Note from the President

Dear Alumni and Friends of Archbishop Carroll,

Thanksgiving and the holiday season is such a special time— a moment to gather with family, spend quality time with friends, and reflect on the blessings we have. In today’s fast-paced world, it can be easy to forget to pause and appreciate what we do have. During my daily commute to Carroll, I often take this opportunity to decompress, reflect, and give thanks. Throughout this season of giving, I’m particularly grateful for our Carroll community.  I feel very lucky to be part of such a wonderful community.

The week of Thanksgiving, our library space was filled with dinners for many families in need within our community. As a community we gave thanks to the Lord for teaching us the importance of service, hospitality, and showing kindness to others. 

Now, as we embrace the season of Advent and Christmas, we continue to celebrate and spread the joy of God’s love. This time is a reminder to not only reflect on the past blessings but also to look forward with hope, peace, and gratitude.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season filled with love, joy, and the spirit of giving.   May the coming year, bring you health, happiness, and success to all.

Fondly,
Patricia G. Scott, Ed.D. President

Make a Gift Today - Invest in the Red

There's still time to make your gift to Carroll before
the year ends on December 31, 2024.

Your donation will help provide:
*  Merit scholarships for deserving students
*  Resources to advance academic and extracurricular programs
*  Tuition assistance to ensure access for families in need

You can make your donation today by clicking Donate today, Venmo @jcarroll19087 or by mailing a check.

Thank you in advance for for Investing in the Red!
Supporting our Patriots, Strengthening our Faith, Shaping our Future

                                                    Update on the Multi-Purpose Turf Field Project

We are excited to share that we are more than halfway to securing the funding needed to break ground on the Multi-Purpose Field!  With this support, we are forging ahead and remain hopeful to begin construction this summer.

The Multi-Purpose Turf Field will help us create a high-quality space for athletics, education, and wellness, while furthering our mission to provide a well-rounded student experience. For more information about the Field you can visit our website at Special Initiatives – Support – Archbishop John Carroll High School 

Thank you for your continued support as we move closer to making this important project a reality!

                                              Exciting news about The Connelly Wellness Center

We are thrilled to announce that we have secured the funding needed to begin construction on the new Connelly Wellness Center! Thanks to a generous partnership with The Connelly Foundation and the support of additional donors, construction is scheduled to begin later this month in the footprint of the former library.

The Wellness Center will provide "wrap-around services and support" for all students, offering a unique space in the heart of our school dedicated to their well-being. 

We look forward to seeing the positive impact this Center will have on our students. In addition, this state-of-the-art facility will set Carroll apart, distinguishing us from all other Archdiocesan high schools.

                                                                         Endowment Match

Since March 2024 when alum Stephen X. Graham '70 made the lead gift of $100,000 to create the Carroll Presidential Patriot Endowment Fund, an additional $61,000 has been raised to help grow Carroll's endowment. This Endowment Fund is a cornerstone for ensuring Carroll’s long-term success and excellence. It will provide us with crucial financial stability, enabling us to enhance educational opportunities, strengthen our Catholic mission, and secure a bright future for generations of Carroll students.

Learn more about these exciting initiatives

If you're interested in learning more about our exciting initiatives, please reach out to our Advancement Team.

Julie Hyland | 267-443-9692 | julie.hyland@jcarroll.org or Joanne Dolan | 267-987-2945 | joanne.dolan@jcarroll.org

ACTS fall production of Cinderella

A heartfelt congratulations to seven of our Alumni for the incredible success of the show last month. Your unwavering dedication, hard work, and passion for your alma mater truly shone through, making the show a huge success.

Thank you for everything you’ve done to bring this production to life. Your commitment is deeply appreciated!

Pictured left to right: Jesse Hampsch, Conductor; Michael Ambler ‘09, Producer; Meghan McNamara ‘07, Director; Anna Davis ‘19, Vocal Director; Sarah Fickling, Costume Designer; Ellen Solderitsch ‘05, Choreographer; Christine Ormsby ‘09, Scenic Designer; Lee Longenberger P'21, Technical Director and Sound Designer.

Not pictured: Alexandra Drewicz '07, Technical Director; Brian Ambler ‘97, Set Designer

Join Us for a Special Prayer Service

January 16, 2025

We warmly invite you to an inspiring prayer service on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM at St. Norbert's Church in Wayne, PA. Led by alumni Ed Morris '76, this service will offer a time for reflection, inspiration, and hope.

Come together with fellow alumni and community members for a meaningful evening of prayer and connection. We look forward to sharing this special time with you.

Basketball Alumni Watch Party and Reception

Calling all Basketball Alumni
Carroll vs. Archbishop Wood - Varsity Basketball Double Header
Friday, January 24, 2025
5:00 PM - boys' game
6:00 - 7:30 PM - Reception
7:00 PM - girls' game

Join us for a Watch Party and Reception when the Patriots take on the Vikings in exciting double-header action!  The Advancement Team will be hosting a social in between games for basketball Alumni.  More details will follow after the holidays.

Golf Outing - Save the Date

                     
                       Archbishop Carroll Annual Golf Outing
                       Monday, June 9, 2025
                       Waynesboro County Club
                       More details to follow after the holidays.                              

We remember alumni who have passed or who we've learned of their passing since the last edition of the Carroll Alumni E-Newsletter.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, Amen.

'84 Kimberly Morris Miller
'84 James Sheridan
'70 Victoria Buskirk Houpt
'71 Patricia Sizer
'80 David Tierney

Senior Michael Bugler '25 is on a mission to 'Keep Upper Merion Beautiful'.  The objective is to clean up his community by communicating with neighbors and businesses to help reduce waste and improve cleanliness.  Be sure to follow Michael's journey on is Instagram page @keepuppermerionbeautiful

Click Michael Bugler '25 to view the segment from Channel 6 Action News

Our boys varsity basketball team has been invited to participate in the prestigious City of Palms Classic tournament.  Carroll kicks off their play on December 18th at 7:30 PM.  Be sure to follow the team on Carroll's athletic instagram @archbishopcarroll_athletics and on Facebook page Archbishop John Carroll High School.  We wish Coach Francis and the team the best of luck!!

Reunions

The Advancement Team had a wonderful time celebrating with Alumni last month at the reunions for the classes of '84, '89, '94, '99, '04, and '14.  Several Advancement Student Ambassadors also joined us and did an excellent job collecting updated contact information for our Alumni.

We are considering a multi-year class reunion in 2025 for those classes celebrating a milestone reunion.  As we receive information, we will post the details on the school website.  Be sure to check the website for updates and information about your class reunion!  

Visit Reunion Info to view photos of the recent reunions.

Pete Sousa '95 | ESPN announcer

Pete was a standout football player at Carroll and was awarded a full scholarship to University of Richmond.  Pete now serves as a play-by-play announcer for ESPN, calling college football, basketball, softball and baseball since 2022.

Click Pete Sousa to learn more about the great work Pete is doing for ESPN.

On November 22, the Delco Times newspaper mentioned Pete in the Football Friday Flashback. "30 years ago - defensive end Pete Sousa runs 40 yards with a fumble for Carroll's first score in a 12-9 Catholic League semifinal win over Father Judge!!!"  Way to go Pete!

Deanna Menichini Golden '96 | Field Hockey Coach

Player | #32 in the picture to the left
Coach | 2024 PCL Field Hockey Champions.  Congratulations Deanna!!

Katie Rodden Florio '11 | 2024 Philadelphia Marathon Winner

In the 2011 yearbook Katie thanked her parents for supporting her in her decision to attend Carroll and Katie noted "to Carroll XC and Track that is was fun and to keep running hard!"  Something Katie continues to do - run hard.

Click Katie Florio Marathon Winner to read the full story of Katie's marathon win!

Ciani Hodges '13 | Law Student

During Ciani's time at Drexel Neumann Academy (DNA) and Carroll, she was fortunate to receive an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship.  At a recent "Thank You Celebration" hosted by DNA, Ciani expressed her deep gratitude for the financial support she received as a DNA and Carroll student.  Without the EITC scholarship she would not have been able to attend DNA or Carroll.

Ciani is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor (JD) degree at the University of Florida, a law degree required to practice law in the United States. She is set to graduate in 2025, continuing her journey toward a career in law.

Tairi Ketner '20 | Holy Family University Basketball

Congratulations Tairi on being named CACC Player of the Week in November.

Tairi shined on the court at Carroll and is playing the same way in college. Going into this season Tairi was the team leader in field goal percentage at .579, leads the team in rebound average at 5.6, and is second in team offensive rebounds.

Tairi is majoring in Sports Marketing-Management.  Good Luck Tairi!

Russell Minor-Shaw '20 | King's College Football

Playing in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), QB Minor-Shaw was recently named MAC Offensive Player of the Year for the second season in a row.  At King's, he continues to play along side former Carroll teammate Brennan Robinson '21 who is one of the top rushers in the MAC conference.

Click Minor-Shaw article  to read the full college report.

Grace O'Neill '22 | Drexel University Basketball

As Grace gets ready for her third year as a starter for the Drexel Dragons, Drexel's Coach Amy Mallon is quoted as saying "Grace O'Neill is the anchor of the program!"

Highlights from 2023/2024 season
Grabbed career-high 13 rebounds. vs. UD
10 pts. / 7 rebounds / 7 assists against Buffalo
Collected 4 steals against SJU
Played full 40 minutes against Norfolk State
Shot 5-for-9 against Spartans

Grace is majoring in Finance.  Good luck Grace!

C. Ryan Holmes '23 | Hedgerow Theater

Ryan is thrilled to be making his professional theater debut with the wonderful people of Hedgerow Theatre!  He is currently a sophomore at DePaul University in Chicago, IL, where he studies Music Education and Piano.

This holiday season the Hedgerow Theatre presents "It's a Wonderful LIfe: A Live Radio Play" and Ryan will be on the piano as Archie Chestnut.

Break a leg Ryan!

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