This is how everyone's story starts, right? Not that mine didn't start just as that sentence states, but my life has been much more detailed and much more defined than by a cookie cutter sentence. One major aspect of my life that describes my family oh so well is where my name "Taylor" came from. During the time of my conception, Tommy Tubbs, the head basketball coach of the University of Oklahoma, was blessed with a daughter named Taylor Tubbs. My parents being die-hard OU fans, decided that the name "Taylor" would fit me perfectly. So on September 4th, 1991, all 9 pounds and 9 ounces of me was sooner born as well as sooner bred. First Christian Church Childcare Center became a huge part of my life once I was old enough to attend. That's where i met my best friends that have been there by my side since I a wee tot of only 3 years old. My brother, Michael Eric, Jr., came along when I was 6 years old. And two short years later, my parents were divorced. This is a very significant land mark in my life; my parents split, I now had "two" homes, my mom was always upset, and I hated driving to Oklahoma City from Edmond to see my dad. Years passed and my mom became a strong, independent, kick-ass woman and my dad remarried the evil step mom that shows up in every divorce story; enough said on that topic. By this time, I'm in my ugly, awkward middle school stage. I changed friends, changed sports, changed style, changed hair color, so I guess I could conclude that my sixth, seventh and eight grade years at Cheyenne Middle School I was a constantly changing person. And then high school hit. These years were my glory years. I tried out for the freshmen cheerleading squad in May of my 8th grade year. Much to my surprise, I made it (they must have wanted me for my booming man voice because they sure as hell did not want me for the tumbling aspect). Being an Edmond North Cheerleader is one of the most rewarding and significant aspects of my life. It taught me the true meaning of friendship, of strength, of being a team member, of loss, of commitment, and of love. Never in my life had I been so dedicated to a cause. Until February of my freshman year came along. I was asked, at the last minute, to be a participant and raise money for our school's annual fundraiser BALTO (Bring A Light To Others). I was amazed by all the hard work and dedication sacrificed for these children that need our help and our donations. I fell in love with the cause which led to the next three years of my life being dedicated to ENHS Cheer and BALTO. During the summer after my sophomore year, I was chosen to be an exchange student in Eichstatt, Germany and was hosted by Steffi Appel. This experience caused me to fall in love with the country of Germany and the culture; which drives me to want to study abroad during my time here at OU. By the time senior year rolled around it was hard for me to imagine anything BUT BALTO and Cheer defining me. But I also made time to host an exchange student from Germany that I can now call one of my best friends, Biggy Bohm. She lived with me for over a month and got to experience what it was like to live like me. In September of 2009, our cheer squad placed second at the OSSAA state cheerleading tournament.....by a half a point. I am woman enough to say that there are still times that I cry over the championship that should have been ours. THIS is what a true champion looks like. (PS- watching this video still makes me cry even though I am a college student and it's almost been a year later) After the pain of state cheer was at least dulled, I had to move on to something bigger than myself; being the 2010 BALTO chair. As if cheer didn't take up enough of my life, whenever I wasn't cheering or eating, my life was given to BALTO and our cause, being Victory Junction Gang Camp (this camp is designed for mentally or physically handicapped children with ailments that prevent them from attending another summer camp. Want to see how awesome this place is? Click here.) After countless hours, a case of strep throat, almost getting suspended for doing ANYTHING for the kids, blowing up over 300 balloons, the permanent smell of money stained onto my hands, and planning over 25 fundraising events..it all payed off.
With the help of over 100 BALTO candidates and 30 StuCo members, our high school was able to raise (when it was all said and done) over $233,000 for VJGC. How many people can say that?
AND, as if the satisfaction of knowing these Oklahoma children were going to experience something they otherwise never would have gotten to with out us wasn't enough, Victory junction allowed me and my co-chair, and best friend, to come to the camp and see this miracle in action.
In June, Allie and I were sent to VJGC in North Carolina, and there are not even words to describe the pure joy, happiness, magic, and fulfillment this place brings to these children and their families.
These are only a few of the wonderful memories I took with me from this amazing establishment.
Then as summer passed I prepared for my college journey at OU. I participated in formal recruitment and could not be happier to call myself a Chi Omega. Now I am studying to be an I don't know what in the I have no idea field. I'm taking each day as it comes, enjoying the little things, and leaving the rest to God.
the rest is still unwritten..
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