On May 24 Monsignor Edward Pace High School’s 50th group of seniors graduated at Miami-Dade County Auditorium with all the pomp and circumstance of five decades of tradition.
Dressed in their scarlet caps and gowns, they joined the ranks of thousands of Spartans who proudly call themselves "alumni." This class was one of achievers, obtaining over $6 million in scholarships.
They earned acceptances to a variety of schools around the country like Georgetown, Brown University, New York University, University of Pennsylvania, and in-state schools including the University of Florida, University of Miami, Florida State University, University of Central Florida and more.
Of course, quite a few things have changed since the first class of 32 boys graduated at the Miami Beach Auditorium (Jackie Gleason Theater) in May 1964.
The 2013 graduates numbered close to 260 young men and women, forming one of Pace's largest classes in years. While the radio's top hits may no longer be the Beatles, and students have transitioned from pen and paper to one-to-one iPad learning, some things will never change.
Just like the first graduating class, the class of 2013 met the school's standard 100 percent graduation rate and perfect matriculation to colleges or the armed forces within a semester after high school.
The school is extremely proud of its latest group of graduates, and congratulates them on their achievements, wishing them successful futures full of "grace and truth" (the school's motto).