Since 2006, we have had the privilege of seeing young Dragons grow up and go on to do great things in their academic careers. Now, we want to take a second to reflect on a few of the seniors we spotlighted over the past five years in our annual “Five Ones To Watch” issues. Since senior year, these young adults have done everything from play jazz live at Disney to cheer at the collegiate level. We told you to keep an eye out for these students, so now it’s time to see what they’ve been up to.
@LakesCreates
Jessica Bowman
Jessica Bowman spent her senior year at Carroll as the Emerald Belle captain. Now, she continues to dance on the sidelines, but as a member of the University of Texas Pom Squad. The public relations major and business foundations minor will graduate in the spring with hopes of breaking into her desired industry. But she’s not worried about standing out and proving herself as a leader, and that’s thanks to Carroll.
“The Emerald Belles drill team has prepared me for anything and everything in college and in life,” Jessica says. “As a Belle, I learned the value of being a part of a huge team of hardworking, talented and ambitious girls. These skills and qualities are something I have taken with me throughout my years at UT and on pom, and have led me to hold leadership positions in all of my organizations I am involved in.”
Jessica has acted as a co-captain of Texas Pom and is active in a sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. She hopes incoming Carroll seniors will get involved in their passions and make an impact in different organizations.
“There is no better way to prepare yourself for the future than to push yourself in the present,” Jessica says. “Find your passion, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Even if you do not succeed the first time, just the process of striving to be a leader and getting involved is a learning experience in itself.”
Will Nathman
After graduating from Carroll in 2016, Will Nathman wanted to continue on with his musical aspirations. The Carroll Jazz Orchestra and Wind Symphony alum went on to study at the University of North Texas, and he plans to graduate next spring. While at UNT, he joined the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band, and is now the group’s saxophone first tenor. Will loves being able to play locally, but that passion has also led him to take on bigger stages — like the one at Disneyland.
Will performed in the 2018 All-American College Band, a program hosted at Disney that features 21 musicians performing every day over the summer in the park. He was also able to participate in clinics from music industry professionals while in the program. This past summer, Will had the chance to return to California to act as the student director of the 2019 band.
These programs have been quite intensive, but Will credits Carroll’s orchestra with instilling him with the skills to succeed in these environments.
“Rehearsals in [the Carroll] program were intense, but they totally prepared me for a future in music,” Will says. “If you let passion and hard work guide you, it will always turn out great.”
Drew Brown
Drew Brown captivated Southlake audiences during his time in Carroll Theatre, and he even went on to be nominated as a local best actor by the Dallas Summer Musical’s High School Musical Theater Awards.
Since leaving Carroll in 2016, he graduated a year early from NYU where he obtained a bachelor's of Fine arts degree in drama. While enrolled in the program, he had parts in several short films and even produced a few of his own that are being submitted into festivals this upcoming year. He also became a member of a New York film studio, Stonestreet, that helped shape several big names like Idina Menzel, Miles Teller and Camila Mendes.
Drew is now moving to Los Angeles with hopes of breaking into the competitive industry, and he credits Carroll’s program for helping hone his craft and boosting his confidence.
“I believe the experience of working with talent of that caliber is what gave me the boost I needed to pursue acting in college,” Drew says. “Of course, even with all of that, the best memories I have of Carroll Theatre still has to be the times I got to spend creating art and having fun with the amazing friends I met in the program, some of whom are still my closest friends today.
Azhar Hussain
Azhar Hussain made a name for himself in the local high school debate circuit back in 2015. He attended national tournaments, like the Harvard Congressional Debate, where he placed among the top 16 out of more than 500 participants from across the country. Now he is using those communication skills while studying at an Ivy League.
“My time at Carroll on the team helped me develop strong speaking and communication skills that have helped me throughout life,” he says.
The 2016 Carroll alum is completing his senior year at Dartmouth College and has plans to work for Goldman Sachs in New York after graduation. While he is thankful for his high school experience for putting a successful life on track, he looks back at Carroll as a place where he was able to make true friendships.
“I loved the camaraderie traveling with the team. The late nights preparing for tournaments were tough, but looking back, they are really fond memories with friends,” Azhar says. “The Southlake team had a big culture of student mentorship, so I am forever grateful to my seniors who took the time to teach me when I was coming up in the program.”
JAVIER YAYA TUR
Sophia Formella
During her junior year of high school, Sophia Formella caught our eye for being the only Southlake student selected to be a part of the Texas All-State Women’s Choir. After graduating from Carroll Senior High School in 2016, Sophia continued studying at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music.
That passion for music that started to take shape while in Southlake blossomed as she majored in music education and vocal performance. In college, she’s been able to show off her talent in several performances for an array of audiences. She is on track to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the spring, and she hopes to go on to complete a master's program in vocal performance and opera starting next fall.
Carroll ISD not only supplied a well-rounded education but also a stand-out choir experience that’s fond to look back on.
“Academically, I, of course, enjoyed a wide variety of my courses and studies — but the shared times and learning in the choir room will always have a special place in my heart,” Sophia says. “Carroll taught me the importance of having a well-rounded education while always striving for excellence.”