Sterling Scholar Five Sanpete students win, 11 are runners-up in annual competition
By Suzanne Dean
Publisher
03-12-2020
RICHFIELD—Sixteen students from Sanpete County, a larger number than usual, were named regional Sterling Scholars or runners-up at an awards ceremony last Wednesday, March 3, at Richfield High School.
Fourteen high schools in Utah, Juab, Millard, Sanpete and Sevier counties participated in the competition. Schools could nominate students in 15 subject categories.
In the weeks prior to the awards ceremony, the nominees submitted thick portfolios representing their achievements and went through interviews with panels of judges representing each of the 15 disciplines.
Students from Sanpete County were named winners in six categories. From Manti High, Jonathan Henningson was named Sterling School in business while Emma Bean was the winner in science.
From North Sanpete, Addelyn Brotherson was the winner in the dance category while Mayzie Talbot took first in English and literature. Berkley Peterson of Gunnison Valley High was the winner in trade and technical education.
Manti High School had six runners-up. They were Janica Baker in family and consumer sciences, Tiffany Wayman in dance, Marcus Bahlmann in English and literature, Avery Sterner in world languages, Megan Masters in mathematics and Gracie Kiesel in general scholarship.
Four students from North Sanpete were named runners -up. They were Savannah Ence in business, Adrian Lemus in mathematics, Orange Peel in science and Isabel Wright, in speech and drama. From Gunnison Valley, Parker Judy was chosen as a runner-up in social science.
KariLyn Cox of Manti, who has been a volunteer advisor or coordinator of the Sterling Scholar program at Manti High for 11 years, said there have been a number of years when Manti had two winners, but having six students named as runners-up is unusual.
“It think this is our best year,” she said. “What we really noticed is that they’re all friends,” even students with very different interests. It was gratifying, she said, “to see our computer technology student being friends with the ag science person.”
“What I love about the program is that it pushes kids to do more,” said Ben Cox, Sterling Scholar coordinator at North Sanpete High.
Since one of the criteria for being named a Sterling Scholar is community service, he tells competitors, “You need to start looking for opportunities in the community.”
That motivates students to go into the elementary schools, where they tutor and serve as role models for younger students.
“I really consider Sterling Scholars to be a service organization,” Cox said.
As each of the winners and runners-up where announced at the awards program, biographies were read describing their accomplishments.
Following are highlights for Sanpete County winners:
Jonathan Henningson, Manti High, winner in business: Jonathan has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and scored 34 on the ACT. He has developed a successful Ebay business and is associated with three on-line marketing and financial analysis services.
He has volunteered as a STEM teacher and reading tutor in elementary schools, led Scouting expos and founded the Rubix Cube Club at Manti High.
After serving a church mission, he plans to pursue a master’s degree with a double major in finance and entrepreneurial management.
He is the son of Dale B. and Lilliam Henningson of Manti.
Emma Bean, Manti High, winner in science: Emily received the school’s Award of Excellence in chemistry, was one of the winners in the South Sanpete School District Innovation Week competition, and has won regional and state medals in Science Olympiads.
At her school, she has been president of the Science Club, secretary of Family, Community and Career Leaders of American (FCCLA) and a member of the National Honor Society. She has also served on the Youth City Council in Manti and volunteered in several community organizations.
She is the daughter of Kent and Miriam Bean of Ephraim.
Addelyn Brotherson, North Sanpete High, winner in dance: Addelyn has been dancing since age 2 and has won numerous first-place and high-point titles for her solo performances.
She is president of the North Sanpete drill team, which was runner-up for the state title for the past two years. She was selected for the 3A all-state drill team.
She was Miss Utah’s Outstanding Teen in a competition affiliated with the Miss America organization. She founded a non-profit organization, MISS Addie’s Team, and in that connection has traveled the state spreading awareness of mental illness and working to stop the stigma associated with it.
She is the daughter of Jared and Liz Brotherson of Wales.
Mayzie Talbot, North Sanpete High, winner in English and literature: Mayzie is editor of her student newspaper, student body vice president, and a member of a student advisory council to the Utah State Board of Education.
At North Sanpete, she has also been involved in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the French Club, the Hope Squad and National Honor Society.
She has received awards for writing and journalism, and has participated in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program (HOBY) where she received the Leadership for Service Presidential Award.
She has maintained a 4.0 GPA and scored 29 on the ACT. She is the daughter of Mica and Cami Talbot of Moroni.
Berkley Peterson, Gunnison Valley High, winner in trade and technical education: Berkley has studied woodworking and cabinet making for four years and received a certificate in the field in 2018. She has worked for Gunnison City doing landscape management, managing water schedules and operating equipment.
She has won awards in the Future Farmers of America at her school and been named to all-state teams in basketball and tennis.
Berkley has a 4.0 grade-point average. She is the daughter of Richard and Sonia Peterson of Gunnison.
Following is brief information about the 11 runners up from Sanpete County:
Janica Baker, Manti High, runner up in family and consumer sciences: Janica has sewn bags for Days for Girls, an international organization that helps girls in underdeveloped countries manage menstrual periods; tied blankets for UServeUtah; and created hats and blankets for Teeny Tears, an organization that supports families who have had a stillborn or lost an infant.
She plans a career working closely with children. She is the daughter of Brian and Tiffany Baker of Ephraim.
Tiffany Wayman, Manti High, runner-up in dance: Tiffany has studied dance for 16 years and has choreographed 13 dances for various performances.
She has given service to Days for Girls, Primary Children’s Medical Center, Teeny Tears, Toys for Tots and UServeUtah. She headed a fund raiser that raised $48,000 for a student who had cancer.
She is the daughter of Gerald and Shauna Wayman of Ephriam.
Marcus Bahlmann, Manti High, runner up, English and literature: Marcus has been vice president of the school’s theater team, school theatrics manager and a storyteller for four years at the Scandinavian Heritage Festival.
Although not yet a full-time college student, he is a member of “Let Them Improvise,” a Snow College club that puts on improvisation performances.
He earned a perfect 36 on the English section of the ACT and a 32 composite. He is the son of Andrew and Heidi Bahlmann of Ephraim.
Avery Sterner, Manti High, runner-up in world languages: Avery has taken three years of Spanish, is president of the Spanish Club at her school and participated in the BYU Spanish Fair.
She will graduate in the spring with both a high school diploma and associate degree. She plans to major in psychology at BYU. She is the daughter of Greg and Lindsay Sterner of Manti.
Megan Masters, Manti High, runner up in mathematics: Megan helped a team from her high school place first in the Snow College math competition for two years. She was honored as Manti’s top math student and scored a 30 on the math section of the ACT.
She has been involved in volleyball, basketball, show choir and the Ephraim City Youth Council. Her career goal is to become a math teacher. She is the daughter of Vikki Masters of Ephraim.
Gracie Kiesel, Manti High, runner up in general scholarship: Gracie has taken college classes in math, science, Spanish and communication. She has won awards in Lincoln-Douglas debate and for extemporaneous speaking.
She has been a drill team officer, choreographed the promenade dance for her junior prom and planned a conference for 300 youth. She has done extensive tutoring in elementary schools.
She plans to pursue a law degree. She is the daughter of Brody and Amber Keisel of Manti.
Savannah Ence, North Sanpete High, runner up in business: Savannah has participated in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for four years and served as club vice president. She has participated in Distributed Education Clubs of America (DECA) for two years.
She is one of the founders and current vice president of Bringing Out Our Best (BOMB), a new drug prevention coalition at North Sanpete. She is the daughter of Mike and Jeana Ence of Fairview.
Adrian Lemus, North Sanpete High, runner up in math: Adrian has participated in numerous math competitions and placed in some of them. He is currently taking calculus.
He has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and scored 35 out of 36 possible on the math section of the ACT. He is the son of Alonzo and Trina Lemus of Moroni.
Orange Peel, North Sanpete High, runner up in science: Orange is vice president of the National Honor Society at his school, has been in the band and choir for four years, participated in region honor band, and was all-region in cross country.
He has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and scored a 30 on the ACT. He is the son of Dale and Maren Peel of Mt. Pleasant.
Isabel Wright, North Sanpete High School, runner up in speech and drama: Isabel has participated in drama and Shakespeare competitions and placed at region. She has been on the Drama Council at her school for three years. She has also participated in band and choir.
She has a 3.8 grade-point average. She is the daughter of Phillip and Melody Wright of Mt. Pleasant.
Parker Judy, Gunnison Valley High, runner up in social science: Parker is student body president at his high school and has been involved in student government all four years of high school.
He has done volunteer work in the Dominican Republic and on the Hopi Indian Reservation. He received the Spirit of America Award from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennylvania.
He has played soccer and football, and won awards for playing the piano. He is the son of Carey and Melissa Judy of Gunnison.
Winners will receive $2,500 scholarships while runners-up will receive $1,000 scholarships from the Sterling Scholar organization.
