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Taylor locked herself in her room and read It’s a source of comfort when I’m not sure
through the entire book. She was drawn what to do, and that’s valuable to me.
to the page covered in red and told her Alex: I love knowing that the friends I
mom that she wanted to attend Cor Jesu. have today, because of Cor Jesu, are truly
good people. We grew up together in this
“I don’t even think I pronounced it environment focused on service, and we
right at the time,” Taylor laughs. “We
didn’t know anything about the school learned all the same values. It’s cool to
watch my friends as adults and see how
except for what was in the book, but
my mom says she felt like the Holy Spirit they carry those values with them still.
Aubree: High school is such a formative
was talking to me in that moment and
that Cor Jesu was the right decision.” time. You really are shaped during
those years, and I think it makes such a
To Cor Jesu’s delight, Taylor enrolled; difference to have God around. I didn’t
her two younger sisters, Alex and realize at the time how important simply
Aubree, followed. And while the Holy praying together was and how much I
Spirit brought the Smith sisters into our valued those times, but now I know those
community, the financial aid they received moments affected me in a positive way.
kept them here. For that, the Smith
sisters are grateful, and so is Cor Jesu. How has your Cor Jesu education
benefitted you?
Recently, we caught up with Taylor, Taylor: I’ll never forget the first paper
Alex and Aubree to look back on we were assigned my freshman year of
their time at Cor Jesu and learn college. It was a five-paragraph essay and
why it was important to them. I thought nothing of it. Cor Jesu was so
challenging that I was ready for anything
What did you enjoy about going to an
all-girls’ high school? and everything in college.
Taylor: Everything! In grade school I Aubree: I agree! We wrote so many
didn’t ever ask questions in class because papers at Cor Jesu and it was so helpful in
I didn’t want to sound dumb in front of college. I also think the skills we learned,
the boys, but then I came to Cor Jesu such as self-discipline in our schoolwork
and felt comfortable raising my hand. and time management, are really
I gained confidence in the classroom here, coming into play in my career now. The
so when I was in college with boys again, foundation for success started at CJ.
I wasn’t intimidated. Alex: In a different sense, Cor Jesu taught
Alex: I remember having no issues me the value of treating people with
completely being myself. respect and how important it is to be
Aubree: I played volleyball and I loved kind to everyone. You never know how
that people got really excited for your someone from your past may come
big sports games because there weren’t back into your life, so making positive
boys’ teams around for them to get connections with people is important
excited about instead. Everything we for the future. I see it every day as a lot of
did was a big deal around the school. my business comes from Cor Jesu girls.
How would you describe the friends
Why was your time at Cor Jesu you made at Cor Jesu?
valuable? Taylor: I went to college far away in
Taylor: Honestly, whenever I’m going Spring Hill, Alabama, so I lost touch with
through something tough, I pray what some of my friends. But a few years ago, I
we learned here…
moved into the same neighborhood as a
Sacred Heart of Jesus, couple of them and we reconnected. This
I place my trust in you. was 11 years after we graduated! Now
Sacred Heart of Jesus, they are some of my best friends again…
I believe in your love for me. we talk every day.
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