Prince Edward presents royal medal to Martin teen

ROYAL AWARD — Carlie Vowell poses for a photo with Prince Edward after he presented her with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a ceremony in Nashville.

A 16-year-old Martin resident received the Duke of Edinburgh medal as Prince Edward presided over a ceremony at Governor Bill Haslam’s mansion to honor young people for completing a service and personal development program backed by the British monarchy.
The youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II was on hand as Carlie Vowell, a Westview rising junior, received the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a prize British royals have bestowed on young men and women ages 14 to 25 since 1956.
Vowell worked toward the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for the past year. To qualify she fulfilled four focuses of the requirements — Community Service, Special Skills, Physical Fitness and she completed an adventurous journey.
“I hope you feel the experience has been worthwhile, enjoyable at times, hard at times, but there’s a good feeling now,” the prince said.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean introduced the prince, and Gov. Bill Haslam handed out the medallions. Miss America, Mallory Hytes Hagan also attended.
Vowell learned about the program through the Miss Tennessee organization
“This journey has had a major influence on my life and my future. I now feel I am a much stronger and confident person” she said. “I learned through the steps of this program that it costs nothing to give your time to help others and the smallest of things can bring joy to others while bringing their own rewards.”
Vowell is the daughter of Tim Vowell and Steve and Hollie Holt, and the granddaughter of Jim Bushart, Freida Bushart, Betty Vowell and the late Jim Vowell.
More than 140,000 people in 144 countries earned the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award last year. Americans have been eligible for the award since 2007.

(Published in The Press on 6.11.13)