Student Spotlight: Rylee Morris – Taylor High School

Among the 2024 graduating students at Taylor High School, one name shines brightly: Rylee Morris, a student whose impact transcends the classroom and the community.

Her high school career has been defined by a pursuit of excellence in all aspects of her life. As a student-athlete, Morris has played volleyball since sixth grade and was named speaking captain of the team her senior year. She was also a cheerleader from sixth grade until her junior year, as well as the manager for the varsity baseball team every year except her senior year.

Outside of athletics, Morris’s dedication to academics and extracurriculars set her apart as a true role model.

“I am heavily involved at my high school,” she says. “I have been class president all four years of high school and am a member of the Art Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and National Honor Society. I am also a member of the Art Club and Historical Society.”

While it might sound like Morris doesn’t have time to add any other activities, she is active in the marching band as a vocalist and has been a member of the choir since her freshman year. Outside of school, she has performed in multiple shows as part of the Tipton Community Theatre.

“I’ve done ‘Shrek Jr.’ and ‘Frozen’ with the Tipton Community Theatre, I’ve done ‘Newsies’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ with Kokomo Curtain Call, and I’m currently doing my fifth show, ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,’ with Kokomo as well.”

With her remaining time, Morris works at American Eagle and previously worked as a concession-stand cashier for the Kokomo Jackrabbits. Her recent promotion at American Eagle to senior brand ambassador ties into her future plans.

“I am attending Butler University in the fall and majoring in marketing,” she says. “I plan to go into the field of fashion marketing as my career, and have been thinking about either double majoring or minoring in theater.”

Morris chose Butler because it just felt right; the small campus and school remind her of where she grew up.

“One thing I love about Butler is the homey feel it provides,” she says. “Every time I visit, all of the staff and students have been so friendly and welcoming. Butler has so many wonderful opportunities for me and I cannot wait to be on campus.”

Morris says her school and family have prepared her academically and mentally for college. She has learned time management, how to be a leader, and the lesson that she doesn’t always have to do things on her own, through the support of her teachers at Taylor High School and her family.

“The best lesson I’ve learned during high school is to do what you love,” she says. “I am very busy all of the time, but I know it’s all worth it in the end because I’m getting to do what I love. I have many different interests and I love that I got to explore all of them.”

Out of all her high school experiences and activities, Morris is most proud of her work with the school’s peer mentoring program.

“The peer mentoring program is when the high school students return to the elementary school and offer academic and emotional support for the young children,” she says. “When I was their age, I would’ve loved to have had a mentor. It was important to me that I demonstrated a positive role model and that I could be someone they looked up to. I want to be someone they aspire to be like.”

Morris credits numerous teachers and Taylor High School staff members for leaving an impact on her – one that has shaped her into the role model she has always wanted to be.

“Mrs. Decker, our choir teacher, and Mr. Johnson, our band director, have fully supported me musically,” she says. “They both have provided me with so many opportunities and have helped shape me into the performer I am today. Mr. Weicht, my English teacher, and Mr. Dill, former baseball coach and history teacher, have provided me with guidance and both have been like second dads to me. Mrs. Worl, our school librarian and my former English teacher, and Mr. Gleason, our school principal, have continuously believed in me and provided me with guidance and full support.”