Caitlyn Medina, a rising star on Forest Hills High School's track team, has been sprinting towards success, not only on the track, but in a multitude of endeavors.

Having dedicated two years to Forest Hills' track team, Medina calls the team her “family,” and recently secured a spot in the state championships for the cross-country division.

“I was in tears when we actually found out. It was just like a really big honor to go,” Medina said.

What You Need To Know

  • Caitlyn Medina is a rising star on Forest Hills High School's track team, an accomplished student and home baker

  • She has taken several AP courses in high school, including a recent constitutional law course

  • During the pandemic, she also discovered a passion for baking, which quickly turned into a thriving business 

  • She dreams of opening her own bakery, but first, she is heading to France to attend pastry school

“It’s unbelievable that she just started with the team last year. In these two short years, she is just so determined,” Forest Hills High School track coach Martina Grant said.

Not confined to the track, Medina has been equally accomplished in academics, tackling several AP courses.

“Right now, I’m taking constitutional law, so we’re going through and learning more about Supreme Court cases,” she said.

During the pandemic, Medina also discovered a passion for baking, which quickly turned into a thriving business venture.

“I would develop my own recipes, and I shared with my neighbors, my friends, my family, and they all told me I should make something more of it,” she said.

She now runs a successful business, Baked by Caitlyn, and specializes in crafting custom cakes, all made from scratch in her mother's kitchen.

“It’s really busy, I have orders like every day,” Medina said.

To manage her commitment to her business, Medina is up by 4:30 a.m. each morning to begin baking before going to school.

“I’ve been able to find somewhat of a balance in making sure I’m able to prioritize when to do certain things," Medina said. "I’ll come home from track and I’ll bake a cake, so that by the time I’m done showering and eating dinner, it will be cooled so I can decorate it."

Grant said it’s impressive to see someone so young take so many strides in life already.

“She’s just the ideal child. If she was my own girl I’d be extremely proud, and I know her parents are very proud of her,” she said.

Looking ahead, Medina dreams of opening her own bakery, but first, she is heading to France to attend pastry school.