Austin Keller is a no-brainer for August's "Mini Milwaukeean of the Month." The 4-year-old South Milwaukeean learned to use a computer when he was just 2 years old, and he currently loves to check out Web sites like Nick Jr. (Can you say "the future of OnMilwaukee.com?")
"When Austin wakes up early in the morning, he is commonly found downstairs on the computer teaching his sister, Kate, how to play computer games," says Nate Keller, Austin's dad.
Austin is a total sports nut. He will join the Milwaukee Kickers' team this fall, started skiing this past winter -- the above photo was taken during his first skiing experience at Crystal Ridge Ski Area in Franklin -- and takes swimming lessons at the South Shore YMCA.
"He's a total fish and loves swimming in our pool and at the YMCA," says Nate Keller, a project manager and safety director for the Bentley Company.
Liz Keller, Austin's mom, is a part-time registered nurse at Aurora VNA Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa.
Austin starts kindergarden this fall at Blakewood Elementary School in South Milwaukee. Aside from school, Austin likes to learn at the Betty Brinn Museum and the local library, where he goes every week with his mom.
But even though Austin appreciates his alone time on the computer and with books, his true spirit is of a social nature.
"Austin is a social butterfly," says Nate Keller. "When he's in a new environment or social setting, the first thing he asks people is, 'what's your name?'"
Nominate your kid to be OMC's next "Mini-Milwaukeean of the Month!"
Every month, we'll select one Brew City babe (suburban kids are also eligible) and write a little article about him or her. Then, Mom or Dad can forward the article to friends and relatives -- three cheers for cyberspace bragging rights!
Contest requirements:
1. Kids entered in the contest must be between the ages of newborn and 6 years old.
2. Kids must be nominated by a family member.
3. Family must live in the Metro Milwaukee area.
Note: Preference will be given to kids photographed in a recognizable Milwaukee setting or wearing Milwaukee/Wisconsin gear.
So, e-mail your favorite digital photo to us, the name and age of your child and your name. If we pick your mini for the month, we'll email you back and ask for more information for the article.
E-mail molly@staff.onmilwaukee.com and type "Mini Milwaukeean" in the subject line. There is no deadline for this contest.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
