Newton’s Grove Alumni Allie Taylor: Here’s What She’s Up to Now!

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What’ve you been up to since graduating four years ago? 

AT:  That’s a loaded question haha. Academically, I’m currently a 4th year at OCAD majoring in experimental animation, and am preparing to graduate in the spring. 

Since graduating from Newton’s Grove I’ve  been really focused on the exploration of my skills and hobbies. There is so much to learn and so much that I want to do and be good at. My friends laugh at me for having a new niche every other month or an unexpected wealth of knowledge in some random field.

What are you currently doing that you are most excited about?

AT: I’m currently working on my thesis, which is a 2D animated short which is exciting because I get to be at the forefront of every aspect of production: writing, designing, story boarding, animation, sound design and compiling. It’s definitely a lot of work but it’s been a blast getting to challenge my creativity. I’m just wrapping up preproduction right now and will be starting up full production and post-production after the holidays.

What is your favourite part of coming back to Newton’s Grove?

AT: We have the best cafeteria food. I’m not joking! 

The cafeteria cookies will always have a place in my heart, but it’s the staff that I’m always excited to see when I come back. As a student who was there from Pre-JK to Grade 12, so much of my life was cultivated by the care of every teacher there. I’ve always seen them as a sort of extended family and that’s why coming back often feels like coming home.

What is your favourite NGS (Newton’s Grove School) memory?

AT: Another loaded question! There are quite literally too many memories to recount. But a tradition that I love, and often come back for at Newtons Grove is the Christmas Carolling in the front hall. No matter the building, every year Mr. Alonso found a way to get a piano to the front hall and we’d all crowd around and sing. It was always extremely special if I got to sing the “5 golden rings” part of “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

If you were to share any advice for our students preparing for university, what advice would you give?

AT: Do not run from failure. Part of every learning experience includes some form of failure. If you don’t give yourself the grace to fall, you’ll never fly. You’re not going to be perfect in the beginning, you might not even be good, but you’ll never be anything if you don’t try. (Haha that rhymes)

Final question, our school wide theme this year is gratitude. Is there anything you are really grateful for that you would like to share with the Newton’s Grove Community?

AT: I’m deeply grateful for the unwavering love and support that surrounds me. Through life’s twists and turns, I find comfort in knowing that I’m enveloped by a community of caring individuals who have touched my life in meaningful ways, whether for a season or a lifetime.

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