Voices Ringing Blog /

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.”