McNeil High School 2019 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.
Amrita Mayavaram
Valedictorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Caltech to study chemical engineering.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Forest North Elementary School (K-1), Sommer Elementary School (2-5), Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
During my time at Round Rock ISD, I have had many great memories shaped by the great teachers and friends around me. Of these, one of my favorite memories is NHS Trivia Night. My team participated for 3 years and we had a great time working together and planning our costumes.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD has been Mr. Tom Decker, my calculus teacher. His enthusiasm and dedication in the classroom has helped affirm my love for math, while also making the class very enjoyable. My science and engineering teachers have also been extremely supportive in helping decide on my career path in chemical engineering.
Adithya Sreenivasan
Salutatorian
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in chemical engineering with Honors.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Chisholm Trail Middle School and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
One of my favorite memories is my experience in the Mr. Mav pageant at McNeil this year. I had a blast with my fellow contestants, showing off our dance moves and our hidden talents on stage and laughing with each other backstage. It was really fun to show off the more comedic side of my personality, and I was pleasantly surprised to win Mr. Congeniality.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
All my teachers have contributed invaluable impacts that will inspire me for a lifetime, so it’s really impossible to choose a single one with the most influence. I’d like to give a shout out to engineering teacher Mr. Walter Lee for pushing me to understand the world at a deeper level than I would have ever imagined, chemistry teacher Ms. Rachel Eustice for transforming her subject from an intimidating foreign language into a conquerable passion, and English teachers (Coach) Emerson Allen and Mrs. Linda Hengst for their contagious enthusiasm and instilling in me a confidence in my own writing.
Kevin Qi No. 3
What college will you be attending next year?
This fall I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in computer science and Business Honors.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Pond Springs Elementary School, Deerpark Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
I will never forget my involvement in Student Council and serving as McNeil’s pep rally host for 3 years. Student Council allowed me to connect with new people and lead/organize meaningful events on campus while hosting introduced me to an electrifying, cheer-filled atmosphere that epitomizes “school spirit.” Through it all, I’ve learned to pursue my passions and not be afraid to take on new tasks/challenges even if they may seem daunting at first.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
I’m blessed to have been taught by some amazing teachers during my time at Round Rock ISD. In particular, Mr. Walter Lee challenged me to think critically and form good habits: “You are what you do.” Mrs. Cruz and Mr. James Eubanks sharpened my business knowledge through a new sport known as DECA. Ms. Vicki Renfro guided me in growing as a leader. Finally, I want to thank all of my English teachers – Mr. Christian Morrow, Ms. Grace Edsel, Mrs. Erin Balfour, and Mrs. Linda Hengst – for making English enjoyable; I truly love and admire ya’ll’s passion for English and for teaching as a whole!
Celine Nguyen
No. 4
What college will you be attending next year?
This fall I will be attending Rice University to study biochemistry.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Forest North 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?
My favorite memory was performing in the “Seussical the Musical” play at Patsy Sommer Elementary School. Although I realized early on that singing wasn’t my forte, it helped me break out of my shell and become a more confident person. Most of all, it’s the memories of performing with my little sister that I will cherish forever.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
It’s really difficult to just choose one! Mrs. Hengst inspired me to always take action and persevere, the McNeil HOSA sponsors motivated me to pursue my dreams, and Mr. Tom Decker taught me that laughter is the best medicine. They’ve supported and believed in me during the good and bad days, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.
Elizabeth Bryant
No. 5
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Abilene Christian University to study biochemistry on the premedical track.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I went to Brushy Creek Elementary in first grade, and then Great Oaks Elementary, Cedar Valley Middle, and McNeil.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite Round Rock ISD memory is building a bridge in eighth grade geometry out of toothpicks and glue. My group finished ours in the girls’ bathroom the day it was due so we could use the hot air from the hand dryer to dry the glue, but it worked.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher has been Mrs. Susan Rantz, my TAG teacher at Great Oaks, because she inspired me to read and challenge myself while being very nurturing and sweet.
Ashna Karpe
No. 6
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Rice University and studying biological sciences and/or psychology.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Brushy Creek Elementary, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My most favorite memory during my time in Round Rock ISD had to be when I finished my final presentation for my AP Seminar class. During my junior year, this class was the most challenging, but it allowed me to grow my teamwork, research, and presentation skills. I will always remember the support Mrs. Balfour and my classmates provided me with throughout this arduous academic journey.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher has been Mrs. Jill Gregory, who was my science teacher for both 6th and 8th grade. She was the first person to ever get me interested in science and has always encouraged me to push myself intellectually since middle school.
Brooke Frank
No. 7
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Baylor University (Honors College, University Scholars Major) with a focus in Political Science
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Brushy Creek Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
Going to Hawaii with all the drill teams in the district is such a special memory. Getting to experience the beauty of Hawaii with my best friends while doing things like snorkeling and hiking was something I will never forget. Furthermore, dancing on behalf of Round Rock ISD at Pearl Harbor carried with it such patriotism and pride, making it an amazing performance and opportunity.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Mrs. Kathy Lisauckis is the woman who taught me to love learning. She was my TAG teacher from third to fifth grade and the way she led us to explore topics and draw our own conclusions developed in me a love for academia and an interest in just about every subject matter. Not only did she encourage us to be good learners, but over the time we were in her class she took the time to get to know us and pour into us as individuals.
Samia Khan
No. 8
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending Emory University this fall to study neuroscience and behavioral biology.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Forest North Elementary (Go Eagles, again!), Sommer Elementary, and Cedar Valley Middle School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
My favorite part of my time in Round Rock ISD would be starting and developing my artistic career in middle school. Both Ms. Stoner and Ms. Ehman taught me to think big and dream even bigger about what I could create, and made me feel like I could accomplish anything if I put my mind to it; I owe my love and appreciation of art to them. I also loved participating in the Visual Arts Showcases and seeing all of the wonderful art produced by our talented district.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher is Ms. Sherilyn Jackson, who taught me Principles of Education during freshman year, Child Development, and oversaw our Pond Springs Internship Program that I completed this year. Ms. Jackson taught me more than how to teach, she taught me how to work with people of all backgrounds, maneuver through difficult tasks, and how to present my best self to the world. Seeing her handle all that life throws at her with optimism and grace shows me the power of a positive attitude, something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Joshua Pevoto
No. 9
What college will you be attending next year?
I will be attending The University of Texas at Austin to study nutrition.
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
I attended Pond Springs Elementary School, Deerpark Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
The best memory I have of my time here was meeting all my other classmates and teammates. I never really fit in with a certain group, so I made friends from all different cliques of people. And the thing that I took from it, was that no matter what “group” someone’s from, whether it be the “cool” kids, the “nerds,” the “band kids,” the “tennis” kids, etc, each person has their own story to tell and is unique in their own way, and all it takes to get to know someone is a simple conversation.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
My most influential teacher would have to be Sheila Mulbry, my elementary school TAG teacher. Though her classes were difficult, I was surrounded by the brightest kids in the school and was privileged enough to learn from her. She, along with my parents, taught me the importance of working hard and even having fun while doing it. She set me on a good track academically to get me to where I am today.
Aadhithya Kannan 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 attended Spicewood Elementary, Sommer Elementary, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What is your favorite memory of your time in Round Rock ISD?
We once convinced a staff member that one of us came from Wakanda, the richest country in Africa due to vibranium exports. Needless to say, he’s probably going to be pretty shocked when he finally gets around to watching “Black Panther” But hey, hopefully that day will never come…Wakanda forever.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD?
Mr. Erik Kind from Cedar Valley. He was the first teacher I had that ate lunch with the kids and never missed a day of school. He had great stories and was very inspirational. He also had a very interesting way of thinking about how the problems in the textbook applied to the problems out in the real world, so he was a foundation for my love of math.
