By Derrick Smith

Role models have an influence on almost every high school student athlete. Whether it is a professional athlete or someone a little closer to home, the student uses these people to help shape their life and athletic career. Allyson Arthur says that the biggest influences on her life have been those she has been around the most. .
“My biggest role models are definitely my parents,” she said. “Both of them play a big role in my life with everything I do. Because of my parents I understand that when I have a bad day or feel like I can’t do something and I just want to give up, I should not give up. Never give up, keep striving for your goals. There’s going to be lots of curves on the path but you have to go through them to get to your goal.

Arthur is a junior at Chickasha High School. She plays outfield for the school softball team. This will be her ninth season of playing softball and she says that while growing as an athlete is not easy, it pays off.
“When I was little I would get mad if I struck out or made an error in the field just probably like any other little kid,” she said. “The biggest success it took was to not cry or get mad at myself anymore knowing you’re going to make errors and you’re going to have a bad at bat. That’s how you learn to get better is when you make mistakes, pick yourself back up and know you have the next ball or the next at bat want every chance you can. Not only did it help me, it helped the team so when you make mistakes you know how to pick each other up and know they have the next.”
Outside of sports, Allyson is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Volunteer Club, and the Future Farmers of America Organization.
“This is my third year to be a part of the FFA,” she stated. “I am currently the chapter president. I have been raising and showing steers for ten years. I also do livestock judging and public speaking.”