Parker Leikam's light is shining strong. A high school senior at South Jefferson, Adams, NY, at 18 years old, was killed by an erratic driver 3-23-16, but his legacy is growing. Known for his hugs and his humor, he fit many molds and accepted all for who they were. Heavily involved in 3 different theater groups, he just played his last performance as Beast in Beauty and the Beast 5 days earlier. At news of his death, #bowtiesforparker was set in motion due to Parker's love of bow ties. Ted Keegan who plays Phantom in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and who had performed locally with Parker in the past, instantly set things in motion by wearing bow ties for Parker during that evening's performance and dedicating the show to him before Parker was even pulled from the vehicle 5 hours after the crash. Ted came and sang at the memorial and while he was there, he informed me that he set up #bowtiesforparkeronbroadway - Many stars including Simba from the Lion King, 2 players in Les Miserables and the full cast of American in Paris have shown their support and bow ties! At a candle light vigil over 800 showed up and formed a football field sized bow tie to show their unending support and had many different stories of how this young man touched their lives and the stories are still flowing in. He filled the church 3 1/2 times at his wake and the school had to go to overflow in the gym when the auditorium hit capacity. "Be kind to one another." This was Parker through and through. He was a musical theater star, a mediocre football player with the largest cheering section, a Whiz Quiz international champion, an All State tuba player, in the top 10 of his class and so much more, but to most he was just Parker, the incredible loving individual who didn't judge and taught tolerance and acceptance by just being him. Ellen, please join our forces and see how it is growing. #bowtiesforparker #EllenforParker and join the multitudes of people who are showing the love and sporting a bow tie for such a wonderful life full of promise that was taken all to soon. Thank you!