I was the type of girl that was raised by a single mom because my father wasn’t around. I have three older brothers. We had everything because my mom had a good job and we were going to school everyday… until my mom got hurt and lost her job.

PACE has some of the best volunteers around, including a professor on Tuesdays! Kathy Vandervliet taught at Jacksonville University for 35 years. In the latter part of her career she also taught computer science.

Kathy is originally from Michigan. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, her Masters from Perdue University, and her Ph.D. from Colorado State University. All of her degrees are in math. Kathy She first heard about PACE Center for Girls when PACE became neighbors with JU in 2001. She was very interested in tutoring at the time but the scheduling didn’t work out. Through her involvement with other groups (American Association of University Women and Civic Roundtable) Kathy heard about PACE from time to time, so as soon as she retired in 2007 she signed up to be a volunteer and has tutored girls weekly since. 

When Kathy is not volunteering for the community she enjoys playing bridge, sewing and traveling. She is also very active in her church, Lakewood Presbyterian.

Kathy knows that the time she spends with the girls each week is important. “I think I’m helping them,” she says. “By the time they get to this level, they’ve had so many negative experiences of mathematics. We got to get them past their dislike and fear of math. When you work with them one-on-one, they think they are following the procedure. But [often] they are just missing one little step. If you identify the little step they are missing…..they can do it.”

On May 15th, the Terry Concert Hall at Jacksonville University was filled with friends and families supporting PACE Jacksonville Class of 2009. Mary Baer, WJXT Channel 4 Anchor, delivered the poignant commencement address that urged the girls to find their passions, live compassionate lives, and act on their dreams. One of the great things about a PACE graduation is that our executive director Lynn Bertram speaks about each graduate’s accomplishments and future plans.

This is an amazing moment considering the paths these girls were headed on before PACE. Just look at these wonderful accomplishments... 

• Twenty-three girls earned their GEDs.
• Ten of those also passed their FCAT and earned their high school diplomas.
• Six graduates were members of the National Technical Honor Society.
• One graduate earned the Thompson Scholarship.