Salutatorian

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“A had a lot on my plate and I’m human, so sometimes I just wanted to take a break,” said Billingsley. “But, at times like that, I just had to buckle down and do what I had to do.”

In addition to her studies and sports, Billingsley has also found time to compete in UIL journalism and has advanced to the state competition, winning the editorial writing event in her junior year. However, despite her way with words, she is not committing to a career in the field just yet.

“I love journalism and I love to write,” she said. “So, it will probably be something in the English realm.”

Billingsley said she chose Texas A&M over the University of Texas due to some advice she got from a family member that is no longer with her.

“I had a cousin that passed away this year who told me I should go to A&M because of the Christian community there,” she said. “My faith helps me remember I can’t do everything on my own strength and always remembering God allows me to take a step back from my achievements because my relationship with God is what’s important in the long run.”

Curiously enough, Billingsley said the fact she was able to ascend to the No. 2 rank in her class isn’t necessarily due to superior intelligence, but rather hard work and determination to succeed.

“I wouldn’t say I’m smarter than every- one, but I’ve worked hard,” she said. “You can talk to any of my friends and they’ll tell you I can be dim-witted.”

In what way, exactly?

“Common sense things,” said Billingsley. “I tend to overthink as far as everyday tasks like ‘If I do this, I’ll be smart and save time,’ but it doesn’t always work out that way.”

Chasing No. 1

Being highly ranked among her peers is certainly nothing new for Billingsley, as she has been up with the elite learners dating back to even before high school, she said.

“Back in junior high, I was number one in my class eighth-grade year,” said Billingsley. “Ever since then, I knew it was something I could do and thought it would be really cool if I could carry it over to high school.”

But envisioning a possibility and making it a reality are two entirely different propositions – especially when the entire process is a four-year academic journey.

“For me, having the perseverance to see it all the way through has been an asset for me,” she said. “Also, I have a very obsessive personality.”

All that being said, though, Billingsley knows she must maintain proper perspective so as to not be completely engulfed in the grind of performing so well all the time.

“If I continually thought about just grades, a lot of times I would just have to step back because there are other things in life beside ranks,” she said.

Such as the success she and her hoops sisters had this past season – an indelible experience Billingsley will always hold close to her heart.

“It was just amazing and I’m so proud of what our team did this year,” she said. “Also, it’s such a young team with only three seniors, so the next couple of years are going to be great.”

Aside from the sport itself, Billingsley will always cherish the time spent with her Lady Panthers teammates.

“I do love the game,” she said. “But, what I love more are the relationships, so I’ll still keep in touch with them and I’ll be back to help with camp this summer.”

Billingsley is a Liberty Hill lifer, having been born and raised in Pantherville and said one of the most enjoyable aspects was to stand in the shoes of those she looked up to as a youngster.

“I remember going to the football games as a kid and it was so much fun seeing all the athletes,” she said. “Then one day, all of a sudden I was one of them. I truly love Liberty Hill and it will always be my home.”

Billingsley said she owes a huge debt of gratitude to parents Andrea and James,

Valedictorian

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“College will be a lot more self-paced because the professors don’t keep as close a tabs on you and my parents won’t be there to nudge me along, but I know they’ll check in on me frequently,” said Kondapalli. “I don’t think I’ll have more pressure – college is just a fresh start and I’ll have a support system in place.”

Thankful to have been a Panther

After the rough start to his time as a member of the Purple-and-Gold, Kondapalli now looks back with cherished memories of those who came to be his extended educational family and will use those feelings as fuel in the future.

“I just want to express how thankful I am to everybody in Liberty Hill for welcoming me like they did,” he said. “All of my peers didn’t have to put the effort in to make me feel welcome, but they did and sister Lila and boyfriend Gabe Pavlovski for all the support they’ve provided her with and regardless of aspirations, one should never stray from those closest.

“The advice I would give is to not let academics take away from relationships or you’ll be miserable,” she said. “I’m very proud of where I’ve been and where I’m going and they’ve helped me get here.”

I’m super grateful because I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

As for others that might aspire to follow in his academic footsteps in the future, Kondapalli has sage advice to offer.

“I would tell them to take it easy and relax – do the best you can at everything you do,” he said. “Don’t try to micro-manage everything because that doesn’t work. Put your best work in and good things will happen.”

Of course, there is much gratitude for helping him on his journey to get to this point.

“I want to thank everyone,” said Kondapalli. “My parents, teachers and every person who was confident in me – everything happens for a reason and it’s definitely a blessing to have been here in Liberty Hill.”