On-Air Spotlight: Taylor, in Her Own Words

I honestly didn't think I'd make it to graduation. And yet, this milestone isn't as scary as people make it out to be. In many ways, it's the beginning of something new. Education is more than just classes and assignments; it's the evolution of self-improvement and the courage to start fresh.

For me, it all began the moment I learned to express myself freely through my voice, interests, and passions.
It starts with something simple: picking up a pencil for the very first time. You learn to write letters, numbers, and eventually your own name. But that pencil becomes more than just a tool for schoolwork—it becomes the beginning of writing your own story.

Music became a huge part of my story. It has always been more than just sound to me. Music became an escape, a comfort, and, honestly, something that helped save my life. Being exposed to many different genres from a young age helped shape who I am today and sparked a deep love for discovering new artists and sounds. That passion eventually led me to The Summit FM shortly after I finished high school.

What started as simply listening quickly turned into something more meaningful. The Summit FM became a place where I discovered new skills, met incredible people, and found ways to serve my community. From recording voice tracks to spotlighting Akron Public Schools student voices and helping film Studio C performances, I've learned so much about myself and the impact music can have on others. What started as picking up a pencil to write my story has turned into discovering my voice—and using it to uplift others.

What's next for me is to continue writing my story: slowly, intentionally, and with the understanding that every chapter carries meaning. I see now that I can do this because every challenge I faced taught me resilience, every late night taught me patience, and every person who believed in me reminded me that my voice matters.

Because of that, I walk into the future with faith in myself, with gratitude in my heart, and with the courage to keep growing. The same pencil that once helped me learn my name now reminds me that I have the power to keep writing, to keep dreaming, and to keep becoming the person I was always meant to be.

This moment isn't the end of the story—it's simply the turning of a page, a quiet pause before the next chapter begins. And, for the first time in a long time, I'm not afraid of the unknown, because I know the story is still being written—and I finally believe in the person holding the pencil. - Taylor