The Sterling Scholar Awards are open to Utah high school seniors. Each school may nominate only one student in each of the 15 categories, however the school is not required to make an entry in every category to participate. A student may be nominated in only one category. PLEASE NOTE: the selection process and nomination of students is left to each high school, but the students must meet the Sterling Scholar Standards.
- Sterling Scholar officials consider a high school senior if he/she will be graduating with the senior class during that school year.
- High school seniors who attend college classes full or part-time or are classified as foreign exchange students are eligible for the Sterling Scholar Awards. However, the program is designed to recognize scholastic achievement in Utah high schools. The student has to be still enrolled in High School.
- To be selected as a Sterling Scholar nominee; students must have extraordinary scholarship scores as well as service in leadership and citizenship opportunities at their Utah high school. It is up to each high school to determine if an individual has been in attendance enough to experience these leadership and citizenship opportunities.
Selection of winners and runners-up will be made on the basis of Scholarship, Leadership and Citizenship as demonstrated through activities and interests in an area of high school education characterized by one of the program categories.
Each Sterling Scholar nominee’s entire school experience will be considered, although emphasis will be placed on the high school years. High school officials are urged to nominate scholars for categories in which the students are genuinely interested and qualified.
The general measurement will be defined and applied in this manner:
Scholarship (50 points) Overall GPA, difficulty of class schedule, ACT score of 17 or above, and class ranking. While judges will seek evidence of growth and service in all activities, the nominee’s talent and aptitude towards their category will receive particular emphasis.
Leadership (25 points) The qualities of leadership in Utah high schools can be measured in part by the responsibilities placed on a student by his/her teachers and fellow students. However, evidence of positive and uplifting influence with fellow students will also be considered as indication of leadership.
Citizenship (25 points) Each Sterling Scholar nominee should exhibit a record of high standard of citizenship through his/her high school years. Service to school, community and/or other organizations shall be considered. The nominee’s attitude toward and acceptance of responsibility in contributing roles, as well as seeking out service opportunities will be especially important. Evidence of a long-term commitment to service will also receive particular attention.
