September 2008
Hi everyone, it has been awhile since I have last written, so I wanted to update everyone on what is new with me. I recently moved back to Cleveland, Ohio and I am back training with my former coach, Carol Heiss-Jenkins. I am also working with Roberta Mitchell. This change was a difficult decision for me, but one I felt was needed. Most of my success was achieved with Carol as my coach, and in my time away from working with her, I realized how much I missed working with her and how much of an impact she has had on me and my skating abilities.
So, now I am busy preparing for my upcoming competitions and shows. I just got back from Skate for Hope in Columbus, Ohio and had wonderful experiences that I will never forget. I had the opportunity to skate live to an up and coming singer, Jenny Alu, who sang “A New Day Has Come” by Celine Dion. It was a very emotional performance for me as I skated in dedication of a good friend, Lisa Okada, who is a breast cancer survivor.
I will be performing again next weekend in Arlington, Virginia with the Michael Weiss Foundation show. It should be a fantastic event with many past Olympic and World Champions performing.
I am also planning on starting school in October at Baldwin-Wallace College. So, I will certainly be keeping busy, that's for sure. Thanks for coming to my site and be sure to check back soon for new updates! Ciao!
--Parker
April 2008
Hey everyone, I just directed and produced my very first skating show, which benefited the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It was held April 12th in Newington, Connecticut. In addition to the show, we had a silent auction and a meet and greet with the skaters. We have raised over $20,000 so far. We had guest skaters Dan Hollander, Emily Hughes, Tommy Steenberg, Stephanie Rosenthal, Colin Pennington, and myself. Many others performed as well, including skaters whose family members have been afflicted by Muscular Dystrophy. Skaters traveled from six different states to perform in the show. All in all, the show was a huge success.
Doing this show was a truly amazing experience. Getting to do it from a different viewpoint (that is, directing and producing), was like nothing I have ever done and I totally loved it. I did a dedication to my Dad that I personally read right before I skated. I was all choked up and really had a hard time keeping my composure to avoid breaking down and crying. It was my most emotional performance ever. I totally skated from the heart and the freedom it gave me was out of this world. I will cherish that memory for the rest of my life. It was one of my life's greatest experiences thus far. And, I hope that through my skating I was able to connect and touch others. I can't wait to have the opportunity to do the show again. The way everyone united for the cause was just an incredible thing to witness and be a part of.
--Parker
January 2008
Hi everyone. As many of you know, Nationals is coming up next week and I am getting really excited for it. My training has been going very well, and this is the time where my training tapers a bit. Less skating … just getting my work done (run throughs), and going over a few small adjustments here and there. I am also giving a little time to explore my creative side doing some interpretative. The main thing for me this week leading up to Nationals is to just keep myself somewhat occupied, but also have plenty of down time.
In my spare time off the ice I have been busy putting together a benefit ice show to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association which will be held in Cromwell, Connecticut on April 12, 2008. I became interested in helping out the MD association in any way I could when my dad was diagnosed with MD about five years ago. It has been a huge obstacle for him, but all along he has kept his spirits and wits about him--never showing signs of weakness in who he is as a person. His strength through all of this has been a true inspiration for me.
And, I would just like to be able to give other people with MD all the help and support they need. I will be putting up a flyer on my web site shortly and anyone who would like to donate it would be greatly appreciated. This is my first time putting together an ice show, and it has been a wonderful experience so far.
I am also mixing in some time to just relax, so I have been catching up on Season 6 of the tv show 24. I am also getting excited for LOST, which comes back in a few weeks.
Well, that is about all that is new with me. Be sure to check back in a few weeks, after Nationals. Take care and thanks for visiting my site!
--Parker