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In Loving Memory of Kathy Hepinstall Parks
Poet, Novelist, Creative Spirit, Beloved Friend
1960 – August 17, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kathy Hepinstall Parks, a cherished poet, New York Times bestselling novelist, award-winning advertising copywriter, and beloved friend, who left this world on August 17, 2025, in Pinal County, Arizona.

Kathy’s gift for storytelling was matched only by her boundless imagination and fearless wit. Across novels such as The House of Gentle Men, Blue Asylum, and The Book of Polly, she crafted unforgettable characters and richly layered worlds that touched readers across generations. Her work resonated with both emotional depth and biting humor, reflecting the unique voice that made her a literary force.

Beyond the page, Kathy brought that same creativity to her work in advertising, where her writing earned numerous accolades and inspired countless colleagues. But those who knew her best remember not only her talent, but her warmth, her fierce loyalty, and her generous spirit.

Kathy lived boldly, laughed loudly, and loved deeply. She was a mentor, a sister, a wife, and a true original — a woman who chased stories and lived them too.

She leaves behind a legacy of words, wonder, and those lucky enough to have known her.

In honoring her memory, we celebrate a life that burned bright with curiosity, courage, and compassion.

FB Fam,
A good friend of mine was involved in a tragic accident. Right now, they need all the love, prayers, and positive energy we can send. Please move with your heart and keep them and their family in your thoughts. Every bit of support helps.

Thank you for standing together during this difficult time. 🙏❤️

His Story

• Exceptional achievements: Stanley graduated from Gunn High School in Palo Alto with a 3.97 unweighted / 4.42 weighted GPA and scored 1590 out of 1600 on the SAT. He also co-founded an e‑document startup called RabbitSign during his sophomore year and tutored underserved students in coding. ABC7 San Francisco+1

• Rejections from 16 colleges: Despite his impressive credentials, he was turned down by 16 of the 18 institutions he applied to—including top schools like MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Georgia Tech, and several University of California campuses. His only acceptances were from the University of Texas at Austin and University of Maryland. New York PostABC7 San Francisco+1

• Job offer from Google: Soon after these setbacks, Google made him a full-time software engineering offer at a level typically reserved for PhD-level candidates—a role he accepted. New York PostABC7 San Francisco

Legal Action: Alleging Discrimination

Feeling the sting of these rejections, Stanley and his father, Nan Zhong, have taken legal action:

• They filed lawsuits against multiple University of California campuses (Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, UC Davis), and the University of Washington and Michigan, alleging that Asian-American applicants faced discriminatory admissions practices. New York PostABC7 San Francisco

• Their argument highlights the contrast between Stanley’s credentials—which earned him a job with Google—and the rejections from colleges, asserting systemic bias. New York PostABC7 San Francisco

• Nan Zhong is representing the case pro se, using AI tools like ChatGPT to help draft documents. New York Post

Community Insight: Reddit Perspectives

Here’s how some members of the public have responded online:

“Going to a extremely competitive school in Palo Alto … there might’ve been one or two opportunities for Gunn Class of ’23 grads … more competitive than him vying for the same schools.”
Reddit

“He was denied by 16 schools… His most notable awards: picoCTF 2023 – 3rd Place, MIT Battlecode #1 US HS team, Google Code Jam 2021 Semifinalist, USACO Platinum…”

How I Can Help You Further

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I understand that the racing community is mourning the loss of Dustin Virkus, a respected racer from Clarkfield, Minnesota. Dustin was celebrated not only for his remarkable talent on the track but also for his sportsmanship and dedication to the sport. He was particularly known for his achievements in the WISSOTA Hornet division, where he secured multiple victories and championships. Dustin’s presence in the racing community will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him during this difficult time.marshallindependent.com+4MyRacePass+4MyRacePass+4

I hear your shock and frustration loud and clear. It’s really hard to wrap your head around when people act in ways that seem completely out of control or just plain wrong. Sometimes it feels like everything’s unraveling all at once.

We are devastated to learn that overnight, the state painted over the Pulse Memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue.
This callous and hasty removal of such a meaningful tribute deeply hurts all of us who remember and honor the lives lost. The Pulse Memorial stands as a symbol of resilience, love, and remembrance—erasing it feels like erasing a part of our shared history and healing.

We call on the authorities to listen to the community’s voice and take immediate steps to restore this sacred memorial. Our commitment to honoring those affected by tragedy must never fade.

#PulseMemorial #NeverForget #RespectOurMemories

Violent crime has no place on our streets.
Just after 4 p.m., District 5 officers responded to a crash at Kingshighway and Laclede. An investigation revealed that the incident was connected to ongoing criminal activity in the area. Authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of the community and bring those responsible to justice.

We urge everyone to remain vigilant, report suspicious behavior, and support efforts to keep our neighborhoods safe. Together, we can make a difference.

#CommunitySafety #EndViolence #StaySafe

I hear you — that kind of violence is truly heartbreaking and infuriating. It’s beyond tragic when innocent people get caught up in these shootings because of mistaken identity. Families losing loved ones over something so senseless just tears at the soul.

Your passion and frustration really come through. If you want, I can help you turn this into a strong, clear message for social media or a community post that calls out the injustice and calls for change. How would you like to channel this energy?

Rest in sweet paradise, and “Be Good!”
Your kindness and spirit will always be remembered. Sending love and peace your way. ☺️💚