Meet Baylee.

Baylee Jarrett is no stranger to a busy schedule. Between her nursing studies, running cross-country and track, and years of pageant experience that led to her becoming Miss West Virginia Teen USA, she has learned how to juggle big goals with an even bigger passion for helping people.

Jarrett grew up surrounded by nurses. Both of her parents and her grandmother work in the profession, and her parents also serve within the WVU Medicine system. She said choosing nursing felt natural, especially after watching how deeply her family cared for their patients and their community.

“I’ve always loved helping people, and nursing is something that’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Jarrett said. “[The WVU School of Nursing's Keyser Campus at WVU Potomac State College] felt like the right place because it’s close-knit, supportive and rooted in the same values I grew up with.”

Jarrett, who competes on both the indoor and outdoor track and field teams and the cross-country team, said she has always been used to a packed schedule. Still, balancing academics, athletics and pageantry requires intention.

“It’s definitely hard, but it’s doable when you learn to prioritize,” she said. “My coaches and professors have been incredibly supportive. The nursing faculty are easy to talk to and want to see us succeed in every part of our lives.”

Jarrett said the nursing program has taught her skills she relies on in every pursuit, especially as she takes on high-level competitions. Time management, goal-setting and learning what truly matters have strengthened her confidence.

“My professor talks about the idea of glass balls and rubber balls, which things you can’t drop and which things you can bounce back from,” Jarrett said. “That’s helped me figure out how to balance everything.”

Among her favorite academic experiences so far has been beginning clinical rotations.

“Starting clinicals has been the most rewarding part of nursing school,” she said. “I love learning from the nurses in the field and getting real-world experience.”

While Jarrett and her teammates were preparing for nationals, they had daily training ranging from 6 to 10 miles depending on the week.

“Peak week meant long mileage and staying focused,” she said. “Physically, I work with our athletic trainer and make sure I’m fueling well. Mentally, I take time to visualize my races and give myself space to relax.”

One of her favorite memories came after regionals, where both the men’s and women’s teams qualified for nationals and were welcomed back to campus by the athletic director and fellow student-athletes.

“Everyone showed up to cheer us on,” she said. “It was such a meaningful moment because it showed how much our campus community supports each other.”

Running, she said, has shaped her discipline and determination from a young age, starting with her first 5K in third grade. It has also inspired her pageant platform, “Kids Get Fit,” which encourages children to embrace movement and healthy habits.

This past October, Jarrett stepped onto another national stage as West Virginia’s representative at Miss Teen USA, a moment she had been working toward for a decade.

“Walking out there with ‘West Virginia’ across my chest was surreal,” she said. “Growing up in Craigsville, I always dreamed of opportunities like this.”

Jarrett said she left the experience with new friendships, greater confidence and a deeper appreciation for the state she represented.

“I gained 50 new best friends and got to learn about their states and their lives,” she said. “Every girl had a unique personality, and we learned so much from each other.”

A standout moment came before the interview portion of the competition.

“I cried more than once because I felt so grateful,” she said. “I knew I had an entire state behind me.”

She said pageantry complements her work as a student-athlete and future nurse.

“Pageants taught me how to communicate: public speaking, interviews, advocating for others,” she said. “Those skills matter in nursing. As an athlete, goal-setting is everything. You learn to set a goal like walking across the Miss Teen USA stage and work toward it step by step.”

Balancing so many responsibilities requires strong support, and Jarrett said her friends and family remain her foundation. Although her family lives three and a half hours away, they are involved in every step of her journey.

“My family keeps me grounded,” she said. “My mom helps with scheduling appearances and wardrobe, and my friends are always helping me prep videos or practice. They’re the reason I’m able to do all of this.”

For young women hoping to pursue multiple passions, Jarrett encourages taking risks and staying open to opportunities.

“Do it. It’s possible,” she said. “You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I’ve tried everything from basketball to soccer to dance to majorette. The important thing is to find what you love and go for it.”

As she moves forward with school, athletics and her community platform, Jarrett hopes to continue inspiring others while preparing for a future career in nursing.