Taylor has cystic fibrosis, diabetes, asthma and more recently, was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. His time is divided between Crestview and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, where he’s spent a substantial part of his final semester completing coursework and taking exams while undergoing treatment.
“I’m finishing up my end of course exams right now,” Taylor said when contacted last week. “I’m looking forward to graduation very much.”
“He really wants to graduate really bad,” Crestview High Principal Bob Jones said. “I was very touched by his desire and his intense need to get his education. He didn’t want any shortcuts. He just wanted to get the help he needed so he could get the work done.”
Impressed by his motivation, earlier this spring, the Exchange Club of Crestview presented Taylor with the ACE: Accepting the Challenge of Excellence Award.
“It’s given to recognize students who overcome obstacles to graduate,” Exchange Club member and Crestview Mayor David Cadle said. “Taylor is so inspirational and so positive. I was so impressed by his desire to overcome whatever obstacles are in his way to get his education. He’s an impressive young man.”
Taylor’s teachers and fellow students also say they find him an inspiration.
“He’s just an awesome kid in general,” his English teacher Cari Ruschmeier said. “He is super optimistic and positive and he’s really an inspiration to his fellow classmates and myself, to be sure.”
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