As the wings of the owl start to soar through the sky, we stop to think of what they could truly mean. Owls are often seen as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and growth, which is why they’re the perfect symbol for three outstanding students: Nithya Ravi, Danielle Hackett, and Kerah Roque, all of whom will perch their post high school lives at Rice University. Although they’re all going to the same alma mater, each of their journeys are equally as unique and inspiring.
For Ravi, she always knew that Rice was her dream school. After pushing herself to improve her test scores, she earned a 33 on the ACT. She applied through Early Decision II, which means if she was accepted, she had to attend. “I wasn’t the perfect applicant,” Ravi explained, “But I think Rice saw that I wasn’t the typical applicant.” After a schedule mix up her sophomore year, she ended up in Yearbook, a class she didn’t expect to love. She soon became one of the editors and discovered a passion for storytelling, one she would carry for all three years. Ravi also had a unique experience in Boy Scouts, where she learned leadership and gained confidence. “It was insane, but amazing,” she said. “I went to a campout in Louisiana, a four hour drive, and when I got there I realized I only had socks on and completely forgot my shoes! The other scouts rushed to help me and really showed how teamwork can save you.” She also found herself tutoring at Kumon, creating future Rice and Ivy League students just like her when she attended.
Roque, on the other hand, discovered her love for Rice during a school field trip with her Contemporary Arts Museum team. During her group’s visit to the campus to look at historical archives, she recalled how impressed she was by how well organized and detailed everything was. “A school that cares this much about history is where I belong,” she reminisced. That visit stuck with her, and she later applied through Early Decision I. During her time in high school, Roque was the Vice President of the Theatre Company and had been the stage manager in almost every production since her sophomore year. She also competed at Texas Thespians and received a perfect score, qualifying her for nationals where she then earned top honors. She always had a passion for science and the complexities of the mind, pushing her to explore her love for these fields. Roque was the president of the Psychology Club and co-led both Women in STEM and Women in Medicine, where she enjoyed helping others and leading groups that make a difference.
Hackett is an only child and wanted to stay close to her family, which helped her choose Rice. “I wanted to be near the people who’ve supported me the most,” she said. She attended various summer programs at Rice and quickly felt like she belonged. “After spending time there, I just knew I wanted to be part of that environment.” Hackett applied via Early Decision I and earned a perfect 1600 on the SAT. Although she was nervous to join clubs at first, she stepped out of her comfort zone and joined an all-girls robotics team, where she discovered a love for STEM. “Robotics taught me how to solve problems and work with others,” she reflected. This decision helped guide her to study Computer Engineering at Rice and marked the beginning of her journey. Hackett is not just a science buff but also a huge believer in Christ. She is active in her church group and the secretary of Teens With Christ, where she finds a great sense of community that she will take with her to Rice.
