On any given Monday, students from the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders would be hard at work. But this Monday lesson came with a comedic twist.

Actor and comedienne Lily Tomlin spent about an hour with students at lunch.

“When I first started college I was in pre-med, but I would never had made a doctor. Maybe if I started here I would have!” said Tomlin.

Tomlin was a close friend of former Governor Ann Richards and is a benefactor to the school.

“Losing Ann was such a huge loss for so many. And to see this in her name and the promise of it and what it's going to become, it was great. And she'd be so delighted,” said Tomlin.

Tomlin's career spans generations, starting in the 60's with Laugh In. But still she connected with the middle schoolers through Ms. Frizzle.

“I did that show because it was teaching science to kids, and I was happy and proud to be a part of it,” said Tomlin.

Richard’s daughter is on the school’s advisory board. She says visits like these are so important to keeping the school's goal in the forefront.

“Every day -- to not have my mom here to help work on this project -- is really hard for me. But to have friends like Lily Tomlin and so many benefactors that support the school because of mom and they're relationship with her and their belief in her - is huge,” said Ellen Richards.

And Tomlin's belief shined through -- even during the tough questions.

“How have I changed America? Sigh. well, I, um, you know, I couldn't, um.. Lemme think,” Tomlin replied to great laughter.

In fact, she's had a wildly successful career; winning two Tony awards, two Peabody awards, six Emmys and a Grammy, along with an Oscar nomination.

She's hoping her visit will help motivate the young women to reach for their own successes.

“It feels like I'm sitting in a room with a whole bunch of works of art, and I can't wait to see the finished product,” said Tomlin.