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Taylor Vaughan of Kennebunk has served as a mentor to Catholic and Protestant teenagers from Northern Ireland.

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TAYLOR VAUGHAN

SCHOOL: Kennebunk High School

"I really, really like people, and I feel better about myself if I make someone's day."

Taylor Vaughan has a long list of accomplishments. She's a top student, an athlete, a student council member, a student representative to the school board and a key participant in various community service activities.

But the Kennebunk High School graduate has a special place in her heart for one particular experience: the Maine Irish Children's Program, an exchange program that brings together Catholic and Protestant youths from Northern Ireland.

"That's kind of made me what I am," she said.

Vaughan, 18, was first exposed to the program as a young child, when her family started hosting Irish youths. Since then, she's worked as a mentor to the visiting teenagers and to young Americans who visit Northern Ireland each February.

She's helped teenagers deal with homesickness, prepared them for living in a new culture, organized social and educational events, and served as a liaison to the adults.

More recently, the Kennebunk resident became a member of the organization's board of directors, a role that will involve her more in fundraising.

Vaughan appreciates the eye-opening experience of living and working with people from another culture and seeing conflict resolution in action.

"You're teaching them, but you're also learning from them," she said.

Good communication skills, a sense of humor and a generous spirit help make Vaughan well-suited to the work, according to Susan Schuyler, the organization's president. "She can put herself in another teen's shoes to help them through their issues. A lot of teens can't do that," Schuyler said.

Vaughan will study social work at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She also plans to take medical school prerequisites, just in case. She's wanted to be a doctor since she was very young, but lately sees social work as another way to accomplish her goals.

"I really want to help people," she said. "I really, really like people, and I feel better about myself if I make someone's day."

Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at:

akim@pressherald.com