Meet 2026 Kathy Pace Scholarship Winners - Zeviel Pineda and Atticus Sage
The Kathy Pace Technology scholarship is an opportunity presented by Centre Technologies commemorating the late Kathy Pace, mother of CEO and Founder, Chris Pace. She firmly believed in supporting the community and continuing education. This scholarship opportunity is awarded to individuals in the technology field who possess compassion, drive, and a commitment to enhancing technology to improve the world. This year, our Kathy Pace Scholarship recipients were Zeviel Pineda and Atticus Sage. We recently sat down with Zeviel and Atticus to learn more about their future goals and how they hope to make a difference through technology.
What school are you currently attending and what are you studying?
Zeviel: I'm headed into my freshman year at MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I'm planning to study neuroscience and engineering, although I haven't decided on a specific engineering specialty yet. Right now I'm leaning toward electrical engineering because of the overlap with computational neuroscience.
Atticus: I'm currently attending the Colorado School of Mines, where I'm pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
What are you most excited for on campus?
Zeviel: Definitely the people. Some of my closest friends will be attending MIT with me, and many of them are people I met through academic and research programs. I'm excited to see them again in person, work together in study groups, and be surrounded by people who are passionate about learning.
Atticus: I'm excited for everything that comes with the college experience, but especially getting involved on campus and being part of the school community. As a big sports fan, I'm also excited for football season and everything that comes with game days and campus life.
If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Zeviel: I'd choose Hippocrates. He's considered one of the founding figures of medicine, and I'd love to hear his perspective on the evolution of healthcare and science. Plus, I think it would be fun to introduce someone from ancient Greece to modern things like tacos and boba tea and see how he reacted.
Atticus: I'd probably choose Elon Musk. His innovations and engineering mindset helped shape so much of the modern world, and I'd love to learn how he approached problems and thought about the future.
What inspired you to pursue a career in that technology field? Why are you passionate about technology specifically?
Zeviel: My interest really started when I was nine years old and suffered a concussion. I had a doctor who took the time to explain what was happening and answer all of my questions. That experience sparked my curiosity about the brain and neuroscience. As I learned more, I became fascinated by how the body is able to solve incredibly complex problems and maintain itself. The engineering side came naturally because I became interested in how technology can help us improve treatments, restore lost functions, and make healthcare more effective.
Atticus: I've always enjoyed math, and I started taking advanced courses at a young age. When I got into physics in high school, everything clicked. I loved understanding how things work, and I learned that mechanical engineering is heavily rooted in physics. That combination made it clear that engineering was the path I wanted to pursue.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Zeviel: Hopefully debt-free and in medical school.
Atticus: In five years, I hope to be finishing my education and beginning my professional career as an engineer, applying the skills I've developed in college to solve real-world problems.
What will you be able to do now that you could not prior to receiving the Kathy Pace Scholarship?
Zeviel: The scholarship removes a lot of financial stress and allows me to focus more fully on why I'm going to MIT in the first place, which is to learn, study, and pursue my academic goals. It also allows me to spend more time tutoring because I want to help students, rather than because I need to earn money for school expenses.
Atticus: Receiving the scholarship will help reduce the financial burden of college and allow me to focus more of my time and energy on my education, extracurricular involvement, and professional development opportunities.
Any advice you have for those aspiring to get into the field of technology?
Zeviel: Take advantage of the free resources available to you. MIT OpenCourseWare is an incredible learning platform with courses covering nearly every subject imaginable. I'd also encourage people to find a learning style that works for them, whether that's books, hands-on projects, videos, or something else. Most importantly, try a lot of different things. Some of the most exciting innovations happen when different disciplines and interests come together.
Atticus: Don't be afraid to challenge yourself with advanced math and science courses. The sooner you start building those skills and exploring your interests, the more opportunities you'll create for yourself down the road.
One of the requirements of the scholarship is to demonstrate how you plan to contribute to the next generation of technology professionals. We maintain you need to possess the compassion and commitment to use technology as a tool to improve the world we live in. With these characteristics and technology, how do you plan to change or improve the world we live in?
Zeviel: My goal is to help create innovations that improve human health, whether that's developing new treatments, improving preventative care, or making existing healthcare solutions more accessible and affordable. If technology can help people live healthier lives while reducing the burden on families, that's something I want to be a part of. Beyond that, I hope to inspire younger students to explore technology and pursue opportunities they may not have considered before.
Atticus: I want to use engineering and technology to solve practical problems that improve people's lives. Whether that's designing more efficient systems, creating better solutions for communities, or helping advance innovation within my field, I want the work I do to have a positive and lasting impact.
Any additional thoughts or information you want to share with our Centre #ONETEAM and blog audiences?
Zeviel: I'd encourage any students who are interested in technology to apply for the Kathy Pace Scholarship. Everyone I've met through this process has been incredibly supportive, and it's been an amazing experience.
Atticus: I'd encourage future students not to underestimate the impact scholarships and opportunities like this can have. Apply, stay curious, and keep pushing yourself to learn and grow.
We are excited to see what the future holds for Zeviel and Atticus as they begin the next chapter of their educational journeys. From advancing healthcare through neuroscience and engineering to tackling complex challenges through mechanical engineering, both students exemplify the curiosity, determination, and desire to make a positive impact that the Kathy Pace Technology Scholarship was created to support.
We wish Zeviel and Atticus continued success as they pursue their goals and look forward to following their accomplishments in the years ahead. If you or someone you know would be interested in the Kathy Pace scholarship program, keep any eye out for next year's scholarship window. You can visit the Kathy Pace Scholarship webpage for more information on how to apply next year!