Youth Director Dennis Bowers

I graduated from Seymour Senior High School in 1999.  While I was in high school, I was involved in many activities.  I was a member of many athletic teams, but my main focus was on swimming.  I was a leader of the art club (treasurer) and the aviation club (vice-president).  I was a leader in the Boy Scouts.  I was a percussionist in the school band.  One interesting tidbit is that I met my future wife in high school, in Mr. Schuley’s AP chemistry class. 

I graduated from Wabash College in 2003.  While at Wabash I studied abroad at la Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica for half a school year. When I returned I was accepted into an advanced study class where we spent some time in Mexico, doing archeology and anthropology.  We spent a lot of time researching culture and specifically religion.  I wrote a research paper from this experience that was published and received an honor’s award at the Latin American Studies Symposium.  I was a professor’s assistant and helped teach Intermediate Spanish.  I swam four years in college, and learned to play lacrosse on a team there.  I was involved in numerous clubs on campus.  I started my teacher licensing at Wabash as an undergraduate.

I graduated from Wabash College in 2003.  While at Wabash I studied abroad at la Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica for half a school year. When I returned I was accepted into an advanced study class where we spent some time in Mexico, doing archeology and anthropology.  We spent a lot of time researching culture and specifically religion.  I wrote a research paper from this experience that was published and received an honor’s award at the Latin American Studies Symposium.  I was a professor’s assistant and helped teach Intermediate Spanish.  I swam four years in college, and learned to play lacrosse on a team there.  I was involved in numerous clubs on campus.  I started my teacher licensing at Wabash as an undergraduate.

One summer, in 2001, I helped coach the Brave Wave Swim team to their first winning swim meet in 11 years and their first conference victory ever.  The joy that the kids felt after achieving this feat made me appreciate what an influence someone could be on others.  Kids are always watching and listening to what others say and do.  This is one of the reasons that I pursued education and working with the youth.

After graduating Wabash College, I pursued a Master’s of Arts in Teaching.  I left the program early after receiving half of the credits towards the Master’s. Degree. 

My wife, Tricia, and I were married on August 14, 2004.  I thank God each day for putting her in my life.  We are committed to living each day with love and respect for each other. 

Also in 2004, I accepted a position at the Webb School in Tennessee teaching Spanish 2 and 3.  While there, I was part of a team of dorm parents to approximately 150, grades 6-12, boarders.  I helped oversee fun activities with the students, coached middle school lacrosse, drove a school bus, and was a leader in a few on campus clubs.  I very much loved my time at the Webb School.

Tricia and I decided to return to Seymour to help run the family farm in 2006.  I quickly realized that I missed being around students, so I had to get an Indiana State Teacher’s license.  I returned to school finished getting my Indiana license.  I was nominated and received the future educator award with others throughout the State of Indiana in 2008.

In 2008, I obtained employment in Columbus as a Spanish teacher.  I taught primarily Spanish 1 and Spanish 2.  I helped with the swim team and helped in forming a lacrosse group in Columbus. 

In 2009, I accepted the position with Peace.  I have been attending Peace Lutheran regularly since 2006.  I have worked with the youth at Peace since 2007.  As part of a team, I am a teacher at heart, but enjoy helping youth to discover what they are capable of doing.  I enjoy trying to make an impact on youth as being a role model and counselor.  With the support of the congregation, I look forward to working along side parents to encourage and motivate our youth to do great things.