At the state ceremony I couldn’t help but feel inadequate to those around me as they boasted about awards and ACT scores. But as we stepped up on stage I realized the amazing accomplishment it was just to make it to state. They then began to announce the winner in my category and I realized that the things they were saying were true about me! The more the said, the more I realized I could actually be the winner. When they announced my name as the State Sterling Scholar I was walking on air. It was one of the greatest and happiest moments of my life. All my hard work had paid off! Because of Sterling Scholar I am now a student at the University of Utah, which I never before had considered attending. I love being a Ute and I know from Sterling Scholars, so many doors have been opened to me that will be life changing.

For all of you who are future Sterling Scholars:  This program will provide opportunities that you can’t image right now! It will create an avenue not only for college, but also to finding yourself. Don’t think small in your aspirations. Begin to make a difference today and find ways to enhance your community, your home, school, and surroundings. Everything you do can enrich your life and make you a better Sterling Scholar candidate.

Rachel Kennedy with parents Ken and Nancy

Bridgerland Applied Technology College, Logan — Full tuition waiver for enrollment in a full-time preparatory program beginning within one year of high school graduation to all winners. Runners-up will receive half tuition waivers. Visit BATC on-line at www.batc.edu

Brigham Young University, Provo — One year (two semesters) full LDS tuition scholarships to all category winners contingent upon admission to BYU by the appropriate deadline. Should you qualify for an academic scholarship at BYU, you will receive whichever scholarship is of greater value. Lesa_withers@byu.edu

Brigham Young University – Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho — Full tuition scholarships offered to regional winners for one year (two semesters) and half-tuition scholarships for one year (two semesters) to regional runners-up, contingent upon admission to BYU-Idaho by the appropriate deadline. Regional winners and regional runners-up may not receive more than full tuition from BYU-Idaho for any one semester.

Utah State University- College of Eastern Utah, Price — A two-year scholarship, including student fees, to all regional winners and runners-up, valued at $4,800. Also, a scholarship valued up to $4,400 to all Sterling Scholars in each category named from their high school. If you qualify for an academic scholarship, you will receive the scholarship of greater value. Scholarships are contingent upon recipients maintaining 12 credit hours per semester and a 3.000 semester GPA.

Dixie State College of Utah, St. George — Dixie State College offers one-year, full tuition waivers to Utah High School Sterling Scholar Winners. Sterling Scholar scholarships, when used in conjunction with any other scholarships awarded from Dixie State College, cannot exceed the cost of full tuition. To claim this scholarship, the student must be admitted to Dixie State College and submit a copy of their Sterling Scholar Certificate to the scholarship coordinator. Contact Sue Perschon at sperschon@dixie.edu .

LDS Business College, Salt Lake City — One year full tuition to winners (valued at $2,900) and one half tuition to runners-up (valued at $1,450 ). Also, full tuition is available to the runners-up in the Business & Marketing category. Scholarship award is contingent upon student meeting admissions requirements.

Neumont University, South Jordan — New Mountain Scholarship – Up to 25% of the Cost of Tuition – To encourage the enrollment of highly qualified students, Neumont University grants scholarships of up to 25% of tuition costs for students who demonstrate superior academic competency and skills. Students awarded tuition scholarships are not eligible for other institutional scholarships awarded by the University.

Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City — A full year tuition waiver is offered to the first four applicants (winners, runners-up and finalists) in an eligible program.  Sterling Scholar scholarships are given on a first come, first serve basis and are non-renewable and limited. Recipients must enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours (scholarship amount based on tuition for enrolled credit hours). Students are required to pay individual fees.  Scholarship may be added to other awards but not in all cases.    Recipients must provide a copy of certificate or newspaper clipping of award.

Snow College, Ephraim — A two-year resident tuition scholarship is offered to a regional winner or runner-up in any Sterling Scholar category. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with an academic scholarship. To be eligible for any scholarship, students must submit the application for admissions and scholarships, postmarked on or before the “new” student scholarship deadline. Students seeking this scholarship must provide documentation to the scholarship office showing receipt of the Regional Sterling Scholar award by May 1 of the year awarded. Additional information on all available scholarships is available at www.snow.edu

Southern Utah University – Cedar City – Two year, $2,500 awards to all five regional Sterling Scholar winners and runners-up.

University of Utah, Salt Lake City — Renewable full tuition waivers to all regional winners for a total value of approximately $27,700 for a maximum of eight (8) semesters or until the student receives a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first.  Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 and complete 24 hours of course work every two semesters of the academic year, namely fall and spring.  For additional information about scholarships at the University of Utah, please go to www.sa.utah.edu/finance .

Utah State University, Logan – In addition to any other scholarship received from USU, regional winners will receive a $2,000 stipend for two years ($500 per semester for 4 semesters); regional runners-up will receive a $1,000 stipend for one year. ($500 per semester for 2 semesters) and Finalists in the Wasatch Front Region receive a $500 stipend for one year ($250 per semester for 2 semesters). USU scholarship requirements can be found at www.usu.edu/scholarships . Students must apply for admissions by December 1^st to qualify. Winners and runners-up should contact Katie Gildea at kate.gildea@usu.edu  and provide a copy of the award.

Utah Valley University, Orem — Any Regional winner or runner-up is eligible to receive an Exemplary four-year tuition Scholarship upon completion of the online scholarship application and meeting the listed requirements including a 3.0 cumulative GPA, along with providing verification of their Sterling Scholar award. All high school category winners are eligible for a one-year full tuition scholarship upon completion of the online scholarship application by the February 1^st  deadline and the listed requirements including a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Instructions to apply are located at www.uvu.edu/financialaid/scholarships .

Weber State University, Ogden — Regional winners will be awarded one year partial tuition ($2,250). Runners-up will receive partial tuition ($1,350). High School winners may be eligible for partial tuition scholarships ($1,350). The Scholarship Office must be notified by July to post the Sterling Scholar Award. Students must be admitted and submit an online scholarship application.  Instructions to apply are located at www.weber.edu/getinton weber/undergrads/apply for scholarships.html .  Recipient must be a Utah resident attending full-time and maintain a 2.5 GPA.  Students may start applying for 2012-2013 scholarships by September 1^st each year.

Westminster College, Salt Lake City — Renewable full-tuition scholarship to all winners, valued at $25,560.

Renewable half-tuition scholarships to all runners-up, valued at $12,780. Students must maintain good academic standing and satisfactory progress to renew the scholarship for up to eight semesters of study or receipt of bachelor’s degree (whichever comes first). Full-time enrollment is required. Students who have been awarded an incoming merit-based scholarship (Presidential, Deans, Founders or Westminster) from Westminster and are also a Winner or Runner-up in the five Sterling Scholar Regional competitions will receive the single scholarship with the higher amount.

NOTE: Awards are listed as described by the institutions. Exact amounts are not included due to some changes in fee structures, and some restrictions may apply. Application must be made immediately; good for the 2012-2013 school year.

**Above subject to change

Below is a list of schools by area:

School/North
Bountiful
Bear River
Ben Lomond
Bonneville
Box Elder
Clearfield
Davis
Freemont
Layton
Logan
Mountain Crest
Northridge
Ogden
Roy
Sky View
Syracuse
Viewmont
Weber
Woods Cross
Region Subtotal

School/Central
Brighton
Copper Hills
Cottonwood
Cyprus
East
Granger
Highland
Hillcrest
Hunter
Jordan
Kearns
Murray
Olympus
Skyline
Stansbury
Taylorsville
Tooele
West
West Jordan
Region Subtotal

School/South
Alta
American Fork
Bingham
Herriman
Lehi
Lone Peak
Maple Mountain
Mountain View
Orem
Payson
Pleasant Grove
Provo
Riverton
Salem Hills
Spanish Fork
Springville
Timpanogos
Timpview
Westlake

James Edwards - Deseret News Sports Writer

James Edwards, now a prolific sports writer at the Deseret News, was a Sterling Scholar from Olympus High School in 1994.  He shares his Sterling Scholar experience here:

Being named the Technical Education Sterling Scholar finalist was a great honor. At Olympus High, the administration definitely went out of their way to recognize our accomplishments, and the peers in my category were very supportive of me being named our school winner.

I enjoyed interacting with the Sterling Scholars in different categories. I had a good GPA, but by no means was I academically proficient enough in categories like English, Math, Science, etc. to be a Sterling Scholar candidate. It was an honor to be placed on an equal playing field with these other candidates.

If I had to do it over again, I wish I had been better prepared in my interview, and wish I been more involved in school activities outside of my category. I think both could have enhanced my portfolio and perhaps helped me finish in the top three in my category.

I was the Sterling Scholar nominee in Foreign Language from Brighton High School and was one of the fourteen finalists from the Wasatch Front Region.  I didn’t have any specific plans to apply.  I had always been very active in church, school and community activities.  I always enjoyed being involved with different groups and activities and associating with a variety of people.  I was encouraged to apply by Alfred Morris, my German teacher at Brighton.

I had heard about Sterling Scholars for a number of years and knew that is was a big deal.  I guess I never thought I could win until I was encouraged by some of my school teachers.  

I enjoyed the people and the process the most!  It was fun to prepare my portfolio and work with teachers and others who helped me with my preparations.  I don’t remember much about the various interview levels but I do remember the excitement when I was named a finalist.

I don’t think I would have done anything differently.  I think the key for personal growth and development is to be involved, not only in academics, but also with various community and school organizations designed to help others and to make a difference in people’s lives.  Now that I have the opportunity to be a Sterling Scholar Semi-Final judge (40 years after being a Sterling Scholar Foreign Language finalist), I look forward to reviewing portfolios and interviewing what I know will be some very talented and energetic young people.