Lakewood High School senior Taylor-Raye High is shown in the school’s counseling office. High overcame a background of family substance abuse to become what Lakewood educators say is a quiet, but outstanding school leader.
The Jeffco Schools Foundation has honored heroes in Jeffco Public Schools for the past 13 years. This long-standing tradition recognizes outstanding teachers and high school seniors who demonstrate extraordinary character, leadership, and strength. Students and teachers are nominated by their principals, and the final honorees are chosen by a volunteer selection committee comprised of community representatives and the Jeffco Schools Foundation Board members. Meet 2015 honoree Taylor-Raye High.
High school can be a difficult transition period for any student. One student in particular has had to overcome challenges far beyond the tests, activities, and changing emotions of high school. Taylor-Raye High, known to her friends as Raye, is a senior at Lakewood High School who has battled a tough past, but who has come out on top, helping others along the way. Taylor is honored with one of this year’s Jeffco Hero Awards for her resilience and kindness in the face of hardship.
Lakewood High School counselor Alexis Park first met Taylor when she joined a support group for students whose families are battling addiction. Taylor willingly shared her story with countless other members and went out of her way to ensure that her peers felt comfortable. Taylor was, and remains, a resource for students who may be in a similar situation.
“Taylor was the only one in the group who was willing to put herself out there and not be nervous about it and say ‘yea, I’m willing to do this because this could be helpful to other students to be able to hear my story’,” said Park.
Taylor went so far as to share her story in public. She courageously participated in one of Lakewood’s Fractured Light Theatre productions, which highlights students who have survived traumatic experiences. When Taylor meets someone who has battled her circumstances, she forms a special bond with that person.
“If someone does come to me,” said Taylor, “I do share my experiences… It’s also like a bond that no one can really understand; it’s like how a sports team [bonds] over the love of that specific sport, but this is a struggle, which I think is kind of stronger in a sense because it’s personal feelings – deeper feelings.”
Taylor has reached out to children in foster care to share her good news and optimism by starting an after-school birthday club.
“It’s just a way to give all the kids a chance to do something together,” she said. “It’s really special because all kids love to have birthday parties, or parties in general. They like eating candy and doing the events… when you provide that for someone, it’s really nice and – I don’t know – it’s just a really nice feeling.”
Jill Mark, Lakewood High School counselor, calls Taylor a silent hero.
“She’s such a quiet kid… but she does so many things behind the scenes with the group. She is on the yearbook staff; she doesn’t really take that leadership role, but she does all the stuff to get things done. And I think that just has been her way to cope,” said Mark.
Success stories like Taylor’s often get lost in a big school like Lakewood, but Taylor continues to exude hope and optimism and to reach out to those who have yet to realize their own success stories.
“There’s not just this certain group of kids up here that are always getting all the recognition…” said Park. “We have a whole other level of students that are doing these amazing things, but they’re just not talking about it – they’re just not bragging about it – and that’s totally Taylor.”
See the JPS-TV version of this story here.