Vol. 39, Issue 8 by The Knightly News

Vol. 39 Issue #8

The

May 16, 2014

Knightly News

p. 3 Five Minutes with Co-Editors

p. 5 New Upper School Interiors

p. 12 Senior Predictions

Pace Forever Changed by Class of 2014 Julia Beck

Features Editor Class of 2015

Photo: Lee Wilson

From the moment the Class of 2014 stormed into the FAC in their “trailer trash” gear, the whole school knew that it was going to be a special year. As a class, this grade has embraced every challenge thrown at them. From classic struggles like Ms. Smith’s AP European history class and holds on the chicken, to unique ones like the “wall of shame” (ask their dean, Ms. Riley) and the move to the trailers, these seniors have taken everything in stride with optimism and confidence. “As a class, I feel like they don’t always fit the mold of a typical Pace class or a typical Pace kid,” said Ms. Riley, “They’re different, and that, I think, is to their credit... They’re not always going to jump through your hoops.” Everyone knows that Pace is a tough school academically, but these seniors have handled the rigor extremely well all four years. With a number of students planning on attending top schools, they’re already an impressive class. Add in the fact that they somehow have two STAR students when there is usually only one, it becomes almost shocking. To become a STAR student, a student has to earn the highest SAT score from one test date and be in the top ten percent of the grade. Josh Rogers and Kal Golde got the

Although seniors will be scattering to schools throughout the country and even overseas, a large number will stay in Georgia to attend college. same SAT score, so they both received the award. In addition to their smarts, the Class of 2014 is also known for being the athletic grade. They will forever be known as the class with Kenny Selmon, the track star who placed third in hurdles at the World Youth Games in Ukraine. At least five members of this class will be playing Division One sports in college: Kenny (UNC at Chapel Hill), Denzel Franklin (Stanford), Kameron Uter (Wake Forest), Jared Datoc (Georgia Tech) and Raphael Ramirez (NC State).

Many more seniors are planning on continuing their sports at the next level, including Alex Bussey (University of New Haven), Tripp Conrad (College of Coastal Georgia), John King (MIT) and Gwynnie LaMastra (Johns Hopkins). Of course what Pace is most known for is being the artsy school, and these seniors have lived up to Pace’s ideal in an extraordinary way. Year after year they have been central figures in amazing upper school musicals, plays, concerts, and dance performances. Evidence of this is that both Sam Downey and Cory

Bush will be attending the Tisch School at NYU, one of the most elite performing arts schools. Not only is the Class of 2014 talented in the performing arts but also the visual arts, with 13 seniors taking the Advanced Art Studio class and three seniors winning Scholastic Gold Key awards in visual arts this year: Morgan Brewton-Johnson, Mary Liles Fiveash and Jason Malik. Jason won a National Gold Key last year for ceramics. In terms of creative writing, Katie Brewster won a Scholastic Gold Key in the short story category. These legacies of extreme

intelligence, athleticism and artistic ability are impressive, but not unheard of for a Pace class. Yet the legacy of the Class of 2014 is much more than simple statistics can explain. Their “creative chaos,” as Ms. Riley put it, cannot be replicated or forgotten. Their strengths as a class of being different and refusing to compromise in their beliefs will forever be admired. Most importantly, Pace has been forever changed by the legendary “Freestyle Friday,” something that will go down in Pace history along with the class that started it.

Seven Valued Members of Faculty Leaving for New Ventures Wilson Alexander Co-Editor In Chief Class of 2014

Dr. Link has worked at Pace a mere three years, but has taught for 27 years. Prior to Pace, Dr. Link worked at cross-town rival Westminster and before that, as a college

professor. He will semi-retire next year, teaching part-time and researching at Kennesaw State. “I will enroll in the ‘school of hard knocks’ to figure out why the U.S. does not have a national

Photo: Wilson Alexander

The senior class won’t be the only ones leaving Pace after this academic year; seven members of the faculty will be departing as well. Jenni and Kevin Coale, Megan Dickherber, Tom Kates, Jere Link, Claire Strowd and Regina Tate will all be starting new chapters of their lives after the last day of school on May 23. History teachers and husband and wife Kevin and Jenni Coale will be moving to Washington D.C. for Mr. Coale to work at Episcopal High School, teaching world history, working in Ad-

missions and coaching lacrosse and football. Mrs. Coale, AP Art History teacher and Assistant Director of Admissions, is looking for a job in the area “in the culinary world of catering and non-profits.” The Coales are glad for their time at Pace. “’Ubuntu’ is an expression in the Xhosa and Zulu languages that I’m especially fond of,” said Mr. Coale, “Roughly translated, it means: ‘I am because you are.’ This is what I think about when I think about my time at Pace. I am so grateful that Pace decided to take a chance on me six years ago, and feel very lucky to have enjoyed the opportunities and support I have had in that time.”

health care plan worthy of our citizenry,” he said, “Old age ain’t for dummies.” The always witty Dr. Link will be missed not only for his extraordinary mind, but for his laughter as well: “Kids

(Continued on page 3)

(L-R): Claire Strowd, Jenni Coale, Kevin Coale, Jere Link, Megan Dickherber and Regina Tate, along with Tom Kates (not pictured), are leaving large shoes to fill for next year.