Being an all-state athlete in three sports was not Emmalee Taylor's goal, but earning valedictorian honors at Valley Springs High School was.
Taylor managed to do both.
"I was proud that I earned all-state honors in three sports, but I didn't set out to do that," Taylor said. "Being valedictorian had been a goal of mine ever since I was in grade school. ... I think the secret to doing it was that I was able to prioritize. I would make lists of what I needed to do and what had to get done. I learned to manage my time and I learned that you have to have great communication skills."
Taylor is the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Female Academic Athlete of the Year.
Taylor made an impact in four sports at Valley Springs -- basketball, volleyball, softball and track and field. She batted .532 and drove in 26 runs for the Lady Tigers' softball team. She was team captain for the volleyball team, which rolled through the conference with an unbeaten record. She was an all-conference, all-state and all-state tournament member of the Lady Tigers' state championship basketball team. In both 2013 and 2014, she was the conference champion in both the shot put and discus.
"She played them all well, but I think she really had a knack for volleyball," Valley Springs basketball Coach Kimberly Jenkins said. "I always loved her determination. I wouldn't say she was the best athlete we had, but she used what God-given talents she had to get the most out of everything."
Taylor, a 5-8 forward, was a four-year starter for the Lady Tigers' basketball team. She averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals a game in her senior year. Jenkins said Taylor also led her team in taking charges.
"I've always loved basketball," Taylor said when asked what sport was her favorite. "But I think I had more fun in volleyball just because volleyball is the epitome of a team sport."
Jenkins said Taylor always had "high expectations" of herself and that she had the mindset to get things done.
"She was a perfectionist and she managed her time well to get things done," Jenkins said. "She was very organized."
Taylor now wants to concentrate on her career and wants to become a veterinarian. She has grown up around cattle and wants to help the people of her community.
Originally, Taylor had planned on attending Missouri State University, and she may enroll there, but she said a recent scholarship opportunity has forced her to reconsider. Regardless of her college choice, Taylor plans to major in animal science.
Taylor said one of her favorite extracurricular activities was being involved with the Future Farmers of America.
"I was able to immerse myself into a lot of things that will eventually help me help a lot of people," said Taylor, who was president of the school's FFA in 2015.
"Her family is all about hard work," Jenkins said. "There's no doubt where she gets her strong work ethic from. She's been willing to work to get the best possible result."
Sports on 07/24/2016