| Emery High Sterling Scholars |
Emery High did very well in the Sterling Scholar competition this year. Winners were Heather E. Hansen in Trade and Technical and Jessica Tuttle in Music. All other Emery High students were runners up. Sterling Scholar Advisor, Neal Peacock said, “This is the first time that every one of our students has been a winner. We are really proud of this group of students.”
This year’s Science Sterling Scholar is Anthony Heaton, son of Larry and Dorian Heaton. He is an Eagle Scout, a member of his city’s volunteer fire department, and a council member of his city’s youth city council. In school he has maintained a 3.97 grade point average and has a 30 ACT. He is a peer tutor for chemistry and physics and a mentor for the Youth and Families with Promise program. He has completed all of the science courses available at Emery High and he has maintained a 3.95 grade point average in those courses. He has also completed Outdoor Geology through the local college.
The Foreign Language Sterling Scholar is Ashley Van Wagoner. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a recipient of the Presidential Service Award for 100 hours of community service and a member of Emery High’s food drive and blood drive committee. She is president of the French Club and has spent many hours taking French I and II at her Emery High and she is taking French III through an independent study program. She has been in charge of Emery High’s foreign pen pals program and helps teach French to students at a local elementary.
The General Sterling Scholar is Chandler Tanner, son of Mark and Nanette Tanner. He is a National Merit Scholarship finalist. He maintains a 4.0 grade point average and has a 33 ACT score. He has been chosen as the outstanding English, physics, calculus, and history student at Emery High. He will graduate from high school with 34 college credit hours towards his bachelors degree. He received a superior rating at region solo and ensemble for his xylophone solo and placed first in extemp speaking at the region speech meet. He is vice-president of his student body and mayor of his city’s youth city council. He has received two Presidential Service awards for volunteerism in his community. He also owns his own successful business.
The Trade and Technical Sterling Scholar is Heather E. Hansen. She is the daughter of Mark and Julie Hansen. She is the secretary of Future Farmers of America and a member of the Health Occupations Students of America. She is certified in basic CAD and a member of the fourth place in state Parliamentary Team. She is co-chairman of the Food for America program and a Girl’s State Delegate. She volunteers at her local elementary school and at the Turnquist Retreat, a local nursing home. She is a member of her town’s youth city council.
The Business and Marketing Sterling Scholar is Louis Duke. He attended Utah Business Week where he won three competitions. He served a telecommunication internship and is president of the Future Business Leaders of America club. He has completed all of the business classes at Emery High and has passed Independent Study Accounting II. He has skills certifications in banking, finance, accounting I, and desktop publishing. He serves on his town’s youth city council, has received his Duty to God Award, and is a Presidential Service Award recipient. He is a National English Merit Award winner.
The Social Science Sterling Scholar is Nicole Sanders, daughter of Ronald and Pat Sanders. She is the president of the History Club and placed first at the Region History Fair. She is the chairman of the Student Council Social Committee and is mayor of her city’s youth city council. She placed first in region in oratory. She is a mentor in the Peer Helpers program, was chairman of Emery High’s 911 Assembly, and is a cast member of the Castle Valley Pageant.
The English Sterling Scholar is Sumiko Tadehara. She has taken three English classes this school year: AP English, Honors English and Shakespeare/British Literature. She has served a three-month internship at the local paper as a contributing writer. She is founder of her school’s Shakespeare Club. She is the Young Poets Contest winner and has had her poetry published. She volunteers at a nursing home reading to blind patients. She is a mentor with the Youth and Families with Promise program and co-captain of her city’s Relay for Life Team.
The Speech and Drama sterling Scholar is Tyrell Jewkes, son of Derri and Stacey Jewkes. He placed first in region and in state in extemporaneous speaking, He has had the lead in four plays at Emery High and has been the technical director for eight plays and for the Nutcracker Ballet. He is president of the Drama Club, was a state qualifier in dramatic interp, and directed a play for his community theater. He is student body president of his school and
assistant director of the Emery County Fair. He has received the National Leadership and Service award from the US Achievement Academy, the president’s Service Award from the National Honor Society, and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award.
The Visual Arts Sterling Scholar is JD Jensen. He has displays of his works in local museums and schools. He teaches photography to students at Emery High and is in charge of the arts projects for the county 4-H and for the Youth and Families with Promise program. He painted the scenery for a local production of the Nutcracker Ballet this year and volunteers with a local elementary as an art specialist. Being a cancer survivor he has worked to raise of $25,000 for cancer victims in his county. He is a volunteer with the United Way organization and a mentor with the Youth and Families with Promise program. He has received the Presidential Service Award for 100 hours of community service.
The Music Sterling Scholar is Jessica Tuttle, daughter of D. Wayne and Elise Tuttle. She was the outstanding woodwind soloist at the region solo and ensemble competition. She received straight superior ratings for her flute performance and her vocal performance at that competition. She is a member of the Southern Utah University Honor Band, the Utah Music Educators Association Honor Choir, and the Eastern Utah Wind Symphony. She has taught private piano lessons for four years. She is a member of her city’s youth city council, a cast member of the Castle Valley Pageant and has received the Presidential service Award for volunteerism.
The Family and Consumer Science Sterling Scholar is Krystal Jensen. She received two silver medals at the region FCCLA competition. She is the FCCLA president at her school. She has made quilts for Primary Children’s Hospital, organized and operated a summer preschool, and volunteers at her local elementary. She attended the Biotechnological Academy at Utah State University in foods and nutrition. She is a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, a member of the Peer Helpers drug prevention program and this past Christmas danced the lead in a local production of the Nutcracker Ballet.
The Math Sterling Scholar is Lindsay Huntsman, daughter of Laren and Lanell Huntsman. She is the Outstanding Calculus Student at Emery High, is Math Club President and is in the 95th percentile on her SAT scores. She has been a math tutor for the past two years. She is Sr. Class Vice-president, a member of her city’s youth city council, an Academic All-State in Cross County and serves at the National Honor Society President.
General Sterling Scholar Rachel Dunham-Green River
My parents are Kirk and Paula Dunham. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Nepal, and then we moved to Green River right before entering junior high. I have been involved in a variety of activities during my years in high school. From playing volleyball and basketball to participating in music, forensics, and drama competitions, my experiences have been extremely rewarding. Working on Student Council for three years also taught me a great deal about working with people. Getting involved in community activities has been very meaningful. I’ve had the privilege of working with children in my church as well as at the Green River Community Center where I was able to teach them about caring for and riding horses as part of the Reading Program. I also organized a clothing drive for two children’s homes: one in Nepal and one in Thailand. My life has been busy and very diverse, but I wouldn’t have been able to do any of the things I’ve done without the support of so many family and friends.