One hundred and ninety-one students representing nineteen high schools competed in the annual Southwest Utah Sterling Scholar competition on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City , Utah, on April 3, 2025. This regional competition is coordinated by the Southwest Educational Development Center.
Each of the students competed based on personal achievements and awards compiled in their portfolios as well as their interviews with the judges. The students were judged on scholarship, leadership, community service, and citizenship. The three judges in each category came from local communities, Utah Tech University, and Southern Utah University.
After the interviews, an Awards Ceremony was held in the America First Event Center on the SUU Campus. Students and their parents were welcomed to the campus by SUU President Mindy Benson. Dr. John Taylor served as the Master of Ceremonies where the winners and runners-up were announced. Winners and runners-up received a sterling silver pin and a sizable college scholarship provided by the Deseret News, KSL, and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. The Sterling Scholars for the Kane County School District are as follows:
Valley High School Sterling Scholars: Hadley Harris, Agricultural Science; Rachel Cox, Business and Marketing; Kaylee Brinkerhoff, Family and Consumer Sciences; Sheridyn Hoyt, Dance; and Cold Reeve, Speech and Drama.
Kanab High School Sterling Scholars: Rain Stotlar, Visual Arts; Kaylen Troutman, Music; Mia Kabella, Science; Ryan Downward, General; Mikayla Jones, Speech and Drama; Lainey Porter, English.
We would like to congratulate Ryan Downward and Kaylen Troutman as runners-up in General and Music category. All Sterling Scholars will be recognized by the Kane County School Board in their regular board meeting and each student will receive financial compensation from the district.
