Canyon View Junior High

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On May 18, Canyon View Junior High School held its closing program for the ninth grade students, their parents and visitors. Principal Larry Davis welcomed everyone to the program, and Rebecca Taboada sang the National Anthem.
Donn Jeffs introduced the graduating class while Davis and Doug Mecham handed out the certificates. The special achievement and departmental awards were then handed out. The winners of those awards are: Keera Allred, outstanding math and PE student; ShiAnne Allred, high point Top Cat achiever; Jacob Boel, most improved student and outstanding technical student; Addison Collard, outstanding math student and male athlete; Yochio Espino, outstanding male PE student; Landon Fehlberg, outstanding band student; Brittany Hansen, high point Top Cat achiever; DeAnn Jensen, outstanding FACS student; Colton Judd, outstanding FACS student; Rebecca Lofley, outstanding band and social studies student; Heather Mangum, outstanding keyboarding student; Brett Mecham, outstanding language arts and social studies student and Cougar loyalty award winner; Sharidan Oviatt, outstanding language arts student; Ashley Schade, most improved student over the three years; Courtney Sitterud, outstanding yearbook student and Cougar loyalty award winner; Alex Stoddard, outstanding art student; Dale Stoddard, outstanding art student; Rebecca Taboada, outstanding chorus student; Adriane Weihing, outstanding science and yearbook student and female athlete; and Trynity Young, outstanding computer tech student.
Those students who maintained a 4.0 grade point average over the three years and excelled at citizenship and extra curricular activities while at Canyon View were given special awards. Those students were: Keera Allred, Addison Collard, Rebecca Lofley and Brett Mecham. Each of these students addressed the audience.
Allred spoke of her time in junior high. She remembered that as a seventh grader, how scared she was, and added that one of the big things she learned during that time was confidence. “Learn lots, stay positive, go to high school and college classmates. See ya in high school,” Allred concluded.
Collard spoke of not knowing what to expect when he came to junior high. He noted that the first two-three weeks were pretty terrible, then things began to lighten up as he became more organized. He noted that his mom and dad helped him through, and sports has been a great influence on him. “The teacher’s job is to help you succeed. This has been an awesome experience, to go from the bottom to the top of the food chain. Now we move on to the next challenging chapter,” Collard stated.
Lofley spoke of the importance of being prepared, not only for high school but for life. “Life doesn’t have to pass us by, be prepared for it. A large part of the preparation is education, it can help us realize opportunities. Prepare for the future,” Lofley said.
Mecham talked about the trials and pressures in life. He spoke of his trip to Europe and a specific tour of a diamond factory. “A diamond is just a lump of coal that did well under pressure,” he said. “We can compare our lives to diamonds. Pressure builds character, so surround yourself with the right kind of pressure. In life we will face many pressures and trials. Let them shape us like diamonds. Remember, no pressure, no diamond,” Mecham concluded.
During the program, the chorus sang and the band played. A slide show of activities that happened during the year was shown.
Following the closing program, refreshments were served and a dance was held for the students in good academic and citizenship standing.