Draper December 2017

December 2017 | Vol. 11 Iss. 12

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CORNER CANYON ATHLETICS finishes successful fall season

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com Cross Country Behind junior Karli Branch’s individual state championship, the Corner Canyon’s girls squad placed third as a team at the 5A state championships Oct. 18 at Sugarhouse Park, behind nationally ranked Skyline and Maple Mountain. The boys team finished sixth.

“No one expected us to do this well and we were stacked up against teams with tons of experience, but their performance at state showed they belonged in the same group,” head coach Devin Moody said. “Our boys had a much harder road behind the two best teams in the nation, but they ran together and they ran as one.”

Also placing at state for the girls team were Willow Collins (sixth), Kailyn Chynoweth (20th), Sarah Diener (21st), Alexa Larsen (37th), Maryn Granger (43rd) and Natalie Walker (50th).

“Our young girls had a commendable effort,” Moody said. “It’s a sign of their development and progress.”

Diener, the only senior on the team, was particularly credited for her work ethic in going from one of the slowest on the team as a freshman to one of the fastest by her last season. “She just kept showing up and her hard work started rubbing off on others,” Moody said. “You don’t have to be the fastest to see the process work.”

On the boys’ side, Trevor Lawson led the way with a 22nd-place finish — the entire lineup finished within 45 seconds of each other.

“Their effort was just as commendable with their hard work and team effort in pushing each other,” Moody said.

Stephen Glod (30th), Mark Boye (31st), Luke Gardenhine (34th), Alex Harbertson (42nd) and Brandon Johnson (51st) scored for the Chargers.

With the 110 runners on his team, Moody said he and his coaching staff aim for improvement for each individually.

“Our main goal is not to emphasize the end results, but to emphasize the process,” he said.

Football Corner Canyon ran the table in the regular season with nine dominating wins, outscoring opponents 393 to 93 — the narrowest margin of victory being a 27-14 win over Orem in the fourth game of the year.

In the 5A state playoffs, the Chargers’ Conner Ebeling booted a 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter in a 24-21 win over Bountiful Oct. 27. Against Highland on Nov. 3, Corner Canyon scored in each quarter for a 37-0 victory. In the state semifinals, the Chargers led against Skyridge, including 26-13 at halftime, until the final minute of the game and were defeated 38-37.

This season, Corner Canyon featured one of the leading offenses in the state with senior quarterback Zach Wilson passing for 24 touchdowns, senior wide receiver Colton Lawson recording nearly 1,200 receiving yards and senior running back Tai Gonzalez rushing for 14 touchdowns on the year.

Defensively, junior linebacker Caden Johnson had 95 tackles and senior linebacker Blake Emery recorded 80. Sophomore defensive end Mikey Petey had seven sacks while Emery, Ebeling and junior defensive back hauled in three interceptions each.

Also on the 11-1 squad were Danny Acker, Zach Adams, Kennan

Corner Canyon’s Zach Wilson looks downfield in the 5A state semifinal game against Skyridge on Nov. 9, which the Chargers lost 38-37 on a last-minute touchdown. (Corner Canyon)

Aiono, Sam Alder, Quinn Andra, Bailie Appleton, Steven Armstrong, Alex Becerra, Austin Bell, Joey Brand, Cooper Burden, Luke Cahoon, Ryan Cahoon, Aaron Christiansen, Cameron Clark, Zach Cobia, Dallas Collins, Carson Compton, Caleb Covinton, JT Cutrer, Kaleb Dyer, Hayden Easterly, Jacob Farnsworth, Van Fillinger, Josh Fleck, Zach Fleck, Dylan Forte, Alex Furner, John Galvin, Jaden Gamache, Ammon Gleason, Tai Gonzales, Spencer Gordon, Dax Gove, Colton Grimshaw, Randen Grimshaw, Cole Hagen, Dalton Hagen, Rayce Hamel, Talmage Handley, Kurtis Hansen, Christian James Harned, Phillip Harris, Ben Tilloi Hawkins, Isaac Anae Hawkins, Andrw Heath, JD Herring, Connor Hill, Jarick Hobson, Kingsely Holliday, Spencer Holliday, Brandon Holt, Brett Iverson, August Jacobs, Owen Jeffs, Trent Jensen, Baylor Jeppsen, Caden Johnson, Jakob Johnston, Mason Keys, Ethan Kim, Noah Kjar, Kole Koncar, Colton Lawson, Connor Lewis, Porter Lewis, Jackson Light, Hayden MacKenzei, Nathan Mackey, Spencer Madsen, Gabe Maires, Breenon Mangum, Kaden Martinsen, Dalton McCabe, Andrew McDonald, Cameron McDonald, Cade McDougal, Brady McRae, Cade Messe, Dustin Millich, John Mitchell, Alex Neilbaur, Dallan Nelson, Mason North, Zachary

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O’Connell, Kobe Peters, Easton Petersen, Sam Peterson, Josh Preece, Payton Richards, Jaden Rivera, Ryan Roberts, Ty Rollins, Brody Ross, Luke Sampson, Slade Sands, Dylan School, Matthew Sharp, Dylan Simons, Bradley Smith, Jonah Strong, Cameron Styer, Austin Suchar, Maximus Swenson, Brocker Tenney, Trey Thomas, Landon Tullis, Bryant Vicente, Emmitt Walbeck, Henry Weight, Trenten Werts, Keaton West, Aaron Wilcox, Ethan Wilkes, Josh Wilson, Zach Wilson, Preston Woodward and Drew Zarbock.

Boys Golf The boys golf team finished sixth at the 5A state tournament Oct. 2–3 at Talon’s Cove behind All-Region golfers junior Patrick Holmes, sophomore Ty Felts and junior Mitch Anderson’s performances.

“We had a very successful year,” first-year head coach Tony Cannon said of his squad that won Region 7 by nearly 100 strokes.

Also competing at state were Gabe Schino, Parker Labrum and Jake Woolston.

“We were quite young overall this year,” Cannon said. “Combined with an expected influx of talent for next year, we should be favored in Region 7 play as well as challenge for a state title.”

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The Corner Canyon volleyball team went deep into the 5A state volleyball tournament, finishing fourth Nov. 4 at Utah Valley University. (Corner Canyon)

Soccer A more detailed wrap-up on the team’s season was in the November Draper Journal.

The Region 7 champion soccer squad finished the season with a 14-3 record and a 4-1 loss in the 5A state quarterfinals to East.

Senior forward Hallee Jones, sophomore midfielder Kenli Coon and senior defender Makenzie Easton were named First Team All-State with senior goalkeeper Allison Stanley being recognized as Second Team All-State and junior defender Kayla Milford Honorable Mention All-State.

Additionally, Madison Westerlind and Easton were given Academic All-State recognition for their excellence in the classroom while participating on the Chargers soccer team.

Tennis Seniors Addie Sepulveda and Raili Jenkins, playing at No. 1 doubles, junior Lizzie Simmons and sophomore Emma Heiden, at No. 2 doubles, won 5A state championships at the state tournament Oct. 5–6 at Liberty Park, leading the Chargers to a third-place finish as a team.

“Both teams had a dream at the beginning of the season to win a state championship and did it,” head coach Mykel Seeborg said. “I’m so proud of them! I will hold that memory forever.”

Sepulveda and Jenkins, Corner Canyon’s top two singles players, approached Seeborg about forming a doubles team in their final year. “I was hesitant at first, thinking that it might weaken our singles lineup, but I soon realized that they would make a formidable duo at the No. 1 doubles position,” Seeborg said.

The duo lost just four games through its four matches at state, defeating Olympus’ Anzie Stohl/ Megan Jewell 6-1, 6-0 in the championship match.

Simmons/Heiden defeated Timpview’s Rachel Gouff/Jamie Faux 6-2, 6-4 in the title match.

“Lizzie and Emma were a scary good team at No. 2 and pushed the seniors all year long,” Seeborg said. “Doubles were definitely our strength this year.”

At state, “solid” sophomore Abby Willes defeated East’s Julie Culter 7-6, 4-6-, 6-4 at No. 2 singles before losing to Woods Cross’ Etianne Johnson 6-7-6-1, 6-2 in the second round. In No. 3 singles, senior Bree Hayes lost to Skyridge’s Jaya Cluff 6-0, 6-4 in the first round.

Also on the team this season were freshman phenom Jane Dorny, who played No. 1 singles, along with Hannah Ashton, Kylie Bethards, Olivia Didier, Emily Dorny, Grace Poulson, Livi Redden and Brynn Thayer.

“Overall, our season was great,” Seeborg said.

“The team really enjoyed playing together and the support of the parents has been tremendous since day one. We had some great wins and a couple of tough losses, but throughout the season we would have different girls in different matches step up so the team would win. I believe we met our goals.”

Volleyball Corner Canyon came into the 5A state tournament Nov. 3–4 at Utah Valley University undefeated through Region 7 play, only dropping three sets in region play, and finished fourth with wins over Viewmont 3-0 and Wasatch 3-1 and losses to Bountiful 3-0 and Woods Cross 3-1.

“We had a good competitive season,” said head coach Mindy Wilder, who is in her third season. “We have finished in the top four in state two years in a row, so that is definitely a success. It’s always hard losing at the state tournament, but that’s how we learn and get better for next season.”

Senior captain and Region Most Valuable Player Emma Mangum — who will be playing for Southern Utah University next fall — along with senior Seville Likes and junior Madison Brunatti, who were both named First Team All-Region, were key contributors this season for the Chargers with returning players Katie Beelek, a Second Team All-Region selection, and Mikayla Kimball, who was named First Team All-Region, adding “valuable experience” on the court, according to Wilder.

Second Team All-Region Grace Anderson and

Junior Lizzie Simmons and sophomore Emma Heiden won the No. 2 doubles title at the 5A state tournament Oct. 5–6 at Liberty Park, helping the Chargers to a third-place finish as a team. (Corner Canyon)

Honorable Mention All-Region honorees Baylee Bodily, Lindsay Matsuura and Heidi Penrod also “stepped into their roles on the court.”

Also on the Corner Canyon squad were Meghann Brannelly, Avery Stevenson, Brooklyn Leggett, Halle Richards and Grace Moore.

Wilder was assisted by Keri Anderson, Aubree Moore, Charlotte Richards and Zoe Tippetts on the coaching staff this year.

“I’m really proud of the way the girls came together as a team throughout the season,” Wilder said. “We really strive to have a positive environment. We are a family and help push each other to reach our full potential.” 

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Draper City Journal

Three Canyons educators recognized as mentoring ‘champions’

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

E

lizabeth Davies is a South Park Academy teacher who has helped hundreds of students earn their GED diplomas, whether they’re 15 or 70. Working with her is Elaine Peterson, a counselor who advocates post-secondary education for many who don’t consider it as they are in the Utah State Prison System. But she doesn’t take no for an answer, and instead arranges ACT testing and encourages all students to find challenges.

These two educators — along with Katie Blunt, Canyons School District education technology specialist who helps students from Youth in Care classes participate in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs to help elementary students learn technology skills — recently were recognized by Utah Education Network (UEN) as American Graduate Champions who help Utah learners reach academic and professional milestones.

“American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen” is a long-term commitment to supporting community-based solutions to help young people succeed in school and life. Supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, more than 100 public television and radio stations have joined forces with about 1,700 partners across 49 states to elevate the stories of youth and the supportive adults that help them find pathways to graduation and successful student outcomes.

These Canyons educators recently were among 11 others who shared their stories with public and higher education officials of inspiring and guiding students preparing to enter careers and colleges.

Blunt, whose UEN-produced video was included in the national PBS broadcast of American Graduate Champions, said the American Graduate program aims to increase high school graduates.

“The desire is for these high school students to prepare for careers and colleges and to help them reach their goals,” she said. “By

mentoring students and other teachers and improving education and high school competition rates, these students not only reach graduation, but go on to be successful in the world. All the mentors are wanting to help and have students achieve.”

For three years, Blunt has had Brighton High and Entrada High-Draper campus students participate in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. She has helped them learn broadcasting skills and put together news packages. Parts of three of these reports have been aired nationally, she said.

“It’s a neat program even if their goal isn’t to be a journalist, a reporter or a camera operator. The students are learning so much more. They’re learning technical skills, planning, working as a group, cooperation, writing and organization. These are skills that can help them in whatever career they want in the future,” she said.

In addition, Blunt also helps students at Draper Elementary, Altara Elementary and Midvalley Elementary learn technical skills.

She also coordinates the annual Canyons Film Festival, which gives both students and teachers throughout the district a chance to submit their films in several categories.

“I love the power of ed tech to reach every kind of student.

Some students are college bound. Some students are career bound.

But no matter what their track, technology is going to be part of whatever they do,” she said. “I consider it a privilege to mentor other people, to be able to help them with the skills I have acquired that they haven’t yet and together, make something better.”

Blunt’s video was part of Graduate Day, an annual television event which has reached more than 83 percent of U.S. households on more than 100 public television stations. The 2017 broadcast, hosted by Soledad O’Brien and featuring guests such as General Colin Powell, focused on efforts to address the “middle skills gap”— the

difference between the increasing number of jobs that require specialized training and the number of workers qualified to fill them.

UEN is part of the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN), a nationally recognized innovator in broadband and broadcast delivery of educational and telehealth resources to students and educators, patients and clinicians statewide. UETN provides network, application and support services to more than 1,000 schools, colleges and libraries. 

Three Canyons School District educators, Katie Blunt, Elaine Peterson and Elizabeth Davies, recently were recognized as American Graduate Champions in mentoring by the Utah Education Network. (Laura Hunter/ UEN)

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DeCember 2017 | page 5

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Draper students honor veterans at school ceremonies

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

A

merican Preparatory fifth-grader Adalyn Wood used to live in Virginia and liked the peacefulness of Arlington National Cemetery, where she would often see veterans pay their respect to fallen comrades. She told her classmates at the school’s Veterans Day program that a simple thank-you and a smile can be uplifting.

The great-grandfather of classmate Cecily Wagner was as a paratrooper during World War II and her uncle currently serves. At the program that honored rows of veterans, Cecily told them, “You are amazing.”

Those who served and are serving in the military were invited guests of school children and faculty, whose program featured songs and words, including those of Xzandria Miner and Daniel Detjen, who in addition to Adalyn and Cecily, were essay winners.

APA Founder Howard Headlee spoke to students about loving the holidays — Halloween for its candy, Christmas for the presents and 4th of July for the fireworks — while growing up, and even appreciating Valentine’s Day when he was in high school.

However, he said he learned something about those holidays.

“I wouldn’t be able to celebrate those holidays without veterans and Veterans Day,” he said. “They went to some places they didn’t necessarily want to go and they did some things they didn’t necessarily want to do. Our veterans gave us a much greater gift — the gift of freedom to enjoy every minute of every day.”

That gift came with a price of missing time with family and friends and giving up individual dreams of education and careers to serve the country. Headlee then challenged students to find a way to serve — whether for the community, for the school or maybe in the future, in the military.

Among those at the ceremony was Col. Andrew Wood, who served more than 39 years with the Utah National Guard and saw conflicts in Afghanistan, South Philippians and Libya, where his orders were to “destabilize enemy and guerilla forces.”

“We had to break social paradigms of images of us being bad and show how we cared,” Wood said, adding that they gave free medical care at their schools. “In a few months, their perspective changed and 300 guerillas laid down their arms for farms. I worked for something bigger than myself and it has been an honor to serve.

I carry a little of everyone with me because what I did was for all of America.”

APA teacher and veteran Tanner Latham told students everyone in the service contributes.

“There is no small job in the military,” he said. “Every job is important as it helps make our country what it is.”

Latham then challenged students to give service in the military or through public service.

“Hopefully, you can make this country even better than what we gave you,” he said.

Jay Birks, who was a second-class petty officer in aviation electronics, served in the Navy from 1947 to 1951. While in San Diego and considering extending his career in the military, he learned from a former buddy that four of his eight-member crew had died in a crash in Japan.

“They were fine men,” he said. “They served our country with honor.”

At nearby Draper Park Middle School, math teacher Michael Armstrong, who served as a medical X-ray technician in the Utah National Guard, was recognized at the school’s annual Veterans Day breakfast, which featured the school’s band, orchestra and choir.

During the “Armed Forces Medley,” those who served and were serving from each branch of the military stood in recognition, including Master Sergeant Clayton Miller, who was the guest speaker for the crowd of veterans, students, faculty and visitors.

Assistant Principal Josh Stott said the school hosts the Veterans Day breakfast to teach students respect for military men and women

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Boy Scout and eighth-grade student Camden Stewart thanks a Marine at American Preparatory Academy’s Veterans Day ceremony.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

who serve the country.

“It was our pleasure to celebrate together the brave men and women who have served out country,” he said. “The musical numbers by our band and orchestra and the choir were inspirational. The speeches by (school principal) Mary (Anderson) and Master Sergeant Clayton Miller left us with great examples and respect for the honor, sacrifice and bravery of our veterans.” 

page 6 | DeCember 2017

Draper City Journal

Voters approve $283 million bond to improve schools; construction expected by June

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

O

n August 13, 2013, hundreds of citizens gathered for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Corner Canyon High, the first public high school in Draper. Construction began in 2011, less than one year after voters approved a $250 million bond to renovate, build or rebuild schools in the newly formed Canyons School District.

Now, four years after students first enrolled in the school, voters approved a $283 million tax-neutral bond to modernize and upgrade Canyons School District schools, including extending two classroom wings on Corner Canyon High School.

“The initial recommendation by the administration is to begin with the high schools,” Superintendent Jim Briscoe said. “The rationale is that construction costs will increase significantly every year, so we’re fiscally more responsible to work on these projects first. Plus, they will impact more students initially and in the years to come.”

An estimated $4.5 million of the bond is earmarked to add 16 classrooms to the east side of the building and remove the current 12 portables that serve students, said Canyons School District Business Administrator Leon Wilcox.

“They will be typical classrooms for math, English language arts, social studies,” he said. “We’ll work on them during the summer of 2018 and 2019 and by then, they will be substantially done.”

As the work will be mostly done over the summer, there will be little disruption to students, Wilcox said.

“When we built Corner Canyon, it was for a specific number of students, but it’s not big enough now,” he said, adding that student enrollment has increased with boundary changes and students coming from local charter schools. “Included in the initial plans were ways the school could be expanded.”

Preliminary renderings by Curtis Miner Architecture, who designed the school, are already in place, as are some for the other three high schools — Alta, Brighton and Hillcrest — that will benefit from the bond, Wilcox said.

Both 55-year-old Hillcrest in Midvale and 48-year-old Brighton in Cottonwood Heights will be completely rebuilt in stages so students will attend class at their campuses, he said.

“Currently, there is no infrastructure at Hillcrest to support 21st-century learning,” Wilcox said.

Both schools also are looking at improvements in the performing arts areas and auditoriums as well as extending athletic facilities, including possibly adding field houses to the campus, Wilcox said.

“We are still in the preliminary stage and in discussion with school plans, but we’re exploring ideas and costs and trying to find better ways to serve our students,” he said.

Hillcrest is estimated to cost $85 million and Brighton, $87 million. Both schools’ first phases are expected to be underway in

In 2013, Corner Canyon High School cheerleaders led the gathered crowd in a cheer before the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open their new school.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

summer 2018 and currently have architects and construction companies in place, he said.

Alta High in Sandy also has conceptual renderings of the third phase of its remodel of the 1978 building, said Principal Brian McGill, who said that much of this estimated $38.5 project will focus on a new auditorium and performing arts areas as well as athletic updates.

McGill also said the school needs to update its infrastructure and overhaul its heating, air conditioning and plumbing.

“We want to hold town hall meetings and hear what all our stakeholders have to say,” he said. He has already talked with a group of 30 students, the school community council and Parent-Teacher-Student Association about the bond prior to it passing with 57 percent of the vote.

Wilcox said that improving lighting in 18 elementaries and new offices in six elementary schools will take place during summers of 2018 and 2019, but no decision has been made to the timeline of rebuilding 60-year-old Midvalley Elementary, 53-year-old Peruvian Park Elementary in Sandy, 49-year-old Union Middle School and a yet-to-be-determined White City elementary as well as building a new elementary in Draper.

Briscoe said that when Canyons District was first established, engineers and others compiled a list of projects needing to be completed. The first bond addressed 13 of those needs and this bond will address additional projects, he said.

“I’m excited for the families and students of Canyons School District,” he said. “I thank our community in making this monumental decision for the future of our students.” 

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DeCember 2017 | page 7

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Draper Elementary choir hits a high note with community

D

raper Elementary students have been practicing “Freedom Isn’t Free” since the second week of school in preparation for Draper City’s annual Veterans Day program.

But rehearsing isn’t the only part, said fifth-grade teacher Christina Van Dam, who co-directs the choir with second-grade teacher Madison Ellingson.

“We want our students to know what it means to serve in wars, in the armed forces, and to thank those who have served or are serving our country,” she said. “We want them to realize the sacrifice they’ve made or are making and install a deeper citizenship of our country.”

In addition to “Freedom Isn’t Free,” the students sang the national anthem and “Proud to Be an American.”

The Draper students also invited people they know who have or are currently serving in the military to the ceremony, including Draper Elementary’s Principal Christie Waddell’s two sons.

However, the students weren’t just preparing patriotic songs. They also were scheduled to perform “Holiday Lights” and “Merry Christmas Happy Holidays” in Draper City’s tree-lighting ceremony Nov. 27 and about 10 fun holiday songs such as songs from “The Polar Express” and Glee’s “Deck the Rooftop” at Festival of the Trees in Sandy on Dec. 2.

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

Draper Elementary’s choir practices in the weeks leading up to performing for Draper City’s Veterans Day and tree-lighting ceremonies. (Alex Campbell/Draper Elementary)

This is in addition to the choir’s performance on Monday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. with the school orchestra that will be held at Draper Park Middle School, 13133 South 1300 East.

“I like to give students the opportunity to see what it’s like to be in the community and perform for people in different venues,” Van Dam said. “They’re excited to go and the people are really happy to have us perform. We often have families attend these community events and support our kids.”

Through these experiences students also learn to perform outside of the piano accompaniment played by fourth-grade teacher Lachelle

Crandell, singing either a cappella or with a CD. The 90-member choir is comprised of second- through fifth-grade students who practice for an hour two mornings each week before school. Van Dam said the students learn the songs line by line and often listen to them on CD to feel the rhythm and tempo. The dance and action movements are added to make it fun for the students, she said.

Many of these students also are those who are involved in the 30-minute school musical, which has been put on every spring for the past four years.

Last year, the students put on “100 Years

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Snooze,” a take off of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.”

“We make sure there are lots of speaking parts and solos. Students have to audition, but we make sure everyone who wants to be involved has a part,” she said.

Before then, the choir students are gaining experiences and memories this fall and winter, Van Dam said.

“They’re excited and building confidence,” she said. “At the same time, they’re learning to be active members of their community, honor those who have done so much for our country and share in the holidays.” 

page 8 | DeCember 2017

Draper City Journal

Willow Springs students put literacy twist on Halloween parade

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

Willow Springs Elementary fifth-graders wear costumes, many representing their favorite literary characters, on Halloween.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

I

f you were to ask Willow Springs kindergartner Allie Olson who her favorite character is in “Rise of the Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel,” all she had to do on Halloween was twirl.

Allie was dressed as Uma, Ursula’s daughter who teams up with other villains’ children to try to get ahold of King Triton’s powerful trident.

“It’s a fun book,” Allie said about the book she’s reading with

her mother. “I like Uma. I like her hair.”

Allie, like other Willow Springs students, was encouraged to wear a costume that represented their favorite literary characters for the annual school Halloween parade, said Principal Marianne Yule.

“We’re hoping students will read the book and get ideas for their costume or dress up as a character then want to read the book,” she said. “Maybe they’ll walk through the parade and see someone else dressed up and learn why they like a certain character and later read the book.”

Yule, who was dressed as the princess from “The Frog Prince,” said she knows the literacy parade has been in place for at least five years, but it could have been since the school was first established.

“We’re encouraging students to read any time they can. Studies show that students only read an average of 12 minutes in school per day. So we’re encouraging our students to read, read, read every day. In classes, they read everything together — instructions, math problems, everything. We’re trying to get in every minute possible.

Technology is great, but we’re losing out on opportunities to read so we’re encouraging them to read more,” she said.

In class, students are given 15 to 30 minutes of individual reading time where they can select a book from their level in the classroom library. Students also can build fluency and comprehension through Lexia and Reading Plus computerized literacy programs.

On the parade day, Yule said she asks students to tell her about the book the students represent or what they like about the character.

Some teachers also may ask students to write about their book or character in a journal entry.

Fifth-grade teacher Mark Besendorfer said teachers also encourage students to read.

“Most teachers read a good book by an author who has written

several or the first in a series out loud to their students so they will develop an interest and want to read more,” he said.

Many students in his class wore costumes representing characters they have read from their favorite books, Besendorfer said.

Among those in his class was Dorothy from the “The Wizard of Oz,” portrayed by Jordyn Cromar.

“I’ve watched the movie, but I haven’t read the book,” she said, adding that she likes to wear sparkly things for Halloween. “My favorite book is ‘Yellow Star.’”

Classmate Aleah Marinez was dressed as Wonder Woman.

“I’ve been told I look like her,” she said. “My dad has read a lot of books about her and said he’d give me some to read. “ Fifth-grader Karly Ballard dressed as one of her favorite childhood characters, the Cookie Monster.

“I really liked the Cookie Monster and cookies,” she said. “Sesame Street books remind me of reading when I was little.”

Karly still reads every night with her brother. He likes action-packed books and one of her favorites is “Wonder.”

She also enjoys the school’s annual read-a-thon on Dr. Seuss Day where they read for “about three hours” in their classroom.

Yule, who would love to curl up and read “Les Miserables” or any of Charles Dickens’ novels, said this year the read-a-thon will be March 6, kicking off with Books and Breakfast where students can start the day by reading with parents or grandparents. The event also will include a reading chart, encouraging students to read 30 minutes daily.

She also has been known to read her favorite children’s book, “Little Bear” by Else Holmelund Minarik, to classes.

“We just want students to enjoy reading for just the pleasure of it,” she said. 

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DeCember 2017 | page 9

DraperJournal .Com

Canyons Middle School debate program grows as student interest increases

H

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

undreds of Canyons School District middle school students filled the halls and classrooms at Mt. Jordan after school one day in late October.

Some were talking as fast as they could while others scribbled notes. Yet others were found pacing or reciting in the hallways.

These students are part of the district’s middle school debate program, which gives students a chance to try their hand at either debate or speech, said Leslie Robinett, district English language arts specialist, who coordinates the program.

“This gives students a real-world application of English and language arts,” she said. “They need to form an argument, research, write, speak and listen and then tests those skills. They work individually or with one another in the competition, but ultimately, they’re part of their school team and are learning teamwork as well.”

She said these skills — critical thinking, reasoning and communication — also will translate to their classroom work as well as benefit them in the real world.

Robinett said the program has steadily grown since she received a grant five years ago to help make debate an extension of the core curriculum.

The result has been six of the eight middle schools developing at least one class, with Midvale and Butler middle schools looking into the possibility of adding classes in the future.

“This means most of these students are get-

Butler, Albion, Indian Hills, Midvale, Mount Jordan and Union middle schools’ novice policy debate winners celebrate after the first debate tournament of the school year. (Leslie Robinett/Canyons School District)

ting class time in addition to the one hour each week after school. They’re able to learn more from returning students, mentors and coaches in addition to researching and practicing,” she said.

The interest has increased, as well. Last year, Robinett said about 250 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students across the district participat-

ed. This year, the number has increased to about 375.

The students compete in four areas — policy debate, Lincoln Douglas debate, original oratory speech and extemporaneous speaking. Policy, which at this tournament had 95 entries or 190 students participate, is the area more students pur-

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sue, as many of the students get an opportunity to compete in fifth grade, she said.

While not all middle school coaches have a debate background, Robinett meets with all coaches together regularly to share ideas and talk about the season’s tournaments.

Butler Coach Jordan Decman said this is her first year coaching debate, as it is her assistant’s, Connor Armstrong. She has 25 students who meet once each week after school for one hour.

“I’m naturally a competitive person, but my goal is for these students to learn and have fun,” she said. “I have the veterans — the returning students — to help mentor the newer students and me as well. It’s giving some of our eighth-graders the chance to be leaders and to take pride in what they’re doing.”

She said that this year her newcomers will learn from their mistakes and persevere.

“Whether we win awards or not, we’re showing tenacity, resilience and integrity. These students are learning teamwork, how to listen to each other, how to be a good sport and how to be a really good friend. These are life skills that they can take and use past debate tournaments,” she said.

The next tournaments are Jan. 11, 2018 and March 15, 2018, which will extend invitations to schools outside the district. The season will continue through the district and state tournaments in April. 

page 10 | DeCember 2017

Draper City Journal

Corner Canyon runner wins state

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Corner Canyon’s Karli Branch poses with her sister Hannah, who now runs for Utah Valley University, following her 5A state title run Oct. 18 at Sugarhouse Park. (Branch Family)

T

wo years ago, Corner Canyon’s Karli Branch placed 60th at the state cross-country championships. As a sophomore, she came in 20th.

This year, on Oct. 18, she crossed the finish line first, with the 15th fastest time on the course at Sugarhouse Park, becoming the first Charger to win an individual cross-country state title.

“It feels so amazing to have won state,” she said. “I worked super hard for this.”

“Karli’s done a tremendous job of being an example of hard work where she was hardly competitive as a freshman and then improving last year and here she is,” Corner Canyon head coach Devin Moody said. “She has shown how the process works.”

The daughter of Jayson and Laura Branch of Draper wrote a goal down last December to win state and she started a serious journey toward that goal this summer with a strict eating and sleeping regimen while working on her weakness in running — sprints.

“It almost feels like a relief to have won since I was so focused on it and worked towards it for months,” Karli said. “It’s amazing to see that hard work has paid off.”

The turning point for Karli’s season was at the BYU Invitational where she placed fifth among top athletes, only missing second place by a few seconds. The next week, she won the Park City Invitational and then she became the Region 7 champion leading up to her state title.

“My coach tailored my workouts and helped me nail down a strategy that utilized my

strengths,” Karli said.

The junior began running while she was in middle school and two years ago, she and her older sister Hannah started training together.

“We were both pretty new to it, but we ran at the same pace so it was something we shared together,” Karli said. “We’re pretty competitive, yet supportive of each other.”

Hannah, who also ran for Corner Canyon, is the reigning Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and a scholarship athlete at Utah Valley University.

“Seeing Hannah get a scholarship and feeling like I’m improving each year has given me even more motivation in running so I can get a D-I scholarship as well,” Karli said.

“Karli saw the process work for her sister and that has really motivated her,” Moody said.

Karli said running has taught her how to work hard and maintain a lot of discipline, while also filling her with gratitude. “As I’m running, I just can’t help but notice the beautiful nature around me,” she said. “It’s time that I get clarity and perspective and feel grateful for all the people who support me.”

To finish out her high school cross-country career next season, Karli still has some new goals: to have an undefeated year and beat the course record of 17:25 at Sugarhouse Park, a mark that her personal best is just 10 seconds faster than — all while she repeats as champion.

“I need to not be satisfied and always be driven,” Karli said. 

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DeCember 2017 | page 11

DraperJournal .Com

Meriting praise: Draper teen takes Scouting to the next level

T

Jared Memmott, a 14-year-old from Draper, recently finished his goal of earning all 137 Boy Scout merit badges.

By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com

hree years ago, Draper’s Jared Memmott watched his older brother achieve the rare feat of earning every single Boy Scout merit badge. Inspired by his brother’s success, Jared decided to follow suit.

Mission accomplished.

Now 14, Jared recently earned his last of the 137 merit badges. He also earned his Eagle Scout in the process. The freshman at Corner Canyon High School said it wasn’t easy accomplishing the lofty goal, but it was worth every effort.

“It makes me feel happy because I can feel the reward of working really hard,” Jared said. “I was pretty excited because I’ve been working on it for a long time.”

To be exact, it took more than three and a half years for Jared to earn all the badges. In the summer, when most teenagers are hanging out with friends, relaxing or going on family vacations, Jared was attending pow wows and Scout camps as well as working on merit badges on his own.

Doing something of this magnitude isn’t possible without a tireless work ethic and determination. Jared’s father, Lester Memmott, said his son possesses these qualities and more.

“We are proud of Jared,” he said. “It was a lot of work, and he had to spend a lot of his free time working on merit badges over the last few years. Jared is exceptionally disciplined and motivated. He always follows through with what he says he will do. When he started playing the saxophone in fourth grade, he would practice every day. He still does, and we never have to remind him. He applied that same discipline and diligence to earning the merit badges.”

Some merit badges required more willpower than others. For example, earning the climbing merit badge tested Jared’s fortitude more than any of the others.

“At the time, I had a fear of heights,” he said.

On the other hand, Jared loved working on the scuba merit badge. He also particularly enjoyed ones that got him outdoors and moving.

“Scuba was really fun,” he said. “I got to get certified. I liked archery, kayaking, water sports and snow sports. I like the active ones. I like to be outside.”

During this journey to earn the merit badges, Jared learned much about himself and about not giving up. This past summer, the drive to earn all of the badges had taken a toll, and Jared was growing weary. He

only had 20 more to go, so he pushed on and worked on one almost every day until he was finished.

It’s a mindset he thinks any young man trying to earn all the merit badges should adopt.

“You should continue to work on it and keep trying,” Jared said. “You just can’t give up. As long as you keep working on it you’ll finish it.”

Jared’s resolve and devotion helped him achieve this goal, but he couldn’t have done it alone. He had plenty of help along the way.

“My parents helped me find camps and pow wows to get the ones I couldn’t do on my own,” he said. “My Grandpa helped me do some of the harder ones like model design and building. My older brother also helped and encouraged me.”

This experience was more than just accomplishing something great or doing something few people have the chance to do. Jared believes learning new skills and exposing himself to a variety of fields will prepare him for bigger things in life.

“It taught me how to work and introduced to me a lot of experiences I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t done it,” he said. “I know a little bit about a lot of things.” 

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page 12 | DeCember 2017

Draper City Journal

Providence Hall teacher also working with four-legged pupils, dancers

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rom high school students, to dogs, to aspiring dancers — Hannah Thompson works with them all.

For school teachers, spending the day in the classroom is more than full-time work—she teaches AP language and composition and IB (international baccalaureate) English at Providence Hall—but Thompson is just getting started. In her free time, she trains guide dogs for the blind and teaches an Irish dance class.

And she loves every minute of it.

Thompson got her start with dog training back when she was in elementary school. Her mother was involved in the Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), and Thompson and her sister helped out.

“As a family, we raised dogs for 10-plus years,” she said.

“When my sister and I left for college, my family decided to step back from the program. After I finished my degree and began my first teaching job, I decided I wanted to get back into it. I started up again in 2014 with the same club my family was in previously.”

Thompson starts training the dogs when they are puppies.

She works with one at a time because puppies require so much one-on-one attention. She and other raisers like herself receive the dogs when they are about eight weeks old and raise them until they are about 15 months old. After that, they head to one of GBD’s two campuses (either in San Rafael, California, or Boring, Oregon) for another three to six months of training.

After completing their formal training with the professionals, they are matched with a partner and do another two weeks of training with their partner to ensure it’s a good match and to make sure the team will be successful. Once the dog and their partner are finished with their training together, Guide Dogs for the Blind has a graduation ceremony and invites the raisers to see their dogs again and to meet the handler.

“It’s what we all are hoping for throughout their training,” Thompson said. “Because I am a teacher and would not be able to manage an eight-week-old puppy in my classroom, I usually raise ‘transfer dogs,’ or dogs that have been started in a different home and then finish the second part of their training with me. I also had the chance to co-raise my first puppy with an experienced raiser so she could help me out.”

The work is time consuming, and it can also be difficult to part with the dogs once they’re ready to head out to their formal training in California or Oregon. Still, Thompson said the training is gratifying.

“I enjoy the tight bonds that are created with our puppies,” she said. “The puppies in training are usually with us 24 hours a day, whether we are at work, home, running errands or enjoying social events. As raisers, we are all dog lovers, so to have our pups with us so much and to be able to see them mature, and hopefully help them on their path to becoming guides, is very rewarding.”

Guide Dogs for the Blind uses Labradors, golden retrievers and lab/golden retriever mixes. Thompson said the group has the highest success rate with labs because they are eager to please, they enjoy working, they can thrive in most climates and they love people.

There are two GDB clubs in Salt Lake County, and they welcome new volunteers at any time. The club’s website is www.guidedogs.com, and if someone is interested in volunteering, they should contact GDB to get the contact information for

Hannah Thompson and Gwen as she is just about to board the “puppy truck” to her formal training.

their closest club.

If high school teaching and guide dogs aren’t enough, Thompson is the head teacher at Rinceoiri Don Spraoi, which teaches Irish dance to children as young as 5, all the way up to adults. Thompson started dancing with the group at age 6 and worked her way up to the performing group. She continued to do Irish dance while studying at Utah State University. She even created and taught a one-credit Irish dance P.E. class at USU, instructing the class for four semesters.

“I really stumbled on it,” Thompson said. “I think I have a little bit of Irish ancestry in me, but not much. My family happened to see this group at a performance, and my mom thought my sister and I would enjoy it. Little did she know that I would still be doing it 20 years later.”

At Rinceoiri Don Spraoi, Thompson currently teaches the Shamrock class, which consists of anywhere between five and 15 students ages 5 to 7. Most students are beginners, though some do have Irish dance experience but want a more performance-based school rather than a competitive environment.

Dancers vary from mothers and grandmothers to high school and university students to working professionals and more.

There are even a few other classroom teachers in the performing group.

“I enjoy choreographing new pieces for our dancers, collaborating with other dancers to refine steps, but most of all, spending time with our amazing dancers,” she said.

Thompson doesn’t think about slowing down anytime soon.

“I intend to do it for quite a while longer,” she said. “Irish dance is very much part of my identity, and I would feel lost without it.”

Visit http://www.irishdanceutah.com/ if you’re interested in joining. Beginner classes start at $25 a month. 

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DeCember 2017 | page 13

DraperJournal .Com

Juan Diego football state’s best again

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

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Juan Diego Catholic High School football players surround the 3A state championship trophy after defeating Morgan 45-20 Nov. 11 at Weber State University.

(Photo/Michelle Marston)

F

or the third year in a row, the Juan Diego Catholic High School football team has won the 3A state championship. This season, the Soaring Eagle squad defeated Morgan 45-20 Nov. 11 at Weber State University.

Senior quarterback Zach Hoffman passed for 162 yards and a touchdown, ran for 133 yards and three touchdowns and also caught a 76-yard pass to lead the offense. Running back Tristan Tonozzi rushed for 127 yards and a score while wide receiver Hunter Easterly also scored two touchdowns — one rushing and the other a 72-yard reception.

“Winning the state championship is always a great accomplishment and a great tribute to the young men who sacrifice so much to be champions,” said head coach John Colosimo “As a coach, it is memorable to see

the joy and excitement from the boys. Achieving this goal is very satisfying because it happens only through the work of all the boys to become a team that plays together as one.”

Juan Diego lost its first game of the season to Bear River 20-10 before winning seven straight. In its last regular season game, the Soaring Eagle lost to Summit Academy 51-49.

During the 3A state playoffs, Juan Diego defeated Carbon 66-6 on Oct. 18 and Grantsville 14-13 on Oct. 27 before avenging the loss to Summit with a 38-37 double-overtime victory Nov. 4 to secure a spot in the title game.

Hoffman led Juan Diego’s offense all season with more than 1,000 yards on the ground while passing for over 700 yards. “He was the heart and soul of the group and was exceptional behind

center,” Colosimo said.

Defensively, middle blocker Max Butkovich was “the man,” according to Colosimo. “He was our leading tackler and the emotional leader of a very good defensive team,” Colosimo said.

“Overall, the senior class was outstanding in their leadership, dedication and hard work,” Colosimo said. “Each contributed in their own way in making the Soaring Eagle champs.”

Also on the 11-2 championship team this season were Kyle Abundo, Brendan Bass, Matthew Bathurst, Alex Bemis, Cruz Berenguer, Kaden Bravo, Quinn Brown, Jackson Butler, Cordial Miller, Michael Curran, Dallen Davis, Rylan Davis, Grant Dhondt, Trevor Easterbrook, Hunter Easterly, Laurbong Gai, Michael Gately, Austin Gillespie, Hunter Gough, Cartur Gray, Dax Haney, Mason

Harris, John Charles Herrmann, Samuel Howells, David Hulverson, Lake Jacobs, Konnor Kaczka, Matthew Kaiser, Gage Killion, Samuel Knudson, Matthew Kobs, D. J. Larson, Dylan Mack, Jayden Madry, Josue Magana, Kaiser Mataele, Kekoa Mataele, Monroe May, Parker McPhail, Zachary Mecham, Chinonso Opara, Alfonso Preciado, Luke Prokopis, Mark Rippetoe, Alexander Saunders, Brennan Savage, Peyton Seim, Graham Skirucha, Colby Smith, Dawson Stiefel, Jesse Trujillo, Connor Turner, Caleb Walker, Sean Wolfe, Jackson Woolley and Trent Zaffino.

“This group of boys were very resilient and fought through much adversity to stay together when trying times came,” Colosimo said. “They never quit and played hard each and every game.” 

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Draper City Journal

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Walker stays as two new city council members arrive

By Jack Fabrizio | j.fabrizio@mycityjournals.com

Draper welcomes two new faces to City Council in Tasha Lowery and Mike Green (Draper City Website)

A

fter a long campaign, Draper will see one familiar face and two new ones after its most recent election. Troy Walker was elected for his second term as mayor, while newcomers Tasha Lowery and Mike Green, were added to the City Council.

Mayor Walker remains energized about continuing his term. “I am excited to serve as mayor for another term. I will continue to work to improve our quality of life and enhance our economic opportunities.”

The race for the mayorship was fairly close. As of Nov. 16, Walker captured 54 percent of the vote while challenger, Michele Weeks, earned 46 percent.

Walker noted how close the race was and understands it is an honor to serve. “We live in an amazing place. I love the city and it is an honor to serve as mayor”.

Draper also welcomed two new city council members.

Lowery, a long time Draper resident, has big plans for the city and will focus on the increasing congestion on the streets, red level air quality, and poorly planned homeless shelters.

Lowery was grateful to all those who came out to vote. “Thank you, Draper residents. My heart is filled with gratitude to each and every one of you who believed in me, who worked for this campaign effort, and who turned out to vote.”

Green appears ready to tackle many of Draper’s issues. As a proud veteran and small business owner, the new council man has dedicated his life to serving the public.

“I am honored to earn the support and trust of my fellow Draper residents. I will strive to be a good steward of the office, listen to all concerns, and make decisions most beneficial to

our community”.

The race was neck in neck. As of Nov. 16, the results were Tasha Lowery 28.90 percent, Mike Green 25.94 percent, and William Rap-

pleye barely losing with 25.19 percent William Rappleye leaves behind a long legacy after his four years as chairperson. 

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DeCember 2017 | page 15

Page 16 | December 2017

Draper City Journal

Welcome to Draper City!

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Police officer Community Service Detective Michael Todd

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Stephen Wisely (right) Recognised as outgoing chair

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Step2theU gives Alta High students edge in completing general education college coursework

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

130 Years

OF TRUST Taking Care of The first class of Alta High School students earning a general education certificate from the University of Utah will finish in the summer of 2018. (Brian McGill/Alta High School)

I

n his final year at Alta High, Nate Brown doesn’t know the word “senioritis.”

Brown is juggling five advanced placement classes in preparation for seven tests this year, he is a member of the school’s Academic Decathlon and Model United Nations teams, he just competed in the national fencing tournament this summer and was recently named the only National Merit Scholarship semifinalist at his school.

“I’m a pretty good test taker, so I got a PSAT study guide from the library and ran through those before taking the test last year,” he said.

Brown is one of 14 Canyons School District’s National Merit semifinalists who are competing against 16,000 other top high school students — fewer than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors — for $7,500 scholarships. Other local semifinalists include August Burton and Aaron Jackson, of Corner Canyon High; Daniel Ross, of Jordan High; Richard Abbott, Bryson Armstrong, Mohammed Khan, Chu Un Kim, Kara Komarnitsky, Madeline Martin, Joshua Raty, Alexander Sun and Vivek Vankayalapati, of Hillcrest High; and Joshua Brodbeck, of Brighton High.

With the results just recently released, Brown knew that much of the finalist standing relied upon his SAT score, which he took in early November.

“I feel pretty good about it,” he said, but the National Honor Society student and Alta’s Sterling Scholar in social studies doesn’t have time to focus on the outcome.

Not only is Brown a lead as the Tin Man in his first Alta High musical, “Wizard of Oz,” he is one of 36 Alta High School students who is taking part of the new early college pathway program, Step2theU, created by Alta High Principal Brian McGill.

“It’s an awesome thing. We’re reaping the benefits of getting our generals done before we are even college students. This along with AP classes will really help me out in college,” Brown said, adding that he would like to study aerospace engineering and law.

Brown and his classmates spent nine weeks this past summer cracking the books in their desire to earn general education coursework at the University of Utah. He said together the class made a mural for art credit, gave five-minute speeches for their communication class final, interviewed leaders and wrote 10-page papers for humanities and wrote and analyzed several speeches for a writing class.

“Through taking general education classes in the summer between their junior and senior year, then college math during their senior year and more classes the summer after their high school graduation, they can receive a general education certificate from the University of Utah,” McGill said.

University of Utah professors at the Sandy campus teach the program.

“It will save students about $13,000 to $15,000 in tuition and fees and be in class sizes with their peers of about 35 students instead of being in halls of hundreds of students,” he said. Students may enter the University of Utah as a junior and graduate in half the normal four-year time. “It’s unique in public schools. It’s taking a comprehensive traditional high school and offering an early college component.”

McGill, who before coming to Alta had been principal at the Academy of Math, Engineering and Science (AMES), said AMES is considered an early-college high school.

“The focus is directed at the transition to college and getting those students the first years of college while they are in high school,” he said. “While I wanted to be a traditional high school principal, I can see the value of that program. So I said if I ever became a principal at a traditional high school, I wanted to see the vision of a hybrid blend of early college and a comprehensive high school turn into a reality.”

McGill said it made sense to introduce the idea at Alta High since many students focus on advanced placement classes and concurrent enrollment and want to be academically challenged. They also are student leaders at their school and in their community.

“We didn’t just look at their academics — courses and gradepoint average — but also about their leadership and participation in activities,” he said, adding that financial need also was reviewed.

Students also wrote short essays about why they were interested in participating in the program and how they had to demonstrate resiliency and what they learned from the experience, McGill said.

Letters of recommendation also were reviewed.

Then, teams from both Alta High and the University of Utah reviewed the applicants for the selection of the first candidates in the program.

The cost to students, about $5 per semester hour, totals to $150 per semester. McGill said Canyons School District helps to subsidize the cost to pay for university professors’ salaries and other activities and field trips involved in the Step2theU program.

In addition, an Alta High graduate who currently is enrolled at the U serves as a mentor to help students with coursework and questions.

The first students through the program will complete their general education coursework summer of 2018. Currently, they are enrolled in a college-level mathematics class — trigonometry, algebra, statistics or qualitative analysis — this fall.

This February, a second tier of Alta High students can apply to the program.

“We have mature, highly motivated, academically astute students who have completed the summer block and are committed to success. This partnership is just giving them an option to be successful in their education,” McGill said. 

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page 18 | DeCember 2017

Draper City Journal

The Great Toy Hunt

by

JOANI TAYLOR

For as long as there has been Christmas Hype there have been hard to get toys. And, with those toys come parents and grandparents willing to go to crazy lengths to get one for their child. Last year it was Hatchimals and this year new toys like Fingerlings and a Nintendo that looks like something from then ‘80’s have already gone missing and pop up with over inflated prices from toy scalpers on eBay and Amazon. It’s become an American tradition.

Ninja Turtle Super Shredder toy was my most memorable toy hunt. Some of you probably remember getting one or wanting one. It was sometime around 1985. I remember spending hours hunting, calling and searching for this silly $6 dollar toy. And I was finally able to snag one after stalking ToysRUs employees, showing up at the store before the doors opened, racing to dig through a box of newly arrived Turtles to get one of the 4 that came in a case. Keep in mind; the Internet did not exist for common folk at this time.

Yep, I got caught up in the hype and thought, my kid must prevail, determined for him to have bragging rights of being the owner of this prestigious toy. I got that little rush when I brought my treasure home and carefully hide the sack on the top shelf of the closet. To this day, Super Shredder still has a home among the dust in my attic.

Now let me remind you, we raised our family in a very financially insecure time. In my short 30 something years of marriage, we have been through job loss, near bankruptcy and the heartache of having to give up our dream home due to financial struggles. These are the times I learned creative ways to save, avoid spending and the priceless value of having a partner to lean on.

We sacrificed marital time as I went to work nights not my best idea. Dented cans and refrozen food from the Rainbow Market and out of date bakery items at the Hostess Bake Shop

were common dinner table items. I learned to clip those .10¢ coupons out of necessity, not because it was the popular thing to do.

Looking back on my Super Shredder hunt, I wonder if it wouldn’t have been better to give the gift of one of life’s most valuable lessons instead. After all, what better gift than to teach a child that we don’t always get what we want.

Have you gone to crazy lengths to find a Christmas toy or do you have a memory of toy you got or didn’t get as a child? Enjoy the hunt, but know that if you don’t prevail you are still giving a treasured gift to the child you love.

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DeCember 2017 | page 19

DraperJournal .Com

Laughter AND

by

PERI KINDER

Draper

E

very year on November 30, while my girls slept, I’d spend the evening putting up Christmas decorations. I’d place every Santa just so and every angel just right. My daughters would wake up to a magical Christmas wonderland with twinkling lights, cinnamon-scented pinecones and beautifully wrapped packages.

That was my dream. Reality was much different.

Oh, the house was decorated, and the girls were excited, but within five minutes the entire holiday-scape was destroyed.

My daughters would walk into the idyllic wonderland I’d created, squeal with glee and run to their favorite Christmas decoration. One daughter immediately turned on the display that had Disney characters barking your favorite carols. If you haven’t heard “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” sung in “Woofs” by Pluto for 25 days in a row, you don’t know the real meaning of Christmas.

Another daughter ran to the Nativity scene where she helped Mother Mary run off with Frosty the Snowman, leaving Baby Jesus in the care of a 6-foot polar bear wearing a holiday scarf.

Yet another daughter took the ornamental French horn off the wall and marched through the house trumpeting Jingle Bells. Not to be outdone, her little sister used the tree skirt as a cloak and pretended to be the Queen of Christmas,

which caused several fistfights in front of the holy manger.

When the girls went off to school each day, I’d put all the decorations back in their traditionally ordained locations. I found Ken and Barbie naked in a Christmas stocking. I discovered one of the Wise Men snuggled with an angel behind an advent calendar. I glued the shepherds’ crooks back on because the girls would have them fight ninja-style and kept breaking them off.

I found the singing Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer shoved into a pile of laundry. Oh, wait. I’d put that there. Because it never shut up.

The girls would come home from school and spend the rest of the evening rearranging the decorations while I radiated anger.

“Leave the damn tree alone!” I’d repeat 40 times a day.

“But someone moved my ornament from its special place.” (Insert the sound of Christmas decorations falling off the tree.)

When I found the Christmas pillow I had painstakingly cross-stitched had been used to wipe up a Kool-Aid spill, I finally lost it. I was exhausted from trying to redecorate the house every day to keep everything looking perfect.

I screeched, in a very unholiday voice, “Put the Baby Jesus back in the manger

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before I tell Santa to burn all your presents!”

Everyone froze.

The daughter who had wrapped Baby Jesus in layers of toilet paper to keep him warm looked at me, eyes brimming with tears. “I just wanted to hold him,” she said, as her lip quivered.

That’s when it hit me. I was the Grinch.

Why the hell was I ruining Christmas?

Why was I trying to keep everything perfect? To my daughters, it was already perfect. They loved the decorations and wanted to play with them for the short time they were displayed.

I took a few deep breaths. I apologized. I even agreed to sit through a Christmas play where the Wise Men kidnapped Jesus and held him for ransom, but a stuffed Santa Claus karate-kicked the Wise Men to rescue the holy babe who

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was given back to Mother Mary. (She had returned from her illicit rendezvous with Frosty in time to change the baby’s diaper and put him back in the manger.)

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Draper City Journal

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