Montgomery Independent School District

Graduation is just two weeks away and these students have bright futures ahead of them after Montgomery ISD.

Asia Kennett: Lake Creek HS Valedictorian

Asia Kennett is the oldest of three children and has spent her childhood “following the oil” with her father’s work. She moved to Montgomery in 8th grade from Kazakhstan and with confusion on whether she needed to be in 7th or 8th grade. She asked for the challenge to go ahead and go to 8th. She is thankful for Mrs. Hoffart at Oak Hills JH for helping her get on track and caught up in math so she could be prepared for high school.

Asia is headed to Arizona State University as a student at The Barrett Honors College, with plans to major in Medical Microbiology and Pre-Law, hoping to pursue a career as a Bio-ethicist. She has been a four-year tennis player for the Lions, served as Student Council officer and is or has been a member of Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, Chess Club, UIL Academics, Club ROAR, Mu Alpha Theta and even the Hacky Sack Club. Outside of school, she is a member of Cotillion, National Charity League, Young Life and is very active in her church activities.

Asia says she worked hard in every class she took, but always made sure she was taking classes that interested her and would challenge her. She thanks Mrs. Lorrance, her sophomore English teacher, for being so wise and always motivating her, as well as Mr. Edwards and Mrs. Boyles for encouraging her and always making her feel like there was a teacher looking out for students and teaching life lessons. Asia is excited to move to the dynamic city of Phoenix and see what God has in store for her next.

Claire Groner: Montgomery HS Valedictorian

Along with being Valedictorian, Claire Groner is also the 2022 Academic Decathlon State Champion. She will be attending Texas A&M University this fall to study Business Honors with plans to go to law school and pursue a career as a Business Attorney.

Claire has served on Student Council since her freshman year and is also an officer for National Honor Society, President of the Young Republicans and is a former member of the Bears swim team. Outside of school she participates in National Charity League.

Claire would like to thank Mr. Barnes, her 9th grade Geometry teacher who pushed her from the beginning to always be her best. She also really appreciates the support of Mr. Villamez and Mr. Williams, her Academic Decathlon coaches who she considers to be teachers that motivate and challenge her to always do a little bit more, helping her to secure the State Championship title.

Jacob Whitaker: Lake Creek HS Salutatorian

Jacob Whitaker is headed to The University of Texas in Austin to major in Journalism and hopes to attend Law School when he completes his undergraduate work.

Jacob is an All-State swimmer for the Lions and has advanced to the state meet in Butterfly three of his four years, placing 4th both his junior and senior years. In addition to swimming, Jacob also participates in Speech and Debate and is the Co-founder of the LCHS Chess Club. Outside of school, Jacob is very competitive in Jui Jitsu.

Jacob remembers his 6th grade ELA teacher, Mrs. Scanlon and his 6th and 8th grade Science teacher Mrs. McFadden as being amazing teachers. He shares that Mrs. Scanlon setup her classroom in a way that allowed for freedom of choice when choosing what to study and he says that was the best class he’s ever taken. He also wants to thank his swim coaches in and out of school, Coach James, Coach Villamez and Coach Kagel for always keeping him disciplined and helping him become a better swimmer and person, and he says that Mrs. Cox and Mrs. Hannel have been his favorite teachers in high school as they are both really understanding and ‘just really great teachers’.

Alex Underwood: Montgomery HS Salutatorian

Alex Underwood has dreams of being a trauma doctor in the Army and is attending UNC Chapel Hill to major in Pre-Med on an Army scholarship.

Alex is very active on her campus as a student and an athlete. She served as the Captain of the Bears Cross Country team and also runs track and field. She is the current President of both UIL Academics and Mu Alpha Beta, the Math Honors Society, and is an active service member in National Honor Society.

Alex would like to recognize Mrs. Strickland, her 8th grade Health Teacher and Mrs. Lawson, her Advanced and AP Chemistry teacher, for inspiring her to follow the science path and being such wonderful teachers. She also says that Mr. Williams always provides a space in which all students feel safe to explore and not feel the pressure that grades are everything.

Montgomery ISD is very proud to recognize these students and the work they have put into their academic endeavors through high school. If the way in which they represent their campus and serve their graduating class as leaders and committed students is any indication of what’s to come, their futures look very bright.