Senator Pam Helming presented North Rose-Wolcott High School student Parker Maybe with a New York State Senate Commendation Award at a Rose Town Board meeting, recognizing his extraordinary efforts to preserve local cemeteries and the stories of those laid to rest there.

The New York State Senate Commendation Award is one of the highest honors a State Senator can bestow upon an individual. It recognizes New Yorkers who exemplify their communities' spirit through exceptional leadership, philanthropy, service, and achievement. Senator Helming selected Parker for his initiative, dedication, and commitment to preserving local history through his Gone Graving project.

Parker founded Gone Graving in 2023, turning his passion for local history into an effort to clean, repair, and restore gravestones throughout Wayne County and surrounding communities. Since then, Parker has cleaned more than 800 headstones while also researching the lives of the people behind them.

Senator Helming said, “The Senate Commendation Award is reserved for people whose leadership and service make a meaningful difference in their communities, and Parker has certainly earned this recognition. He has turned his love of history into an incredible act of service. Every headstone represents a person, a family, and a story, and Parker is making sure those stories are not forgotten. His work shows remarkable initiative, compassion, and respect for the generations who came before us. By sharing that history through videos and social media, he is inspiring others to take an interest in preserving our past. I am incredibly proud to present him with this honor.”

Parker’s interest in cemetery preservation began when he was nine years old while participating in a cleanup at Ellinwood Cemetery with his mother, former Rose Town Historian Melanie Maybe. During the cleanup, Parker and two other young volunteers discovered a headstone buried underground. The experience helped spark his interest in restoring gravestones and preserving the history connected to them.

Parker has also received permission to restore gravestones in cemeteries throughout the towns of Rose and Butler. His work includes cleaning headstones, repairing and straightening damaged stones, clearing overgrown burial sites, and researching the individuals buried there. His research has helped preserve the stories of local veterans, community leaders, and some of the region’s earliest residents.

Parker’s videos documenting his work have attracted thousands of followers online. He hopes to expand his efforts by teaching others how to clean and preserve headstones properly.

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