Class of 2023 Co-Salutatorian Sydney Parke is set to attend the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology following her four years at DHS to major in physics or engineering. Parke has accomplished much during her DHS career and leaves behind an impressive legacy. 

Parke transitioned from middle school to high school smoothly. She joined the high school band as a tuba player and Debate Club. While participating in these activities, she was able to meet upperclassmen who were "a lot of fun to be with."  When it came to academics, she really enjoyed English class with Ms. Rocha, who focused on valuable grammar and writing skills.

When her freshman year was cut abruptly short by the COVID-19 pandemic, Parke continued to keep busy, whether it was FaceTiming with friends, baking, or going on hikes with her mom and sister. She adjusted quickly to school online at the beginning of her sophomore year. She joined the soccer program at DHS as well as winter percussion. 

Entering her junior year, Parke was kept busy with her academics, as there was a demanding workload. However, she continued to work hard, expressing interest in the physics and computer science fields.

The summer before her senior year, she participated in a week-long program called “Girls Who Code.” This organization aims to increase the number of women in computer science. Parke has also been an avid participant in the program “Future Problem Solving Program International.'' She joined this program in fourth grade and continued up through her senior year. She has greatly enjoyed thinking through different global issues and how to solve them with a team and has qualified for international competitions in the past.

Music is a huge part of her life, and before entering senior year she attended the “Boston University Tanglewood Institute Tuba and Euphonium Workshop,” where she was able to play alongside a lot of really talented musicians. Parke has immersed herself in programs both inside and outside of school. She has been a part of a group called the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble at the New England Conservatory. This was a great opportunity for her, as she would go to Boston every week to rehearse alongside other talented musicians. Additionally, she auditioned for and was accepted into the All-State band this year. 

Parke’s determination has not gone without recognition, and she has received an impressive assortment of awards based on her achievements. In her sophomore year, she received the prestigious John Phillips Sousa Award for superior musicianship. During her junior year, she won the Dartmouth Book Award and Rensselaer Medal Awards for academic achievement, and the Fine Arts Academic Achievement Award. Senior year, she tied for a Fine Arts Seniorship Award and received an award for a Math Works competition as well. 

Parke has demonstrated leadership in a number of ways during her high school career. In her junior year, she was treasurer of DHS Tri M, the DHS Music Honor Society; and her senior year, vice president. She was a Debate Club co-captain for both her junior and senior years. Additionally, following several changes in teachers for the band, Parke and two other students took it upon themselves to direct the DHS band in the beginning of their senior year. These students would give up studies and spend time outside of school to find and print sheet music that would work for the band and then played those pieces with the group. “It was a lot of work, but we were able to keep the band going and everyone showed up to class,” she says.

In her four years at DHS, Parke has excelled academically despite taking very rigorous classes, receiving Superior Honors all four years of her DHS career.  Her favorite class was, by far, AP Calculus, which she took her senior year with Mrs. Holloran. Parke credits her as the best teacher she's ever had -- thanks to her teaching, she went into the AP exam confident and prepared. She described the class as a "community" and "an overall positive experience."

Parke is looking at studying mechanical or aerospace engineering, both of which she could apply her knowledge of physics. As a child, she always told others she wanted to be an astronaut when she grew up. She still hopes to work for NASA one day, but instead is considering a different path. 

Parke watched the movie Hidden Figures when it came out in 2017--a story about a group of women mathematicians who worked with NASA during early U.S. space missions. Seeing these amazing women have a crucial role was a big moment for her: “I pointed at the screen and said, that’s what I want to do.”

When recalling the college admission process, Parke’s biggest advice was to highlight personality and come across as an actual person in applications. She paid extra attention to her essays and supplementals when applying, and put time and dedication towards activities outside of school.  For her, MIT had always been a dream school, but one she didn’t expect to get into: “When I received the acceptance email, I was in such shock I refreshed it ten times expecting a change." She is looking forward to her upcoming years at MIT and is already preparing for the classes she will be taking. This summer, she plans to spend her time both working and hanging out with her friends.

Parke's biggest motivator is her best friend, Lily Hyde. They  have been best friends since the third grade, and the two participated in many of the same activities. The pair have constantly pushed each other, and Parke credits that competition to allowing her to achieve more at the highest level. She would also like to thank her mom and dad for always supporting her and for driving her around everywhere.

When asked about her favorite senior-year memory, she thought for a moment and responded with: “It’s one thing to get into your top choice college and be super excited about it, but it’s another thing when you believe in your friend and they don’t think they can get in, but then they do and it’s just so exciting!” 

Her advice to the students at DHS: "Don’t worry too much about grades. It’s great to do well in school, but it’s not the end of the world if you’re struggling a bit. Everyone takes a different path in high school, but at the end of the day, we’re all there, graduating together."

Sydney Parke's academic and musical achievements are an impressive feat, and one is left wondering how she was able to accomplish so much in a mere four years, despite beginning high school with a pandemic. Her determination and diligence are truly admirable, and she has made a positive impact on the whole of DHS. MIT is receiving one of the DHS greats and we all expect amazing things from Sydney in the future!