Grand County High School’s Students of the Month for December 2016 are River Richards and Ben Shafer. Both are seniors.
Richards is the daughter of Jeff and Penny Richards. She says her favorite classes at GCHS are AP English and honors government. She cited English teacher Alana Simmons-Cameron and social studies teacher Sarah LaBrec as among her favorites.
“I also like any class with Christa Green because she is so cool,” Richards added.
Richards said her most challenging class is AP Calculus.
“It’s the most challenging class I’ve ever taken, but Ms. (Allison) Brown makes everything better,” she said.
Richards has been involved in numerous activities while at GCHS, including being a member of the Lady Devils swim team for four years. She helped Grand win the state 2A girls swimming championship in February 2016.
Richards has also played soccer and was a manager for the boys tennis team. She has been involved in student government, student council, FBLA, National Honor Society and Quiz Bowl.
She has appeared in the school musical all four years of high school, including her recent appearance as the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz.”
Outside of school, Richards has helped as a volunteer for Special Olympics, and has assisted with the Sea Devils youth community swim team. She is currently president of the LDS seminary council. Richards also has worked as a volunteer DJ on KZMU Community Radio. She has worked for the past two and a half years as a lifeguard at the Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center, and also worked at Tropical Sno for one summer.
After high school, Richards plans to enroll in a two-year college first, then transfer to a four-year university. Her interests include architecture.
Shafer is the son of Lloyd and Kim Shafer.
He says he enjoys history classes at GCHS.
“I like studying past events,” he said, adding, “I also enjoy ceramics and wood shop, because I get a chance to work with my hands.”
Shafer said his most challenging class is AP Calculus.
“It takes a lot of time,” he said.
Shafer has been a member of the GCHS swim team for three years, and specializes in the shorter freestyle races. He is a member of the National Honor Society.
Shafer is an Eagle Scout, and organized a service effort to send newborn assistance kits to Haiti as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Shafer has extensive experience as a diesel mechanic, having worked for the past eight years at Skyline Transport and Diesel Service. He plans to serve a two-year mission for the LDS Church right after graduating from high school.
