Woodside Valedictorian Scores for UC Davis

The love of the game has led many to realize their love of life, as Woodside High School valedictorian Taylor Duffner can attest. The 17-year-old began her time at Woodside as a shy, timid freshman, but left a confident senior with the skills to play soccer at the University of California Davis.

“Sports has helped me because you have to come out of your shell in order to succeed,” Duffner said. “You have to have more than just talent.”

The recent graduate said her time on the soccer team led her to become a determined and conscientious young adult.

“You have to have teamwork to mesh together and you have to be able to communicate,” she said. “I think that has helped me grow as a person.”

As Most Valuable Player on the team this year, Duffner received a partial scholarship to play at UC Davis next year as well as the Athletic Boosters scholarship and the Shannan Price scholarship, a scholarship given to young women who have made significant athletic achievements while maintaining superior character.

“I don’t like bringing things down, I like to be optimistic,” she said. “I really like to be the funny part of the situation. I’m pretty lackadaisical.”

The all-star forward is known for her fierce play and competitive drive. Although she doesn’t like to lose, Duffner said her devotion to the game surpasses everything else.

““If someone pushes me over I’m kind of like, OK, that’s fine, thank you. I’ll just keep playing now,” she laughed.

This year the Woodside soccer team had many young members, causing others to question the potential success for the season.

Though the team may not have been high in age, they were high in spirit thanks to the leadership of Duffner.

“It was fun proving to people our team was not what they would expect,” she said.

With her elite athletic skills and excellent grades, Duffner has proved to be a role model for her young team. Leaving for UC Davis in August, she said, will not be easy.

“It’s fun to see those people you’re like a role model for,” she said. “Woodside goes on without us, but it will be hard because they’ll be playing and I’m not going to be there.”

Though the accomplished player will not be on the field next season, she is certain the Woodside team will go above and beyond expectations. The young players are already successful, she said, but they continually grow in their craft.

“It will be good to watch them keep growing and getting better,” Duffner said.

Duffner is also sure to find success at UC Davis. She plans to study biology and has become interested in veterinary sciences. However she decides to move forward, a community will be behind her every move.

“Everyone around me, my neighborhood, my family, my friends have been really good to me, but I also think it comes from within,” she said. “I’ve always been able to push myself.”

Duffner will be enjoying her hard-earned high school success with a trip to Italy, France and Spain with her friends before she leaves her hometown to transition to adulthood.

Though she may be leaving the Woodside team, she departs with a respectable reputation and wonderful friends.

“I hope people will remember me for bringing light to each situation,” she said.