Sterling scholars rule

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Emery High Sterling Scholars attended the awards program on March 2 at the College of Eastern Utah. The students competing gathered at the school where they were judged by their portfolios and judges interview. The judges reviewed the portfolios prior to interviewing the students. Emery competed in all 12 categories. Emery High winners included: Nikki Rogers in foreign language; Larelan Huntsman in mathematics; Karla Urie in speech and drama; Natalie Baantjer in music; Jessica Larsen in social science. Runners up included: Misti Merrell in general scholarship; Allison Barham in family and consumer science; Sharel Gilbert in science; Tyler Cox in visual arts and Colton Leavitt in business and marketing. Also participating at the competition was Keith Bird in trade and technical and and technical, and Natalie Seamons in Engish. The winners received a sterling scholar pin and a $400 cash award to be used for college expenses. The runners up receive a $100 scholarship award. Many colleges offer full tuition scholarships for the winners including BYU, CEU, Dixie, SUU, BYU Idaho, Snow, SUU, UofU, Utah State and Westminster. Partial scholarships are offered for the runner-ups.
Emery High’s music and drama sterling scholars performed at the awards program. Karla Urie sang a selection from Hello Dolly and Natalie Baantjer played a musical selection accompanied by Eileen Lofthouse.
Chas and Cristi DeWitt were the masters of ceremony for the event. The principals of each school including Whitehorse, Emery, Carbon, Green River, Grand, San Juan, Monticello, Navajo Mountain and Monument Valley escorted their students into the ceremony and all students were seated at the front of the room. When the winners were announced they were escorted on stage by McKenzie Adams and Austin Seiter of San Juan High.
Mike King the interim president of CEU spoke to the students. He acknowledged their hard work in getting to where they are today. He said it is an exciting time to be involved at CEU. The student enrollment is at record numbers. They are preparing to host the Scenic West Basketball tournament. The CEU-Utah State merger is almost complete. “This will be a great step forward. We look forward to having all of you attend CEU. Our new name will be Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah. This is a positive step. Congratulations to all of you,” said King.
Patsy Bueno spoke to the students, she is a recently retired educator in Carbon County spending 38 years with the district; beginning as a secretary, aide, teacher, principal and finishing her career as superintendent.
Bueno congratulated the students saying they are the future. “I congratulate you on this honor and the effort that goes into being a sterling scholar and your many accomplishments.” She said an education begins in preschool with people guiding you and showing you the direction you want to go. She said the family and parental support in a students education process is crucial. Success rarely happens without parent support. She encouraged the scholars to become leaders and develop the skills they will need to lead. “Understand your reality. The world is going through a tough time right now. Understand your community’s reality. The challenges are up to you to solve. Know your weaknesses and strengths. The world is a good and wonderful place. Think positive. Don’t get mired down in negative thinking. Develop your capacity. Maintain and develop your health, physical, mental and emotional; stay active and exercise. Develop your raw skills, write and develop your thinking skills, problem solving and math skills. You can’t survive without them. Develop a support system. Don’t compromise your values. You are leaders already, you are our hope for the future,” concluded Bueno.
The biographies of the Emery High sterling scholars are as follows:
Business and Marketing – Colton Leavitt
Leavitt is the president of the FBLA and National Honor Society Chapters. He maintains a 4.0 GPA. He was the captain of the swim team and the mayor of his town’s youth city council. He is a member of the Governing Youth Council, student council, and the speech and debate team. He is the son of Kip and Julie Leavitt of Orangeville.
English -Natalie Seamons
Seamons maintains a 3.9 GPA and has a 30 in the categories of reading and English on the ACT with an overall composite score of 27. Last summer she graduated from the American Legion Girl’s State program in which she served in several leadership positions. She currently writes as a member of the Spartan Shield, her high school newspaper. Other activities she is involved in include student council, choir, FBLA, theater, peer tutoring, and art. In fact, one of her watercolor paintings was accepted into the Springville Art Show. After school, she holds two jobs in order to help her family with financial difficulties. She enjoys activities such as rappelling, hiking, painting, watching the history channel, and of course, writing. She is the daughter of Sharman and Julie Seamons of Ferron.
Family and Consumer Science-Allison Barham
Barham is president of the Family and Career Community Leaders of America chapter. She currently serves on the executive committee for student government, is a co-captain for Speech and Debate, is a member of the National Honor Society, and currently holds the Mayor pro-tem position on the board of her local Youth City Council. She is actively involved in helping her FCCLA chapter strive to be their best as they compete in region competitions and prepare for state. She is the daughter of Ted and Kelly Luke and Scott and Sumi Barham.
Foreign Language-Nikki Rogers
Rogers is the president of the French Club. She maintains a 3.9 and scored a 24 composite score on the ACT. She is involved in many school clubs and activities. She is a member of the Student Council as the Senior Class President, Mayor of Youth City Council, speech and debate, theatre and a member of the National Honor Society. In her church callings she is a part of the Youth Stake Committee and Laurel secretary. She has been a member of the swim team, volleyball team, and has competed in track and field. She is very involved in her school and community. Nikki Rogers is the daughter of Jack and Lorie Rogers of Castle Dale.
General Scholarship-Misti Merrell
Merrell received a composite score of 31 on the ACT. She is the only student at Emery to have completed AP Calculus as a junior. She writes the advice column in her school newspaper. She was a Top Chemistry Student in her high school. She is a co-mayor on her youth city council, of which she has been a member for four years. She has been a member of her school’s FBLA chapter for three years and has placed first in Introduction to Business and first in Business Calculations. She is a member of her school’s National Honor Society Chapter. Misti Merrell is the daughter of Jason and Korene Merrell.
Mathematics-Larelan Huntsman
Huntsman is the president of the math club. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and scored a 33 on the math portion of the ACT and a 30 for a composite score. She is the top AP Calculus student this year and was the junior last year with the highest test and assignment scores. She has participated in the state math competition for five years. She is the tutoring supervisor of her school and has reached the expert tutor level for both mathematics and language arts, which requires at least five hours of training and at least 15 hours of tutoring. She is the vice president of her school’s Honor Society. She has been a member of the student council, FCCLA, Reader’s Club, French Club, Peer Helpers, the youth city council of her town, the stake youth committee, seminary council, and the Laurel Class President for her ward. She participates in track and cross-country and received Academic All-State for cross-country. She has received the silver Presidential Service Award for more than 200 hours of service. Larelan Huntsman is the daughter of Laren and Lanell Huntsman of Castle Dale.
Music-Natalie Baantjer
Baantjer has attended UMEA Honor Choir, All State Choir, Region Honor Choir, Region Honor Band and SUU Honor Band. She has earned Superior Ratings at Solo and Ensemble Festivals in her mallet and vocal solos. She is a member of the College of Eastern Utah Wind Symphony as a percussionist and has been for the past three years. She is the daughter of Hans and Catharine Baantjer from Ferron.
Science-Sharel Gilbert
Gilbert is involved in many school activities including FFA, track, cross country, band, cheerleading, student government, quiz bowl, and Science Olympiad. She is currently the Science Olympiad President and enjoys helping and teaching students about science. This year she went to local elementary schools and taught students how hot air balloons fly and how to make their own hot air balloon. She also enjoys working at an animal hospital which she has done for two years now. She loves learning new procedures in science at the animal hospital. This year she has received her EMT-Basic certification, attended Girls’ State, and enjoyed doing beauty pageants. She is the daughter of Paul and Sharmon Gilbert of Lawrence.
Social Science-Jessica Larsen
Larsen is a member of the Utah Young Republicans. She had the opportunity to meet with Gov. Gary Herbert and other state government officials and discuss their priorities with them. She attended the Utah State Republican Convention as a volunteer and had the opportunity to count the ballots. She graduated Girl’s State this past summer where she participated in a mock government and was elected County and State Delegate. Currently, she is the secretary of her senior class and a member of Youth City Council. She participates in various clubs/activities at school including FBLA, GYC, Speech and Debate, Honor Society, Newspaper Staff, and the Seminary Council. She is very involved in her school and community. Jessica Larsen is the daughter of Don and Suzanne Larsen of Ferron.
Speech and Drama-Karla Urie
Urie has a passion for acting and a love for singing. She has received leading roles in eight musicals and is the Drama Club president. She maintains a 3.5 GPA. She is currently the Student body Vice President. She is the Debate team captain. She is the FBLA treasurer. She is a member of GYC, Honor Society, and Youth City Council. Urie enjoys, reading, acting, singing, talking, and performing. Karla Urie is the daughter of Wayne and Tracie Urie of Ferron.
Trade and Technology Education-Keith Bird
Bird has many skills in the technology area and he enjoys using those skills to benefit his friends and neighbors. He maintains a 3.8 GPA. As a Eagle Scout, he believes strongly in service to his community and family. Throughout his life, he has found that through persistence and hard work he can overcome any obstacle. Active in sports during his high school career he has learned to work hard. He was a captain of the wrestling and cross country teams. Lawrence Keith Bird is the son of Richard and Evelyn Bird of Cleveland Utah.
Visual Arts-Tyler Cox
Cox maintains a 4.0 GPA. He has entered and displayed his art in exhibits throughout Southeastern Utah. His piece was awarded first place at the County Fair. He has attended Snow College’s Art Storm. He has taught art to several children in his community and has been a member of Student Council for the last two years. He has participated in five different plays and helped design and build the sets for the plays. He is a member of the Speech and Debate Team and the Honor Society. He has received the Gold Award for community service and currently serves on the Orangeville Youth City Council and the Stake Youth Committee. He has held many leadership positions in his church. Tyler Cox is the son of Creig and Trudy Cox of Orangeville.