It’s late August, I’m at New Boston Elementary, and I find myself amidst the still-unpacked furnishings of a soon-tobe incredible new library, sitting around an imaginary table having a wonderful conversation with a bright, vibrant fourth-grader who is already dreaming big. Kaycee Parchert, with her infectious enthusiasm and kind spirit, is not your average elementary student. With a love for learning and a budding passion for teaching, Kaycee embodies the very qualities that make her school and community proud.

Kaycee, who spells her name, when I ask, with a unique twist—K-A-Y-C-E-E—is a student who doesn’t just excel academically; she thrives on the connections she builds with others. This young girl has a knack for balancing the roles of both a learner and a teacher, influenced by the strong women in her life, especially her mother, Tamala. “I want to grow up to be just like my mom,” Kaycee says, her eyes lighting up as she talks about the woman who inspires her daily.

Family is central to Kaycee’s world. She is one of four sisters, situated comfortably in the middle. Her older sister, Kylee, is someone Kaycee looks up to, often leaning on her for guidance, especially when their mother is busy with the younger siblings, Kenedee and Kelsee. But Kaycee isn’t just a follower; she’s also a leader in her own right, often stepping in to help her younger sisters navigate the early years of school. “I help my littler sister that just started her second year of preschool,” Kaycee shares with a sense of pride that belies her years.

At school, Kaycee shines in subjects like math and reading, with a particular fondness for the I Survived series and Nancy Drew mysteries. She’s a focused reader, preferring to delve deeply into one book at a time to ensure she doesn’t lose track of the story. Her love for literature is paralleled by her dedication to sports—she’s active in softball, basketball, and volleyball. Yet, it’s on the softball field where Kaycee truly excels, particularly as a pitcher, a skill she’s honed with the help of her older cousins.

But Kaycee’s talents don’t stop at the diamond. She’s also an artist, a trait she inherited from her Aunt Bonnie, who has been a significant influence in her life. “Sometimes I draw things that don’t really go together, and then I make random things that turn into a piece of art,” Kaycee explains with a smile. Her artistic process is organic, often taking shape through spontaneous bursts of creativity at home.

Despite her young age, Kaycee has already set her sights on becoming a teacher, inspired by the many educators who have shaped her journey so far. “I want to be a teacher,” she declares with the certainty of someone who has already found their calling. Teachers like Mrs. Matlick, Miss Callahan, and her thirdgrade teacher, Mrs. Nimrick, have left an indelible mark on Kaycee, fostering a love for learning that she hopes to pass on to future generations.

When asked what grade she’d like to teach, Kaycee’s eyes light up as she mentions third or fourth grade—years she considers pivotal in a child’s education. “Those are very important years,” she asserts, her voice carrying the wisdom of someone far beyond her years.

Kaycee’s imagination isn’t confined to the classroom or the canvas. When posed with the question of how she’d use a magic wand, her answer is as thoughtful as it is imaginative. “I would travel to the future, around my twenties,” she says, eager to jump into the college years and start her teaching career. It’s clear that Kaycee is a thinker, a planner, and a dreamer, with her eyes firmly set on the future.

Her artistic inclinations and her desire to teach are beautifully intertwined, reflecting a young girl who sees the world not just as it is, but as it could be. Kaycee is the kind of student who makes her community proud—a girl with big dreams, a big heart, and a bright future ahead.

As Mercer County looks to the future, it’s students like Kaycee Parchert who remind us that the next generation is in good hands. With her love for learning, her commitment to helping others, and her artistic spirit, Kaycee is poised to make a significant impact on the world—both in her New Boston classroom and beyond.