The family of Enid High School standout Austin Box, have set up the Austin Box “12” Foundation. Its first function will be to award an annual college scholarship to an Enid High School senior.
Applications for the scholarship are due to the foundation by March 29. The recipient will receive $1,500 per semester for a total of $3,000. It will go to an Enid student-athlete with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Finalists for the scholarship will be interviewed by Austin’s sister Whitney, as well as two of Austin’s best friends, Matthew Athey and John Dillingham.
The family is hopeful the scholarship is only the beginning for the foundation. Other events mentioned were an eight-man football tournament and a 5K or marathon as possibilities for the coming months and years.
Austin will be remembered by the community as well. A granite bench in his honor will be placed at the entrance to Selby Stadium, where the Plainsmen football team plays. A memorial to his No. 7 will be erected there, as well as at David Allen Ballpark, where Austin starred on several American Legion baseball teams.
The family will also use the foundation as a vehicle for an honest and open discussions with kids about the dangers of drug abuse. They plan to speak in classrooms and at various events in the community.
