The Vanguard — Bailey Pellegrini ’28
The Vanguard series highlights cadets of Virginia Military Institute who exemplify promise, perseverance, and the true spirit of leadership. While they may not be the top-ranking students or those in prestigious positions, these individuals’ dedication, resilience, and growth embody the essence of being a VMI cadet. By sharing their stories, including the challenges they’ve faced and overcome, we shine a spotlight on the diverse paths to success at the Institute, proving that leadership and excellence come in many forms.
Meticulous, organized, and focused are just a few words that describe Bailey Pellegrini ’28. Her Virginia Military Institute resume is filled with a plethora of activities, and she’s always finding ways to incorporate the Corps into it.
“I’m definitely dedicated,” she explained. “I prioritize academics over extracurriculars, which helps because I’m involved in so many. I try to get involved academically; attend debates, discussions, and things like that. I really enjoy my studies.”
As a S7 sergeant, she serves within the morale boosting staff, along with party and event planning. She said it was the perfect fit for her.
“There just there was no other staff for me,” she said. “It’s really fun, and I like boosting other people up, even if it’s not through an event, because I know how much we all struggle through.”
Pellegrini knows that struggle. Her rat year, she wasn’t taking advantage of the resources available to her. She was trying to get through the Rat Line. By the spring, she dove headfirst into everything VMI.
“I’ve grown as a cadet in many ways,” she said. “My communication, my time management, and just my boldness, especially in talking to adults and not being shy to ask for what I want.”
Pellegrini is heavily involved — member of Band Company, an officer of the Promaji Club, heading up internal operations for the Ring Figure committee, and being involved in the Building BRIDGES Club. She also works on the yearbook and is in the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.
“As a cadet, I’m very well rounded. I take the time to improve my physical health, work on my academics, and get involved to keep the Corps going,” she stated. “I want to help the Corps be the best it can be, and play whatever part I can in that to represent the school in a good light. I would absolutely leap for any of those opportunities.”
The small class sizes and dedicated faculty made VMI appealing to Pellegrini. Specifically, the Honor Code — A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do — spoke to her.
“I did not want to go to a party school at all … that is not for me. I wanted focused peers surrounding me, and that’s definitely what I get here,” she commented. “And the holding me to the standard of trying to better myself as I see everyone else really pushing themselves here. I thought that was really cool with the military environment. Even though I’m not planning on commissioning, I just wanted that atmosphere.”
It’s allowed her to handle high stress situations and improve her communication skills.
“It’s made me come out of my shell even more and be able to relate to the people here a whole lot more,” she said. “It’s helped me become more aspirational in my career and where I’m wanting to go. I now see no limits.”
Majoring in modern languages and cultures wasn’t quite her first choice. Instead, it was her third. But ultimately, she said it’s the major for her.
“My first choice was actually economics, but it was full, and so I asked for international studies, which was also full,” she laughed.
Taking Spanish for several years, after moving around a lot in her life as a military kid, her current major allows her to expand her knowledge on the language.
“I thoroughly enjoy reading and learning about other cultures, and because I had studied Spanish and Hispanic and Latin culture so much in my life already, I just wanted to dig deeper into that,” she said. “I really enjoy reading and listening to music in other languages. It’s given me the opportunity to study abroad multiple times, which has been the highlight of my cadetship.”
She studied abroad in Spain, spending four weeks there during the summer, and also in Japan, spending an entire semester in Tokyo to study Japanese.
“There was a week that we had off classes and I took that time to solo travel and go to some national parks and really have time to reflect on my life and try new foods,” she said of her time in Tokyo. “That was great having that time for myself.”
Col. Sabrina Laroussi, assistant department head in the Department of Modern Languages and Culture and professor of Spanish said no matter what Pellegrini always has a smile on her face.
“I remember her first semester at VMI, when I had her in my Spanish 101 class. Despite all the challenges that come with rat year, she was always smiling, whether in class or during our advising meetings,” Laroussi said. “Since her very first semester, she has also been actively involved in clubs on post, and I frequently see her participating in cultural events both on and off post. Her positive attitude and involvement in the community have always stood out to me.”
Laroussi describes her as a dedicated and motivated student who looks for challenges and opportunities to grow.
“Her willingness to step outside her comfort zone is demonstrated by her experiences studying abroad, including a summer in Spain and a semester in Japan. She approaches new experiences with curiosity, confidence, and an open mind,” she stated.
Pellegrini depends on her brother rats, expanding the bubble around her with friends she can rely on.
“There are challenges every day communicating with people. We’re all so busy. It’s hard to ask to be a priority in somebody’s life when everybody else is giving just as much or more to the Corps,” she admitted.
Col. Tom Timmes ’92, professor of civil and environmental engineering, said Pellegrini is a cadet that sees a potential opportunity to help everyone around her.
“She is great listener and follows up with sound advice and heartfelt actions,” he said. “She came to VMI for the challenge and is committed to never just do the minimum effort required. Her weekends are spent on church and volunteering while keeping enough room left for above average academics.”
Timmes knows Pellegrini from her involvement with the Summer Transition Program (STP).
“It was clear from my initial introduction to her at STP that she was energetic and optimistic about the upcoming VMI experience,” he said. “When the early to rise and late-night studying demands of STP were in full force, she was often spotted with others and motivating others to try their best.”
