Parazoo named to Shrine Game

Scio High School senior Josh Parazoo has been named to the Shrine Game where he will be playing for the west squad. The game is set for August 3 in Baker City. Teammate Daniel Harper was named as an alternate. The letter regarding his selection arrived at the Parazoo home on the last day of January. “I'm excited,” he said.

“I've always been a lineman,” Parazoo said recently. “I don't remember not playing football.” The senior started playing the sport that has come to mean so much to him when he was still a student at Centennial. Following his stint in flag football, Parazoo moved up the ranks with his classmates.

Parazoo credits more than just his own hard work in making him the player he is. “I've had a lot of good coaches.” He also praised his teammates for pushing him to always do his best. “We put in a lot of time.” In addition to working in the weight room and during practices, Parazoo and his teammates attended team camps every year they were in high school.

His mother, Monique Parazoo, is very proud of her son. “He works really hard.” She said the family has often made the trip to Baker City to watch other Scio boys participate in the game. “We're excited to see our son on the field,” she said.

Parazoo is excited to represent his family, school and community in Baker City. And, he's excited to play one more high school game before heading off to college. “I'd like to wrestle.” Parazoo won the 2A state title at 285 pounds last season and is poised for a return to the state mat this year.

Parazoo said he would like to attend Oregon State but has no idea on a career choice at this point in his life. “I would like to coach someday.”

He admires his high school coaches for their dedication to their sports and for teaching the players not just the game, but how to be strong leaders. He also said the coaches taught them life lessons and the importance of good sportsmanship and stepping up when needed.

It is going to be tough not to be playing with his teammates and close friends. “It's all I've known.” In fact, one of the reasons Parazoo decided to play football in the first place was because his friends were all playing. “We're really close.” While he's excited to play, he said it was going to be strange to not be playing with his friends.

Parazoo will have a big week of activities leading up to the game. In addition to practices, the teams will also be visiting the Shrine Hospital in Portland. Plus, each player gets a sponsoring business in Baker City. Monique said they have asked for Josh's lettermen jacket as well as a couple of other things to create a window display in Josh's honor.

by Kay M Roth

Scio High School senior Josh Parazoo has been named to the Shrine Game where he will be playing for the west squad. The game is set for August 3 in Baker City. Teammate Daniel Harper was named as an alternate. The letter regarding his selection arrived at the Parazoo home on the last day of January. “I'm excited,” he said.

“I've always been a lineman,” Parazoo said recently. “I don't remember not playing football.” The senior started playing the sport that has come to mean so much to him when he was still a student at Centennial. Following his stint in flag football, Parazoo moved up the ranks with his classmates.

Parazoo credits more than just his own hard work in making him the player he is. “I've had a lot of good coaches.” He also praised his teammates for pushing him to always do his best. “We put in a lot of time.” In addition to working in the weight room and during practices, Parazoo and his teammates attended team camps every year they were in high school.

His mother, Monique Parazoo, is very proud of her son. “He works really hard.” She said the family has often made the trip to Baker City to watch other Scio boys participate in the game. “We're excited to see our son on the field,” she said.

Parazoo is excited to represent his family, school and community in Baker City. And, he's excited to play one more high school game before heading off to college. “I'd like to wrestle.” Parazoo won the 2A state title at 285 pounds last season and is poised for a return to the state mat this year.

Parazoo said he would like to attend Oregon State but has no idea on a career choice at this point in his life. “I would like to coach someday.”

He admires his high school coaches for their dedication to their sports and for teaching the players not just the game, but how to be strong leaders. He also said the coaches taught them life lessons and the importance of good sportsmanship and stepping up when needed.

It is going to be tough not to be playing with his teammates and close friends. “It's all I've known.” In fact, one of the reasons Parazoo decided to play football in the first place was because his friends were all playing. “We're really close.” While he's excited to play, he said it was going to be strange to not be playing with his friends.

Parazoo will have a big week of activities leading up to the game. In addition to practices, the teams will also be visiting the Shrine Hospital in Portland. Plus, each player gets a sponsoring business in Baker City. Monique said they have asked for Josh's lettermen jacket as well as a couple of other things to create a window display in Josh's honor.