From Deseret News archives:
Scholar program grads hailed
In a pilot year for the Utah Scholars program, the group of graduates pushed themselves to take four years of math, three years of science, three-and-a-half years of social studies and at least two years of a foreign language. The more rigorous course work promises to make them more prepared to enter college or the workforce and "more likely to become a self-sustaining adult," said program director David S. Doty, the state's assistant commissioner of higher education.
"We are finding more and more students aren't taking the steps they need to get into college or don't succeed when they get there," he said.
The Utah Scholars program, created last year through federal and state appropriations, hopes to reach students from eighth grade through graduation in future years.
"We want to get as many students as possible to voluntarily, on their own and with incentives, take this course of study," Doty said.
Scott Coggin, a Hillcrest High School senior, said he's very proud of himself because of the extra effort he put into his high school years.
The students were told their hard work would pay off in the future but were encouraged to continue their pace.
"You need to remain competitive to keep your standard of living as strong as it is today," said Troy R. Justesen, assistant secretary of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education for the U.S. Department of Education.
Justesen said the challenges this year's high school graduates will face will be global rather than local or national.
"No other generation will be called upon for more invention," said Terese Rainwater, program director for the national State Scholars Initiative. "We've given you a pathway to move forward."
Utah is one of 21 states currently participating in the initiative. The state plans to expand the program's reach from the four pilot districts to every school in the state and to any student interested in putting forth the extra effort, Doty said.
Richard Kendell, Utah's commissioner of higher education, told the group there is no better time to earn a degree than now.
"Resist the temptation to take a year off," he said. "You're off to a wonderful start."
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com
Comments
- Mourners grieve for soldiers killed 4:42 p.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:22 p.m.
- Study: Costs rise under health bill 4:13 p.m.
- Williams to miss Cavs game, too 4:06 p.m.
- Weber St. gets past No. Arizona 4:01 p.m.
- In Asia, Obama pushing arms control 3:50 p.m.
- Texas rolls 47-14 over Baylor 3:48 p.m.
- Snowstorm hits Utah; 1 dead in crash 3:43 p.m.
- Montana wins Big Sky with win 3:43 p.m.
- Rep. bashes Dems over health care 3:41 p.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- D-Will home for daughter
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Born of water and the spirit
- Woods Cross refinery to shut down
- 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
353 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
164 - Will state consider gay rights law?
147 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
122 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
105 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
Mathis, Its's Dave Mathews dude! Who are these guys? Where do they find...
Homeland Security was the biggest waste of tax payers's money. My heart...
why dont you have some class
They didn't make finals :(
If BYU would have lost this one, it would have been almost as bad as being...
ohhh...what a nightmare to think about...but if I were, I would probably hold...
Happiness is an individual thing. It doesn't matter where you live. It...
I love BYU! I rise & Shout each morning! (early) But I love to watch the...
I remember last year after the championship game, that Alta didn't beat...
Utah will be victorious and BYU will be left to ramble on about beating a 6-6...

You can be the first to comment on this story.