By Derrick Smith
Toni Hays is the mother of two and works hard to stay involved in their athletics careers as best she can. She currently serves as the president of the Westmoore Booster Club, this being her third year to hold that title. Hays says taht sports are good for kids because it helps them in other aspects of their lives.
“I think kids need some level of expectations or something to strive for and sports offer so much,” she said. “As a parent, I think it’s important to be there cheering them on and picking them up when they are down. These lessons in team-building and hard work to reach a goal are all things that will help prepare them for adulthood. I just can’t imagine not being involved in helping to shape them into productive young adults.”
Hays, who is a graduate of Macomb high school, was an athlete herself. She played basketball, softball and ran track when she was a student. Her kids seemed to have picked up on that athletic gene.
“My daughter Madison is now a sophomore at East Central University,” she said. “She played both basketball and soccer competitively from a very young age and continued both sports through all four years at Westmoore High School. She ultimately decided to play soccer in college and is majoring in Applied Mathematics. Zach, my son, is now a Junior at Westmoore. He also played both basketball and soccer competitively from a very young age but decided basketball was his true passion as he entered junior high. He has continued that focus and worked hard to develop himself year after year as he entered Westmoore High School.”
The support from the entire Westmoore district is a great representation to Toni of what an outstanding district she and her family are a part of.
“Our Westmoore basketball coaching staff is simply awesome,” she stated. “They have been amazing to work with and really recognize the efforts of our booster club. We have a great relationship and I think that’s super important. I really also appreciate the support of the Westmoore Athletic Director. He is also newer to his role but has been a great resource in supporting the basketball program and booster club.”
