Skipping a grade, becoming salutatorian and leading the robotics team are just a few of  TCHS senior Isabella Janowski’s accomplishments as one of the youngest seniors in TC history. 

“By Freshman year, I already had three high school credits from middle school and I was ready to skip a grade.” Isabella said. 

Isabella’s ambitions didn’t stop at skipping a grade, but it led to the strategic decision of getting an associates degree at TCHS.

 “I wanted to be surrounded by people who had the same ambitions, and this program gave me access to college-level classes while still in high school. It was the best plan for my passion for aerospace and STEM.”

Earning an associates degree wasn’t the only highlight of Isabella’s high school journey. Along with her collegiate classes, she found her true passion through robotics.

 “I love robotics, It’s the thing that made skipping electives worth it, because it led me to becoming captain of the team.” Isabella’s leadership in robotics had led her to an upper level of success.

TCHS robotics teacher, Robert Barraza, has vouched for her attributions through patience and substantial support with her peers.  “Her own challenge is she seeks the highest level of success, and when you’re working with a team and not everybody’s on board, it gets frustrating,” Barraza said.  “She’s growing as an individual to have some patience and understanding.”

While patience and understanding have been base to Isabella’s growth, her role as captain of the robotics team has also demonstrated her problem solving skills in intricate ways.

 “Isabella doesn’t wait for someone else to step up. She’s the first to take action, whether it’s tackling a technical problem or having tough conversations to resolve team issues,” Barraza said. “Her dedication to learning and willingness to face any challenge head-on have made her a true leader, both in robotics and beyond.”

In addition to Isabella’s quick problem solving tactics, her academics has played a crucial role in building her success. 

“Her passion for subjects like math and science directly influences her contributions to robotics. She’s developed confidence in these areas, and it’s helped her guide the team through complex challenges,” Barraza said. “Her determination to learn and improve, even outside of robotics, is what truly sets her apart as a leader.”

Principal Kirkland explains how Isabella’s passion for excellence isn’t  just through academics or robotics but it substantially expands on how she interacts with others and uplifts those around her.

“She brings a quality of passion for a desire to be excellent at everything she does, and that’s evident in the way she develops relationships and works in the classroom. You can tell she really cares about people, and because of that, she’ll continue to grow and be the leader she needs to be for the future.”

Isabella’s influence shines through her effortless abilities to create a collective partnership among her peers.

“One example of what she does is she developed a friend group on her bus trip back to Flower Mound each day. They study together, preparing for classes, and she takes a genuine passion in helping others excel.”

 Isabella’s leadership expands further as she actively represents TCHS Collegiate Academy and speaks among large audiences about the program’s impact.

“She always volunteers to speak in front of hundreds of people to promote the Collegiate Academy and its impact on her and her family. That just shows her passion for making other people better.”

“It was all about getting closer to my goals faster” Isabella said. “I always knew what I wanted and I wasn’t going to wait to chase it.”