Valedictorian, Class of 2024
Behavioral Science
Abigail G. Johnson is from West Jordan, Utah, where her mom and others worked to homeschool her. Johnson is receiving a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in music. During her time at UVU, she worked as a peer mentor with Wolverines Elevated and completed her practicum with the Division of Child and Family Services. Johnson loves that UVU offers a variety of opportunities to learn and apply that knowledge. After graduation, she intends to take a couple of years to gain experience before pursuing her Master of Social Work.
Outstanding Student, Class of 2024
Behavioral Science
Lindsey Wilcox is from Cardston, Alberta, Canada, and graduated from Queen Creek American Leadership Academy High School. She maintained a 4.0 cumulative GPA throughout college, volunteered with Mindset Family Therapy and The Refuge Utah, interned for UVU’s Stronger Families Project, and served as the UVU Family Science Club president. She also presented at the 2023 Utah Council on Family Relations. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. Wilcox would like to thank her husband, Brayson, and her parents, siblings, and professors for their support throughout her education.
Outstanding Student, Class of 2024
Communication
Amanda Hyde Flinders is from Orem, Utah, where she graduated from Mountain View High School. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in applied communication. During her time at UVU, Hyde Flinders acted as the president of the Public Relations Student Society of America and a research assistant at the UVU Social Impact Metric Lab and performed an in-depth impact audit for the Sundance Institute. She loves the nontraditional student mentorship that the communication faculty provides to help students reach their goals. After graduation, Hyde Flinders hopes to do public relations work in healthcare.
Outstanding Student, Class of 2024
English
Raelene Naegle attended Pleasant Grove High School in her hometown of Pleasant Grove, Utah. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in English and Literature. Naegle has left her mark on UVU by making the dean’s list and High Honor Roll and serving as the editor-in-chief for Essais. Besides her appreciation for her incredible professors, she loves the beautiful view of the mountains that she enjoyed while working at the UVU Fulton Library. After graduation, Naegle is considering graduate school or a study abroad.
Outstanding Student, Class of 2024
History & Political Science
Zadie Jane Obray hails from Woods Cross, Utah, and graduated from Woods Cross High School. She is leaving UVU with a Bachelor of Science in history and social studies education. With the support of her spouse, Zac, and the Ferrin family, Obray maintained a 4.0 GPA and was published in the Crescat Scientia. She loves the professors at UVU and appreciates their varying backgrounds. Obray has just accepted a job teaching eighth grade United States history at Elk Ridge Middle School in South Jordan, Utah.
Outstanding Student, Class of 2024
Languages & Culture
Holly Ayn Slivkoff attended Clovis North High School in Fresno, California, and is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies with minors in Russian studies and history. The best part of her UVU experience has been interacting with the Russian department faculty. Her lifelong goal is to learn Russian to understand speeches, songs, and prayers in her Russian-speaking church. Outside of academics, Holly is a membership director for The Ranches Golf Club. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, skiing, and playing tennis and she thanks her family and her boyfriend, Eli, who have supported her throughout her educational journey.
Outstanding Student, Class of 2024
Philosophy & Humanities
Anna Blaser is from Eagle Mountain, Utah, and graduated from Westlake High School. She is graduating from UVU with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. Blaser has had many successes as a Wolverine, including being awarded a full-ride Presidential Scholarship in the fall of 2020 and helping to prepare a paper and presentation for the 28th Annual Charles Dickens Society Symposium in Rochester, New York, and creating a pedagogical humanities website for her senior capstone project She loves the welcoming environment at UVU and how it has helped her connect with her fellow students and professors. Blaser is open to wherever life takes her post-graduation and is eager to continue discovering what she is passionate about and sharing it with others.
