Congratulations to all of our 2024 Alumni Award winners!‍

Rev. Charles K. Riepe Alumni Award Winner: Robert (Bob) Kahoe, Jr. '68

The John Carroll School Board of Trustees is proud to announce that Robert (Bob) Kahoe, Jr. '68 is the 2024 recipient of the Reverend Charles K. Riepe Alumni Award. Established in 1975, the Reverend Charles K. Riepe Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and community service, and is the highest award given to a John Carroll alumna/us.

A lifelong Bel Air resident, Bob is a proud member of the School's first graduating class. During his time at the John Carroll, Bob served on the staff of the school newspaper, "The Patriot," and was a member of the Varsity Football team.
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Following his time at the School, he continued to Dartmouth College (B.A., 1972) and received his law degree from the University of Maryland (1977). Over the years, Bob was admitted to the Maryland State Bar and U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He has served on the Maryland Legal Aid Board, People’s Counsel of Harford County, and now as Hearing Examiner for the Harford County Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as a member of the Peer Review Committee for the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, Maryland State and Harford County Bar Associations.

Bob is well known for his care and compassion in assisting people with their legal and personal matters. He started his law career as a sole practitioner and maintained that practice for 45 years, putting him among the few elite sole practitioners in Harford County to ever hold this distinction. He built and maintained a stellar career grounded in intelligence of the law and the moral integrity to always follow the law.

A strong believer in giving back to the community, Bob has served as a member on many local Boards and organizations including the Albert P. Close Foundation, Greater Bel Air Community Association, Town of Bel Air Economic Community Development Commission, and The John Carroll School from 2001 to 2003. He maintains a steadfast loyalty to help where there is a need. The saying, “you do the best in the community you came from” speaks directly to the societal impact Bob has in the community.

He’s a devoted husband to Donna, father to Colleen '98 and grandfather of three, and demonstrates a strong commitment to all members of his immediate and extended family. He is one of 11 children, with several siblings and relatives who also call themselves Patriots.

Bob knew Father Riepe personally, and his respect and admiration for Father Riepe’s enormous generosity, kindness, compassion and genuine caring for people are characteristics that Bob has emulated throughout his life. Bob's commitment to bettering the world through his professional and community service endeavors is a true inspiration to us all and embodies what it means to be a Patriot. In keeping with John Carroll tradition, he will deliver the commencement remarks to the Class of 2024 at Graduation. Bob will also be honored at a special reception with his family and friends on Friday, May 24.

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Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award

Congratulations to Brandi Burns '10, the 2024 recipient of the Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award! The Young Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus/alumna who has graduated in the past 20 years and whose achievements and contributions have positively impacted his/her profession, community and John Carroll.

Currently a Physician Assistant at Children's Healthcare in Allentown, PA, Brandi has a passion for providing quality patient-centered care. She also teaches undergraduate biology courses at Alvernia University, her alma mater, and advises current students in the graduate program application process. She was instrumental in the development of Alvernia University’s first-ever Physician Assistant Program and named to their 2020 Four Under Forty Award list.In that same year, Brandi was awarded Physician Assistant Alumnus of the Year from Salus University, where she earned her Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

As the COVID-19 pandemic became widespread, Brandi noticed an increase of anxiety and depression in the teenage population, prompting her to open the Adolescent & Young Adult Health and Wellness Center within her practice. She is well known throughout the community as the "go-to for all things teen," and plans to develop support groups for teenagers and their families, as well as lead informational assemblies at middle and high schools on mental health, drug awareness and body positivity.
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Patriot Pride Awards

John Carroll is proud to present three alumni with the 2024 Patriot Pride Awards: Megan Cashour O'Brien '90, Keisha De Loatch-Nandalal '90 and Justin Pugh '94. The Patriot Pride Award is presented to those individual(s) who display outstanding achievement in their career or long-term service to the community.

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Megan Cashour O'Brien '90 has passion for both performing and teaching, and shares her knowledge and love for music with students from diverse backgrounds and musical preferences. In addition to her work as a singing teacher, Megan is the Choir Director for the Catholic choir at San Quentin Prison, where music becomes a powerful tool for healing, self-expression and transformation. She's witnessed the profound impact music can have on individuals, and has grown the choir from two members to 16. It's her personal mission to carry out Catholic social teachings, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and service to others, especially those who are marginalized.

Keisha De Loatch-Nandalal '90 exemplifies the values she learned while a student at John Carroll throughout her 30-year teaching career. She works tirelessly to inspire elementary children to positively influence their global society by personalizing her learning approach for each student while providing unique experiences to broaden and shape their world view. Keisha has taught at Bel Air’s Fountain Green Elementary School for the last 30 years and served as an American Red Cross Blood Ambassador for 17 years. Over the years, Keisha has also volunteered at The Sharing Table and Bel Air United Methodist Church, as well as supported learners at Linking All So Others Success. Her efforts in and out of the classroom have not gone unnoticed, as she’s earned several awards for her commitment to teaching and service.

Justin Pugh '94 is another life-long educator who has dedicated more than 25 years working with elementary-age youth. A Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce and Baltimore County Parent-Teacher Association Teacher of the Year, Justin uses a unique approach to teaching by incorporating music to aid memory retention. He records his music and sells CDs, with all proceeds benefiting his school’s Parent-Teacher Association. He's even made national news — Justin was featured on Good Morning America for promoting positive feeling and singing a school version of Mister Rogers' song "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" by changing the words to "It's a Beautiful Day to Be in Our Class." In the summers, he teaches children at Ultimate Watersports, where he's worked since high school and his way up to Vice President and Lead Camp Director.