April 25, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

 
Emily Taylor Balances Crew with Presidency

 Northampton, MA:  Junior “crewbie” Emily Taylor (North Rose, NY) has been voted Student Government Association (SGA) president for the 2007-08 academic year. Taylor, who has been involved with student government since her arrival at Smith serving as first year class president and SGA secretary her sophomore year, has been on the crew team for three years. On the Dean’s List her first two years at Smith and a First Group Scholar her sophomore year, Taylor has learned the secret of balancing a successful academic life with athletics.

             Involvement in sport has always been a part of Taylor’s life and when she arrived at Smith, she joined the novice crew team. “At Smith in particular, participating in athletics has forced me to refine my time management skills and has made me an efficient and productive individual.  I’ve often surprised myself in the amount of work I can get done in time to go to bed by 10 pm for 5 am practice!” She also has found that being a member of crew has taught her much more than time management skills. “My teammates have taught me what it means to be dedicated and how to be passionate.  Individuals don’t win races, it all comes down to teamwork, focus and determination among the nine members of your boat. Being a part of a team teaches you how to be a leader and that every individual in the group has an impact on the success of the group.”

             All of these skills will be put to work next year when Taylor assumes the presidency of the SGA. When asked what she hopes to accomplish as SGA president, Taylor responded “it is less of what I personally want to accomplish but more of what my cabinet and the students want to see happen.”  She does have ideas and areas that warrant a closer look including addressing Smith’s 91% retention rate. “There are three main facets of our lives here: academic life, residential and social.  I believe all three areas need some more attention.”  The bottom line is that “Smith is amazing.  I love it here….but why not try to make it even better?”

               Crew coach Karen Kling is not surprised by Taylor's accomplishments.  "Tay is one of those athletes who is always working hard both on and off the water.  I think she thrives on actually being really busy.  And the kicker is she does it all really well.  She's a strong athlete, a great student and commits herself fully to the things she thinks are important.  She makes the rest of us look like slackers!"