PETITION TO JOHN CARROLL & THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

​

​

 

As alumni of John Carroll, we graduated and promised each other: Once A Patriot, Always A Patriot. Armed with that commitment, we stand before you concerned with the response this institution has had in regard to the rising social movement against racism in the U.S. sparked by George Floyd’s murder on May 25th.

​

 JC’s initial response included two vague prayers that were posted on June 1st, a week after George Floyd's murder. One depicted text calling for peace and another depicted Jesus on the cross. This response was inadequate as it failed to support current as well as past and future Black students. 

​

After prompting from the alumni community and current students uncomfortable with the matter, John Carroll released a second statement on June 2nd. We applaud them for releasing another statement that acknowledges systemic racism and the need to create an action plan. Recently, the JC Peace & Justice Committee released another statement called “Peace & Justice Initiatives at John Carroll.” We thank the Committee for compiling a more comprehensive statement.  

​

John Carroll is a College Preparatory Institution and as such graduates should be well versed in the history of our country, including the injustices. 

​

The JC Mission Statement states:     

… Through innovative practices and curriculum, we prepare students to positively influence a global society as critical thinkers and creative problem solvers while being socially responsible … 

 

In the words of the President and Principal: 

… (John Carroll) prepare(s) tomorrow’s leaders today to make a tremendous impact on their communities, and on the world. 

 

We as alumni are creating this petition because JC students cannot lead or positively influence a society that they do not understand. 

 

We as a community are deeply concerned that the education provided by JC is conspicuously insufficient to comprehensively and successfully prepare Patriots to carry out JC’s own Mission Statement. It is common knowledge that JC allows significant portions of history to be arbitrarily skipped over or altered to fit a strictly positive view of the U.S. 

 

While the Peace & Justice Committee is attempting to rectify this need, this petition serves as an action plan formulated by past students in order to hold the administration accountable. 

 

​

This petition calls on the JC Administration, Board of Trustees,

and the Archdiocese of Baltimore to: 

1. Begin ongoing discussions with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students and community members

   1. Focus: Listen but also educate faculty through independent research 

2. Release a detailed plan of action including a timeline of implementation 

   1. Focus: Include the recommendations made in this petition 

3. Implement the plan with all deliberate speed 

   1. Focus: Plan enacted by next school year 

4. Continually reevaluate the plan through conversations with BIPOC students 

   1. Focus: Continually listen to students of color 

 

​

PLAN OF ACTION PROPOSAL

This petition requests the following actions be implemented 

​

1. Reform History/Social Studies curricula to teach a narrative of American History that is not whitewashed, but rather inclusive of BIPOC histories. The Department Chair should be trained on how to incorporate this change. Must require U.S. History educators to abide by this improved curricula.

​

A. In the new class “Exploration of Human Rights, Genocide and the Pursuit of Justice” include the genocide and systemic/institutionalized racism of Black people and the pursuit of justice that is the Black Lives Matter Movement. Must be taught by someone professionally trained in approaching topics from an anti-racist understanding. 

 

​

2. Hire an experienced Diversity Coordinator, a person of color, to lead the following initiatives: 

 

A. Mandatory literature by BIPOC authors in all English curricula. Implement a Black History Month Project, similar to the time spent learning about the Holocaust. 

 

B. Implement a school-wide reading each year of a text that educates students on racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, xenophobia, and more in America. 

 

C. Facilitate workshops, events, and speakers to share experiences and teach allyship to teachers and students. This should include: 

• bringing in a Diversity Trainer to lead educational initiatives for faculty and staff

• implementing speaker events regarding racism   

• reimplementing the Black History Month Assemblies

• mandating the National Museum of African American History and Culture as a graduation requirement (similar to the Holocaust Museum trip)

• engaging Black alumni as guest speakers to share their current work and accomplishments

​

​

3. We urge JC not to use Advisory or Patriot Transitions as “opportunities for dialogue and education on practices of anti-racism and the intricacies of systemic inequity,” as put forth in their Committee statement. This conversation must be led in an educational setting by someone professionally trained in approaching topics from an anti-racist understanding. Those times are not practical for unlearning hundreds of years of systemic racism. 

 

 

4. We compel JC to show commitment to diversity, as put forth in their Committee statement, through diversifying educators. We request that JC release a timeline of when this implementation is to be expected, including the current diversity breakdown of educators and the future goal. 

 

 

5. Create a Diversity Fund where donors can specify that their donation goes toward specific diversity initiatives. 

 

 

6. Implement a pre-service trip orientation. As a Catholic School, JC prides itself on being in service of others. This is an invaluable initiative, but it must be met with effort to serve in meaningful, non-destructive ways. Including education for students and staff on: systemic racism, the white savior narrative, and the responsibility that comes with privilege. (Consider reforming the application process for service trips to ensure more funding/scholarship to allow students who may not be able to afford trips the opportunity.) 

 

 

​

John Carroll, without significant reform the positive steps taken by the few have run the risk of being overshadowed by the magnitude of the issue. Significant work remains. Our John Carroll community deserves comprehensive education initiatives to be implemented. 

​

​

 

Actions speak louder than words.

​

Once A Patriot, Always A Patriot 

 

Signed,

​

Kiana Miller, Class of 2020

Alexandra Taylor, Class of 2017

Morgan Taylor, Class of 2015 

​

​

-- & --  

​

Lawrence Lanahan, Author of The Lines Between Us: Two Families and a Quest to Cross Baltimore's Racial Divide with The New Press, Producer of "The Lines Between Us," a multimedia public radio series on Baltimore's WYPR about regional inequality and structural racism

​

​

Faculty in Support: 

Mr. Rodney K. Johnson, Educator of the Year 1999, SAC Moderator '00-'19, Men's Soccer Coach '96-Present, Men's Tennis Coach, '12-Present, Faculty 1995-Present

Tess Gauthier, Parent of 4 alums, Faculty, Class of 1971

Ms. Hayley Howe, Women's Soccer Coach '13-Present, Faculty Executive Committee '18-Present, Faculty '13-Present 

Tara Milburn, Culture Shock Club Moderator '13 - '15, Speech and Debate Coach '15 - '18, Harford County Catholic High School Teacher of the Year 2016, Black Student Union Moderator, Faculty 2013 - Present

Bob Schick, Faculty member since 2001, parent of alum, former FEC Chair, former Speech & Debate coach, former Academic Team coach 

Mrs. Meghan Doyle, Associate Director of Mission and Ministry 2017-2019, Student Government Moderator 2019-Present, Theology Department Faculty 2017-Present

Casey Knell, Faculty 2018-present, Class of 2011

Rob Heubeck, Faculty 1993-2004, Class of 1985

Gary Scholl, Faculty 1974 - present, coach and administrator since 1974. Wilderness trips, Tipi Trips, Cheyenne Reservation Trips, Annual Morning Star Pow Wow since 2001

​

​

Additional Alumni in Support: 

Michael K. Chipi, Black and Gold Award Recipient 2020, Cross Country Championship Captain 2020, SGA Vice President 2020, Class of 2020

Katie Yurechko, Black and Gold Award Recipient, Valedictorian, Speech and Debate Captain, Class of 2020 

Brenna Patzer, Thespian Society President, Class of 2020 

Emma Balint, Co Editor-n-Chief of The Patriot, President of National Honor Society, VP of French Honor Society,  MIAA B Conference Champion Varsity Field Hockey, Class of 2020

Chika Chuku, Captain of Track and Gield 17-18, IAAM Conference Champion, Chorus Secretary 16-17, Class of 2018

Alyssa Kraus, Salutatorian, Co-Editor in Chief of The Patriot, Class of 2018

Paige Alban, Co-Editor and Chief of the Patriot, Class of 2018

Amelia Bothwell, Valedictorian, Class of 2018

Matthew Foulk, SGA Vice President, Class of 2018

Jordan Wrzesien, Co-Editor in Chief of Yearbook, Founder of the Scott Wrzesien Memorial Scholarship, Class of 2018

Qadir Ismail, Football Team Captain 2017-18, Men's Basketball MIAA A Conf. Champion 2018, Class of 2018

Meghan Sheehan, Varsity softball Captain, Senior Class Member at Large,  Editor and Chief of the Pacificus Yearbook, Class of 2018

Anna Sullivan, Editor for The Patriot, Student Athlete, Class of 2018

Caroline Cooney, Black and Gold Award Recipient 2017, Editor in Chief of The Patriot, SGA Vice President, Class of 2017

Anthony Magwood Jr., 1st Place Senior Project Award Winner, Class of 2017

Phillip Prevesto, Ultimate Frisbee Captain, Class of 2017

Sloan Meyerl, Member of MIAA 2017 Championship Softball Team, Student Leader of The Breakfast Club, Annie McGann Cumpston Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2017

Megan King,  Class Vice President, SGA Unsung Hero Award Recipient, Class of 2017

Mary Doud, Editor in Chief of the Pacificus, Class of 2017

Katie Sullivan, Black and Gold Award Recipient 2016, Class of 2016

Damon Lloyd, Student-Athlete, Football MIAA Conf. Champion 2015, Class of 2016

Joseph Kyburz, Class President, Class of 2016

Kishan Patel, Black and Gold Award Recipient 2016, SGA President, Online Editor in Chief The Patriot, MIAA Football Conference Champion, Class of 2016

Claire Grunewald, Valedictorian, Print Editor in Chief, Captain of Varsity Field Hockey, Class of 2016

Adam Mrowiec, Captain of Mens Lacrosse, IAAM Conference Champions 15+16, Gerry Grey Memorial Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2016

Kathryn Deaver, Valedictorian, Online Editor of The Patriot, Co-Captain of the Academic Team, Class of 2015

Tim Kutcher, Black & Gold Award Recipient 2015, SAC Leadership Award, Class of 2015

Amanda Brannan, Black and Gold Award Recipient 2015, Class of 2015

Rawlison Zhang, SGA President, Salutatorian, Men’s Volleyball Co-Captian, Editor in Chief of the Pinnacle, Class of 2015

Micaela Powers, Captain of Cheerleading Team, Class of 2015

Ashley Hunter, Captain of Women's Basketball, Captain of Women's Volleyball, IAAM Conference Champion, First Female JC Graduate to Play D1 Basketball, Class of 2015

Rachel Amrhein, Column Writer for The Patriot, Senior Project Winner, Class of 2015

Travis Nelson, Black and Gold Award Recipient 2014, National Honor Society President 2013-14, Class of 2014 

Kirsten Kyburz, Black and Gold Award Recipient 2014, Class of 2014

Margaret McGuirk, Valedictorian, Class of 2014

Lindsey McCumber, Culture Shock Club President 13-14 & Secretary 11-13, Current Educator (English), Class of 2014

Martha Schick, Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Patriot, Speech & Debate Team Captain, Academic Team Captain, Columbia Scholastic Press Association National Winner, Class of 2013

Jonathan Galarraga, Valedictorian, Black and Gold Award Recipient, Class of 2012

Alexandra Dunn, Print News Editor of The Patriot, Class of 2010 

Logan Hayes, Assistant State Attorney for Harford County, Class of 2011

Stephanie Laird, Student Athlete, Sports Editor of the Patriot, Eucharistic Minister, Class of 2011

Adam R. Keuster, Knott Scholar, Academic/Fine Arts Award Recipient, Speech & Debate Team Captain, Cumulative Academic Achievement Award Recipient, Class 2012

Katelyn Barley, Editor in Chief of Pacificus, Captain of Women's Swimming, Class of 2009

Lisa Krysiak, Editor of The Patriot, Class of 2007

Stanley E Strawbridge, PhD, Drum Major, Class of 2007

Brendan Gauthier, Senior Class Member-at-Large, Class of 2007

Anthony Herman, Class President, Class of 2007

Lisa Krysiak, Editor for The Patriot, Class of 2007

Matt Kent, Senior Class President, Class of 2006

Amy Faby Chowdhury, Honor Roll Student, Sport Awards, Class of 2005

Aisha Turner, Black and Gold Award Recipient, National Honor Society President, News Editor of The Patriot, Class of 2005

Kayani Turner, JC Hall of Fame, Class of 2004 

Jake English, SAC President , Junior Class President , Russian Honor Society President, International Thespian Society President, John Carroll Band Vice President, Class of 2001

Colleen Walls Neuharth, Student Athlete, MD Distinguished Scholar, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Class of 2011

Christine Demuth, Performing Arts Award, Class of 2000

Brien Christesen, Senior Class President, Class of 1999

Stephen Finley, Voice of the Patriots 1997-2007, Class of 1999

Amy E. Mangold, Nita Milak Award Recipient, Class of 1998

Mary Saynuk Monroe, School Spirit Award Recipient, Class of 1997

Kate Crane, Editor of the Pinnacle and the Patriot, founder of JC’s Amnesty International chapter, first recipient of the Michael Brady White Cap award for creative writing, Class of 1992

David Bartlett, Student Government Association President, Captain of Wrestling Team, Class of 1971

Pia Scotto, Editor for The Patriot, Student Athlete, Patriot Hospitality Tour Guide, Class of 2017

David Bartlett, Student Government Association President, Captain of wrestling team, Class of 1971

Mary Doud, Editor in Chief of the Pacificus, Class of 2017

Bryan Doherty, SGA Secretary, National Honor Society, Opinion Editor of The Patriot, Class of 2013

Kim Lloyd, Mother of two alumni, Class of 1996

Maureen Healy, Editor-in-Chief of The Pinnacle, VP of Spanish Honor Society, Pinnacle Award Recipient, National Honor Society, Service Honor Society, Quill & Scroll, Class of 2019

Katy Sheward, Senior Class Vice President, Class of 2010 

Christopher Cerra, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Class of 2018

Karson Langrehr, National Honor Society, Service Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Class of 2018

Connor Kiss, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, Class of 2018

Lilly Derickson, National Honor Society, Class of 2018

Kate Crane, author, HarperCollins, Editor, Pinnacle and Patriot, founder of JC’s Amnesty International chapter, first recipient of Michael Brady White Cap Award for creative writing, Class of 1992

Elissa Somody McCarthy, Salutatorian, Class of 1986

Edward Benner, Jim Chrismer Excellence in the Study of U.S. History Award, Mock Trial team captain, Cross country/ track and field varsity captain, Envirothon captain, Entertainment Editor of The Patriot,Class of 2017

Rebecca Thompson, Valedictorian, Class of 2009

Gray Switalski, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, and Chesapeake Bay Ecology Teacher 2015-2016, Class of 2003

​

​

​

Class of 2020

 Anna King, Class of 2020

​

Class of 2019

Emma Rash, Class of 2019 

Benjamin Blessing, Class of 2019

Sarah Spaeth, Class of 2019

Ty Schumacher, Class of 2019

​

Class of 2018

Sophia Hashim, Class of 2018

Nicole Kanaras, Class of 2018

James Keller, Class of 2018 

Nicole Hunter, Class of 2018

​

Class of 2017

Daphne Karas, Class of 2017

Adrian Guidi, Class of 2017

Daniel Robinson, Class of 2017

Grant Sharretts, Class of 2017

​

Class of 2016

Evan Moore, Class of 2016

Taylor Sommer, Class of 2016

Lauktona Rimpel, Class of 2016

Ellie Marindin, Class of 2016

Steven Dierksmeier, Class of 2016

Kate Runser, Art Honor Society, Class of 2016

Megan Piercy, National Honor Society President, Drum Major, Michael B. Brady White Cap award winner, Class of 2016

​

​

Class of 2015

Shawn Ryan, Class of 2015 

Erin Cadden, Class of 2015 

Samiah Miller, Class of 2015

T.C. Sanders, Class of 2015 

Jake O'Brien, Class of 2015 

Emily Meyerl, Class of 2015 

Hanna LeBuhn, Class of 2015

Lauren Glase, Class of 2015 

Sarah Dobson, Class of 2015

Emma Kleinberg, Class of 2015

Lauren Brulinski, Class of 2015

William Smith, Class of 2015

​

Class of 2014 

Katelyn Helminger, Class of 2014 

Julia Wilbert, Class of 2014 

Amanda Reid, Class of 2014

Megan Greig, Class of 2014

Sarah Carson, Class of 2014

Caitlin Wolfarth, Class of 2014

​

Class of 2013 

Rebecca Heuer, Class of 2013 

Brianna Seiler, Class of 2013

Chioma Iheoma, Class of 2013

Zachary Flair, Class of 2013

Allison Blackman, Class of 2013

​

Class of 2012

Andrew Cross, Class of 2012

Imani Love, Class of 2012

Stephanie Meadowcroft-Navin, Class of 2012

Alyssa Goheen, Class of 2012

Matt Winkler, Class of 2012

Megan Battaglia, Class of 2012

​

Class of 2011

Mathew Miller, Class of 2011 

Taylor Schafer, Class of 2011

Tiffany Clunie, Class of 2011

Kaitlyn Hardwick, Class of 2011

 Zack Frink, Class of 2011

Lance Waters, Class of 2011

​

Class of 2010

Kara Jester, Class of 2010

Annie Battista, Class of 2010

Kurt Karolenko, Class of 2010

Bridget Linsenmeyer, Class of 2010 

Jackie Truitt, Class of 2010

Hannah Close, Class of 2010

Hannah Close, Class of 2010 

Rachel Minnis, Class of 2010

​

Class of 2009

Nichola Temple, Class of 2009

Megan Pocta (Counts), Class of 2009

Mary Kate Dorval, Class of 2009

Andrea Monaghan, White Blazer Award, Class of 2009

Paige Hollenback, Class of 2009

​

Class of 2008

Barry Tapp, Class of 2008

Ben Hagan, Class of 2008

Jennifer Green (Young), Class of 2008

Marissa DiPasquale, Class of 2008

Erica Malanga, Class of 2008

Rachel Weiksner (Ryan), Class of 2008

Emily Lubejko, Class of 2008

Christine Lebron, Valedictorian, Class of 2008

Kerry Biondo, Class of 2008

Joseph Pons, Class of 2008

​

Class of 2007

Julianne (Powers) Danna, Class of 2007

Andrew Stetka, Class of 2007

Caroline Lea (Pugsley), Class of 2007

Brittney Allen, Class of 2007

Matthew Mahaffey, Class of 2007

Colleen Vaughan, Class of 2007

Lisa Krysiak, Class of 2007

Christopher Knorr, Class of 2007

Allison Landry, Class of 2007

Allison (Humphries) Cuneo, Class of 2007

Stephanie (Ward) Herman, Class of 2007

Mike Reft, Class of 2007

Katie Johnson, Class of 2007

​

Class of 2006

Michelle Scharfe McGehee, Class of 2006 

Kimberly Hoopes, Class of 2006

 Emily Depman Haddad, Class of 2006

Jonathan Clunie, Class of 2006

Matt Christ, Class of 2006

​

​

​
 

​

​

 

​

​

​

​