FYI:
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The ultimate test for us of what a truth means is the conduct it dictates or inspires.

—William James

Runnymede Project

Historic Runnymede, set in the heart of England, provided the setting for a service project for the youth of the Staines England Stake.

Thirty-five youth and their adult leaders met to clear the overgrown woodland, which was obscuring the view of Runnymede, of historic significance as the spot were King John signed the Magna Charta in 1215. The beauty spot had been referred to by the National Trust of Great Britain, and the youth of the stake were helping to clear some of the undergrowth near the footpaths.

Accompanied by the buzz of chain saws and grunts, groans, and laughter, the participants soon cleared the pathway and collected dozens of sacks of debris from the wood, including old bicycle frames, rolls of wire, and even a burnt-out car. Their hard work paid off in significantly improving the picturesque area. Later a personalized copy of the Book of Mormon was presented to the National Trust warden who accompanied the youth on their service project.

Best Harpist

Wendy Stewart of Las Vegas, Nevada, received recognition for her musical ability in an international competition held in Miami, Florida. She was chosen as best instrumentalist for her performance on the harp.

Wendy was selected as Miss Cinderella Teen for the state of Nevada based on scholarship, talent, and ability to model. She received a school scholarship as her prize. She then went on to the international competition in Miami.

Wendy is serving in a leadership position in her Mia Maid class in the 27th Ward, Las Vegas Nevada Paradise Stake.

Four Generations

The Young Women of the Ventura California Stake met the year-long challenge to finish their four-generation sheets, get to know one ancestor better through research, and write in their journals regularly.

To kick off the challenge, a gathering was held with covered wagons and Mormon memorabilia. Each girl listed the name of a special ancestor on her name tag, and she became that woman for the day. After lunch, the girls reenacted a pioneer trek through a rural area following an “emigrant’s guide” that gave directions and interesting information as they traveled.

National Chairman

Karl Gashler of Abbotsford, Wisconsin, became the National Chairman of the 10,000-member Aviation Explorer Scouts. He is also president of his local Explorer post, where he is a student pilot.

Serving as national president will require Karl to make several cross-country trips promoting and organizing the Explorers. When not flying planes or building model rockets, Karl studies Mandarin Chinese through BYU Independent Studies.

At school, Karl was junior class president, is an honor student, and is active in sports and French Club. He has won first place in state competition in public speaking for two years.

Karl is a priest in the Abbotsford Branch, Wausau Wisconsin District. He serves as district Young Men representative and teaches Primary.

Idaho Title

Helen Head of Driggs, Idaho, was named Idaho’s Junior Miss. In addition to the state title, she won the scholastic achievement award based on her grade point and ACT test scores.

Busy in school in the drill team and playing on the girls’ varsity basketball team, Helen also takes time for her art and music.

Helen is president of her Laurel class in the Driggs First Ward, Driggs Idaho Stake.

New President

David Ashton, 14, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was elected student-body president in his school. David is the first boy in three years to serve in this position and the first LDS student ever to be elected president. David is the deacons quorum president in the Scottsdale Fifth Ward, Scottsdale Arizona Stake. He is an Eagle Scout, an honor student, and active in sports.

A Leader

Deborah Thomas of the Hollywood Ward, Ft. Lauderdale Florida Stake, has served in several leadership positions this past year. As one of five LDS students in her high school, she served as student-body president and was selected as homecoming queen. Deborah was also involved as Debate Club vice-president, in Students Against Drunk Driving, and on the swim team. In her ward she has served in the presidencies of all three of her Young Women classes.

Fleet of Foot

Angela Walker isn’t letting any grass grow under her feet. She is striding out in the lead in several long-distance races.

Angela won first place in her age group in the Brigham Young University Homecoming race. Three days later, she won the 7–8 grade division in the Pocatello City Cross-Country championship. She remained undefeated throughout the year.

In school, Angela is in the Honor Society and plays the flute. She is active in the stake athletic programs and attends the Pocatello 50th Ward, Pocatello Idaho Chubbuck Stake.

Explorer Elected

Sam Ouimette of the Crescent Third Ward, Sandy Utah Crescent North Stake, was elected to serve as the Western Region Explorer representative to the National Explorer Conference. In this capacity, Sam represented 185,000 Explorers in the Western Region.

Summiteer Hike

Nine young women from the San Rafael California Stake had a tremendous final year of the Campcrafter program. Kelly Pack, Pam Giacotta, Judy Wasden, Cheryl and Marilyn Johnson, Susan Lancaster, Jill Hermsmeyer, Shauna Kennedy, and Debbie Taylor spent ten days hiking through the High Sierras of central California, culminating with a memorable hike to the top of Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain peak in the contiguous 48 states. The trail took them over nearly 70 miles of rugged and beautiful high mountain scenery where they experienced everything from the very hot temperatures of lower elevations to snow on Mt. Whitney.

Careful planning by both the girls and their hike leaders allowed them to enjoy the hike with only minor problems such as blisters and sore muscles.

To enhance the entire experience, Clay and Sandy Cook, the trail guides, planned each day’s activity around a different theme: awareness of self, of nature, of the group; oneness with God and nature; personal gifts; service; and gratitude.

Blisters, sore muscles, and altitude sickness were all forgotten when the girls, their parents, and their leaders met a week after the trip for a potluck supper to cap off the event before they went off to college or back to their last year of high school. Each girl received a brass cup engraved with her name and the date of the trip as a memento. The girls presented their leaders with camp sweat shirts bearing the slogan, “I Survived Summiteers.” They reviewed slides and snapshots and shared the special feelings they had about the trip.

Book Review

Helping Your Child Stay Morally Clean
(Deseret Book $5.95)
by Allan K. Burgess

The home and family influence is much more significant than peer groups or program participation in helping a child stay morally clean. Allan K. Burgess explains the specific steps parents can take to help their children stay morally clean based on information gained from young people and from parents who have had success in this area of child rearing.

Keeps Pitching

Michele Peterson, 13, of Casper, Wyoming, knows her way around a ball and bat. She was named co-Most Valuable Player in the state’s Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament. She helped her teammates bring home the championship trophy.

As a pitcher with a consistent fastball, Michele has won 13 of the 14 games she pitched this year. Baseball is a favorite, but it is just one of Michele’s interests. She was a straight-A student in her junior high class and also played volleyball and basketball on school teams.

Michele is in the Casper Third Ward, Casper Wyoming Stake.

Softball Whiz

Lisa Van Wie, 15, seemed invincible on the pitching mound as she led her high school softball team to victory. She ended her first season with an 18–2 win-loss record and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the league.

Lisa represented the United States on a high school All-Star team and cultural exchange program in Australia and New Zealand. In Sydney, she helped her team to victory in the championship game over a Japanese team.

Lisa serves as seminary vice-president in the Rolling Hills Ward of the Palos Verdes California Stake.