By Chase Willis – September 27, 2017

The Caddo Parish School Board recognized senior Javin Bowman at its Sept. 19 meeting for his appointment as the 2017-2018 student representative to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

BESE is an administrative body for all Louisiana public elementary and secondary schools. The board sets the agenda for public education in the state, and board members focus on student achievement and school performance.

Bowman began preparing for this position as a seventh-grader at Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School. CMM was where Bowman was introduced to the Louisiana Association of Student Councils’ workshops and state convention – a program which mentors students in the development of leadership.

Bowman is an active student leader, currently serving as president of the Student Council and being involved in at least 10 clubs and organizations. He is also a cadet in the Gator Battalion, serving this school year as the Battalion XO.

Bowman was recognized before school board members and the audience by Mary Nash-Wood, director of communications and strategic initiatives. His certificate of recognition was presented by Superintendent T. Lamar Goree and school board president Denee Locke.

Nash-Wood said during her presentation that the board recognized Bowman for his monumental accomplishment and his act to challenge the board members of BESE to think of students first.

Bowman outlined his goals for this school year to show the students of Louisiana the connection, importance and power of knowledge of leadership and education combined. He also said that he wants to motivate the students of Louisiana to be willing to learn and take education just as seriously as everything else.

Bowman was supported at the board meeting by Principal Ginger Gustavson and his mother, Jamie Kendrick. Bowman is the only student to sit alongside BESE members during state board meetings.