Wilson student gets appointment to the Naval Academy

Senior Chris Parr sits in front of a poster depicting the American flag Thursday at Wilson High School in Florence. Parr chose the U.S. Naval Academy from the four schools to which he applied. He was accepted to all four.

By: | SCNOW
Published: February 25, 2009

FLORENCE — Wilson High School senior Christopher Parr has received an appointment from U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

“I believe that Chris has the talent and the leadership skills needed to survive and thrive at the U.S. Naval Academy,” Clyburn said in a press release issued by his office. “I congratulate Chris on his exemplary record as a high school student and look forward to all that he will accomplish as a midshipman. I know he will make South Carolina and our country very proud.”

The Naval Academy is the undergraduate college of the Naval service and prepares young men and women to become professional officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, according to its Web site, http://www.usna.edu.

Academy students are midshipmen on active duty in the U.S. Navy. They attend the academy for four years, graduating with bachelor of science degrees and reserve commissions as ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Naval Academy graduates serve at least five years as Navy or Marine Corps officers.

Parr said he was honored and excited about the chance to attend the academy.

“I always said I wanted to be a Navy pilot or (that I wanted to) go try it for at least a few years,” Parr said. “What better place to go than the Naval Academy if you want to go into the Navy?

“It’s a pretty prestigious school,” he said. “It actually stood out among the few (schools) I did apply to.”

Parr said the Naval Academy was one of four schools that he had applied to for admission. Others were Duke, Clemson and Georgetown universities.

Christopher’s parents, Clifford and Patricia Parr, said they’re proud of Christopher and his accomplishments.

“He has always been very determined in the courses of action he decides to take,” Patricia Parr said. “We are prayerful that he will continue to make sound decisions. Although we will miss him terribly no matter where he goes, we are very happy that he has choices.”

Wilson High principal Dr. Gerard Edwards said he knows all about the type of person it takes to attend the academy, and Parr fits the bill.

“I think Christopher will do a great job,” Edwards said. “He’s a hard worker (and) that’s one thing you need to be as a new cadet at those service academies.”

Attending the Naval Academy and becoming a pilot is just one item on Parr’s list of things to do. He said he wants to major in mechanical engineering and political science.

“If you look at anything I do, I have a wide range of interests,” he said. “I want to experience life and see what everything has to offer.”

Parr said he attributes a great deal of his success to his parents because they have always set a good example for him.

Parr is an honor student in the school’s International Baccalaureate program and was sponsored by Clyburn as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He also was selected to participate in the 2008 Palmetto Boys State and Boys Nation.

Parr is a drummer on the Wilson High School Band and an accomplished pianist. He also participated in Florence School District 1’s DOME (District One Musically Talented) program.

As an athlete, Parr lettered in soccer, and was named the Jack and Jill Florence Chapter Teen Achiever and Athlete.

Parr is a member of several student groups, from being president of the Civitans Club to treasurer of the National Honor Society. He also is a member of Cumberland United Methodist Church.