Amanda Ricks, Viewmont, reacts after winning the General Deseret News Sterling Scholar award during awards ceremony in Salt Lake County, Utah, Wednesday, March 23, 2011. Ricks also won the Music category. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
What is the purpose of Sterling Scholars?
The purpose of the Sterling Scholar Awards is to publicly recognize and encourage the pursuit of excellence in scholarship, leadership and citizenship of high school seniors in the state of Utah.
The Sterling Scholar Awards program seeks to commend and encourage excellence among all students. All nominees are judged equally on the basis of scholastic achievement without regard to religion, sex, political preference or national origin.
The sponsors salute the extraordinary development of the talents and ideals of each year’s outstanding scholars. We gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and assistance of the State Office of Education, Utah colleges and universities, school districts, high school administrations and faculties, Utah businesses and many others.
(The name Sterling Scholar Awards is a registered U.S. Trademark.)
Why are group pictures needed this year?
Group pictures are needed because they will be placed in the yearly Deseret News semi-finalist print insert, however, all semi finalists’ individual pictures are on this website. A separate Deseret News insert with individual pictures will only be featured for the Sterling Scholars finalists.
When will Sterling Scholar semi-finalist pictures appear in the Deseret News?
This year, we will feature Sterling Scholar group pictures from each school in our Deseret News insert. The insert will be published on Tuesday, February 14. All individual pictures will be showcased on our website as well as on this site both by category and by high school.
If we are performing a vocal number during our Sterling Scholar interview, can we bring in an accompanist?
Yes, you may bring in an accompanist but they can only be there with you while you are singing. They may not speak or do anything else except accompany you during your interview performance.
When am I being interviewed for semi-final interviews?
Here is a link on our site to the semi-final interview times.
When will the finalists for Sterling Scholars be announced?
They will be announced at 10 a.m. on February 16 on this website.
When will the interview times be posted for finalists?
They will be posted on Wednesday, February 22.
When and where is finalist judging taking place?
Final judging for all 195 finalists will be held at Woods Cross High School, 600 West 2200 South, Woods Cross.
When is the Sterling Scholars awards ceremony?
The 51st annual ceremony will be held at Cottonwood High School, 5717 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, at 7 p.m. No tickets are required and there is seating for up to 3,000.