8th Grade


In 1988, I made a resolution to write in my journal every day.  For the next several years I wrote a little every day.  That's why I decided to abridge my journals, so that you don’t have to read my daily, repetitive entries.

Wowza, 8th grade was one of my favorite years!  I loved being involved in student government, especially with MIndy Scothern and Joni Johansen, they became two of my best friends. We, the 8th grade officers, were put in charge of Valentine’s week and painted posters to market our events.  We sold flower grams, held daily competitions, and hosted the “Lovebird Ball.”  I was honored to be selected as the queen of the ball.  As officers, we supported as many of our school sporting events as possible, which was a blast.   We also got to take a field trip to the Utah legislative session.  On one occasion, Mindy and I got to be interviewed and sing a little jingle on KSL Radio to help raise money for Quarters for Christmasl.  I felt pretty special that I got to be on the radio.  At the end of 8th grade, I ran for Student body secretary for 9th grade and won!  


I was also a part of a group called (C.L.A.S.S.) Cubs Lead Against Student Substance Abuse.  I had the opportunity to attend a special convention where Marcus Allen, Governor Bangerter and Karl Malone came to speak about the importance of saying no to drugs and creating positive peer pressure on those around us.


That year, I also played on our junior high school basketball team.  At home we had a sports court in the backyard.  Often David and his high school basketball teammates would come over to practice.  After the boys got done one day, I went out and started shooting around.  The high school varsity center, N-Gai Steverson, was watching me shoot and told me that I had a really good shot and should try out for the basketball team.  I was reluctant and a bit doubtful, but I promised him that I would try out.  Tryouts were really scary for me. Turns out I did have a good shot, but my ball handling skills were pretty lousy, I still made the team.  In practices I worked really hard which made up for my lack of talent.  During the summer, I attended basketball camp at Layton High School.  I won the free throw competition, got second in the speed dribble and 1 on 1 competition and my team won the 5 on 5 competition.  


Christ and church, as always, were a central part of my life that year and every year.  I strove to  pray and read the Book of Mormon every day and attended church each week.  As a class presidency member, I helped plan all the weekly activities.  I loved going to the regional dances, girl’s camp and youth conference.  I tried to always keep the commandments so that I could have the spirit to guide and direct my life. That year I had an interview with my Bishop and told him that I wanted to go on a mission. Even though I was too young, he whipped out the papers and we started my mission papers right then. He put my availability date for 7 years later. I loved that! I now had a written goal.


One of the highlights of my summer that year was a trip I took with Kara and Jenny to visit David at Camp Loll.  We got to do archery, passed the swim check (in the freezing cold “Lake of the Woods.”)  I participated in Polar Bear (sitting in a freezing cold spring for 10 seconds) and met some really cute scouts. 


Other notable events that year:  


The Layton High School basketball team won the state championship!  David was on the team. 

I helped David paint the parking lot at the church for his eagle project

I got to go to Stadium of Fire.

We had a turtle named Tonya.

My main chore was to mow the lawn.

We broke ground on our new house just up the road.

My parents took us to Corps Encore, which I loved! (Marching Band Competition)

We took a rare family trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming



Top row





Grandma McNeill



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