My name is Shawn Parker. I was born at SHAW Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina to Eddie and Vinetta Parker. I am the firstborn of their three sons. My early education was obtained primarily at West Chatham Elementary School. My mother wanted to challenge me academically so she subsequently enrolled me in a private school known as Savannah Christian Preparatory School. This is where I learned about the assumptions regarding the ability of a young African American male's ability to learn. Even though I exceeded everyone's expectations my mother believe I still needed to be challenged and have my horizons expanded so I was home schooled, until it was time for me to enter High School. While I was home schooled I was afforded the opportunity to help with my younger brothers' education. As a result, they have reinforced my ability to be resolute in my thinking yet compassionate in my interactions. Interestingly my increased interactions with them prepared me for the new opportunities that awaited me at New Hampstead High School.
My varied educational opportunities allowed me to be the first award and laptop recipient of the New Hampstead High School "Laptops for Learning" program. Currently I am enrolled within two A.P. classes and my third foreign language class. In addition, I have been selected by the faculty, for the last two consecutive years, to participate in the Foreign Language Association of Georgia contest as my school’s foreign language department representative. It seems as though, I have been blessed with the ability to be a leader, even though I am a young man of very few words. Perhaps, its because I understand the weight of my words and their ability to inspire, build up, or to tear down. As a result, I prefer to write verses of poetry, or short stories to inspire others and to provoke others think and view life from a different perspective. In fact, I have had two of my poems published within a Christian book, which was recently released in August 2014.
My other hobbies include singing, listening to music, playing the piano, and writing musical lyrics. I believe music has the ability to pierce the heavens and to restore the wearied soul. At night when I am star gazing, I genuinely believe the music that I have been aspired to release transcends the boundaries of time as it spans into the depths of the universe. My interest includes learning about how music's limitless chords can affect the inter-workings of the human anatomy. My family and friends consider me to be a renaissance man because I also enjoy volunteering in different capacities within my community. For example, my non-profit and community service work experience includes logistics, assisting with the construction of instructional platforms, teaching classes, and assisting with the planning of the dietary needs of youth ranging between the ages of 4 to 14. Coincidentally, I am convinced that my hobbies and interests are an unforgettable collaboration preparing me for my future work with the nation's youth.
Current Whereabouts:
I prefer to write verses of poetry, or short stories to inspire others and to provoke others think and view life from a different perspective.
Life & Professional Aspirations:
My immediate career goal is to become a Pediatric Audiologist. As a kid, I remember being terrified when the anesthesiologist, had to put me to sleep during a procedure to remove a penny. As a Pediatric Audiologist, I want to use my love of music in an innovative way to help calm the fears of other terrified children. By doing so I believe I can encourage their bodies to begin the healing process during the surgery by lulling the body into a state of rest. Medicine and music are both healing instruments and I intend to be one of its conduits to bind them together to restore the next generation.
High School: New Hampstead High School in Bloomingdale, GA
class of 2016
Activities & Accomplishments:
Junior Achievement Program Award Recipient New Hampstead High School
-Only 20 out 500 students selected.
-Gave a presentation on the benefits and opportunities of entrepreneurial-ship.
(25 stude
Best Memories:
Serving meals for homeless youth. Giving back through Community service and volunteerism are investments that my family strongly believes in because of my dad and his siblings’ childhood struggles. I will never forget when my dad told me, he and his two siblings were the recipients of the Angel tree Program because their dad was incarcerated. My aunt has even shared several stories about their two occasions of homelessness. As a result of their childhood my dad and aunt ensure our family is constantly involved in a community activity or my aunt’s non-profit for homeless youth.
Prior to working with my aunt, I had never even considered the possibility of a homeless youth shelter in Atlanta, GA. I always assumed that Atlanta was one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, and is even home to the most expensive zip code in the country! There couldn’t possibly be as many homeless youth in the city as to even warrant a homeless shelter…right?
I stood corrected as we walked the streets handing our food and clothing. I spoke to some nearby employees, and learned that all of their beds were filled to capacity since they opened, they are always turning away people, and that a great number of the CHILDREN we would be serving tonight were only there for a warm meal despite not having a place to sleep for the night. It made me think of my warm bed and food at home and suddenly I understood what my dad was saying when he would say, “To whom much is given, much is required.” That statement is much more than just a Bible verse; it is my responsibility.
