Hayden Harper

Hayden Harper is a senior basketball player at the Madill High School and has attended Madill schools for eleven years. His parents are Bart and Michelle Harper, and his grandparents are Jack and Diane Harper and David and Regina Sorrell. He has a brother by the name of Jackson Harper.

Harper currently plays basketball and bowls. However, in middle school, he played baseball and football. Even though he has played many sports, he said his greatest achievements are not associated with sports.

“My greatest achievements have mainly been through FFA and 4-H,” Harper said. “Placing in the top five in the state giving the FFA creed, being a state winner in my record book area for 4-H and having the 6th overall cross pig at OYE are among my best awards. However, my biggest challenge has been trying to balance my different extracurricular activities.”

One of Harper’s best memories from sports was during his coach pitch years when his team played in the Healdton tournament. The tournament lasted until approximately 3:00 a.m. and they ended up going into overtime. He made the winning hit and helped his teammate on second base score to win the tournament.

Harper said he gives Weiberg huge props for not only improving his basketball skills but in his life skills as well. He said he has always been so understanding when he had to go to different events or contests. “I’m proud to have been coached by him,” Harper said.

Harper said Kobe Bryant inspired him at a young age. He has many idols, but Kobe sparked a fire in him when he was younger.

“There is a reason they called it the Mamba Mentality because very few people worked harder than Kobe in the league,” Harper said with a smile. “From the way he played to the way he spoke to me he is an inspiration through and through.”

He also said he credits his parents for life’s inspirations.

“My inspirations for life have always been my parents,” Harper said. “For me, they not only are the ones who have had the biggest impact on my life, but they are the type of people I strive to be like.”

“Mom, dad I know I can be a big pain sometimes,” Harper continued. “It has taken me a long time to understand everything you do for me and maybe I still don’t truly understand, but even so I want you to know I’m grateful. I hope that someday I can be the parent that pushes their child to be the best version of themselves they can be just like what you have done for me. Thank you. I love y’all.”

Harper then turned his attention to his brother.

“I’d also like to say to my brother, Jackson, I know I’m soon to be leaving the house but that doesn’t mean I won’t be there for you,” he said. “I know you want to try and be as successful as I was even though I don’t consider myself to be as successful as you think. Just remember you can do anything you want. You are smarter than I was at your age, you're more athletic than I was at your age, and you have just as many people here to back you up. I love you.”

Harper’s plan is to run for a state FFA office this spring. If elected, he said he is positive that he will go directly to Oklahoma State where he plans on majoring in environmental science. On the off chance he doesn’t get elected, he said is considering into looking at a few junior colleges to attend before going to Oklahoma State.

His advice to the younger class is, “don’t procrastinate and don’t waste away your high school life. Set goals for yourself so you have something to chase.”