Schuyler’s Story: In Her Own Words
Meet Schuyler Parker, a 2026 Vaughn Bigelow Jr. Scholarship Recipient. Schulyer graduated from the Denver Academy and has played water polo for the Colorado Water Polo Pirates since she was 8 years old. She’s a highly decorated player, competing in 15+ tournaments each year with her club team and Colorado United. She’s also trained with a Master's program that includes adult players and former Olympians. She’s been recognized as a USA Water Polo Academic All-American and as the 2025 recipient of the USA Water Polo Nick Johnson Inspiration Award.
Future Plans
Schuyler plans to attend Iona University, just outside New York City, where she’ll major in psychology and play Division I water polo. She explains why psychology:
“My experiences as a student-athlete have sparked a strong interest in understanding how mindset, motivation, and resilience influence performance and personal growth. As a neurodivergent student, I have also become passionate about understanding how people learn and overcome challenges in different ways. At Iona, I hope to deepen my understanding of psychology through research, internships, and community involvement while continuing to grow as both a student and athlete. My long-term goals include earning a PhD in psychology and becoming a psychologist working with the FBI, helping understand behavior, supporting investigations, and contributing to public safety and well-being.”
Beyond her impressive achievements, we loved hearing how water and water polo shaped Schuyler’s life, much as they did for Bubba. Water—water polo, swimming, and beach vacations—played such an important role in her life that she chose it as the basis of her Common Application College essay, and we’d like to share it with you.
In Her Own Words
“From an early age, water has been alive in my life. The first time I slipped into it at eighteen months old, I felt both wonder and fear; the cold pressing against my skin, my breath catching, and the sound of the world above me vanishing as I submerged. That simple moment at Safe Splash Swim School marked the beginning of my relationship with water, a presence that has shaped my memories, my dreams, and the person I am today.
In the pool, water has been my coach, my rival, and my companion. At my first swim meet when I was five, it showed me that competition is not only about reaching the wall; it is about quieting the doubts that creep in. In water polo, I discovered the essential power of communication and trust. No one wins alone: every pass, block, and goal builds a bond, both in giving trust and being trusted in return. Resilience, too, has emerged from the countless practices, the sting of losses, and the determination to push forward. Like water shifting from calm to storm, my journey has moved through moments of triumph and turbulence, and yet water always calls me back, reminding me not to give up.
Water is also present in the smallest, yet meaningful, parts of my day. Washing dishes, watering plants, filling the dog’s bowl; none of these feel monumental, but they connect me to family and community. These rhythms remind me of the importance of giving and receiving, of resetting and reflecting each day. Even in the quietest moments, water finds its way into my life and remains central to who I am.
Summers at Lake Winnipesaukee with my extended family are some of my most cherished memories. The lake has become a tradition; a place where generations gather, connect, and create moments that ripple far beyond the water’s edge. I remember learning to wake surf when I was younger, falling more times than I can count before finally finding balance. Now, I have the joy of teaching my younger cousins how to ride their first wave. I enjoy skipping rocks at sunset or laughing as someone tips over on a paddleboard, as these moments remind me of how important family is to me. I treasure this summer tradition and the sense of belonging it brings.
Travel has also deepened my relationship with water, pushing me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace the unfamiliar. I have conquered my fears by going shark diving off the coast of South Africa, by learning to surf in Hawaii, and by cliff jumping off the coast of Italy. Each experience carried a mix of exhilaration and humility; a reminder of how vast the world is and how small I am within it. Through these moments, I have learned to approach new cultures and challenges with curiosity, respect, and courage.
Water has shaped every part of my life. Through these experiences, I’ve come to see water as more than a setting; it’s a teacher. It has shown me that strength often comes from adaptability, that progress requires patience, and that clarity comes from stillness as much as movement. Whether in competition, with family, or across the world, water has taught me to be open to change, to listen deeply, and to stay present in each moment.
As I look ahead, I carry those lessons with me. Water’s currents remind me that growth rarely follows a straight line; it bends, shifts, and sometimes pulls you in unexpected directions. But with trust, resilience, and curiosity, you can always find your way forward. Just as water has shaped who I am, I hope to continue shaping my path with the same fluidity; ready to learn, connect, and make an impact wherever life flows next.”
Congratulations, Schuyler! We can’t wait to see where the waves take you next.
Help Big Waves support the next generation of leaders. Learn how Big Waves scholarships, gun safety trainings, and support of water polo in Colorado help athletes like Schuyler pursue their education, grow through athletics, and make a lasting difference in their communities and beyond.