General Sterling Scholar and English award winner
Aticus Peterson
Bountiful High School
Parents: Bruce and Cynthia Peterson
North Salt Lake
The vicarious experiences obtained through reading and the self-expression involved in writing lend themselves to an eclectic approach to life, a multidimensional experience. Every time I read something, I learn.
I stare down at a thin, little book in my hands. How can a simple book with only 4,000 words be so powerful? I can visualize the protagonist, Elzeard Bouffier, in "The Man Who Planted Trees," carefully selecting each acorn and then tenderly planting it in a hole he makes with his iron rod. Bouffier suffers many disappointments in his life. How does he choose to react? He takes what he has and uses it for the benefit of humanity. He tirelessly and selflessly serves others with no desire for recognition by quietly planting seeds that will grow into giant trees to bless and to sustain future generations.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks first out of 476; GPA is 4.0; Composite ACT 34.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Academic Olympiad; published in Anthology of Poetry for Young Americans; U.S. Senate Youth Program; student body officer; founder and president of Volunteer Bilingual Tutoring; Coca Cola Scholar semifinalist; IB Diploma candidate; District IB Advisory Board; National Honor Society; Spanish Club president; Eagle Scout.
Visual arts
Aly Johnson
Sky View High School
Parents: Lloyd and Susan Johnson
Hyde Park
I'm an analytical perfectionist. In school this allows me to break problems down and drives me to do my very best.
In art, it helps me see a picture as both its individual parts and its overall composition, enabling photo realistic precision in my drawings. I have a natural eye for design.
As art's role in my life has grown, so has my ability to see beauty all around me. The appreciation of natural beauty, along with the portrayal of it in our own works, is what makes us truly human.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks 32 out of 451; GPA is 3.9; Composite ACT is 31.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Merit Award; Master's Award from Springville Museum; first place from Alliance for the Varied Arts' high school art show.
Computer technology
Brad Richardson
Woods Cross High School
Parents: Brian and Carol Richardson
Bountiful
Computers are present in every occupation imaginable. Learning to use these powerful tools to their limitless potential will benefit so many areas of my life, including helping me to help others. It is my goal to become a surgeon and perhaps through my computer studies I can enrich the field by improving technology in robotic surgery as well as specialized devices. Computer technology is a field that has far-reaching and limitless potential and benefit. I am excited to be a part of it in the future.
Last year I had an idea for an iPhone application. … It (was) a long process, (but) it felt so good to know that I accomplished this goal.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks first out of 412; GPA is 4.0; Composite ACT is 33.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Developed iPhone application; Computer Club president; State Skill Certificate in Business Web Page Design; HOSA vice president; Chemistry Club secretary; Eagle Scout; National Honor Society; AP Scholar Award; volunteer at elementary school; volunteer for two organizations in maintaining and/or creating their Web sites.
Dance
Aubry Madsen
Mountain View High School
Parents: Harold and Staci Madsen
Orem
Each day is faced with the decision to be either outstanding or mediocre. It is so easy to be average, yet the truly defining aspect of character is excellence. Fortunately I am intensely determined in everything I do, which pushes me closer to mastery than mediocrity. I am self-motivated.
Knowing that I want to become a dance instructor, I recently set up an internship with the BYU Children's Dance Program and several years ago, I started a summer dance camp for children. Both of these opportunities have given me valuable experience as I am stimulated by my own ambition.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks 7 out of 417; GPA is 3.9; Composite ACT is 28.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Outstanding choreographer; volunteer assistant for BYU Creative Dance program; peer tutor; Platinum Torch Service Honorary; National Honor Society; Dance Company president; Youth Camp leader; High Honor Roll Student Keys to Success finalist; Bruin Honor Award; Student of the Year for Orchestra.
Business and Marketing
Bret T. Hansen
Sky View High School
Parents: Doug and Jana Hansen
Smithfield
I joined Sky View High School's Future Business Leaders of America chapter when I first entered Sky View as a sophomore. I have been involved in a number of fundraisers, service projects, competitions and socials. I have learned how to become a good leader, along with how to support someone else as leader.
My involvement in the business and marketing category will enrich my life. Business is the government of the financial world. Our economy is in a mess and needs new, optimistic, responsible people to help fix it. Whether or not we want to admit it, the economy affects our lives drastically.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks first out of 451; GPA is 4.0; Composite ACT is 32.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: President's Award for Educational Excellence; FBLA president; Eagle Scout; DECA; National Honor Society; Outstanding Academic Performance on PLAN test; Presidential Scholarship to Utah State; pending associate degree from Utah State; constructed multiple public bus stop shelters; cleaned and cared for public parks, trails.
Trade and Technical Education
Megan Getz
Bear River High School
Parents: Shane and Connie Getz
Tremonton
I am a very quiet person by nature, but through all the FFA leadership opportunities I have had, I've learned to be a leader.
Growing up I have witnessed agriculture in action from raising market animals to learning the intricacies of raising crops. I am now excited to continue down the agricultural path by attending college to receive a degree in agricultural education. At that point, my plan is to begin educating students and the general public of the vital role of the American farmer. I look forward to bridging the gap between what agriculture produces and the state and national legislators.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks 24 out of 293; GPA is 3.8; Composite ACT is 24.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Bear River FFA Chapter president; Box Elder County Youth Court peer judge; National Honor Society member; Utah State University Aggie Leadership Extravaganza; Utah State FFA Degree in 2009; State Proficiency Award winner in Grain Production Entrepreneurship.
Social Science
Gina Crow
Mountain Crest High School
Parents: Wayne and Donna Crow
Providence
As a student in multiple AP government classes, I've found my passion. I find learning about law, politics, history and society fascinating. The philosophy behind the types of government man's natural state requires, even the mistakes made, intrigue me. These courses and the readings, discussions and even heated arguments have taught me that our future as a nation is being written as we speak. Government is a tool — a tool for the people to use to provide for the common good. I want to be a part of this process. I want to help our country flourish and return to the nation it once was.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks first out of 471; GPA is 4.0; Composite ACT is 32.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Providence City Youth Council public relations officer; senior president of S.M.I.L.E. Club; Girl Scout troop leader; National AP scholar; vice president of Academic Olympiad Team; unit leader of AP U.S. Government We the People Team; vice president of FBLA; food drive volunteer.
Music
Patrick Glenn
Pleasant Grove High School
Parents: James and Sharlee Glenn
Pleasant Grove
I feel that music can touch part of the soul that no spoken word or action can. Music is a powerful force in the world that has more impact than just about everything else. I began playing the piano at age 6 and have since learned to play the saxophone, clarinet, guitar, drums and flute. The saxophone will always be my main instrument. As I progress in my musical education and career, I hope to be able to touch people through my music in the same way that I have been touched. Not only will music continue to enrich my life, but I hope to always use its power to enrich the lives of others.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks 29 out of 574; GPA is 3.9; Composite ACT is 25.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: UHSAA Outstanding Soloist in State Jazz Festival; Outstanding Soloist, Peak's Jazz Festival; named to All-Star combo at Park City Jazz Festival; project manager, Charity Anywhere; Eagle Scout; president PGHS Jazz Band; section leader, Crescent Super Band; Viking Scholar Award.
Mathematics
Michael Young
Skyline High School
Parents: Robert Yun-Hsin Young, Yuki W. Hseuh-fen Young
Salt Lake City
When I was in seventh grade, I first learned how to solve the Rubik's Cube, and after three weeks of practice, I could get my time down to under two minutes. Now I can solve the Rubik's Cube in less than 15 seconds and can do it both blindfolded and with only one hand. Ever since I was a kid, I've loved math. My passion for the beauty of mathematical proofs has given me a strong motivation to finish whatever I start to the best of my ability. I have also found that math serves as a bridge to reach out to others. Math is the foundation of the sciences. I fully appreciate the beauty in math, science and engineering.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks 38 out of 446; GPA is 3.96; Composite ACT is 35.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: USA Math Olympiad; Canada/USA Mathcamp; debate; Chinese Society of Utah; Math Circle Best Solutions; Certificate of Excellence from BYU; Utah Cube Club; AP Scholar with Distinction Award; EnergySolutions Foundation Scholarship; MESA; martial arts; American Regions Math League; Math Circle; Utah State Math Contest.
Science
Connie Zhong
Skyline High School
Parents: Fanghong Zhong and Yanling Shen
Salt Lake City
I have always wanted to work in the medical field. However, it wasn't until the start of my junior year that I truly realized the importance and privilege it is to help others through science.
Science has always been my greatest passion. Even as a young child, I would spend countless hours trying to fix a broken camera or observing how pill bugs crawl. I realize that through science, I can make a difference to help someone else in the future. My goal is to contribute to the rapidly growing field of science to someday cure cancer. I love the diversity of science and the never-ending knowledge that I gain from studying it.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks first out of 446; GPA is 4.0; Composite ACT is 34.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award; math tutor; Westminster Scholarship Award; early admission to Stanford University; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Honor Society; Science Club/HOSA president; DECA; Operation Christmas Child; Utah Food Bank; math tutor; U of U Healthcare; Spanish Club treasurer.
Speech/Drama
Clara Purk
West High School
Parents: Gary and Mary Purk
Holladay
Performing and presenting in front of others has become a very important way for me to express myself. Speech is such a powerful and inspiring medium for communication and expression.
I love being involved in any activity that demands excellence and talent in verbal articulation because it has fostered my speaking skills and helped me improve my speaking ability. The skills from debate and other speaking activities will be very important as I begin my college career and pursue many courses of study that require excellence in articulation. My interest in and enthusiasm for speech will continue to be a passion for the rest of my life.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks 24 out of 470; GPA is 3.9; Composite ACT is 34.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Two-time 4A State Champion and Region 6 Champion in Policy Debate; Mock Trial state quarterfinalist; Model United Nationals Award of Distinction; president of Speech and Debate Team; captain of Policy Debate Squad; captain of soccer team; National Honor Society; AP Scholar with Distinction; Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Foreign Language
Dixon Li
Skyline High School
Parents: Jun Li and Yuan Wu
Sandy
When I began preschool I did not know how to speak English. I was very quiet and my parents thought I might have a developmental problem with my tongue and palate. They were wrong. In addition to learning English, I have studied German, Spanish, French, Arabic and Latin in high school. I am no longer introverted. I have become very outgoing and vocal within my community and very active in debate and talk-show radio.
As the United States and other countries become more global entities, it is invaluable to be able to speak different languages. Through linguistics I will be able to communicate with more people.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks 63 out of 446; GPA is 3.9; Composite ACT is 31.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: Captain of debate team 2 consecutive years; Spanish Club president; junior class president; Key Club; Operation Smile; delegate for the United States Senate Youth Program for Utah; AP Scholar with Distinction Award; recipient of a full scholarship for BYU's Startalk Arabic Program; Spanish tutor; French tutor.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Keri Erdmann
Orem High School
Parents: Tracy and Carol Erdmann
Orem
Ever since I was young, I have had a passion for art and creating. Learning to sew has opened another outlet for that creativity to come through beyond drawing and painting. Being involved in competition has given me much confidence and self-esteem. For much of my life I was quiet and shy. Sewing has helped me to discover my unique personality, and competition, including modeling, has taught me to be more outgoing and to express myself by being my own individual.
School and my education are so important to me. I love to learn. I am very determined and dedicated in everything I do, especially academics. My will to succeed has blessed me.
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks first out of 366; GPA is 4.0; Composite ACT is 33.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: FCCLA officer; Make It With Wool contest; National Honor Society; AP Scholar Award; National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation; Yearbook editor-in-chief; Utah Membership Award, 2007; two years helping to mend, clean and maintain costumes for Archive Costumes; Yearbook Camp, 2009.
Douglas F. Bates Community Service Award
Casey Major
Mountain Crest High School
Parents: Dale and Dawna Major
Avon
One of the hardest things for me is teaching myself. From my experiences in a self-taught, self-paced drafting program and my work on our farm, I have come to better understand that time is the most undervalued and least understood resource. As I work toward a degree in mechanical engineering with the goal of someday working for John Deere, I know that it will be my values and my many well-rounded experiences that will help me the most. All the champion calves and the associate's degree in drafting are great, but the skills I learned while getting there, including hard work, persistence, dedication and focus, supersedes the awards and degrees.
AWARD: This award is named for the late Douglas F. Bates, Utah State Office of Education legal counsel and former associate superintendent, who exemplified outstanding community service. In addition to a trophy, a check for $400 was presented courtesy of the Deseret News and KSL 5 Television.
Philo T. Farnsworth Governor's Award
Kenneth Lee
American Fork High School
Parents: Wayne and Isabel Lee
Pleasant Grove
I have an observant and analytical mind. I watch many different things around me from trees to humans and spend time trying to understand them better. When I happen upon a small animal, I study it. I try to understand what it is doing, how it accomplishes those tasks and what it feels. This is a tendency I have with all things that capture my attention.
Science is one of my greatest passions. I love to learn about the smallest molecules to the largest ecosystems. I enjoy conducting research, experimenting, working with scientific instruments and developing new ideas. I will pursue a career as a chemist in research and experimentation.
AWARD: This award is given jointly by the governor's office and Deseret News/KSL 5 Television to an outstanding Sterling Scholar in science. Named after the father of television, Philo T. Farnsworth, the award includes a statuette of Farnsworth. The award also includes $400 from the Deseret News and KSL 5 Television.
Runners up
English
Xueyou Wang
Hillcrest High
Parents: Qi Wang and Fan Xu
Elizabeth Nielson
Timpview High
Parents: Howard and Mariko Nielson
Mathematics
Taylor Pope
Olympus High
Parents: Michael and Jeanene Pope
Lia Bogoev
Logan High
Parents: Ivan and Bistra Bogoev
Social Science
Andrew Applegate
Bountiful High
Parents: Kelly and Yvonne Applegate
Thomas K. Acton
Copper Hills High
Parents: R. Scott and Cheryl K. Acton
Science
Abby Stevens
Logan High
Parents: David Stevens and Peg Cashell
Derek Montgomery
Viewmont High
Parents: Michael and Rebecca Montgomery
Foreign Language
Ashleigh Hefner
Davis High
Parents: Jim and Deb Hefner
Kajsa Vlasic
West High
Parents: Mark and Margareta Vlasic
Computer Technology
Kevin Avery
Bountiful High
Parents: Kirk and Jeanne Avery
Kendall Reese
Hunter High
Parents: Van and Kris Reese
Speech/Drama
Amy Smith
Timpview High
Parent:DeAnn Smith
Andrew Cheng
Skyline High
Parent: Eric Cheng
Visual Arts
Colby A. Sanford
Provo High
Parents: Jeff and Jamille Sanford
Emma Naomi Waitzman
West High
Parents: Norman Waitzman and Laura Cover
Music
Matthew Earl
Copper Hills High
Parents: Greg and Julie Earl
Lucy Williams
Timpview High
Parents: David and Denise Williams
Dance
Hannah Braegger
Lone Peak High
Parents: Don and Kathleen Braegger
Louisa Barta
West High
Parents: James and Julie Barta
Trade and Technical Education
Collins Cochran
Lone Peak High
Parents: Terral and Nina Cochran
Samantha Halverson
Ogden High
Parents: Mike and Jodi Halverson
Family and Consumer Sciences
Braden Woodfield
Weber High
Parents: Alan and Cherie Woodfield
Chelsey Roberts
Timpview High
Parents: Greg and JoAnne Roberts
Business and Marketing
Ashley Hardy
Riverton High
Parents: Scott and Debbie Hardy
Colton Gardner
Taylorsville High
Parents: Mark and Alaine Gardner
Judges and supporters of Sterling Scholar Program
We would like to thank the following educational institutions, businesses and individuals for providing judges or helping to judge the Deseret News/KSL 5 Television Sterling Scholar Programs:
Utah State University, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, Salt Lake Community College, Weber State University, Deseret News, KSL 5 Television, Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, Davis Applied Technology College, Salt Lake-Tooele Technology College, USU Extension, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Southern Utah University, Axiom Design, Granite School District, Myriad Pharmaceutical Inc., Dowdle Folk Art, Janet Gray Dance Studio, Utah Jazz, Heritage Festivals, Neumont University, Firefly Productions, MediaOne of Utah, Utah Festival Opera, Michael McLean, UVU President Matthew Holland, SUU Provost Bradley J. Cook, Greg Olsen, Roberta Shore, Rob Linton, Utah Dairy Commission, Primary Children's Hospital, Blaine Sorenson, Bonneville International, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies and Beverly Dalling. We would also like to thank all 56 high school coordinators, teachers and administrators for their support and participation in this program.