Christina Parker is a state champion again. After the Redhawks defeated Burlington 5-2 in the Division I high school girls' tennis championship match last Friday afternoon, CVU secured its second crown and second perfect season in as many years. In fact, Parker, a member of the senior class, has helped create a tennis legacy to be proud of: three Vermont state crowns and a 34-match winning streak, or better still, the girls' tennis squad has won four state titles in seven years and seven crowns overall.

Although Parker and her relatively new second doubles partner Kristen Donaldson didn't win their final match of the season, they did accomplish something more personally significant. "The proudest moment that immediately comes to mind is the recent individual tennis state tournament in Stowe," Parker shared. "Kristen and I were considered the underdogs in our matches and yet we made it to the quarterfinals. I was proud of our efforts. It was definitely some of the best tennis I ever played," she added.

Born Oct. 20 1991, Parker has been a Shelburne resident her entire life. Her family includes parents, Stephanie and Jeff, brother Matt, a 21-year-old sophomore at St. Lawrence University, and their three dogs, Cooper, an older black lab, Toby, a terrier, and Ellie, a hunting dog.
Parker reminisces about picking up a tennis racquet for the first time. "Every summer since third grade I played tennis at the Burlington Tennis Club (BTC). It evolved from a summer hobby in to something more."

First year CVU head tennis coach Amy deGroot agrees that Parker's tennis acumen has evolved into more than a pleasant pastime; they're a winning combination. "Christina adds positive energy and a spark of joy to any tennis court she steps on. A lefty who is especially strong at net, she has been a steady CVU tennis contributor as a doubles player since her freshman year."

Before matches Parker drinks plenty of water and eats healthy foods to ward off dehydration and tiredness. "I'm normally with the team before matches and we pump each other up," Parker comments. "We listen to loud music or we dance it out."

Much of Parker's off-court time involves listening to music. She comments, "I am open to all different styles and genres of music but my favorites are Radiohead, Kings of Leon, and Sigur Ros." Parker is also an art lover. "I think I've taken every art course CVU has to offer, except two," she says. "I was the arts editor of the school newspaper, ‘The Beat.' And I just loved it." She has also been involved in Art Club, International Club, and the Environmental Club. Then there are the languages. Parker studies and excels in three foreign languages: French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Last summer Parker lived in Paris and became fluent in French-a life-changing experience Parker would like to repeat. After graduation, Parker's plans include deferring her college acceptance to the University of Toronto for a year to travel and become more proficient in foreign languages before attending college. She is considering a variety of opportunities including academic programs, living with a family as an au pair, or traveling to either a Spanish speaking country or France again. There's only one hitch. She must first gain approval from the University of Toronto to defer her enrollment until fall 2011. Although Parker has entered all the proper paperwork for postponement, she may not hear from the university until July 1. Regardless of the uncertainty, Parker is unflappable, "I'm sure something will work out," she said. "One of my goals is to become a translator. And if I can somehow add art into the equation...that would be the ultimate." I expect nothing less from a champion.