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(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle senior Ashleigh Taylor poses for a photo while showing her school spirit for homecoming which was Friday, Sept. 27. Along with numerous other achievements, Taylor recently received the news she made a perfect score on the math portion of the ACT. -
(NEWCASTLE ISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Newcastle student Ashleigh Taylor holds up her medals in May when she defended her state title in UIL 1A Mathematics. Taylor has competed in a number of UIL competitions. -
(NEWCASTLE ISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Ashleigh Taylor with other regional champions pose with their trophy in April before advancing to the state meet in calculator applications. Shown from left to right are Mya Cabrera, Taylor, Cayden Rogers and Benjamin Burk.
Whether representing her school as cheerleading captain, homecoming queen or through her numerous academic achievements, senior Ashleigh Taylor has made an impact within Newcastle that is one of a kind.
Most recently, Taylor received the news that she scored a perfect 36 on the mathematics portion of the ACT test, only ten days after taking the exam Saturday, Sept. 14. While she, her family and friends are excited for her achievement, she said her work is not done.
“My goal is to apply to Harvard, and so right now my composite is a 33, so I need to (get) up one more point,” she said. “I was trying to get my English up so whenever I saw the math (score), I was like, ‘Oh, okay.’ That wasn’t really what I was going for, but it was a nice surprise.”
Taylor has been at the Newcastle campus since kindergarten and believes the school has helped her to put her best foot forward while also helping those that might struggle.
“I really focused on (math my) eighth grade year, but I found interest in it when I was little, because our school offers UIL elementary all the way to high school. …I love that competition-type feel, and it just clicked for me,” she said. “I tutor people in math, and so I just enjoy teaching people it and also learning more about it, because I find it interesting. There’s so much you can do with it. It may seem like a boring subject, but I find interest in it.”
Taylor also said her interest in mathematics came after her father pushed her to take math classes in eighth grade and after being paired with the right educators, found that she had a talent.
“I had an awesome math teacher, Mrs. Courtney Bozeman, who taught me freshman through junior year. She got me into UIL ...for calculator applications and mathematics,” she said. “I think everything I’ve learned in that is really what helped me… on the ACT, because a lot of the same stuff that’s tested over in those competitions was transferred into the ACT test. And also the fast thinking, because it’s a timed test in UIL, and so is the ACT, and so you have to be fast.”
Bozeman said Taylor has been a success story for the campus and it was all due to her motivation as a student.
“Ashleigh’s success is a reflection of her drive and focus towards excellence in everything she sets her mind towards accomplishing,” Bozeman said. “The accomplishments and championships she has earned are a result of her dedication and self-discipline. It has been a joy to work with her throughout her high school years.”
Despite not participating in UIL competitions this year to focus on college applications and the ACT test, Taylor has brought home numerous medals.
“Freshman year was the first year I went to state for calculator applications. I placed sixth at state. ...Our team advanced, (but) they didn’t place. Then sophomore year, I got my first win at state in calculator applications and mathematics. That was a really big surprise for me, because I was not expecting that,” she said. “…Junior year ...I got first in mathematics, and then my teammate, Ben, got first in calculator application. So really proud of him and our team got first, so that was super cool.”
In her downtime, Taylor has been studying for the ACT, watching tutorials, taking practice exams and as she has done for the last seven years, tutored students in Newcastle free of charge.
“I feel like it’s something that if it’s a talent I have, it’s a gift given to me from God, so I should spread it to others and not get paid for that,” she said.
Taylor has also been involved with UIL One-Act Play, where she earned all-star cast at bi-district her sophomore year and best performer at district and bi-district her junior year. She has also been a part of the cheerleading team for seven years, serving as captain for the last three years.
Taylor is a five-year member of the student council, serving one year as president. She has served the past three years as class president for the National Honor Society.
Before she graduates from high school, Taylor will receive her associates degree from Ranger College and plans to get a degree in mathematics and finance.
When she finally says that last goodbye to Newcastle she said she will miss the family feeling she gets from her hometown.
“I’m excited to bring the love of community to whatever school I go to though, because I feel like this school has instilled in me a type of community feel that not a lot of people from bigger schools know,” she said. “I’m definitely going to miss my school family here, and just the respect that everyone has for each other and the love that they give as they walk around the halls.”
