Chemist and athlete wins Distinguished Student Award

Parker Stenersen is passionate about chemistry.

“You can actually go in depth into how something is built and how you can create something different, which is pretty neat to me,” Stenersen said.

Even with taking hard subjects like chemistry, Parker has a 4.0 GPA. He says it take a bit of sacrifice, but it’s worth it.

“Skipping the movie sometimes with friends, not going to every basketball game, but staying home to finish the assignment and make sure it’s done right, instead of just averagely,” Stenersen said.

This time of year, Stenersen spends time practicing track; his favorite is the triple jump.

“It feels like you’re flying if you get up high enough,” Stenersen said. “You can just go fast for about 40 yards and then you’re jumping 80 feet.”

Stenersen thinks football is the sport where he has the best hope of a scholarship. He plays safety.

“As a safety, you put a hit on somebody or make an interception, and getting that crowd riled up — it’s a good feeling,” Stenersen said.

With his hard work in the classroom and on the field, Stenersen is hoping for some sort of scholarship.

“Football and hopefully academic – that would make my mom really proud,” Stenersen said.