The prestigious 2025 Deseret News/KSL General Sterling Scholar Award was recently awarded to Xiaocheng Ai, a senior from Corner Canyon High School, recognized for her exceptional achievements in computer science. A field of 167 finalists competed for this honor, with the winners being announced during a ceremony at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City.
Ai’s journey in computer science began at a young age when introduced to programming through a book titled “Learning Python with Dad.” Her early enthusiasm for the subject, characterized by the fascination of interacting with computers, has persisted, culminating in her recognition as a coding prodigy. Ai’s accomplishments include an innovative program that predicts heart attack likelihood using patient data and a Mario-inspired platform game. She is also interning as a front-end engineer at Lucid Software and serves as a student board member for SheTech, a program supporting young women in STEM fields.
The Sterling Scholar program, initiated by Deseret News and KSL in 1962, aims to promote academic excellence among Utah’s high school seniors. The top scholars receive $2,500 scholarships, while runners-up are awarded $1,000. The program is sponsored by the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foundation.
Categories for the awards include a wide range of disciplines such as business and marketing, science, dance, English, and mathematics. Ai secured first place in the computer technology category and the overall grand prize, receiving a total of $5,000 in scholarships. Her future plans involve attending Stanford University to pursue a major in computer science.
Additionally, the ceremony recognized Sonya Clayton of Pleasant Grove High School with the Gail Miller Community Service Award, valued at $2,000, for her significant contributions to the Korean community. Clayton has previously been honored with the Gold Medal President’s Volunteer Service Award for her extensive volunteer work.
Luca DalCanto from Skyline High School was another notable awardee, receiving the Philo T. Farnsworth Governor’s Award for innovation. His achievements include developing a chess app and authoring a science fiction novel titled “Sola.” DalCanto plans to further his education with an engineering degree at Purdue University.
The event showcased talent from over 20 high schools, with Skyline High School leading in finalists, followed by American Fork, Corner Canyon, and others. The ceremony celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of Utah’s youth, heralding their potential to succeed in their respective fields.