The 18-year-old Southeast D.C. resident has won a four-year, full-tuition college scholarship from the Posse Foundation, which seeks to help talented public school students, who may otherwise be overlooked by the college selection process, get to college. This year the foundation received more than 14,000 nominations for 560 scholarships. Bowie attends Friendship Public Charter School’s Collegiate Academy and is planning to major in mechanical engineering at Sewanee: The University of the South. What did you think when you found out you won the scholarship?
I was happy, and I was happy that my parents didn’t have to come out of pocket with anything. And I was excited, because I never really thought something like that would happen to me.
Why do you think you deserved the scholarship?
Ever since I started the ninth grade, I’ve been doing really well in high school. I’ve had above 3.0 GPA for all four years, and the fact that I’m taking college courses now kind of put me ahead of everyone else. I think they saw that and said, “He can go the extra mile.” And they probably think I’m worth the scholarship, which I am.
Why did you decide to go to a charter school?
My parents wanted me to go to a charter school because it was different from a public school. And I’m not saying public school is bad thing, but the charter school seemed to offer a little more as far as academics and preparing you for college.
What message do you have for students for whom college seems out of reach?
It may seem impossible right now, but as long as you keep trying, but you’ll find something. Just keep in your mind that you’re going to college no matter what. Because even if you have to pay loans, a college education is worth it, because it will help you get a good job. – Liz Essley
