Vol. 42, Issue 1

Page 1

Vol. 42, Issue #1

The

September 16, 2016

Knightly News

p. 3 Five Minutes with Chris Howard

p. 5 Let’s Get Googley

p. 8 Varsity Volleyball Starts Strong

New ‘Roya17y’ Reigns at Pace Jonathan Rushton Managing Editor Class of 2018

Photo: Fred Assaf

The FAC filled with shrill whistles and streams of toilet paper on Aug. 17 as the Class of 2017 stormed in, celebrating the beginning of their senior year. As the Dark Knights have risen and fallen, a new reign of Roya17y at Pace has begun. The step up to the new role of being seniors still hasn’t fully dawned on most of the class. “I’m excited for senior year, but it’s weird that we’re finally seniors,” said student body vice-president Mary Brooks Perkey. After Pace Academy legend Tommy Hattori took his talents to California, the position of Class of 2017 dean was vacant. Upper school math teacher Krista Wilhelmsen came out of dean retirement (former dean for the classes of 2003 and 2007) to take the reins for the Class of 2017. “I had thought about being a dean again, but with my son at The Schenck School it was too much back and forth,” said Mrs. Wilhelmsen. “Now was a great time to take responsibility for this awesome class.” The student body is led by senior student body president Christopher Howard. Taking the gavel from Mark Handler ‘16, Chris steps up with experience in abundance. “This is my fourth year of Student Council, so I will use my experience to lead this school,” said Chris. “We are underestimated as a grade, but I

Seniors Brian Sloan (R) and Ben Siegel (center) took the ‘mic with the senior class at their back to welcome everyone back. Seniors such as Willie Lieberman and Mitchell Zwecker stand out amongst an elite group in the performing arts. The Class of 2017 brought home multiple state championships from the GHSA State Literary Meet. Avery Herman won a championship for his essay, while Willie and Ellie Duncan were state champions for trio along with Lexi Rubin ‘16. Meanwhile in sports, the new seniors excel in multiple areas. Five athletes have already committed to high profile Division I schools and there will be

In previous years, seniors have mostly relied on their college counselors for guidance, therefore Mr. Gannon believed that Amy Secor and Gavin Bradley could serve in place of the senior dean. But after the passing of Parker Berman and Stephen Walker, he felt that putting a new dean in place would provide the additional support the grade needed. Mr. Gannon called math teacher Krista Wilhelmsen over the summer to ask her to step in as the Class of 2017’s new dean. “I was relieved because I felt and knew the class needed a dean,” said Mrs. Wilhelmsen. “I’m glad

he asked because if he didn’t, I would have asked him anyway. Not one part of me was hesitant to step in.” She knew she had enough experience and already felt so close to the grade. She was excited to help. English teacher Rick Canfield thinks that Mrs. Wilhelmsen is more than qualified for the job. “She was a dean for a very long time, so I think she’ll do a great job,” he said. Mrs. Wilhelmsen came back to Pace in 2012 after previously teaching at Pace from 1995 to

New Year, New Dean Genna Schwarz Staff Writer Class of 2019

Thomas Hattori, former dean of the Class of 2017, departed The Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School at the end of last school year after accepting a job in California at the Thacher School. Moving to California brings him closer to his family, which was very important to him. Head of Upper School Michael Gannon initially thought the new 12th grade could get through the year without a dean.

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many more to come. The top talent includes Deon Jackson and Summer Brown heading to Duke University for football and volleyball, respectively. The grade also has two football players committed to University of Georgia, Trey Blount and Andrew Thomas. Along with the talent on the fields, the Class of 2017 contains the #3 player in the ESPN 100 for basketball, Wendell Carter Jr., who is still undecided on where he will attend university. With the curent senior class helping to win two state cham-

pionships in 2015-2016 and contending for many more, the new school year is promising for athletics. The talent in the classroom, on the field, on stage and in the community isn’t the only way to assess this grade. “I know they will be positive role models due to great reputation and enthusiasm,” said Mrs. Wilhelmsen. “I told them that all classes get to be seniors, but not all classes deserve the title. I’m confident they deserve it and will rise to the challenge.”

Photo: Genna Schwarz

know we will succeed in leading the school.” Roya17y runs throughout the grade in many forms, ranging from Orkin Scholars to volleyball standouts. With many active community members, including Prashanth Kumar being named a member of Atlanta’s 20 Under 20 for exceptional service, the grade leaves its mark in many areas. Along with Prashanth, the grade includes twenty-eight service leaders, who volunteer for projects such as the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

Mrs. Wilhemsen helps freshman Jason Rosenbloum with his geometry assignment.

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