Here's a Q&A with Jennifer Christensen, 2015 Northeast Region Sterling Scholar winner in vocal performance. Read on for her hard-won tips on nailing that Sterling Scholar application/interview, and just all around success story.
BIO: Jennifer Christensen is the Sterling Scholar Vocal Performance winner for GHS. She is the daughter of Keith and Jenean Christensen. Jennifer has a cumulative GPA of 3.9 and has been on the honor roll for all four years of high school. She is the Show Choir president and a member of the Utah Music Teachers Association (UMTA). She has passed all 10 levels of achievement in music and is a member of Future Artists in Music (FAIM). Jennifer has received Superior ratings at Region and State competitions in piano, flute and vocal performance. She is actively involved in 4-H and serves as the Teen Council Secretary. In addition, Jennifer was the tennis team captain, placing first at region at first singles for two years, and the track team captain, placing third at state in high jump for three years. Jennifer frequently performs with her family at various venues from county fairs to nursing homes to funerals and church meetings. Her future plans are to attend USU and become a music therapist.
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Q. When did you set a goal to become a Sterling Scholar?
A. I set a goal to become a sterling scholar my freshman year of high school when I was able to help (my sister) Kate become the school sterling scholar for social science. Vocal performance was not an option at that time, so I actually just wanted to be general music sterling scholar. When music split into two categories my senior year I actually tried for both and was hoping to get instrumental. Funny how things turn out, haha.
Q. Tell me about a time or times when you were growing up that shows how your parents may have helped you on the path to becoming a Sterling Scholar?
A. I don't think there were specific times that show how my parents helped me. I believe it was just the every day things and the things that we had always done that really made me successful :Practicing, setting a schedule, doing music competitions, AIM, doing performances for the elderly, getting homework done on time etc. Although there wasn't ever a specific time that they helped me, they were always there for me for my sports, musicals, performances, solo and ensemble. It was really their support in general for everything I did that helped me.
Q. What do you think were the top three contributors to your winning at region?
A. Confidence, service and leadership are the three major things. If you are lacking on something else, you can pretty much pick up the slack with these three things. Confidence is major because it shows how you present yourself. It shows that you know what you are doing and you know you have what it takes. (even if you're screaming on the inside, you gotta look chill and composed and like the competition and interview is no big deal) That's something I noticed with every winner on the region level. They acted like region was no big deal and they were so sure of themselves. Service is also HUGE. I know the sterling scholar people at the school say you don't have to do huge service things to win... but they lie. I'm not saying that in order to win you have to build a homeless shelter on the moon and solve world hunger, but the more service you have under your belt, the better chance you have at winning. I've done performances at nursing homes and assisted living centers all my life. As service projects go, that's a relatively small insignificant thing to do, but because I've done it for so long and so much it definitely definitely definitely helped a TON. Service is MAJOR. (Also, sterling scholars are supposed to stand out as amazing citizens, so showing that you care about the community and service and such will be a boost.) They also are looking for people who can be leaders and who have leadership background. They want someone who is going places in life and who can give the sterling scholar award a good name. So yeah, lots and lots and lots of leadership... LOTS.
Q. If you could give advice to someone aiming to be a Sterling Scholar, what would it be? How about someone who wants to do well at region Sterling Scholar?
A. I would advise people aiming to be a sterling scholar (at region or school) to be themselves. I know that sounds super cheesy, but it's true! They don't want someone who sings country to try to win the vocal sterling scholar by singing opera. It just doesn't work. Showing them your true self will be your best chance at winning. Show them who you are, what you have done, and what you are capable of. Also, be versatile. I believe I was able to win vocal sterling scholar because I also play flute and piano, voice is not the only thing I am able to do.
Q. How has a Sterling Scholar mentality helped you at college?
A. The music department at USU is pretty intense. Especially whenever I sing in front of people I get super self conscious. It has helped me because whenever I feel like I'm not good enough to be in the music program I remind myself that I am awesome. haha which sounds conceded as heck, but it's true! (And that also goes back to the confidence thing.)
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Thank you for sharing, Jennifer!
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