Wyatt Goodwin

on Federal Avenue in Logan, where he enjoys painting, drawing, and listening to live music from “a lot of talented musicians.”

He’s also found expression through photography. He says his “favorite teacher of all time,” LHS’s photography teacher Roger Rigby, inspired his love for this medium.

For Wyatt’s Advanced Placement (AP) photography portfolio, he took the risk to create a 15-piece collection of self-portraits documenting what it’s like to be him as he battles physical and mental health challenges. He was nervous about sharing, but a photograph from the series recently received recognition and a $2,000 scholarship award in the Northern Utah High School Art Competition.

“At first, I didn’t think it was very good, then the picture won the award, and they said how amazing the photo was and how much it touched them,” Wyatt said. “Maybe it was more relatable to people than I originally thought.”

Wyatt hopes to keep creating art that helps people relate to one another. This fall, he plans to attend Utah State University to study photography. He is grateful to his supportive parents, family, and

Green Canyon High School

good friends and teachers at LHS who cheered him on during his path to graduation.

Wyatt’s advice to incoming freshmen: “There’s going to be some hard times, and it will take time to adjust but know that you’re not alone. There’s a lot of great teachers and a lot of great nooks and crannies at Logan High School that you can always trust.”

Jose “Leo” Arreaga Zamora

As an English language learner, he worked tirelessly in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. As a senior, his proficiency in English allowed him to join standard English classes. “I’m really proud of that,” Leo said.

Kylie Stoddard, Leo’s counselor at GCHS, says Leo has done a phenomenal job at learning in the classroom. Though schoolwork hasn’t come easily to him, she says Leo is always extremely polite, patient, and understanding.

“I have been impressed with this student’s determination to pursue a college degree despite challenges,” Ms. Stoaddard said.

management and knows where he wants to be in five years.

“I have dreams of starting my own family and taking care of my family,” Leo said. “Being financially free — it’s always been a dream.” Family and hard work are central in Leo’s life. He loves spending time with his parents and three younger brothers. His family moved to Benson eight years ago, after living in Virginia, Iowa, and Washington. He says he found so many things to like about these states but has enjoyed the beauty, peace, and calm of Cache Valley.

For Green Canyon High School’s (GCHS) graduating senior Jose Arreaga Zamora, a relentless focus on achieving his dreams propelled him through countless hours of study and work.

Jose, or Leo as friends and family know him, will be a first-generation college student when he starts school at Utah State University this fall. This goal wasn’t always certain for Leo.

Leo says there were moments when the challenges seemed overwhelming, but encouragement from his parents and kind and excellent teachers helped him through. He especially appreciates GCHS teacher Mariah Checketts and her help. Even with this support, he says it was his dreams that kept him going.

Leo is eager to study business at Utah State University’s Huntsman School of Business and dreams of opening and building his own business. He plans to study marketing and business

Since Leo was 13 years old, he has worked most weekend evenings at the Munk Dairy in Amalga. The constant, steady values of hard work and patience he’s learned there have transferred to his view of life. He says he’s learned that good things happen for those who work and wait.

Leo is ready to see the fruits of his labors. “I’m so excited to graduate,” he said. “All that hard work is going to pay off.”

Leo’s advice to incoming freshmen: “Work hard in school and get good grades so you can pursue your dreams.”

MOUNTAIN CREST HIGH SCHOOL Brody

Brody Shock’s bright smile and positive attitude are contagious. He declares that his senior year at Mountain Crest High School (MCHS) was his favorite year and so fun! But more conversation reveals that Brody’s senior year was anything but typical.

At the end of his 7th-grade year, Brody became very sick. He was eventually diagnosed with a chronic disease that can cause extreme pain, ulcers, and weight loss. Brody says he’s been able to control the illness with medication but had flare-ups during his 8th- and 9th-grade years. Since then, he was gratefully symptom-free until the September of his senior year.

This was Brody's worst flare-up, spending days at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake and being out of commission for a month and a half. Still, with Brody’s positive outlook, there’s always a silver lining, and he chooses to see the good from the experience.

“It was really hard. There were times I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror. I was so sick,” he said. “But it’s been a blessing in my life as well.”

Brody sees all the love and support he received from fellow Mustangs — including friends and teachers — as blessings. He’s also grateful for the lessons he’s learned.