North Shore High School Junior Receives Shapiro-McCormick Young Woman Leader Award  

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By Shelly Newman 

North Shore Schools, Glen Head, NY, October 8, 2013 - The North Shore School District is proud to announce that Tayler Bradford, a junior at North Shore High School, recently received the Shapiro-McCormick Young Woman Leader Award from The Women’s Fund of Long Island. Tayler was nominated by her guidance counselor, Tim Shea, for being a young woman leader who has distinguished herself as A Leader in Efforts To Help Women Achieve Greater Equality.

Mr. Shea said, “Tayler has the talent and drive to accomplish just about anything, and her career path could take any number of directions. But one thing is for sure, whatever she does; she will utilize her sharp intellect and her creative talents to ‘Do Good.’  She is an instrument of change who desires to constantly improve the quality of life of those around her.”

Nominated among 15 girls, Tayler was one of two young women who received this award for exhibiting the following characteristics: advocates for girls within her school or community, makes a difference in the lives of young women through philanthropy, advocacy or other community service efforts, has faced obstacles and taken risks to pursue their goals despite the views of others, has vision beyond her years and has brought others to that vision, shows leadership and promise as a future leader for women’s causes, and is a sophomore or junior in high school who has good academic standing.  

“Receiving this award makes me feel very proud,” said Tayler. “During the summer of 2012, I created a community service project with my close friend (Annalise Apt) teaching a series of hour-long art classes to children in the community.” The two girls successfully raised $1,200 and wanted to donate all of the proceeds to a worthy charity. Since both girls were interested in helping underprivileged girls, Tayler’s mother introduced them to the executive director of The Women’s Fund of Long Island who directed them to the North Shore Holiday House (NSHH) -- a free camp on Long Island for underprivileged girls whose families fall under the poverty line and often have difficult lives.”

Tayler said, “I was so inspired by what the NSHH provided for underprivileged girls that we decided to donate all of the proceeds to support their art program.” She added, “I taught art classes at NSHH during summer break. We chose a memory box lesson because it enabled the girls from the Holiday House to keep their favorite memories stored in one place so that they can always cherish them. The experience was so gratifying since it allowed me to make a big impact on their lives.” Tayler credits her parents for her passion for the arts (she has been actively involved in photography since freshman year.) She realizes that the arts play an important role in expressing a person’s feelings and emotions, no matter how difficult their life can be. She communicated, “The girls at NSHH come from troubled backgrounds and many times their voices fall through the cracks. I would like to lend them my voice so that they are not forgotten.”

Besides her active role in community service, Tayler is a dedicated and motivated student. She was Student of the Month for Health, has consistently maintained High Honor Roll Status since freshman year, and is currently taking four AP classes. In addition to her academics, she plays on the North Shore Varsity Tennis team and has received a Scholar Athlete Award every year since freshman year. Tayler also loves music. She is currently in The Madrigals and sings with the Concert Chorale. As a role model, she was previously invited to speak on E3 day at North Shore Middle School by Principal Dr. Marc Ferris.

Tayler concluded by saying, “One of the most inspiring things I experienced while teaching at NSHH was being hugged by one of the girls. Through this experience and teaching art classes at NSHH, I was able to see how much I was helping improve their lives first-hand.”

Tayler Bradford will be honored at the 2013 Women Achievers Breakfast on October 24th at Crest Hollow County Club in Woodbury, NY. Our sincere congratulations go out to Tayler and her family!


Article and Photographs by Shelly Newman, North Shore Schools Director of Public Relations.