Faces of W&L: Taylor Garcia ’22 Meet Taylor Garcia, a politics major and Law, Justice, and Society minor who plays varsity tennis at W&L.
Taylor Garcia ’22Q: Why did you choose to come to W&L?
I was recruited to play tennis at W&L, and when I came on my official visit and toured, I fell in love with the campus and opportunities it offered.
Q: What are you most looking forward to during your time at W&L?
Because I don’t have any more classes to look forward to, I’m most looking forward to finishing out my last tennis season with my amazing teammates and spending quality time with best friends in beautiful springtime Lexington.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment since arriving at W&L?
My greatest accomplishment has been becoming an All-American at the end of last tennis season because doing so had always been my dream when I decided to pursue college tennis. My team really pushed me to get better, so I have them and my coaches to thank for inspiring me to work hard and accomplish it.
Q: Who at W&L has been most inspiring to you so far?
Professor Brian Alexander has inspired me the most at W&L. I had the privilege of taking his “Congress and the Legislative Process” course in Winter Term 2020, and I learned so much about the non-textbook version of how a bill becomes a law and how Congress works. He kept class interesting and allowed me opportunities to ask questions and deeply engage in the topic. By selecting me for Washington Term 2021 despite my dual commitment to varsity tennis, he believed in my work ethic and pushed me to go after my dreams no matter the difficulty. He consistently acknowledges hard work and inspires me to do more to better myself, the W&L community and, one day, the world.
Q: What inspires you?
I am inspired by an intense desire to be a leader and force for change in whatever I do. I love a challenge, and I am the first person to approach difficult tasks head on and motivate others to do the same. I am not afraid to speak my mind and do anything I can to achieve success for not only myself but others.
Q: What are your hobbies/interests?
I am obviously a big tennis player, but I also enjoy reading, watching TV shows and trying other sports like golf or badminton. I also really love entertaining and cooking homemade New Orleans recipes like gumbo or baked macaroni for friends.
Q: What book has made the most significant impact on your life?
As someone who loves to read inspiring non-fiction books about historical or personal growth, it’s hard to pick one that has had the most significant impact on my life. In no particular order, my short list is: “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr, “Open” by Andre Agassi, “Tao Te Ching” by Lao Tzu, and “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
I don’t have a favorite movie, but I love the Harry Potter movies and am still waiting on my acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
Q: If you could have a conversation with anyone, who would it be and why?
I would talk to professional tennis player Nick Kyrgios because I want to know what motivates him to play the sport. He is a very controversial figure on the ATP tour, known and judged for his outbursts or “bad character” on the court. Yet, he’s also changed the game by donating to various charities, speaking openly about mental health, and eliminating a lot of the social pressures of the esteemed game of tennis. I would love to hear, from his perspective, the best part of playing the sport because I think he can teach us all a valuable lesson about enjoying what you do for yourself more and worrying less about what other people think.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I was named Taylor Marie Garcia after the golf brand TaylorMade Golf.
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