Scholarship winner discusses her future plans

What you instantly notice when talking with Mya Parlier is her love of life and connecting with nature, music, community service and leadership opportunities. 

With a gleam in her eyes, Parlier shared her journey over the past several years – one that has led her to attend Western Carolina University in the fall. 

“I am a passionate and motivated individual with a variety of interest in both academics and extracurriculars,” she said. “I love to learn and to seize opportunities for all that they’re worth.” 

Parlier moved to Brevard from Illinois when she was 10. She attended Brevard Middle School and just graduated in June as salutatorian from Brevard High School with a 4.5 grade point average. She was so grateful for the designation. 

“Yes, I’m deeply honored by this award and the learning was always at the forefront,” she said. 

Parlier’s graduation speech to her fellow students reflected her creativity and importance on connecting with others. It was a poem entitled “Threads” and she read it with passion and an artistic flair: “Everything is woven. Connection is the thread with ties and loops and bows to close. Embroidery, or relationships twisted in hues beyond the simple puncture and pull; Thread-spun lines of our dynamics.” 

Throughout the speech she challenged her classmates with “How do you connect?” 

There are several key threads in her personal life that have woven her connections to friends, family and other relationships. 

The joy of learning is the first important thread. Parlier completed many AP courses in high school and has been selected as a Brinson honors scholar as she begins her education at Western Carolina University. 

She recognized Andrew Jimeson, band director at Brevard High School, as a teacher who was instrumental in shaping her educational journey. “He listened to me as a person-not just a member of the band,” she said. 

Parlier plays the clarinet and will continue her love of music at WCU, playing in their marching band beginning this fall. She is also a Tri-M Music Honor Society member and National Honor Society member. 

The love of nature, mountain biking and rock climbing is a strong thread in Parlier’s tapestry. She was a member of her high school’s Garden Club and has enjoyed recreational mountain biking and hiking throughout high school. She was on the Brevard Rock Gym Competition Team all four years in high school. 

She currently is a camp counselor there, working as a rock climbing coach with youth. Parlier said that participating in rock climbing competitions transformed her mindset about failure. 

She learned through her rock-climbing coach Dan Horne that “falling and getting back up” was not failure but part of her journey to commit to her passions and pursuits. 

Perhaps her strongest thread is that of leadership and community involvement. Parlier’s involvement with the Interact Club provided opportunities to lead events such as the “Polar Plunge” for Special Olympics during her junior year. During Hurricane Helene, she participated in a clean-up of Hot Springs, shoveling mud for hours along with other Interact Club members. She helped organize and participated in a “Climb-A-Thon” with other rock climbers to raise $6,000 for the River Arts District cleanup as well. According to Parlier, community service will always be a strong thread in her life’s tapestry. 

All of these threads might be considered a lot of work for many, but for Parlier they are life’s fulfillment. She described herself as a “giant extrovert” while enjoying being part of the recent “Legally Blonde” musical at Brevard High School. She credits her parents’ support over the years for encouraging her to enjoy life and inspiring her to be genuine. 

Parlier is grateful to the Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program for the generous scholarship she received at the Scholars Award Ceremony. 

She extended “a very heartfelt thank you for allowing me to continue my education and passion for learning.” 

Parlier’s plans for the future are fluid and her new threads are unknowns. She wants to learn more about speech therapy while attending college but has not counted out her interest in teaching English or majoring in music. 

She dreams of studying abroad – perhaps in France where she can use the four years of French she studied in high school. 

One thing is a given. She will continue to connect with people and opportunities for growth in the years ahead. For Parlier there are no limits to new connections and the tapestry for success she is weaving. 

The Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program wishes Parlier the best in her new journey at college. 

The nonprofit program began 38 years ago and has provided more than $2 million of scholarship monies to more than 1,000 Transylvania County students. The program thanks local donors and businesses for their ongoing support. For more information, visit cfscholarships.org.