Chesalon Taylor created the above artwork that reminds him of his siter Karys.
Chesalon Taylor, a graduate of Spruce Creek High School in Daytona, Fla., has been an overachiever since middle school, succeeding at Algebra I and II, then Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus I and II. Now, the honor student who was awarded the National Achievement Scholarship is preparing to attend the University of Florida, where he will major in computer engineering with possible concentrations in programming or computer science.
In high school, Taylor maintained a 4.57 grade point average while participating in the International Baccalaureate program where he studied college level material and contributed to his school’s drama department.
He has his sights set on “being innovative in the technology field,” with a dream job of working at Apple or Microsoft.
“We are slowly reaching a point where we see the old sci-fi of yesterday, today,” he said to the Daytona Times.
In addition to technology, Taylor has a love of art that has been on display at the Visual Arts Gallery at the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center at Bethune-Cookman University and which included what he described as a “really whimsical design” based on his 10-year-old sister, Karys.
“It is fluid and how I view my sister,” he said.
Taylor doesn’t come from a rich background, but his family has supported him with all of his interests.
‘We’re not particularly rich. Limits help me with my morals. If someone gives me something, I take it to heart. I’m really appreciative. Mee-ma is the sweetest nicest person I know, always asking for a smile to see my teeth.”
Mee-ma is Taylor’s grandmother and she describes her grandson as conservative.
“He was never a kid that was out in the street. When he was accepted into that program (International Baccalaureate) he was just a bookworm as we called him. He makes us proud.”
