By Regan Benton
Who said staying under the radar was a bad thing? Showing off is a sign of insecurity according to Tayla as her motto is “Do for yourself”. Tayla, a senior at Oliver Ames is currently deciding whether she will attend UMASS or Howard University in the upcoming fall to study Biology on the premed track.
“Being able to be independent, like I know if I work hard now I’ll have a better life later. And I won’t have to depend on anyone else.”
Tayla works hard in her AP Biology, AP Psychology, AP Calculus and Honors Chemistry 2 classes. Not only does Tayla take pride in her academics but also her athletics and work life. Running at states in the 4 by 100 relay and 50 meter dash has become a tradition for Tayla over the past few years. Since sophomore year, Tayla has made her mark during these Indoor Track and Field State competitions.
“Working out and feeling good after a nice workout is a great passion of mine.”
Another passion Tayla has is working at Wendy’s. Tayla has been fortunate enough to have been working at Wendy’s in Easton since sophomore year. Tayla has gotten the privilege of learning life skills like patience. However, Tayla is only working at Wendy’s for one true reason.
“The paycheck is definitely nice.”
As Tayla is looking to find her path for the upcoming years, she looks to use the skills she has gained from not only Wendy’s, but the skills her family has taught her. Remi, Tayla’s younger brother has impacted her life more than her older brother. Remi is a lot closer in age to Tayla and is around all the time.
“We (Remi and Tayla) fight a lot, but he has taught me patience and I will need a lot of patience during my residency.”
To become a Dermatologist, many years of schooling is in Taylas’ future. Howard University, one of Taylas options for next year, accepted her into their accelerated medical program which would cut down her schooling by two years. Tayla came to the conclusion she wanted to be a doctor, despite the amount of schooling, because she loved working in the lab and helping others.
“A dream of mine is helping people through my career in the medical field. Another dream of mine is being happy with a job, and a family.”
Tayla has seen her parents love their jobs and each other, which gives her an excellent idea of what she wants in the future. Her dad is a firefighter and EMT, so healthcare has always been in the family, moreover, Tayla would like to continue with that tradition. Taylas’ mother works a 9am to 5pm job which requires many meetings a day and a formal attire; Tayla does not see herself following in her mother’s footsteps with relation to her career, but she does hope to be just like her mom in other ways.
“My mom is my biggest role model because she is always working hard but she balances things so well, she has so much going on but she covers it very well.”
A working mom who is doing it all is something Tayla has had the opportunity to see in action and only hopes she can be just as confident in so many roles, like her mother.
“My biggest fear would have be the level of difficulty that med school brings along with being a good mom and just being an adult.”
When your goals are as high as Taylas’, and your achievements take ten minutes to list off, there has to be a few fears now and then. Not many people can see there future like Tayla can.
“At age 32, I want to be starting a family, hopefully married (chuckles) and have a house while doing some type of doctor work, with two kids. Also, I want to one day open my own practice because I feel like working in a hospital is a lot especially when you get older and you have your own family so that would be nice to have my own office.”
Listening to Tayla speak about her future so humbly gives hope that more people are grateful for there opportunities in life. Tayla has had some people in her life that have formed her into this humble person, including fellow high schoolers.
“Seeing others put there life on a silver platter for all to see screams insecurities because just doing things for yourself should make you happy and portraying to the whole world and making it exaggerated means you are not doing it for right reasons.”
A girl who is on the mission to be happy believes that the passion to succeed needs to come from within or else it wont turnout well.
“Especially senior year I learned to not care what people think and as long as you have your good group of friends your good. I am under the radar but not underrated. Doing you is so nice and when you’re not getting attention from other people, you will be happier.”
Tayla will be a successful dermatologist by the age of thirty-two with her own practice. “A lot of people just don’t know me”, says Tayla, however, she is the women who can make you smile and give you a sense of comfort, no matter what. Having a bad day, well her laugh will simply brighten your day.