McNeil High School 2018 Top Ten
As seniors across Round Rock ISD prepare to celebrate graduation, we take a moment to recognize the top ten students from each campus by asking them about their journey through Round Rock ISD and their next steps after graduation.
Vinh Ton
Valedictorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Princeton University and majoring in chemistry.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Wells Branch Elementary School, Deerpark Middle School and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I’ve had many wonderful memories during my fourteen years in Round Rock ISD, but some of my favorite ones have come from competing in the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering, or TAME. The state competition trips were the most memorable, especially the time spent talking, joking, and having fun with a group of friends on the bus rides and during the post-competition activities. Every year I met new people, students older and younger than me, and I got to know my friends better than before.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
It is unfair and not right to pick just one teacher that has influenced me. All my teachers collectively have helped shape who I am today, in their own special ways. Each teacher’s influences are unique, incomparable and invaluable, so it is impossible to choose one that has been the most influential.
Ethan Golla
Salutatorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin and majoring in electrical engineering.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Fern Bluff Elementary, Chisholm Trail Middle School and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memory is probably when I found out that we won district soccer champions my senior year. The team put in lots of hard work and camaraderie went into that championship.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher has been Mrs. Scully. She was my TAG math teacher at Fern Bluff and is the reason I fell in love with math.
Sumin Son
No. 3
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Rice University to study biological sciences.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Spicewood Elementary, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I will always remember food day as a great time for the newspaper staff to bond over Mrs. Proctor’s mac & cheese.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher is Ms. Eustice because she helped me see science as part of the bigger picture and encouraged me to seek a deeper understanding. She always took the time to answer my many questions and she helped further my interest in science.
Arka Majumdar
No. 4
What college will you be attending next year?
This fall I will be attending Harvard University and majoring in computer science.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Double File Trail Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
When Mr. Prince sent an email to the entire class and used BCC. I always appreciate a good Blind Carbon Copy. It’s the little things that count.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I’ve had many influential teachers who have all had an impact in different ways! Ms. Eustice helped me develop a deeper understanding of the sciences beyond just memorization, Mr. Lee pushed me to analyze all subjects from their core, Mr. Morrow showed me the care and art that goes into writing, and Ms. Matthews introduced me to tangerine pies.
Jaden Fang
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year?
This fall I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin majoring in engineering with engineering honors.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Pond Springs Elementary, Deerpark Middle School and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memory of my time in Round Rock ISD would be attending HOSA Internationals in Florida. In addition to walking on stage by placing top 10 internationally in my event (medical math), I got to spend time with my friends from McNeil, Westwood, and Cedar Ridge in Disney World! Furthermore, I enjoyed trading pins with HOSA students from other states and exploring the booths HOSA had to offer.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teachers would be Ms. Eustice and Mrs. Hengst who have both taught me the true meaning of dedication (and worked with me to 7 p.m.)! Whether I am learning the nuances of titrations or the complexity of Shakespeare, Ms. Eustice and Mrs. Hengst have brought out their best in me. They have been not only teachers to me but guiding figures in my life, helping me discover myself.
Megan McCann
No. 6
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending University of Texas and majoring in government.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Great Oaks Elementary, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memory was this past fall at the Trivia Night hosted by NHS at McNeil. My friends and I created a team with one of our favorite teachers and tied for 3rd place, but more importantly, we all dressed up as kids from The Magic School Bus with our teacher as Mrs. Frizzle and won best costume award. It’s such a special memory that reminds me of the great friends I’ve made and the incredible teachers I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from and and look up to in my time in this school district.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
One of my most influential teachers is Mrs. Baker, my 4th and 5th grade TAG teacher at Great Oaks Elementary School. Mrs. Baker was the first teacher to truly challenge me and began to show me the fulfillment and joy that could be achieved from knowledge. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without her influence, and I’m thankful that she encouraged me to unleash my creativity and always pursue a deeper understanding.
Evie Shaw
No. 7
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study business in the Business Honors Program.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Forest North Elementary School, Patsy Sommer Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memory is going to Hawaii as a trip with the McNeil Majestics. It was definitely an experience I will never forget. From snorkeling in Hanauma Bay to hiking Diamond Head, and of course performing at Pearl Harbor, these memories made alongside my teammates and best friends will forever be cherished.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My Elementary School TAG teacher, Mrs. Balakrishnan has been my most influential teacher. She always pushed me to think outside of the box, and most importantly, taught me to never give up when faced with a challenge.
Kunal Jain
No.8
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin and studying computer science.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Great Oaks and Patsy Sommer Elementary schools, Cedar Valley Middle School and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
One of my fondest memories at Round Rock ISD was in 5th grade when we did a small competition called Flutag (Translates to flight-day in German). In this competition we worked in groups to take recycled materials and build planes. When we finished building the planes, our principle launched the planes from the roof of our school to see which plane would glide the farthest. The whole process was really fun and I enjoyed seeing our plane in action.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Walter Lee, McNeil Engineering teacher, has been my most influential teacher. He consistently challenged me to think in a more abstract manner and taught me the importance of learning from my peers. I can say with utmost confidence that the lessons I learned in his class will help me in the years to come.
Anthony Nguyen
No.9
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Rice University to study biochemistry and/or social policy analysis.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Wells Branch Elementary School, Chisholm Trail Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
One of my favorite memories is getting food with my viola section before concerts. I love my violas to death, and just being able to spend time together has brought us closer as a family.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher has been Mrs. Putaansuu, my TAG teacher from Wells Branch. Being in TAG and having a great mentor at an early stage really helped me explore new things creatively and intellectually.
Anne Cao
No.10
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study public health while on the pre-medicine track.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I went to Pond Springs Elementary School, Grisham Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
One of my best memories of my time in Round Rock ISD has to be when I advanced to HOSA Internationals alongside my friends. Finding and achieving success alongside people I love, has sparked a feeling of bittersweet bliss that I will never forget.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD would have to be my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Vennessa Coufal. She has not only spurned my enthusiasm for learning early on, but she has also brought out the curiosity, courage, and power out of the shy little girl I once was.
