Registration for Taylor’s Gift Tennis Tournament begins

By Caroline Carter Staff Writer Taylor’s Gift Foundation is once again hosting a Ladies Doubles Tennis Tournament. Registration began today. Although the tournament isn’t until April 27, it is important to register early to reserve a spot to play as it is expected to be a full event. The tournament will be held at the Las Colinas Country Club and costs $120 for the two players per team. Other upcoming events for Taylor’s Gift includes Taylor’s Gift Night with the Dallas Stars which will be held on March 16. Tickets are already on sale, and it is expected to be a big event as the Stars play the Chicago Blackhawks. For more information on events,…

Winners announced in nail-biting charity competition

by Kristen Shepard Staff Writer Over the last six weeks, Taylor’s Gift foundation has been rallying for votes and support in a competition with over $100,000 at stake. Local charity Taylor’s Gift was privileged to be one of six organizations invited for a chance to win $150,000 in media and commercial support. Of the six charities, the one to win the most votes  will receive the money. The race was intense to say the least, with Taylor’s Gift and Cure Duchenne neck-and-neck for the last week of the competition. At one point, the top two spots, Taylor’s Gift and Cure Duchenne, were only thirty-two votes apart. Dozens of people posted links to the poll and…

Golf tournament held for the Taylor’s Gift Foundation

By Caroline Carter Staff Writer As golfers and volunteers arrived on Friday for the second annual Taylor’s Gift golf tournament at Brookhaven Country Club, a poster with all the recipients of Taylor Storch’s organs reminded them why they are supporting such an important cause. On March 15, 2010, thirteen-year-old Coppell resident Taylor Storch lost her life in a skiing accident while on vacation in Colorado. Her parents, Todd and Tara Storch made the choice to donate her organs as Taylor’s final gift. The Taylor’s Gift Foundation was then created to promote organ donation awareness. Over the past year, the Taylor’s Gift foundation has grown into a well-known organization across the country. From what started as…

Beach volleyball tournament raises funds for Taylor’s Gift

Laura Kattilakoski Staff Writer Fun, food and sand between your toes— right here in Coppell. Billboards, cars and roadways dominate the scene, but stepping inside the Yucatan Beach Club, the surroundings turn into a scene from the beach. There is music, tiki huts and, on Friday, six hours of volleyball. The beach volleyball tournament hosted at the Yucatan Beach Club benefits an organization called Taylor’s Gift. After choosing to donate their daughter’s organs after she died in a skiing accident last year, Taylor Storch’s parents started Taylor’s Gift. “Since Taylor’s Gift was founded, the number of organ donor registrations in Texas has increased by over 100 percent in the past year,” Taylor’s former algebra teacher…

Organization rallies around student awaiting kidney transplant

Mary Whitfill Features Editor When Coppell Middle School East student Taylor Storch died in a skiing accident last spring, her parents were forced to make a decision with the potential to dramatically impact the lives of many. Finding the sliver of hope in a seemingly dark situation, parents Todd and Tara Storch choose to donate Taylor’s organs to those in need. Taylor saved five lives. Out of the loss of the Coppell eighth grader bloomed a foundation dedicated to raising organ donation awareness in young people, Taylor’s Gift. Committed to raising the numbers of registered organ donators, Taylor’s Gift strives to help people make a decision about organ donation before the moment is crucial and…

Memories grow at Storch memorial

by Ashley Attanucci Staff Writer Video by Drake McWhorter After losing one of their most beloved students, Coppell Middle School East has built an on-campus memorial site for eighth grader Taylor Storch. An oak tree, known as Taylor’s Tree, was planted in the center of a student-designed garden to make permanent Storch’s presence at the school. Both for the students and teachers that knew her, and for her family –Mr. Todd Storch, Mrs. Tara Storch, Ryan, 11, and Peyton, 9-  the site dedicated to Storch’s memory is a comfort and daily reminder of her spirit. “When all this happened, when Taylor passed away, Tara and I knew that the school is really important to her -it’s important…

Coppell students wear blue in honor of Taylor Storch

by Divya Kumar News Editor In memory of thirteen year old Taylor Storch, eighth grader at Coppell Middle School East, students around the Coppell school district are wearing blue today. Due to the fact that today is Taylor’s birthday, a series of occurences are set to take place in order to honor her. Beyond just the blue shirts, today is also the unveiling of the organization that Taylor’s father, Todd Storch, and family friend, Jeremy Lipsey, have put together – Taylor’s Gift. The organization was created in order to honor Taylor, who’s organ’s helped to save the lives of six people, while spreading awareness about organ donation and launched today, in honor of Taylor’s birthday. Similarly, construction…

Storch’s memory lives on with Taylor’s Gift

by Divya Kumar News Editor On March 15, 13-year-old Coppell Middle School East eighth grader Taylor Storch passed away in a tragic skiing accident in Colorado while vacationing with her family. A kind, athletic and giving girl, Taylor’s warm spirit touched the lives of many. Even now, Taylor’s legacy is continuing to impact people, not just around the community, but across the nation. In the hospital after the accident, a nurse approached the Storch family to ask about organ donation. According to Todd Storch, Taylor’s father, there was no question about it. “When she asked us, my wife and I both looked at each other and immediately knew,” Storch said. “We’d never sat down as…