Austin Moeckli, a junior at New Haven High School, has recently been named the Missouri River Relief Student of the Year for 2016.
Austin describes, “In order to be named this award, I had to get involved with their activities, and show my hard work, passion, character, interest, and learning ability in these activities.”
Missouri River Relief, or MRR, is a non-for-profit organization that hosts river clean-ups for all Missouri rivers, river education events, and stewardship activities. Their administration is primarily made up of volunteers committed to protecting and preserving the state’s rivers. MRR hosted a Missouri River clean-up in New Haven in April 2016, where a total of 7.2 tons of trash were removed from the floodplain.
Austin comments about MRR with, “I first heard about Missouri River Relief a couple of years ago, but it was just this last summer that I participated in their events. I’ve participated with them in Missouri River clean-ups, the Missouri River Academy, canoe trips, and a few of their education programs. I do plan to participate in more MRR events. What I like most about the organization is that we are always outside exploring new things and trying to keep our planet and everything in it at its best.”
Moeckli is involved in basketball, track & field, cross country, NRCE at Earth’s Classroom, his church youth group, and a few more environmental groups. He enjoys hunting, fishing, exploring, and watching movies. He has one older sister, Julie, along with a few half siblings. He likes to read books by Mark Twain, and his favorite movie is Bambi. His favorite subject is science, and his least favorite is math. Austin has won perfect attendance and sports awards. He works for Gleeson’s Landscaping where he mows lawns, shovels snow, and does other handyman jobs. His biggest goals are to complete high school, be as involved as he can, go to college, earn money, beat the Discus record, and get his name out to people.
“After high school, I want to be a wildlife biologist. This job would let me explore the world, examine and help plants and animals, conserve the Earth, and learn even more about the world around me. All of these things I love and am interested in,” Austin comments. “I’m most proud of how I’ve built myself up into the person I want to be. I’m also proud that so many people tell me how unique and awesome I am. People usually describe me as hard-working, mature, and intelligent.”
“I may seem like a rock, but once you really get to know me, you will see how caring, passionate, and funny I can be. I’m like an onion. There are many layers to who I am.”
Congratulations, Austin, on the award! New Haven High is very proud of you.