Congratulations, 2019 Graduates

CONNER WALDEN, oldest of Matthew and Robin Walden’s 4 children and grandson of James and Linda Walden, notes his favorite memory of high school is getting to the Utah State Championship in high school football. “We didn’t win, but it was amazing to be a Dixie High School Flyer in the last few games of the season!”  Following graduation ceremonies on May 23 he will begin final preparations for 24-months of service to the Lord and His children in the Mexico Xalapa Mission. He enters the Mexico City MTC on June 26 where he will begin learning Spanish over a period of several weeks before he begins knocking on doors.  Upon his return, he hopes to attend Utah State University where he has been awarded a scholarship to the Huntsman School of Business.

PETE FRASER, son of Steve and Jill Fraser and nephew of Francie and Randy Cogburn, is a proud member of the Dixie High School Class of 2019. Pete reports one of his favorite memories of high school is being selected as Senior Ball King alongside Senior Ball Queen Sydney Kerr, also a member of the B7 Ward and DHS Class of 2019. Folliowing graduation with his classmates on Thursday, May 23, he will then have only about 3 ½ weeks until June 19 when he will enter the Brazil MTC where he will spend several weeks in Portuguese language training in preparation for fulltime service in the Brazil Sao Paulo Mission. Upon his return, Pete hopes to prepare for a career as an animator beginning with his General Education classes at Dixie State University before enrolling in “BYU’s amazing art and animation” program.

MADISON ANDERSEN, oldest of Jon and Jennifer Andersen's three children, is now a graduate of Desert Hills High School, where she has studied since she and her family moved from Texas at the beginning of her sophomore year. Of her 3 years at DHHS, she says she won't miss the drama but she has loved being on the cheer squad, including cheering on the Thunder football team on Friday nights and being part of the 2018 state high school championship cheer team. Madi, as she is known by her friends and family, lettered in Varsity cheer for three years but was also recognized by our U. S. President for academic prowess.  What does her future hold? She not only received her high school diploma this month, she also now has an Associates of Science in General Studies from Dixie State University.  She has received scholarships - the New Century Scholarship from the State of Utah, which encourages Utah high school students to accelerate their education by earning as associate degree in high school from an institution within the Utah System of Higher Education or completing a specific math or science curriculum - and an academic scholarship from Utah State University where she will enroll in the fall in the nursing program with a career goal to become a nurse practitioner.  

DEREK WALLACE, youngest of Harold and Annette Wallace’s two children, will don cap and gown on Thursday, May 23 graduating as one of the nearly 400 members of Dixie High School’s Class of 2019.  He notes the high point of his years at DHS was attending Senior Ball with a lovely young woman who made the trip to St. George from her Wyoming hometown to be with him for this special evening.  Derek was in line for a basketball scholarship but an injury prior to graduation took him out of the running.  His future plans include a degree in business or psychology from Dixie State University, which he hopes to fund by selling homes alongside his longtime real estate agent parents.

SIDNEY KERR, 2^nd of Charlie and Sarah Kerr’s four children, will be one of nearly 400 graduates of Dixie High School on Thursday, May 23. Her memories of being a Flyer have been “so sweet” and admits she’s sorry to see it end, but she is excited for the adventures her future is certain to hold.  Sidney has been Student of the Month, Senior Ball Queen, and was named “Best Personality” among Preference Royalty. Her favorite high school experience, however, was as a member of the Student Executive Council with responsibility for Amusements where she got to plan dances. Her future plans include a semester of general studies at Dixie State University while she waits for a mission call.  

STEVEN LARSON, tallest of Aaron and Rebecca Larson’s five children, accepted his diploma on Thursday, May 3 and is now a graduate of Dixie High School.  The 6’5” former-Flyer, remembers taking 9^th place in Region 9 golf as one of his best high school experiences, but the absolute most memorable was his team taking 1^st place in the business division of the Regional Skills USA competition – out of 35+ teams!  A few months later his team traveled from Utah to Kentucky where they placed 10^th in national competition. What does his future hold?  Steven plans to complete his general studies at Utah Valley University then earn a bachelor’s degree in business at Utah State University with a career goal to someday be his own boss.

SELWIN LOVELL graduated magna cum laude (at least a 3.8 overall gpa) from Dixie State University on Friday, May 3, a year ahead of schedule, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Marketing.  One of 1828 graduates in DSU’s Class of 2019, the husband of Brianna Teddie Bair Lovell; identical twin brother to Simeon Lovell; son-in-law of Bishop Mike and Lori Bair; and, a favorite son of Linda and Ed Sappington, Selwin has been on the Dean’s List almost every semester and has also been named to the President’s List of students with a 4.0 gpa.  He now plans to continue his studies toward a Masters’ Degree (probably) in Business Administration.