By Derrick Smith

Throughout any given person’s life, there are people that influence and help shape who that person becomes. High school athletes are no different. They have people that help them during their career that help them become better. Gena Parker says that she has had a few people that fit that category.

“Some of my biggest influences are my coaches Todd Ledford and Brooke Kephart,” she said. “They constantly push me to achieve great things in my sports as well as in the classroom. My biggest role model is Savannah Bowers. She is the Leadership teacher at Duncan High and I am so grateful to be in her class. She has the kindest heart and has helped me figure out who I really am.”

There are two other special people in Gena’s life that she said have helped make her into the young woman she is today.
“I am thankful for my parents, Dr. Gene and Delaine Parker,” she stated. “They have given me every opportunity possible and have taught me to have fun in life. My dad taught me to surround myself with successful and kind people because you become what you surround yourself with. My mom has taught me that you can’t pour from an empty glass so always put yourself first.”

Parker is a junior at Duncan High School, where she is a dual-sport athlete. She is a main base on the cheer team and she runs the hurdles as a member of the track team. While she has had people influence her throughout her career, she has also put in a lot of work to continually get better.

“It has taken me lots of focus to become successful at sports,” she said. “No one is going to tell you to get out of bed and go workout, no one is going to tell you to run that extra lap, you have to. It’s not easy, if it was everyone would be doing it.”

Outside of playing sports, Parker is also a member of the National Honor Society, Jolly Jill’s Social Club, Leadership, student council, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.