Voices Ringing
Carroll High School Blog
Isaiah Riby-Williams '24: Student of the Week February 8, 2024
Isaiah Riby-Williams ‘24, Trinity House and St. Anthony School alumnus, with Mrs. Ann (Calderone) Bertke ’88
Isaiah is a great Family Room member through his enthusiasm, generosity, and encouragement of others to join in House and Family Room events.
-Mrs. Ann (Calderone) Bertke '88
Favorite Restaurant:
Condado Tacos
Favorite Movie:
Forrest Gump
Who would you play in a movie?
Luke Skywalker
Place you'd love to travel:
Anywhere in Latin America
What activities do you participate in?
I am in Multicultural Club. We often go to movies, sports games, or even host small parties, so groups that don't get much recognition at Carroll can feel in place.
What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
The people. I've met some fantastic people here at Carroll. I have made amazing friends, met fantastic teachers, and they have all helped me grow as a person. Without them, I'd still be very immature.
What should school “do” for you?
School should continue to challenge me to be a better person; a person who should fight indifference and expand the cultural tastes of everyone.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
Mistakes are common. When I was younger, I made a lot of stupid decisions by only thinking about myself. Through overcoming these, I learned that I wasn't perfect, and I will continue making mistakes as I grow as a person that I will need to learn from.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
To help others who are wronged against throughout the world. We are all people; we live under the same star.
How do you like spending your free time?
I love to study other cultures and languages, although I do also love unwinding for the day and playing some video games with friends, because we all need a chance to just take a break.
Annie Sableski '22: Student of the Week April 1, 2022
Annie goes above and beyond to help the underclassmen feel included and involved at Carroll.
-Mrs. Anne (Calderone) Bertke '88
What activities do you participate in?
I participate in Drama Club, Revolution, ITS, Mass Choir, and Cooking Club.
What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?
The amazing opportunities I get from being a part of extracurricular activities to meet amazing people.
What should school “do” for you?
School should be a place where people feel safe, connected, and free to express themselves. The students should always be happy and help the school run smoothly.
What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?
I learned that no matter what you go through in life, always have someone by your side for all of it.
What’s your biggest dream in life?
My biggest dream is to become a kindergarten teacher at a Catholic school and give kids the chance to become the best version of themselves.
How do you like spending your free time?
I enjoy hanging out with friends, watching Netflix, and playing with my dog.
Connecting Catholic Social Teaching to Liteature
“Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides…” --C.S. Lewis
The Carroll High School English Department firmly believes that the study of literature is the study of the human experience. We are fortunate to be able to discuss life’s big questions through the use of literature and the application of Catholic Social Teachings. Our students learn that their experiences, challenges, and triumphs, while unique to them, also resonate with people throughout history. We get to ask the tough questions that we all face, but we get to start with a character from a book. These discussions are easy when talking about a character that we will never personally meet, but they also allow us to look within ourselves and determine how we would want to react when faced with the same challenge.
Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides
-C.S. Lewis
Would we still go to school if by going we would risk our lives like Malala? Do we have the strength to write about the injustice of slavery like Harriet Beecher Stowe? Would we too lose all sense of civility if we were stranded on an island like Jack and Ralph? Do we have the compassion and love of Hans to quietly wash the sheets so a scared and displaced child learns the meaning of family? Are we able to believe that love can truly transcend barriers like Natasha? Can we discern true intentions when we meet a Mrs. Danvers? Are we able to relate to the memoirs of Tara and Trevor to examine our own path and simply do better? Does Okonkwo show us that the fear of failure can actually destroy us from the inside out? Are we as knowledgeable about our heritage and family history as Esperanza? Are we able to recognize the small ways that Mariam tries to maintain independence?
These are just some of the questions from the summer reading curriculum. Students are challenged to see the world outside their personal experience through the safety of literature. These questions build throughout the four years at Carroll and, hopefully, beyond. When we delve into a story of places and people that are not in our personal space, we can think and grow beyond what we currently know. We can ask the questions necessary to cause discussion and action in order to make this world better. Literature is both powerful and thought-provoking. To end the starting quote, ”it irrigates the deserts” that exist in each of us.