Tell us about where you grew up, what you did in high school: I grew up in Cedar Rapids, a pretty nice neighborhood. I loved hanging out with my younger brother. We lived near Harrison Elementary and every kid was always outside playing some kind of sports. I was a bit nervous when I started high school at Jefferson because I was the only freshman playing varsity basketball. It ended up being great for me. I played varsity all four years, and was an all-conference and all-state player.
What are you studying at Kirkwood?: I am studying mechanical engineering, part of the Pre-Engineering transfer program.
Engineering is pretty math/science intensive, right?: I have always loved math and science. In elementary school I did extra math problems for fun because it fascinated me how numbers worked. Also, we had a pre-engineering program at Jefferson. I was able to have a GPA above 3.5 all four years. I also designed a device my senior year there that assists with special-needs students. The school ended up buying two of my units to use there.
What’s a typical Kirkwood day for you, Taylor?: I usually come to the gym early in the morning to shoot or just work out. Then I go to class from about 9 to noon, go to practice, then go home for about an hour. At night I go to study lab or to work, where I tutor middle school and high school students. Finally I come back and do homework or study.
Imagine it’s the fall of 2018—five years from now. Where are you and what are you doing?: By that time I hope to be either playing basketball overseas or in some type of professional basketball league. If the right job opportunity presents itself in the engineering field presents itself I may take that as well. So, I will either be in a professional jersey, working on my master’s degree, or in an engineering firm.