When a parent is making the decision of where they want their children to attend school, there are a number of factors that go into that decision. But for Tuni Lively, experience has outweighed any doubts that she had about Mangum Public Schools.
“My husband and I both come from a long line of Mangum graduates,” she said. “Once a Tiger always a Tiger. I will bleed orange and black for the rest of my life. Now, all small towns seem to have their negative aspects and sometimes pride and spirit get dragged down, but I am proud of where I came from and proud of where I stand now. I see a lot of positive movement in our community and looking forward to a bright future for Mangum and Mangum Schools.”
Lively has three daughters, two who have graduated from Mangum and one who is a student at the high school.
“Our oldest, Loclynn, graduated from Mangum in 2017,” Lively said. “She was a post player in basketball and was on the Lady Tiger team in 2017 that went to state for the first time in 29 years, she played softball, cross country, track and was a cheerleader. Lynsi graduated in 2020. She played basketball, softball, track and cheerleader. My youngest, Landri, is currently a junior at Mangum where she plays softball, basketball and track.”
Though she graduated from Mangum, Tuni has not left the school district. She is a sixth grade Language Arts teacher at the junior high school. She taught music and physical education for quite a few years and she has also coached basketball, softball, and track.
Wearing a number of hats can take up a lot of time, but Lively works hard to stay involved in her kids sports.
“I stay very active in my kid’s athletic careers,” she stated. “Landri not only plays sports for Mangum, but also plays travel softball. I run the concessions at the Mangum softball field for the Lady Tiger softball team. I am the softball mom representative for the booster club. We parents stay in full swing doing everything for our kids and team, whether it be feeding them meals, making goodie bags or creating things for motivation.”
