To qualify for the renewable scholarship, a student must be a Pulaski County resident graduating from Winamac Community High School who participated at the high school varsity level in any of the following sports: basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track, volleyball. The student must also plan to continue athletic pursuits in college.

Both Jim and Carol excelled in high school sports in Kettering, Ohio. Jim said, “Sports were always my number one motivation for doing well academically.”  He noted that excellence provided much-needed financial help when he went on to Earlham College.  He went on to excel in baseball and basketball at Earlham.  

Three of their children attended Winamac Community High School and were outstanding student athletes. Brooks graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1994 where he played basketball.  

Shallon attended Winamac from 1996-1999 where she finished her basketball career as one of only a handful of 1000 point career scorers at Winamac. She achieved many honors including All-Conference in basketball each year, and All-Conference in volleyball and Co-Athlete of the Year in her senior year at WCHS. She went on to become a 1000 point career scorer at Bethel College, and led the team to the 2003 NCCAA championship in her senior year. She also made the dean’s list every semester and earned NAIA Academic All-American honors in her junior and senior years.

Blake attended WCHS from 1997-2001 and participated in track and basketball. He ran on the school’s record 3200 meter relay team in 1999, was instrumental in the sectional basketball championship WCHS won in 2001, and was All-Conference Honorable Mention in basketball in both junior and senior years. He went on to receive a degree from Ball State University.

Blair excelled in basketball and soccer at WCHS during 1999-2003 and went on to play soccer at Grace College. He was Co-Athlete of the Year his senior year at WCHS and All-Conference in basketball, playing on back-to-back sectional championship teams in 2001 and 2002. He was goal keeper for the only sectional soccer championship team in 2001. Blair attended Ball State University, where he graduated cum laude.  

Jim contends that many students who could compete in college athletics think it will deter them from their academic focus. On the contrary, Jim knows that being in athletics can enhance academic focus due to the discipline necessary to succeed in both. 

The Bowdens believe there are numerous student athletes at Winamac Community High School each year that have the ability to excel at the college level as athletes but choose not to try it. Their hope is that this scholarship will provide some needed financial assistance to encourage such students to continue their athletic careers in college and experience the additional rewards that such achievement could bring.

The Bowden Family Student Athlete Scholarship will be available for 2015 graduates.  

Contact the Pulaski County Community Foundation or the high school for more information.