Congratulations to our Granite students who received the highest awards in the statewide Sterling Scholar program!

The Sterling Scholar awards program was developed by The Deseret News and KSL Broadcasting Group to recognize outstanding high school seniors in Utah. Every high school selects one student for each of the 14 Sterling Scholar categories. From there, judges select finalists for the Wasatch Front region and ultimately award winners and runners up for each category.

This year, out of 1,038 nominees from 93 high schools, Cindy Phan of Skyline High School was named the General Sterling Scholar for 2020, as well as the English category winner.

Students representing GSD schools were also named winners in two categories and runners up in four categories.

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Cindy Phan, Skyline – General Sterling Scholar and English Winner

“As someone who learned Vietnamese as my first language, I initially struggled with reading, writing, understanding and speaking English, especially since its structural and phonetic rules differed so dramatically from Vietnamese, my only point of reference. Learning the language was a task I had to tackle alone since, although my parents supported me the best they could, their own inability with the language prevented them from teaching me themselves.” Read more about Cindy

Zoe Schramm, Olympus – Instrumental Music Winner

“My musical journey has so far taken me on adventures that include learning a universal language, meeting new people and gaining life experience. Playing the clarinet well requires many hours of dedicated practice, and learning time management has been necessary to balance my scholastic and music studies. In addition, music has improved my ability to focus, which has aided my academic studies. Music also serves as a sort of spiritual experience for me and allows me to express myself more profoundly than any words can.“

Sreemanti Dey, Skyline – Science Winner

“Surrounded by my mentors, peers and students, I have begun to adopt the mindset of a scientist. Through my research, I’ve learned not to be discouraged by experimental or methodical failure, and to learn from plans that go awry. There has been no experience in my life that taught me the value of patience and stamina as effectively as this one. In Science Team and STEM Angels, I’ve learned that STEM can be advanced only as far as its participants work with and help each other, and that non-academic considerations are important for conducting science efficiently.“

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Lily Bruce, Skyline – Dance Runner Up

Seyi Jung, Skyline – Mathematics Runner Up

Julane Machado, Skyline – Speech/Theater/Forensics Runner Up

Nicholas Heiner, Skyline – Visual Arts Runner Up