Currently a ninth grader at Mathews High School, Hunter Owens is a motivated leader.

Music is his first love and it shows. His mom adds proudly he is also a straight A student. His family includes his parents, a fraternal twin brother Hayden, and his grandmother. Hunter is an amazingly active and enthusiastic young man who seems more mature than his age might indicate. His manner is genuine and kind.

Hunter admits he doesn’t like to say no. He obviously manages his academic work in addition to his various musical practices and performances. He also admits he doesn’t sleep very much, often staying up until 1 a.m. or later getting his homework completed, then getting up around 5:30 to start his school day. Hunter has become a “regular” at Howard-Dooley Café in Mathews, singing there almost every Friday night since he began last July. He is “live” on Facebook from that venue and enjoys seeing who is watching his performances in real time.

Hunter said he has been singing as long ...