b'WPMA Scholarship Foundation Her straight 4.0 GPAand kind word for those around her. earned Makenzie theShe reaches out to those in need of a honor of graduatingfriend and helps them to feel welcome. Summa Cum LaudeShe also jumps into activities and les-and as valedictoriansons with infectious enthusiasm and of her senior classpositivity. The youth around her cant at Farmington Highhelp but follow her lead.School in May. HerOutside of school, Makenzie has a class schedule waswide array of interests and hobbies. filled with a vari- She wrote: I absolutely have a pas-ety of college prepsion for artparticularly painting courses, as well asand pottery. I love the outdoors and art classes. anything to do with the water: swimming, Her outgoing personality led Makenzie topaddle boarding, tubing, waterskiing, or participate for many years in competitivesnorkeling. I love to travel to new places and school cheerleading, where herand meet new people and experi-teams earned several nationalence new cultures. I also love championship team awards.to cook and try new recipes. I Makenzie Merrill For the last two years,find that I am happiest when Makenzie was a memberI am spending time with myAssociate of the Farmington Highfriends and family. School Varsity Cheer TeamWeber State University in at Large and served as co-captain ofOgden, Utah is Makenzies her cheer squad, which wondestination this fall, where Last but definitely not leastcomesregional and national teamshe will be pursuing a degree Makenzie Merrill, the 2023 WPMA recipi- awards in competition thisin their Dental Hygiene pro-ent for the Associate at Large scholarship.past year. She was also selectedgram. She wrote: Weber State Makenzie is the oldest of three childrenas the Farmington High represen- is my top choice for my bachelors of Chris and Amy Merrill of Kaysville,tative on the Academic All-State teamdegree in dental hygiene, as it is currently Utah. She applied for thefor 6A cheer competition. As a two-yearrated as one of the top dental hygiene WPMA Scholarship throughmemberschools in the state . As I have been Silver Eagle Refining, whereof thepassionate about working in the dental her father Chris works as anNationalindustry for several years, I began my Engineering Manager.Honorcollege planning early. I reviewed their Society,requirements for obtaining a bachelors As a young child, MakenzieMackenziedegree in dental hygiene. To that end, I was struck by an automobilepartici- have already been taking college classes while crossing the street andpated inthat are pre-requisites for the dental hy-received a traumatic brainHonorgiene program. In addition to the WPMA injury. This injury affectedSocietyscholarship, Makenzie was awarded the Makenzies learning andevents,Weber State Deans academic scholarship. abilityand she to focusvolun- Makenzie has prepared herself well for on anything forteered two years at Mountain Ops, wherethe years of schooling ahead. WPMA very long. However,she helped put together food packages forwishes her Makenzie wrote: children in need. She also volunteered atgreat luck as I have overcomelocal nursing homes, homeless sheltersshe begins her this setback by and a drug rehabilitation center. course towards giving 100% effortMakenzies bubbly personality was alsodental hygiene into every endeavorevident as she served in her church. Herschool. Judging that I have everchurch youth leader wrote: I personallyfrom her past attempted and havehad the honor of working with Makenzieperformance, been able to still bein a church youth presidency. Makenzieshe should successful in my was always organized, came with goodhave no trouble endeavors becauseideas, and was able to execute plans.achieving her of my intense moti- While her leadership skills were incred- career goals.vation, positive ible, she is more incredible at bringing attitude and drive the youth together. She always has a smileSto succeed.WPMA News / Scholarship 202317'