Hyrum student receives governor's scholar award

By Sarah West

December 2, 2005 | HYRUM -- Not many USU students can say they've met the governor, seen his mansion and are already doing research that benefits others, without having graduated from college yet. But one sophomore has done just that.

Brianne Bartlett of Hyrum, majoring in early childhood and elementary education, said, "I've been lucky to have as many opportunities as I've had."

She received the Governor's Scholars Award on Nov. 4, which she said is an award for students looking for prestigious awards in the future. Bartlett said she was able to go to the Governor's mansion for a luncheon and meet Governor Huntsman. She said, "It was a beautiful house."

She said the governor spoke to the recipients of the award and told them they're really great people and now they have a great responsibility.

Bartlett is also a Utah State Research Fellow which she said is where she does research pertaining to her major. She said some of the things she does is go to conferences and write papers. She also is a holder of the Presidential Scholarship, a full-ride scholarship which covers all of tuition. Bartlett said, "It's saved me from getting a job so far."

She is currently doing research for the College of Education and Human Services with a project called advanced readers at risk. She began doing this research last year and she said hopefully she'll continue next year. She described it as "advanced readers who can't deal with their gift." She said it's a four part project where teachers work with these readers on an individual level so they can stay in their grade, but keep reading on their advanced level.

"I really love the project," Bartlett said. She said she's very proud of her research. "I actually feel like I'm making a difference."

She said she plans on going to graduate school, hopefully Oxford, and wants to get a Rhodes Scholarship. She has a minor in French, so she said she'd like to do something with language.

"I for sure want to teach for a couple of years," she said.

Besides being so busy with classes and her research, Bartlett said she likes outdoor activities. She said with the snow that's finally here, "I'm excited for snowmobiling." She also said, "When I need time to relax, I read fiction."

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