Alumni Spotlight: Renowned Jockey Races to Success

Deshawn Parker, a dedicated Western Hills alum, shines brightly as a passionate horse jockey, fearlessly pursuing his love for the sport. His journey from the school's halls to the racetrack is a true embodiment of pursuing one's dreams with unwavering determination.

What CPS school did you attend? Western Hills High school.

What year did you graduate? 1990, I think.

What are you doing now? I am a jockey. I ride horses for a living.

Was there anyone from your time at school that influenced you? Karl Rhodes, he goes by Tuffy. He was a baseball player that got drafted and played for a while and then went to Japan and broke records over there.

What advice do you have for current students? Get your education. You never know when you’ll need that high school diploma so you can go to college.

What’s your favorite school memory? I can't really say I have a favorite moment in school. It was all fun to me.

What is your favorite Cincinnati staple? The football stadium and baseball stadium just because I love going to the games when I can.

Where do you live now? I live in East Liverpool, Ohio but I ride in Indiana in the summer and New Orleans in the winter.

Is there anything else you'd like to add? I’d like to say don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do what you love to do. I was always told I couldn’t be a jockey by a lot of people but the more they told me I couldn’t, the more I wanted to prove them wrong. Hard work always pays off. Good luck to everyone, whatever you choose to do in life!