5 Texas Students Making The Lone Star State Proud

Texas is full of bright, driven young people making a difference in and out of the classroom. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight students excelling in academics, athletics and community service.

Check out five exceptional Texas students making a big impact. And if you know a student who deserves a shoutout, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured as a Star Student on Patch!

Palak Patel (Dallas) — Named the 2025 JA Dallas Student of the Year, Palak Patel has distinguished herself through a strong mix of leadership, initiative and a passion for business. A senior at Plano East Senior High School, Palak began her journey with Junior Achievement as a participant in the Career Speaker Series and later served as a JA Dallas intern, where she gained hands-on experience in financial analysis, project management and public speaking. She led the launch of a student speaker series and previously founded an environmental club at her school, spearheading projects like recycling programs and a school garden. As Student of the Year, Palak addressed Dallas’s business community at the 2025 Dallas Business Hall of Fame and has been awarded the $10,000 Sandi Smith Scholarship to support her college and career goals in business. Read more here.

Isaiah Gomez (Corpus Christi) — In 2023, Isaiah Gomez made history as the first Black valedictorian of Mary Carroll High School, graduating with a 4.8 GPA and a powerful message about perseverance and representation. Enrolled in multiple AP courses and committed to academic excellence, Isaiah earned top honors while also challenging assumptions and advocating for greater support for African American students in his school community. Recognized by the Corpus Christi chapter of the NAACP for his leadership and achievement, Isaiah set an inspiring example for future students. Now attending Harvard University, he is pursuing a concentration in molecular biology with the same determination that carried him to the top of his class. Read more here.

Ethan Mowers (Harlingen) — Graduating high school at just 15 years old, Ethan Mowers proved that academic achievement has no age limit. After starting school early and skipping second grade, he rose to the top of his class — graduating eighth in his class alongside his older brother, Nathan. Though entering high school so young came with its challenges, Ethan pushed through with determination and a strong support system of friends and family. Now attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, he is studying environmental science with plans to work in marine rescue. Read more here.

Brandon Vazquez Munoz (San Antonio) — A first-generation U.S. citizen and now a Cornell University student studying mechanical engineering, Brandon Vazquez Munoz made headlines in 2023 after earning more than $1.2 million in scholarship offers — including the prestigious Gates Scholarship. A graduate of Johnson High School, Brandon credits much of his success to the AVID college readiness program, which helped him navigate the college application process and uncover scholarship opportunities he might not have found on his own. His work ethic, determination and willingness to take initiative made him a standout student — and now, he's using that same drive to thrive at one of the nation’s top universities. Read more here.

Jasmine Olivar (Waco) — Jasmine Olivar is making her mark in the field of industrial systems as a high-achieving student at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. A Gatesville High School graduate, she was selected as one of the first recipients of the prestigious David and Valerie Fallas Scholarship, awarded for her exceptional potential in industrial and technical fields. Now pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Systems with a Mechanical Specialization, Jasmine has already gained hands-on experience with blueprint reading, lathe operation, multimeter use and welding. Known for her curiosity and drive to learn, Jasmine continues to expand her technical skills through advanced coursework — positioning herself as a standout in Waco’s growing skilled trades sector. Read more here.

These exceptional students are just a glimpse of the incredible talent in Texas. The future is certainly looking bright! If you know a Star Student making an impact in your community, nominate them today to be featured on Patch!