Scale How School · Arete
Don J. Colton Dark Energy Scholarship
A one-year Arete tuition scholarship for an enrolled Upper School student in grade 6 or above.
How to apply
- The student must first be enrolled in the Arete program as an Upper School student in grade 6 or above.
- Read Giving Up Darwin by David Gelernter.
- Write an essay responding to the prompt below.
- Use MLA format and write at least 500 words. Do not put the student’s name on the essay document.
- Attach the essay to an email. In the body of the email, include the student’s name and a phone number. Send the entry to darkenergyscholarship@scalehowschool.com.
- Members of the Board will review the essays and notify the scholarship recipient before tuition is due.
Essay prompt
About Don J. Colton
Don J. Colton made his first telescope when he was 13 years old and has been a dedicated member of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society for many years. He has devoted much of his leisure time to studying the Gospel and learning about evidence for intelligent design. We are grateful to Mr. Colton for his generous donation providing this scholarship opportunity for Arete students.
From Don J. Colton’s testimony: “The complexity of life, the design of elements, and the constants of nature have led many astronomers to believe in God.” Mr. Colton testifies that, “All life and everything in the universe was created and is controlled by the Intelligence that comes from God. Light and truth forsake that evil one.”
Dark energy and the Light of Christ
From Don J. Colton’s testimony: “There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; we cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter” (Doctrine and Covenants 131:7–8). Mr. Colton invites students to consider the relationship among intelligence, gravity, dark energy, and the Light of Christ.

This is the light of Christ … the light which proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:7, 11–13
