in Boston with their two cats, Pepper and Cashew. Knights in attendance included JARRETT BOWIE ’10, SAM COLT ’10, RACHEL BERGSTRAND ’11, LARISA BAINTON ’12, JOHN CAROLIN ’12 and KARLY COVALL ’12.

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FACULTY & STAFF MILESTONES [22] Upper School math teacher EMILY SPILLANE and her husband, Chris, welcomed Ellen “Ellie” Olivia on March 18, 2022. She was 6 pounds, 8 ounces and 19 inches.

[23] Middle School Spanish teacher MARIA SINGLETON and her husband, James, welcomed Lucia Teresa on March 22, 2022. She was 7 pounds, 15 ounces and 19.5 inches.

Lucia joins big brother Mateo, and was brought into the world by Pace parent DR. JILL TANENBAUM CIERNY ’00.

H AV E S OME T HING T O S H A R E ?

EMAIL US! alumni@paceacademy.org

[24] Teddy Garcia, son of ANDREW GARCIA ’05 [25] Jackson Bernes, son of HEATHER ALLEN BERNES ’05 [26] Ford Ayres, son of LUCY SCHAEFER AYRES ’08 [27] Holden Scott, son of AMANDA ALLEN SCOTT ’08

Alumni who share news of new arrivals with the Alumni Office receive a Pace Academy bib.

Submit photos of your little Knights wearing their Pace gear to alumni@paceacademy.org.

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“BETTY SEELY introduced me to books, card catalogs and the broader realm of independent learning. I ran into her a few years ago at Georgia Public Broadcasting, where I was an associate producer, and discovered that she read on public radio once a week as an act of service. She was a true citizen of the world and a lover of teaching—sharing lessons over the radio with the unseen, young and old. Mrs. Seely was a treasure of a person and will be missed, not just by the Pace community, but by those who tuned in to her broadcast.

She is someone we can continue to learn from, even after her passing.”

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— A N DR E W R I L E Y ’10 29

IN MEMORIAM [28+29] Pace benefactor BETTYANN BOYET INMAN passed away peacefully on March 29, 2022, surrounded by her family.

“BettyAnn was a true southern belle, who absolutely loved Atlanta and her family,” the family writes. “She was known for always being color-coordinated from head to toe in her lovely pastel outfits with a matching neck scarf. She was a fabulous southern cook who loved to entertain and was fiercely loyal to her family and friends.

She rooted for the underdog in every circumstance—except when it came to UGA football!”

A graduate of North Fulton High School, BettyAnn attended Stephens College. She and her late husband, HUGH “JIE” INMAN, were active volunteers and supporters of many Atlanta organizations, including the Woodruff Arts Center, the Atlanta History Center, Piedmont Hospital, Shepherd Center and Skyland Trail, where she served on the Board of Directors.

“The Inmans were engaged members of the Pace Academy family for decades,” says Head of School FRED ASSAF. “They were involved as Pace parents and were

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proud to be Pace grandparents for many years. The couple's affection for the school led them to make the gift that enabled Pace to construct the Inman Student Activities Center, a hub of student life in the heart of our campus.”

BettyAnn is survived by her four children: Peggy Inman Wilson, former Pace parent BILL INMAN (Lynn Inman), DON INMAN ’81 (BETH INMAN) and JOHN INMAN ’83 (TISH INMAN). Her nine grandchildren include LEEANN INMAN HANCOCK ’01, JOHN INMAN ’08, MAGGIE INMAN ’15 and MITCH INMAN ’16. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, “forever daughter-in-law” VICKI INMAN, brother Jack Boyet and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Skyland Trail or Shepherd Center.

Following their wedding, Buddy and Jean moved to Atlanta, where he ultimately founded Metcalf Davis, his own accounting company, and grew the firm into a highly successful business. Jean and Buddy loved their life together, traveled the world and raised two daughters, MELISSA METCALF ’92 and Amy Metcalf Clark.

“Buddy adored his girls,” the family says. “He was invested in their day-to-day activities, prioritized education and, of course, became a sports fan of their alma maters. His life was grounded and centered around his three girls and, ultimately, his two granddaughters… Buddy always had fun no matter where he was or what he was doing, telling his very long and often very funny stories to anyone who would listen…

Those who knew Buddy, loved Buddy, and you knew you were loved dearly in return.”

Life Trustee ARTHUR HODGE “BUDDY” METCALF II passed away unexpectedly at home in Auburn, Ala., on Feb. 20, 2022.

Buddy grew up in Montgomery, Ala., where he attended Lanier High School. “It wasn't until college, however, that Buddy found his three true and lasting loves: Auburn University, Sigma Chi and JEAN HUGHES METCALF,” his family writes.

[30] BETTY SEELY, Lower School librarian for 33 years, died peacefully on Feb. 10, 2022, at the age of 92. Betty loved reading to “her children” and watching generations of Pace Knights make their way through the Lower School.

She held degrees from Belmont College, the University of Georgia and Georgia State University and joined the Pace faculty

CHECKING IN WITH THE CLASS OF 2021

in 1973. A lifelong educator and learner, she retired in 2006 at the age of 77. After retirement, Betty worked in the libraries at Peachtree Presbyterian Church and Canterbury Court retirement community and was a volunteer reader for the Georgia Radio Reading Service.

“Betty was an outgoing person who loved to travel and meet new people, many of whom became lifelong friends,” her family writes. “Having been raised during the depression, she was a conservationist, recycling and reusing long before it became fashionable and influencing her students to appreciate and protect the earth’s resources. She loved history and was a member of the Atlanta Preservation and Atlanta History centers, and went on many rambles to tour historical buildings and landmarks in the southeast. She was a patron of the arts and loved attending plays and the symphony.” She was also a longtime member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church.

Betty was predeceased by her son, Robert Seely, and is survived by sons John Seely and CLIFF SEELY ’79, her daughter-in law, four grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. •

TOMMY ASSAF ’21 is happy at the University of Notre Dame, where he’s playing club lacrosse.

WILL BRENNAN ’21 made the Dean’s List at the University of Alabama.

AUSTIN CHASTAIN ’21 was admitted to the University of Georgia’s Honors College.

GRACE DEMBA ’21 created editorial designs for Armour, Washington University in St. Louis’s art and culture magazine. She is a member of Spires Literary Magazine and the AIGA, the professional association of design, and she represented WashU at Model United Nations conferences in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

RIVERS GRAHAM ’21 made the Dean’s Honor List at Texas Christian University, joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and is enrolled in the John V. Roach Honors College and Neely School of Business.

JACK MACRAE ’21 is a medical engineering major at The University of Alabama and was recently initiated as a brother in Theta Chi fraternity.

COLE MIDDELTON ’21 made the Dean's List at Cleveland State University.

LAURA ROMIG ’21 is playing Ultimate with the Brown University club team.

DARREN ROSING ’21 ​​was selected as a freshman copy editor of the UCLA Daily Bruin newspaper and became a brother in Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

SYDNEY SILVERSTEIN ’21, a member of the Denison University softball team, was named an NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete and will represent Israel in the U22 European Softball Championships in Prague.

OLIVIA ULLMANN ’21 will wrap up her freshman year at Washington & Lee University by traveling to the Netherlands on a Gilman International Scholarship.

There, she’ll work with museum conservators while studying the chemical composition of paintings, using imaging techniques such as autoradiographs and X-ray fluorescence.

DENZEL WELSH ’21 loves his Japanese class at Brandeis University and hopes to study abroad in Japan. • 2022

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S P O T L I G H T

OPPOSITE PAGE  TOP: Mickens (second row, far right) with his sixth-grade class during the 1990– 1991 school year

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BOTTOM: Jim Diez (right) during the 2001– 2002 school year

Throughout the Isdell Center for Global Leadership’s Year of Education, we’re highlighting alumni making an impact in education-related fields.

Here SARAH LETTES ’15, a 2014–2015 Isdell Global Leader, profiles JAMES MICKENS ’97.

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For JAMES MICKENS ’97, a professor of computer science at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Pace Academy computer lab is where it all started.

Throughout high school, Mickens found himself under the eaves of the now-demolished Bridges Hall surrounded by boxy and colorful mid 1990s Mac computers “all the time.” Whenever he had the chance, he hightailed it to the lab to work on assignments, play games and learn as much as he could about how computers worked.

Mickens recalls the helpful—and always humorous—guidance of DR. JIM DIEZ, now retired, who oversaw the computer lab and provided endless opportunities to explore and learn.

By the time Mickens graduated from Pace, one thing was clear: he loved computers. He continued pursuing this passion as a computer science major at Georgia Tech. While at Tech, Mickens returned to Pace to teach a semester of computer science. “It was pretty hilarious,” he says.

“I was barely older than those people.”

Nevertheless, the experience was rewarding and revealed a new passion: teaching.

After college, Mickens attended the University of Michigan, where he pursued a Ph.D. in computer science. Again, he found himself at the front of a classroom—this time, as a teaching assistant for college students. And again, he found the teaching experience gratifying and meaningful. As a graduate student, Mickens’ life mostly centered around research, but he felt something click when he walked into a classroom.

During graduate school, Mickens spent several summers working for Microsoft Research, a subsidiary of the multinational technology corporation that focuses on artificial intelligence, computer vision, human-computer interaction and security, among other topics. After earning his Ph.D., he headed back to the West Coast and joined Microsoft full time. As a member of the Distributed Systems team, Mickens spent seven years improving the security and performance of complex applications like web browsers

and datacenter-scale storage systems.

He enjoyed the role, but began to feel a tug back toward the world of education.

Mickens reflected on his experiences at Pace, Georgia Tech and Michigan, and realized that teaching had been a rewarding throughline in his journey. At Microsoft, he was straddling the worlds of industry and academia—publishing papers, attending conferences, and interacting with academics. Academia felt like a natural next step. Mickens applied to professor positions and ultimately accepted a role at Harvard.

Mickens laughs when remembering his early days as a professor. A colleague had warned him that “no matter how much experience you have in other jobs, your first year is going to be an absolute disaster.” And for Mickens, the first year was “a fun disaster.”

Academia, he notes, is a very dynamic world. Now, on a daily basis, he interacts with all kinds of people—undergraduate students, fellow professors, Ph.D. students and school administrators. He teaches two courses: one undergraduate-level operating systems course and one graduate-level class on computer security. He also conducts research on large-scale software systems.

Nearly seven years into the role, teaching remains a fulfilling occupation. Mickens cherishes the moment when students finally understand concepts they have been struggling to grasp. Compared to research, he appreciates the “very individual impact” of teaching moments. Mickens also enjoys the longer-term relationships he forms as a mentor. He loves witnessing the many different stages of students’ journeys—from the moment computer science ideas start to click, to when those ideas turn into passions and, later, into careers. Students remain in touch as they use computer science in companies of all sizes, government agencies, nonprofits and other arenas.

Reflecting on how Pace shaped his journey, Mickens notes that much of his success can be attributed to “a collection of great teachers.” And he appreciates that the lessons he learned were “not just in science,” but also in the arts, English and more. Pace provided a great education in a range of subjects, which gave him a broader awareness of the world. That broader awareness now helps him be a better teacher and researcher.

When explaining concepts, Mickens notes, it’s important to understand where students are coming from and the context in which they’re living. And when designing technologies, it’s critical to consider and understand the potential impacts of those technologies on society. Today, Mickens continues to carry the lessons from his Pace teachers to his Harvard students. • 2022

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HIGH-SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS

THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF OUR ONGOING SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNI COUPLES

AWW...

LIZ ANSLEY JEFFERS ’00 & NICK JEFFERS ’00

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For LIZ ANSLEY JEFFERS ’00 and NICK JEFFERS ’00, it all started at the Homecoming dance their freshman year. The two dated on and off throughout high school and college, and Liz moved to California to join Nick at his first Air Force duty station after graduation in 2004. They married two years later and welcomed their daughters in 2013 and 2017. Liz recalls attending many high-school dances and sporting events together.

“Senior year really stands out as a lot of fun, beginning with the first day of school when our class caravanned down West Paces Ferry, honking and hanging out of cars,” she says. “The entire year just felt so carefree, like one big celebration.” Liz adds that Nick is no longer the mischievous, rebellious procrastinator his high-school friends might remember. He is now a decorated Air Force officer and “the most incredible, hands-on father to a household of girls,” she says. “But his sense of humor and his spontaneity haven’t changed at all—two of the things I love most about him!”

ALUMNI

FU L L H E

MCKIT T RIC

K + M ER E

DITH = 4E

VER U

TH E S H

L E CH E NDENIAB

IR L EY F AMILY

MIST RY

AR TS ♡

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MEREDITH BAILEY SIMMONS ’01 & MCKITTRICK SIMMONS ’94 MEREDITH BAILEY SIMMONS ’01 had just finished her second year at Washington and Lee University when she met MCKITTRICK SIMMONS ’94 in Atlanta; he had wrapped up years of international travel and a master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh and had accepted a job at Barry Real Estate Company. Having grown up in Atlanta, they knew each other’s families—their siblings were even childhood friends. Despite both attending Trinity School and enrolling at Pace in the seventh grade, the two never interacted. "When we met, I was struck by how kind McKittrick was,” says Meredith. “He was living a life much bigger than mine, and I was enamored by stories of his international travels, as well as his impressive musical talents.”

Of his future wife, McKittrick says, “It did not take me long to know that Meredith was the girl I wanted to marry. She was a dynamic and magnetic person of character—she still is. Meredith has always been wise beyond her years and that was evident to me from our first date.”

They married the September after Meredith graduated college, and now have four children, GREG SIMMONS ’26, THATCHER SIMMONS ’28, BAILEY SIMMONS ’30 and KITCH SIMMONS ’33.

The couple continues to debate whether they would have dated had they attended Pace together. Though Meredith isn’t so sure, McKittrick is convinced that they would have. “I would have at least tried!” he says. Meredith comments, “McKittrick definitely had more of a rebellious side than I did—I was more of a student council nerd! But at the end of the day, we were both good kids. I think I might have said yes to going out with him.”

NATALIE UNDERWOOD SHIRLEY ’01 & BLAKE SHIRLEY ’01 BLAKE SHIRLEY ’01 arrived at Pace as a freshman and met NATALIE UNDERWOOD SHIRLEY ’01, a Pace Lifer. They both played basketball, but they were not friends. “Honestly, we didn’t really like each other,” says Natalie, but nonetheless, they often spent time in similar groups. It wasn’t until 11th-grade chemistry class, when they were paired as lab partners, that a friendship began to develop. They transitioned from dislike to studying together for exams. Then, Blake attended junior prom with one of Natalie’s friends because they didn’t want to admit that they liked each other. Natalie laughs, “After that, the rest was history!”

The couple now has three children: BLAKE SHIRLEY ’30, JACK SHIRLEY ’32 and Chandler Shirley. Recently, Natalie served as one of two alumni co-chairs during the Accelerate Pace capital campaign.

MORE PACE LOVE STORIES ON THE NEXT PAGE! 2022

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COURTNEY SCHAEFER DEVEAU ’07 & PATRICK DEVEAU ’05 COURTNEY SCHAEFER DEVEAU ’07 and PATRICK DEVEAU ’05 didn't officially meet until they bumped into one another in Atlanta after college. Several years later, life had taken them both to New York City, and it turned out they lived in the same neighborhood. Courtney was a host for a Pace-sponsored New York alumni happy hour, and Patrick attended, but he didn't ask her out until a year later.

“Patrick was very chatty and easy to talk to,” Courtney recalls. “It felt like we had known each other for ages.” Patrick remembers Courtney as energetic and sophisticated. They began dating in 2017, more than a decade after graduating from Pace; they were engaged and married two years later. “Our wedding felt like a big high-school reunion,” Courtney notes.

Of his wife, Patrick says, “I don’t necessarily think she has [changed since high school], except she would say that her confidence while driving has worsened.”

The two now have a young son, Chip, and “both need glasses and go to sleep a lot earlier,” Courtney reports.

TR ICK COUR TNEY & PA

DID YOU MARRY A FELLOW PACE ALUMNUS? LET US KNOW AT ALUMNI@PACEACADEMY.ORG! PR O MPO

TOM MY &

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CAROLINE MILLS BURRUSS ’15 & TOMMY BURRUSS ’14

THE DE

VE AU F AMILY 🙂

TOMMY BURRUSS ’14 was a junior when he asked his friend and cross-country teammate CALLIE CUNNINGHAM ’14 to set him up with CAROLINE MILLS BURRUSS ’15, a sophomore. “I asked Callie to be cool about it, but she went straight up to Caroline and asked her if she had any interest in going out with me,” Tommy recalls. Fortunately, Caroline did. “It didn't take long for me to realize how special she was,” says Tommy.

“She would write me little notes and leave presents on my car for me to find when I got home from lacrosse practice.”

Caroline also quickly realized they had something unique. “From the beginning, his quiet confidence, sense of humor, intelligence, and respect for me and others gave me that feeling in my gut that he was something you don’t find very often,” she says. “We’d tell anyone who asked that God knew what he was doing and not only intended for us to meet, but helped us overcome the many trials and challenges we’ve faced over the past nine years.” One of the couple’s favorite memories took place over spring break in 2014, when they went to Cambodia on an Isdell Center for Global Leadership Habitat for Humanity study tour, and Tommy asked Caroline to prom while they were riding elephants.

“We truly have grown up together,” says Tommy. “I don’t know anybody who has a better sense of self and has a full cup to pour from for those she cares about most.

Caroline is driven and organized and way too smart for her own good.” In return, Caroline says her husband has not changed one bit. “Obviously, he’s matured in many ways and his confidence has grown, but I think what has kept our relationship strong is the fact we’ve stayed true to who we are and have not let other people’s opinions influence our actions or feelings toward each other. He’s still just as much ‘Tommy’ as he was when I met him.” The Burrusses were married in 2021 and hope to return to Cambodia for a future anniversary trip. •

ALUMNI EVENTS

ALUMNI

SATURDAY IN THE PARK

A FIRESIDE CHAT

The Pace Academy Alumni Association hosted an afternoon at The World’s Greatest Playground, adjacent to the new Kam Memar Lower School, where old friends reunited and new friendships blossomed. Who knows, some of these little Knights could be classmates one day!

In March, more than 30 alumni leaders gathered with Head of School FRED ASSAF for a special conversation in which Assaf provided updates on the state of the school. Attendees included Alumni Board members and past presidents, Leadership Pace graduates, decade representatives and reunion volunteers.

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PACE ALUMNI BREAKFAST

Head of School FRED ASSAF and Director of College Counseling JONATHAN FERRELL traveled to Washington University in St. Louis for a college visit and enjoyed dinner with JOE LEE ’86, HELEN SWEITZER MIHALEVICH ’92, MEGHAN ELKOURIE RATHERT ’93, REKHA SASHTI ’20, GRACE DEMBA ’21 and JAMIE KORNHEISER ’21, Pace alumni living in the area.

Black alumni and students gathered in the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School in February for breakfast and conversation. Led by ROSS BROWN ’07, the Association for Black Pace Academy Alumni was established in 2018 as part of the larger Alumni Association.

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[01] Former student DAVID WASSERMAN, EDGAR CROSSETT ’99, JONATHAN BLANK ’99, ANDREW GRIFFIN ’99, WILL BRUER ’99 and MATT STONE ’99 enjoyed an informal reunion in February.

[02] JILL TANENBAUM CIERNY ’00, BRITT JACKSON GRIFFIN ’00, KAREN MARGOLIS KAYE ’00 and ANDREW GRIFFIN ’99—all Pace parents!—ran into each other during an afternoon at The Works on Atlanta’s Upper Westside.

[03] Throughout the admissions season, the Office of Admissions hosted a series of virtual presentations to allow prospective families opportunities to interact with school leaders, students and parents. Alumni also joined the recruitment effort, serving on two panels. During one gathering, ERIC ESTROFF ’12, ZEENA LATOUFF ’12, JARED ALLEN ’13, MORGAN BREWTONJOHNSON ’14 and KENNY SELMON ’14

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shared how Pace has impacted their lives and career paths, while, in another virtual conversation, JACOB SLOMAN ’19 and MARY CHILDS HALL ’21 joined members of the current senior class in reflecting on their experiences as Pace Lifers.

been waiting to meet him, and he finally got the chance. Andrew was so kind and great with William, which seems to be the Pace way!” Andrew, a standout player for the Yellow Jackets, was selected as a 2020–2021 All-ACC Academic honoree.

[04] ANDREW THOMAS ’17 and PRASHANTH KUMAR ’17 caught up over dinner in New York City.

[06] Associate Director of College Counseling PAM AMBLER recently participated in the United States Naval Academy Centers of Influence tour in Annapolis, where she ran into MAE SHIPPEN ’20.

Shippen is a third class midshipman at the Naval Academy majoring in quantitative economics; she also plays club lacrosse.

[05] Georgia Tech baseball player ANDREW JENKINS ’19 made WILLIAM BLACKWOOD ’34’s day when the Blackwood family attended a game this spring. William’s parents are Georgia Tech alumni; his father, DR. STEVEN BLACKWOOD, an outfielder for the Yellow Jackets, was inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame. “William has had Andrew as his No. 1 player since he got into Pace last spring,” SARA BLACKWOOD reports. “He’s anxiously

[07] ANDREW NEVILLE ’20, one of the organizers of NUMUN XIX, Northwestern University’s Model United Nations simulation, met up with 14 Pace delegates at the April 2022 conference in Evanston, Ill.

•

OUT & ABOUT ALUMNI

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THE PANDEMIC paused many celebrations, including in-person events honoring those Pace faculty and staff who retired in 2020 and 2021: SALLY FORB, DEB COOK, LISA RICHARDSON, CHARLES SMITH, PAM TISDALE, LIZ TUTT and LEE WILSON. This

spring, these beloved members of the Pace community were feted alongside 2022 retirees PATTI ALEXANDER, ANNA BUSH, MARSHA DURLIN, ROBBI HUDGINS, MARK KNOTT, KATHIE LARKIN, CAPPY LEWIS and RHONDA O’GORMAN. A reception took place in the Kam Memar Lower School and included other retired faculty and staff, as well as honorees’ invited guests. •

Have you liked or joined us yet?

www.facebook.com /paceacademyalumniassociation www.instagram.com /pace_alumknights www.linkedin.com/groups/160587

FROM THE ARCHIVES

LITERARY MAGAZINES AT PACE ACADEMY 66

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Literary Club existed as early as the 1965–1966 school year, but the 1967–1968 school year saw the introduction of our first literary publication, The Plume & Sword, which sold on campus for 25 cents. According to the 1968 Pacesetter, “The magazine, solely composed of contributions from the high-school students, was guided by MRS. [MIDGE] MCCLELLAN of the English department. The magazine consisted of short stories, poems, editorials, movie reviews and book reviews selected by the staff for their depth, perception and originality.”

In the 1969–1970 school year, English teacher and Drama Club sponsor ANN BOUTWELL took over the program, and in the 1972–1973 school year, the Literary Club published a magazine called Illusions. Our current literary magazine, The Knight Gallery, debuted during the 1973–1974 school year under the guidance of PATRICIA FASTIGGI and BONNIE SHELDON and with partial financing from advertising revenue.

The picture above was taken at a literary conference Pace hosted during the 1983–1984 school year and includes magazine staff member HERMESE LEACH ’84, editor LARA MAST ’84 and advisor RICKS CARSON. Carson built the creative writing program at Pace and served as the advisor of The Knight Gallery from the 1978–1979 school year until his retirement in 2018. Leach recalls: “My involvement [in The Knight Gallery] was likely a result of the encouragement of Mr. Carson, who always nurtured my creativity and writing skills. He was a wonderful teacher, and one of, if not my favorite teacher at Pace.” •

ALUMNI BACK-TOSCHOOL PARTY AUGUST 10, 6-8 P.M. IN THE PACE GARDENS HELP US KICK OFF THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR!

SEPTEMBER 30 & OCTOBER 1

CLASSES ENDING IN "2" AND "7" ARE CELEBRATING REUNIONS THIS YEAR!

THANK YOU for participating in the Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program!

 Over 500 Pace families and friends participated for the 2022 tax year.  Participants contributed $1.7 million.  Because of you, an estimated 27 new Pace students across all divisions will benefit from your tax credit dollars, starting in the 2022–2023 school year.  Tax credit funds are allocated for the student’s entire career at Pace as long as they demonstrate need each year.

PRE-APPLY FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR STARTING JULY 1, 2022 AT APOGEE123.ORG.

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

RECEIVING MULTIPLE COPIES? 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 information.

YO U R S U P P O R T M AT T E R S !

The Pace Fund—Pace Academy’s No. 1 annual-giving priority—provides vital resources that directly support ALL students, faculty and staff, and programs at Pace. We rely on the generous support of our parents, grandparents, alumni and friends to maintain the exceptional student experience so valued by our entire community.

We are grateful for your partnership in keeping Pace strong and prepared for the future.

For more information or to make a gift, visit www.paceacademy.org/support/the-pace-fund.