Springfield's 'Youth of the Year' serves as role model, puts others at ease

Good luck trying to get Eric Cowan to talk about himself.

The Central High School senior isn't shy. He is happy to talk about his high school, the organizations he supports and the Boys and Girls Club where he has spent his afternoons for years. But boast about his accomplishments? No way.

"He doesn't brag on himself. He doesn't come with a lot of ego," said Karen Culp, Cowan's journalism teacher at Central. "He is not a show-off."

The 18-year-old was recently selected the 2017 Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield. He was awarded a $12,000 scholarship and will compete for Missouri Youth of the Year.

In winning, Cowan deflected attention by focusing on past winners of the Springfield honor.

"They are amazing people," he said. "I'm honored to have followed in their footsteps."

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield, in announcing the annual Youth of the Year, described Cowan as the "true example of an extraordinary young man" with sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

He started attending the Stalnaker Unit years ago because his mother and stepfather worked in the afternoon and he needed somewhere safe to go after school each day.

Cowan, who had medical issues as a baby that left him with a speech impediment, required speech therapy. He was bullied as a child and struggled with feeling different.

"I have to repeat myself often," he said.

Over the years, he became comfortable with the way he looks and talks. He said he wants to use his experiences to help others and end the stigma of those who struggle to speak clearly.

Culp said Cowan, who is co-editor-in-chief of the news magazine at Central, has a way of putting others at ease. She credits him for cultivating a strong bond on the staff and welcoming newcomers.

"Eric has an uncanny ability to make new students on staff feel comfortable," she said. "Maybe his speech impediment made him not want anyone else to feel like an outsider because he felt like one."

Cowan said while others might focus on what makes him different, he prefers to "see the similarities" in people.

He refused to allow a physical challenge to stand in the way of his interest in journalism. He started reporting and writing because of an intense interest in covering sports, an area he believes is too often overlooked.

Cowan comes by his love of journalism naturally. His mother, Cathy Kuhlmeier, was a student newspaper editor in the St. Louis area in the early 1980s who was subjected to censorship.

She was among the student journalists who sued, claiming their First Amendment rights were violated, and the landmark case — titled Hazelwood School District et al. v. Kuhlmeier et al. — went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision changed the way school newspapers and student speech were viewed, giving administrators the right to exercise "prior restraint."

Culp said Cowan excels at interviewing, developing sources and finding compelling story ideas.

"When you ask Eric to do something, you ask him once and it's as good as done," she said. "He doesn't need pushing."

At Central, Cowan is enrolled in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program. He belongs to the math club and competes on the school's bowling and baseball teams. He has a 4.65 GPA on a 5.0 scale.

He credits IB with helping him understand how he learns.

Cowan is president of the Keystone Club at Stalnaker, a leadership group that focuses on service to others, academic success and career preparation. He also volunteers with many community groups.

After finding role models at Stalnaker, he relishes being an example for others.

He said the Boys and Girls Club has taught him so many life skills and now it will help him pay for college. With five siblings, he appreciates the help.

"It's honestly one of the only ways to go to college without being in debt," he said. "I am paying for my own college."

Cowan plans to study actuarial science but has not yet decided where he will enroll.

Want to go?

The 21st annual Steak & Steak Dinner and Charity Auction will be April 11 at the University Plaza Convention Center. It will feature Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.

The event, sponsored by Mercy Springfield, is the largest annual fundraising event for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. The clubs serve more than 2,500 registered members every year, and many are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The annual event started in 1997. Last year's event featured Kurt Warner and raised more than $144,000. Other guest speakers have included Brett Favre, Rick Pitino, Nick Saban, Tony La Russa, Lance Armstrong, Drew Brees, Roy Williams, Bob Gibson, Coach Bob Knight, Tony Gonzales, Dick Vitale, Bill Russell, Mike Ditka, Dick Vermeil, Johnny Bench, Archie and Peyton Manning and Jackie Joyner Kersee.

For tickets, contact Phoebe Hicks at 417-862-9249, ext. 115 or phicks@bgclubspringfield.org.