A pair of college signings ensured that two area athletes will take their next steps in life’s journey close to home.
Danville cheerleader Taylor Tyler will study social work at Mount Vernon Nazarene University this fall. In the meantime, Highland’s Peyton Carpenter will attend Otterbein University to become a nurse while she runs track.
In a ceremony at Highland’s library on Thursday, Mar. 25, Carpenter talked about the influence of family on her decision. Her brother Chase already attends Otterbein.
“I love the idea of going to school with my brother, but I took into consideration how good the nursing program is, the location and things like that,” she said. “My first time on campus made me feel at home. I think that was probably the most important factor to me, how comfortable I felt on campus and just walking around there.”
Westerville’s small-town feel could have attracted Carpenter, but that too didn’t factor very highly.
“(Westerville) is beautiful,” Carpenter said. “Also, it’s close to (Columbus). It would be great for networking when I become a nurse. I’ll probably end up doing a lot of clinical work at hospitals nearby.”
Carpenter, who qualified for the 2019 OHSAA regional meet in the 200-meter sprint, still has unfinished business in her final track season at Highland.
“We lost our season last year (to COVID-19),” Carpenter said. “I’m thankful that we get to run this year and that I get to end my athletic career at Highland running track.”
Carpenter will take the high school friendships and the memories along as she moves onward.
“I think I will always remember how close we were and how family-oriented of a school we are at Highland,” she said.
Carpenter, who also played basketball and soccer for the Scots, excels on and off the field.
“Peyton represents everything we want in an athlete at Highland,” said Highland athletic director Mike Delaney. “She does well in the classroom. She performs well on the track. She plays multiple sports and will graduate with 10 varsity letters.”
The feeling of familiarity made MVNU Tyler’s first choice, as she explained after a ceremony in Danville’s cafeteria on Thursday morning.
“I actually have a lot of friends there and they really like it,” Tyler said. "I thought it was really pretty there. The chapel was really nice. It just seemed like a good environment.”
Social work was the best career choice for the outgoing Tyler.
“I like the idea of helping kids and helping people in general,” she said. “I’m thinking I would work with people suffering from drug and alcohol abuse.”
Perhaps some of the qualities that make a good cheerleader will help her in social work.
“I would say a lot of strength and courage, especially when it comes to being out there in front of people,” Tyler said. “A lot of people are afraid to (be a cheerleader), but it is honestly really not that bad. The strength part is when you’re doing competition. You need to be able to lift other girls up and tumble and things like that.”
Over her Blue Devils varsity career, Tyler’s favorite nights were senior nights.
“It’s really exciting for the upperclassmen and it’s kind of sad also,” she said. “Especially when saying goodbye to friends.”
