Grand County High School has named sophmore Jacklyn Grace Shumway and senior Cooper Taylor as its Students of the Month.
Jacklyn, the daughter of Elizabeth and Jared Shumway, is known for her strong attendance, solid academics and willingness to participate fully in class. She gravitates toward Mrs. Pflugrad’s hands-on classes, where she said she feels most engaged. A.P. World History has been her toughest challenge so far, but she appreciates the way it pushes her and offers a preview of college-level expectations.
Jacklyn has been involved in girls soccer, DECA and the National Honor Society. She also stepped up to help clean up after the local flooding several years ago. This year she began working at Canyonland Quilts. She said one of the most valuable lessons she’s learned in high school is not to overthink things: if something needs doing, do it. Her advice to younger students is simple: you’re going to make mistakes, and that’s fine—learn from them and aim to be better than you were before.
Her teacher praised her for excellent attendance and academics, steady participation in class activities and a generous willingness to help classmates succeed. They noted her active role in DECA and said they look forward to seeing where her drive takes her.
Senior Cooper Taylor, the son of Jason and Jennifer Taylor, was also recognized this month. Cooper’s favorite class is Mrs. Lloyd’s, and he admits his toughest class is simply the first one of the day because he’s still waking up. He’s taken part in cross-country, track, swimming and theater, earning spirit awards in both cross-country and swim.
Beyond school, Cooper has helped with the Moab Half Marathon and participated in local Broadway productions. He’s also spent the last three years working for Western River Expeditions. He said one of the biggest lessons he’s learned is that “we can all be friends,” and he encourages younger students to “run with Jacob,” a nod to staying active and sticking with teammates who push you in a good way.
Teachers describe Cooper as hardworking, thoughtful and consistently kind. They highlighted his growth in cross-country and English this year, his habit of helping classmates get what they need and his attentiveness to friends’ feelings. They said he brings a collaborative spirit to the classroom and is always ready to pitch in.
Both students plan to attend college after graduation. Congrats, Cooper & Jacklyn!
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