Senior Spotlight: Southern High’s Taylor Covert

About this series: Patch stopped by Southern High School on May 22 to speak with a few graduating seniors about their post-high school plans.

A business environment has always been in Southern High School senior Taylor Covert’s life.

Her parents own a small glue machinery company in Baltimore, and her family dinner conversations have always centered on stock portfolios and business tactics.

So the fact that Covert will be attending New York University (NYU) in the fall to major in business doesn’t come as a surprise. However the 17-year-old will be double majoring in neuroscience for a personal reason.

“Exactly a year ago I was diagnosed with MS,” Covert said. “I have never had to spend long periods of time in the hospital and work with doctors until this year. I have new knowledge and information and have worked with incredible doctors who have inspired me to take that up.”

Covert admits that a double major in business and neuroscience is a “lofty undertaking,” but both are subjects the Harwood resident is deeply passionate about.

After attending private, and even a boarding school for her entire life, Covert entered Southern High in January of her junior year—it was her first time in public school, which she surprised herself by loving.

“The people have been so open and welcoming and that was something I didn’t necessarily expect,” Covert said. “And that’s kind of the lesson I have learned at Southern too, is to be open to all kinds of people and be accepting of everyone.”

When it came to choosing NYU as her destination for higher education, Covert said once she visited the school the decision was simple.

“When I visited, there’s no campus. The city is your campus,” Covert said. “It’s all around Washington Square, there’s no gates. You’re just part of the city. It was completely different than any school. They call NYU a living learning experience so you are learning outside the classroom... and that’s an experience you really can’t get anywhere else.”

What’s obvious about Covert, is that despite being diagnosed with MS when she was just 16, she hasn’t let the diagnosis hinder her life. While she says she was shocked and taken aback by the news, it wasn’t a reason to stop living her life.

“At first it was so shocking. I didn’t know what I was going to do and I was really undecided,” Covert said. “You just have to be positive and optimistic and it hasn’t limited my college selection. You just have to aspire to do great things.”

See Also:

• Senior Spotlight: Southern High’s August Hein