Eagle Grove may be a small town, but it’s a community that is moving forward. It seems to be the perfect mix that has been attracting Eagle Grove High School graduates back to the area to call home once again. Some graduate and leave for years, decades even. Others have left for college and then return home to start their professional careers. And still others have chosen to never leave, getting a job and starting work right out of high school in the community they were raised in.
That’s why the Eagle Grove Eagle is starting a new periodic segment – “Home is where the heart is.” We will be featuring alumni who have made the choice to come back to our community to work, live, play, and raise families. We will be sharing with you their stories that led them back here, and what they enjoy most about being home again.
We start with Dr. Aaron Parrott
“I have always said I am the poster child for’“Never say Never,’ because I was not planning on returning to Eagle Grove, but as I started looking around and planning, Eagle Grove was just a good fit,” he admitted.
Parrott graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 2001. He then attended Iowa Central Community College for two years, earning his AA degree before heading to the University of Iowa to continue his prerequisites for chiropractic school. From there, he went to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. That’s where Parrott was able to be part of the school’s clinic abroad program, serving in India. They spent five days working at a free chiropractic clinic for Hyderabad locals, and also providing chiropractic care for children at two different schools. Upon his return from that trip, Parrott said he thought after graduation he wanted to own a practice in Des Moines or Iowa City (he stated in an earlier article we did about his trip to India). Parrot graduated from Palmer College with his Bachelors of Science and Doctorate of Chiropractic degree, in October of 2008.
In August of 2009, he opened Parrott Family Chiropractic back in Eagle Grove.
“My wife (Janel) and I decided to return to Eagle Grove because we saw an opportunity to establish our careers here as well as raise a family,” said Parrott.
In January of 2015, Dr. Greg Burmeister’s, owner of Eagle Grove Chiropractic, decided to retire. Parrott took over his business and the rest, as they say, is history.
“Janel and I both enjoy the small town life and like the fact that there is a whole town that supports each other and the kids’ activities,” said Parrott about their decision to settle back in the area. “I believe all of us want to make Eagle Grove a better place and are willing to do whatever it takes.”
Be sure to keep your eye on “The Eagle” for more alumni stories about why Eagle Grove is where their heart, and their home is.
Upcoming features will include: Deb Ryerson, Colleen Bartlett, Aaron Wagner, and Radney Roosa. If you are an EGHS alumni who has moved back, or know of someone, please send me an email at news@eaglegroveeagle.com.
