This year, the officers were focused on making meetings dynamic and accessible to everyone, ensuring that students with all levels of AI experience could participate meaningfully. They introduced hands-on coding activities, engaging discussions with key speakers, and real-world demonstrations to make AI concepts more tangible. This approach easily became a defining part of the club’s identity. Vice President Victor Lehr ‘26 reflected on this approach and the impact it had on its members, noticing positive results.

“Going into the AI club, I really wanted to make it more interactive and show more demonstrations to get people more engaged,” Lehr said. “I think that’s a really great way to teach others while making it engaging. AI club is really interesting because I’m also in the Computer Science Club, and I think [both of them] are really great ways to learn about topics that aren’t really taught at Westwood.”

The club’s focus on interactive learning wasn’t limited to demonstrations and observations, however. A major highlight of the year was the guest speaker series, featuring Anshul Moondra, a University of Texas Austin (UT Austin) Computer Science Masters student, and Dr. CJ Paul, a Carnegie Mellon graduate who works at Kyndryl. This event provided members with real-world insight into the industrial and career-oriented applications of AI.

“The reason I went into AI club over other CTE clubs is because [of] how much AI is prominent in today’s society,” Secretary Prithvi Krishnan ‘25 said. “I was able to set up one of our two guest speaker events with my friend at UT Austin who’s currently a masters student there in computer science. Seeing that AI is very important in his day-to-day [life], he was able to answer a lot of career-oriented questions which was really interesting. Seeing something that I accomplished like that, where I set out on a project and I was able to complete it and see really positive results from it for our members, was really fulfilling to see.”

The enthusiasm in the club grew with each session of guest speakers, as members participated in discussions that deepened their understanding of AI. The officers recognized how important it was to create an environment where students felt comfortable exploring complex topics and asking questions to further their understanding of the field.

“Before this year, the club was a bit lecture-based. We would just go through slides during Flex,” President Indivara Kolluru ‘25 said. “This year, though, we had more interactive elements. We had them coding some stuff, we hosted guest speakers, and we did the student passion projects. I think the most fun project we saw this year was a vibe coding project, which is using AI to code [by] asking ChatGPT to produce different lines of code. I think learning that is really important considering how useful of a tool it is.”

Looking ahead, next year’s officers hope to build upon the momentum from this year, expanding the club’s outreach and introducing more collaborative projects for its members. The foundation laid by this year’s team has set the stage for ensuring AI literacy continues to grow within the school community.

“I definitely think that letting our members learn about AI applications in the real world is important, and I’m sure they learned a lot from the club because of the amount of questions they were asking [our] guest speakers,” Krishnan said. “Everyone said that they loved it and wanted more, so we had another one after that. I think that for future members, getting involved in more events and group-related activities would benefit the students more, as I feel like that’s an area the officers made the effort to improve this year and that’s also where the future officers can improve on.”

As this year comes to a close, the officers reflected on the club’s progress — from its humble beginnings to its currently growing presence as a space for students passionate about AI. By encouraging curiosity and innovation, the club has established a strong foundation for future leaders who are eager to push the boundaries of AI exploration.

“It’s been really fun getting to see everyone learn more about AI, especially seeing how relevant it is right now,” Kolluru said. “The AI club is a really great way for someone, even if they’re not that knowledgeable about computer science, to [get] a deeper dive into one of [the] fastest growing fields in the world.”

It was noted that while the alarms may be disruptive, they do not seem to cause widespread anxiety among students. Many find some comfort in knowing that the alarms are functioning as intended, even if their timing leaves much to be desired. 

“I think we have a good system in place where students know when the fire alarm goes off that they continue to remain in place,” Assistant Principal Bradley Walker said. “Other than just being annoying and the brief disruption, I haven’t heard anything personally about how it negatively affects students. If anything, I think it is probably more comforting to know that, if there were a fire, that the alarms are working. Unfortunately, they’ve just been triggered by things that have been out of our control. Still, I think that that procedure and the times that we have practiced [fire drills] prepares students and staff for if there is an actual fire.”

Despite this reassurance, the constant interruptions have made it challenging for teachers to keep their students focused. The unexpected alarms disrupt the flow of lessons and creates an atmosphere of uncertainty. 

“When the fire alarms go off it’s kind of hard for everyone to concentrate during and after,” Art teacher Ms. Madeline Picket said. “We also have some people with sensory issues and so it makes it very hard for them to focus or feel comfortable in this type of space. It’s also random and there’s also that concern for safety and worry about what’s going on, and it’s quite hard to go about business as usual. When we’re talking about safety and if someone’s maybe trying to do something with malicious intent, we don’t know until the announcements come on, [and] it is pretty worrying as a teacher.”

Students too have voiced their frustrations about the frequent disruptions, especially during fast-paced lessons in advanced courses. The disruptions not only derail their focus but also raise concerns about their safety at school.

“I think it’s kind of annoying because it’s interrupting our classes, especially since I’m in my AP classes during the times the alarm goes off,” Clemence de Cormis ‘25 said. “It’s hard to continue at the original pace of the class. Also, I’m worried because imagine if it were a real emergency and the alarm malfunctions like it does now, what could happen to our safety?”

The school cafeteria buzzed with excitement as students, teachers, and families gathered for a first-of-its-kind event in over three years–the National Technical Honor Society’s (NTHS) inaugural induction ceremony. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, members from the past three years in NTHS got their moment to shine, walking across the stage to celebrate their achievements in Career and Technical Education (CTE). The night was filled with all the classic ceremonial touches:candle lightning, heartfelt speeches, and proud handshakes with Assistant Principal Mr. Bryan Branch. 

This wasn’t any ordinary school event–it was a pivotal moment that students and officers had been waiting years for. While NTHS has been consistently active in the school community, they had never done a formal induction ceremony for their members before. The excitement was apparent as officers took turns at the podium and new members recited their pledge, following the lead of NTHS President Arjun Bhardwaj ‘25.

“This is our very first induction, so [it’s] a great opportunity for us,” Bhardwaj said. “This isn’t just an opportunity to make our club more known, but also just give these members what they deserve, because when our second and third year members actually first got in, they didn’t get the induction they deserved in those years.”

For many students, especially those who had been a part of NTHS for a while, the ceremony felt like the missing piece they’d been waiting for. As Co-Vice President Nandini Somarapu ‘25 lit candles representing NTHS values, followed by speeches delivered by the rest of the  officers, the atmosphere was filled with accomplishment and celebration. 

“[Being a part of NTHS] has been really fun,” Arnav Maskey ‘26 said. “The only thing we were missing out on was an induction ceremony and I was really happy that we were able to do it this year. I thought this whole experience really solidified NTHS as a real honor society because, although we did a lot of volunteering last year, it didn’t really feel as official. This was really a seal to make everything we do more official.”

Beyond the ceremonial aspects, this induction highlighted NTHS’s commitment to providing invaluable opportunities for its members. Throughout the year, members roll up their sleeves and get involved in all sorts of activities, from helping out at elementary school (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) STEAM nights to working on hands-on technical projects. For its members, it’s this mix of honor and community action that makes NTHS stand out. 

“I think it was cool because it was like the first induction ceremony in the district,” Chandrika Ghosh ‘26 said. “ I think [NTHS] is great for volunteering opportunities and for technical experience — there’s a lot of internship opportunities that [are open] to you if you’re a part of [NTHS].”

Diving right into the District Championship, the Warriors swim team made waves on Friday, Jan. 24, at the RRISD Aquatic Center, to secure their sixth consecutive district title with the boys’ team claiming first place while the girls’ asserted themselves as district runners-up behind Vandergrift. 

The Warriors set the tone that remained through the rest of the meet in a dominant performance in both the boys’ and girls’ medley relay. The opening victory wasn’t just another win–it continued a legacy that has been built for over half a decade. 

“Honestly, us winning the first medley relay wasn’t that big of a surprise. We’ve been leading in the district pretty much this entire season,” Steven Ma ‘26 said. “We were aiming to get the record, but hopefully we’ll achieve that by regional or state [championships].”

The cold weather posed a unique challenge for the swimmers as it clearly affected their performance and preparation; But nothing seemed to dampen the team’s spirit or determination. This resilience was particularly evident in the long-distance events.

“I’ve been training for the ‘five free’ for a couple of weeks now, preparing for it,” Liam Lewis ‘27 said. “Training for the 500 has helped me realize I was capable of doing an event of that distance in the water. So, it really helped my mental game [because] going into that race I knew I could execute what I’ve been training for.”

Through the season, the Warriors’ first and second place appearances have reflected the Warriors’ consistent presence at the top of district swimming. Coach Matthew McBrearty, through the season, has expressed his satisfaction with the overall performance of both teams.

“Our boys won their sixth straight district title, and our girls were a little behind Vandergrift, but we’ve been sitting there in the top two for the past decade consistently,” Coach McBrearty said. “I was looking at [their] times this morning and it looked like almost two thirds of the swims were best of the season, so it was a really successful meet, regardless of our combined standing.”

The team’s success wasn’t just measured in medals and records–it was evident in the electric atmosphere and team spirit that pervaded the Aquatic Center. Despite the pressure of the fierce competition, freshmen swimmers found strength in the team’s supportive environment.

“It was a really fun meet and the atmosphere was really lively,” Alice Zhang ‘28 said. “Everyone was hyping each other up and what I was thinking in the water was ‘just having fun’ [so] it was better than I expected.”

Looking ahead, the Warriors have had their sights set on the regional meet in San Antonio, where the boys’ team will hope to secure their fourth regional title in five years. So, the journey continues for these dedicated athletes who have proven that success comes not just from individual talent, but from the strength they find as a team.

“It was a great district meet and set us up for good regionals,” Coach McBrearty said. “It’s a really great run and it’s not guaranteed, [but] we’re gunning for it. We’re also hoping to have a top four finish on the girls’ team and send six individuals to state.”

The Warriors will compete next in the Regional Championship Swim Meet on Friday, Feb. 7, in San Antonio in hopes of winning their fifth Regional title in school history.

Bringing together hundreds of community members, the City of Round Rock hosted their 38th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Walk and Celebration on Saturday, Jan 18, marking a significant evolution from its humble beginnings. The event began at 1 p.m. at Buck Egger Park, where participants gathered before marching north over the bridge to Centennial Plaza, where the event concluded with a commemoration ceremony featuring musical performances, speeches, and various community presentations.

What started as a small community gathering has transformed into a cornerstone event that brings together churches, schools, and local organizations in Round Rock. Through the years, the celebration has adapted and grown, with each change carefully orchestrated by dedicated volunteers and community members who understand the importance of celebrating this crucial part of American history. Long-time participants, such as Good Hope Baptist Church member Ms. Helena Gibson, have witnessed this transformation firsthand, and have overseen the celebration move from small indoor venues to a visible, community-wide demonstration of unity.

“When I started about  10 years ago, [the celebration] used to be inside,” Ms. Gibson said, “We would have City Folk School, Good Hope [Baptist Church], Sweet Home, and One Way Baptist Church get together [to] come and sing. We had different speakers from all different places. Sometimes we had speakers from Texas, some from California. The schools and a lot of the churches participated in it, and then of course the Black History Organization would meet every year and we would plan different things leading up to that march. It’s the one time everybody [gets] together with nobody having any disagreements and everything and everybody was on one accord. So it made it fun, the event was fun, and we look forward to it every year.” 

“We haven’t lived in Round Rock for very long,” Ms. Board said, “ I used to do the one in Austin every year but we decided to do this one with our son for the first time this year because, first of all, it was short enough that he could actually make the length.
And secondly, you know, he’s five and he has started learning about Martin Luther King and what he did and, and the civil rights movement in general, [so] we wanted to support that education. We think it’s really important for him to know about the history of our country and what we’ve been through [because] the message is really important. We as parents really support the civil rights movement and think it’s so important, [and] by bringing him to events like this and and showing him that, [even] in a state like Texas, where it can feel a little lonely sometimes, there is a community that surrounds us — I think [that] is really important.”

For those who have spent their lives in Round Rock, the annual celebration serves as both a reminder of progress made and a call to continue working toward positive change. Emotional performances by the C.D. Fulkes Middle School Choir and upbeat tunes sung by Good Hope Baptist Church Choir punctuated the ceremony, while Pastor K.A. “Shawn” Dooley delivered a powerful guest speech about Dr. King’s legacy of love. The transformation of the community over the decades is evident not just in the growth of the event itself, but in the increasing diversity of Round Rock’s social scene. 

“I’ve been doing this event for 10 years,” Round Rock Black History Organization Secretary Tina Steiner said, “I’m a teacher at a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program in Round Rock and I teach my kids about voice and choice, and attending to those who don’t always have a voice, and [so] the message we send [through this event] is so important. I was born and raised here [in Round Rock]. I’ve been here for fifty five years, and I’ve seen a significant change in the community because of events like this.”

“We need to work together to make sure that the community is in touch with each other’s feelings, beliefs, theories and work together as one,” Police Chief Allen Banks said, “Because, the last five letters in ‘community’ spell unity, U-N-I-T-Y, and that’s what makes it such a strong community. I’ve been on the Round Rock Black History Organization now for about eight years, and they have been doing a lot, trying to bring youth especially to understand that you don’t have to sit at home and just play video games, but get involved [and] be active. We have to change systemic racism, we have to be the force in our communities, because it takes all of us to make a strong community, and if we can get [out there] and just influence one, we’re making a difference. Youth is our future and if we don’t invest in our future now, then we’ve lost that future. The more we invest in that future, the brighter that future is gonna be.”