Taylor McKessie is the president of East High's chemistry club and the leader of the Wildcats' intellectual elite. Upon learning of Gabriella Montez's academic prowess, she becomes determined to recruit her for the scholastic decathlon team, no matter what the cost. While she initially harbors an extreme dislike of the school's athletes, she works with them to convince Troy Bolton and Gabriella to abandon their musical aspirations and focus on their respective teams. After realizing that her bias in unfair and is hurting rather than helping, Taylor works to right her own wrongs and help her new friend.In High School Musical's sequel, Taylor has grown quite a bit. She is now dating basketball player Chad Danforth. Along with the rest of her friends, she gets a job at Lava Springs Country Club, where she puts her excellent organizational skills to use co-ordinating events for the members (and her best friend skills to use by keeping an eye on Troy and the scheming Sharpay Evans...)