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Top FISD students graduate world-wise
By Ann Marie Shambaugh, Staff Writer
At the end of every school year, Frisco ISD seniors graduate with dreams of exploring their future and seeing the rest of the world as college students. This year, four of the top six students have learned first-hand about international studies, as all but two of the valedictorians and salutatorians have lived in other countries or are first-generation Americans.
Nirjhor Rahman was born in Bangladesh, grew up in Japan, and spent time in Maryland before moving to Texas and graduating as Centennial High School’s valedictorian. His travels abroad have led to an interest in international affairs, and he plans to major in international business at Georgetown University, although he is not sure what he wants to do for a career.
He said he chose Georgetown because it is in Washington, D.C., where decisions are made that affect the country and the world.
“The East Coast is where the decision-making happens, whether it’s New York or D.C.,” Rahman said. “In Texas it’s nice to relax … but you’re reacting to whatever happens there.”
With college just months away, he said he is most looking forward to the limitless possibilities.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself, and college is that first step toward doing that, because there’s so many opportunities out there,” Rahman said. “It’s a way to go off on your own without other people holding your hand all the time.”
He also said that he is inspired to succeed by all of the people in his life who helped him come from an impoverished nation to the top of his class in Frisco.
Rahman participated in the German Club, Teen Court, an independent study and mentorship program, and volunteered at Centennial Medical Center.
Zach Montgomery is this year’s salutatorian at Centennial, and one of the students who has not lived outside the country. He plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall to complete a bachelor’s degree in the business honors program in three years and obtain a master’s degree a year later.
After earning his master’s degree, Montgomery would like to attend Harvard Law School with a career goal of becoming a judge.
“I feel like the coming years in our country are going to be difficult, especially with all these new problems arising as far as interpretation of the Constitution,” he said.
He also said that his inspiration to do well in school and in life was instilled by biblical principals taught by his parents, and that he sets high academic goals for himself.
“It’s safe to say that if one is given certain abilities and talents that it’s wrong to not use them to their full capacity,” he said. “It would be a waste.”
Montgomery was born and raised in Garland, and moved to Frisco as a seventh grader. He has been involved with school choirs, church organizations, ultimate Frisbee competitions, and plays percussion instruments, piano, and guitar.
This year’s valedictorian at Wakeland High School is Austin Lane, who was born in the Netherlands when his father was stationed there as an Air Force pilot. He will attend Texas A&M University to major in chemical engineering.
“I really like chemistry and I’m pretty good at math, so I was trying to look for something that might be interesting that combined the two,” he said.
Lane played varsity golf during his time at Wakeland, and was a member of the National Honor Society and Mayor’s Youth Council.
He said that his mother has encouraged him in his academic endeavors.
“She’s always pushed me to go above and beyond my teacher’s expectations of me and my own expectations of myself,” he said.
Ilsa Levine is the salutatorian at Wakeland High School this year, and has lived in the United States her entire life. The four-year Frisco resident will be heading to the West Coast to study political science and broadcast journalism at UCLA next year.
She was involved with student council, the Mayor’s Youth Council, and served as the senior class president this year. She also enjoys acting, and is a member of the International Thespian Society. She hopes to continue acting as a college student.
Levine said that she may not be smartest girl in school, but that her hard work ethic was the key to her success.
“A life thing I’ve always lived by is I’ve never done anything with partial effort,” she said. “I try to do things to my best ability and with that in mind I try to study for tests as much as I can.”
Levine also said that she is looking forward to exploring her many interests in college and realizing where she excels.
“Discovering where I fit is going to be really exciting for me,” she said.
Avinash Achaibar finished at the top of Frisco High School’s class of 2008. He is a first- generation American, as his father is from Guyana and his mother is from India. He will attend Stanford University next school year to study architectural design, although he may choose another major.
During high school his interest grew in architectural design as he completed an independent study course that paired him with a mentor in the field. He also played soccer, ran cross country and track, and was a member of the National Art Society and National Honor Society.
Achaibar said that he comes from a family that values competition and motivation.
“My family is very driven, so I’ve always been raised to give it your all,” he said. “It’s not worth it unless you’re trying your hardest.”
He is interested in art, drama, piano, and travelling, and hopes to spend time doing the latter as a college student.
“I really want to get a chance to discover everything, learn about a bunch of different stuff in college, travel the world, explore myself and the world,” he said.
Rachel LaViola is the salutatorian at Frisco High School. She has lived in Frisco for nearly five years, but has also lived in Austin, New York, and Israel. She will attend Yale University in the fall to major in biological anthropology.
“[My major] really is very broad,” LaViola said. “You can go into many different fields with an anthropology degree.”
She said she is not sure what career path to take, but she enjoys learning about genetics and has a passion for theater. She has participated in several school shows, the UIL competition for theater, and is the president of the International Thespian Society at Frisco High School. She also enjoys singing in choirs.
LaViola said that her hunger for knowledge has helped her reach academic success.
“I really enjoy learning in general, so that in and of itself motivates me,” she said. “My parents have always motivated me and supported me and guided me, so I’ve had a lot of support from them.”
Graduation for all three FISD schools with seniors will be today at the Garland Special Events Center in Garland.
Nirjhor Rahman was born in Bangladesh, grew up in Japan, and spent time in Maryland before moving to Texas and graduating as Centennial High School’s valedictorian. His travels abroad have led to an interest in international affairs, and he plans to major in international business at Georgetown University, although he is not sure what he wants to do for a career.
He said he chose Georgetown because it is in Washington, D.C., where decisions are made that affect the country and the world.
“The East Coast is where the decision-making happens, whether it’s New York or D.C.,” Rahman said. “In Texas it’s nice to relax … but you’re reacting to whatever happens there.”
With college just months away, he said he is most looking forward to the limitless possibilities.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself, and college is that first step toward doing that, because there’s so many opportunities out there,” Rahman said. “It’s a way to go off on your own without other people holding your hand all the time.”
He also said that he is inspired to succeed by all of the people in his life who helped him come from an impoverished nation to the top of his class in Frisco.
Rahman participated in the German Club, Teen Court, an independent study and mentorship program, and volunteered at Centennial Medical Center.
Zach Montgomery is this year’s salutatorian at Centennial, and one of the students who has not lived outside the country. He plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall to complete a bachelor’s degree in the business honors program in three years and obtain a master’s degree a year later.
After earning his master’s degree, Montgomery would like to attend Harvard Law School with a career goal of becoming a judge.
“I feel like the coming years in our country are going to be difficult, especially with all these new problems arising as far as interpretation of the Constitution,” he said.
He also said that his inspiration to do well in school and in life was instilled by biblical principals taught by his parents, and that he sets high academic goals for himself.
“It’s safe to say that if one is given certain abilities and talents that it’s wrong to not use them to their full capacity,” he said. “It would be a waste.”
Montgomery was born and raised in Garland, and moved to Frisco as a seventh grader. He has been involved with school choirs, church organizations, ultimate Frisbee competitions, and plays percussion instruments, piano, and guitar.
This year’s valedictorian at Wakeland High School is Austin Lane, who was born in the Netherlands when his father was stationed there as an Air Force pilot. He will attend Texas A&M University to major in chemical engineering.
“I really like chemistry and I’m pretty good at math, so I was trying to look for something that might be interesting that combined the two,” he said.
Lane played varsity golf during his time at Wakeland, and was a member of the National Honor Society and Mayor’s Youth Council.
He said that his mother has encouraged him in his academic endeavors.
“She’s always pushed me to go above and beyond my teacher’s expectations of me and my own expectations of myself,” he said.
Ilsa Levine is the salutatorian at Wakeland High School this year, and has lived in the United States her entire life. The four-year Frisco resident will be heading to the West Coast to study political science and broadcast journalism at UCLA next year.
She was involved with student council, the Mayor’s Youth Council, and served as the senior class president this year. She also enjoys acting, and is a member of the International Thespian Society. She hopes to continue acting as a college student.
Levine said that she may not be smartest girl in school, but that her hard work ethic was the key to her success.
“A life thing I’ve always lived by is I’ve never done anything with partial effort,” she said. “I try to do things to my best ability and with that in mind I try to study for tests as much as I can.”
Levine also said that she is looking forward to exploring her many interests in college and realizing where she excels.
“Discovering where I fit is going to be really exciting for me,” she said.
Avinash Achaibar finished at the top of Frisco High School’s class of 2008. He is a first- generation American, as his father is from Guyana and his mother is from India. He will attend Stanford University next school year to study architectural design, although he may choose another major.
During high school his interest grew in architectural design as he completed an independent study course that paired him with a mentor in the field. He also played soccer, ran cross country and track, and was a member of the National Art Society and National Honor Society.
Achaibar said that he comes from a family that values competition and motivation.
“My family is very driven, so I’ve always been raised to give it your all,” he said. “It’s not worth it unless you’re trying your hardest.”
He is interested in art, drama, piano, and travelling, and hopes to spend time doing the latter as a college student.
“I really want to get a chance to discover everything, learn about a bunch of different stuff in college, travel the world, explore myself and the world,” he said.
Rachel LaViola is the salutatorian at Frisco High School. She has lived in Frisco for nearly five years, but has also lived in Austin, New York, and Israel. She will attend Yale University in the fall to major in biological anthropology.
“[My major] really is very broad,” LaViola said. “You can go into many different fields with an anthropology degree.”
She said she is not sure what career path to take, but she enjoys learning about genetics and has a passion for theater. She has participated in several school shows, the UIL competition for theater, and is the president of the International Thespian Society at Frisco High School. She also enjoys singing in choirs.
LaViola said that her hunger for knowledge has helped her reach academic success.
“I really enjoy learning in general, so that in and of itself motivates me,” she said. “My parents have always motivated me and supported me and guided me, so I’ve had a lot of support from them.”
Graduation for all three FISD schools with seniors will be today at the Garland Special Events Center in Garland.
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