ZION BOWLIN TO REPRESENT LAWRENCE AT STATE YOUTH OF THE YEAR
AWRENCE, Kan. Prepped, confident and a touch nervous for the next round, Zion Bowlin will represent the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence at the 2017 Kansas Youth of the Year ceremony, Monday, March 6. The Free State High School senior was named the Lawrence Youth of the Year on Jan. 26, advancing him to the state level to be held at Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka.
Bowlin will undergo a full day of activities on Monday, including an interview with the panel of judges, two rounds of presenting his speech, a community service project and a meet-and-greet with several local and state elected officials. The official dinner and program begins at 6 p.m., with the Kansas winner expected to be announced by 8 p.m. In between FSHS baseball tryouts, homework and college visits, Bowlin has made room for as much practice time as possible. He has spoken to the Lawrence Public Schools board, the Lawrence City Commission, the Lawrence Breakfast Rotary Club and nearly all 15 of the Boys & Girls Club sites in Lawrence. In fact, he and his mentor, Director of Teen Services Amy Hill, have interview and speech practices scheduled all the way through this Sunday.
“I’m feeling a little bit of both,” Bowlin smiled, referring to his confidence and nervousness levels. “I finally have my speech memorized, so I just have to work a little more on my pauses and my gravitas. Doug (Doug Lawrence, YOY speech coach) told me that at Rotary. Hearing from everyone that my speech is good, and that Im well spoken, feels really good. Doug told me that I was one of the best presenters (that he’s seen). So hearing all of that gives me a lot of confidence for State, and it definitely motivates me.”
He will join seven other candidates (two Military YOY, six Traditional YOY in total) as each will represent their respective city and local Boys & Girls Club at the State Youth of the Year level. While the highly decorated football and baseball player has represented his school numerous times, he understands the heightened level that Monday’s event brings.