Anthony Kouttron Heads to RPI
Anthony Kouttron is a man with a plan. The Huntington High School senior has his future mapped out. In the fall he will begin classes at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a dual major in electrical engineering and computer systems. He’s been on this path for a long time.
“Ever since fifth grade when I started becoming interested in technology, I wanted to design computer hardware; literally design the circuitry and inner workings of microprocessors - not become a computer builder/distributor like Dell and HP,” Mr. Kouttron said. “I was fascinated when I first began learning about computers.”
The teenager’s story is an interesting one and demonstrates how chance events in a person’s life can sometimes have a lasting impact. “I began my endeavor into the world of technology when my neighbor threw out a 90’s era beige computer tower,” he said. “I had no idea how it worked since I had never had a computer before but was eager to find out, so I took to reference books and learned about the inner components and workings of a computer.”
Mr. Kouttron headed over to the library, checked out computer hardware reference books and dove into a pile of volumes he picked up from a neighbor down the block. “He gave me his old computer hardware books, which was great, since I learned a lot from them,” the senior said. “After learning what I could about computer hardware from books, I decided to go online to find out more and stay up-to-date.”
Focus on Software
After spending time studying computer hardware, Mr. Kouttron began to focus on software. “And that’s where I am now,” he said. “After my last AP exam (AP Microeconomics) held at the Huntington Public Library, I took out two books on the programming language C. I joked with the librarian that ‘I am starting to learn a new language - one that has no alphabet, even though it is named after letter C.’ I think she got it. Now I’m trying to apply the programming language C to working with Ardunio microcontroller boards, which can be used for a wealth of things.”
The projects he discovered on a number of related websites have inspired Mr. Kouttron “to work with Ardunio controller boards and tinker with soldering and circuitry. I have a website, www.salvagedcircuitry.com, which is not complete by any means, about my projects. The web address is not changing, because it’s awesome, so stay tuned for future updates!”
At Huntington High School’s senior academic awards night held earlier this month, Mr. Kouttron was presented with numerous honors. He earned a $3,000 Rotary Club scholarship, the $1,500 Carmela Santorsola Provenzano scholarship, the $1,000 James Loebell scholarship, the National History Day Excellence in Research Award and the $15,000 per year Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scholarship and medal.
Mr. Kouttron’s experiences in the Huntington School District have been typically varied. He participated in the Greenkill outdoor education trip as a sixth grader and utilized some of the skills he learned in scouting for the first time. “I felt bad because I should have spent more time with friends rather than think about technology and take pictures of trees instead of people,” he joked.
Loved AP Biology
The teenager said he “loved AP Biology because my study time always provided great results and I always felt that I learned something extraordinary that I would not learn from any other atmosphere than in Ms. [Debra] Beck’s class. Besides this, I loved AP World History because I could analyze the change in human lifestyles and how different areas of the world progressed over time. I also loved the wealth of movies in that class and the field trip to the Museum of Natural History. AP Microeconomics has also been fun, for whenever I study the topic it usually makes sense and applies to areas outside school without issue. From determining if buying a new computer is worthwhile to how BP'’ gulf oil spill is a negative externality, economics just works.”
As for who might be Mr. Kouttron’s favorite teachers, well, he sprinkles in a little humor along with his answer. “Mr. [James] Graber, even though he is the biggest Mac user of all time and I am an uber PC,” he said. “I still feel he is one of the strongest teachers I have had and I appreciate all the time he devotes to preparing lessons in both AP US history and AP Micro Economics.” Mr. Kouttron also mentioned three teachers he encountered at J. Taylor Finley Middle School, including Chuck Williams and two others that are now retired.
Good Memories
Good memories include participating on the Mathletes at both Finley and the high school, “because there was always food and math questions that would make me think beyond my comfort zone,” Mr. Kouttron laughed.
As a freshman he was president of the class and admits it “was quite a challenge. I knew how to handle float night, since I helped my brothers in their float nights over the years, but as for other activities, I must say that I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I tried, that’s all that counts, I guess.”
As he prepares to leave Huntington High School, Mr. Kouttron recently reflected on his experiences there. “I feel that the high school has prepared me by introducing me to the basics in mathematics and sciences, but I was always longing for a course in programming or electronics,” he said.
There are actually several new courses the senior recommends adding to the curriculum offerings. “A course in programming for the android platform and having a course in robotics would do the high school a great deal of good, for those are highly complex courses which would interest a lot of students,” he said. “A course in coding to the android platform would teach students to make applications for their android phones, and actually make money off their applications or add functionality to the open mobile phone operating system. Having a course in robotics would teach students the value of working with electronics, how to solder, and apply electronics applications to real world application. Besides this, having a course in electronics can bring a wealth of scholarships to the high school, for there are many robotics competitions that offer scholarships to schools and students who participate in complex competitions.”
Mr. Kouttron comes off as the type of person who will never stop learning, regardless of his age.
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