Countless hours of college-level work done during the high school years were recently celebrated when Hillcrest High awarded the 2013 International Baccalaureate diplomas and certificates to dozens of worthy students.
Dr. Brian Bentley, coordinator of Hillcrest’s IB program, said 99 students received recognition for their efforts in the rigorous, college-preparatory program. Fifty-two students earned IB diplomas, and 47 received certificates for completing courses.
The student honorees graduated in the spring from Hillcrest, one of 12 schools in Utah approved to teach IB classes. Each year, Hillcrest’s administration plans the ceremony for the first week in January, when many of the IB-award recipients, now college students, are home for the holidays. The total amount of scholarships offered to members of the 2013 graduating class reached $5 million.
The Friday, Jan. 3, 2014 graduation ceremony featured remarks by Bentley, Principal Sue Malone and recent alumnus Micah Johnston, who logged a perfect 36 composite score on his ACT.
International Baccalaureate, overseen by a nonprofit agency in Switzerland, is offered in 141 countries and aims to prepare students for life in a global economy. This is the 46th year that IB programs have been provided to students who seek a curriculum that emphasizes critical and creative-thinking skills.
To earn an IB diploma, students must take six IB courses in at least five different subject areas. They must pass some tough exams, write a comprehensive essay and complete service in schools and communities.
In the next two weeks, Bentley is holding a series of meetings to discuss the program with students who will become high school age next year. The 20- to 25-minute meetings, to which eighth grade students are invited, will be:
Thursday, Jan. 9
Indian Hills Middle, 1180 E. Sanders Road
Kiva
8:05 to 8:35 a.m.
Friday, Jan. 10
Mount Jordan Middle, 11150 S. 300 East
Kiva
11:04 to 11:45 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 13
Midvale Middle, 7852 S. Pioneer St.
Auditorium
8:52 to 9:12 a.m.
Albion Middle, 2755 E. Newcastle Dr.
11:14 to 12:13 p.m
Tuesday, Jan. 14
Union Middle, 615 E. 8000 South
Auditorium
8:15 to 8:45 a.m.
Draper Park Middle, 13133 S. 1300 East
Auditorium
12:21 to 12:51 p.m.
Evening informational meetings for families also will be held throughout the District in January and February. Parents and students are welcome to attend any meeting, regardless of where the children attend school. The meetings will be:
Thursday, Jan. 16
Albion Middle, 2755 E. Newcastle Dr.
Kiva
7 to 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday Jan. 22
Draper Park Middle, 13133 S. 1300 East
Auditorium
7 to 8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 28
Mount Jordan Middle, 11150 S. 300 East
Kiva
7 to 8:15 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Midvale Middle, 7852 S. Pioneer St.
Auditorium
7 to 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Hillcrest High, 7350 S. 900 East
AT200
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (Deadline for Early Enrollment)
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Hillcrest High, 7350 S. 900 East
AT200
6 to 7 p.m. (Before Incoming Freshman Orientation)
Questions? Please contact Hillcrest’s IB office at 801-826-6018 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
