Taylor Fitch Interview
Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2009
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Upstate’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
As many are aware, it is my ultimate desire to attend medical school, hopefully to become a pediatric oncologist. That being said, the MAOT scholarship funds allowed me to attend the undergraduate university of my choice and graduate in May 2013 debt free. Consequently, one of my largest driving forces behind the competition was my interest in education. I also hoped that the large public stage that accompanies MAOT would allow me to make the greatest difference possible. As a teen, and today, I worked heavily with organizations benefitting children with special needs. MAOT provided a greater microphone, allowing me to share my message with a greater audience. Finally, I believe that we are put on this earth for a specific purpose. Because of this belief, it is my life philosophy to take advantage of every opportunity God places in my path. We may never know why such circumstances arrive, it may be to change a single life, or it may simply be for our benefit - causing us to grow as a person, I personally know that MAOT allowed me to grow into a more refined and confident young woman, it is my hope though, that I was able to touch someone else's life.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss
America’s Outstanding Teen?
I would have never dreamed I would be the girl under that magnificent crown. This is the million dollar question, one I am not sure I can fully answer. Shock, amazement, gratitude. I think I may have hit every emotion on the spectrum in that single instance!
When did you start dancing?
I began taking lessons at 3 years old and began working on my first solo at 4, aptly named, "Uh-Oh We're in Trouble!"
Tell us about your platform “Overcoming Physical Challenges: Heart, Mind and
Hands”.
My mother is a Pediatric Physical Therapist. I have been shadowing her at work since I could walk. Thus, I grew up around children with special needs and unusual circumstances. It is such a blessing to have the eyes of a child. Those eyes are unable to see prejudice or differences, they simply see the spirit of others. As I grew older and that eyesight began to wane, I realized that society treated my special needs friends differently. It became my desire to make others realize that special needs individuals have so much to offer, should one take the time to look. I appealed to the empathy in people, asking them to open their hearts and eyes to children with disabilities. Love can be a great tool in dispelling the importance placed on differences. Many prejudices begin from lack of understanding, so my second goal was to provide my audience with the statistics and information that would increase their understanding and awareness of individuals with disabilities. Finally, I encouraged people to become involved either personally with a special needs child, or through organizations like the Special Olympics or March of Dimes.
Tell us about “Taylor’s Team”.
As I stated before, I desired equality of opportunity for special needs children, as best as it can be provided. Many of the kids I worked with are in wheelchairs, and thus unable to run a traditional foot-race. With the help of individual runners and several organizations, we were able to alter that idea. Each child was paired with a runner that would push him/her the entire 5k, all the way across the finish line! The team caught on and we had multiple participants. Some races even furnished our special runners with their own medals and 1st, 2nd, 3rd place awards
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss America’s Outstanding Teen?
I am unsure that I can pick a singular event. The whole year was outstanding. I was 17-18 years old, traveling across our entire country - taking in the sights of the pacific ocean at sunset, or the towering buildings of New York City. I was introduced to fame, shaking hands with Rachel Ray and Mario. I was treated to delectable food specialities and the finest dresses Tony Bowls' could offer. Ever moment was memorable. But my favorite memories were the times when a shy little girl in a corner in the Philadelphia Dream Academy crawled into my arms and refused to be put down. Or when I received a letter saying that I provided some bit of inspiration to a peer. Or when I came back home to the kids I always hung out with and they would would humble me saying, "Psh... you aren't any cooler than you were before." It's in those moments I found purpose and because of that they became my favorite memories.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss America's Outstanding Teen ended?
I am currently completing my senior year at Wofford College. I will graduate in May of 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in African Studies and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Pre-Med. I am on the dance team at Wofford and am enjoying spending these last few months with some of my very best friends. I still plan on attending medical school after taking a short year off to recharge my brain! Over the past two years I have begun working closely with a medical organization called the Palmetto Medical Initiative. I have traveled to Uganda with P.M.I. working in medical clinics and remote villages alongside other volunteer medical personnel. I am currently planning my next trip. Because of this organization, I hope to continue to offer my services as a doctor worldwide as an adult. As for the details, I am unsure. But I still hold tight to God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11! :)
As many are aware, it is my ultimate desire to attend medical school, hopefully to become a pediatric oncologist. That being said, the MAOT scholarship funds allowed me to attend the undergraduate university of my choice and graduate in May 2013 debt free. Consequently, one of my largest driving forces behind the competition was my interest in education. I also hoped that the large public stage that accompanies MAOT would allow me to make the greatest difference possible. As a teen, and today, I worked heavily with organizations benefitting children with special needs. MAOT provided a greater microphone, allowing me to share my message with a greater audience. Finally, I believe that we are put on this earth for a specific purpose. Because of this belief, it is my life philosophy to take advantage of every opportunity God places in my path. We may never know why such circumstances arrive, it may be to change a single life, or it may simply be for our benefit - causing us to grow as a person, I personally know that MAOT allowed me to grow into a more refined and confident young woman, it is my hope though, that I was able to touch someone else's life.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss
America’s Outstanding Teen?
I would have never dreamed I would be the girl under that magnificent crown. This is the million dollar question, one I am not sure I can fully answer. Shock, amazement, gratitude. I think I may have hit every emotion on the spectrum in that single instance!
When did you start dancing?
I began taking lessons at 3 years old and began working on my first solo at 4, aptly named, "Uh-Oh We're in Trouble!"
Tell us about your platform “Overcoming Physical Challenges: Heart, Mind and
Hands”.
My mother is a Pediatric Physical Therapist. I have been shadowing her at work since I could walk. Thus, I grew up around children with special needs and unusual circumstances. It is such a blessing to have the eyes of a child. Those eyes are unable to see prejudice or differences, they simply see the spirit of others. As I grew older and that eyesight began to wane, I realized that society treated my special needs friends differently. It became my desire to make others realize that special needs individuals have so much to offer, should one take the time to look. I appealed to the empathy in people, asking them to open their hearts and eyes to children with disabilities. Love can be a great tool in dispelling the importance placed on differences. Many prejudices begin from lack of understanding, so my second goal was to provide my audience with the statistics and information that would increase their understanding and awareness of individuals with disabilities. Finally, I encouraged people to become involved either personally with a special needs child, or through organizations like the Special Olympics or March of Dimes.
Tell us about “Taylor’s Team”.
As I stated before, I desired equality of opportunity for special needs children, as best as it can be provided. Many of the kids I worked with are in wheelchairs, and thus unable to run a traditional foot-race. With the help of individual runners and several organizations, we were able to alter that idea. Each child was paired with a runner that would push him/her the entire 5k, all the way across the finish line! The team caught on and we had multiple participants. Some races even furnished our special runners with their own medals and 1st, 2nd, 3rd place awards
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss America’s Outstanding Teen?
I am unsure that I can pick a singular event. The whole year was outstanding. I was 17-18 years old, traveling across our entire country - taking in the sights of the pacific ocean at sunset, or the towering buildings of New York City. I was introduced to fame, shaking hands with Rachel Ray and Mario. I was treated to delectable food specialities and the finest dresses Tony Bowls' could offer. Ever moment was memorable. But my favorite memories were the times when a shy little girl in a corner in the Philadelphia Dream Academy crawled into my arms and refused to be put down. Or when I received a letter saying that I provided some bit of inspiration to a peer. Or when I came back home to the kids I always hung out with and they would would humble me saying, "Psh... you aren't any cooler than you were before." It's in those moments I found purpose and because of that they became my favorite memories.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss America's Outstanding Teen ended?
I am currently completing my senior year at Wofford College. I will graduate in May of 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in African Studies and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Pre-Med. I am on the dance team at Wofford and am enjoying spending these last few months with some of my very best friends. I still plan on attending medical school after taking a short year off to recharge my brain! Over the past two years I have begun working closely with a medical organization called the Palmetto Medical Initiative. I have traveled to Uganda with P.M.I. working in medical clinics and remote villages alongside other volunteer medical personnel. I am currently planning my next trip. Because of this organization, I hope to continue to offer my services as a doctor worldwide as an adult. As for the details, I am unsure. But I still hold tight to God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11! :)