Unfortunately, nominees in the Deseret News-KSL Sterling Scholar Awards program only display their talents to two or three judges, and the general public is never aware of how talented these students can be.
But in recent years, many of the state's winners, runners-up or finalists in visual arts or music have had the opportunity to display their talents for the public.Six of last year's music finalists will perform on television Sunday, April 1, at noon on KSL-TV, Channel 5.
Produced and directed by Eugene Jelesnik, the show will feature the two 1989 runners-up, Juliet Gamero, a graduate of Alta High School, and Sidnee-Marie Spencer, a Cottonwood High School graduate.
Other performers and their former schools will be Kari Hagan, Ogden; Emily Gay Jacobs, Mountain View; Lisa Ann Rhodes, American Fork; and Annette Tenny, West Jordan.
The hourlong show also will feature other musical numbers, Jelesnik said.
In the category of visual arts, winners in the five Sterling Scholar programs throughout the state displayed exhibits last fall at the Bountiful/Davis Art Center to open its new season.
The winning artists were Nathan Durrant, Highland; Holly Soper, North Sanpete; Jenni Clawson, Morgan; Candacy Miller, Monticello; and Tanya Rizzuti, Pineview.
Other visual arts seniors exhibiting paintings and pieces of sculpture were Bee Thao, Layton; David Stevenson, Weber; Kevin Wasden, Millard; Travis Hess, Emery; Joseph Benson, Beaver; Lander Meek, Union; Josey Muse, Wasatch; Shane Adair, Cedar City; and Janet Axtel, Grand County.
The display, the first of its kind to exhibit works by Sterling Scholars, opened the center's new season last Sept. 23, according to Scott Jensen, BDAC director.
Jensen said the students are chosen by judges in the program, but the public never gets to see the type of talent these students possess. The display was that opportunity for the public, he said.