PARK CITY, Utah — Park City High School students showcased their talent and dedication at the recent Educators Rising State Competition, earning top honors and recognition in various categories.

Educators Rising is a national career and technical student organization that aims to inspire and prepare young people to become the next generation of educators. The program provides high school and college students with opportunities to explore careers in education, develop leadership skills, and engage in hands-on teaching experiences. Students participate in local, state, and national competitions where they demonstrate their knowledge and skills in various education-related categories.

The Utah Educators Rising State Competition is one of the largest and most competitive events for aspiring educators in the state. Students from across Utah compete in categories that range from public speaking and job interviews to creating educational materials and lesson plans. The competition challenges students to think critically about the future of education, demonstrate creativity, and apply real-world problem-solving skills.

Mr. Ed Potts, Park City High School’s Educators Rising advisor, oversees the program and works closely with students throughout the year to help them develop their projects and prepare for competition. Potts’ leadership and support have helped the Park City team grow in both size and success, with students consistently earning top placements at the state level.

“The program is continuing to grow,” said Potts. “We had four more competitors this year than last year. At a time when there is less interest in education, it is exciting to see an increase of interest from some of our students.”

Leading the way for Park City High School was Kendall Bankson, a Park City High School junior, who secured 1st place and was crowned the state champion in Exploring Support Services in Education. Bankson impressed judges with her thoughtful presentation on the challenges facing school counseling programs and innovative ideas for improving student support services.

Teammates Morgan Manning and Josie Miner, both sophomores, earned 2nd place in Interactive Bulletin Board for Elementary Students with a creative design supporting students’ social and emotional learning. In the high school division, Emerson Blank took home 3rd place for her interactive bulletin board, which emphasized that students should not be defined solely by their GPA.

In the Job Interview category — one of the most competitive events — Dylan Davidson and Taylor McGarr, both juniors, showcased their professional skills and poise. Meanwhile, in Children’s Literature for Grades K-3, Elle Seppanen created a beautifully illustrated book based on a Scottish folk tale passed down from her grandmother, while Zoe Glass, a sophomore, crafted a heartfelt story inspired by her dog.

Mackenzie Saldyga, a junior, competed in Public Speaking, delivering a passionate speech about retaining teachers in the profession. In the elementary bulletin board category, Bridget Bryan and Scarlett Tary, both juniors, highlighted the "Keys to Kindness," while Greta Klee and Marlee Saint-Perry, both sophomores, designed a creative garden-themed board promoting classroom unity and growth.

Potts also reflected on how the competition has helped students gain a deeper understanding of the teaching profession.

"The students have developed an understanding of all of the behind-the-scenes work in education,” Potts said. “Too many people think that teachers just show up and talk about things in their content area. Few people understand the craft that is involved in good lesson planning, classroom design, or lesson delivery. These students are aware of what it takes to be an effective educator.”

Tyler Hoffmeyer, Park City High School Technology Coach, supported the event by serving as a judge and representing Park City High School with professionalism and expertise. According to him, the judging process provided valuable insights that will help strengthen the program and support students' growth in their teaching journey. 

“It was truly inspiring to spend the day watching our students showcase their passion for teaching and their deep understanding of educational practices at the Educator Rising competition, said Hoffmeyer.  “Our Park City High School students represented our community beautifully, demonstrating poise and professionalism as they connected with peers and educators from across the state.”