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Morgan Academy sophomore Walt Bowline developed a knack for reading at an early age.

Bowline won the Alabama Independent School (AISA) State Reading Contest for the seventh time. The year Bowline did not enter the tournament was in seventh grade for his best friend, Fair Garner, to win, and she did. 

“I feel real happy about winning the award seven times,” Bowline said. “I just like reading a lot.”

Morgan Academy director of instruction Karim Oaks said she’s impressed with Bowline’s unique reading skills.

“This year, Walt read over 41,000 pages in about eight months,” Oaks said. “His reading is what makes him excellent in the scholar bowl. Because of his love for reading, Walt has vast knowledge across many subject areas.”

Bowline said his love for reading began with his mother, Julie Bowline.

“My mother used to read to my brother, Whitt and me before we went to bed,” Bowline said. “My mother always encouraged me to read and she always took me to  the library to check out books.”

Bowline also credits his father, former Selma City Councilman Carl Bowline and older brother, Whitt Bowline for their encouragement. 

“My father is real smart and I want to be smart like him,” Bowline said. “I just want him to be proud of me. My brother keeps me accountable and I want to be better than him.”