From Caddie Scholar To National Park Ranger

Story by Meg O'Malley, 2017 NJSGA intern

We recently caught up with 2014 caddie scholar Alex Parody, who shared his thoughts on his current career as a Park Ranger at the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Washington D.C. Alex caddied at Upper Montclair Country Club from 2009 to 2013.

One of his favorite things about being a caddie was getting to constantly work outdoors. “Sometimes I still think fondly about the fairways when I’m roving at Dyke Marsh,” said Parody. His love for the outdoors, combined with his love for history, motivated him to work for the National Park Service.

Alex now develops educational programs for the most visited historical home in the National Park system, Arlington House. Most recently, he taught a fourth grade class the history of the site, using a sandbox archaeology activity. Another one of his other duties is to develop and manage educational programs for other sites, such as the Learn to Ride program at Jones Point Park. There, he teaches visitors how to ride bicycles. At Fort Hunt Park, he teaches visitors about the site’s history The site was a secret prisoner of war camp during WWII and an “escape factory” that hid escape devices inside care packages for our prisoners of war in Nazi Europe. When a ranger presence is needed to monitor permits, Alex gets to work at important events in DC, such as presidential inaugurations, 4th of July celebrations, and the Marine Corps Marathon.

Last August, the National Park Service celebrated its 100th Anniversary. Alex took part in programs at Glen Echo Park, highlighting the history of the slaves at Arlington House and the uniform for the National Park Service.

(Parody pictured above at the GWMP Centennial Celebration in August 2016. He was modeling the 1936 NPS uniform, featuring jaiphur pants, for the "history of the NPS uniform program.")

This past Saturday, he hosted special Earth Day educational programs such as “Raptor Rapture” at Dyke Marsh, which focused on different types of birds. Alex participated in Earth Day cleanup events at Gravelly Point Park and Jones Point Park.

Alex says his caddying experience, along with the NJSGA caddie scholarship, provided him the opportunity to go to American University, where he learned the skills for his career that he loves.