Senior Kailey Arnold gets up and goes to work at the Donut Palace every morning before school. She is pictured here with her co-worker.

While many high school students wake up late and immediately head to school expecting to be occupied with many pages of homework, this cannot be said for senior Kailey Arnold. She works Monday through Saturday at the local Donut Palace. She wakes up and heads into her shift around 4:25 to 4:50 in the morning and works until the late morning and then heads to school as soon as her shift is over. 

Arnold said she enjoys working at the Donut Palace. She loves everything from her co-workers to her customers. Her normal work day consists of waking up at 4 to 4:20, getting to work at 4:30 and leaving at 7:45 to 10 depending on the day and if she has clinicals. 

“My coworkers are amazing,” Arnold said. “It is like another family. Even the regular costumers make work enjoyable.” 

Although Arnold has been working at the Donut Palace for roughly three months, she still has to maintain balancing school and work daily. One of the best ways she does that is by reminding herself to rest when she gets a chance and work on establishing and building a routine but even that comes with struggles. 

“I never have time to go to HOSA meetings,” she said. “And I usually have a tough time studying after school because I am tired.” 

To Arnold, she said it is important always be aware of her own mental health because working and going to school can be draining. That is why it is important to have a strong support system and to choose a job that is enjoyable for the individual. 

“It is easy when you love your job,” Arnold said. 

Even though Arnold has been going to the Donut Palace to get sprinkled donut holes with her dad since she was a kid, she has an even bigger dream in mind for her future. Right now she takes health science classes and her dream is to become a NICU nurse. 

“I have always loved babies my whole life and I knew from the beginning it is what I wanted to do with my life, to help them become strong and healthy,” Arnold said.

She said balancing school while working has given her the motivation to not give up and help herself mature, as well as realize things most people her age would not understand.

“It has helped me become more independent while also helping build character and faith because the early mornings are never easy but with lots of caffeine and prayer anything is possible,” she said. “It is going to help in the future with working 12-hour shifts or longer because my body will already know its limits and be used to a schedule and discipline on what is more important in life.”