Eleven local students earn Sterling Scholar honors

Local students earned three Sterling Scholar titles and eight others were runners-up at the 39th annual Sterling Scholar competition on March 19 in Price.
The winners include Elise Thayn from Monticello High, Carlos Rios-Redd from San Juan High and Adam Bunker from Monticello High.
They are among the winners of the 66 area students who competed for the title of Sterling Scholar in 14 categories.
The winners receive scholarships from area universities in addition to a $2,500 cash scholarship. Runners-up receive a $1,000 cash scholarship.
Runners-up from Monticello High School include Annsheri Reay in Business and Marketing, Nyla Maryboy in Computer Technology, Aspen English in English, and Weston Nebeker in Science.
Runners-up from San Juan High School include Jade Warren in Visual Arts, Halli Black in Drama and Vocal Performance, and Skyler Jensen in Dance.
Tavee Filfred, from Whitehorse High School, is a runner-up in the Science category.
Other local students who participated in the competition include Adri Black, Shaylee Bradford, Britton Brewer, Chance Deeter, Lucas Hatch and Kiley Tracy from Monticello.
Additional students who competed from San Juan High include Celeste Hillhouse and Tabitha Silversmith.
Lavander Shortman and Jeremiah Yazzie participated from Monument Valley High School.

Elise Thayn
Drama & Vocal Performance • Monticello High School
Elise Thayn is winner of the Drama and Vocal Performance category. She has a passion for acting and it shows. She has played the lead in many of the school productions since her freshman year.
Elise has been accepted into the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and New York. She won second place at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Shakespearean monologue and represented the State of Utah at the National History Day competition in Washington, D.C. for her short play on women suffrage.
She has directed her school’s production of “Peter Pan” and “Sense and Sensibility.” She is a student body vice president and is Miss San Juan County. Elise is the daughter of Anna and Danny Fredericks.

Carlos Rios-Redd
Social Science • San Juan High School
Carlos Rios-Redd is the Social Science winner. Currently 18 years old, Carlos lived in foster care until the age of 14 years. He has lived in ten homes in ten years.
A lover of sports, especially football, Carlos has an excellent work ethic. He has become an advocate for children entering the foster care system across the entire state.
Carlos loves to help those around him to succeed and become better people. Because of his experiences and trials, he is empathetic to those around him and is understanding of others’ situations.
He has learned to handle harsh times, and doing so has gained a broadened perspective. Carlos is the son of Joel and Jennifer Redd.

Adam Bunker
Skilled & Technical Science • Monticello High School
Adam Bunker is the winner in the Skilled and Technical Science category. He won Best in Show at the Utah State Fair for his gun cabinet.
He and his father saw a need to provide homemade hardwood coffins for parents who have lost children.
He is a yearly participant in the 4H Junior Livestock program, where he has been the Lamb ambassador for San Juan County. He has been to the national jamboree and led 50 young men as a leader in National Youth Leadership Training program of the Boy Scouts of America.
An Eagle Scout, he is a two-time state champion and a captain of the Cross Country team. He has won three individual track titles and will be running at Utah Valley University in the future. Adam is the son of Brad and Julie Bunker.

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