My name is Kelly-Maren Parker and I attend Oakdale High School. My immediate family consists of four members: my mother, father, brother, and myself. My mom is the office manager for an architecture firm, my dad is a math teacher, and my brother is a college student specializing in mechanical engineering. My family also has two cats. The older of the two, Mason, is quite affectionate and needy. The younger of the pair, Book, is a chaotic ball of energy. We adore them both!
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on attending Vassar College. My goal is to pursue a double major in computer science and mathematics. I hope to eventually enter into the field of video game design.
What are two of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I like visiting the Pop Shop and seeing all the unique flavors of soda that they have available! I also enjoy going to Oscars with my family; it is our primary dining spot for special occasions.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to visit New Zealand and see where they filmed the Lord of the Rings movies. The scenery seems absolutely stunning.
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My two favorite movies of all time are How To Train Your Dragon and Lord of the Rings. In regards to TV shows, I love Avatar the Last Airbender.
If you were asked to give advice to your senior class and the younger students at your school, what would you say?
I would advise younger students not to procrastinate on schoolwork. It may seem easy to push an assignment off until later, but that only leads to greater stress and anxiety. I’ve found that staying organized and completing homework in a timely manner is incredibly important for both your academic performance and emotional sanity.
If you were able to be cast as yourself into a television show or series, what show would you want to be in?
Honestly, I don’t think I would want to be cast into a television show or series. Most TV shows typically have some kind of existential crisis or end-of-the-world scenario that I would rather avoid.
If you could choose anyone to have lunch with, who would you choose? Why? And where, locally, would you meet for this lunch?
I would love to have lunch with Ludovico Einaudi. He’s one of my favorite piano composers, and I think it would be interesting to talk to him about his composition and arrangement process. Since he is Italian, I would probably want to meet him at one of our local Italian restaurants in downtown Frederick.
What is your favorite thing about our community?
I love all the opportunities that this community provides. There are so many incredible events to attend – farmer’s markets, live concerts, seasonal festivals, and more! We also have tennis courts, pools, beaches, and hiking trails nearby. It’s amazing to have all these activities and resources at my disposal!
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years, I hope to have a job within the field of video game design. My dream career is to join a programming team and code puzzle or platformer games.
What is something on your bucket list?
One of my bucket list items is to complete a marathon. I’m not much of a runner, but I think it would be a great experience to successfully make it across the finish line.
What is your go to band / singer when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Right now, my favorite band is Of Monsters and Men.
Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is October because of the crisp autumn weather. I also love the beautiful scenery when all the leaves begin to change color. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, because I get to spend time with my family. On that note, the best day on the calendar is Thanksgiving.
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I would rate sunrises as a 10 out of 10. One of my favorite parts about waking up early is being able to see the sunrise each morning.
Who inspires you to be better?
My parents inspire me to be better every single day. They are amazing role models, and I couldn’t have made it this far without them!
