Kids that are involved in athletics start to learn the basics of that sport. Then as they grow, they learn more specific skills that pertain to that sport. Amy Abernathy says that competing in athletics allow them to also learn other lessons that will help them throughout the rest of their life.

“I think prioritizing sports helps kids learn you have to work hard for anything you want and to be successful in life starting at an early age,” she said. “It also helps make them learn how to work together as a team.”

Abernathy and her husband, Justin, have four school-aged children. And the ones that are old enough are involved in a sport or extracurricular activity.

“Kason is a sophomore,” she said. “He plays baseball for Altus high and also shoots archery for FFA. Kenzie is a seventh-grader at Altus Junior High. She’s a cheerleader, plays basketball, and runs track. Kreed is a third-grader at Altus Christian Academy and plays school basketball for the Lions and also plays travel baseball. Kolter is in pre-K at Altus Christian Academy and is five years old. We also have a bonus daughter, Kinsley who is going to be getting married this summer.”

Amy is a stay-at-home mom and she is also a certified personal trainer from the American Fitness Association and she is also a certified nutritionist. She says that while free time is rare, she enjoys spending it with her kids, working out, and gardening. At her kid’s school, she is the president of the Tip-In basketball club and the president of the Home Run club.

Abernathy has lived in southwestern Oklahoma for most of her life and she says that she is glad to be raising her kids in the same area.

“I was born and raised in southwest Oklahoma,” she said. “I absolutely love how the community works together as one. Altus Public Schools, in general, have a great support system starting from the very top making children feel important. Altus Christian Academy and Altus Public Schools have a good relationship making the transition nice and easy.”