2007 SoT WINNERS

2007 STAR OF TOMORROW WINNERS: ROSE BROWN and DOUG LAUER

ROSE LYNN BROWN of Modesto, is a senior at Grace M. Davis High School, Modesto, where she  maintains  a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.0, ranking 7th in her class of 603 students.  She has been a member of the California Scholarship Federation for four years.

Not only is Rose an outstanding student, she was described by one of her teachers as “always consistently prepared and completes her student duties in a timely and efficient manner. She is always prompt and absences are a rarity.  In class she acts as a role model for others and is often found helping those in need”.  And, in their testimonials written in Rose’s behalf other teachers wrote how impressed they were by her level of maturity and professionalism she displays.  She is a quick learner, a self-motivator and never makes excuses when presented with challenging tasks. Rose’s outstanding efforts were rewarded with the Spartan Award for two consecutive years, which is given to only 100 students out of 3,200 who show exemplary qualities inside the classroom.

Rose has been a member of the Public Safety Academy for four years from which she received a recommendation for a position of California Highway Patrol Explorer, where she has served for two years. She has been Vice President of the Challenger Club for two years and; is an active PAL (Peer Assistant Learning, which involves helping to tutor both physically and mentally disabled students.

Outside the classroom, Rose has lettered in Varsity Track and Field and Volleyball. She has been a youth bowler for thirteen years, ten of which she has been a member of the “Nor-Cal All Stars”.  She has recorded two certified 300 games and a high series of 791.  In March 2006 Rose was awarded a berth on the USBC Junior Team USA, one of the most prestigious honors for youth bowlers in the nation.  She would be representing the United States in international competition and act as an ambassador for youth bowling worldwide. After attending the Olympic Training Camp in Colorado Springs in May, Rose competed in the American Zone Youth Championships in Pueblo, Mexico in June, bringing home the Bronze Medal for taking Third Place in the Girls Event.  Then in 2007, this young lady  earned her way through the competition to earn a spot on Team USA.

Rose’s other bowling achievements are numerous.  She captured a First Place in the NorCal YABA State Girls Scratch Singles;  NorCal BPA/YABA Youth Doubles Championships, South Division.; NorCal BPA/YABA Jr. Adult Championships-Scratch Girls/Women, South Division; NorCal Youth Doubles Championships-Major Mixed Division, South Division; and the NCJBT Girls Scratch Division.

Although Rose had applied hard work and determination, she attributes her mother June  for all she has taught her in bowling, and probably the most important, “Always remember to have fun and, practice with a purpose.”

Rose has carried her leadership abilities forward into the bowling arena both on the local and state levels.  She has served as a CSYABA District Youth Director to the for two years; Vice President for the California Youth Leadership Association  three years and one year on the California Youth Council.  In 2006, Rose was elected to the California USBC Board of Directors.

Following her high school graduation, Rose will be attending Modesto Junior College to complete her general education, after which she will transfer to Fresno State University to major in Criminal Justice and will try out for  a spot on the FSU bowling team.  Rose intends to pursue a career in Law Enforcement, preferring to work with the Juvenile Probation Department.

It’s not “all work and no play”, however, for Rose says that when she isn’t studying or working, she loves to go to go to movies, hiking at Yosemite or, of course… go bowling.

DOUGLAS JAMES LAUER of 29 Palms, California graduated from Twenty-nine Palms High School in 2006.  He was first in his class of 181 students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.37.  He was the Class Valedictorian and awarded High Honors receiving  a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.  His Academic Awards included: Math, History, English, and Physical Health earning an Academic Letter with (2) Lamps.  Doug proudly earned membership in the National Honor Society. the National Society of High School Scholars, the President’s Education Awards Program for Outstanding Academic State Achievement and the Who’s Who Among American High School Students for 2005 and 2006.

Doug’s honors also include: National Consortium for Academics and Sports (Northeastern University’s Sport in Society National Collegiate Athletic Association-2 years); CIF Southern Section Academic Award “Boys Varsity Basketball”; Academic Excellence Award Golden State for Algebra; State of California Senators Scholastic Achievement Award; and the UC Irvine Academic Talent Search Award. Aside from his academics, Doug was active as a Senior Honor Guard; a member of the Pool and French Clubs (2) years; and served as a Teachers Aid for Anthropology.  He earned a letter in Varsity Basketball and was a member of the Track & Field in Shot Put and Discus. The Rotary Club awarded him Wildcat Athlete of the Week for Basketball and… Track and Field.

Doug’s leadership abilities were obvious when he served as Delegate American Legion California Golden Boys State and was awarded the California Senate, the Assembly Certificate for Recognition for Achievement for California Golden Boys State; as well as  the Masonic Lodge Citizenship Award

A member of the  “Link Crew” (a Underclass Mentoring Program); clubs and sports team fund raisers; the Parks and Recreation Annual 29 Palms Boys Basketball Tournament; coach for the Parks and Recreation Basketball Camp, for which he earned “Outstanding Coach” twice.; and a volunteer for community clean-up days.

Doug is currently a Freshman at California State University, Long Beach, majoring in Business Management and Administration taking classes such as Pre-calculus Mathematics, Calculus I and Principles of Macro-economics just to name a few… and throughout has maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average. Doug goal is to  earn his Bachelors of Science in the next (4) years and graduate with honors.

Doug started bowling at Bowladium Bowling Center in 29 Palms at the tender age three (3) and became a member of a Citrus Belt Association YABA Pee Wee League.  During his Youth bowling, Doug held Team Captain (9) years and Youth Leader Representative to the Citrus Belt YBA (7) years.  While bowling Youth/Adult Leagues, he held the offices of President, Vice President and Sergeant-at-Arms and became a Level 1 USBC Coach.  Doug attended CYLA meetings for (7) years, holding offices of President, Vice President and Sergeant-at-Arms and elected as Delegate to the State Convention, (4) years.  For over (7) years, Doug was always on hand at all the local association YABA tournaments and of course, again a volunteer to the Citrus Belt Men’s Senior Tournament.

At the point of the intended merge of the two Citrus Belt USBC Associations, Doug served on committees for Audit, Transition, Youth, and Budget and Finance.  He served as their 5th Vice President, and was  Delegate to the 2006 National Convention, and, again volunteers for the Annual Seniors Tournament.

Doug moved to the state level, having served as District 5 Youth Director for the past (3) years;  Sergeant-at-Arms to the CYLA; and as a member of the Pepsi Tournament and Budget/Finance committees.  Doug is current President of the CYLA and (3rd) Vice President of our California USBC Association  and Chairs our CUSBC Legislative Committee.

Recommendations from local Association officials have credited Doug with being “energetic, enthusiastic and well grounded.  He has a mind of his own and will question anything he feels is not quite right and get clarification on changes he is not sure of.  He continues to promote, work and learn all the aspects of our sport.”

Doug is an accomplished and competitive  bowler, carrying a current average of 204, and highs of 285 game and 738 series.  He captured First Place in the 2006 Citrus Belt Tournament Team Event and  High Scratch Series. He has a string of First Place finishes for the past (5) years at Bowladium Bowling Center.  Although scholarships that Doug has earned are too numerous to mention, topping the list are the: Robert C Byrd Academic Scholarship Award; Scholarship for Military Children, Defense Commissary Agency; and the CSULB Presidents Scholars Program.

Doug claims bowling has influenced his life in so many different ways.  It has taught him to be more disciplined and to realize the importance of concentrating on the things he does.  It has taught him leadership skills and confidence to run for offices and has improved his organizational and people skills.  It has increased his patience threshold and has improved his problem solving skills. For all of this, Doug says “bowling is something that will always mean so much to me no matter where I go in life”.