(L-R) Coleman Hayes, Andy Li, Charissa Wang, Joe Ferrara, Moksha Davaloor, Olivia Knight, Nicole Beres, Erin Mickan, Chloe Brannon, Cole Findley and Max Keating. (Not Pictured: Taryn Barnes, Yasmina Kantar, Dustan Mark and Jaiden Mehta)
Carroll Senior High School lives by one simple yet powerful motto: "Inspire Excellence." Filtered by high academic standing and chosen by teachers for their leadership abilities, no other group of students upholds those standards higher than the Green Jackets.
Each year, a group of juniors is chosen with great care and consideration to wear the distinguished green blazer. As representatives and ambassadors of the district, the Green Jackets volunteer at school and city events and serve as shining examples of the district's dedication to excellence, both in and out of the classroom.
“To be a Green Jacket, to me, is to uphold the tradition that Southlake so often mentions,” 2023-2024 Green Jacket Moksha Davaloor says. “I think Green Jackets balance the rigor and leadership that Carroll instills and encourages while simultaneously understanding that they are only one small part of a very large system.”
Green Jackets are more than just students — they are high-achieving, positive leaders who stand out amongst their peers and are always eager to serve. Established during the 1998-1999 academic year, the Green Jackets were founded by Dr. Daniel Presley, who at the time was the principal of Carroll High School, now known as Carroll Senior High School.
The concept of the Green Jackets was inspired by the Maroon Coats, a group of students at Texas A&M University who is dedicated to serving their university and city. They are known for their leadership skills, academic excellence and commitment to service — the same principles that the Green Jackets were founded on.
Rebecca Gould is a French teacher at Carroll Senior High School who worked with the Green Jackets last year. As the former liaison between the Green Jackets and Carroll ISD sponsors, she was crucial in facilitating communication and ensuring everyone was on the same page. Carrie Sanders will take over as the Green Jackets sponsor this year.
“It started because of the need to have a positive representative at district and community events,” Rebecca says. “The Green Jackets are important to the school and community because they represent the best of us.”
With every new class of students striving to positively impact their senior year, the Green Jackets are a longtime tradition that has continued to last for 25 years.
Becoming a Green Jacket is no easy feat. Each student has to make it through a multi-step process that requires high academic achievement and a strong work ethic. The first two steps take place behind the scenes. All students with a 95 average or better are eligible and make it through the first round.
In the second round, teachers are given the list of students who have met the GPA requirements and select eight male and eight female students who have demonstrated leadership skills and a strong commitment to academic excellence. Students must receive multiple votes from teachers in order to move on to the third round. This year, all students received at least seven votes from their teachers.
"I received an email saying that I had made it to the third round, and if I wanted to be a Green Jacket, I would have to write an essay," Moksha says. "I didn't know that I had been entered in the first two rounds, so it took me by surprise."
This essay allows students to present their case for why they would make a strong Green Jacket.
"I felt like the prompt was something I could approach really creatively," Moksha says. "The prompt asked about which qualities embody a Green Jacket, and that was pretty much the only requirement besides the word limit. It was definitely a very relaxed process, and I appreciate that everyone helping out really made sure none of us applicants felt stressed or anxious."
This selection process ensures that only the most equipped students are chosen to wear the coveted Green Jacket. Erin Mickan expressed her surprise and excitement when she learned she had been selected to be a Green Jacket for the 2023-2024 school year.
"I couldn't believe it," Erin says. "I found out one morning while getting ready for school, and immediately called my mom. I was honestly shocked to see that I had been selected for something so special."
The Green Jackets’ newest members include Taryn Barnes, Nicole Beres, Chloe Brannon, Moksha Davaloor, Joe Ferrara, Cole Findlay, Coleman Hayes, Yasmina Kantar, Max Keating, Olivia Knight, Andy Li, Dustan Mark, Jaiden Mehta, Erin Mickan and Charissa Wang.
"Although there are very few students selected, there is a wide variety of personalities and amazing students that I wouldn't have gotten to know otherwise," Erin says. "It's been really rewarding to get to know these students and become friends while serving our community."
The Green Jackets are integral to Carroll ISD events, serving as hospitality ambassadors and ensuring guests feel welcome. Their duties include greeting guests, directing them to certain locations and distributing programs.
"Being a happy face ready to help is always comforting to people who may not know where they need to go, what the schedule is or how to sign in," Joe Ferrara says. "I love being able to help people in that way."
Rebecca says the scope of where the Green Jackets lend their support is vast.
"Green Jackets serve at any Carroll ISD event where they are asked,” Rebecca says. “The Green Jackets served at 30 CISD and community events in the past year."
Some of their commitments include prom, school assemblies and the graduation ceremony.
"I loved graduation," Joe says. "I've never been to a high school graduation ceremony, so it was so fun to see it happen. The energy was really exciting, and I loved being able to help the seniors finish out their high school careers."
Having started their high school journey amidst the pandemic, all current Green Jackets have the unique advantage of participating in activities they missed during their freshman year. That includes the Freshman Friendsie, formerly known as FISH camp, which features a pep rally, a presentation from counseling and administration, a tour of the school and a student panel.
"I think [the Freshman Friendsie] is the event I'm looking forward to most," Moksha says. "We never really had a full-fledged FISH camp because of COVID, so I'm planning on living vicariously through it."
Another significant school kickoff that the Green Jackets are looking forward to is convocation.
"I am very excited to attend convocation and help Carroll faculty start off the 2023-2024 school year," Erin says. "I have been so fortunate to have been influenced by so many CISD faculty members who will be at the convocation. I am excited to see them and give back to a district that has given me so much."
You can also find the Green Jackets at other local celebrations, including the Baccalaureate ceremony and the Sports Hall of Fame Induction.
"I'm excited to help at all of the more specific events that I don't know too much about," Joe says. "We served at the Sports Hall of Fame Induction in May, and learning about what it was and experiencing why Green Jackets are so important in the community was so interesting. Being able to get involved in areas that I'm not super familiar with is such a special experience, and I'm so happy to be able to serve our community in this way."
Green Jackets exhibit honor, integrity and character. Their exemplary behavior makes them true role models for young Dragons and leaves a legacy for all to follow.
"Being a Green Jacket to me means more than wearing a distinctive green blazer — it embodies the qualities of acceptance and selflessness that define true leadership," Max Keating says.