Recently a Spanish Fork High School student has earned a unique and impressive scholarship. The recipient was none other than the talented and good looking Claire Stodtmeister. She is a 17 year old senior, who is full of school spirit, energy, and extreme enthusiasm. She wrote a paper to the Utah Drill and Dance Association explaining her “Ultimate Potential”. The scholarship is a cash reward to go towards college funds. Claire loves to shop, draw, and, of course, dance! She explained in her paper how she was a star dancer who never ever gave up.

After graduating, many students are still indecisive about where they want to go to college, what they want to major in, and what they really want out of a college experience. This, however, is not the case for SFHS senior James Lengal.

James, who has played baseball for 3 years for SFHS, has signed on with Brigham Young University. When asked about his decision, he stated, “I am very excited for this opportunity because it has always been my dream to play for BYU.”

Babies are born daily, but the sad thing about such a wonderful experience is that some babies have to go home with nothing but the clothes on their backs to keep them warm. Spanish Fork FFA, during their FFA week activities, thought about how they could make a difference. On Thursday, February 24, 2010, the FFA did a service project where they made baby blankets to later donate to Payson Hospital. That night, they were able to make over 30 blankets with still a lot of fleece to make more.

For teacher appreciation week, Spanish Fork High School Parent/Teacher/Student Association provided the faculty with pink cookies, mailbox treats, an awesome dinner for Parent Teacher Conference, doughnuts and ended the week with a pie day. PTSA club members decorated the school on Monday with posters and sign to express their appreciation. Spanish Fork has some of the greatest teachers in Utah with teachers of the year and soon to be teachers of the year. One of the English teachers at Spanish Fork said, “Teacher appreciation week was great.

Salem Hills, Maple Mountain, Springville, Payson, and Spanish Fork High School’s Dance Company all gathered together at Spanish Fork High for the Nebo Dance Company Showcase. All teams were given the opportunity to space onstage to prepare for the show, and attend a master class taught by Shawnee Bird. Shawnee taught a contemporary combo and the girls really enjoyed it! After each school had a chance to space on stage and attend the master class, they all gathered to eat dinner. After the girls ate, they had an hour to prepare for the show.

Jack Swenson was recently inducted into Spanish Fork High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1954. While in high school he served on the student council and participated on the football, basketball and baseball teams. He was chosen to be on the 1954 All-State basketball team. Mr. Swenson graduated for BYU in 1958 with a degree in Physical Education and Health. He received his Masters Degree in 1974 in Community Education and Recreation. His teaching career began in Toole, Utah.

Character count week at Spanish Fork High School was a success! The week began as each of the students received another character card. These cards have been distributed out amongst the school as part of a competition to see who can get them all. They have motivational quotes on them and have been a tradition carried out by the NHS. Besides character cards, the school had plans of having Paul Cardall come and speak to them. The one downer on the very important week was, he came down with a virus and was unable to show up. Fortunately, that didn't slow the students down.

Last week Spanish Fork High School’s Hope Squad went to Mt. Nebo Jr. High and taught classes about self esteem. Teaching at Jr. Highs has been something they do twice a semester for a couple years now. This is the first time Hope Squad has ever been asked by a school outside of our own two Jr. Highs in Spanish Fork. This is something the Hope Squad enjoys doing every year; it’s fun to be up there all day with friends, and the junior high students really enjoy having them there doing activities that are self-esteem building and, of course, handing out candy.

Spanish Fork High School’s Physics classes set forth with the task of building hot air balloons. The balloons varied in size and shape, from egg to box shaped. Most students who attempted had a marvelous launch, where as a few other balloons met a fiery grave at the hands of the launch pipe. The balloons were constructed of tissue paper and glue, in whatever shape the students had in mind. Once constructed they were brought to the hot air launch pipe constructed by Mr. Bronson, where they would soar to great heights or crash and burn.

Whitney Nielson, daughter of Tricia Nielson and Jen Nielson, has always wanted to get amazing grades throughout her education never even accepting a B. To her, being named Academic All State means getting to represent her school well along with her Drill Team. Joni Hales and Michele Boyack(Whitney’s coaches) along with Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Daniels (SFHS math teachers) have helped Whitney do her best, both in the classroom and with her Dance skills. Whitney always puts her academics first, while learning how to work hard, so she can use what she learned to work hard in her sport.