To say Haley Watson is involved in her school community is an understatement.
She's the student council president, a member of the Lady Jay tennis team, a record-breaking track hurdler, and member of the National Honors Society and the Young Democrats Club, just to name her main club and sport participation.
Not only is she highly active in her community, she also earns high marks in her classes and is described by her teacher and student council adviser Chad Rizner as someone willing to "roll up her sleeves and get it done."
It's the reason why Rizner nominated her for Missouri's annual Outstanding Citizenship Award and probably the reason she was selected among 14 other high school seniors to receive it.
The Outstanding Citizenship program is joined between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Missouri Bar after the award was established by the state Legislature in 1990, according to the Missouri Bar.
"I think it's a great recognition of stuff she's done over the years," Rizner said. "The award is for citizenship and she understands service and leadership and she exemplifies that."
Watson said the award didn't really sink in until she was at the luncheon at Capitol Plaza Hotel and realized what an honor it was.
Award recipients are selected not only for the citizenship activities in school, but also their civics classes. Watson has taken numerous classes that fall under that category including AP (Advanced Placement) U.S. History, AP European History, AP Government and a civics leadership course.
"I want to go into policy-making," she said. "They're relevant classes because I'll need to have a foundation before going into that field. I've seen behind-the-scenes work for state officials and the sacrifices made for impacting the state and the people around me."
Her career choice follows somewhat in the footsteps of her parents, who both work in state government. Her father was the chief of staff for Gov. Jay Nixon for about 18 years, starting while he was attorney general for the state. She's grown up around politicians, and while they generally get a bad rap, Watson says the politicians she knows truly want the best for their constituents and their country.
After graduating, Watson plans to go to the West Point, the United States military academy in West Point, New York. She was recruited for track and field, but also selected the academy because of its prestigious academic reputation.
"There's such respect at West Point. It's the real deal," she said. "My whole life I've wanted to be the real deal and to come from Jefferson City and to go to West Point that's a real motivator."
Watson said with her busy schedule, the things that keep her balanced are her friends, family and faith. While her commitments are a lot to keep up with, she said she wouldn't have it any other way.