Safety Studies Student Follows Her Passion
Taylor Daigle, a soon-to-be senior and occupational health applied sciences major at Keene State, was working in the preschool program at the Keene YMCA when she was presented with a career-building paid internship this summer with SUR Construction-West, a heavy construction contractor based Winchester, NH.
Daigle admits in was tough decision, but in the end the internship opportunity was too hard to pass up. “The Y has been such a good thing for me. It was hard leaving, but the internship will help me with what I want to do for the rest of my life,” said Daigle, a Keene native.
The junior has found her calling. “I started out as an education major at Keene State but fell in love with the safety program my first year and switched right away,” said Daigle. “I took a class with Dr. Jamie Ingalls and it was fantastic. There was no question after that.”
She first connected with the YMCA as a 15-year old volunteer through Keene State’s Upward Bound program. Rising in the ranks to an associate teacher, she enjoyed a special connection with the students in her class.
The feeling was mutual. A recent posting on Facebook by a mother of one of her students said it all: “Thank you for loving my son. Thank you for teaching him, snuggling him, challenging him, and nurturing him. Your relationship with him over this past year has been instrumental in his success at preschool. He adores you, trusts you, respects you, and admires you. Someday he will be the man he becomes in part because of the guidance you have given him. And that is a gift we cannot thank you enough for.”
“I can go on forever about Taylor,” said Kelly Fleuette, the director of Child Care Services at the YMCA. “Taylor brings energy, love, gentle guidance, and a positive relationship to our children and their families. It’s sad to see her go, but it’s a good opportunity for her.”
The YMCA played a key role with Taylor getting her internship with SUR, whose families are members and frequent visitors. “I’m so lucky, because internships are critical,” said Daigle. “You have to do whatever you can to stand out.”
