PACE Marion's 10th Anniversary Community Challenge Grantors are contributing $10,000 with one challenge - that PACE match the donations within 6 weeks for a grand total of $20,000. The Community Challenge Grant Campaign began on June 8, 2011, during the Believing in Girls Society reception prior to the graduation ceremony.

The graduation ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 8th at 5:30 pm at the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors Building located at 3105 NE 14 St in Ocala. Representative Dennis Baxley  was the ceremony's keynote speaker and was awarded Marion Legislator of the Year by Adrianna Sekula, Associate Director of Government Affairs for PACE Center for Girls, Inc. and Cathleen Blagay, Executive Director of PACE Center for Girls of Marion County.

The PACE Marion Board of Directors, staff, community members and families recognized the accomplishments of 16 girls at the Transition and Graduation Ceremony.  This Ceremony honored nine girls who have completed their goals at PACE Marion and will now transition into another setting to complete their education, as well as seven former PACE Marion Girls who completed their high school education this year with a diploma or GED.

Along with celebrating the girls' achievements, PACE also recognized it's Champions of PACE recipients. A Champion of PACE award is given to a community member or organization each year who has demonstrated significant support of the girls and program on a volunteer and financial supporter level. Advocacy from this individual/organization is also a deciding factor for this award. The ceremony the recipients were the Cannon Family, World Wings International - Heart of Florida Chapter, Marion County Tax Collector's Employees and  First Assembly of God.

PACE Marion’s successes are evident in the courage and accomplishments of the many girls whose lives have been changed over the past 10 years. Of the 132 Marion County girls enrolled at PACE in 2009-2010, 98 percent had no criminal involvement one year after PACE and 98 percent increased their academic skills. Since 2001, over 600 girls have completed the program right here in Marion County.