Class of 2017

Kiara McDonald is a Splendora High School Class of 2017 graduate. Kiara is currently a junior at Tarleton State University and will be doing her ring ceremony in March. While she is majoring in Psychology and will have double minors in Criminal Justice and Neuroscience, Kiara is working to become a veterinarian.  Since the pandemic began, she has been learning remotely and also working for vip-petcare, first in the Dallas area and now in New Caney. Kiara had a desire to become a veterinarian, even when she was a little kid! She has been working towards this goal since high school, where she took all the animal science classes offered. Kiara is dedicated to making her dream a reality by earning her degree and making her way to vet school.

When asked what does it mean to be a Wildcat, Kiara replied, "Being a Wildcat to me means persevering even when times get tough. Right now everyone is having a hard time due to the pandemic, but I feel like my time spent at Splendora High School taught me to always persevere through it.”

A proud Splendora Wildcat through and through, Karoline attended Splendora ISD for 13 years. During high school, she was involved in athletics, FFA, and the National Honor Society.

After graduating from Splendora High School, Karoline attended the University of North Texas, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. She went on to spend four years working in the Dallas–Fort Worth events industry, gaining valuable experience in creating meaningful and memorable celebrations.

In 2023, Karoline and her husband, Dawson, moved back to the Houston area to be closer to family and the community they love. She now serves as the Venue Director at Château Nouvelle, a luxury event venue where she brings her passion for hospitality and her love of people to life every day.

To Karoline, being a Wildcat means more than school spirit. It’s about carrying forward the determination to work hard, the compassion to lift others up, and the pride of representing a community that shaped her roots and her purpose. 

Madison Collins attended all 12 years in Splendora ISD! She graduated from Splendora High School in 2017 and was actively involved in powerlifting and the National Honor Society. Madison was also in the early college high school program and graduated with her Associate’s degree. Following high school, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State University with a Bachelor Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies EC-6th and a minor in Special Education at the ripe old age of 20! She hired on as a Special Education inclusion teacher in January 2021 with Peach Creek Elementary and was named their New Teacher of the Year! Madison is now the Special Education Case Manager at Peach Creek Elementary.

What does it mean to be a SHS Wildcat?  “As a student, it meant being a part of an ever-growing community, full of learning and infinite opportunities. Presently, as a SISD teacher, I am working to give back to this wonderful community. I want to inspire students and become a role model in their lives, as my teachers did for me! ‘Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat’ has never been more of an appropriate statement in my life! I will always be thankful to SISD and all it has done for me.”

Paige Manzella is a Splendora High School Class of 2017 graduate. Upon completing all 13 years of school in Splendora ISD, Paige enrolled in the fall semester at Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in education. While in college, Paige served as president of a women’s organization on campus called the Aggie Keys. The Aggie Keys are a group of girls that strive to give back to the education community of the Bryan/College Station area. Paige graduated from Texas A&M in December 2020 and started immediately working in Conroe ISD. She is now a 7th grade English/Language Arts teacher at Moorhead Junior High in Caney Creek as well as a coach. She is happy to share all that Splendora taught her with students of her own. 

What does it mean to be a SHS Wildcat? “Being a wildcat means being apart of a community that I know will always be there. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”

Abel Vidaurri, IV is a Splendora High School Class of 2017 graduate. In the fall of 2017, Abel enrolled at Texas A&M University on a 4-year Army Scholarship and was a member of the Corps of Cadets.  He was assigned to Company C-1 for four years, and had the opportunity be a part of Parsons Mounted Cavalry (mounted drill/ceremony unit; 90 cadets, 75 horses) and served as the Cadet First Sergeant his senior year. He also remained active with Army ROTC, and was a member of the Ranger Challenge Team from 2017-2020. This month, he graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Arts in History and also
commissioned into the United States Army as an Armor Officer. He will serve on active duty for four years.

When asked what does it mean to be a SHS Wildcat, Abel replied, “Being a Wildcat means being the best citizen you can be to your community. Wildcats should take pride in their communities and live lives of character and integrity.”