By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News | Photo courtesy of Emery High School

Travelling to compete in the annual Sterling Scholar competition on Monday, March 9, Emery High School secured one winner and six runners-up, collecting a total of $8,500 in scholarships.

Competing against schools across southeastern Utah, Izzi Turner claimed the top spot in the Forensics & Speech and speech category.

Started in 1962 by Deseret News Columnist Steven Hale, the Sterling Scholar program recognizes high school seniors’ academic excellence in schools. According to the competition’s website,” 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.”

Starting before the school year, 14 students are nominated in each category to participate in the competition. These students then build a portfolio relating to their respective categories. These portfolios include letters of recommendation, unique qualities, life-enrichment essays and leadership and community service activities. 

Winners of each category receive a $2,500 scholarship, with runners-up earning a $1,000 scholarship. Many institutions across the state offer additional funding for participants, such as Utah State University, which offers a $2,000 stipend for two years to any winner attending the school.

Castle Country Radio would like to congratulate these students for their academic accomplishments and thank them for representing Castle Country so well.

Below are the full results for Emery: