As he spoke at the opening Mass for the 75th anniversary year at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington on Aug. 28, 2026, the school’s president Larry Savoy emphasized its historic legacy and the impact it continues to have on its students.
He noted that the Catholic high school opened in 1951 as one of the Washington’s first fully integrated schools, after then-Archbishop Patrick O’Boyle had “decided that the city needed a school that would be for all.” Now it continues as “the school for each one of you,” he told the students at the Mass.
Archbishop Carroll, named for the nation’s first Catholic bishop, is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington. It was founded as an all-boys’ school and later became coed in 1989. The high school will celebrate its 75th anniversary at a gala in November.
Savoy – a member of Archbishop Carroll’s class of 1993 who became the school’s president in 2018 after being a longtime teacher and staff member there – noted that the school received a framed papal blessing from Pope Leo XIV in recognition of its anniversary.
“We will continue to honor and celebrate our past, our present and our future,” Savoy said.
At the Mass, a message of congratulations from Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser was read.
The mayor said that since its founding, “Archbishop Carroll High School has opened doors of opportunity for students, shaping generations of graduates who embody the values of scholarship, service and integrity.” She noted how its students are known for their service to the community, and she added that “I am especially grateful for Archbishop Carroll’s enduring commitment to cultivating the knowledge, skills and character that empower your students to lead lives of purpose and to realize their fullest potential.”
That point was also emphasized by Robert White Jr., an at-large councilmember of the District of Columbia who is the Democratic candidate to be D.C.’s congressional delegate.
“As a member of the class of 2000, I carry Carroll’s lessons with me every day,” said White, who said the school and his teachers and mentors there shaped his commitment to serve others and contribute to the community.
Father James Morgan, Archbishop Carroll’s new chaplain who celebrated the opening Mass, told students that “putting God first and others first in our lives, that’s what makes a difference.”
Also at the Mass, Brandy Hawes, Archbishop Carroll’s new principal, addressed the students, saying, “For 75 years, students have walked these halls, they’ve worn the green and gold, they’ve built lifelong friendships, they’ve discovered their gifts and talents, and they have been prepared to make the world a better place by attending Archbishop Carroll. Now it’s your turn.”
Hawes said this can be a breakout year for Carroll’s students, “as we show who we are” across academics, athletics, service and faith.
