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.
Riya Patel
Valedictorian
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending St. Mary’s University, where I plan on studying Biology in the Honors College under the 7-year BS/DO program, where I will be guaranteed acceptance into Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Soon, I hope to become a specialized physician, as the nature of medicine embodies the person I want to be, including the future of service and dedication to the pursuit of knowledge.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Forest Creek Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I will forever cherish each moment I’ve spent at Round Rock ISD, and there isn’t one that triumphs the rest. Throughout all 13 years, the most significant experiences were: elementary school Hoedowns, Groovy-o-Ramas, and talent shows, Camp Write-Along, researching and diagnosing “patients” (fellow peers) as a “doctor,” attending awkward middle school dances, HOSA trips to Area and State competitions, reciting tongue-twisters before Debate tournaments, and the countless cramming sessions before taking biology and math tests.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I am eternally grateful to all of my 57 teachers and the profound impact that they have had on my education. I want to give special thanks to Mrs. Bartholomew, my fourth-grade teacher, for introducing me to the mystical world of writing, which I now love, and the everlasting rewards of service. Señor Sánchez, my sixth and eighth-grade Spanish teacher, for teaching me to not only explore beyond my comfort zone but also embrace the daunting fear of failure – “you only get stronger by learning from your mistakes.” Mr. Snelson, my IB and AP Psychology teacher, for helping spark my interest in the connections between the brain and body and always being there to listen to my fantastic psychology puns. Ms. Elliot, my IB English teacher, for showing me to observe small details (not only in analyzing texts but also daily events), as there’s always more to what the eye meets.
Sarvesh Raghuraman
Salutatorian
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 computer science and physics. After college, I hope to pursue a career in quantum and theoretical computing.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Cactus Ranch Elementary School, Sommer Elementary School, Chandler Oaks Elementary School, Walsh Middle School, and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory in Round Rock ISD was the last day of fifth grade because that was our first significant stepping stone into growing up! We were all excited to go into middle school, and we had so much fun at that last recess just playing and being kids – I didn’t realize how much I would miss it.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
The most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD was my swim coach and Spanish teacher, Coach Schreck. He was a significant factor in who I turned out to be today, constantly pushing me to become a better version of myself both athletically and academically while also teaching me how to improve myself as a person.
Arnav Hiray
No. 3
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology to study mathematics and industrial engineering. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Financial Engineering with the goal of starting my own quantitative fund.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Chandler Oaks Elementary School, Walsh Middle School, and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My journey has been full of memorable experiences and moments I cherish. However, my most remarkable experience has to be the 2019 National Speech and Debate Tournament with Mr. Colling. Meeting the best debaters from around the country was amazing. However, competing at nationals was also a turning point in my high school journey. Standing on stage as the youngest debater among the top 10 and seeing Stony Point’s name listed for the first time among the nation’s top schools gave me the motivation and confidence that despite adversity and the unjust inequity smaller programs face, hard work and commitment genuinely prevail.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My parents raised me with the belief that teachers are considered as next to God – they teach us values we embody for the rest of our lives. I am fortunate to have Mrs. Mutscher, Mrs. Pugh, and Mrs. Whichard as advisors. I am grateful to Mr. Holder for introducing me to quantitative finance and the power of computing and mathematics to change lives. However, Ms. CB has, without a doubt, been the most influential. Ms. CB’s never-ending optimism continues to inspire me and help shape who I am. She taught me that “none of us is as good as all of us,” and in doing so, brought out the best in me. There are many others (Mr. Claypool, Mr. Utz, Ms. Bolger, Senora Smalley, Ms. Jeong, Mr. Bell, Mr. Adams, Ms. Elliot, Ms. Steir, Mr. White, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Snelson) who have had an enormous impact as amazing mentors. I want to thank everyone for their time and dedication towards me and my ambitious ideas.
Riya Jeff
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 and my major is neuroscience. I hope to go to medical school and pursue my passion in becoming a licensed physician.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Walsh Middle School and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memory I have had in my time in Round Rock ISD was going to HOSA SLC. I was able to strengthen my love for HOSA and realize how big our community is. More great memories were made there as it took place on the River Walk, so my friends and I had so much fun!
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Ms. Elliot, my IB Language and Literature teacher has single handily helped me transform my academic writing. As a junior, I had no proper writing instruction, but Ms. Ellliot assigned work that was useful and genuinely shaped my writing. Her consistent feedback made me realize all the areas that I could improve. Moreover, I appreciated how all of her assignments were purposeful and beneficial for all of her students’ academic success. Ms. Elliot truly cares about her students, and my respect for her only increased the more I got to understand how caring, passionate and determined she was for her classes.
Alyson Fields
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will attend Saint Mary’s University or the University of North Texas to study computer science. I intend to work in the computer science field after graduating college, but I am unsure what area I precisely want to work in. However, I look forward to exploring my options during college so that I can make that decision upon graduation.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Caldwell Heights Elementary School, Hopewell Middle School, and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Some of my favorite memories stem from my IB Physics class during my junior and senior years. It was a small class, but it was fun with the people that were in it. While I didn’t always understand everything physics-related, my teacher classmates made the course good. There were undoubtedly antics, but nothing detrimental, and I have many good memories from the class as a whole, including the potlucks that we had before some of the longer breaks and how we were pretty connected as a whole. While IB certainly connects people, this small group became even more tight-knit, and I’m grateful I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of it.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
It isn’t easy to pick one teacher, but one of the most influential was my German teacher, Herr Wright. Throughout my four years of taking it, German class was often an adventure and enjoyable, as he was outgoing and able to connect to us in a way, especially as my class size grew smaller. I never once dreaded going to German, unlike some times where I didn’t want to attend jazz band or some other things, but I always enjoyed the class, and Herr Wright made it fun to learn German, even though there were challenging concepts. I never truly felt as though I was struggling to understand for the most part because he was accessible and had fun activities to help us learn German and about Germany in addition to the notes and language itself. German was a good class, and Herr Wright was what made it good and enjoyable. This has helped me to continue to want to learn German throughout high school and maybe even more beyond it. Still, it also left me with memories of a teacher I will never forget because there was always something going on, it seemed, and he taught in such an energetic way that helped to make the class what it was.
Emi Matsumae
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I will be attending Pace University in New York to major in digital marketing and minor in digital media studies through the Pforzheimer Honors College. I don’t envision a specific job, but a multimedia specialist best describes my professional interests. I love editing and watching online content, and I hope to work with digital media and unexplored opportunities in the business sphere in the future.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Great Oaks Elementary School and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My time on the swim team during my freshman year was filled with the most memories. Coming from a middle school outside of Round Rock ISD, I knew nobody coming into Stony Point. However, my fears of making friends easily dissolved right on the first day of swim tryouts. The upperclassmen instantly reached out to me and were so welcoming. This kicked off my time at Stony Point with such a high note, and it only became more fun and fulfilling over time. Going to Districts, then traveling for Regionals, with the upperclassmen girls in the 200 IM relay was a definite highlight; we switched up our relay strokes during day two, but that spontaneous switch gave us an unexpected drop in our relay times!
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mr. Becker taught my first rigorous class I took in high school, and although the course was challenging, the work ethic and fun I had in his class made AP Human Geography the best. Coach Schreck and Ms. Hayes were the mentors I had in my sports (swim, dance/drill team), and I am forever grateful for the time, energy, and opportunities they invested in me to develop my passions. I had horrendous English skills before, but with her patience, purposeful homework, and extensive tutoring times, Ms. Elliot helped me realize that English is instead a subject I’m stronger in. Thanks to Ms. Elliot’s guidance, I look forward to the future with no fears about essays or research. Lastly, Mr. White has instilled the spirit of CAS and TOK within me. I genuinely believe that my junior and senior years wouldn’t have been as enriching, fulfilling, spontaneous, and thoughtful as it was without him; thank you for encouraging me these past years to live the vivid life I’ve come to know.
Alysen Sherburne
No. 7
What college will you be attending next year? What do you hope to pursue after college?
I plan to attend Belmont University to study tourism and hospitality management with an emphasis on social entrepreneurship and a minor in theater performance. I hope to make the world a better place. I would love to work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation as someone who organizes making children’s wishes come true.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Brushy Creek Elementary School and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I remember our IB Physics class, how we would all study together and waste time and laugh with each other. We created our own little family in that class. Each of us helping one another solving problems and finding answers, us sharing bags of popcorn and snacking all together, us playing games when we finished our lesson early. I initially struggled with physics, but they never treated me like I was dumb when I got questions wrong or asked them to explain the same concept multiple times. They always cheered with me when I had success and helped me improve when I needed it. Everyone there was there for one another. I found some of my best friends in that class. I am so grateful to have been put there, and I will cherish those memories in college and beyond.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD has to be my theater teacher, Ms. Sunshine Parsons. She taught me character, how to expand my mind and open up to others and be vulnerable. She showed me that it’s okay to be vulnerable and to admit when something is going on or if I need help.
Cory Rea
No. 8
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 where I will study computer science. After college, I hope to pursue some type of computer science career, perhaps as a software developer, data scientist, or maybe even game developer.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Hopewell Middle School and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory in Round Rock ISD would have to be the IB Group 4 project. This project involved the entirety of the 2021 IB class joining together in one room for a whole school day, all working to solve a problem given by the teachers. In our case, we were tasked with creating a model of a big post-apocalyptic city using only recycled materials. This day was incredibly fun, as I got to talk and collaborate with all my IB friends and peers, and I feel that it significantly strengthened our overall IB community.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD would most definitely be my sophomore, junior, and senior year computer science teacher, Mr. Holder. He taught me so much about computer science, mathematics, overall problem solving and caused me to develop my strong interests within these fields. His class was always so engaging, and he knew how to turn anything into a learning experience.
Amy Do Le
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 Dallas, and I will be majoring in biology on a pre-med track. In general, I hope to continue my education in medical school and my goal of becoming a forensic medical examiner, all the while pursuing more opportunities to fuel my passions and gain more experiences.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Double File Trail Elementary School, Hernandez Middle School, and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
During my time in Round Rock ISD, my best memory was when my IB friends and I spent the day exploring Downtown Round Rock for hours and ended the night at the Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza laughing and horsing around with one another. This memory was one of those times when I truly felt like I truly was living my high school years by just being a teen and enjoying the present with my friends and classmates before being swept away by my academics, graduation, and moving onto college and a bigger future.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher is my high school band director Christopher Sanchez because he was a well-rounded teacher. He encouraged students to hone their skills and encouraged them to challenge themselves and stretch their limits. Additionally, he gave advice that could be applied to both within and outside of the band and made the most of all good and bad experiences. Overall, I’d describe him as someone who lives and breathes his passions, which I look forward to in my future.
Abby Sullivan
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 Austin this fall. I’m starting as an undeclared major but hope to transfer into either environmental science or geology. I hope to pursue a career in the renewable energy field, for an ocean/national park conservation agency, or for an environmental consulting firm.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Caldwell Heights Elementary School, Hopewell Middle School, and Stony Point High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memory is probably a tie between field day in elementary school and going to cross country meets. These events were so memorable because they were fun, and I got to laugh and spend time with my friends.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
The most influential people in Round Rock ISD were my PE teachers from elementary school, Coach Brown and Coach DiBari. They were such amazing role models, and they encouraged me to give my all to anything I set my mind to. They were always positive and supportive, and I was always looking forward to seeing them during class.
