Parents do many things to protect and help their children as they navigate life. While you are not able to do it all for them, being there and being their support system is crucial. Kayla Maddox says that while it can be difficult for the kids, it can be just as painful for the parents.
“One of the toughest parts of being a parent of a high school athlete is managing the emotional ups and downs,” Maddox said. “Watching your child experience failure or struggle after giving their all can be heartbreaking. It’s a delicate balance between offering support and avoiding added pressure, while also navigating the time commitment required for practices and games, as well as helping them manage expectations around performance and playing time.”
Kayla is the mother of Asiah, a junior at Elk City High School. She is proud of Asiah and all the opportunities she is involved in.
“Asiah plays softball, she is on the wrestling team, and is on the track team, where she long jumps and throws the discus and shot,” she said proudly. “She takes a lot of pride and joy when it comes to serving at our church on the Kids Ministry Team and enjoys getting to serve beside our church family on Serve Day projects for our community.”
Kayla is the Office Manager at United Country OK Sunset Realty and Auctions. She enjoys doing different things in her free time but in most cases, it involves her daughter.
“I enjoy spending time with family and friends,” she said. “But my favorite thing to do is watch Asiah compete or spend time with her doing things she loves to do. I also love to watch anything the Elkettes are playing. I guess you could say I’m crazy because I attend sporting events that my kid doesn’t even participate in.”
As a parent of an Elk City student, Kayla is proud of the way the community gets behind the school and its students.
“What I love about Elk City High School is its sense of community and support for student activities, whether in academics, sports, or the arts,” she said. “It’s great to see how much pride the school and the town take in their students’ achievements, fostering an environment where kids feel encouraged to pursue their goals.”
