Bowman, Parisi 2026 Knights of Distinction
Two educators, a Winsdor native who became a pioneering technology teacher in North Carolina, and a longtime music teacher in the district, are the newest Black Knights of Distinction.
The district is honoring Mildred “Midge” Bowman, who taught in the district from 1946-1979, as a Distinguished Educator, and David Parisi (WCHS Class of 1978), as a Distinguished Graduate.
Bowman was a lifelong musician, educator, and passionate supporter of the arts. Born in Norwich, New York, she developed a love for music at an early age, performing as a choir member, accompanist, and trombonist, including at the opening of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. After earning multiple degrees in music at Oberlin Conservatory, she began her teaching career at Windsor Central School, where she met her husband, Douglas Bowman.
“It’s an honor. She would love to see how the music department is flourishing. Her last few years teaching was her happiest with producing musicals. She had the best group of kids and they did incredible musicals. That brought her much joy,” said her daughter Ann Bowman Amendola, who accepted the recognition on her behalf. “She encouraged every kid to participate and stayed in touch with hundreds of students right up to her passing at 102 years of age. People asked her how she lived so long. She said music is the fountain of youth.”
After Bowman’s time in Windsor, Orlando became the home where she continued to share her passion and build lasting friendships. A devoted jazz enthusiast, she often said, “Music keeps me young; jazz keeps my heart beating strong.”
Her unwavering support of the music community earned her induction into the Central Florida Jazz Society Hall of Fame in 2023 at the age of 101. In June 2024, Orlando Lutheran Towers honored her with a Jazz Night celebration, and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings proclaimed June 7, 2024, as “Midge Bowman Day.”
At Orlando Lutheran Towers, Midge became known for hosting weekly “Sip and Sing” gatherings, bringing residents together through music, friendship, and joy. Even during the pandemic, she remained active and creative, writing and publishing her life story on her 100th birthday.
“Up until a week before she died, she was leading a singing group,” said Bowman-Amendola.
Parisi made the trip back to his hometown from his current home in North Carolina to accept the recognition.
“It’s an Incredible honor. I’m joining a couple of 1978 classmates, Harry Bronson and Doug Wheelock. It’s an honor to bring it home for ’78 again,” said Parisi. “To be able to come back and have this, and have my mom and dad to see it, it’s exciting for them to be part of it.”
Parisi made an impact as an athlete in Windsor. He ran track and Cross Country, played football, and, in 1977, became New York State’s first 91-pound weight class wrestling champion.
“I got cut from the basketball team in 7th grade and walked down to the wrestling room and became a scrapper,” said Parisi.
At Oswego State University, where he captained his team, became a three-time NCAA Division III All-American, and captured a National Championship in 1982, cementing a record of 108 wins. He is a member of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame and the Oswego State Athletic Hall of Fame.
“I can say this. Dan Gable said once you wrestle, everything else is easy. Wrestlers make great employees. My time here helped me have an ‘overcome’ attitude. I grew up in a family business. I worked 80-hour weeks at the Twin Freeze on Court St,” said Parisi. “Wrestling was that thin thread that got me to start looking at colleges. I went to college to become a shop teacher. I got a master’s in graphic arts at RIT. I Didn’t teach right away. I got hired out of RIT by a large printing company.”
After a successful 18-year career in manufacturing management, Parisi made his way to the classroom. He relocated to North Carolina and became a wrestling coach at Jay M. Robinson High School, where he coached seven individual state champions and led his team to a historic State Dual Team Title.
He also became a pioneer in STEM education. He founded the Cabarrus County Schools VEX Robotics Summer Camp and the VEX IQ Community Engineering Academy serving thousands of students. When schools didn't have funding or programs for young kids to build robots, Coach Parisi opened his own classroom and lab, giving families and students a place to innovate. Because of his vision, a staggering 36 out of 39 schools in his district now field competitive robotics teams, serving thousands of students across North Carolina.
His robotics teams captured seven State Championship titles and advancing to the VEX World Championships.
Parisi has been named Teacher of the Year three times. He has been inducted into the Robotics Education Foundation STEM Hall of Fame. He received the International Technology Engineering Education Association Excellence Award, the National Life Changer of the Year Award, and the inaugural Grace Mynatt Award of Excellence for his innovative spirit.
The district established the Knights of Distinction program to honor special individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Windsor Central School District, or graduates who have attained outstanding high school or lifetime achievements. The district will permanently honor these graduates at Windsor Central High School.