Submitted by Friends’ Central School
Friends’ Central junior Micaela Bailey is an academically gifted student with a wide range of talents and interests in the classroom and beyond. She is a peer mentor to younger students, an outstanding student-athlete, and an active participant in the Justice Core Team, among many other activities. Micaela engages in initiatives that emphasize social justice, equity, and community. Through her academics, athletics, and extracurricular involvement, she balances curiosity, dedication, and service, making a meaningful impact at Friends’ Central and beyond.
“Insightful, conscientious, and mature, Micaela is a joy to work with,” shared Micaela’s current English teacher, Kyra Spence, “She’s a careful and detailed thinker, and I’ve watched that level of attention bring her to some powerful realizations, literary and conceptual.”
Q&A:
Do you have a favorite Friends’ Central class or subject (and it can be more than one!), and what is it that interests you the most about it?
I really enjoy all of my classes this year; my teachers make them so engaging. Right now, my favorite classes are English III: Literature of the United States and United States History: Advanced. I’ve always liked learning about US American history, and this year, I’ve been able to explore it in a deeper and more meaningful way. In English, the books we read really make me think about the US American experience from perspectives that are different from my own. For example, we’re currently reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, and I find it fascinating to see African American life portrayed outside of the usual context of white society. It’s made me appreciate how many different stories and experiences make up US history and culture.
You’ve been recognized for your excellence in Varsity athletics and, in ninth grade, you were named PHL17 Student Athlete of the Week for swimming. What do you enjoy most about being a student-athlete?
One of the things I love most about being a student-athlete is the community it’s given me. I’ve been part of my club team, Pride, Determination, and Resilience Swimming for Success, for seven years, and over that time, my teammates and coaches have really become like family. The same goes for my experience at Friends’ Central; being on the swim team has helped me build what I’m sure will be lifelong friendships and connections. It’s a really special feeling to be part of a team that supports and pushes each other to grow, both in and out of the pool.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience as a Phoenix Ambassador helping the FCS Admissions Office and as a peer mentor to Friends’ Central’s ninth-grade students? You give Admissions tours, support your classmates, welcome visitors, and assist with school events. What do you enjoy most about supporting others at Friends’ Central?
As a Phoenix Ambassador, I love meeting new people and sharing what makes Friends’ Central such a special community. It’s exciting to give families an inside look at the school and maybe even help them picture their next four years here.
As a peer mentor, it’s been such a great experience getting to know my ninth-grade mentees; they’re a fun, kind group, and I can’t wait to see them grow over these next two years. It feels good knowing I can help make their transition to high school a little easier. I remember how much my own peer mentors helped me when I was a freshman, and I want to be that same kind of support for someone else. Friends’ Central has such a strong sense of community, where everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed. I love being part of that energy and giving back to it however I can.
You also participate in programs at FCS like the Justice Core Team and the VIBE Conference, an annual student-led event focused on justice, diversity, and equity. What draws you to this work, and what have you learned from being involved?
One of my biggest goals in life is to make a positive impact on the world, and being part of the Justice Core Team and the VIBE Conference has given me meaningful ways to do that.
For example, a classmate and I created a workshop to present during the VIBE Conference on casual racism and how to recognize and combat it. Experiences like that have taught me how to collaborate with others who share similar goals and how to take on leadership roles among my peers. I’ve also grown a lot in how I communicate—especially when it comes to speaking up for what I believe in and helping others feel comfortable doing the same.
Last year, you worked on a project called “(Re)Writing Philadelphia Histories.” Could you tell us a bit about how you chose the subject, and what was the most meaningful thing you learned?
“(Re)Writing Philadelphia Histories” was a research project at the University of Pennsylvania. I worked with my classmate and friend, Jaya Adams, in collaboration with a Penn professor. Our project explored how Black people are represented in the texts used in Philadelphia schools and how that differs from how they want to be represented.
When we first started brainstorming, we were interested in the topic of book banning, but after talking with the professor and others involved in the project, we refined our focus to representation in school texts. One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was interviewing people in our community and realizing how powerful representation in literature can be; it can really influence how students see themselves and their place in the world.
How has participating in multiple activities shaped the way you approach your academics and other commitments?
I’ve gotten better at prioritizing what matters most. Getting things done during the week gives me time to rest after practice, spend time with family and friends, volunteer at the Tiger Woods Foundation Learning Lab, and even bake in my free time!
My schedule can get pretty intense between school, practices, meets, and other activities, so I’ve learned how to manage my time and stay disciplined.
(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)