Meet southern Utah's 'Sterling Scholars', the area's biggest high school academic stars

David DeMille, St. George Spectrum & Daily News
·5 min read
Canyon View High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row: Taytum Stratton, Kyle Nichols, Lane Cox, Jacob Crawford, Emma Armour. Middle row: Reese Ganci, Christy Peterson, Regan Miller, Kayleah Madsen, Clara Call. Front row:
Canyon View High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row: Taytum Stratton, Kyle Nichols, Lane Cox, Jacob Crawford, Emma Armour. Middle row: Reese Ganci, Christy Peterson, Regan Miller, Kayleah Madsen, Clara Call. Front row:

The high school Sterling Scholars from Utah's Southwest region were named this month, with some of the area's top students earning recognition for their academic achievements during their senior years.

Students from across the state preparing for the annual Sterling Scholars competition on March 30, with 181 students from 19 high schools set to meet at Southern Utah University for a final round of judging.

The Sterling Scholar program, which since 1962 has recognized academic excellence in Utah high schools, was started by the Deseret News to encourage students to succeed. Top seniors from each school are recognized in 15 separate academic categories, and then can go on to compete in a regional competition and win scholarships and earn recognition.

This statewide academic competition recognizes the achievements of Utah’s high school seniors in the following fifteen categories: Agriculture Science, Business and Marketing, Computer Technology, Dance, English, Family andConsumer Sciences, General Scholarship, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Science, Speech and Drama, Skilledand Technical Science Education, Visual Arts and World Languages.

Any school can nominate one student for any of the 15 categories, but each student can be nominated in only one category.

Many colleges and universities in Utah offer scholarships to both the winners and the runners-up to help these students in achieving their goals. Some of these scholarships include cash amounts up to $2,500 or full-tuition waivers. The support from the higher educational institutions in the state is much appreciated and utilized by Sterling Scholar recipients.

The program is sponsored today by the Deseret News-KSL Broadcast Group, in cooperation with the Utah State Office of Education, area high schools and school districts and state colleges and universities.

"We applaud all those who labor to make this program a reality each year," according to an announcement published by the organizers. "The parents and teachers of all nominees have dedicated untold hours to ensure the success of these students. We give a heartfelt thanks to all that have donated so much time and energy into providing this opportunity for the best and brightest in Utah."

The regional winners from Washington and Iron counties were as follows:

Canyon View

  • Taytum Stratton, science

  • Kyle Ashdown Nichols, world languages

  • Lane Michael Cox, skilled and technical sciences

  • Jacob S. Crawford, computer technology

  • Emma Marie Armour, general scholarship

  • Reese Emma Ganci, agricultural science

  • Christy Rae Peterson, visual arts

  • Regan Elise Miller, family and consumer sciences

  • Kayleah May Madsen, English

  • Clara Call, speech and drama

  • Elsie Ksenya Call, social science

  • Hannah Brandt, dance

  • Cadence Jeanne Johnson, mathematics

Cedar

Cedar High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Standing, from left to right: Jeron Osguthorpe, Anna Robison, Lelia Karmeli, Madeline Wood, Alyssa Monson, Kamryn Krause, Hallie Heaton, Abigail Roundy, Mitchel Bird. Sitting: Marisa Oveson, Aspen Simper, Ava Parson, Kirstin Corry, Staley Webster, Peyton Rasmussen.
Cedar High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Standing, from left to right: Jeron Osguthorpe, Anna Robison, Lelia Karmeli, Madeline Wood, Alyssa Monson, Kamryn Krause, Hallie Heaton, Abigail Roundy, Mitchel Bird. Sitting: Marisa Oveson, Aspen Simper, Ava Parson, Kirstin Corry, Staley Webster, Peyton Rasmussen.

  • Jeron Clarence Osguthorpe, computer technology

  • Anna Robison, mathematics

  • Lelia Otofuji Karmeli, world languages

  • Madeline Marie Wood, dance

  • Alyssa Rose Monson, English

  • Kamryn Elise Krause, speech and drama

  • Hallie Rose Heaton, general scholarship

  • Abigail Roundy, social science

  • Mitchel Scott Bird, business and marketing

  • Marisa Grace Oveson, skilled and technical sciences

  • Aspen Cheyenne Simper, family and consumer sciences

  • Ava Joy Parson, visual arts

  • Kirstin Lucy Corry, music

  • Staley Webster, agricultural sciences

  • Peyton Nicole Rasmsussen, science

Crimson Cliffs

Crimson Cliffs High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. From left to right: Conner Zwahlen, Connor Denney, William Jaussi, Sofie Werner, Arianna Service, Mckaylee Hortin, Devyn Jones, Aislee Webster, Katelynn Wall, Ella Tyler, Natalie Roper, Rylee Mitchell, Cooper Cluff.
Crimson Cliffs High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. From left to right: Conner Zwahlen, Connor Denney, William Jaussi, Sofie Werner, Arianna Service, Mckaylee Hortin, Devyn Jones, Aislee Webster, Katelynn Wall, Ella Tyler, Natalie Roper, Rylee Mitchell, Cooper Cluff.

  • Connor Edward Zwahlen, visual arts

  • Connor David Denney, computer technology

  • William Griffiths Jaussi, science

  • Sophie Olivia Werner, mathematics

  • McKaylee Taylor Hortin, dance

  • Devyn Jones, social science

  • Aislee Jae Webster, family and consumer sciences

  • Katelynn Ylan Wall, general scholarship

  • Ella Joyce Tyler, English

  • Natalie Roper, music

  • Rylee Mitchell, skilled and technical sciences

  • Cooper Richards Cluff, business and marketing

Desert Hills

Desert Hills High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Standing, from left to right: Taylor Anderson, Kyle Smith, Hunter Jones, Oliver Stirland, Sydney Losser, Logan Larson, Elise Webb, Bennett Allen, Katelyn Earl, Monet Wall, Laura Slatter. Seated: Brooklyn Cutler, Sydney Gillman, Julianna Winslow, Alexander Bowles.
Desert Hills High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Standing, from left to right: Taylor Anderson, Kyle Smith, Hunter Jones, Oliver Stirland, Sydney Losser, Logan Larson, Elise Webb, Bennett Allen, Katelyn Earl, Monet Wall, Laura Slatter. Seated: Brooklyn Cutler, Sydney Gillman, Julianna Winslow, Alexander Bowles.

  • Taylor Ray Anderson, business and marketing

  • Kyle W. Smith, computer technology

  • Hunter Owen Jones, world languages

  • Oliver Grant Stirland, English

  • Sydney Vivian Losser, social science

  • Logan Robert Larson, general scholarship

  • Elise Webb, visual arts

  • Bennett Kevin Allen, mathematics

  • Katelyn Earl, family and consumer sciences

  • Monet Naledi Wall, agricultural science

  • Laura Elizabeth Slatter, dance

  • Brooklyn Cutler, music

  • Sydney Rain Gillman, speech and drama

  • Julianna Winslow, skilled and technical sciences

  • Alexander Brent Bowles, science

Dixie

Dixie Hills High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row, from left to right: Mahi Patel, Savannah Hirschi, Nathan Murset, Alex Prestwich, Hailey Hill. Middle row: Lexi Foster, Jade Stevenson, Raeghan Bangerter, Allison Ames, Liliana Quinteros. Front row: Amy Olsen, Zoe Reber, Beatrice Dye, Aeva Dye.
Dixie Hills High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row, from left to right: Mahi Patel, Savannah Hirschi, Nathan Murset, Alex Prestwich, Hailey Hill. Middle row: Lexi Foster, Jade Stevenson, Raeghan Bangerter, Allison Ames, Liliana Quinteros. Front row: Amy Olsen, Zoe Reber, Beatrice Dye, Aeva Dye.

  • Mahi R. Patel, social science

  • Savannah Hirschi, computer technology

  • Nathan Murset, general scholar

  • Alex Prestwich, speech and drama

  • Hailey Lorna Hill, dance

  • Lexi Foster, family and consumer sciences

  • Jade Marie Stevenson, business and marketing

  • Raeghan Isabelle Bangerter, agricultural science

  • Allison Marie Ames, music

  • Liliana Marcela Quinteros, world languages

  • Amy Nicole Olsen, mathematics

  • Zoe Nicole Reber, science

  • Beatrice Brook Dye, visual arts

  • Aeva West Dye, English

Enterprise

Enterprise School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. From left to right: Kiesha Naisbitt, Sadie Dunford, Austin Humphries, Samuel Johnson, David Shurtliff, Alena Umana, McKell Staheli.
Enterprise School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. From left to right: Kiesha Naisbitt, Sadie Dunford, Austin Humphries, Samuel Johnson, David Shurtliff, Alena Umana, McKell Staheli.

  • Kiesha Naisbitt, world languages

  • Sadie Love Dunford, music

  • Austin Humphries, skilled and technical sciences

  • Samuel Dane Johnson, mathematics

  • David Wyatt Shurtliff, visual arts

  • Alena Ana Mae Umana, general scholarship

  • McKell Ardath Staheli, agricultural science

Hurricane

Hurricane High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row, from left to right: Lydia Ireland, Austin Ashcraft, Jacob Arnold, Jaxson Beteag. Middle row: Hannah Martin, Alyssa LeBaron, Adilyn Stubbs, Saysha Dennett, Kaytlynn Percival. Front row: Noel Wiser, Ethan Jepsen, Jack Preiss, Miriam Ehlers.
Hurricane High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row, from left to right: Lydia Ireland, Austin Ashcraft, Jacob Arnold, Jaxson Beteag. Middle row: Hannah Martin, Alyssa LeBaron, Adilyn Stubbs, Saysha Dennett, Kaytlynn Percival. Front row: Noel Wiser, Ethan Jepsen, Jack Preiss, Miriam Ehlers.

  • Lydia Rose Ireland, speech and drama

  • Austin Ashcraft, social science

  • Jacob Arnold, computer technology

  • Jaxson Jeffrey Beteag, science

  • Hannah Elaine Martin, business and marketing

  • Alyssa Eve LeBaron, music

  • Adilyn Mae Stubbs, general scholarship

  • Saysha Julyette Dennett, skilled and technical sciences

  • Kaytlynn Dawn Percival, dance

  • Noel Ari Wiser, visual arts

  • Ethan Nicholas Jepsen, mathematics

  • Miriam Ehlers, world languages

Parowan

Parowan High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. From left to right: Ashlynn Packwood, Jeffrey Howser, Harrison Cheney, Jayden Griffiths.
Parowan High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. From left to right: Ashlynn Packwood, Jeffrey Howser, Harrison Cheney, Jayden Griffiths.

  • Ashlynn DeVona Packwood, science

  • Jeffrey James Howser, speech and drama

  • Harrison Pratt Cheney, general scholarship

  • Jayden Evalena Griffiths, dance

Pine View

Pine View High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row, from right to left: Rysann Clark, Timothy Threet, David Magana, Abe Rosenlund, Austyn Gerritson, Brady McMullin, Taylor Hughes. Front row: Amelia Hall, Rachel Mathis, Addie Tucker, Lainee Chase, Tess Paxman, Amelia Jones, Ananya Gimmy.
Pine View High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row, from right to left: Rysann Clark, Timothy Threet, David Magana, Abe Rosenlund, Austyn Gerritson, Brady McMullin, Taylor Hughes. Front row: Amelia Hall, Rachel Mathis, Addie Tucker, Lainee Chase, Tess Paxman, Amelia Jones, Ananya Gimmy.

  • Rysann Star Clark, general scholarship

  • Timothy Cole Threet, social science

  • David Antonio Magana, skilled and technical sciences

  • Abram John Rosenlund, business and marketing

  • Brady Neil McMullin, computer technology

  • Taylor Beth Hughes, agricultural science

  • Amelia Lynne Hall, English

  • Rachel Caroline Mathis, world languages

  • Addie Ryan Tucker, visual arts

  • Lainee Jo Chase, dance

  • Tess Elise Paxman, speech and drama

  • Amelia Janae Jones, music

  • Ananya Gimmy, science

Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon High School's 2023 Sterling Scholar award winners pose for a photo. Back row, from left to right: Brinkley DeMille, Anna Basso, Bryce Christiansen, Gabriel Layton, Spencer Smith, Gabriel Pinna, Elizabeth Dunn, Kelci Vanderburge. Front row: Areli Hernandez, Celeste Peavler, Fae Dutson, River Deuel, Brynley Kint, Abigail Mathews, Amanda Lang.

  • Brinkley Maye DeMille, computer technology

  • Anna Keolalani Basso, world languages

  • Bryce Brett Christiansen, music

  • Gabriel Jones Layton, science

  • Spencer Liam Smith, mathematics

  • Gabriel Dominic Pinna, general scholarship

  • Elizabeth Mary Dunn, business and marketing

  • Kelci Adriene Vandenberghe, agricultural science

  • Areli Hernandez Islas, social science

  • Celeste Aryn Peavler, skilled and technical sciences

  • Fae Faith Dutson, visual arts

  • River Dawn Deuel, English

  • Brynley Elizabeth Kint, speech and drama

  • Abigail Mathews, dance

  • Amanda Lang, family and consumer sciences

Water Canyon

  • Alex E. Lawrence, English

  • Dominique Jade Timpson, general scholarship

Alex E. Lawrence
Alex E. Lawrence
Dominique Jade Timpson
Dominique Jade Timpson

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Meet southern Utah's best and brightest 'Sterling Scholars'