Recent Graduate Reflects on Brotherhood at Riverside

When Parker Galloway ‘23 first came to Riverside as a ninth grader, he admitted he was not where he wanted to be as a young man. “Before Riverside, I had no self-confidence and struggled physically, mentally, and emotionally.” After attending public school for eight years, Galloway’s parents knew something needed to change. Through conversations with his friend, John Vannice ‘20, and his family, the Galloways decided to look into Riverside.

Fast forward four years, and Galloway is now a proud Riverside alumnus and attends Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. His journey to graduation was not easy, but his growth started during his first weeks. An older cadet immediately took Galloway under his wing and held him accountable, pushing him but also encouraging him when the challenge seemed like too much. 

As Galloway reflects back on his time at Riverside, he said, ”I learned loyalty, respect, and brotherhood because of the shared experiences with the guys here at Riverside. There’s really not that type of connection in public school.”

Galloway also attributes his success to the adults he encountered at Riverside. Mentors like TAC (Teacher, Advisor, Counselor) Officer SSgt Melvin Robinson, and Fine Arts Department Chair CWO2 Stephen Giove made a lasting impact on Galloway. “These men model how I want to live my life. They are quick with a joke or encouragement and always make themselves available to the cadets,” he said.

As a new graduate and Brother in Blue, Galloway looks forward to maintaining the friendships he has made during his time at Riverside, saying, “Even after graduation there are still hundreds of brothers around the world who will always have my back, and I get to have theirs. That’s more important to me than anything.”