As seniors across Round Rock ISD prepare to end their high school experience, we take a moment to recognize the top ten students from each campus. Top ten students were asked to answer a series of questions about their journey through Round Rock ISD and their next steps.
Campus Top Ten web pages will be updated as student responses are received.
Vaidehi Phirke
Valedictorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study Computer Science Honors and Business Honors as a Texas CSB Scholar, a dual degree honors program. I plan to pursue further studies and work in the technology and business fields, using their combined power to make a difference.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I have cherished every moment in Round Rock ISD, whether it was enjoying learning, being with friends, or, especially, the opportunities to give back through all the clubs and organizations I was involved in!
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
In their own unique way, every single one of my teachers has significantly influenced how I look at life. It would be unfair to pick just one, as I am deeply grateful to each and every single teacher and staff member that I have known.
Quinn Langford
Salutatorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending MIT to study Computer Science. I will probably do a mixed discipline version of the degree like Computational Biology. After college, I really want to get into research. If I take the computational biology route, I’d like to do research on genetics to help those with genetic diseases.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie, Ridgeview, and Cedar Ridge.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memory I’ve had was the last day of eighth grade. There weren’t any finals and I got to hang out with whoever I wanted all day, even if they weren’t normally in any of my classes. There was also a talent show at the end that even some of the teachers participated in. So many people had beautiful talents that I didn’t even know about until then. Overall, it was just a good way to wrap up that chapter of my life.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher has been my elementary school TAG teacher, Mrs. Stork. It was in her class that I really developed a love of learning. Even in high school, she hasn’t stopped supporting me, helping me earn my Girl Scout Gold Award this summer.
Logan Kettle
No. 3
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Texas A&M University next year for Mechanical Engineering. I’m not exactly sure right now. I very much enjoy Calculus, Physics, and Engineering, so I definitely want to pursue a STEM career. I have also taken great interest in foreign languages and especially Spanish. I have my ideas, but a career that combines those two would be awesome!
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Forest Creek Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, Cedar Ridge High School
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I think my favorite memory would have to be DECA ICDC last year because it was in Orlando and I was able to go with some really good friends. We visited Disney World and Universal Studios (Harry Potter World was definitely the highlight of that) and we got to compete at a higher level of competition that taught me all kinds of lessons.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mr. So at RMS was the most influential on me. You can tell that he truly values students and wants to see them succeed. He always had reasons for the way he did things and he always pushed us past our limits. I have taken many of his lessons to heart because he always focused on teaching students good character as well as good content. Plus, I always looked forward to going to his class and he always planned very fun and interesting days.
Ethan Martin
No. 4
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin as an Undeclared student. After college, I hope to pursue a programming job in the tech industry, and have a particular interest for artificial intelligence.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memory I have had in my time at Round Rock ISD was the first day of senior year. This was the first time that reality sort of hit me as I recognized that this would be my last year of grade school, and realized that I have finally reached what I have been working towards for years.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My 7th and 8th grade Spanish teacher, Sr. Sanchez, has been my most influential teacher. He has had a big impact on my life because he helped me learn how to be myself and express myself freely. On top of that, he was an all around great teacher that challenged me to learn even when I didn’t understand or believe in my own capabilities.
Elle Smith
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year? I will be attending Harvard University. I am entering as an undeclared major, but I hope to study how art, media, and public policy can be used to produce positive social change.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend? Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? My most influential teacher was Ms. Cardiff, my freshman year AP Music Theory teacher. Not only was she an amazing teacher (I still remember and use things I learned in that class to this day), she was also an awesome Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) sponsor. She helped me start the GSA freshman year, and her advice and support helped fuel my passion for activism that continues to this day.
Sofia Orozco
No. 6
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending The University of Texas at Austin in the fall, pursuing a degree in architectural engineering. After college I hope to take my engineering licensing exams and work at either an architecture or engineering firm. I have no idea what I might like to specialize in–perhaps structural design or sustainability–but I look forward to exploring many possibilities at UT. I’d also be interested in doing some international projects or work in an internationally connected office.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Gattis Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memories I have from being in RRISD come from DECA state competitions. I competed in DECA competitions my junior and senior year, and advanced to state competitions both times. They were held in Dallas and Fort Worth respectively, and are definitely highlights in my high school years. Competing in role play events alone is rewarding and exciting, and being able to adventure around the city with friends has led to great memories that I’ll have for the rest of my life.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
The most influential teacher I’ve had has to be my elementary school TAG teacher, Mr. Brillhart. I didn’t know how to answer this question at first since I’ve had many teachers who’ve individually supported me even when I was no longer their student. However, without Mr. Brillhart I know for certain that I would not be the student and person I am today. He not only kept me challenged in the classroom with material, but he taught me to be a responsible and mindful person–all while dealing with my very chatty and social personality. Even though it has been seven years since I’ve been his student, Mr. Brillhart helped me establish a strong moral and educational foundation that I’ve built off.
Averi Noonan
No. 7
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin, studying kinesiology. After college I hope to pursue a career in physical therapy, specializing in neurologic or sports physical therapy.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Making lifelong friendships throughout all my years in RRISD.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why??
Ms. Williams (CNA)- she has helped me explore and pursue a career in health care by guiding me, and the rest of the class, as we went to the hospital and nursing home to see what health care is like in the real world, rather than from the classroom. She has gone above and beyond just being my teacher, but has also taken interest and supported me in my life outside of school, and has always been there for me whenever I face any hardships in my life.
Connor Callan
No. 8
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be studying computer science at Texas A&M. I would like a job in the gaming industry as a game developer.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I remember really enjoying all the Wellness Days in elementary school, where we got to do many fun activities outside. I really liked getting to spend time with my classmates that wasn’t focused on school, and it was always the highlight of my year.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My second grade teacher Mrs. Bond. She was really nice and helped us all develop as students, while also making school fun and interesting. She also gave us a good environment to develop friendships that would last far into the future.
Eliza Jipp
No. 9
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Nebraska, pursuing a Masters Degree in Architectural Engineering. I would like to work as an architectural engineer for a nonprofit organization.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Forest Creek Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Hall decorating during Homecoming week my freshman year. It was my first big event as a high school student council officer, and I got to see so many different kids in my class come together to create something really cool and full of school pride (and also be the only freshman class to ever win the hall decorating contest).
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mr.Foster. I’ve had him as a teacher since sophomore year, and he always goes out of his way for his students, not only to make sure they’re successful in the classroom, but in life. He genuinely cares about all of his students, and will do whatever he can to help and encourage us when necessary. I truly admire his passion for his work. He is the reason I found my own passion for Architectural Engineering.
Adeena Khan
No. 10
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending MIT to study chemical engineering. Ultimately, my goal is to either become a research scientist or a chemical engineer!
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Making bath bombs during flex (in the name of science!) and then proceeding to distribute them to every single acquaintance I ran into that day. They worked so it was a win-win situation for everyone.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I’ve had a lot of teachers and staff members that I’ve admired over the years, but one of the most notable was Dr. Rowe, my AP Chemistry teacher from my junior year. While I’ve always been a chemistry enthusiast, her passion for the subject (paired with all of the labs we were offered) has inspired me to pursue something chemistry related as a potential career. In addition, without her encouragement I doubt I would have competed in the Chemistry Olympiad competition, now one of my favorite lab experiences ever! Although she no longer teaches at Cedar Ridge, I will forever associate her with my positive experience of the school.
