Ten girls who once were seemingly on paths to problematic lifestyles, received their diplomas – and a better direction for life – last week during a graduation ceremony at the PACE Center for Girls. (Back, from left) Destani Shadrick, PACE Clay Executive Director and Mary Marx, PACE President and CEO, joined graduates Hannah D., Christina, Emma, Brianna, Mikala, Ellianna, Hannah H. and Tara Green, Clerk of the Clay County Circuit Court, and (front, from left) Rachel, Reagan and Zoie. PACE Clay works with about 120 girls a year to balance academics and social services in a holistic, strength-based culture, with the intention of promoting protective factors and mitigating risk factors like foster home placement, substance abuse (by the girl or a family member), domestic violence, incarceration of a family member, neglect, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, grief, emotional health concerns and low income that leads to delinquency among girls. The program offers year-round academic classes, individual and group counseling, case management, gender-specific life management training, career planning and exploration services and transition services for its participants. The ultimate goal of PACE is to improve health, well-being, self-efficacy and academic outcomes among girls and preparing them to lead productive lives as engaged members of their communities.