Questions Answered
What is Sterling Scholar?
Sterling Scholar is a prestigious academic competition for high school seniors in Utah. There are cash awards for winners and runners-up as well as other scholarships attached to the competition.
Who is eligible to apply for Sterling Scholar?
All US citizens who currently attend Desert Hills High School as seniors and have earned at least a cumulative score of 17 on the ACT.
When are things due?
School applications are usually due around November, and winners are announced before Christmas vacation.
School Winners then go on to Region competition which is always the end of March or beginning of April.
School Winners must create a portfolio of their accomplishments, due around the beginning of March.
If I win the school competition, must I compete at Region, even if I don't need a scholarship?
Yes! You will represent the school, receive the cash award from the district, and will have prevented someone else from having the opportunity to win. It is your obligation to compete at Region.
What if I don't want to do all of the work to make a portfolio for Region? Do I have to compete at Region?
Yes!
What is involved in the Regional Competition?
Sterling Scholar winners for the school will put together a Google Slide presentation on their scholarship, leadership, and community service. They will also take part in an interview with members of the community. Interviews will be limited to ten (10) minutes in length.
The interview is a crucial part of the Sterling Scholar competition and nominees should prepare for them. No provisions are made to schedule special interviews to suit individual needs or a videotape or another individual to represent a nominee.
Any interview exhibits must be limited to those that can be carried in the arms of the nominee in one trip, without the help of others. The use of carts or similar devices is not allowed.
How Long are Student Performances at Region?
Dance/Music/Speech Sterling Scholars must perform as a part of the judging process at Region, please limit them to 3 minutes.
Can Juniors apply for Sterling Scholar?
No, this is for Seniors only.
Can I apply in more than one category?
Yes, you can apply for as many categories as you wish, but you must submit a separate application for each category.
What are the categories?
See the page named Categories.
How is Sterling Scholar judged?
Sterling Scholars are judged in the following categories:
1. Scholarship: Scholarship consists of two sections: Overall Scholarship and Category Scholarship. A student’s overall GPA, difficulty of class schedule, test scores such as ACT, class ranking, etc. during school years, will be used to establish 25 points for Overall Scholarship. The other 25 points are awarded in Category Scholarship, which emphasizes the nominee’s ability and talent in their specific category. 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.
2. Leadership: 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 an indication of leadership.
3. Citizenship: Each Sterling Scholar nominee should exhibit a record of high standards of citizenship throughout his/her high school years. Service to school, community, 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.
What is Sterling Scholar?
Sterling Scholar is a prestigious academic competition for high school seniors in Utah. There are cash awards for winners and runners-up as well as other scholarships attached to the competition.
Who is eligible to apply for Sterling Scholar?
All US citizens who currently attend Desert Hills High School as seniors and have earned at least a cumulative score of 17 on the ACT.
When are things due?
School applications are usually due around November, and winners are announced before Christmas vacation.
School Winners then go on to Region competition which is always the end of March or beginning of April.
School Winners must create a portfolio of their accomplishments, due around the beginning of March.
If I win the school competition, must I compete at Region, even if I don't need a scholarship?
Yes! You will represent the school, receive the cash award from the district, and will have prevented someone else from having the opportunity to win. It is your obligation to compete at Region.
What if I don't want to do all of the work to make a portfolio for Region? Do I have to compete at Region?
Yes!
What is involved in the Regional Competition?
Sterling Scholar winners for the school will put together a Google Slide presentation on their scholarship, leadership, and community service. They will also take part in an interview with members of the community. Interviews will be limited to ten (10) minutes in length.
The interview is a crucial part of the Sterling Scholar competition and nominees should prepare for them. No provisions are made to schedule special interviews to suit individual needs or a videotape or another individual to represent a nominee.
Any interview exhibits must be limited to those that can be carried in the arms of the nominee in one trip, without the help of others. The use of carts or similar devices is not allowed.
How Long are Student Performances at Region?
Dance/Music/Speech Sterling Scholars must perform as a part of the judging process at Region, please limit them to 3 minutes.
Can Juniors apply for Sterling Scholar?
No, this is for Seniors only.
Can I apply in more than one category?
Yes, you can apply for as many categories as you wish, but you must submit a separate application for each category.
What are the categories?
See the page named Categories.
How is Sterling Scholar judged?
Sterling Scholars are judged in the following categories:
1. Scholarship: Scholarship consists of two sections: Overall Scholarship and Category Scholarship. A student’s overall GPA, difficulty of class schedule, test scores such as ACT, class ranking, etc. during school years, will be used to establish 25 points for Overall Scholarship. The other 25 points are awarded in Category Scholarship, which emphasizes the nominee’s ability and talent in their specific category. 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.
2. Leadership: 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 an indication of leadership.
3. Citizenship: Each Sterling Scholar nominee should exhibit a record of high standards of citizenship throughout his/her high school years. Service to school, community, 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.