Voices Ringing Blog /

Michael Blackford ‘28, Gonzaga House member and St. Luke School alumnus, with Mrs. Samantha (Miegl) Doggett ’06

Diligent, hardworking, and brilliant, Michael Blackford brings meaningful insights to any class discussion, demonstrates integrity, and extends empathy to those around him; in other words, Michael is the true embodiment of what it means to be a Carroll Patriot and an asset to our community.

-Mrs. Samantha (Miegl) Doggett '06

Favorite Restaurant:

All the Best Deli

Favorite Movie:

Pride and Prejudice

Place you'd love to travel:

I would love to travel to Sweden to try the food and to study their society and the geography.

Who would play you in a movie?

Colin Firth

What activities do you participate in?

I participate in the Carroll Cross Country team and St. Lukes Latte Ministry.

What's your favorite part about being a student at Carroll?

My favorite part of being a Carroll student is that I have all the resources I need there to be a successful person.

How should school help you succeed?

School should help me succeed by building up my knowledge and confidence.

What's your biggest dream in life?

My biggest dream in life is to be a successful, minimalist, peaceful, and virtuous adult.

What's a lesson you learned when overcoming a difficult obstacle?

A lesson I’ve learned when it comes to surmounting difficult obstacles is to be entirely focused on getting the job done to the best of my ability. I ignore all discomfort, distractions, and any predictions of the outcome. It is all about whether or not I give everything in the process.

How do you like spending your free time?

I spend my free time drawing, playing the piano, studying military history, and working out.

Editor's Note: Mr. Ramsey’s letter originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of Reflections.  Click here to read the entire magazine.

Past, Present and Future Patriots,

Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Erik Ramsey. I have recently accepted the position of Director of Student Development and am honored to be chosen for this opportunity. The crucial responsibilities of this position have been most recently and honorably fulfilled by the likes of Greg Derus, Ben Rulli ‘03 and Dave Wolodkiewicz, who have left big shoes to fill. My gratitude is exceeded only by my excitement, as this role allows me to continue my journey of giving back to the Archbishop Carroll community that has given so much to myself and my family.

After traveling, via the Air Force, from California to Nebraska and to the Philippines with my mom (JoeElla), dad (William) and sisters (Erin ‘99 and Paz), we settled in Beavercreek and were introduced to Carroll. Since then, I have served many roles at Carroll, from being a graduate of the Class of 1993 to a coach to a teacher to the spouse of a graduate (Sara Whitener ‘95) to the parent of a graduate (Eli ‘18), a current senior (Isaiah ‘25), and a future Patriot (Ella ‘31, a current student at St. Helen Catholic School), who have all been raised in this community. I have served with Carroll in numerous other capacities and am thankful that this new position will still allow me to have an impact in the classroom, teaching the newly offered class, American Culture and Social Responsibility and through coaching with the boys’ basketball program.

I cherish the opportunity to directly and thoroughly assist our present and future students in their pursuit of our mission to form “a life of virtue, academic excellence and service to the common good.” My ultimate goal is for all of our students to leave Archbishop Carroll with the same love and appreciation for this community that I and many others share, embrace their opportunities to give back, and bless the lives of others. I not only welcome you all to join in this journey with me but even more so, I am looking forward to it.

Gratefully,

Erik S. Ramsey ‘93 
Director of Student Development

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of Reflections. Click here to read the entire magazine.

Sarah Nemeth ‘25 remembers the uneasy feeling of walking into her first marching band practice before the start of her freshman year. Coming to Archbishop Carroll High School from a middle school with just two other classmates was intimidating, but she knew she made the right decision immediately. “All the seniors and leadership were at the door with really big smiles to welcome me to the program,” Nemeth said. “I loved how welcoming and inclusive they were. That was a really big fear of mine coming into the school – not being included or knowing anybody. They made it so easy. I wanted to stay as part of that community because of the seniors.”

Now, Nemeth has her opportunity to make an impact on the next group of nervous freshmen in the marching band and throughout the school. As the Drum Major for the Marching Patriots, Nemeth embraces multiple leadership roles for the program. Everyone who watches the group perform instantly spots her as she leads the band and guard on field as the conductor from her prominent spot on an elevated platform, but her responsibilities outside of the spotlight are just as crucial to the band’s success. “You’re there to uplift your band and represent them at performances. You’re the face of the band and put forth what your band is.”

Showing up on time, staying organized, and having a positive attitude throughout the duration of the season are some of the baseline expectations for every member of the program. Learning the basics of how to march and play under the hot July sun and refining every detail of the show with precision during November’s cold are taxing endeavors. Nemeth and the rest of the student leadership team create an environment and culture that enables the group to stay focused through difficult times and win big on the field. The Marching Patriots finish near the top of their division in their performance circuit annually. During the 2023 season, the group won a regional championship in the most prestigious national circuit, Bands of America, for their competition show, Open Mic.

“They push us to be our very best selves, and that’s why we’ve done so great the previous years,” Nemeth said. “Their support, expectations, encouragement, and kindness make for a very good environment.”

Leading a group of dozens of performers is a task that requires more than one student to step up, and the faculty directors of the program ensure that all the responsibility does not fall on just one person. Carl Soucek has been the Director of Bands since 2002 and has made student leadership a foundational pillar of the program. “The value of our leadership structure is equal to, if not greater than, the music pedagogy itself,” Soucek said. “By establishing a leadership team, students are empowered to help others in a variety of ways. The leadership team is heavily involved in the instruction of fundamental music and marching skills, character development with a strong focus on integrity, and social justice. They also plan activities for team building and faith formation.”

The impact that Soucek, Assistant Director Brooke Butler ‘17, and Guard Directors Lindsey Rhule ‘20 and Taylor Fenten ‘20 make on the students inspires them to give their best effort in every rehearsal and performance of the show.

Jordin Griffith ‘27, St. Mary’s House member, with Mr. Luke Brenner

Jordin displays outstanding leadership and character in the classroom. She helps students in the class who struggle with group work feel accepted. She is a leader in our school and deserves this recognition!

-Mr. Luke Brenner

Favorite Restaurant:

Rooster's

Favorite Movie:

Avatar

Place you'd love to travel:

Lake Garda, Italy

Who would play you in a movie?

Jennifer Aniston

What activities do you participate in?

I participate in Key Club and look forward to learning about more club opportunities in the spring.

What's your favorite part about being a student at Carroll?

I love coming in to say hi to Mrs. Sorrell every morning.

How should school help you succeed?

School should be a place where I can grow and learn with others.

What's your biggest dream in life?

I want to graduate from college and move somewhere new with my family.

What's a lesson you learned when overcoming a difficult obstacle?

Don't try to control things that are out of your reach.

How do you like spending your free time?

I like handing out with my family and relaxing.

Justin Apwisch '28, Trinity House and St. Peter School Alumnus, with Mr. John Neuman

Justin has demonstrated strong academics over our first eight weeks together in class and supports his group members.  He also takes it upon himself to help gather extra papers for recycling at the end of class.

-Mr. John Neuman

Favorite Restaurant:

Texas Roadhouse

Favorite Movie:

Captain America: Civil War

Place you'd love to travel:

Venice, Italy

Who would you play in a movie?

The Flash or a smart detective

What activities do you participate in?

I am an active member of Chess Club and Youth in Government. I just finished my first season of Carroll soccer, and I look forward to trying out for Carroll volleyball in the spring.

What's your favorite part about being a student at Carroll?

I love being a Carroll student but my favorite part would have to be the sporting events. I really enjoy being able to go to any Carroll sporting event and seeing other students supporting our school. I know that if I show up to the game that others will be there and will talk to me and help cheer us on.

How should school help you succeed?

I think school should help me succeed by pushing me to be my best. I think the school does a great job of making sure students are not slacking off and urging them to do better if they fall behind. 

What's your biggest dream in life?

My biggest dream in life is to find a job that I love doing, build a family with someone that I love, and build a lifelong relationship with God.

What's a lesson you learned when overcoming a difficult obstacle?

A lesson I learned while overcoming a difficult obstacle was that hard work will always help you in the long run, so don't cut the corners and see it through to the finish line.

How do you like spending your free time?

I  spend my free time reading books, playing video games with friends, but I don't really like to play by myself. I also like challenging my best friend in chess.

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of Reflections.  Click here to read the entire magazine.

Learning. Doing. Giving.

Those three words have stuck with Beth Savage throughout her career, and they serve as her roadmap of leadership for life. Savage’s journey in leadership has landed her in boardrooms of corporations and communities, but her philosophy has helped both thrive.

DOING THE WORK

Earning an official leadership title in any setting is the beginning of the journey, not the peak, according to Savage. She became the president and CEO of PQ Systems, a company that designs manufacturing software solutions, after serving as its Marketing Director for ten years. After transforming the company’s marketing strategy, Savage sought to transform the organization’s culture for continued growth.

Replacing large, yearly employee surveys with more personable weekly check-ins and keeping up with the mindset of her team enabled Savage to receive constant feedback about their insights and concerns. “Once you get to a position of leadership, it doesn’t mean that you know everything. It just means you have a lot more to learn from your team. Being curious and always asking questions and continuing to learn is super important.”

Savage credits this approach to employment engagement as a key factor in PQ’s growth. The challenge of balancing the customers’ need for low prices with her teams’ need for high salaries while competing with other groups in the market was always at or near the top of Savage’s lists of critical tasks as the head of the company. “My focus as the leader of the organization was keeping the employees happy and helping them be the best version of themselves,” Savage said. “I didn’t have to worry about the customers, because the employees would take care of the customers.”

GIVING BACK

When the time came to retire and transfer leadership of PQ Systems in 2023, Savage made the difficult decision to sell the company after evaluating a wide array of options. More than a year later, Savage is pleased to see many of her former employees thriving and advancing their careers with PQ’s new leadership team or other organizations. Even in retirement, Savage continues to lead.

Savage shares her time and knowledge with today’s business owners through the Small Business Administration’s SCORE Program. SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and educational workshops. Its mentors offer area specific advice at no cost to small businesses on topics like finance, human resources, and business planning.

“I had a ton of mentors. When you’re the top dog of an organization, it can be a little bit lonely. You don’t have peers in your department to bounce ideas off of. I reached out to any resources that I could. There were many, many other mentors that I had through the years who were very giving of their time. Now I’m at the point where I want to give.”

The business leaders Savage mentors through SCORE are some of the brightest minds in a diverse field of industries like artificial intelligence, hair care, and behavioral science. She says helping her mentees realize they already know what’s best for their business is how she makes the biggest impact. “What I try to do is ask questions because they know the answer already, but they want the confidence that it’s the right answer. Sometimes the next steps [to grow a business] are hard. It might be hard to go get that business loan or say no to a customer who isn’t a good match for you.”

Providing guidance to private sector businesses is not the only way Savage gives back. She currently serves as a board member of the W. Edward Deming Institute, a North Carolina based organization that trains business leaders, and Wright State University’s Raj Soin College of Business. Additionally, she served on the board of Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley for six years and is a regular volunteer at Carroll’s St. Pat’s Fest and the St. Helen Parish Summer Festival.

LEARNING TO LEAD

Marching as part of the Color Guard during her time as a Carroll student is one of Savage’s earliest memories of seeing how leadership and teamwork are crucial to achieving the highest levels of success. “We won competitions and got to perform in the Orange Bowl, and that was an amazing experience,” Savage said. “[The directors] emphasized that you’re only as strong as your weakest member, and we have to work as a team. We had a lot of members, and getting that many people to be in unison was not easy. It was a foundation for me in learning about teams and working together.”

Away from the competition field, Savage also recognizes the difference Catholic education at Carroll made in her life.“Carroll is super important to me because that was the foundation of my education. When I went on to college and on to work, I felt very well-prepared, much more so than some of my fellow students or colleagues who didn’t have the privilege of a Carroll education.”