News

Fifth-graders Miles Drake and Sarina Soni have been named national finalists in the 2024 River of Words Art and Poetry Contest. The contest, an initiative of The River of Words Project, aims to help students understand their sense of place by studying the natural world in their own environment and expressing what they discover through poetry and art. 

Drake used acrylic paints to portray the friendly face of a lounging sloth in his artwork titled Nature in Costa Rica. Soni captured a close-up of a curious seagull against a partly cloudy day in her photograph Pigeon on the Podium. Their work has been published in River of Words’ annual journal and will be part of a traveling exhibit. The full list of winners and galleries of artwork can be found here.

Senior Kate Cunningham is among the Atlanta-area students celebrated by Rough Draft Atlanta as “20 Under 20” honorees. The annual list acknowledges students who juggle their education while giving back to the community in meaningful ways. Cunningham was recognized for her work with Swim Across America (SAA), having raised $8,000 individually while also serving as a team captain and a member of the SAA Atlanta Junior Advisory Board. Congratulations, Kate!

Pace Academy has announced that Brooke Hight will be its next Head of Lower School, succeeding current Head of Lower School Dorothy Hutcheson upon her retirement.

Hight will join the Pace faculty in July 2025 and will bring nearly two decades of experience in education to her role. Hight began her career as a first-grade teacher and has since taught across all elementary school grades, developing a comprehensive understanding of the academic and developmental needs of young learners. From classroom teaching and training teachers to mentoring novice faculty, mastering Orton-Gillingham methods and managing preschool programs, her expertise is both broad and deep. Most importantly, she demonstrates a profound love for the children and families in her care. 

Hight currently serves as the director of the Anne & Jim Kenan Preschool at the Atlanta Speech School. Her resume includes 11 years at The Westminster Schools, where she concluded her tenure as the director of teaching and learning for students in Pre-First through second grade, as well as five years at The Lovett School. An Atlanta native, Hight began her professional journey at Fowler Drive Elementary School in Athens, Ga., and is a double graduate of the University of Georgia—she earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education and a master’s in children’s literature. Learn more about Brooke Hight. 

Earlier this semester, nearly 50 Upper School students took the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), the largest and most prestigious national math exam. Based on their performance, junior Arnav Maddineni and senior Stephen Yang have qualified for the next level of testing: the American Invitational Math Exam (AIME), a three-hour, 15-question test that takes place in early February. This is Maddineni’s second time qualifying for the AIME and Yang’s seventh—an impressive streak spanning every year from sixth grade onward. Junior Jon Soren UyHam and senior Davis Trimble narrowly missed qualifying, falling short by less than the value of one question. Congratulations, Knights!

The Upper School theater department’s annual Winter Showcase is an amalgamative performance composed of vignettes, musical numbers and technical presentations you won’t want to miss! This year’s showcase highlights two original works written by students, three student-directed pieces and numerous performances by student actors. The production will return to the promenade theatrical style that was once a hallmark of the showcase—there may even be a super secret surprise in store, so you’ll want to be in attendance! Performances will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and Thursday, Jan. 30, in The Zalik Theater. Admission is free and open to the public.