Courtesy Dragon Media
Every year, a small group of Carroll Senior High School students is selected to represent Dragon Nation in one of the district's most visible and enduring traditions. They show up at graduations in their signature green blazers, welcome guests at alumni gatherings, stand at attention at athletic events and community forums, and carry the Carroll ISD name with them wherever they go. They are the Green Jackets — and this year's class is getting ready to pass the torch.
"The Green Jacket program represents everything we value in Dragon Nation — commitment to excellence, leadership, and a genuine heart for serving others," says Karen Knight, CSHS Green Jacket sponsor. "These student ambassadors have excelled academically and passed a rigorous screening process to be selected. They make a meaningful impact on our campus and community all year."
This year's Green Jackets are Christine Choi, Brooke Brown, John Mark Fraga, Tatum Stewart, Jackson Campbell, Rafael Otoya, Aara Cho, Aarav Agarwal, Ben Blount, Zania Karim, Ben Randall, Carlos Galindo Pacheco, Emma Eyster, Gavin Strange, Julie Martin, and Rebecca Thomas.
Selected by Carroll teachers and staff for their character, leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to service, Green Jackets carry one of the district's most honored student roles. But for the students themselves, the blazer quickly becomes about more than recognition. It becomes about living up to what it represents.
For Tatum Stewart, being selected was a moment she won't soon forget.
"I was overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement," she says. "I could not believe I was chosen to continue the legacy and tradition of the Green Jackets and felt incredibly honored."
That sense of legacy followed her throughout the year. Volunteering at the welcoming desk for the 2025 senior graduation was one of the moments that stayed with her most.
"It felt incredible to honor the seniors who came before us as we continued on the Green Jacket legacy," she says.
For Christine Choi, being chosen by her own teachers carried a particular weight: a reflection of the relationships she had quietly built throughout high school.
"It reminded me that little things really do go a long way in building strong relationships, even something as simple as smiling and greeting my teachers whenever I passed them in the halls," she says.
Over the course of the year, Christine says the green blazer changed the way she thought about leadership. With each event, she became more aware of the responsibility that comes with representing Carroll ISD, both on campus and beyond.
"People often recognize Green Jackets around campus and at community events as ambassadors of leadership, service, and dedication," she says. "That has made me more aware of the example we set for others."
Among her most memorable experiences were the Class of 2005 20-year reunion and the North Texas Military Academy Forum. At the reunion, she connected with alumni and former Green Jackets, seeing firsthand how deeply people carry their Carroll years with them long after graduation. At the Military Academy Forum, she helped welcome guests while hearing from representatives of some of the nation's top military academies.
Both students say the program ultimately comes down to one thing: service.
"What truly defines a Green Jacket is a leader who is dedicated to others," Tatum says. "It's someone who leads with heart, stays humble and is committed to helping others."
Christine puts it simply: "What truly defines a Green Jacket is the commitment to always show up and be the helping hand, even when no one is watching."
They and their fellow Green Jackets leave behind more than a list of events attended. They leave behind an example.