Pace Girl Graduates with Inspiring Words, Scholarships, and Office Depot Technology to Help Launch The Next Chapter
Palm Beach County, FL – On Thursday, June 5, Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach held a graduation ceremony to honor one of its students, Madinah, who earned her high school diploma at the county’s only gender-responsive, second-chance school, located in Palm Springs, FL. Pace Palm Beach serves middle and high school girls ages 11-17 across the Palm Beach County School District, providing comprehensive behavioral health support and academic programs. Families and caregivers gathered to celebrate the graduates as they earned their high school diplomas and took the next step toward a brighter future.
Each year at Pace Palm Beach, graduation marks a significant milestone for each girl, symbolizing her resilience and readiness to embrace the next chapter of her life. Mindy Hanken, Executive Director of Pace Palm Beach, opened the ceremony with heartfelt congratulations, recognizing the graduate’s academic achievements, perseverance, and commitment to pursuing her education and lifelong goals.
“On this day, we recognize the hard work and achievements of the very special young women that we have the privilege of working with every day. We thank you and your caregivers for entrusting us with your education and care,” said Mindy Hanken, Executive Director of Pace Palm Beach. “Thank you to all of our community partners, generous supporters, and team. Our girls have worked hard to get to this point. And while it hasn’t always been easy, they have shown determination, commitment, and most of all, resilience.”
Palm Beach Board Chair, Esther LaBovick, took the podium to share encouraging words with Madinah as she prepares to pursue her dreams and expand on her education at Palm Beach State College next Fall. In addition, Florida Representative Debra Tendrich, who represents District 89–home to Pace Palm Beach–sent a heartfelt letter of congratulations to Madinah. The letter was presented and read out loud by the Pace graduate during the ceremony.
Pace graduates were celebrated with meaningful gifts and opportunities made possible through community partnerships. The Women of Color Associate Resource Group at Office Depot Corporation generously donated a new laptop and printer to Madinah upon completion of her high school curriculum. In addition, State Farm Insurance Company established a scholarship for Pace graduates, awarded through an essay submission process. This year, the scholarship was presented to graduating student Madinah during the ceremony. Palm Beach Board Member Bonnie Eggen also secured a second scholarship, generously provided by Walgreens, which she proudly presented to Madinah as well. The celebration concluded with a celebratory lunch shared by graduates, families, staff, and supporters.
The girls and young women Pace Palm Beach supports receive academic instruction and work closely with counselors and therapists trained in trauma-based therapy. They also receive life coaching to learn essential life skills, such as personal hygiene, grocery shopping, and landing their first job. These resources are made available to girls at no cost to them.
Enrollment is now open at Pace Palm Beach. To learn more about how Pace is finding the great in every girl, visit www.pacecenter.org.
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About Pace Center for Girls Pace provides free year-round middle and high school academics, case management, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and supportive environment that recognizes and deals with past trauma and builds upon girls’ individual strengths. Dedicated to meeting the social, emotional, and education needs of girls, Pace has a successful and proven program model that has changed the life trajectory of more than 40,000 girls and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading advocates for girls in need. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, visit www.pacecenter.org.
