Campus Top Ten web pages will be updated as student responses are received.
Janssen Fang
Valedictorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study Biochemistry and Business in the Health Science Scholars Honors Program. After college, I plan to attend medical school and work towards a MD-PhD degree. I hope to work at the National Institute of Health as a medical researcher and create new medicines to enhance treatment plans for people suffering from chronic diseases.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Pond Springs Elementary School, Deerpark Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I don’t really have any specific memories, but I will always cherish the friendships I have made throughout my time in RRISD. Whether it be the various competition trips, the library and off-campus lunches, or the 1 A.M. Discord study sessions, my friends have made my high school experience so much more enjoyable.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I’m fortunate enough to have so many amazing teachers during my time in RRISD. While it would be impossible to list all my teachers, I would like to recognize a handful that have enhanced my high school experience. Mr. Prince, your enthusiasm for electricity, magnetism, and mechanics is certainly contagious. I can’t wait to “feel the physics†in college and beyond. Ms. Drummond, your sarcasm and sense of humor never fail to brighten up my day. Ms. Eustice, you have helped me see science as something more than just experiments and facts. I will miss all the cool labs we got to conduct in chemistry. To the rest of my teachers, thanks for everything!
Aishwarya Sivakumar
Salutatorian
What college will you be attending next year? I plan to attend UT Austin. I will be double majoring in Electrical Engineering and Plan II Honors. I’d love to take some Material Science, Aerospace Engineering, and Music Theory courses along the way. Currently, my goal is to work within the Aerospace Industry as an Electrical/Material Science Engineer. My goal is to help design resource-saving products that will be applicable to both space exploration programs and to areas on Earth lacking vital natural resources. No matter what, I hope to continue helping the community in any way I can.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend? Brushy Creek Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD? All of my favorite RRISD memories involve my varied conversations with peers and teachers. From trying to find our celebrity look-alikes while waiting after-school in 5th grade, creating “To Kill A Mockingbird” conspiracy theories with my English table group in 8th grade, debating whether hot dogs and tacos qualify as sandwiches in Robotics club, freaking out about upcoming assignments in the orchestra room before a concert, discussing dog birthday parties during tutorials, or debriefing new episodes of Say Yes to the Dress during lunch, I’ve loved every laugh and bond I’ve created with all types of people. Just a few minutes of “spilling the tea” or a random off-topic tangent have always brightened up so many of my stressful days.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? One of my most influential teachers was my elementary school TAG teacher, Mrs. Lisauckis; when I walked into class with a banana box museum for a geometry project or a light-up foam brain model for an independent study project, she encouraged me to continue demonstrating my learning through 3D creations. Because of her encouragement to keep being myself, I ultimately chose to pursue STEM under the guidance of teachers like Mrs. Copeland, Mrs. Windolph, and Ms. Eustice who inspired me to look into Material Science. My other passion for liberal arts is largely due to my high school Spanish and English teachers. Sra. Montoro always gave me advice with balancing classes, Sra. Gallegos and her “juicy” stories helped me foster my interest for the Spanish language, Sra. Garcia helped me decipher the complexities of Spanish Literature, and Mrs. Edsel, who I’ve had for three years, has always been there for me during tutorials, where she taught me to love literature through discussions and debates. In general, my love for learning is greatly due to the after-school tutoring and engaging teaching styles of many, many teachers, such as Mr. Prince, Ms. Passovoy, Mrs. Reed, Mr. Decker, Ms. Calvin, Mrs. Matthews, Mr. Caswell, Mr. Gerhardstein, Ms. Gregory, and Ms. Maybaum.
Apoorva Amudhan
No. 3
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where I plan on studying Biochemistry in the Albert Dorman Honors College under the 7-year BS/MD program, where I will be guaranteed acceptance into Rutgers-NJMS medical school. After college, I hope to pursue medical school and eventually become a physician-scientist.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Forest North Elementary School, Deerpark Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory would have to be Trivia Night this year, where my friends and I all dressed up as the secret service agents for Mr. Decker. The two hours we spent with one another, remembering random trivia, laughing over our mistakes, and achieving a sense of euphoria after surprisingly getting third place are unforgettable memories that will stay with me.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
This is hard to answer, because all of my teachers have been influential in one way or another, so apologies in advance for my abundant use of commas! There are so many people to thank, from my 5th grade TAG teacher Mrs. Stewart, who saw my potential before I did, to my algebra II teacher Mrs. Reed, who brought me down to earth as a measly 8th grader but was my biggest advocate on my toughest days, to Ms. Eustice and Mr. Decker, who have cultivated my passion for chemistry and calculus while encouraging me to be confident about myself, to all of my English teachers- Ms. Cutchen, Mrs. Hengst, Ms. Balfour, Ms. Singh, and Ms. Edsel- who have motivated me to become better as a writer and thinker and pushed me to think outside the box. The list seems endless(at least for me), but the teachers I have had throughout my time in Round Rock ISD have been truly amazing in helping me become who I am today.
Claudia Fierro
No. 4
What college will you be attending next year?
I’ll be attending the University of Texas at Austin, where I’ll major in Architectural Engineering with Engineering Honors and pursue a Core Texts and Ideas Certificate through the Jefferson Scholars Program. I hope to pursue a master’s degree and become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). I’ll then work on developing sustainable buildings for Austin and other rapidly growing cities, focusing on increased energy efficiency or new construction methods for low-cost housing development.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Live Oak Elementary School, Elsa England Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Fifth grade is a fond memory for me, as it was Elsa England’s first year and we were the only fifth grade class. There were lots of perks to that: we took over the adjacent classroom as headquarters for our newspaper, for which I was co-editor in chief (though we used it for other things too, like printing out pages of pi till they spanned from the classroom to the hallway). We played four-square every recess and planted acorns by the track where they’d get watered by sprinklers. We built mini solar powered cars and tried to have rolly-pollies ride them. My nostalgia for those simple, silly memories reminds me to make the most of every minute, because you never know which moments you’ll wish you had more of.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I’ve had 51 different teachers in my time at Round Rock ISD (yup, I did the math) and they were all fantastic. There are so many people I’d like to highlight but especially Mrs. Melinda Schermerhorn, my fifth grade teacher who sparked my love of science; Mrs. Jill Gregory, my eighth grade science teacher who fostered that interest in middle school (and had the best guinea pigs); and Mrs. Lisa Windolph, my engineering teacher and club mentor all four years of high school, who helped me discover my engineering path.
Cynthia Han
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study electrical and computer engineering. After college, I hope to continue my education and attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree in computer engineering. Afterwards, I would like to use my skills and knowledge to further advance the field of computer engineering as it applies to our everyday lives.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Cedar Valley Middle School and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
One of my favorite memories is going to the annual engineering competition TEAMS with my engineering friends. I really enjoyed posing in front of the Gucci store and taking dozens of free Lululemon bags! Another favorite memory is eating out and getting boba with my viola section in orchestra! I love spending time with them, and they make the class a lot more fun and enjoyable.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I wish I could list every teacher; all of them have influenced me so much, and I’m so grateful to have had such amazing teachers! I would like to especially thank Mr. Tom Decker, who has helped me develop my love for Calculus and has constantly challenged me in my learning. Mrs. Grace Edsel has become a mother figure who I share many memories with outside of academics, including watching funny cat videos together and talking about my interests in K-Pop. Lastly, Mr. Walter Lee has helped me find my passion; if it wasn’t for him recommending that I take computer science, I don’t think I would have found my passion for computer engineering.
Krithika Gilari
No. 6
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study neuroscience on the premedical track. After going to UT for my undergraduate studies, I plan on attending medical school. I hope to pursue a career in medicine while specializing in neuroscience as an aspiring neurologist. Although my plans are most definitely not set in stone, I am excited to see what the future awaits!
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Patsy Sommer Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Over the past eleven years I’ve made such wonderful memories, however, there’s one in particular that stands out. During my sophomore year, the ensemble dance teams across the district came together for the first time to put on our very own spring show, Merge! I’ll never forget all the laughs we shared, the backstage jitters, the tears that were shed during our team huddle before opener, and of course, the thrill of jumping off a flimsy metal chair for one of our dances. I’m eternally grateful to have been part of this long lasting tradition and I’m so excited to come back and watch my team for the years to come.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
All my teachers during my time at RRISD have helped shape me into the person I am today, so it would be difficult to pick just one. Mr. Kind and Mr. Lawrence, my 7th and 8th grade math teachers, challenged me to think outside the box. Mrs. Matthews, my Pre-AP Precalculus teacher, always pushed me to work harder and smarter, but also believed in me through it all. Ms. Singh, my AP English Language teacher, never failed to put a smile on my face and built my confidence as a writer. Mr. Decker, my AP Calculus teacher, stayed after school with my friends and I for countless hours to help us with calculus while dealing with our constant chaos. Lastly, I would like to thank Mrs. Starnes, my dance director throughout my 4 years in high school, for loving me unconditionally, motivating me to be the best version of myself, and teaching me that small defeats in life is what makes you a stronger individual. I love all of you!
Corbin Ledeboer
No. 7
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin next year to study computer science. I really enjoy analyzing information and trying to find patterns, so I hope to potentially pursue a master’s degree and then work as a data scientist.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Brushy Creek Elementary School (go Blue Jays!), Cedar Valley Middle School, McNeil High School, and I currently attend my house.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
This would have to be when my peers and I in the Satirical Flat Earth Club won our second annual debate against the Elon Musk Club. After tying with them the previous year, we came back with a vengeance and won by a landslide. It was so gratifying to see everyone in the audience laugh as we spewed out bogus facts and played our diss track against Elon Musk. It is a moment I will cherish forever, as it is a good reminder to not take myself too seriously.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Walter Lee. In no other class have I struggled so much, and yet felt so free to fail. His room was an escape from the pressure of grades, and an entrance to real, uninhibited learning. He vocalized daily that you are not defined by your GPA or how many times you mess up, but by the sum of your actions. While he was technically an engineering teacher, he taught much more than that: he taught life.
Sophia Frangenberg
No. 8
What college will you be attending next year?
Next year, I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin and I will be majoring in Chemical Engineering with Honors and pursuing the Pre-Medicine Program. I would like to attend medical school and eventually become a pediatric surgeon because I both love working with children and directly helping others so they have the chance to live an incredible life.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Pond Springs Elementary, Deerpark Middle School, McNeil High School
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Round Rock ISD has been a constant for so long in my life that it is very difficult to choose one memory because there have been so many incredible experiences and people I have met through RRISD. If I had to choose one, I would choose the fall of my senior year when I worked really hard on balancing my social and academic life. For as long as I can remember, my Friday nights usually consisted of decompressing from the week and preparing for homework I’d need to do during the weekend, but senior year that all changed. I realized how much of high school I had dedicated to my future instead of living in the present and so my Friday nights turned into a different form of decompression: social interaction. I went to as many football and basketball games as I could and had the time of my life in the student section yelling and supporting our teams. My favorite memory, however, was after the games, when the majority of the student section went to Whataburger to relax and hang out, regardless of the outcome of the game. This is my favorite memory because it didn’t matter who you were at school or what you did during the week at school. All that mattered was that you were a McNeil Maverick and if you were, you were always welcomed with open arms. The community I found under the Friday Night Lights at Whataburger is one I will never forget.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
The most influential teacher I’ve had was Mrs. Erin Balfour who teaches AP English 3 and AP Seminar at McNeil. Mrs. Balfour extends herself beyond the role of teacher and does not limit her advice to one class period every other day. Her goal for her students is not to be the best and receive the highest awards, but to enjoy our lives and be happy with what we are doing. She accepts every student who comes to her with open arms regardless of if they have her as a teacher. However, the most inspiring thing about Mrs. Balfour is her humility as she is truly an unsung hero of our school because of her constant love, protection, and support that she provides for all students. She sows seeds of hope and confidence within every student she can because her mission is for her students to know that they matter and their voices and opinions matter. She has been so integral to my development into the person I am today that there is no amount of thanks I can give her that can possibly be enough for all she’s done for me. She is truly my rock and I can only hope to one day spread as much hope and love as she does.
Gary Wang
No. 9
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Computer Science with Honors. I hope to pursue an MBA after I graduate from UT Austin, allowing me to live out the dream of one day becoming an entrepreneur.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Great Oaks Elementary, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I made so many memories from my 13 years at RRISD, from first being a Gecko, to then becoming a Jaguar, and finally a Maverick, it is really hard to pick just one. If I had to choose, it would be that one day in BIM class back in Cedar Valley. Our teacher, Mr. Robbins was really nice to us and allowed for us to heat our own bags of popcorn in his microwave. That one day, some student managed to burn a bag of popcorn so badly that it tripped the fire alarm in the school. Needless to say, the entire school zoomed out of the building, and I can never forget that brigade of firetrucks, with their sirens on full blast, driving down Racine Trail.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher would have to be Mr. Christian Morrow, my freshman year English teacher. I always was a person that enjoyed things that were black and white, and hated the shades of gray that were in between; with this, I often struggled in English classes. Entering high school, I didn’t really have any hope in my English class, but luckily I managed to have Mr. Morrow – his passion for English, combined with his eagerness to teach helped me to grow my interest and allowed me to find some passion in this subject I once found to be bland and tasteless. Though this passion was short lived, I will never forget all the moments that I had in this class.
Rishi Venkat
No. 10
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be pursuing a degree in Business Honors as part of the Canfield Business Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin. After college, I hope to develop another socially-minded startup or work as an investment banker in the finance industry.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Laurel Mountain Elementary School, Canyon Vista Middle School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memory I have from my time at Round Rock ISD was representing McNeil DECA at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando at the end of my junior year. The opportunity to meet and compete with students from all over the world, learn from business professionals, and have a great time with some of my best friends at the Universal Studios Theme Park made ICDC 2019 an experience I will never forget.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
To pick one teacher out of the many that have played a significant role in helping me become the person I am today, would be a disservice. Instead, I’d like to appreciate a few of my most influential teachers – Mr. David Prince, my Physics teacher, for his persistent positivity and infinite patience when dealing with my numerous questions; Mrs. Edsel, my English teacher, for teaching me that writing is a skill that can be developed by anyone; and Mr. Lawrence, my middle school Algebra teacher and soccer coach, for showing me that my athletic and academic goals could be pursued concurrently.
