If you’ve exited campus via American River Drive in the spring, you likely saw Chris Palchak ’25 sling a 12 pound shot into the cosmos. If you caught the toss out of the corner of your eye, then you also likely saw him seamlessly shift his focus after every throw from his performance to his teammates. 

Whether it’s by answering questions, demonstrating the proper form, or sharing words of encouragement on and off the field, Chris’s compassion and integrity help guide others to success.

“He’s a model student – [one of] the best on the throwing team and he’s an all around great student,” said Zachary Speers ’25. “He sets such a high bar that I think others around him try to reach for that same standard, and he just encourages others to be better.”

Math Teacher Ms. Antonia Doherty has witnessed the leadership and compassion that Chris shows towards his classmates. His ability to inspire his peers stands out as one of his strongest traits to her.

“He inspires people to be good because he’s got such a deep kind of core moral strength and being around him is a very positive thing,” Ms. Doherty said. “He’s very calm and he would help the students if they’re struggling. So I think that he’s inspirational in the fact that you can encourage people to be the best they can be because that’s what Chris is doing all the time.”

In addition to being a compassionate role model for his fellow marauders, Chris has a charismatic personality that elevates the environment around him.

“If I ever offer the chance for group work or working with other students, it was easy [for students] to gravitate towards him, not just because he is a solid student, but because he’s enjoyable to be around,” said English Teacher Mr. Andrew Burrows ’11. 

Chris’s excellence isn’t limited to the classroom. Shotput and Discus Coach Christopher Huitt believes that Chris’s efforts have made him an exemplary leader on the throwing team. 

“[Chris] is an example to his teammates [of] how important it is to be present for his team as their leader,” Coach Huitt said. “If he is sick or injured, he tries to rehabilitate or do whatever must be done to get back to his teammates. If he cannot compete, he has shown what it means to support and encourage his teammates on and improve.”

Chris believes he’s gained a new perspective on teamwork through throwing, which has helped him grow into the leader he is today.

“Being on the throwing team has definitely changed my morals and my view on teams, life in a team, and life at school,” Chris said. “Teammates are always encouraging [and] supportive of each other, but captains, as leaders, make sacrifices for their teammates. They don’t sacrifice things from their teammates, they make sacrifices from their own lives for their teammates, like their time and resources and advice. So I try to tie that in with my own life and I try to make sacrifices for others in my own life.”