Junior Macie Bailey on Weston High: “Everybody knows everybody. Teachers at this school actually know you and know how to teach you.” (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Junior Macie Bailey on Weston High: “Everybody knows everybody. Teachers at this school actually know you and know how to teach you.” (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Weston junior, selling glitter dolls, eyes early graduation

An inspiring teacher led Macie Bailey to early admission at Central Washington University.

ARLINGTON — Macie Bailey, 17, is a junior at Weston High School, the alternative campus in Arlington. She is set to graduate in June, a year early.

Question: How did you get ahead on credits?

Answer: I did 5 Apex (online) classes my sophomore year and one my freshman year … I used to work day and night on my Apex classes. I always wanted to graduate early. It was one of my many goals.

Q: What do you plan to do after this?

A: I got early admission into Central Washington University and I want to go and become a physical therapist, so I’m going to need my doctorate in physiology.

Q: Why that career?

A: I thought about it as I can help people walk again and I can help people move.

Q: Did you grow up in Arlington?

A: I was born here. My mom moved us to Spokane when I was around 4. I lived there for about 13 years. I moved back here my freshman year.

Q: What made you choose Weston?

A: My older brother went here and he loved it. He was the president (of the student body) here and he loved it, the relationships he built here.

Q: What do you like to do outside of school?

A: I work a lot. I work at Walmart across the street. I like reading a lot and going out on family outings.

Q: What do you do at the store?

A: I’m a toys sales associate.

Q: What’s the hottest toy for Christmas?

A: I want to say L.O.L. dolls. They’re little dolls that glitter that little kids see on YouTube a lot.

Q: Are you saving up from work?

A: I’m saving up for college definitely. I get my driver’s license next month, so for a car, and when I go see my mom (in Spokane), I like to get my brothers and sister gifts and take them out to do stuff.

Q: You mentioned you live between Arlington and Oso. Are you a country girl?

A: I’m kind of country. I grew up in the big city but I live in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of cows. It took a minute to get used to.

Q: What do you like to read?

A: My favorite book series would probably be “The Maze Runner” or “Divergent.” They remind me of puzzles that you have to put together.

Q: What are you excited about for college?

A: Meeting new people, going out of my comfort zone and definitely learning new things.

Q: Why Ellensburg?

A: I chose CWU not only because it’s halfway from here and halfway from Spokane but some of my teachers went there, a couple of them did. One of my biggest role models is my teacher, her name is Kailyn Otto. She’s been a mother figure to me. She went to Central and she’s always telling me how much I’d love it … She helped me discover it.

Q: Have you been to campus yet?

A: No. I really want to. The school’s working on doing a field trip there for me.

Q: Why do you say that Weston is like a family?

A: Everybody knows everybody. Teachers at this school actually know you and know how to teach you. It’s more one-on-one. … Mr. (John) Pedack is my history teacher and the teacher that I am a teacher assistant for. He is an amazing teacher who makes learning fun and exciting. He also creates all his own learning materials, which makes everything 10 times better.

Q: Who is the person you want to be?

A: I want to be a person who makes a difference. I don’t want to sit there and watch things happen. I want to be a part of it and help make things happen.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking.

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