Cooper was selected from a group of 29 nominees by a panel of community and business leaders for her accomplisments and participation in volunteerism, extra-curricular activities and on her academic achievements.
She received a plaque and $500, as did her school for her district win. Triton Jr.-Sr. High School Principal Mike Chobanov said he wasn't sure exactly how the school would utilize the $500 but assured, “We’ll turn it over to the adminstration team to decide on,” adding it would likely go toward an effort for the school’s senior classmen.
The daughter of Brent and Lorie Cooper, Taryn was nominated by Lorie Cooper.
Her involvement in-cludes hosting the “Be Your Best Self” program at Triton and she is a basketball referee at her church. She is active in 4-H, Consumer and Family Sciences, Economic and Community Development, and Agriculture and Natural Resources and she volunteers at Little Discoveries Preschool in Argos.
Cooper has assisted several teachers, guidance counselors and other administrators and helped senior citizens within the community.
Cooper has been in the National Honor Society for three years, and is ranked fourth in her class with a grade point average of 3.8. She has earned the “Who’s Who Among American High School” Sports and Academic award, the Principals Honor Award, Silver Medallion Award, and awards in Biology, Spanish III and English.
Her exracurricular activities include helping out Sunday School at Plymouth Wesleyan Youth Group, and she is active in 4-H, Art Club, NHS, FCCLA, FCS, Science Club, Key Club, Spanish Club, FFA, Spirit Club, track, basketball and volleyball.