Student Spotlight: Amaia Parkins ’25
Written by Amanda Mathis
They gathered in the early rays of an April morning, a diverse group of individuals from Converse University and the Spartanburg community, young and old, all walking together to shed light on mental health during the Inaugural Out of the Darkness Walk. Led by Amaia Parkins ’25, a Converse Marriage and Family Therapy graduate student, they were united by a common purpose: a shared commitment to mental health advocacy.
Created in honor of Amaia’s late brother, who died of suicide in 2016, the campus walk was designed to shed light on the experiences of countless others who have grappled with mental health challenges. With Amaia’s dedication and leadership, she turned her dream into a reality by creating a dedicated team of Converse faculty, staff, and students who shared her passion and commitment, including past student body president Jasmyn Williams ’24, who, like Amaia, had also lost a sibling to mental illness. Converse also partnered with the University of South Carolina Upstate, whose students joined them for the walk.
“I wanted to spark the conversation around this topic and end the stigma, along with telling my own story of personal struggle and mental health.”
Amaia Parkins ’25
“There’s a lot of emotion in becoming a young adult and still dealing with teenage emotions,” said Amaia. “I wanted to spark the conversation around this topic and end the stigma, along with telling my own story of personal struggle and mental health.”
A busy young woman, Amaia is a graduate student at Converse University, a member of the Converse basketball team, and participates in the Converse College For Women Bigs program. “I initially picked Converse to play basketball because I thought the campus was cool, Said Amaia. “I’ve now met my best friends here and have great connections.”
Growing up in a family of educators, Amaia plans to be a social worker after graduation to help children from her first-hand experience. Recently, she was recognized for the prestigious Bailie Award at the Mental Health Society of Spartanburg County in May, and Conference Carolinas named her as one of just four members of its 2023-24 All-Community Service Team.
“The Out of Darkness event was an enriching experience for our campus and local community to take part in,” said Daphnie Glenn, M.Ed Director of First Generation Programs and Student Success Initiatives. “When Amaia approached me about hosting a walk for our campus, I was unsure how all the moving parts would flow together in such a short time. But with the authentic transformational leadership from everyone on campus, every aspect of the day was perfect! It was eye-opening to visually see the number of students who have had a personal experience with their mental health or know someone who has.”
With more than 200 participants and raising more than $3,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Amaia’s achievement is even more remarkable as the walk’s impact extended far beyond the gates of Converse, touching the lives of individuals who found comfort and support in her advocacy. “We were able to partner with individuals in the community, seeing that this was one of very few walks hosted in the Upstate area,” Glenn shared. “This small act will provide more opportunities for students to be seen and understood. I am glad that Amaia and the Converse community could take on this rewarding charge!”
Plans for the second Out of the Darkness Event are in the works. “Be willing to have a committee of strong minds that are different from yours and be willing to be open to new ideas,” advised Amaia. If you want to join next year’s Out of the Darkness committee, email Daphnie Glenn, M.Ed at daphnie.glenn@54zhangmi.com.
Top image: Amaia pays tribute to her brother at the Out of the Darkness event at Converse University.