Patrick Kelly

A Baseball Star with a Passion for Cooking

Patrick Kelly is a 2023 Langley High School graduate. During his time at Langley he was on the varsity basketball team for two years and varsity baseball team for three years. He was also a secretary in the nationwide club “Best Buddies.” He will be attending McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, in the fall to play baseball and major in business.

1) What’s something you’ve accomplished that you are the most proud of?

I’m mostly proud of me committing to college. It’s been a lifetime goal to play collegiate baseball, and when I finally signed those papers, it made my dream come true.

2) What has been your favorite moment of high school?

My favorite moment in high school was spending my spring seasons with my teammates on the baseball team. I grew close with them and we became one family, so it was heartbreaking when it was over and we stepped off the field one final time together.

3) What is something you want people to know about you?

I love to cook. Whether that’s making a three-course-meal or just chopping some rosemary for butter, I love everything about cooking. I love working with my hands because I feel accomplished afterwards.

4) What is your favorite thing to do in McLean?

Going to Madison Deli. It was a tradition for our basketball team to go there before every game and everything on the menu is delicious.

5) Who is a teacher or faculty member that made a difference in your life?

My freshman year Biology teacher, Ms. Jones, changed my outlook on high school. She was the first teacher I saw at Langley and she was always comforting. I knew I could always ask her for advice.

6) What do you look forward to most in the next year?

I’m excited to live the college life and make a whole new set of friends. I’m going up to college not knowing anyone, so I’m looking forward to what I learn and who I meet.

Kameron Khazai

A Mathematics Inspired Hockey Champion

Kameron Khazai is an LHS grad who has achieved the NVSHL All Academic award all four years of his high school career. He's a member of the National Honor Society, History Honor Society, Young Investor Society, the Langley Business and Finance Club and French Club. His senior year, he was the Langley High School Varsity Hockey Captain and named Winter Ice Hockey All Metropolitan Player of the Year in addition to Virginia State Player of the Year. He helped lead his team to become Virginia State Champions for the last two years. His hobbies include cooking nutritious meals for his family, watching documentaries and keeping up with the stock market. In the fall, he will be attending the Virginia Tech Pamplin School of Business majoring in Accounting and Information Systems.

1) What’s something you’ve accomplished that you are the most proud of?

I am proud of being able to maintain a 4.0 GPA while spending close to 30 hours a week traveling to play hockey, being named All Metropolitan Player of the Year by the Washington Post and Virginia Player of the Year by the NVSHL, and also winning the high school State Championship two years in a row.

2) What has been your favorite moment of high school?

Winning the State Championship with the hockey team.

3) What is something you want people to know about you?

One of my favorite subjects in school is Math.

4) What is your favorite thing to do in McLean?

My favorite thing to do in McLean is to play sports with my friends after school or before a football game.

5) Who is a teacher or faculty member that made a difference in your life?

Mr. O'Rourke, my Math teacher, was probably one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Originally I didn’t enjoy math, however, he was able to make math more fun because of his funny personality and engaging way of teaching. He is one of the reasons that I am going into a math-related major in college.

6) What do you look forward to most in the next year?

I look forward to meeting new people at Virginia Tech and getting the college experience.

Eesha Madan

A Published Healthcare Advocate

“Always keep a positive outlook in life. Bring sunshine with you wherever you go.”Eesha’s mantra

Eesha Madan is a 2023 BASIS Independent McLean graduate and will continue her academic journey at George Washington University in Washington D.C., pursuing a double major in Public Health and Business. Her ultimate goal is to become a doctor, focusing specifically on serving minority populations and addressing healthcare disparities. She aspires to advocate for equitable healthcare and work towards creating a more inclusive healthcare system. During HS, she played varsity basketball, was inducted into the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society, and pursed her interest in both Bollywood and Bhangra, two different types of Indian dances.

1) What’s something you’ve accomplished that you are the most proud of?

A few peers and I conducted and wrote about research on the “Best Practices for the Design of COVID-19 Dashboards.” Our article was published in a journal by The American Health Information Management Association.

2) What has been your favorite moment of high school?

Some of my favorite moments in high school have been being able to meet and connect with such intelligent and driven individuals who I hope to stay in touch with as life goes on.

3) What is something you want people to know about you?

I am a positive and friendly individual who is always excited to meet and collaborate with new people. I enjoy building connections, fostering teamwork, and gaining new perspectives on all things in life. Whether it's working on group projects, engaging in discussions, or simply socializing, I approach interactions with enthusiasm and a genuine interest in getting to know others.

4) What is your favorite thing to do in McLean?

I enjoy finding unique, fun coffee shops to study at. One of my all-time favorites is Roots.

5) Who is a teacher or faculty member that made a difference in your life?

Mr. Raymond Wright. I was part of the first “Learning To Lead’ class that he taught at our school. His class taught me highly valuable leadership and life skills that I will carry on forever. Not only did I learn more about being a better leader, but it was a crucial part of learning myself and my own values and goals as well.

6) What do you look forward to most in the next year?

In the next year, I look forward to meeting new people and trying new things. I am excited to spend my undergraduate years in Washington D.C. and look forward to enjoying all that the city has to offer!

Kayla Markham

A Competitive Dancing Astrophysicist

If we want the rewards of being loved, we have to submit to the mortifying ordeal of being known.” - Tim Kreider

Kayla Markham is a 2023 Yorktown High School graduate. She is a dancer and spends most afternoons and evenings at her studio, The Dance Academy of Virginia. Aside from dancing, she is part of several clubs at school: Letters of Love, Body Positivity and Art Club. She volunteers at The Clothesline, APS Elementary

Trinity’s unique play-based learning curriculum engages each child’s sense of wonder, preparing them to rely on it for growth and life-long learning. Children explore themes through hands-on experiences in a bilingual English/French setting.

Schools, and Food For Neighbors through NHS. She will be attending the University of Colorado, Boulder, in the fall, pursuing a major in Astrophysics and a minor in Dance.

1) What’s something you’ve accomplished that you are the most proud of?

I’ve danced competitively at six competitions over the past few years and have been able to take workshop classes from celebrity teachers of the dance world who I grew up watching on TV and following online. It has been a very unique and striking experience that I never anticipated I would have the opportunity to partake in, and I’m proud of the hard work it took to get there.

2) What has been your favorite moment of high school?

I wouldn’t say I have a singular favorite moment in high school, but I can confidently say I always enjoyed myself the most when I am spending quality time with my friends. Especially with Covid taking away the ability to see people