Forged in Faith: How TCS Shaped Alumni Josh Taylor
By Samantha DePriest
Josh Taylor's journey at Trinity Christian School began in 6th grade when his family relocated to Georgia from Alabama. Even before starting school, he had a close friend, Henry Brodnax, from his neighborhood, which made the transition smoother. He was thrilled to join the football team and had his sights set on winning the championship.
Josh's love for football grew under the guidance of Coach Kenny Dallas. He especially valued participating in the Crucibles, a series of demanding physical and mental challenges that taught valuable life lessons. Remarkably, Josh was the only 7th grader who attended all the Crucibles. He credits the impact of the community of mentors at TCS to their love of the Lord. Since graduating, Josh has come to fully appreciate the profound impact the school had on its students.
The relationships he formed with both coaches and teachers were significant; they weren’t just instructors, they were true friends. Josh feels incredibly blessed by the experiences and life lessons Coach Dallas instilled in him, such as “Doing the little things with great intentionality” and “How you do anything is how you do everything.”
These lessons, along with a strong work ethic and a no-excuses attitude, helped shape Josh’s approach to life. Beyond football, he was also active in other sports at school, including soccer, track and field, and basketball. He emphasized that the "peer pressure to do the right thing" and the integrity it demanded were life lessons he carries with him today at Georgia Tech.
Josh's involvement in the arts was also a highlight of his time at TCS. His journey into theater began in middle school when he watched performances like The Little Mermaid and The Wizard of Oz. In high school, he participated in productions including High School Musical in his freshman year and progressed to significant roles such as Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof.
Some of his favorite theater memories include playing the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and participating in Les Misérables, which he considers the best show ever, and 39 Steps, which made it to ThesCon. Josh loved being part of the arts program, directed by Mrs. Lizzie Perez, who truly cared about the students. He cherishes the Tech Week memories and is proud to be a part of the National Thespian Society.
At Georgia Tech, Josh is a junior majoring in Civil Engineering, a challenging program, but he feels well-prepared thanks to the academic foundation he received at TCS. As a member of both the BETA Club and NHS, he excelled in his studies, taking numerous dual enrollment and AP classes in high school. Transitioning to college has been smooth for him, as the work ethic and determination he developed at TCS proved invaluable. He believes his teachers played crucial roles in his academic growth, preparing him for college-level work.
One notable academic achievement was his National Merit Scholarship (NMSQT) during his junior year, despite suffering a broken right wrist during the football season. With encouragement from Mrs. Kayla Whittle, Josh took the PSAT using his left hand and earned the scholarship.
TCS offered spiritual growth opportunities that Josh treasures. GO Week, in particular, allowed students to travel around the world, serving others while growing closer as a community with “a shared mission to make God famous.” Josh participated in trips to places like Montana and Panama City Beach.
He also valued Discipleship Groups, where students could be real with one another, carry each other’s burdens, and turn to scripture for guidance. Chapel gatherings provided a powerful space for worship, particularly during his senior year when the community came together in the face of tragedy, finding comfort in Christ.
Josh feels that there is no place like TCS, especially in how teachers and coaches make it possible for students to be involved in all aspects of school life, from academics and athletics to the arts and spiritual growth. His time at TCS shaped him in profound ways, and he carries those lessons with him into his life at Georgia Tech, where he continues to share the love and values instilled in him.