Trying to change vertical alignment in linked area type objects

[NancyUpstateWNY]

Can Illustrator not align type in area type objects if they are linked?

For example: I've got multiple linked area type boxes: 

The Before-Paragraph setting is 100 pt, in order to force the next paragraph into the next box.

I want ALL the text to be CENTERED within each box, but clicking "Center" in the Alignment popup of the "Area Type Options" dialog (or any OTHER setting, for that matter) makes NO difference whatsoever in the type.

The problem seems to be the LINKING. If I Option+Drag any of the linked boxes, the new unlinked box IMMEDIATELY centers: 

WHY??? Is this a bug? I remember InDesign had this problem like 12 years ago but they FIXED it. Why can't Illustrator?

I'd even appreciate a quick workaround if anyone has one. (Beyond just doing it in InDesign, which I've been doing, but I'd REALLY like to just be doing it in Illustrator.

[Monika Gause]

Apply a larger text size to a space in the first line

[NancyUpstateWNY]

Yeah, I've done that when there's just a few of them, but when you've got 154 of these things (as I did this morning) it's faster to just do it in InDesign. But thanks for the tip!

[Monika Gause]

You can also use the first baseline setting in the area text options. Set it to fixed. But it will need different settings for 1-liners, 2-liners, 3-liners

[NancyUpstateWNY]

Ooooh, that's a great idea, and could be used on lots of boxes at once. THANKS!! That's a keeper! 😃

[Monika Gause]

You're welcome!