Mariah Parker did not start her rugby journey confident: “I kind of doubted myself,” she said. Four years later, she is heading to Washington University in St. Louis with plans to become a public defender, after growing into a leader, mentor, and Coach-In-Training through MICR. From national travel and mentorship with USA Eagles to leadership development and college preparation, Mariah’s story is one of what happens when a student decides to step into opportunity.
Mariah Parker has been playing rugby with MICR for the last four years. Now a senior at Freedom Preparatory Academy, she was first convinced by her cousin to give rugby a try. It did not click right away. “I kind of doubted myself,” she said. “I didn’t think I was a good player… I was surrounded by people that were playing longer than me, so I didn’t feel like I was ready enough.”
That began to change going into her junior year, when Mariah stepped into opportunities beyond her team. She attended the Polar Bear Rugby Camp at Bowdoin College and participated in MICR’s summer programming, including the Milwaukee 7s tournament. She also joined Rugby Mentoring, where she was paired with a USA Eagle. That experience helped shift her mindset. “If I didn’t know what I was going to do with the ball before I got the ball, then I shouldn’t be getting the ball,” she said when asked what she learned from her mentor. “So now whenever I play, I’ll have something in mind.” She added, “We watched a lot of film together… I think that helped my rugby IQ.”
Mariah also pointed to JULS, a leadership workshop series through MICR that teaches about leadership concepts and introduces players to new activities and experiences to broaden their perspectives, as a major turning point in her growth. “I honestly think I’ve become more level-headed,” she said. “Back in my 9th grade year I was a super hothead… but now I won’t allow somebody to dictate how I’m feeling.” JULS also helped her step outside of her comfort zone. “At first I was super reserved… now I know how to approach people a little bit better. I’m still working on what to say sometimes, but at least I’m not scared to go up and ask.”
In her junior and senior years, Mariah participated in college-focused workshops, including building a rugby resume. She shared that it has already been useful beyond rugby, serving as a foundation for other opportunities she is pursuing. As she leaned into these experiences, Mariah’s confidence began to show up not just on the field, but in how she approached her future. What started as trying something new became a growing sense of direction. She was not just participating anymore. She was preparing.
About MICR, Mariah said: “I think MICR is a great program… they connect you with a lot of people, but they won’t force you to take the opportunities. So if you do want to take advantage of what MICR has to offer… don’t be so scared to take these opportunities.” That mindset led her to step into a leadership role as a Coach-In-Training. “I really love coaching,” she said. “I love the middle schoolers to death… I have a lot of little sisters, so it was super nice to have more little sisters.” For Mariah, it became about more than rugby. “I just love… giving back to my community and trying to steer them from that path that a lot of people go towards.” Mariah also grew through opportunities like All-Stars and the Urban Rugby Championships, where she competed alongside players from across the country. “When I’m able to go out of town, I’m just geeking out over something somebody says or does, and the other person is doing the same thing,” she said. “It’s always super nice to just share that little bond.”
When asked if she wanted to say anything about anyone in the MICR community, Mariah pointed to her coaches. She spoke about the consistency they brought, how they pushed her to improve, and how they showed up beyond rugby. “So I think it’s super nice just having coaches that are willing to look at your work and like, revise it for you… So it’s just nice to have coaches that are willing to do that for you and like take the time out.” Looking ahead, Mariah plans to attend Washington University, where she will double major in Economics and History. She hopes to stay involved in rugby and the QuestBridge community, and long term, she plans to attend law school and become a public defender. She also hopes to stay connected to MICR as a mentor, continuing the cycle of support that helped shape her own journey.
