Voices Ringing Blog /

Ella Westgerdes ‘25, Baltimore House member and Ascension School Alumna, with Mrs. Marcy (Hemmert) Hughes ’83

Ella is such a sweet, caring young lady; she also serves as Communication Captain for my House. Not only does she serve our house as a captain in her family room, but her creativity inspires the Carroll community.  Her creativity in making her posts for Baltimore is awesome!

-Mrs. Marcy (Hemmert) Hughes '83

Favorite Restaurant:

Cedarland

Favorite Movie:

Megamind

Place you'd love to travel:

Carthage

Which actress would play you in a movie?

Hope Danis (she's kind of underground)

What activities do you participate in?

I participate in Volleyball, Academic Team, Latin Club, Revolution, TSA-Teams, and am the Baltimore Communications Captain.

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

My favorite part of being a student at Carroll is the community of teachers and classmates who make me look forward to coming to school. 

How should school help you succeed?

Carroll helps me succeed by educating in ways beyond the classroom. I will leave Carroll being confident in my leadership skills which I have been able to put into practice with the various organizations I am a part of at Carroll.

What's your biggest dream in life?

My biggest dream in life is to build and plan cities and work as a civil engineer.

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

Use obstacles as opportunities. It is easy to pity ourselves when faced with something difficult but it is much more beneficial to take our mistakes and hardships and use them as learning opportunities.

How do you enjoy spending your free time?

I like to spend my free time getting coffee with friends, painting, and beating my brother in Jeopardy.

Conner Walsh '25, Baltimore House, with Ms. Emily Fogus

Connor has stepped out of his shell and stepped up to the role of Family Room Captain this year. His Family Room teachers have been nothing but impressed with his ability to create and deliver engaging activities for the Family Room. He is organized, caring, and welcoming to all in our room, and he does it all with a great sense of humor. We are so proud of the growth he has shown in our room over the last four years! 

-Ms. Emily Fogus

Favorite Restaurant:

Five Guys

Favorite Movie:

The Lighthouse

Place you'd love to travel:

Vienna, Austria

Activities you participate in:

I'm part of Chess Club and plan to join Youth in Government

Favorite part of being a student at Carroll:

The best part of being a Patriot is the ability to be in connection with all other Carroll Patriots.  There are so many different types of students here, not purely surface level differences, but the innate differences in the personalities of all my peers.  Those who are outgoing, keep to themselves, have a passion for the arts, passion on the field, the thinkers, and the doers.  There is not a single person who can't find someone or something that doesn't share their interests.  It's beautiful how everyone can be true to themselves and find comfort with others who may be from completely different backgrounds and yet are so perfectly able to relate to each other.

What should school "do" for you?

What school does for me and should do for everyone else is pave the way for self-realization. School should pose challenges and questions that all students answer differently. Not as simple as asking them "What do you want to be when you grow up", but actually challenging them to achieve those aspirations. 

What's your biggest dream in life?

The biggest dream in my life is to live in the Swiss Alps, in a remote cabin in which I'm completely self-sufficient.

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

I learned an important lesson in my eighth grade year when I was failing all my classes.  I worked my way into passing all my classes, even excelling in many. From that, I learned that nothing was impossible, even when I'd fallen to the literal bottom. I will always still be able to see it through, to the greatest heights. 

How do you like spending your free time:

My free time is spent on hobbies. I enjoy modeling , no matter how bad I am at it, studying history and philosophy, gardening and all manners of outdoors work.

Student of the Week Addison Linard '25, Baltimore House and St. Helen School Alumna, with Mrs. Acacia Morrell

Addison swam last year, but while participating in Color Guard, she was worried about taking on too much.  She helps me as a team manager, and has been a godsend as I do not have an assistant coach.  Addison recently told me she is now the Assistant Stage Manager for the musical this spring, too. Addison has done all this with grace even while she has faced some adversity in her life.

-Mrs. Acacia Morrell

Favorite Restaurant:

Olive Garden

Favorite Movie:

Lilo and Stitch

Who would play you in a movie?

Debbie Harry from Blondie

Place you'd love to travel:

Paris

What activities do you participate in?

I am a part of the Color Guard, the Prop Manager and Assistant Stage Manager for the musical, and I the student helper for Mrs. Morrell on the Swim Team.

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

The welcoming community and all the friends that I’ve made through my years here. I also love the inclusivity and leadership roles available to the students.

What should school “do” for you?

I think that school should teach us how to form life-long skills and friendships. We learn all the basic courses like math and science, but we also learn how to cook and manage our finances. I’ve learned how to form friendships that will last, and the friends that I’ve made have made the biggest impact on my life.

What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?

Don’t keep doing something that you don’t absolutely love. I was on a swim team from a young age until last year, and leaving it was so amazing for my mental health. I am so excited to continue as part of the swim team as a leader while also being able to have a leadership role in the musical and be in the color guard.

What’s your biggest dream in life?

I want to have a future where I’m a famous fashion designer whose designs are shown and admired all around the world.

How do you like spending your free time?

I spend my free time making origami swans and paper flowers. I also love making sketches of all of my fashion designs.

Coleman Fox ‘24, Baltimore House and St. Luke School Alumnus, with Mr. Jason Hughes ’96

Coleman Fox is a daily reminder of the ‘we not me’ attitude that we strive to live by.  Always willing to lend a hand or volunteer to take on a task for the greater good, Coleman makes Carroll a better place.  His ever present smile and good nature are proof that it’s always a great day to be a Patriot.

-Mr. Jason Hughes '96

Favorite Restaurant:

Johnny Huston’s Grille & Bar

Favorite Movie:

Green Book

Who would play you in a movie?

Anthony Michael Hall

Place you'd love to travel:

Stamford Bridge

Activities you participate in:

I participate in The Freedom Players Drama Club, Military Kids' Club, National Honor Society, Latin Honor Society, Latin Club, and Carroll Bowling.

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

My favorite part of being a student at Carroll is the House System and the sense of community that it generates.

What should school “do” for you?

School should first and foremost educate you, but it should also create a supportive environment that you can lean on.

What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?

A lesson I learned when I overcame a difficult obstacle is that you always have to consider the other side in every situation.

What’s your biggest dream in life?

My biggest dream in life is to raise and take care of a family.

How do you like spending your free time?

I like spending my free time listening to music, doing service, and watching movies and TV shows.

Sofia Fedorisinova ‘24, Baltimore House, with Mr. Erik Ramsey ’93

Sofia advances the classroom environment with her participation, which has included sharing her story of coming to the United States from Slovakia, initiating clarifying questions, and overall setting a great example for the other students. - Mr. Erik Ramsey '93

We have a student in class this week who is new to Carroll. Sofia walked her to their next class and offered the student a kind welcome and a friendly face! 

-Mrs. Mary Ollier

Favorite Restaurant:

My mom's kitchen ;)

Favorite Movie:

A Walk to Remember

Who would play you in a movie?

A lawyer

Place you'd love to travel:

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Activities you participate in:

I'm a member of the Badminton Club.

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

I like the house system because it brings us students closer together and we have time to talk to each other.

What should school “do” for you?

School should give me the education that I need for real life, not only for academic progress. Carroll is the place that does that for me.

What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?

Don't stop trying and fighting for things you want to accomplish because nothing is impossible or too hard if you try.

What’s your biggest dream in life?

My biggest dream in my life is to travel as much as possible and to have a happy family.

How do you like spending your free time?

I like to play sports, write poetry, sing, and spend time with my family.

Matthew Rodgers '26, Baltimore House and St. Helen School alumnus, with Mrs. Katie Nielsen

Matthew has been so helpful in Family Room this year. He has taken initiative to help our incoming freshmen and our three transfer students log in to view their grades and has offered to help them on academic days with their work. He's been very inclusive and welcoming in our family even as a sophomore. We're so happy to have him in our family, and his efforts to welcome others into our family are greatly appreciated.

-Mrs. Katie Nielsen

Favorite restaurant:

BJ's Brewhouse

Favorite movie:

The Blindside

Place I want to visit:

Canada

The Actor who would Play me in a movie is:

Ryan Reynolds

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

I love the extracurricular activities that the school offers.

What should school “do” for you?

School should provide a safe place for you to learn and be comfortable in the classroom.

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

If you make a mistake, forgive yourself before you ask others for forgiveness.

What's your biggest dream in life?

I want to play college football.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to watch or play football.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.