Fort Worth’s Top Students of 2022

For the Learn Something New issue of Madeworthy, we asked people in the Tanglewood Moms Facebook groups to nominate their favorite students. As Evelyn Vi said about her best friend Charlie Robbins, “Being a “top student” doesn’t just mean “smartest” or “most popular;” it is also the ability to act as a beautiful human being, bringing care and respect into a community without being concerned with what you’ll get back.” These students live up to that description!

Avni Girish Ramrakshani

“I would like to nominate a young 13-year-old Ani Girish Ramrakshani, who moved from India to FW Texas in February of 2022 with her parents and younger sister. She [attended] WP McLean Middle School… she was awarded the Ann Brannon Award, the A Honor Roll award, and was named most outstanding in science and most improved in choir.

[She was accepted] to the Young Women’s Leadership Academy for high school. She spends her weekends learning Indian dance Bharatanatyam online, goes for long nature walks, plays volleyball, and loves to volunteer too! She recently volunteered at Mayfest 2022 and Arts Goggle 2022.

People around her find her very inspirational, and I think the same about this young teenager.”

Deeya Ramrakshani, mother

Gemma Miller

“My eight-year-old daughter, Gemma Miller, is the brightest, kindest, most emotionally intelligent child that I’ve ever known. Not only does she have an extreme eagerness to learn, but her favorite past time is reading and learning everything about everything!

[Gemma] is in the GATES gifted student program at school and was voted a future scientist by her teacher… She’s the most kind and gentle little girl you could possibly meet, and I’m so blessed to have been chosen to be her mama.”

Karen Coughlin, mother

Anna Escovedo

“I would like to nominate my daughter, Anna Escovedo. She is a [recent graduate of] I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA in Fort Worth ISD.

Anna is a member of the first graduating class of I.M. Terrell. Because they started with only freshmen, she has always been an upper classman. During COVID… she organized a peer tutoring program… and virtual game nights to help students find a sense of community during that lonely time. She was the first All-State musician in the new school’s history. She has served as the student council president for the last two years and helped foster school spirit and start new traditions…

She volunteers as a student leader at her church (Doxology Bible Church). She leads worship for both the youth and the main services and volunteers in children’s ministry. She is heading to the University of Oklahoma in the fall where she has been accepted into the honors college and will major in education.”

Kristen Escovedo, mother

Camila Harris

“I am so proud of our seven-year-old daughter, Camila. This sweet girl was diagnosed with a language disorder in addition to autism spectrum disorder, which made letter recognition and their sounds difficult when she was in kindergarten. She was delayed amongst her peers, and you could tell she didn’t feel successful or understood.

We had our first end of year conference with her teachers… at The Jane Justin School, and I was blown away with her… test results from the beginning of the year to the end… Based on her IQ level at the beginning of the year, her predicted IQ gain was 5.4 months for this test. This girl worked so incredibly hard and gained 23.8 months!!! She grew by almost two years… I want to recognize the Child Study Center and The Jane Justin School for providing so much hope for our family. Camila is being challenged to surpass expectations at JJS, and she is so proud when she reaches new milestones!”

Misty Harris, mother

Lori Bennett and Cora Bennett

“I’d like to nominate my wife and my daughter… I think you will find them as awesome as I do.

My wife, Lori, is currently attending the Energy MBA program at TCU, and is set to graduate in the spring of 2023. She serves on the student senate and has perfect marks. But that is not the only reason I think this is noteworthy; she also works full-time during the day and loves being the mother of our six year old, who started kindergarten this year at Ridglea Hills.

Cora was apprehensive to the changes kindergarten could bring, and boy, did we have our moments, but I believe that seeing her mom get ready every night for school gave her a sense of courage that only parents can teach by example. Cora went from a timid, nervous kid to a real success in her own right…To say that my daughter has confidence in herself now is an understatement… She’s excited to get to the first grade! I think they both deserve an ‘Atta Girl’ from people… I could not be prouder as a husband or father.”

Patric Bennett, husband and father

Charlie Robbins

Charlie Robbins, one of the first graduates from I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA, has been a vital part of our Terrell Community. To those who haven’t met him, Charlie is the quiet guy who inadvertently tricks freshmen into thinking he’s a teacher. He holds the door open for everyone and has a sweet disposition, like a big bear.

[As Student Council Vice President] he always lent a helping hand… His work ethic smoothly falls in tandem with his generosity. This is all seen, especially, within our friend group… He’s the epitome of caring and protects our group, and we wanted to celebrate him. He was elected as one of the Class Parents… and was awarded a Panther Award for Pride and Nurturing, which we immediately nicknamed the ‘Mom Award.’

Being a “top student” doesn’t just mean “smartest” or “most popular;” it is also the ability to act as a beautiful human being, bringing care and respect into a community without being concerned with what you’ll get back.

Charlie Robbins, the protector, the parent, the rock of our friend group, is a beautiful human being. Here’s to my best friend, a person who’s doing good when he thinks no one’s watching. Don’t worry, Charlie. We see you, and we love you.”

Evelyn Vi, best friend, writing on behalf of Charlie’s friends