Aristotle, one of the most famous of ancient Greek philosophers, once said, "Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
If there is one person in the Battlefords who demonstrates this principle, it is Taryn Jackson, 2010 Junior Citizen of the Year.
Reading the list of accolades, awards and achievements submitted by those nominating Taryn, one would imagine her to be an old lady, as it is hard to conceive where one would find the time required to accomplish so much.
While attending North Battleford Comprehensive High School, Taryn has been a member of the Yearbook Club, the Book Club, the Debate Club, Comp in Action, the Drama Club, Truth Seekers, jazz band, concert band, the school choir and the Student Representative Council.
Outside school, Taryn is a member of the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band, the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra and both youth and adult choirs, takes time for yoga, enjoys reading Tamora Pierce novels and regularly drives to Saskatoon for trumpet lessons.
Taryn is also the youngest member to be accepted into the National Youth Band of Canada, who waived the minimum age requirement for her.
She has volunteered with Zion Lutheran Church and the Western Development Museum, fundraised for a number of charities, including TeleMiracle, Red Cross and Canadian Cancer Society, filled Christmas shoe boxes, collected food for the food bank and assisted young musicians in developing their talent.
While doing all this, Taryn maintained a 94.7 per cent grade average last year.
Taryn recounted receiving the Undergraduate of the Year award for 2010 and hearing her many activities listed.
"Afterwards, I heard a boy say, 'How does she do all that?' But it doesn't feel like I do that much," she said.
"Taryn is very focused," said Gene Aulinger, North Battleford City Kinsmen Band's director of music. "It is rare for her to have a section of a day that is not planned."
Roxanne Smart-Garden, NBCHS student services counsellor, said, "She is a very committed, dedicated youth who is passionate about the things she does, and has a social awareness mature beyond her years."
Being named Junior Citizen of the Year is not the first time Taryn has been recognized for her contributions and achievements.
Her awards, too numerous to list in full, include: three years on the principal's honour roll with distinction, Living Sky School Division Hall of Fame awards for academics, music, drama and band, University of Saskatchewan's Greystone Scholar, Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association's provincial excellence award, Saskatchewan Music Festival Association awards for intermediate brass, the Gillian Hughes Spirit of the Orchestra Award and the Kinsmen Band's Tatchell trophy, which she won twice.
Despite all these achievements, it still came as a surprise to Taryn when she learned she was Junior Citizen of the Year.
"I was so in shock when I found out," she said, adding her parents were very proud.
In the selfless nature mentioned by the many people who stepped forward to nominate Taryn, she was quick to attribute her success to the mentors in her life.
"I owe all my teachers and my parents for pushing me - that's why I've succeeded," said Taryn.
As for the future, Taryn has her "dream" school pegged as McGill University.
"It would be nice to show that you can get there, because a lot of people don't even try," she said.
Taryn, who loves orchestral music, said she's considering studying music performance and potentially teaching music.
"It's always been music for me," she said. "That's been my biggest passion."
She hasn't ruled out the possibility, however, of studying medicine, an area that's always interested her.
Either way, as Taryn heads off to pursue her dreams next year, her contributions to the community will not be forgotten.
"She will greatly missed by me and the groups in which she participates," said Aulinger.
Amy Francais, NBCHS band and music teacher, added, "Personally, I have never met a more talented and responsible person."
