Grand County High School’s Students of the Month for April 2017 are Halli Stocks and Ryan Lewis.
Stocks, a senior, is the daughter of James and Sherri Stocks.
Stocks said her favorite class is English.
“I am able to express myself in that class and Mrs. Simmons-Cameron is there to help me every step of the way!” she said, adding, “I understand English better than any other class I’ve had.”
Stocks also enjoys her foods and nutrition class.
“I love food, so this class is really for me,” she said.
Stocks said her most challenging class has been math.
“I’ve never been able to understand it fully,” she said.
Stocks has been involved in various clubs and activities at GCHS, including her time in the FCCLA during her sophomore year, when she was part of a team that placed third in state with its “No Texting While Driving” campaign.
“We helped people become aware of the dangers while texting and driving by having people sign a pledge to not text while driving and other activities,” she recalled. “We also made a slide show stating facts about texting while driving that was presented to the school.”
Stocks has also been involved with the Red Devils’ track and field team since her freshman year.
“I throw discus and shot put, but discus is really my thing,” she said, adding, “I took first at region last year in discus, and this year so far, I have gotten two first places and a second. I have dedicated a lot of my time to discus, and I am sad to leave it behind.”
Outside of school, Stocks has worked at Pasta Jay’s and at Pizza Hut.
“Right now, I am currently just babysitting to earn some cash so I can focus on track and field,” she said.
After graduating next month, Stocks plans to take a gap year off from school to work and earn enough money to attend a cosmetology school, most likely in St. George.
Lewis is a junior. He is the son of Rosanne and David Lewis.
Lewis said his favorite classes at GCHS are chemistry, physics and math.
“They are the most interesting and fun classes, so much so that I even like to participate in those areas outside of school,” he said.
Lewis recently helped his team win a silver and a bronze medal during the statewide Science Olympiad competition held at the University of Utah. At that event, Grand County High School earned a trophy for having the second-most points of any high school in the state (in all classifications).
Lewis said his most challenging class is Spanish.
“It is by far my hardest class,” he said. “I don’t know why, but it’s hard. I put in several hours of studying and still get a low grade on my test.”
Lewis is also an accomplished distance runner, participating in cross-country in the fall and track in the spring. He consistently places among the top spots in the 800-meter, 1,600-meter, and 3,200-meter races. His best time so far this year in the 1,600-meter run is 4:37.09.
Lewis is an Eagle Scout and has helped with many Boy Scout, civic and church service projects.
After high school, Lewis said he plans to serve a two-year mission for the LDS Church, after which he plans to attend college and pursue a degree in physics.
Stocks and Lewis were scheduled to be recognized during the monthly school board meeting on Wednesday, April 19.
The local Elks Lodge sponsors Grand County High School’s Student of the Month program under the direction of Frank Vaccaro. Jeff Richards is the high school coordinator. The Elks started the program to recognize students who are outstanding in the areas of character, leadership, service, citizenship and scholastic performance. GCHS faculty members choose the selected students; the Rotary Club and the Grand County School District Board of Education also recognize them.
