Grand County High School’s Students of the Month for May 2015 are Lily Hazlett and Thomas DeWitt. Both are juniors.
Hazlett is the daughter of Steve and Nicki Hazlett.
Hazlett says her favorite classes are choir and Spanish.
“Choir is my happy place, a safe place where I can do what I love,” she says, adding, “Spanish is another favorite because I am pushed to do my best and am actually learning a lot about the language and culture of other countries. It’s amazing to me how much I have learned about English by taking Spanish.”
Hazlett says Spanish is also her most challenging class.
“Ms. Arzt expects a lot from us, and makes us accountable for the work, but with her large expectation comes large rewards for us,” she says. “I feel more prepared for college from her class than any other.”
Hazlett has been actively involved in GCHS activities over the years, including being on the drama team, appearing in fall musicals and “A Grand Night for Singing” programs, and with the Sounds Grand choir and other vocal groups. She was also a member of the color guard that performed with the school’s state champion marching band. She has been involved in student government (as sophomore class secretary), and is co-president of the school’s HOPE Club, as well as vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Outside of school, Hazlett has volunteered her time at the Canyonlands Care Center.
“I love working with the elderly,” she says. “We have been working on the ‘Music and Memory’ program. It is amazing how much music sparks memory.”
Hazlett works at her family’s river trip business, World Wide River Expeditions. After high school, she plans to attend college and pursue a degree in geriatric social work and music therapy. She also hopes to get married and start a family of her own.
DeWitt is the son of Harvey DeWitt and Amber DeWitt. He says his favorite classes at GCHS are math and Spanish.
“Math is interesting, and Spanish, not so much the class itself but speaking it.”
DeWitt says English is his most challenging and least favorite class.
“I have to do work, and I hate English,” he says.
DeWitt has served as the drum major of the GCHS marching band for the past school year, helping the band win the state title last fall. He has also played tennis, served as junior class secretary, and played the trombone in the school’s jazz band. He was recently elected a student body officer for next year, as the public relations manager.
DeWitt also works as on the school’s auditorium tech crew, helping run audio and lights and handling many other tasks. Outside of school, he was worked at The Spoke on Center restaurant since it opened earlier this spring. He previously worked at Buck’s Grill House.
After high school, DeWitt says he hopes to attend Utah State University.
The local Elks Lodge sponsors the GCHS Student of the Month program under the direction of Frank Vaccaro. The Elks started the program to recognize students who are outstanding in the areas of character, leadership, service, citizenship and scholastic performance. The Rotary Club and the Grand County School District Board of Education also recognize the students. Jeff Richards is the high school coordinator.
