McNeil
High School
2023
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.
Cariss Keng – Valedictorian
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Pond Springs Elementary School, Patsy Sommer Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I have fond memories of my extracurricular experiences at Round Rock ISD, mostly through high school band and varsity volleyball. I loved being a member of the wind ensemble, playing Sleigh Ride every year, taking enriching trips across the country to places like Indianapolis, and enjoying the amazing feeling of performing beautiful music in front of friends and family. I also appreciated that I was able to play varsity volleyball at the same time. The student sections at home games, especially my junior year, were loud and spirited. The energy made the games 1000 times more exciting, allowing me to have fun playing my favorite sport with some of my best friends.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teacher was definitely my high school French teacher, Madame Tutuc. Madame T taught me more than how to speak French during my four years in her classes. She cultivated an appreciation of every aspect of the culture, going above and beyond to ensure that we weren’t only learning, but that we were also happy and healthy. She immersed all of us in the lifestyle, allowing us to paint our own impressionist paintings and even having French food parties! I’ve never met a teacher with the same unfailing compassion, empathy, and love for her students that Madame T possesses. I think that I’ll always strive to yield that same regard for others.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania to study Business at Wharton, concentrating in either Finance, Legal Studies, Entrepreneurship, or Accounting.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I have interests in exploring a career in either Business Law or honestly, pursuing any job in the field of business. I also hope to go back to school, either for an MBA or law. Perhaps I’ll do investment banking, start my own business, or become a CPA. As long as I’m able to find a job that feels right and allows me to express my creativity, I know I’ll be happy.
Aniruddh Mishra – Salutatorian
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Wells Branch Elementary School, Patsy Sommer Elementary School, Elsa England Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, Pearson Ranch Middle School, McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The best memory that I have of Round Rock ISD is from the band program at my school. The Friday night lights and marching competitions are some moments that I will never forget. I think conducting the last show of my senior season has to be my favorite memory from all of the years I have been at Round Rock ISD. From all of the welcoming campuses I have been to that have shaped who I am today, I think McNeil’s band program sold the environment of Round Rock ISD for me.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I have had many incredible teachers in Round Rock ISD. In fact, I don’t think I can think of a single teacher who didn’t provide me an amazing learning environment. However, as of recently, I believe my Calculus teacher these past two years has been my most influential teacher. Mr. Decker allowed me to fall into love with Math again. I am really grateful for all the questions that he has spent time answering for me. I could not be where I am without teachers like him.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I am planning to attend the University of Teaxas at Austin next year to do a double major in Electrical Computer Engineering and Business. Hook ’em Horns!
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I want to pursue a career in engineering in general. However, I hope to expand from this into starting my own company to get a greater innovative freedom. I believe that the knowledge and connections that I have gained from RRISD have set me up to achieve such dreams in the future.
Anshul Gulati – No. 3
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Brushy Creek Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I don’t think there’s quite any one memory, rather just all the time I’ve spent with my friends and family! I really love being around them, playing cards, making jokes, or whatever else we might be doing. They’re the people I’m really comfortable around, and there truly isn’t much better than that. To all my friends and family – thanks y’all so much, y’all have made my life so much better and I’m forever grateful for all the times we’ve had together!
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teacher has been Mr. Dominic Henderson, my debate teacher and coach for my high school years. He opened up a whole new world to me in debate, an activity I’ve really enjoyed being in for the past four years. Debate has been a wonderful activity to learn, meet new friends across the country, and more for me, and the experience is one I would never change for the world. Mr. Henderson’s been a huge catalyst for my participation in debate, and I definitely wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now without him!
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 Computer Science.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I would love to go to law school after my undergraduate education!
Kanthi Makineedi – No. 3
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Cedar Valley Middle School and McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I’ll never forget all the amazing memories I’ve made through DECA: riding roller coasters at Universal in the freezing rain, late nights laughing in the hotel room, and most importantly connecting and creating lasting friendships with people from across the nation. I’ve learned and grown so much through the experiences over the past years, from having philosophical debates in the hallways to working with elementary school students and listening to their stories. I’ve loved being able to express myself creatively through art by painting wall murals at school and getting my hands dirty with ink and clay. Also, going on walks to Starbucks in the scorching heat hits different.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I am thankful for Mr. Norwood’s unwavering support through these four years, both as a teacher and DECA advisor. He provided me the opportunity to grow as a leader and inspired me to find confidence in myself. I am grateful to Ms. Garza for always being there with a smile and being down to talk for hours on end. I’ll never forget Mr. Prince’s infectious energy and Ms. Balfour’s care in making her class a place where we could work hard and play hard.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I’ll be attending Duke University to study computer science and economics.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After college, I plan to complete my MBA. By exploring the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and social work through my career, I hope to improve educational equity for students worldwide.
Vinay Rajgopal – No. 5
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Elsa England Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, Pearson Ranch Middle School, and McNeil 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 attending ICDC in Orlando this past April. Because of the DECA program at McNeil I had the opportunity to compete in the international competition in Florida. And thankfully the District was able to pay for the trip which was huge. It was very memorable as I won third in the world and got the first DECA glass McNeil DECA has ever gotten. It was a trip I will never forget and the absolute highlight of my time in Round Rock ISD.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I can’t name just one teacher, I have had many teachers that I feel influenced me in a positive way. Thank you to Ms.Ostrominski, Ms.Calhoun, Ms.Flores, Mr.Perdon, Mr. Robbins, Ms.Eustice, Ms.Calvin, Ms. Kellogg and Mr. Norwood. These teachers have been the most caring and nicest teachers I have met and greatly impacted my time in Round Rock ISD.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin and plan to study business.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I hope to pursue a career in finance or sports management after college.
My Do – No. 6
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Pearson Ranch Middle School, Cedar Valley Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The best memories I have of my time here are during the caroling season with Musicale, when we would go from school to school, or neighborhood to neighborhood singing for families and children. It was amazing to see the kids so happy and families being touched by the music we were making. I also had the best time with my friends singing and it was an experience I never would’ve been able to have without the McNeil Choir Program.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teachers are my choir directors because they have guided me all throughout high school in being the best version of myself. Everyday, they inspire me when they teach with such passion for their students and for music. They showed me that school isn’t just about academics, and gave me an outlet to let out my stress. They showed me what it meant to be a leader of a group, and I will forever be grateful for our relationship.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I’ll be attending the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in business.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I hope to enroll into a PA program to become a PA in the future. I want to be able to work in a flexible career where I can work in areas that may need the most help. I hope to work as a PA in low-income and majority minority communities.
Uzair Nawaz – No. 7
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Patsy Sommer Elementary School, Pearson Ranch Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The biggest highlights of my time in Round Rock ISD would definitely be my DECA trips to Atlanta and Orlando these last two years. After the stress of pitching business ideas to judges while dressed in formal attire, I loved being able to relax with friends, visiting attractions like Six Flags and Universal Studios or just walking around the city. Those trips, although short in the grand scheme of my high school career, were definitely my most cherished memories of my time here. Not far behind, however, are my computer science competitions, which were high-stress rapid scrambles of coming up with efficient algorithms to challenging problems as a team. The pay-off of succeeding gave me a sense of achievement like no other, and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of our competitive computer science team.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I’ve had so many amazing teachers during my time in RRISD. Mr. Cawthron from Pearson Ranch challenged me to come up with creative solutions to seemingly-unsolvable engineering problems and solidified my interest in STEM (and also made me learn how to actually type). Mr. Prince’s passion for physics turned a difficult subject into something I constantly looked forward to with his various demonstrations and examples. Last, but certainly not least, Mr. Emry constantly supported my interest in computer science as the sponsor for Computer Science Club and coach for our UIL team. He constantly pushed us to succeed and sacrificed his free time to come to competitions with us (some ending even as late as midnight in a different city), and for that I am extremely grateful.
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 computer science.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
As of now, I’m not quite sure. Computer science is a huge field and has so many applications in other fields. I hope that my experiences throughout college will help me explore many of those different applications and allow me to figure out what aspects of computer science I find most interesting and want to pursue.
Rajika Parihar – No. 8
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
McNeil High School and Round Rock ISD have given me the most beautiful four years I could’ve ever asked for and I’m so beyond grateful that they made it truly difficult for me to pinpoint a singular highlight, but if I had to pick, it would probably be club photo day for yearbook. While most individuals got ready to represent their esteemed organization, I packed a tote bag with seven different outfit changes to be photographed for more than 10 Maverick organizations. I became best friends with the hired photographers by the end of the day and was absolutely overjoyed. All the chaos of this day made me reflect on how incredibly privileged I am to be able to be a part of several loving and empowering communities. McNeil High School is such a special environment that, along with its endless valuable organizations, have truly shaped the person I am today and I cannot put into words the amount of gratitude and love I hold in my heart for all of my peers, staff, administrators, and incredible teachers.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My most influential teacher I’ve had the privilege of learning from is Mrs. Livia Tutuc, an amazing Maverick French teacher. Upon moving to America during my Freshman year, Mrs. T went above and beyond to make sure I felt welcomed and loved during a time when I felt I didn’t belong. I truly would not be the person I am today without her and no amount of words are enough to express the amount of gratitude I feel for her. She has been my constant support system and taught me the importance of spreading love, kindness, and always being understanding. I will truly miss her every day after graduating and hope to carry forward all the values she has taught me in all of my future endeavors. Additionally, all of the teachers in the McNeil Health Science department have been incredibly influential during this formative experience. Mrs. Wawack, Mrs. Rail, and Ms. Shofner have taught me beyond words can say and I can’t wait to make them proud as a future healthcare provider. For the past four years, my teachers have been my best friends and I’ll miss each and every single one of them greatly. I have endless amounts of love for all the Mav staff and can’t thank them enough!
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to major in Neuroscience with a concentration in Disability Studies on a Pre-med track. Hook ’em!!! <3
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I plan on either going to medical school in the hopes of going into the field of obstetrics and gynecology or going to Occupational Therapy School to work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Sumin Yeo – No. 9
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Great Oaks Elementary, Elsa England Elementary, Cedar Valley Middle School, Pearson Ranch Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The best memory that I have from Round Rock ISD was when the NHS Officer team and I recreated viral Vines for the Spring 2023 Trivia Night. The objective of the round was to fill in the blank of viral vines that we had recreated and I remember having a lot of fun recording these videos. I specifically remember my vine where I recreated the “AHHH, stop. I could’ve dropped my croissant!” and all the Trivia Night attendees laughed at my video. Not only was Trivia Night a memorable experience, but being able to be a part of NHS as an officer brought many good memories. Despite the stress, I loved my time from babysitting at Forest North to helping out at the Austin Seton Marathon, building new friendships, and dedicating my time to giving back to the community.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Ms. Calvin and Ms. Kellogg, my favorite AP Statistics and AP Psychology teachers, that made class such a welcoming environment and always taught in a positive attitude.
Ms. Arcuri and Mr. Decker, my Pre-AP Algebra II teacher and AP Calculus AB & BC teachers, that made me see I was good and enjoyed math way more than I had originally thought.
Ms. Miller, Ms. Sefton, Ms. Wright, Ms. Shirtekar, my elementary school teachers, that encouraged me to exceed limits and for providing me with an amazing foundation to build my education upon as an English as a Second Language (ESL) student.
Mr. Prince and Mr. Perdon, my AP Physics 1 & C and middle school Algebra II & Geometry teachers, that taught me such rigorous curriculum and for challenging my brain with such challenging concepts.
Mr. Eubanks, my Principles of Business-Marketing-Finance teacher, that inspired me to pursue my goals and for teaching me about grit and perseverance through his military stories.
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 economics on the pre-med track. I also plan on having a minor in mathematics.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After college, I plan on attending medical school in order to study to become a doctor. I’ve also always had an interest in computer science and so I might do research on implications of computer science into the medical field.
Zayd Nadir – No. 10
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Patsy Sommer Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School, Pearson Ranch Middle School, and McNeil High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The best memory that I’ve had was going to the Friday assemblies at Patsy Sommer. Even though it was a really long time ago, I’ll never forget the feeling of elementary school me getting recognized for being a “Star Stallion.”
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The most influential teacher I have had is Mr. C from Pearson Ranch, my BIM and Engineering teacher. Besides helping me improve my typing and soft skills, Mr. C helped me get the motivation and discipline I needed to succeed in high school.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I plan on attending Texas A&M University and plan on majoring in computer science after my first year.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After college, I hope to pursue a career in the tech industry for a few years. After this, I hope to venture into entrepreneurship and establish my own business, potentially with the help of AI/ML.
