Voices Ringing Blog /

Even as a freshman at Archbishop Carroll High School, Roberto Coronel Ramirez ‘26 has shown a desire to help and to be a mentor to his peers.

“He was a born leader when he walked in the door,” recalled Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion, Tara Knopp. Seeing that potential in him, she approached Ramirez to assist her at admission, enrollment, and other Carroll community events. Ramirez, along with fellow freshman Natalee Correa Quiroz ‘26, would help Knopp welcome Spanish-speaking families and to translate important information to them from English to Spanish at these after-school events.  

Of the many translating experiences, Roberto most enjoyed the Open House events. There, he would be paired up with a family and would tour the school with them, helping them get to know Carroll and answering their questions in Spanish. “I really enjoyed walking the families around being able to speak to them in a language they understood,” said Ramirez. He also really enjoyed getting to connect those families to others in the Patriot community.

Ramirez and Quiroz would go on to interpret for almost every public event held during their four years at Carroll, and they would soon motivate and mentor other students to assist in translating with them. “They showed up every step of the way,” said Knopp, and she noted that they also set “an example for other students to sign up and show up to be present for the Spanish-speaking community.”

His passion for Spanish and serving others has been a significant part of his high school career. Knopp recalled that Roberto “always helped his peers in class when they needed guidance”. He happily volunteered to be a part of a four-day long world language summer camp, and he also participated with his peers in organizing canned goods for a food drive to help the local community members facing food insecurity. Knopp said that he gives so much of his time to help his peers and his community “not because he wanted the service (hours, but) because he knew he could be a servant leader.”

Roberto worked hard to be a leader in other capacities as well. His senior year, he stepped up to take on the role of House Captain for Mercy House.  “I really enjoyed the time in my family room,” said Roberto. He also found setting up various games, participating in activities, and simply seeing his peers in Mercy House have fun together to be very fulfilling.

His dedication to the community and commitment to his education earned him a coveted Montgomery County College Promise Scholarship that will cover the cost of tuition for four years at the university of his choice.  Roberto stands out even among other outstanding students from the College Promise Program as the organization’s winner of the John N. Taylor, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. This additional scholarship is named for the College Promise co-founder who passed away in 2025.  Roberto is one of two recipients of the award in its first year.

Roberto hopes to take his translating skills and leadership tools that he’s gained during his years at Carroll with him to Ohio Wesleyan University, where he will major in Spanish and pre-law. He hopes that this path will allow him to continue to work with the Spanish-speaking community and to serve those who are most in need.

Roberto credits the caring teachers he has had at Carroll with playing a significant role in his future plans. Said Roberto, “They really care about you a lot…That's why I chose the college I'm going to for that same reason…their student/teacher relationships.” 
Looking back at this time at Carroll, Roberto feels incredibly thankful for the time spent at Archbishop Carroll High School. Said Roberto,  “I'm just grateful for all the teachers and for all the skills that Carroll implemented in me.”