Desiree Parker '18 Recruiting Profile

    As a true Nutmegger, born and raised in Connecticut, I am a natural leader just like John Fiske, the main idealist behind the Constitution ergo our other nickname- the “Constitution State.” Whether in the classroom or on the court anyone can testify that I take a leadership role in everything I do in things as small as leading a class discussion or rallying my teammates to take a 3-2 win over one of our toughest opponents in the NEPSAC Semi Final match. Teachers and coaches often remark that while watching our games, you can feel my energy on the court and that I was a great addition to the varsity team this year. You can always find me encouraging my teammates and calling every ball during the play. Although I have not assumed an official authority role on the volleyball team yet, I believe my leadership makes a difference in the way we play as a team.

    I believe that I will be a great candidate for any college team because along with my leading skills, I am also a great learner. As a middle child between two sisters, I understand the importance of teamwork and the ability to turn unfortunate experiences into good ones. I am very coachable and constantly picking up things from my teammates. I’ve seen older sister comeback from an injury that should’ve ended her basketball career but she was determined to get back on the court and recently started for her D1 basketball team. I hope to embody her passion every time I step on the volleyball court.

    Outside of volleyball, I am captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team, ambassador for my school, president of both my youth usher and choir boards at church, and take a major leadership role in my community. Three years ago I founded the Science and Me, or “S.A.M.” Club summer program which has been running for the past two summers. S.A.M. provides a chance for inner city middle school youth to learn, research, and present job opportunities in fields of science that they would not have been exposed to until high school or even college. At the end of the program, each one of our students is presented with an electronic tablet, giving them access to the internet and continue their quest for knowledge. This program has been a very rewarding experience for me and hope to continue to contribute to my community for years to come.

    I am an honors student with a 3.64 weighted GPA and take my education very seriously. Whichever college I attend will never have to worry about me being in academic trouble because I push myself to do my very best in the classroom and understand that education comes first. For all of these reasons, I firmly believe that I am a top choice for any collegiate volleyball program.