Those with unique abilities often draw a lot of attention.

Jamario Taylor, a 2009 East High graduate, understands that. During his final season as a high jumper for Western Illinois University, Taylor earned All-American honors and a 12th-place finish at the National Championships in June.

His friends have a different way of appreciating Taylor’s jumping skills.

“We’ll be walking, and there will be a street sign hanging and someone will go, ‘Hey, do you think you can touch that?’” Taylor said with a laugh. “I’ll take off and smack it. There’s always something, ‘Hey, stack up those blocks and let’s see who can jump on the highest one.’”

Taylor’s next big jump will come when he picks up his degree from Western Illinois University and completes an educational journey that began as a student at Dietrich and Krug elementary schools, then Waldo Middle School.

Taylor is headed into his final semester of studies in kinesiology and exercise science. He’ll also complete an internship before graduation. Taylor recognizes a college degree would quickly rank highest among his accomplishments.

“If they had edible spray paint, I’ll take the cherry on top of the sundae and paint it gold; that’ll be me getting my diploma,” Taylor said.

His mother, Mary Taylor, echoed the sentiment.

“For a mom to see the accomplishments of your child, all I can say is: ‘Wow,’” she said. “He’s been very determined and dedicated to his position at Western. He’s run a pretty good course at Western.”

Jamario acknowledges he’s had his share of high points and low points along the way, but he’s never been afraid of challenges. He encourages Tomcats to make the leap for education.

“Get that partial scholarship if you can. Do your financial aid; go away to college,” Taylor said. “I know a lot of kids I talk to now wish they would have gone to college when we were graduating high school.”

Taylor describes himself as focused, organized and improving as an individual as a result of his college time.

“You’re going to get that experience that’s going to help you grow as a person,” he said.

His East Aurora High School days certainly helped shape Taylor, as well.

“I was definitely keeping my hands full. I was part of senior class council, student class council, band, basketball, football, track, the yearbook club, Boys 2 Men … I think that’s it,” Taylor recalled with a laugh.

Lasting impressions came from Master Chief George Allen, who got Taylor into the ROTC program and kept him on point.

“He’d always tell me he didn’t worry about me being a leader,” Taylor said. “As I was growing and becoming a better leader, he’d ask how am I going to influence others to follow me.”

Taylor, with Allen’s help, recognized the possibilities track and field might hold for him during a time when Taylor was mainly drawn to the idea of playing basketball. The commitment and drive to excel in the high jump put Taylor in Oregon this past June, competing against the top jumpers in the country.

“It was an honor being on that stage and mentioned alongside those other elite athletes,” Taylor said. “It was just a blessing to be able to get out there and compete; I gave it my all. I had a few little injuries that were kind of holding me back and limiting me, but I didn’t let that take away from my experience. It was definitely the most exciting stage I’ve ever performed on.”

Taylor said he’s recovering from a slight fracture in his knee cap and 11 months of training during a grueling season that ended with him becoming Western Illinois University’s first-ever men’s track All-American. Through it all, he’s had his an eye on the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

“I’m definitely looking at 2016 as a possibility,” he said. “There’s still training out there that can help me get to that next elite level as a high jumper.”

In the meantime, Taylor has thoughts about an entertainment career after college; he’s pursuing a broadcast minor at Western. He showed off those skills working the crowd for several hours at McCullough Park during Fourth of July festivities.

“I love talking; I love being on stage,” he said. “It gives me almost the same thrill as putting on my high jump spikes and getting ready to go jump.”

In Your District is a bi-weekly column courtesy of East Aurora School District 131.