The Sterling Scholar program is a program that highlights students at different school in 14 different categories: dance, visual arts, business and marketing, agricultural science, computer technology, science, mathematics, music, speech and drama, family and consumer science, trade and technical education, foreign language, social science, and English, and then a final general sterling scholar chosen from the winning state sterling scholars.

Sterling scholar is a very prestigious award for a high school student to win. After working hard through the beginning years of high school, seniors have the chance to prove that they have worked toward something worthwhile. The process of becoming a sterling scholar at the school level includes an extensive application and an interview.

The application is how teachers narrow down their choices for interviews. Students write down examples of their leadership, service, awards involving their categories, and something unique about themselves that would set them apart as a sterling scholar.

The interviews are the final part of becoming a sterling scholar at the school level. The number of interviewers for each category and for each school is different, but the purpose is the same. Interviewers are looking for students that would best represent their categories, asking questions about the student’s lives, and in categories like dance, music, and visual arts, students are asked to perform.

The process of becoming a sterling scholar is a hard one, but very rewarding.

“I wanted sterling scholar, even though it’s hard to get, because I worked really hard in this area, Family and Consumer Science, and I know that it will help me with scholarships, getting into college, and my future career,” said Becky Smith, current Family and Consumer Science sterling scholar at Viewmont High School.

Winners of sterling scholar have increased their chances at getting into colleges and winning scholarships. That, and sterling scholars gain a confidence in themselves that sticks with them throughout their lives.

“For me, the most lasting impact of being a sterling scholar is how putting the portfolio made me realize that all the things I’d done in high school were worth it, and that all my work did count for something.” Korbie Fowers, 2010-2011 Family and Consumer Science sterling scholar at Viewmont High School, who is now a student at Utah State University

After the seniors win for their categories in their respective schools, the sterling scholars then go on to compete at region, and then state. Region and state involve much of the same that the sterling scholars have already faced. The students have to put together a portfolio that asks them to give examples of awards, service, leadership, and examples of writing (for English), or a performance (for the visual categories).

The award ceremony for the winners of the State Sterling Scholars will be March 21, 2012.

By Clara Ashton