18 Jan 2018 Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Youth Citizens of the Year
501 LIFE is proud to recognize the 2017 Youth Citizens of the Year honorees, presented by the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce – Nathan Bowers (South Conway County), Andrew Poole (Sacred Heart), John Riley (Nemo Vista) and Shelby Reynolds (Wonderview).
Nathan Bowers
City: Morrilton.
School/grade level: Senior, Morrilton High School.
Favorite subject: Science.
What do you enjoy most at school: All of the wonderful programs that we can be a part of.
Career plans: To go into the medical field.
Community activities: High school football, band, Quiz Bowl, Beta and math club. Part of the Downtown Church of Christ youth group.
Family: Cristy and Johnny Bowers (mom and dad); and Mark Bowers (brother).
Who do you admire the most: My grandpa. He has worked hard to get where he is today and is one of the wisest people I know.
Favorite meal: Lasagna.
Most cherished possession: My Bible.
Most enjoyed weekend activity: Fishing and hunting.
Favorite quote: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Favorite place in Arkansas: Greers Ferry Lake.
What does it mean to you to be named a Youth Citizen of the Year by the Morrilton AREA Chamber of Commerce: I think it a huge honor to be recognized for this award, considering all of the excellent youth in our town. I would like to thank those who nominated me, and I hope they know how much it means to me. I am extremely humble to have been selected for this award.
Andrew Poole
City: Hattieville.
School/grade level: Senior, Sacred Heart Catholic School.
Favorite subject: Science.
What do you enjoy most at school: The family-like atmosphere. And basketball, of course.
Career plans: Arkansas Tech University. Interested in animal science.
Community activities: President of student council, member of Beta Club, Key Club treasurer, HOBY Junior Counselor, Eucharistic Minister Sacred Heart Church and Leadership Conway County Class 2017-2018.
Family: Parents, Jason and Kris; siblings, Emily (20) and Jack (12).
Most enjoyed weekend activity: Hunting, fishing, hanging out with the boys.
Favorite quote: “When you’re tired, sore and can’t do more, that’s the time to do more. “ — Tim Grover
Favorite place in Arkansas: Anywhere. I love being outdoors!
What does it mean to you to be named a Youth Citizen of the Year by the Morrilton AREA Chamber of Commerce: I am honored to have been selected! There are many great students in our county!
Shelby Reynolds
City: Hattieville.
School/grade level: Senior, Wonderview High School.
Favorite subject: My favorite subject in school is EAST because that is the class in which I get to work on my projects that benefit the school and the community.
What do you enjoy most at school: At school, I enjoy being around great people in a fun-loving, supportive and nurturing environment.
Career plans: I love working and being around children. I plan to either be an occupational therapist who works with children or a pediatrician.
Community activities: I feel a strong desire to work with young kids and to give back to my community to hopefully serve as a role model for younger children. I attend local food drives. I have a project known as “Little Wonders” that I have organized and led in which seniors are assigned kindergarteners to be big buddies and spend time with them. I am a member of my Catholic church’s CYM (Catholic Youth Ministry) in which I am an altar server, and I also serve at our church dinners. At my Baptist church, I teach the children’s classes and work in the nursery. I have another project known as “Little Dribblers” in which kindergarten through second-graders practice a routine that I choreographed. The children will perform the routine at the high school basketball games during halftime. I am a coach of the third grade pee wee boys basketball team at my school.
Family: Parents, Jason and Laura Reynolds; siblings, Jacob and Samuel.
Who do you admire the most: I could easily pick any one of my family members because they are all special to me in their own ways; however, I greatly admire my pastor’s wife, Linda Strickland. She is a lady who is always in a great mood, makes everyone feel welcome, prays for everybody and easily puts a smile on my face.
Most cherished possession: Well, the easy answer would be my family, but they know how I feel about them, so in picking an item, I would pick the cedar chest that my grandpa built me. He told me that the cedar chest should be used to store things in which I want to keep for when I get married and have kids of my own. I will be able to share with them the great things from my past.
Favorite place in Arkansas: The beautiful small town known as Hattieville.
What does it mean to you to be named a Youth Citizen of the Year by the Morrilton AREA Chamber of Commerce: I am just so thankful. There have been many other teenagers who were chosen for this award that have accomplished amazing things in life, and to be placed among them is a great honor.
John Riley
City: Center Ridge.
School/grade level: Senior, Nemo Vista High School.
Favorite subject: Agriculture.
What do you enjoy most at school: Seeing all of my friends.
Career plans: Go to college, undecided on career.
Community activities: Baseball, basketball, FBLA president, Beta President, FFA, FCCLA, Student Council, library club, Little Hawks basketball coach, server in Abundant Life banquet and Leadership Conway County.
Family: I live with my aunt and uncle and two cousins.
Who do you admire the most: My grandfather, Clell Watts. He has been a true inspiration to me.
Favorite meal: Any Chinese meal.
Most cherished possession: Cowboy hat my dad gave me.
Most enjoyed weekend activity: Being with friends and/or family.
Favorite quote: “It’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”
Favorite place in Arkansas: Center Ridge!
What does it mean to you to be named a Youth Citizen of the Year by the Morrilton AREA Chamber of Commerce: It means a lot. I’m glad I can be a positive role model for the younger kids in my community.
