Sophomore Bailey Wiggins was born in Virginia before moving to Oregon when she was around one year old. 

Wiggins attended Spring Mountain Elementary and then Happy Valley Middle School. She said that one of her favorite memories from middle school was running track, where she got to hang out and talk with her friends during practices and meets. 

Wiggins found many of her friends during the freshman overnight retreat, she said, which has helped her adjust to the new La Salle environment.

In friends, Wiggins looks for someone who understands her humor and where she is coming from, she said. She described herself as both introverted and extroverted, though she tends to be more outgoing when she is with close friends. 

In school, English is Wiggins’ strongest subject. Currently, she is in Honors English II, taught by English Department Chair Mr. Greg Larson, a teacher who has had a major influence on her learning journey at La Salle thus far, she said. She frequently goes to his classroom to ask him questions or discuss various topics.

“Every single question he asks us is a challenge,” she said. “He really likes to just try and get us thinking.”

One of Wiggins’ favorite units in the class was the Frankenstein unit, which she enjoyed because it forced her to make new connections and ideas while reading, she said.  

Wiggins also greatly enjoys Art Foundations with Performing & Fine Arts Department Chair Ms. Cha Asokan, especially when they get to work with clay or make 3D art. In the past, Wiggins took a clay art class each year of middle school.

Chemistry is slightly more challenging for Wiggins, she said, but she overcomes the difficulty by often asking others for help.. She goes to her friends first, unless it’s math related because she finds talking to her teachers more helpful. She feels her peers can break the material down into terms she understands better than her teachers can, but if she still doesn’t understand, then she’ll go to her teachers.

She also described how she frequently struggles with procrastination but has found small things she can do to help her stay on track. These often include things like putting her phone in a different room or motivating herself with rewards like going to hang out with friends after she finishes something. 

Though she no longer plays sports, Wiggins previously danced for nine years, played softball for five years, and ran track for six years. Currently, Wiggins spends her time outside of school baking, strength training, listening to music, or running. She especially enjoys baking for her friends or others. 

Music is a huge part of her life. She has over 200 playlists and has been to many different concerts from artists and bands, including Leon Bridges, Old Dominion, Peach Pit, The Backseat Lovers, and Carrie Underwood. Her current favorite band is Wilco. 

Wiggins is also very interested and involved in politics, stemming from her mom who works as a lobbyist. At home, she enjoys talking about current events with her family and wants to major in political science and minor in psychology. For college, Wiggins is interested in schools like New York University and Oregon State University. 

Wiggins defines success in school as actually learning something rather than just getting a good grade. 

“We need to get good grades to be able to get into college, and college is a key part of life now, but I also think that how you learn and how much you learn matters a lot more than the grades you get,” Wiggins said.