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.
Kayla Frank
Valedictorian
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to major in biomedical engineering. After getting my bachelor’s degree, I plan to attend graduate school to pursue a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. Eventually, I hope to have a career making advancements in the field of prosthetic limbs. Specifically, I think it would be interesting to develop prostheses that are more affordable for amputees in less developed countries.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Brushy Creek Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I’ve made so many great memories at Rock Rock ISD schools that it’s impossible to choose just one. One of my favorites has to be going to the Woodlands tournament with the McNeil soccer team. It was so much fun to stay in a hotel with all my teammates, play soccer, and bond through meals and games. I also have fond memories of going to Whataburger (and always ordering a chocolate shake) after every football game with the student section. Finally, I loved being a student council officer in fifth grade; with only four of us, our weekly meetings with our hilarious sponsor Ms. Maybaum were always full of laughs, Apple Jacks, and races to collect recycling bins.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I have had so many excellent teachers who have inspired me and pushed me to be better, both academically and as a person, that there are too many to name on this list. Mrs. Simmons made me feel confident in my writing abilities freshman year, which gave me a love for English that I carried through high school, and she inspired me to be passionate about what I do, kind, and intentional. Coach Hinshaw pushed me to be a better soccer player and leader, and Coach Calvert has been both a role model and friend to me. Mrs. Burwinkel and Mrs. Williams have fostered my love of music and taught me more about singing than I ever realized one could know. And finally, Mrs. Lisauckis nurtured my passion for learning at a young age through always making TAG class my favorite part of the school day and teaching me to enjoy solving complex problems.
Anusha Razdan
Salutatorian
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
Next year, I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study electrical and computer engineering. After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to attend graduate school to pursue a higher degree in my field of study.
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?
My best memory in Round Rock ISD was performing in my senior year Majestics Illusions spring show. Despite the pandemic-related challenges, the team was able to practice and perfect our dances safely. Through our hours of practice and preparation for the show, I was able to bond and create everlasting memories with my teammates. I am grateful to have been a part of this team and to have had the opportunity to perform on stage one last time.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? My most influential teacher was my elementary school Talented and Gifted teacher Ms. Sheila Mulbry. Ms. Mulbry always pushed me and challenged me to try my best. She encouraged me to reach out of my comfort zone and take risks. As her student, I learned the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving my goals.
Lyssa Frank
No. 3
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill next year (go Tar Heels!) to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. I’m planning to take classes or potentially minor in cognitive studies in conjunction with this degree. After school, I plan to pursue a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering. I hope to use these degrees to engineer technologies that help people with cognitive disorders or disabilities function in society with greater ease.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Brushy Creek Elementary, Cedar Valley Middle, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I’ve grown up in Round Rock ISD, so of course, many of my fondest memories take place through it. Flextime clubs were always a blast; my freshman year, I was an avid attendee of the Zumba club, where 50 or so students would space out as much as possible in a small room and follow a youtube dancing tutorial. After that, I became a regular at hacky sack club, which needs no explanation. I’ll also never forget our soccer team dinners that consisted of pasta, brownies, games, and laughing until it hurt, or the student section where it mattered more how all-out your costume was and how loud you were cheering than how the team was playing.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I’ve been so blessed to have so many incredible teachers throughout my time in school; in fact, the teachers are what I loved the most about my respective campuses. To name a few, thank you to Ms. Maybaum, Ms. Lisauckis, and Ms. Schoener for fostering my love of learning at such a young age. Thank you to Ms. Matthews, Mr. Decker, and Mr. Prince for really pushing me in math and physics, answering all my dumb questions, and allowing me to discover that I still love it even when it makes no sense. Thank you to Ms. Renfro for always sticking with me and to Ms. Balfour for being my “school mom.” And, of course, a big thank you to Coach Hinshaw and Coach Calvert for pushing me to be the best player, teammate, and overall human I could be.
Aashi Rastogi
No. 4
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 chemical engineering. I’m not sure about my plans after college, but some things I’m interested in pursuing include renewable energy, nanotechnology, materials research, and pharmaceutical drug manufacturing!
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Wells Branch Elementary School, Brushy Creek Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I have many fond memories in my 13 years in Round Rock ISD, but one of my favorite memories has to be the eighth-grade field trip to Six Flags! It was technically my first time going on roller coasters. I got to hang out with my friends all day, pig out on pizza, ice cream, and other food, and then plummet hundreds of feet from the air, which was a very riveting experience!
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
It’s difficult to say who my most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD is because there are so many that impacted me! I have to thank Ms. Gregory, Ms. Eustice, and Mr. Prince for inspiring my love for science through their passion for their subjects. Mr. Henderson, my debate teacher, has also been highly influential because he taught me new ways to think about the world! I also want to thank Ms. Henry, Sra. Fernandez/Mosley, Ms. Singh, and everyone else who believed in me through my academic and personal struggles!
Archita Amudhan
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending the University of Rochester, where I plan on studying euroscience under the eight-year Rochester Early Medical Scholars Program, where I will be guaranteed acceptance into the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. After college, I hope to pursue medical school and eventually become a practicing physician.
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?
I’ve made a lot of great memories in Round Rock ISD, so it’s hard for me to choose! It’s been all of the small moments for me, from playing Cabo with my friends during Fun Fridays in AP Research to dressing up as the secret service during Trivia Night, to all of the long-winding conversations I had with my friends during lunch and after school over insightful topics such as whether pizza could be considered a pie.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
This is a difficult question to answer, as all of my teachers have shaped me into the person I am today! My fourth and fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Stewart helped me foster a love for learning and saw my potential before I did. My seventh-grade English teacher Mrs. Margulies helped me appreciate finding the deeper meaning behind every book. Mrs. Eustice not only cultivated my passion for chemistry but was also a mentor for me throughout all of high school. English teachers like Mrs. Edsel and Mrs. Balfour showed me that I could keep reaching higher and become a better thinker and writer in the process. I could keep going, as the list is endless, but every one of my teachers has had a significant impact on me.
Anuj Nigam
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 Austin, pursuing a double major in business honors and finance as a part of the Canfield Business Honors Program. After college, I plan to attend medical school and eventually become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Jollyville Elementary School, Sommer Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Choosing one is hard, so here are three of my favorite memories throughout high school. One of my favorite memories is going to New Orleans with my friends for a conference through Model UN junior year. We had never done Model UN before, so it ended up being more of a group trip than a conference. We joined random parades in the French Quarter, hit up Café du Monde, and revisited Dat Dog, our favorite restaurant, on the way back to the hotel each night. Later that same year, I attended DECA state. My partner and I advanced to Internationals, the cherry on top of an amazing competition weekend filled with friends, food, and laughter. My last favorite memory would have to be our varsity tennis fall 2020 season, especially the night of our playoffs. We beat our opponent in an upset, and I could not have been more proud of our team that night. We ended our victory with boba on coach, the man who none of this would have been possible without. I am super thankful for my time at Round Rock ISD and will forever cherish these moments.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
The most influential teacher I’ve had was Ms. Kari Teague. Her unique teaching style and contagious energy allow her students to be both motivated and interactive. She presented us with the academic freedom to understand the material she taught better than I did in any other class of comparable rigor. Her class was challenging, yet while learning from her, I never once feared failure. I failed assignments left and right, but I came out of that room knowing more than I did in any other class. Rather than learning and working for a grade, I learned because she made the material enjoyable, which motivated me to learn for my own sake. Her encouragement to think outside the box and always work smart have helped shape me into the person I am today. The medical science I learned and the lessons she taught me are pieces of knowledge I will carry with me forever.
Catherine Nguyen
No. 7
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 next year and majoring in biology. I would like to enter the medical field after college eventually and maybe become a doctor of some sort. I know for sure that I want to work with medicine in the future!
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Patsy Sommer 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?
One of the best memories I have was when I listened to my friend play the piano in McNeil’s orchestra room. Since I never took any music electives, hearing the piano being played in the middle of the school day was calming and fun. Although it’s quite a simple memory, I’m glad I got to escape from the usual busy routine that day to spend time with my friend and listen to them play.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
It’s far too difficult to choose a single teacher who has influenced me in Round Rock ISD. Every one of my teachers I’ve had has given me the best education I could have asked for and provided an environment where I felt safe and comfortable. For that, I’m incredibly grateful for all of the efforts they’ve put into helping me get to where I am today. Thanks to them, my time at Round Rock ISD has been filled with nothing but sweetness.
Eunsuh Jasmine Cho
No. 8
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
This upcoming fall, I’ll be attending Harvard University to pursue a dual-concentration in computer science and economics. After college, I hope to pursue a career in UI/UX Design or Data Science.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Sommer 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?
Having the great privilege of being McNeil’s varsity tennis team captain, I can’t pinpoint a single best moment because every minute I spent with the team: the energy, excitement, and laughter, was the highlight of my day. All the memorable, treasured moments that I was able to spend on and off the courts, laughing with my teammates, and competing in tennis tournaments with my doubles’ partner Tatiana Sultzer: my best friend, will always be a book of memories that I’ll never forget!
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Out of all the teachers I’ve had the chance to get to know personally, the most influential teacher during my time at Round Rock ISD has been the one and only Mr. Trey Bobbie Bush. Being more than just my Tennis Head Coach, he has been an inspiring and motivating mentor who has pushed me to surpass my comfort zones to find my passions and colors during my high school journey. His dedication to the team displayed authentic leadership as he wished the best for all of his players and created a second family and home for everyone. I can’t wait to see what the team is like when I come back to visit! Furthermore, I can’t forget to mention Ms. Leanna Navin, my superb counselor, who guided me through my high school career and college application process and was a role model for me, as she was the most kind, patient, and giving person I knew! Lastly, I would like to thank my favorite teachers from Cedar Valley Middle School: Ms. Sonali Sur, Ms. Amy Margulies, Ms. Jill Gregory, Mr. Andy Lawrence, and Mr. Eric Gerhardstein, for watching me grow and helping me get to where I am today!
Susanna Kim
No. 9
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 biochemistry as a Dean’s Scholar. Currently, I am interested in dentistry and pediatrics. In college, I want to find out what I truly want to immerse myself in. Maybe I’ll be interested in something else! We’ll see what happens.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Caraway Elementary School, Pond Springs Elementary School, Deerpark Middle School and McNeil High School. Yup, I moved a lot!
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Joining the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) was the best decision that I made in my high school years. Although I first walked into the club without knowing what the club was, it soon became a club that I purely enjoyed attending. From monthly meetings to competitions, I’ve made many unforgettable memories, especially those moments when Dana gave me a piggyback ride and Christina took crazy pictures of me. It’s the small things that count.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
There are so many teachers in Round Rock ISD who have shaped and supported me. My fifth-grade teacher Ms. Addison has unconditionally supported me to help me adjust to this foreign country. Mrs. Reed, our TAME sponsor, has worked so hard and dedicated so much of herself to McNeil. There were so many days when she stayed up until midnight in school. Mr. Decker taught me life-hacks of how to not go above the speed limit through calculus. Ms. Eustice has taught me chemistry beyond memorization of understanding many foreign languages with equations—side note; she always brought kolaches/donuts to UIL competitions! I would never have survived these competitions without them.
Kishan Patel
No. 10
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
Next year, I will attend the University of Pennsylvania and study finance. I hope to pursue some job in finance, maybe on Wall Street.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Brushy Creek Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory was going to the DECA state competition junior year because I was with all of my friends, and we could do anything that we wanted.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher was Mr. Norwood because not only was he my business teacher, but he was also my DECA advisor and taught me a lot about leadership, communication, and organization.
