Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction.
By Stacey A. Shannon—
COWAN, IN—With applications in to 15 colleges and universities, Cowan Junior/Senior High School senior Taylor Young has a variety of options available for her future. Young plans to become an attorney specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury, a career she’s picked at age 10 thanks to influence from her mother’s previous work as a paralegal.
“I feel like I can think outside the box,” Young said. “I have the voice to say things for people.”
These days, Young’s mother works in the administration for Muncie Community Schools, which Young said affords her the opportunity to volunteer at various events throughout Muncie – not just ones related to her school and local Cowan community.
“I know [Muncie Community Schools] is a big corporation,” Young said. “They need all the help they can get. I’m just trying to do my part.”
Her part also includes helping at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where she attends, and tutoring Cowan Elementary School third graders twice a week.
“Cowan is such a welcoming community,” she said, mentioning she started attending there in third grade. “I just wanted to give back.”
When she’s not volunteering, Young is most likely to be found playing sports or studying. Throughout high school, she’s played both softball and volleyball. She spent eight years, in fact, playing travel softball.
Young is also involved in clubs at school, such as the National Honor Society where she serves as secretary, Key Club and Student Leader Club. Ranked fifth in her class, Young has learned to work on time management to get her schoolwork finished.
“I just try and work hard so I can have fun later,” she said. “The last three years in school, I’ve taken a lot of rigorous courses.”
Young purposefully left her senior year of high school a bit lighter on tough classes to allow herself more time for college applications and community service. She recommended younger students to follow a similar path.
“Your first two years are the most important,” Young said. “You need to focus, focus, focus on your grades.”
She also advised younger students to be careful with who they befriend.
“If you fall into a group that isn’t very good, you’ll probably stay there,” Young said. “And you are who your friends are, really. So, try and stay with a good group of people who will support you and do what’s right.”
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