Belmond native Austin Lich will be serving as an intern reporter this summer at the Wright County Monitor.
Austin recently completed his first year as a Creative Writing major at Waldorf College in Forest City.
Lich, 18, has been very busy at Waldorf with the band activities and joining in on some of the thespian showcases.
Two months before the school year started he was set on going to UNI, but an offer from the percussion instructor at Waldorf changed his mind. He was offered a musician scholarship to play in the band at Waldorf.
He is the son of Randy Lich and the late Janet Lich, who died of cancer in September of 2013. Growing up in Belmond he was a part of the Boy Scouts of America and worked his way up to the rank of Eagle Scout. He is very active in the Belmond churches, playing the drums for concerts throughout the summer months. Austin is a member of the Sons of the American Legion in Goodell Post 420. He is eligible for a position in the SAL because of his grandfather, Merlin Hanson’s, activity in WWII.
After he makes it through college he would like to get into writing and become an author. He has started working on a book currently and would like to get published once he is finished.
“We are excited to add Austin to our staff this summer,” Publisher Ryan Harvey said. “As we look for our next editor of the newspaper, Austin will allow us the opportunity to make sure events are covered. It will also give him the opportunity to delve into the newspaper business and learn the ins and outs of the industry.”
“We will still count on our stable of writers in Travis Fischer, Kim Demory, and Les Houser to assist as the search continues,” Harvey said. “But Austin will be available to help cover many of the night and weekend activities you expect the Monitor to cover.”
“As the summer continues, Austin will be trying his hand at supervisor, city council, and school board meetings as well,” Harvey added. “Austin is a very outgoing young man. He enjoys meeting with people and finding out their stories.”
“We are tickled to allow him the chance to get his feet wet in this industry,” Harvey noted. “I think he’ll provide a unique perspective to the paper.”