By Jodeane Albright

jalbright@journalnet.com

POCATELLO — How things change in nine years, especially when you are the Dr. Mark and Carolyn Baker family.

On July 14, 2004, the Baker family was featured in the Idaho State Journal with the headline, “Baker family scores five perfect report cards.” At that time, the five oldest of the family of 10 (one deceased) were students in Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. When the school ended that year, each of the five — Julie, Mark (II), Lisa, Paul and Sylvi —  had brought home straight A’s.

Their dad, Dr. Baker said at the time, “What a great example for the younger ones.” He was referring to the remaining students who, in 2004, were not old enough to be in school.

Fast-forward nine years, and the younger ones are now in school. And, yes, you guessed it, the five youngest have brought home straight A’s, too!

Here’s what the family is up to now:

Sylvi is a senior at Highland High School. She will graduate this year with highest honors and attend Brigham Young University next fall. David is in the eighth grade and Lindsey in the sixth grade at Hawthorne Middle School. Scott is in fourth grade and Natalie in second grade at Ellis Elementary School.

As for the original older five children, they are moving on into the world with their own lives. Julie (Hansen) graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Law in December 2010, and passed the bar in February 2011. Currently, she is an attorney in Los Angeles, Calif.

Mark II served two years in the San Jose, Calif., Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Right now he is home from his mission, a senior at BYU preparing to take the medical school entrance exam.

Lisa attended two years at the University of Nebraska, then went on to Utah State University in Logan, Utah, where she is a senior majoring in graphic design.

Paul was on the football team at Eastern Arizona College until he went on a mission for the LDS Church. He returns home this June after serving two years in the Mexico-Mexico City North Mission of the LDS Church. Just like his dad and brother Mark, Paul plans to pursue a career in medicine.

Their parents say the older children set an example for their younger siblings. The children call it “sibling rivalry.”

Their parents get the last word.

“Setting high expectations for your children, providing incentives, following up, helping them with their school work and praying for them makes a huge difference,” the Baker parents say.