Application
Thank you so much for your continued patience. It is with great excitement that we are finally able to announce the start of this year's Sterling Scholar competition!
Due to COVID-19, this year's competition has gone virtual! In order to accommodate this change, West Jordan's Sterling Scholar application is now available online. Please join our Google Classroom with the code: nb5elny and complete the application listed under the tab "Classwork." If you have any questions/concerns, please email Ms. Natalie Nielsen at: [email protected]. Applications and materials are due October 28 by 3:00 PM.
Due to COVID-19, this year's competition has gone virtual! In order to accommodate this change, West Jordan's Sterling Scholar application is now available online. Please join our Google Classroom with the code: nb5elny and complete the application listed under the tab "Classwork." If you have any questions/concerns, please email Ms. Natalie Nielsen at: [email protected]. Applications and materials are due October 28 by 3:00 PM.
Rubric
Click on the following to access a copy of the rubric which the judges will use to assess each candidate. Note: Dance candidates need to contact Ms. Natalie Nielsen to get the dance performance rubric at the beginning of the school year, since there are additional requirements.
sterling_scholar_rubric.pdf | |
File Size: | 64 kb |
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Preparation
For those you wish to get a jump start on preparing to apply to be a Sterling Scholar, read through the following materials and start building your portfolio.
prepare_to_be_a_sterling_scholar.pdf | |
File Size: | 123 kb |
File Type: |
*Most Sterling Scholars have a minimum 30 on the ACT. While this is not necessarily a requirement, if you want to compete at the higher levels, it is highly suggested that you aim for this standard. There are several opportunities to take and/or retake the ACT before the Sterling Scholar Award is given, so spend some time preparing for this exam!
*Another area that the judges want to see is school involvement and leadership. Thus, begin listing all clubs, extracurricular activities, performing art's events, and so forth that you have been a part of. If you've been involved in the school play, make sure you find a copy of the program listing your role(s). If you've been involved in the Dance Company, find all your programs. If you've been involved in the photography club, start finding examples of your work. If you are a member of the National Honor Society, find your certificate. If you played volleyball, find pictures of you on the court. If you served on the newspaper staff, find an example of an article you wrote. Start collecting these artifacts now. If you had any leadership roles, make sure to document those as well. The judges want to see school and community leadership roles primarily, so focus on these before religious roles.
*Another area that the judges want to see excellence is community service. Judges at all levels want to see a HISTORY of long-term service; thus, if you haven't participated in developing and participating in service projects within the community, it is highly suggested that you get started. Judges also want to see more than volunteering at the food bank, hospitals, and collecting cans of food during a school food drive. The judges want to see that the participant developed a specific plan for serving his/her community, contacted the appropriate companies/individuals in charge of approving such projects, and put together a meaningful project that takes place over time. Long-term projects and projects that a candidate led earn more points at the regional and state levels. See below for some possible ideas from past Sterling Scholar recipients:
*Collecting donations from the community, making hygiene kits for the refugees, and sending these kits to the appropriate distribution centers.
*Collecting children's books and donating them to a local hospital. Then, starting a storybook hour at the hospital where you spend time reading to the kids.
*Participating in construction projects to renovate homes for the underprivileged and/or unable.
*Adopting a Title-1 elementary school and setting-up an after-school tutoring program.
*Working with the park service to make some trails wheelchair accessible.
*Starting a "principal's pantry" at different schools for underprivileged students. Adding school supply items to this principal pantry, so it's not just about food, but about providing everyday supplies for those without the means.
*Contacting different retirement homes and providing free classes for the residents (i.e. dance, music, art)
*Crocheting hats and scarves, selling them through athletic events at the school, and then using the proceeds generated to make hats/scarves for the homeless.
*Offering free dance lessons to underprivileged kids, and then having them perform at local retirement centers.
*Hosting an evening of literary fun (i.e. SLAM poetry), and then using the proceeds/donations to purchase a classroom library for a Title-1 elementary school.
Again, these are just some ideas from past Sterling Scholars. Try to engage in a project that's meaningful for you.
*Another area that the judges want to see excellence is community service. Judges at all levels want to see a HISTORY of long-term service; thus, if you haven't participated in developing and participating in service projects within the community, it is highly suggested that you get started. Judges also want to see more than volunteering at the food bank, hospitals, and collecting cans of food during a school food drive. The judges want to see that the participant developed a specific plan for serving his/her community, contacted the appropriate companies/individuals in charge of approving such projects, and put together a meaningful project that takes place over time. Long-term projects and projects that a candidate led earn more points at the regional and state levels. See below for some possible ideas from past Sterling Scholar recipients:
*Collecting donations from the community, making hygiene kits for the refugees, and sending these kits to the appropriate distribution centers.
*Collecting children's books and donating them to a local hospital. Then, starting a storybook hour at the hospital where you spend time reading to the kids.
*Participating in construction projects to renovate homes for the underprivileged and/or unable.
*Adopting a Title-1 elementary school and setting-up an after-school tutoring program.
*Working with the park service to make some trails wheelchair accessible.
*Starting a "principal's pantry" at different schools for underprivileged students. Adding school supply items to this principal pantry, so it's not just about food, but about providing everyday supplies for those without the means.
*Contacting different retirement homes and providing free classes for the residents (i.e. dance, music, art)
*Crocheting hats and scarves, selling them through athletic events at the school, and then using the proceeds generated to make hats/scarves for the homeless.
*Offering free dance lessons to underprivileged kids, and then having them perform at local retirement centers.
*Hosting an evening of literary fun (i.e. SLAM poetry), and then using the proceeds/donations to purchase a classroom library for a Title-1 elementary school.
Again, these are just some ideas from past Sterling Scholars. Try to engage in a project that's meaningful for you.
*And again, start finding artifacts to put in your portfolio (i.e. awards, certificates, pictures of trophies/medals, and so forth). Put all of these in an accessible file. Also, begin putting together a working resume listing all of your "unique" accomplishments. The goal is for you to stand out from other candidates, so think about some great things you have done and write them down.