2026 Sterling Scholar Awards: Why a gardening job on Mars may be in a young Utahn’s future

Scores of the state’s elite high school students gather for annual awards ceremony saluting scholarship

Published: April 17, 2026, 10:12 a.m. MDT

Sarah Pace of Bear River High attempts to hold back the emotions as she is honored as the Sterling Scholar in science alongside runners-up Rockland Stout of Stansbury, left, and Senya Walker of Hillcrest during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Jason writes for the Deseret News’ Politics and the West team covering education, the military and faith-based sports stories.

KEY POINTS

Scores of Utah's top high school students gathered Thursday for the annual Sterling Scholar Awards ceremony.
Bear River High School senior Sarah Pace received the General Sterling Scholar award.
Honors were bestowed across 14 academic categories for the Wasatch Front region.

When the day comes that plants are growing on Mars, Bear River High School’s Sarah Pace may well be their “gardener.”

Working with NASA and cultivating flora on the red planet are just two goals for the Box Elder County teen who was named the 2026 Deseret News/KSL General Sterling Scholar, topping a field Thursday of 168 Sterling Scholar finalists from 79 Utah high schools along the Wasatch Front.

Pace and her fellow Sterling Scholars competed across 14 different academic categories, ranging from mathematics and family and consumer sciences — to dance and world languages.

The annual award ceremony was hosted at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Bountiful Regional Center in North Salt Lake.

“It’s amazing to be recognized for the work that I’ve done,” Pace told the Deseret News moments after claiming both the General Sterling Scholar and science top prizes.

“I have dedicated a lot of my life to science — I’m actually going to be presenting (my research) at the International Science and Engineering Fair coming in May. But it’s amazing to be awarded for something that doesn’t usually get recognized in schools, or get lots of funding.”

Pace was raised in a science-loving family. Her father works at Utah State University and her mother is a middle school science teacher.

“My parents have always been focused on answering my questions scientifically and making sure I understand how the world around me works,” she said.

“So they naturally instilled that interest in me. And as I’ve gotten into my high school years, and I’ve had more opportunities to explore this amazing field of science, I have just learned to love it.

“I love finding new things and learning new pieces of material about the world around us.”

Thursday’s prestigious academic honor was not the first for Pace. Last year, she received a first-place award from NASA at the Ritchey Science and Engineering Fair.

And she’s well-rounded — serving as senior class vice president, mentoring middle school students and competing in cross-country and track.

Pace will soon be attending USU and plans to major in plant science research and physics before pursuing graduate studies in plant science research.

A gathering of young Utah scholars

Emma Lewis of Beehive Academy is applauded as the Sterling Scholar in visual arts during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Lewis is autistic and was accompanied by a service dog. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Thursday’s celebration of academic excellence marked the continuation of Utah’s elite high school scholarship competition that began in 1962. The Deseret News and KSL Television launched the program decades ago to bring attention to young students excelling in scholastics, leadership and citizenship.

This year, more than 1,500 seniors from across Utah were selected by their schools to receive the title Sterling Scholar.

Approximately $80,000 in scholarships were awarded Thursday to top Utah high school scholars by the Deseret News, KSL, the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, and Deseret Management Corp.

Deseret News archives: Remembering the very first Sterling Scholars show

The event highlights the achievements of young Utah scholars in various fields such as music, business, computer technology, dance, English, family and consumer sciences, mathematics, science, skilled and technical sciences, social sciences, speech and theater arts, visual arts, and world languages.

Each of the academics participating in Thursday’s event had advanced through progressive rounds of judging.

The program was hosted by veteran KSL-TV journalists Deanie Wimmer and Kevin Eubank.

Special awards were also presented to a pair of high-achieving Utah high schoolers.

Marjorie Morley of American Leadership Academy is honored with the Gail Miller Community Service Award during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

American Leadership Academy’s Marjorie Morley received the Gail Miller Community Service Award that celebrates the world-changing power of community service. Included with the award is a $2,000 scholarship.

Morley has been involved in a variety of charitable activities that include crafting thousands of blankets for refugees and first responders — and organizing a food drive that included the assembly of more than 270 meal kits.

In a videotaped message, Gail Miller saluted each of Thursday’s Sterling Scholar Finalists.

“The hard work and the long hours you’ve dedicated to ensure a bright future will leave a lasting positive influence on you, your family, your friends and your community,” she said.

Om Sanghvi of Hillcrest High is honored with the Philo T. Farnsworth Governor’s Award and receives his certificate from Kristen Kingsley during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Om Sanghvi, a senior at Hillcrest High School, was Thursday’s recipient of the Philo T. Farnsworth Governor’s Award recognizing student innovation. The award is named in tribute of Utahn Philo T. Farnsworth, who is widely considered the father of television

Sanghvi, who was also a finalist in the computer technology category, has earned top placements in national and international programming competitions, developed an award-winning microplastic purification system and has conducted research at the University of Utah.

Utah’s 2026 Sterling Scholar category honorees

Elise Farmer, the vocal performance Sterling Scholar winner from 2025, performs “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Business and marketing

Johnathan Chen from Skyline High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Brighten Braegger, Weber High School; Isaac Arens, Cottonwood High School.

Computer technology

Grant Larsen from Farmington High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Zachary Su, Corner Canyon High School; Ezra Jones, Davis High School.

Dance

Bella Fillmore from Timpview High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Foss Goodwin, West High School; Shelby Warner, Skyridge High School.

English

Ella Astudillo from Hillcrest High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Lien Hoa Torres, Highland High School; Katherine Downs, DaVinci Academy.

Family and consumer sciences

Elise Jensen from Brighton High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Rachel Ryu, Timpview High School; Maya Huntinghouse, Northridge High School.

Instrumental music

Jacob Thiriot from Viewmont High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Samuel Matthew Miller, American Fork High School; Atlas Hutchins, Brighton High School.

Mathematics

Bryce Holland from Academy for Math, Engineering and Science was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Wilson St. Martin, Hillcrest High School; Juntian Deng, Skyline High School.

Science

Sarah Pace from Bear River High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Senya Walker, Hillcrest High School; Rockland Stout, Stansbury High School.

Skilled and technical sciences education

Naomi (Mimi) Mills from Olympus High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Beneen Al-Saedy, Copper Hills High School; Khevna Navin, Skyline High School.

Colin Wallace from West High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Anna Clayton, Olympus High School; Asher Joseph Harmon, East High School.

Speech/theater arts/debate

Leif Kious from Highland High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Mary Ann Jensen, Brighton High School; Penelope Miller, West High School.

Visual arts

Emma Lewis from Beehive Academy was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Emily Parker, Salem Hills High School; Iosepa Reyes, Mountain View High School.

Vocal performance

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Ashley Barnum from Herriman High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Anneli Abbott, Skyridge High School; Emma Lamm, Maple Mountain High School.

World languages

Brielle Gulbrandsen from Mountain Ridge High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Adelaide Wingate, Timpview High School; Andie Anderson, Alta High School.

Elise Jensen of Brighton High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in family and consumer sciences alongside runners-up Maya Huntinghouse of Northridge, left, and Rachel Ryu of Timpview during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

KSL-TV's Deanie Wimmer and Kevin Eubank rise to present the awards during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Leif Kious of Highland High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in speech/theater arts/debate alongside runners-up Penelope Miller of West, left, and Mary Ann Jensen of Brighton during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Family members and supporters applaud one of the award recipients during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Grant Larsen of Farmington High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in computer technology alongside runners-up Ezra Jones of Davis, left, and Zachary Su of Corner Canyon during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Ella Astudillo of Hillcrest High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in English alongside runners-up Katherine Downs of DaVinci Academy, left, and Lien Hot Torres of Highland during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Mimi Mills of Olympus High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in skilled and technical sciences education alongside runners-up Beneen Al-Saedy of Copper Hills, left, and Khevna Navin of Skyline during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Sarah Pace of Bear River High reacts as she is honored as the Sterling Scholar in science alongside runners-up Rockland Stout of Stansbury, left, and Senya Walker of Hillcrest during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Bryce Holland of AMES High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in mathematics alongside runners-up JunTian Deng of Skyline, left, and Wilson St. Martin of Hillcrest during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Sterling Scholar finalists rise to be recognized in their respective categories during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Ashley Barnum of Herriman High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in vocal performance alongside runners-up Emma Lamm of Maple Mountain, left, and Anneli Abbott of Skyridge during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Emma Lewis of Beehive Academy receives flowers and the certificate award from Amanda Evans as the Sterling Scholar in visual arts during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Lewis is autistic and was accompanied by a service dog. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

A supporter records with a mobile phone during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Brielle Gulbrandsen of Mountain Ridge High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in world languages alongside runners-up Andie Anderson of Alta, left, and Adelaide Wingate of Timpview during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Nervous energy accompanies Sterling Scholar finalists as they prepare for the night prior to the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Isabelle Brucker from Lone Peak High, a finalist in the dance category, talks with other finalists during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Jonathan Chen of Skyline High is honored as the Sterling Scholar in business and marketing alongside runners-up Isaac Arens of Cottonwood, left, and Brighten Braegger of Weber during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Jeff Simpson, president and CEO of Deseret Management Corporation, is flanked by all 14 Sterling Scholar recipients as he prepares to announce the General Sterling Scholar Award to one of them during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Some of the Sterling Scholar finalists for the Gail Miller Community Service Award stand during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Sarah Pace of Bear River High stands as the honoree of the General Sterling Scholar Award during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Sarah Pace of Bear River High receives a certificate and bouquet of flowers from Kristen Kingsley as she stands as the honoree of the General Sterling Scholar Award during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Marjorie Morley of American Leadership Academy is called to the stage to be awarded with the Gail Miller Community Service Award during the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Maddy Archibeque, who is a finalist in the category of World Languages, from Viewmont High, offers a bite of her cookie to Kohler Stuart following the Sterling Scholar Awards presentation at the Bountiful Regional Center in Bountiful, Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

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