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Anna Catherine Parham was presented the Order of the Silver Crescent Award, the highest civilian honor for community impact.
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Anna Parham is flanked by her parents, Donna and Daniel.
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Anna Parham, (left pyramid, middle row with white hat) volunteers each summer with Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, a three-day intensive seminar where rising high school juniors learn lifelong leadership skills.
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Anna Parham, front row right, and Sara Barber photographed with James Morrall, right, and Cory France, in the back.
Parham graduated Riverside High School, and the University of South Carolina. She is a third-year student at the USC School of Law.
The Order of the Silver Crescent is the highest civilian honor for community impact while the Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian honor for statewide impact.
“My desire to serve my community has been driven by my parents. My parents (Daniel and Donna) have always instilled in me a strong work ethic and a strong sense of community,” stated Parham in an email interview.
“Also, my grandma has had a huge impact on my desire to serve others. My grandma (“Mimi”) is an 81-year-old Panamanian immigrant. She came to this country over 20 years ago and has been making it a better place ever since. She currently volunteers as an English teacher to Spanish-speaking residents of Greenville at the J. Harley Bonds Center. Additionally, she volunteers as a court translator and a translator at the Taylors Free Clinic,” stated Parham.
Parham’s grandmother also volunteered at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and the Greenville Hospital System (in translation/hospitality services) and plans on returning when it is safe. “She is the most dedicated public servant I know, and I hope one day to be half the community contributor she is,” stated Parham.
While at USC, Parham worked with the South Carolina Sierra Club and is the winner of its 2020 Student Environmental Excellence Award. She has worked with conservation groups throughout the state creating initiatives to make environmental education/stewardship more accessible and appealing to people throughout the Midlands. Parham has researched and help draft bipartisan bills for several state legislators.
“My time at USC greatly impacted my desire to help the community,” stated Parham. “In fact, I took a criminology class in undergrad through which I was able to mentor at-risk youth in an alternative school. The Carolinian Creed also emphasizes service to others in the line, ‘I will demonstrate concern for others ...’”
“USC Law also strongly emphasizes community service. Our Pro Bono Board serves the entire state of South Carolina and helps not only less fortunate South Carolinians, but also serves less fortunate law students as well,” stated Parham. “Being in a learning environment that encourages community service in such a way has helped to really keep me driven, focused, and energized about community service.”
Parham said her memberships in Phi Mu Sorority and Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity also placed great values on community service.
“My upbringing was unique because I feel like I lived out a rags-to-riches story,” Parham stated. “Growing up, my parents struggled a bit financially. My dad is a small business owner who owns Carolina Flooring Specialists (Taylors).
“When he first started his business, he was truly chasing his lifelong dream, but we had to pinch pennies and live scarcely while he was getting it off the ground. My parents always made sure to provide me with everything I needed, but they also instilled in me the value of helping others,” stated Parham.
While at Riverside, Parham won the 2012 Children’s Literature Championship at the South Carolina Forensic Coaches Association State Tournament. Parham is part of Riverside’s Speech and Debate team’s legacy as perennial state champions.
Through the National Honor Society she was a Meals on Wheels volunteer and she and her mother were volunteers at the Triune Mercy Center, a non-denominational church with a strong mission to help the homeless and low-income people of Greenville. The Yellow Rose Award was presented to Parham from the Hispanic Women’s Association. Parham is half-Panamanian.
“Even when times were tight, my dad never failed to lend a helping hand to those in need, even if it meant sacrificing something for himself,” stated Parham. “He's the type of man to give you the shirt off his back. He instilled in me a desire and a commitment to help others, and I try to live that out every day,” stated Parham.