This year, The Echo has once again had the privilege to spotlight the stories of this community and the people who make it distinct. Stories of our sports communities whose players pushed each other to make history. Of dorm floors that have bonded over niche traditions. Of student clubs that took initiative when they saw an issue presented itself. Of student actors and actresses whose long rehearsals paid off on the big stage.
Few words are as closely tied to Taylor as “community” – or as often repeated. When students are asked why they chose Taylor, what their favorite part of the school is, or what defines the campus experience, the answer is often the same.
Community.
After hearing it so often, it’s easy for the word to lose some of its weight. It has become familiar, almost automatic.
It can feel like an answer given quickly without deeper reflection on what it actually means.
However, familiarity does not make it meaningless. And what a blessing it is to be able to give this answer, and to have living proof of that answer.
What we have in common is our fire for Jesus. We are a campus driven by our faith. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and what an honor it is to be a part of something so special.
Shared meals in the dining commons, Taco Bell runs, late-night conversations in dorm rooms, and worshiping together in chapel every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. are just a few examples of the carefully built Taylor community. As cliché as it is, community continues to reflect something real about this campus.
Every year brings new stories of friendship, achievement, partnership and hard work. The Taylor community is the source of these stories, and we at the newspaper simply get to write about it.
It’s easy to talk about community without considering what makes it truly meaningful. But as the 2025-26 school year comes to a close, it’s worth considering what the word actually means.
Community is pouring in to the relationships God has given you: attending the play your friend is in, picking up food for your roommate who has four classes back-to-back or paying for someone’s coffee. (We all know that one person who hasn’t put a dent in their dining dollars.)
As we approach the summer, community can look like staying connected with the people you said you would, sending a check-in text or praying for that person you know doing an internship.
It’s easy to take for granted our tight-knit community, until we step away and come to understand how uncommon it is.
So thank you, Taylor, for another year of stories that speak of growth, of achievement, of changes, of tradition. And of community.
