TAYLOR SMITH TO REPRESENT ST. MARY’S ACADEMY AS ROSE FESTIVAL AMBASSADOR
When St. Mary’s senior Taylor Smith was escorted on stage for the school’s Rose Festival selection, she looked glamorous enough to be an Oscar-award statuette – sheathed in a lovely golden gown, topped with her signature fair locks. But as many in the school already knew, Smith has demonstrated herself to have far more depth than superficial trappings would indicate; which is why she was selected by the student body as St. Mary’s 2008 Rose Festival Ambassador.
“Taylor has a profound awareness of the struggles many people encounter and a passionate heart that drives her to change systems that negatively affect the most vulnerable in our world,” says Assistant Principal of Student Life, Sister Linda Patrick.
In her speech regarding the theme of this year’s Rose Festival celebration, Romancing the Rose, Smith revealed that she needn’t woo any more roses into her possession because she already had a bounty of valuable “roses” from those she loved. Her grandmother symbolized a yellow rose, teaching her kindness and the importance of caring for those around you. Her father represented a red rose and the passion for living life. And her mother, who died while Taylor was in the 8th grade, signified a multi-colored rose radiating beautiful light, hope and joy, no matter the situation. “In the end…. the importance lies with the roses each of you possess,” said Smith.
While Smith is committed to her studies and honors courses, she has a long list of high school activities and accolades. She is an Associated Student Body Officer, is the Head Chair of the SMA Poverty Awareness Day, was an Encounter Spiritual Leader, a Model United Nations Delegate, is a member of the National Honor Society, a LINK Crew Leader, received the school’s Junior Spirit Award and Bryn Mahr Book Award as a junior, and competes on the Alpine ski and track and field teams. In addition, Smith recently returned from Washington, DC, due to securing a $5,000 scholarship to represent Oregon as a US Senate Youth Scholarship winner.
Smith’s other actions include starting her own charity, Us Kids Need Help, in 2003 to raise $7,000 to supply educational materials to students in need, working with Kelly Elementary School after-school programs, volunteering at the Blanchet House, and participating in the 2007 Summer Honors Symposium, “Defining a Generation”.
“Taylor is radiant, intelligent and will truly impact the world in a positive way. We’re extremely proud to have her as our ambassador,” says Sister Linda.
Smith plans to major in communications or journalism in college and her first choice for a university is Vanderbilt.
Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary’s Academy of Portland, is Oregon’s oldest continuously operating secondary school and one of 716 all-female schools in the country. The student body represents a diverse background of young women from over 30 urban, suburban, and rural communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. St. Mary’s Academy is distinguished by its development of the whole person, and is the only school in the state to receive three U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools awards.
