What does ranking among the top 10 students in a large 6A school in Texas signify?

It’s both an honor and a privilege to achieve this distinction. Kingwood High School has many diligent students who rank in the top 10% of their class. These students exhibit discipline and determination as they navigate the challenging curriculum, enrolling in the most rigorous courses. Many of them are well-rounded individuals who display leadership within and beyond the boundaries of KHS.

Over the years, I’ve been acquainted with exceptional students who have held this esteemed title. This year, Mustang Monthly spotlighted these students, going beyond the traditional photo shared on Twitter and Instagram and inviting them to introduce themselves and share their stories beyond academics. Meet the Kingwood High School Top 10, Ranked from 1 to 10!

Matthew Feel is headed to the University of Notre Dame to pursue a degree in finance. He has been a dynamic KHS student and pivotal in launching the Mustang Market and DECA this year. Additionally, he has served as a leader and officer for Mustang Round-Up and the National Honor Society. Despite his busy schedule, Matthew has continued to play soccer for KHS. Matthew volunteered and gave back to the community through NHS projects and was a leader in Stangs Service Day this past year. A little-known fact about Matthew is that he is colorblind, making it challenging for him to sort M&M’s.

Kuba Hashemian will be heading to Stanford University in the fall to pursue a major in Computer Science. At KHS, Kuba is deeply involved in various science-focused activities, leading state-qualifying teams for the Science Olympiad as president. He has also served as the president of Mu Alpha Theta and taken a leadership role in UIL Math. Additionally, he has been an active member of the UIL Science and Cyber Security clubs. Outside of KHS, Kuba continues to play the piano and has played soccer throughout most of high school. He also enjoys contributing to his community by volunteering at the Houston Food Bank.

Renee Bakare will be attending Northwestern in the windy city of Chicago where she plans to pursue a degree in Economics or Finance. Renowned for her academic expertise, Renee has actively participated in numerous honors societies at KHS. She has been a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa, Psi Alpha/Psychology Club, UIL Academics, and the American Chemical Society. Additionally, she has dedicated herself to community service through volunteering with the Key Club, seizing the various opportunities it offers to give back to the community. Renee was born in London and maintains dual citizenship.

Tommy Avery is set to attend Texas A&M University as a Brown Scholar, where he plans to major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Finance or Accounting. Throughout his time at KHS, Tommy has been actively involved in various capacities. He has balanced multiple varsity sports, serving as the Track team captain and playing soccer all four years. Additionally, he holds the positions of NHS president and Senior Class of 2024 treasurer, and is a member of several honor societies at KHS. Outside of his academic and leadership roles, Tommy is a movie enthusiast with a watchlist that exceeds 100 films. His current favorite recommendation is Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown”. At KHS, Tommy has elevated the energy of pep rallies, leading the entire gym in our traditional spirit cheer and fostering a strong sense of school community.

Peter Castillo has chosen Texas A&M University as his destination to pursue a degree in computer science. Throughout the last four years, Peter dedicated himself to Science Olympiad and Tennis. He also showcased his musical talent as a violinist in the chamber orchestra and attained the prestigious recognition of being selected for the Texas All-State Orchestra in his senior year. Peter prides himself in being Mrs. Butlers favorite student in the class of 2024.

Ashley Zeller is set to begin her journey at Texas A&M University’s Mays School in the fall, where she will be majoring in Business. During her time at Kingwood High School, Ashley emerged as a leader in various capacities, serving as the Vice President of Student Activities in the Student Council and holding the position of Rho Kappa Treasurer. Additionally, she actively participated in several honors societies including the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Ashely dedicated numerous weekends and evenings to volunteering at her church’s middle school ministry. Moreover, she generously shared her knowledge by working as a private math tutor and cherished moments spent with her family and friends making memories. Little known fun fact about Ashley is that she is ambidextrous!

Rohan Yelandur is set to embark on his academic journey at the University of Texas, where he will be pursuing Computer Science. Throughout his time at KHS, Rohan held numerous leadership roles, including co-president of Science Olympiad, President of the Asian Culture Society, and Vice President of the Chess Club. Like other top achievers, Rohan was actively involved in various organizations such as the National Honor Society, Computer Science Honor Society, UIL Academics, and Mu Alpha Theta. In Addition to his academic commitments, Rohan also dedicated himself to sports, serving as an active member of the Kingwood Track & Field team throughout high school. Rohan also demonstrated a commitment to community service through his involvement as an Eagle Scout. His Eagle Scout project focused on designing and constructing benches to enhance the infrastructure at the local Jesse H. Jones Nature Reserve.

Christine Xu is set to enroll at Purdue University with a focus on computer science and AI. Outside of academics, Christine enjoys playing in both the chamber orchestra and the quintessential quartet, often performing at community events and gigs. She has been actively engaged in various extracurricular activities including the National Honor Society, DECA, UIL Academics, American Chemical Society, Kingwood Golf, and Mu Alpha Theta. Additionally, Christine has a 13-year-old younger sister.

Connor Taylor is set to embark on his academic journey at Texas A&M University, where he will join the Honors Engineering Program with a focus on biomedical or mechanical engineering. Alongside his academic pursuits, Connor looks forward to becoming an Aggie Wrangler, a professional country western dance team member. During his time at KHS, Connor served as the elected president of the Class of 2026 and held officer positions in both the National Honor Society and the Kingwood Orchestra. Known for his spirited participation, Connor enthusiastically embraced the themes of pep rallies at KHS. He also actively participated in extracurricular activities such as Chamber Orchestra as a Cellist, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Tri-Music Honor Society. A fascinating fact about Connor is that he is considered a miracle baby, as his doctor’s faith-driven actions led to his premature but successful birth, despite  concerns of his survival.

Lastly, Lindsey Burklow will be enrolling at the University of Georgia to pursue a degree in business, with a concentration in MIS or Risk Management. During her time at KHS, Lindsey actively participated in various organizations including the National Honor Society, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa, and DECA. It’s true: Lindsey was indeed named after the famous actress Lindsey Lohan, confirming the rumors.

We’ve enjoyed sharing these stories and the stories of all of our students so much that we’ve relaunched Humans of KHS to feature the experiences of our entire student body. Each student’s journey through high school is significant, whether they rank in the top 10 or not. Academic achievement is just one aspect of this journey. Take a moment to visit Humans of KHS on Instagram to discover the passions of our diverse student body. If you’re interested in sharing your own story, please DM us, and we’ll feature your photo along with a personal quote.

Congratulations to the Kingwood High School Class of 2024 Top 10!