Taylor Scott '16

Published August, 2016

My life at Woodlawn is central to my identity, and I wouldn’t be the same had it not been for this small community where teachers and classmates become a second family. Woodlawn is unique. Where else would you find students playing basketball in a gym designed to look like a traditional red barn or see middle schoolers studying about plants in the campus gardens? As students and teachers we are athletes, artists, musicians, and much more. Sometimes a bit quirky - one friend created a business designing bow ties and a favorite teacher, a former Apple executive, enjoys flying his drone around campus.

At a small school, with ten seniors, there’s no place for exclusion. We support each other and embrace our differences. It’s amazing what you can do in a small, hands-on community that encourages creativity and individuality. Performing a Frozen dance and music number in front of the entire school, creating a PSA on mental health issues, or playing a sport you've never played before — these are the types of things that have given me confidence and determination. I have no hesitation or fear of being myself and shooting for my goals. Being the only girl on the varsity cross country team? No problem! Winning the soccer state championship by beating the undefeated, number one seed? We got this! Woodlawn gave me that belief and conviction, and provided me with the desire to go beyond expectations.

Taylor is currently a junior at Rice University.