Katelynn Bailey Graduates with Honors
When Katelynn Bailey left Olney for Cisco in 2023, she faced the kind of challenge that can unsettle even the most confident student — walking into a new school and starting over socially, academically, and athletically. Four years later, on Friday, May 22, Ms. Bailey graduated from Cisco High School as valedictorian of the Class of 2026.
Along the way, she became class president, Student Council president, vice president of the National Honor Society, and one of the most decorated athletes in the school’s recent history, proving she did far more than simply adjust to a new town.
Ms. Bailey, the daughter of Jake and Holly Bailey, compiled the highest cumulative fouryear GPA in all four core academic departments and graduated with the highest overall GPA at Cisco High School. Her academic success extended well beyond the classroom. Ms. Bailey earned ‘A’ Honor Roll recognition throughout her high school career and excelled in University Interscholastic League academic competition, winning district championships in calculator applications, mathematics, and number sense. She qualified repeatedly for regional and state UIL competitions and earned both the Cisco High School LEAP program distinction and the UIL Scholar Award. Ms. Bailey also completed certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant during high school.
Athletically, Ms. Bailey became one of Cisco’s standout multi-sport competitors. She earned four-year varsity letters in basketball, track and golf, three-year varsity letters in cross country, and two-year varsity letters in cheerleading. In basketball, Ms. Bailey was named first team all-district all four years of her career while earning District 10 Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP honors. She also received TABC All-Region recognition, TGCA All-Region honors, and was selected as a TGCA All-Star. On the track, Ms. Bailey qualified for area competition all four years and advanced to regional competition three times. She helped Cisco capture district and area championships and claimed district and area titles in the 3200-meter run.
Her success continued in cross country, where she helped lead Cisco to two district team championships while qualifying for regional competition three times and the state meet twice. Golf provided another long list of accomplishments. Ms. Bailey helped the Lady Loboes win three district team championships and two regional team titles while qualifying for regional competition four times and the state tournament three times. In cheerleading, she earned NCA All-American honors twice.
Her leadership and influence across Cisco athletics also earned her the Cisco High School Athletic Leadership Award. Outside school, Ms. Bailey remained active in the Cisco community through the Cisco Chamber of Commerce Junior Ambassador program and her involvement with Mountain Top Church, where she participated in the worship team and youth group. This fall, Ms. Bailey plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and pursue a career in banking or business.