A few of the recent scholarship winners
Rena Adair
Provo/Orem High Schools
Rena was born with a cleft lip and a cleft palette. Although she has lived with this difficulty all her life, she has worked hard to develop her speech and social skills. She has enjoyed the special caring of her family and has given service to others with special needs. She will enter UVSC.
Shelly Callison
Canyon View High School, Cedar City, Utah
Shelly's mother died when Shelly was ten years old, leaving her alone with her disabled father. Her father struggled within his limited capacity to provide for the family, while Shelly cared for him. Finally, in the summer of 2006, Shelly's father passed away, and she was left alone to support herself (sometimes with two jobs) while trying, and succeeding, in maintaining excellent grades, including some advanced placement classes. On one of her part-time jobs, she became a group supervisor.
With the relentless struggle of her lonesome life, Shelly's faith in the goodness of God was challenged. But she eventually realized that these struggles were making her stronger. A local church leader described her as an outstanding, dedicated and responsible person, who has risen above her personal difficulties. One school teacher says her great school spirit and enthusiasm are contagious.
Shelly became a member of the foreign language club, president of the “FBLA” for three years, president of the LDS seminary, and was the Sterling Scholar for her school in Business and Marketing. She is a devoted and active member of her church. She will be a winner and a success in life!
Anney Makalohilani Germaine
Independence High School, Orem, Utah
Anney has overcome numerous failing high school classes caused from alcohol, drug abuse, depression, and physical abuse. She was made aware of the seriousness of these problems, and determined not to end up the same as some of her so-called friends. She changed her life, entered Independence High School, and will now be the first of her family to graduate from high school and enter college.
Melissa Guyman
Skyview High, Smithfield, Utah
Melissa has been a member of the high school swim team for the past three years. As a swimmer, she has learned to overcome rough waters and unsure currents in swimming and in her own life as well. Her parents were divorced when she was ten years old and Melissa witnessed first-hand the problems her mother encountered because of an inadequate education, which she gained with great effort while trying to support her family. After the divorce, Melissa's mother operated a day-care center and depended on Melissa's help after school. She helped feed the children, entertain and care for them. She wrote: "Looking back on these burdensome tasks now, I see how hard work and responsibilities have enhanced my own character. Melissa has since worked at a print shop and on a farm. She has been actively involved in leadership activities in her LDS ward and is a frequent volunteer at a retirement home. A high school teacher praised her in these words: "She is dependable, honest and a very hard worker. Melissa is one of this high school's stars, and I look forward to watching her grow and succeed."
Jessica Komarek
Cedar High School, Cedar City, Utah
The first six years of Jessica's life were spent with her mother and a very abusive step-father. Then her mother died of cancer and she was left to deal alone with a bad situation, until her grandparents rescued her and two step-sisters, adopted them and raised them as their own.
But when Jessica was sixteen, her grandpa suffered a severe stroke which left him badly disabled, left Jessica's grandmother stressed and over-burdened, and left Jessica overwhelmed as she tried to give support to her stricken grandparents. She wondered why God could allow such a situation to happen to such good people. She said, “It was almost more than I could bear and truly almost broke me.” But instead of bitterness toward God, she developed a strong faith, and a deep love for her family and her God.
Overcoming adversity gave Jessica added strength and a fierce determination to succeed. She achieved very high grades, including several advanced placement classes. She also found time to participate in an amazing variety of extra-curricular activities – four years on the high school soccer team, symphonic band, school and community orchestras, drill team, teacher of piano, flute and violin, and a member of the LDS Young Women's presidency.
A high school administrator who has a “profound respect for her” says her best quality is her personality – always smiling, good-natured and kind to everyone. She will always be happy, and will bring happiness to countless others!
Aaron McBride
West Jordan High School, West Jordan, Utah
At the of his senior year Aaron tore his AC ligament. He had been training almost every day for his premier soccer club and varsity football teams. Now, even though he could not participate due to the injury, he still supported his football team at all the games.
This serious injury became one of the hardest trials of his life. His whole life was changed. To overcome the disappointment he turned to his family and his God. He found peace through learning more of Christ and His atonement by daily scripture study.
The injury was as hard on him academically as it was emotionally. He had ACL reconstruction surgery the second week of school. Catching up on assignments was a real challenge with four AP classes, student body officer responsibilities, daily physical therapy, and his duties as assistant to the Bishop. Through hard work, prayer, and determination he was able to earn a 4.0 GPA.
Aaron has expressed his belief that the time management skills, work ethic, and faith he has learned from these experiences will benefit him the rest of his life. He has expressed his determination to use these pioneer values to serve God and whomever he meets in his life.
Brandon Nelson
Bingham High School, Bingham, Utah
Receiving the LDS "Faith in God” Award was a major influence in Brandon 's dedication to service and marked the beginning of his hard work to accomplish goals that he sets. He believes the measure of true success comes when one resolves to do something and then always tries hard to achieve the goal. One of his goals was to win the Sterling Scholarship competition at Bingham High School. His determination resulted in his winning his school competition, the region, and he was a finalist at State.
His favorite act of service was his Eagle project. He designed and hand crafted over 30 wooden dinosaur banks for the children at Primary Children's Hospital. He took them to the hospital and personally assisted each child in decorating them. The children impressed him because, even though they were going through such hard times, they still had smiles on their faces. They taught him the valuable lesson of determination: "When times are rough, determination to overcome the obstacles given becomes increasingly more important".
Brandon 's family has always been a central point in his life. There he learned skills necessary to succeed. When his mother passed away following a long battle with cancer, it was a challenge he didn't feel he would be able to overcome. But even though her passing was extremely difficult to endure, during her suffering he learned much about families, courage, service, and faith.
Brandon states that his personal integrity has increased recently. The last quarter in school was the hardest, but he realized he could not give up. His mother was his inspiration to keep working on worthy goals. He now approaches others as if they may be going through the toughest challenge of their life – which some of them are.
Ted Nielsen
West Side High School, Preston, Idaho
Ted Nielsen has a clear idea of where he wants to go in life. He was raised on a dairy farm and learned that hard work and determination are the keys to success. These principles will help him as he pursues his studies of psychology and obtains a doctorate in this field. Ted has served as his class historian for four years and has been high school student body president. He has also been active in Future Farmers of America, emphasizing mechanics, judging, sales and ag-business. Ted enjoys public speaking and has performed in high school drama, as well as working in the elementary after-school program. Always active in the LDS Church, he plans to serve a two year mission. Ted wrote, “My amazing father and mother have always been there for me. They have taught me the importance of honesty and integrity and also the value of service to others. Helping others really makes a difference. Unfortunately, the family farm is being sold, and a reduced family income is in prospect. “This has been a challenge for our family, but our reliance on each other and our faith in a higher power have always helped us through.”
Jordan Marie Oyler
Bear River High School, Tremonton, Utah.
Jordan Oyler is a graduating senior from Bear River High School. She lives with her parents in Tremonton, Utah. When Jordan was born, she only had half of her left arm, just past her elbow, and since she was about one year old she has worn a prosthetic arm. She has taken this as a challenge instead of a handicap and has been successful in her life to overcome it. Ever since she was very young she has had the determination to not look down on herself. Jordan played on the girl's basketball team in addition to the girl's soccer team. She worked at a nearby bakery and restaurant after school and on weekends. She has maintained a 3.87 GPA all through high school. She is very tenacious with a great compassion for everyone. She especially loves younger children. Everyone is a better person when Jordan is around.
Barbara Polanco
Provo/Orem High Schools
Barbara moved from Guatemala to the United States with her mother two years ago, being the only child in the family. With no family income she took time off from school and worked to help her mother. In March 2006, her mother was killed in an automobile accident. She has become a member of a foster family living in Lehi and will enroll at UVSC to prepare to teach children.
Desmond Rutland II
Provo/Orem High Schools
Desmond was diagnosed with dyslexia early in life. He has struggled to learn to read. His parents taught him to always do his best and not let dyslexia keep him from trying. His achievements have come through hard work and today's technology. He is learning to cope with a lifetime problem. He will enter UVSC before filling a mission for his church.
Thomas Shaffer
Bear River High School, Tremonton, Utah
Thomas Shaffer is a graduating senior from Bear River High School. He lives in Garland, Utah and is the son of Brent and Heidi Shaffer. He and his brother worked together on the farm. His mother and dad taught him how to conserve energy and fend for himself. In the winter when his dad goes on trips, he has to get up in the morning and chop wood to build a fire in order to warm the house when the rest of the family wakes up. In late spring, he starts camping out every night so that he is not reliant on his parents to wake him up in the morning. In the summer, he moves his things from his room into his trailer house. Thomas' biggest trial in his life is his heart. He was born with a birth defect called Situs Inversus Totalis which means that all of his organs are flip-flop, a total mirror image. He has had nine surgeries and is now on his third pacemaker. He received his first one when he was seven. Today, Thomas plays sports. He can't perform the way other kids do, but he tries his hardest and has to take a short break, long enough to catch his breath and then he is back in the game. He volunteers with church groups to clean roads and the church building. They often go to the elderly to help clean up their yards. He is active in helping other priest age boys do their Eagle projects. His dream is to have an occupation in the medical field.
Candace Sharp
Bingham High School, Bingham, Utah
Candace had struggles in her life requiring faith, courage and determination. When she was about to enter middle school her mother became ill and Candace spent the whole summer taking care of her. The symptoms started out small but kept getting worse until she died a year and one half later. This was just before Candace entered the ninth grade. This struggle was very hard but it also made her strong. She learned to rely on others in her family and to draw nearer to them.
Because of her mother's illness Candace became very independent at an early age. She considers this a blessing that has helped her prepare for life. Her religion has taught her to be the best person she can be, and she has performed many acts of service. She has made quilts for the homeless and written letters to service men and women. She has volunteered at canaries, hospitals, and rest homes. She has played the piano to entertain people in retirement homes.
Candace said: "I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had in my life to show loyalty to my family and God. I am determined to become the best person I can be. With faith and courage I was able to overcome adversity. We all are going to face adversity in our lives. It is our attitude while conquering the trials that shows our true character."
John Robert Summit
Mountain Crest High School, Logan, Utah
During his junior high school year, John's family moved from Delta, Utah to Wellsville. It was difficult for John to leave Delta, where he had many friends, was on the football team and also participated in track and field. He says, “Everyone has challenges, which can either be a handicap or can help a person focus on their goals. I feel that in confronting my challenges I have become a better person. One of my challenges has been dealing with dyslexia. This learning disability has caused me to work harder in school. I want to be a good example to my nine brothers and sisters, so they too will be able to overcome their challenges. John loves sports, enjoys watching football and basketball and works out to maintain his own physical conditioning. He is on the school debate team, and is a member of the Cache Valley Peer Court, which has given him the opportunity to work with civic leaders in helping young people make better choices for themselves. John has met all requirements for Eagle Scout. He has a part time job to earn money for his first college year, before serving an LDS mission.
Tyler Torgersen
Escalante High School, Escalante, Utah
Tyler is the oldest of six children in a rural Utah family. He enjoys the life style that a small town affords, but found it a very challenging task to represent his small high school in championship athletics at a state level. Persevering, he became the first state wrestling champion in the history of Escalante High School. He was also a member of the school baseball team and the student body president. Tyler is a long range planner, and already has mapped out his plans for the next five years. With the aid of his SUP college scholarship, he plans to enroll at Southern Utah University for one year before filling a two-year mission for the LDS Church. Upon his return he will enroll at Utah State University with a major in Civil Engineering, where he hopes to obtain a master's degree. Then his goal will take him back to some rural community to pursue his life's work.
Alan Tracy
Provo High School, Provo, Utah
In 2004 Alan was diagnosed with a rare cancer, Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. He underwent 2 years of chemotherapy, 2 surgeries, numerous treatments, spinal taps, and blood transfusions. During this time, his mother passed away. The grief of losing his mother and fighting for his life posed great challenges. He transferred to Provo High School and will graduate a year after his regular class. He is a recent convert to his religious faith, and his disease is in remission.