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photo by NS Times
NS 2021-22 Sterling Scholars pose for a group picture before the announcement of the regional winners. (Front row, left to right) Julia Bailey – Agriculture Science, Kylan Taylor – Mathematics, Athena De Groff – English, Carson Hadley – General, Jordan Hilton – Dance, Kasey Curtis – Tech and Technical Education, Casey Mitchell – Business and Marketing. (Back row, left to right) Marlee Crozier – Computer Technology, Bradley Power – Social Science, Simeon Kimball – Music, Jason Sanchez – World Languages, Emily Wheeler – Speech and Drama , Paige Ison – Visual Arts, Rachael Jones – Science, advisor Jori Turpin.
by Brandt Lund
staff reporter
The NS Sterling Scholars competed at the Regional Sterling Scholar Competition on Monday, Mar. 14, and 11 of the 14 students placed, breaking a school record.
The North Sanpete Sterling Scholars who won are: Athena De Groff, English and Literature; Carson Hadley, General; Emily Wheeler, Speech and Drama; Simeon Kimball, Music. The runners-up were: Kasey Curtis, Trade and Technical Education; Casey Mitchell, Business and Marketing; Marlee Crozier, Web and Information Technology; Bradley Power, Social Science; Rachael Jones, Science; Jason Sanchez, World Languages; and Paige Ison, Visual Arts. Their advisor is Jori Turpin.
“Overall, the competition was a huge rollercoaster of emotions,” Mitchell said. “In the end, I was super happy for everyone that made it as far as they did.”
All winners will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their achievements. Runners-up will each receive $1,000. This year, we had 11 students place. In the past, the record for NS was 10 students placing.
Sterling Scholar is an academic competition among states. Our state is divided up into regions with multiple schools in each region. Normally around 12 or 13 schools compete against each other in the Central Utah region. There are 15 different categories with a single Scholar for each category.
“A common misconception is that the advisors choose the scholars,” Turpin said. “It’s actually the teachers in those categories who select students for those categories.”
Each category has unique characteristics that the Sterling Scholars follow. For example, the arts categories normally perform or bring something to present to judges.
“All of the Arts categories are very different from other more academic categories,” Wheeler said. “As a freshman, I was able to know and work with the Sterling Scholar then. Because of that, I was aware of something I could be working towards.”
Students have the potential to work towards being a Sterling Scholar. It certainly can benefit students and give them a brighter future.
“If someone is wanting to compete as a Sterling Scholar, I would say pick something you love and work it into your category,” Mitchell said. “People make it sound slow and long-winded, but Sterling Scholar is so rewarding!”
The Sterling Scholars in each category have to meet certain requirements to be able to win competitions. Many Sterling Scholars do extracurricular activities or community service. They are also interviewed on how they reflect their categories.
“I loved being the Business & Marketing Sterling Scholar!” Mitchell said. “It was a lot of hard work and perseverance to get there, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Because of the advisors and all the members of the Sterling Scholar program, the few that are chosen are able to make amazing achievements.
“The students made me better and allowed me to grow as a person,” Turpin said. “I am proud to be their advisor, and they all did so well.”
