Cove High freshman wins local, district, state VFW singing contests; advances to nationals

Special to Leader-Press 

Copperas Cove High School freshman Samantha Parker’s voice filled the hall at VFW Post 6974 in Burnet as she sang the National Anthem with a performance that has captured the local Copperas Cove VFW Post 8577 honors as well as District 14 VFW honors and now the state of Texas.
Parker was honored at a dinner by the VFW Auxiliary whose members at the local, district and state levels have high hopes that the 15-year-old will bring home the national title in the Get Excited for the Red, White, and Blue National Anthem Singing Contest. 
Parker comes from a family committed to military service and patriotism. Her father has been in the military for 24 years and her grandfather served in World War II. It is Parker’s family members who instilled her work ethic and dedication to any tasks she is undertaking.
“I am really thankful that I have had such amazing role models like my Aunt Tink, my Uncle Pat and my mom and dad, to inspire me to always do my best, because without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far and I probably would not have entered the competition without their constant love and support,” Parker said.
Contestants, ages 6-16 years, were required to submit a video vocal performance of The Star Spangled Banner. Entries were judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value. 
Parker has been singing for as long as she can remember. She sang the theme songs to cartoons as a toddler, and by third grade, was a member of the Martin Walker Elementary Honor Choir.
“My music teacher taught me more about music and singing and really inspired my love for music,” Parker said. “After elementary school, I joined choir in middle school and learned about how to sing classical music, which is one of my favorite kinds of music to sing.”
Parker will be honored at the Texas VFW Convention the week of June 17th-20. The top 10 state winners advance to the national contest with one winner selected and announced in August.
“My Copperas Cove High School choir teachers have worked with me a lot this year on stretching my vocal range and teaching me about how to have more musicality and emotion when I am singing,” Parker said. “When I sing the National Anthem, my mind always goes back to the men who risked their lives to protect America and all of its principles, because without them, our country may not even exist. This song makes me proud to be an American.”