By the time she was a freshman, Courtney Bailey felt a calling to represent Ingalls High School in as many activities as she could possibly could.

Along the way, Bailey became an expert in time management, allowing her to add more and more to her plate and become a school leader and fixture in the community. 

"I really found my passion for leadership and being super involved within my school. I just never thought any differently," Bailey said. "Staying busy and being involved is something that is a passion of mine and something that hasn't ever changed.

"It's just a passion, and it's grown so much ever since my freshman year, and I love it." 

Bailey, the Capitol Federal True Blue® Student of the Week, is the president of Student Council, the National Honor Society and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leader of America) at Ingalls. She is the school's senior class president and also participates in cross country, basketball, track and field, cheer and dance. 

"She's a great role model for our younger kids," Ingalls cross country and track and field coach Terra Simon said.  "She's a pretty impressive girl." 

While Bailey's hectic schedule would seem intimidating to most, she's developed an organizational system that keeps her from getting overwhelmed.

"It can be sometimes difficult having to move around meetings or practices and trying to adapt, but over the last couple years I've developed really good time-management skills to be able to balance schools and clubs as well as sports and homework," Bailey said. "I just found what works for me and an organization plan that I can stick to."

Of all the activities she's involved in, Bailey said she's most passionate about cross country and student government.

"I just feel like it's very important to be involved in your school because you are an advocate for the students who may not feel like they can advocate for themselves," Bailey said. "You're just a leader and a person who people can feel comfortable going to for something that they feel like needed changed, or needed advising. I just feel like it's important to be an advocate for your fellow peers."

She also takes pride in being part of Yellow Ribbon chapter at her school.

"It's based around mental health and suicide prevention," Bailey said. "It makes everyone feel like they're somebody. We do different things for our school that (promote) mental health and just making sure that everyone feels welcomed."

Bailey is helping organize the annual Dig Pink event for Breast Cancer Awareness during an Ingalls volleyball match.  

"All the fall sports come together and we raise money for breast cancer survivors or for somebody who is fighting cancer in our community or around us," she said.

Even with all her school commitments, Bailey still finds the time to excel at a high level in cross country and track and field.

Simon said Bailey's mental toughness and competitive spirit was on display following a sudden health scare she faced in the week before the state track and field championship last spring. Shortly after competing in regionals, Bailey began to feel a sharp pain in her jaw. Soon, she broke a fever and was unable to eat.

She was hospitalized overnight after it was determined she had developed an infection of the parotid gland, which is located in front of the ears. The infection put competing at the state track and field meet in jeopardy.

"It was definitely something that took us all by surprise, because I was healthy and hadn't seen anything like this coming,"  Bailey said. "They had no explanation for where it came from, so it was all just a big shock."

"It was really hard for me to be in that position of, 'Am, I going to get to run?' I was really focused on going out and getting to run. I was so excited and I was ready to run, and then that happened."

Despite having virtually no time to practice running for the events, Bailey ran the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs at state. 

"That is the work ethic and the determination this girl has," Simon said.

"I knew that it was going to affect me, no matter what. I was either not going to get to run or I wasn't going to be able to compete as well. But at the end of the day, I was just really happy that I got to run and that I was healthy-ish to be able to run and keep with that."

Bailey is a three-time participant at state in cross country and a two-time state placer. She said her favorite high school memory so far was setting a school record in cross country in the Stafford meet last season. Her personal-best time in cross country is a 21:25.

She placed eighth with a 22:53.7 last week in the Class 4-1A division of the Hays High Invitational at Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria.

"Going out there, I just wanted to do the best I could. It was basically me and the clock,"  Bailey said. "After the race, I felt great. I came out and did the best I possibly could. My race felt great."

After high school, Bailey plans on attending Emporia State University and majoring in Biology Education.

"I would like to become a high school biology and life science teacher," Bailey said.

She still has plenty she would like to accomplish in her senior year at Ingalls.

"I really want to be successful, not only within my sports but also within the school,"  Bailey said. "I made it a huge goal of mine to get everyone involved, as many people as I possibly can, and our student body to be positive and want to be involved with each other and produce a very positive school environment that everyone feels welcome in," Bailey said. "I also made my goal to do as many community service projects as we possibly can.

"In my opinion, we have one of the best communities. They support us so much, and I want to give back."