See Inside... Screen Stars
How these volunteers create special moments for kids
Page 8
‘Zorro’ to ‘School of Rock’
Draper Arts Council announces its lineup
Page 17
Council approves controversial Bangerter Crossroads development despite traffic concerns
By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com
Despite rigorous opposition from neighbors over traffic concerns, Draper City Council approved the development near Bangerter Parkway and 13800 South.
Withcouncil chambers near capacity, the Draper City Council voted 3-0 to approve development of nearly 20 acres at the intersection of Bangerter Parkway and 13800 South, bordered by 150 East and 300 East. Councilmembers Kathryn Dahlin, Bryn Heather Johnson and Fred Lowry voted. Mike Green and Tasha Lowery were absent. Mayor Troy Walker is required to vote only if there is a tie.
“We have two missing councilmembers but we still have a quorum,” Walker said as the meeting commenced.
The Planning Commission forwarded positive recommendation on the development agreements in 4-1 votes at their March 26 meeting. Previously, the Planning Commission forwarded negative recommendations to the council on the rezone of the property, but
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the council voted to approve rezones from residential to regional commercial contingent on the development agreements.
The majority 17.88 acres are owned by Tom Lloyd and 1.44 acres are owned by the Openshaws, thus two development agreements were considered separately. When rezones for each property were previously considered, city officials said Lloyd and the Openshaws were involved in litigation with one another. “I know some concern is if we have an access agreement. We’ve become best friends with our neighbors and intend to execute that after this meeting,” Charlie Openshaw said.
Council chambers were packed with residents of the Brown Farm neighborhood because the development is directly across from them. More than 20 people spoke and nearly all expressed opposition. Walker lives in the Brown Farm neighborhood.
Though not confirmed by Draper City, councilmembers have said a Smith’s Marketplace is the planned “anchor tenant.” Lowery previously said the city is able to keep property taxes low because of sales tax revenue gen-
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erated by businesses and losing Smith’s would have a negative impact.
David York spoke in opposition to both development agreements. “The development agreement wasn’t made public until today and doesn’t contain binding commitments on enforceable standards. The developer failed to meet your conditions. For people who live next to this project…they will be…cut off from residential neighbors and subjected to constant noise and delivery trucks. Thirteen separate significant code exceptions are being granted to this developer and the city allegedly gets tax revenue but the neighbors will pay in decreasing property values.”
“There is connectivity and everything you decide affects the other. We have gotten together
Council chambers were near capacity for the public hearing on the Bangerter Crossroads development and the meeting went well past 10 p.m. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)
Together We Thrive
Public Open House
Date/Time: Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 2-4 p.m.
Location: Intermountain Alta View Hospital, Behavioral Health Center (Entrance B, building 4)
Join us as we celebrate the opening of our brand new, beautiful Behavioral Health Center, featuring new services for maternal mental health, crisis care, withdrawal management, and extended care. Enjoy refreshments and take a self-guided tour for a sneak peak before we open the doors to our community in June.
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COMMON GROUND
I can’t afford YOUR tax bill
Common Ground will be a column of rotating viewpoints that highlight specific feelings across the political spectrum, and it will always end with possible ways to come together.
Thousands of Utahns put down their phones from their doomscrolling and rage-baiting, to create vulgar poster boards and attend the No King rallies. Because Salt Lake City found it acceptable to shut down blocks of State Street, I watched the crowd waving their signs and chanting as they made their way to the State Capitol.
It was the weekend, and I wanted to be home. I had no desire to sit behind a police roadblock, watching people chanting and waving their signs. But I was working that day, or at least trying to work.
This was the end of a 60-hour work week for me, making sure we covered expenses and payroll for my business, trying to eke out just enough for me to get my bills covered. Then a question took over, a question that nearly every middle-aged, middle-income man finds themselves asking, “What am I doing here? Why am I working so hard?”
Could it be that I’m working so hard just to pay the bills of others?
Look at the facts. The national debt is $40 trillion. The Utah State Budget is over $31 billion. Salt Lake County increased property taxes by 14.65%, with a budget of over $2 billion.
How did we get here?
Let’s look close to home. Let’s start with Salt Lake County. We have a nine-member council, with five republicans, four democrats and a Democratic mayor.
Collectively (8-1), the council approved a $2 billion budget that significantly raised property taxes.
Earlier this year, Salt Lake County Council Members tried to cut the budget, proposing the shuttering of a county-operated senior center and child care facility. Then, all those who have had their hands out for
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John J. Walker Common Ground
years popped out of the cookie-jar, insisting they keep getting their subsidized child care or, in some instances, their jobs.
I watched the parents argue for continued services at below market rates, as if society and the taxpayers were somehow responsible for providing them with subsidized child care.
The same tiny violins were played throughout the legislative session earlier this year, with state legislators lined up to bring bills that would stick the Utah taxpayers with subsidizing or paying more money for child care, more money for property tax deferment/credits and more money for down payments for first-time home buyers, paying more money for Medicaid, more money for the homeless, more money for Title 1 schools, mental health treatments and food pantries.
Have we lost our conservative way of life here in Utah? Are we slowly drifting away from our base and sliding into the pit that California has become?
How much more can we afford? For me the answer is none.
Common Ground: In my late 20s, I asked a friend a question. What is the difference between a Republican and a Democrat? I will never forget his answer, “If you are a Republican in your 20s, you don’t have a heart; if you’re a Democrat in your 30s, you don’t have a brain.” At the time, it made sense; now that I’m in my 40s, it makes a whole lot less sense.
I like to think most of us have brains and hearts, all at the same time.
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Big expenses for the general population are best paid for by taxes, such as the military or highways. I am happy to pay my share of taxes to build roads and bridges. I surely don’t want to pay fees at a toll booth.
Sometimes having a monopoly makes sense. I guess the city could stop collecting trash and each home could pay a company to pick up the trash from their home. But I would imagine that would be less efficient and more expensive.
I’m curious to know what residents feel is the purpose of local, county and state government. I think most would agree on roads, bridges, trash pick-up, dumps, water infrastructure and more. But how do we really feel about child care, senior centers, golf courses, zoos, museums, and theaters?
My fear is that when the economy is prospering, we vote yes on these expenses, but now that cost of living has increased and people are struggling more, we are less likely to support these governmental expenses. l
From the Publisher:
Last month, the City Journals launched Common Ground. The column will tackle typically divisive political topics, with a focus to bring the community together. It’s our goal to help community members better understand how their neighbors feel.
We had a large response from readers. With over 100 emails, several mailed letters and phone calls, we consider month one a success. Peri submitted her opinion about local immigration legislation that was proposed during the 2026 legislative session. earlier this year. The responses were largely favorable for the Common Ground article, with both supporting and dissenting comments on Peri’s first
submission. Unfortunately, we had some readers who simply were not interested in hearing how their neighbors felt.
The general tone of the dissenting readers was that Peri did not distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants. One commenter wrote, “First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Kinder’s commentary never used the words illegal immigrants…But illegal immigration is the issue the Utah legislature is trying to address.”
Other dissenting views included the large amounts of tax money spent each year supporting and aiding illegal immigrants.
Those who supported Peri’s comments were appreciative of having their views represented, they also commented about how immigration is the “American Way,” a nation built by immigrants. From a workforce perspective, they said our economy needs immigrants and their willingness to take less desirable jobs at lower wages. Others supported immigration from the perspective that fertility rates in the United States are decreasing and our economy is essentially centered on population growth.
Where people did agree was that Congress needs to work together to create effective policies around immigration on a national level, and that those laws need to be consistently enforced and adhered to from administration to administration. One reader wrote, “This is the key to solving our immigration dilemma.”
Hopefully, this fall as we select candidates to represent Utah in Congress, we all remember that we need Congress to fix the immigration issue.
— Bryan Scott
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Lindsay Andreasen | lindsay.a@thecityjournals.com Rack locations are also available on our website.
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Copper Rock golf championship set for May 14-16
The road to the LPGA Tour begins with the Epson Tour, and again this month, 132 of the best female golfers on the planet will reconvene for the Copper Rock Championship May 14-16 in Hurricane, Utah. Golfers will compete for $250,000 in prize money and points in the season-long Epson Tour standings.
There were 15 players who gained LPGA status during last year’s Epson Tour season, and 13 of them finished in the top 30 at Copper Rock in 2025. Champion Gina Kim won twice on the Epson last season and is now playing on the LPGA Tour.
Exemptions this year went to four golfers:
Navy Hubbs is a junior at Salem Hills High School who has verbally committed to Boise State University. She started playing golf at the age of 12 and quickly developed a passion for the game. Since then, she has enjoyed competing in both local and national tournaments, gaining valuable experience and continually challenging herself against strong competition.
Hubbs is known for her calm presence on the course and the strong work ethic she brings to improving her game. She approaches competition with focus and determination while enjoying the process of learning and growing as a golfer and developing friendships with others on and off the course.
Maria Jose “MJ” Barragan is a standout collegiate golfer for Brigham Young University, known for her consistency, competitiveness and upward trajectory on the women’s golf scene. A native of Morelia, Mexico, Barragan has quickly become one of BYU’s most impactful players, combining sharp scoring with a calm mindset under pressure. She owns a career-low 18-hole score of 68 (4-under) and a lowest 54-hole score of 210 (−6), achieved at the 2024 Red Raider Invitational where she claimed her best finish with a victory. Barragan has also
Utah golf, recognized for her competitive excellence and advocacy for women’s golf. An inaugural member of the women’s golf team at Dixie State University (now Utah Tech), she was a two-time PacWest Conference Champion, Conference Player of the Year and an All-American.
She competed professionally on the Cactus Tour and is a seven-time Utah PGA Women’s Player of the Year (2019-25), a four-time Women’s Utah PGA Match Play Champion, and the 2025 Utah Section Assistant Professional of the Year. Her career includes numerous Utah Section victories, multiple top-10 finishes in both men’s and women’s events, and an overall championship at The Copper Club Open.
posted strong rounds in key events including the opening rounds of the 2025 San Diego State Classic and the 2025 Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, and she played a pivotal role in BYU’s 2025 USF Invitational win with a 72-73-69 (214) performance.
Off the course, Barragan is equally distinguished. She’s majoring in pre-business and has earned recognition for her academic achievements, being named to the 2025 CSC Academic All-District team. In amateur golf, she finished runner-up at the 2025 Women’s Mexico Amateur in a dramatic playoff and represented Mexico at the Pan American Games in Paraguay, showcasing her talent on the international stage.
Gabby Barker is a professional golfer known for her resilience, consistency and purpose-driven approach to the game.
A standout junior and collegiate competitor, Barker built her foundation through
years of high-level tournament play before turning professional and committing fully to the grind of tour golf. Since turning pro, Barker has competed across multiple professional circuits, including the Epson Tour and various mini tours, steadily gaining experience at the highest levels of women’s golf.
Her career has been shaped by perseverance, adaptability and a deep belief in long-term growth — both on and off the course. In addition to her competitive career, Barker is the first female Native American professional golfer, a milestone she carries with pride and responsibility. She uses her platform to inspire younger athletes, advocate for representation in golf, and share the realities of pursuing a professional sports career.
Haley Sturgeon is an accomplished golf professional and respected leader in
There are always so many things to enjoy during and around the Copper Rock Championship. On Tuesday, May 12, RAM Aerospace presents the 2026 RAM Women’s Business Luncheon. The theme is “Rising Together: Personal Growth and Professional Influence.” Keynote speaker is Stephanie Palmer, Director of Radio Sales for KSL NewsRadio, FM 100.3, The Arrow and the KSL Sports Zone. Whitney Harris, Director of People and Culture at RAM Aviation, will join in that discussion. The luncheon will run from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A free Junior Clinic will be held on Championship Saturday, May 16, at noon. Signups for the clinic and RSVP for the luncheon can be made at Copperrockchampionship.com. There will also be a free photo booth on Championship Saturday, and food trucks will be onsite including Corn Dog Company and Chicharos Tacos.
To get tickets to the tournament go to Copperrockchampionship.com and choose from General Admission, Club 17 or Copper Rock Club tickets, and the website details those options.
Copper Rock is located at 1567 W. Copper Rock Parkway in Hurricane. l
2025 Champion Gina Kim (Courtesy Copper Rock)
Young golfers can participate in a free Junior Clinic on Championship Saturday at noon.
Haley Sturgeon
Maria Jose “MJ” Barragan
Gabby Barker
Navy Hubbs
Utah Screen Stars make a difference one smile at a time
Utah Screen Stars portray pop culture heroes and icons for community, educational and charitable events.
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
For fans of all ages, meeting a favorite character from a movie franchise or book series is a memorable experience. Since 2018, members of Utah Screen Stars, a group of volunteers who portray characters from across the universe of popular culture have created those special moments for many. Dressed in movie-accurate costumes and makeup, the volunteers interact with young fans at charity galas, school and library events and concerts. They have also helped to make wishes come true for children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
When founder Mike Handy started the group, it was primarily focused on characters from Star Wars. In fact, the group’s first event took place on Star Wars Day, May 4, in 2018. “But then we wanted to branch out,” he said. Utah Screen Stars now also presents characters from Disney, Marvel, the Harry Potter series, Indiana Jones and more.
“It takes a lot of time, effort and money,” Handy said. “But we get our payback in smiles. The expressions of joy make it all worth it.”
Draper resident Glenn Berry first met Handy at a Star Wars costume contest years ago and has been a member of Utah Screen Stars almost from the beginning. He started out portraying a Sandtrooper from Star Wars but is now most often seen as the Mandalorian, complete with a life-sized Grogu. As a dad himself, Berry treasures the opportunity to create special memories for kids.
“It’s the equivalent of being at Disneyland,” he said. “When you’re in costume it can be very powerful. It’s like you’ve walked off the screen and shaken their hand. Their imagination has come to life.”
“I wanted to be a Disney Imagineer when I was growing up,” Handy said. A life-long Star Wars fan, he was inspired by
watching a fan-made film set in that galaxy far, far away to take up building and wearing his own Star Wars costumes in the late 1990s.
Handy had an inspirational moment one Halloween when he was greeting trick or treaters while dressed as a Stormtrooper. He was approached by the mother of a blind boy who loved the Star Wars movies but had only been able to listen to the music and dialogue. Handy let the boy feel his helmet and armor. “Suddenly he got this big grin on his face,” Handy remembered. “He said, ‘This is a Stormtrooper!’ I realized what the power of this was and how it could bring joy to kids and adults.”
A resident of Lehi, Handy has been acting in local theatrical productions for the past 11 years. He has ties to the Draper community as an actor and set builder for Draper Arts Council’s shows. For the past few seasons, he has also performed in Draper Philharmonic & Choral Society’s fall concerts celebrating the music of stage and screen as well as their Christmas concerts. Other members of Utah Screen Stars interact with audience members at those concerts offering photo opportunities at intermission with a variety of characters.
Utah Screen Stars currently has approximately 50 to 60 members who hail from communities across the Wasatch Front. “Over half of our volunteers have an acting background,” Handy said. “I’ve been recruiting a
lot of theater friends to join us. Many of our events aren’t that different from performing on stage. When we’re interacting with the public we stay in character at all times. We want to maintain the magic.”
Berry does not have a background in acting. “I have 35 years in the insurance business,” he said, but being in Utah Screen Stars is special to him. “My son was a Make-AWish recipient years ago. This is very close to my heart.”
“Last year, we did a big event with Make-A-Wish,” Handy said. “A young man, about 10 years old, wanted to create his own superhero.” The costumed members of Utah Screen Stars helped set the stage so that the boy could foil a “robbery” and rescue his grandma from “bad guys” at America First Field. “We had a whole bunch of superheroes there,” he recalled. “That was my very favorite experience.”
Berry also recalled powerful moments visiting with hospitalized children and families as the Mandalorian. “You’re wearing the helmet, trying to be this character, tears rolling down your face,” he said. “But you can bring joy and soften things just by being there and talking with them. It’s something magical.”
Among their many charitable activities, Utah Screen Stars has often worked with The Best Seat In the House, a Sandy-based charity that provides fun activities for underprivi-
leged children. They have visited families at Ronald McDonald House and interacted with guests at fundraising galas for a wide variety of causes.
While Utah Screen Stars usually focuses on charitable and community happenings, they occasionally participate in commercial events. “We have brought characters to the Utah Symphony when they do a movie in concert to pose for pictures with audience members,” Handy said. “We ask for donations to charity.”
The group also works on a smaller scale with local schools. By bringing characters from Harry Potter to life, Utah Screen Stars have added a special touch to school events. “A third-grade teacher, Mr. Bottita, at Legacy Elementary in American Fork goes all out every year to give his kids a Harry Potter experience with activities all day long,” Handy said. “We’ve been supporting him.” They performed similar roles at Hogwarts Night, a themed fundraiser and reading incentive event at Sage Hills Elementary School in Saratoga Springs.
Utah Screen Stars traveled to Springville Public Library for PopCon, which is similar to FanX but on a smaller scale. “We don’t consider ourselves cosplayers,” Handy said. “We act in character and go out into the community to make a difference.”
Building the costumes, especially the armor for Star Wars characters, is an involved process. “We work together, sand down the pieces, paint it and weather it,” Berry said. “Mike is a master at making props and building costumes.”
“We’ve got a great camaraderie in our group,” Handy said. “We help each other with our costumes, work together. People will spend money on a piece then give it to someone who needs it.”
This spring is looking to be a busy one for Utah Screen Stars, especially with a new movie in the Star Wars franchise coming out next month. Berry is looking forward to attending more events and creating more memories with fans. “It’s a great escape,” he said. “You can bring a little joy to people.”l
Members of Utah Screen Stars posed for a group photo at PopCon 2023 at the Springville Library. (Photo courtesy of Mike Handy/Utah Screen Stars)
as a neighborhood and met with everyone in city government we could, and the developer, and we have expressed concerns not just for Brown Farm but also adjacent neighborhoods. Draper City is concerned about raising property taxes...Draper City needs to…raise property taxes instead of making one neighborhood pay for it,” Christina Kesler Day said.
The development agreement includes several right-turn only ingress and egress points meaning traffic will largely be engineered to drive around the perimeter to enter and exit the development. “I find myself on a traffic island that’s going to be a traffic tornado. You’re creating a disaster…I would suggest you do a traffic study that’s not done by the developer. You’re going to find traffic is double (what studies paid for by the developer have indicated). We’ve had several people ask you to do a traffic study before you pass this,” Bob Clark said.
Rosemary Thomas said the meeting wasn’t properly noticed per city code because there wasn’t a sign along 300 East though there were signs on 13800 South and Bangerter. “At least one sign must be placed on every street the property touches…and the city must maintain the signs. The land use decision must be postponed until the city properly notifies residents,” Thomas said. City staff said a sign had been placed along 300 East and a photo was taken for proof, but staff wasn’t sure why that sign disappeared.
Much discussion centered around mitigating large delivery trucks on 300 East and camouflaging the development from surrounding neighborhoods with tall, mature trees to be planted at the project outset rather than small saplings. Residents want a Hawk signal installed on 300 East and suggested the street’s intersection with Stokes Avenue, to keep pedestrians including school children safe as they cross with increased traffic from the development. Other discussions centered around the size and height of commercial signs for the development, height and brightness of lights within the development, and the percentage of landscaping.
Matt Smith looked at previous traffic studies conducted in the area by two different companies and discovered what he described as
discrepancies in what was submitted to the city by Lloyd’s representative, Duaine Rasmussen. Smith is convinced traffic will be double what was presented to the city. Rasmussen admitted in the previous zoning change hearing the area already had near-failing traffic at times. Smith said, “What concerns me is the city council is voting before additional analysis you said would occur has happened. We shared deficiencies in the Hales Engineering (traffic) study… we requested a peer review…and Mike Barker (City Manager) said an independent peer review would be conducted, but you’re voting… before that happens. To me, approving a development agreement tonight is entirely out of sequence. Growth cannot come at the expense of sound analysis and public safety. This is not about being for or against development. Please complete the traffic study and independent review, then make a decision,” Smith said.
Lowry moved to approve the large development agreement with several conditions, including limiting truck access on 300 East, evaluation of a Hawk signal that, if necessary, the cost of which would be shared by the city and the developer, maximum lighting of 51-foot candles, and landscaping and fence totaling 8 ½ -feet tall as a buffer for nearby neighborhoods. Lowry wanted confirmation of an access agreement signed by both property owners, Openshaws and Lloyd, before the mayor signed the development agreement.
The day following the council’s vote, Draper’s Communications Director Linda Peterson said, “Our engineering division will require the traffic study. The party that will review it has not been determined yet.”
Monday, May 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Walker said, “Change is difficult, especially when you’ve lived in an area for a long time. Councilmembers met with residents and asked the developer to make as many concessions as possible. As mayor, you sit through meetings where neighborhoods are impacted. This time, it affects my neighborhood. That’s how it is. I appreciate the city council and the city staff’s effort to ensure that residents were heard and the time they spent working toward the best possible outcome.”
Rasmussen said construction for the anchor tenant will start fall 2027. l
Project engineer Troy Wolverton, Duaine Rasmussen and Tom Lloyd discuss their proposed development agreement before the council rendered a decision in favor of the project. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)
Proposed elementary mergers raise questions about neighborhoods’ future
Canyons officials cite declining enrollment, but residents say closures could reshape neighborhoods.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
OnMay 5, Canyons Board of Trustees may — or may not — make final decisions about possible merging of Granite Elementary with Quail Hollow Elementary and also, Park Lane Elementary with Willow Canyon Elementary. If approved, the consolidations would take effect in the 2027-28 school year.
Canyons School District officials say schools under consideration are experiencing both immediate and long-term enrollment declines, driven largely by Utah’s declining birth rates and rising housing costs.
The proposals have been met with concern.
At the March 19 public hearing at Park Lane, one parent said closing both Granite and Park Lane would create a “four-mile radius that wouldn’t have any school for the people here.” She added closing a school “prematurely would weaken our community.”
Another parent focused on the long-term neighborhood impact.
“An empty school sitting unused for five or more years sends a troubling message that makes our area appear as though it’s declining or struggling, and that perception matters,” she said. “It can discourage young families from moving into our neighborhood, which ultimately impacts the long-term health of our entire feeder system.”
Local real estate trends reinforce those concerns.
Realtor Bruce Cockrell, of Realtypath Central in Sandy, said housing prices in the Salt Lake metro area have “skyrocketed over the past six to eight years.”
“That increase in cost is not conducive to most young families being able to afford real estate in some areas,” he said. “Those families are being replaced with home buyers who are older and more established in their lives and careers and whose children may have aged out of the school system. I suspect that if the trend continues and there is less enrollment in schools and schools close, that will expedite that trend because if parents with children don’t have a school to attend or they see a declining school system, they will not want to relocate to that area.”
Cockrell added limited housing turnover also is a factor.
“Those who currently own homes who have either been in their home for a while or those who have interest rates on their current home that are significantly lower than the current rates have a hard time justifying making a move,” he said.
“There’s no growth around us and there’s no place to have any growth,” said Eastmont Principal Stacy Kurtzhals, who added an estimated 80% of Alta View Elementary students in Eastmont’s boundary instead attend Mt. Jordan Middle to continue in the dual immersion program, further compounding the low enrollment issue.
The pattern carries into Jordan High, which has the lowest enrollment among Canyons’ five comprehensive high schools. Shill said a boundary change 10 years ago contributed to the shift.
“What ended up hurting Jordan was when we did the boundary change in 2016; that’s when Alta (High) had the low numbers around 1,800 while Jordan and the other schools had about 2,200 at that point. So, we, the board, voted to take a section west of the freeway where it was being developed new houses, and put that to Alta. But that move, over time, ended up hurting Jordan,” she said. “Hindsight is 20/20.”
Another recurring concern is timing. Proposed east-central Sandy school rebuilds are slated for 2029 and many parents urged the board not to consolidate schools only to return students to their original campuses a few years later.
“The main message I got was, ‘if we’re going to rebuild, wait to close us.’ That’s what I wrote down, time and time again,” Shill said.
Parents expressed appreciation for revisions made since the 2025 proposal, particularly ensuring special education students could remain with neighborhood peers. The earlier plan, to consolidate Granite and Park Lane, was not approved, though the merger of Bella Vista and Ridgecrest, both in Cottonwood Heights, passed unanimously.
The March 19 meeting was one of two public hearings during the 90-day public input period the board began on Jan. 20, allowing families to review the updated proposals for Sandy’s east-central area. The other hearing, held March 10 at Granite, where residents also voiced concerns, including those who chose the neighborhood for its walkable schools.
“When we were looking around here, people said ‘there are no kids here,’ but since moving in this area in ’21 we have seen so many families move into this area and have looked forward to our son attending Granite,” said Shannon McNeily, whose parents have lived in the area since 2012. “We moved here so he could walk to school in a safe neighborhood. He’s excited when he sees school buses; we walk to see kids going to school and he knows the crossing guards. With the proposal to close the school, it will take the heartbeat out of the neighborhood.”
Although Sandy City is adding more housing, district officials say the new develop-
ments are not located within the Granite and Park Lane boundaries.
Canyons business administrator and CFO Leon Wilcox also pointed out: “We looked at that; we don’t get a whole lot of kids from high-density apartments. We get roughly six to eight for every 100 units.”
Additionally, the board is suggesting boundary adjustments to better balance enrollment, particularly in the Jordan High feeder system. Those proposals also have been met with questions.
“People say, ‘Why don’t you look at the middle schools and high schools?’ Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill said. “We are looking at that, especially for Eastmont (Middle School) and Jordan (High,) but that’s not where we’re having a problem. The problem is declining enrollment at elementary level, and that’s why we’re addressing that first.”
Enrollment challenges extend upward. Eastmont Middle has about 535 students, the district’s smallest middle school.
District leaders emphasize the issue goes beyond enrollment figures.
“Like many districts across the state, we’re trying to navigate that declining enrollment,” said McKay Robinson, current Canyons School District assistant superintendent who will take the top job July 1. “As I continue to look at that and think about it, I keep having to remind myself this isn’t simply just about numbers. It truly impacts our families and our communities and even the identity of our schools, so we have to be very mindful of that as we continue to look at the declining numbers. It’s unfortunate that our birth rate is as low as it is, as well as just the cost of living makes it hard for young families to build in our community, in our neighborhoods, but we’ll continue to try and look at that and remain in constant communication with our community members, listening to their feedback and looking at different options.”
Community members can continue to submit feedback comment and access updates at www.canyonsdistrict.org/boundarystudy. l
Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill addresses patrons during the public hearing on possible school closures and boundary changes held at Granite Elementary.
(Julie Slama/City Journals)
Joint Replacement
TA New Chapter for Pain-Free Living: Modern Joint Replacement at CommonSpirit
ired of nagging joint pain dictating your life?
The good news: joint replacement surgery has made significant advancements in recent years. Forget the daunting tales of long hospital stays and arduous recoveries. Surgery today is all about quicker recovery, less pain, and a faster return to the activities you love. This isn’t just about fixing a joint; it’s about reclaiming your freedom, and CommonSpirit is at the forefront of this transformation.
What’s driving this revolution? Minimally invasive techniques. Imagine surgery with smaller incisions and less disruption to your muscles and tissues. This “less is more” approach translates directly into less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, and significantly shorter hospital stays.
“Joint replacement surgery once meant a long, difficult recovery. Now, thanks to minimally invasive techniques, patients are getting back on their feet and regaining their independence far more quickly, significantly improving their quality of life,” said Michael Blatter, an orthopedic surgeon at Holy Cross Hospital – Davis.
This means you can get back to golfing, gardening, playing with grandkids with renewed vigor.
But the journey to rapid recovery begins even
before surgery. We believe in empowering our patients, and that’s why pre-operative education is a cornerstone of our approach. Our comprehensive classes walk you through every step, covering everything from physical therapy exercises and navigating stairs to home safety. We emphasize two crucial rules: no falls and no infections. Patients consistently tell us they feel better prepared and more confident heading into surgery, which dramatically improves their outcomes.
Our commitment to your well-being extends with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols. This isn’t just about the surgery itself; it’s a carefully coordinated care pathway. ERAS focuses on preparing your body for a smoother recovery through optimized nutrition, multimodal pain management that reduces reliance on opioids, and getting you up and moving just hours after surgery. It all works together to reduce complications, enhance your comfort, and get you home safely and sooner.
And speaking of cutting-edge, robot-assisted surgery has become a game-changer. While a surgeon is always in control, robotic systems provide unparalleled precision, allowing for less invasive procedures, greater accuracy in implant
placement, and ultimately, quicker recovery times. This advanced technology ensures your joint replacement is tailored with remarkable exactness.
“Many joint replacement procedures can now be done same day. And with our current techniques and technologies, we are able to facilitate a quicker recovery and healing process for joint replacement. Our patients are able to get back to the activities they enjoy more quickly. For many of our patients, joint replacement is a game changer,” said Dr. Kevin Sagers, an orthopedic surgeon at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley.
At CommonSpirit, we understand that living with joint pain can feel limiting. But with these modern advancements, the path to renewed mobility and a significantly improved quality of life is clearer and more accessible than ever. We’re dedicated to providing not just exceptional medical care, but a supportive and empowering experience that truly makes a difference. If you’re ready to explore how modern joint replacement can transform your life, we invite you to discover the CommonSpirit difference – where your rapid recovery is our priority.
For more information or to find a provider visit mountain.commonspirit.org
Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
When minutes
count, count on our emergency care. Get to know us before you need us.
When you need emergency care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. You never know the level of care you’ll need when an emergency happens and choosing the right ER can make all the difference. And a hospital ER comes with the confidence of additional services right on-site.
CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake has been awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria for evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
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Small business SECTION
a business in Salt Lake County? Your costs may depend on the city
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Ranging from $0 to more than $300 for a base license, business licensing fees differ across Salt Lake County.
For entrepreneurs looking to start a company in Salt Lake County, location can shape the cost of opening that business. Licensing fees vary drastically as cities determine costs and define regulations. Fees can fluctuate based on the type of business, number of employees, impact on city services and required inspections.
On one end of the scale is Riverton, which in 2018 became the first city in Utah to eliminate all business licensing fees. The move was orchestrated by the mayor at the time, Trent Staggs, who wanted to let companies know the city was open for business.
“He wanted Riverton to be a business-friendly community,” said Riverton Business Licensing Coordinator Angie Keller. “We’re also very user-friendly when it comes to getting a license. They click on our website and it guides them through the process. I don’t get many phone calls asking for help…I feel like Riverton has gone above and beyond, as far as pointing them in the right direction and giving them all the information they need.”
Draper’s base fee for a commercial license is $82, with additional fees for alcohol or firework sales, sexually-oriented businesses and solicitors. Murray charges $100 for a commercial license with regulatory fees on companies like auto towing, tobacco retailers, tattoo parlors and convalescent homes. Midvale has a base fee of $137 for commercial businesses with add-on charges for industries including bars, hotels, pawn shops and restaurants.
For companies in the county’s newly incorporated areas, including Kearns, Magna and Copperton, the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District administers those business licenses. The district charges a $150 base fee for commercial businesses and home-based locations that have customers coming to the home.
On the higher end of the scale, South Jordan charges $337 for a general business license application fee, with additional charges for hotels ($2,700), restaurants ($633), big box stores ($3,331) and entertainment/recreation facilities ($1,727).
Brian Preece serves as South Jordan’s Director of Planning and Economic Development. He said the city’s licensing fee structure wasn’t put together haphazardly, but was based on a feasibility study that determined the cost impact of specific businesses to the city. More fees are placed on businesses that have a higher volume of calls for police or fire services.
“We have a fire inspection for most businesses and that’s part of the [licensing] fees,” Preece said. “Even though Riverton doesn’t have a business licensing fee…it’s being paid for somewhere. The general fund is paying for it.”
South Jordan Public Information Officer Rachael Van Cleave added, “If we weren’t to charge these fees, taxpayer dollars would be subsidizing these costs for businesses. So the fees help to take that off the general taxpayer.”
For home-based businesses, Utah Code states that cities cannot charge a licensing fee unless the business impacts the neighborhood, such as having customers or an unusually high number
of home deliveries. However, several cities, including Taylorsville and South Salt Lake, charge administrative processing fees of $100 and $59, respectively, for home-based businesses.
Riverton requires every home-based business to have a license, but there is no fee. South Jordan does not require home-based businesses to have licenses unless they operate a daycare/preschool or if they have regular clients coming to the home.
“We made the decision to not charge for or even require a home license business,” Preece said. “If somebody wants one, then we’ll get you a license, but you have to go through the regular process, and that’s your choice.”
While getting a business license is certainly an important step in starting a business, it’s not the only step. Business owners need to make sure that the company is registered with the state and, if sales are involved, with the Utah State Tax Commission. Owners must ensure all licenses and inspections are complete before a business license can be issued. Most cities have license approval completed in two weeks or less.
The wide-ranging business licensing fees and processes across the county impact business owners and municipalities differently. For some entrepreneurs, that difference could be the deciding factor on where they ultimately locate their business.
Young entrepreneurs participate in ‘Shark Tank’-style competition
By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
Business students from Canyons and Jordan School Districts competed at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.
This year, the South Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Shark Tank”-style event for high school students took place in front of an actual shark tank. The competition between young entrepreneurs, modeled after the “Shark Tank” reality show on ABC, was held March 18 at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Students from Jordan and Canyons School Districts presented their ideas for new businesses before a panel of five judges. The winners received thousands of dollars in prize money.
“Really, there are no losers,” Chamber President and CEO Jay Francis said. He spoke of how the competition showcases the hard work, ingenuity and talent of the younger generation. “This is one of my favorite events,” he added. “You go home after this and think, ‘We’re going to be OK.’”
The South Valley Chamber of Commerce brings together entrepreneurs, small businesses and corporate leaders to foster a strong local economy. “As a chamber, we’re connecting the next generation to the local business community
through this event,” Francis said.
The Chamber initiated the competition about 10 years ago. “It’s about encouraging students to be business-minded,” he added. “This is our way of giving back.”
The judges were Sybrina Ely, President and CEO of Kenbry Capital; David Edmunds, owner of Salt Mine Productive Work Space; Jeanette Bennett, CEO and Executive Managing Director of Colliers International; Beth Colosimo, Salt Lake County Regional Development Director; and Heather Nash, general manager of Mountain View Village.
Eleven teams of local high school students, selected by the Chamber’s Small Business Committee, competed live at the event for $9,500 in prize money. Their presentations were judged on personal style, business effectiveness, timeliness and ingenuity.
The students’ ideas ranged from environmentally-friendly fashion designs to AI personal assistants to tools for rock climbing. Jayme Jensen, Vice President and Managing Director of the South Valley Chamber commented, “These young entrepreneurs are incredibly impressive, and it’s exciting to see the creativity and initia-
tive they bring to their businesses.”
All of the competitors take courses in business at either Canyons Technical Education Center (CTEC) or the Jordan Academy for Technology & Careers (JATC.) Alta High School and CTEC student Aiden Leon explained that his business concept evolved out of an assignment in his Business Leadership class. Leon pitched his idea for a guided planner and journal to help teens combat stress and burnout called “Burnout to Balance” and won second place in the competition.
First-place winners Abby Elmer and Kellyn Hovi from Herriman High School and JATC, named their proposed earring brand, “KIVI.” According to their pitch, KIVI pierced earrings would consist of hypoallergenic posts with interchangeable charms allowing customers to change their look while their ears are healing from the piercing.
“We just sat down and brainstormed ideas to solve everyday problems,” Elmer said. She and Hovi won the $5,000 grand prize. Both are members of DECA, a na-
tionwide organization that prepares high school students for leadership roles in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
“I’m super happy,” Hovi said. “Going into this, I didn’t expect it, but I’m so glad we were able to win. I learned a lot about presenting and business through this and met so many new people. I loved it.”
The third place winners were Cash Christensen, Kolton Candelaria and Ayson Christensen from Riverton, Herriman and Bingham high schools, respectively. The three students, who also attend JATC, pitched their concept for “Stashed,” a customizable financial planning app for teens.
The panel of judges praised all of the contestants. Ely had some words of advice. “We are so incredibly proud of all of you,” she said. “Don’t quit and keep innovating.”
“Business is an exciting place to be,” Bennett said. “There’s a lot out there to explore.”
High school students competing in the South Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Shark Tank”style event posed for a group photo at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium last March. (Katherine Weinstein/City Journals)
The winners of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Shark Tank”-style event posed for a group photo with the judges at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium last March. (Katherine Weinstein/City Journals)
More than a game: Where inclusion, not just winning, is the focus
Jordan High’s state championship highlights how unified sports brings students of all abilities together, on- and off-the-court
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Ina high school gym, the sounds are familiar — balls bouncing, high tops squeaking on the court and teammates cheering.
But unified basketball is not just a game; it’s a space where students of all abilities come together as teammates, playing together on the floor to build friendships, confidence and community through sports. The focus isn’t only on winning, it’s on inclusion, sportsmanship and connection.
At Jordan High, the spirit carried all the way to the biggest moment of the season, as the team beat Highland High in the state championship for their division at the Delta Center. The victory was exciting, but for the players, it meant more than a title.
Jordan High senior Alejandro Beltran Lopez plays with pride and purpose.
“I want to continue my dad’s legacy in playing sports,” he said. “He taught me a little and coach taught me more; Dad’s happy for me.”
Beltran Lopez said unified sports helped pave friendships with his teammates, from eating lunch together to watching the movie, “Elf.”
“We’ve had others at school support us too,” he said. “Unified soccer was fun; we wanted to beat Bingham at state championship (played at America First Field last fall), but it’s OK we lost because being a good sport means accepting defeat.”
His teammate, junior and peer tutor Sawyer Herzog, said unified sports extends beyond the court.
“I love this,” he said. “We’ve become friends and I probably wouldn’t have met him if not. We’ve become genuine friends. We hang out, doing puzzles, watching Switch TV, talking, I help with math and ELA (English Language Arts). My whole family loves him.”
At Alta High, senior and peer leadership team member Macey Rockwood sees unified sports as something bigger.
“The goal of PLT is to make the community better, so through unified sports, we
can support them,” she said. “Everyone deserves a community.”
Rockwood has refereed and ran the score table at unified tournaments and enjoys helping others succeed.
“It’s satisfying to help others have fun and have a sense of accomplishment,” she said.
For players like Corner Canyon sophomore Mia Lems, the competition still matters, but so does kindness.
“I like to take down the other team,” she said. “I’ve made friends with other teams too. I like to give them handshakes and clap and give high-fives for making good shots.”
Corner Canyon finished as state runners-up in their division at the state championship.
Lems’ teammate, senior Fisher Ghiz, didn’t realize how much unified basketball would change him.
“It has taught me patience; it has taught me how to make friends with those different than me,” Ghiz said. “I used to be shy, but they’re so social, I’ve become more outward. This is awesome. I want to keep playing in college.”
Across Utah, with more than 250 Utah high school unified teams, other players emphasize the game has given them friendship, growth and joy.
At Hunter High, senior Maelie Jorgensen loves “the good environment where everyone has fun playing and being to-
gether” while teammate sophomore Bentley Wright said the teammates’ friendships stretch into lunch tables and school dances. On the court, Wright, like Granger High’s freshman Jhanpeer Macha Dias, loves the celebration after a basket that comes with dance moves and cheers.
Hunter High also played at the state championships, beating Olympus High in its division. Skyline High also finished second at state in its division.
Murray High’s Parker May loves the game, especially shooting the ball, and playing with friends while teammate senior Hayden Gardner added he loves the confidence his teammates have gained over the season.
Murray High senior Ethan Teusher added: “There is simple joy in spending time together whether we’re playing basketball or a game of Uno.”
Nearby Copper Hills High finished second in its division at state while Herriman High won its division for the state title.
After West Jordan senior Robert West said he hoped his team would practice more early in the season, the Jaguars finished second at state in its division.
West Jordan senior Colton Reid refereed unified basketball last year, but he decided to participate this year.
“It’s the greatest thing and something I didn’t want to miss out on,” Reid said. “I’ve made some good friends and great memories playing unified basketball.” l
Corner Canyon brings up ball in a game against Hillcrest at the Canyons School District tournament in February. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
An Alta unified pair were selected to hold the torch during Canyons School District’s unified tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
After hitting a shot, a Corner Canyon High player waves to the crowd at the state championship game. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Draper archer will represent Team USA at the 2026 World Youth Pan American Archery Championships
Draper eighth-grader AnirudhKalyan
Pinjala will represent Team USA at the 2026 World Youth Pan American Archery Championships in Colombia this month.
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
resident AnirudhKalyan (Ani) Pinjala is getting closer to his Olympic dreams. The 13 year old officially qualified to represent Team USA at the 2026 World Youth Pan American Archery Championships in Colombia this month. The World Youth and Pan American Archery Championships serve as qualification pathways for the Olympic Games, focusing on preparing athletes for future elite competitions.
Ani is passionate about the sport. “I love how much dedication it takes and I like how much perseverance is needed to keep going,” he said.
As his mother, Kalyani, explained, Ani qualified for Team USA based on all of the events he has competed in over the years. Last February, he competed in the JOAD Indoor National Championship which was held at Easton Archery Center in Salt Lake City.
JOAD stands for Junior Olympic Archery Development and is a USA Archery program for youth ages 8 to 20. It teaches young archers correct shooting techniques and offers a path from beginner to competitive levels. Competitors build confidence, earn achievement awards and
may potentially advance to national or Olympic teams. In 2024, Ani was a Gold Medalist in the U14 U13 Division at the JOAD Indoor National Championship.
Ani discovered archery when he was 7 years old at the old Utah Archery Center in Sugar House. Kalyani recalled, “One Christmas we were walking around Sugar House and found a place where the whole family tried archery. And he really liked it!”
“I started with private lessons mixed with some group lessons,” Ani said. “I did archery at Datus in West Jordan, then Easton.” Kalyani remarked that there were many times over the years when Ani did not want to leave the archery center. “There have been times where he would say, ‘Just a few more hours!’” she said.
Kalyani explained that Ani is in the Olympic recurve archery division. Competitors in this division use a recurve bow which curves slightly away from the archer at the tips when strung. It allows for faster arrow speeds and is the only style of bow used in Olympic archery.
“I have two bows,” Ani said, noting that one is used for indoor competition and the other for outdoor. “The indoor bow is lighter weight.”
“I practice at least five or six days a week,” he said. “A minimum of two to three hours every day.”
Ani balances archery with school and other extracurriculars, which takes careful planning. “I have basically memorized somewhat of a schedule,” he said. “I know how long I have to
practice and how many arrows I can shoot within that time.” He shoots between 50 to 75 arrows during his practice sessions.
In addition to archery, Ani enjoys tennis, piano and robotics. “He does robotics with a group of friends,” Kalyani said. “He’s competed in international robotics competitions.”
He also maintains a 4.0 GPA at Wasatch Junior High School in Salt Lake City. “I’m doing 11th grade math at Skyline,” he said. Following
in his older sister’s footsteps, Ani plans to attend Hillcrest High School next fall for ninth grade.
The Pinjala family moved to Draper fairly recently. “We’ve been in Utah close to 30 years,” Kalyani said. “We lived in Sandy for 22 years.”
Ani’s parents have traveled with him to archery competitions around the country. “We’ve been to Iowa, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Arizona and California,” Ani said. His dad, Balaji Pinjala, does the driving. “Everywhere we go, we drive,” Kalyani said.
Ani enjoys the camaraderie at the competitions. “I compete against nearly the same people every time,” he said. “I enjoy hanging out with them.” He also mentioned how exciting it is to meet Olympic and professional “shooters” and take photos with them.
The 2026 World Youth Pan Am Archery Championships, which occurs May 22-29 in Medellín, Colombia, represents a big step for Ani. “It is a stepping stone,” Kalyani said. “The Olympics doesn’t have a youth division, but competing in Pan Am gives him some visibility on the world stage.” Ani will be one of just two competitors representing the United States in his particular category. He is looking forward to getting his Team USA T-shirt.
“I dream of being in the Olympics someday,” Ani said.
After Colombia there will be still more competitions as Ani must attend the qualifying events to retain his membership in Team USA.
“I dream of being in the Olympics someday,” Ani said.l
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AnirudhKalyan Pinjala was photographed at the 2024 Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) National Championship. (Photo courtesy of Balaji Pinjala)
Participants in Draper Arts Council’s 2025 Youth Musical Theater Workshop performed at Draper Amphitheater last July. (Photo courtesy of Tamara Stokes/Draper Arts Council)
From ‘School of Rock’ to ‘Zorro,’ Draper Arts Council’s 2026 season breaks new ground
Draper Arts Council announces its 2026 lineup.
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
This summer will be a season of firsts for Draper Arts Council. The world premiere of a new musical, live musical accompaniment to all shows and revamped lighting are among the new elements awaiting audiences in the 2026 season.
“We’re breaking new ground,” Thomas Sharkey, president of Draper Arts Council, said.
The season opens with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “School of Rock: The Musical.” Based on the 2003 movie, the musical tells the story of an out of work rock singer posing as a substitute teacher who transforms the students at an elite prep school into a rock and roll band. The show will be presented June 5 through 20.
“Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Anaïs Mitchell’s jazzy, folk-opera retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice opens July 31 and runs through Aug. 8. Adapted from the 2019 hit Broadway musical to be more age-appropriate, the show explores themes of love, faith and industry versus nature. Sharkey called it “uplifting.”
Erin Forchuk, producer of “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” explained how Draper Arts Council goes about selecting shows for the season. “The way we choose shows has kind of morphed over the years,” she said. “It used to be that we picked our season and then crossed our fingers and hoped we would have a director willing to work with us. Thankfully, we now have a ‘pool’ of directors that want to work with us and our beautiful venue.”
Currently, a producing member of the council works with a director to narrow down a list of shows that they would like to stage. Those choices are then presented to the other councilmembers for their feedback. “We discuss the content of the show and determine if it’s appropriate,” Sharkey explained. The council then votes on each production.
“Then we have to try and get licensing rights to the show,” Forchuk said. “If we get it,
then it’s a ‘go.’ If not, the process starts over. We can only seek licensing 18 months before opening night so it is a bit time constrained. We are already looking at potential shows for the 2027 season, even while we are in the throes of planning the current season.”
The third production of the season, “Zorro: A New Beginning!” was selected in a somewhat different way. East Coast-based playwright, composer and actor John D. Smitherman was seeking an outdoor theater with just the right setting for the world premiere of his musical. As “Zorro” is set in Spanish-era California, he envisioned a rocky, western landscape. Draper Amphitheater fit the bill.
“Zorro: A New Beginning!” has a plot filled with swashbuckling swordplay, romance and comedy set to a score that blends a classic Broadway sound with Spanish style. It will be presented Sept. 11, 12 and 14. “This will be a first for us, an original, world premiere musical,” Sharkey said. “It’s also a personal first as I will be the producer.”
He noted some additional firsts for the 2026 season. “This summer, all of our shows are going to have live music accompaniment,” Sharkey said. “There will be no more tracks. ‘School of Rock’ features a rock band. Small orchestras will perform the scores for ‘Hadestown’ and ‘Zorro: A New Beginning!’
There have been some new upgrades to the performance space as well. “We are excited to be performing at the amphitheater which has new state-of-the art lights and a totally redone stage floor,” he added.
In addition to presenting three musicals, Draper Arts Council’s Youth Musical Theater Workshop will be held June 22 through July 2. Designed for kids age 6 through 14, the morning workshop allows kids to explore different aspects of the theater arts and build self-confidence. The program culminates in a free live performance on July 2 at Draper Amphitheater.
Auditions for “Zorro: A New Beginning!” will be held May 15 and 16. For more information about auditions and Draper Arts Council’s 2026 season, visit www.draperutah.gov/ events-programs/draper-arts-council.l
Huntington Learning Center Helps Students Succeed
Since 1977, Huntington Learning Center has helped students achieve academic success. Mandilyn Johansen operates the Draper location and assists any parents–especially those who have seen a decline in public education–who need help supporting their children academically.
“I am a success story of Huntington Learning Center,” Johansen said. “My siblings and I attended Huntington for ACT or SAT prep throughout our high school careers. I was able to raise my score and get into my dream college, the University of California San Diego, studying marine biology. My brothers got into the colleges they wanted or received scholarships. I wanted to help others reach their goals, so I came back to work here and now own it.” Johansen ended up graduating magna cum laude from the University of Utah with a double major in teaching and international relations.
The Huntington K-12 skill-building tutoring program begins with a comprehensive evaluation to gauge where each student needs assistance. Then, students receive a tailor-made plan to help them reach the appropriate grade level, or get ahead, in math, reading, writing and study skills.
“We ensure students have foundational skills to set them up for academic success and meet with parents regularly, so everything is transparent,” Johansen said. “We provide tutoring for most subjects, including math through college level, science, history, ELA, AP classes, etc.”
The test-prep program at Huntington offers training for the ACT, SAT, preACT or PSAT. It begins with an evaluation using a full-length ACT or SAT to provide a breakdown of the concepts that are missing. Then, instructors tailor the program to help students reach their goals.
For students working with the test-prep program, the average ACT score increase is six points, with an SAT score average increase of 229 points. Johansen said that can make the difference in getting into a dream college or earning a scholarship.
The individualized approach at Huntington is based on an original assessment that demonstrates the center’s commitment to its students. Instructors connect with schools and teachers, so what students learn corresponds to work in the classroom. The program also helps with homework and teaches kids study skills.
“If homework time is a dreaded part of the day or your child is bored in school and wants to get ahead, we take some of the burden off parents,” Johansen said. “Often, students hate school and lose motivation because it’s too difficult and they aren’t sure how they’ll catch up. We start students at a comfortable place to build confidence in their abilities.”
Students often enroll at Huntington after working with one of its competitors. Johansen said they don’t waste time on concepts students have already mastered, which is a common complaint she’s heard about some competitors. The K-12 students enrolled in the skill-building program move up an average of two grade levels in reading and math in three months.
“It’s good to get students in for tutoring as soon as you see the signs,” she said. “They start to lose confidence in their ability as school continues to get harder.”
Huntington works with students throughout the Salt Lake Valley and offers online tutoring for students who live further away. Tutoring can be done 100% virtual for any student, or hybrid programs can be created for students.
Huntington is accredited through the Middle States Association and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. They must undergo the same accreditation process as other schools and universities, meaning they meet or exceed established standards of educational quality. l
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Dreaming big starts early at Lone Peak Elementary
When Cosmo, Swoop and Willy excited the crowd at Lone Peak Elementary, students didn’t just see the mascots; they saw a glimpse of what their futures could hold.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
with college colors, logos and mascots, Lone Peak Elementary brought big energy — and even bigger ideas — to students during its annual College and Career Week, a PTA-led event inspiring future education and careers.
Throughout the week, students participated in themed dress-up days that encouraged them to think about their futures, such as “Dream Big Day,” where students wore pajamas to school or “Taking Steps to the Future” crazy socks day. There was a college gear day and a career day where students dressed as what they hoped to become when they grew up.
The week also included a district-coordinated career day, which brought adult volunteers from the community into classrooms to talk about their professions.
“Our whole purpose in College and Career Week is to get the kids excited about going to college and be aware of all the options Utah
has,” said Julie Randall, PTA College Week volunteer who has coordinated the event for three years. “We have so many colleges and universities in our state, some that kids have never heard of.”
The school campus transformed into a colorful college showcase where the hallways, library, gymnasium, cafeteria and other spaces were decorated to represent universities across Utah. Balloons, banners and logos helped students become familiar with school names and colors.
One popular lunchtime activity invited students to place stickers on a chart where they may attend college and also, their possible major. Rather than tracking the most popular schools, Randall focused on students’ interests. This year, languages topped the list, fitting for the Chinese dual immersion school. Other top choices included entertainment and performing arts, architecture, engineering and computer game design.
“It was fun to see them be a bit more thoughtful about it this year and think about what they want to study and where they could go for that,” Randall said.
Teachers and staff joined in by sharing their own educational backgrounds, which brought in some out-of-state and out-of-country university awareness. Pennants of many colleges and universities outside of Utah lined the school hallways as well.
The highlight for many students was the mascot assembly, welcoming Cosmo from Brigham Young University, Swoop from the University of Utah and Willy from Utah Valley University.
Students learned a little about each mascot: Cosmo, who learns about leadership, knowledge, faith and service as well as about “jumping through rings of fire, skydiving and making every moment more fun;” Swoop staying active, with outdoor recreation activities such as biking and walking and joining the MUSS (student fan club) during the third down jump at football games; and Willy, who meets students across the campus and learns new things every day.
Then, the mascots participated in interactive games like charades with students where they acted out how they stay healthy — such as drinking water and lifting weights — to what they like to learn — math, reading and writing. Then, the mascots performed tricks and stunts, which was a favorite with the students.
A third grader said her favorite thing was watching Cosmo do a back flip and spin on his head while a fifth grader said she cheered on Swoop and may want to go to the U of U, following her dad’s footsteps.
On the way out of the assembly, the mascots gave students high-fives and posed for grade-level photos, providing students with a lasting memory.
“The mascots are so good with the students; (we) make it collegial between the schools and the mascots are always friendly with each other while they’re here. I love the kids get to see that,” Randall said. “The kids are excited for this; we want our students to look forward and expect they’ll be a part of college when they’re that age.” l
Lone Peak Elementary students reached out for a high-five from Brigham Young University’s mascot Cosmo at an assembly during the school’s College and Career Week. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Borg)
Crescent View Middle sale to fund district’s innovation center, preserve community use
Life Skills Academy remains temporarily as school district leaders determine permanent move.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Apossible
sale of the former Crescent View
Middle School to Sandy City is moving forward, with both city and Canyons School District leaders saying the site’s future will be a community asset.
Crescent View ceased normal operation when Draper Park Middle opened in 2013, and since then, the site has been used intermittently for temporary student relocation during school rebuilds and renovations. Since 2024, it has been home to the district’s Life Skills Academy.
Canyons Board of Education unanimously approved a purchase-and-sales agreement to sell the 17.8-acre property at 11150 S. 300 East, adjacent to Crescent Park, for $17 million. The deal includes $100,000 in earnest money, a nine-month due-diligence period and a leaseback that would allow LSA to remain in the building through next school year.
While the agreement is in place, the sale is not yet final.
“Sandy City will have a nine-month due diligence period where they can inspect the property to make sure it fits in with their
long-range goals,” said Leon Wilcox, Canyons business administrator and CFO.
The city has until early December to complete that process, with closing about three months later, he said.
Sandy City has indicated it intends to keep the property for civic use, though specific plans are still taking shape.
“There’s a lot of potential there,” Sandy City Mayor Monica Zoltanski said. “Right now, it’s in the early phases where we’re assembling ideas.”
Canyons received interest from private developers, but it ultimately supported Sandy City’s proposal in part because of its community-focused vision.
“They want it to stay an asset for the community and that’s what we, as a board prefer, it’s the best-case scenario,” said Amber Shill, Canyons Board of Education president.
Wilcox added: “We received bids from a couple developers, but Sandy City agreed to match the highest offer we received.”
The sale will provide the school district an opportunity to reinvest in other projects, including renovations tied to the district’s new innovation center, which is set to open August 2027.
“We bought our innovation center building, but now we got to do the renovations inside the building to convert it into a school. That’s where the money will go,” Wilcox said.
Forty-year-old Crescent Middle recently now is serving as home to Life Skills Academy, but the program could move with the sale of the property. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
He said the sale is a decision is not just financial, but also practical.
The Crescent View building was used in recent years as a temporary space during school rebuilds and renovations, including Mt. Jordan Middle, Midvale Middle, Eastmont Middle, Peruvian Park and Edgemont elementaries. Additionally, the campus has been used for youth basketball and soccer programs.
“We have rebuilt or are remodeling every one of our eight middle schools, and we have plenty of capacity, so we don’t see ever needing the Crescent View building,” Wilcox said. “We think we’ll probably have some vacant elementary schools that we can put kids in temporarily with any additional rebuilds. Crescent View was built for about 1,400 mid-
dle school kids, so it’s hard to justify that for 70 kids for LSA, when there are other spaces for them.”
The agreement is structured to provide stability for LSA post-high school students with differing abilities until district leaders determine a permanent new home.
“We have agreed to rent back the building until the end of June 2027, so they’ll be there all next year,” Wilcox said.
District leaders are exploring potential sites that would support LSA’s program focus on life and job skills, including looking at nearby businesses for internships and public transportation. Wilcox said coordination with UTA and district transportation will be considered with the decision.
Accessibility is key, said LSA Principal Stacey Nofsinger.
“The new location needs to be accessible, that needs to be at the top of the list,” she said. “We’re preparing our students for independent living and having transportation to help them with pre-job readiness will help prepare them for life after school.”
A possible option that has been discussed is relocating LSA to Cottonwood Heights’ Bella Vista Elementary, which will cease operation at the end of this school year. While no final decision has been made, Shill said the board is keeping the students’ needs at the center of the discussion.l
Albion girls win third straight title in ‘Real March Madness’
Teams celebrate friendship and school pride while competing in school district intramural basketball tournament.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Teammates rushed together in a swirl of hugs as Albion A’s eighth-grade girls claimed Canyons School District’s middle school intramural 3-on-3 basketball championship, capping their middle school careers with a third straight title.
Parents and friends cheered and rushed the court to snap photos of the team with a Hulk-style trophy – one hand gripping the rim and the other palming a basketball – capturing the energy of “The Real March Madness.”
The team said their final run was as much about friendship as continuity in winning.
“We all decided to play together; we play together on the comp team, Brighton Bengals Bantam, outside of school so this is our chance to play together for our school,” eighth-grader Lily Pohlman said.
Her teammate, Jane Kasteler, added: “We want to represent Albion; it’s been a fun three years playing for our school.”
Albion eighth-grade girls team won Canyons School District basketball titles each year in middle school. (Julie Slama/City Journals
While playing together has translated into strong on-court chemistry, Lexi Frye and her teammates were quick to credit the adults who coached them.
“Our coaches are supportive,” player Hana Alger said. “They’re always here, wanting the best for us.”
Teammate Harper Misik added: “Our coaches taught us different plays and helped us in practice; they make us better.”
Those coaches include Brooke Harris, Dante Ross, Cory Christianson and “coach Ragdun.”
Even though the girls were excited to capture the title, Lily said it wasn’t the highlight.
“The best part definitely is getting to
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know each other better. We met in sixth grade, but now we’re not just teammates, we’re good friends,” she said.
Harris, who has coached intramurals for nine years, said making those connections is the heart of the program.
“It’s great to get the kids out, meeting each other and creating the best memories,” she said. “3-on-3 doesn’t take a lot of time as an extracurricular with practicing only once per week, but they’re active, they’re bonding with each other and they’re having fun in the competition.”
This is the second time Harris had the same team win a title in every grade.
The championship also earned the Albion eight-graders a bonus reward. Principal Eric Gardner promised them root beer floats if they won their third title.
In the eighth-grade division, second place went to Indian Hills A, followed by Mt. Jordan A in third and Eastmont A in fourth.
In sixth-grade girls play, Draper Park A took first, with Albion B in second; Eastmont third; and Mt. Jordan, fourth. The seventh-grade girls bracket was won by Draper Park A, followed by Draper Park B, Midvale and Butler.
A memorable moment came during the sixth-grade boys tournament.
“Both the first- and second-place game and the third- and fourth-place game where tied when the games ended so it went into sudden victory free throws,” said intramurals coordinator Taylor Hansen. “The first- and second-place game had to go four players deep until a basket was made and the third- and fourth-place game, three players deep.”
That resulted in Eastmont beating out Mt. Jordan for the championship and Draper Park claiming third place over Albion.
In boys seventh grade, Butler B won, followed by Draper Park B, Butler A and Mt. Jordan A. The eighth-grade boys bracket was won by Butler A, followed by Butler B, Albion and Draper Park B. l
Whenastronaut Neil Armstrong took those first steps on the moon, I had just celebrated my first birthday. I don’t remember either event, but the entire world held its breath as it watched Apollo 11 land, while I shoved my hands into a birthday cake.
That moon mission used less technology than your bathroom scale. It was basically human calculations, a slide rule and a Rand McNally paper map that guided those astronauts on the first lunar road trip.
We were told that space was the final frontier; space was the future. We learned that, like age and teenagers, space isn’t forgiving.
As a Murray High School senior, my home ec advisor wheeled a TV into the classroom to watch the Space Shuttle Challenger carry the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, into space. We were speechless when the shuttle blew up at 46,000 feet. In February 2003, I watched the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster unfold as the spacecraft disintegrated on re-entry.
To say I was apprehensive watching the Artemis II mission launch to the moon would be an astronomical understatement.
On April 1, NASA perched the Orion space capsule atop a 300-foot rocket, one of the most powerful ever built. It launched a team of four astronauts 250,000 miles away from Earth, the farthest humans have ever traveled, discounting alien abductions, of course.
Unlike the catapulted station wagon that
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
Copy, Moon Joy
somehow got us to the moon during Apollo missions, Orion uses autonomous navigation and extreme precision, carrying astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time in more than 50 years, traveling at speeds up to 25,000 mph.
It was the 10th manned moon exploration, or for conspiracy theorists, the 10th “faked” moon mission. The entire adventure was livestreamed so we could travel together.
Space exploration is equal parts wonder, technology and angst. During the 10-day moon trip, I endured galactic levels of anxiety. Launch sent my blood pressure soaring. My jaw clenched while they circled the moon on April 6, and my internal organs somersaulted during splashdown on April 10.
I was hyperaware that dreams explode and rockets fall apart.
Apollo missions were built on bravery, and America was racing to beat Russians to the moon. Now, Artemis is an international collaboration, one that should remind us we only sur-
vive this wild ride by working together.
In Greek mythology, Artemis is Apollo’s twin sister and goddess of the moon. It is an apt comparison: while the first moon missions had bro energy, the Artemis program continues the story in a wiser, more thoughtful way.
Women play key roles in the Artemis program. Besides the first female to fly on a moon mission, there are female science officers, mission leads and launch directors. In fact, for the first time in NASA’s history, the current astronaut class has more women than men.
If I could do math while enduring crushing g-forces and the stomach-dropping sensation of freefall, I would definitely have been in the space program. Instead, I appreciate the life of an astronaut from the comfort of my recliner.
Apollo gave us “One giant leap,” Challenger dropped us to our knees and Artemis refocused our gaze. These missions remind us to look to the stars, but also look to our beautiful, blue planet. We only have each other. We should start acting like it.
As I approach my next birthday, one I hope I remember, I raise a glass to the dreamers, the heroes, to the brilliant engineers in mission control and the fearless astronauts who explore new paths. It reminds us that even when the story goes wrong, we need to keep looking up.
Peri Kinder is an award-winning columnist and journalist who has written for The City Journals since 2004. She can be reached at peri.k@thecityjournals.com
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