Cedar Ridge High School
2022
Top 10
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.
Ojas Phirke – Valedictorian
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My time in Round Rock ISD has been blessed with many incredible memories—whether it was competing at UIL, DECA, and independent competitions; having fun and giving back together through clubs and organizations; or learning, laughing, and celebrating together—virtually and in-person!
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Every teacher and staff member that I have known has played an incredibly influential part in helping me become the person I am today. Each of them has uniquely impacted the way I look at life, guiding my perspective and actions, inspiring me to explore and dream, and empowering me throughout my unique journey. I am forever grateful to each of them! Thank you all!
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I am planning to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study Computer Science Honors and Business Honors as a Texas CSB Scholar, a dual degree honors program.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I plan to further my studies of new technologies and their applications. I especially want to explore artificial intelligence and how it can be used to enact positive change for the betterment of my community and humanity.
Debbie Bong – Salutatorian
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My best memories definitely occurred during cross country and track meets. Though waking up early on Saturday mornings full of pre-race nerves was not most people’s idea of fun — plus racing was often humbling for me — the friendships I made, cool down runs spent cheering on my teammates, and post-race meals that followed are memories I will forever cherish.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
So many of my teachers have been profoundly influential in shaping who I am today. To my elementary and middle school teachers, who I disliked at the time for being mean or unfair, thank you for never putting up with my nonsense and for teaching me important life lessons. And of course, I can’t forget my favorite teachers: Ms. Colclasure, who has been “little Debbie’s” biggest supporter since I was 10; Mr. Harper for indulging my countless questions after Google meet lectures and encouraging me to think unconventionally; and Mr. Holland’s infectious passion for his subject (and packing peanuts) that continues to guide my academic pursuits.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
Next year, I will be attending Stanford University to study symbolic systems and anthropology as a pre-med student.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After college, I hope to attend medical school and pursue a specialty while also using my experiences to address socio-cultural disparities in healthcare.
Vincent Le – No. 3
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I participated in Tiger Challenge in my senior year, which is like a district championship for the JROTC program. It contains many unique events such as tug-of-war, chess, marksmanship, and an obstacle course. It was exciting for me to cheer on my friends and to feel the competitive nature. On that hot sunny day, some of them even poured ice down my back when I wasn’t looking (I do not forgive them). Those moments of bonding would make life more enjoyable and unforgettable.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD is my middle school Spanish teacher, Mr. Sanchez. He is perhaps the most lovable and outgoing person I have ever met, and he has shaped many students’ lives, including mine, through his enthusiasm and many stories. He has consistently brightened everyone’s day with just his personality. In this manner, I felt that I have grown as a person by learning how to move forward and life and to find happiness in the little things in life.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study electrical and computer engineering.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After college, I plan to pursue a career in the field of data science and analysis. With so much data in the world, there will always be a need to organize them into a coherent message so that others can use them. For instance, I can help a business understand the impact on their community from the insights on the data that they collected.
Jacob Sedlacek – No. 4
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Forest Creek Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The best memories that I have made with my time in Round Rock ISD come from the high school trips that I took with both the Cedar Ridge DECA Chapter and the Cedar Ridge Theatre Department. In the summer before my Sophomore year, I traveled to New York City to perform in the Arts for Autism Benefit Concert with the theatre department. This trip was one the most memorable parts of high school as I, along with my friends, was able to perform on a Broadway stage at the Gershwin Theatre using the performing arts to raise awareness for students on the Autism Spectrum. Through my time with DECA, I have had the privilege of attending three State Conferences in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston; as well as the 2019 and 2022 International Competitions in Orlando and Atlanta, respectively. These DECA trips were some of my favorite high school memories as you get to travel with your friends to various cities and participate in something that you are all passionate about— in this case: Business.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Through my time with Round Rock ISD, I have had many memorable and influential teachers. However, there are a few that particularly stand out amongst the crowd. Mrs. Kristie Copeland served as my theatre teacher and director for all four years of high school, and I have loved working with her since day one. Her dedication to the arts and her students has never ceased to amaze me. Mrs. Sara Parriott has been a business teacher and my DECA advisor for high school and has always been there for me. She would always be willing to step in wherever I needed help and provide countless resources and opportunities that I am forever grateful for. Finally, Ms. Sena Lim has taught me in my AP Calculus teacher this past year, and I have enjoyed almost every second of that class ;). Although my most challenging class, Ms. Lim made Calculus enjoyable, and I always looked forward to her class and the conversations that would happen with her. These three teachers have helped shape my life and passions, preparing me for the years ahead.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
In the Fall, I will be attending the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin to pursue a degree in business.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After I complete my undergrad, I hope to go to graduate school to obtain my MBA from either UT Austin or another school. I hope to be able to become a business executive at a leading company that helps strive for change in our current world.
Helen Truong – No. 5
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The best memory of my time in Round Rock ISD would be during lunch when my friends and I came up with elaborate plans for our next hangout. It was always too ridiculous to even carry out even halfway through, but it was fun to imagine all possible situations of just enjoying snacks together in our free time.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD would be my 11th and 12th-grade art teacher, Mrs. Briceno-Connolly. My time with Mrs. B. helped me realize that enjoying my creative side does not require an isolated mindset but that the best work utilizes influences from everything and anything.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin, and I will be majoring in the Bachelors of Fine Arts (B.F.A) in Design where I will be studying design strategies and components in order to apply them to my entrepreneurial endeavors.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After college, I hope to be in a creative field of work that focuses on design and its application while also owning my own small freelance art commission business on the side.
Vamsi Makineni – No. 6
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
It is very difficult to pin down the best memory that I have of my time in Round Rock ISD. However, if I had to pick, I would choose the memories that I made during my middle school trip to Six Flags. This day was special not only because I was able to ride on many rollercoasters but because I was able to spend this time with my friends. I cherish this memory because it served as a final farewell to my middle school friends as I prepared to enter high school.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD was my third-grade teacher, Mr. Crawford. He was the first person to inspire me to work harder in terms of academics. Also, the days were especially memorable because he played soccer with us during recess at Blackland Prairie Elementary.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending Rice University this fall as a cognitive science major, but I expect my interests to develop over the years so I am unsure if I will switch majors (I may even switch majors during the course of this summer).
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I hope to attend medical school after college.
Uduak Ekpo – No. 7
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Voigt Elementary School, Gattis Elementary School, C.D. Fulkes Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My favorite memories of Round Rock ISD have been made in my high school theatre department. Since freshman year, my special cohort of thespians have debated the species of Stuart Little, taken Shakespeare back to the groovy 1970s, and valiantly directed The Original Zombie Experience. When I look back on my time in Round Rock ISD, I will remember these people who made my hobby a home.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Out of the many educators I’ve had the honor of being taught by, the most influential was my elementary TAG teacher Daniel Brillhart. In his classroom, I created lifelong friendships, fed my inquisitiveness, and discovered what it meant to be a lifelong learner.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I’ll be attending the University of Pennsylvania next year and studying psychology.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I hope to pursue a career in clinical psychology.
Alan Tong – No. 8
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The best memory I have of my time in Round Rock ISD was performing a special K-Pop style dance at prom because it was a super unique experience to face a giant crowd, have a spotlight on me, and show everyone something I really love doing.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD is Ms. Pfluger. She has been my business teacher throughout all four years of my high school career. She was a great teacher who is very kind and truly understanding of our feelings. Ms. Pfluger could sense any kind of bad mood and try to help us out or work with us to make sure we didn’t become more stressed than we already were. At our highs and lows, she was always there to support us, and I genuinely appreciate that. In all, I can’t imagine going through high school without her.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin. I will be studying business.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I hope to take over my family’s roofing and flooring business and eventually transform it into the worldwide-known enterprise that my father always dreamed of.
Ayaan Siddiqi – No. 9
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Forest Creek Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The best memory I have of my time in Round Rock ISD is participating in enrichment days back in middle school. On these days students would be able to sign up for multiple unique activities that kept us engaged while also exploring different career paths.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD has been my sixth-grade science teacher, Mr. Alexander. He would always greet students with a warm welcome into class, and his passion for teaching would be bursting through the classroom. It was admiring to see the effort he put into assignments and lessons to ensure that students were interacting with the curriculum enjoyably.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin next year. I am enrolling as an undeclared major, but I hope to study cybersecurity and the extent to which technology has shaped our society.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After college, I hope to pursue a job in information technology, possibly as a data security analyst.
Eliana Smith – No. 10
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Cedar Ridge High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
During the height of the Omicron surge, I led a walkout for more effective COVID-19 protocols. The solidarity I found in my peers while planning the walkout is my favorite Round Rock ISD memory. Students from all over Round Rock ISD were able to find a common goal and stand up for what they believed in, and leading them in search of that goal was incredibly inspiring and a great experience. Despite my disappointment with the lack of a district response, and the complete inability to adapt to the changing circumstances, I’ll always cherish the bonds I built and the skills I learned during this time. The skills I learned through this experience will certainly guide me in future endeavors.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My high school English teachers were my most influential teachers in Round Rock ISD. Mrs. Rockhold, Mrs. Jipp, Mr. Parker, Mrs. Griffin, and Mr. Hayden furthered my love of reading and writing by introducing me to different authors. They changed how I thought about and interpreted what I was reading by sharing their expertise. Mrs. Rockhold, whom I had for freshman English and AP Seminar, helped me find my voice as a writer and a citizen. I always found comfort and support in her class. The environment she built allowed me to engage in collaborative dialogue with my classmates, and the curriculum made it possible for me to research topics that interested me.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
Next year I’ll be attending Wellesley College to double major in Journalism and Political Science.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
Immediately after college, I hope to pursue grad school. Although I’m not certain where my future may lead, I look forward to following in the footsteps of Wellesley alumnae and engaging in work that changes the world.
