Taylor Swift is a student-wide obsession, but little does Pascack Valley know, some of Taylor Swift’s biggest fans lie within the PV staff, including chemistry teacher Anthony Judilla (J), physics teacher Kevin Kibala, English teacher Kate Overgaard, and anatomy teacher Kelsey Brentnall. 

“I don’t know anything about popular culture at all, but I know Taylor Swift,” Kibala said. 

Sometimes becoming a fan takes time. For J, his first time listening to Taylor Swift didn’t immediately start his love for her. 

“To be honest, I was in my teenage years [when she released her debut album], and I didn’t like country music back then. Her first album definitely had those roots in there,” J said. “Then her style evolved to a more pop style and [it was] easier to listen to. After ‘Speak Now,’ ‘Fearless,’ and ‘Red’ I got on the bandwagon and I have enjoyed her music since.” 

However, Kibala’s interest sparked from the first song he listened to. 

“Her first album came out when I was in college, so my girlfriend (current wife) liked it. She kind of introduced me to her [Taylor Swift],” Kibala said. “Taylor Swift is a good songwriter. ‘Our Song’ is so catchy. I learned to play it on the guitar and learned all the words.”  

Taylor Swift has released 10 albums, but one specifically sticks out to Overgaard. 

“‘Evermore’ is my favorite right now; I don’t have a least favorite,” Overgaard said. “There’s an occasional song that I think is a little silly or cheesy but, they’re always from the past.” 

Unlike Overgaard, Brentnall favors the older albums.

“I saw ‘Speak Now’ [in concert], so that is definitely my favorite. I kind of dropped off the bandwagon during the Reputation era. That might be my least favorite.” Brentnall said. 

Within Taylor Swift’s ten albums tallies 243 total songs, but Kibala has his two favorites. 

“‘Gorgeous’ is a great song. ‘I Wish You Would’ definitely is also one of my favorites,” Kibala said. 

Overgaard’s wedding playlist is filled with her favorite songs. 

“I love ‘Champagne Problems’ and I’m obsessed with ‘Lover,’ but also because I’m getting married in April,” Overgaard said. “I’m gonna close the wedding with ‘Love Story,’ and somewhere in there I have a remix of ‘Wildest Dreams’ for the reception.” 

Before Taylor Swift’s most recent tour [The Eras Tour], Taylor Swift toured the world five other times, and Brentnall, Kibala, and J all got the chance to snag tickets! 

“I went to the Speak Now [concert tour]. That was when I was a freshman in high school,” Brentall said. “And my best friend that I went with, she found the tickets and we paid $26.” 

“[I went to the] Speak Now Tour at Prudential Center. I liked her music, and it was a good concert,” Kibala said. 

J has both of them beat by attending three Taylor Swift concerts. 

“I saw her three tours in a row and then haven’t seen her since. So I’m excited for The Eras Tour,” J said. “I did see the movie, and seeing the movie made me so upset because it was so amazing. I had to see it live and so that’s when I bought tickets internationally.” 

Taylor Swift was just named 2023’s Times Person of the Year, and all of these teachers agreed that it was well deserved, especially J.

“I feel like for any award, there are criteria towards it money, influence, popularity. Out of all the people that have had a great year and had the media attention and success, I think she’s a worthy recipient of the award,” J said. 

Kibala had a different reason for why he felt she deserved this award. 

“No matter where you’re from, religion, race, whatever, you know Taylor Swift, you know her music. I think that’s kind of cool,” Kibala said.