Shaylor Dowling was born and raised in Cottonwood.
Dowling has also been involved in giving back to the community as much as possible, though not yet 20 years old.
The Mingus High School graduate was working last Wednesday at the counter of Paws Boutique, the thrift store that supports the Verde Valley Humane Society.
“I’m really into community-based things,” Dowling said.
It’s why Dowling volunteered to serve on the Cottonwood Youth Advisory Commission, a group brought together by the city to help focus on things the community could do for its younger residents.
As a senior in high school, Dowling served as head of the commission, which works to make Cottonwood a place where its younger population can have something to do while contributing to the community.
The group has helped organize several events, like hosting teen nights, block parties and volunteer effort at the Old Town Mission.
“We tried to do a lot for youth,” Dowling said. “There was a lot of charity work.”
Dowling talked about the various things the commission achieved, from cleaning up litter to helping to provide Thanksgiving meals to people in Cottonwood.
Dowling figures that at least around 500 hours of community service were carried out personally.
This year, Dowling is more focused on his studies at Yavapai College as he seeks a degree in social work and hopes to go on to a career helping out other young people.
To read the full story, see the Wednesday, Sept. 9, edition of The Camp Verde Journal.
