On most evenings, Kelly Lackey can be found wherever her children are competing, near a cross country course, in the softball stands, inside a basketball gym or beside a track. For the Weatherford mom, being present is more than simply attending an event. It is a chance to encourage her children, celebrate their progress and remind them that their value reaches far beyond a scoreboard or finish line.

Lackey and her husband, Vinnie, are the parents of two Weatherford student-athletes. Their son, Keon, is an 11th grader at Weatherford High School who competes in cross country and track. Their daughter, Khloe, is a seventh grader at Weatherford Middle School and stays busy with softball, cross country, basketball and track.

With multiple sports and activities on the family calendar, Lackey says support begins with showing up.

“I stay involved in their athletic careers by being present and supportive of them,” she said. “I try to be their biggest cheerleader and encourager.”

That support is shaped by the perspective Lackey brings from her career as a licensed mental health professional. She has worked in mental health care for 18 years and currently serves as a therapist for a local Certified Community Behavioral Health Center. Away from work, much of her time revolves around her children’s activities, while she also enjoys traveling, running and staying active at First United Methodist Church in Weatherford.

As a parent, Lackey understands that athletics can bring difficult moments along with victories. Watching her children deal with unmet expectations is one of the hardest parts of the journey, but it also provides an opportunity to see their character take shape.

“It’s hard to watch your kids fail when they want to compete at a high level,” Lackey said. “But it’s very rewarding to witness their resiliency and ability to keep working hard.”

That resilience connects to one of her most important messages for Keon and Khloe: athletics are important, but they do not define a person.

“Sports are something they do, not who they are as people,” Lackey said. “I’m trying to raise good humans.”

Lackey extends that commitment beyond her own family. She is the current president of the cross country booster club and volunteers with Weatherford’s softball, basketball and track booster clubs. She has also spent several years volunteering as a youth basketball coach.

Her appreciation for Weatherford Public Schools is rooted in the people who invest in its students.

“The coaches, teachers and staff are some of the best you will find,” Lackey said. “They work hard and truly care about my kids.”

For Lackey, that caring community helps make every mile, practice, game and lesson along the way matter.