By Derrick Smith
When a kid plays a sport, they learn a lot about the specifics about that sport and how to play that game. Edmond’s Jennifer Buckingham has four kids that play sports and she says that she loves that her kids play sports. Not just because of the athletic aspect, but also because of the things they will learn that they will carry with them for the rest of their life.
“There are so many valuable lessons learned through sports,” Buckingham said. “Hard work, perseverance, time management, relationships, learning to compete and how to play within a team setting. Disciplines you learn in sports but utilize for the rest of your life.”
Buckingham’s four kids range from high school to elementary. Bryson is a sophomore at Edmond North and he plays basketball. Eighth grader Braden and sixth grader Beckett, both attend Cheyenne Middle School both play basketball and football, and Braden also runs track. The youngest, Bella, is in the first grade at Cross Timbers Elementary school. She plays softball and basketball.
Jennifer recently retired from her career as a pharmacist. Now that she has some free time, she enjoys working out, hot yoga, traveling, and most of all, watching her kids play their sports and activities.
Having four kids playing sports can cause some schedule for Jennifer and her family, but she says they always make it work.
“We don’t miss a game if we can avoid it,” she said. “Sometimes it’s divide and conquer and sometimes it’s only the first half of one and second half of the other but we manage to get it done. I also seem to be a taxi driver for the boys to all their training, practices and games. Thankfully Bryson is driving now so that’s one less I’m driving for.”
As a member of the Edmond community, Buckingham says that it is a great town to be a part of.
“I love the community in Edmond,” she said. “Edmond has an amazing school system with wonderful teachers and active and involved parents. Edmond North does a great job of supporting all sports and activities and seeing the importance of doing so.”
