good kids

Fifth-grader's world revolves around books, music, family

WRITTEN BY Rich Breault

Ten-year-old Katie Owens is as All-American as they come— the dark-haired, dark-eyed sprite loves to read, adores animals, sings in her school and church choirs, plays soccer and the violin, and watches “Hee-Haw” with her grandfather.

The daughter of Dave and Jackie Owens of Lancaster, Katie is a fifth-grade student at Desert Christian School. Dave is an insurance agent with his own agency in Lancaster. Jackie is a former teacher.

Katie’s grandfather, Marion Owens, or “Poppa,” was a high school teacher for 32 years with the Antelope Valley Union High School District. Katie’s aunt, Linda Webb, was a multi-sport scholar-athlete and student body president at Antelope Valley High School, and she founded Ally’s House, an organization that assists families of children with cancer in Oklahoma.

Katie’s other aunt, Dawn Malson, is a postmaster in Oklahoma.

And Katie’s right in line to continue her family’s legacy of service and community involvement.

“She’s not only a good kid,” said Dave Owens, “she’s an awesome kid.”

One of the chosen few

Katie is her parents’ only child. She was born in Guangzhou, China, located just north of Hong Kong. Because of China’s “one-child policy,” many Chinese children are abandoned or left on orphanage doorsteps right after birth.

“When we went to China to adopt Katie, we were told there were 1.5 million girls in orphanages there,” said Jackie Owens. “Because families only want to keep boys to continue the family name, baby girls are discarded. Some make it to orphanages, others are aborted during the pregnancy, some are left in dumpsters or snuffed out.”

The Owens adopted 8-month-old Katie on June 5, 2000, culminating an 18-month process.

“I remember we were sitting there with Katie, and through a translator, someone jokingly said she looked just like me,” Dave said. “I replied—‘Oh, the poor baby!’

“It took a few moments for the translator to repeat what I said, then everyone in the room laughed in delayed reaction. That made it even funnier.”

Thankfully, Katie doesn’t look like her dad, but she is truly fortunate to have such wonderful and loving parents.

“They’re the best parents,” said Katie. “They’re really nice to me. Dad likes to read me stories, and mom and I go everywhere together.

“And my second home is my grandparents’ (Marion and Tommie Owens’) house.”

Books, books, books

That means the library must be her third home. Katie spends plenty of her time there. Over the summer break, she set a goal to read 100 books before school started back up, and she surpassed that goal.

“I love to read,” Katie said, a twinkle in her eyes. “I like reading at the library because it’s quiet, and I can just sit back, relax and read.”

However, Katie doesn’t need the peace and quiet of a library in order to read—she’ll read any time and any place.

“Dave has always read to her,” Jackie said. “Since Day One he’d read to her and read books.

“Katie likes to read in the library and read in bed. We don’t force her to read. And those 100 books? I just threw that number out there, and Katie went for it. I think she went to the library just about every other day.”

When Katie was in kindergarten, and again in first grade, her dad visited her school and read to her class.

“It surprised me that these kids were really interested and dialed into what I was reading. I was told it was probably because many of them never had someone read to them and interact with them like that” Dave said.

“I was the rock star of the kindergarten set.”

A smiling Katie agreed.

“And if I didn’t have a book to read from, I’d make up stories,” Dave added. “Now she’s a reading monster!”

Asked what kinds of books and stories she likes to read, Katie’s eyes widened. She took in a deep breath and let out her answer—“I like mysteries like the Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys series. Oh, and the Boxcar Children series. And books about animals .... Reading is amazing. I found a Nancy Drew Sleuth Book and learned how to identify prints and use handwriting to determine personalities … so cool!

“When I was little, I got a kick out of ‘The Love Me Bird,’ and I really like the ‘Madeline’ books. I also like the ‘McGrowl’ series. That’s about a golden retriever with superpowers .... We have a golden retriever named Guthrie. And we have a Jack Russell mix named Genevieve. That’s the name of Madeline’s dog. Her Genevieve is a mix too ....”

When Katie’s not reading, going camping or shopping with her mother, or sitting with Poppa eating popcorn and watching “Hee-Haw,” or playing with her friends, one might catch her playing her violin.

Jackie smiled when she recalled Katie’s violin performance in late September for the Women’s Day Conference at Antelope Valley Church.

“I was so proud of her. She has a strong interest in music,” Jackie said.

Katie was quick to point out she was just one part of a violin trio; the other two players are her friends, Sarah Macpherson and Cozette Montagut. The trio played “Awesome God.”

“I was nervous and wiggly in my seat before we started playing,” said Katie. “When I played, no one noticed, but my hands and arms were shaking.”

Bright future

Asked what she’d like to do for a career, Katie chuckled and grinned impishly.

“I wanted to be a vet, but I didn’t want to tear into animals. Then I wanted to work at the pound, but I didn’t want to see animals all sad,” she said. “Then I wanted to work at a pet store, but I didn’t want to sell the animals.”

“She’s unemployed,” Jackie interjected.

It’s obvious to many that whatever Katie chooses to do in her life, she’ll do it well.

“When I ask her how did you get to be so beautiful, she says ‘God made me that way,’” Dave said.

“And when I ask how did you get so silly she says …”

“Because you and Poppa made me that way,” Katie said, followed by one of her trademark smiles.

And it’s obvious to see Katie is a chip off the old block.

They wouldn’t have it any other way.