teen spotlight
photography by Anna Lawson Pittman
stats
16, Junior at Northview High School
notable
Top 10 percent of class; Plays electric guitar in the Gravity Praise
Band; Varsity Academics Club, Academic Letter Club; 1st
Priority; Golf team; Leadership Team; Student of the Month
Chemistry
his favorite quote
“Practice makes permanent” –Mark Olive, his dad
how it began
Parker Olive has come a long way since birth; he faced some
serious complications after being born 13 weeks premature
and weighing just 2 pounds, 6 ounces. But even with the odds
stacked against him, he proved everyone wrong. He went home
on a heart monitor for 5 months and meds. Once he got to his
due date (July 4th) he weighed 13 pounds. He has been in the
90th weight percentile since,” she said.
Now at 16, Parker is a member of the National Honor Society
at Northview High and is among the top 10 percent of his class.
He participates on the golf team, 1st Priority and Varsity Academics Club and also has a real knack for playing the guitar.
Parker’s involvement in music took off when he was in the
seventh grade and sought guitar lessons from someone at church.
Now he enjoys playing electric guitar in the Gravity Praise Band
at Ridgecrest Baptist Church and in Northview High School’s
percussion ensemble, marching band and jazz ensemble.
what’s next
Parker is interested in studying engineering after high school.
PG (parental guidance) rating
parker olive
When asked about his biggest inspiration, Parker named his parents. “I love that we all have a personal relationship with Jesus.
My parents have brought us up in the way we should go and I
will do the same with my family.”
Dothan, AL
parents’ perspective
Parker’s determination and dedication is what really impresses his
parents Mark and Shelly Olive. “We have always encouraged him to
give his all. We have supported him,” said Shelly. “God, family and
great public school teachers have made Parker successful.”
parent-to-parent
“My mother drilled in me to focus on a career, then family,”
said Shelly who is now a Registered Diagnostic Sonographer. She said by following her mother’s advice, she
watched God open doors for her as she pursued higher
education. She said the greatest advice she learned from her parents
was to focus on God and watch everything else fall into place.
Shelly offered this advice: “As parents we should always
encourage and listen to our kids. Let them know that life has ups
and downs and God does not give us or them more than we can
handle.”
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