Voices Ringing
Carroll High School Blog
Class of 2025 Artist Gallery
Introducing our Class of 2025 AP Artists
The AP Artists in the Carroll Class of 2025 invite you to view this special creators' gallery and learn about the inspiration behind their art!
Allison Arias-Rodriguez
I've always liked art since I was very young, but I never really thought much of it. I doodled here and there, hoping something would look good. My aunt was my inspiration because she is a very good artist, and I wanted to be just like her. Once I reached 8th grade, I applied for an art scholarship here at Carroll. I wasn't specifically good at it then, but I thought I’d give it a chance. Somehow, I earned it.
During my first year, I didn't do much, but I learned some new techniques and refined my sketching skills at most. Going into sophomore year, I began taking art more seriously, and I learned a lot. I tried different mediums and decided which ones I liked and didn't. I had lots of fun. You won’t find any pieces from those years on my display, but you will find the product of all that learning and hard work.
My junior and senior years, I have been in AP Art and had the freedom to choose what to draw and in which mediums. Putting all that learning from the previous year with motivation to paint things I like helped me break through. I don’t consider myself to be the kind of artist who has been good at it since birth. I was taught and self-made with hard work and a hint of perfectionism. My journey has not been the most exciting, but it has shown me that it's possible to accomplish things you never thought you could. Here you’ll see all that progress coming from a regular girl who sketches.
Allison Walls
I am so grateful that you have taken time out of your day to view my artwork! To many of those reading this — you have been my biggest supporters, and neither I nor my art would be where it is today without your never-ending support, guidance, and confidence in my abilities. You have inspired me to keep pursuing art and my dreams in more ways than one.
The true beginning of my journey in art began when I was about ten years old at an art studio in Fairborn, the Terri Lynn Art Studio and Gallery. My passion for art grew while spending many hours on Fridays after school painting. Through Miss Terri’s instruction at the studio, I developed my painting skills from the ground up. I credit Miss Terri for giving me my eye for art. She knows more than anyone about my common dissatisfaction with my artwork, but luckily for me, her patience never ceases to run out. She has worked with me for many years, ensuring I am happy with the outcome of the pieces I create.
In my school education, I have also been blessed with the best art teachers: most notably, Ms. Joanne Von Sossan, who was my art educator from 1st through 8th grade at St. Peter Catholic School, and Mrs. Renee Merland, who I have had the privilege of being instructed by in Studio Art and AP Art courses for the past three years. From a young age, Ms. Von Sossan introduced me to many of the foundational art elements, specifically color theory and perspective. I vividly recall learning about the color wheel and creating one-point perspective drawings in her art class. The basis of art that she provided me with still proves useful in my artwork today, and I look back at the constructive criticism she gave me on projects fondly as it always kept me growing as a young artist. On the other hand, Mrs. Merland has been instrumental in taking me through the process of forming my art portfolio throughout high school. Under her expertise, I have learned to develop deeper meaning in my art and have grasped the ability to infuse pieces of my inner being within my work. I’ve grown to a place now where I like to believe that my art is an extension of myself and my take on the world.
That being said, my art is often sporadic. I don’t plan my paintings far in advance, but rather I paint whatever resonates with me at the time. This is why the subject matter of my art involves an assortment of all kinds of places, people, and objects. I use moments of inspiration as my guiding compass. While my subject matter often fluctuates, my style does not. I tend to stick to painting realistically, and I find that my favorite compliment to receive is when people say my work looks like a photograph. This is the beauty of realism. Realism allows me to recreate a moment in time and capture its stillness. Nothing else can quite convey the true sentiment and emotion of a moment in time like art can.
As time evolves, so does perception. In the phase of your life that you are currently navigating, I hope that you are able to connect with my art and find your own meaning within the brushstrokes I’ve laid out on these canvases. Although art tells a story on its own, my wish is that from this written statement you have gathered a little more about me, my creative process, and my journey in becoming an artist. I am excited to turn the page and see what the next chapter of my life holds!
Andersyn Heaton
Art has always been a big part of my life. My mother is an art teacher at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School, and my sister has always been very good at art and grew up to be an architect. I have always been given artistic freedom in my own home and been supported by everyone to fulfill my love for art. That was why I decided to go to Archbishop Carroll High School – because of the art program. Art, to me, has always been a place of relaxation and peace. It has been something that I can do if I am bored, as a hobby, or as a place to show my emotions and how I am feeling. I believe that art is a way to express your emotions in a way that not everyone can understand. That is why not everyone can understand art. Because art is such a big part of my life, it has been very important to me. I am so grateful for the opportunity that the Carroll art program has given me.
I think what most inspires me in art is colors and looking at other pieces of art. My art is always exactly what I am thinking when it comes to showing emotion and being a representation of myself. Whether you understand art or not, I think all art deserves to be seen and cared about. It is important for everyone to understand that you don’t have to like the way someone's art looks in order to care about it. Always be kind when it comes to art and all things. Thank you for viewing my artwork.
Aubrey Volkerding
Art has always meant so much to me ever since I was a little girl. I've always had a desire to be an artist and had the dream that I would become an art teacher so I could spread my love of art to other people. Now, as a graduating senior, I am hoping to be able to do just that by studying art in college. No matter what career path, my goal is to share the impact of art on other people just as it has for me. In my art, I have started to realize a pattern of creating pieces that bring me peace and joy of very important aspects of my life so I can capture them and never let them fade away. Art has helped me express myself and find who I truly am by discovering my own style, motives, and inspiration while recreating memories that are very significant to me. Thank you for viewing my artwork.
Christopher Reid
Art has always been a part of my life. Ever since childhood, I have always found inspiration in expressing my thoughts through lines and colors on paper. Color has been an easy way to express my emotions, as well as my desires. It seems to me, all my life, I have been drawing. Watching cartoons is what really sparked my interest in drawing. Seeing a drawing move on a screen or doing dynamic poses and actions really interested me. At some point in my life, I picked up a skill for recreating cartoons on paper. Because of compliments and people being intrigued by my drawings, I wanted to play on it and get better. This is when I started enrolling into art classes at K12 Gallery in Dayton. I did this for a few summers and had an enjoyable time. In the end, art, to me is a very therapeutic hobby that I enjoy doing when I have the time.
Collete Merland
Thank you for taking the time to look at my artwork! Creating art has always been very important to me and is something I’ve always held close to my heart. It has always been a way for me to express myself, whether that would be painting or drawing or sculpting. It was a way to show people who I am and what I find valuable in life. It is a way for me to express how I am feeling at a given moment. Creating art that meant something deeply to me was challenging and required a lot of patience and determination. Through my art I want to show people the world through my eyes.
I have always liked creating art, but the moment I realized I was born to be an artist was in 6th grade. I joined the Art Club, and it was the only club I was a part of. I was extremely proud to be a part of this group and really enjoyed it. I liked spending time after school with my friends creating art. I learned that life is about sitting around with people you love and doing something that feeds your soul. I learned there that love is important in creating art. I wanted to love creating art and create art that makes the viewer feel loved. I also wanted the viewers to feel understood, happy, and united together. I wanted to create art that made people feel calm and relaxed. I want the viewer to notice the colors in each piece and the subject matter. These two components are very important to me. Each piece tells a story about me and my life. The colors and subjects take that story further and add to the story of each piece.
I want to show people the beauty of life through the strength and struggle of life’s precious moments. I want to show the viewer how beautiful even the most mundane moments can be. There is beauty in struggle, and there is also beauty in strength. I want to show the viewer that life is about finding beauty in the good and the bad moments and understanding your strength through struggle. I hope you enjoyed my art, thank you for coming by!
Gabrielle Kilby
Thank you for viewing my art. Art is something very near and dear to my heart. When I create, I create for no one other than myself, and I make sure to leave something special in each piece that I make. My collection of works is like one great big self-portrait; each canvas holds a part of me, whether it be my actual likeness or an emotion that I felt. My art is very personal, but I try to make messages that others can relate to, as art is a very social thing. Many of my pieces are inspired by others and the way that they have impacted my life, usually for the better. People are typically the subjects of my art. I love trying to capture the expressiveness of humans and push myself to create unique, intriguing characters to depict in my pieces.
In addition to being inspired by people, I also take heavy inspiration from music. I play both bass guitar and drums, and I used to play piano, so music is a big part of my life. I love going to concerts and am always finding new music to listen to and play. This passion can be seen throughout my art. As I have gotten older, I have learned to refine my art style and fine tune the ways that I express myself in my pieces. Through my drawings and paintings, I try to convey the emotions I am feeling at that moment. I do this by carefully curating the color palettes that I use as well as the mediums and textures present in my pieces.
Despite all this, not every one of my art pieces has a huge story behind it. Most of them don’t -- they’re just a spur of the moment thing. I don’t even like all of my art. Sometimes, I sit in class and dread picking up a paintbrush, and other times, it comes naturally. I am insanely nervous to show all of these pieces in a big show, but I’m working on accepting it, and hopefully, by the time you are reading this, I have. If you’ve made it this far, I want to honestly say thank you. Art means so much to me, and it warms my heart to think that my art means something to other people. I hope that you enjoy at least one of my pieces and that it inspires you to go out and appreciate art everywhere.
Again, I really meant it, thank you for viewing my art!
Laura Kabban
I can remember having a special appreciation for art ever since I was a kid. When I was young, I used to color in a coloring book with my mother before bed every night, and I believe this is where my love for art began. Art is a way to bring people together and express your emotions. It shows your creativity and makes the world a brighter and more fascinating place. Art is my calm in a storm, it's my therapy. I feel inspired to create art when I see something or someone I love, have emotions I do not know how to express, or if I have a lot on my mind. I find that when you put emotions behind your artwork it can create a stronger connection with the viewers.
My art does not typically have a primary focus, but this year, the topic of my pieces answers the question: how many emotions can one portray with a singular focal point in the piece? It has been extremely fun experimenting with this topic, and I have learned so much about how human emotions are connected to objects/images. I love to experiment with all the different mediums and styles so you can see the variety in my artwork. Overall, I want people to view my art and find a connection, maybe through sadness or peace, anger, or ambition, or just some emotion it brings out in you. Art is my therapy, and I hope you have as wonderful a time viewing it as I did creating it!
Tessa Zimmerman
I have come a long way in the last four years, and I am happy to have such a wonderful portfolio to share with others. It took some effort to pick the best pieces to share, but it all came together in the end. I have always had an interest in colors and drawing. My passion was supported by my mom who was also an art student at Carroll, as well as other family and friends.
I was known as one of the art kids in grade school, which wasn’t a bad thing. Being someone who people perceived as an artist had its own perks: getting picked for group projects, making birthday cards, and occasional praise from teachers. It was alright, but I really found the freedom I needed when I made it to the studio art classes as well as working on sets for the drama program. High school opened some doors for me, and I was able to submit my AP portfolio last year as a junior. Working under the pressure of those deadlines was difficult but rewarding. I chose to explore how my relationships with people and places affected my choice of medium, and I have maintained that thesis with some of my senior year pieces. I love mixed media and expressive pieces, and I am trying to branch out and develop my skills in different ways. Even though I have been slightly less motivated this year, I have still been able to make work that I am proud of, or had a lot of fun making.
The arts are their own thing, and there is a fantastic beauty in all of them. Outside of traditional art, I love digital art, photography, as well as theater art, and I have an appreciation for dance and music, even though they are not my strong suit. Additionally, I believe that art cannot be rushed or pressured, unless it's due tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, I can’t wait to see where life takes me. I plan on majoring in business, but I am also interested in cosmetology and tattoos. It would be a blessing to have a touch of art in my career, even if it is just a little hobby or side hustle. Maybe I’ll just keep doing it for myself, even then I will be happy. Thank you so much for supporting me by viewing my work!
The Practice of Being Present and its Impact on a Future in Medicine: Meet Cameron Neidhard ‘21
Most high school students take their first classes on campus at the start of their freshman year, but Cameron Neidhard ‘21 began his Carroll courses while he was enrolled as a 7th grader at St. Helen Catholic School. “I remember the people always being wonderful, really compassionate, and being willing to collaborate,” recalled Neidhard. “You don’t see that in a lot of places.” Little did he know that his attention to personal encounters would influence his path into the medical field years later.
Once Cameron was on campus full-time as a high schooler himself, he immersed himself in rigorous academics with teachers, like Mrs. Laurie Fuhr and Mr. Chris Sorrell ‘83, who encouraged Cameron to “not just grasp concepts but understand the greater implications and what they mean for the human condition.” Cameron’s AP Biology and AP Chemistry courses allowed him to gain both concept mastery and a vision for how those fields can assist and serve others. The service aspect appealed to Cameron and ultimately helped him decide to pursue the medical field. “I’ve always thought that science is an important part of who I am,” Neidhard said. “Giving myself to the community in whatever way that entails is something that’s incredibly important.”
Cameron graduated from Carroll in 2021 as a valedictorian, Trinity House captain, and recipient of the Joseph R. Sens Award for Commitment to the Carroll Community, along with many other awards, honors, and accolades. He went on to the University of Notre Dame to pursue a degree in Biochemistry with a concentration in Neuroscience and a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine- a program that most universities do not offer until much later in medical school and/or a residency program. Through this unique minor, Cameron has had the opportunity to strengthen his commitment to being a compassionate, Catholic physician who sees patients not as a series of symptoms, but rather as humans with dignity.
While at Notre Dame, Cameron has had many opportunities to make deeper connections with individuals through faith and career-related service opportunities. In the summer between his sophomore and junior year, Cameron spent eight weeks living in different parishes operated by Notre Dame’s Congregation of the Holy Cross throughout Bangladesh, a densely populated country that faces substantial poverty. There, he volunteered to practice communication with English-learning, Bangladeshi students.
Cameron also served in clinics run by the Sisters of the Holy Cross during his time abroad. Whether he was restocking supplies, changing dressings, or simply sitting with patients, Cameron learned valuable lessons that he plans on taking with him as he begins his medical career. “The essential aspect of all of this service is being present,” Cameron emphasized, “I can’t cure poverty… but what I can do is be present for other individuals.”
The following summer, Cameron once again spent his break from college away from home in Gainsville, Texas as a camp counselor at Camp Sweeney, a youth summer camp for children navigating Type 1 diabetes. The experience, which Cameron called both “incredibly amazing” and “probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” sometimes required 20-hour work days in order to provide the campers with “a little piece of heaven.” Camp counselors monitored campers’ blood sugar levels, planned meals, and provided fun activities for campers so that they did not have to worry about navigating their disease.
“It was a really great clinical experience. But, what really appealed to me about it was that it wasn’t just ‘curing symptoms’. I get to interact with (a camper) as a person and get to make jokes with you.” His time at Camp Sweeney was so impactful that Cameron is considering pursuing a concentration in endocrinology in his medical future.
Neidhard found many programs and service opportunities on campus as well. He has participated in the Best Buddies program, an organization that allows individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to both enjoy judgment-free, fun events and build personal relationships with a Notre Dame student. Cameron has enjoyed biweekly connections with his buddy, Matt. “He’s one of the most wonderful people I know,” said Cameron.
He also has made deep connections with his peers on campus through residence hall life. He is finishing out his senior year as a Resident Assistant in Dillon Hall. Here, Cameron has practiced being present to his peers through mentorship, event programming, and leading his hall to attend “Milkshake Mass” and other weekly masses offered on campus.
After graduation, Cameron will attend the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Northwestern was a place where I felt I could take that next step of not just being a competent physician but also being a compassionate physician.” He is looking forward to working with his fellow Northwestern medical students, including the students affiliated with the Catholic Medical Association.
When asked about his hopes for his future, it could be easily assumed that he would want to discuss academic and career goals, given his many accomplishments. Neidhard, however, discussed his hopes to continue the strong Catholic faith life he has developed, especially through his Catholic schooling. “I’m incredibly grateful in general for having had the opportunity to go to both Carroll and Notre Dame. I don’t think I’d be even close to the person that I am today without having been able to go to both of these institutions.”
Cameron is incredibly grateful for his supportive family, especially his parents Alex Neidhard ‘97 and Christina (Connally) Neidhard ’98, who did not push him to go into medicine but rather encouraged him to be the best version of himself. He is relying on them and his faith in Christ to keep him focused on his ultimate goal. “I don’t want to lose sight of why I’m entering medicine, which is not for personal gain or to glorify myself… But rather, it’s to serve other people in a genuine way and to be present with others.”
Community Connections and Identity Protection: Meet David (Teddy) Hubbard-Thompkins ‘25
With his first steps onto Carroll’s campus, David (Teddy) Hubbard-Thompkins found a welcoming environment where he could develop into the person he is today. In his four years on campus, he has challenged himself, been part of developing a new student organization, and found his career pathway -- all while making lasting memories and friendships.
“I feel like I’ve grown significantly while I’ve been here at Carroll,” David said. A St. Helen Catholic School graduate, David knew coming into Carroll that he enjoyed STEM and wanted to explore that field. It wasn’t until he took computer science courses with Mrs. Diane (McNelly) Keller '80 that he took a deeper interest in computer science. That, in addition to a camp for those interested in learning more about cybersecurity, propelled him to pursue a degree in cybersecurity at Miami University of Ohio. For David, he did not want to be in a stagnant field, but rather one that is dynamic and centered around helping and protecting other people.
His call to help others was fostered during his time at Carroll. Hubbard-Thompkins spoke highly of the mentorship he was given by several of his coaches and teachers that sparked his passion to serve others in a deeper way. As a student athlete, he learned the value of working on team-building and navigating through challenges during his time playing football and track. He credits his coaches for mentoring and supporting him along his journey, and David soon began to be a role model and mentor for his peers in return.
During his junior year, David was asked by Carroll’s Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion and Spanish Teacher, Ms. Tara Knopp, if he wanted to be a founding member of the Student Community Engagement Committee (SCEC). David was especially excited to be a part of a group that would focus on ways to welcome students of all backgrounds feel like Carroll is a home away from home. “Maybe people are going through different things,” said David, “We should always treat everyone with respect and appreciate each other’s differences because we are all made in God’s image.”
After graduation, David looks forward to using the academic and extracurricular experiences he’s had at Carroll to build strong connections with his new classmates and colleagues at Miami University. He has an enhanced awareness and appreciation for his peers coming from different backgrounds and sees his studies in cybersecurity as a way to physically protect one’s identity as well.
One subject David kept returning to was how grateful he is -- for his teachers, coaches, and peers -- and how much he appreciates the lifelong lessons they have shared at Carroll. “All four years here, I have felt at home. I made a lot of good friends,” David shared. “The teachers, faculty, staff, and Mr. Sableski all care and want to take you to that next step in life. I feel like you wouldn’t find that at any other high school.”
2015 Papal Pilgrimage for Pope Francis's Visit to Philadelphia
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Winter 2016 Issue of Reflections.
Before the sun rose on the last Friday in September 2015, 32 Carroll High School students and 15 other members of the Carroll community left Dayton on a charter bus and made a trip that some called an experience of a lifetime.
“I was in awe. It was so cool to be able to see the leader of the Catholic Church up close.
-Lindsey Harper '16
Those 45 people traveled more than 500 miles to Philadelphia to partake in a weekend celebrating the Catholic faith with Pope Francis during his first visit to the United States.
Carroll was the only Dayton area high school to sponsor such a trip to Philadelphia for the Holy Father’s Apostolic Journey to the United States. The Papal Pilgrimage to Washington, New York, and Philadelphia was part of the Festival of Families which culminated in a Papal Mass Sunday. All 32 Carroll students attended Pope Francis’s speech at Independence Hall Saturday. Carroll senior Lindsey Harper '16 was one of the students who made the trip.
“I grew closer to a lot of people on the trip. Being around so many people in Philadelphia who are there for the same reason, no matter how different we might be, is what I remember most about the trip.”
With demand for hotels in Philadelphia at historic levels, the Carroll group camped in New Jersey with other student groups who chose to sleep in cabins rather than miss Pope Francis’ visit. Saturday’s trip to Independence Hall to take in Pope Francis’ speech at the Festival of Families brought the group closer to the Pope than they ever imagined. Harper estimates they stood about 30 feet away from him during the procession to Independence Hall.
“I was in awe. It was so cool to be able to see the leader of the Catholic Church up close,” Harper said.
“His message is especially powerful for young people,” Campus Minister and Service Coordinator Melissa (Balsom) Fisher, ‘83, said. “We are excited to reinforce the Holy Father’s message at Carroll High School and in the Dayton community.”
The group stayed in Philadelphia Sunday while Pope Francis led Mass before heading back to Carroll. Harper said Pope Francis isn’t the only one who made a lasting impression.
“We were in line for Mass Sunday, and we saw a group of people drumming and singing," Harper recalled. "I joined in, and so did the rest of the Carroll group. It really showed me how easy it can be to praise God even in moments when you feel bothered or upset by something.”
Carroll Hires Cody Sarensen as Next Head Coach of Boys' Basketball Program
Archbishop Carroll High School has hired Cody Sarensen to lead its Boys' Basketball Program.
Sarensen brings 15 years of coaching experience to Carroll. Most recently, Sarensen served as the head coach of the London High School Boys' Basketball team for five seasons, where he increased the team's winning percentage each year. He has also served as an assistant coach at Wittenberg University and head coach of Springfield Catholic Central High School. Sarensen will also join Carroll's faculty as an Intervention Specialist beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.
“I'm grateful to Principal Matt Sableski and Athletic Director Scott Molfenter for the opportunity to join the Archbishop Carroll High School family as a teacher and coach," Sarensen said. "My family and I are eager to become a part of the vibrant Carroll community and contribute to its success.”
“We are very pleased to introduce Cody Sarensen as the next head Boys' Basketball coach of the Archbishop Carroll High School Patriots," Athletic Director Scott Molfenter said. "He is a proven leader at the high school level, and we have no doubt his knowledge of the sport and passion for preparation will benefit our student-athletes. Coach Sarensen will be an outstanding role model that is dedicated to advancing a successful culture both on and off the court.”