May 18, 2016 -- Heights High senior Charles Conwell will represent the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this August. He is one of the youngest boxers to make an Olympic Team.
To celebrate his accomplishment and to give Charles a Tiger Nation sendoff, Heights High will host a parade in his honor on Monday, May 23, at 2:15 p.m. The parade route is on the road circling the school. Students, staff and community members are invited to line the parade route and show their support for the Heights Olympian.
Also participating in the parade will be Charles’ parents, mother Annette Steen-Conwell and father Charles Conwell Sr. Other participant include: University Heights Police and Fire Department, the Heights High drum line, cheerleaders and the Criminal Justice class.
Following the parade, the students and community members will gather on the school’s front lawn for a short ceremony.
Charles with his mother and brother Isaiah Steen.
University Heights Mayor Susan Infeld will present a proclamation to Charles, Heights High principal Zoraba Ross will speak and Charles will talk to the attendees.
Charles has attended three Heights schools, Boulevard Elementary, Roxboro Middle and will graduate from Heights High in June. He is coached by his father, and his mother coordinates his schedule and publicity.
Like many seniors in the country, Charles will attend Prom and Commencement.
However, unlike an average high school senior, he will leave home shortly after commencement to live and train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado.
Charles with his AVID teachers Jill Pompei (L), Claudene McCoy and Shawn Washington (R) and classmates.
Then in mid-July, he will travel to South America for an Olympic Acclimation Camp, then to the Olympic Village in late July.
The Olympics events are August 6-22.
Charles has been boxing since he was 11 years old and enjoys a strong family support system and says they are his biggest inspiration. “My family helps motivate and push me to strive harder.”
Charles competes in the 165-lb weight class and has won numerous Golden Gloves and National Championship awards.