Draper Park Middle School is home to a unique scholarship program modeled off the state-wide high school Sterling Scholars achievement program. In our third year of offering the Viking Scholar program, 36 students applied for the honors. Similar to Sterling Scholars, students compete in a subject area, such as instrumental music, vocal music, theatre, dance, career and technical education, science, math, English language arts, social studies, and world language to be crowned the champion of that subject.
In the first round, candidates submit applications, which are evaluated using metrics like GPA, community service, awards a student may have won in a given subject, and involvement in extra-curricular activities related to the subject to determine who will move on to the portfolio round.
In the second round, or portfolio round, students collect artifacts and compile a portfolio and resume to showcase their experiences as they relate to the subject they are applying in. Some subject areas, such as math, also require students to complete a test.
In the third round, or audition round, the remaining candidates are asked to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject, discuss their college and career goals related to that subject, and apply their expertise to a current event, problem, or other applicable scenario. In music, theatre, and dance, contestants must prepare short performances to be evaluated by the panel.
Congratulations to this year's outstanding Viking Scholars:
Kylie Hiatt – Vocal Music Christine Schmidt – Theatre Jacquelyn Marsh – English Language Arts McKaylee Hortin – Visual Arts Annika Gilson – Dance Jacqueline Clegg – Science Sadi Peacock – Career and Technical Education Hayley Webb – Math Emily Geilman – World Language Madison McGee – Instrumental Music Drake Larsen – Social Studies