OCALA, FL (352today.com) — The Pace Center for Girls Marion hosted its annual “Voices of Pace” luncheon this week, drawing community leaders, supporters, and alumni together to celebrate the resilience and growth of young women in the program.
Board Chair Devon Chestnut opened the event by thanking guests, sponsors, and staff, stressing the program’s life-changing impact. “Together, we can create a brighter future for all girls and young women,” Chestnut said.
The luncheon featured powerful testimonials from Pace students and alumni, each sharing deeply personal stories of overcoming trauma, mental health struggles, and instability.
Maggie, a current student, described how the support at Pace helped her heal after multiple hospitalizations. “They helped me learn that the pain is temporary,” she said, adding that she now feels hopeful and confident in her future.
Alumni speaker Michaela Davis spoke of her journey from teen motherhood to professional success, crediting Pace for helping her build the confidence and tools to pursue her goals. “Art became not just a hobby, but a reminder that I could create beauty even in hard times,” she said.
Davis went on to talk about her accomplishments and future goals, including becoming a registered nurse a year ago. And how she’s on the path to earning her master’s degree.
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano shared with the girls how proud he is of them. “What you guys have accomplished is unbelievable,” he shared. He expressed his admiration for the Pace Center, saying that its proactive approach is one that catches these young women before they fall too far.
Pace Executive Director Laura Burgess clarified that the center is not simply an alternative school; it’s a choice-based program that blends academic education with mental health care and life skills. Students, many of whom face housing instability, trauma, or adverse childhood experiences, receive wraparound support including access to licensed counselors, a structured curriculum, and emotional safety.
The luncheon concluded with a call to action: community support is essential to continue Pace’s mission. Guests were encouraged to donate, attend upcoming events like the May 8 “Women of Song” concert, and remain champions for local girls.
The event also honored a very special “Pace Girl.” Allen Musikantow, franchise owner of Cody’s Original Roadhouse restaurants in Ocala and The Villages, was recognized for his many years on the Pace Center for Girls board. Musikantow provided lunch for the event along with his wife, Amy, and son, Josh.