Featured Athlete: Leah Taylor

Lauren Gardner, Staff Writer • January 21, 2020

Senior Leah Taylor is committed to play softball at Tarleton State University and further her academic career.

Senior Leah Taylor has been on varsity softball since her freshman year and plays for a select team outside of school. She committed to play softball at Tarleton State University next semester.

Pre-Game:

Dream job: Lawyer

Favorite Netflix show: New Girl

Hobby: Art

Pre-game snack: Granola bar

Pre-game ritual: Hitting routine

Post-Game:

The Red Ledger: When did you start softball?

Leah Taylor: I started playing when I was six or seven.

TRL: What do you like most about softball?

LT: I love the competition aspect of it and just the strong connection to other people and teammates.

TRL: Do you do softball in school and out of school?

LT: Yes, I play for the varsity high school team and I play on a select team called Excel Elite.

TRL: What position do you play?

LT: In select, I play outfield. In high school, I play shortstop.

TRL: What are two things softball has taught you about life?

LT: The biggest thing it taught me was time management because it’s often a lot between school and softball and trying to get everything done. It also taught me how to get through obstacles.

TRL: How has your faith impacted you as you go through your journey and success in softball?

LT: My faith has been my driving force to stay on a righteous path and to be hardworking when days are hard.

Grace Nguyen
Taylor has received several UIL softball awards in her four years of playing varsity softball.

TRL: What have you or your team(s) won for softball?

LT: My select team and I just won a big tournament of the national ASA gold league.

TRL: As a team, what is important while playing softball?

LT: Making sure you’re focused in the game and not to let your mental side affect your physical performance.

TRL: Do you plan to play in college? If so, where?

LT: I am committed to playing softball at Tarleton State University.

TRL: Do you play any other sports besides softball? If not, what sport would you try?

LT: I don’t play any other sports besides softball anymore, but I used to run track and play basketball. I would definitely play basketball again if I had the time.

TRL: What are some things you do before and after games?

LT: Before a game, I normally listen to music with my teammates to help me get ready, and after the game I like to go out and eat with my friends.

About the Contributors

Lauren Gardner, Staff Writer

Lauren Gardner, a senior, dreamer, logophile, and artist, strongly believes in the importance of pursuing one's passions and evolving fully into who you are. This is her second year on The Red Ledger, and she will contribute as a staff writer. As an individual, Lauren is passionate about social injustice, cognitive and behavioral studies, traveling, the arts and cultural awareness. Lauren believes in the philosophy of broadening the capacity of the mind and analyzing life from a deeper perspective than at face value. After graduation, Lauren is excited to go to college and hopes to travel the entire world. Throughout her life, she feels writing has allowed her to fully express who she is, and without it, she would not be where she is today. Whether she is aimlessly sketching, traveling to new places, or creating pieces of literary work, Lauren hopes that overall she can bring consciousness and change in the world.

Grace Nguyen, Section Editor

Fueled daily by three iced vanilla coffees, standing at 5’2”, Grace Nguyen will walk into the E103 door with no problem. Grace is entering senior year, and the only reason she is believed to have survived high school is because of the napping couch in the photography studio. During her time on staff, Grace has been to almost every football game, win or loss, and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Yes, Grace has been tackled by football players, run over by coaches, and body slammed by referees. Nonetheless, Grace will confidently walk on the field this year, bruises and all, alongside her sideline media team. Stepping outside the newsroom, which is rare, Grace enjoys playing softball, hanging out with family and friends, and finding excuses to go to every $3 Pazookie Tuesdays at BJ’s. After high school, Grace hopes to pursue a career in sports photojournalism, so watch out for her still getting run over by athletes on ESPN in the years to come. Although it’s bittersweet to leave newspaper upon graduation, Grace is thankful for all the opportunities that she’s had on staff. Through The Red Ledger, Grace created long-lasting friendships and won a lot of awards that she never imagined was possible. Grace hopes that current and future staffers will think of this national-award-winning publication the same way as she did–a second family and their home away from home.