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West Jordan Journal

Exchange Club Presents ACE Scholarships

Mar 20, 2015 12:14PM ● By Tom Haraldsen
Once again this year, the West Jordan Exchange Club has honored three local students with their ACE Award Scholarships. The awards were presented to the students at the club’s breakfast on March 5 at Jordan Valley Medical Center.

This year’s winners were Jared Farnsworth from Copper Hills High School, Eastin Frederiksen from Valley High School, and Jeffrey Stanley from West Jordan High School. Each student was honored for overcoming great physical, emotional or social obstacles and being eligible for high school graduation.

Two years ago, Jared Farnsworth was hit by a truck while in a crosswalk on his way to school. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, has 12 herniated discs in his spine causing pain and numbness, and has a torn shoulder which requires surgery that he is waiting for until after graduation so that he can focus on school. Despite these physical challenges, he works extra hard to maintain his 4.0 GPA. His injuries are going to be a lifelong struggle, but he is determined to not let them keep him from his dream of becoming an orthodontist.

Eastin Frederiksen joined Valley High with one goal: to graduate early, which she just accomplished.  “Eastin is an amazing student who always gives her best,” wrote Cynthia Dzubak, her health and fitness teacher. “She is very respectful towards her classmates and teachers and loves to help others.” Eastin is focused on her future and is looking forward to the opportunities that furthering her education will bring. She is proud of her academic accomplishments and says she did it mostly on her own with little parental involvement.    

Jeffrey Stanley has never let learning disabilities serve as an excuse to disrupt his classwork. Instead he works twice as hard to overcome his disabilities and to maintain a 4.0 GPA — even with a classload that includes numerous honors classes.  He also has athletic-induced asthma but still participates on the swim team. He has a drive to succeed and never give up. Two years ago his dad took his own life after fighting various battles with addictions and depression. Instead of using this loss as an excuse to be average, he made a conscientious choice to pursue a different path in life. “He is an inspiration to all who see him because he is a living example that a person can become the master of the hand that he has been dealt, and even though it is never easy, you can succeed,” wrote West Jordan High’s scholarship coordinator, Barbara Goff.

Each ACE award winner will receive $500 to use toward continuing education. Club members thanked Dannon for its generous support in sponsoring these scholarships. Award recipients will also have the opportunity to compete for additional scholarship money on the district and national levels.