Three Valedictorians, One Family — The Remarkable Schmuhls of Granger
The Scholarly Schmuhls of Granger — A Family Tradition of Excellence
In the quiet Granger neighborhood of 4302 South 3425 West, the Evan and Beverly Schmuhl family became known not just for their kindness and community spirit, but for an extraordinary tradition of academic excellence. By 1982, the Schmuhls had earned a reputation as one of Granger High School’s most accomplished families — a household where straight A’s, school service, and faith went hand in hand.
It all began with their oldest son, Richard Schmuhl, who graduated from Granger High in 1976. Just fractions shy of a perfect 4.0 GPA, Richard finished with a 3.9-plus average and was named salutatorian of his class. During his high school years, he served on the seminary council, held office in the Honor Society, and excelled in advanced placement classes. Following graduation, Richard served a mission in Paris, France, before continuing his studies at the University of Utah, where he pursued a degree in accounting.
Susan Schmuhl, the family’s second child, carried the banner of excellence even further. Graduating in 1979 as valedictorian with a flawless 4.0 GPA, Susan combined her academic drive with creativity — serving as art editor of the yearbook, participating in the school musical, and remaining active in the Honor Society. Like her brother, she also attended the University of Utah, majoring in art.
Then came Jennifer Schmuhl, who in 1982 continued the remarkable family streak. Following in her siblings’ footsteps, Jennifer also graduated from Granger High as valedictorian with straight A’s from ninth grade onward. Active in student leadership, she served as copy editor of the yearbook, sang in the concert choir, and participated in the school musical. She too was an officer in the Honor Society and a member of the seminary council. Jennifer received an Honors-at-Entrance scholarship to the University of Utah and planned to study elementary education.
At Valley Junior High, all three Schmuhl siblings had earned numerous awards and certificates — including the prestigious Kiwanis Leadership Award — and were known for their strong character and involvement in church and community life.
Their parents, Evan and Beverly Schmuhl, quietly set the foundation for this pattern of success. “Mom and Dad always taught us to do our best,” Jennifer shared at the time. “I had a wonderful brother and sister to look up to, and I wanted to achieve like they did. My goal has always been to get A’s in class and to earn a scholarship for college.”
Even the youngest of the family, Patty, was already proving that the tradition would continue. As a fifth grader at Robert Frost Elementary, she proudly held straight A’s — eager to follow the example her siblings had set.
Together, the Schmuhls represented the best of Granger’s family values — faith, learning, and love. Their story remains a proud example of how dedication, encouragement, and strong family roots can inspire generations to strive for excellence.
