What’s your story? Sailor Raymond

By Carol Stiffler

If there’s a volleyball headed toward the floor on Newberry’s side of the court, chances are Sailor Raymond is already on her way to save it. She’s fast, fearless and willing to throw herself onto the floor to keep the ball in play for her team. Usually, she is successful.

When Newberry’s fall homecoming dance needed a transformation, Sailor was on the job. She and her crew took a woodsy meeting space and turned it into a dreamy, sophisticated dance hall.

And when the runners gather for next weekend’s Turkey Trot 5K, Sailor will have been there long before. She and her fellow student council members, along with the Communities that Care Coalition, are organizing the event to raise money for this year’s prom expenses.

At just 16, the Newberry High School junior has developed a reputation as someone who doesn’t just volunteer to help – she makes sure things get done. And she does all of that gently, with a smile, and without hesitation.

Sailor is the only child of parents Jami Raymond and Andy Raymond, two people she loves dearly, and she seems to have a natural well of joy and curiosity. She loves her unique name, which is as distinctive as she is. She’s grown accustomed to people calling her “Taylor” or asking whether she actually goes sailing. The name was inspired by her father’s love of sailing around the time when she was born.

Sailor is surrounded by strength, from her family to her friends, and she is built of strong stuff.

“To me, your life is all about how you grew up,” Sailor said. “I was very lucky and my mom has always been my best friend. She is by far my biggest motivation to do what I do and be who I am. She has always encouraged me to do the extra things and be a supportive person.”

Jami said Sailor knows when to be serious and when to have fun, and she’s a strong, capable person. Her mother also describes her as resilient, sweet, caring, and “so funny”.

“I think she is very authentic,” Jami said. “She is passionate about the things she cares about and loves.”

Sailor’s father plays a strong role in her life, too.

“My dad and I have been through a lot, but he has taught me something that I reflect on almost every day: ‘Adapt and overcome,’” Sailor said. “Things will not be perfect, and bad things are going to happen to you, but it’s all about how you take it. Are you going to shut down and complain about things, or are you going to do your best to push for a better outcome?”

Sailor is one to push for that better outcome.

Sailor often looks like she’s seconds away from laughing, or about to pull the prank of the century. But she’s also pushing herself at school and dreaming of traveling the world.

“I’ve always wanted to maintain a strong role in anything that’s happening with our school, events, and sports,” Sailor said. “I think that comes from my mom, because she’s always had a strong role in my life and helped ensure things happen for me. I do well in a leadership role and I typically end up in these positions because my peers trust that I will get it done.”

Her willingness to throw herself into things is especially evident on the volleyball court.

As a player on Newberry’s varsity volleyball team, Sailor says she loves the game and everyone on her team, including her coaches. She doesn’t claim to be a natural athlete, but her determination and acquired skill have earned her the team’s libero position –meaning she’s often the one who takes the serve receive and safely bumps the ball to the setter.

“Volleyball is about so much more than your athleticism. It is such a mental sport, and I think most people tend to forget that,” she said. “The higher level of volleyball I play, the more strategic our players get, placing the ball in hard spots to receive. After a while, diving on the ground and rolling around becomes comfortable, and I honestly don’t really think about it when I’m going into it. I’m just trying to get the ball up. I definitely have left games pretty bruised, but they go away.”

She’s currently taking three Advanced Placement (AP) classes at school, earning college credit while preparing to graduate from high school.

Sailor knows she wants to go to college, and Michigan State University is high on her list. She’s interested in forensic psychology and business, although she hasn’t settled on a career path. She also has bigger travel plans, with Europe at the top of her list of places to explore.

For now, she has plenty to keep her busy in Newberry. There’s volleyball, student council, school events and the everyday business of being 16. And if there’s one thing her classmates have learned, it’s that when Sailor says she’ll take care of something, they can count on her.

Sailor has learned to appreciate the people who show up for her. Now she’s busy being that person for everyone else.