Taylor Belmont: 2014 Commencement Student Speaker

Taylor Belmont was selected to speak for this year’s 2014 graduating class. Every year members of the senior class serving on the Student Government Association (SGA) select from a list several fellow classmates to speak at the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. Resident Faculty members then chose one student from this list that they feel would be best.

“It’s an honor to be selected as the student speaker” Belmont says “I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak to all my friends that have truly became my family over these past four years.”

After graduation, Taylor plans on serving on missions teams this summer and then hopes to continue playing basketball in Europe.

She played on the Women’s Basketball team all four years and ended her senior year by earning a GSAC Championship with her team as well as earning herself All-GSAC honors, NAIA Scholar Athlete status, and First Team All American honors.

The biology major’s talents go far beyond the basketball court and has frequently performed spoken word, wowing students and staff alike.

Despite her long list of accomplishments, Taylor has a humble heart and constantly attributes her success to God. Anyone who has ever met Taylor can tell she has a heart for spreading the love of Jesus.  Belmont participates in BAM (Beyond Athletic Ministry) and acted as a LIONS mentor to other athletes.  Her heart also extends to foreign countries.  During her time here she has been apart of a summer mission team to Australia and has plans this summer to serve in both Tanzania and Bhutan.

Taylor also plays an active role in the community. She helped to organize monthly visits to the Newport Senior Living Center and acts as a greeter at Rock Harbor church and is a member of their prayer team.

“The most important thing I have learned at Vanguard was that life is about the journey and not necessarily the destination.  I try to wake up each morning and be present in every monument that God has given me,” Belmont said.

The undergraduate commencement is May 9th at Mariners Church, Irvine beginning at 10am.