Cedar Ridge High School 2018 Top Ten
As seniors across Round Rock ISD prepare to celebrate graduation, we take a moment to recognize the top ten students from each campus by asking them about their journey through Round Rock ISD and their next steps after graduation.
Parvathy Vasudev
Valedictorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to major in neuroscience and minor in government.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Blackland Prairie Elementary School and Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The first semester of my senior year I developed bronchitis and it lasted for three months, where I couldn’t stop coughing. Everyone obviously noticed, and though I’ve accomplished much in my high school career, the legacy that I seem to leave behind is the echoes of my coughing.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher has been Dr. Rowe at Cedar Ridge High School. Her kindness, humor, and understanding nature helped me get through my junior year, and she was consistently there to support and motivate me in whatever I wanted to accomplish. I love her!
Jameson Kampfe
Salutatorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin and majoring in electrical and computer engineering.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Forest Creek Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memory is field day in elementary school because we got to play ball and eat popsicles all day.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mr. Coats, my 3rd-5th grade TAG teacher, was most influential because he helped me explore my interests and he made learning enjoyable.
Zoe Brewer
No. 3
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Harvard University to study data science and public policy.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Blackland Prairie Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Some of the best memories I have of my childhood took place in the Talented and Gifted portable at Blackland Prairie. I loved every single day of questioning, researching, and debating with my peers who all loved learning as much as I did.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
The most influential teacher I had throughout my years at Round Rock ISD was my Spanish teacher, Cynthia Dacarett, because she taught each and every one of her students the importance of utilizing their talents in order help those who need it most. Her confidence and community service inspire me every day to work harder in order to make the world a better place.
Caileen Perez
No. 4
What college will you be attending next year?
This fall I will be attending Texas A&M University in College Station to study business.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Forest Creek Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and now Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory from my time in Round Rock ISD is going to DECA ICDC in Orlando Florida, or Atlanta Georgia. This is because I had an incredible experience at both conferences that have helped me grow as a leader and an individual.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
It’s difficult to choose who has been my most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD since I’ve had so many outstanding teachers, however, Mrs. Karen Searles has continuously influenced me for the better. Every year for four years I’ve taken her ballet and jazz classes, and throughout these four years, she has encouraged me and helped me maintain balance in my academic life. She’s taught me priceless life lessons that I will carry with me to college, while pushing me artistically so I can continuously work towards my potential. She has been an incredible mentor and I could not be more thankful for the influence she’s had on my life.
Hannah Milikich
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year?
This fall I will be attending George Mason University and probably major in neuroscience.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Forest Creek Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
In seventh grade Parvathy Vasudev and I drew a giant One Direction mural on the whiteboard in our advisory classroom. We’re still friends and I still like One Direction.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mr Coats, my elementary school TAG teacher, because he taught me the importance of reading and writing well, and I loved his class because we had a lot of freedom to choose to do things that interested us.
Hannah Villarreal
No. 6
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Texas A&M University to study psychology.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Blackland Prairie Elementary and Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory of Round Rock ISD is my freshman ballet class. It was a very small class, so everyone got to know each other really well. Mrs. Searles and the Junior and Senior girls in the class made me feel so welcome and important, and it was a really great way to provide balance to a busy academic 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. She taught me Language Arts from from 2nd-5th grade, and she made learning so fun. Her class was a place where I was motivated to pursue excellence and grow as a student, while fostering an enduring love of English in me.
Chioma Chidume
No. 7
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Johns Hopkins University and major in cognitive science and social policy.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Blackland Prairie Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I will never forget the day I was sitting in Mr. Rodriguez’s Practicum in Health Science Pharmacy Tech class and found out that against all odds I had been chosen to present my summer cancer research at an international conference. No one thought I would make it, but my quirky view of medicine and interdisciplinary approach (led by God’s grace) made me one of less than a handful of high school students worldwide, to be selected. The best part was Mr. Rodriguez was there to rejoice with me and my friends. He believed in me and my process and there was no jealousy in the air, it was perfect. I was blessed to see my dreams falling into place.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mrs. Carmen Scott (4th grade ELA) and Ms. Martha Kuhl (5th grade enriched ELA) were amongst the most influential teachers I had for they encouraged my exploration across art forms: poetry, composition, and playwriting, and always challenged me to express myself in new ways. While I loathed being a “Kuhl Kat” as I grew through 5th grade and onward I realized that being “extra” in an academic sense was how we advanced ourselves and progressed beyond the constraints of the curriculum. These first two ladies were the ones who foster the rambunctious social equity advocate within me who, coupled with the resilient scientist I became in Dr. LeAnn Rowe’s grueling AP Chem class, has led me to my current and ongoing success. Amen for RAID, AP Chem, and these amazing women.
Ariana Chandler
No.8
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending George Washington University and double major in psychology and political science.
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?
I will never forget Traveling to Nashville, Tennessee as an international competitor with DECA.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher has been Mr. Coats, my 5th grade Talented and Gifted ELA teacher.
Grace Chudy
No.9
What college will you be attending next year?
I will attend Texas A&M University and study animal science.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Blackland Prairie Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My best memory is graduating middle school. I was so excited to see what high school had in store for me!
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mrs. Scott was my most influential teacher. She really got me to love learning and taught me to try my best.
Christine Tsou
No.10
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study computer science.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I went to Blackland Prairie Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
One of my best memories in Round Rock ISD was probably playing Kahoot in groups with my friends in Pre-AP Biology. It was funny seeing everyone’s reactions to the answers.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mrs. Windell has been my most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD. If it weren’t for her, I might not have decided to go into computer science in college. I would’ve probably ended up doing electrical/mechanical engineering instead.
