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Top Journalist

Tami Finch of the Payola Ward, Kansas City Kansas Stake, took second-place honors in the state student journalism competitions. She represented her high school in the feature writing competition. Tami was also the junior editor of the yearbook in her school. She is active in other school activities, including honor society, sports, and the math team.

Tami is president of her Mia Maid class.

Well Traveled

Being an exchange student is a good way to learn more about the world and other cultures. Three young people have recently participated in various exchange programs.

Joe Burke of Ogden, Utah, is spending a year in West Germany. He is a hard worker and likes to do well in whatever he undertakes. He has earned his Eagle Scout award and served as secretary in his teachers quorum. He is a member of the Taylor Second Ward, Ogden Utah Weber South Stake.

Holly Welcher from Salt Lake City, Utah, was one of 20 students chosen to travel to Japan for an educational travel project sponsored by a restaurant chain. Holly spent six weeks with a family in Matsumoto, Japan. Holly is a member of the Bonneville Second Ward, Salt Lake Bonneville Stake.

Brian Ashton was one of four students from Phoenix, Arizona, selected to participate in a two-week student abroad program in Phoenix’s sister city, Himeji, Japan. Brian is an honor student and an Eagle Scout. He is active in sports, attended early-morning seminary, and served as first counselor in his teachers quorum in the Scottsdale Fifth Ward, Scottsdale Arizona Stake.

Completes the Picture

Todd Christensen has had a lot of good examples to follow. His six older brothers have all earned their Eagle badges and his one brother-in-law was also an Eagle. Todd completes the picture, earning his Eagle badge.

Todd is also an outstanding scholar and athlete. He was named most valuable athlete in his school. He received a trophy for being the outstanding trackman, winning the league 300-meter intermediate hurdles and setting a new record. In addition he is an all-league running back in football and the league champion pole vaulter.

In other areas, Todd plays trumpet in the jazz band and sings in the chorale. He has served as the first assistant to the president in his priests quorum in the Walnut Creek Second Ward, Walnut Creek California Stake.

Science Fair Runner-up

Jennifer Rowe of Modesto, California, was sweepstakes runner-up in the junior division of the California Central Valley Science and Engineering Fair. Over 500 students entered projects and competed for awards.

Jennnifer, 12, is a straight-A student. She keeps busy with piano, ballet, and softball. She is in the Modesto Ward, Modesto California North Stake, where she is active in her Beehive class.

Double Honors

With Danielle and Michelle Hancock of the Lakeside First Ward, Show Low Arizona Stake, you might think you’re seeing double since they are identical twins, but the sisters are ace spellers trading off taking first and second in their district competition for the past three years.

In the past, Michelle won the county spelling bee and went on to win the Arizona State Spelling Bee. She represented the state in the national contest.

This year, Danielle won the county spelling bee and went on to the state competition. She took second place but only after setting a state record for spelling bee rounds. She participated in 82 rounds with the final 61 rounds just between her and the eventual state champ.

Both girls are honor students, and both were awarded All Sports Awards from their schools for making all the sports teams this past year.

Book Review

Zinnie Stokes, Zinnie Stokes
(Deseret Book $7.95)
by Donald R. Marshall

This noted fiction writer again captures detailed scenes from Utah life in his new novel. Zinnie Stokes, Zinnie Stokes is the story of one man’s efforts to make amends for past mistakes. In doing so he discovers an old memory which takes on new significance. The novel is an intriguing story of love and change in which past and present meet.

Battalion Trail

by Karen Booth

They came to experience a part of their past—to share in the pioneer spirit and courage their Mormon forefathers felt over 135 years earlier. One hundred and fifty Scouts from Mormon and non-Mormon troops from the Las Cruces and Silver City New Mexico stakes and surrounding area joined at the foot of Cooke’s Peak, New Mexico, for an annual commemorative outing in honor of the first Mormon Battalion to travel west in 1846.

In recreating this journey, Scouts encountered many of the same things their forefathers found along the way to California. Events were planned so the young men could apply Scouting skills to simulated battalion experiences. If the boy completed all the trials successfully, he was given a patch to be worn on his uniform.

One night was spent camping on the trail so the Scouts could become acquainted with pioneer travel. That night they ate a sparing meal consisting of jerky gravy on biscuits. This was similar to what the soldiers ate after leaving Tucson, Arizona, when their rations were very low. The first night was concluded around a campfire, with Scouts performing skits that depicted events experienced by the battalion.

The following morning, the main part of the adventure began as the boys set out to hike 15 miles carrying gear on their backs. This was the equivalent to an average day’s march for the battalion. Professors from New Mexico State University assisted the boys in plant identification. To understand the war-like atmosphere, the boys dragged a cannon borrowed from a local fraternity and loaded and fired it. They also held a black powder musket shoot. In the course of the hike, the boys came upon a simulated massacre and decided who was supposedly in need of immediate medical attention and practiced their first-aid skills.

Like their battalion forefathers, the Boy Scouts who completed this trip learned a great deal about the environment and what a powerful teacher it can be. They also learned more about themselves and that their individuality is the greatest asset they can give to a group. All left the trip with a sense of accomplishment and enrichment in celebrating the pioneer spirit.

Sweetheart Dance

The Young Women of the Price Ninth Ward, Price Utah Stake, prepared and hosted a valentine dance for the adults of their ward. They decorated the cultural hall and set tables with fine china borrowed from their mothers. Each couple was greeted at the door and escorted to a table. The dinner was prepared and served by the Young Women.

Following the dinner a short program and dance were held. The girls worked hard and were rewarded by many thank-yous from the ward members.

Basketball Champs

The Madison High School girls varsity basketball team took first place in the Idaho state championships. The unusual thing about this team from Rexburg, Idaho, is the fact that every girl on the team including the two managers are members of the Church, and their coach is a bishop in the Rexburg Idaho North Stake. Also every girl has served or is serving as a class president in the Young Women program.

Over half the girls play musical instruments, and all are active in other school organizations such as drill team, band, choir, and as club officers.

Track Star

Christi Barfield of the Anderson Ward, Greenville South Carolina Stake, knows a lot about lengthening her stride. She has been doing very well in track for her school.

As a ninth grader, Christi was on the two-mile relay team which took first place at the South Carolina Junior Olympics. They went on to take third in the South Regional Junior Olympics with representatives from seven states.

Christi is a straight-A student. She is the president of her Mia Maid Class and was president of her seminary class.

Award Winner

Patricia Tamayo of Rio Vista, California, received the United States Achievement Award in both math and English.

Patty, the only LDS girl in her high school, was elected as freshman class secretary and played junior varsity volleyball. She is a reporter for the school and local newspaper.

Besides being an A student, she loves to sing and dance and enjoys public speaking.

Patty is the assistant in the nursery and president of her Young Women class in the Rio Vista Branch, Davis California Stake.

Student Director

Shardel Kaluaokauluwehionapua Leong, a junior at the Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii, was the outstanding student director in the 62nd annual song contest at her high school. This award is given to the director who is outstanding in musical knowledge, performance, and leadership. The junior class girls, under her direction, also won.

Kalua is an avid pianist, plays the string bass in her school orchestra, is secretary of the school’s concert glee club, and will perform in England, Wales, and four mainland states.

She is a Laurel in the Kailua Third Ward, Kaneohe Hawaii Stake.

Senate Staffer

Gary Backus of Soldotna, Alaska, joined the staff of Senator Paul Fischer’s office in Juneau. In a program designed to give high school students a first-hand look at state government, Gary assisted in various projects, visited legislative sessions and committee meetings, and toured the capital during his two weeks on the senator’s staff.

Gary was a member of the varsity wrestling team, and he works after school as a bank’s computer specialist. He was first assistant to the president in his priests quorum in the Soldotna South Branch, Soldotna Alaska Mission.

Leading Cheers

Five girls, all from the Macomb Ward, Nauvoo Illinois Stake, know a lot about school spirit. They are cheerleaders at the junior high and high school in their area.

Lori Hirtzel and Jennifer Austin are on the junior varsity squad at Macomb High School, and Debbie Dobogai, Regina Kalwies, and Missy Hart are leaders at Edison Junior High.

These girls from the Macomb Ward make up a large portion of the cheerleading squads even though there are few members of the Church attending those schools.

Top Wrestler

Ray Freeman of the Basin City Ward, Pasco Washington Stake, took first place in his division in state wrestling competition, pinning every opponent. He was voted most inspirational wrestler by his teammates. He was also asked to join the Washington team attending the USA National Junior Greco-Roman and Freestyle Championships.

Ray has other interests besides wrestling. He was chosen to sing with his high school jazz choir. He has been active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America. He has been seminary president and assistant to the president in his priests quorum.

Retracing Footsteps

Forty-five Scouts and eight leaders from the La Verne California Stake hiked a 15-mile segment of the Mormon Battalion Trail.

At the first night’s campfire, the history of the battalion was retold. The following morning, the Scouts began their hike up a canyon. Unlike the scenery the battalion members found, these modern Scouts had to make their way across freeways and train tracks. Dan Brown, 12, whose great-great-grandfather was a member of the Mormon Battalion, said, “I learned how miserable the march must have been. I only hiked 15 miles. They traveled over 2,000.”

The La Verne Stake Scouts hiked another segment of the trail near San Diego last year. They hope to hike additional sections of the trail in coming years.

FHA President

Stephanie Morrison has been elected California State president of the Future Homemakers of America Home Economics Related Occupations. She will travel throughout California working with local chapters developing activities and programs.

Stephanie has been president of both her Beehive and Mia Maid classes and second counselor in her Laurel class presidency. She is also the ward youth choir pianist. Stephanie is a member of the Fallbrook Second Ward, Vista California Stake.

New Seventies Called

Three new members have been called to the First Quorum of the Seventy to serve for three to five years. Called were Elder John Sonnenberg, Elder F. Arthur Kay, and Elder Keith W. Wilcox.

Elder John Sonnenberg

Elder John Sonnenberg has served as a Regional Representative, chairman of the Chicago Temple Committee, president of the Naperville Illinois and Chicago South stakes, and high councilor. A dentist, Dr. Sonnenberg is married to the former Joyce C. Dalton. They are the parents of five sons and two daughters.

Elder John Sonnenberg

Elder F. Arthur Kay

Elder F. Arthur Kay has served as the first president of the Seattle Temple, a Regional Representative, president of the Seattle Stake, counselor to the stake president, and bishop.

A dentist in private dental practice, Dr. Kay is married to the former Eunice D. Nielsen. They are the parents of six children.

Elder F. Arthur Kay

Elder Keith W. Wilcox

Elder Keith W. Wilcox was serving as president of the Ogden Temple. He has served as a Regional Representative in Florida and Utah, president of the Indiana Indianapolis Mission, president of the Weber Heights Stake, and bishop. An architect, he is married to the former Viva May Gammell, and they are the parents of six daughters.

Elder Keith W. Wilcox

New Scholarships at Ricks College

Scholarships are now available at Ricks College in programs that have not previously been funded. These include areas such as Agricultural Business and Mechanics, Automotive Small Business Management, Livestock Production Management, Carpentry and Building Construction, Custom Sewing and Design (Home Economics), Dairy Management, Landscape Horticulture, Manufacturing Technology, and Welding Engineering Technology, to name a few.

“We have excellent programs and facilities in all of these areas,” says Gordon Westenskow, Director of Preadmissions Services at Ricks College. “There are many students and parents in the Church who are not aware that these scholarships are available.”

In the past, Ricks, like most other colleges, has given most scholarship awards to students excelling in the traditional academic areas.

“Now in addition to rewarding these talents (high grades and test scores), we recognize that it takes many types of achievement to build successful societies. And we want to reward all types of skills and talents rather than the purely academic. Imagine being able to get scholarships to study welding or carpentry!” Westenskow added.

Further information about these scholarships can be obtained by writing to:

Scholarships—Preadmissions, Ricks College, Rexburg, Idaho 83440.

It’s Tradition

A tradition is emerging in the Orange Texas Stake early-morning seminary. This stake’s seminary students are the ones to beat at the regional scripture chase. They have taken top honors for several years running.

This past year, 75 certificates were given out for completing the year’s seminary work. Of those 75, 31 had perfect attendance and 21 had no tardies. These are traditions that the Orange Texas Stake wants to continue.

There is no substitute for hard work.

—Thomas Edison

Danielle congratulating Michelle at District Bee.