By Rob Hunt
LAPEL — Lapel senior Alexis Taylor is antsy when she doesn’t have something to do and gets bored easily.
As a result, she is very active in a wide array of activities; by the time she heads to Ball State University in the fall, she will have had one of the most well-rounded high school experiences possible.
Taylor is a thrower on the Lapel track and field team, but loves all sports, especially soccer. She is a thespian and a musician. She has shown horses competitively and can recite an extensive list of clubs, student council, and other school activities in which she has been involved.
“I do so much stuff,” she said. “I was in SADD club. I’m in FCA this year, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which is my favorite. I love being able to have a Christ moment with my friends who are athletes, and we take it on the field too. I’m a Bulldog mentor, Health and Science Club, student council for two years, drama club every year.”
On senior night the school will have the public address announcer read a list of each player’s accomplishments and areas of involvement. Taylor’s list could result in the competition starting later than scheduled.
She is in the school band. That results in Taylor dividing her attention, but she loves the tradition of the Marching Bulldogs.
“During the school year I play flute or piccolo,” she said. “During the summer, I’m in the color guard. My absolute favorite part of band is during the summer. It’s a ton of work, but I love it. It’s only a Lapel thing, but I love the ‘funky chicken.’ It’s fun during parades, hearing people cheer and they know us; it’s great.”
Taylor is also a champion equestrian, despite not working with a horse club. She began participating as a freshman at the urging of a friend, and with her love of horses, it was a perfect fit.
“I show with one other person; she’s been my best friend for 13 years,” she said. “She asked, and I love horses, so of course I wanted to do it. It was a dressage, so we’re supposed to be pretty and control the horses really well. It was funny, because — and I know she’s a better rider than I am — but I actually ended up beating her and ended up in first place. I do country riding and barrel racing.”
She has appeared in school musicals, including this year’s spring production of “Grease.” Because she played three characters, Taylor had more costume changes than any of the main characters.
She plans to study nursing and foreign languages at Ball State next year. She feels being so involved and active has helped make her a successful student and will continue to in the future.
“It helps me manage my time better,” she said. “I have four AP classes this year, so I have hours upon hours of homework. So I can get one done on one night and keep track of when things are due.”
She isn’t sure what area of nursing to study, but there is one thing she does know, and anyone who knows her can agree.
“I just like staying busy,” she said.
