By Derrick Smith

When a high school athlete becomes a part of a team, they become a part of something bigger. More than just a team, they also become a part of a family. Karyn Johnson’s daughter Addy plays basketball and soccer at Edmond Memorial high school and is also a member of an AAU Buddy Buckets basketball team. Johnson loves that her daughter is part of such a close team.
“We have always loved that Addy has wanted to be so involved with her teams,” she said. “Teaching her to be a part of a team and to be coachable is something she can take off the field and court and will follow her forever.  Understanding that a team means you have to do your part and encourage  your teammates to do their part – it is not just one person getting the job done.   Kids need to be a part of a group whether that is drama, choir, orchestra, a sports team, or debate club.  Finding something they enjoy, where they can have like minded friends is so important.”

Along with Addy, Karyn and her husband have another daughter. Lily is a freshman at Oklahoma Christian University where she is studying Psychology. Karyn works for Heritage, a printing and promotional products company. She says that work and church keeps her busy, but not too busy to be there for her daughters.

“My husband and I like to stay involved mainly because we want to be a part of our kids’ lives,” she said. “They are really in our house for a short amount of time, and then they are out on their own.  My husband helps with the AAU team and I work with the booster club on the school side.  The schools always need parents willing to help, coaches can not do it all, they need all the support they can get.”

Johnson says that she is thankful to be a part of such a great community and school district.

“Memorial is the oldest Edmond high school,” she said. “It has a great history and we have loved our coaches, and educators over the years. These people pour their hearts into these kiddos. It takes a village to raise our kids, and I am thankful our girls have had the Bulldog village to help guide them.”