Reluctance was overcome by rewards
Athlete focus – Egypt Hughes, sprinter
Model – athlete – businessperson… Egypt does it all and enjoys the journey.
Egypt Hughes wasn’t really thinking about running track this year, even though she had started participating as a junior during the pandemic. Then, Principal Charleston Brown encouraged her to run. “I was astonished, and I am so grateful that he told me to do so,” she said.
In the beginning of her track experience, she was hesitant “because I felt that I wouldn’t fit the part, or I wouldn’t be fast enough,” she said. Still, she has found pride and joy, especially in running her favorite events, the 150m and the 60m.
Sprint Coach Kenny Epps has encouraged Hughes, too, telling her that she could earn a scholarship in the sport. “I don’t know what college I would like to go to at the moment. I am still searching and trying to find one that will fit me and my best needs,” she said.
Hughes would encourage others to follow their dreams. “Go for it. Be you and do it all for you,” she said. “If you want to play a sport, make sure that you are okay mentally, emotionally, and physically… there will be times where you will feel like giving up. And those are the days that you will have to reminisce on all those times that you wanted better for yourself. Yes, it will be hard, but all you need is yourself and you’ll be okay…”
When she runs, she does it for herself, but it encourages her to see the smiles on the faces of her coach and her mother. “Seeing them stand to their feet and applaud me and others on felt like a dream,” she said. “My mom and my coach know how much work I put in and I am so happy for the outcome. “
“I love to push myself,” said Hughes. She does this on the track, but she also does it on the runway. “I do modeling. I have been modeling for four years now and I love it.”
Hughes also works at Chick-fil-a and takes care of her nephew throughout the week. While doing all these things, she also has a business of her own that she has been working on for five years now, something she is excited to reveal to the world soon.
There are a lot of potential role models for Hughes, as she is the second youngest of sixteen siblings. “We all don’t communicate with each other, sadly, but I will always wish them the best in life,” she said. She is closes with two of her siblings, Elijah (26) and Eyonte (20), both who attended Armijo.
