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Parker Family Legacy coming to an end

USTA-Nevada Scholars Athlete of the year - Brandon Parker
Brandon Parker wins high school State Championship

Brandon Parker capped off a remarkable junior tennis carer by winning this years state high school championship. Parker has already won the doubles twice, team 3 times and now completes the grandslam with a singles State title.

Further, this year USTA-Nevada has awarded Brandon the 2008-2009 Scholar-Athlete Award. Brandon is a member of the national honors society, captain of his tennis team, 4 year scholar athlete, has a GPA of 4.8, is ranked #1 in his class of 650 students, is an eagle scout, volunteers for Opportunity Village, Operation Smile, was awarded the Summerlin Children's Forum=2 0Student of the Year Award, Summerlin Children's Forum and there is more.

"Brandon is a great tennis player with the potential to do extremely well in college. He already has a college style game," his father explained. "More importantly, Brandon is a great young man. He is well founded in the principles of integrity, kindness, compassion, virtue, and diligence in making good choices. He is a great example to our family."

As a tennis player he is the top ranked 18 and under boy in the state of Nevada with a ranking high of #80 in the United States. Brandon has won countless national tournaments including this past summers sectional championships, the "Duel in the Desert National level 5 run by Clark H ancock, and has wins against players top 20 in the nation. Just recently at the Mike Agassi "NO QUIT" National he barely lost to the #1 seed and #10 player in the USA 6-4, 6-4.

"Brandon is the exact type of child we like to hold up as an example, because he is well rounded and has excelled in everything he has put his hands on," said USTA-Nevada Executive Director Ryan Wolfington. "Now a days the worst children are being held up as heroes on tv when in fact, it is children like Brandon who will go on to do amazing things, in part because tennis, school, family and his faith have set him in the right direction."

After 35 years of Nevada State tennis tradition, the Parke r family will see their last high school tennis season as their child Brandon plays his last season for the Palo Verde Tennis team.

Consider that the Patriarch Dr. Jeff Parker played the state High school championship as a student at Clark High School 1970 to 1973, his oldest two daughters Jamie and Kimberly took Cimmeron to the state finals every year they played, with Jamie went on to play at BYU as a special recipient of the Gordon B. Hinckley Scholarship for scholarship for academics, athletics, service and leadership. Their oldest son Cameron won the State Championship twice and now plays for Harvard University. Brandon, a two time state champion in doubles and part of two Palo Verde Championship teams is in his last of 4 years at the school, where he has been ranked #1 in his class academically since freshman year.

"My last child in tennis," said Mrs. Parker, who explained how much tennis has meant to their family. "It teaches so many life lessons and it is such a great way to be with family and friends, we will miss it."

The Parker family has been at tennis outings, tournaments and the perennial state tournament as far back as anyone can remember.

"What makes the Parkers special, is their children were not only among the best in the nation at tennis, but were extraordinary in so many others areas," explained Wolfington. "Academically always #1 in their class, in matters of character and service to the community there is not one child that had a better overall performance then these children."

As Mormons the Parker children lived up to their faith when it was not easy, getting up daily at 5am to do seminary, then going to school, training for hours after school, only later to finish the day by doing homework all night. "And the most amazing part is they found time to do community service, fulfill family obligations, all while competing at a national level against players that are often homeschooled and one dimensional, " said Wolfington.

The Parkers now look to college and possibly some grandchildren to continue the tennis tradition but it may be a long time coming before another Parker brings home a State Championship.

"We will miss them, their involvement and example around here, but will take great pride and interest to see where these children end up," said Wolfington. "I always said one of them will be President, or something of that magnitude. That is how extraordinary they are."