Almost everyone dreads group projects. Personalities clash, and some group members never do their part—the usual difficulties.
But some people are born into a team. A team that works.
Twin brothers James and Jarrod Parkes are that team. Seemingly inseparable throughout their lives, the two have grown into—what Bob Jones High School principal Robby Parker would call—a squad with its own label.
In April 2013, the brothers started their own company, Parkes Twins LLC, which specializes in creating apps, websites, graphics, and multimedia productions.
Jarrod Parkes explains that he and his brother first became intrigued by programming when they were mere boys playing Super Mario. To them, designing videogames is a better, more exciting profession than working as a lawyer or doctor.
These former Bob Jones students have indeed always had a knack for graphics and videogame layouts, as well as a gift for a problem-solving, according to Teresa Tarter, a Bob Jones calculus teacher.
“Both Jarrod and James were very analytical, and math came easily to them,” Tarter adds.
Jarrod Parkes argues that Bob Jones’ computer science program is the best in the state, if not the best in the southeast.
“Mrs. Rountree’s [programming] class covered the basics of the first two years of UAH programming courses,” Parkes explains. “While other students were ‘formulating sentences’ in code, I was already ‘writing essays.’”
The twins, who graduated from BJHS in 2009, are now seniors at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) and are majoring in computer science and minoring in math.
They took their skills to the collegiate level and joined UAHuntsville’s America’s Datafest team at the beginning of October 2013 after one of their professors suggested they get involved in the contest.
For the Datafest competition, the team has designed an app called Health24 that allows users to take a picture of medication instructions and translate the text into many different languages. This helps overcomes language barriers that migrants have when determining how to utilize certain kinds of medication.
Jarrod became the i0s developer for the app, while James became the web developer for the team.
Health24 recently won at Datafest’s national level and will next be judged at the global level on November 27th.
The Parkes twins have held their torch up for Bob Jones students to see. These incredible alumni have set an example and have provided encouragement for students interested in both entrepreneurship and multimedia design.
“You’re only limited by willpower,” Parkes states. “The world isn’t waiting for people who are naturally smart. Those who are naturally driven and hardworking are the ones who will succeed.”
They also urge students to take risks—to not be afraid to make mistakes. According to Jarrod Parkes, the ability to accept and learn from mistakes is how he and his brother have a business today.
The twins have not only made their fellow Patriots proud; they have also made their mother proud. Many know Lisa Parkes for her everyday bright smile and helpful heart at Bob Jones’ front desk. She spreads joy each day, and now her children have brought her joy.
“I’m very proud of [my sons],” Mrs. Parkes shares. “They’re very hard working, and they’re great children.”
Her sons are one source of proof that Bob Jones High School sends quality individuals into the business world—students who are ready to become professionals and make their mark in society.
They also give us students hope that maybe group projects aren’t that bad after all—that maybe, just maybe, our group partners could one day become our best allies in not only high school but in the workplace.
To vote for Health24, send an email with the subject and message “Heath24” to [email protected].
Interested in learning more about Parks Twins LLC? Visit their website at https://www.parkestwins.com.
For quick information on what the Datafest team is doing, watch their video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu1Avk9epNk
