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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY School Pvlarriii Mindy, M. (Udttman Jones: A young man ahead of his time By Gene Drake During the past few weeks thousands of young men and across the country have completed their high school edu- cations and accepted diplomas as they plan the next phase of their lives. Not all of them, how- ever, have taken the same path, paid the same price to achieve this goal. There are special cases of individuals who have overcome great obstacles and demonstrated amazing will, tenacity and fortitude to obtain that diploma. One such person lives in Kanab and his name is Merrill Jones. Merrill entered my office early in the fall of the school year just completed. He carried a 4.0g.p.a. (straight As) through his first two years of high school and was well on his way to graduating as one of the valedictorians of his class. Because he had enrolled in the LDS seminary program two years, Merrill was exactly at the half-wa-y point of meeting graduation requirements in May of 1998. Merrill, however, had different plans. He wanted to explore the possibility of graduating a year early. For many reasons, I feel that most high school students benefit from four years of high school, but Merrill appeared to be one of those who fit on the other side of the ledger. He had completed, or was enrolled in, Pain maybe eliminated for millions (SPECIAL)-- - A drug that is exciting researchers in the treatment of pain has been formulatedintoanew product known as "Arthur Itis," and is being called a "Medical Miracle "by some, in the treatment of debilitating conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, painful muscle aches, joint aches, simple backache, bruises, and more. Although the mechanism of action is unclear, experiments Arthur Itis, relieves pain by first selectively attracting, and then destroying the messenger chemical which carries pain sensations to the brain, thus eliminating pain in the affected area. Arthur Itis, is almost all of the upper division courses offered at our school, He wanted to enter a National Guard program in the summer and use financial aid from that source, as well as scholarship help that he would qualify for, to enter the University of Utah in the fall of this year. All of that was well and good, but the Merrill Jones Herculean task of completing two years of credits in one year appeared to be virtually unobtainable. I explained to Merrill that few things in life are im- but I had never worked a student who had started with his total of credits, that had accomplished such a goal. I University. His outline included coursework ranging from sociol ogy to calculus and the odds still seemed clearly stacked against him. first began to believe that Merrill just might be able to pull it off during a long two minutes in the KHS gym on a winter night with a cold wind blowing outside, Merrill was a varsity wrestler he found himself in the un- I think that I enviable position of being flat on his back, locked up in a tight pinning combination being ap- plied by his opponent who was one of the states top masters. It is a virtually impossible situation. You arent coming out from underneath, and it is usually just a matter of how much pain you are willing to endure before giving in. I have watched state champions caught in the same predicament who have battled bravely before submitting to the (almost) inevitable. It isnt a matter of skill. It simply comes down to heart and will. For almost two minutes, I watched Merrill battle against all odds. The match should have been over, but he simply refused to give in. As each second ticked by the crowd yelled in appreciation, not sim- ply for the local wrestler, but in acknowledgement of the exhibi- tion of courage and heart that they were witnessing. As the did not arrive in time for Merrill to participate in commencemen exercises, but this did not dimin-wome- n ish the effort that he had made. t was difficult, but Merrill real- ized that the rule was there for a purpose and had been, and was being applied equally to others. Merrill has now met all gradua-o- r tion requirements, and will re- ceive his diploma one year ahead of schedule. What he has accom-an- d plished is no small feat. Indeed, it is a major accomplishment, Ifvou see Merrill in the street, tip your hat to him. He is a special young man. And if he tells you he is going to accomplish something, dont doubt it, just plan on it happening. Merrill Jones is one of those rare individuals for whom the work impossible" just doesnt exist. Class of 1997 Graduated from Kanab High School with a full 4.0 report card. a Her family and friends are I'ery proud of her. Way to go Mindy! Orientation scheduled for SUU freshman Orientation sessions, which are required for first time freshmen who will be attending Southern Utah University this fall, will be held on 11 dates this summer. This one-da- y orientation is intended to help incoming h dents ease the transition to versity life at SUU, Judy stu-possib- uni-wit- Bonniksen, director of the universitys student develop- lucnt center, explains, it is re- - quired before a new student will allowed to register this fall, One hour of college credit will be awarded to students who com- plete the full day of activities. Orientation dates began June 16. All except the final session- ll be September traveled to Provo to also his a but held on a complete point average, began Monday. Dates during rigorous schedule of seven col- - final exams just a day or two the summer are June 16, 23 and courses by independent before graduation. Unfortu- - 30; July 7, 21 and 28; August 4, study through Brigham Young nately, final word on completion 18 and 25; and September 15 and 19. No orientation classes be offered after fall quarter classes begin September 23. An optional complementary orientation program for parents of first-tim- e SUU freshmen is being offered during four of the dees: dun 30, July 28, Au- 19-wi- " The parents program is designed to acquaint them with the university and its academic program and to allow the parents to meet SUU student services professionals, Bonniksen said. Registration forms for the orientation session are being sent to prospective new students upon their acceptance to SUU. The required registration foiTu is also available through the SUU Student Development Cen-b- e ter, 351 West Center, Cedar City, 19). 4 UT 84720 (phone The completed form, together with a $35 fee must be mailed to the student development cefiler to reserve a date for the orienta-Fridation. Parents also need to com- plete a form and pay a $15 fee to e participate Students and ents may also call to register. Prospective students will ceive academic advisement, plan their course schedule and actu- ally register for fall quarter classes during the orientation," Bonniksen said. Students will also have a chance to learn about the universitys resources and services while experiencing a sampling of the campus community and environment." 801-586-5- y, par-leg- 801-586-54- 19 re-wi- ll Jones gets his masters in an odorless, greaseless, cream or new roll-o- n liquid form. Arthur Itis, is guaranteed to work or your money back. non-staini- 10 JUNE 5, 1997 ng e im (Js only as greeted Stdlv Health Protects. (f AVAILABLE AT: Zion Pharmacy 14 East Center 644-269- j 3 i mu hi M Corey Don Jones recently received a Masters Degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, Utah campus. Corey is the son of Don and Sue Jones. He and his wife Lisa live in Provo, where he has his own insurance business. Corey and Lisa have two children, Tyler 11, and Jessica 10. |