Senior Eastyn Parker was born and raised in beautiful Sheridan, Wyo. Her goal for her last year at SHS is to really embrace the high school spirit before she leaves. She is an active member of the SHS community, participating in volleyball, and attending as many school events as she can. After high school, Parker would like to study pre-med to become an Obstetrician Gynecologist also known as an OB-GYN, but has not chosen a school to attend yet. Even so, she is determined to choose a school very soon. Parker’s first choice would be Tennessee. To prepare herself for the tough years of school that await her, she has taken Emergency Medical Response, Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Seminar Biology, Introduction to Health and Occupations, and many other medical-related classes. She also has her certified nursing assistant certification.
Stephine Penrose had Parker as a student in Human Biology (Anatomy and Physyaligoly. ”She was awesome,” said Penrose. “She was always very engaged, always asking deeper leveled questions during class, medical lectures, and on field trips.” She was someone who could work with any group. Parker was Penrose’s go-to person and had a very outgoing and charismatic personality. She was a student who could stay focused. ”Eastyn was always able to redirect the energy into a focused way,” said Penrose, asserting that Parker is an excellent leader in the classroom.
Parker seems very serious about the game and very focused when Penrose watched her play volleyball. She was very cohesive, and she wanted everybody to stick together. Parker was always cheering on her teammates and saying something along the lines of “That’s okay, you got the next one” and trying to be a supportive teammate. Something that sticks out to Penrose about Parker is that she is not selfish and thinks of others’ success before her own. She keeps everyone engaged and is a next-level student. “Eastyn juggles a really complicated school schedule and she does it with ease. Always has a smile on her face when she’s walking in the hallway, says hi to people, and goes out of her way to make time for others,” said Penrose.
This is Parker’s last year as a player of the SHS Lady Broncs Volleyball team. She started volleyball when she was in fifth grade after being inspired by her older Morgan Parker
. Parker loved watching the sport, and it looked like a blast and knew she wanted to be a part of the sport. Parker also has a love for basketball. “I actually transitioned from basketball; I always liked basketball better but I tried volleyball and loved it,” Parker said.
A great way to prepare for a game is for a long and intense week of practice before the day of the event. Parker enjoys going over the film and rotations from past games to see what could be improved, ensuring she is the best she can be. On the day of the game, Parker stayed with the team and built that teamwork pre-game. Volleyball is a sport where teamwork plays a crucial role in the game. Without teamwork, there is very little hope for success. “Last year, we had a really bad record and played Natrona and ended up beating them in five sets on their senior night, which is sick,” said Parker about her favorite memory from volleyball. Overall, Parker is sad for volleyball to be over, yet she feels good about everything she has accomplished with the sport.
Apart from her sister, Parker’s parents are also some of her biggest influences, specifically her father for sports, but both her parents share similar qualities of hard work and setting a good example. Parker has a very good relationship with her parents because of the good influences they have imprinted on her. Parker also has a close relationship with both of her siblings.
Alyvia Cooper is a senior and is one of Parker’s best friends. They began their friendship during pre-school at the YMCA. Some qualities that Parker displays are being a good listener, being kind, and being fun to be around which make her a good friend. ”Getting ready for rodeo week at my house and driving around listening to country music and going to the street dances,“ said Cooper, about a fun memory that she will always remember with Parker. When Cooper watches Parker play the sport of volleyball, she loves playing the game and being a team, but the practices aren’t her favorite, is what Cooper said about watching Parker play. Altogether, Cooper said she is a really hard worker, smart, cares about her academics, and is a great friend.
Parker is the daughter of Shane and Heidi Parker.