Devon Bowling sets example

By: Orange News Staff | Orange County Review
Published: February 01, 2012

For the second consecutive year, Devon Bowling was named the Orange County High School Angler of the Year.

The son of Tony and Laura Bowling of Locust Grove, Devon, a 2011 OCHS graduate, led the Anglers through another successful year as the chapter’s president and chaplain.

“Devon leads by example,” Anglers’ advisor Becky Gore said. “He participated in 100 percent of our tournaments, activities, fundraising and conservation projects.”

Bowling contributed nearly 1,000 hours of public service last year alone, she added. As a chapter, the Anglers contributed nearly 5,000 hours of community service and traveled nearly 16,000 miles to 35 tournaments. Additionally, they removed nearly 500 pounds of trash from Lake Anna.

Gore attributes a lot of the chapter’s success last season to Bowling’s leadership.

“His performance on the water is equally impressive,” Gore added.

For the third straight year, Bowling was on the Anglers’ six-man elite team which won the 2011 Junior B.A.S.S. Federation Nation state championship that claimed the title at Smith Mountain Lake. Other OCHS Anglers included Kevin Beasley, Franklin Marrs, Dylan McGhee, Jacob Dodson and Austin Clore.

Bowling earned a $500 Joseph Thomson Memorial Scholarship prior to graduating from OCHS last summer and received another $500 from B.A.S.S. Federation Nation President Mike Bryant for being named the Junior B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Virginia 2011 Angler of the Year.

“The state nominating committee was astounded by what Devon had accomplished,” Gore said. “It was not just his ability to put fish in a boat but his ability to lead such an outstanding group of teens.”

Additionally, Gore noted, the committee was impressed with his academic performance, his community service, conservation efforts and his ability to ink sponsors for his post-graduate career.

“Devon has accomplished more than any youth angler in the history of the program and gone way beyond the expectations of any other youth in the state,” Gore added.

Bowling currently attends Germanna Community College and hopes to pursue a career as a conservation officer.