Reddick finds formula for mastering multi-tasking

By Cilicia Anderson
Outlook staff writer

Her resume isn’t only impressive; it implies that Katelyn Reddick is an exception to the rule. 

While most students struggle to balance basic schoolwork and their social life, Reddick, a junior at Lincoln High School, is doing a whole lot more.

She makes it look easy, too.

Reddick’s impressive resume of organizations includes being a National Honors Society and National Achievers Society member. Add to her list being a two-time county champion of the Black History Brain Bowl Club, being involved in her school’s Student Government Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Culinary Club, and her school’s Cheerleading team.

Her engagement and activism made Katelyn a runaway choice by the Capital Outlook for its 2020 Youth of the Year.

Katelyn was in sixth grade when she got involved in the Black History Brain Bowl. Every night she’d study questions to prepare for her opportunity to compete. 

She proved her readiness, when as a high-school freshman, she had the questions memorized and began reading the books to be even more prepared. She captured the championship in ninth grade and again as a sophomore.

“The thing about county is everybody wants to win and I just loved seeing all the other schools come together during Black history month and talk about the books,” said Katelyn. “Our book from last year was Becoming Michele and I actually hadn’t read the book until last year and I really enjoyed it. The Black History Brain Bowl taught me a lot that I didn’t know.”

Katelyn started cheering in the seventh grade after being encouraged by a friend. It would be her second try after missing the cut a year earlier. Cheerleading became a perfect fit for Reddick, who described herself as being an extrovert with an energetic personality. She thrived on being with a group of girls who shared her passion.

“This year I was going to be very upset if we didn’t have a cheer season because of COVID because I was just going to be stuck in the house all the time and I needed to go out and Fridays would give me an outlet for that,” said Katelyn. “Friday football games I just like seeing our school, our staff, the parents, I love seeing them in the stands cheering us on and our football team as well as our basketball team. I love when people come out and support us.”

She also has a number of leadership positions such as Pearls of Perfection treasurer, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Youth President and Tallahassee Area Coalition Center of Excellence National Achievers Society President. She is also on the presidents list at Tallahassee Community College, where she’s dual enrolled with a 4.0 grade point average.

Katelyn credits being organized for her extracurricular success. Her parents help where they can, but her mother Sheila Reddick says Katelyn has proven to be capable maintaining control. 

“She is very independent, she is very organized and she prioritizes things that need to be done,” said Sheila. “She knows what our rule is; we don’t require her to get all A’s but she does, we just ask that she gives it 100 percent. As long as she gives her 100 percent and she knows that she’s giving 100 percent we’re fine”

Her father Nickie and mom exposed Katelyn to all the organizations that she can be a part of. She got to see the activities her older brother did during his time in the National Achiever Society and was inspired to run for president during her junior year.

“We try to keep her involved, keeping her attuned with what is out there that she can achieve if she stays on task because she has a part to do and as parents we have a part to do to support her and make sure she achieves that,” said her dad. “Getting her prepared for her senior year and beyond may seem a lot to her but it’s getting her to a point where it won’t be a lot. Sheila and I want her to enjoy her senior year so what we’re trying to do is make sure she gets her core curriculum done by her junior year so in her senior year, we don’t know how COVID will be or if they’re going back to brick and mortar but her senior year will be very enjoyable.”