Over 100 community members attended the first annual GEAR UP Signing Day hosted Thursday evening on the campus of Utah State University Eastern.
The organization, which is found in high schools across Castle Country as well as at the university, is aimed at assisting local youth in their education goals beyond high school.
Five local high schools were represented at the event including Carbon High, Emery High, Lighthouse High School, Green River High School and Pinnacle High School.
The evening opened with GEAR UP director Brandon Flores taking the stage and welcoming those in attendance.
A video presentation was then shown highlighting the previous year’s activities after which Pinnacle’s advisor Heidi Carlile gave a brief introduction as the GEAR UP Students of the Month were recognized from the various high schools.
After the awards were given for Student of the Month, five more students took the stage after an introduction from Greg Dart, USU Eastern Vice Chancellor, and were awarded the prestigious GEAR UP Student of the Year award and scholarship. Each student delivered an acceptance speech and were awarded a $1000 scholarship to the institution of their choice.
Alisa Tallerico was named from Carbon, Zackary Dickerson from Lighthouse, Buskin Allred of Emery, Yesenia Hernandez from Green River and Pinnacle’s Valentin Acosta. All five students plan to attend USU Eastern in the fall while pursuing various degrees including teaching, business and engineering, among others.
“GEAR UP helped me realize there are so many opportunities out there,” Dickerson said in regards to the programs helping him on his way to a college degree.
Following the speeches, the current seniors enrolled in the program were able to officially declare their choices for post-secondary education. The students were brought on stage where they proudly displayed their choices and a pennant or banner from the organization.
Two of the students will be enrolled in the military while another two will enter service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Five are headed to Cedar City where they will enroll in Southern Utah University.
The Utah State University Logan Campus will be receiving one of Castle Country’s GEAR UP students while Utah Valley University and Weber State University will each be receiving one as well. Thirteen students will be attending USU Eastern.
The students in attendance then signed their respective certificates, signifying their determination to achieve their educational goals.
Closing remarks were then offered by Rachel Lund, Student Support Services Director for USU Eastern and Flores.
“Students,” Flores said after sharing his own story of overcoming obstacles in the way of his post-secondary goals, “what will your story be?”
