Every year at the All Sports Association FCA Breakfast, The Taylor Haugen Foundation presents a trophy to an area athlete who best demonstrates a balance between academics, athleticism, leadership, community service and faith. The trophy winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, a $1,000 donation to the athletic department of his or her school and a bronze trophy with an eagle taking flight to symbolize Isaiah 40: 30-32.
The Foundation has been awarding trophies since 2009 to well-rounded student athletes in the area, and it is neat to see where the trophy winners are now in each of their journeys. Let’s take a sneak peak at the past four winners from 2018 to 2021 to see how they are doing now.
Tinsley Abbott, 2021 Trophy Winner
Abbott is studying health science at the college of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida and plans to graduate in 2024. She is excited to begin shadowing a pediatric orthopedic doctor at Shands Hospital and hopes that it will help with her dreams of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. She loves attending all Gator sporting events and being a part of the student section, especially being a member of the Men’s Basketball Rowdy Reptiles.
“Winning the Taylor Haugen Trophy is the accomplishment I am most grateful for because it means my Taylor Haugen family saw me exactly for who I was and loved and accepted me for it,” Abbott said. “This foundation represents so much more than what the surface shows; it represents hope, light and peace in a world that is lacking all these things.”
The quote, “Don’t Quit. Never Give Up!” has been a part of her life since birth but developed with age when becoming a part of the Foundation. In the world we live in today, it is more common to quit than to persevere. She commented, “being associated with T is the greatest honor, and I hope to display even part of his mentality through all the work I put in academically, so that I can change lives in all the ways I can.”
She went on to say that all the memories being a part of this family she holds very close to heart, especially the time when Mr. Brian Haugen poked fun at her for toting around the 20-pound trophy at the FCA Breakfast and barely being able to lift it by the end of the day.
Abbott continues to share the light of Christ, just as T did in his everyday life, and lives out her favorite Bible verse: “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are upon the earth,” Colossians 3:2. She remembers every day that Heaven is the ultimate end goal and that her journey in life is not about figuring out her future on her own through daily college obstacles but to follow God’s plan for her future instead.
Addie Strickland, 2020 Trophy Winner
Strickland is studying business administration at Northwest Florida State College and will graduate in 2023. She is currently working as the Marketing Coordinator at VIE Magazine but hopes to have a career in the business world in the future, such as a real estate firm. She enjoys playing tennis with her friends, going to the beach and traveling as much as possible.
“The Taylor Haugen Trophy is more than just an award,” Strickland said. “For anyone on ‘the outside’ (for lack of a better word), it seems like another award for a senior to win, but once you realize what the trophy and the foundation symbolize, it separates it from any ‘award’
someone could win. Little does the ‘outside’ world know that the trophy winner wins a
family, which to me is the best part.” She said this alone sets it apart from any
scholarship or award a senior could win. She especially loves how it all symbolizes the legacy of Taylor Haugen because being a part of his legacy is indescribable and moving to the core.
She went on to say, “Don’t Quit. Never Give Up!” can only be interpreted in one way for her specifically, and that is to give your best all the time despite the circumstances. It is important to keep your head up until the tides change. She loves this motto because it’s real and recognizes that there will be hard times, but it doesn’t dwell. Instead, it evokes a sense of will and determination to see it through until the end.
Strickland’s favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” She carries this verse with her throughout the day because it helps her to remember that God cares about every single part of her day, and it is a gentle reminder of His love for her and everyone around her.
If she could give advice for anyone, younger or older, it would be to find your groove when it comes to your relationship with Christ. Everyone is different, and everyone can relate in different ways. Her way of connecting with God may be completely different from another individual’s way of connecting with Him, but the foundation of every relationship is communication, and it is so important to talk to Him and let Him talk to you through His everlasting Word!
Lydia Turner, 2019 Trophy Winner
Turner studies finance at Florida International University. One of the reasons she got into finance was to offer help to people who stereotypically do not have access to financial advice and counseling. Her career goal is to eventually work for an organization that helps people through financial crises. If she has to create this organization herself one day, she is up for the challenge, especially if it means living close to the beach too!
In her senior year of school, she is busy with lots of homework but finds ways to balance work, school and pushing herself physically. She spends a lot of time at school playing rugby, which she loves because of how empowering it is for women to be given the opportunity to do hard things and excel at them. She encourages incoming freshmen to try as many things as possible and stick with the most passionate things because it is what makes up a large part of the community.
“I like the verbiage of the Taylor Haugen Foundation family because that is truly what it feels like. We all support each other Biblically and emotionally, and it has felt like being welcomed into a family since day one,” she said. “Winning the trophy meant so much to me as a high school senior, but becoming a part of the family is so much more valuable to me now, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue growing our family and supporting people who have been through a struggle for many years to come. And one of my favorite memories is steak night at the Haugens of course.”
The expression, “Don’t Quit. Never Give Up!” has meant everything to Turner and every part of her life since becoming involved with the foundation. When she first moved to college, the first couple of months were difficult for her to find community, but wearing the foundation’s bracelet every day constantly reminded her to push forward and to not get caught up in my situation. She then began distance running to work through her thoughts and push herself physically. Every time she was tired from a full day, pushing to reach her mile goal, and mentally not feeling her best, she said she would look down at the bracelet and remember to keep going as God will handle the rest.
“Having T’s mantra so heavy on my mind these past few years has changed my college experience and will certainly be a part of me for the rest of my life,” Turner said.
The question of what her favorite Bible verse is was brought up when being interviewed for the trophy. She said her response is still the same to this day. She loves Galatians 2:20: “For I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” To her, this verse is a complete and beautiful depiction of the Gospel, which has been a constant reminder in her life to make decisions and base all actions on what Christ would be proud of.
Turner mentioned how if she could go back in time and give advice to herself, it would be to remember that God has her back. There is absolutely no planning, timing or provisions that one can do a better job at than what He already has planned. Although it takes an immense amount of trust and release, she commented how there is no better feeling than giving everything to God and letting Him work through you. Once again, don’t ever quit or give up on yourself or His plan for you.
Maddie Hiers, 2018 Trophy Winner
Hiers is currently a senior at Florida State University majoring in marketing. In her past four years, she was a recruitment counselor for her sorority in 2021, which introduced her to so many women throughout the Panhellenic Community who helped her grow over the years. She was able to lead a group of women through recruitment and be a guide through all the highs and lows. Her sorority Tri Delta truly shaped her college experience, especially having the opportunity to serve as the New Member Educator and Recruitment Chair.
After graduating, she will be moving to Tampa to work as the Fundraising Coordinator for the Children’s Cancer Center to follow her passions of helping with nonprofit organizations.
The Taylor Haugen Trophy meant everything to Hiers, and she was so honored that it was an award that represented the characteristics that others saw in her. She always thought that being nominated by her school rather than applying herself for an award was a much more memorable experience.
“The Haugens have such a special place in my heart,” she said. “I never knew how special of a connection I would have with Brian and Kathy. They are so supportive, and I truly feel like they’ve been my family forever. I have the most respect for them and how they have leaned on the Lord so much throughout their trials.”
“Getting to know the Haugen’s and how they see a special piece of T in each of us has been amazing, and each year I look forward to hearing their excitement about a new family member,” Hiers said. “To me, ‘Don’t Quit. Never Give Up!’ came up at such an appropriate time.”
When Hiers won the award, it was during her father’s cancer battle, and her mother was newly in remission from hers. When she was writing her essay for the trophy application, she realized just as much of an inspiration T’s quote was for her. It resonated with her whole family, especially when her father passed away a little over a year after she was awarded the trophy.
“I think that God brought the Haugens into my life with the most intentional purpose,” she said.
Her favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 6:19: “We have this hope as an anchor for the
soul, firm and secure.” Her mother loved this verse during her cancer journey, and anchors became a huge symbol for her family, especially during the times when they felt alone or like they were drifting from their faith. The anchor to them is a symbol of faith and staying strong in these times.
If Hiers could give one piece of advice to anyone about to enter high school, it would be to be super intentional with who you surround yourself with. She, for example, called her friends her “army” because of how supportive they were when she needed them the most. And what changed her walk with the Lord the most was looking at it like a relationship rather than a religion. There’s no perfect guide; every walk is different and special in its own ways.
To be continued…
We are always thankful our Taylor Haugen Trophy winners stay in touch with us at the Foundation to this day. We especially love following them in their journeys as they are each unique in their own ways but all reflect on God’s beautiful and everlasting grace. Now, stay tuned for our next publication on the next four trophy winners and their stories. Coming soon…
