From an early age, senior Annaleise Kimmell showed a clear display of her potential. Even when being shown videos of animals in need, she asked her mother, “Why are there dogs with no homes? Parks are supposed to be happy places. Why are there homeless dogs that are sad there? I don’t get it.” 

That year, she didn’t want gifts for her sixth birthday, she wanted to give gifts to the dogs in need. 

Once she got into school, her potential became more visible. By fifth grade, she was already winning district math awards and her parents always found her making A’s on report cards. 

By high school, Annaleise took the most difficult classes available, which included OnRamps Chemistry, OnRamps Physics, OnRamps Statistics, AP US History, AP Calculus BC and more. Straight A’s were still the results, and she became salutatorian of the senior class. 

She balanced all of those classes while also actively involved in multiple honor societies, Silver Stars and UIL academic team. She also spent time outside of school volunteering. 

All of those academics and extracurricular activities boosted her resume as she applied for colleges. She ultimately chose to attend Vanderbilt next year. 

“Right off the bat, I just kind of fell in love with the whole environment,” said Kimmell, who first toured Vanderbilt as a sophomore in high school.

With Vanderbilt’s value on academics and array of opportunities for students to focus on their passions, she knew that’s where she wanted to continue with computer science and engineering. 

“It felt right as soon as I got there,” Kimmell said. “I’ve toured other places but none of them really gave that feeling that I got at Vanderbilt.”

In December, Annaleise and her family crowded around her laptop to login and see Vanderbilt’s ultimate decision. Kimmell was accepted as an early decision applicant in a year in which Vanderbilt had a record-low acceptance rate.

“She already had some good (college) options, but Vanderbilt was the dream,” her mother Mandy Kimmell said.

The good news for Kimmell continued earlier this month when she learned she earned a position on the Vanderbilt dance team.

“I’ve been dancing since I was 3 and I was really upset thinking this part of my life may be coming to an end soon,” Kimmell said. “Making the Vanderbilt dance team is one of my greatest accomplishments as a dancer and it really shows how the work you put in does matter.” 

Dancing was not Kimmell’s only passion in high school though. After trial and error through AVID, Kimmell found herself in a tech wheel to start Intro to Programming. 

“I instantly loved and enjoyed it,” she said. 

Through her research, she learned that cybersecurity branched off of tech. So she signed up for as many computer classes as she could.

With a passion for programming and cybersecurity, Kimmell wants to make a difference in digital safety.

“With our future leaning towards more and more online involvement and reliance, it’s necessary for it to be safe and secure to use, and I want to help ensure that,” Kimmell said.

Those close to her expect her to reach her goals. With her intense dedication to dance and her academics, Annaleise finished high school with a GPA of 5.7. She was also a key member of a number of organizations in school and out of school.

“If you ask her to do something, she’s gonna do it,” Mandy Kimmell said. “She’s who you can count on and trust that she’s gonna be there. She’s just a very consistent kid.” 

 Her family continuously supports her passions and offers assistance even when she doesn’t need it. She remains close with her parents and younger brother, but Vanderbilt will create a challenge within the house. 

Their home to Vanderbilt is a 14-hour drive and a two-hour flight, minimizing their availability to see one another in person. 

“So it’s nice that there’s FaceTime, there’s ways that we’re going to be able to see her and communicate with her regularly,” Mandy Kimmell said.

With the same motivation she has had since she was little, Annaleise is excited for what’s ahead. And she hopes her journey inspires others with big dreams.

“Hard work does pay off,” Annaleise said. “You can come from anywhere and still make a difference.”