Issuu

Vol. 42, Issue #8

The

May 12, 2017

Knightly News

Class of 2017 Looks Back p. 4 Students Offer Feedback to Teachers

Anna Stone

Staff Writer Class of 2018

As the seniors prepare to graduate tomorrow, many reflect upon their time at Pace. Each of them will likely view Pace as having had a significant impact on their lives, even though every student’s experience is individual. Twenty-seven seniors have been at Pace since pre-first, marking them as “lifers.” “Pace has basically been a second home to me,” said lifer Jake Movsovitz. “It’s been awesome to be here since pre-first because I’ve seen and been a part of our school growing to new heights.” The Knightly News surveyed seniors to find out what they are most grateful for with regard to their time spent at Pace. In the top category, 18% of the 39 responders are most grateful for good friends. Coming in second, 13% are most grateful for great teachers. In a four-way tie at 10%, respondents are grateful for a loving and supporting community, ICGL trips, happy memories, and a safe place to grow as a person. Seniors are also grateful for a great education, at 8%. One senior responded that they were grateful for “not only a great academic education, but an education of the world and of life. Pace has provided me with stellar faculty and staff that have helped me grow and learn about

p. 7 Eliminate Summer Boredom

p. 12 Senior Predictions

Photo: Ryan Vihlen

the real world. I know I am better off because of Pace.” It is a time of mixed feelings for many. Senior Michael Chen is heading to Washington University of St. Louis. “I’m really excited to begin the next chapter of my life in St. Louis, but also extremely sad about leaving my friends at Pace, people I’ve known since sixth grade,” he said. The Class of 2017 will be heading to colleges as close by as Emory University and the

Georgia Institute of Technology and as far away as the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Seniors have been accepted to top schools such as Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University and University of Chicago. Thirteen seniors are headed to schools to pursue athletics along with academics. These include students playing football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, golf and swimming at

broadly. “The small school feel of Pace attracted my family and me here,” said Mr. Holifield. “It reminded me of the Country Day schools in New England where everyone knows everyone else and I really liked that.” In an ever-changing national climate and the world, Mr. Holifield knows that his work at Pace has helped students with tools to become leaders. Prior to coming to Pace, Mr. Holifield worked for ten years at the St. Luke’s School in Connecticut as the dean of upper school, student life and multicultural affairs. He has decided to take a similar position at The Walker School in Marietta as the

Assistant Head of Upper School and Director of Community Life beginning in Fall 2017. Mr. Holifield will take with him what he likes to call his “Wall of Fame” that is currently displayed in his office on the third floor. The Wall of Fame is a collection of college acceptance letters from some of his students over the years, including his son’s, Pace alumus Elijah Holifield ‘15. “The wall is not to brag or boast on kids but rather to remind students that senior year and the college process can be daunting and everyone has different paths getting to their destination. Each letter is and has

the college level. “They [the seniors] are a remarkable class,” said Director of College Counseling Gavin Bradley. “They are one of the strongest testing classes we’ve had during my time at Pace, but we’ve found them more remarkable for their willingness to engage with the adults in their lives.” Prashanth Kumar is headed to Harvard. “I am thankful to Pace for getting me into my dream school,” he said. “I

couldn’t have done it without the teachers, staff and college counselors getting me through it all.” Although the Class of 2017 is moving on, their impact on Pace will remain. “They [the seniors] are a beautiful group of individuals,” said their dean, math teacher Krista Wilhelmsen. “They will not be forgotten. They are amazing scholars and athletes and everything in between. They have left their mark everywhere on this campus, and it’s been an amazing year.”

Teachers Pursue New Opportunities George Shepherd Staff Writer Class of 2018

The year-end marks some changes in the Pace upper school faculty and staff, with six members moving on to pursue new opportunities. Mr. Rick Holifield has served as the Director of Diversity for Pace Academy for the past four years and has made a lasting impression as he guided the school to new levels of inclusion and understanding. He educated students, parents, faculty and alumni on diversity issues within the Pace community and more

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Photo: George Shepherd (L-R) Mr. Fleming, Ms. Harrell, Mrs. Culp and Mr. Holifield are moving on at the end of this school year.