Draper Journal | March 2023

DRAPER DRUMMING PRODIGY ACCEPTED INTO PRESTIGIOUS HARVARD-BERKLEE PROGRAM

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

When Sofia Detjen began drumming along to her favorite Taylor Swift songs at the age of 5, her parents had little idea that it would lead to a lifelong passion and potential career. Now a senior at Lone Peak High School, the Draper resident will move to Cambridge, Massachusetts next fall to begin a highly-selective dual degree program at Harvard University and Berklee College of Music.

Sofia is one of approximately 10 students worldwide to be offered admission into the program. It is geared toward exceptional musicians and scholars who are interested in pursuing artistic careers along with a solid liberal arts education.

Her talent on the drums became apparent at an early age. “She was in first grade and entered a competition for the Percussive Arts Society of Utah held at Juan Diego High School,” explained her mother, Reina Detjen. “Sofia did a snare drum solo and practiced so hard. She won first place against all these middle-schoolers. We thought, ‘There’s something really here.’”

At first, Sofia took drumming lessons with a local teacher, Jeremy Brown, before going on to study with Jay Lawrence, an associate professor at Brigham Young University who also performs and composes. By eighth grade, Sofia was performing at a college level. “Knowing other drummers pushed me to get better and better,” she said.

She also started playing drums at Caleb Chapman’s Sound House in American Fork, which allows talented young musicians to gain experience playing in a band outside of school. In

Sofia Detjen of Draper plays a drum solo as part of Caleb Chapman’s Crescent Super Band. (Photo courtesy of the Detjen family)

“Dozens of doctors told me that there was nothing more that they could do to expect to be in a wheel chair. I went from the top 1% in the army Special Forces to being in so much pain that I could not tie my shoe or hold my new daughter. I did physical therapy and pain killers for years, but nothing worked. Finally, I went to Dr. Smith and I improved exactly as he told me I would. I couldn’t believe it! My wife cried, “I have my husband back.”

—Steve M., Army Special Forces

D.C. CSCS Chiropractic Physician

Corner Canyon High students’ actions help childhood cancer patients, families

Corn hole, badminton, chess, Mario Kart, Game Pigeon, pingpong, Smash Bros. and other tournaments were held on Corner Canyon High School’s campus leading up to the Chargers’ December assembly, where students announced they had raised more than $64,600 for NixonStrong Foundation.

NixonStrong is a nonprofit foundation that financially supports families of children with cancer and is based in South Jordan.

“We do everything possible that we can to raise as much for the charity the students choose,” said Case Spaulding, one of the student body officers’ three advisers. “We go all in and involve the whole school.”

While about 30 student leaders may plan and organize some events, but often times, other clubs and teams hold activities as well and contribute additional proceeds to the fundraiser, he said.

For example, clubs, such as the drama club holds the “Broadway Backwards” show where students perform songs that are atypical, and classes, such as foods and choir, often do activities to contribute.

Many students participate in asking neighbors if they have odd jobs and after completing them, the neighbors donate money toward NixonStrong.

“It’s our biggest moneymaker and often, people may not have a job, but they will just donate,” Spaulding said. “With this fundraiser, I like that kids can help others and give to others. A lot of times kids just see their own world and not see others around them. It’s a good lesson for them to say, ‘let’s do something nice for other people’ and to look outside of themselves to help others who are less fortunate.”

Student body officers’ adviser Jana White said students knock on neighbors’ doors in groups.

“Our student leaders get bunches of students, some in clubs or teams, some who just show up and want to help, and we know if our

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By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

kids don’t have money, they can give time,” she said. “In the end, these kids get to know each other better and often, those are the kids you see really invested and excited for how much money was raised because they bought in and feel good about doing something for somebody else.”

Spaulding said that most everyone at Corner Canyon participates in some way.

“Pretty close to the whole school gets involved one way or another. We hold a dance and 100% of the proceeds from that dance go to the charity,” he said. “Dancing with the Chargers is big, too. Some of the girls on Dance Company pick athletes and they teach them a dance. We did a virtual this year so that the students could share their videos with people.”

There was also a paint night, a trivia night and a charity auction that involved many in the Charger community.

Staff and faculty supported the fundraiser. One teacher sold hot chocolate in the mornings and funds went to NixonStrong. Cinnamon rolls are another morning favorite with proceeds earmarked for the fundraiser.

Local businesses also step up and support the fundraiser, donating portions of their proceeds from spirit nights.

The fundraiser was kicked off with an assembly, where students could donate loose change and support different activities. There was a buy-out assembly, where students could purchase tickets for a mentalist, and those sales were for the fundraiser.

“It’s one of our bigger events. The kids are able to buy tickets to attend a show and get excused from their first period class of that day. They like watching him do mind tricks on people,” Spaulding said. “Dodgeball is another big one and the student team that beats the others plays the teachers. Usually the teachers win, but this year, it was the students. There’s also a three-on-three student versus faculty basketball game and it

was evenly matched.”

The tradition of holding a winter fundraiser began when Corner Canyon opened 10 years ago. Students chose to help Head Start preschool program and raised $10,000 and White said they “were ecstatic.” The next year, they raised about $50,000 for Primary Children’s Hospital. Through the years, students helped Tyler Robinson Foundation, Make-A-Wish, the Refugee and Immigrant Center Asian Association of Utah and others.

“We get quite a few requests, but the students decide which one in May and start planning for it then,” White said. “We try and pick ones that have the least amount of overhead and that directly affect our community. The kids get into it when they can see a recipient; it makes a big difference. They put in a lot of work, planning and sacrificing to help and at the same time, keep their grades up and their schedules up. They do all this hard work usually for people they don’t even know, but they can see the difference they can make for somebody. They’re so happy at what they’re able to give, they have tears of joy at the end.”

Spaulding said that through NixonStrong, Corner Canyon students helped several families, including one that lives in Draper, whose kids attend the same high school.

“We liked that we’re helping locally, and that 100% of the proceeds go directly to the families who are being affected by whatever illness the child in that family might have,” he said. “We’re grateful for our community wanting to support us as we’re trying to help them.”

In addition to their annual winter fundraiser, student leaders also perform service at Tiny Tim Foundation for Kids, a nonprofit that has made toy wooden cars for more than 20 years, sharing them with 1 million children worldwide.

“We start our year helping them, painting faces on the cars and helping get them ready to send to children all over the world,” Spaulding said.

That is followed by hosting a Veterans Day dinner for local veterans and inviting them to a Charger football game. l

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Corner Canyon High students raised funds to help for NixonStrong Foundation that supports families of children with cancer. (Photo courtesy of Corner Canyon High)

2020, Sofia became rhythm section leader of Caleb Chapman’s Crescent Super Band, a renowned 20-piece jazz orchestra. She is the first female drummer in the 23 year history of the band and has toured North America to perform. This summer, Sofia will travel to France, Italy and Switzerland with the Crescent Super Band to headline at three of the world’s top jazz festivals.

The Sound House invites well-known artists to do clinics with students. Sofia has had the opportunity to learn from a variety of award-winning jazz and rock musicians including members of Journey, The Killers, the Saturday Night Live Band, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and many others.

“Recently I’ve had the opportunity to play with Steve Smith from Journey,” Sofia said. “It was so cool to play with him! When you’re playing with a professional, it makes you professional.”

She counts jazz drummers Max Roach and Dave Weckl among her favorite musicians. “I love playing jazz,” Sofia explained. “It has a tradition of its own, but it gives you a lot of freedom.”

Jim Detjen, Sofia’s dad, commented that her skills as a jazz drummer gave her an edge when she auditioned for Berklee College of Music. “If you’re a rock drummer, it can be hard to play other genres,”

he said. “But if you play jazz you can play other genres.”

Sofia’s leadership in academics and athletics also made her a strong candidate for the dual degree program. She is a National AP Scholar with Distinction and was a 2023 Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholar finalist. She received the Deseret News/UHSAA Academic All-State Award for 6A girls cross country.

When Sofia completes the Harvard-Berklee dual degree program, she will earn a bachelor of arts at Harvard and a master of music or master of arts at Berklee. Like many incoming freshmen, she hasn’t quite decided on which undergraduate major to pursue.

Her dream career would be to tour the world as part of a band. “My ultimate dream would be to tour with Taylor Swift,” she said with a smile.

“The drums and bass are the backbone of a band,” Sofia said. “We’re the metronome, we’re really the glue. This is one reason why I love the drums so much. I like to be deliberate in what I do.” She practices every day. “During vacations from school is when I can really shred in the practice room,” Sofia added.

Balancing music with school, friends and family requires discipline. Sofia is usually up at 5 a.m. to work out with her mom. “I also prioritize time with my friends,” she said. “I’m a pretty social per-

Beware illegal animal traps that could injure humans or pets

By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com

Since the city’s December warning that animal traps were found in two city parks, no more traps have been reported and police have not identified who put them out. Lieutenant Pat Evans said the traps were found in Mehraban Wetlands Park and the Jordan River Park trail by members of the community. “They came to our attention because of animals caught in the traps,” he said.

According to Evans, a feral cat was injured but able to run away from the trap along the Jordan River trail. A raccoon was caught in the trap found at Mehraban, but by the time police responded after a resident reported it, both the trap and the raccoon were gone. Police suspect that whomever set the trap removed it and the raccoon.

Both were leg traps commonly available at stores such as IFA. Both traps were found off the main trails, hidden in weeded, natural growth areas. “They’re designed to trap animals. They’re spring loaded and very strong, so they could cause injuries to a child or adult,” Evans said.

Police remind the public that hunting and trapping is illegal within city limits. And if you come across an animal caught in a trap, you should not approach the animal or try to

Powerful leg traps like this one found in a city park can seriously injure animals or humans. Residents are asked to call police if any more traps are discovered. (Courtesy Draper Police Department)

help it because animals that are injured can be aggressive. Instead, contact the Police Department/Animal Services any time of day or night at 801-840-4000.

“There are no leads. If we were provided a tip, we’d activate the case and follow up. Our animal services officers frequent the parks and Corner Canyon looking for things like this, so it’s an ongoing practice,” Evans said. l

son.”

This summer, Sofia wants to maximize her time with her friends in Utah.

Move-in day at Harvard is on Aug. 30. “I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s going to be great!” l

Must present

Expires 3/31/2023.

Drummer Sofia Detjen received her first drum set on her fifth birthday. (Photo courtesy of the Detjen family)

Dreams come true in Draper Historic Theatre’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’

Draper Historic Theatre will present a colorful new production of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s classic musical, “Cinderella,” March 1025. Subtitled “The Enchanted Edition,” the production has an interesting history.

In 1957, Broadway composers Rodgers and Hammerstein created a musical version of “Cinderella” for the relatively new medium of television. Over 100 million Americans tuned in to CBS to watch the show which starred Julie Andrews. Forty years later, a new TV version of the musical, starring sitcom star Brandy with Whitney Houston as the fairy godmother, updated the script by depicting a Cinderella who sets out to make her own dreams come true.

Director and choreographer Mindy Eckroth explained that the Draper Historic Theatre production is closest to that 1997 version. “The story lines are very similar,” she said. “I love Cinderella’s story arc. It’s Cinderella believing in herself that makes the magic happen.”

Camryn Finch, one of the actors playing the title role, said, “It has been really fun to understand Cinderella as a character better. It isn’t until Cinderella determines that she will go to the ball herself that the fairy godmother makes it happen.”

“One of the themes is about making your own destiny,” said Ava Magalei, who also plays Cinderella. “She takes control of her own life and challenges the audience to go out there and do that in their own lives.”

Cinderella is not the only character in the show to be more fully-realized than in versions of the story told in fairy tale books. The wicked stepmother and her daughters have more lines and songs in this production.

As the lead roles are double-cast, Jessica Duncan and Merci Hase both play the wicked stepmother in different performances. “We get to be the evilness of it all!” Duncan exclaimed. The character has comical scenes when interacting with her daughters. However, “she is really mean with Cinderella,” Hase said. The role is something new and different for her. “I am so excited to play the villain!” she added.

Both actors spoke of their journeys with the role and trying to uncover “where her nastiness comes from.” There is perhaps more to the wicked stepmother than meets the eye in this production. “She even has a love interest in the prince’s steward,” Duncan said.

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

As the wicked stepsisters, Alyssa Edwards and Makayla Porter, have names— Grace and Joy. “In this version we are named the opposite of our personalities,” Porter said.

“We are milking the comedy and get to be over-the-top obnoxious,” Edwards said.

“They have made each character well

rounded. It’s so exciting to see all of it come together,” Porter said. “I like being part of the magic. They want this to be a magical experience for everyone in the theater.”

A major part of the theatrical magic in “Cinderella” is the costumes. “We have all the fairy tale vibes,” Eckroth said. The costumes, especially the ball gowns, are in vibrant colors and beautiful fabrics. For example, costume designer Ashley North and her team have created a glittering “transformation dress” for the scene in which the fairy godmother turns Cinderella’s ruined gown into something spectacular. The metamorphosis will happen right in front of the audience.

“Impossible things can happen,” said Music Director Katie Davis, describing the themes of the show. She alluded to the lyrics in one of the songs, “There Is Music in You.” “Anyone who is feeling like their dreams are unattainable, come

watch the show and realize that they can come true,” she said.

“It’s about being brave, believing that impossible things can happen every day,” Eckroth said. “Big things are possible.”

Edwards described the show as “a light way to get away and just enjoy.”

“There’s a happily ever after,” Porter added. “Everyone can use a little extra magic in their lives. And a little more grace and joy.”

Draper Historic Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella: The Enchanted Edition” March 10-25. Performances are Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. The theatre is located at 12366 S. 900 East. For tickets visit www. drapertheatre.org. l

Chloe Coleman, Merci Hase and Kylie Hallett play Cinderella’s wicked stepmother and stepsisters in the Draper Historic Theatre production of “Cinderella: The Enchanted Edition.” (Photo courtesy of Draper Historic Theatre)

Camryn Finch, as Cinderella, contemplates her future in the Draper Historic Theatre production of “Cinderella: The Enchanted Edition.” (Photo courtesy of Draper Historic Theatre)

They have made each character well rounded. It’s so exciting to see all of it come together. I like being part of the magic. They want this to be a magical experience for everyone in the theater.

Makayla Porter

Canyons District provides counseling after student hit by school bus

It was a gray late January day with temperatures in the high 30s when Jordan High students were done for the day at 12:45 p.m., with an early dismissal bell schedule. About 15 minutes later, Jordan sophomore Jennifer Flores Diaz was walking across State Street at Princeton Drive (8375 South)—and never made it to the other side.

A Canyons School District school bus taking home 16 Hillcrest High students turned left from the neighborhood west of State Street and struck the 15 year old, who died at the scene.

Once he learned of the accident, Student Services Program Administrator BJ Weller, who is a certified counselor and licensed clinical social worker, rerouted from going to a nearby school to the scene where he was able to provide immediate counseling services and support.

“Everybody there was working extremely well together—the police, our transportation team, risk management, our crisis team,” he said. “Everybody was there with compassion and trying to protect privacy and to let the police officers do their investigation. It was a picture of community partners working together to support a tragic situation.”

In addition, several others from the District’s student services personnel with backgrounds in counseling went to the scene to assist the teenager’s extended family who arrived, the Hillcrest students on the bus and the 70-year-old bus driver.

Hillcrest High administrators went to help get the students to a nearby restaurant to provide police statements and awaited parent or guardian pickup, Canyons District spokesman Jeff Haney said.

Since that day, Jan. 27, Jordan High Principal Bruce Eschler said there has been an outpouring of support for Jordan students in remembrance of the 15-year-old. Diaz, who attended Jordan since her freshman year, was an older sister and babysitter, and who liked to play soccer.

“She’s a good kid, with lots of friends,” he said. “She’ll be missed.”

Eschler released an immediate statement to the Jordan community.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the student’s parents and family and to Jordan High teachers, staff and students who are struggling with pain and loss,” it said. “This is a difficult time for all of us. We want to express our appreciation for the support you have shown our school community as we’ve faced a time of intense difficulty.”

That night at the Jordan High boys and girls basketball games, there was a moment of silence in her honor. A community vigil was held, and a makeshift memorial of flowers, balloons, notes and candles stands on the corner near where the accident occurred.

Jordan student body service vice president Franklin Lovell knew Diaz through

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

friends.

“It’s hard to go through when it’s someone in our community and to see the effect on her friends and family is devastating,” he said.

Days later, students rallied together to release balloons from the school soccer field in her memory. Students in several neighboring schools wore her favorite color blue or Jordan High school colors in her honor and high school student leaders in Canyons and Murray school districts delivered banners in support, Eschler said.

“Anytime we have these tragedies, our sister high schools always try to support,” he said. “There’s a big outpouring by the community to ensure everyone’s taken care of.”

Jordan student body president Spencer Jackson said it was appreciated.

“The schools I met with wanted to show they care and understand what we’re going

through,” he said.

While Hillcrest High students are trying to find a way to support their own students who were on the bus and can’t be identified for privacy reasons, their student leaders were one of the first to deliver a banner that said, “We love you, Jordan.”

Hillcrest High Principal Greg Leavitt said that they shared supporting their sister school in the school newsletter.

“It’s really good that our students reach out to each other like that,” he said. “Our student body officers get together quite a bit in the district so they know each other quite well and want to support one another.”

While police are conducting an investigation, Canyons School District is also internally investigating, Haney said.

Canyons’ investigative team is comprised of human resources, transportation and risk management personnel who will

look into the accident, Haney said.

“It’s always a challenge to respond to a crisis that is going to be heartbreaking for so many people. Every crisis is different. When we respond to crises, we are here to provide counseling and our support,” he said.

Three student services personnel came to the scene on Friday to provide assistance and grief counseling to the students and the bus driver and then later to the victim’s family when they arrived, Haney said.

Brighton High student leaders presented Jordan with a banner in support of losing their classmate in the Canyons School District bus accident. (Photo courtesy of Sydney Ashment/Brighton High)

Investigators review the scene on Jan. 27 after a Jordan High teenager, Jennifer Flores Diaz, was hit and killed by a Canyons School District bus turning north onto State Street. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Jordan High sophomore Jennifer Flores Diaz’s principal said the 15 year old will be missed by the Jordan High community. (Photo courtesy of Canyons School District)

“We were able to support folks, to talk with them and make sure that they had what they needed emotionally that day. Obviously, it was a very traumatic experience. This one in particular because it was in the Canyons District with the Canyons District school bus and Canyons students and a bus driver were involved. I think it hit really hard for many, many people. So, we immediately deployed the resources necessary to support our community,” he said.

Counseling services were available to the community that night at Jordan High as well as Hillcrest High administrators reaching out to its 16 students to make sure they had the needed support, Haney said.

Students were able to talk with counselors when they returned to school on Monday at both schools as well as at the schools where the siblings attended. Weller said that students are encouraged to talk with someone, write or journal about it, get professional help, make a positive difference such as serving others, and take care of themselves with sleep, healthy eating and exercise.

Haney said Jordan faculty and staff were prepared to talk to students and know what to look for with those who were struggling and be able to get them to the counseling center to help, where six counselors and two social workers were available as well as additional support from the district office.

Eschler said it was a collaborative effort.

“I’m really proud of our teachers and

counselors for looking out, watching and ready to help our students,” he said.

Additional effort was made by Hillcrest High administration and counseling to provide the support to the students who were on the bus and for anybody else who was affected, at any of the District’s schools, Haney said.

Hillcrest’s Leavitt estimates there was an increase of 50 counseling visits following the accident.

“I feel like the kids know that we care about them—and the Jordan kids know that we care about them. I feel like the community knows that we’re doing our best to care about them,” he said.

Weller said that when he arrived on the scene, one of those he helped was the bus driver. Weller describes him as a “sweet man with a gentle soul who was just in shock.”

While Haney can’t comment on specifics of the bus driver, who has driven for the District for four years and following protocol, was placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. However, he did say, “We are providing counseling services to the bus driver, who is understandably very upset. We want to make sure that the bus driver gets the services and supports necessary because it’s been a tough time for everyone, him included.”

The driver, as well as all 181 drivers in Canyons School District, has a commercial driver’s license and a criminal background check.

“Canyons District provides that training for bus drivers, and then they can get their license,” Haney said, adding that the course is free. “It’s a substantial amount of training to be a bus driver in the Canyons School District and we do constant training and updating. When accidents happen, there are reminders to our bus drivers on things that they’ve already been trained on to keep in mind as they head out on their routes every day.”

School bus 1279 was able to be driven away from the scene as no damage was done to the vehicle, Haney said. It was taken into custody by police following the accident.

It is one of 185 buses in the Canyons District fleet that the Utah Highway Patrol annually evaluates.

“Every single bus is evaluated for safety elements and to ensure that all of the parts are working correctly. They regularly undergo inspections, and we have a team of mechanics that ensure that all of our buses are working,” he said.

Those evaluations are performed typically in the summer.

Canyons administrative team met that Friday and the Monday following the accident and talked about it, including reviewing the District’s response.

“We’re constantly evaluating how we respond to crises. And then of course, what we can always do because there’s always something we can do to improve our processes moving forward,” Haney said. “Our

emergency management team has an incident command manual with a general guideline of how to respond to emergencies. We use our expertise and experience to help us.”

The emergency management team that meets regularly every eight weeks came in place after a student shooting at Union Middle School in 2016. It was used again in spring 2017 when a shooting occurred after school near Brookwood Elementary, which left a student injured and killed another and the child’s mother.

“Since that time, it’s become even more solidified. While we are often given direct tasks, such as a safety audit of our schools and buildings, we review our emergency response plans and any issues that we need to develop a plan for,” Haney said. “It’s always a challenge to respond to a crisis that is going to be heartbreaking for so many people—and every crisis is different.”

Following the accident, Canyons District Superintendent Rick Robins acknowledged the accident in a statement.

“The loss of any child—at any time—is heartbreaking for a community,” it said. “Today, the entire Canyons District community mourns the tragic passing of one of our beautiful and cherished students who died in an auto-pedestrian accident involving a school bus. Canyons District sends our heartfelt condolences to the family of the student, as well as the student’s friends, teachers, and school staff who will struggle with the pain and loss of a loved one.” l

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Two CCHS swimmers bring ‘light’ and ‘smiles’ to the team

The Corner Canyon High swimming team is full of dozens of talented athletes this season. And the program also has two swimmers—sophomore Jordan Barlow, who has Down syndrome, and 14-year-old Bryce Armendariz, who is nonverbal and autistic—both have been fully welcomed and embraced by their teammates in and out of the pool.

“Jordan has fun swimming and is so excited to touch the wall,” said his mom, Mandy Barlow. “He doesn’t love practices, but he loves the races. It’s thrilling for him to hear people cheer and then to be a part of cheering loudly for other people.”

“This is the first thing Bryce has ever accomplished with his peers,” Bryce’s mom April Lemmon said. “The adaptations Corner Canyon has made to make this happen and see the kids and coaches care for him, love him, embrace him and think beyond themselves has been so cool to see. We’re extremely grateful to them.”

CCHS assistant coach and former Chargers swimmer Victoria Blow said, “What these boys have brought to our team is light. The whole team lights up when they walk in. You always know when Jordan and Bryce are swimming because the pool deck is so loud.”

Besides the special needs connection Jordan and Bryce have, they are also both twins to non-disabled swimmers on the Chargers girls team: Sydney, who is a sophomore, is Jordan’s sister, and Kathryn, a freshman, is Bryce’s twin.

Jordan Barlow, the son of Mandy and Justin Barlow of Draper, is an “athletic, big-hugger” 15 year old, according to his mom, who would love to be on every sports team, especially football and basketball. He comes from a family of swimmers, including older sister Kali, who is a CCHS recordholder and older brother Jaxon. Now, he and Sydney make up four Barlows who have swam for the Chargers.

“Kali worked with Jordan and really taught him how to swim,” Mandy Barlow said. “Last year, he was really excited to swim with his hero Jaxon, but it’s probably even better this season for Jordan to not have two ‘coaches’ with Jaxon now graduated.”

Even though Jordan can swim all the strokes, he competes in the 50 and 100 freestyle events.

“He is fast, but he does tire out and can’t go as long as the others,” Mandy Barlow said. “The first time he realized that he would never win, it was hard, but then it just became a matter of trying to beat his own time.”

The sophomore is actually just two seconds off of the 50 free world record for a swimmer with Down syndrome and is currently trying to be placed on the USA Down syndrome team.

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Fellow CCHS swimmer Sam Lillian, a freshman, cultivated a friendship with Jordan that started when they met while attending Draper Park Middle School a few years ago. “I saw Jordan at lunch and felt like I needed to sit by him and talk to him,” Sam said. “The next day, we started hanging out and we became really close. Our relationship has meant a lot to me as we had just moved from Nevada and it was kind of hard. Meeting Jordan was great because I had an immediate friend.”

“Sam is seriously every mom’s answer to prayer to be your kid’s friend,” said Mandy Barlow, who noted that Sam is so much a part of their family that they’ve taken him on vacations with them. “Many kids will say they will call, but Sam follows through and really wants to be his friend. He is encouraging and extra patient and just kind of an old soul.”

“I love Sam,” said Jordan Barlow. “Sam is a good swimmer.”

Jordan and Sam are also more than just their identical swim towels and ponchos they wear at the pool; the duo also team up to film trick shots like bottle flips and stacking cups and have posted nearly 30 spots to their YouTube channel.

“Jordan is an amazing and fun kid,” Sam said. “He can always tell when you’re down and then he always lifts and brightens people’s day. If you have a good swim, he cheers with you; if you don’t, he encourages you.”

Bryce Armendariz, son of Kyle and April Lemmon of Draper, is also from a swimming family beginning with a mom who was a high-level swimmer in Colorado and still swims competitively, and a stepfather who swam in high school in California. Four of his five siblings are involved in swimming—his stepsister Brooklyn is a senior at CCHS but is no longer on the team— with Karalee Lemmon, a freshman, joining Bryce and his twin Kathryn on the squad this year and younger siblings Kaitlyn and Seth also spending a lot of time in the pool.

“Siblings of kids with special needs are champions,” April Lemmon said. “They get put on the back burner a lot, but they just kick in and help without resentment. Our kids do their own thing, but they always have an eye out for their brother. And when others show support to him, it is showing support to them. When you bless Bryce, you bless our whole family and it truly touches our heart.”

With Bryce’s severe autism, he attends school at Autism Behavioral Intervention in Draper where he receives more than 30 hours a week of occupational and physical therapy. Being involved in swimming for nearly 10 years has also been “therapeutic,” according to his mom, who notes that he swims with somewhat of a one-armed freestyle stroke.

When their family moved from Hous-

ton, Texas to Draper five years ago, April Lemmon signed Bryce up for a Salt Lake County special needs swim team at Dimple Dell Rec Center where he met coach Victoria Blow, who swam for Corner Canyon from 2013 to 2017. The bond between Bryce and Blow has only deepened with Bryce joining the Chargers squad this season.

“Bryce is really bubbly and giggly and will just jump around with a lot of energy and a smile,” Blow said. “He may not be able to use words, but he does have sounds and he is still able to communicate. He is also a hard worker and just puts his head down and keeps swimming even if he doesn’t want to communicate with you.”

April Lemmon said that Bryce’s inclusion in the CCHS swimming program has exceeded her expectations. “Never once in his life have I ever dropped Bryce off and left him somewhere, but I have been doing that this year, and Bryce has learned the etiquette of the swim team,” she said. “More than anything though, the team is kind and goes above and beyond for him. He is nowhere near as fast as anyone else, but they passionately cheer for him. They also invite him to be a part of the team cheer and even though he will stand just outside of the circle, he does a happy dance with a smile on his face.”

Jordan and Bryce also have a relationship as “Jordan likes to be Bryce’s coach,” according to Mandy Barlow, while April Lemmon said her son Bryce considers Jordan to be his best friend on the team.

“It’s so neat to see how much Jordan and Bryce love and support each other,” said Blow. “Jordan is faster than Bryce, but he

will finish and hang on the lane line yelling and encouraging him.”

Blow, who is studying special education at Utah Valley University, said she has seen the Corner Canyon swimmers and coaches rally around Jordan and Bryce. “It is such a selfless, supportive and positive environment even among some very high-level swimmers who are always including them in practice, team dinners and anything else,” she said. “We love it when they come and hope that this type of inclusion can only evolve into other programs locally and on a broader scale.”

Including special needs students in his swimming programs is nothing new to Corner Canyon swim coach Pat Thurman. Aside from Jordan and Bryce, special education student Aaron Dean participated last season as a senior and Thurman welcomed several Down syndrome swimmers when he previously coached at Alta High.

“Pat has a belief that everyone should be able to participate and be able to experience a team while they’re in high school and he has certainly fostered that in his program,” said Sam’s mother Rachel Lillian.

“Jordan, Bryce and Aaron have brought a smile to everyone involved with the program,” Thurman said. “They each have different personalities and different swimming abilities, but they reinforce why anyone should get involved with athletics and that is to find joy. They each get excited for the simplest things, and they cheer the loudest for their siblings and teammates, regardless of the outcome of the race. I always feel better after spending just a little bit of time around any of our special swimmers.” l

Corner Canyon High School swimmer Jordan Barlow put his arm around teammate Bryce Armendariz during a recent meet. Barlow took first in the 50 and 100 freestyle (Division 2) while Armendariz took first in the 50 freestyle (Division 1) at the inagural Unified Swimming events. (Photo courtesy April Lemmon)

JDCHS hockey player shares joy of MVP award with team

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

TheJuan Diego Catholic High School hockey team now lays claim to its first ever award for the Utah High School Hockey League Most Valuable Player. And, in even better news for the program, South Jordan’s Wyatt Hanna is just a sophomore.

“This is a great honor for Wyatt, but also for our team. It’s a simply amazing accomplishment,” said JDCHS head coach Moe van der Sluys. “He has risen in the ranks of scoring in the entire state of Utah and has 10 more goals than the second-place player. He’s an exceptional talent and not only plays forward, but defense when called upon.”

His mom, Destony Hanna, said she is extremely proud of her 16-year-old son who leads the league in goals scored and game-winning goals and is second in total points. “He deserved it and had a lot of fun out there, but I’m almost more excited for the school to be honored,” she said.

Wyatt was informed of the honor by his teammates as he came out of a January practice. “I wasn’t expecting to be named MVP, but I was super happy and I was really glad to share that news and excitement with my teammates because I wouldn’t be here without them,” he said.

Wyatt started playing hockey when he

Brian’s footsteps. “We put skates on him and sent him on his way,” Destony Hanna said. “It came pretty naturally for him with it in his genes and he loved being on the ice.”

The sophomore is also athletically gifted in other sports and played football and baseball for several years—he still plays on the diamond for the Soaring Eagle team—but he is “all in” when it comes to hockey.

“I do like to play a lot of different sports, but it was fun to see how much my dad loved to watch me play hockey out of all the other sports I was playing. That’s a fun connection we have always had,” Wyatt said.

He has been playing on the Wasatch Renegades, a Tier 1 AAA team, the past four years which keeps him extremely active nearly every day of the week whether it’s with practices, working out or playing in games.

“Hockey is literally a whole week event for Wyatt, but it’s his favorite sport in the whole world,” Destony Hanna said. “He would never quit. In fact, if you ask what he wants to do, it’s either play hockey or work for ESPN.”

On the Juan Diego team this season, he has led the Soaring Eagle squad to a 14-3 record during the regular season among the nearly 30 teams statewide.

“We have one of the smallest numbers with just 14 players but we have a lot of very

talented players,” said van der Sluys.

“We’ve been doing really good and we’re winning a ton of games,” Wyatt said.

After a first-round bye in the state playoffs, Juan Diego defeated Herriman 4-2 Feb. 6—with Wyatt scoring two goals—to reach a quarterfinal matchup with Park City Feb. 10 that they also won 2-1 in an overtime shootout that went to the 10th round.

They lost to Brighton 10-1 Feb. 13 in the semifinals and was scheduled to play Feb. 21 in the double-elimination playoffs.

Wyatt said he’s grateful for what hockey has meant to him and what he’s been learning along the way. “It’s taught me to be kind and respect those older than you,” he said. “But, it’s also helped me be fun and have fun while continuing to grow.”

Destony Hanna said that hockey has instilled confidence in her son along with other life lessons.

“He knows how to take wins and losses,” she said. “And, he’s also learned how to be a team player.”

Wyatt said his dad has been a huge mentor for him as well as his coaches who have been “so good and supportive.”

Wyatt will be recognized with a plaque and a gift card for his MVP award during intermission of the UHSHL All-Star Game on

March 8 at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex. His name will also be engraved on the perpetual trophy that is permanently housed at the South Davis Recreation Center.

The sophomore, who has his sights set on playing in college, will be taking further steps that way at an “invite only” juniors camp this summer in Chicago. l

Juan Diego Catholic High School sophomore Wyatt Hanna was named Most Valuable Player in the Utah High School Hockey League this season. (Photos courtesy Destony Hanna)

JDCHS swimmers call state meet ‘best experience of our lives’

The Juan Diego Catholic High School swimming program took one of their largest teams—with 22 swimmers—to the 3A state swimming meet Feb. 10-11 and finished second overall. The girls squad took second and the boys third in improving their top-five showings from 2022 with head coach John Moran being named the 3A Girls Coach of the Year.

“State was one of the best experiences of our lives,” said senior Thais Tosolini. “We had swimmers shocked with how fast they went and how far they have come with many best times and best performances.”

Senior Audrey Weller and junior Isabella Hategan were part of three state titles, each winning an individual championship and being part of two relays. Weller, the Region 15 champion in the 200 Individual Medley, won the event by more than eight seconds over Juab’s Grace Holman, while Hategan—who won region in the 100 backstroke—touched the wall in the same distance ahead of Maeser’s Sarah Puertas. They both swam legs on the winning 200 medley relay lineup, which also included sophomore Lyla Sylvia and freshman Piper Fennell, and the 400 freestyle relay squad with Sylvia and senior Julia Cunningham.

Also placing for the Region 15 champion girls team that was edged by Judge Memorial at state by eight points were Weller (second, 100 breaststroke), Hategan (second, 100 butterfly), Sylvia (fourth, 200 free; seventh, 100 fly), senior Thaia Tsandes (sixth, 200 IM) and the 200 free relay team of Cunningham, Fennell, freshman Abby Tenzer and Tsandes (seventh).

“State was a really bittersweet moment for me,”

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Cunningham said. “I had the best times in everything I swam, but the swimming career ending was the closing of a huge chapter in my life. Overall though, I only have happy memories of state.”

The third place boys team was led by Region 15 10 breast champion Charlie Gleason, a junior, who placed second at state. Others earning All-State honors were the 200 free relay lineup of Gleason, junior Saxton McKnight, junior Zach Meehan and senior Khristian Swick (third); the 200 medley relay team of senior Jacob Galang, Gleason, senior Joey Shami and Swick (fifth); the 400 free relay squad of junior Jack Bluf, McKnight, Meehan and Shami (fifth), Shami (sixth, 100 fly; seventh, 200 IM), Meehan (seventh, 50 free), Gleason (seventh, 100 free) and Bulf (eighth, 500 free).

“We worked all year to get to this point and seeing people drop times was such an amazing experience,” McKnight said.

Also competing at state for the Soaring Eagle team were Kyle Diaz, Matthew Howard, Egohan Kelly, Abigail Lockingen, Carmen Montoya and Bea Pascual.

“Swim isn’t an easy sport. You have wins and losses, but with a team there to help you through it, it makes it even better,” Tosolini said. “This team has been one of the best parts about high school and just how close we all have become. We are all like a family with each other.” l

The Juan Diego Catholic High School swimming teams placed second overall at the 3A state meet Feb. 10-11 at Brigham Young University. (Photo courtesy John Moran)

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium’s River Otter Conservation Project tracks otters in their local habitats

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

Over100 years ago, the North American river otter was trapped nearly to extinction in Utah. Today, the species is making a comeback in the state, but concrete data on their population is lacking. Since 2021, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has been working with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) to study these elusive animals.

“There’s not a great understanding of what the numbers are,” explained Britnee Cheney, project manager of the River Otter survey and keeper trainer at the aquarium. “We need to find out where they are and how they are doing.”

Aquarium staff and volunteers are tracking the location of otters in Utah by setting up trail cameras along rivers to collect video data. In the wild, otters can be difficult to find. So far, five otters have been identified on the Provo River. The aquarium plans to expand the survey to the Weber River, Jordan River and Utah Lake in the coming months.

Cheney explained that studying river otters provides a window into how well a particular aquatic ecosystem is doing overall. “Otters are an indicator species,” she said. “They need very specific conditions and resources in order to survive.” Plans may then be put in place to address the environmental issues.

The otters being studied in the Provo River were first introduced by UDWR and BYU in 2009 and appear to be thriving and reproducing. “Otters primarily eat fish and crayfish. Their main diet is in the river system so they need clean, fresh water to survive,” Cheney said. Polluted water can also ruin their thick coats of oily fur which could lead to the animals freezing in the winter time.

UDWR began re-introducing North American river otters to Utah in the late 1980s. Their efforts have largely been successful, but the otters continue to face challenges such as loss of habitat, water pollution and danger from motorized vehicles.

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium seeks to raise awareness about Utah’s river otters and invites the public to get involved in their conservation. Everyone can help otters and other local aquatic species by taking action to conserve water, such as landscaping with plants that are native to Utah.

Karmel Harper, associate director of marketing and public relations, explained, “A big part of our mission is conservation. We are actively involved in conservation efforts around the world.” She mentioned the aquarium’s ongoing efforts to rebuild coral reefs and aid sea turtles. “This one is in our own backyard,” she said of the river otter project.

The public can help directly with track-

ing the number of otters in state waterways by notifying the UDWR of river otter sightings. “If you spot an otter, get a photo or video,” Cheney said. “Beaver, mink and muskrats can be mistaken for otters in the wild.” Pictures and videos may be emailed to UDWR at utahotters@gmail.com.

Many visitors to the aquarium are introduced to North American river otters when they encounter Oscar, Otis and Oliver in their Discover Utah habitat. Cheney is also the primary trainer for the otter siblings. “They are a very intelligent species,” she said of the otters, each of whom has their own distinctive personality.

The otters spend their days playing, eating, swimming and sleeping in a unique exhibit space that allows them to spend time outdoors. Care is taken to ensure that they have plenty of physical and mental stimulation. They will celebrate their 13th birthday with a specially-prepared “cake” made of frozen fish on March 5.

By giving the public the opportunity to see and interact with animals like the river otters, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium seeks to inspire people to take action to save them. Donations to help cover the costs involved with the Living Planet River Otter Conservation Project may be made at thelivingplanet. com/donate.

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is located at 12033 Lone Peak Pkwy. in Draper. The phone number is 801-355-3474. Visit thelivingplanet.com for more information. l

Volunteers helping out with the Living Planet River Otter Conservation Project posed for a photograph near the Provo River. (Photo courtesy of Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)

Extra Mile winners aid refugees and save the city’s wetlands

ExtraMile Day is observed annually to recognize difference-makers in communities across the nation. “This program resonated because it gives the city the chance to recognize those residents that are going above and beyond,” said Chief of Staff Kellie Challburg.

Draper recognized two 2022 winners: Don Ward and The Wetland Rangers led by Melissa Inouye.

Ward taught history for 35 years at Alta and Jordan high schools. Within months of his retirement in 2007, he was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His family was told he would likely die Christmas Day. But, after almost five months in the hospital, Ward’s health began to improve. He got a call from Granite Peak Junior High in South Salt Lake, a school with a large refugee population, asking him to substitute for several weeks. That was followed by an eightmonth stint substituting at the same school for a history teacher who had passed away. It was an eye-opening experience for Ward compared to his years at Jordan and Alta. “I had one class with 24 students that spoke 19 different languages, none of which was English,” he said. Ward taught at Granite Peak Junior High for five years.

“I was looking for a way to show appreciation for blessings (not dying) and I felt like working with refugees was an answer to my wishes. Most people don’t realize there are 60,000 to 70,000 individual refugees from different countries living in Utah,” he said.

His first year at Granite Peak, he organized a Sub for Santa for 24 students with help from an LDS young women’s group and some friends. In the 14 years since, he’s done it every year with help from former students, friends and community members. “To tell you how much that has grown, this Christmas we did 1,814 families,” Ward said.

The number of refugees he has helped is staggering and the effort runs year-round. “There are certain things we do all 12 months of the year,” he said, including collecting “consumables” such as paper towels, white rice, vegetable oil, laundry detergent, diapers and other everyday items. In January, blankets and coats are collected and distributed. For Easter, 500-600 baskets are given to children. That’s followed by the collection of $20 gift cards in the spring for graduating seniors. Box fans are passed out in the summer (Ward estimates they’ve given out 7,500) “because a lot of them can’t afford electricity/ air conditioning and their apartments get so hot they’re difficult to live in.” Next comes a massive gathering of school supplies (last year close to 25,000 items were collected). For Halloween, thousands of costumes for children are collected, and the effort culminates at Christmas when the work is the most intensive.

A young man from Nepal once asked

By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com

Ward for a bike, explaining that he lived in West Valley and rode TRAX to his hotel laundry job, but when he finished his shift at 2 a.m., TRAX was no longer running. Five days a week for one year, he walked 47 blocks home in the wee hours of the morning. Ward fulfilled his request for a bike, the first of some 2,400 bikes he estimates his group has gifted refugees. Ward’s friend, Marty Bodell, collects and fixes bikes for the donations. “He’s amazing,” Ward said.

Ward told several stories of strife and survival that he’s heard from refugees through the years. Once, he asked the whereabouts of the father of a young Sudanese man. The young man explained that, while living in Sudan, his family had run out of food, so his father and four friends decided to walk their families’ camels to market to sell for money for food. The four were robbed and killed on their way home, and three of those fatherless families now reside in Utah.

“I can tell you these heart-wrenching stories by the hundreds,” Ward said.

Recently, Ward established the 501(c) (3) WARD Foundation. He was hesitant to set up a nonprofit for fear bureaucracy would slow the aid for refugees, and he didn’t want to spend money on attorney fees. But he recognized that he won’t live forever and establishing a foundation would ensure his efforts continue in perpetuity. Attorney Mary Squire of Draper offered to do the legal work for free and Austin McKeehan of Alpine volunteered his nonprofit expertise. “They have been wonderful,” he said.

There are many opportunities to help. You can find the WARD Foundation on Facebook and their Venmo is @WARDFoundation. “We need volunteers to deliver donated goods, and there’s no cost other than the

cost of gas. We also need volunteers to check on families. We just started a sign-up page,” Ward said.

Melissa Inouye and her family live near Mehraban Wetlands Park. A couple years ago, because of drought conditions, the pond had an algal bloom problem. “It turned bright yellow. The algae was so thick it looked like an oily yellow paint was oozing through the pond. For those of us who live next to the pond, it was shocking and horrible,” she said. Inouye described the wetlands park as “a kid paradise…a place of freedom they can wander with their fishing poles and play.”

Inouye reached out to the city on behalf of the kids to see what could be done to solve the problem. “That was the genesis of the group (the Wetland Rangers),” she said. Rick Anton with Draper City set the kids up with tools to take out phragmites, trap the trunks of and clip suckers from Russian olive trees, and to pick up trash including fishing lines left behind. Inouye, who works as a historian, had the idea to make it educational by bringing in scientists to talk to and work with the youth. “These kids are interested in nature, so this is a way to connect them with actual scientists.”

In addition to hours spent fighting algae and invasive species that would otherwise kill the fish in the pond and threaten the native plants, the Wetland Rangers went on a field trip to the Springville hatchery to learn where the fish come from that stock their pond. And a scientist helped them test to discover that fish within the pond are reproducing, a positive sign for their efforts. Recently, they worked with Utah State University on research on invasive and native species in Utah lakes.

Inouye’s 10-year-old son, Han McMul-

lin, is one of the Wetland Rangers. He spoke to the city council about the threats to the pond and efforts to save the fish, the birds and native plants.

Inouye complimented the city and state’s efforts stocking fish and trying to keep the pond healthy. “We shouldn’t take it for granted, there’s a lot of work that goes on to maintain the life of the pond. If the rangers and the city aren’t investing time in it, it’s in danger. The beauty of the wetlands is fragile and threatened, especially in these drought conditions,” she said.

Inouye has a cancer fight in common with fellow Extra Mile winner Ward. That inspires her efforts with the youth to keep Mehraban Wetlands Park healthy. “I’m a cancer patient and cancer is like an invasive species, it grows and takes over until it kills you. When I remove phragmites, it feels like I’m striking a blow against invasive species like cancer,” she said. “It’s deeply satisfying.”

The group can be contacted via Facebook at and local youth are invited to join in their efforts. “We hope more people will join us in our local work because the city can only do so much. Phragmites are hard to clear out unless you have a lot of manual labor,” Inouye said.

The Extra Mile Foundation’s website says, “Our work is inspired by the belief that going the extra mile opens doors to new possibilities. Going the extra mile improves the results we find in life, both professionally and personally…it allows us to make a difference in our community and in our world.” Ward and the Wetland Rangers are doing just that. l

The Wetland Rangers are a group of kids living near Mehraban Wetlands Park who volunteer to fight invasive species that threaten the health of the pond and its surrounding ecosystem. The group received the Extra Mile Award for their efforts. (Courtesy Melissa Inouye)

Corner Canyon High thespians to share Sandy

In early March, Corner Canyon High thespians will perform “26 Pebbles,” a play remembering the students who died in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting.

The one-act play will be performed at 7 p.m., March 3-4, in Corner Canyon’s Little Theatre, 12943 S. 700 East. Tickets are $6 and are available on cornercanyontheatre. com. The play addresses mature themes such as gun violence and mental illness.

Through the playwright’s 60 interviews with community members in Newtown, Connecticut, he was able to share stories of the impact of the small town, said theater teacher Case Spaulding, who is directing the play.

“I chose it because there is an issue right now with school shootings,” he said. “It’s something relevant and relatable to today. I liked the script; it doesn’t really talk about sides of the gun issue and laws, but instead, it lets the audience answer their own questions. The playwright interviewed a variety of people who in some capacity or another was impacted by the shooting. Some were parents of kids who died, there is the priest and the rabbi who live in town, the police, news reporters—just a compilation of people who were there when it happened and what

Hook stories in ‘26

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

their experience was. It’s really about how it affected the people and their experiences.”

The Sandy Hook shooting occurred when a 20-year-old man walked into the elementary school, killing 26 people. The title of the story comes from comparing the 26 deaths to pebbles thrown into a pond, creating a rippling affect that is felt beyond the initial rings.

Spaulding asked his students, many who are the same age now as those who had died would have been, to research and learn more about the characters and the community.

“The characters in the play have their names changed, but based off of their experiences, they have been able to find things about them,” he said. “Mostly what they’re doing is they’re really paying attention to what the people are talking about and they’re doing a lot of research around what happened that day. A big part of the play is about community—‘what is a community’ and ‘what does it feel like to be part of the community’ and ‘what does the community look like now?’ They’re looking at how that community recovers from something like this.”

That was an important part of the process in determining the play’s emphasis.

“When I first started asking questions about what they thought the focus of this place should be, almost every student said, ‘I really want the focus to be about how strong this community is, and how they didn’t want this to be their defining moment.’ So, we’re just really focusing on a sense of community and how they’ve become stronger, moving forward,” Spaulding said.

In late January, the 28-member cast and crew were in rehearsals. The piece also will be used for their one-act at the region competition later this spring.

“I want the audience to sense that this community was shattered by it, and what they have gone through to overpower tragedy. I want people to get that sense of love and belonging and knowing that there is a greater good and you can always strive for that, no matter what that is to you. We need to work towards creating communities where people feel safe and loved. This play doesn’t offer a solution, but it’s my hope that we can find one, whatever that might be,” he said. “This story just tells what the town was like, what people did to help, what outside sources did and how it affected them. It’s a great story they share of love and compassion.” l

In March, Corner Canyon High thespians, seen here in rehearsal, will present “26 Pebbles” based on interviews after the Sandy Hook shooting. (Case Spaulding/Corner Canyon High)

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Summit boys win state junior high championship

TheSummit Academy Junior High boys basketball team recently won the Utah Charter and Small School Athletic League state championship, defeating Providence Hall 3732 in the title game Dec. 12.

“We faced an undefeated Providence team on their court for the championship,” said head coach Kenneth Druce. “They had previously beaten us twice in the regular season (by 24 and 25 points, respectively), but our boys showed up to the game with confidence, believing they could still win the game. The key to winning was defense. It was our best defensive game all year.”

The Falcons also beat an undefeated Reagan Academy squad in the semifinals after wins against Excelsior and Dual Immersion to start the team’s state playoff run.

Summit was led in scoring this season by Maxwell Stevenson and Sam Leinbach and by Everett Butters and Breven Ewing on the boards. Sam Latimer had the team’s top offensive performance of the season with 28 points against Channing Hall.

Also on the 14-2 squad this year were Dallin Bradshaw, Truman Cecil, Logan Child, Tristen Jones, Korver Kay, Darren Pendleton and Ian Rodriguez.

“The team improved so much throughout the year,” Druce said. “We only had two returning players from last year’s team. They played together as a team, moved the ball well and played tough defense. But, most importantly, they had fun.”

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Druce was assisted on the coaching staff by Jeremy DeForest and team manager Savannah Smith. l

The Summit Academy Junior High boys basketball team recently won the Utah Charter and Small School Athletic League state championship, defeating Providence Hall 37-32. (Photo courtesy Kenneth Druce)

SilverLine takes fourth at 3A state drill

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

The Juan Diego Catholic High School

SilverLine placed fourth overall at the 3A drill state championships Feb. 3 at Utah Valley University. They came in third in Military, fourth in Show and fifth in Dance. Those on the squad this season were Kianna Almonaci, Ireland Colligan, Ella Devir, Maile Gallegos, Lucila Garcia, Rachee

Hatch, Josie Jewkes, Mikala Lund, Alexis Manson, Lily Martin, Samantha Martinez, Sophia Moreno, Danielle Pozzi, Miranda Rice, Ava Schorlemmer, Ella Schorlemmer, Rowan Shosted, Iris Silva, Mia Silva and Corinne Simao. (Photo courtesy April van der Sluys) l

Author encourages Channing Hall students to use creativity in writing

About150 Channing Hall middle school students had the opportunity not only to listen to a local author, but to have a writing workshop with her.

In early January, New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen shared her journey into becoming published with students. She is known for the Ascendance series, beginning with “The False Prince,” many students have read the Traitor’s Game series and historical novels such as “A Night Divided” and “Resistance.”

“She just was really engaging and was able to relate to the students,” said English teacher Anda Pearson, who said Nielsen told students these years are when they’re the most creative. “She told them that now is when they have these great ideas and are really imaginative, but that changes when they get to high school. She was challenging them to realize now while they like writing is the

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

time to start and to hold on to that.”

Nielsen told the students how she would get rejection slip after rejection slip when she began. She even kept a binder full of them.

“She told them how hard she tried writing and editing for months and months before she submitted her novels and how many rejections she’d get. Before she got published, her sister-in-law wrote a manuscript and called her, saying it would be published,” Pearson said.

It was her sister-in-law’s first time submitting a manuscript—and it was on Nielsen’s birthday.

“Nielsen still hadn’t gotten published, and she felt defeated. But she told the students that even though she was heartbroken, it was the best lesson. She rededicated herself to keep trying and eventually got published,” Pearson said. “It was a good message for my students to hear.”

Before Nielsen came to the school, Pearson’s eighth-graders had read the novel, “The Outsiders,” written by then 15-year-old S.E. Hinton. Nielsen said it was that book that inspired her to become an author.

Nielsen also answered their questions. While she replied her favorite book is the next book she will write, she did tell them she likes reading all genres, and encouraged them to do so as well.

When asked where she got her ideas, she told them ideas basically come from everywhere and what is interesting to them.

On her website, she said, “Everyone comes up with a fabulous story idea. The only difference is in who decides to act on the idea and get it written down.”

Nielsen asked students to point to something in the hallway that stood out to them. One of the students pointed at a locker.

Right then and there, they created a story

of a back-to-school night where the student forgot to do his homework and was fighting with his parents, when suddenly, the locker sucked his mom into this void.

“She said that maybe the whole story will be surrounding this journey they take. She told the students their story they came up with is one she would want to read and it would have some very cool visuals,” Pearson said.

In the workshops, she expanded on developing stories. With the students, they created characters and picked five different scenarios the characters could do. They then picked one of those scenarios and decide what would happen and started building a story together.

“She talked to them about her writing process in her historical fiction writing and the research she’s doing about the Titanic and about it when writing about the Berlin Wall in ‘A Night Divided,’” Pearson said. “For example, with ‘A Night Divided,’ she got interested in what happens in the zone between the walls when someone was crossing from one side to the other. With her research on the Titanic, she is looking into three people who all could have stopped or changed the fate that night. A story she discovered was the Titanic telegraph guy was rude to someone on board another boat who saw the iceberg and tried to call the Titanic. But the volume was really loud in his ear, and he thought the guy was yelling at him. It ended up that the person calling ended up not telling him because the telegraph guy hung up on him. It’s through her research on these people that she’s able to tell stories.”

Pearson’s students write four book reports every year and one of those genres is historical fiction. Many of her students have picked a book of Nielsen’s to share.

“They write an essay where they look at the historical time period and fictionalized time period to compare and contrast differences and similarities,” Pearson said.

Nielsen, who also signed her books for students, encouraged those students who have started writing their own stories to continue with them. Every year, Pearson encourages students to write their own novel through NaNoWriMo during national novel writing month in November.

“A lot of them are now excited saying, ‘I’m going to go back to work on my novel’ and it was really cool that she inspired them,” she said. “This was a good opportunity for students, even if they don’t want to be an author, to see someone who has created success out of following a passion or a dream of theirs. It’s also important for them to see the hard work that goes into getting the things you want out of life. It can be really easy to give up on something, but she was able to show them that hard work pays off.” l

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen poses with two students after talking to and signing her books for Channing Hall students. (Heather Fehrenbach/Channing Hall)

Rae’s Draper Real Estate Update

By Jason Corbridge

Draper resident, RaeAnne Stranc, is running a “Marathon” of sorts, which involves door-knocking $10,000 homes in Draper. She will have monthly updates on her progress, Draper real estate news/ statistics, and contest information.

7 Tips for Buying a Home or Investment Property in the 2023 Market:

1. Since interest rates will be on a roller coaster ride going up and down over the next year, get off the ride and lock in your rate when you are ready. You can always refinance later!

2. One of the best ways to purchase in this higher rate environment is to negotiate seller paid closing costs as part of your transaction. With a less competitive sellers market, we are seeing more sellers willing to contribute to a buyer’s costs for closing and rate buy-down.

3. Sellers who want and need to sell, may just offer to be the lender for you. This is called “Seller Financing.” You will probably go through some type of vetting process with the seller. Usually, the seller will like a good down payment in this situation, so if you have a nice amount to invest, this may be another way to go in this market.

4. Over the past five years, we’ve seen historically low interest rates so you might be able to assume the Seller’s low interest, if their loan was an FHA or VA loan. In this situation, you would assume their loan and bring money to the table for the difference.

5. In this market, unlike the past, builders of new construction are now sitting on inventory, and they are offering many incentives right in this current market.

6. We are seeing “a contingent to sell” clause, back in the real estate purchase contract. Sellers are more accepting to work with buyers who need to sell their current home. Sellers know that they need to be more creative in this market.

7. If you have a lot of equity in your home, you may be able to pull that money out to be used as a down payment on an investment property.

(Rae Stranc is not a mortgage lender. Please consult an expert for more information on home purchasing ideas.)

Door Knocking Update:

Knocked: 420 Draper Homes since January 1st

(Goal 10,000 Draper homes by December 31, 2023)

Winning Doors Hangers:

January: #6, #90, #122, #237; February: #32, #76, #294, #381 (Winners call/text to receive your $25 restaurant gift card.)

Chick-fil-a Gift Cards given out: 9

(Receive a $5 Chick-fil-a gift card for knowing my full name when I come to your door.)

I always gift back $1,000 to my Buyers when they Buy! If you would like more statistical information, counsel, or a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis specific to your property, please call or text me at (801) 888-4525 or rstranc801@msn.com.

K. TYSON BAILEY, DO Internal Medicine

Dr. Tyson Bailey joins Granger Medical Clinic Internal Medicine—Sandy/Draper clinic after completing his residency with Abrazo Healthcare in Glendale, Arizona. As a native to Utah, he is excited to be building a lifelong practice caring for patients. Dr. Bailey is an advocate for his patients, having won both “Resident of the Year Award” in 2021 during the height of the COVID pandemic and “Outpatient Medicine Resident of The Year” in 2022.

Dr. Bailey completed medical school at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine. While at this faith-based university, he learned how to integrate modern, evidence-based medical practices while focusing on the three tenets of health: mind, body, and soul. Dr. Bailey believes that optimal health comes when all three of these tenets are addressed properly. To address these three tenets fully, Dr. Bailey uses a multidisciplinary approach to ensure every aspect of patients’ well-being is taken care of.

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Dr. Bailey is trained in osteopathic manipulation and offers these services on a case-by-case basis.

Juan Diego hosted science fair with winners advancing

Photo by Julie Slama

JD principal receives digital learning award

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Juan Diego Catholic High School recently hosted the annual Knights of Columbus Diocesan Science Fair on Feb. 4. More than 125 secondary students presented their science and engineering projects to judges in the morning before a public viewing and awards ceremony were held in the afternoon. Winners advance to the University of Utah Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held March 14-17.

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Juan Diego Catholic High School Principal Galey Colosimo received the Spirit of Digital Learning Collaborative award Feb. 15 in Austin, Texas. He was recognized for his commitment to expand digital learning opportunities not only for his students, but for all students attending private schools in the state. Colosimo, who serves as Utah Private School Association’s executive director, first had his high school teachers trained in blended learning, then charged them to share that approach with other private schools’ faculty across Utah to learn about the approach and ensure student learning. (Photo courtesy of Juan Diego Catholic High School)

‘Living Stations of the Cross’

coming March 30

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

St. John the Baptist eighth-grade students will present the “Living Stations of the Cross” for the community Thursday, March 30, and Friday, March 31 with starting times at 10-minute intervals between 11 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. It will take place in the center of campus by the bell tower on the Skaggs Catholic Center Campus, 300 E. 11800 South. In case of rain, the Living Stations will be moved indoors to the auxiliary gym at Juan Diego Catholic High School. “Each year hundreds of people come to prayerfully experience this most moving presentation,” said April van de Sluys, Juan Diego Catholic Schools’ advancement director. “We invite all to walk the Stations with our community in this beautiful, spiritual journey for Jesus.” (Photo courtesy of April van de Sluys/JDCHS)

Draper Elementary community embraces Chinese culture for Year of the Rabbit

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

DraperElementary Mandarin dual immersion fourth-grader Abi Bakke was excited about the school’s Chinese New Year celebration.

“I’ve practiced with a goblin, a fancy one with pink and green, and other students are part of the dragon dance and they’re under the red dragon that is longer than a car,” she said. “It’s really cool. Dragons and the color red mean good luck and the dragon even has a gold ball inside its mouth.”

The schoolwide celebration was held twice—once for students and once for parents. Traditional Chinese New Year songs and martial arts were performed by schoolchildren of each grade, and the audience was invited to sing, “Gong Xi,” along with them.

Parent Sara Bennion was there to see her children, third-grader Blakely, and fifth-grader Winston, perform. Her oldest, seventh-grader Lucy, studies Chinese at near-

by Draper Park Middle.

“Academically, it’s great for them to learn a different language—and to experience a bit of a different culture as they’re doing here,” she said. “I’m excited that they’re able to speak it and carry on conversations. They’ve been at Disney and have talked to people who are so impressed they know the language. We’ve been to authentic Chinese restaurants and they’re able to order. They’re learning the language and are grasping the culture, and both of those will impact their lives.”

For some students, the celebrations carried into their classrooms. Traditional Chinese crafts and artwork hung in the hallway.

Third-grader Sophie Li appreciated learning about tai chi and cutting out a rabbit decoration.

“It’s the Year of the Rabbit, we’ll have good luck all year long,” she said. l

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Our quality reputation is everything to our business and we have established ourselves in the local community as a qualified and trusted resource. We are not a national franchise and are not controlled by any outside influences. Larkin can meet any need by providing traditional funeral and graveside services, cremation facilities, cemeteries, indoor and outdoor mausoleums, cremation niche and scattering gardens, personalized life memorials and legacy keepsakes.

One of the most important aspects of being locally owned and operated is our firsthand knowledge of the communities we serve. With 138 years of excellence and innovation in providing quality memorial products and compassionate service, Larkin Mortuary provides a full spectrum of end of life services.

Being a qualified resource to you is our core mission. Larkin’s vertically integrated services provide a premier floral shop, monument, urn and vault manufacturing facilities, and beautiful memorial meeting and luncheon facilities. These full range of services offer individuals and families the flexibility to design a custom memorial tribute for their loved one. Multilingual staff honor and facilitate important traditions of many cultures. Larkin can also assist with legal transactions and documentation for timely and efficient transfers to other countries.

We are community minded and active in our places of worship and donate either monetarily or with our time to many worthwhile causes in the local area. Being community-minded is who we are. It defines our character and provides a solid foundation with the people we serve.

Memorial preplanning services are offered by qualified and compassionate Larkin counselors who will help determine final wishes. Advanced funeral arrangements can provide peace of mind knowing that end of life plans are complete and will be carried out exactly as specified. Preplanning reduces the details and decisions loved ones must confront during a time of grief.

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Top Left: At Draper Elementary’s Chinese New Year celebration, students share their knowledge of the language and culture with their families. Top Right: Draper Elementary dual immersion students commit to their demonstration of Chinese traditions at their Chinese New Year celebration. Bottom Left: With colorful props, Draper Elementary students showcase culture they’ve learned in their Chinese dual immersion classes. Bottom Right: Draper Elementary dual immersion students showcase their martial arts fan dance at the school’s Chinese New Year celebration. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Juan Diego students learn compassion through serving community

For a week this winter, more than 150 Juan Diego Catholic High School seniors had the real world as their classroom.

During the week, the students provided service to about 30 different agencies from senior and veterans’ centers to children’s services to those experiencing homelessness, said Michelle Moynihan, Juan Diego’s coordinator of Christian service.

“We encourage students to challenge themselves, to serve outside of their comfort zones,” she said. “We’ve had students who have worked at Sandy Senior Center, Sunrise Senior Living and a veterans’ home and adult care center. They’ve worked with Strides Pediatric Therapy in Eagle Mountain and with students at Jordan Valley and Kauri Sue Hamilton schools. We have students working with Catholic Community Services and with St. Vincent de Paul, with people experiencing homelessness. Our students help at the Boys & Girls Club and the Neighborhood House and a wide variety of places.”

The school matches students with an agency, usually one of the top three choices a student will select. Many seniors will carpool to the site for the week.

“We encourage them to ask previous students about places they’ve volunteered, to look through the senior service project book where they can see the agencies and learn what they do, the clients they serve, and what typical service they may do onsite,” Moynihan said.

Many of the organizations have been a part of service week since it started in 2016, a change from Juan Diego students just clocking in service hours during the year. Some agencies have reached out wanting to be added, including alumni who have started their own businesses.

“With the Juan Diego’s spirit of giving, we decided that it could be a better experience than just having service hours where they just checked the box for maybe serving one hour at this place and another hour later. So, we dedicated a week of 40 hours their senior year to service. Overwhelmingly, it’s because of what the seniors say when they’re finished, that we keep it this way. Many times, they’ll return to say, ‘I’ve changed my mind about what I want to be’ or ‘I’ve learned a lot about myself through this.’ Many will want to continue volunteering because they care, and we see the change it makes. It helps them to become people who care about their community and want to serve it. Sometimes, it will even turn into internships or jobs for our students,” she said.

Moynihan said through volunteerism, students become more responsible citizens.

“We want to graduate people who are caring and compassionate and wanting to serve. They may recognize that there are people in their own communities who may be facing things that they will never face. It’s

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

a way to get our students a little bit outside of themselves and to recognize that they can support and go and serve,” she said. During the service, students write about their experiences.

“We ask them to write every day about what they did and what it meant to them. We give them questions like on the first day, ‘what were you nervous about and how did it turn out?’ or on the last day, ‘what surprised you and what was your favorite experience and why?’” Moynihan said.

The following week, students will debrief in class and each student will write a two-page capstone paper about their service as well as a thank-you note to the agency.

The final part of the service week is a dinner celebration where some student will share and reflect about their time and the stories of what they experienced with classmates, parents and school representatives.

“It’s rewarding watching the seniors just really come into themselves,” Moynihan said. “I had the privilege of getting to visiting every single senior on site this year and seeing their caring on their faces and watching them interact with the people that they’re serving. For me it’s a gift, and it’s just a really beautiful thing for them and for our community.”

Top: Juan Diego High seniors, who volunteered for a week at Sandy Senior Center, mix in with Sandy senior citizens in a square dance. (Michelle Moynihan/JDCHS) Bottom Left: two Juan Diego Catholic High seniors volunteered a week at the Utah Community Action Center. (Photo courtesy of Juan Diego Catholic High School) Bottom Right: As part of the senior service week, Juan Diego Catholic High School students annually volunteer at National Ability Center. (Photo courtesy of Peri Flanagan)

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The Corner Canyon High varsity cheer team followed up winning the state’s first sanctioned cheer title at the end of January with a national championship two weeks later. The Chargers proved to be the nation’s best at the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, Feb. 10-12.

“This was an amazing experience,” said head coach Whitney Lunt. “It’s our third national championship (also winning in 2018 and 2021), but actually the first time that they were truly perfect in finals which made the experience even more sweet!”

“Winning nationals was a dream come true,” said junior Zoe Kener, noting that the 2021 title was held virtually because of Covid so this year was particularly rewarding. “This team is so talented. We really trusted in each other and didn’t want to let each other down. Every girl did her part and the end result was the winning routine. It was such a great feeling to know our hard work paid off.”

Senior captain Avery Adamson said, “Winning nationals was the best feeling ever! It felt so rewarding to watch our 11 months of consistent hard work and passion pay off. This routine has required a lot of focus and effort and it felt so good to see it pay off. I couldn’t stop crying tears of joy because it all felt worth it.”

“When we were announced first place, I was so overwhelmed with joy,” said senior Jade Winkel. “It was such an amazing feeling to know that all of our hard work paid off. Our goal all year was to win nationals and it was all we had talked about since the spring. It was so rewarding to know we accomplished our goal.”

Based on the team’s performance in the preliminary round—despite not having their best routine, according to Lunt—they were able to go straight through to the finals.

“To still go straight through was a testament to just how good this team is and how talented these kids are,” Lunt said. “Our only expectation going in was to do the routine the way that it was supposed to be done and to the best of our ability. We wanted to get a zero (which means no deductions) in front of the castle. It was the most perfect routine that we have done all season.”

Lunt also noted that the leadership of her team, which consisted of the largest senior class Corner Canyon has ever had with 10, also made this year’s performance extra special.

“Our senior girls are amazing leaders with an incredible work ethic and were great examples to us and led us to success,” Kener said.

“Winning was special in itself, but winning with our seniors on the mat was even more special,” Adamson said. “I feel so much pride and gratitude as a senior and that made

Corner Canyon cheer is nation’s best

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

it that much better. We are very close and savored every moment of this year and didn’t take anything for granted because it’s our last. Winning is rewarding, but these friendships and bonds are the most rewarding, so winning with my best friends was my favorite part of all.”

“We had all been dreaming of hitting a perfect routine at nationals and we were so joyful that our last routine was the best one of the season,” Winkel said.

The 2023 nationals was even more historic for the CCHS program with three teams reaching the final round. The Game Day team placed sixth while the junior varsity squad finished seventh.

“This was pretty incredible because it was our first year ever competing in Game Day and our only goal was to make finals,” Lunt said. “Also, the first time in our history,

our JV team went straight through from prelims to finals.”

The varsity team consisted of Adamson, Reagan Alleman, Brooke Barney, Lizzie Boyle, Brynley Davis, Ella Duffin, Lauren Easton, Jessica Flores, Shannon Gillespie, Annabelle Harris, Ava Johnson, Ashley Macievic, Bridgette Marsh, Mylie Matthews, Ella Nelson, Payton Reese, Livi Sharp and Jade Winkel.

On the JV squad were Izzy Bagley, Jordyn Cromar, Cambreigh Dykman, Averi Dyer, Lexi Goodbar, Kyndall Hadfield, Sophie Kennedy, Gretel Kinnersley, Macie Lewis, Kate Nelson, Kenady Parkin, Paige Rees, Christine Schmidt, Bella Shelton, Blakely Smith, Brinklee Tebbs, Ellee Wilder and Elisha Wong.

Adamson and Kener along with Alleman, Barney, Boyle, Cromar, Davis, Duffin,

Easton, Flores, Gillespie, Goodbar, Harris, Johnson, Macievic, Marsh, Matthews, Ella Nelson, Reese, Schmidt, Sharp, Wilder and Winkel made up the Game Day group.

Lunt was assisted on the coaching staff by Bria Bowthorpe, Kyle Schofield and Stephanie Sampson and choreographer Cameron Larson.

“There was such pure joy that everyone had when they could see all of their hard work pay off and seeing our friends, family and even other teams being genuinely happy for the kids,” Lunt said. “They truly did earn it, and it was so nice to see other people also recognizing that. Our kids also extended kindness and friendship to everyone that they met. They are so much more than just athletes.”

“All love and credit to our amazing coaches, in particular Whitney,” Kener said.

The Corner Canyon High School cheer team won their third national championship, this time at the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, Feb. 10-12. (Photos courtesy Whitney Lunt)

“She puts her heart and soul into this program. No one believes in us more than she does. We appreciate her more than she knows.”

In the 6A state meet at Utah Valley University Jan. 27, the Chargers won the first sanctioned championship event, now mark-

ing its fifth state title in the 10 years since the school opened.

“This was extra special this year because with being sanctioned now the process was different and required a lot more,” Lunt said.

“It also meant that we were the first-ever 6A

All-Girl State Champions. It made it even sweeter.”

“We knew after winning state that we were capable of winning nationals,” Kener said, particularly noting the “special bond” on the team that facilitated their success.

“State was so much fun and a big moment for our team,” Adamson said.

Ten CCHS squad members—Avery Adamson, Brooke Barney, Ella Duffin, Lauren Easton, Jessica Flores, Annabelle Harris, Ella Nelson, Christine Schmidt, Olivia Sharp and Jade Winkel —were named to the All-State team while Adamson and Barney were additionally recognized as Academic All-State.

At state, Corner Canyon competed with the traditional Show routine and then showcased routines in the Game Day division.

“It was exciting to be officially recognized as being the best of the best in the state,” Lunt said. “Once the girls hit their Show routine, we knew that the rest was just fun and that they just had to do what they had been doing all season.”

“This team was truly special,” Winkel said. “We were pushed harder than ever this year, but we knew what our goal was from the beginning and everyone was on the same page and willing to push themselves all year long.”

Lunt was thrilled with the team’s success, but just as pleased with their efforts to get there. “This team was pushed harder than ever and they really just rose to the occasion,” she said. “They consistently did their job and worked harder and demanded perfection more than any team before. Everything they have achieved they earned because they bought in and trusted the process and each other. We are more than proud of them!” l

“ Robert and Mark were great! We had pipes burst at night and they were right there to help us get the water shut off and to help us get all the water out and dried. They were both professional, communication was great and they were thorough.I would recommend them to anyone! ”

—Anna D

The Corner Canyon High School cheer team won the first sanctioned 6A state cheer title at Utah Valley University Jan. 27. (Photos courtesy Whitney Lunt)

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When I was a kid, I worried about four things: my Halloween candy being stolen by siblings, missing a spelling word on a test, accidentally eating mayonnaise and nuclear war. In that order.

While those four things were the main cause of concern, I also worried about rainy days because stupid boys would throw earthworms down my shirt. I worried about wearing dresses to school because stupid boys would look up my skirt.

I worried about running out of books to read because I couldn’t imagine that apocalyptic scenario. I worried about earthquakes because we were constantly told The Big One would happen when we least suspected.

I guess I worried a lot, but I’m pretty sure our state legislators at the time didn’t give a rat’s behind about my mental health. In fact, children in the 1970s weren’t really considered people until they had a job and started paying taxes.

But now, our illustrious leaders say they are really concerned about the mental health of Utah’s youth, but only in select situations. There is talk to ban social media for kids under 16 because of the harmful impact it has on their mental wellness.

However, representatives don’t seem

A Mental Health Day

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

society. Even though teens with access to these treatments have demonstrated better mental health.

This is a “problem” our leaders don’t have to “solve” because, hear me out, it isn’t a “problem.”

On a related note, I found it interesting Utah will still permit cisgender female teens to get breast implants. Because Utah.

Do you know what else affects a child’s mental health? The fear they’ll be shot at school. The fear that climate change will eliminate elephants and polar bears. The fear their overworked teachers will quit because public money has been siphoned off to private and home schools.

I won’t clump all our elected officials into this bunch of wackadoodles because there are many people working to help trans youth, create sensible gun laws and reduce the load of our poor public school teachers who get beat up each year during the legislative session.

milla introduced a bill that would legalize psilocybin in Utah under strict controls. Because this is Utah, this mushroom therapy bill will probably go down in hallucinogenic flames, but hopefully it gets the conversation started.

Another way to help our youth develop better mental health? Stop passing harmful bills. Start passing bills that help our children and grandchildren deal with the everyday pressures of living in this world that feels like it’s gone bananas.

I agree social media causes great harm to our teens through cyberbullying, shaming and creating a comparison mindset. But there are additional issues we could tackle to help our children sleep better at night.

concerned about the mental health of transgender youth since our state leaders banned gender-affirming care for minors. Even though suicide rates skyrocket for trans youth who often feel stigmatized in

I vote that each educator be given a 10-day trip to Hawaii, paid for by the record-breaking state liquor sales. Of which they’ve heartily contributed, I’m sure.

Speaking of addressing mental health, Senate Minority Leader Luz Esca -

I never had to worry about cyberbullying as a kid, although actual physical bullying was definitely a thing. I worried about being pushed off the monkey bars onto the hard concrete. I worried about kids laughing at my homemade polyester pantsuits.

What I worry about now is how to create an inclusive and safe environment for our youth. I also still worry about accidentally eating mayonnaise, and nuclear war. In that order. l