Character.  Compassion.  Class.  These three words have helped define Katina Taylor dating back to her days as a young girl in the “Top of Texas” and they continue to be an important way of life for the woman who is now a proud mother of three, the Vice President of a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and half of one of South Florida’s most prominent power couples.

Growing up near White Deer, Texas, a small town populated by a little more than 1,000 people, Katina began what would become 18 years of gymnastics and formal dance training, focusing on a variety of techniques including ballet, tap and jazz.  She was also a competitive cheerleader, representing Pampa (Tex.) High School at the 1991-92 National Cheerleaders Association Championships. 

At Texas Tech University, Katina began to pursue modeling and was recognized as a regional finalist for 17 Magazine and Elite Modeling Management’s “Look of the Year” competition.  In 1997, Katina’s competitive spirit and desire to reach young people inspired her to enter the Miss Amarillo Area Pageant.  She won the crown and ultimately went on to compete in the Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant, where she finished 12th overall and took home the “Physical Fitness in Swimsuit” Award. 

It was during her reign as Miss Amarillo Area that Katina elevated her passion for helping others to another level, basing her platform on building character in America’s youth.  Katina created and implemented a character education program entitled “GIMME 5,” which she presented to more than 5,000 students.  In addition, she appeared in Public Service Announcements advocating assets in character development, served as an area spokesperson for HOSTS Learning, a national teaching and mentorship organization and D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).  Katina also developed a community youth gathering program entitled “Building Character Through Characters,” assisted in fundraisers for schools, hospitals, nursing homes, civic, community and church organizations and met with area mayors and legislators advocating character education in America.

After graduating from Texas Tech, Katina moved to South Florida and continued her commitment to the community by working at the Dan Marino Foundation.  In 2000, she put her Broadcast Journalism degree to work, serving as a sports reporter for CBS-4 in Miami.  Taylor hosted “Katina’s Corner,” a weekly feature highlighting Miami Dolphins players away from the gridiron.  

Katina took a break from television to start a family but never lost sight of her need to give back.  In July 2004, Katina and her husband, All-Pro Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor, established the Jason Taylor Foundation.  The Foundation’s mission is to support and create programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.  Over the past five years, thousands of children have been impacted through programs including the Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center, Cool Gear for the School Year, the Jason Taylor Reading Room, Big Screens – Big Dreams, Hit the Books, Jason Taylor Scholars and many others.

In 2007, Katina desired to combine her life long passions with lessons she has both learned and taught to create a program that would embrace, nourish and nurture young girls.  The result was a three-day camp focusing on gymnastics, cheerleading and life skills at which more than 50 girls, ages 7-12 participated.  “Camp Katina – Cartwheels to Character” was born and is now a staple of the Jason Taylor Foundation’s programming, just as Katina Taylor has become a fixture in the South Florida community.