What's Happening in Cougar Country

As we approach the end of the school year and graduation season, seniors will become alumni and head out to various spots across the state and the country to start their college education or careers.

In time, they’ll all eventually begin working in areas that interest them, but as young people often do, they’ll find jobs that will just allow them to afford a place to live, support a new family, or live any lifestyle they desire.

At a certain point, though, as people get older and further into adulthood, some want more and realize their career and their money aren’t the end-all. They look for more meaning in what they’re doing. 

That’s when they return to their Lake Catholic roots and remember those three words, “Exit to Serve.”

For Brendan Bowers (‘99), that’s exactly where he’s at with the stories he’s trying to tell. 

After graduating from Case Western Reserve University, he pursued a career in marketing but always remained passionate about writing and sports. In addition to his work as a marketing consultant, he has been a freelance writer for The News-Herald, USA Today, and SLAM Magazine. He covered the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, including their 2016 championship. He’s had a book on the New York Times Best Seller List. And now his career has taken him to Eyeful Media as a Senior Director, Organic Search Strategy. 

All stops where he was able to put his Lake Catholic education into practice. 

“I had Mr. (Jim) Englehart from Honors History, and he shaped the class so we’d think about the stories and the narratives that went along with each moment in time,” Bowers said. “And it was Mr. (Joe) Tomba who taught me how to write in English class.”

Today, as a digital marketing strategist and consultant, Bowers works with businesses, brands, and marketing teams to maximize revenue and drive growth. He specializes in content creation, search marketing, and AI strategies that improve ROI.

But it was a chance meeting at a freelance job that has him remembering what he learned at Lake Catholic.

“I was doing a favor for a friend and putting together a video of his son’s go-kart racing team. We were done with that, so we ended up just interviewing other kids, and that’s when I met Pedro,” Bowers said.

Pedro is Pedro Cueto – an 11-year-old go-kart driver from Colorado who, at the age of six, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma.

Pedro is also the subject of Bowers’ award-winning documentary Pedro Cuerto: Power of a Dream, which premiered in September of 2025 and was named Best Documentary Short at the San Diego Movie Awards festival.

“His story is absolutely unbelievable,” Bowers said. “I was just sitting there in awe of this kid. When I was going through all of our footage, there were times when I’d be watching and just start crying. And Pedro never wavered. The week after I met him, he had his leg amputated. But that never slowed him down. He’s still racing, but now just with a modified cart.

“Pedro inspired me to create this documentary. The way he lives his life with gratitude, courage, speed, and a love for each moment is powerful. The goal of this film is to help amplify his message.”

Bowers' film became available to the public recently, streaming worldwide on Amazon Fire TV, the Apple iPad, and anywhere the Free Movies+ app is available (via OTT Studio).

Pedro is now four years cancer-free and continues to race and win. 

Bowers, meanwhile, is looking for his next freelance project.

“Not everything you learn at Lake Catholic is in a class or in a textbook,” Bowers said. “It’s the environment that’s there. It’s the community. Everyone wants to support one another. You learn to be grateful for your opportunities. It’s our faith that teaches us that everything will be OK.

“Those are the stories I want to tell now. I want to put out something inspiring; to tell someone’s story; to help someone in any way that I can.”