Commencement 2022 Remarks

Dr. James D. Ball, President, Carroll Community College

Dear Class of 2022,

Welcome to the 29^th Commencement Ceremony of Carroll Community College. I couldn’t be more proud of our Carroll graduates who worked with steadfast determination to achieve degrees and certificates during the 2021-2022 academic year.

While the world has certainly changed during your time here at Carroll, in ways no one ever anticipated, there are many aspects of this significant milestone that remain the same. It is the culmination of, and reward for, your dedication and perseverance regarding your studies throughout your time at Carroll. The encouragement of family, friends, fellow students, various mentors and advocates, and the faculty and staff here at the College, continued to spur you on to reach your goal, despite any obstacles in your way. I want to thank all of your supporters, and please be sure to thank them as well.  

Now, for the moment that is my favorite duty of all that I perform as president, the conferring of your degree. Please, take a moment, stand, and hear this:

By the authority vested in me by the Board of Trustees and the State of Maryland, and as President of Carroll Community College, I confer upon you the Degrees of Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate of Science, Associate of Science in Engineering, or Associate of Fine Arts, as applicable, with all the honors, responsibilities, rights, and privileges thereto appertaining. You may now move your tassel from the right side to the left side of your cap signifying the attainment of your degree.

Where does the Class of 2022 go from here? My first answer is anywhere they want to go, with their passions, knowledge and wisdom leading the way.

So many of you balanced school, work and family obligations while attending Carroll, and will continue to do so. After graduation, many of you plan to work, either full time or part time. Many of our graduating students plan to continue their studies at various transfer institutions. Whether you transfer to another institution or enter the workforce immediately, we are confident your time at Carroll has prepared you exceptionally well for what is next and will propel you to great accomplishments in your life’s journey.

The Class of 2022 is entering a world that has changed, and will continue to change, at a very rapid pace. But always remember that the perseverance that propelled you to succeed here at Carroll will help you in your future endeavors. You embraced the changes virtual and hybrid learning brought to many of your classes. You balanced studies with other demands of life, demonstrating your resilience. You are well prepared to face the future.

Education provides preparation. And challenges bring opportunity. How do these forces come together? I am reminded of a quote attributed to the Roman philosopher Seneca: “Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity.”  You have the opportunity to change the world as the College’s newest ambassadors to fulfill the mission of our institution: Empowering learners, Changing lives and Building community.

Our graduates are vital to achieving this mission, one that helps to drive the well-being and economic vitality of Carroll County and beyond. Your efforts exemplify one of our core values: Leadership. At Carroll, we strive to challenge our students to become engaged citizens as well as leaders in their chosen careers. The College, its Board of Trustees, our local elected officials, and business leaders are grateful that you chose Carroll as your institution for higher education and for your future contributions to the community, with many of you choosing to do so right here in Carroll County.

I would like to thank our exceptional faculty and staff who provided excellent instruction, guidance and mentoring to empower graduates to make the changes they want to see in the world. I sincerely thank our Board of Trustees, the Carroll County Legislative Delegation and Board of Commissioners, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and very importantly, our donors and the numerous business leaders who support our institution in so many ways. Each of these groups of individuals have contributed mightily to the success of our students in the way of funds, advocacy, scholarships, partnerships, internships, employment, and much more. I am so grateful to them for their dedication to our students and the College.

Inscribed within the Seal of Carroll Community College are three ideals of an educated person: “Knowledge, Truth and Wisdom.” As you progress in our rapidly changing world, I am certain that you will use these three ideals to help transform the lives of others and build community from this day forward. Let them guide you to a brilliant future filled with hope. Please know how much you inspire me, and fill me with great optimism for that brilliant future

I leave you with one final thought that I impart during every graduation. As you set off on the next leg of your journey always remember: The empowerment gained from asking the question “why” is only exceeded by the transformational power of asking the question “why not?”

Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you on this monumental achievement.  

Dr. James D. Ball

President, Carroll Community College

Kelly M. Frager, Board of Trustees Chairperson

Hello 2022 graduates! I am so pleased to be speaking to you in my role as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at Carroll Community College. Your family, friends, and the entire College community are filled with pride – and joy – for what you have accomplished, while facing so many new challenges in our world, that only a few years ago none of us could have ever imagined. Please accept my heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the College’s Board of Trustees, for your perseverance and optimism on this amazing accomplishment.

I also want to recognize everyone here at the College who worked tirelessly to provide high quality education in these rapidly changing times. The faculty and staff embraced new, innovative ways to teach and support our students. Thank you, Dr. Ball, for your leadership and support.

In addition to my role here at the College, I have many others – mother, spouse, business owner, trainer, and coach. I can say with confidence that all of you have multiple roles in your life, ones that required you to skillfully manage them while you were pursuing your studies here at Carroll. You will hear today from one impressive graduate, Morgan Barton, who is the student speaker for your class, about her personal and non-traditional journey at Carroll, and how the College played a significant role in enhancing her learning and effectiveness in the many roles she plays in her life.

Please know each one of you is the hero of your journey during your time at Carroll, managing the different aspects of your life, that work together to make you very special.

Congratulations to all our 2022 graduates and best wishes as you embark on the next chapter of your personal journey to be the change you want to see in the world.

Dr. Rosalie V. Mince, Provost

Dear Graduating Class of 2022,

It is my privilege and honor to write this letter to you on behalf of the faculty and staff of Carroll Community College. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate your achievements along with you. 

At Carroll, a lynx is our mascot. The name lynx originated from the root word “leuk”, which means light or brightness, in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes. A group of lynx is called a chain. You will always be part of our chain, always strongly connected to our bright community of learners.

Please remember that as part of this chain, when you succeed, we all succeed.  During your time at Carroll, we have travelled along on your educational journey with you—often leading you and showing you the way, sometimes alongside you, working with you to find the answers, and always right behind you, encouraging you and urging you forward.  Even now, when you take a moment to revel in the happiness of achieving this important milestone, we are thinking about your next steps and how we can continue to support you as you transfer to a four-year institution, advance in your career, and contribute to the wonderful society of Carroll County and beyond.

One of the College’s core values is Reflection, as we encourage students to reflect on their learning and personal experiences to build knowledge, distinguish truth and develop wisdom. I want you to know that no matter how far you go or how long it is from the time of your graduation, we will continue to hold you near in our hearts and minds, and we always appreciate hearing about your successes. Please take a moment from time to time to think back on your time at Carroll, and recall all that you learned, often despite major challenges.

Class of 2022, congratulations on your graduation! Savor your accomplishments. We know we are not saying good-bye but rather wishing you well on the next phase of your journey. Thank you for being part of our chain, now and into a brilliant future, one fueled by knowledge, truth and wisdom.

With Lynx pride, wishing you all continued success,

Dr. Rosalie V. Mince

Provost

The Honorable Susan W. Krebs, The Maryland House of Delegates, Legislative District 5, Carroll County – Commencement Address

It is an honor to be here today, in person, to celebrate the accomplishments of the Carroll Community College graduating Class of 2022. Welcome to all of the graduates, along with all of the proud family and friends here today to support you.  

You have persisted through incredible obstacles over the past couple of years, along with the teachers and staff who had to pivot many times to provide you with the best educational experience possible under unprecedented circumstances.  Thank you to those heroes who made this day possible for our graduates. 

The global COVID-19 pandemic is something no one will soon forget- it forced us all to make many adjustments in our lives, it diverted many plans.  It forced online commencement for the past two years, after months of closed school facilities and social distancing.  Many faced loneliness as students and teachers logged in from home as school buildings were converted into COVID vaccine and testing sites.

We watched an anxious citizenry rise up and question the new restrictions placed on our freedoms in the name of public health.  This was a reminder of what a great country we live in, where citizens are allowed to voice their opinions against the government, in a peaceful manner – as is allowed by our U.S. Constitution.  This was a reaffirmation that the freedoms and liberties we have in the United States of America should never be taken for granted.

The faculty gave you encouragement, support, confidence, and filled you with hope- even as they faced their own doubts and uncertainties.  You learned how to communicate through masks and live with a new model of virtual learning that you didn’t sign up for. But despite all of the obstacles, you grew and met your goals in the face of adversity.  You learned how to overcome challenges and adapt – this is called resilience. 

 We hear a lot about “resilience” these days, what does it actually mean?  Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.  The mental reservoir of strength that helps people handle stress and hardship. Every one of you has had to be resilient in order to get here today.

Reflecting on the past 2 years of the pandemic, we have witnessed the loss of loved ones, jobs, businesses, and opportunities that seemed insurmountable.  But the resilience seen during this time is beyond what we would ever have thought possible.  I think many of us learned some lessons, even though it was hard, we learned that life “is precious and often too short– so let’s enjoy it”.  We learned not to take anything for granted, to appreciate the little things in life.

As Dr. Seuss once said. “When something bad happens, you have three choices, you can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.”  The body sitting in front of us today strengthened their resolve and learned that the value of human connections, friendships and social bonds endure.

Each of you is at a difference place in your journey- some have come directly from high school and will continue your formal education at a college or university, some have entered higher ed for the first time after working first, some are career changers- finding new interests in, early childhood education, the tech industry, cybersecurity, law enforcement or other constantly changing industries.  Some of you have been inspired by our current health crisis to pursue careers in healthcare.

The important thing to remember about career paths is that they don’t have to last forever. Make sure your work is meaningful and there is purpose and dignity in your labor.

You have all had to make many decisions so far in your life, but I am confident that you will look back and know that one of the best decisions you have made is to attend Carroll Community College and one of your greatest early accomplishments will be accepting your hard earned A.A. degree. It is yours- no one can ever take that away from you.  As you walk across this stage, think of how all of your hard work has paid off.  Now it is time to move on to fulfill your lives and dreams.

When I graduated from college, I never got to walk across the stage.  I simply walked into the Registrar’s Office one afternoon and picked up my diploma – a B.S.  in Business & Accounting from Towson State College- it was very uneventful.  I had started my undergraduate studies at the school of my dreams- Western Maryland College, but after one year, tuition rose by 10% and I could not afford to stay.  I was very disappointed to leave my friends and my dream school. Reluctantly, I transferred to Shepherd College in WV where it was much more affordable.  After two unexpectedly wonderful years there, I had a very good job offer that brought me back home to Baltimore County.  I worked during the day and finished my senior year at night.  I never really had the opportunity to make any friends going part-time at night, but, when I walked back across campus, after picking up my diploma, I realized that the path I had planned had been diverted, but I had a diploma in hand after 4 years, and a good job with a Fortune 500 company.  My resilience had ultimately paid off.

3 thoughts about what I learned along the way:

1. Every day is a gift.
2. Sometimes it is the little things that set you on the right track every day.
3. Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.  One positive action toward someone else can be contagious.

One practice I learned long ago:

• Make your bed everyday– the wisdom of this simple act will be an accomplishment as the first task of the day and give you a small sense of pride
• (Especially in these days of being homebound- just getting out of bed will be an accomplishment) And having a nicely made bed will also deter you from getting BACK into bed.
• Completing this small task will encourage you to do another and another and at the end of the day you will have accomplished many tasks
• It will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter
• If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right
• If you have a miserable day, at least you will come home to a made bed
• A made bed will encourage you to do more

Your journey begins here today. Your journey to a successful life…whatever that may mean to each of you.

But how do we define success?  Is it how much money you make? what your title is?  What kind of car you drive? How big your house is?

I am sure you will agree that, ultimately, there is no better way to achieve success than by having a positive impact in the lives of others- it is being “significant.”

“Significant” is defined as compelling, consequential, meaningful, notable, convincing.

A significant person is one who is important or influential in someone’s life – they matter.

A significant person is able to solve important problems and is essential to accomplishing significant goals

A person who is significant must have other noteworthy qualities- they are compassionate, honest, respectful, accountable, loyal, humble, dependable and have integrity and empathy towards others.  These are lofty goals.

So, as you are aiming for success in your lives, be sure that you are ultimately striving for significance.

What starts here at graduation can change the world…Just think, if everyone of us positively impacts the lives of ten other people how that can exponentially impact generations of people. 

Hopefully, during your time here at Carroll, you have been inspired – which means you have been driven with the desire to DO something, not just BE something.

About 24 years ago, I was inspired, or really cajoled by my friends, to run for public office.  Something that never in my wildest dreams I had ever considered.  Living in Carroll County, I had been constantly amazed at the conservative values of its citizens who believe in a governing ideology that emphasizes liberty and civic virtue practiced by its citizens and emphasizes the participation of citizens for the common good of the community. I decided to get out of my comfort zone and run for the CC BOE and then, four years later, for a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates, because it gave me a platform to affect change and help people in our community. At first, I was inspired to act and then I became passionate about doing something to improve lives in our community.

What are you leaping towards?  What are you passionate about?  If you already have a job, how will you stand out? Find a cause you are passionate about – you have the power to change things.

Everyone has the same 24 hours to live out each day.  The question is, what will you do with your 24 hours today, tomorrow or the next?

As a fan of Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, I remember her saying “Opportunities don’t just happen, you create them.

The essence of America- that which really unites us- it is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion- it is an idea- and what an idea it is:  That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.

Life is full of surprises and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success.  If you try to plan every step. You may miss those wonderful twists and turns.  Just find your next adventure- do it well, enjoy it, and then, not now, think about what comes next.”  says Condi Rice.

I have been so blessed to have been persuaded to get out of my personal comfort zone and been led to run for elected office. I have had the opportunity to see the amazing work being done in our community and to meet and work with so many successful and significant people.

 We live in a great community because of the values and effort of many individuals and leaders to participate for the common good.

This institution, Carroll Community College is an example of this greatness.  Under the leadership of the Carroll Community College Board of Directors & President Ball, and with the support of many individuals and businesses in the community (all volunteers) this institution consistently ranks as the #1 community college in the state and I would dare to say- one of the tops in the nation.  The leaders of this institution have paved the way for thousands of students- young and old- to pass through on their own individual journeys to success, and ultimately to significance. A big thank you to all of those leaders.

Success is about ourselves, but significance is about other people.  As you gain success, don’t forget about significance.  Loving others, helping others, especially those who cannot help themselves- – that is significance and the true meaning of success.

What starts with you can change the world.

Six Steps to take on the path to significance:

1. Strive every day to make the world a better place
   • Simple acts of kindness matter
   • Be a life-long learner
   • Stay true to your values
   • Make service in your community a part of your life
2. Don’t allow yourself to be a victim
   • If you have problems- don’t spend precious time complaining- focus on what is going well- be positive
   • Communicate well with others- many grievances can be remediated with a simple honest conversation
   • Give gratitude every day for the opportunities we have in this great nation we call home & Take advantage of those opportunities
3. If you are going to do a job- do it right. Wisdom sometimes comes from failure.
   • Challenges are part of life – deal with them.  Rock bottom can sometimes be a great foundation to grow.
4. Don’t let other define who you are
   • In this world of identity politics- there is a barrage of media and other institutions who will pressure you to check off some box to tell you who you are – what chance you have for success based on those boxes you checked off.
   • Resist all efforts of letting others tell you what you should think, do or how to associate because of some statistic they want you to conform to.
   • Don’t buy it
   • You are an individual with boundless opportunity – define yourself.
5. You might not be able to control your circumstances, but you can control your response to those circumstances.
   • Be optimistic and positive- it is contagious
   • Take responsibility for your actions – blaming others gets you nowhere.
   • Do things to the best of your ability- no matter who is watching
   • Show people that you care
6. Make sure that if you didn’t show up you would be missed

I’ll leave you with this to ponder:

Wanna be happy for an hour? Eat a steak

Wanna be happy for a day? Play golf

Wanna be happy for a week?  Go on vacation

Wanna be happy for a month?  Buy a new car

Wanna be happy for a year?  Win the lottery

Wanna be happy for a lifetime?  Make a positive difference in people’s lives – be significant.

Carroll Community College Class of 2022 – your resilience has paid off and I am confident that every one of you will go on to be successful & significant!  Congratulations!

Carroll County Sheriff Sheriff James T. DeWees

In our rapidly changing world, law enforcement must continue to embrace and adjust to the unparalleled challenges that face our profession and the citizens we swore to protect. 

As a result of the partnership between the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Police Academy and Carroll Community College, deputies and officers locally and from around the State pursue their A.A.S. degree in Law Enforcement as a Cohort while attending the Police Academy. Thanks to this innovative program, our graduates will be better prepared to handle and intelligently confront today’s challenges.  The partnership between our two institutions will benefit the citizens of Carroll County by creating an exceptionally well-prepared workforce, using the abundance of resources the College has to offer. 

The phrase “education equals opportunity” rings true in every profession and trade that the College’s graduates pursue, and law enforcement is no exception. And it rings true for me personally. As a law enforcement leader who started my education at Carroll Community College, I experienced first-hand the significant benefits of this fine institution, through its professors, staff members and leadership team.

In order to strengthen the bond and trust between law enforcement and the citizens we protect, we must continue to train and educate police officers to become even better stewards of justice.  Congratulations to all 2022 Carroll Community College graduates, but especially the women and men of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office who chose to take on a challenge that few would be bold enough to accept.

James T. DeWees, Sheriff

Carroll County Maryland

Morgan Victoria Barton, Student Response

Hello Class of 2022. It’s so nice to finally meet you all in person. Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” And since we are newly acquainted, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself and my journey at Carroll Community. It all started out as a comical argument with my then 7-year-old son, Logan, about doing homework alone. While sitting at our old, scratched up kitchen table together, we decided that I had to go back to school. It just wasn’t fair that he had homework and Mom didn’t. He’s now twelve, and taller than I am, but it’s still my favorite argument in the entire world.  

So, I reenrolled at Carroll Community as a probationary student, and I started on a new chapter in our lives. It was the best decision that we ever made. I came back to Carroll for the second time 5 years ago. This was after I followed a few different paths, like trying and failing to sell cutlery door to door… After I became a parent to the most amazing kid in the whole world, and after I found a career as an Early Childhood Educator and my passion for teaching. I also had a few people in my life that didn’t think I would succeed and receive my first degree. It was disheartening. However, about a week before classes started, I received a gift from my Nana that would change how I felt. It was a heather grey T-shirt that said, “Underestimate me! That’ll be fun!” At that moment I knew I had people cheering for me, and it became my motto when I was confronted with challenges.  

I remember starting my journey at Carroll as an outcast, or so I thought. I am a non-traditional student, meaning I didn’t go to college right after high school, and I thought I just needed to take classes, get good grades, and be the quiet girl in the green hoodie that I always used to wear like armor. I thought I was different from everyone else because I didn’t take the traditional path when it came to college. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth. 

During my first education class, Mrs. Carole Williamson asked our opinion about standardized tests for elementary students. My opinion was very loud and passionate because Logan had just gone through his first round of standardized tests, and I disliked how stressed he was. Mrs. Williamson saw my ambition and passion for education after that day. This was my first step to becoming a Carroll Lynx, and not just a student.  

Mrs. Williamson invited me to a national education conference that was happening in the spring, and I joined the Early Childhood Education Club, ECE Club for short. At that conference I was asked to be president of the club for the next semester and ended up staying in that position for the next four years. Since that conference many doors opened to me in the next few years. The next door that opened was attending the Echo Hill Leadership Retreat with 20 other student leaders where I climbed 50 ft up an Alpine Tower with only a rope, and the other students to keep me safe… Mind you, I didn’t know any of the other students at the beginning of the retreat, which was only 2 days long. After the retreat and returning to classes, I felt accepted. Not just as a student, but also as one of Carroll’s student leaders.  

Next, I became a student mentor and completed my first Leadership Challenge. All while balancing my home, school, and work lives. Then, in the fall of 2019, I was nominated as a potential speaker for Student Advocacy Day. I had no idea what it was, or how important it was for all the community colleges in the state. I had to write my story and submit it to a committee that received hundreds of submissions from other students around the state, and I never thought in a million years that I would have been chosen. Then, one day, student engagement advisor Heather Diehl came running and screaming across the Great Hall. She hugged me and told me how excited she was that I was actually chosen. Not 2 weeks later, I was named the Newman Civic Fellow for that year as well. I was in a whirlwind of honor and so excited to be a part of it all. I gave my Advocacy Day speech at the State House in February of 2020, and two weeks later COVID hit, and our world shut down.  

All the plans I had made as the ECE Club leader stood at a halt, my Fellowship became virtual, and my career as an educator changed with the introduction of social distancing, masks, intense cleaning regiments, and quarantines. Unlike other kinds of educators, I continued to go to work, in-person, as an essential employee. This meant being exposed to multiple children, and their germs, every day. As a parent, I made the hard decision to have Logan live with my mom full-time for his safety. I wanted to limit his exposure to the possibility of COVID.  

As a Lynx, I had even more difficult questions. How am I supposed to be a student now? Should I even continue being a college student? How can I be a leader if I can’t talk to my club members? What is going to happen to my classes, assignments, friends? It was chaotic, and for about a week, I considered withdrawing from Carroll until the pandemic ended.   

However, I just couldn’t leave. I was a part of the community that Carroll had built. Carroll was an anchor for its students. They continually reminded students that they cared. The administration kept students up to date with regulations, and the professors made sure we were balancing life to the best of our abilities. I specifically remember talking on the phone with Mrs. Greenwood, my math professor, about missing a huge assignment because I was working a lot of overtime as an essential childcare provider. Thankfully, she was understanding and allowed me time to complete the assignment. This is just one example of the generosity I’m sure we all experienced during our time at Carroll.

Now, two years later, I feel like we have come full circle. We can get up and go to class on campus, even though pj’s are way more comfortable. We can connect in-person again if we would like to, and virtual is still an option. For Carroll Lynx, adversity is not a new concept and COVID was just another bump in the road that we had to overcome.  

I have been thinking about all of us and the different types of adversity we have had to face in our lives, not just COVID. In a way, we are all non-traditional students, meaning that we started college on our own terms. How you got here today is yours alone. Your trials, your hardships, your hiccups, and bumps, but also your triumphs, your opportunities, your choices, and your passion. Carroll Community College is the home we have shared throughout our time here.  

I started at Carroll Community before the pandemic hit, continued through it, and now it feels like the pandemic is behind me. This was my path. Now, on our last day here, I don’t know about you, but I am nervous and slightly scared about my next step as a Notre Dame Gator. But I’ve never felt more ready and excited for this new adventure.

I urge you to be present in your next adventure. Whether you are transferring to another school, entering the work force, completing service projects, or staying at home with your family, your journey is all your own. So, take on the risks and opportunities, show your passion, be involved, and have fun as you move forward. I’ll leave you with this final thought from Dr. Seuss as we leave Carroll, “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go. Today is your day! You’re off to great places! You’re off and away!” Congratulations, Class of 2022, and I wish you all the luck in the world. 

Fenna Maysun Hott, 2022 President’s Academic Excellence Award Recipient

The President’s Academic Excellence Award recognizes significant academic achievement, as well as dedication to service/co-curricular activities inside and/or outside of the College. The selected awardee will have demonstrated a well-rounded refection on the impact of their studies and their extracurricular activities during their time at Carroll. Candidates may apply for consideration based upon their academic standing as a student with a 4.0 grade point average and having completed at least 45 credits at Carroll. The awardee is given a $600 personal scholarship from Dr. James D. Ball, president of Carroll Community College.

“I am beyond thrilled to receive this award as academic success has been a goal of mine since before I started high school. I am especially proud because I’ve been able to achieve a dream that I was not expected to achieve, as I was diagnosed with ADHD and a reading disability at age 7. I now work to lift people up and make them see the good in themselves.”

“I was a dual enrollment student at Carroll and Manchester Valley High School. I’m so grateful for my experiences at Carroll, and the perspective I’ve gained has led me to share my journey with younger students in an effort to open their eyes to all that dual enrollment can offer. For three years I was the President of Gender and Sexuality Association (GSA) at Manchester Valley.  It was my job to make sure our club was welcoming and supportive of all its members, something that is incredibly important to me. At Carroll I’ve endeavored to parlay my leadership experience in GSA to serve with Carroll’s Pride Alliance. I believe that all students deserve to feel safe and included and that’s what I strive to bring about.”

Ms. Hott’s GPA at Carroll is a 4.0 and her weighted GPA at Manchester Valley is 4.64, and she was named Manchester Valley’s Class of 2022 Valedictorian/Top Scholar. In addition to her leadership with the GSA and Pride Alliance, she was a member of the Cross-Country team and the Student Government Association. It’s clear Fenna Hott has a very bright future ahead!

Sarah Lyn Dubsky – President’s Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award

The President’s Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award is an award that recognizes a student athlete who has demonstrated academic excellence as well as exceptional performance and team commitment in the College’s Athletics program. Scholar-athletes are committed to participating in team sports which require an ever-vigilant balance between maintaining an extremely difficult athletic schedules while performing at a high level academically. The awardee is given a $600 personal scholarship from Dr. James D. Ball, President of Carroll Community College.  

“I received a great education from Carroll. In every course that I have taken, I have been able to apply the information in everyday life and/or in other courses. I appreciate how my understanding of the world and overall knowledge has grown significantly due to the academic courses at Carroll. The Track and Field team has provided me with a social, mental, and physical outlet. I am able to push myself mentally in school and then push myself physically and mentally in a track workout. The Track and Field team makes me feel complete at Carroll.”

“I am actively involved in service to others through my church. These activities have taught me how privileged I am and that I never really know someone else’s circumstances. Additionally, I have learned to be more openminded, empathetic, and grateful. I thoroughly enjoy participating in service activities and I hope to continue to participate in them throughout my life.”

Ms. Dubsky also qualified for the President’s Academic Excellence Award by demonstrating a well-rounded balance between her studies, extracurricular activities, and athletic accomplishments. In addition to being an instrumental part of the Track and Field team, she achieved a 4.0 grade point average at Carroll and completed at least 45 credits.