Pace Center for Girls will bring three of their 19 centers in Florida together for Pace Olympics on Tuesday, June 30th. Pace Clay will host Pace Alachua and Pace Leon for a day of friendly competition, fostering connection and sportsmanship between the three centers.
Pace Olympics originated with a field day in 2024 as a collaboration between Pace Alachua and Pace Clay. This year, Pace Leon will also be joining and approximately 175 girls aged 11-18 from the three centers are expected to participate. The games will include academic and sporting competitions at both the individual and team levels. Medals will be awarded for the individual winners, and the center deemed the overall champion will take home an inaugural traveling trophy.
“We are excited to bring the three centers together for a fun day of competition and teamwork,” Dr. Gennelle Thomas, Executive Director of Pace Center for Girls, Clay said. “This is an excellent opportunity for our students to build partnerships with peers from other centers and for our staff to collaborate with their counterparts,” Lori Miller, Executive Director of Pace Alachua agrees and added, “Pace Olympics will help to build school spirit for each of our centers and show the girls what they can do if they work together.”
Pace Center for Girls provides free full-day, year-round schooling, counseling, and therapy for girls 11-18 who have experienced life’s challenges and need extra support. Backed by nearly four decades of experience and proven methods, Pace’s nationally recognized early intervention model has proven to be successful in curbing unemployment and involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Pace’s teams of educators, therapists, and counselors offer middle and high school academic services, counseling, and social, emotional, and behavioral support services for girls in 20 counties throughout Florida and Georgia. Additionally, Pace provides life skills training, career guidance, secondary education preparation, and more. Individualized approaches are tailored to each girl’s unique strengths, life experiences, and needs.
Pace Center for Girls operates year-round, and girls attend throughout the summer. The consistency of academics, counseling, and therapy can help prevent the backward slide that can happen when students are out of school for summer break.
“Many of our girls are navigating significant challenges, and the summer months provide a critical opportunity to maintain the positive momentum they have built throughout the year”, said Dr. Tyneal Haywood, Executive Director of Pace Leon. “By holding special events like Pace Olympics, not only are we celebrating teamwork and a friendly competitive spirit, but we are also providing consistent engagement, support, and connection, which reinforces their growth, strengthens their resilience, and ensures they continue progressing toward their goals and a bright future.”
