Senior Spotlight: William Hornyak

Friendly – Intelligent – Kind – Caring – Loyal – Hardworking – Sensitive

In this episode of Senior Spotlight, I would like to feature student William Hornyak.  William has attended RRHS for 4 years, and attended Chisholm Trail Middle School and Deepwood Elementary School here in Round Rock ISD. 

High School Experience

His freshman year, William was a member of the Pokemon Club, and this past year he has been active in both the Stock Market Club and the Japanese Culture Club here at RRHS.  Outside of school William’s interests are playing video games and rock collecting.   Coming into high school, William’s greatest concern was that he did not know what to expect.   As he eagerly anticipates graduation, he has the same apprehensions regarding the “real world”.   Entering high school, William was most eager about making new friends, and as graduation nears he is most enthusiastic about securing a job.  

William’s favorite subject has been science, by reason that he gets to learn something new and exciting every day, and that he has a passion for Biology and animals.  His least preferred subject was English, because he has a difficult time with the laborious task of writing.   William says the most taxing part of high school has been keeping up with homework and assignments.  If he were to give advice to freshmen entering high school for the first time, it would be to keep their grades up on account that their parents are less likely to fuss at them about it.  The advice William would give to next years’ seniors would be to work hard first, and then party.  

Some Fun Stuff

If he could start a food fight (and get away with it, of course), William’s weapon of choice would be ketchup, because it’s a mess!   His heroes are his parents, because they have raised him to be himself.   The color that best describes him is orange, and the strangest thing he has ever eaten was dried seaweed (he didn’t like it and it had a fishy taste). 

Future

After graduation William plans to attend ACC.   His ambition is to someday have a job caring for animals.   William would like to have a family someday and plans on living in Texas, although he hasn’t quite decided where at this time.

Ms. D’s Turn to Brag

What makes me the most proud of William is his metamorphosis from a young boy into the mature young man he is today.   In his earlier high school career, William struggled to interact with his peers and teachers.   It was hard for him to define where he “fit” within the RRHS community, and he wasn’t quite sure how to stand up or speak up for himself.   William battled change and was rigid in his thinking and actions.   These were not weaknesses of William, rather they were challenges that he faced as a student with Asperger’s Syndrome.  Now, William has grown to be a true leader within the classroom and the school community.   He helps other students understand themselves and their actions, and he often reflects and strives to understand his own behaviors and needs, advocating for himself and being proactive whenever necessary.   He is flexible and creative in his thinking, and demonstrates the willingness to compromise and work with others.  William’s ability to communicate his needs and ideas to others has grown significantly.  I can always count on him to do the right thing, and I know that wherever life takes him, William Hornyak will absolutely be a positive force on the world.