Branson brothers set example for siblings

Colt and Walker Boldman are close brothers, but they are proud to say they are completely different from each other.

Colt is a volunteer fireman; Walker plays violin. Colt likes to listen to Christian rock; Walker prefers classical music with a little Sinatra thrown in. Colt is right-handed. Walker, you guessed it, is left-handed.

But there is one very important commonality in their lives. Both young men attend the exact same classes at the OTC Branson Center, located in The Shoppes at Branson Meadows.

“Walker is the creative one; he writes. I am the logical, methodical one,” said Colt, 18.

The brothers from Berryville are the two oldest of 12 brothers and sisters, a group that will soon grow to 13.

Not only do Colt and Walker spend a lot of time at home with their younger siblings, the two drive about 35 minutes one-way every Monday and Wednesday to take five classes at the Branson center.

The brothers are eyeing different careers. Walker wants to become an engineer, possibly attending Missouri University of Science and Technology. Colt wants to continue his education in fire science and may transfer to a four-year institution.

The two share a good-natured attitude toward each other. They spend a lot of time together, whether at home, in the truck heading to and from the OTC Branson Center or spending a few hours between their day and night classes at a fast-food restaurant in Branson studying.

What the brothers share most is a love for their family. They realize they are the ones setting an example for their siblings.

“We are forging the way for the others in the family to follow, to show that they need to go to college and right now, OTC is the best place for us to go to do that,” Walker said.

Steve Koehler is coordinator of media relations for Ozarks Technical Community College.