2023 HIGH SCHOOL Grad Spotlights

TARA BONE contributing writer

It has become a tradition for Cache Valley Family Magazine to recognize one graduating senior from each Cache County and Logan City School District high school. Highlighted seniors are selected from nominations provided by each school’s counseling department. We are honored to share these stories of exceptional students who have excelled inspite of extraordinary challenges.

Cache Valley Family Magazine is pleased to award the Paul Norton Memorial Scholarship for the second year. This scholarship honors Paul Norton, who mentored Cache Valley Family Magazine publisher Emily Buckley in her first professional position after college. Paul shared the Roman philosophy worth repeating to every young person seeking success: Luck exists where preparation and opportunity meet. He said, "You never know when you'll be presented with an opportunity, so prepare yourself for the success you seek."

Paul Norton was a Utah State University alum who held a successful career in the Public Broadcasting System, as Vice President of University Relations and Development at Utah State University, and later as Director of Communications at Logan Regional Hospital. Through his success, he was known for taking an interest in every person he met, especially young people just beginning their educational and career pursuits.

This year's scholarship recipient, Jose Arrega Zamora, was selected from the six nominated students in this feature. He stood out for his ability to rise above challenges, his work ethic, and his dedication to future goals.

Congratulations to these and all the graduates of the class of 2023! We wish you success as you chart your life's course.

2023 Graduation Dates

CACHE HIGH SCHOOL

May 22

MOUNTAIN CREST HIGH SCHOOL

May 23

SKY VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

May 23

RIDGELINE HIGH SCHOOL

May 24

GREEN CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

May 24

LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL

May 25 take time off from school to become her mom’s main caregiver. Sadly, her mom passed away at the end of her sophomore year, leaving her in what Daizee calls a really low place. She says she could have easily dropped out of school, but knew her mom wouldn’t have wanted that. my mom a lot, rooting me on. My dad is my biggest fan!”

For her junior year, Daizee started at Cache High where she says “I kicked butt.” She put her head down, worked hard, and graduated early in November 2022. During her time at Cache High, she also took classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She says working as a CNA brings her comfort and she finds healing in serving others. Daizee plans to become a nurse.

Somehow along the way, Daizee became a social media influencer. She has a huge following with her positive outlook and lighthearted videos. While going through hard times, she found an outlet in making videos. She says she didn’t expect it to go anywhere, but now it’s a place to help others laugh and not worry.

Daizee Christensen began her high school freshman year as a carefree, country music loving fan who was ready to conquer the world. She conquered, but not how she planned.

When Daizee’s mom Brooke was diagnosed with cancer during her sophomore year, she chose to

Daizee was born with a cleft lip/palate that had been repaired when she was younger but additional surgery was needed. After early graduation, she underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries on her mouth. She said the experience was rough not only physically but mentally. She’s happy to be doing well now, but it was challenging.

“There were a lot of times I had breakdown after breakdown,” she said. “It was my dad, and I felt

Daizee loves spending a lot of quality time with her family. A special time for them was when her brother and sister-in-law welcomed a baby girl into their family just three months after her mom’s death. She loves spending time being an aunt and looks forward to getting married this September.

Her advice to incoming freshmen: “Don’t give up! Take advantage of your high school years; go to the dances and have fun. You never know when it’s going to change. I had such a whole different outlook for my high school journey. In the moment I wasn’t happy, but at the end of the day I wouldn’t be who I am without the hard.”

In 2019, Marjorie Tauti traveled from Samoa to her brother’s home in Oregon to welcome the family’s new baby, but unexpectedly, she wouldn’t be going home.

Instead, she endured a worldwide pandemic and eventually moved to Smithfield, Utah, where she’d find new opportunities and graduate from Sky View High School (SVHS).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions kept Marjorie and her mom from traveling back to Samoa. When she finally could go home, she chose to confront the unknown at SVHS while her mother traveled back to Samoa. Marjorie says she stayed to seize every opportunity for her future.

As a junior at a new school living with her sister and her family, Marjorie didn’t know what to expect. “I knew sports back home had helped me get through a lot of hard times, so I figured I needed it here too.”

Marjorie jumped into playing new sports and making new friends. Marjorie found success, taking 4th place at the girls state wrestling championship and proving to be a tough goalie for the SVHS girls lacrosse team. She’s grateful for the friendships gained and lessons learned about discipline and respect through these sports.