KIRWAN EARNS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

The Board of Trustees honored Athletic Director Parker Kirwan with the 2023 Distinguished Service Award, which is regarded as the Board’s highest expression of thanks and appreciation for service. Board Chair Robb Sasser presented Kirwan with the award during morning assembly of the March Board meeting.

Kirwan has been Athletic Director since 2021 and has been a fulltime teacher and assistant varsity basketball coach since 2017. He teaches English and created and teaches Blue Ridge School’s sports broadcasting class, which produces Baron Sports Network and provides play-byplay announcers for many Baron games on campus. As assistant varsity basketball coach, he has been instrumental in helping the Barons win five state titles in seven years.

Mr. Sasser says, “Giving students choice and voice, Parker consistently comes up with creative ways to engage students in project-based learning experiences. Through a variety of projects, students in his classes learn marketable skills that allow them to stand out in college applications. His students develop a strong skillset in communication, interviewing, podcasting, creative writing, video production and project management.”

Kirwan was recently selected from hundreds of applicants around the world to participate in the Action Research Program of the International Boys

Schools Coalition. His research is on “promoting healthy masculinity beyond the classroom,”

He holds a master’s degree in sports leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.