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Ideals were not archaic things, beautiful and impotent; they were the real sources of power among men.

—Willa Sibert Cather

Winter Wonderland

by Eugene Pocock

Have you ever dreamed of camping in a winter wonderland, or building your own igloo, or touring across snow-covered meadows and hills on cross-country skis? Well, we did. The Scouts and leaders from Azusa Third Ward and Glendora Fifth Ward of the Glendora California Stake planned and worked together to make that dream come true.

On the first day of the year, we packed up and headed for Sequoia National Park. There we were issued backpacking stoves, cook kits, and other gear to prepare for our climb to high country which was covered with nearly four feet of snow. We made sure each Scout was adequately prepared with heavy sleeping bags, pads, wool socks and mittens, and layers of clothing plus skis, poles, and boots.

Most of us had never skied before. Boy, were we in for a surprise! Boy Scouts and leaders were down in the snow everywhere along the trail. When we reached camp and learned how to tramp down the snow to set up tents, the boys got busy digging paths to each other’s tents and sculpting places for stoves and kitchen equipment.

We spent the days exploring on skis or building traditional igloos with blocks of snow and enjoying each other’s company in the tops of the mountains. We received training in avalanche patrol and learned how to find a buried skier. We gained a new respect for avalanches and the tremendous power they have.

On the last day, we organized an impromptu “Olympic” competition. As the whistle blew, we were off through the meadow, doing a herringbone step up a hill, then down the mountain and over a few small jumps to the finish line.

It was a good way to end our dream come true. We enjoyed good comradeship as we learned to work together with some new skills.

Basketball Stars

Two young people from the Orange Park First Ward, Jacksonville Florida West Stake, received special awards for their participation on their high school basketball teams.

Dean Spradley received the coach’s award for his participation on the boys’ varsity team.

Jennifer Kendrick was named as the best all-around player for the girls’ junior varsity.

These two were the only LDS students on the teams in a school of 3,000 students. They both attend early-morning seminary.

Three Presidents

Three members of the same family are all serving as presidents of their classes or quorum in the 59th Ward, Las Vegas Nevada West Stake.

Kimberlie Turley, 18, is the Laurel class president. She was also on her high school volleyball and basketball teams. She maintained straight-A grades and was a member of the Honor Society. She also completed her fourth year of seminary.

Wade Turley, 15, is the president of his teachers quorum. He was on the junior varsity football and basketball teams. His hobbies are riding dirt bikes, skiing, swimming, horseback riding, and tennis. He completed his second year of seminary.

Stephanie Turley, 13, is the Beehive class president. She studies ballet and tap dance as well as acrobatics. She is also studying the piano. She participates on the ward volleyball and softball teams.

Outstanding Girl

Elizabeth Dawn (Beth) Cleveland of the Beaverdam Branch of the Fredericksburg Virginia Stake is involved in a busy last year of high school. She is a varsity cheerleader and has worked as a model. She was also selected as a finalist in the Miss Virginia National Teenager Pageant.

Beth is an accomplished musician. She won the vocal competition in the Bland Music Contest and went on to regional competition. She was also the only student from her high school selected for the Virginia Regional Choir. In addition to her singing, she plays the violin.

Beth is the president of her Laurel class and recently gave her first talk in stake conference.

Three Succeed

Three young men from Sunnyside, Washington, were at the head of their high school graduating class. Leading the way was David Rodriquez with a straight-A grade point average for his years in high school. He served as president of the Science Club, played in the concert and jazz bands as well as the musical comedy orchestra. He also played varsity tennis.

David Lowe was a science fair winner and a member of the debate team. He participated on the tennis and cross-country teams, and was also in the academic decathlon, Science Club, and Honor Society.

Gary Johnson was on the varsity basketball team as well as the tennis and cross-country teams. He was also on the math team.

All three are Eagle Scouts and are active in their wards. David Rodriquez attends the Sunnyside Second Branch, and David Lowe and Gary Johnson are in the Sunnyside Ward. All attend early-morning seminary and participate in ward and stake youth activities. They all take turns playing the piano for priesthood meeting. All three received scholarships to Brigham Young University.

Top Citizen

Lori Feller of Caldwell, Idaho, was awarded third place in the state Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen contest. She competed against 32 other students selected throughout the state. She took the prize for her essay on American heritage.

Lori served as ward choir president and secretary in her Laurel class in the Caldwell Fifth Ward, Caldwell Idaho North Stake.

Studying Medicine

Michelle Taimana, 18, of Auckland, New Zealand, achieved an important goal in her life when she was accepted into the Auckland Medical School for training to become a doctor.

Michelle was an outstanding student at Macleans College, where she represented her school in athletics and speech competitions. She was awarded a Maori and Polynesian Scholarship for higher education because of her outstanding academic achievement.

Michelle is talented in music, singing and playing the bass in a family band. She also plays the guitar and piano. Her dream is to become an astronaut, and she has taken the first step with an interest in flying.

Going the Extra Mile

Bernice Morgan, 17, of Barstow, California, is not only willing to go the extra mile, she is willing to go 15 extra miles to provide a ride to early-morning seminary for a friend.

Bernice teaches piano lessons after school and has advanced to the finals in the California Music Teacher’s Association Bach Festival Competition. She also participated in the Miss Barstow Pageant. Bernice is an excellent student with straight-A grades in high school.

Bernice was recently selected to represent her high school at California Girls’ State. She serves as Laurel president in the Barstow Second Ward, Barstow California Stake.

Guy of the Month

Jeff Hale of Modesto, California, started his junior high school years by being named “Seventh Grade Guy of the Month.” He continued to make it a year of accomplishment by earning his Life Scout rank. He enjoys helping teach Scouting skills to younger boys in his ward troop

Jeff likes to play baseball, snow ski, and fish. He also enjoys playing the guitar and piano and serves as priesthood organist in the Modesto Seventh Ward, Modesto California North Stake.

Sing Out

Scott McDonald, 14, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was selected as a member of the American Choral Directors’ Association Junior High Honors Chorus. He was one of 245 students from 35 states selected through tape-recorded auditions.

When the chorus performed in Salt Lake City, Scott was able to explain his testimony of the temple to a group of 25 chorus members who gathered around him to ask questions during a tour of Temple Square.

Scott has sung in his ward choir since he was eight. He has sung in several local musicals and is a lighting assistant for the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre. In addition, Scott plays the piano and enjoys football and soccer. He is also the editor of his school newspaper and serves as a member of the student council.

Scott is the first counselor in his teachers quorum in the Idaho Falls 43rd Ward, Idaho Falls West Stake.

DI Cleanup

Thirty-six young people from the Emerson First Ward, Paul Idaho Stake, got together after school for a service project. They cleaned and spaded the front garden area of the welfare services complex and Deseret Industries in Burley, Idaho.

They told manager, Norman Dayley, that even though it was hard work, they would be glad to come back again when needed.

Kimberlie Turley; Wade Turley; Stephanie Turley

David Rodriquez; David Lowe; Gary Johnson