From one bad night
to fifteen years of purpose
Keith Parsons grew up in a caring family in Pennsylvania — adventurous, mischievous, and close to his parents. But like many kids, adolescence changed things. Communication with his parents became harder. Conversations about drugs and alcohol never really happened.
Without ever consciously deciding to, Keith started making choices that would alter the course of his life. A drink in eighth grade. Marijuana in ninth. By his senior year, his circle had narrowed, soccer was gone, and the door to other possibilities was quietly closing.
Then came one night that nearly cost him his life. His parents got the call every parent dreads. Keith survived — but with severe injuries, and consequences that would follow him for the rest of his life.
He went on to earn a BS in Management Science from Penn State, then returned years later to earn a second degree and teacher certification. During student teaching, he shared his story at the middle school he once attended. The response was immediate. Teachers passed him on to other teachers. By the time his placement ended, he'd spoken with nearly every student in the building — and was nominated for an Outstanding Student Teacher award.
That was the beginning of fifteen years of presentations to schools and organizations across the region. Then, in the worst moment of his post-graduation life, his sister's boyfriend David died instantly in a motorcycle collision. Keith knew the weight of choices. Now he understood the weight of loss.
He decided to share his story with as many people as possible — for as long as he could.
When I got home I told my mom how amazing it is that instead of pitying yourself, you're doing things to stop kids from doing what you did. I don't know if I could do that.
BS in Management Science & Information Systems. MS in Education, Earth & Space Sciences — with teacher certification. Nominated for Outstanding Student Teacher award.