Central High School’s Rising Star Javion Taylor Leads on the Court and In the Classroom

Tuscaloosa City Schools, along with Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, Legal Services of Alabama and Child Abuse Prevention Services, will highlight and recognize Rising Star Character Students of the Month from each school in the district during the 2022-2023 school year. Each month, two to three outstanding TCS students will be highlighted in this series.

Administrators at Central High School recognized junior Javion Taylor as the first Rising Star Character Student of the Month Monday afternoon at Central High School.

Taylor, a junior, was honored for his leadership both in the classroom and on the basketball court, where he has scored more than 1,000 points as a shooting guard for the Central Falcons.

Taylor was recognized Monday during a ceremony in the school's cafeteria, where school administrators and local leaders presented him with a certificate and a medal recognizing the teenager for the example he sets for others to follow.

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After the presentation, Taylor said whether he's playing basketball or assisting other students, he aims to show others that hard work and focus can pay off and noted that he has his own role models at the school.

"It's important because I've got a lot of teachers who care about me, and they need to know it," Taylor said. "When I'm a leader to [other students,] folks can learn from me -- the stuff I've learned, I can teach other folks and go a long way."

Taylor said he wants his senior year on the basketball team to be the best the school has seen in a long time and that he'll be aiming to pass the 2,000-point market next season.

"For me, I just know I have to work hard because when I work hard, it'll bring everybody on," Taylor said. "They'll know we're trying to win. And at school, I just try to help a lot of folks."

Taylor said after graduation, he wants to pursue basketball professionally and said he hopes it takes him far.

Standout students will be recognized at two other schools in the city system this week.

Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for features on those student leaders as the Rising Star Character Student of the Month series continues this Wednesday and Friday

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