You’ve met the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian, now meet the graduates who round out the top in their class. Each shares more about who they are, their favorite memories, biggest accomplishments, advice and their inspiration, as well as something you would never know. Each of these graduates is an inspiration!
#3 Dennis Marquardt
Abilene Christian University
Engineering
What high school activity, class, or teacher impacted who you are today?
Out of all the courses I have taken in high school, the PALs program has been the most impactful.
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
Going to Disney with all my friends over spring break.
Share a time where you feel like you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it.
AP Physics was the most difficult class I have taken. It taught me how to study independently and how to adapt to varied teaching styles.
What advice would you give to under classmen about making the most out of their high school experience?
Getting involved in organizations is the best way to make friends and have great experiences.
Who or what gives you inspiration?
The way my classmates do things to the best of their abilities and finish work far before deadlines inspires me to do the same.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
I am most proud of starting and growing my own car detailing business. It has been so rewarding to see my hard work pay off in the form of countless satisfied customers.
What is something others would be surprised to know about you?
I was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this achievement?
My classmates and family.
#4 Arnav Garlapati
University of Texas, Austin
Business/Medicine or Dentistry
What high school activity, class, or teacher impacted who you are today?
One high school activity that has impacted me a lot on who I am today is my participation in the NHS officer committee as the president, which has taught me a lot about leadership and putting myself out there in ways that I have never been exposed to before high school. NHS also taught me so much about how to talk to people in a community and the friendships and bonds you can make, which are in my opinion, worth more than are any sort of classroom education.
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
Some of my most cherished memories in high school were with my tennis team. Getting fired-up during my team seasons with my teammates was one of the best things that I ever got to do in my life.
Share a time where you feel like you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it.
Ever since elementary school, I struggled to keep up with my peers in reading and language arts. Starting off as an ESL student, it was an uphill battle, but with many of my reading teachers supporting me, numerous hours of hard work, and the determination to succeed, I was able to compete at the level of most of my peers. So, this challenge taught me that, with a little discipline and hard work, you can achieve anything.
What advice would you give to under classmen about making the most out of their high school experience?
I would definitely tell underclassmen to manage their time very wisely and tell them to never, never procrastinate. Since I procrastinated a lot, I had to sit through a lot of all-nighters throughout my high school career. I highly don’t recommend doing that.
Who or what gives you inspiration?
I get the most inspiration from my father, who is such a revered person among his patients. He inspires me to work for that level of respect and make a name for myself in the world today.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
One accomplishment that I am very proud of in high school was winning state at the UIL State Competition with my calculator applications team during my junior year. It was the last year I had with two of my best friends from the Class of 2023. We were also one of the only UIL academic state teams to ever win a state championship in Wylie High School history. So, I got to mark my place in the history books too.
What is something others would be surprised to know about you?
One surprising fact about me is that I am actually the youngest male graduate of the Wylie Class of 2024. According to the age aspect, I should be in the middle of the pack for the Class of 2025.
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this achievement? Here is your chance!
I would like to thank my parents and my brother for pushing me to work hard and supporting me throughout all of my high school journey. I would also like to thank my friends for pushing me to compete to the highest level as well.
#5 Halli Russell
Texas Tech University
Computer Engineering
What high school activity, class, or teacher impacted who you are today?
Wylie Softball
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
The third round of softball playoffs freshman year, we played Lubbock Monterey. It was my big moment to fight for my team to play another day. It was always my dream to play on varsity as a freshman, and I was finally living that dream.
Share a time where you feel like you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it.
Taking and preparing for the SAT was honestly such a challenge. The test itself is hard enough, but finding time to prepare for it while taking eight classes last year was difficult. I took it a couple times until I got a score I was satisfied with, but even then, I was worried if that score would even be good enough to help me with college. I overcame this by creating a study routine to practice a little bit every night to ensure the best results.
What advice would you give to under classmen about making the most out of their high school experience?
My advice would be to go to every pep rally, game, ceremony, dance, etc. You are going to regret not making the most of every opportunity you have to make memories with the people you have grown up with.
Who or what gives you inspiration?
My dad and mom
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Honestly, getting fifth in the class is a huge deal for me. It is proof that all my hard work these past four years did pay off.
What is something others would be surprised to know about you?
I am a lifeguard and I absolutely love it.
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this achievement?
I would like to thank all my teachers for helping me with this accomplishment, my friends for making school a little less stressful, and to my parents who have always supported and pushed me to achieve all my goals no matter how big or small.
#6 Laura Preston
Texas A&M University, College Station
Business Administration in Accounting
What high school activity, class, or teacher impacted who you are today?
My experience with the Wylie Varsity Belles Drill Team and my director, Mrs. Lin Thompson, impacted me the most in high school. I learned the value of leadership, hard work, and friendship in this program.
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
My favorite memories in high school are small moments that come together to make an amazing high school experience. It was baking a cake in culinary arts, laughing so hard you couldn’t breathe at the end of PreAP chemistry class, and Coach Vaughn teaching you how to wisely manage your money while in history class.
Share a time where you feel like you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it.
As a whole, junior year was challenging due to the high demands in academic and extracurricular activities. Often times, I felt that I was falling behind my peers in academics and not doing a good job balancing my schedule. I learned that despite your circumstances, you can find joy when you stop comparing yourself to others and realize you are a unique individual.
What advice would you give to under classmen about making the most out of their high school experience?
“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.“ — Maya Angelou
Who or what gives you inspiration?
My older sister, Claire Preston, has continually been one of my role models and someone that has impacted my life. As I grew up, I noticed Claire had an unconditional joy and warmth to her that others did not possess. Claire’s impact on me as a child became my road map to how I was going to live my life.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
I am the most proud and honored to have been the drill team captain for the past two years. Dance has been my passion since a young age and sharing this passion and leading other dancers has been a remarkable experience.
What is something others would be surprised to know about you?
One day in my sophomore year of drill team practice, our director Mrs. Thompson, made us run on the track to build up our stamina. While we were outside, the track coach ended up timing me on the 400, and I was off. I ran the 400 in 71 seconds (without any training) and the track coach suggested I join the class. I was then determined to be a track star…that idea lasted about four days. Does anyone need a new pair of Nike Zoom Rival track shoes, size 8 1/2?
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this achievement?
My family, especially my parents, have encouraged, challenged, and helped me become who I am today.
#7 Allie Allen
University of Texas, San Antonio
Biology/PA or Medical School
Collegiate Soccer
What high school activity, class, or teacher impacted who you are today?
In the classroom aspect, almost all my Pre-AP and AP classes had the most impact on me. They showed me how to prepare myself for difficult challenges and expect the best out of myself. Out of the classroom, soccer had had a major impact on who I am today. It not only allows me to stay active/healthy; it has taught me many life aspects like determination, drive, grit, and hard work.
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
Making it to the Regional Semi-Finals for soccer, and winning District for the first time in 5A.
Share a time where you feel like you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it.
Overcoming ACL/meniscus surgery has taught me perseverance. Having your season taken away in an instant shifting your focus from, “Why me?” to “How can I help others going through similar situations?”
What advice would you give to under classmen about making the most out of their high school experience?
Cherish every single moment because it truly flies by. Make sure to spend time with friends while also keeping up your grades in the classroom.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Being in the top 10 of my graduating class because it shows just how much hard work I’ve dedicated to preparing myself for college/career. Committing to play D1 collegiate soccer on scholarship because I’ve put in countless hours to be the best I can be.
What is something others would be surprised to know about you?
I love to spend time with my niece, Scottie!
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this achievement?
My mom and dad. Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Spear, Mrs. Gilreath, Coach Martin
#8 Kolby Anderson
Texas A&M University, College Station
Engineering
What high school activity, class, or teacher impacted who you are today?
AP English with Mrs. Kirby, she helped to develop my critical thinking skills.
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
I have a lot of fond memories from high school, but none live up to the feeling I have each day walking into school and talking with friends.
Share a time where you feel like you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it.
In chemistry with Mrs. Speer, I had to work really hard, but in the end it paid off.
What advice would you give to under classmen about making the most out of their high school experience?
Work hard during school and have fun after school.
Who or what gives you inspiration?
Theodore Roosevelt, his world view was so energetic and inspiring. It’s inspiring to see someone overcome the challenges of life like he did.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Getting into Texas A&M! Gig’em!
What is something others would be surprised to know about you?
I read the news each and every day.
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this achievement?
My family and the amazing teachers that have helped me all along the way!
#9 Snigdha Dasireddy
Johns Hopkins University
Molecular and Cellular Biology/Oncology
What high school activity, class, or teacher impacted who you are today?
This wasn’t necessary during school, but over the summer I went to Texas Bluebonnet Girls State. This was truly an eye-opening experience. There is something about being in a room full of intelligent women that brings about a feeling of reassurance and confidence that will stay with you forever.
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
During sophomore year we started a tradition of a sort in World Geography (Mr. Dowell’s class) of a culture day/ project. Being able to learn about cultures and share about my own was a really enjoyable experience that I will forever remember.
Share a time where you feel like you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it.
This seems to be a universal experience amongst many high school students, I’m sure, but AP physics was truly a challenge. The content itself wasn’t particularly challenging, it was more so just trying to understand and learn how to apply each concept. A lot of this class was also learning how to accept a “bad” grade and looking at it as an opportunity to improve and not an experience to resent.
What advice would you give to under classmen about making the most out of their high school experience? As cliche as it sounds, enjoy it. Highschool is only four years. You only have four years to spend with these people, in this place, and you’ll get out of it what you put in, so make it worthwhile.
Who or what gives you inspiration?
In all honesty my parents. Their hard work motivates me to be my best self.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why? I competed in Biomedical Debate (via HOSA). This was our first year as a HOSA chapter, and my first year doing debate. No one on my team had done debate before, so we really did go into it blind, and we did pretty well. We didn’t make it as far as we hoped, but I’m happy to have been able to lay a solid base for future generations as both a member of the debate team and HOSA president.
What is something others would be surprised to know about you?
I never thought I’d use it, but I have a certification in floral design that I actually use all the time. I had originally joined the class to fill a gap in my schedule, but it has been surprisingly useful.
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this achievement? To start off I would like to thank my teachers, especially Mrs. Speer, Mrs. Kirby, Mrs. Brooks, Mr. Dowell, and Dr. Hood. They provided me with knowledge that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and encouraged me in all my endeavors, and for that I am forever grateful. Additionally, I would like to thank my close friends. They have made high school a joy, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have them in my life. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank my family. From teacher to best friend to everything in between my family has provided me with endless amounts of love and support. They truly are my driving force, and I am forever grateful for each and every one of them.
#9 Rogelio Tovar
Angelo State University
Computer Science MS/Law
What high school activity, class, or teacher impacted who you are today?
UIL Social Studies, Computer Science 1, and Mr. Dowell
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
On April 27, 2024, the UIL Social Studies Team finished first in Regionals and advanced to state. First time UIL Social Studies did so.
Share a time where you feel like you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it. I signed up for the Congressional App Challenge and made an algorithm to randomly make a 3-dimensional maze that is always solvable. I put it off for a bit but eventually coded it. I learned to not put off major projects as such in the future.
What advice would you give to under classmen about making the most out of their high school experience? Do stuff. It doesn’t need to be sports, academics, or even school-related but do something. My family is made up of immigrants who didn’t have the opportunities I do. We host many extended family members who are new to the country and seeing what they went through to experience what I consider commonplace is very eye-opening.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Junior Year I made it to the state competition in UIL Social Studies individually. I was the only person returning from the team the year before and so I felt as if I owed success to them and studied hard to make my current and former team and siphoned some motivation from them.
What is something others would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a first generation American.
Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach this achievement?
I have gratitude for my teachers who knew me throughout high school, but I owe the biggest thank you to the teacher who taught me to love academics: my 8th grade Honors Algebra teacher Mr. Clark. COVID cut that year short, and I never got to thank him for the impact he had on me. I’m glad now I can tell someone.
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