From Friend to Photographer to Football Coach!

From Friend to Photographer to Football Coach!

Eastland Gardens is home to the nation’s only national park devoted to aquatic plant life AND the DMV’s only female football coach.

By Zerline Hughes Spruill

The return of autumn means we can enjoy the lotus flower seed pod heads at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, pumpkin spice everything everywhere, and one of America’s favorite pastimes: football! But did you know right here in our own neighborhood of Kenilworth/Eastland Gardens we have a football coach? Let’s clarify: right here in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 7, we have the only female high school football coach in the DMV area!

Eastland Gardens resident Patrice Bowman is the head coach for the junior varsity football team at Wootton High School, and we are cheering for her and the Montgomery County, Maryland, team to go all the way! Patrice is not only a neighbor but a photographer and Friend. As owner of Bowflix 360, Patrice worked with us throughout the summer capturing 360 videos of Kenilworth Day attendees and during our very first Water Lily 5K at the annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival.

Take a look at Fox 5 DC’s coverage of Patrice! We’re proud to be neighbors! Give her a pat on the back next time you see her at the gardens, or after you take your 360 video at one of our upcoming events!

Edit 10/25/22: Our previous version featured a video that we incorrectly claimed to be Patrice Bowman. The above photo, with credits to Fox 5 DC, features Bowman. The video, featuring Patrice’s 360 photo booth Bowflix 360, is how we came to be her Friend. Be sure to check out the booth at future events!