Twelve Utah high school seniors have been awarded prestigious four-year Ezra Taft Benson Scholarships to Brigham Young University beginning next fall.
They are among 24 students from throughout the country to receive the grants, the top scholarships offered by BYU.President Jeffrey R. Holland announced the names of 12 young men and 12 young women chosen on the basis of superior scholarship, leadership ability, high moral character and service to school, community and church. Each grant is for a minimum of $10,400 for four years but may be as much as $14,400, depending upon the financial need of the recipient, Holland said.
The scholarships, which bear the name of the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were first awarded while David O. McKay was president in the mid-1960s.
The Utah recipients are: Wendy Grow, Salt Lake City; Blake Edward Graham, Murray; Meghan Ruth Busse and Matthew R. Reed, Bountiful; Eric Van Dyke, Kaysville; Austin Bankhead, Mette Marie Ivie and Heather Viola Linebarger, Provo; Eric Hyde Carter, Richard Ivie and Jodi Jorgenson, Orem; and Brett Littke, Monroe, Sevier County.
Grow, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart L. Grow Jr. and a senior at East High School, was a Sterling Scholar finalist in mathematics and a Junior Miss finalist. She was named CSM Science and Math Student of the Year for East High School and played varsity basketball, volleyball and softball. She plans to major in electrical and computer engineering.
Graham, son of James B. and Nancy L. Graham and a senior at Murray High School, was a state finalist for Deseret News General Sterling Scholar. While he was debate president, his team took first place in state 3A debate. He was an Academic All-American and won the United States National Merit Service and Leadership Award. He intends to major in communications and political science.
Busse, daughter of Walter E. and Julia L. Busse and a senior at Bountiful High School, took first place overall in the Academic Olympiad. She participated in Girls State, National Guard Freedom Academy, Russian Club, Math and Science Club, Children's Theater, debate teams and other activities. She will major in English.
Reed, a son of Kennith A. and Gaye J. Reed, was a Bountiful High School General Sterling Scholar, American Legion Boys State delegate, student body vice president and president of the Utah Association of Student Councils. He ranked first in a class of 424, and plans to major in chemical engineering.
Van Dyke, son of Stephen A. and Rebecca L. Van Dyke and a senior at Davis High School, was a National Merit finalist and a scholarship winner. He was junior and freshman class president and was a National Honor Society president. Also ranked first in his class, he was a school General Sterling Scholar and a state finalist. He intends to major in electrical engineering.
Bankhead, son of Steven and Kathryn Bankhead and a senior at Timpview High School, was an alternate General Sterling Scholar and member of the 1988 Utah Academic Decathlon team. He attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., and participated in a cappella and madrigal choirs. He plans to major in accounting.
Mette Marie Ivie, daughter of Evan L. and Betty Jo Ivie and a senior at Timpview High School, was a foreign language Sterling Scholar and a German foreign exchange student. She was president of the Spanish Club and vice president of the Chemistry Club. She placed third in the Timpview State Math Contest and was a member of the Science Bowl team. She plans to major in German with a minor in English and earn certification as a secondary school teacher.
Linebarger, a daughter of Robert N. and Joyce J. Linebarger of Provo and a senior at Timpview High School, was a National Merit finalist. She was a Century III Leaders state winner and first runner-up in the Utah Junior Miss Pageant. She was a Bausch & Lomb Science Award recipient and was named Outstanding Timpview Chemistry Student. She plans to major in chemistry and political science.
Carter, a son of Nelson and Nancy Carter and a senior at Orem High School, was a member of the Academic Decathlon team and of Science Bowl teams. He also was a member of Sen. Orrin Hatch's Youth Committee and of Gov. Bangerter's Drug Task Force. He was chosen to attend Boys State and the Congressional Youth Program. His plans include pre-medical study.
Richard Ivie, a son of Ray and Maribeth Ivie and a Mountain View High School senior, was a member of the National Honor Society for three years and was a Bruin Scholar in health and an honor student in science. He intends to major in computer engineering.
Jorgenson, a daughter of Gerald R. and Peggy K. Jorgenson and a senior at Orem High, was chosen from 56 high school seniors as Utah's 1988 Junior Miss. She played in the Honors Recital and received several superior ratings at the Junior National Federation of Music Festivals. She plans to major in accounting.
Littke, a son of Joseph Richard and Mary Joy Littke and a senior at South Sevier High School, is an Eagle Scout and a music Sterling Scholar from his school. He was named a top scholar in the state Academic Decathlon. He plans to major in music, emphasizing piano.