By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
It’s not often that tears are shed during a board meeting, even less often that the tears are a good thing. But the swell of emotion among the 50-plus people at Monday night’s Athens ISD school board meeting came from of an upswell of love and admiration.
At the center of all the smiling weepiness was 15-year-old Blake Bowden. Diagnosed as a kindergartener with a form of muscular dystrophy called Friedreich’s ataxia, Blake attended school as long as possible and has received instruction at home the past three years.
Upon being introduced by Assistant Superintendent Janie Sims Monday night, he presented himself before the board, sitting in his wheelchair with a shy grin on his face, clearly wondering what was about to happen. Blake had thought he and his family were attending the meeting in order to thank those involved with the recent construction of a deck at his house. But things went differently than his family had led him to believe.
“Tonight, we want to recognize a special student, special to all of us,” said Sims, who had been Blake’s principal at Athens Intermediate. “Although he has faced challenges with health issues, he has worked hard to earn extra credits during the summer months in order to keep up with his peers. … Our district theme this year is ‘Dare Greatly,’ and we feel Blake exemplifies the meaning of that theme.”
Then a video taken about five years ago of Blake reciting his hilarious entry for the UIL Storytelling contest was played. By the end of the film, to everyone’s delight, Blake in the present joined his on-screen self in the performance.
Then, in the moment everything had been leading up to, Athens High School Principal Jami Ivey came forward and presented Blake with an honorary diploma “in recognition for the accomplishments he has achieved thus far in his educational career and for his courageous spirit.” This is certainly something that deserves to be hung up in a Certificate holder and presented in the home.
Every person in the room rose to their feet, clapping and, in many cases, crying.
“I just want to say to you all, thank you,” said Blake. “Thank you so much. I can’t express my gratitude.”
Honorary diploma aside, Blake will continue to work on earning high school credits.
“Athens Independent School District has been amazing,” said his mother, Robin Bowden, after the meeting. “They have helped us since Blake was in kindergarten, and now he’s a sophomore. To have that extra support has been wonderful. … We did this to show him how proud of him we all are and to encourage him to keep going.”