Senior Taelyn Hatfield spends each day working to inspire others with her determination in basketball and her role as a school superfan. Hatfield has played basketball since the age of five due to growing up in a sports-orchestrated household. Upon entering senior year of high school, Hatfield was inducted into being one of the few chosen school superfans. She decided she would pursue basketball and pump up the student section every Friday night. 

Hatfield has dedicated time since the seventh grade to a travel basketball team, the school basketball team, and AAU. She has also participated in numerous college training camps at Grand Valley, Hope, and Alma along with some outside of the state. As the seasons have passed, Hatfield has developed multiple pregame routines: Making her go-to protein smoothie, listening to a podcast, and writing down three goals on a sticky note she wishes to accomplish within the game. She hopes to attend either Alma or Illinois College. With this being said, basketball is something she plans on pursuing beyond high school as well as getting her nursing degree. 

After getting chosen as a senior superfan, her social life has reaped the benefits. “Being a superfan has made me socialize with everyone. I am normally a very outgoing person already, but being one makes you HAVE to communicate with all the players in every sport and with all the fans at each event,” said Hatfield. Throughout the first portion of her senior year, Hatfield has made many more friends and created numerous new memories. When asked why becoming a superfan was on her agenda, Hatfield explains how she has always known her loud personality was needed for something. “I always loved chanting at the games and I knew that being in front of a big crowd didn't scare me. I have a very loud personality and voice so it was a perfect fit,” said Hatfield. 

Balancing a social life, basketball, and school can be extremely stressful. Not only is Hatfield taking AP Precalc, AP Spanish, and AP Psychology, but she is also a member of the National Honors Society. Being a part of NHS has pushed her out of her comfort zone on multiple occasions. Hatfield stated, “I never thought I could accomplish around 40 hours of community service each year. Being involved has also made me a better human being. Getting the opportunity to help people and get nothing in return is something many wouldn't do for fun, but I think the feeling of knowing you helped someone is enough for me to want to keep doing it again and again, hour after hour.” 

Although her senior year is ending, Hatfield couldn't be happier with the nicknames and memories she has picked up along the way. Hatfield states, “Class Snoozer isn't the worst mock election award. At least I didn't lose any sleep over it!”