Austin Coon discovered the world of coding and programming in high school. Now the Southmont senior will pursue a computer science degree on a full ride to Wabash College.
Coon is the recipient of this year’s Montgomery County Commissioners Scholarship, which was awarded during Friday’s commissioners meeting. The campus was already on his radar as he began making college plans.
“It seems exactly like the kind of atmosphere I would enjoy,” Coon said about a recent visit.
Since the 1800s, Wabash has provided two full ride scholarships to local students a token for the county donating land for the college to rebuild after a fire. The scholarships are awarded every other year.
“It’s great to see the smile on the face,” commissioners president Jim Fulwider said.
Coon, the son of Jamee Coon, is active in Southmont’s drama club and earlier participated in show choir. He also joined the Vanity Theater Youth Troupe, which writes and performs shows at the Indy Fringe Festival in Indianapolis.
The local actor is now ready to take the Wabash stage. Coon has already taken theater classes on campus and plans to become involved with the fine arts department.
Acting in plays, Coon said, has helped “bring him out of his shell.”
“I feel like it’s really helped me become who I am today,” Coon added.
In other business:
• Commissioners approved Department of Corrections grants of $143,318 for the Montgomery County Probation Department and $56,305 for the drug court.
• County engineer Jim Peck reported four upcoming projects are out for bid. The projects include more than seven miles of road paving through the Community Crossings grant; bridge work at U.S. 136 and Nucor Road and C.R. 500N near Darlington; and scour protection for seven other bridges. Bids will likely be approved in February.
• Commissioners accepted an agreement with law firm Barnes & Thornburg to help defend the county against the Sugar Creek Wind lawsuit.
The board’s next meeting will be 8 a.m. Jan. 6 at the courthouse.
