Finding Greatness: Tara-Ann Taylor
Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, September 28, 2015 2:07 PM
Categories:
College of Arts and Sciences | Finding Greatness | Students
Macon, GA
Full Name: Tara-Ann Taylor.
Age: “I have 10 children. Do the math.”
Hometown: Boerne, Texas.
Residence: Kathleen.
High School: Boerne High School, where she was on the dance and tennis teams, yearbook staff, FFA, student council and photography club.
Family: “I consider myself ‘Lucky’ to be married to my best friend, Rich Taylor. (‘Lucky’ is my ringtone and it helps me to remember that fact.) I am blessed to be the mother of eight awesome sons and two amazing step-daughters! I am so proud of all of them. They make quite a set. Their names are: Todd(32), Nim (29), Jack(26), Thomas(23), Lovic (21), Luke (18), Isaac (15), Walker (13), Jessica (29) and Kate (29). My step-daughters are twins. My youngest son recently described us all in a paper he wrote for school as a weird bunch of people that he loves nonetheless. That pretty well sums us up!”
Employment: “I am currently training as a line therapist at the Early Autism Project clinic in Warner Robins. I cannot believe someone is paying me to do this job, because it is awesome!”
Degree Objective: Bachelor of Science in Psychology. "I came to this school with the dream of becoming a professional counselor. After my own divorce, I started working with a counselor and I was amazed and astonished at the things that she revealed to me about my unconscious self, which affected my behavior. These revelations came to be very life-changing catalysts for me. I decided I wanted to perform this magic for other people. I do not care who you are, you could benefit from a little therapy. However, now that I have been here awhile, I have become interested in doing research, possibly involving autism."
Class Rank: Senior.
Activities: President’s Torch Society.* “This organization has helped me feel more connected to our university. I have had fun getting to know the inspiring young people who make up this society. They are the leaders of our various campuses and they are loaded with potential! I cannot wait to see what they will become.”
Career Goals: Right now, my goal is to get my bachelor’s degree. After I achieve that, I will reevaluate and decide what is next. I came here with the dream of becoming a professional counselor. Now that I have been here a while, I have become interested in doing research, possibly involving autism.”
She chose Middle Georgia State because … “I heard rumors that it would soon become a university. This appealed to my vanity, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I do not believe you could find better professors anywhere in this country. (In your face, Harvard!)”
The one thing that surprised her about Middle Georgia State was … “I was not ostracized because of my age.”
Her favorite professor is … This is hard. It was such a pleasure being in my first creative writing class with Dr. Kelly Whiddon that I signed up for another class with her even though it was not going to count toward my degree. When I am in Courtney Stavely’s class, I am disappointed when it is time to leave. She is a very gifted teacher and conversationalist.”
Her favorite place to study is … “My Tempurpedic mattress that raises the head and foot of the bed. I settle down with my laptop and textbooks and I am totally content in my little cocoon.”
One thing people do not know about her is … “I am constantly thinking about how to improve my tennis game, even when it looks like I am doing something else.”
Her friends make fun of her because … “I cry when Roger Federer loses a match, and I actually hug trees.”
The one person she’d most like to meet is … “Roger Federer. I do not think I need to say why. He is a genius!
Five years from now she sees herself … “Milking my degree for everything it is worth, staying busy and being happy!”
*Comprised of one representative from each of the five campuses, one representative from each of six schools, two at-large members and two presidential interns, the Torch Society provides an opportunity for top scholars interested in leadership at Middle Georgia State to serve the university and the community through the Office of the President by assisting with orientation, graduation and other major institutional events. Its members, a cross-section of our best and brightest students, make a two-year commitment to representing MGA both on and off campus.