Sterling Scholars showcase academic excellence

DRAPER – Utah high schools are full of many accomplished students. But with the Sterling Scholars Scholarship, only one student can win. A Sterling Scholar is a high school senior who presents an all-encompassing portfolio on their work in a specific category. Sterling Scholars are awarded at the high school, semi-final and finals levels. "Every single year, we have judges giving us feedback about how close it can be,” said Amanda Evans with Deseret Management Corporation. “It is literally splitting hairs sometimes because the caliber of these students they're all top-notch." Nominees gathered on April 16, the best and the brightest out of the 1,300 applicants. They competed across 14 different academic categories, ranging from mathematics and family and consumer sciences to dance and world languages. "The main purpose was to recognize individuals who excel and thrive in academics and in their community and in their service,” Evans said. “It's an all-around scholarship.  That's what I love about it. We really want to highlight what they're doing and how they're paying it forward."

Meet some of the nominees

Max Carter, Lone Peak High School “I got a perfect score on the ACT. I'm the vice president of my school's math club. And for charity, I drive food to children in need at an elementary school,” Carter said. Thomas Faber, Lehi High School “I got the perfect score on the math and science sections of the ACT on my first try,” Faber said. “I'm also the senior class president at Lehi High School and a javelin team captain." Lydia Beasley, American Fork High School "I love writing and reading. I love writing novels and short stories. And I do a lot of service,” Beasley said. “I'm the president of the National Honor Society, and I’m also the co-captain of my school science club.” Benjamin Chiu, Utah County Academy of Sciences “I helped start the Sterling Scholar Program at my high school,” Chiu said. “I'm the president of my science Olympiad Club, and I've been in 4-H Leadership since I was in 8th grade." Daniella Lopez, Intern at Utah State University "I’m the daughter of immigrants. My parents came here when they were in their teens,” Lopez said. “It's a story of resilience, and it's a story that lives on through me.” Madeline Ceron, Da Vinci Academy of Science and Arts “I play piano. Last year, I won a superior rating at the USA salon ensemble competition,” Ceron said. “I played for our high school musical, Bonnie and Clyde, both acts and everything every night." Siya Jain, Cedar Valley High School “I’ve accomplished seven CT pathways in business, marketing, finance, computer science, and many others as well." Caroline Evans, East High School “I've choreographed four times for East High Dance Company's concert, and I love to choreograph, and I love to express myself through dance,” Caroline Evans said.

Sterling Scholar winner

For all the accomplishments, accolades and resumes, only one student can earn the title of Sterling Scholar. Sarah Pace from Bear River High School was awarded first place. “There was a lot of talent and hard work and education on this stage tonight, I am just amazed that I am the one who stood out the most,” Pace said. “I think it was my passion for what I do, I love scientific research. I found that it is just really what makes me excited to get up in the morning. I look forward to learning something new and discovering more about the world around us and how it works."Pace wants to become an astrobotanist. Astrobotany is the study of how plants grow and behave in space environments, specifically under microgravity and elevated radiation. “I want to become an astrobotanist, which is someone that studies the growth of plants in space and in my case, I hope Mars,” she said. Organizers said that the broad range of talent and service reflects the purpose of the scholarship and why KSL, The Deseret News and Deseret Management Corporation started the tradition in 1962. “We love to see them getting into the arts, we love to see them getting into the community, service is a big part. getting out there and being kind and doing all the things for other people,” Evans said. “Every single year, whenever we have the ceremony, I feel like we're in good hands. I have hope in the future, and I know that it is bright and they are going to bring so much to this community."

Utah’s 2026 Sterling Scholar category honorees

Business and marketing Johnathan Chen from Skyline High School was awarded first place.

Runners-up: Brighten Braegger, Weber High School; Isaac Arens, Cottonwood High School.

Computer technology Grant Larsen from Farmington High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Zachary Su, Corner Canyon High School; Ezra Jones, Davis High School. Dance Bella Fillmore from Timpview High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Foss Goodwin, West High School; Shelby Warner, Skyridge High School. English Ella Astudillo from Hillcrest High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Lien Hoa Torres, Highland High School; Katherine Downs, DaVinci Academy. Family and consumer sciences Elise Jensen from Brighton High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Rachel Ryu, Timpview High School; Maya Huntinghouse, Northridge High School. Instrumental music Jacob Thiriot from Viewmont High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Samuel Matthew Miller, American Fork High School; Atlas Hutchins, Brighton High School. Mathematics Bryce Holland from Academy for Math, Engineering and Science was awarded first place. Runners-up: Wilson St. Martin, Hillcrest High School; Juntian Deng, Skyline High School. Science Sarah Pace from Bear River High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Senya Walker, Hillcrest High School; Rockland Stout, Stansbury High School. Skilled and technical sciences education Naomi (Mimi) Mills from Olympus High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Beneen Al-Saedy, Copper Hills High School; Khevna Navin, Skyline High School. Social science Colin Wallace from West High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Anna Clayton, Olympus High School; Asher Joseph Harmon, East High School. Speech/theater arts/debate Leif Kious from Highland High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Mary Ann Jensen, Brighton High School; Penelope Miller, West High School. Visual arts Emma Lewis from Beehive Academy was awarded first place. Runners-up: Emily Parker, Salem Hills High School; Iosepa Reyes, Mountain View High School. Vocal performance Ashley Barnum from Herriman High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Anneli Abbott, Skyridge High School; Emma Lamm, Maple Mountain High School. World languages Brielle Gulbrandsen from Mountain Ridge High School was awarded first place. Runners-up: Adelaide Wingate, Timpview High School; Andie Anderson, Alta High School.

Related: 2026 Sterling Scholar Awards: Why a gardening job on Mars may be in a young Utahn’s future

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