December 2021 - Dan Bazan - Communications & Marketing Director
Congratulations to our Draper and West Valley 2021 Sterling Scholar nominees. These students have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to community service.
West Valley Sterling Scholars
Madison Beckstead - Family and Consumer Sciences - "Winning family and consumer sciences was such a huge surprise to me! Lots of people went for the category, so I didn't think much, but I did it! Child care and development are some of the most important things in the world to me, and my passion and desire to help children and create a safe space for them drives me. I love what I do because not all children have a safe home, so a lot of the kids that I work with come to me and have a safe space for a few hours out of their hectic sad households. Being able to create bonds with children and watch them grow has been one of the best parts of my life! And I can't wait to continue on this path and see where it and sterling scholar take me!
In addition, I have always been a people person, I love being around people and helping them. Through childcare, I am able to assist children, parents, and families, and it's such a huge blessing in my life. I think we all have what it takes to make a difference in this world; it is just our amount of dedication and decision to act on it! I love the category of family and consumer sciences because it covers a broad range of things! All include humanitarian and service to others, and that's one of my favorite things. I love children and believe in my category!" - Madison Beckstead
Hannah Christensen - Instrumental Performance - "When I was younger, I used to say that I played violin because "it makes my heart happy," and even though 14 years have passed since I first picked up the violin, that is still the case. Ever since I was in seventh grade, I told everyone that I would be my school's representative as the Sterling Scholar for Instrumental Performance, and I still feel giddy waking up in the morning because I get to go to school and live my dream life.
Don't get me wrong. Life isn't always sunshine and rainbows, and I still have days where the perfectionist in me wants to give up because not everything is going the way I want it to; but there is something about music that finds a way to lift everyone up, including myself. The journey to get where I am, took a lot of tears. It challenged my self-confidence and took a lot of hard work and practice. Still, it felt so good to accomplish a goal that I held for so long, and I'm so excited to continually share my passion for music, especially the violin, and service as I go about life as a Sterling Scholar." - Hannah Christensen
Trina Duong - Visual Arts - "In my studies of becoming a sterling scholar, I have learned that I really need to be focused on accomplishing my goal. It was an honor to earn the title, and I do not want to lose it because I worked so hard to get to this point. I must continue working hard to become the best I possibly can be." - Trina Duong
Erick Sanchez-Hernandez - World Languages - "Learning a new language, even a dead language like Latin, helps teach students about their language. Latin has taught me more about the English language than any composition class. AP Latin has helped me learn many new things about language structure and the similarities of English to other languages." - Erick Sanchez-Hernandez
Rodrigo Betancourth - Social Sciences - "For me, it took a lot of patience and hard work to get where I am now. A lot of the time, in the process of applying for the sterling scholar spot, I doubted myself and my abilities. Soon though, I realized that it was something that I should cherish and try my hardest for. Luckily, I was selected for the category of social sciences, and I am proud of myself for being able to accomplish that. I have learned how to push myself to be able to try to get the results that I am looking for. Much of the Sterling Scholar applying process was getting over my fears and doubts. For me, hard work is an important companion when you want to accomplish something important, and I have been able to learn this through Sterling Scholar." - Rodrigo Betancourt
Moroni Egburhe - Mathematics - "I have learned a lot of concepts in my math-related studies, including physics. Some concepts I have learned are Three-Space, multivariable derivatives, and integrals in Three-Space. Higher-level math is very challenging, but it's a fulfilling accomplishment!" - Moroni Egburhe
Anna Aguilar - Business and Marketing - "I’m honored to be able to do sterling scholar this year and excited to get started next month." - Anna Aguilar
Veronica Martinez - English
Katie Nguyen - Science - "I didn't expect to win the science sterling scholar category, but I have learned that having hope and confidence takes a lot to win anything in life. In addition, I learned a lot about science in general. I learned how science can work with skincare and how science is fundamental in our everyday lives. Science is around us, and we can't deny the fact that science has helped our lives be much easier and better for us. Science is constantly changing, and there is always an improvement in the science field to help us. One of the biggest things I have accomplished in the science category would be taking AP Chemistry online during my Junior year while earning an A in the class in all four terms. Not only that, I was able to win the Academic Excellence Award in science in my junior year." - Katie Nguyen
Draper Sterling Scholars
Caleb Mitchell - English - "The more I have practiced writing, the more I have realized that almost no one is a perfect writer. This is because writing seeks to do something that is nearly impossible: to reflect the complex thoughts, ideas, and feelings of our souls. Every English tool and rhetorical device that I have ever learned is used and taught in order to bring writers closer to expressing themselves. Taking AP Language this year and being involved in an amazing peer editing group has taught me even more that good writing does not seek to mimic other people's writing but seeks to show a writer's own unique and irreplaceable views." - Caleb Mitchell
Juliana Panqueva - Mathematics - I am honored to be nominated as the Sterling Scholar for Mathematics. This demonstrated to me that hard work is the key to success. - Juliana Panqueva
Manuel Jahen - Social Science - "Throughout my studies, at APA I have learned the importance of social studies in all aspects of education, whether it be directly in history or in the complex language of English." - Manuel Jahen
Alexander Wyckoff - Science - "Science spoke to me the first day of ninth grade when I walked into Biology. It taught me to love something other than my mom and so much more. I can't wait to see what else I'll learn from it in the future." - Alexander Wyckoff
Glenn Blanchard - World Languages - "Through my study of Latin, I have gained knowledge of how languages function, how languages evolve, and the way they can both limit and expand our ability to think. My intuitive knowledge of English has been strengthened by a more logical knowledge of its grammatical constructs. This allows me to be precise and impactful with everything I say and write in both languages and allows me to understand the words of others on a deeper level." - Glenn Blanchard
Navneet Brar - Speech/Theater Arts/Forensics - "As the Speech and Drama Sterling Scholar, my passion comes from my experience on the Speech and Debate team. I've been a member of the team for the past four years, been captain for the past three years, took first at region twice, and won second at State. I've learned how to form coherent arguments, research current issues, and present myself with confidence. Because of my experience, I've been able to have wonderful opportunities, like giving a speech at the Veteran's Day assembly, being a member of Girls Lobby, and speaking to the Utah Board of Education regarding new policies." - Navi Brar
Sarah Choe - Visual Arts - "This year, I have been nominated as APA's Visual Arts Sterling Scholar. Over the years, my passion for creative works has developed and matured through being a student in AP Studio Art. Through working with peers and teachers in AP, I have had the wonderful opportunity to be accepted into the Springville Museum of Art and participate in the Springville Museum Portfolio Day. Furthermore, my experience as the president of the APA Videography Team has opened new connections with teachers and students, working together to create informational, promotional, and exciting videos. Through AP Studio Art and the Videography team, I have learned how to experiment and develop artistic techniques, tell a story, and confidently present my artwork." - Sarah Choe
Adrianna Klebic - Instrumental Music - "Music has taught me, I can make a million mistakes, but I'll always get it in the end." - Adrianna Klebic
Eliza Shupe - Dance - "Dance has taught me the importance of communication. In order to be successful, we have to be clear and concise. I learned about teamwork, and all that can be accomplished when people work together." - Eliza Shupe
About the Sterling Scholar Awards
The Sterling Scholar Awards are open to Utah public high school seniors. It is expected that each school will nominate one candidate in any of the 14 categories. Each school may nominate only one nominee in each of the 14 categories, and a nominee may be nominated in only one category. The selection process and nomination of Sterling Scholar nominees are left entirely up to each high school. Sterling Scholar officials consider a nominee a high school senior if they will be graduating with the senior class during the year 2022.
High school seniors who attend college classes full or part-time or are classified as foreign exchange nominees are eligible for the Sterling Scholar Awards. However, the program is designed to recognize scholastic achievement in Utah public high schools. To be selected a Sterling Scholar nominee, students must have extraordinary scholarship scores and service in leadership and community service/citizenship opportunities at their Utah public high school. It is up to each school to determine if an individual has been in attendance enough to experience these leadership and community service/citizenship opportunities.
Click here to visit the official Sterling Scholar web page.