Roswell Resident Named Pace Academy Valedictorian

A student at Pace Academy since the fifth grade, Michael Christianson finishes out his lengthy academic career at the school on a high note - as valedictorian.

Christianson, the son of Jennifer and Fred Christianson of Roswell, plans to study physics at Columbia University in the fall. 

Pace is a college preparatory independent day school in Buckhead. School staff say Christianson has been an incredibly active member of the Pace community, never afraid to try a new activity or undertake a project.

He was Pace’s 2012 STAR Student and a member of the math, debate, Quiznet, Hi-Q, robotics and chess teams. Christianson plays viola and tennis and is a frequent contributor to Knight Gallery, Pace’s literary magazine. He is an Orkin Scholar and received the Faculty Award for Scholarship, the “Rising Star” Math Department Award and the Georgia Tech Math Department and University of Pennsylvania Book Awards. Christianson is a member of the National Honor Society, a National Merit Semifinalist and a National AP Scholar with Distinction. 

During the Pace Academy’s Senior Honors Day on Friday, May 18, Christianson received the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup Award, the Sydney Rushin Mathematics Prize and the Ralph Lee Newton Literary Award.

In his free time, Christianson enjoys ultimate Frisbee, reading novels and watching Doctor Who.