Cedar Ridge High School
2025
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.
Adeline Perks – Valedictorian
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
The people I got close with my senior year made high school special!! AP Art and English class were always my favorite to go to. Thank you Kierra & Elodie and Molly, Jaida, Avery, Ragan, Kira, Emily, & Grace for always making me laugh in those classes. And thank you to the other friends who made school unforgettable. I loved doing all the senior traditions and leaving for lunch w/ y’all.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
My art teacher Mrs. Briceño has been my most influential teacher because she always supported my ideas while giving me new inspiration and artists to look at. I had her from freshman year to senior year, and she helped me improve so much.
What are your post-graduation plans?
Come say hi to me this summer at Rock n River! When I’m not working there, I’ll probably be with friends shopping or swimming at Barton. In the fall, I will be attending UT Austin for Design. Hook ‘em!
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
I hope to take my degree in Design into the business world, specializing in marketing or product design.
Sofia Magarinos Vargas – Salutatorian
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Gattis Elementary School and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
My time in RRISD has been uniquely shaped by the people that made “regular” moments unforgettable. Dancing on the field with my best friends, long road trips with DECA, and late nights or early mornings with officer teams have filled my days with excitement and have always given me something to look forward to. More importantly, the moments in between are what have allowed me to build friendships with people I love. These bonds have filled my life with love and laughter, which fuel me daily.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
I am so appreciative of every educator that has left a lasting impact on my growth and learning. A special thanks to Mr. Brillhart, my elementary school TAG teacher, who created the most enriching classroom environment and ignited my love for learning. To Button, my Royalty director, for nurturing me and supporting me as I navigated drill team and high school. To Mrs. Rockhold for pouring endless hours into the AP Capstone program and providing every possible resource for us to succeed. To Mrs. White, Mr. Holland, and Mrs. Khanna for shaping my chemistry, physics, and math classes with a passion that is contagious, an incredible sense of devotion, and kindness that has changed me. And lastly, to Ms. Gabler who showed me a version of engineering that convinced me to pursue the field in college, who has always believed in me, and who empowers me on the days that I need it most.
What are your post-graduation plans?
This fall I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study geosystems engineering, a joint program between the Jackson School of Geoscience and the Cockrell School of Engineering.
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
After college, I hope to specialize in the energy sector with an emphasis in sustainability and eventually pursue a masters degree. In the long run, I aspire to make a greater impact on vulnerable communities that may lack access to energy sources.
Mia Lam – No. 3
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Meridian World School (elementary) and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memories at Cedar Ridge have definitely been shaped through orchestra. Creating music with others has been so fulfilling, and performing as the soloist for the third movement of Vivaldi’s Winter my freshman year was truly one of the most exhilarating experiences from high school. I also have great memories from my sophomore year of DECA. I had the opportunity to travel with my closest friends and bond through excitement, disappointment, and fun adventures to Universal Studios.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
My most influential teacher has been my sophomore year Pre-Calculus teacher, Mrs. Khanna. She pushed me to love learning, since she created such an uplifting environment for me to grow academically and bond with her and my peers. I would also like to thank Mrs. Overman, who has continued to unfailingly support me throughout high school, and Sr. Jimenez, who always put a smile on my face and never stopped believing in me.
What are your post-graduation plans?
After graduation, I will attend the University of Texas at Austin where I’ll be majoring in biochemistry.
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
After college, I intend to attend dental school to pursue general or pediatric dentistry!
Avery Karacz – No. 4
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
One of my favorite memories I have had as a student at Round Rock ISD was my last high school swim meet with the Cedar Ridge Swim Team at the UIL 6A state competition. The final race of my four events in finals was the girls’ 400 freestyle relay. It was such an emotional and joyful experience to swim for the last time with a relay and team that profoundly shaped my high school years. I will never forget sharing that moment with the best coaches and teammates I could have ever asked for.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
The most influential teacher I have had was my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Scott (Carmen Scott). Despite the significant amount of time that has passed since I attended Blackland Elementary School, Mrs. Scott played a vital role in shaping the student I am today. Her kindhearted and devoted nature instilled in me a sense of hard work and commitment, not only as a student but as a person as well. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to have been in her classroom.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I will be attending and swimming collegiately for Rice University this fall. I plan on majoring in business with a concentration in finance, and I am considering a double major in sports management.
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
I hope to pursue a career in finance, specifically in the sports industry. I am interested in obtaining postgraduate degrees in both accounting and finance to help achieve this goal.
Siddhartha Venkatayogi – No. 5
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Cedar Ridge High School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
I’ve had a lot of great memories at Cedar Ridge. Some of my best memories are from playing Minecraft after finishing assignments in computer science. There’s also the various competitions, concerts, labs, and presentations that have made up my four years here. Honestly, any times with my friends have been awesome, and I’m really grateful for them.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
I have to start with Mr. Holland, my AP Physics teacher. He’s one of the most passionate teachers I’ve ever had, and I can’t imagine taking physics without him. Early mornings at school, he’s grading FRQs, doing tutorials, or wishing us good luck before we leave for our state robotics competition. I also have to mention Mrs. Rockhold. From freshman English class, through AP Capstone, she’s always given me the confidence to pursue my academic and personal goals. While I can’t list everyone here, I’ve had amazing teachers, and I think they all deserve recognition.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I’ll be attending the University of Texas at Austin studying Computer Science.
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
I’m equally interested in the tech industry, founding a startup, or pursuing academia.
Piya Verma – No. 6
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Laurel Mountain Elementary School and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
It’s difficult to pick just one memory; from studying at 2 AM to riding The Hulk during DECA ICDC in Orlando, my time in Round Rock ISD has created unforgettable memories and cherished experiences. As I reflect on my journey, there is a common denominator that made all of these so special: the people. The days that I spent in Cedar Ridge were filled with laughter in crowded hallways, late-night calls with friends, and conversations with teachers who continue to inspire me today. Every experience was enriched by the people I was fortunate enough to share them with.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
I am so grateful to have had so many remarkable teachers, all of which have shaped both my academic and personal growth over the years. Thank you to Mrs. Khanna, for all of the support and guidance throughout the years and for creating such a fun and welcoming classroom; to Mr. Holland whose passion for physics made every lesson‒no matter whether it was learning about pendulums or resistors‒ engaging, challenging, and memorable; to Mrs. Rockhold for her unwavering encouragement and dedication to her students; to Mrs. Clark, for introducing me to calculus and making me laugh as I learned how to integrate a function; and to Mrs. Overman, whose willingness to help extended beyond AP Statistics and the classroom.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study Electrical and Computer Engineering. Hook ’em!
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
After college, I hope to pursue a career in a related field to ECE, but I’m open to exploring other paths and seeing where my interests take me!
Nicholas Neumann Jr. – No. 7
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Forest Creek Elementary and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
Performing as Frank Abagnale Jr. with my closest friends in Cedar Ridge Theatre’s 2025 musical: Catch Me If You Can, and going on to win best production for this show.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
Ms. Copeland, my theater teacher. She has put her all into making theater the best it could possibly be in a high school, and she is the reason I am the performer, student, and person I am today. Without her advice and teaching, I would not be where I am now.
What are your post-graduation plans?
Texas A&M university for aerospace engineering.
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
I hope to pursue a career at Walt Disney Imagineering or as a musician on Broadway.
Zakir Patwa – No. 8
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Blackland Prairie Elementary and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
My favorite memories came from playing basketball and tennis and representing Cedar Ridge. I am thankful to Coach Bassett, Coach Black, Coach Stephens, and my teammates for pushing me to be a better athlete. I enjoyed when my teammates and I would go out together to eat after matches or games just laughing and hanging out. These are the memories that will stick with me the most.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
Some of my most influential teachers have been Mrs. Clark, Mr. Bracken, Mr. Holland, Mrs. Arellano, and Mrs. Lanfear. Mrs. Clark helped me truly understand calculus and Mr. Bracken made English fun with class discussions. Mr. Holland made physics the best with his energetic lectures and demonstrations that spread his passion for physics in his students. Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Arellano supported us during our international DECA competitions and Mrs. Lanfear sponsored our Muslim Student Association helping us create a welcoming community. Each of these teachers have helped me grow as a student over the years.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I am attending the University of Texas at Austin and majoring in Computer Science.
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
After college I plan to pursue a job relating to artificial intelligence.
Samantha Chamrad – No. 9
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Gattis Elementary School and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
One of my favorite memories was my school trip to France and Monaco this past summer with my French class. From looking out over Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower at midnight, to exploring the endless halls of the Louvre, to diving for shells (and getting a bit sunburned) in the blue waters of Nice, I enjoyed being able to put my years of studying French to good use.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my TAG teacher at Gattis Elementary, Mr. Daniel Brillhart. His dedication to his students and love for teaching has had a profound impact on my education, as well as my character. I would also like to thank my piano teacher at Cedar Ridge, Mrs. Jennifer Harvill, for helping me fall back in love with playing the piano. My calculus and APUSH teachers, Mrs. Amada Clark and Mr. Brad Harper, made my junior year so much easier with their continuous kindness and support. Lastly, I’d like to thank my French teacher, Ms. Melissa Sellars, for all her hard work in the classroom and on our school trip.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin this fall, majoring in Medical Laboratory Science.
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
I hope to attend pharmacy school at the University of Texas at Austin, with the end goal of becoming a pharmacist.
Kai Melant – No. 10
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Forest Creek Elementary and Ridgeview Middle School
What is one of your favorite memories as a student at Round Rock ISD?
Some of my favorite memories as a student have come from the various clubs that I’ve been involved in at Cedar Ridge, including DECA. I enjoyed going to DECA meetings, socials, and competing at the international level where I got to go to Disneyland and Universal Studios. I also loved running Asian Cultures Club over the last two years, hosting fun events like squid game, hot pots, and picnics.
Who has been your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
I’ve had many great teachers throughout my high school experience including Mrs. Overman, Mr. Holland, Mrs. Tang, Mrs. Torres, and Mrs. Clark. I’m most appreciative for Mrs. Arellano for sponsoring DECA and supporting us over the years.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I’m planning on attending the University of Texas at Austin where I’ll be studying business in the Canfield Business Honors program.
What do you hope to pursue after you attend college?
After college, I plan to pursue a career in the professional sports business industry as it’s been a goal of mine throughout my life. Growing up, I always enjoyed following the NFL and NBA and hope to turn these passions into a career.
