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Show Page Ten - The Pyramid - May 5, 1999 r - Snow hosts comencement exercises EPHRAIM- were Central Utahns when well represented College held its Snow 111th Commencement exercises, April 30. The three honorary degree recipients and two of the top three students hail from the middle of the Beehive State. Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letter degrees are being awarded to Alten Christensen, Richfield; Rose Thompson Win-ke- l, Aurora; and Francis Winkel, Richfield. DeVere Day DeVere Day, son of Lavon and Marianne Day, Castle Dale, the 1998-199- Valedictorian, 9 the student body president during the same term. Allen was a redshirt member of the Snow College football team while he went to college at Snow. His wife Andrea was also a Badger. The next daughter, Maleah, made her name known nationwide while at Snow. She was not only the academic as a student, but also won a national championship in forensics. Her husband also served in student government as a senator. DeVere has a younger brother studying biology at Snow now. Kyle is a freshman, but will graduate this year. He was Valedictorian at Emery High School last year. His little sister is Donnalee Day, she is currently a sophomore at Emery High School. Jeffery Olson Jeffery L. Olson, son of Ted and Vickie Olson, Ephraim, is student in this the second-ranke- d years graduating class. He missed a perfect 4.0 by just 2,000th of a point, eaminp a n, cy two-ye- 1999-200- ar 0. part-tim- attended Snow. She was the executive secretary during her tenure and her husband Kyle was USU. She is involved in the Fitness Club at Snow College. She spend her time attending classes and completing home work and thinks the teachers at Snow College are great. Her younger brother, Eric, is 18 and currently a senior at Bingham High School. Alten Christenseu nt presented his Valedictory address during the commencement. Jeff Olson, Ephraim, Snows presented his Salutatory address. A student address was given by Angela Page, who came to Snow from Bingham High School. DeVere Lynn Day has earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average on his way to becoming this years Valedictorian. Day carries on a family tradition of excellent achievement at Snow College, 3.998 G.P.A. following in both his fathers and Jeff has one sister, Wendy, siblings footsteps. and four brothers, Cameron, The major and Dallin. His would like to earn his degree and Tyler, Andy father met his mother at Snow, initially start a career as a pharand his sister met her husband macist. He also would like to, while attending classes there as perhaps, do research, but would well. As for Jeff, he hasnt met eventually like to be instrumental his spouse yet, but he plans to in organizing and running a return next fall to take more student leadership camp to give classes in his major. high school students the same Jeff started as a opportunities that he has enjoyed. major, but after taking a Although DeVere is graduatclass from Dr. Beck, chemistry ing this spring, he will return he realized that he wanted to next fall to continue both his major in pharmacy. After comeducation and his student governpleting a year at Snow, he served ment participation. Day is the a LDS mission in VanStudent Body President elect for couver, Canada. He said that he He was a Freshman holds all of the science departSenator during his first year. Day ment faculty in high regard, but remarked that he loved the posihis favorite professor is definitely tion, it was tons of work and a his dad, Ted. lot of hours, but he really enHe came to Snow from Manti joyed being able to help other High School, where he graduated students. as valedictorian with a perfect DeVere is a strong believer in 4.0 and served as student body Snow College. "This is the finest president. Jeff played trumpet two years ever. Its small enough and served as president of the to meet people and make a lot of band. He was also active in friends. The best part is making tennis, theater, speech and drafriends with the teachers. The ma. He was a member of Future size of Snow creates a healthy Business Leaders of America and environment to learn in because Future Homemakers of America. the teachers care about the stuHe stated that he loved to attend the FHA meetings because there dents," said Day. DeVere is used to excelling in was always food and girls. the classroom. He earned a 4.0 Jeff also found time to share his musical talents with others during his time at Emery High during his tenure at Snow. He School, but finished third in the has participated both in band and race for Valedictorian in 1995 with the LD He is also a because of a tie breaker system at member of Singers. Gamma Chi. Sigma the school. He gives a lot of Jeff enjoys playing volleyball, credit for his success to getting watching sports and playing involved in a group called, Techpractical jokes on his chemistry nology Student Association, TSA. teachers. He said a date answered As a high school sophomore, him by putting his second grade DeVere became state vice presipicture up on the slide presentadent of the first TSA. The assocition during class. ation promoted and encouraged When asked why he chose technology-base- d programs and Snow College, Jeff said, "Snow for the 150,000 offered the competitions best possible educastudents nationwide. tion for the money anywhere." Day stated that the experience When he looks back at his times helped him with confidence and here, Jeff stated that it had been a self esteem. He traveled to severit was to great experience, good al major cities for meetings and chaired the national conference in be involved and he really enjoyed the cohesiveness between students Chicago during his final year. He and school. also took part in conferences with Angela Page the American Vocational AssociaAngela Page, daughter of tion and the International TechKelly and Mary Jo Page, South nology Education Association. is excited to be majoring Jordan, DeVere enjoyed many varied in social work at Snow. Some of activities at Emery High School. her classes in criminology and He participated in drama producsocial problems have ignited a tions, joined the debate team as a spark inside her that is leading senior and played in the jazz her to a career she can hardly band. He enjoyed his LDS miswait to start. sion to Toronto, Canada during Page states that she wanted to the two years in between attendin criminal psychology major ing Snow College. when she arrived at Snow. She DeVeres parents have made added that she wants to work in it a tradition for the family to not prison and thinks it looks interonly attend Snow College, but to excel and reach great esting, adding that she wanted to heights work with people who were while in Ephraim. The oldest son, Kerry, is now "scary". The former Bingham High e a teacher at biology Snow. His wife Tami was a School student is looking forward Senator while she attended the to continuing her education at Utah State University, where she college. DeVeres sister Daniece also plans to earn a bachelors degree Saluta-toria- academic transfer scholarship at in social work. She stated she would like to get a Phd in criminology. Angela has earned an Jairvieiv City ' Alten Christensen was born and raised in Richfield, just blocks from where he would eventually help make a family business a tremendous success and a learning experience for generations to come. Alten is a e man who just beams with excitement when he talks about the favorite times in his life, which in one fashion or another, always deal with service to others. The was raised by his maternal grandmother after being orphaned at an early age. The son of Heber C. Christensen and Annie Peterson still goes in to Christensens every day nearly 70 years after the store first opened its doors. Altens work ethic is pretty well summed up in a single statement, he "never missed a family home evening the whole time the kids were living at home." In fact, they never missed a family vacation either. His wife Alta earned her teaching certificate at Snow College and enjoyed teaching the fourth grade in Richfield before marrying Alten. In between raising a family, she was in both the Relief and Society presiPrimary dencys. She also participated in culture and singing clubs in Richfield. Alten and Alta had six children during their 45 years of marriage. The children are Evelyn, Clark, Camille, Annette, David and Alan. Alten used the store to teach his children the rule, a formula to pay tithing, grow a savings account and still have money left to enjoy. Alan stated that Alta was always home for her children, no matter what they needed. When the children were home, their mother was home. Her husband added that Alta never went to sleep until her children were asleep, no matter what time it was. After graduating from Richfield High School and spending two years at the University of Utah, Alten served a three-yemission in New Zealand in 1929. He taught at a church school and farm during his mission. While he was on his mission, his grandmother passed away and left a tiny estate, which Altens brothers wanted to use to start a business. Alten agreed and came back to Richfield and joined in the building of Christensens. He first went to Gunnison and started another store there. That would be one of 14 Christensens stores stretching from Tremonton to St. George. Alten and his brothers were not only successful, but they pulled it off during very challenging years following the great depression. "Its no secret," said Alten. "Its all about service. One treats people like one wants to be treated and then figure out what to buy. Thats the hard part." Christensens celebrated their 70th anniversary on March 1, and continue with three successful stores which are run by Altens three sons. They have survived the coming of Wal-mar- ts and the rest of die big boys. Alten stated that it was frightening but that they knew if the customers were taken care of, they would return. Alten has no responsibilities with the stores anymore, but he still goes in often. He stated that he and his grandchildren recently met and bagged over 600 pounds of candy. As he describes over 40 years of church service, Alten is proud that his family is all deeply immersed in the LDS faith. Alten has served as a bishop, high self-mad- I 10-50-- 40 ar TP" Rodeo Queen Contest -- May 8 at 5:00 p.m. For more information call 0 Cody Sorensen 427-323- L KurIyfiHd"Canyon record crowd. during the Fountain Green First LDS Ward Scout Spring Camporee recouncilman, a regional represen- - nia. Rose is one of eight children tative and now, as a Patriarch. and hails from Aurora. Francis is When asked about his favorite the second youngest of 10 chilmemories of serving the church, dren and started life in Richfield. Alten moves forward on the The couple must have enjoyed couch, sits up straight, smiles and the large families they came from says, "Thats easy, it was giving because they now spend a great out the Book of Mormon. " Severdeal of time enjoying their eight al decades ago, Alten asked the children, 42 grandchildren, and church presidency for permission 16 and still to place the books in motel counting. rooms. Since that fateful day, Francis and Rose both attendAlten has been driving to Salt ed and graduated from Richfield Lake City, filling his car with High School. They actually met books and distributing them all at a church dance and will soon over the state. His modesty wont celebrate their 60th wedding allow him to share the fact that anniversary. Their eight children, he has now been responsible for who are spread around the counplacing over 250,000 copies of try, are Linda, Richard, McKay, Jan Paul, Becky, Nancy, Rosethe Book of Mormon. marie and Debbie. Alten started another unusual Francis left on an LDS mishas that differa made practice sion to Tahiti right after high ence in peoples lives. Years ago, school. He turned 18 years old he worked out a deal to go home on the boat and spent three and a teaching at the Sevier County Jail. He then turned that into half years on the island. When he teaching Sunday School for all returned, he followed in his A flag ceremony the inmates who were interested. This was a tradition he carried on for more than 10 years. He has been traveling to Manti every Tuesday, for over a decade with a group of his young friends, to attend a session at the Manti LDS Temple. He can tell exactly how many endowments the whole group has done during that time. When Alten wasnt working at the store or serving his church, he managed to find some time to serve civic organizations in his community. He was a member of the Sevier School District Board, was a member of Richfield Chamber of Commerce, and the local Lions Club. Alten has now outlived his beloved wife by 14 years, but he still enjoys the company of all three of his siblings: Ayla, 87; McKay, 90 this month; and George, 95. He has no plans to slow down either. He says that he can still see great and states that 's .rY,r,s l'tcense doesn t expire until 2001. He says that he wil drive as much as he can until then because he doesnt think the drivers license department will renew his license. Francis, Rose VVmkel Francis Wiidcel and Rose Thompson Winkel are proud to call central Utah home, despite spent the better part of ts111 in Northern Califor- - fathers footsteps and became a talented baker. He started and operated bakeries in several cities during his younger years. After the couple married they moved to California and Francis started cooking his way to success. In 1946 he went into the military and ended up being a cook on the ship he was assigned. While he was away, Rose started passing on the family love of cooking to the children. "She is a great cook," said Debbie, the youngest child. "Mom could make a wonderful meal when it looked like the cupboard was empty." After the military, Francis joined some partners and invested in a lumber company in the San Francisco Bay area. He didnt waste much time before buying out his partners and making his livelihood in the lumber business. He has been extremely successful at building his company into a comfortable living. No matter how busy he was in the professional world, Francis always had a strong desire to be involved with and serve his church. Daughter Debbie stated that the family had always known their father as either bishop or stake president. Francis was the first Bishop ' in the Freemont Ward. In fact, he was instrumental in raising the money to build the first chapel for the ward. attracted a Rose has always loved her' time in the church too. She has served as a Relief Society Presi- - ' dent. Young Womens President and many years as a social worker for the LDS Church. Early in her married life, she enjoyed her L time in the church Welfare Placement program, where she would get to place babies in young couples homes. Together, Rose and Francis, embarked on a joint LDS mission to St. George in the early 80s. They served as directors of the LDS Temples Visitor Center. The experience enforced their desires to eventually move back to Utah some day. The couple looks forward to moving back to their ranch in Aurora, a place they purchased and had a family member take care of since 1962. They also have a vacation home in Lake Tahoe, which is one of the favorite places to get away for the children and grandchildren. Despite Francis lack of enthusiasm for flying, he and Rose spend a great deal of time traveling to countless locations to enjoy their grandchildrens activities. Every other year the couple take all of their children and spouses on a vacation, often to exotic locations. The entire family went to Tahiti to celebrate their parents golden wedding anniversaryDebbie stated that the family has a great time on their trips, but in the off years, mom takes just the daughters and they really have a good time without the guys. They both look forward to moving back to Aurora soon, where Francis will be able to' spend more time in his favorite' place, in the saddle. Francis' would rather be on a horse than anywhere. He says it is the only place he can spend much time that his back doesnt hurt. Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States, was bom in Tampico, Illinois. What is an intelligent man? A man who enters with ease and completeness into the spirit of things and the intention of persons, and who arrives at an end by the shortest route. -- Frederic Amiel Many thanks to all the wonderful folks who such a great helped make our Grand success. We appreciate each of you who participated, entertained, or just came to enjoy; but e we are particularly grateful to all who helped-preparour building for this great occasion. Re-openi- ng Because of his dedication and leadership in this huge undertaking, we are totally indebted to our director, Ron Staker, and want him to know how highly we value his fabulous artistic talent, extensive creative skills and ,endless hours of work for the benefit of our community and museum. Grand Opening Committee and Fairview Museum Board . |