Do-everything Parker Drechsel was the voice of Coeur d’Alene High

Parker Drechsel’s resonant voice carried through every classroom at Coeur d’Alene High, booming through speakers each morning with announcements in tow.

It was often the first voice many of the school’s roughly 1,400 students heard.

Drechsel, who also announced CHS volleyball games, took pride in that.

He grew up analyzing the best voices in sports broadcasting, found his niche as a junior, and was slated to also call Vikings baseball games this spring.

As the school’s Associated Student Body vice president, his voice put plans into motion.

The coronavirus pandemic prematurely ended his time in front of Coeur d’Alene High microphones.

“It’s been really weird,” Drechsel said. “I love being busy and doing things. I don’t say this much, but I wish I was at school. I get to see friends and my teachers.”

When he sees most of his Class of 2020 peers again, it will be in his car. He will receive his diploma in drive-thru fashion at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

“It’s definitely better than nothing,” he said.

His days of calling events will also continue.

Drechsel, who earned the Boy Scouts of America’s coveted Eagle Scout badge, will continue to announce his troop’s big events, and hopes to call volleyball at North Idaho College this fall.

He’s headed to NIC, where he’ll begin his pursuit of an education degree and be a manager of the Cardinals men’s basketball team, which will pay a good chunk of his tuition.

He plans to transfer to Boise State, his final stop before becoming a math teacher.

“He’s just one of those responsible guys, you don’t have to give him a lot direction,” Coeur d’Alene High counselor Rick Jones said “He just takes it on and makes it happen.”

Drechsel will graduate from CHS with a 3.8 grade-point average, an impressive feat considering his busy schedule.

He was active in student council, played basketball until his junior year, and also became the school’s announcer, a team manager for football and basketball, and a member of Coeur d’Alene Park and Recreation commission – all while pursuing Eagle Scout status.

“He also worked the book drive and food drive before Christmas,” Jones said. “Was very involved. He will be missed here.”

The longtime Coeur d’Alene resident, who earned an Eagle Scouts Scholarship and an Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, also helped prevent bullying.

Drechsel was an integral part of his school’s anti-bullying approach, Green Dot, and helped spearhead the school’s National Unity Day.

The pandemic derailed several of his pursuits, including a prom he was looking forward to attending. He already had a date lined up.

Now he’s looking all the way forward, with a hint of nostalgia for opportunities lost during the quarantine.

“It was a really good four years at CHS, for sure,” he said. “I loved my senior class, teachers, everyone was kind to me, and I made sure to pay it forward.

“It’s a great school.”