Dear Archbishop Carroll High School,

Until this year I truly never understood the saying, “Your four years in high school will fly by.” Now that I am a senior and I am writing this goodbye letter during my last full week of high school, I can truly say that phrase is true. It feels like just yesterday I walked into this building for the first time and the next chapter of my life began. I truly am so thankful for my time here at Carroll and wouldn’t be where I am today without the support from my family and the teachers that have impacted my life over the past years.

Until this year I never truly appreciated my time at Carroll. During my freshman, sophomore, and junior year of high school, I was able to make some memories by joining bocce and attending school events but I wasn’t as involved as I wanted to be. Luckily, I can’t say that for my senior year. This year my love for Carroll grew and I started to really enjoy going to school. I became very involved in PatrioTHON, joined CSC, and became a co-president for Best Buddies. I started to make connections with students and teachers, especially through the retreats I attended, such as Accompania and Kairos. I also made connections through my opportunity to help out in the Office of Student Life during my senior year with Mrs. Buchanan and Mrs. Dunn, and through the clubs I participated in. 

There is one connection in particular that’s very special to me and helped me the most at Carroll, especially through my senior year. The connection was between Mrs. Volpe and I. Although during my senior year she was only here for two quarters, which were the 1st and 4th, because she went on maternity leave, she was able to help me more than she will ever realize. The advice and support she gave me before she left helped me while she was gone. She was there for me when I needed her the most, and taught me lessons both inside and outside of the classroom. She made her classroom such a welcoming environment and such a safe place. I always knew that if I needed someone to talk to I could go to her and tell her whatever was on my mind. Mrs. Volpe was the main reason why I was able to enjoy my senior year and grow as a person/student. Having the opportunity to have her in my life this year as both my teacher and role model, I can now say I enjoyed Carroll and my senior year. Thank you for everything Mrs. Volpe. I’m lucky to say I’ll miss you. 

Sincerely, Elizabeth Woodland