Student in the Spotlight: Karsten Bowles

Freshman, Karsten Bowles is a great new addition to Cascade High School. Karsten is a hard-working student and athlete for both school and club soccer teams. 

He currently is playing for Wenatchee FC, and Cascade’s boys school soccer team. Karsten has always loved soccer and is inspired by one of the best male soccer players, Lionel Messi. Karsten said he is inspired by Messi because, “He was raised by a poor family and had to work for everything he has. He started with close to no money and is now the most paid soccer player in the world, earning 126 million dollars per year.” Messi has inspired many people around the world and has had a big impact on Karsten’s life when it comes to soccer. 

When Karsten grows up, he wants to either be a professional soccer player or an architect. Karsten said, “I love the feeling of being on a team, the thrill of scoring a goal, and the excitement throughout the game. I would like to be an architect, because I love creating and drawing and building structures of different kinds. I love how architects think outside the box to create a structure that flows or seems to float or creates a feeling.”

Karsten not only has a drive to work hard in soccer, but his hard work also carries over to his schooling. Mrs. Murphy has had many students in her Digital Communication class, but Karsten is a student who stuck out to her. Mrs. Murphy said, “One thing that really stands out to me with Karsten is that he’s very on top of his grades and class homework. If he’s unsure about something he will reach out and make sure he has full understanding of what’s expected of him.’’ Karsten always strives to do his best in all his classes.

Just like every other student at Cascade, Karsten also has a favorite class this semester.  He said, “My favorite class is culinary arts. I like this class the most because I needed it the most. I was a terrible cook and I am still not that good but Ms. Schafer is a great teacher and I am on the road to being an excellent cook.” Just like all the other students who have taken culinary arts with Ms. Schafer, Karsten is enjoying culinary just as much as all the other students who love cooking.

Karsten’s Physics and Chemistry teacher Ms. Ravits has also been impressed. She said, “The biggest thing that stands out about Karsten is what appears to be his respect and drive for learning. He has a strong work ethic, knows how to self-advocate by asking questions and communicating anything he needs...and gets his work done in a timely manner, which shows he’s motivated.’’

Another teacher that is very thrilled to have Karsten in their class this year is Mr. Bard, saying that, “Karsten works hard on his math and is not afraid to ask questions.  Just as he does on the soccer pitch, he gets the job done and is a great person to have in class or on a team!” Karsten is a very intelligent and bright student; he strives for success on and off the soccer field. 

Karsten is not only an athlete and a good student, just like his senior sister Annie Bowles, he is an amazing singer. Annie said, “He’s been singing for as long as I can remember, we would sing together, and we used to be in a family band when Karsten and I were in elementary school.” The Cascade drama and choir program will be thrilled to have a motivated student like Karsten join the roster.

Just like many other students at Cascade, COVID-19 has also impacted Karsten. Karsten said, “The biggest change for me because of COVID-19 was how everyone sort of turned on each other. Not necessarily like a big game of Among Us, but before COVID-19 there was a sense of unity and now that everyone has to stay apart it sort of ended that feeling or at least dimmed it. I miss it and hopefully it will come back soon.” Karsten, like many freshmen this year, is missing out on the thrill of starting high school, but he is hopeful that he will be able to return soon and enjoy all that being a student at CHS offers.

Karsten’s time at Cascade is just beginning, and already he has made a strong impression. There is no doubt he will continue to grow as a student and athlete, and positively impact the entire Cascade community.