ABOUT MARLEY
Marley Jae Taylor is a student, competitive swimmer, emerging aviator, musician, and creative thinker based in Dallas, Texas. Curious by nature and driven by challenge, Marley has developed interests that cross disciplines—from science, aviation, and engineering to marine biology, music, visual arts, and storytelling.
A student at Dallas International School, Marley is completing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and preparing for the IB Diploma Programme. Her academic interests are increasingly centered on the sciences. As a sophomore, she is studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, giving her the opportunity to explore multiple STEM pathways before selecting her advanced IB coursework.
Marley is especially interested in two areas of exploration: aviation/aeronautics and marine biology. Although the fields may seem very different, both reflect her fascination with movement, natural systems, exploration, and understanding how the world works.
AVIATION & STEM
Marley is pursuing aviation as both an academic and hands-on interest through Dallas International School’s multi-year aviation program and independent flight experiences.
She completed her first student flight in 2026 and is working toward the long-term goal of earning her FAA Private Pilot Certificate. Her growing interest in flight has led her to explore aerodynamics, physics, aircraft systems, aerospace engineering, and the science behind lift, drag, propulsion, and motion.
At the same time, Marley has a strong interest in biology and the ocean. She is exploring how careers in marine biology, ocean science, physiology, and environmental research might allow her to combine scientific inquiry with her lifelong connection to the water.
Rather than choosing a single path too early, Marley is using high school to explore both worlds through rigorous coursework, projects, research, and real-world experiences.
EDUCATION
Marley attends Dallas International School, where she studies within the International Baccalaureate framework.
Her academic program emphasizes inquiry, global perspective, research, communication, and interdisciplinary learning. Her current studies include English, Spanish, History, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Community Project, and Service Learning.
As she prepares for the IB Diploma Programme in 11th and 12th grade, Marley plans to pursue an academically rigorous STEM-focused course sequence that keeps pathways in both biological sciences and aerospace/engineering open.
ATHLETICS
Marley is a competitive swimmer with the Dallas Mustangs Swim Club and represents Dallas International School in swimming.
Her primary competitive events include sprint freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, and individual medley. Through year-round training and competition, swimming has taught Marley discipline, resilience, time management, goal setting, and the ability to respond constructively to both success and setbacks.
Swimming has also deepened her curiosity about science—from biomechanics and physiology to fluid dynamics and the forces that govern movement through water.
MUSIC & CREATIVITY
Creativity has been part of Marley’s life from an early age. Growing up surrounded by art, she explored drawing, painting, filmmaking, poetry, and other forms of visual storytelling.
She also studies piano and enjoys the discipline and expression that come through music.
While her academic interests have increasingly shifted toward STEM, Marley continues to see creativity as an important part of scientific and technical thinking. Whether she is interpreting music, developing an experiment, examining an aircraft, or solving a problem in the pool, she enjoys discovering connections between ideas that at first may appear unrelated.
COMMUNITY & LEADERSHIP
Marley believes that achievement has greater meaning when it can be used to help others. Through school service projects, mentoring, community activities, athletics, and collaborative projects, she continues to develop her own approach to leadership—one grounded in curiosity, empathy, discipline, and service.
As she progresses through high school, Marley hopes to seek opportunities that allow her to learn from scientists, engineers, aviators, researchers, athletes, and other professionals while also encouraging younger students to explore interests of their own.
LOOKING AHEAD
Marley does not believe she has to have her entire future figured out at fifteen.
For now, she is focused on learning deeply, asking questions, pursuing challenging experiences, and discovering where her interests in science, flight, the ocean, athletics, and exploration may ultimately intersect.
Her goal is simple: keep exploring until curiosity becomes purpose.