Four years ago, Kerris Taylor watched as her big brother Aaron walked across the stage to collect his diploma and then move on to college with an ROTC scholarship. Now, she has accomplished the very same thing.
Taylor was thrilled to learn that she had earned a three-year scholarship from ROTC, but she was equally excited to learn that she had earned an $8,000 True Merit Scholarship — all of which essentially will pay for her college education completely. She has earned more than $51,000 in scholarships.
Taylor was among the Class of 2024 graduates to cross the stage Thursday at the Black River Coliseum.
Her mother, Hillary Taylor, is a teacher at the Poplar Bluff Junior High and said she can’t help but feel proud of what her children have accomplished.
“We must be doing something right,” Hillary Taylor noted. “Two kids with two sets of four-year scholarships to college. We’re proud of ourselves as parents.”
Kerris Taylor will attend college at Truman University in Kirksville, Missouri, where she plans to major in agricultural science on a pre-veterinarian track.
“She has always loved animals, and she wants to work with them,” Hillary Taylor remarked. “She wants to train them in the Army.”
The only difficulty involved with that is the fact that canines in the military are typically trained by handlers who are usually enlisted soldiers. Kerris Taylor will have the distinction of being an officer after her schooling is complete.
“I will probably start as a second lieutenant,” Kerris noted. “I would really like to practice veterinary science while I’m serving my country.”
As the graduation ceremony started Thursday, Kerris looked on as the JROTC Color Guard presented the colors — something she had been all too familiar with doing. It was just one of many activities that has helped secure her academic future.
“I can’t say enough about the JROTC program,” Hillary exclaimed. “I don’t know what the exact numbers are, but I know that they have provided numerous scholarships for students who didn’t pursue athletics or art. It’s a wonderful program.”
At the start of the ceremony, Poplar Bluff R-I Schools’ Superintendent Aaron Cornman spoke briefly to the parents of the 2024 graduates.
“Thank you so much for allowing me and my colleagues to educate your children,” Cornman remarked, before speaking directly to the graduating class. “And thank you students. You have demonstrated so many good things. I can’t remember a class that I have enjoyed more than this graduating class of 2024.”
In short order, the class president spoke, then the salutatorian and the valedictorian. Kerris stood with the row where she was seated and flashed a giant smile to Hillary and her father, Josh, as she anticipated walking to the stage to receive her diploma.
Kerris acknowledged she may have followed in steps of her big brother, but she also knows she is forging her own path.
“This is just the beginning,” she said.
Hillary and Josh looked on proudly as Kerris exchanged greetings with multiple classmates — the top of her graduation cap covered in Army camouflage with the word “Truman” printed across it. Many hugs were exchanged and the sound of laughter was everywhere.
“Yep,” Hillary smiled. “I definitely think we did something right.”