When her interim position was complete, Liz decided she’d like to stay at Emma. In order to do so, she needed to be willing to coach a crew of young gymnasts who were interested in pursuing the sport during their time on Mount Ida. “I called The Masters School where I went to high school,” she recalls. “We had a very good gymnastics program and Bob Nelligan was the coach. I got in touch with him and said, ‘I need to learn spotting.’” Liz spent the summer making connections to get the gymnastics practice and education she needed in order to land the permanent position in the Physical Education Department at Emma.

Although the gymnastics program only lasted about four years, Liz had shown her tenacity to learn new skills and go the extra mile, traits which she instilled in each of her students. This commitment would drive her through decades of teaching physical education, coaching both field hockey and lacrosse, as well as brief stints coaching basketball, volleyball, and, of course, gymnastics. Eventually, she would also become a health instructor, teach lifeguarding, and earn the title of Athletic Director.

A coaching icon in the Capital Region and beyond, Liz was a founding member of the Capital District Women’s Lacrosse League in 1990, was the Section 2 Girls Lacrosse Co-coordinator and then Coordinator from 1997–2016, and Assistant State Coordinator from 2006–2016. She currently serves as the State Coordinator for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Lacrosse. In addition to her 2015 induction into the Hall of Fame at Ithaca alongside her 1982 champion team, Liz was inducted into the Adirondack Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2018.

Liz has seen many transitions over her time on Mount Ida—from leadership to curriculum to campus renovations—and one thing has remained constant: her love for Emma. “I enjoy all parts of it. I went to a girls’ prep school, so I know what it’s all about. I love the people I work with, and I love the students. Every year is different. The kids are the same, but different. They want to try new things.” The format of athletics at Emma makes it possible for students to try sports they’ve never considered before. “I love that they’re working hard,” Liz says. “Some of our people who have excelled in a sport started in phys ed. I told them they should go out for the team. And the next thing you know, they just bloom! That’s what’s so fun to see. They just need encouragement.”

The years seem to blend together for Liz. “I walk up here every day from Wilson House, where I’ve been for 37 years—oh my goodness!” The reality of that number sinks in as she shares it. “I feel like a student all the time. I go home for vacations. I’m on the school calendar.” Now the Wearer of the Red Hat, Liz is the faculty member who has been at Emma the longest. She recalls as few as five Wearers of the Red Hat since she came to Mount Ida, most notably Choir Instructor Russell Locke, who seemed to wear the hat the longest, having taught here for over 50 years. “I can’t believe it’s me,” she laughs. “It’s like the seniors: you always have somebody in front of you and then all of a sudden it’s you. Everybody’s looking at me!”

Indeed, everyone is looking toward Liz for her energetic leadership. Head of School Jenny Rao considers Liz an icon among the faculty. “Liz Parry is a fierce competitor and a loyal teammate,” she says. “Emma Willard athletes for the past 40 years credit her with helping them find and build strength they never thought they had. She leads by example—the tenacity and passion for her work has only grown and she has shown us all what our Madame Willard said over 200 years ago, ‘Do your best and your best will be getting better!’ Liz has done exactly that, and even though it seems she could not be more enthusiastic and encouraging, with each passing year her conviction and devotion deepens. Emma Willard is stronger and brighter because of Liz Parry.”

As one who works most closely with Liz, Dean of Students Shelley Maher has never seen anyone match Liz’s energy. “She’s the epitome of a boarding school member,” Shelley enthuses. “Liz has an energy that is unsurpassed and never wavers, whether at eight o’clock in the morning or eleven o’clock at night.” Most importantly, that enthusiasm is laserfocused on going above and beyond for the sake of her students. “She has high expectations. She understands the demands on students, both in the classroom and outside, and she wants to bring out the best in them.”

It’s hard to miss Liz’s passion, intensity, and excitement—distinctive qualities that her students emulate. Ceci C. ’24, who has played both field hockey and lacrosse for Ms. Parry all four years at Emma, has felt her impact deeply. “She has a big personality and is always positive both at practice and at games,” Ceci shares. “Even when we’re struggling, she knows what we need to hear to cheer up and improve our play. I’ve imitated her coaching style and positive energy in
my role as captain.”

As she looks toward the future, Liz wants to keep focusing on the students and their interests. “I just like to see where high school athletics is going. I think it’s important to keep our facilities updated while keeping in mind our student population and where their interests lie,” Liz says. While student involvement in club sports and transfer rules impact play at Emma, Liz feels that our international population provides our athletics program with a different perspective than many schools have. “Even if students come without any kind of background in a sport, we are teaching them to play. I love hearing the kids say, ‘Can I just come out and try it?’ And, yes, of course…give it a try!”

For all her enthusiasm on the field and off, passionate leadership, and willingness to guide both seasoned athletes and first-timers, Liz Parry has been honored by having the lower field at Emma Willard School named in her honor. The dedication was announced in the spring of 2021, and this fall an outdoor scoreboard went up on the lower playing field, emblazoned with her name.

With 40 years of alumnae having experienced her influence, a collection of themes emerge—singular words to describe Liz: Encouraging. Incredible. Energetic. Amazing. These are just a few responses Andrea Hanley ’95 received when polling fellow alums in preparation for her remarks for the recent dedication of Elizabeth Parry Field. “You are a leader by example and experience,” Andrea said, addressing Liz. “It’s no coincidence you instill strength and success in others.”

Liz holds her students accountable, makes them work hard, motivates them, and pushes them through both challenge and triumph. The great news is, in Liz’s own words, “I’m not done yet!”