Middle College Student

7 days a week, you can find an 18-year old young woman feeding, grooming, and exercising horses.

Bailey Farrell works with a group called the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.

For the last 4 years, she and her mother have helped to give animals a new lease on life.

"We're the largest race horse adoption program in the United States," she explains.  "We accept ex-race horses with thoroughbreds and standard breds into our facility, rehab them, and turn them around and adopt them out."

Animals aren't Bailey's only love.

She also loves to learn.

But coming from a home schooling background, she didn't find high school challenging enough.

That's where the Middle College program came in.

"Middle College is actually Hamilton county public schools, and you take all of your classes at Chattanooga State, taught by Chattanooga state professors, except for english in grades 10 and 11."

Bailey thrived at Chatt state, earning the title of Valedictorian for having the highest grade point average in her class at Middle College.

That G.P.A., and her work with horses has earned her a spot at Stanford University, where she'll study biomechanical engineering.

Her mother, Angie Farrell, says her daughter has worked hard. 

"She feels much more comfortable taking engineering classes when she goes to Stanford because she's had some at Chatt State. And the calculus, she feels pretty well prepared."

The busy young woman is prepared to saddle up to what life has to offer.

Bailey Farrell heads to Standford in the fall.

"School and vocations are the two things I put the most time into, and I think as long as you love something, you can make time for it."