The 3rd annual Healthy Hearts Day was held on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Ashbrook Elementary School in Lumberton, NJ.  This year’s program featured a visit by two exercise physiologists, Eddie and Lori, from Virtua Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab Department who worked in conjunction with Ashbrook’s principal and gym teacher to develop a program that targeted areas of health that the chilren are already learning about.  The 3rd graders had a great time and it was encouraging to see how much they have learned and how much knowledge they have retained about how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Lindsey attended Berkely Prep School and maintained an A average while there.  She was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and had her third open heart surgery at 15 years old. As a result of living with a heart defect she became involved with the Children’s Heart Foundation as a Junior Board President and Vice President, along with being a Junior Representative of the National Congenital Heart Coalition.  She also traveled to El Salvador as part of  Global Awareness in Action Program, played golf in high school,  and was a member of the National Honor Society. Lindsey is now attending Brandeis University, where she is majoring in Psychology and Pre-Med.  She would ultimately like to become a doctor.

Taylor was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. She had many surgeries to address her heart before the age of five. She faced many hospitalizations and surgeries during her freshman and sophomore years of high school.   She has had a total of 15 surgeries in her life as a result of her heart defect, but has not let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.  She maintained a 3.79 GPA in high school and is now attending Kuyper College and is majoring in Social Work.  She hopes to work with children in a setting that promotes social justice.

Bonnie was born with a Ventral Septal Defect with Triscuspid Atresia. She had surgeries on her heart as a newborn and again at three  years old. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the French Club.  She enjoys making video productions and likes to build things, and is learning to play the bass guitar. She is attending Liberty University and majoring in English.  Upon graduation she hopes to move to Japan as a long-term missionary teaching English as a second language at the high school and college level.

Zach lives in Oregon and has a passion for the outdoors.  He loves to hike with his dogs, rock climb, and camp.  He also loves to snowboard, play football and lacrosse.  He set a high academic standard for himself, maintaining a 3.9 GPA while taking many advanced placement and honors courses. He was in student government all through high school. In addition, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.  As an Eagle Scout, he orgnized and lead in the construction of a 3′ by 8′ by 12′ roller skateboarding ramp for the community skateboarding park. Zach is attending the University of Oregon and is majoring in Environmental Sciences.  Zach has been working at part time jobs since he was 12 years old to save money for college, as he also has three older brothers in college or graduate school.  We wish Zach well in his college career!

Shelby attended Pioneer High School and played on the school volleyball team.  She also played softball and soccer and was a member of the National Honor Society and was part of the gifted and talented program in her school. Even though she had to have another heart surgery as a freshman, she still maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. Shelby is attending UCLA and is majoring in Biology.  She would ultimately like to work in a lab at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a genetics researcher. We wish Shelby the best of luck at UCLA!

Jay Taylor, Shelby, Shelby's mom Barbara, Erin Taylor at a recent visit to California where Shelby and her mom live

Megan attended Cumberland Regional High School and had an A average there. She was born with Double Outlet Right Ventricle and had three open heart surgeries before she was two years old. As a result of her heart issues, she decided to become trained as an EMT. She is a main caretaker for her grandfather who has Alzheimer’s disease, she volunteers at the local emergency room every week, and works on her uncle’s farm baling hay in the summers.  She is attending Eastern University and her goal is to work as a nurse in the Cardiac Unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The SMT Board of Directors met in May and chose the new scholarship recipients for this coming school year.  The following people were chosen:

Zachary Buehler – attending Oregon State University and majoring in Forestry Engineering

Megan Daddario – attending Easter University and majoring in Nursing

Bonnie Jordan – attending Liberty University and majoring in English Education

Shelby McGriff – attending UCLA and majoring in Genetics

Ashley Reeves – attending Mississippi State University and majoring in Biology

Lindsey Weiss – attending Brandeis University and majoring in Psychology

These young people will join the recipients currently receiving the SMT scholarship for a total of 27 students who we will be helping to attend college and pursue their dreams!  Thanks to all of our supporters for your help in making this happen, and congratulations to our new recipients!  We look forward to working with you as you reach for the sky!

Our 3rd Annual Casino Night was held on Saturday, May 15 at Laurel Creek Country Club in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.  This year’s event was presented by Mednet Healthcare Technologies.

One hundred guests, foundation supporters and board of directors members from the tri-state area were greeted by the M.C. Karen Rogers, Channel 6 Action News meteorologist and host of FYI Philly, and Sydney Mae Taylor Foundation co-founders Erin and Jay Taylor, of Lumberton, New Jersey.

Karen Rogers, Channel 6ABC Meterologist and Guest MC, makes a touching and heartfelt speech

At the third annual event, guests played blackjack, craps, roulette and Texas Hold ‘Em Poker while enjoying a dinner with a dessert buffet and open bar.  Guests also bid on silent auction items including jewelry, a VIP tour of the David Letterman Show, tickets to Regis & Kelly, Phillies, Yankees and Mets baseball tickets, local sports memorabilia, and theme gift baskets including gift certificates from local businesses.

A highlight of the evening was the introduction of one of SMT’s current students who receives a college scholarship from the Foundation. Kevin Bell, a student at Ball State University, told the guests about his struggles and triumphs being a “heart kid.”  The Foundation has given twenty five scholarships, with twenty one being awarded this year!  This year’s event was a huge success, raising $13,000!

Kevin Bell addresses the guests.

Awarding the college scholarships fulfills part of SMT’s mission, which is to contribute to the education and well-being of children with congenital heart defects. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

The next fund raising event, Sydney Mae Taylor Foundation’s Golf Tournament, will be held at Laurel Creek Country Club on October 11, 2010. More information is available at www.sydneymaetaylorfoundation.org.

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