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There are so many things I love about covering high school sports with GPB. Telling the stories of the amazing people I meet along the way is one of my favorite parts.
During 'Football Fridays in Georgia' this past year, Jon Nelson told us the story of Taylor Tidaback. Taylor was a senior soccer player at Villa Rica High School who went out for the football team. She became not only the team's extra point and field goal kicker…but the squad's only female athlete.
That in itself is an amazing story. Of course, it only gets better…The dual-sport athlete was selected as the Villa Rica High School's Fall 2013 homecoming queen.
Her dad, Bruce Tidaback, is a principal at Bay Springs Middle School. Watching his daughter's journey as she pursues goal after goal (no pun intended…:-) have made for many proud moments.
"It's been an unbelievable year for her and she has earned it through a lot of hard work," said Bruce.
Taylor takes her classroom time just as seriously as her athletic pursuits.
I had to get out my old slide rule to do the computations, but Taylor's grade point average is a stratospheric 4.3101. That may be higher than my cumulative four year total...
Keeping a nose in the books has earned the senior yet another title and accomplishment, as she will be honored as valedictorian in the upcoming graduation ceremonies at Villa Rica High school.
So let’s add things up…
1. Helps lead the Wildcats soccer team to the playoffs
2. Makes the Wildcats FOOTBALL team as kicker
3. Selected as homecoming queen
4. Earns the distinguished title of valedictorian
Now that is what I would call a hall of fame senior year.
Taylor's next step is to the Classic City, as she pursues the next stage of her life on a Zell Miller scholarship. Her response when I asked her about senior year was simply, "I'm thankful for everything that has happened and my senior year has just been amazing." In regards to earning valedictorian honors-- "That was a cake topper."
Taylor said one key skill she worked hard to master was time management--getting things done so you can move along to the next project or goal.
It is always a blast to catch up with the folks we meet along the way in our coverage at GPB Sports. I am looking forward to the next steps in Taylor's journey, as she is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable student-athletes we have met! Great Athlete. Great Student. Homecoming Queen. Valedictorian.
Taylor is the kind of person that makes Georgia proud.