Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction.
By Stacey A. Shannon—
DALEVILLE, IN—Throughout his time at Daleville Junior/Senior High School, Logan Parker has pushed himself to grow and develop leadership skills. The high school senior has succeeded with his involvement in sports, student media and a variety of advisory councils.
Parker played basketball all four years of high school. He was on track team for three of his four years, only missing a year due to injury. Off the field, Parker has served on student council, spent the past two years on athletic council and was selected to be part of the superintendent student advisory council this school year.
Principal Jeremy Gondol said students apply for the newly formed advisory council. The council members meet monthly with administration and serve as school ambassadors.
“They are instrumental in sharing their thoughts and ideas on different topics as well as some of their own interests with the superintendent and myself,” Gondol said. “They are kind of shaping the future of student experience here at Daleville Junior/Senior High School.”
For Parker, being part of the superintendent advisory council allows him to speak up and look out for his fellow classmates.
“I feel like I can help other people in some sort of way,” he said.
Additionally, Parker has also shaped the current student experience at his school by being part of student media and filming the news. All his activities have helped him improve personally as well.
“I’ve tried to learn how to interact better with other people and try to force myself to be more outgoing,” he said. “I want to develop myself a little bit more.”
Parker has seen his efforts pay off during his senior year. He said positive interactions with different people have opened doors for him.
“I just feel like everything I’ve been trying to work for is starting to come together a lot more this senior year,” he said. “It’s like all the small things is what I’m [most] proud of.”
Small habits have played a big role in Parker’s academic and athletic success. He said he stays focused on the task at hand while he’s working on it. During sports practices, for example, he concentrates on that sport only and puts schoolwork and other things out of his mind.
“I prioritize what I’m working on at the moment and then on to the next thing,” Parker said.
The next thing after high school is college. Though Parker has been accepted to Ball State University where he considered studying finance, his plan has shifted. He now plans to attend Vincennes University for an Associate of Science degree in Law Enforcement, Conservation. He plans to become a conservation officer or game warden for the state.
“It’s everything I like,” Parker said, mentioning his lifelong love of being outdoors hunting and fishing. “I like working by myself, having authority and having to work at something.”
Parker said he was inspired to pursue this career path in part by a weeklong camp he did during middle school that was run by state conservation officers who held themselves well.
As his days at Daleville Junior/Senior High School come to an end, Parker encourages younger students to get involved at school. He said during middle school, he didn’t participate in extracurriculars but decided to change that in high school. He’s signed up for activities he wasn’t even sure about and ended up enjoying.
“It’s helped me grow,” he said. “It’s helped me meet new people. It’s put me in positions where people can help me, [and] I can help them. It has allowed me to grow in every which way.”
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