The Continuum In Action
If you were to visit ATLAS at any given time, you would likely run into Taylor Waller. Taylor is a 10th grade student at Greene County High School who is a member of the ATLAS Early Leaders Team. This group of students are a group of developing leaders who have chosen to invest in their own growth and development by pouring themselves into the younger generations every day. One thing however that gives Taylor a unique ability to serve ATLAS students is that Taylor used to be one of those younger ATLAS children.
Taylor with ATLAS team member Tianeshia Miller in 2016
Taylor began her journey at ATLAS in 2016 when she was just a third grade student. She began as a member of the “Place for Girls” after-school program and has been involved in ATLAS ever since.
From day one her smile was contagious and her ”spunk” contributed to her natural tendency toward leadership. Peers and adults alike simply wanted to be around her. Taylor had the ability to change the mood of the room simply by walking in.
Taylor posing with fellow 6th grade ATLAS students Caleb and Corey in 2019
In 8th grade, Taylor leaned into that natural tendency in a number ways, one of which was choosing to be a part of ATLAS’ Leadership course which is offered 8th grade students through the Christian Learning Center. This is where she really began to embrace her identity as a leader according to her leadership teacher, ATLAS Executive Director Ryan Gibadlo. “Taylor kept me on my toes and we both grew tremendously that year… I could blatantly see how much God had for her and how gifted she truly was… but getting HER to recognize and pursue that potential was a daily endeavor. However, more-so than any other student, Taylor wrestled with truth and lies… she engaged in the battle and allowed God to shape her into the leader she is now.”
Toward the end of her 8th grade year, Taylor was selected as one of 5 recipients for the GA REACH Scholarship. This is awarded to students who show promise through high academic standing, strong attendance, outstanding behavior, and other strong character indicators. She will receive additional mentoring throughout high school through this program!
That same year Taylor became one of the original 8 members of the THR!VE Core team and played an instrumental role in developing the foundations of a program that now hosts on average 60 middle school students every Friday night. Last year, more than 100 students (over 1/3 of all Carson Middle School) attended at least one THR!VE over the course of the year! Because of Taylor’s influence, THR!VE has become a community of Middle School students where they participate in discipleship and a variety of high energy activities every week!
In the spring of her 8th grade year, Taylor applied to be a camp counselor for the inaugural ATLAS Summer Camp program. That summer Taylor joined just over 20 other high school students to lead just over 70 elementary age students ranging from 3rd to 6th grade during 2 weeks of camp. Through a scrappy approach loaded with creativity, Taylor helped to create a culture of service that would transcend that first year. This past summer, ATLAS Camp exploded with over 150 campers ranging from Kindergarten to 6th grade. Taylor served all three weeks of camp as a lead counselor where she not only led a group of campers
each week, but also oversaw other camp counselors as they developed as her assistant. This year ATLAS’ Camp theme was “Make a Choice” and Taylor served as a living example to all the campers of what it looks like to make wise choices and be a leader themselves. She led discipleship time each week where she encouraged her campers to make the ultimate choice of following Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Now as a 10th grade student, Taylor is heavily involved in other local programs such as YoungLife and FCA. She is a member of the Greene County ROTC, vice president of the GC FFA, and continues to play a huge leadership role at ATLAS as an Early Leader. During the after school hours at ATLAS, she invests her talents into elementary age children through ATLAS Academy. She is being trained in a number of different aspects of professionalism and skillsets needed to pursue her future with both confidence and competence. Meanwhile, at school she is maintaining an A average and recently made the varsity cheerleading squad!
During Taylor’s time here at ATLAS, she has become a key leader, not just for the future of this community, but right now. In the words of Tianeshia Miller, ATLAS Early Leaders Coordinator who has known Taylor since she walked through the ATLAS doors almost 8 years ago… "One of the many things I admire about Taylor is her generous spirit. She will do anything she can to help others, especially younger students. She is dedicated and driven. When she sets her mind to something, she will work her hardest to achieve it."
We believe that God created Taylor, and each individual with intricate purpose. The ATLAS Continuum has been built to equip each individual to fulfill that purpose and Taylor is the embodiment the ATLAS Continuum at work.