Former Sterling Scholars have had the opportunity to see what it's like "on the other side" as one judge explained Wednesday during final judging at Highland High School. And they have all been impressed with the qualifications of the students.
Bill Crim, representing the Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah in the social science category, was a Sterling Scholar in 1985 from Spanish Fork High School. He said it was interesting to see the process from a judge's view.Crim agreed with the other judges that the students today possess an impressive list of achievements. Some have described the accomplishments as "mind-boggling," and another judge explained, "There's such great potential leadership for the nation's future."
"Just looking at their portfolio showed how well-rounded the finalists are. Any one of them could have qualified for the general scholarship category instead of social science," Crim said.
Last Wednesday, judges met the finalists, who were chosen from three regional sites during preliminary judging April 21. Judges included college faculty members, members of the State Office of Education and State Office of Higher Education and civic leaders.
"The most difficult part was narrowing our decision to one winner among all winners," one judge said.
The following are thumbnail sketches of this year's winners:
-ELISABETH POTTER, ENGLISH. An East High School student, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wester S. Potter, Salt Lake City, is a member of the National Honor Society, is a National Merit finalist, a BYU trustees scholar, listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students and has been a member of the SChool honor roll since 1986. She has received awards from the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts in short story writing competition. Elisabeth serves on the school's literary magazine and newspaper, and she was a teacher's aide at a Bountiful center to help younger students learn to read. She scored a perfect 33 in the ACT English section and received A grades in honors and advanced placement classes in English, algebra, geography, history and calculus. Her English instructor said, "Her ability to think and write critically exemplifies the very best I have seen in my 25 years of teaching. It doesn't matter whether Elisabeth wants to write creatively or whether she is simply analyzing a piece of literature or a poem, she does it with maturity and thoroughness."
ATUL SHAH, SPEECH/DRAMA. A Cottonwood High School student, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arvind K. Shah, Salt Lake City, is vice president of his school's chapter of the National Honor Society, is a member of the National Forensic League, ranks ninth of 557 students in his class and has been on the school honor roll since 1987. He has won numerous forensic and drama awards in school, district, regional and state competition as well as having key roles in school theater productions. Atul has used his drama and musical talents to organize performances at area rest homes, at cultural programs and at the Ronald McDonald House. He was a speaker during a peace vigil at the state capitol to observe the birthday of Martin Luther King. He attended Boys' State and was elected to attend Boys' Nation in Washington, D.C. Atul maintains a 3.95 GPA, received his Eagle Scout award, and received top grades of 5 in advanced placement tests in U.S. History, chemistry and calculus. In addition to his forensic and drama interests, he has written articles that have been published in the University of Utah law journal.
-TADASHI SAKASHITA, MATHEMATICS. An East High School student, the son of Connie Della-Piana and Phillip Sakashita is a member of the National Honor Society and has excelled in mathematics, physics and computer science competition. He recently completed a computer program to calculate and store the scholastic achievements of the senior class that will be used by the school in future years. He was one of five students in A.P. computer science and earned a position on the American Computer Science League All-Star team that competed in Toronto, representing the western region of the United States. He received the top score of 5 in advanced placement calculus during his junior year. During the summer of 1989, he studied at Cornell University but found time to tutor others in mathematics, computer science and history. While attending East High School, Tad also is in concurrent enrollment at the University of Utah. He single-handedly organized a six-week service project for Utahns Against Hunger to feed the homeless. He is a member of the International Order of DeMolay.
-KARL D. NELSON, SOCIAL SCIENCE. A Provo High School student, the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Mark Nelson, Provo, is a member of the National Honor Society, a National Merit finalist, a Presidential Scholar candidate, ranks third in a class of 355, is a BYU trustees scholar and is student body president. Maintaining a 3.99 GPA, Karl has successfully completed advanced placement classes in English, calculus, biology, French, computer science, chemistry and history along with numerous honors classes. He was a state delegate to the 28th annual United States Senate Youth Conference and represented Utah at the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. In addition, he served on Sen. Orrin Hatch's youth advisory committee, attended Boys' State and was selected as one of 10 in the Century III competition. In community service, Karl has organized projects for rest homes, Christmas gifts for the needy and at schools for the handicapped.
-KARYN LYNN BOYACK, SCIENCE. A Jordan High School student, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Boyack, Sandy, is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the Academic Decathlon Team and an officer in the school's archaeology club. Karyn received the highest ACT score possible, 35, in natural sciences, a composite score of 31 on the ACT, a top score of 5 on the A.P. biology test and 4 on the A.P. U.S. history test. She is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students, attended Girls' State and served on Sen. Orrin Hatch's Youth Advisory Committee. In the field of community service, she has helped to prepare activity packets for young patients at the Shriners Hospital and served as a library volunteer.
-MAY-KEU VANG, FOREIGN LANGUAGE. A Jordan High School student, the daughter of Kia Thao, was born in Laos, but her family was forced to escape from the Khmer-Rouge Communists when she was 5 years old. After spending time in a Thai refugee camp, the family was transferred to France. While there, she began studying English and Spanish as well as French, eventually speaking four languages fluently. In 1986, she moved to the United States. She is a member of the National Honor Society, is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students and has won numerous awards in language competitions. She is active in community activities, including the organization of last year's Asian Festival at the Salt Palace. She also served as a volunteer at local rest homes.
-DAVID BABCOCK, VISUAL ARTS. A Highland High School student, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Babcock, Salt Lake City, has received two Congressional District Awards, recognition at the Springville Art Museum, numerous awards for visual arts in the Reflections program and an honorable mention in the National Foundation for the Arts scholarship competition. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has had his artwork displayed in the State Capitol as well as at his school and in local art galleries. David is currently enrolled in advanced placement classes in English, drawing and art history. He received a 5, the highest score possible, on his AP art studio general test. He is a National Merit Scholarship commended scholar, president of the Highland High art club and humanities club, and serves as art editor of the school's literary magazine. David has produced T-shirt designs for the sophomore class, French club, humanities club, Wasatch Fencing Association and other programs.
-CHRISTOPHER BAILEY, INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION. A Lehi High School student, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael U. Bailey of Lehi, is a member of the National Honor Society, student body president at Lehi High School and has received numerous awards for mechanical drafting in school, district and state competition. He is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students and has received awards from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Kiwanis Club, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and Utah National Parks Council. He is an Eagle Scout, served as delegate to American Legion's Boys' State and the Utah National Guard's Freedom Academy, and was junior class president. In addition, he has served on school committees for homecoming, junior and senior proms and the school's peer counseling group.
-DEBRA FISHER, HOME ECONOMICS. A West High School student, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fisher, Salt Lake City, is a member of the National Honor Society, ranks fifth in her high school class of 300 and has won awards in school, district and state Future Homemakers of America competition. She is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students and Outstanding High School Students of America. Debra received a certificate of merit in the Century III Leaders Program and is recipient of the Brigham Young University's "Y" Award. She was named an All-American Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy and won first place in local table setting competition. She has served two years as president of the FHA chapter at West. In community service, Debra has served as vice president of junior volunteers at LDS Hospital and organized programs to help the elderly and Christmas projects for the needy.
-CORBETT MUENCH, BUSINESS EDUCATION. An Alta High School student, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Muench, Sandy, has captured awards in Future Business Leaders of America and Distributive Education Clubs of America competition on school, region and state levels and serves as treasurer for the school chapter of FBLA and president of DECA. He is a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the annual Utah Business Week at Utah State University and the FBLA leadership conference in Park City. In community service, Corbett has participated in the DECA Muscular Dystrophy Bowlathon and Quarters for Christmas projects. Last fall he was appointed as an intern in Salt Lake County's job training placement program to study government's role in business.
-MARTHA THOMPSON, MUSIC. A Davis High School student, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy B. Thompson, Kaysville, has been involved in numerous musical and non-musical activities in high school and the community. Determined to excel on the violin and still find time for school, friends and church, she has followed a five-year schedule of arising at 2 a.m. to practice. She was chosen as a guest soloist for the Utah Symphony during a tour of seven European countries and has performed on the Temple Square concert series. In addition, she performs at rest homes, funerals, church services and clubs. At age 10, she was a soloist with the BYU Chamber Players and toured four states with the group. Martha has won district, state and national awards. She received superior ratings in competitions for three years in Utah High School State Ensembles, nine years in the Utah Federation of Music Clubs and for three years in Davis County Junior High Solo. She has served as concert-mistress for the all-state, invitational all-state, Salt Lake Young Artists and Davis High Symphony orchestras.
-DAWN GIFFORD, GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP. A Timpview High School student, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Gifford, Provo, ranks first in a senior class of 370, maintained a 4.0 GPA during high school study, is a National Merit finalist, Presidential Scholar nominee, high school valedictorian, Harvard Book Award recipient, academic decathlon participant, national German examination finalist, U.S. Space Academy's "Right Stuff" recipient, chapter vice president of the National Honor Society and recipient of superior ratings in the state solo and ensemble competition. She was named a BYU Trustees Scholar and recipient of the USU University Club scholarship. She received an ACT score of 34 and an SAT score of 1480 - both within the 99th percentile. She received a score of 5 in the advanced placement history exam and 4 in A.P. physics. In community activities, she participates in programs for the elderly and makes quilts for the training school. As a member of the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, she performed in Carnegie Hall and is first chair trumpet in the high school's jazz, pep, marching and symphonic bands. She has received academic letters in music, science, mathematics, language and English.