The 2000s made a mark in history with technology like camera phones, Bluetooth, iPods, and video games being taken to a whole new level. Fashion also reached new heights with the rise of denim, cargo pants, track suits, and Nike Air Jordans.

As society transitioned into Y2K from the 1990s, the John Carroll School was almost four decades old.

World Language Teacher Mark Canter and College Counselor Darrion Siler both graduated in 2001 while Associate Campus Minister and Service-Learning Coordinator Kate Webb graduated in 2008.

Mr. Canter said his high school experience was very enjoyable, and he is still close with a few of the friends he made as JC is a very nice and loving community to be a part of. “It obviously had a pretty sizeable impact on my career as now I’m right back here teaching in the same room where I took German,” Mr. Canter commented.

Ms. Webb also said her journey through JC was wonderful. JC was where she made very close friends who are still a big part of her life — all thanks to the school’s closely knit environment.

While the school still has the same warmth and friendliness, there have been major changes made to make the campus even better since the 2000s. Mr. Siler said, “The art wing, lower gym, new auditorium, classroom upgrades, and the ongoing improvements of the sports fields have been very impactful and beneficial to the students’ learning and growing experience.”

Ms. Webb said that the most significant thing that has changed since the 2000s is the use of technology in daily life, especially that it is an essential part of our learning experience. She said, “We didn’t have some of the pressures that we do now in terms of social media, and we weren’t as connected to our phones or technology as we are today.”

In terms of rules and restrictions, JC life in the 2000s was not as heavy-footed on strictness as the school is today. Both Mr. Siler and Mr. Canter said that there are more narrow restrictions regarding dress code now, though we still operate under the same basic principles as all schools do.

While JC has undergone a good deal of change since Y2K, the most important things are still true: “The idea that we look out for each other and have a great community here. Upgrades to the facilities and the campus are great, but they don’t mean much if you can’t fill the building with good people who want to be here and work with and for each other. I felt that as a student, and I feel that as a teacher,” said Mr. Canter.