Isabella (Izzy) Balise is choosing the double life as a Business and Political Science major. She came all the way from the middle of nowhere: West Springfield, Massachusetts to the desert heat of Texas. When she’s not being an absolute academic weapon, she’s tearing up the girls club soccer field, doing her parliamentary duties, or being the best friend you could ask for. If you ever think you’re seeing double, don’t fret she’s probably just with her identical twin brother (this isn’t biologically possible but when you see them together you’ll understand). When you can’t find her, 9 times out of 10 she’s busting a move at Soul Cycle. Ask her about this and she will take you! Iz also has an absurd love for cream cheese. She will love you, but she will always love cream cheese more. In all seriousness, Izzy is the sweetest person you will ever meet and you could not have a better Advisor!! She will always be there for you and her personality is like a warm hug!! I don’t know what I would do without her, and I’m so excited to see her bring her bubbly happy self to Disney StudiO-Week.

- Julia McDonald, Sid Richardson ‘27

If you’ve been lucky enough to stumble across this bio, then your life is about to change. Let me introduce you to Dylan Council—a true renaissance man. Hailing from Euless, Texas (and formerly Tempe, Arizona), this rising senior Mathematical Economic Analysis major is a jack of all trades. When he’s not working hard as the finance head of the Rice Business Society, you can find him sauntering on the outer loop, cooking up something delicious in the kitchen, or coaching Sid’s intramural powderpuff and women’s basketball team! Dylan truly embodies what it means to be a Sidizen, and his kindness and humor are sure to make any conversation entertaining. Get ready for an unforgettable year with Dylan, and remember to ask him about his top 50 movie list or his obsession with Chobani yogurt!

- Giulio Valfre Zaydenman, Sid Richardson ‘26

Gather round, gather round... let me tell you guys about the BEST guy I've ever met, Jake Robinson! He's the most amazing, most fun, and coolest person ever! Hailing from Duncan College, Jake is a pre-med student majoring in Cell Biology and Genetics, and boy oh boy is he smart! He's also like a crocodile: fast on land and in water! He ran track AND swam in high school, and he'll leave whoever challenges him to a race in the dust! He's also the coolest band kid ever! This year he's gonna be in charge of events for the Marching Owl Band, and he's totally gonna throw some real ragers! If you happen to be lucky enough to have Jake as your O-Week Parent, let me just tell you... you have an amazing week and freshman year ahead of you!

- Sam Kwan, Sid Richardson ‘28

PSA: YOUR O-WEEK PARENT HAS ARRIVED!!! Give it up for Abby—pull up a chair, crank the 2000s bangers, and make room at the table (seriously, her back’s been through injuries and multiple O-Weeks, so she deserves that seat). Hailing from Lebanon, Ohio, Abby is a volleyball queen, a BioSciences major on the pre-grad grind, and a certified Chem TA who’ll explain reactions so well you’ll actually get them. Bumping EDM or Post Malone (not country though) and rocking her fun new nails and signature sunglasses, she shows up with a little snackie combo (cashews + cheese—don’t judge) and energy that lights up the room. You’ll catch this O-Week legend dominating in Bananagrams or Qwitch, serving elite Apple Maps routes, and winning MarioKart. From pho runs, board games, and hyping you up when you need it most, she does it ALL, and she’s always there to support you with a smile!

- Jaylin Vinson, Sid Richardson ‘25; Ananya Lertpradist, Sid Richardson ‘26