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Midvale Journal

Two Hillcrest High School students honored by Sandy Exchange Club

May 08, 2017 04:22PM ● By Julie Slama

Hillcrest High School student Soyoung Jeon recently was honored as Youth of the Month by the Sandy Exchange Club. (Sandy Exchange Club)

By Julie Slama  |   [email protected]
 
Two Hillcrest High School students recently were awarded Youth of the Month awards by the Sandy Exchange Club.
 
Hillcrest’s Soyoung Jeon and Cade Kartchner were selected for their high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership, said Exchange Club Chair of Youth Awards Connie Carter.
 
The two were recently recognized at a breakfast meeting, where they received plaques and $200 checks.
 
At breakfast meetings, the students come with their parents and counselors, and students talk about their achievements before their parents and counselors get an opportunity to talk about them.
 
“It gives the students a chance to talk about themselves, to present themselves in a relaxed atmosphere as well as hear how proud their parents are of them. It’s rewarding for them to hear it as well as the Club to learn more about these outstanding individuals,” Carter said.
 
Carter said schools select their candidates for the distinction.
 
“Hillcrest always sends the cream of the crop. Cade is an outstanding young man, with a 4.0 and nominated for two Sterling Scholars at his school. He was an Academic All-Region soccer player and gives school tours in Spanish.  He’s a mediator who works with other students, clubs and sports. He has earned Martin Luther King Junior’s Living the Dream award,” she said.
 
Soyoung is equally accomplished, Carter said.
 
“She is a 4.0, national AP (Advanced Placement) scholar and National Merit semifinalist. She plays first violin in the youth philharmonic orchestra and is the state FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) secretary,” she said.
 
In addition to the Hillcrest Youth of the Month awards, Sandy students Kiara Vargas and Britton Grossen, of Alta High School; and Sydney Jensen and Alex Schneider, of Jordan High School, received this honor.
 
Since 1980, Sandy Exchange Club has been involved in its work in youth activities, community service such as establishing Sandy Pride Day, and working toward the prevention of child abuse—the National Exchange Club’s primary project. They also have been active in the community during Sandy’s Fourth of July celebration, assisting at the Ronald McDonald House, ringing bells for The Salvation Army, helping Sandy Police with “Shopping with a Cop” activities and other service work.
 
The Exchange Club, along with Valley High’s principal and counselors, also recently honored two Valley High School students, Bailey Stuckey and Jasmyn Meaux, with the ACE (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) award. They each received a plaque and $300.
 
Selected by the Sandy Club and classroom teachers, the Exchange Club presented the Young Citizenship Award to Hunter Jarvis, of Mt. Jordan Middle School, and Jennifer Tamayo, of Jordan High. They each received a certificate, $25 movie gift card and a $50 check.  
 
“We’re proud of the accomplishments of our students and the commitments they’ve made to the community.  These awards honor the good work they’ve done,” Carter said.