Phyllis M. Taylor, Chairman and President of the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, announced that the just-ended school year saw the Taylor Scholars Awards Program set the new standard by providing high-achieving students with free, one-year memberships to NOMA, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.

Participation in the program has grown steadily over the past two decades and the latest numbers represent an increase of more than 6,000 student recipients over the prior year. The Taylor Scholars Awards Program is open to all Louisiana students in grades 7 through 12 whether they attend public, private or parochial schools.

Over the past two decades, tens of thousands of students statewide have qualified for free memberships to Louisiana's most popular family attractions. Eligible students earn a one-year membership to NOMA and Audubon attractions for achieving a minimum 2.5 grade point average.

“The Taylors have always championed the youth of Louisiana," said Audubon President and CEO Ron Forman. "Audubon Nature Institute is proud to partner with the Taylor Scholars Awards Program as it continues to grow and communicate to our young leaders the important message that learning does not stop at the classroom.’’

The Taylor/Audubon Students and Scholars Program was created in 1996 through a generous gift from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation to establish, in perpetuity, a reward to Louisiana's students for their hard work in the classroom. In 1997, it was followed with the creation of the Taylor/NOMA Scholars Program through an endowment from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation.

“NOMA is committed to offering innovative experiences for learning and interpretation,’’ said NOMA Director Susan M. Taylor. “Thanks in large measure to the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, the museum is able to serve our community with a range of educational offerings, inspiring the love of art among young scholars.’’

Sunday, August 6 is the official “Taylor Scholars Awards’’ day at Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and NOMA. Students may bring their parents or guardians plus two guests with them for free on those days as they visit the facilities to which they've been awarded a Taylor membership.

The special day also features discounts for qualified students and their guests at NOMA and Audubon gift shops. At Audubon Zoo, discounts also are available for the Cool Zoo water park and Gator Run, Carousel and Swamp Train.

Information about the Taylor Scholars Awards Program has been sent to schools statewide. Click here for additional details or call the special hotline for teachers and parents at (504) 889-8882.

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Taylor/Audubon Students and Scholars, along with their parents or guardians and two family members or friends, may enjoy a complimentary visit to Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium on Taylor Family Free Day.

Audubon Nature Institute partners with the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation to reward students’ exceptional work.  

Taylor Scholars will also enjoy free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art on May 20. The Taylor/NOMA Scholars Program was created 20 years ago through an endowment from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation.

At Audubon Zoo, Taylor Students and Scholars also enjoy discounts at the Cool Zoo splash park, Endangered Species Carousel, Swamp Train and purchases at Audubon concessions and gift shops. 

Check in at the membership window at NOMA and Audubon attractions with your Taylor Card before entering and be sure to bring a photo ID. 

The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation has dedicated more than $900,000 to the Taylor/Audubon Students and Scholars Program.  

That endowment has established programs with Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Zoo and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and allowed them to continue in perpetuity.  

Eligible students earn a one-year membership to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium for achieving a 2.5 grade point average or higher.  

Students who earn a grade point average of 3.0 or above also qualify for a one-year membership to Audubon Zoo. 

The program is open to all Louisiana students in grades 7 through 12, whether attending public, private, or parochial schools. Parents or guardians may accompany students free of charge.

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Hard work equals great rewards for Louisiana's best high school students who can enjoy free admission along with their families to Audubon Nature Institute attractions and the New Orleans Museum of Art on Taylor Family Free Day, Sunday, August 7.

For two decades, Audubon Nature Institute has partnered with the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation and the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) to recognize students' exceptional accomplishments in the classroom.

Phyllis M. Taylor, Chairman and President of the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, announced recently that the Taylor Scholars Award Program has achieved a growth of about 5 percent in the 2015/2016 academic year, rewarding nearly 205,000 students - an increase of about 8,400 students over the prior year - by providing them with free one-year memberships to New Orleans Museum of Art, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.

Taylor Family Free Day offers an additional reward for Taylor/Audubon students and scholars, who can invite parents or guardians and two family members or friends to visit free on this special day (a total of four free admissions in addition to the Taylor Student/Scholar). The special day also features discounts for qualified students and their guests at NOMA and Audubon gift shops and a discount at Entergy Giant Screen Theater at the Aquarium. At Audubon Zoo, discounts also are available for the Cool Zoo water park and Gator Run, Carousel and Swamp Train. 

At a recent luncheon with a small group of Taylor scholars, Mrs. Taylor said inspiration for the program was "quite simple.''

Mrs. Taylor said participation has exceeded her expectations.

"Never did we believe that our program would reach and go to the extent as it has. It shows you the desire and the hunger that children - young adults I should really call them - to better themselves to learn what is happening in the world and to make a difference."

Asked if she had any advice for program participants, Mrs. Taylor said: "Just keep doing what you're doing because your future and our future is in your hands."

The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation has dedicated $900,000 to an endowment for the Taylor/Audubon Students and Scholars Program, allowing it to continue in perpetuity. Eligible students earn a one-year membership to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium for achieving a minimum 2.5 grade point average. Students who earn a grade point average of 3.0 or above also qualify for an additional one-year membership to Audubon Zoo."

Audubon attractions are the best places for young people to learn about the wonders of nature,'' said Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman. "We can't wait to open our doors to Louisiana's brightest high school students and their families on August 7.''

The Taylor Scholars Awards Program is open to all Louisiana students in grades 7 through 12 whether they attend public, private or parochial schools. Parents or guardians may accompany qualifying students free of charge throughout the year.

The Taylor/Audubon Students and Scholars Program was created in 1996 through a generous gift from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation. The program was the first of its kind in the nation. In 1997, it was followed with the creation of the Taylor/NOMA Scholars Program through a separate endowment from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation.

"As an art museum, we have the opportunity to engage young adults and expose them to new experiences and inspire learning through the arts,'' said Susan Taylor, director of the New Orleans Museum of Art.

"With the support of the foundation, NOMA has the ability to create a fresh and exciting way for Taylor Scholars to open themselves up to art, language, history and culture. We are honored to be a part of the Taylor Scholars program and we look forward to hosting Taylor Scholars with their families on August 7.''

Nicholas Albert, a Taylor Scholar and Lusher Charter School graduate who will be attending Harvard University in the fall, said the program has been an inspiration for him.

"It gave me a chance to really work hard and I integrated that into my character,'' Albert said. "Just the whole working hard and reaching my goals and there's always a reward at the end. That's something I will carry with me when I start college next year.''

Claudia Rodriguez, an Ursuline Academy graduate headed to LSU, called the program "a really nice reward for all our hard work throughout the year.

"The biggest takeaway is to just never settle for the bare minimum, just go the extra mile and really chase your dream,'' Rodriguez said.

On Sunday, August 7, Taylor Scholars are asked to check in at membership windows at Audubon attractions and NOMA with their Taylor Card and to bring a photo ID. If a Taylor Card is reported lost, students must bring their most recent report card and a photo ID to request a new Taylor award certificate.

For more information, click here.