Voices Ringing
Carroll High School Blog
Hope Danis '25: Student of the Week May 17, 2022
Hope Danis, Baltimore House, with Mrs. Liz Emser
Hope is sweet, kind, and cares so deeply about everyone around her. She reaches out a helping hand before she is ever asked to do so. She is curious and inquisitive in her studies and works extremely hard to achieve success. Hope is a model Carroll Patriot, and I have no doubt that she will continue to lead with integrity and sincerity throughout her years at Carroll.
-Mrs. Liz Emser
What activities do you participate in?
I am a member of the Cross Country and Track & Field teams, Drama Club, and Mass Choir
What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
My favorite part of Carroll is the teachers. They have made me feel completely welcome and at home in Carroll High School in addition to teaching me some of the most vital information of my life: how to deal with other students.
What should school “do” for you?
I think that school should provide for you a foundation to join the world, and an atmosphere that encourages you to choose good and right rather than easy.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
I have learned throughout this year that everything does not have to work and fit perfectly. You simply need to be striving for the best outcome because that is all you can control.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
I don’t really know what I want to do with my life yet. In second grade, we had to make a book, and I said I wanted to be a mother of 11 kids. My teacher in all her wisdom said try one first. I’m still not really sure what I want to do, but I hope to learn what God wants for me in my time here at Carroll.
How do you like spending your free time?
I know that this is cheesy and overused but my favorite way to spend my time is with my family. I really can’t imagine a better day than doing anything with my family.
Michael Duckro '22: Student of the Week February 22, 2022
Michael Duckro '22, Baltimore House, with Mrs. Martha Saurine
Michael has been a great example to his classmates of getting involved and serving. He has given 100% to being a House Captain and a PATS Retreat Leader.
-Mrs. Martha Saurine
What activities do you participate in?
I participate in Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track, and Baseball as well as Latin Honor Society.
What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
Everyone here is very inclusive, and the energy at sporting events is amazing.
What should school “do” for you?
In my opinion, school should prepare students for their next step in life whether that be college, trade school, or getting straight into the workforce. School should work towards teaching us lessons on how to work hard while also broadening our knowledge and education.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
Never let people hold you down or back, and always be true to who you are.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
My biggest dream in life is to work as a successful Civil Engineer and provide for a family of my own.
How do you like spending your free time?
I enjoy spending my free time playing Xbox, hanging out with friends, and watching Marvel movies.
Student of the Week: Preston Davis '23 and Destiny Wright '22
Destiny Wright '22, Baltimore House and Preston Davis '23, Mercy House with Mr. Chris Ochs
Both students went well above and beyond what was needed in their clean-up efforts in Study Hall and actually ended up cleaning the cafeteria as well as the hallway between the cafeteria and the gym.
All this was done on their own. I did not ask them to do it. They saw a need and a call to action and acted upon it.
To me, these efforts are symbolic of what a Patriot is and should be.
-Mr. Chris Ochs
Destiny Wright:
What activities do you participate in?
I participate in Lacrosse and Powder Puff Football, and I am a Football manager.
What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
My favorite part of being a student at Carroll is being part of the House System. I also enjoy how everyone here is so welcoming and nice
What should school “do” for you?
School should be like a second home where you can get a good education and in a friendly environment.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you have ever been to stand up taller than you ever were.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
To join the US Air Force and to own a shelter for only squirrels.
How do you like spending your free time?
I enjoy spending my free time playing lacrosse and hanging out with friends and family.
Preston Davis:
What activities do you participate in?
I play baseball and do service projects.
What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
My favorite part of being a student at Carroll is how everyone works together and how we have such a good community.
What should school “do” for you?
School should help to push ourselves harder and excel in our academics so that we can be successful later in life.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
A lesson I learned when I overcame a difficult obstacle was that no matter if you fail the first time, you should always keep trying and push yourself.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
My biggest dream in life is to be successful at what I end up doing for a career and to have a beachfront mansion in Longboat Key, Florida.
How do you like spending your free time?
I like spending my free time hanging out with friends, training my new dog, and trying new things.
Student of the Week: Ahna Brown '24
Ahna Brown '24, Baltimore House, with Mr. Carl Soucek
Ahna regularly dedicates her limited free time to develop educational resources for her classmates. She has a passion for learning and a knack for organization.
She shows a genuine desire to help others succeed, both in the classroom and on the performance field.
-Mr. Carl Soucek
What activities do you participate in?
I participate in Band and the Color Guard as well as Ohio Math League.
What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
My favorite part of being a student at Carroll is being around the loving community.
What should school “do” for you?
School should give all types of students the opportunity to succeed in life by providing them with a proper education.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
When overcoming a difficult obstacle, I tend to try to take it one step at a time to get through it.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
My biggest dream is to be a help to the world in too many ways to count.
How do you like spending your free time?
I try to spend as much of my free time as I can helping others to the best of my ability.
Student of the Week: Sarah Campbell '24
Sarah Campbell '24, Baltimore House with Mr. Chris Sorrell '83
Sarah Campbell has set the most wonderful example for how a student should be prepared, enthusiastic, and curious as each class begins. Her performance reflects well on her scores in the classroom and makes her an outstanding classmate. I think my seventh period class can rely on Sarah to be a leader in the room for the entire semester. Our class is better because Sarah is in it. Well done Sarah and the Campbell family.
-Mr. Chris Sorrell '83
What activities do you participate in?
Women's Soccer, Mass Choir, Spanish Club, Physical Therapy Club, and Drama club.
What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
My favorite part of being a student at Carroll is because of the helpful and welcoming environment which pushes you to be the best you can and to your best abilities.
What should school “do” for you?
School should be a place where you learn not only about the required subjects taught there, but it should also be a place of community, fun, laughter, memorable experiences, and people. That is what school is all about.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
Sometimes that when you are going 100 miles an hour, it is okay to slow down and take a look at all you have accomplished instead of thinking about all your mistakes. One mistake will slow you down, but only if you let it.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
I hope to graduate from a college with a degree in veterinary science.
How do you like spending your free time?
I love to spend time with my family and friends. I love to watch sports and love to read.
Student of the Week: Skylynn Pierce '21
Skylynn Pierce '21, Baltimore House, with Mr. Ben Swick
Skylynn has a way of connecting with her peers, especially those who are considered vulnerable and “different”. She relates to them in a way that is friendly, kind, and genuine, and students feel like they have a friend in Skylynn because they know she really cares. She truly exemplifies what it means to be a Carroll Patriot.
-Mr. Ben Swick
What activities do you participate in?
I participate in cross country, track, cheerleading, drama club, and Media 4 Carroll.
What is your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
I love being involved in such a loving community to help make a difference.
What should school “do” for you?
School should provide a strong education system and safe environment for us students.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
The lesson I've learned is that the sun will always come up in the morning, so the hard obstacle will be overpowered by the good.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
My biggest dream is to become a pediatrician and give back to those who helped get me get there.
How do you like spending your free time?
I like hanging out with my friends or watching Criminal Minds or NCIS.
Student of the Week: Brittney Sargent '20
Brittney Sargent '20, Baltimore House, Nominated by Mrs. Katie Baker
Brittney Sargent is all heart. I am regularly struck by how kind and compassionate she is. She is generous, driven, and dedicated. She sets goals for herself and follows the steps necessary to achieve them. She has completed almost 600 hours of service and volunteers at Soin Medical Center. Despite how busy her schedule is, she often jumps in to help me when I need an extra hand or volunteers to help others in tutoring and as a leader in LHS and Latin Club.
-Mrs. Katie Baker
What activities do you participate in?
Track and Field, Latin Club, Latin National Honor Society, National Honor Society, 4-H, Baltimore Captain
What is your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
I enjoy the Carroll community and the welcoming atmosphere. I like our unique House System and the way everyone is willing to lend a hand.
What should school “do” for you?
School should help prepare you for any future endeavors. It should help you become a well-rounded individual ready to tackle any obstacles.
What's a lesson you learned by overcoming a difficult obstacle?
Being a student at Carroll, I have learned what it takes to stand firm against any obstacle. I have learned how to become adaptable when confronted with tough situations. I have learned that to be a great leader, you must first be a follower.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
I hope to go to medical school and become a physician.
How do you like spending your free time?
I enjoy volunteering at Soin Medical Center. I am also the president of the Clover Patch 4-H Club and work as a 4-H camp counselor.
Welcome to Baltimore Family Room 304
We're a month into the second semester, and all the Houses are preparing for a great second half of the school year. In the first semester, the Houses participated in two House competitions and countless family room activities, but it is now time to look forward to what is coming. Skylynn Pierce 21’ from Family Room 304 shared some thoughts about how her Family and House are prepping for a fantastic second semester.
“The first semester went well, and our Family Room bonded with each other and had more communication throughout the House which created a closer bond with each other,” Pierce said. Communication is very important in the House System because it allows for every House to better understand what each Family is doing and how to improve certain activities or ideas.
When asked what her goals were for the second semester, Skylynn said, “My goal is to improve my Family Room because I want to help grow as a family and make sure that everyone in my Family Room knows that they are welcomed. Anyone from the House System is welcomed, because we are such a loving community, and that responsibility is primarily on the students. We are all coming together as one to bond."
A personal bond seems to be very important to most members of Carroll. They feel a personal connection not only to their fellow students, but also the Houses themselves. This is the most important part of the second semester; the ability to keep up the pace and continue to grow this bond with each other and with Carroll. All the students at Carroll are ready for another great semester, and all they need to do is keep the great pace set by first semester. With the House System, this is not only possible, but extremely enjoyable.
Welcome to Baltimore 315
The beginning of a new year means the introduction of freshmen to the House System, and to their Family Room. The beginning of the school year is the most important because it will shape how the freshmen view the House System and Carroll as a whole. Ryan Ballou ‘21 answered some questions about the first week, which featured four extended Family Room periods.
When asked what his favorite activity in Family Room this week was, Ryan said “My favorite thing was probably playing two truths and a lie just to get to know everyone, and get to know more about their personal lives.”
Small activities such as two truths and a lie are very helpful in Family Room during the early part of the school year, in order for all of the classes to get to know each other, and truly become the ‘Family Room’ that we strive for. When looking at getting to know each other, the most important group to take into account is the freshmen. Bringing them into the fold and allowing them to express themselves and participate is a great way to be inclusive. Ryan also had insights on this. “We’re planning on incorporating the freshmen and having different Family Room rules, we’re doing a lot of birthday activities and different games to get them accustomed to Carroll.”
Family Room is a tool to broaden our horizons, and to expand our group of friends.
But Family Room isn’t only for the freshmen. The entire point of a Family Room is to incorporate students from all grade levels and allow them to help each other and become a family of sorts. When a student is placed into a Family Room, they stay there for their entire high school career, so the people in that room should be a family to them, and they should allow the new students that come in after them to participate in this same family feeling that they were able to experience.
Family room allows everyone to be included. It is a true family, and after four years, it should impact the student for the better. The entire focus of Family Room is based on inclusion, but everyone likes something different about it. Here’s what Ryan says is his favorite part: “My favorite thing about family room is just getting to interact with people from different grades, people I don’t see normally in my classes.”
And that really is the whole point. Family Room is a tool to broaden our horizons, and to expand our group of friends. Family room truly is the definition of family.
We love you, Mike, Paula and KJ.