Personal Statement
My name is Taylor Jackson and I believe that obtaining a good education is very important in today's society. At an early age I began to understand how important academics and getting good grades were. The Butler School District in Butler , Pennsylvania has ten elementary schools and in the 6th grade they hold a track and field meet for 6th grade students. I decided to participate in the meet and in the months prior to the meet my school held practices for the various events and I attempted each event. When we got to the field events in particular the shot put, I realized this was the event I wanted to focus on. The day of the meet I was very fortunate to have placed 3rd out of approximately 40 girls. The following year I decided to become a member of the girls junior high school track and field team and participate in both throwing events the shot put and discus. Through my hard work at practice and great coaching by my throwing coach I lettered by placing at numerous dual meets, invitationals and team relays. I had another successful track season in 8th grade of junior high and again obtained a letter. My strong passion for track and field along with my desire to obtain a great education pushed me to work harder in the throwing circle and more importantly in the class room where in my freshman year I took numerous Honors classes and was nominated into the National Junior Honor Society. The 2014 track and field season I saw my performance in the discus as a 9th grade freshman go to another level as I placed in several dual meets and invitationals while competing against other 9th, 10th , 11th and 12th grade girls. I believe my dedicated work ethic along with my throwing coach's commitment to our team paid off for me as I qualified for the WPIAL - AAA North section qualifier in the discus as a freshman. I placed 7th out of 25 girls from fifteen different schools with a personal best throw of 99' -3". The throw qualified me to participate in the PIAA District 7 AAA Championships. Although I did not place at the championships I believe the experience I gained in my freshman year will allow me to grow as I continue in my track and field career. My goal in track and field is to one day qualify for the PIAA state meet and return to Butler, Pa. a State placer in either the discus or shot put. In the classroom academically I currently carry a 3.92 GPA and the past two years I have taken Honors English , Honors World Cultures, Honors History, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II , Honors Chemistry and Honors Biology. The following are elective courses I have taken Latin I and II, Web Publishing, Photography and and Sculptures I and II. My grades in the first semester of my sophomore year I achieved all A's. I am currently a member of the National Junior Honor Society where I volunteer many hours for community events and school functions. I am also a member of the Butler Junior Varsity Cheer leading squad and while not cheerleading myself, I am an assistant cheerleading coach of an 11-12 year old squad for a traveling football team. Once I graduate from high school I would like to attend a university or college and obtain a degree while also being able to participate in a track and field program at that school. My ambition is to then go on and study Orthodontics or Anesthesiology.
