One-on-one bowling program teaches
youth how to strike

By Michelle Butzgy
Paraglide

	Photo by Michelle Butzgy/Paraglide Laurie Buse, bowling instructor, teaches Eric Perez Jr., son of Staff Sgt. Eric Perez, how to hold the bowling ball correctly during a one-on-one class March 23 at the Airborne Lanes. Eric’s father is currently deployed with the 659th Maintenance Company, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division.

Most children like Ozzy Perez, 4, and his brother Eric Jr., 6, love to bowl and watch the ball roll down the lane, most of them falling into the gutter. With the help of bowling instructor Laurie Buse, the Perez brothers are learning how to turn those gutter balls into strikes in the Gutters to Strikes Bowling Academy at the Airborne Lanes on Bastogne Street. The one-on-one bowling instruction is part of the SKIESUnlimited classes offered through the Child, Youth and School Services of Fort Bragg.

The classes began in February after Fort Bragg residents showed interest in a bowling instruction inquiry listed on the SKIESUnlimited Web site, said Paul Driessen, instructional program specialist at Tolson Youth Activities Center.
“We seemed to have a very good response from that,” said Driessen.
Buse has taught bowling for more than 20 years. Her Family bowls together, including daughter, Megan, who is working towards a bowling scholarship for college through the United States Bowling Congress.
Her husband, Sgt.1st Class Robert W. Buse, currently deployed, and son Spc. Robert K. Buse, Womack Army Medical Center, also join in on the Family pastime.

Each student learns lane courtesy, how to correctly pick up the ball, safety rules, picking out the correct size shoes and proper ball weight.

“As they get older, we teach them how to hit a mark out on the lane — something they can achieve over and over with consistency. It’s how you win,” Buse said.

Amanda Perez said she is impressed with her children’s progress.

“They’re doing awesome. She (Buse) told me ‘after one lesson, you’re going to see a big improvement.’ I’ve seen a huge improvement,” Perez said.

The Perez’ bowl together when father Staff Sgt. Eric Perez is home.

He is currently deployed with the 659th Maintenance Company, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division.

Perez said she is also impressed with the SKIESUnlimited programs she and her Family have participated in.

“The fact that they’re free for deployed Soldiers and the children of deployed Soldiers, it really keeps their minds off of the absence of mommy or daddy, in our case, daddy,” she said.

Eric and Ozzy have also participated in ice skating and gymnastics.

As the young bowlers took turns practicing their form, Buse would call out encouragement and occasionally step in to correct their position.

After each throw, student and teacher celebrated with a high five. Buse said she would like to see more future keglers like the Perez brothers.

“I want to try to inspire the youth to bowl because it’s a dying (sport),” she said. “We need to get more youth because they are our next generation of bowlers. If we can get them now at a young age, they’ll really learn to enjoy it later on in life.”

Both boys like throwing the ball and competing with each other. Ozzy’s immediate goal isn’t throwing a strike or spare.

“I like getting a trophy,” he said.

The class costs $48 for four, 30-minute classes and lane rental. To sign up for May’s session, call the Tolson Youth Activity Center at 396-5437.