Kenneth, Battle Ground Academy senior and twin brother to PTM’er Kennedy Rawls,  had the option to choose a path less travelled than his peers in 

“I have missed my friends, including my friends at PTM. I haven’t gotten to see them much through high school and  we grew up together, used to do everything together.” On the plus side, he has gotten used to being away (he stays with his coach through the week to ease logistics of being in school in Franklin), and has experienced a lot of new things including gaining insight into how different people live.

What advice would he give a 9th grader in the same situation as he was? “I would tell them to make sure to stay on top of their grades. Ask for help when they need it and don’t get down on themselves. There are people to help.”

Starting PTM in Kindergarten, his earliest memory of PTM is falling off the slide at the same time as senior Eric Nixon and they couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. What is his best memory? “There is a lot but going to Barefoot for the 1st time would probably be the best.”

Q: Kenneth, how would you describe you?

A: Funny, outgoing, respectful, joy to be around and tall.

Q: Who is someone, living or dead, that you would like to have lunch with?

A: Kevin Durant. He is my favorite basketball player.

Q: Who is someone that you admire and why?

A: Barack Obama. He was the first black president, of course, but also because he doesn’t say things for popular opinion but stays true to himself and what he believes.

Q: Have you had a favorite subject in school?

A: Just this year I figured out that I really like economics! I want to major in business so I feel like it gave me a taste of what that might be like. I like the projects we did in there.

Q: What is the best part of being a twin?

A: I think we are closer than just a regular brother and sister because we share so much stuff! We think the same about a lot of things…we have an unbreakable bond.

Q: What is something you do that makes you happy while doing it…other than football?

A: Working out. I know I am getting good out of it and it helps with releasing stress.

Q: What is a take away that you have from time spent at PTM?

A: It would be that you can bond with a lot of different people from a lot of backgrounds. I like that they bring different people together to be mentors- people from all over.

Q: If/when you get married one day, what is a good trait you would be looking for in a wife?

A: Resilience.  I am hard sometimes.

Q: What is something you would want to teach your own children one day?

A: My dad hasn’t been around but I would teach them to never give up, don’t give up on yourself and to be friends with everybody

Q: What do you hope people think about when they say your name?

A: I am a hard worker, very fun and I want to be known for being different and taking a different path.

Q: What is a life-changing experience you have had?

A: Going to BGA. It helped me to focus, not just on football, but on academics as well.

Q: How do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: Hopefully, NFL. But if not maybe a firefighter or in sales. Maybe a wife and one kid.

Q: Is there anything else we haven’t covered that you would want people to know?

A: I think the only thing left would be that I wear a size 16 shoe! (Laughs) They have to be special ordered sometimes.

Thanks, Kenneth! Go UNA Lions! #RoarLions #GoKenneth