Belonging at Parker

Going into the winter break, Girls Soccer Head Coach Zuri Walker’s goal was to create a meaningful volunteer experience that would give back to the local Linda Vista community. Through a connection with the Alex Morgan Foundation—facilitated by one of the Parker Girls Soccer program parents, Laura Stein—the team was able to secure a generous donation of soccer gear. With this support, a Sunday Clinic was organized, inviting local families from Linda Vista to join in a day of play and connection with the team.

The clinic welcomed youth ages 5-12. One of the most striking aspects of the event for Zuri was the deep appreciation from community members for the opportunity to participate and play on a "real field." Some youth in the area do not have access to well-maintained fields, making it an exciting experience for them to play on a campus with facilities like Parker has. 

The clinic also played a meaningful role in fostering connections between Parker and the surrounding community. Local families had the chance to engage with Parker in a welcoming and inclusive environment, allowing them to experience the school’s values of collaboration and learning. This event encouraged a sense of belonging and inspired families to explore new possibilities.  

“For me, being a Linda Vista native…it is important to intentionally give back to the community, break down barriers, and build relationships with our neighbors," said Zuri, "For my girls, I wanted them to find avenues to connect with the neighborhood that they drive through every day and develop their leadership and coaching skills. We go on global trips to connect with the world, why not do the same and connect with our immediate community through soccer?”

Soccer has long been known as a sport that unifies all different kinds of people and Zuri said it “was special to see it work its magic” at this event. 

Varsity Girls Soccer player Cadence Mason, Class of 2025, echoed this sentiment. “Getting the opportunity to train and teach kids who call Linda Vista their home through the sport that has provided me with so much was very fulfilling and especially heartwarming, seeing the excitement on all of their faces,” Cadence shared, “I think it's important to do community outreach events because it allows you to be immersed with others within your community, and aids in removing barriers of disconnection.”

A lot of gratitude was expressed for the Alex Morgan Foundation’s donation of soccer gear. For some families, purchasing cleats and other necessary equipment can be a financial challenge. “It was special to see the players put on cleats and know that this could be something that opens a door for many more opportunities in soccer or academics,” Zuri said. 

Overall, the clinic was more than just a day of play–it was a meaningful step toward fostering a more inclusive and connected community at Parker.
 

As part of a recent Wellness Wednesday event, five Upper School Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) representatives visited the Lower School to discuss the importance of sportsmanship with Grade 4 and 5 students. Organized by Lower School Counselor Tracy Horrex, the visit provided younger students with the opportunity to learn from older athletes they look up to. 

Wellness Wednesdays offer students the chance to explore and practice different social-emotional skills such as mindfulness, self-management, or responsible decision-making. Hosted throughout the year by the Counseling Teams on both of Parker’s campuses at least once a month, Wellness Wednesdays helps foster a positive and supportive school environment. 

“When I had the idea to have a "sportsmanship" theme, I knew I wanted to get creative in how the message was delivered,” Tracy explained. “Being able to partner with SAAC students allowed for an engaging (and most importantly fun!) activity. Whether you're a high-level competitive athlete or just love to run around with friends at recess, practicing communication, mind-body connection, and emotional regulation is integral to lifelong wellness.”

Before heading out to the field to meet with Lower School students, SAAC members met with Tracy to discuss how emotions can run high in sports, especially for younger athletes just beginning to navigate the world of competitive athletics. The SAAC students were eager to help guide younger athletes by sharing their experiences and advice on managing emotions and fostering good sportsmanship.
 

Each Upper School athlete was paired with a small group of Lower School students, creating meaningful conversations about sportsmanship.  “The way that I try to explain sportsmanship to them is that it means keeping the positive attitude and keeping the energy that's going to make sure that you have fun. Because ultimately that's the most important,” said Carson Stoddard, Class of 2025. 

“Sportsmanship is maintaining respect for the people that you're playing the game with, whether that's your opponent or your teammates, and making sure that your outward energy is overall positive,” said Olivia Urso, Class of 2026.

Following their conversations, students took to the field for a game of Capture the Flag, renamed “Capture the Rock,” in which students could apply the lessons they had just learned in a fun and competitive setting.

For the Lower School students, interacting with Upper School athletes was both exciting and inspiring. “We were able to relate to the Upper School students, which for me is fun because I play soccer, and having a high school soccer player to look up to is really special. I like being able to see how far they get to go with it,” said Reese Sullivan, Class of 2032. 

Charlotte Drummond, Class of 2033, shared a similar sentiment: “I really liked the opportunity to engage with other students who were similar to us. Seeing the same passion for sports was awesome.” 

“It can be inspiring for Lower School students to see athletes pursuing sports at a higher level, and it can encourage them to do the same thing,” added Olivia. “And some of the girls that were in my group were softball players, so I hope talking to them about it encourages them to keep pursuing it.”

With this successful collaboration, the SAAC and the Lower School look forward to continuing to foster connections that encourage leadership and sportsmanship. “They really look up to us. I didn't go to Lower School [at Parker], but everybody I know who did tells me the same thing…that when they were in Lower School, they looked up to all the older kids…they were celebrities to them. If we can set those examples, then when they get to our age, they'll do the same thing,” Carson shared. Building these connections helps students develop a sense of belonging within Parker’s sports programs as they transition to Middle and Upper School while also fostering strong, positive team dynamics.