vTAYLOR continued from page 5 help mentor other men that that were facing similar challenges that her step-dad did. She found this position very interesting. She then decided to further her education and went back to school to obtain her Master’s Degree in Social Work. This determined scholar not only achieved her goal of graduating high school but also obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees as well. What was her motivation behind her determination to succeed? “Set goals,” she states. “What do you want to do? Who do you want to be? That was my ultimate goal.” She describes how she would envision her final goal and would then work her way backwards in the steps she needed to reach it. “I always thought of what is going to happen in the future and how can I make it the way I want it to be.” She said that she understood that her mom had been through a lot, had a hard life and tried to do her best. She knew that if she wanted to reach her own goals, she needed to follow her own path. Though not an easy one, her childhood gave her determination and drive to push forward for what she wanted. “I wouldn’t be the person today if I didn’t go through what I did when I was younger,” she explained. She knew already when she was a young teenager that she wanted to get a job where she could help others. She’s been doing just that, trying to help as many people as she can. She previously worked with Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health for a few years before moving over to Mount Marty College as Director of Student Counseling and Disability Services Coordinator. She has recently moved back to Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health for an exciting opportunity as a Project Success Counselor. She will be working with the Project Success Program in the Middle School and High School. She is eager to work with the youth and teach them about the alcohol and drug abuse, something that she has witnessed firsthand. “I like the opportunity to know that I can be there for a kid that might be going through what I was going through,” she smiled. She said that the biggest suggestion that she has for others in a similar situation is to learn to overcome things. “Just because something happens, you don’t have to carry it with you. There are a lot of different support systems available that you can use.” Though right now your situation or your journey to reach your goal might be difficult, “it’s going to be good in the end,” she states. When I asked Taylor what she is most proud of, she beams and without hesitation responds that her children are what makes her proud. She loves being a mom. She and husband Eric have four children, ages ranging from fourteen down to eight months. She loves spending time with her family and lists her children as her top hobby. Taylor is driven and empathic, understanding that people go through bad experiences in their life. What a compassionate, kind person who truly wants to better others from her experience, a terrific role model for so many. “I want to see people succeed,” she states simply. And by listening to her story, there’s no doubt in my mind that she will. vBy Julie Eickhoff Willcockson Eye Associates, P .C. Quality Eye Care, Close To Home • Best quality medical and surgical eyecare for you and your family • State of the art cataract surgery • Expert treatment of diseases such as glaucoma, eye complications from diabetes, and macular degeneration • Extensive selection of frames, styles and lens options at The Spectacle Shop, LLC. 415 W. 3rd, Yankton The Spectacle Shop, L.L.C. Call 605-665-9638 We would love to hear about who and what inspires you. Know someone that should be featured in hervoice? Karen E Dickes, D.O. Board Certified Ophthalmologist Medical and Surgical Eye Care Brady W. Betten, O.D. Optometrist Medical Eye Care Gregory A Kouri, O.D. Optometrist Medical Eye Care Gregory Osmundson, M.D. Ophthalmology Ltd. Medical & Surgical Eye Care check out... hervoiceonline.com Submit to: hervoiceonline.com HERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2017v9