Taylor Pletz '15 Recruiting Profile

   In college, I wish to pursue a double major of business and theology. I know that it sounds like an odd combination, but once I graduate, I plan on opening a non-profit organization to help rehabilitate the homeless. I have always had a passion for helping others. For example, in my small town of North East, Pennsylvania, we have a local thrift store called the 49 Thrift Store. Right next door is our town's food pantry. I used to volunteer at the food pantry with my grandmother, until I decided to volunteer at the thrift store. I have been a regular volunteer at the 49 Thrift Store since sixth grade now. As a volunteer, I earn no money, but that doesn't bother me. Even with no salary I still go into the store and work the cash register on the Saturdays that I am scheduled. I have also gone on a mission trip to Baltimore to assist those in need for a week. I do my best to help all that I can. I feel that this makes me different from many teenagers today and proves my dedication to something that I am very passionate about.

   Not only am I passionate about helping others, I am also very passionate about running. I began running in seventh grade at North East Middle School, and I have never stopped. My coach in middle school was actually one of my teachers in sixth grade, and he is the one who talked me into going out for cross country. At this point in time, I was a dancer. I did every type of dance you could imagine since I was four years old. Dancing came first for me, and running came second, in the beginning that is. Pretty quickly after my first ever cross country race, running became my passion. My middle school stereotype was soon switched to that of a runner. I was no longer looked at as a dancer. As a little girl, I would never have imagined quitting dance, but come freshman year, I quit all dancing so I could focus on my running. My passion for the sport grew so much, I wanted to become extremely dedicated to it. I didn't want to have to split up my time between running and dancing anymore because I wanted to become a great runner, not just average. I wanted to stand out, and be the best that I could be. However, I am still not satisfied. I don't feel that I have run my fastest times yet, knowing that I can run better and faster. My dissatisfaction and urge to run faster shows that I am a competitor and will give it my all to the sport so that I can actually be the best that I can be. I want to be able to set an example for my team today to show them that hard work is what will get us farthest in the season. This year will be my second year as captain of my cross country and track team, and my desire to work hard and be the best that I can be is the example I wish for my team to see. I am a competitor, and I will always give it my all.

   I mentioned before that I used to attend the North East School District. I've lived in North East my whole life and attended school there until eighth grade. However, I wanted to attend a school where my religion would be involved. I also wanted courses that were more rigorous and would prepare me for college. I began to look and shadow some of the private, college preparatory schools in the Erie Pa area. I shadowed Mercyhurst Prep, and I loved it. I am currently taking multiple IB (International Baccalaureate) classes and preparing to take the IB tests. My senior year, I will be taking a couple college classes as well. Since freshman year though, I have taken honors and IB classes in order to prepare me for the rigor of college. The classes I have taken and will be taking are rigorous and college preparatory, and my religion is now involved in my life on a daily basis.