DRAPER - Juan Diego Catholic High School's Class of 2010 incorporated its motto of ‘Inspire' in the classroom, on the athletic field and in all other areas of student achievement. Ninety-eight percent of the 173 graduates are college bound, earning $5.7 million to date in student merit scholarships and another $3 million in financial aid.
A full 60 percent of the class took college-level courses, earning a cumulative 553 concurrent college hours. The class posted three Presidential Scholars: Nicolas Bertagnolli, Colleen McDermott and Taylor Scheinblum.
Nine seniors were designated AP Scholars: Leo Bradley, Masha Chadovich, Bryce Finley, Katherine Landis, Taylor Ledek, Camry Martinez, Ashton Mata, Mackenzie Smith and Paul Stratford.
Colleen McDermott became a National Merit Finalist.
Five seniors were designated as AP Scholars with Honors, earning an average grade of at least a 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These seniors are Jaron Bentrude, Shane Patterson, Nick Roberts, Taylor Scheinblum and Isaac Vincent.
In addition, five seniors were named AP Scholars with Distinction, having earned an average grade of at least a 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These seniors are Nicolas Bertagnoli, Jason Davis, Denver Hoggatt, Eric Lies and Joe Salemi.
The students also excelled in charity. As a whole, the class accumulated more than 30,000 service hours helping the poor, elderly and disadvantaged, including providing a Christmas for 45 needy families through the Spirit of Christmas program. Two graduating seniors will go to Kenya, Africa to present a $25,000 check toward building an elementary school.
Additionally, the Juan Diego hockey team raised $16,000 for alumnus Andy Hill for severe burn treatment. Students also collected more than $5,000 for Haiti relief, Cancer prevention/treatment and other charities.
In the performing and fine arts, Soaring Eagle students qualified for the state Jazz Festival for the second time in two years. Three vocal soloists went to the state championships. Carey McComas earned her third Straight Superior Rating on French Horn at the Utah State Solo Ensemble Festival and will attend The University of Pacific on a music scholarship; her sister Courtney will attend Westminster on a music scholarship and Max Dail will attend UNLV on a band scholarship.
In addition, of the 16 students who qualified for the state drama competition, seven received an all around superior rating and nine received straight superior rating, the highest rating a performer can earn in a state competition. Two students performed in the final showcase.
In the State Technology Challenge, the Soaring Eagle team won second in state in website design and Linux systems, third in computer programming, HTML, networking and Windows XP.
Juan Diego was one of 16 high schools selected to compete in the Robotics Competition and was a semi-finalist in the state competition.
In the National Financial Capability Challenge, nine students placed in the top 20th percentile.
The Soaring Eagle was the Region XI champion in debate and 3A state champions in spar, Lincoln-Douglas and policy.
In the State French Fair, Juan Diego won first place in nine categories and second in nine categories.
The yearbook won first place in 3A at state level and received national recognition for excellence in cover design by Jostens.
Soaring Eagle athletic teams took state championships in baseball, football and girls soccer. Individually, Joe Salemi won #3 singles tennis, Lindsay John won the state shot put, Alex Cassel won the state high jump, and Kelsey Leeson won 50M & 100M freestyle.
Juan Diego also fielded region champions in baseball, football, girls soccer and boys tennis. Named Academic All-State were Lindsay John (track & field), Joseph Salemi (tennis) and Issac Vincent (swimming). Overall, the Soaring Eagle teams produced 27 all-state players, 25 academic all region players, and four academic all-state students; 12 students will attend college this fall on athletic scholarships.
Notable scholarship recipients include:
Jennifer Flynn, who received full-ride academic and athletic scholarships to attend Utah State University. She will play center midfield on the women's soccer team.
Anna Jung, who received full-ride academic and athletic scholarships to play forward on the University of North Dakota soccer team.
Luke West, the first Juan Diego baseball player to make Division 1, received a full-ride scholarship to pitch for University of Utah.
Keegan Andersen accepted a full-ride scholarship to play football at Utah State University.
Cody Stevenson will play quarterback on the Dixie State football team.
Trever McFalls will play football at Southern Utah University.
Ashley Azarow received both academic and athletic college scholarships and will play softball for Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho.
Alex Cassel signed to attend the Naval Academy Prep School.
Alison Bruder received a scholarship to play soccer at Assumption College in Massachusetts.
Kulia Wilson received a full-ride scholarship to play basketball at West Texas College.
Thomas Linton received a scholarship to attend Marion Military Institute in Alabama. He also was honored as the 2010 Catholic High School Inductees into the Sports Faith Hall of Fame by Sports Faith International.
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