Olivia Taylor understands the importance of extracurricular activities. As most of this years crop of Iola High School valedictorians would likely agree, a lengthy list of activities on your high school resume looks good on scholarship applications.
Olivia wanted scholarships, of course, but thats not the only reason she stayed involved. She wanted to be a good example to younger children.
I want them to see you can have a life and be a fun person, and still do well in school, she said. You dont have to be uptight and buttoned up to do well.
Taylors activities are almost too numerous to count. Shes been involved in athletics like cross country and basketball. She plays the French horn in band. Shes been involved with theater, chess club and student council. She competed at the national level in Future Business Leaders of America and ranked in the personal finance category.
She also volunteers at the libraries at local elementary schools. She likes working with children and wants to make a career out of it, perhaps by working in early childhood education or as a pediatrician. Because she enjoys science, she might major in something like physiology or developmental biology.
Olivia said she enjoyed the challenge of calculus, which was probably her most difficult class. Science classes are her favorite, including chemistry, physics and engineering, mostly because the teachers make those classes fun but also because she likes to use logic to solve problems.
She set a goal to become valedictorian for a number of reasons. Her older sister, Abigail, was a valedictorian and theyve always enjoyed a healthy competition in both academics and athletics. Olivia thinks she has a bit of an edge in sports, but admits her sister might be a little ahead when it comes to academic achievement.
She credits that competitive spirit to her parents, Ben and Jen Taylor. They taught their children to always do their best and, as Olivia puts it, valedictorian is the best you can do.
I had that goal but also I try my hardest, she added.
Olivia also has a younger sister, Emma, who is a sophomore, and a brother, Jesse, who is in seventh grade.
Olivia plans to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, which is something of a family tradition. Shes excited about living near the mountains and experiencing the college life. She plans to be just as involved in extracurricular activities once she acclimates to the school and the area.
Probably the part Im most nervous about is making new friends and having to start all over with doing well in my classes, she said.
