Class of 2024 Seniors

CHEER

Berit Andersen's favorite memory was doing cheer games, their before-performance chants, and always being the loudest team. She has learned from her Parker cheer experience that having a good connection with each one of her teammates is crucial to having a successful team and hitting stunts. She would like to thank Coach Elsie, who has made her senior year cheerleading experience unforgettable and has made her want to continue cheering after high school. She would also like to thank her teammates, whom she loves so much and would like to have friendships with forever. 

Vanessa Galindo's favorite memory was when the football team beat Classical Academy last year at their homecoming. HocoBusters. Also, the football team beat them again this year because it was the first win of the season, and it was so much fun. Vanessa has learned that teamwork is essential because without all of them working together and going to practice, the halftime routines wouldn’t be possible. She also learned how much trust plays a role within this team because it has helped us create a strong bond and foundation that will only grow, allowing them to improve as an overall team.

Emerson Hardy's favorite moments include any of the numerous good times just hanging out with the team, whether at practice, on the bus, games, cheer camp, in Vegas, or any other time. She has learned how to improve her responsibility and teamwork and the importance of having a team. She would like to thank her parents for coming to watch games and driving her before she got her license and her coach for always helping her do her best and making cheer so fun. Finally, she would like to thank all her teammates for their constant support and for making cheer such a fantastic experience - “I’ll miss you guys!”

Meredith Stansfield's favorite memory is going to Las Vegas her junior year, where she spent time with the team around the hotel and cheered for football at their game. Cheer has taught Meredith the importance of working together and given her some of her best friends. Meredith would like to thank her parents for letting her start cheer and for driving her to and from practice, and her brother Henry. She would like to thank Coach Elsie for teaching her new stunts and putting together all of the team’s performances. And she would like to thank all of her friends and her boyfriend, Jose, for always supporting me.

CROSS COUNTRY

Mercy Bourgeois joined Parker Cross Country during her sophomore year. Her favorite Parker Cross Country memory is going to the Cheesecake Factory with the team last year after State. Mercy has learned mental toughness and the value of hard work. She would like to thank her mom, dad, and uncle for always being by her side and believing in her and her twin brother York for helping her face mental obstacles. She would also like to thank the amazing girls on the team for making running fun. “I am so proud of all of you, and I can’t wait to see how you do in the years to come,” Mercy says. 

York Bourgeois started running cross country at Parker in 7th grade. His favorite Parker Cross Country memory is winning CIF with all of his teammates. York learned from being on the cross country team that the only thing guaranteed about success is failure if you stop trying. York would like to thank his mom for pushing him for all these years and getting him to where he is today.

Lindsay Clive-Smith started running cross country at Parker in 11th grade. Her favorite Parker Cross Country memory is going to camp. Lindsay has learned determination, how to work hard through pain, and the power of creating a team atmosphere from being a part of the cross country team. She would like to thank all of her coaches and assistant coaches and the parents who bring snacks to the meets!

Melina Fernon started running cross country in her sophomore year. Her favorite cross country memory is bonding with Lindsay over their love of smoothies during difficult runs. She has learned the importance of forming strong bonds with her teammates and always being there to support each other no matter what. She would like to thank her teammates for never failing to bring a smile to her face and for making the difficult runs a little less painful. 

Preston Seay started running cross country at Parker in 8th grade. His most memorable moment was when he was at cross country camp, and the team woke up early and went on a sunrise run. It was chaotic, and it was dark. But it was beautiful, and it was fun! 

Preston has learned the skill of resilience: in the face of pain, keep running. This applies much more broadly in life, from interpersonal experiences to conflict. Cross country taught him not to give up but to struggle in the face of trouble until he can succeed. Preston would like to thank all of his friends, family, coaching staff, and many of his teammates for supporting him and helping him through tough periods on the team. He also wants to give a special thank you to Coach Yaley for stepping in to support the Cross Country team as Coach not once but twice!

Eden Smith's favorite memory from Parker Cross Country was when she arrived at a meet two years ago. She was really nervous, and when she got there, it started raining and hailing, so the race got canceled. She loved watching all the teams migrating with their tents over their head and playing bocci ball with her teammates while they waited for their rides to get there. Eden would say she has definitely learned resilience and hard work from cross country. She would like to thank her brother for bringing her into cross country. She would like to thank all of the different coaches she has had over the years. She would like to thank Coach Herman and Coach Yaley for stepping up this year and years in the past. Most importantly, she would like to thank her teammates for making running fun and, since ninth grade, actually getting enough girls on the team to score and win championships.

Ellis Thome started running cross country at Parker in 9th Grade. His favorite memory is trying to get Eric out of a ditch at camp. From his cross country experience, he learned that consistent training makes a big difference. He would like to thank Coach Sal because he has stayed with the team through all the coaching changes, and he always supports and encourages the team at the meets.

DANCE

Joana Jiang's favorite dance memory was last year’s homecoming performance. She has learned teamwork and collaboration and that the team can always trust one another when they need help, as well as detail and persistence, to get every part of the dance routine correct. She would like to thank her coach, the team captains Samee and Tori, and her parents for always supporting her.

Sanjana Kumar's favorite dance memory was Dancing at Homecoming when she was twelve with all the older girls and wondering if she would ever be that big! She learned that hard work every day pays off exponentially over the years, and there’s something that every new coach and new perspective brings that’s invaluable. She would like to thank Natalia Wornivitsky for encouraging her to join the team initially and never giving up on her. 

Summer Stys' favorite memory is getting ready with the team before performances! She has learned how important it is to push yourself to try new things and that your teammates are always there to support you. She would like to thank her coaches and everyone who has danced alongside her.

FOOTBALL

Ivan Bonilla plans to attend school in San Diego next year and study biology. His favorite memory was when he first entered a game against Santa Fe Christian. Ivan has learned from Parker Football to always do his best. If not for you, then for those around you. Ivan would like to thank all his teachers, as they have helped him grow not just as a student but as a person, his friends for being there whenever he needed help or something as simple as a laugh, his coaches, especially Coach DJ, who has helped shape him into who he is today, his father for always being on his side, and his mother, who has sacrificed way more than he can ever give back for him to be here tonight. 

George Carr plans to go to USC for screenwriting. His favorite memory is doing shotgun drills and West Coast football. He has learned toughness, leadership, and to always have a plan, backup plan, and a backup to his backup plan. George would like to thank his parents for always encouraging him and planning their summers around football. Coach DJ for teaching him countless life lessons he will never forget, Coach Seamus for being someone he looked up to since freshman year, and the other coaches he has had since freshman year. He would also like to thank all the teammates he has had, especially the other seniors he gets to graduate with. 

Naftali Ellis will study Statistics next year and hopes to attend the Air Force Academy like his brother, Gershon. His favorite Parker Football memory was when his friends put up signs for him to cheer him on in the game against Classical. Parker football taught him to “Do it right, do it light, do it wrong, do it long.” Naftali would like to thank his parents, coaches, friends, and teammates for encouraging and cheering him on. 

Jose Estrada Hernandez hopes to attend UC Berkeley next year and major in Chemical Engineering. Jose’s most memorable Parker Football moments are always the first day of a new season. He thinks back to these first uncertain and hesitant hellos when he sees the people they’ve become now. He appreciates the team togetherness developed through shared struggle and success. Everyone begins somewhere, and he is fortunate to have grown along with them on this path. Jose would like to thank his incredible coaches for giving him the opportunity and support to succeed both on and off the field. He has learned valuable lessons in his football experience, facilitated by the coaching staff, that drive personal growth and leadership through hard work and accountability. He thanks his coaches again for the fun, exciting, and meaningful football experience. He would also like to thank his parents and girlfriend, who have been constant streams of support in his football experience. 

Keon Robinson plans to attend SDSU next year and major in civil engineering. His favorite Parker Football moment was any time Coach JD said, “Get on that line and start rolling.” Keon learned how to sacrifice his needs for the team’s sake and develop a greater sense of purpose. He would like to thank Coach DJ for helping him navigate the foreign territory that was Francis Parker as a fellow nerd, a fellow Black Student-Athlete, and a friend he did not know he needed.

GIRLS TENNIS

Kianna Black started playing tennis at Parker in 9th Grade. Her most memorable tennis memory was earning 2nd place in D1 and winning their league in the 2023 season. Kianna has learned about the importance of resiliency and perseverance, as these values are fundamental in ensuring success. She would like to thank her teammates, parents, and Coach Jenna and Spencer. 

Lily Manning's favorite memory is winning her first singles game. All her teammates cheered for her after every point, and she felt like part of the team even though she had just started playing. Tennis has taught Lily never to be afraid to try new things. Lily would like to thank her dad for always supporting her no matter what. "After deciding to play tennis, my dad would take me to open courts by my house, where we would play for hours. He hadn’t touched a racket in years but didn’t hesitate to do so in order to help me. And while it was hard to keep a rally going for over a minute, I was just happy he was there to play with me. Thank you for everything, Dad,” Lily says. She also wants to thank Ellie Lenzen, her best friend, best-supportive-senior-snack-eater, and one-time doubles partner who has always supported her on and off the court.

Ellie Lenzen's favorite memory from Parker Tennis was the first game she ever played. Her teammate, Ella, was light-hearted and helpful and offered to play doubles with her. She experienced the fun of playing a brand-new sport competitively. 

She learned from tennis that school sports can be fun and it's okay to be terrible at something when you’re learning! Joining the tennis team was the best decision she had ever made in her entire life. Ellie would like to thank Lily, who bravely switched with her from Volleyball to tennis their senior year. She wouldn't have had the courage to do it alone. She would like to thank her mom for supporting her transition from volleyball, and Coach Jenna and Spencer, for welcoming her with open arms, and teaching her from near ground zero how to play tennis. Instead of just focusing on the starters, they both actually cared about me getting better, and would even push me to play in matches when I was worried I would just ruin the team's score.

Sophia Namazy started playing tennis at Parker in 7th grade. Her most memorable Parker tennis moment was attending last year’s CIF Finals. The team tied the game, but at the moment, it felt as if they won. She has learned the importance of teamwork and chemistry within a team and would like to thank her coaches, Jenna and Spencer, and her fantastic team! 

STUDENT ATHLETIC TRAINERS

Gavin Davis plans to attend school for nursing next year. His favorite memory was when the ref got a concussion during the football game against Classical Academy. From his time as a student athletic trainer, he has learned how injuries affect the body and how to help heal them effectively. He would like to thank Niki and Kevin for always putting up with the group’s semantics and teaching them valuable techniques in their field.

Alexandria Poate's most memorable moment as a student athletic trainer was running onto the field for the first time with Niki and Kevin. From the art of making ice bags to Kevin’s strict rule about laying down the tape for a proper wrap, Alex has learned that being efficient and precise are valuable traits to have both in the training room and life. 

Cody Walker's favorite memory is when he was talking to Kevin about a huge halibut Mason caught. 

He was surprised to know that Kevin is an even bigger spearfisherman than he is. They spent the rest of the day talking about favorite fishing spots, techniques, and fish. Cody has learned the shin wrap, how to ice injuries, and the shin splint rehab exercises. He would like to thank Kevin and Niki for having a saint-like amount of patience throughout the season. 

BOYS BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Seth Owen Bucholtz's favorite memory was during his freshman year, waking up at 4 a.m. for practice and arriving at school during sunrise. He has learned that patience and repetition are the most important factors in improving at any sport. And you need a team of people who encourage that process in order to have a harmonious group. Seth would most like to thank his older brother for introducing him to all these sports and for driving his passion to play at Parker.

Colin Duncan's favorite memory was playing in the end-of-year draw tournament finals with Andreas in his sophomore year. He has learned the value of hard work and how to be a good teammate and leader. He would like to thank his family for their support, and Coach Q, Coach Herman, Coach Jack, and Coach Alex for being the best coaches, and his teammates and Mario for being the best beach partner I could ask for

Lucas Fosse

Patrick Henderson's favorite Parker Volleyball memory was In 10th grade when they played the annual draw tournament at the end of the year. His partner was a senior who helped him get way better, and they got 3rd place out of all the other teams. He looks forward to every year’s draw tournament, but that year was the best.  He would like to thank his parents and especially his grandparents for showing up to his games regardless of his ranking. He also wants to thank his brother, Garrett, for driving them to games and practices and always offering tips on his game. Finally, Patrick wants to thank Coach Herman for introducing him to the sport all the way back in 7th grade and helping him develop his skills for the last five years.

Luka Kovacevic's favorite memory is during the CIF playoffs when the whole team went out to get a meal before their game, and on the bus on the way back, everyone in the group participated in an acapella rendition of Ice Cube’s “Good Day.” They each sang a different instrumental piece to the song to create a memory of friendship and camaraderie. Luka would like to thank Coach Herman for his inspiring outlook on life, the warm and friendly environment that he has created for all Parker athletes, and the endless wisdom that he effortlessly bestows on the team. As a freshman in volleyball, Owen was treated with open arms by him, and since that day, he believes he deserves all their respect. He trains and tests all of them, not just on the court or in the weight room, but in their minds. A strong outlook and mindset are vital to a phenomenal player, and he is responsible for fostering and developing the greatest versions of ourselves. He is truly unlike any coach I’ve ever had, and we are vastly grateful to have him be a part of our community.

Gary Pace

Mario Vergara-Yanez

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Angelina Allen started playing Volleyball at Parker during her Freshman year. Her most memorable Parker Volleyball moment was Beating Bishops on their senior night or being ranked last in state and still beating the top 2 seeds. From Parker Volleyball, Angelina has learned that a strong team bond is the most important thing. You can have skill, and you can have the best players, but if you don’t have a strong team culture and connection, you can’t win games. Angelina would like to thank her family, especially her mom, for being her #1 supporter. She’d like to thank all the coaches, especially Coach Rodrigo for always putting their 100% effort into coaching. She would also like to thank the trainers, Niki and Kevin, for getting her through her very tough injury.

Courtney Casey started playing volleyball at Parker in 7th Grade. Courtney’s most memorable Parker Volleyball moment was making it to the state finals last year. “I'll never forget when we beat Eastlake in the semi-finals in their gym. It was a total team effort, and we played some of our best volleyball the entire season during that match,” Courtney says. From her experience with Parker Volleyball, Courtney has improved her skills and grown as a player but also as a person. She has learned how to be a leader and how to build strong relationships. Courtney would like to thank her family for being the best support system, her coaches and teachers for helping her grow as a player and a person, and her teammates for making every practice fun and worthwhile and becoming some of her best friends. She will be forever grateful for Francis Parker volleyball!

Tara Duncan started playing Volleyball at Parker in 7th Grade. Her most memorable Parker Volleyball moment is singing with the team on the bus rides back from Vegas. Tara has learned so much from her Parker Volleyball experience and uses the four Cs (committed, connected, character and competitive) to guide her daily life. Most of all, she has learned how each small action that you take has the power to create a bigger legacy that is much more important than any one win or loss. Tara would like to thank Coach Rodrigo for always believing in her and for allowing her to push herself every day at practice, and she would like to thank Coach Ross for every piece of advice she has given her and for being one of her biggest supporters since freshman year. She would also like to thank her teammates for always encouraging her on and off the court and for making every practice fun. Finally, she would like to thank her family for their unwavering support. She would like to thank her parents for always having her back no matter what, her siblings for always making her laugh and peppering with her, and her grandparents for watching the majority of the games and always cheering on the team, even if she wasn't playing. “I love you guys!!” Tara says.

Delaney Golden started playing Volleyball at Parker in 7th Grade. Delaney’s favorite Parker Volleyball memory is Bonding with her teammates at the Hawai'i tournament. Delaney has learned from Parker Volleyball to appreciate the process and enjoy every moment. Delaney would like to thank her parents for always supporting her, her teammates for making every game and practice so fun, and her coaches for teaching her so much. 

Sami Kim started playing volleyball at Parler in 7th grade and will be attending Bates College next year to play volleyball. Her most memorable Parker Volleyball moment is going to Hawai'i with the team. Sami has learned more than just volleyball skills from being on the team. The lessons she has learned have translated into her life off the court and how to work with others toward a common goal. Sami would like to thank her parents, her friends, and all of the coaching staff.

Christina Uebelhoer started playing Volleyball at Parker in 6th grade. Her favorite Parker Volleyball memory is beating Bishops in the fifth set during her sophomore year. Christina has learned so much from Parker volleyball, such as leadership skills and commitment. Christina would like to thank her parents for always supporting her and pushing her to be her best. She wants to thank her sister, Sarah, for always listening to her talk about volleyball and understanding what she was saying when their parents couldn’t keep up with the different terms or systems, and for not only competing with her and pushing her but also being such an amazing teammate both indoors on the parker volleyball team and on the beach. Christina also wants to thank her coaches, Coach Rodrigo, Coach Missy, Coach Sien, and Coach Taylor, for believing in her and coaching her to reach her full potential. 

Daniella Vercollone joined Parker Volleyball during her sophomore year. Daniella’s most memorable Parker Volleyball experience is traveling with the team to Hawaii. “It was an amazing experience getting closer to the team and making memories that will last forever. Whether it was playing or just hanging out in the hotel, we were always having fun,” Daniella says. She has learned what true teamwork and dedication look and feels like and how to work together to accomplish anything from Parker Volleyball. She would like to thank her parents, her sister, and coaches for always supporting and believing in her and her teammates for their endless support, love, and laughter. It has been amazing!

BOYS WATER POLO

Ben Folk started playing Parker Water Polo his freshman year. His most memorable moment was the 5 a.m. practices at Mount Miguel that the team had freshman year. Through Parker water polo, Ben has learned the value of bonding together as a team and the benefits of a healthy dose of competitiveness in his athletic experience. He would like to thank his parents for helping him to discover this sport, as well as, of course, Coach Busby for helping him to grow as a water polo player.

Jameson Johnston started playing water polo in 2021. His most memorable moments were training on the beach with his teammates and playing different sports together as a team. He has learned how to work as a team in things beyond just playing water polo and the importance of making the right decision for yourself and for something greater. He would like to thank his coach who has inspired him to work his hardest and better himself in all facets of life. And, of course, his family, who has always supported him in his experience in water polo.

Liam Phillips started playing water polo at Parker in 2020. His favorite memory was playing paintball with the team. He learned what makes a team successful and that hard work brings great rewards. He would like to thank Sam Busby for his incredible mentorship and dedication to the team. 

BOYS SOCCER

Iain Boyd's favorite soccer memory was when he was called up to varsity his junior year and got shouted out on the team’s Instagram by captain Kian Mehrayin. Iain would like to thank his parents for supporting him throughout his life and the coaching staff for always giving him the opportunity to play and for believing in him throughout high school. Next year, he plans on studying sports management.

Sahir Buch's most memorable Parker soccer memory was in middle school during his 8th-grade year when the team reached the championship game. Although they didn’t win, he was proud of the team and the combined efforts that had gotten them to that point. It served as a great learning experience, even though it was disappointing. Next year, he plans on studying Industrial / Product Design.

George Carr's most memorable Parker soccer moments are the fun games in practice and pregame adventures. George has learned to have fun daily at soccer while working hard and being a good teammate. He would like to thank his parents, coaches, and teammates, who all helped make his soccer experience great! Next year, he plans to attend Emerson to study screenwriting.

 John Jenkins, III's favorite Parker soccer memory was vibing in the room with his team after the game at Hilltop. From his Parker soccer experience, he has learned that victories feel even better when you’ve faced and overcome the challenges in your way. He would like to thank his coaches, teammates, friends, and parents. Next year, he plans on studying biomedical engineering.

Carlo Munafo's most memorable Parker Soccer memory has been the fantastic team culture and chemistry that makes being a part of so fun. He has learned the value of teamwork and going together. Carlo would like to thank his parents for all their support, his coaches for their guidance, and the training staff for helping him to stay healthy.

Liam Matthews's favorite memory was when he and all of his teammates got to hang out in a classroom together after the Hilltop game this season. Through playing soccer at Francis Parker, Liam learned the important values of hard work and teamwork. Liam would like to thank Coach Amani for being a great coach who deeply cares for the team and always gives them the opportunities to become great soccer players season after season by pushing them. He would also like to thank his parents, who encouraged him to keep playing soccer even when he wanted to give up.

Max Matys-Gleason's favorite Parker soccer memory was singing Christmas songs with the team when they were stuck at Hilltop after their game. Max has learned how to be a team player. He would like to thank his parents and all the other seniors for pushing him to play better. Next year, he plans to attend Oregon State or Boulder and study business.

Lucas Olmeta's favorite Parker soccer memory was scoring last year on senior night. During his time on the team, Lucas learned the importance of working hard every day. He would like to thank all the other seniors, his brother Alex for introducing him to soccer, and his parents for always coming to all of his games. Next year, he plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis and double major in data science and business.

Luke Pavelchik's most memorable Parker Soccer moment is bowling pins celebrations. Luke learned from Parker Soccer the importance of short- and long-term commitment to accomplish goals. He would like to thank his friends and family.

Mario Vergara-Yanez's favorite memory from Parker Soccer was being able to play against Bishops at Bishop’s and winning the game. Mario has learned not just to make yourself better but to make you and your team better from the Parker Soccer Program. “Go Together”. He would like to thank all of his coaches for taking the time to teach him a sport he had not played before. Next year, he plans on studying biology.

GIRLS SOCCER

Lizzie Boamah's most memorable Parker Soccer moment was her sophomore year when the team all took a van up to LA to watch the USA Women’s Soccer National Team play. Both her coaches and teammates taught Lizzie how to be a great leader and teammate. Lizzie would like to thank God for blessing her with all that she has. Next, she would like to thank her family, teammates, friends, and teachers, especially Mr. Guess, and her coaches, Zuri, Amani, and Ronnie, for supporting her not only through school but also with her soccer career. Shoutout to her girls, Berit, Caroline, Sami, and Chloe. She doesn’t know what she would do without them. And most importantly, Lizzie is honored to thank her mom and dad for being her rocks, they have pushed her not only to be a better soccer player but a better human.

Sevrin Kaese's favorite Parker soccer memory was winning the Parker Cup this year. She has learned from Parker soccer how to be a good teammate and work toward a common goal. She would like to thank her parents and Coach Zuri. Next year, she plans on studying psychology at Columbia.

Bailey Perry's most memorable Parker soccer memory is from last season when they upset the number one seed, CCA, in the semi-finals of the CIF. It was an intense and close game that they won 1-0 in the rain. She will never forget the referee blowing his whistle, knowing they were going to the CIF Finals. Bailey has learned so much from her Parker soccer experience but the first being the importance of unity and teamwork. She would like to thank her parents for their unwavering support and encouragement all these years, Coach Zuri for her mentorship and belief in her abilities, and her teammates who stood by her through wins and losses.

Kaylee Smith started playing soccer in middle school. Her favorite Parker soccer memory was junior year when Spez scored versus Bishops to win off a counterattack during the last play of the game. She has learned from Parker Soccer to lead and be a part of a team while still maintaining the magic of her relationships with her coaches, teammates, and friends. She would like to thank her family for coming to every game in the freezing cold, her teammates for always supporting each other and becoming some of her favorite people to be around, and Coach Zuri and Coach Ronnie for the confidence they’ve had in her because it has completely changed how she sees herself and her high school sports experience. Next year, she plans on playing soccer at Santa Clara and studying biology.

BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL

Kamran DuBois's favorite Parker basketball memory is building connections with teammates both on and off the court and has served as the driving force that enabled him to develop some of his most cherished friendships. Kamran has learned that consistency is key to success and that you should be bettering yourself every day, even when you don't feel like it. He has also learned that being able to play this amazing sport surrounded by amazing people is not something that should be taken for granted. Kamran would like to thank his parents for everything they have done for him and for pushing him to be the best version of himself every day. He would also like to thank all of his coaches and trainers for pushing him, giving him confidence, and not giving up on him. Lastly, thank you to the school for allowing him to play basketball at such an amazing place. He couldn’t ask for a better academic and athletic experience. Kamran plans to attend Colorado College next year.

Kiyan Antia's favorite Parker basketball memory was when they played Monte Vista at the Holiday Classic his junior year. From his Parker basketball experience, he has learned the importance of togetherness and passion in everyday life. Kiyan would like to thank his family for their unwavering sacrifice in providing him with the resources and ability to enjoy this sport for the past 15 years of his life. He is so grateful for the support from his friends over the years; the number of people who have shown up this year is amazing. He would like to specifically thank Ms A. for always being there for him and everyone else. He would like to thank all the security guards who let him in over the years on weekends or at 6 in the morning. Finally, he would like to thank all of the coaches who have been there for his journey. From Coach Tomey to Coach Roy, Matt and Benga, Coach Tito and Coach Mason! Finally, he would like to thank all of the teammates he has had over the years who he was always able to form a brotherhood with.

Julia Mauer's favorite memory is the hours she spent with her teammates on the court, in the weight room, on the bus, and just during the school day. From door-dashing ice cream to the hotel to making funny TikToks, they never fail to make her laugh. Julia has learned how to push herself to work hard every day and the self-discipline and mental toughness needed to succeed. She would like to thank her friends and teammates for celebrating the wins with her and supporting each other through the challenging games and practices. She also wants to thank Coach Courtney for teaching her resilience and leadership skills. Finally, she wants to thank her family for all the support and love they have given her. Next year, she plans to study political science.

Reese Reckles' favorite memory was hanging out every night with the team in Oakland. Through Parker basketball, Reese has grown as a leader and learned that you can always reach a higher level with the right mindset, effort and team chemistry. Reese would like to thank her coaches for constantly pushing her to go harder and guiding her through challenges these past three years. She would also like to thank her teammates for making these last few years so memorable. And lastly, her parents for driving her to and from practices, coming to every game, and being a constant support system. Next year, she plans to study Neuroscience and Psychology.

GIRLS WATER POLO

Sydney Kroonen's favorite memory was making it to the CIF finals during her sophomore year. Sydney has learned from Parker Water Polo to trust the work you have done. She would like to thank her teammates, coaches, family, and especially her dad for being her #1 supporter on deck. Next year, she plans to attend Scripps College. 

Evie MacGregor's favorite water polo memory was winning the Saddleback Tournament, especially because it was the first time in program history to travel out of San Diego. Playing on the Parker Water Polo team has taught her how capable she is to take on a challenge and the importance of being patient with herself—even when experiencing temporary frustration or setbacks. Evie would like to thank her mom, who has been her biggest supporter these past three years, as well as her Parker Water Polo family. In her time at Parker, she has never experienced a team environment as special as Parker Girls Water Polo. Next year, Evie hopes to end up studying sociology or cognitive science on the East Coast. 

Arianna Mertens started playing water polo in her freshman year and has learned teamwork and work ethic. Her most memorable Parker Water Polo moments are the team bus rides. She would like to thank her coaches, teammates, and family for their endless support. Next year, she plans to play water polo at Bucknell University and study psychology.

Eden Smith's most memorable Parker memory was the CIF quarterfinals sophomore year when she had to substitute a teammate who was removed from the game. Having only played water polo for two months, she went into the pool, almost in tears, and played. While it was one of the hardest games of her life, she stuck with it, gave it her all, and they ended up winning that game by one point. Her Parker Water Polo experience has taught her about hard work and taking chances while putting her in positions where she can handle physical and mental pressures. She would like to thank her parents for coming to support her at games, her little sister for joining her in the pool, and her teammates for constantly pushing her and being so supportive. She would also like to thank her fellow seniors and Coach Busby! Next year, she plans to study biochemical engineering.