Every school has that one iconic secretary that students trust, and often confide in. For Highland high school, that person is Heather Parry. From dealing with all enrollment applications, scheduling appointments with teachers and students, and creating school-related calendars that everyone relies on, Parry basically keeps Highland on its feet.
” I don’t know that I ever expected to be here,” Parry said, “I did day care forever, before I had kids […] but this really isn’t where I expected to end up.”
Parry was originally raised in the West Jordan area, a town that was previously unpopulated and underdeveloped, but today it’s a growing suburb covered in houses and large developments. In West Jordan, Parry spent her teenage years attending Kearns Highschool. There she found a love for Interior Design, which she envisioned to be her lifelong job. Only after this was Parry introduced to the world of daycare, where she learned many things about childcare and the exhausting ties of parenthood.
Little did she know that these skills would benefit her in the most difficult, yet extremely rewarding job she could ever have – Motherhood.
Parry is Mother to four children, one of which is currently attending Highland High. Her Daughter, Sophie Parry, is a senior who truly enjoys having her mom working at the school alongside her.
“I love having her at the school, it’s really fun,” Sophie said, “It’s been really positive and helpful.”
Sophie and Heather drive to school together most days, and she enjoys being able to spend all this time with her mom. She expresses her gratitude for being able to leave things she needs in the counseling office, and you can often find her hanging out there during lunch or other breaks throughout her day.
Family is everything to Parry. After all, it is what originally brought her to Highland.
Parry has many connections to the school thanks to her husband attending Highland, along with his siblings, and parents. Her own children attended Highland, and now two of her grandchildren are attending Highland’s daycare 2 days a week.
5 years ago, Parry found herself as a stay-at-home mom with lots of free time on her hands. Looking to put this free time to better use and wanting something where she could more effectively express her talents, she began job hunting. Yet, still wanting a job that is local and beneficial for her kids, Parry was ultimately captivated by the open secretary job at Highland High.
The job originally consisted of only secretarial duties such as emailing, paperwork, and scheduling for all the counselors. But a couple years into Parry’s secretarial reign, the enrollment side of the job was added on, thus making it a full-time position.
“I had not worked for 25 years, so this was like a stretch for me,” Parry said, “but I came because my kids were here.”
Encouraged by her children and eager to spend more time with them, Parry decided to take on the full-time job.
The enrollment part of Parry’s job basically consists of checking and confirming that all of the applicant’s information is accurate, and then once they are approved by the principle, Parry helps their students feel comfortable and prepared for the school year. Verifying applicants addresses, making sure all of their documents are correct, setting up counselor appointments, and scheduling tours are just some of the requirements that this side of Parry’s job entails. Once combined with her regular secretarial duties, the students of Highland can see the immense amount of overseen work and time that Parry puts in for their school.
As busy as she is, Parry still finds time to do things she truly enjoys, like spending time with her beloved family. They enjoy spending time in nature, hiking different trails, and walking through their lovely neighborhood. Most often than not, they are enjoying meals or snacks together, while playing games and hanging out with the grandbabies. Vacations are also a common activity among the Parry family. Whether it’s a short-day trip across town or a long board game, Parry never fails to take advantage of the precious time she has with her family.
Parry’s family has taught her a lot about community, and especially about the community she is helping to build at highland. She loves to help the students understand their sense of belonging, and she enjoys seeing these students express that feeling outside of the classroom. She never fails to make a positive influence on the teenage students, and her daughter Sophie is just one person who can attest to that.
“She always had a smile on her face, and she is always making people happy when they need it,” Sophie said.
