Farmersville High School’s Class of 2026 top two; Isabella Yanez, valedictorian, and Sophia Henderson, salutatorian, will speak at the Tuesday, May 19 graduation ceremony at CUTx event center in Allen. John Kanelis/The Farmersville Times

Isabella Yanez and Sophia Henderson — valedictorian and salutatorian of Farmersville High School’s Class of 2026 — are close friends who share more than just top academic honors.

Both plan to pursue engineering degrees after graduation. Isabella will major in electrical engineering at Texas A&M University, while Sophia plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Isabella earned the top spot in the class with a grade point average of 4.6463, while Sophia followed closely with a 4.5928.

Isabella is the daughter of Arturo and Christa Yanez and the older sister of Rafael Yanez, 15. Sophia’s parents are Steve and Siriporn Henderson. She has a sister, Sonja Henderson, 19, and a half-sister, Ploy Newton, 30.

Both students will graduate with enough Collin College credits to earn associate degrees, allowing them to enter college as juniors. Isabella noted her program will still require some lower-level engineering coursework at Texas A&M.

Looking ahead, Isabella said she hopes to conduct research developing heart monitors, while Sophia aims to help design and improve prosthetics.

During their time at Farmersville High School, both students were active in extracurricular activities. Isabella participated in marching band, concert band and the robotics/engineering team. Sophia was also involved in band throughout high school and took part in community service efforts, including volunteering at local food banks and community cleanup events.

Jill Cooper, a counselor at the school, said watching students grow over four years is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.

“I get these kids when they’re freshmen, when they’re 14 or 15 years of age,” Cooper said. “When they become juniors and seniors, they have become totally different people. These kids are why I have done this for so long.”

Fighting back tears, she added, “I didn’t expect to get so emotional.” 

Cooper has been on staff at Farmersville High School for 22 years.

Beyond academics, both students emphasized the importance of friendships formed along the way.

“We saw ourselves as being part of a group of five students in high school,”

Isabella said. “Our plan is to sit together at graduation.”

Sophia said she enjoyed being “at the top” of her class.

“It’s cool,” she said.

Isabella agreed, adding that their friendship will continue after graduation.

“We’ll be able to stay in touch through our cell phones,” she said. “We’ll text each other and play video games together.”

Cooper said she has no doubt about their future.

“These students come here as little kids,” she said, “but I am certain that these two girls are going to change the world.”

The Farmersville High School Class of 2026 will graduate at 7 p.m. May 19 at the CUTx Event Center in Allen.

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