Marie Parker, a 17-year-old junior at San Andreas High School,
was recently recognized by the Hollister Rotary Club for her
continuing academic achievement as well as her leadership role at
the school.
Marie Parker, a 17-year-old junior at San Andreas High School, was recently recognized by the Hollister Rotary Club for her continuing academic achievement as well as her leadership role at the school.
“She’s very responsible and very helpful – not only to teachers but to other students,” said Peter Munoz-Cowan, Marie’s geometry and history teacher. “As a young person, she’s outstanding in that way.”
Parker, whose effervescent and friendly personality shines through upon first meeting, said she likes to stay busy – one of the main reasons she is always offering teachers her help.
“When I finish my work, I always offer to help the teacher. I say, ‘Give me something more, give me more.’ I can’t just sit there and vegetate: I always want to learn more,” Parker said.
Parker said she felt encouraged to excel by the faculty at San Andreas.
She transferred to the alternative high school after her sophomore year. Coming from Cienega, the small rural school, she said she felt lost among the large student body at San Benito High School. Parker said the one-on-one teaching at San Andreas High School helped her improve her grades and excel academically.
“The teachers here care about your personal problems and they want to help you,” Parker said.
On top of her academic work, Parker likes to help around her house, taking care of her family and numerous animals.
Munoz-Cowan said another of the reasons Parker was recognized by Rotary was for her ability to juggle helping out at home with her schoolwork.
“She’s one of our best students,” Munoz-Cowan said. “Some of her adversities – she has to overcome that, and still be doing great in school.”
