Haylie Keys has set many goals for herself throughout her life.
While some of the goals were bigger and required more work, she felt excitement knowing that she had accomplished what she had set out to do.
Haylie has another goal that she has not accomplished yet, but she knows with continued work, she will be able to reach it.
“I want to be the first one to graduate from college in my family,” she said. “I know it is going to take a lot of work and determination, but that is a goal that I have set to accomplish.”
Keys is a senior at Ketchum High School, where she plays basketball, fastpitch softball, and slowpitch softball. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.
As an athlete, Haylie knows it takes more than just showing up on game day to be the best she can be. It is the preparation that is important.
“I have put in a lot of hard work so that I can compete at my highest level,” she said. “Being dedicated is also important because if you take a lot of days off or don’t work like you need to, you will not be your best.
“I think the highlight of my career was scoring seventeen points in one basketball game. It was a great feeling knowing that it was because of all the work I had put in.”
While Keys has put in the work, she says that she has had some influential people that have helped her become the person that she wants to be.
“My biggest role model would have to be my mom,” she said. “She is a great person and is always there to support me in whatever I do.
“Another would have to be my teacher Rachel Hartsock. She is always there for me if I need something or to talk to. She puts a good view on learning.”
As an athlete at Ketchum, Keys does her best to be a good representative for her school and community.
“It’s very important to me to make my school look good, especially in girls’ athletics,” she said. “We are trying to change the way people view our girls and make it better.”