Sterling Scholar State Runners-Up
Last night, at the Sterling Scholars Awards night, two PHS students were awarded State Runner-Up titles:
Rebekah Campbell for Visual Arts
Jacob Steward for Family & Consumer Science
Both students put in a tremendous amount of work and preparation. Congratulations, Rebekah & Jacob!
We would also like to thank Andrea Betts, PHS College & Career Center Coordinator, for all she does to help our amazing students throughout the entire Sterling Scholar process!
Employees of the Month
Employees of the Month – March 2018
James Rees : (Art Teacher)
James Rees grew up here in Provo, in the Edgemont area. He did his graduate work in Arizona, and while there, he had some experiences that drew him back to Provo. He interviewed at Provo High School and was marched right down to the newly appointed principal at the time, Patty Herrington. He was her first hire and has now been at PHS for 25 years! This has been the only high school he has ever worked at and he loves the diversity here. When James isn’t at work, he enjoys making art, cooking, riding, and racing mountain bikes.
Here are a few things colleagues had to say about James:
- Jamie is very proactive in promoting the work of his students. He is always looking for the next venue to showcase their works.
- Jamie provides students many real world and outside of the school opportunities to apply the things they learn in his class.
- He helps and supports so many students enter art shows and competitions to display their great work.
- Jamie goes above and beyond to get students excited and involved in art and culture.
Christie Nozawa : (Chemistry Teacher)
Christie grew up in Mesa, Arizona. She came to Provo to attend BYU. While there, she interviewed with Provo High School at a spring job fair and got the job. Her contract started a few days before she graduated from BYU. During her first summer as a teacher, she was a river guide in the Grand Canyon, which she says was incredible. Christie has been here at PHS for 30 years! Her entire career has been spent in the same school and even the same classroom (S – 1), and she has loved it! She loves the students here and feels that they are a joy to work with. Christie has also made life-long friends with many of the faculty and staff members that she has worked with over the years. When Christie isn’t at work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, camping, boating, cooking, music, reading, and learning and experiencing new things.
Here are a few things colleagues had to say about Christie:
- Christie has always been welcoming and enjoyable to talk with.
- She has been so kind to me and made feel like an important member of the department and school. I have enjoyed her friendship.
- Christie so kind and caring. She provides a safe warm welcoming atmosphere for all students who enter her classroom.
- She genuinely cares about all her students and wants the best for them.
Thank you James and Christie for your contribution to PHS! We are lucky to have you here!!
Meet our New PHS Assistant Principal!
Mary James has been named as the new Assistant Principal at Provo High School. Mary replaces Seth Hansen, who was recently named Principal at Rock Canyon Elementary School.
Beginning in 2001, Mary has worked in many different positions in Provo City School District, including CTE educator, Teacher Leader and Department Chair. She has taught, designed and implemented curriculum and programs for various CTE courses at both Dixon Middle School and Independence High School, as well as for after-school and summer school programs. Mary has also chaired numerous committees in professional development, as well as teacher and student support programs. From 2005 to 2013, she served as a new teacher mentor. Most recently, Mary has been the Dean of Students at Independence High School.
Prior to coming to Provo City School District, Mary spent one year as a CTE teacher at Canyon Del Oro High School in Tuscon, Arizona, five years as the District School to Careers Coordinator and Level One Instructor for Mammoth San Manuel Unified School District in San Manuel, Arizona and three years in various assignments for the Arizona Boys Ranch in Oracle, Arizona.
Mary received her Bachelor of Arts degree in business education with a marketing endorsement from Prescott College. She completed a Master’s program in educational leadership with a vocational education emphasis at Northern Arizona University and is currently completing a Master’s program in instructional technology and learning at Utah State University.
Welcome, Mary!!! We are thrilled to have you join our PHS team.
State Capitol
Approximately twenty PHS students had the opportunity yesterday to visit the State Capitol. Several students were even invited to go out on the actual floor and sit with representatives, including Rep. Norm Thurston, Rep. Keith Grover, and Rep. Keven Stratton– the three House members representing Provo High School. Students also met Lieutenant Governor Stephen Cox and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Herbert, Mr. Mike Mower. A lobbyist from the UEA also spoke with our students about the process of lobbying.
Later, at the Matheson Court House, students spent time with 3rd District Judge Barry G. Lawrence, and Mr. Geoffrey Fattah, Public Information Director with the Utah State Courts, took them into the chamber of the Utah Supreme Court and discussed court functions.
All of these individuals were so gracious to spend time with our students, and we appreciate them very much!
Region Vocal/Piano Solo & Ensemble Results, Plus Students Headed to State!
Congratulations to these students headed to State in their respective categories!
Congratulations are also in order for our students not headed to state, but who still performed exceptionally at Region:
Superior Rating (I-):
- Mezzo-Soprano Solo
- Brielle Bronson
- Rebekah Campbell
- Emily Cox
- Myesha Gililand
- Madelyn White
- Tenor Solo
- Ashton Juarez
- Baritone Solo
- Marcus Harding
- Female Ensemble
- “The Water is Wide” – Emily Schofield & Lizzy Schofield
- Mixed Ensemble
- “Ave Verum Corpus” – Chase Schetselaar, Katy Cox, Ben Tessem, Ashton Juarez
- Piano Solo
- Jedediah Johnson
Excellent Rating:
- Mezzo-Soprano Solo
- Libby Deucher (II+)
- Maren Speckhard (II+)
- Kathryn Johnson (II)
- Tenor Solo
- Chase Carter (II)
- Female Ensemble
- “Mr. Sandman” – Madelyn White, Rebekah Campbell, Kathryn Johnson, Clara Ohran (II+)
- “All Through the Night” – Emily Jensen & Kelli McCaffery (II-)
- Male Ensemble
- “Chariot Spiritual” – Grant McAffee, Chase Carter, CJ Nielson, Omar Lopez, Tim Stevenson (II)
- “Irish Blessing” – Eric Coffman, Ethan Christensen, Ryan Romero, David Darley (II-)
- Mixed Ensemble
- “O Magnum Mysterium” – Julie Carlson, Chase Schetselaar, Marcus Harding, Daeton Payne (II+)
- “Christus Factus Est” – Trina Yeo, Jedediah Johnson, Ben Tessem, et all (II)
To each and every one of you– way to represent PHS!