As graduates across Round Rock ISD prepare to begin the next chapter of their lives, we take a moment to recognize the Top 10 students from each campus. The Top 10 students were asked to answer a series of questions about their journey through Round Rock ISD and their next steps.
Ann Houghton
Valedictorian
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study neuroscience on a pre-med track. I am passionate about research, public health advocacy, and global studies and hope to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities this university offers. I wish to intern at surrounding hospitals, participate in medical research labs, and study abroad in Asia during my years at UT. After graduating college, I hope to attend medical school to spend the following years of my life studying to become a doctor. In addition to becoming a medical practitioner, I hope to greatly contribute to Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental disorders research to one day help find treatments or cures.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Voigt Elementary School, Herrington Elementary School, and Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
As a student in Round Rock ISD, my fondest memory would be when my school hosted a talent show at the neighboring nursing center. My friends and I performed a few dances that we had worked on all semester, including the choreography, transitions, and outfits! It was heartwarming to see all the residents cheer us on as they clapped along. I loved being able to sit next to the residents after our performance and belt Sweet Home Alabama or dance alongside them when a good salsa came on. The unconditional hugs and kisses were enough to make my heart melt! Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, I haven’t seen any of them in over a year, but this second family will always have a place in my heart.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mr. Spillers, or Big Money Spills, according to his students, has been the most influential teacher in my educational journey. Beyond being exceptional academic support, he has encouraged me during many stressful and difficult times and has reminded me to stay strong and keep persevering. I had a routine of either stopping by his classroom during free periods, on Fridays during clubs, or interrupting while he’s darting around campus to ask the craziest life questions (and the occasional math question too). He never failed to crack the perfect math joke to cheer the whole class up and, although quiet, knew exactly how to support his students. Thank you for always keeping my head above the water!
Mykel Ponzini
Salutatorian
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be going to Texas A&M University. I will be studying computer engineering. I hope to land a job that has to do with software engineering. I don’t know what else to expect, but I hope to live the best and happiest life I possibly can while keeping in touch with my friends.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Owl Con because I got to try and see many new things from various cultures while hanging out with my friends.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mrs. Martin because she cared about us a lot and made a great effort to teach us about various essential life lessons. She is the type to stand up for what she believes in no matter what.
Sarah Berry
No. 3
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I’m going to attend Stephen F. Austin University. I am getting my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. I hope to become a travel nurse, explore different places, and find ways to serve others through medicine and outreach.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite Early College High School memory was during my junior year. Once COVID-19 hit, everything came to a halt, and during that time, staff members created a video for students. It was a little reminder of hope during those first few weeks after being out of school.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Todd Spillers has helped me and many other students feel successful in his math classes. He listens to each student’s concerns and does his best to keep content creative, fun, and challenging.
Mariana Hernandez
No. 4
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I’m going to major in architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. I believe that humans don’t have to settle for just functionality. Buildings and structures can be both functional and have a captivating aesthetic. With this in mind, as an aspiring architect, I want to take these propositions and make them into a reality. I want to join an architecture firm that shares the same mindset as me and helps me create spaces with charm and meaning while also being functional and eco-friendly. I believe that what I learn in college will provide me with the education and experience to create these beautiful and unique landmarks.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Chisholm Trail Middle School and Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memory is Owl Con 2020. While Early College High School lacks regular elective classes, they make up for it with their large variety of clubs and events. Before Owl Con 2020, my friends and I had been practicing for months to perform choreography in front of our school while also preparing our noodle and boba stand to raise money for our club. Full of nerves and excitement, we went all out during our performance, dancing and smiling until we ran out of breath. After this, we walked around school enjoying other activities, buying food and miscellaneous things from stands while also enjoying the atmosphere that entirely resembled that of a classic carnival. Little did we know that the COVID-19 pandemic would make this our last day on campus, making this memory fun and exciting and bittersweet.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
As a Mexican immigrant who had just started learning English, I was required to take ESL classes in middle school, which led me to meet Ms. Gore while studying at Chisholm Trail Middle School. I remember her as a great teacher who always encouraged me to learn more and achieve my goals. Late in my eighth-grade year, she reached out to me and encouraged me to apply to Early College High School because she thought it was an excellent opportunity for me. Back then, I hesitated to apply to the high school, but now as a senior, I believe it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m so grateful to Ms. Gore for helping me and believing in me. Early College High School gave me so many opportunities throughout these four years that made it possible for me to graduate and get accepted into college, something I never thought I could do.
Mary Herring
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be studying neuroscience on a full-ride scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin! I hope to pursue pediatric neurosurgery.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Old Town Elementary School, Chisholm Trail Middle School, and Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory of my time in Round Rock ISD was when I got my overhand serve at one of my seventh-grade volleyball practices. To make the team in eighth grade, you have to serve overhand, whereas you’re allowed to underhand serve in seventh grade. One day during practice, my coach, Haley Standridge, told everybody that because I was the last person who hadn’t gotten their overhand serve yet, she was going to give me one shot to make it, or the entire team would have to run the mile. Every girl on the team lined up at the door and began to take their knee pads off, anticipating that I would not make it. When my coach yelled go, for the very first time, I hit the ball over the net overhand. I frequently look back to that moment because it was the first time I truly believed in my ability to succeed.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher at Round Rock ISD was Jessica Kamphaus. Ms. Kamphaus truly impacted my life, not only as a teacher but as someone I looked up to and modeled myself after as I have grown up. She embodied raw compassion and had an overwhelming aptitude for education, always taking the time to know each of her students personally to provide them the support needed for the seven-hour school day. I will be forever thankful to her.
Jacqueline Luong
No. 6
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending The University of Texas at Dallas on an Academic Excellence Scholarship for a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Health Management. I plan to pursue a career in medicine so that I can truly help others in need and to positively impact the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. I hope to combine my interests to make a difference in the lives of others and advance the quality of healthcare. I have always aspired to become a pediatrician ever since I was a little girl. Helping others has always been the passion ingrained in me very early and drove me to the medical field. I would love to participate in pro bono work to advance access to quality healthcare services among many people throughout the world as well, for I believe that helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for that one person.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Pond Springs Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memory–or rather, memories–would have to be the Owl Fridays at Early College High School. There is always this incredible sense of community among our students through the different clubs and endeavors we choose to partake in that instill humanity’s beauty and enjoyment for school every week. Many of my best memories were made on the outstretching field of grass playing soccer and kickball outside; the portables where I held Student Council meetings and events with Therapy Dogs; the nearby nursing home that our National Honor Society went to donate to; and the amphitheater that our school’s rock band came to hold a dance party.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
First, I would like to give a big shoutout to all of my teachers who inspired me and help guide me throughout my educational journey. I genuinely appreciate it. But my most influential teacher would have to be Mr. Jordan Stewart. I have known him since he taught my fifth grade English class, and even more so now as my high school teacher and Student Council sponsor. His belief in every student was an unwavering hope to steer us along our long walks toward something better.
Connor Gonzalez
No. 7
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I plan on going to the University of Texas at Dallas to study computer science. After college, I hope to pursue a job flying private or commercial flying cargo.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memory of my time at Early College High School was the very first Owl Con day I attended, a type of school festival that culminated in a talent show. It was less like a school day and more like an outing that we went to, where everyone could enjoy themselves, and that first convention was probably my best memory.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I only transferred here part-ways through my sophomore year, and I hadn’t had the opportunity to really connect on a personal level with any of my teachers or professors. Still, I think all of my teachers and professors have helped influence me as a whole.
Hunter Oden
No. 8
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I’ll be attending Letourneau University to study professional flight with an aviation maintenance concentration. After college, I hope to pursue a job flying private or commercial flying cargo.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Old Town Elementary School, Walsh Middle School, and Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory of my time in Round Rock ISD was being in safety patrol in elementary school because I miss the simpler times playing dodgeball in the gym early in the morning.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher was Mrs. Gibson. Every time I’d walk into her room, I knew there was nothing to worry about and that Mrs. Gibson would always be there for me. She was almost like another mother to me.
Ameera Faizal
No. 9
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I’ll be attending the University of Houston in the Honors College. I’ll be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods (the Nutritional Sciences Track) and a minor in medicine and society. I hope to conduct health research (in microbiology, psychology, and nutrition) and do freelance illustration for children’s books and animation.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The last day of school my sophomore year. I remember the fun we had hanging out on the vast lawn in front of our school portables mixed with a hint of melancholy as we bid farewell to Ms. Martin and as the year came to a close. Most of my best memories at Early College High School are outdoors: the hour-long lunches we used to have on club Fridays and the Owl Con culture festival with its activities and food from around the world, a true reflection of our school’s diversity.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Stephanie Martin, my sophomore English teacher, was my most influential teacher. She introduced me to the magic of journaling by assigning us to write whatever was on our minds at the beginning of every class in a journal of our choice. I’ve been writing in that journal ever since. I loved the extensive library of books she collected just for us, and she encouraged us to visit the Central Texas Comic-Con, which is still one of my favorite experiences. She made English class fun, and more importantly, applicable to the real world and its problems. I admire her passion for English and social justice and how she always stood up for what is right.
Anzell Aron Zapatero
No. 10
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Arlington along with my older two sisters. I will be obtaining a dual major in both marketing and business. During and after college, I hope to continue pursuing my current profession and continually improve my work systems. Currently, I am a realtor at Keller Williams, and at the time of writing this, I have just listed my first property! I hope to become the best realtor I can and eventually transition into commercial real estate. If you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, I would love to be of help!
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Early College High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memories I’ve had have all been spent with my friends. Every day was a new memory to be made, and I’m so thankful for the friends I’ve made along the way.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I think my most influential teacher throughout my high school was Mrs. Life and her constant lessons. The combination of trials and obstacles that you’re faced with overcoming is what makes you the strongest and ultimately gives you the grit to persevere through the most challenging tasks. Every day we’re faced with a new challenge, and it’s up to you on how you decide to face it. But shout out to Mrs. Picazo, Mrs. Brady, and Coach Meyer.
