Taylor was awarded the title of Miss Teen Plano 2008 on Sunday, October 21, 2007 and will be competing for the title of
Miss Teen Texas in July. For talent she will be performing a Jazz Dance to Jon Bon Jovi's #1 Hit – You Give Love a Bad Name.
Platform: It Takes Someone Special to Help the Special
Those who have the ability to look upon the mentally challenged as unique individuals, rather than awkward, are the ones who have depth. Numerous people find it challenging to see their disabilities as differences and instead reject them from society. Everyone we interact with daily has different thoughts and talents than our own, but we accept them. Why can people not do the same for those with disabilities?
Taylor has a cousin who is disabled and she has seen first hand how he has been rejected. She considers herself lucky to have the interaction with not only Timbo, her cousin, but with others like him. Volunteering at a rehibilitation center for the mentally challenged she has learned that those who are disabled strive to overcome and work around their disabilities. Being involved with these special people has certainly taught her that she can learn as much from them as they can from her.
Taylor is involved with the Special Olympics because of Timbo and is continually amazed with the drive and commitment of these special people. Just as many individuals strive for success, the mentally challenged are also driven to accomplish their goals and will do whatever it takes to reach them. In this way, Taylor believes any person can relate to the disabled if they will simply put forth the effort. If people will put forth the effort, they will realize that the disabled are not so abnormal or different after all.
Knowing the qualities that they possess gives Taylor the incentive to create an awareness of their character. Helping others to see “Special People” as those who are simply their own person, rather than intellectually disabled, is a true passion. Taylor’s goal is to teach not only teens, but adults as well to appreciate the struggle each mentally challenged person faces. Helping others to realize this struggle will bring about a positive image of accepting them.
Taylor truly believes in the mission of her platform and lives by the words of the Special Olympics oath in promoting her platform; "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt". That is her goal, to win with helping others to understand how to relate to the disabled. If some don’t understand, then truly she will have been brave in her attempt to care.