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.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

‘Voter friendly’ election ballots set to go out for Snohomish County voters

Materials will include some changes to make the process easier to vote in Aug. 5 primary.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Kathy Johnson walks over a tree that has been unsuccessfully chainsawed along a CERCLA road n the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How Roadless Rule repeal could affect forests like Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie

The Trump administration plans to roll back a 2001 rule protecting over 58 million acres of national forest, including areas in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie area.

Edmonds police officers investigate a shooting that occurred at 236/Edmonds Way Thursday in Edmonds, Washington. (Edmonds Police Department).
Jury convicts Edmonds man in fatal shooting of rideshare driver

After three hours, a 12-person jury convicted Alex Waggoner, 22, of second-degree murder for shooting Abdulkadir Shariif, 31, in January 2024.

Britney Barber, owner of Everett Improv. Barber performs a shows based on cuttings from The Everett Herald. Photographed in Everett, Washington on May 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
August 9 will be the last comedy show at Everett Improv

Everett improv club closing after six years in business.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County will host climate resiliency open house on July 30

Community members are encouraged to provide input for the county’s developing Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.