Page 296 - Carrollton 2011

Good Morning Sr. Cooke, Sr. Seitz, Mrs. Consuegra, faculty- and Good Morning Primary! I'm very happy to he
here. Thank you so much for having me.

As a senior in High School about to graduate and go off to college, I find it a little funny to think of the years
when I was here on this campus sitting where you are. Nine years ago I was walking around the Primary
campus just like you, with a smile as big as the ones I see on your faces whenever I visit. I was in the
3rd grade, it was my first year at Carrollton and I had just moved here from Jamaica.
Most people talk about how transferring to a new school at such a young age as being really scary.
Believe me, it was — n o t only was I starting at a new school, I was moving to a new country, and I
didn't know anyone. So, when the first day of school rolled around, I prepared my backpack, put every
single colored pencil known to man in my pencil case, carried my lunch out of the car and I was ready
to go. I was a little nervous, but I was also confident that this school would teach me something special,
help me grow as a person and shape me into a woman of the Sacred Heart...and boy was I right.

I soon realized that the Carrollton community was truly special. There was something about raising
the flag with my fellow classmates, having fun during art class in the cottage and being able to feel like
family whenever I stepped into my classroom. As I grew older, through 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade
and so on, I realized that the kind actions I saw between classmates, the words of encouragement from
teachers and faculty, and the growing sense of sisterhood were all grounded in the Five Goals. Now, as a
senior looking back at my years at Carrollton I can see how the Goals shaped me as a young woman of courage
and confidence.
First, Carrollton provided me with an atmosphere of wise freedom. Being able to strengthen my values, learn from
my mistakes and make the right decisions are all part of committing myself to personal growth. I've seen this in myself as
well as my classmates — some of whom I've been with since the 3rd grade and others I met just a year ago. As each grade
is granted new privileges such as laptops in the Intermediate or a free period in the High School, this Goal gives us the
opportunity to exercise our muscles of creativity and knowledge.
However, the Sacred Heart Goals are as much about personal growth as they are about growing as a community. I see
this Goal every day at Carrollton, where the school promotes a safe and welcoming environment in which each person is
valued, cared for and respected. This is the first Goal that came alive to me in the Primary, where I was welcomed with
open arms. Community is what Carrollton is all about. As seniors this year we planned Conge, and this is how I knew that
Carrollton had something no other school did: an incredibly strong bond between all the grades, from Montessori all the
way up to the 12th. As I was watching each group walk by to start a fun day of Conge I saw my friend Jimena dressed up
as Rex, the big green dinosaur from Toy Story, holding hands with two Primary students. This was no doubt my favorite
moment during Conge. No matter how big (or green) we may be, we all share a very special and unique relationship.

As Carrollton girls we realize that the word "community" does not limit us to our classes or who we meet on the playground,
but extends beyond the coral walls of the primary campus and into communities elsewhere. We commit ourselves to
developing a social awareness that impels us to action. Now, you may ask, what does that mean? For me, this Goal is about
being aware of other people in the world that need our love and help. I remember the first year I entered High School as a
freshman we were told to pick a service club. I remember looking at the endless list of clubs that help children in hospitals,
build schools in other countries and protect endangered animals. The only thing I could think about was how was I going to
pick just one. Throughout High School I've come to know that everyone in the community has a passion for reaching out
and helping others.

Finally, Carrollton above all else, truly inspires students to practice a personal and active faith in God as expressed in Goal I.
Each student explores the relationship she has with God and builds upon it every year; even as a senior I'm still constantly
strengthening my relationship. When I came to Carrollton I was amazed by the kindness I was shown every day. And it
was not long until I realized that these acts and words of kindness came from each student's guidance by the Heart of Jesus
— showing respect, forgiveness, and generosity toward all.
Although I will not be at Carrollton next year, or have the opportunity to visit the Primary campus every once in awhile,
I know that I will take the Five Goals with me and apply them to everything I do in life. Whether it's when I attend Ash
Wednesday Mass or begin a new chapter in my life at college.

So, before I close, I'd like to leave you all with a little challenge: take a few minutes out of your day to see what the Five
Goals mean to you, and remember that it's not entirely about memorizing what each Goal is word for word, but continuing
to live them every day and know that they will always have a special place in your life as you begin your journey toward
growing into a young woman of courage of confidence.

Kiera Russell '11
Primary School Prize Day; March 9, 2011