“I think it’s important to be involved, because doing community service and volunteering builds a person’s character,” says Taylor Jean Sparacello, a senior at Archbishop Chapelle High School who enjoys being involved in her community through music and singing.
She is the drum major of the Rummel-Chapelle marching band, principle clarinetist in the Symphonic Band and plays lead alto saxophone in the Rummel-Chapelle Jazz Band. She is also a member of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra and the New Orleans Volunteer Orchestra. She volunteers to play clarinet during weekly Mass and special concerts and events at St. Clement of Rome Church.
Sparacello says, “By being part of the music ministry, I’m able to participate in Mass in a deeper way that strengthens my relationship with God. By sharing my God-given talent of music, I feel like I enrich everyone’s Sunday Mass experience.”
Sparacello’s mother, Sheri Hayes Bergeron, inspired her to become involved within her community. She taught Sparacello that with her many talents comes many responsibilities.
“My mom encourages me to pursue anything I have an interest in,” says Sparacello. “Without her constant love and support, I would never have reached where I am today.”
By being involved in her community, Sparacello was able to discover interests, friendships and leadership skills.
This past summer, Sparacello took her community service to the road to represent the city of New Orleans as part of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra on its 20th anniversary East Coast Tour. The concert in Charleston was dedicated to the shooting at Emmanuel AME Church and all proceeds were donated to the church. The tour then continued onto Williamsburg, Virginia then to Washington, D.C. and then ended with a performance in Carnegie Hall. All concerts donated the proceeds to local churches.
“Performing community service such as this allowed me to collaborate with other great musicians and share my love of music while giving back to the community,” says Sparacello.
When not volunteering, Sparacello enjoys traveling, beach volleyball and dancing. After graduation, she plans to major in biomedical engineering with a concentration in cardiovascular engineering. Through her research efforts Sparacello hopes to positively affect the lives of thousands of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
