South Johnston's Lance Parker puts Extra Effort into giving back

South Johnston High School's Lance Parker is academic all-conference in football, wrestling and track.

When he isn't giving out hits as a middle linebacker, he's giving back off the field.

"Giving back makes me happy," said Parker.

"He has the biggest heart of any kid I've ever met," added South Johnston chemistry teacher Autumn Blackmon.

The last several summers, Parker has spent a week building homes for people in need.

"It's hard work, but it's definitely worth it seeing them happy," Parker said.

"He's the true example of what we look for in a servant-leader," South Johnston football coach Lee Webb said of Parker.

Parker's service is sparked from his Christian faith. "My faith, I think that's number one for me," he said.

Parker never missed a single Sunday School session for 15 years straight. "It's the all-time record at our church," he claimed.

But Parker's perfect attendance record on the football field fell short last season. "Last game of the season, I separated my right shoulder," he remembered. "We went to playoffs, and I was heartbroken that I couldn't play. The day after I was cleared, I wrestled a match against Fike, and I ended up winning that match by pin. I'm surprised I won that one with no training or anything."

"He's got that grit and that grind that he's going to make it and nobody is going to stand in his way," said Webb.

But Parker isn't just a tough guy. Last year, he participated in the Mr. South Johnston pageant. "For my talent, I dressed up as Elsa from Frozen and then just danced in front of everybody," he said.

"He'll do anything to make somebody laugh at him," said Blackmon.

Parker still finished fourth place overall in pageant. "I got second place in best legs. I had some competition up there."
Good legs, but an even better heart is why Parker is this week's winner of the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award.​