Setting Goals to Move Forward – Tracy Taylor Tracy and husband Eric Tracy & Eric’s children One of my favorite things about interviewing people for stories is meeting people and listening to the many inspiring experiences that we can all learn from. Tracy Taylor was one of the most inspirational stories I’ve heard yet. Though Taylor doesn’t have a childhood like many other children do, she’s overcome different obstacles in her life to serve as a remarkable role model for others. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Taylor’s biological father passed away when she was just seven years old. When her mom remarried, Taylor and her family moved many times over the next several years of her childhood before ending up in Yankton during her sophomore year of high school. She can recall moving more than a dozen times in a ten-year time span. “As a freshman in high school, I went to three different schools in three different states,” she recalls. It was hard for her to make friends. A painfully shy child, “ridiculously shy,” she states, moving often and being the new kid at school often made her feel insecure of being judged. She had a part-time job during high school and many friends that she made were from work. Not only was she challenged with moving often, but her step-dad had an addiction to alcohol and drugs. Neither made an ideal living situation for a child, but Taylor grew from the experience and used it to help others. “No matter what your background, just because you come from a poverty background or may live with an alcoholic or drug addict, you can move on and make something of yourself and accomplish your goals,” she explains. Education wasn’t something that was strongly valued in her family, but she didn’t let that stop her from what she wanted. “I wanted to be something, make something of myself, so I just set my goals,” she explains. “I’m going to graduate high school. I’m going to do it.” Taylor explains how difficult it was trying to keep up with schoolwork and maintain good grades as she kept switching from school to school, but her determination never wavered. She graduated from high school and went on to college at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. She graduated with a degree in Social Work. She also worked during this time to pay for her own education. After college, she went into Alcohol and Drug Counseling and mentored at the Mike Durfee State Prison in the Minimum Unit for about nine years. It was here that she could Want to learn how to knit or crochet? Beginners classes available! Check our website for class schedules ~ www.eweknitit.com 909 Broadway, Tripp Park Plaza 605-689-3999 • www.eweknitit.com Open: Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm • Sat. 10am-5pm vTAYLOR continued on page 9 WOMEN HOLD MORE THAN HALF OF THE NATION’S WEALTH IN THEIR HANDS. But, because they also hold the hands of children and aging parents, they drastically decrease their income and ability to save for retirement. We understand the unique facets of financial planning for women and can help you reach your goals. See what a Raymond James advisor can do for you. LIFE WELL PLANNED. Kathy Greeneway Certified Financial PlannerTM 225 Cedar Street, Yankton (605)665-4940 First Dakota Brokerage Services, Inc. A subsidiary of First Dakota National Bank. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC an independent broker/dealer. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, and are not deposits; not insured by FDIC or any other governmental agency; not guaranteed by the financial institution; subject to risk & may lose value. First Dakota National Bank and First Dakota Brokerage Services are independent of RJFS. HERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2017v5