News

The varsity boys lacrosse team wrapped up an outstanding season with a long list of accolades. Congratulations to senior Evan Karetsos, who has been named a US Lacrosse All-American, recognized for his exemplary efforts on and off the field. In addition, Evan Karetsos and sophomore Niko Karetsos received First Team All-State honors; senior Tripp Trimble and junior Jason Tapper were named to the All-State Second Team; and senior Steven Morrisroe was selected to the All-State Honorable Mention team. Head Coach Grady Stevens was named Georgia Coach of the Year. Congratulations, Knights!

The varsity gymnastics team’s performance in the state preliminary meet on April 22 qualified the Knights for the GHSA Class 1-5A state finals for the first time in nearly 20 years. On Saturday, April 24, the team took the floor at Buford Arena and finished second in the state with a season-high team score of 105.73. Freshman Gabby Mautner was the lone Knight to qualify for individual honors. She placed second in the state in the all-around competition, third on bars and vault, fifth on floor and brought home a gold medal on balance beam. Well done, Knights! 

On April 24, Upper School students participated in the GHSA State Literary Championship and came away with impressive results. The competition challenges participants’ written, public speaking and musical skills in categories such as Oral Interpretation, Rhetorical Essay, Solo, Trio and Quartet. 

Senior Olivia Ullmann placed fourth in the Argumentative Essay category, while freshman Hannah White’s Personal Essay was fourth. Junior Ryan Varma (pictured), competing in the Extemporaneous Speaking category, took home the state title. Congratulations, Ryan!

Come one, come all to Pace Academy’s 2021 Upper School Cabaret! Be inspired by students—and teachers!—as they showcase their talents in the arts, dance, music, athletics and more! The virtual talent show will take place Friday, May 7, at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets ($10 per family) to receive the viewing link. 

More than 1,100 college counselors from across the South tuned in this past week to the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) annual conference. Director of College Counseling Jonathan Ferrell, who served as SACAC president for the 2020-2021 year, oversaw the virtual event, themed Renewing Our Commitment. Ferrell also served as a featured speaker and, with National Association for College Admission Counseling CEO Angel Pérez, addressed leading through the dual pandemics of COVID and racial injustice. 

During the conference, Associate Director of College Counseling Pam Ambler received the William Starling Award for Mentoring, one of the seven awards SACAC bestows annually on its members. The award, named for longtime dean of admissions and financial aid at Wake Forest University, recognizes an individual who sets an example of integrity and shapes the best in people, who sees beyond the day-to-day and inspires rather than demands quality. 

“Pam continues to provide me and so many others with sage advice, an understanding ear and always a willingness to help out,” said SACAC Past-President Jessica Sant. “She has students' interests at heart while also being able to wonderfully support her colleagues in this profession. She encourages and lifts us up—Pam believes in people and brings out the best in them.”