JEFF FIELDER Editor
LINGLE, Wyo. – Bailey Powell, a senior at Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank. He’s involved in National Honor Society, FBLA, FFA, 4-H, football, basketball, and track & field. His GPA is a 4.0. Outside of school, he helps with community service projects, such as GOSHEN HELP. After he graduates from high school, he plans to attend Eastern Wyoming College and major in criminal justice. His parents are Chris and Michelle Powell.
Q: How has your senior year of school been going?
POWELL: “Overall, my senior year has been going really well. I’ve tried to make some big differences in our school in sports and with community service projects. I’ve made a lot of good memories with my classmates.”
Q: Has this school year been going by fast for you?
POWELL: “Yes, it actually has been. I already miss being in school. It’s sad that we can’t go back.”
Q: How have you adjusted to online learning?
POWELL: “I’m doing a lot of online learning for high school, and I also do a lot of college classes online. It takes a lot of my time, but I’ve adjusted pretty well.”
Q: What college classes are you taking online?
POWELL: “College English, sociology, and history.”
Q: How excited are you to have a 4.0 GPA right now?
POWELL: “It’s exciting. I’ve been trying hard since my freshman year to get really good grades.”
Q: Entering high school, was it your goal to maintain a 4.0 GPA?
POWELL: “Yes, it was. Both of my older brothers did it, and I wanted to keep the tradition going.”
Q: What’s been your favorite activity this school year?
POWELL: “My favorite activity was definitely basketball. I loved going on the road trips and spending time with my friends, my players, my coaches and just making memories.”
Q: Did you and your teammates have a pretty good basketball season?
POWELL: “We did. We had a good record, and we did pretty good at the state tournament.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity at school?
POWELL: “I like being in 4-H.”
Q: What do you do in 4-H?
POWELL: “I show market goats and dogs. I’ve been showing dogs for about 10 years, and I’ve been doing market goats for about three years.”
Q: How many years have you been involved in 4-H?
POWELL: “Since I was 8 years old.”
Q: How has being involved in 4-H helped shape you as a person, and how will being involved in 4-H help you in the future?
POWELL: “It’s really taught me the importance of being involved in community service projects.”
Q: What’s another activity that you’re involved in that you really enjoy?
POWELL: “FBLA. It has taught me leadership skills and helping out in the community, like going to the senior center home to help tutor them in technology.”
Q: Up to this point in your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
POWELL: “Probably Mr. [Mike] Lashley. He’s the athletic director, the track coach, and is a math teacher. He also helps with FCA. What he teaches us in the classroom is very beneficial to us, and he’s always there to encourage us.”
Q: Why did you pick EWC?
POWELL: “I want to stay local and save some money.”
Q: Why do you want to major in criminal justice?
POWELL: “My mom is involved in criminal justice/domestic abuse, so I want to try to help, too.”
Q: Specifically, what would you like to do for a career?
POWELL: “Maybe be a probation officer.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed living in the Lingle area?
POWELL: “The atmosphere in Lingle is really good. It’s a small community, so we know each other, and everyone is really close with each other.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School?
POWELL: “Cora Frederick. She’s also part of National Honor Society, so we’ve been in a lot of volunteer clubs together. She’s also part of my 4-H club, and she’s constantly helping students throughout the school. She’s also part of student council, which is nice.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
POWELL: “I enjoy hunting and fishing and going hiking and four-wheeling in the mountains.”
Q: Where is your favorite place to go fishing?
POWELL: “I like to go to a place by Estes Park in Colorado.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in your area, which one would it be and why?
POWELL: “I’d give a shoutout to Lira’s restaurant because they’re a big supporter of our school, and they have really good food.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
POWELL: “The Dominican Republic about three years ago. It was a family vacation.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
POWELL: “Show kindness, and I’d like to see people show more leadership skills throughout the community because it would bring us even closer together.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
POWELL: “Country.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
POWELL: “‘The Ranch,’ which is on Netflix.”
Q: What is your favorite dessert?
POWELL: “Cheesecake.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in this area?
POWELL: “The Oregon Trail ruts near the Fort Laramie and Guernsey area.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
POWELL: “Yes, I have two older brothers – Cody Powell (21) and Donavon Valentine (26).”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, students of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
First State Bank has been a community bank for more than 80 years with locations in Scottsbluff, Gering and Colorado Springs. First State Bank’s new mortgage center has the convenience of applying online without giving up the personalized customer service people have come to expect. Visit www.fsbcentral.com to find out why when First State Bank says, ‘We’re Big on You,’ they mean it. Find First State Bank on Facebook at firststatebank1935.
