ROCKINGHAM — Eighth-grader Ashtyn Parker has been selected as the Richmond Observer’s first Teen of the Month.
Parker was one of 10 students submitted for the accolade by family members, family friends and school personnel.
“She’s always had a heart for others,” said school counselor Anna Odom. “In kindergarten, she stood up to the class bully who was picking on their classmate, gave all of her toys away to another classmate, and by the fourth grade, she was trying to earn her own money to buy groceries for the homeless.”
More recently, Odom said Parker continues “to put others’ needs above her own.”
“Cordova Middle School has deemed each Friday during this school closure as “FLEX Friday,” Odom said. “Which means that Fridays are not necessarily about academics, but a day that our school wanted to designate for family time, exploring interests, creating something, playing outside or connecting with teachers and peers. Ashtyn spent her first FLEX Friday sewing masks for health care workers and others who serve our community despite the risks.”
Teacher Toni Maples, who also submitted an entry for Parker, said that the student “is involved in her community, always willing to help others, puts others before herself, takes the initiative to learn more than what is expected, goes above and beyond as a student, friend, and peer.”
Maples, too, mentioned Parker’s mask-making.
“She’s always thinking about others and what she can do to help in the community.”
The other teens nominated were Carley Lambeth, Cameron Jacobs, Chris White, Gavin Lee Taylor, Jackson Greene, Maggi King, Kailey Danielle Thompson, Elizabeth Ollis and Ryelan Lyerly.
