Stratford senior stays busy with theater, sports, clubs

Ally Parker doesn’t have a lot of free time on her hands.

The Stratford Academy senior, who will graduate Saturday, has participated in everything from theater to the shooting team during her years at the north Macon private school. She’s also co-captain of the cheerleading squad, a member of the tennis team and president of four clubs.

“It’s definitely hard,” she said of her involvement in so many activities. “The things that I do are things that I love, so I don’t mind.”

Theater is perhaps chief among those interests. Parker has performed in shows both at Stratford and for Macon Little Theater. She’s been on the stage in some form or fashion since she was 9 years old.

“I’ve been doing a lot of that in the community,” she said. “That’s probably one of my favorite things.”

Among other community service efforts, Parker has also helped with Macon Little Theater’s summer camps for children.

While theater might be an expected pastime for a cheerleading captain and homecoming queen, the shooting team is probably not. But Parker has three older brothers — 24-year-old Harrison, 23-year-old Hayes and 20-year-old Holden — so it was quite the normal activity for her senior year.

“I’m kind of used to all the boy stuff,” she said, adding that her childhood was full of skeet shooting, riding four-wheelers — and eating beef jerky.

Terry Sowell, assistant athletic director for public relations and sports information, said Parker has been “a huge part” of the Stratford athletic department. She added that when she pictures Parker, though, it’s a multifaceted vision of a cheerleader, athlete and actress.

“She truly has exemplified what we call Eagle pride and our school spirit and puts 100 percent effort into everything she does,” Sowell said.

Putting full effort into all those activities requires discipline, Parker said. Balancing various teams and groups has taught her time management skills and often led her to study during breaks in theater rehearsal or other practices.

“I kind of figure out when I have down time during my set activities,” she said.

That should pay off at the University of Georgia, where Parker plans to study genetics or biology.

“I think that is a true indicator of her success level in college,” Sowell said.

Paker said a recent internship with pediatrician Dr. Molly Sims narrowed her focus for careers. Now, working with children has become a priority down the line.

“That showed me more that, instead of the genetics ... I want to definitely have the pediatrics in there somewhere,” she said.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Stratford senior stays busy with theater, sports, clubs."