Pace Center for Girls, Lee

An overcomer is what we see when looking at this grad. Please meet JAYONNA known as "Ace" who's conquered much to be wearing the gown, cap and tassel!

From having just a few credits when she started Pace, Ace has steadily completed classes, improved her grades, and stayed on track for graduation. She has shown up consistently, maintained strong attendance, and worked her way to the responsibility stage. That kind of progress comes from resilience, facing challenges head-on, and deciding each day that her future is worth the effort.

She plans to pursue a career as a bartender, a path that requires connection, awareness, and the ability to bring a sense of care and presence to every interaction. And if her journey here is any indication, she has exactly what it takes to succeed.

Congrats on your success, Ace...you CAN do anything you set your mind to!

Whether anyone else sees it, we at Pace know there's laughter behind those smiling eyes. Please meet KIMBERLY whose sense of humor provided many laugh-out-loud moments throughout each day.

During her time at Pace, Kimberly shared her voice on the stage of the Broadway Palm at Grande Dames Tea, reached the Dignity stage in Growth and Change, and participated in Pathways where she chose to share her story with center visitors. These accomplishments reflect not just progress but her serious commitment to perseverance.

“Funny, kind, and unapologetically spirited — she brings life wherever she goes.” According to her counselor, that's Kimberly in a nutshell which will take her far in pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse.

Congratulations Kimberly! Keep the laughs coming, Pumpkin!

Happy is what we see when looking at Graduate KENDRA who was navigating academic struggles, peer conflict, and mental and physical health concerns in addition to the loss of her mother when she started Pace.

Kendra improved her grades across the board and reached her proudest achievement: maintaining all A’s. While at Pace, Kendra earned the Scholar Award, recognizing her academic excellence and participated in Pathways, where she openly shared her story with a room of strangers. To let others learn from her experience is a form of leadership that carries real impact and she plans to utilize it as a teacher in early childhood education.

From her counselor is this quote that captures her spirit: “I may be hard-headed, but my intentions are soft-hearted.”

Congratulations Kendra! Never stop being you!!

There's a sense of peace in her face and we proudly invite you to meet DALILA whom her counselor says is "gentle in her kindness, steady in her heart and brave in the way she's learning to use her voice."

In her own words, Dalila says Pace gave her the support she needed and a second chance to focus on her education and her future. It gave her the space to reflect, to grow, and to begin making decisions that truly aligned with who she wanted to be. Through the guidance of her counselor and the encouragement of staff, Dalila began to feel understood and that made all the difference.

She plans to pursue a career in nursing, a path that calls for the compassion, patience and strength that we already know she possesses.

Congratulations Dalila! You've made us proud!

We see confidence in that smile and we're proud to introduce you to CAMILLA.

In her own words: “Pace has helped me grow, discover my strengths, and improve my weaknesses. Pace has given me multiple opportunities to help prepare me for the future. I believe that if it wasn’t for this school, I wouldn’t have found the best version of myself.”

Camilla plans to pursue a career as an actuary – a field that requires focus, analytical thinking, and persistence. It’s a path that rewards consistency and problem-solving, all qualities she has exhibited on the path to graduation.

Join us in congratulating Camilla on achieving this milestone!

Hollywood Glam was a prom success thanks to all the help Pace received from our SWFL community! We have many thanks to share and we'd like to suggest that Pace supporters in turn support these businesses when you can: The Commons - THCO (venue) Marty Wisher of Swan Studios Inc (photography) Balloon Buccaneers (balloon arch) Florida Gulf Coast University (coordinating dress drives) Sanibel Captiva Community Bank (dress drive) FK Your Diet Fort Myers (dress drive) IncredibleBank (dress drive) Shane Spring (dress drive) Paradise Vintage Market (donation of dresses) and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store at Boatsway Dr-FM (food). There were also many volunteers who sorted and tagged dresses, converted our point store into a prom boutique, made alterations, and then set up decorations the day of in addition to serving food. And finally thanks to our board for providing a variety of sweet treats. All in all, it was a fun night and created some happy memories for the girls to treasure!

PS. DJ Rhod Marcelus knows how to rock a prom!

Thank you to the Whiskey Creek Civic Association for hosting the Battle at the Creek golf tournament in support of Pace Center for Girls. We are so grateful for your partnership and for the community members, sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who came together to make the event such a success.

Thank you for investing in our girls and believing in their potential. We truly appreciate the Whiskey Creek community for making a difference in the lives of so many girls right here in our community.

We owe BIG thanks to the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral Leadership Class of 2025 for selecting Pace as one of three beneficiaries of their Casino in the Cape special event. We're honored to be in the company of the Cape Coral Museum of History and I love Special Pops. Thanks for making dreams come true!

From the addiction education and prevention experts at the Hanley Foundation, our girls learned about the effects of va**ng and ma*****na use. Part of the curriculum included the history of v**es, parts of a v**e and what is in a v**e, and the effects of va**ng on the body. Pertaining to ma*****na, they learned about forms of ma*****na and their potency, Cannabis Use Disorder, and the effects of driving under the influence of ma*****na. Incorporating games such as myth vs. fact, short surveys, and class discussion were used to enhance their learning. Thank you for helping Pace educate, change minds and save lives!