The Altus High School Mom of the Month is Missena Hayes.

A mother of three students in Altus Public Schools, Hayes is very busy with their activities. The oldest is Riley Hayes, a senior who is involved in softball, basketball, and archery. The middle child is Maci Hayes is a junior and plays softball and basketball. The youngest is Makenna Hayes who is in the seventh grade and plays softball and basketball. For Missena, being involved in her kid’s lives is important to her and her husband.

“I typically invest my volunteer efforts towards the sports my kids are involved in. I would like to point out that I get a lot of support from my husband, Ryan, by helping in my tasks. Just a few things I have helped with in the past are: managing and working in the softball concession stand on a regular basis, helping with score booking, bringing the dugout fan mister for those hot softball games, keeping those snacks on hand for those long game days, helping set up and working the hospitality rooms for tournaments, organizing and contributing to snack bags, video recording out of town games for parents/family unable to attend, and  host team dinners,” said Hayes.

Giving the kids on the team the best experience possible is really the focus for Missena.

“I enjoy giving the teams the best experience or opportunities to excel in their sport. In my opinion, school sports are such a memorable time for all students, so finding and helping with the “little” jobs gives me joy,” she said.

Missena grew up in Lawton and attended Eisenhower High School, but now that she is in Altus, the mother of three said this is exactly where she wanted her kids to attend school.

“Not being from Altus and originally living outside the Altus school district, I knew before my kids started school that I wanted them to attend Altus Public Schools, I liked the feeling of a smaller town school that also provided a good opportunity of organizations and activities that my three daughters could get involved in if they wanted to.”

Missena travels with her girls for softball. All three are involved in travel fast pitch teams.

“We spend a lot of time traveling on the weekends to attend tournaments, camps, and showcases. These softball trips typically turn into family vacations and memorial family outings as well. We also enjoy spending quiet days at home when we can,” Missena said.

Aside from being a volunteer, Missena works full time at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital as a physical therapist.