Senior Spotlights

For many students, high school is about discovering a single passion. For Young Women’s Leadership Academy senior Penny Diamantopolous, it became a place to connect several: art, entrepreneurship, and data analysis.

Walk through the halls at YWLA, and her presence is unmistakable, as Penny’s artwork fills classrooms and corridors. Art has long been central to her life, but over time, she began to imagine a future where creativity and analysis work side by side. “Art is a really big part of my life,” she said. “But I want to use data and systems to support it.”

That mindset was shaped through both opportunity and challenge. Growing up with a mother who is an art teacher, Penny developed her skills early and built a portfolio across multiple media. But after not passing her first AP Art exam as a freshman, she learned a lasting lesson about discipline and persistence. 

“It taught me that passion by itself isn’t enough,” she said. “Desire without effort is empty. You have to be willing to listen to criticism, put in the work, and stay disciplined.” 

By her junior year, she rebounded with a perfect score on AP Drawing.

As her artistic skills developed, so did her curiosity about what happens behind the scenes. Through internships with SiNaCa and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Penny explored how museums manage collections, analyze trends, and engage their communities. She now hopes to pursue a career in collection management, using data and organization to help preserve and curate art.

Her drive extends beyond the classroom. During high school, Penny launched Agape Pops, a small-batch popsicle business designed to serve families with dietary restrictions. With guidance from her father, she learned every part of running a business—from branding to licensing—gaining real-world experience and a strong sense of responsibility.

Next, Penny will attend Geneva College to study data analysis with a focus on finance and accounting, with plans to become a CPA. While she’s headed out of state, her long-term goal remains close to home. She hopes to return to Fort Worth and contribute to its growing arts community. For Penny, success isn’t about choosing just one path; it’s about bringing all of her passions together to make an impact.