Three winners, 14 runners-up in annual Sterling Scholar competition

A total of 17 local students received honors at the annual Sterling Scholar competition, including three local students who were named Sterling Scholar.
The three top winners from local schools are Ashley Berrett, a drama and vocal performance student from San Juan High School; Brayson Wilcox, a skilled and technical science education student from Monticello High School; and Sid Schafer, a computer and technology student from Whitehorse High School.
They are three of the 14 Sterling Scholar winners who were announced at the Southeastern Utah competition. The event was held on March 21 at the Utah State University Eastern campus in Price and includes students from eight high schools in southeast Utah.
Winners and runners up are eligible for scholarships at local colleges and universities. The program honors academic excellence in the local schools.
In addition to the three winners, 14 local students earned runner up honors. Two runners-up are named in each category.
The runners up from San Juan High School in Blanding include Brooklyn Grover in business and marketing, Jessica Walker in computer technology, Ryann Shumway in family and consumer sciences, Eva Perkins in music, Rhett C. Lee in skilled and technical science education, Zoie Chamberlain in visual arts, and Kathryn Black in world language.
Runners up from Monticello High School include Camaysa Crittenden in computer technology, Halle Young in dance, Breanne Slade in English, Alyssa Reeve in mathematics, and Ashley Adair in music.
Earning runner up honors from Whitehorse High School is Vincent Saltclah in science.
A runner up from Monument Valley High School is Crystal Stanley in visual arts.




Ashley Berrett
Vocal Performance, San Juan High School

Ashley’s passion for theatre, leadership and scholarship has driven her throughout her life. She has created opportunities for herself to excel in these areas.
With her position as drama club president, National Honor Society Vice President, a Hope squad leader and previous positions on student council and service club, she has sought to make herself an asset to her school.
She has independently directed nine plays, including an original musical that received groundbreaking reviews. She has always had a love for people and a desire to understand, connect and inspire them. This desire has found it’s platform through theatre and singing.
As a performer, she has landed many lead and supporting roles. She is also a certified technician and seeks to have a diverse and well rounded understanding of the art of theatre. Ashley is the daughter of Jared and Spring Berrett.




Brayson Wilcox
Skilled & Technical Science, Monticello High School
Throughout his life, Brayson has always striven to work hard and be the best that he can be in everything that he does.
He is involved in a numerous amount of different activities such as sports, clubs, scouting, farming, raising livestock, and many more. He loves helping others out is kind to everyone.
A state champion wrestler, his hard work and dedication has been an inspiration to the students around him. He is Academic All-state in football and wrestling and led both wrestling and track teams to state titles. He is the student body vice president and a member of NHS, Hopesquad and upward bound. He has raised several several animals as part of the 4-H program including a two grand champion animals.
He helped build his father’s house and spends his summers on his grandfather’s ranch.
Brayson is the son of RL and Mersadez Wilcox and Matt and Sumer Bradford.




Sid Schafer
Computer Technology, Whitehorse High School
The winner in Computer and Technology built his own computer when he was 14 years old.
He is a member of National Honor Society, an active member in student council, and is ranked number 1 in his class.
Sid’s passion is digital media. He thinks that creating things online is “cool and interesting.” He designed the poster for his Junior prom and designed the cover for his 2018 yearbook.
Sid started his own digital business to serve his community, founded an eSport club at school, and created his own texture pack in Minecraft.
The winner of the category of Computer and Technology is the son of Kim and Harry Schafer from Whitehorse High School.