THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 29, 1996 TAG: 9605250198
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: A SALUTE TO THE CLASS OF '96
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 73 lines
You'd have to search long and hard to find something negative to say about Charles Clark Cowden.
Cowden, a graduating Green Run senior, is not only notable for his academic excellence but also stands out for his volunteering spirit and kind nature.
Cowden, 18, volunteers at nursing homes, coaches youth soccer and helps control a toddler Sunday School class his mom teaches.
As the head of the Service Committee for the Green Run High School Honor Society, Cowden has served the homeless at soup kitchens and read books to elementary school students and sick patients at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
Cowden began helping his mom, Sandra Cowden, a physical therapist, when he was about 5 years old and his father unexpectedly passed away. He began accompanying his mom out of necessity, but, as he aged, he made a conscious choice to help.
``The more independent I became the more it became a choice,'' said Cowden, who conversed with patients while his mom administered the therapy. ``It's something I wanted to do.''
Cowden still helps his mom out whenever she needs it. Of course, that help has to be scheduled between soccer practice and games. He's helped to coach a youth soccer team since 10th grade and he played soccer and football for Green Run.
Cowden figures he's spent nearly six seasons helping others learn the sport.
``I like soccer a lot,'' said the young man who was born in a Hampton hospital his mom was working in. ``It's a lot of my life. It actually takes more time than school.''
Cowden has plans to play soccer at William and Mary next year but is concerned about taking the fun out of the game.
``I'm going to college to learn, not to play soccer,'' he said. ``I didn't want an athletic scholarship because I didn't want to be forced to play.''
Cowden doesn't exactly have to worry about academics. His grade point average is about 3.93, he said. Learning comes easily for him.
He has passed six advance placement courses this year and attended the Governor's School for Science at William and Mary last year.
He's a member of The Virginian-Pilot's Academic Team and one of the city's Brickell scholars. At William and Mary this fall, he plans to use a $2,000 Monroe Scholar science grant for research.
He expects to major in molecular biology and minor in chemistry. He wants to go on to study medicine as well as get a doctorate and work in disease research, possibly at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga.
``I'm interested in the way disease affects the body,'' he said.
Cowden has always looked to his older brother, John, 20, as a role model.
``My brother is an incredible role model,'' said Cowden. ``He's influenced me in a lot of ways. He's a really good guy with all kinds of academic awards and he's incredibly smart.''
As for this summer, ``Mom is going to make me get a job,'' said Cowden, laughing. ILLUSTRATION: GREEN RUN HIGH SCHOOL
No. of seniors: 334
Commencement cerremony: 1:30 p.m., Sunday, June 9 at Virginia Beach
Pavilion
Charles Cowden plans to play soccer at William and Mary next year
but is concerned about taking the fun out of the game. ``I'm going
to college to learn, not to play soccer. I didn't want an athletic
scholarship because I didn't want to be forced to play.'' Cowden
doesn't exactly have to worry about academics. His grade point
average is about 3.93, he said.
Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS by CNB