My name is Talon S. Taylor. I am 13 years old and I was born on November 30, 1993. As of February 2006, I became a home-schooled student. My main career goal is to become a successful Graphic Artist. I also have interests in Astrophysics – [which is the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties], Oceanography [which is the study of the oceans], Geography [the study of the planet earth] and Biology [the study of the human body]. I also have a yearning to learn about prehistoric creatures, mainly dinosaurs which I believe is called Paleontology.
When I initially began school for kindergarten, I was 4 years old. I was the youngest student in my class (which at that time bothered me). I attended the Greenwich Village Elementary School, PS 41 located on 11th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan.
When I was in 1st grade my art teacher (her name eludes me, I’ll call her Mrs. A.) Mrs. A. gave an assignment to the students. When I completed my work, I handed in my masterpiece to Mrs. A. I left the classroom content with the work I’d completed. Content believing I had gotten through yet another class with success. I later was informed that my much-celebrated success was not a reality, at least not for me. Mrs. A. had a conference with my mother to inform her that she did not think I could draw and there probably was something (mentally) wrong with me because of my inability.
During that summer, I quietly decided to prove Mrs. A. theory incorrect, I began to draw on an constant basis, every second I could get, I would draw create a work of art (at least to me, it seemed that way). After I’d complete a drawing, I would show it to my mom and (as always) she was complimentary to me (which helped to rebuild my confidence in my ability to draw).
When I returned to school after that summer, instead of excitement there was a feeling of vengeance towards Mrs. A. Mrs. A had stated that I was incapable of drawing, well, this time she was incorrect. Upon entering the art classroom, I caused Mrs. A. to retract her prior statement by showing her my artistic talents I’d acquired over the summer! The next time Mrs. A. spoke to my mother, she spoke with astonishment and compliments. I was inspired to become a good artist by the insult that my teacher stated about me. Because of her insult regarding my abilities, I knew that art would be what I would do in life. September 11, 2001. The day that caused me to have to move from the school I was content with to a school I was unfamiliar with.
September 11th is commonly known as the darkest day ever in American History. Considering that was the day the World Trade Center Towers were destroyed, I’m sure people comprehend why it’s considered the darkest day ever. That day I’m sure has meaning to everyone. But, I was there. I saw bloody faces, tattered clothing, disarray and destruction everywhere. That day was Hell on Earth. People ran as the ground shook and buildings crumbled. It’s hard to believe that so many lives could be gone in a blink of an eye. The upside to that day was I didn’t get hurt and thus far have not experienced any medical symptoms.
Due to the events of September 11th, I was soon transferred to PS 11 on Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn. My first response was fear because it was a new school and I had to make friends with people that were unfamiliar to me. I did get to know most of the students and even though it was a different environment from what I’d become accustom to, I did learn to enjoy my learning experience there. My favorite memory from that school was during my graduation. I had a stretched limousine to bring me to the graduation and take me home. I was expected to attend Satellite West Middle School but due to the fact it was located in an area my mom was not pleased with, I was transferred to JHS 35.
During the middle of 6th Grade my mother decided to take me out of the Public School system in order to home school me. The reason she took me out of the public school system is the debauchery that would take place on a daily basis at JHS 35. Many of the students would disrupt the class, often begin fights with each other, use profanity towards the teachers, etc. This she felt was immoral and she choose to remove me from an environment that was not conducive to the manner in which she wanted me to be taught in.
