Taylor Beaver, the daughter of Jeff and Lisa Beaver and Roanoke Rapids High School student, received a proclamation from Mayor Emery Doughtie, recognizing her achievements in the sport of wakesurfing, in which she won first place in the World Wakesurfing Championships in Las Vegas. In that competition she beat competitors from around the world, including Canada and Russia.

“Taylor, by winning the championship in the Outlaw (seimpro) Division is now considered a pro,” the proclamation read, and, “Taylor, with her talents and hard work, will surely continue her winning streak in years to come.”

The proclamation notes that Beaver has been wakesurfing for three years and trains with Jay Baker of WakeSurfNC. “In just a short period of time (Taylor) has won multiple titles including … first place at the Canadian National Championships … second place at the U.S. Nationals and first place at the INT Series in Charlotte.”

Beaver, in accepting the proclamation, said, “I want to give a huge thank you to Jay Baker and my parents for giving me this opportunity. Thank you for all the things you did.”

Baker said this evening Beaver is not only a champion wakesurfer, but the lead instructor at his school as well, helping lead 43-year-old Christine Vacula to a women's master championship.

“I think what most of us in the room already know and what others are discovering is what a truly remarkable young lady Taylor is,” Baker said. “She is a rising star. She is going to excel as a pro and there is already a number of pros she can beat. This is not the end of the story, it's just the beginning.”