Being a Sterling Scholar must be hereditary.

For nearly three decades, the director of the Deseret News-KSL Sterling Scholar Awards program has met thousands of outstanding high school seniors.And he's met their sisters, brothers and even their children.

As director of the program, associated with the Sterling Scholar Awards since 1962, Keith D. West has had the chance to meet thousands of young men and women who have excelled in scholastic achievement.

In recent years, more and more students indicate that their mother or father - or both - were Sterling Scholars. And in addition, many of the judges indicate they also were Sterling Scholars while in high school.

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West served for many years as co-director with veteran education editor Lavor K. Chaffin. Since Chaffin's retirement, West has directed the program.

In addition to receiving national recognition, West was honored by the Utah Congress of Parents and Teachers and awarded a lifetime membership in his role.

Assisting with the awards program since its establishment has been a part-time assistant, Gwen Seeley. She has helped to schedule interviews, work with judges and serve as a director of regional judging.

Also assisting as regional judging directors are Steve Handy, Angie Twitchell and Sharon Thompson, newspaper representatives.

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