It’s not uncommon for siblings to graduate in the same class – but for 2021 South Winneshiek grads Zach and Kayley Taylore, the circumstances were a little different this year. Zach, a true member of the Class of 2021, received his diploma a few seconds after younger sister Kayley (whose first name allowed her to walk across the stage just before Zach) as she became one of the first South Winneshiek students to ever graduate a full year early. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Taylor siblings share 'Class of '21' graduation day

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Having siblings graduate in the same class is nothing new around here – but for Class of 2021 graduates and brother and sister Zach and Kayley Taylor of Spillville, the circumstances are a little different.

“Graduating early is something that had always been in the back of my head,” said Kayley, who became one of the first South Winneshiek students to graduate a full year early. “I was always looking forward to moving onto the next step of my life, so I wanted to do whatever I could to finish early.”

To make the story even more intriguing, Kayley’s older brother, Zach, is a true member of the Class of 2021. When the two graduated on Sunday in Calmar, Kayley actually received her diploma before her older brother since her first name came before her brother’s alphabetically.