Not many people can say they’ve performed across the U.S. and Canada, played with the Zachary Levi Big Band, toured with a Broadway show at the age of 12, played the same piano as Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis, and won the Utah PTA Battle of the Bands. But Corner Canyon graduate Blake Hullinger can.
Now, Hullinger is adding to his already stellar resume, having been named a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar. He joins only three other students in the state of Utah to earn the scholarship from the U.S. Department of Education and is among 115 high school seniors nationally to be recognized this year.
“Blake was one of the most remarkable students,” says Dina Kohler, Corner Canyon Principal. “He rises above because of his genuine kindness and care for other people, not to mention his excellence in academics and performing arts.”
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors the nation’s top-performing students, recognizing their accomplishments in academics, art, and career and technical education fields. They have demonstrated outstanding performances on the SAT or ACT.
“The Utah State Board of Education extends its warmest congratulations to these outstanding students for their dedication and achievements. It is an honor to have these four represent the best of Utah’s schools and serve as an inspiration to their fellow students,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction and former Canyons Principal Molly Hart.
Hullinger was also a winner at the 2025 Sterling Scholar competition, earning a $2,500 scholarship on top of his scholarship to attend the Harvard-Berklee College of Music Joint Studies program.
Hullinger, who began playing piano when he was five years old, also has become a dynamic instrumentalist on the guitar, drums, saxophone, and bass. Hullinger belonged to Utah’s All-State Band which includes the best musicians from high school bands across the state. His band, Moon Juice, won Corner Canyon’s Battle of the Bands multiple years in a row.
“He has left his mark at Corner Canyon,” Kohler says, “it has been an honor to watch him develop. We are excited to see all that Blake accomplishes.”
