By Linda Lane
Bailey Slater’s involvement with Vicksburg High School’s Student Senate stood out in making Vicksburg High School a better place. His commitment won him the Principal’s Award at the Vicksburg Honors Reception for the Class of 2016.
“He was my “go-to guy” on the Senate,” Vicksburg Principal Keevin O’Neill said. “His high level of school spirit and positive attitude was just always there.” Bailey volunteered on the Student Senate for three years, and was responsible for planning and preparing all aspects of the Semi-Formal last year, the “Night Out in Paris,” including cooking and preparing the food tables with items such as quiche and other French dishes. He also organized the blood drives for Homecoming. In addition to the Student Senate, Slater excelled in sports and academia. He was a four-year varsity letter winner in lacrosse and took multiple AP classes.
“Bailey’s been a leader in our high school all four years. His passion for making Vicksburg High School a better place has been evident on a daily basis. I’ve really enjoyed watching Bailey growing into not only a great leader, but a fine young man as well,” O’Neill said.
Outside of school, Slater volunteered with SPCA of Southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo’s Pet Rescue & Adoption Center), the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market, and the Lions Club. His involvement with his grandparents has also been noteworthy in his life.
Slater plans to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College to achieve an Associates degree, after which he’d like to “go somewhere it’s warm and beautiful to get my Bachelor’s degree.”