The Owensboro Times partnered with PeezO’s Pizza, one of the Dust Bowl founders Gus Johnson, and the Dust Bowl Committee to award four $500 scholarships during championship night of the 2025 Dust Bowl at Kendall-Perkins Park.
This year’s scholarship recipients are Alexandria Taylor Chappell, Eli Jamison Smith, Mesyiah Brown, and Kayden Lacole Coffman.
The scholarships — created in memory of longtime Dust Bowl supporter Larry “Chick” Owen — were originally planned as two awards. However, the response from the community was so strong that the Dust Bowl Committee and Johnson stepped in to double the number of recipients.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” said Larry Owen, owner of PeezO’s and son of Chick Owen. “This is exactly what my dad would’ve wanted — to support young people in our community and to give back through something he cared so deeply about. I’m proud of how Owensboro continues to rally around this event and these kids.”
Johnson said the effort honors both Owen and the original founders of the Dust Bowl, which began in 1974.
“I thought it was only appropriate and fitting that some type of scholarship come from the people who actually started the event,” Johnson said. “That’s one way of keeping both Wayne [Stout] and Jerry [Davenport]’s legacy alive in Owensboro.”
The recipients expressed gratitude for the scholarships and shared what the Dust Bowl has meant to them personally.
Coffman said the Dust Bowl remains a staple of the community.
“It allows kids, teens, and adults of all ages to let loose for a little while,” she said. “The Dust Bowl allows you to see some faces you otherwise may not have seen for a while.”
Smith said the event creates a rare and meaningful space for the Black community.
“The Dust Bowl is more than just a basketball tournament. It’s one of the few times during the year when people can come together, enjoy themselves, and celebrate their culture in a way that feels safe and supportive,” Smith said. “There’s a strong sense of pride in that, and it shows in how many people return year after year.”
Brown called the Dust Bowl a celebration of unity.
“It brings all people together no matter the race, gender, or religion,” Brown said. “It gives the youth an opportunity to be recognized in their community for their positive development and growth.”
Chappell compared the event to a “big family reunion.”
“It means unity to the Owensboro community,” she said. “I feel safe enough to go walking around with my friends and cousins because everyone is like family.”
The students also shared what the scholarship itself means to them.
“This award means a lot to me on a personal level,” Smith said. “It shows that my community believes in me, and that support is something I’ll carry with me throughout my academic journey.”
Chappell said she was “grateful and shocked” to receive the honor, while Coffman called it “a huge help toward my goals and the start of my future.”
The scholarships are named in honor of Chick Owen, a fixture at the Dust Bowl who helped organize the Gospel Extravaganza and who passed away in 2024. His son Lamar Owen, who grew up playing in the Dust Bowl and donned his old jerseys during this year’s tournament, said it was only right to give back.
“My dad loved this event,” he said. “He was always here, had his spot, and gave his time. This is what he lived for.”
Assistant Editor John Kirkpatrick of the Owensboro Times said it’s been inspiring to see the scholarship initiative grow.
“We started with just an idea and two scholarships,” Kirkpatrick said. “To now be at four, thanks to the incredible generosity of people like Gus Johnson and the Dust Bowl Committee, just shows how deeply rooted this tournament is in the heart of our city. We’re excited to see where it goes from here.”
This year’s Dust Bowl concludes Saturday night and continues to serve as one of Owensboro’s most iconic summer traditions — one rooted in history, unity, and giving back.
