The Young Soul
By: Jasmine Thomas
Tragic is the word that echoed in the hearts of many, across the Campus of Fort Valley State University, when they discovered that a member of the Wildcat family was killed in a single car accident.
Tears fell down the faces of faculty, staff and students on Sept. 3 when they received the heartbreaking news that one of their own was gone. Taylor Moore, a 21-year-old senior mass communications student from Powder Springs, Ga.., lost her life in a single-car crash near the FVSU campus on Carver Drive.
On Sept. 10, the university held a memorial service to honor the life of Moore. Moore’s family, the campus community, students and her friends paid tribute to the student. Moore was more than just a student, she was a sister, a mentor and a friend. Her life was one that has touched so many in such a short amount of time. As a student at FVSU, Moore had several accomplishments. She was a peer educator and served as their [departmental] queen from 2012 until present. She was named Miss Junior for the 2014-2015 scholastic year, and was initiated into the Alpha Beta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. on April 27, 2014.
Chata Spikes, a media communications instructor said, “Taylor was not just a student, but a big personality in my class,” Spikes said. “We can think of all the things that Taylor did and said, and we can smile.” Personality was something that Moore had a whole lot of. Her personality was like a magnet that sparked and drew people in. Her attitude was so vibrant that it electrified the whole room as soon as she waked in."
One of Moore's favorite sayings was “I may not have the life I want ,but I am grateful for the life that I have.”
Moore understood the importance of receiving a good education was to having a successful future . Even though she is gone, her legacy still burns bright, here at the university. Mass communications professor, Dr. Andrew Lee, who taught her, said that she was kindhearted and hard working. “She never wanted to be disrespectful, she just wanted to do better,” Lee said. The professor stated the student was decisive, and always wanted to help.
FVSU’s Student Health and Counseling Services Director Jacqueline Caskey-James made a tribute to Moore that was a special one, since the student served as the queen of the Peer Education program from 2012 until recently. As a token of their appreciation, presented a tiara to her mother. Andrew Felton, who worked with Caskey James, inducted Moore’s mother, Miriam Knight, and her sister, Olivia, as representatives in the “Be the Sober One” program. Caskey-James said, “This will give the family a piece of what Taylor had every day here at the University.”
Tekia Raines, Moore’s best friend, honored their friendship. “Family, you’re born into that, associations you’re formed into them, school you’re bonded into that, but a friend you choose and they choose you,” her best friend said. “I chose you Taylor and you chose me.” She said the two became fast friends because of their inability to keep their hidden thoughts from disrupting other people, nor could they keep quiet because they were both Libras.
Moore had passed her mission to friend after her death, “Our paths may have been different, but I have a duty to carry out our mission to change the world.”
Raines explained when her grandmother died in 2014, Moore had been by her side. After her grandfather passed in July, her friend continue to comfort her, now Moore has passed away.
“I prayed for strength to get me through this,” Raines said. “Taylor, please ask God for me to make my grieving process easier. You will forever be my best friend.”
After the ceremony, the university held a symbolic candle lighting for the 21-year-old student. Later, there was a symbolic releasing of balloons to honor Moore’s life. The National Pan -Hellenic Council, which Moore was one of the members of served as ushers during the service and every one no matter the letters on their chest was there to comfort each other and serve the community. Moore’s death was tragic, but is one that we can all look back on and reflect on. She will be dearly missed and has caused the university as a whole to shift in a new direction.
Miriam Knight, Moore’s mother, thanked everyone who came out to support her family. She said her daughter didn’t like for her to text because her daughter believed that she was a horrible texter. But the day after Moore’s death, she sent one to her daughter.
It read, “Taylor, my darling, my sunshine and princess, you will always be the love of my life.”
By: Jasmine Thomas
By: Jasmine Thomas
