teen spotlight
photography by Kathleen Clipper Photography
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18, Senior at Murphy High School, Mobile
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Top 15 percent of graduating class
2014 Teen Focus GoDaddy Bowl Scholarship Winner
Has served over 300 hours of community service
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“Seven years ago, I attended a Team Focus Camp where Coach
Mike Gottfried taught me that not having the experiences that come
with growing up in a two-parent home does not make me any less
of a person or a young man because I have real power: knowledge.”
how it began
When Paris was little, he wanted to be a Power Ranger, and as he
grew up, he realized he could be one if he became an actor. He made
his stage debut as one of the Wise Men in his church Christmas play
and has since taken part in Mobile’s Playhouse in the Park and has
been featured in short films, on Broadway and in other productions. As a participant in the Trumbauer Theater Festival, Paris was
named a State Finalist and was chosen out of 100 other male actors
to receive the “Best Actor” award.
At school, Paris is involved in the Advanced Drama Club, Advanced Chorus, Renaissance Arts Club, Mobile County Public School
System’s “On the Move” Teen News and the Future Business Leaders
of America. Outside of school, he is the President of the Flava ENT
Arts Club and a member of the Mobile Kappa Leadership Development League, the National Association of Black Journalists and the
Mobile Writer’s Guild.
As a writer, Paris has published a poem and short story and was
accepted into the University of Alabama’s “Multicultural Journalism
Workshop”.
Paris was recently interviewed by Harvard University admissions
and plans to pursue a career as a newscaster while keeping his dream
of becoming a professional actor as a backup plan.
paris coleman
PG (parental guidance) rating
Sportscaster and former football coach Mike Gottfried has been a
positive father figure for Paris and has given him the self-confidence
he needed to become successful. He is “a mentor and, most importantly, he’s a friend.”
Mobile, AL
parents’ perspective
Paris’ mother Beverly advises other parents to lay the