Taylor's distinguishing qualities shine brightly

enlarge photo

Mary Catanese

Abbie Taylor had a lot to smile about after being crowned the 2013 Distinguished Young Woman of Brookfield. Taylor, a junior from Brookfield Central, won the fitness competition and the best chef award. For her efforts throughout the evening, she earned $1,250 in scholarship money.

Mary Catanese

Abbie Taylor had a lot to smile about after being crowned the 2013 Distinguished Young Woman of Brookfield. Taylor, a junior from Brookfield Central, won the fitness competition and the best chef award. For her efforts throughout the evening, she earned $1,250 in scholarship money.

Close

Ellen Linnihan probably said it best on why Abbie Taylor was recently crowned the 2013 Distinguished Young Woman of Brookfield.

"Abbie is incredibly well rounded," said Linnihan, the chairperson for the DYW of Brookfield and Elm Grove. "She's got phenomenal energy and is well respected by her peers.

"She's personable, intelligent and has that kind of leadership and charisma I think is unique for a young woman."

As a result of her endearing traits, Linnihan - Taylor's class adviser and speech teacher at Brookfield Central - urged the 17-year-old to participate in the competition.

It's a good thing she did because Taylor, Central's junior class president, put forth a sparkling performance throughout the evening at Wisconsin Hills Middle School. And after doing so, the judges made her the winner of the scholarship program formerly known as Junior Miss.

"It's a huge honor because it's such an honorable program," said Taylor, who now moves on to the state competition in the summer against other local winners. "It was just an awesome experience."

While Taylor performs regularly in front of people for Central's dance team, she said there were still some initial butterflies.

"It was nerve-racking because I've never done something like this before," she said.

If there were some nerves, she certainly didn't show it.

In addition to winning the fitness competition and the chef award, Taylor was an alternate winner in three of the five categories, including the interview section, talent competition and self expression.

She also impressed those in attendance when she talked about her love for diversity and helping those less fortunate in working with the Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps organization.

Taylor hopes to translate this love into her career as she aspires to work in the special education field.

As the winner, Taylor, who won $1,250 in scholarship money, will now be featured at community events and talk at local schools - something she is looking forward to.

"Participating in this program has opened up many new doors for me to be a role model, to not only my peers, but to many young people as well," said Taylor, an honor student and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Key Club. "I hope I can be a good role model for the youth of my community."