As people listened intently to hear the name of the new Ambassador of the Year, presenter Margaret Williams inadvertently gave it away by mentioning husband Jimmy Taylor.
Molly Taylor was named the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Ambassador of the Year, having a list of accomplishments and her brief background read before the surprise announcement.
“This is just a wonderful accomplishment,” Taylor said. “I hope to continue my efforts and beyond, and learn more as I go along to hopefully make Kinston a better place.”
Taylor graduated from North Lenoir High School and ECU, now working in marketing and public relations with the Lenoir-Greene Partnership for Children.
Her leadership and community activity led her to the title. She has had six jobs since graduating.
She was a past president of Young Professionals of Lenoir County and has volunteered with after-school and community reading programs. She is also an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church.
She said it was such a surprise to her but she would promise not to cry during her impromptu acceptance speech.
“Thank you so much,” Taylor said as she approached the podium and accepted a plaque from the Chamber. “Thank you to my family for always supporting me. Thank you to our community at-large ...”
She thanked the group who watched her accept her award for supporting Young Professionals, an organization close to her heart. She wants to continue the community's efforts to “support our local economy and (our) growth, especially the growth of my children.”
Retired city councilwoman Alice Tingle said these types of recognitions are important because they’ll “hopefully get other people involved in some of the same things.”
Taylor is a Kinston native whose efforts reflect her passion for the community.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.