Westwood
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.
Willow Stenglein – Valedictorian
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Canyon Creek Elementary School, Grisham Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My favorite experiences come from after school hours in Grisham’s art room. I spent late afternoons there with art projects, friends, and cookies.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
So many teachers have had a great impact on me. Thank you Madame Macharia for fortifying my French education and for your genuine care for us! Thank you Mr. Mickel and Mrs. Patterson for your well-crafted computer science lessons and your support! Thank you Mr. Ziebell for your kindness and making math fun. Thank you Mrs. Scazzero, Mrs. Matthews, and Mr. Blaine for being enthusiastic and incredible teachers! I have such a deep appreciation for social studies, thanks to y’all. Thank you Mrs. Goodman for creating a home for us at school. Finally, thank you to Mr. Chalk for demanding the unique and unusual!
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I’ll be attending the University of Texas at Austin, where I will study computer science as part of the Turing Scholars Honors Program.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I would like to pursue an advanced degree in Computer Science. I believe deeply understanding this field will enable me to create technologies to better people’s lives.
Amogh Mahambare – Salutatorian
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
My best memories during my time at Round Rock ISD have been through Debate. Whether it be staying up late nights on zoom calls preparing for upcoming tournaments, spending time with teammates, or simply hanging out with friends in between debates, debate has become a second family and a blast. (especially considering my parents forced me to sign up against my will) While there are too many memories to name specifically, some stand out: playing at the beach during the state championship, watching teammates getting pied during the fall social, and doing stupid things in hotel rooms.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
It would be extremely difficult to pick one, so I will name a few of my most influential teachers. First, Mr. Williams for introducing me to an exploration-based classroom in what was an extremely memorable geography class. Making interactive maps, virtual tours on Google Maps, and more, turned what I thought would be another boring social studies class into one I looked forward to. Next, Mr. Blaine for showing me how to “ride the wave” and “lean in.” While transitioning to online learning was immensely difficult, Mr. Blaine made it look easy. I was lucky to have Mr. Blaine again this year making Economics a highlight of my upperclassmen years. Finally, Mr. Youn for displaying how cool teachers can be. If you think school is boring, you should go talk to Mr. Youn.
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 a dual degree program in Chemical Engineering Honors and Plan II Honors on a full-ride merit scholarship.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After college I want to pursue a masters degree, maybe an MBA or continue with engineering. I would also love to start my own business and retire early.
Amanda Yin – No. 3
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Sommer Elementary School, Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
One of the best memories I have of my time in Round Rock ISD is staying after school waiting for my parents with my friends in middle school. We’d just have mindless fun every day: feeding ants, trying to grow plums, texting people from other schools and making inane jokes. (Honorable mentions: when I had to try three times before I got into TAG. Also, that one quadrilateral quiz in geometry that was insane.)
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
There are countless teachers in Round Rock ISD that have influenced me. Mr. Bray was the first teacher I had who had such passion, such transparency, such honesty, that I could not help but want to put my all into truly learning. Mr. Blaine has taught me how to think fast on my feet, to learn in time, to constantly be attentive. Mrs. Wells and Mr. Sullivan have shown me how to approach math through a different perspective, to constantly question and work out what I am taught. Mr. Garza has fostered such a welcoming IB art community and always makes us laugh.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be studying mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
After completing my bachelor’s degree, I hope to get a Ph.D. and eventually become a quantitative analyst.
Grace Li – No. 4
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Spicewood Elementary School, Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I think my best memory of my time in Round Rock ISD was my tenth grade year DECA State trip to Dallas because I got to hang out with my friends, experience going to another city without my parents, and, as a cherry on top, I acquired a small stuffed dragon I call Comet at a toy store.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I think the most influential teacher for me would be my 11th and 12th grade math teacher, Ms. Wells because she worked really to create a welcoming and fun environment to learn math in. As someone who hated math when I was younger, this was really helpful to me as it caused me to enjoy math and this enjoyment, combine with my other STEM extracurriculars, is what eventually made me want to pursue engineering in college.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be going to the University of Texas at Austin next year and studying electrical and computer engineering.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I hope to pursue an engineering job where I can design robots for everyday use.
Andy Jiang – No. 5
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Spicewood Elementary School, Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Towards the end of senior year, I worked with friends from Mu Alpha Theta to host a pancake breakfast for teachers. During the breakfast, as student volunteers served food to hungry teachers and the library air filled with the smell of slightly burnt pancakes, I surveyed the room and felt an inexplicable surge of pride in the community at Westwood. Fun and rewarding experiences like this have made the strongest impressions on me during my time in school, and memories of this pancake breakfast—along with memories from JV tennis tournaments, IB socials, Mathcounts, science bowl, and all the small conversations with friends and teachers that I never thought I would remember—are ones that I will forever cherish.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I am truly grateful to every one of my teachers for shaping me as a person. I would like to give special thanks to Madame Macharia, for giving me confidence as a learner and for nurturing my passion for exploring the world’s diverse cultures; to Mr. Blaine, for encouraging me to fully comprehend the value of full comprehension in all subjects; to Mrs. Saenz, for introducing me to new perspectives to examine the world’s complexity as well as my own life through; to Mr. Sullivan, for boosting my interest in math’s inherent beauty and both its straightforward and creative applications; and to Mrs. Key, for spurring my fascination in chemistry’s complexities and for building a positive, welcoming environment in IB.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending MIT next fall to study computer science.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I am still unsure of my post-college plans, but at some point I would like to use my computer science skills to work for or start an organization that improves sustainable access to clean water across the world.
Elliot Lee – No. 6
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Spicewood Elementary School, Cedar Valley Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The most memorable experience I had was the Midwest Clinic I went to during my sophomore year. While I didn’t find the orchestra playing aspect of the trip particularly special, I was able to spend a lot of time doing random activities with my friends, and I had many good memories from the trip.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
The most influential teacher I had during my time in Round Rock ISD was Mrs. Wieland. The constant emphasis she placed on improvement and identifying one’s personal weakness in course content helped reinforce my ideas that learning and growth were much more important than simply getting high grades on assessments. Largely due to her teaching, I realized that building a solid understanding of concepts and ideas was also a significantly more efficient way of performing well on tests/quizzes than routine studying/memorization.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology next year, studying computer science.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
My post-college plans are still in the air at the moment, but my current plans are probably just to get employed by either a well-established tech company or possibly a tech start-up after graduating from college.
Aman Tewari – No. 7
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Spicewood Elementary, Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I’ve had a lot of amazing memories throughout my time at Round Rock ISD. From school trips to the late nights spent hanging out instead of preparing for debate tournaments, there’s a lot of memories to be thankful for. Yet, when I look back, the memories I’m most thankful for were the small things: the laughs with friends, the shared struggles, and the small and big victories we had together.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I’d like to thank every teacher that I’ve personally interacted with, all of you played a big role in shaping the way I understand the world. I’ve been lucky enough to have teachers who pushed me to learn more, who taught me to deeply understand what I learn, and who were simply amazing human beings. I’d like to give a special thank-you to a couple of teachers. Mrs. Key thank you for creating a home for the IB students and for being one of the most caring individuals I’ve ever had the privilege to meet; Mr. McB thank you for creating an amazing classroom environment and focusing on the small things; Mr. Siler thank you for being an amazing DECA sponsor and for your diverse and interesting stories; Mr. Sullivan thank you for reintroducing me to my love of math and having a class I genuinely looked forward to; Mrs. Smith thank you for my lowest grade in high school and making your class so engaging. Finally, thank you Mr. Blaine for teaching me to write and for the mentorship and conversations we’ve had over the past two years.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will most likely be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study computer science under the Turing Scholars Honors Program.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I have a lot of dreams and visions for the future. I hope to figure out what to pursue over the next four years!
Eric Xu – No. 8
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Laurel Mountain Elementary School, Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
It’s hard to pinpoint a specific memory, but I will remember the friends I made throughout high school.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Mr. Blaines insightful class introduced a new way of learning that I found to be helpful in my studies.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will attend the University of Texas at Austin for computer science.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I would like to become a software developer.
Rakshinee Sreekanth – No. 9
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Spicewood Elementary School, Laurel Mountain Elementary School, Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I remember the first day of Spanish class with Ms. Kimberly Teal in third grade. Nine years later, the classroom song “Va y viene, va y viene, viene va” still rings in my ear, as giggles and laughs would erupt from the room whenever a Spicewood classmate’s name was called. The fact that I was learning an entirely new language at that age truly blew my 8-year-old mind, inspiring me to take Spanish classes across all my middle and high school years. From the nerve-racking spontaneous “obras” in Señora Llanos’s class to reading the classic “La Travesía de Enrique” with Señora Rueda, I’m grateful to have these extraordinary teachers for me to immerse myself in a rich culture, way of thinking, and life through Spanish. With that little spark in third grade, I learned early on that our world is much bigger than our little bubble, filled with more vivid culture and beauty than I could’ve ever dreamed possible.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
First, to Ms. Castro, back in fifth grade at LME, thank you for ingraining in me the values of discipline, diligence, and dedication that I carry with me to this day (I still have the photo frames and bound books that you made for us!). Second, to Mr. Vara, my Canyon Vista Honor Choir Teacher, not a day goes by where I don’t use and appreciate something that you have taught me. Relaying the importance of overpreparation, focus, and most importantly, losing yourself to the music, you have inspired me to broaden my horizons in my musical ambitions and have provided me unforgettable memories. Third, to my high school pillars– Mrs. Wieland is the epitome of chemistry perfection as a teacher: patient, empathetic, dynamic, and intelligent, you are what every teacher should strive to be more like (I even almost majored in chemistry because of you!). And lastly, thank you, Mr. Siler, for serving as my support system for DECA, Tech Starters, and all of my business endeavors– your enthusiasm is contagious, and if everyone learned even an ounce of the knowledge and wisdom you share with us in the classroom, then the world would truly be a better place.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin for their Computer Science and Business Dual Honors program (CSB).
What do you hope to pursue after college?
I aspire to get a Master’s degree and enter the industry in a field like data science where I can combine my love for programming and computer science with my creative business-related interests. I also hope to continue performing nonprofit work for community issues I care about like gender inequality and climate change, carrying on my work from high school on a larger, more impactful level.
Maxim Gao – No. 10
What campuses in Round Rock ISD did you attend?
Canyon Creek Elementary, Grisham Middle School and Westwood High School.
What’s the best memory you have of your time in Round Rock ISD? Why?
Four-square and surviving from the Saduxe in elementary school recess, soccer and landmine tag in middle school gym. Huh, I guess PE really is my favorite subject. Either that, or all of my time in band, which has provided me with an irreplaceable community of people over these past four years. Bus rides, section parties, officer skits, trips to Disney, Chicago, and San Antonio, just to name a few memorable moments. Nothing else has been quite like high school band.
Who has been your most influential teacher in Round Rock ISD? Why?
I’m so very thankful for all of my teachers and mentors who have guided to me where I am today. But for the amount of time I’ve spent with music, I’d like to thank Mr. Turpin, Mrs. Dacy, and Mr. Winters for helping me grow both as a musician and a person. Their passion and dedication for music, inspiring leadership during tough times, and inhuman speech-giving abilities are all things I look up to, and I will forever be grateful for the sacrifices they have made towards making my high school experience such a stellar one.
What college will you be attending next year? What will you be studying?
I will be at the University of Texas at Austin under the Computer Science and Business Honors program.
What do you hope to pursue after college?
The future seems so distant. But at the moment, what I have in mind is some sort of entrepreneurial role in the tech industry.
