SOUTH LEWIS NAMES CLASS LEADERS
Chad Luther, principal of the South Lewis Senior High School, Turin, is excited to share the names of the students receiving the highest honors for the Class of 2026. Jackson McCall has achieved the highest honor of Valedictorian and Leo Bailey has earned the distinction of Salutatorian and Technical Honor Student.
With an overall average of 96.41, Jackson McCall is the Class of 2026 Valedictorian. Jackson is the son of Theodore and Molly McCall of Boonville. Jackson has been an active participant in the South Lewis community and is considered a leader among his peers. In addition to excelling in academics, Jackson participates in many school-related activities and clubs, competes as an athlete in three sports, and stays busy with volunteering and work outside of school.
As a high school student, Jackson has maintained high honor grades, earned membership to The Morgan Lewis Chapter of National Honor Society, and been designated a Class of 2026 South Lewis Lions Club Scholar. As a student, Jackson works to contribute to the school community in other ways. Throughout his high school years, he has been a member of “Students Against a Vanishing Environment” (“S.A.V.E.”) and a mentor in the “Falcon Friends” program.
As an athlete, Jackson is a three-sport athlete and competes in football, basketball, and baseball each year. As a part of the Falcon football program, Jackson was identified as a New York State Scholar Athlete and selected as a 2nd Team Frontier League All-Star. Jackson is also a Scholar Athlete and All-Star on the varsity basketball and baseball teams. Additionally, Jackson was a member of the 2025 Frontier League Class C Baseball Championship team and received the 2025 Coach’s Award. To further his commitment to South Lewis athletics, Jackson serves as president of the Varsity Club throughout the year and, when needed, assists with basketball camps where he shares his knowledge with younger athletes.
In addition to his rigorous scholastic and athletic schedule, Jackson finds time to focus on the South Lewis community at large. Jackson volunteers to help at church with fundraising activities, building repairs and cleaning, and property landscaping. He cares for his neighbors by shoveling snow and completing yard work. Jackson also spends time earning money by performing maintenance work in a local cemetery.
In the fall, Jackson looks forward to attending Paul Smith’s College where he will pursue a degree in Forestry.
Leo Bailey, with an overall average of 96.12, has earned the distinction of Salutatorian and Technical Honor Student for the Class of 2026. Leo is the son of Greg and Katelyn Bailey of Port Leyden. Throughout his high school career, Leo has achieved a high honor average as well maintained as a schedule that includes many extracurricular commitments.
Over the years, Leo has devoted himself to his academic career both at South Lewis and at the Lewis County JCC Education Center in Lowville where he is enrolled in the BOCES Engineering & Design program. As a high-achieving student in that program, Leo was recognized as “Student of the Quarter” by the H.G. Sackett Technical Center faculty and staff. Leo also earned a position on a team that will compete at the annual SkillsUSA State Competition. At South Lewis in the fall, Leo earned the distinction of Class of 2026 South Lewis Lions Club Scholar, which acknowledges the scholastic achievements of graduating students during their high school years. Additionally, in recognition of his academic excellence, positive impact in the community, and leadership ability, Leo was nominated for the “Clarkson University Leadership Award” and for the “RIT Computing Award.”
As a member of the Falcon community, Leo is known to be a good friend to his classmates. Because of his kind and respectful nature, Leo was named the November high school “Student of the Month.” Leo also stays connected to his peers through club membership. As an avid reader, Leo currently serves as treasurer for “Book Club” and competes in the annual “Student vs. Faculty Battle of the Books.” Leo also enjoys being a part of “Conspiracy Club,” a group that gathers to discuss and present information about current and past conspiracies.
After his senior year, Leo plans to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering at Clarkson University.
Congratulations to these accomplished young people. Jackson and Leo will be given special recognition as the Class of 2026 leaders at the commencement ceremony that is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026.
