May 10, 2023
2023 Tooele High School Sterling Scholars

Tooele High School selected 12 seniors to compete in the Wasatch Front Region of the Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholar Program. 

The purpose of the Sterling Scholar Awards is to publicly recognize and encourage the pursuit of excellence in scholarship, community service, leadership and citizenship of public high school seniors in the state of Utah.

The Deseret News and KSL Broadcast Group developed the program in the 1960s to focus attention on outstanding seniors in order to recognize them publicly, as well as award cash scholarships and tuition waivers from participating institutions. 

A Sterling Scholar demonstrates excellence in academics, leadership, service, interview skills, and one of 15 specific categories, which include agriculture science, business and marketing, computer technology, dance, English and literature, family and consumer sciences, general scholarship, instrumental music, mathematics, science, speech and drama, skilled and technical education, visual arts, vocal performance, and world languages. 

Candidates for Sterling Scholar are selected by their high school. The Sterling Scholar Awards program seeks to commend and encourage excellence among all students. 

All nominees are judged equally on the basis of scholastic achievement, community service, leadership and citizenship without regard to religion, sex, political preference or national origin.

Below are the 12 Tooele High Sterling Scholar contestants and a brief bio about their academic interests and passions. The bios were provided by THS.

Lincoln Kenison

My name is Lincoln Kenison and it’s important to me to always live up to the name I was given after such an honest and empathetic person. Science is very prominent and important to my life. I intend to attend Utah State to receive a degree in Veterinary Science and use that for a future career in animal medicine. In working at a vet clinic in town currently, I’ve seen the importance science has on being able to serve animals’ health.

Mason Harding

My name is Mason Harding. My fondest childhood memories were made with me and my dad connecting monitors to a computer, setting up televisions, configuring game consoles and fixing my grandparents’ phones. The Computer Technology Sterling Scholar allows me to express my love and understanding of computers. I have the gift of being able to find a problem with a phone or computer and drilling it until I solve the problem.

Quade Hogan

My name is Quade Hogan and this year I was selected as Tooele High School’s math sterling scholar. Math has always been an area of great interest to me and I have always been able to excel in it. I first was drawn to math at a very young age for the straight forward nature and how it can be almost a puzzle. This drew my attention and kept my interest through school and led to my application.

Rachael Briggs

My name is Rachael Briggs. I love singing, It has been a part of my life since my youth as my mother has told me. My first experience singing in public was during a church meeting for the Primary program where at the age of 4. Ever since then I have sung in public on multiple occasions. These ranged from school choirs to talent shows, solo and ensembles, recitals, church service performances, and community choirs like the yearly one formed in Tooele to sing Messiah.

Romney Kenison

My name is Romney Kenison and I currently attend Tooele High School. I was born in Murray and have grown up in Tooele, Utah. I am the youngest of six siblings and have an identical twin.  A unique quality of mine is my passion for athletics and fitness, competing in Cross Country, Track and Field, Marching Band, and Boys Volleyball throughout my high school experience. I love spending my free time playing basketball, spikeball, and weight lifting.

Saedi O’Bonnon

¡Hola! I’m Saedi O’Bonnon and I represent World Language at Tooele High School for Sterling Scholars. I’ve been speaking Spanish for 12 years, so it was a no-brainer to go for the World Language area if study! Spanish has always been a part of my life and I have such a deep love for the language, traditions and different cultures throughout the Spanish community! ¡Gracias y Adios!

Addie Briggs

My name is Addie Briggs. I love school, the outdoors, and my family. As a big sister, I have learned to lead by example, not only for my sister but for everyone around me as well. You can often find me outside playing with my two dogs, taking care of my many plants, or out on McDonald’s runs with my friends. In childhood I was extremely curious, constantly asking questions, even some that my parents and teachers couldn’t answer. I immediately fell in love with school and fell even more in love with learning. Even now I enjoy taking on a challenging academic course load and finding answers to my questions.

Brylee Johnson

I am Brylee Johnson, I was born in Tooele, Utah. I am the youngest of my family and while my sister is in the Navy, I have been the only girl around with two older brothers. I enjoy the mountains, riding horses, music, family game nights, and being busy! I grew up being the energetic and lively spark in the house. I danced everywhere, even on the soccer field when I attempted to play soccer.

Grace Rasmuson

I’ve taken almost all the art courses this school offers, 2019-2022 Art foundations, Drawing 3/4, watercolor painting x2, Oil painting x3, beginning hand built pottery, Advanced wheel pottery x2, Photography 1 and AP Studio Art.

Ian Small

I have Been able to conduct and choose some songs for the band to play at football games this year. Last year I designed and lead the blacklight show that we performed in may. I was able to choose the music, art, lights and marching for the whole show.

Kelsey Shields

Kelsey Lynn Shields is my name, given to me in honor of some very important family members who had already passed on before I was born. Education is very important in the values of my family. I live in a family full of teachers, school board members, and administrators. While education is really big, my life is centered around agriculture. I live and work on a small farm and also have a family cattle ranch with about 100 head of cows.

Lauren Zaleski

My name is Lauren Zaleski and I was born in Tooele, Utah and I am happy to represent Tooele High as the Family and Consumer Sciences Sterling Scholar. Family is an important part of my life, and mine includes my mom and dad, two brothers, and a sister. Throughout my life I have been very involved with sports including dance, soccer, softball, track and field, and cross country.