Plano East Senior High School’s top three graduates — Valedictorian Prisha Prakash Bhat and Co-salutatorians Nikhil Raghu and Bipul Kumar Padhy — each followed a path of hard work, dedication and diverse interests during their years in Plano ISD.

All three progressed through Plano ISD schools before reaching the top of the PESH Class of 2025.

Favorite classes varied, but advanced placement (AP) science and humanities made a strong showing.

Prisha, who finished with a 4.848 grade point average, favored American Studies (AMSTUD), AP Biology and AP Chemistry, appreciating classes that pushed her to think critically and challenge herself. “Whenever I was writing a Lang essay or a DBQ (document-based question) in AMSTUD, it somehow didn’t feel like I was just scrambling to check off boxes on a rubric — I actually got the opportunity to think critically and improve my rhetoric,” she said. “I love Bio as a subject overall and AP Chem was challenging in the best way possible.”

Bipul named AP Calculus, Multivariable/Differential Equations, Engineering Design and Development, AP Physics and AP Government as standouts, praising his teachers for their enthusiasm and depth.

Nikhil also enjoyed American Studies, as well as AP World History and AP Biology.

Activities outside the classroom were just as varied. Prisha shone in science competitions, earning national recognition as a Regeneron Science Talent Search finalist and attending the International Science and Engineering Fair three years in a row in Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.

She also competed in speech and debate, calling it a lot like competitive caring. “You can’t really do well unless you’re speaking about something you actually feel passionate about, and I like that,” Prisha said.

Nikhil was part of the swim team all four years and swam on the varsity team for two years. He said he especially enjoyed competing in swim meets and the History Fair.

Bipul was a four-year runner in cross country and track and served as varsity captain in cross country. He also participated in science fairs and a variety of math contests.

Only Nikhil held a part-time job, working as a lifeguard at Oak Point Recreation Center.

All three students were aware of their class rankings by junior year. Prisha learned she was ranked No. 1 in the fall of 11th grade and was able to maintain her lead.

Bipul and Nikhil, who share the same 4.833 GPA, also knew their standings early and worked to hold them.

Looking ahead, Prisha is headed to Harvard University to study Integrative Biology, with plans to pursue either medicine or an MD-PhD.

Nikhil and Bipul will both attend the University of Texas at Austin.

Nikhil will major in biology with the goal of becoming a physician, possibly an ophthalmologist.

Bipul will study in the electrical and computer engineering honors program and is considering a career in renewable energy research or quantum computing. He received a $36,000 scholarship over four years.

As for advice to their fellow graduates, Prisha urged her classmates to “find whimsy in everything you do,” adding, “Stay curious, laugh often, let things go, and remember that you can be successful and just a little unserious at the same time.”

Nikhil encouraged his peers to plan ahead but live in the moment. “Be decisive and you’ll make things happen,” he said.

Bipul stressed balance: “Make sure to have fun, but also know that the decisions you make will determine the success you desire.”

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“He began sexually abusing the first child at just seven years old, continuing for 13,” Willis said. “When that victim moved out at age 20, Baker turned his attention to another child, starting the cycle of abuse again when the second victim was 13.”

 The district attorney said that after enduring approximately a year of abuse, the second child bravely came forward, launching an investigation.

Allen Police Det. Jared McConathy led the case, interviewing the first victim — now an adult — who confirmed the years of ongoing abuse. The second victim provided crucial details during a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County.

The DA said a McKinney jury heard the full extent of Baker’s crimes, found him guilty as charged, and returned their verdict. Following the conviction, Judge Tom Nowak sentenced Baker to 60 years in prison. Under Texas law, a conviction for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child carries no possibility of parole — ensuring that Baker will never walk free again.

“This predator robbed these children of their innocence, but today, justice has spoken loud and clear,” Willis said. “I strongly commend these courageous survivors for speaking out, the investigators for their relentless pursuit of justice, and the jury for ensuring that this abuser was held accountable.”

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“I am happy to report that the Murphy Police Department is fully compliant with Texas law,” Chandler said in presenting his annual profiling report to the regular council meeting on Monday, Feb. 21.

Chandler added that out of 5,654 traffic stops in 2022, not one complaint was received for racial profiling.

Council also approved a Specific Use Permit for construction of a 665-square-foot Swig Soda Shop near the southeast corner of S. Murphy Road and FM 544. Swig markets itself as the “Home of the Original Dirty Soda,” beverages with other ingredients added.

Read the March 2 issue of the Murphy Monitor for the full story.

By Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor

Mr. Davis was born in Salem, NJ, on November 19, 1943, the son of James and Anna Mae (Dixon) Davis. His family lived in Pennsville, NJ, where he graduated with the Pennsville Memorial High School class of 1961. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.  He attended Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and served for six years in the Delaware National Guard.

Mr. Davis had a successful 33-year career with the JCPenney Company. He began his career as a management trainee at the Price’s Corner store in Wilmington, DE. He continued his career in various management positions. He received several distinguished corporate accolades and advanced to corporate management. In 1979, Mr. Davis moved to the JCPenney corporate office in Plano, TX, and finally retired from corporate life in 1999. 

After retirement, Mr. Davis spent eight years as councilman for the city of Murphy, TX, as well as being mayor pro tempore. 

Mr. Davis enjoyed spending time with his beloved pets, collecting and repairing watches and traveling. He was a proud American and loved visiting with friends and family. He always had a funny story to tell, a kind heart and always helped those in need. 

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karen Corwin Davis; daughter, Anne Davis-Wilson of Lansdale, PA; son, Roger H. Davis II (Gerilyn) of Gilbertsville, PA; grandchildren: Roger H. Davis III “Gavin”, Zachary J. Davis and Megan E. Davis; niece, Kathleen S. Eller (Mark) of Woodstown, NJ, and nephew, James R. Davis, Jr. (Stefanie) of Bear, DE as well as his great nephews and many cousins.

He is predeceased by this parents, James and Anna Mae (Dixon) Davis and his brother, James R Davis.

Per Mr. Davis’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. 

If you would like extra copies they are available at the Wylie office located at 110 N. Ballard in downtown Wylie.

Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. M-F • 972-442-5515

Water conservation was discussed at a regular session of the council Tuesday, June 5.

“If we are really concerned about conservation, why don’t we look at other tools?” queried Councilmember Owais Siddiqui.

The council recently cut hours of operation at the Murphy Central Park splash pad, limiting it to the hours of 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and for reservations already on the books for the nearby pavilion and during special events through Labor Day. The facility is now closed on Monday for maintenance. Also, the cycle for water flow was cut to five minutes from 10 minutes until triggered again through sensors.

The cap for annual water use in Murphy is 1.4 billion gallons and the city had consumed 1.17 billion gallons through last week. The usage count starts again Aug. 1, leaving two months for conservation to avoid exceeding the 1.4 billion gallon cap.

For the full story see the June 14 issue or subscribe online.

Joe Reavis • [email protected]

The challenge was issued during Hayaran’s valedictory address at PESH commencement exercises Saturday, June 9, in Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. More than 1,300 graduates crossed the stage to receive their high school diplomas.

“Look to your left, look to your right. You know, we’re pretty awesome,” the valedictorian declared.

“Among us, there’s a team of researchers who are, quite literally, Number One in the world; a district, regional and state champion golfer; and Academic Decathlon team that placed seventh in Texas; a speech and debate team who had 17 qualifiers and four national tournament qualifiers; a chamber orchestra that’s Top Five in Texas; a marching band that qualified for UIL state; a magazine that was a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown finalist; a theatre with 10 DSM nominations; and, most importantly, 1,335 graduates,” Hayaran explained.

Through a story, the valedictorian warned the class to avoid a trap of learned helplessness by limiting themselves and thinking smaller and safer.

“While it’s not wrong to be prudent, caution alone cannot change the world,” he said. “Part of changing the world is failing every once in a while. To make a difference, to do the impossible, you must overcome your learned helplessness, even if that means hitting a couple of roadblocks.”

For the full story see the June 14 issue or subscribe online.

Joe Reavis • [email protected]

Craig Rush knows all too well the challenges families face today. As the campus pastor of Chase Oaks Church Woodbridge Campus, and as the father of three children, ages 7, 5 and 3, the demands of family and church keep him busy.

Rush said he tries not to put additional expectations on his kids knowing the profession he is in.

“But I’m sure it happens from time to time,’ he said. “ Thankfully, I pastor a “come as you are” church so I try to be a “come as you are” person whether I’m in the role of dad or pastor.”

Rush knows parenting younger children is a bit easier and tougher roads may be in his future. “Check back with me when they’re teenagers,” he said.

While pastors offer compassion and hope, and the comfort of God, even people like Rush get discouraged with the violence affecting children today.

“I do get discouraged when I think about school violence, the nature of what kids are exposed to, and so many challenges in today’s culture, but with every challenge there’s also opportunity,” he said. “I communicate on a much deeper level with my 7 year old, for example, because I want to be proactive rather than constantly reactive.”

Rush believes an open line of communication is vital with kids being exposed to so much at an early age.

For the full story see the June 14 issue or subscribe online.

Sonia Duggan • [email protected]

The Patriots football team led the way, making it to the Texas Christian Athletic Federation six-man championship game.

Waco Methodist Children’s Home came away with the 72-57 win at Porcupine Stadium in Springtown.

The win avenged an earlier loss, 66-40, to the Patriots.

Wylie Prep led 28-24 at halftime and 49-48 after three quarters.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs’ speed and athleticism proved too much for Prep, which had a hard time containing the WMCH attack all day.

The Patriot offense proved potent, too, as it rang up multiple scores, and the special teams added a pair of Dylan Boyd returns for scores.

Wylie Prep had a chance after Jack Spitaletto caught an 8-yard scoring pass with 1:04 left in the game to make it 60-57 Bulldogs.

However, Waco Methodist’s Christian Beck returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and later took an interception back for a score to ice the contest.

Wylie Prep opened the playoffs with a 59-7 thumping of Arlington Newman International Academy for a bi-district title.

They captured the state semifinal title with a 36-12 win over Lucas Christian Academy.

For the full story see the June 14 issue or subscribe online.

David Jenkins • [email protected]

They were rewarded for that, with Gusic being named the Defensive Player of the Year and Zepeda was the co-Goalkeeper of the Year.

He shared the honor with Wylie’s Skylar Forman.

Gusic was also named Class 6A Region II honorable mention as a defender by the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches.

Named to the 6-6A first-team from Plano East were Cameron Bush, Fabian Mendez, Edgar Sanchez, Jacob Stuewe and Chris Del Cid.

Luis Sahmkow, Marin Budic, Keenan Peterson, James Stautler and William Torres were picked for the second-team.

Earning honorable mentions were Omar Romero and Andreu Sanchez.

Plano East overcame injuries and sickness to finish with a record of 11-7-3 and was runner-up to state and nationally ranked McKinney Boyd.

The Panthers playoff run was cut short in bi-district with a 2-1 loss to Flower Mound.

The Jaguars pulled out the win after Noah Kubala was good on a penalty kick with no time left on the clock at Ron Poe Stadium in McKinney.

The game-deciding goal came at the 80-minute mark in the second half. Each half is 40 minutes long.

Plano East got on the board first in the opening half when a Flower Mound Jaguar headed in a ball thrown in by Panther Bush.

Panther Stautler would end up being awarded the point for his team.

David Jenkins • [email protected]

For the full story see the May 24 issue or subscribe online.