While performing on the stage is where Jordan High’s Parker Bettinson feels most at home, he says owning your role and nailing your lines doesn’t happen by accident.

“The true magic happens behind the scenes when you put in the hard work,” says Bettinson who will now apply that work ethic to his studies at the University of Utah and service with the Utah Army National Guard.

“I’ve loved my time at Canyons School District. I really believe in this school district if you have the will to go and fight, you will win,” he says.

Bettinson traces his interest in theatre to the sixth grade when he competed in debate at Eastmont Middle School. That first year was a little rocky, but he knew he’d found something he enjoyed, so he worked hard at honing his skills. By the seventh grade, he says, “it was like a light switch turned on.” He won three consecutive debate tournaments and was named Canyons District Champion.

As he was winning debate tournaments, he also found a love of theater, performing in his first show, “The Music Man” and was hooked. When he moved on to high school he knew debate was only part of what he wanted to do. “What I really wanted to do was tell stories, and that’s why I started doing theater so much,” Bettinson says.

His freshman year, he portrayed Jack in “Into the Woods,” an opportunity not many freshmen get. His sophomore year he was able to perform his first Shakespearian production as Lysander in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“It’s probably one of the favorite products Jordan High School as ever done,” he says, “we had full audiences every single night and they loved it, it was amazing.”

By his junior year, Bettinson achieving top grades, and winning accolades for his theatrical performances. He was involved in Drama Club and Choir Council. He also gave of his time to serve his community as a member of Sandy City’s Youth Council and as an Eagle Scout. 

Still, he says, something was missing. That is, until he happened upon a recruiting office at Utah Valley University where he and his peers were performing. On Feb. 23, 2023, he signed up and his contract with the National Guard started that day. He broke the news to his fellow cast mates during a rehearsal by walking into the auditorium in full uniform. “I had found something I loved doing. It helped me regain that sense of purpose in my life,” he says.

Bettinson completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri with 148 Easy Company, returning home just two days before the start of his senior year. When he returned to school, he returned to the stage, competing in a Shakespeare competition at Southern Utah University, taking second place for his monologue from Henry IV. He threw himself into being the best Drama Club President he could, while maintaining his academics and working as a member of the Board of Education’s School Advisory Council.

This year, he was named the Utah Theatre Association Student of the Year and received Academic All-State in Vocal Music.

While Bettinson looks back on his accomplishments with pride, his advice to his up-and-coming peers is double-sided: It’s OK to care less about things and not try to fit everything in, but it’s also cool to care.

“It’s cool to have things you’re passionate about. You’re not uncool because you care about school or about your family,” he says. “It’s cool to care about sports, or robotics, or chess – whatever you care about, care about that as much as you can and don’t let other people tell you it’s lame.”

In June, Bettinson will leave for Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he will finish his training with the National guard. Afterward, he will return to Utah where he and his brother will attend the University of Utah. Bettinson plans to pursue a degree in business before leaving on a mission for his church.