Draper Journal | May 2022

May 2022 | Vol. 16 Iss. 05

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

F

ollowing the deaths of two young men after a party got out of hand at an Airbnb, city officials are looking more deeply into the quantity and role of short-term rentals in Draper.

The incident happened in the Cranberry Hill neighborhood the first weekend of April. One victim died at the scene from a gunshot wound, the second died later at the hospital. Draper Police launched an investigation and two suspects were arrested four days later.

At the first April Draper City Council study meeting, short-term rentals were discussed. Mayor Troy Walker indicated he’d like to ban them in the city after this incident, the third involving guns.

Draper Police Lt. David Harris said his department has tallied 13 incidents that have happened at short-term rentals in the last year and a half.

“We were curious if this was making a big impact on our city.

There are others, not just Airbnb.

We’ve had some complaints of par-

ties for people who’ve rented their houses out. Airbnb is getting lumped in with everything. Apparently, there are several different rental companies and private rent-my-home-out incidents,” Harris said.

According to Harris, the first known incident reported to police at a short-term rental happened in November 2020. “That was an aggravated assault where a person was hit with a gun (struck with the gun but not shot) and there was a fight. The sergeant that wrote it up had been there before…it had been used for more than one incident where a party got out of hand. We’ve had a couple more since then. Three or four were concerning because of violence, but Continued page 13 Two men were shot and killed and two men were later arrested for their murders after a party at this Airbnb in Cranberry Hill turned violent. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)

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May 2022 | Page 3

A wellspring of wellness opportunities in Draper

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

A

focus on wellness is well under way in Draper. Beyond the programs offered by the Parks and Recreation department, and in addition to the multitude of maintained trails, the city is offering yoga and mindfulness classes. And a new coalition focused on residents’ wellness has recently been established.

David Wilks is Special Events Manager for Draper. In addition to the annual events he coordinates such as the Easter egg hunt, the Veteran’s Day ceremony, the December Tree Lighting and others, Wilks has helped introduce two new programs focused on wellness: mindfulness and yoga.

“Both of these programs started because we were approached by people in the community who are instructors,” Wilks said. Draper is one of few Utah cities that offer these.

Mindfulness classes, taught by certified instructor Linnea Charnholm, happen this summer on Tuesday mornings promptly at 7:15 a.m. in the Day Barn. Cost is $12/month. Fall classes (location to be determined) will be held Tuesday evenings.

“We know there are proven benefits to mindfulness, everything from stress reduction to improving focus and improving cognitive flexibility. In addition to mental health, it also helps physical health by addressing chronic pain and anxiety. With the number of Americans suffering from anxiety, we thought it would be a great benefit to the people of our community,” Wilks said.

Mindfulness classes are geared toward beginners. Classes focus on breathing exercises, self-compassion and gratitude practices, and ways to stay in the present moment. The demographics of the class are diverse with a mixture of men and women of varying ages and physical abilities. Students can sit in a chair, on the floor, or on a yoga mat, whatever works best for the individual.

Draper resident Nancy Nichols has been doing the mindfulness class since it started two years ago. “Every new year, I would come up with a word or two I wanted to work on for the year, and for that year the goal I had was to become more mindful. I saw the class advertised and I thought ‘this is perfect’. I’d heard of it before but I’d never done practices on it, and I really like how Linnea does the class.” Nichols said she has learned practices that help her stay in the present moment and techniques that she uses in her daily life. Plus, she likes how each class ends with a quote or poem that pertains to mindfulness.

Draper City’s Yoga program is offered during the months of June, July and August. They meet one day per week with four

Journals T H E

The city recently established a wellness coalition with community partners who meet quarterly to address health needs, including mental health, and to offer resources to the community. (Courtesy Draper City)

different class times offered that day; early morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening. “It’s outdoors in Corner Canyon at our Peak View Trailhead. The setting is gorgeous. It’s been very popular and it sells out because it has limited capacity,” Wilks said.

“Yoga on the Mountain” is taught by Yoga Alliance instructor Jennifer Mason. It’s available to anyone 12 years and older. Cost is $40 for one four-week session.

“We can’t offer the programs for free, but because it’s such a benefit to people’s well-being, we’ve done our best to offer them as inexpensive as possible,” Wilks said, adding that people can drop in to try a Mindfulness class for free before registering. Registration for Yoga opens May 25 and is likely to fill up quickly.

Draper’s Communication Director Linda Peterson serves as coordinator of the city’s newly established Wellness Coalition. The coalition is comprised of Draper’s fire and police chiefs, the Parks and Recreation Director, and Peterson along with partners in the community including Salt Lake County

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Health Department, Draper Recreation Center, Lone Peak Hospital, Draper Senior Center, Canyons School District and PEHP (the city’s health insurance provider).

“We’ve established quarterly meetings and we discuss needs in the community related to health. Police and fire departments in particular are on the front lines, so they have a good understanding of what some of the health needs are in the community. They not only respond on medical calls, but also on calls related to mental health, so they’ve provided some good insight,” Peterson said.

The coalition’s first focus was mental health. “Everyone thought that was a high-level need following the pandemic.”

She created the Draper Wellness webpage where people can go if they are looking for health resources. It includes links to the community partner websites, most of whom have ongoing programs and services to further help the community.

“Our Parks and Recreation Department has been really good at offering a variety of programs and they keep those at affordable costs. This is taking it to the next level, branching out and pulling in all of these great community partners who have additional options for enjoyable health care things, or if someone is in crisis or poor health, places they can turn for additional support,” Peterson said.

The coalition’s current focus is resilience and self-care.

“We felt that was a good follow up, especially for youth, building that resilience and getting through difficulties to strengthen themselves emotionally and make sure they’re taking care of themselves,” Peterson said.

She hopes residents will reach out to the city to give feedback if there are needs that should be addressed. “We want it to be interactive,” Peterson said. “We don’t want to just push information out there and not have it be useful to someone.”

In April, Draper was recognized as a Healthy Utah Community by the Utah League of Cities and Towns, a statewide recognition for having met certain criteria.

Information on mindfulness can be found at www.draperutah.gov/1587/beginning-mindfulness-class Information on yoga can be found at www.draperutah. gov/1858/Yoga-on-the-Mountain The Draper Wellness webpage can be found at www. draperutah.gov/1906/Draper-Wellness.

Residents can offer feedback to the city’s Wellness Coalition by emailing info@draperutah.govl

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Draper City Journal

CCHS senior riding off to college

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

D

raper’s Ashlyn Montague was that “little girl that loved horses” so what began as riding lessons on a pony named Charlie when she was four years old is taking the Corner Canyon High senior to the University of Minnesota-Crookston to compete collegiately.

“I’m really excited to ride in college,” she said. “It wasn’t until this last year that we realized this was an option so I was a little late in the game, but I found a place with a great riding team and with a great equine science program as well.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Ashlyn to the Golden Eagle Equestrian program,” said UMN Crookston head coach Kayla Hanson.

“Ashlyn brings a wealth of experience showing within the American Paint Horse Association competing in the all-around events.

Her versatility in riding and strong ability to adapt will be a significant asset to our team and suit the collegiate format perfectly.”

Mandi Montague, Ashlyn’s mother, said that her daughter’s “ability to get on any horse and get a good ride out of them” caught the eye of Hanson to add to her UMN-Crookston program. “In collegiate riding, you draw an unknown horse at your competition and have four minutes to warm them up and then go out and complete a pattern on them that you are judged on,” said Mandi Montague. “This is a strength that Ashlyn has developed over the years from riding a lot of different horses in a lot of different disciplines, riding difficult horses, and training a young horse.”

Ashlyn’s parents, Ken and Mandi Montague, went “all in” for Mandi’s and Ashlyn’s shared passion for horses in buying horse property in Draper along with two horses in 2009, when Ashlyn was five. Two

years later, she won a blue ribbon in the 4-H Mini Riders Program in showmanship and then she transitioned from English-style riding and jumping to the western side of things with rail, showmanship, barrel racing, pole bending, and speed events.

When she was 10, she claimed the Grand Champion in Showmanship with her American quarter horse, (AQHA) Jasmine, while also qualifying for her first 4-H state event.

At the age of 14, she presented Cosette, her American paint horse (APHA), in western and English disciplines and the Montagues then went on to purchase an APHA yearling named Mae for Ashlyn to train “on her own from the ground up,” according to her mom, over the next couple of years.

Ashlyn has continued to win numerous awards, regardless of which horse she was riding, most recently being named the 2021 Overall Grand Champion for the state 4-H Show as well as the Salt Lake County High Point Show with Mae. “Ashlyn has become an amazing athlete and horseman and is so passionate about what she loves,” Mandi Montague said.

“Riding horses is hard physically. You don't just sit there while the horse does all the work. She has to work out and stay healthy and fit for both herself and her horse. And it's hard mentally too; she has to learn to tune into the slightest emotion she is having and control it because her horse can sense and feel everything she is feeling as well.”

Ashlyn rides her horses five to six days a week and feels that consistency has been a key to her successes in the arena “to keep both of us where we’re supposed to be.”

“I’ve also learned a lot of patience,” she said.

“It takes a lot of that when you’re working with an animal that has mind of its own. A

Draper’s Ashlyn Montague was the second attendant for the 2021 Spanish Fork Fiesta Days. (Photos courtesy Mandi Montague)

DraperJournal .com

A young Ashlyn Montague, of Draper, rides her horse Jasmine a few years into her riding career. The now-Corner Canyon High senior will be competing collegiately on the equestrian team at the University of Minnesota-Crookston. (Photo courtesy Mandi Montague)

horse is not like a football that will just go where you tell it to go.”

In addition to showing horses, being a part of rodeo queen courts and competing in equestrian vaulting, Ashlyn has traveled around the country in leadership roles as a horse ambassador. She is currently the president of the Utah Jr. Paint Horse Club, a 4-H state ambassador and a national director for the American Junior Paint Horse Association.

“I have loved to see Ashlyn develop over the years, going from being really frustrated after a bad ride when she was young to looking for the small wins in each ride

now,” Mandi Montague said. “Even if the ride isn't what she wanted, she will focus on what went right and what small wins she was able to bring out with her horse in that pattern. Horseback riding has really taught her self-confidence, patience, dedication and hard work.”

Ashlyn Montague dreams of remaining in the horse world in college and beyond with hopes of becoming a horse trainer.

For more information on the Utah 4-H program, visit www.extension.usu.edu/utah4h/l

Draper’s Ashlyn Montague recently signed with the University of Minnesota-Crookston to compete collegiately for the Golden Eagles equestrian team. (Photo courtesy Mandi Montague)

May 2022 | Page 5

Draper’s Lone Peak is among America’s best hospitals for obstetrics and emergency care

M

ountainStar Healthcare’s Lone Peak Hospital’s obstetric and emergency teams were recently recognized by the Women’s Choice Award as one of the top providers in the country.

The designations place the Draper-based hospital in the top 3% in obstetrics and the top 2% in emergency care of hospitals nationwide.

The Women’s Choice Award is presented to organizations and brands trusted and recommended by women.

“We are truly honored to receive this national recognition, both for labor and delivery and, for the second consecutive year, in our emergency department,” said Brian Lines, CEO of Lone Peak Hospital. “These awards symbolize the best in terms of quality care for patients of all ages, baby included, and that’s something to be proud of.”

Opened in 2013, Lone Peak Hospital introduced valuable obstetric care to the South Valley area. Starting as a satellite emergency department in 2010, the MountainStar hospital has grown to offer comprehensive care through a variety of health care services on campus. As a recipient of the Women’s Choice Award, the hospital is known for going above-and-beyond to ensure exceptional clinical care.

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

These awards symbolize the best in terms of quality care for patients of all ages, baby included, and that’s something to be proud of.

Brian Lines “Not all hospitals can say they are the safest in the country, and by identifying those who are, the Women’s Choice Award is helping the female consumer identify the hospitals in her community that are dedicated to creating the safest patient experience,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “This recognition is critical for women as they make over 80% of health care decisions and need to know they are putting themselves, and their family members, in the safest hands.”

Lone Peak Hospital’s community of medical professionals is honored to be recognized on a national level for the care provided. In 2021, the hospital was listed on the Fortune/ IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals for

The Lone Peak Hospital labor and delivery team received the Women’s Choice Award, presented to organizations recommended by women. (Photo courtesy Lone Peak Hospital)

the third time, awarded for being one of the top-performing “Small Community Hospitals” in the United States.

“At Lone Peak Hospital, we take seriously our mission statement: We are committed

to the care and improvement of human life,” Lines said. “We remain committed to keeping the community’s health our highest priority and these awards are evidence of that.” l

elizabeth.s@thecityjournals.com

Page 6 | May 2022

Draper City Journal

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May 2022 | Page 7

Boys volleyball approved for sanctioning; CC and JD to have own teams

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

R

epresentatives of the Utah Boys Volleyball Association had sat in meetings with the Utah High School Activities Association before—over the past four years in a formal fashion. So, when the UHSAA board again put the sanctioning of boys volleyball to a vote, the UBVA members braced themselves. They had been here before, and had walked out disappointed every time. Yet, on this day, March 24, 2022, it would finally be the outcome they had wanted when their organization was formed in 2015.

After decades of boys playing the sport in Utah, boys volleyball is official, and, with a 10-4 vote, will now be a UHSAA-sanctioned sport beginning in the 2023-24 school year, joining the ranks with 25 other states nationwide.

“We had a lot more hope and momentum this time, but it was so surreal to sit there and hear it announced. We were just in shock,” said UBVA co-founder Jill Davis.

This latest attempt at sanctioning laid 10,000 signatures in front of the UHSAA board along with written support from local politicians, including Norm Thurston of the Utah House of Representatives, who was in attendance at the meeting, to BYU athletic director, Tom Holmoe, BYU men’s volleyball coach Shawn Olmstead and USA national men’s volleyball coach John Speraw.

UHSAA assistant director Jan Whittaker said, “The UHSAA is excited to be sanctioning boys’ volleyball for the 202324 schools year. This will allow many boys who have not been competing in a sport for their school the opportunity to be part of the high school sports experience. They will be able to benefit from the positive impact that high school athletics has on students.”

“We are very happy for this long overdue addition of boys’ volleyball in Utah high school sports,” said Corner Canyon High boys volleyball director Dan Penrod. “The sport has been growing by leaps and bounds the past several years.”

American Preparatory Academy-Draper boys volleyball coach Bryan Durst said his school is “excited to have boys volleyball sanctioned” after five years as a club program.

“We’ve sure been trying through the years to get this done, so I see nothing but positive coming from this,” said Juan Diego Catholic High School coach Sam Vaitai. “It’s gonna be fun.”

Davis said, “It’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment and it was an honor to be in the seat. A lot of people told us it wouldn’t happen, but our grassroots efforts and the community support made this happen. This is a victory for everybody, especially the boys and their families.”

Davis, of South Jordan, has helped spearhead the UBVA’s effort the past few years to get the sport sanctioned. Her sons, Parker and Price, were part of a Bingham High boys volleyball program who three-peated in state titles from 2017 to 2019. She, UBVA co-founder Warren Van Schalkwyk and Duke Mossman, who coaches at Wasatch High, formed a collaborative effort of continually gathering statistics and surveying coaches statewide to keep up with the growing interest and participation in the sport.

What they found was: • Boys volleyball is one of the fastest growing sport in high schools across the nation.

• Boys volleyball is one of the largest club sports in Utah.

In 2015, the state had 24 club teams; last fall, that number was up to 56.

• In 2019, 81 high school teams represented 56 schools in Utah. This year, 122 high school teams are playing from 64 schools with more than 1,500 boys competing.

• More than half of those 64 high school teams had such a demand in numbers that coaches had to cut players at tryouts due to popularity of the sport and lack of facilities.

Page 8 | May 2022

Corner Canyon High’s boys volleyball team continues to grow and is fielding seven teams this season. (Photos courtesy Dan Penrod)

Corner Canyon High junior Gavin Armstrong attacks the ball in a recent practice. (Photo courtesy Dan Penrod)

• Most of the 5A and 6A schools have full teams with the 3A and 4A classifications having a more mixed representation and the more rural schools in 1A and 2A coming in with the lowest participation rates.

• 53% of the boys volleyball programs pay for gym rentals from their schools in order to play and practice.

• 90% of participants statewide just play boys volleyball and are not multi-sport athletes.

“The push that Jill stayed on to make was really key,” Penrod said. “Over this long process, there have always been a few parents that wanted to get the sanctioning ball rolling, but when their boys were finished playing, the momentum died down. Jill staying on after her boys graduated was everything in making sure this happened.”

Whittaker noted how the Emerging Sports Program that the UHSAA formed three years ago played a key role in the sanctioning of boys volleyball. “That program was created to grow meaningful participation opportunities for student-athletes, particularly for female student-athletes, in sports and activities,” she said. “A sport can be considered for sanctioning after it meets a certain threshold of participating of our students in member schools. Boys participating in volleyball has steadily grown over the past few years.”

The Juan Diego Catholic High School’s boys volleyball club is in its first year and looks to grow with the recent UHSAA sanctioning news. (Photo courtesy Kim Shemwell)

Whittaker said once boys volleyball had met initial criteria for sanctioning consideration the UHSAA Board of Trustees looked at several factors in the ultimate decision-making process including: • The impact on Title IX compliance • The percentage of member schools that facilitate interscholastic competition in the emerging sport • Participation in community-sponsored leagues for the sport • Whether other state high school athletic associations sponsor or sanction competition in the sport • University, college and junior college opportunities for participation after high school • Whether the sport is a lifetime sport or activity, easily accessed in later life, that contributes to public health or fitness • Whether the NFHS or other recognized governing body publishes rules for interscholastic competition in the sport • Assistance available for growing the sport from national governing bodies, in-state coaches association and/or in-state officials associations • Significant obstacles to growing the sport, such as lack of facilities, expensive equipment, risk of injury, lack of experi-

Draper City Journal

Olympic line-up encourages Draper youngsters to read, set goals

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

B

etween the 2022 Winter Olympics and the Paralympics, there was another Olympics—Draper Elementary’s Olympic literacy week.

The goal was for the 700 elementary students to read and reach its 125,000-minute goal in five days.

To kick off the event was 2010 Olympic Freestyle Skier Lacey Schnoor DeLoach, who wore her USA ski team jacket, and 2002 Olympic torch bearer Bob Cole, dressed in his torchbearer’s uniform carrying his torch.

Cole, who has granddaughters who attend Draper Elementary, was selected from 50,000 Utahn as one of 3,500 torchbearers. He acknowledged when he sets a goal, he has help along the way.

“All you have to do is set those goals and your team—your parents, and teacher—can help you achieve these goals and many others,” he said before leading the student body in cheers.

Schnoor DeLoach, who attended Draper Elementary from 1990 through 1996, related her Olympic journey to the students with the underlying message of not giving up.

The former level 9 gymnast began competing aerials after being identified at Crescent View Middle School doing flips on a bungee system as part of a program that introduced local athletes to take advantage of the facilities being built in Utah for the 2002 Winter Games.

“They asked me, ‘do you want to come try aerial skiing?’ and I said, ‘sure,’” she recalled, adding that she wasn’t even sure what the sport entailed.

Schnoor DeLoach began training as a U.S. Ski Team member and commuted to Park City as an Alta High student, where she was a varsity cheerleader. Her last two years, she was on a ski release, which made it easier to balance her schoolwork with her training.

“Once I made the U.S. Ski Team, I knew I wanted to go to the Olympics,” said the 2005 national champion. “I trained really hard, and the first Olympics I tried to make was in 2006 in Italy. I just barely missed being able to go, but I didn’t give up.”

Schnoor DeLoach continued her journey. In 2007, she finished eighth in the World Cups. In 2009, she placed seventh in Freestyle World Ski Championships in Japan.

The summer before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, she introduced a triple twisting double back flip.

“I did 10 of these jumps every single day all summer long.

By the end of summer, it was the best job that I was doing,” she said, but adding that she had to transfer that jump from water to snow.

enced coaches and officials • The opportunity for student-athletes to participate equally from all socio-economic backgrounds • Whether sanctioning the sport will divert participants from and weaken an existing sanctioned or emerging sport • Whether there is significant competition for student-athletes to participate in this sport outside of school • The length of time the sport has been an emerging sport • The burden on member schools, districts and on the UHSAA of sanctioning the emerging sport • Utah Division of Risk Management concerns and input “This is not a check off list, but are items that were discussed prior to making the deci-

DraperJournal .com

She remembers the first time she jumped.

“My first double backflip on water was pretty nerve wracking,” she said. “Then those first jumps on snow, it was pretty big.

Even after years of training, when you go from water to snow and you haven’t done those jumps in a couple months, you just have to have faith that you remember how to do them.”

At the Olympic trials, Schnoor DeLoach competed her new jump.

“I landed it and won the event. It was awesome. It was so fun—and I got to represent the USA in the Olympics,” she said.

“Competing for the U.S. and against all the other athletes, the best in the world, is really quite the experience.”

At the Olympics, the then 24-year-old landed her two hardest jumps and finished ninth in the debut of the women’s aerials event as an Olympic sport.

“My message to all you guys is never give up. I could have given up after my first attempt (to make the Olympic team), but I didn’t. I began training really hard and met my goal,” she said.

“So set goals this week for your reading and in other things you want to do. You guys can achieve anything you want to do.”

As a reminder to read, every student received a USA slap bracelet and could dress daily to match the color of an Olympic ring. When they met their daily collective goal of 25,000 minutes, a ring was put up outside.

Posted in the cafeteria, a skier tracked the minutes the students read and when students turned in their reading each night, six names were randomly drawn as winners of USA beanies.

Volunteers came during the week to read to students, including Draper Mayor Troy Walker.

Walker, who read a portion of a book to older students about the Wright Brothers inventing the airplane—“the greatest invention of all time”—shared with them he has his own pilot’s license.

“Find what your passion is, read about it, learn about it,” he said.

Walker read for the first time “Duck for President” to younger students, and said the picture book was “very true, an accurate account of campaigns.”

He also answered students’ questions: “Is it hard being mayor?” “Sometimes.” “What’s your favorite part?” “Helping people.” “Do you live in a big house?” “Sometimes it’s too big.”

“What’s the worse part?” “When people are mad at you.” “Can I have $20 million?” “I have $20 million in Monopoly money I can give you.”

By the week’s end, Draper students reached their reading goal and as a reward, they each will receive a book from the PTA

sion to sanction boys volleyball,” Whittaker said, adding that each school and district will “make the determination whether they will sponsor a sport that UHSAA sanctions.”

Davis said that the sanctioning of boys volleyball is a “win-win.” “This legitimizes it for the boys and creates stability and consistency across the board under a fabulous umbrella.

Scholarships are secondary,” she said. “Plus, county rec leagues can still function for those who were cut from their high school teams as well as those who just want to play.”

Davis, the former director of Bingham boys volleyball teams, has been gearing up to step away from UBVA since 2020 when her son graduated but “needed to stay in the game” to see the sanctioning process through. “Personally, to be able to serve these boys has been a thrill, and it’s an even bigger thrill to betting

2002 Olympic torch bearer Bob Cole came to his granddaughters’ school as part of Draper Elementary’s Olympic-themed literacy week to encourage students to seek help to accomplish their goals. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

and had a free skate night at Classic Fun Center.

At the closing ceremony, Miss Draper Grace Mead, who spoke at the opening assembly, presented the top three girls and three boys per grade with medals sporting red, white and blue ribbons.

“It’s all in fun, to get kids excited to read and keep them reading,” said Timette Wankier, Draper Elementary PTA public relations vice president. “Reading and striving toward goals will make a difference in everything they do in their lives.” l

Utah on the map with boys volleyball,” she said. “I’ll forever be a part of the sport, but this ‘cherry on the top’ is so exciting for these kids and a great way to go out for me.”

Penrod said he is excited to see the further growth that Corner Canyon’s boys volleyball program has in light of the sanctioning announcement and official start in two years. A volleyball class at the school, taught by girls volleyball coach Melinda Ricks, has helped introduce students to the sport and build even more teams within the club. “I can’t believe how much it’s exploded,” Penrod said.

“There’s more and more energy and this year we have seven teams with enough players from CCHS to fill four teams.”

The JDCHS program is in its first year, after typically sending players to the CCHS teams. “Our boys wanted their own club so we

started with eight boys and are now down to six because of injuries,” Vaitai said. “But, it’s going to build quickly, and I’m happy for the boys that it can.”

The UBVA will continue to host the state boys volleyball tournament for the next two seasons as budgets, schedules and regional alignments are put in place for the 2024 spring season when UHSAA will take the reins.

For more information on the UBVA, visit www.ubva.info or email ubva.info@gmail. com.

The addition of boys volleyball will come just after Salt Lake City hosts the high school boys volleyball national championships in summer 2023. l

May 2022 | Page 9

SheTech encourages females to enter STEM field, bring diversity, fill jobs

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

U

tah Gov. Spencer Cox isn’t shying away from the numbers nor his goals when it comes to closing the gender gap in women working in the STEM field.

“We want to close the gap when it comes to STEM careers,” Cox said. “We would love to get to 50% and we’re working hard. There is a huge gap in not every part of STEM, but in most parts of STEM.” Cox has been a long-time supporter of the annual SheTech Explorer Day, now in its eighth year. The STEM career exploration day brought in about 2,000 high school girls from 150 high schools and attracts 1,000 mentors and volunteers from 250 tech companies to teach hands-on workshops in programming, engineering, aerospace, robotics, product invention and entrepreneurship, biomedicine, digital marketing, ecommerce, gaming, esports, virtual reality and more fields.

“The world is changing right now, every single career, every single industry in the world is being influenced by technology,” he told participants. “The connection to tech is so important and there’s a huge gap in STEM more than anywhere else. We desperately need more women in STEM for lots of reasons. We have the best economy in the nation. There are only four states in the country that have more jobs now than they did before the Coronavirus pandemic started two years ago. In the state of Utah, our unemployment right now is 1.9%. That’s the lowest in our state’s history…but with that, it also means right now we have thousands of jobs available that are going unfilled; there are really good jobs and most of those are in STEM-related fields.”

Cox said the need to fill those is real for “people who see the world differently in these jobs. We don’t need a whole bunch of guys in these jobs; we need creativity. I hope you bring that creativity to whatever it is you want to do.”

Cydni Tetro, president and one of the founders of Women Tech Council, said that the SheTech Explorer Day was created to help target young women to enter the STEM pipeline.

“We need the diversity,” Tetro said. “We have 4,000 open tech jobs. We need (women in) them in every field—computer science project managers, UX designers, data scientists, all of them.”

The goal of SheTech to show girls technology in a fun atmosphere while meeting STEM role models to learn about opportunities in the fields. The high schoolers have access to internships, college pathway information and other opportunities.

Hillcrest High ninth-grader Angelinne Guiterrez was exploring the TechZone, which showcased aerospace programs, technology in soft drink distribution, museum and aquarium careers and working in local

Page 10 | May 2022

Gov. Spencer Cox, who has been a strong supporter of SheTech through the years, gave the opening address to about 2,000 high school girls this year. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

and worldwide software companies.

“I was really interested in how math probability works,” she said after learning more about it at an exhibit.

Her friend, sophomore Samantha Erickson, felt weightlessness while trying out a bicycle gyroscope.

“The force of it was moving me in that direction, which was really cool to experience,” she said. “I’ve checked out every science—biology, aerospace, physics. Marine biology interests me.”

Hillcrest sophomore Elena Parker was investigating future job opportunities, including working at a museum.

“I love being surrounded by history and making exhibits would be really cool,” said Parker, who would like to work at a museum through college before creating her own cartoon series. “My dream is to inspire people to find their passion.”

Cottonwood High sophomore Keian Flake was checking out exhibits in her first SheTech visit.

“This is all very cool; I’ve seen everything from computer science to robots,” said

A high school student tries out feeling weightlessness during the SheTech Explorer Day, which resumed being in-person after going virtual during the pandemic. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Draper City Journal

Midvalley, school district says goodbye to beloved custodian, others who will retire

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

F

or nearly 40 years, third head custodian Jim Sheely carried around 136 keys for Midvalley Elementary. Since the new building opened in 2020, he had only 10 keys, which he turned over April 15 upon his retirement.

During his 41.5 years as a custodian, he remembers watering saplings in front of the former school building’s entrance with five-gallon bucket since there were no sprinklers, then watched them grow into mature trees to being pulled out with the construction of the current building.

He constantly fought rusted galvanized pipes, refinished floors removing more than 20 years of built-up wax until carpeting went in, replaced tiles and fixed leaks, and nursed the “Great Dragon,” a nickname given to the old school’s boiler, until it finally quit in 2015. He climbed the metal rod ladder to the roof to throw down countless balls, cleaned up from thousands of school lunches and knew “every brick in the old building,” according to a former colleague.

Sheely, who had mounted a framed Intermountain Contractor magazine cover featuring the old school building as well as a 1958 dedication ceremony program to then the “Home of the Chipmunks,” now Junior Huskies, in both his old and current office, was on hand for the school’s 60th anniversa-

the future architect designer.

Jordan High juniors Kat Marshall and Alicia Appleton learned about technology in video game development and 3D modeling. Both may pursue a career in forensic science.

Alta High freshman Nariska Clement, who wants to be a mechanical engineer, was looking at some robotics and CAD opportunities while her friend Mariam Ilaha Mujadidi was learning more about coding as she may want to enter the IT field as a software engineer.

American Preparatory Academy students Camille Liebsch and Natalia Gutrierrez were coding Ozobots.

“This is a real opportunity to learn a lot of cool things in tech and to make the world better,” Liebsch said.

“It gives women a chance to step it up.”

Gutrierrez said that the atmosphere was inviting.

“It’s a safe space where everyone is supporting the learning that is going on here,” she said.

Business leaders also prospered from the interaction with the girls.

“At Oracle, we’re the world’s largest database management compa-

DraperJournal .com

Midvalley Elementary custodian Jim Sheely leans on a shovel after the new Midvalley Elementary’s groundbreaking; he retired April 15 after more than 40 years. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

ry, the forming of the new school district and the ribbon-cutting of the current Midvalley Elementary.

On his final day, he managed to keep his eyes dry despite the numerous hugs and high-fives he received from students during

ny and we have women in our leadership so empowering girls in STEM education is important,” said Catherine Hammond, fusion cloud ERP customer support manager.

Caroline Lamph, director of product management at Entrata property management software, said that it’s important to get girls in the predominantly male-oriented tech industry.

“We need the diversity of women in technology,” she said. “It makes us holistic. We want more opportunities for women so we’re actively looking to find more women leaders.”

Maple Mountain senior Victoria Parrotti is one of about 30 girls who make up the SheTech student board which helped plan the event.

“I like seeing other women who have similar interests as I do,” she said. “This is an important day. We’re making female connections and are finding opportunities through SheTech.”

At the end of the day, the high school students participated with adult visionaries and mentors in a 45-minute Tech Challenge where they ideate, solve and pitch solutions.l

Midvalley’s long-time custodian Jim Sheely said he felt “like a rock star” as students gave him high-fives and hugs during his final walk-out of the building. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

his clap-out.

“I did it for the kids,” he said. “They’re all good kids.”

Now, Sheely and others school district

teachers, staff and administrators who are retiring can hang up there “gone fishing” signs after being honored at a Canyons School District dinner on May 12. l

Two students checked out the controls on a Utah Valley University plane at SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

May 2022 | Page 11

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Utah’s talent in national song contest represented by Sandy native

L

et’s start with the outfit, because Sandy native Savannah Keyes loved performing in it.

The stylists at NBC came up with a pink tailored jacket. It had a flattering V-neck and jeweled lapels that caught the stage lights.

Her matching pink mini skirt had a ruffled, translucent chiffon skirt attached to it that went from around the back of her waist down to the floor. The shoes? Silver cowboy boots.

They were a perfect match for the live performance of her country song “Sad Girl.”

“The stylists did an incredible job. When you’re creative, you have a way you want to present yourself, and this was perfect,” Keyes said.

For Keyes (rhymes with “eyes” and “rise”), the presentation matched both the depth of her dream—being a singer and songwriter, and the scale of the opportunity—performing live on television on April 11.

“Being a singer and songwriter is all I’ve ever wanted to do. There is no plan B. The ‘American Song Contest’ was another step on my road to living that dream,” Keyes said.

To pursue that dream, Keyes moved from Sandy to Nashville.

As a 21 year old she was on the reality competition show, “Real Country.” This year she was chosen to represent Utah in the “American Song Contest.”

The live show features 56

By Heather Lawrence | h.lawrence@mycityjournals.com songwriter/singers from U.S. states and territories. Each sings an original song and hopes fan votes will advance them to the next round of competition.

Keyes’s mom Jennifer Keyes and her grandma both went to L.A. to watch her perform. “My family is still in Sandy and I’m back here a lot. We’re a very tight-knit family. They are my biggest support,” Keyes said.

Her song “Sad Girl” is available for download, and the video of her performance is online. She wrote the song in January with a couple other people over Zoom.

“It only took two hours. It started with a title in my head.

The idea is that you can be an extrovert, the fun girl, the life of the party. I’m the armchair therapist for all my friends and family.

But sometimes it’s just my turn to feel sad,” Keyes said.

Keyes didn’t think it would be her song for the contest, but once she was chosen things happened fast.

“I’ve always wanted to be the kind of artist who writes her own songs. I’m truthful to myself. Sometimes I’ll be sleeping or on an airplane and a melody strikes, and I just have to get it down as soon as I can.”

Keyes gets a gut feeling when a song is right. “The melody, the concept, and the lyrics— it all comes together, and it’s such a good feeling,” Keyes said.

When Keyes found out on April 18 that she hadn’t advanced to the semifinals (she’s

Continued from front page it never came to the forefront until this last incident with two lives lost, about as bad as you can think,” he said.

Harris said other incidents have involved assault, one where a round was fired and the owner found not only a bullet hole in the wall but also drug paraphernalia left behind, another where a person police have arrested many times was in the home with drugs, and another with a felon possessing a firearm.

“Some have just been loud parties,” Harris said. “We had one where someone just refused to leave, a civil matter, and one where renters stole property from the home. Another was a sex assault between family members, and we’ve had a vehicle burglarized at an Airbnb. That’s not Airbnb’s fault either, but the vehicle was parked out in front of the home and was broken into.”

DraperJournal .com

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Savannah Keyes, who grew up in Sandy, performs live in the “American Song Contest” representing Utah on April 11. (Trae Patton/NBC)

in good company—neither did Jewel or Macy Gray), she also learned there was a chance for a comeback as a fan favorite.

“This competition has given my song a life it wouldn’t have had. It’s out there available for download. I know I can rest easy regardless of the outcome because so many of my friends and family have already shown their support,” Keyes said.

Some of that support comes in the form of hearing herself on a radio station she listened to while she was growing up.

On April 12, Keyes posted a response to Utah radio station 97.1 ZHT on her social media.

“Hey @971zht My uncle just heard you guys do a shout out on the radio about me on #AmericanSongContest. I am dying! I listened to this station

Harris said the incident that happens most frequently at short-term rentals are complaints of noise, parties or fights, but that there aren’t a lot of them. “Statistically, I’m not sure that they’re horrible even though I’m sure the neighbors next to them might disagree.” He said those complaints are usually resolved immediately making them easier than if neighbors who are homeowners are continually calling in complaints about other neighbors.

“We can’t kick someone out of their home, and if they’re noisemakers, they’ll be noisemakers in the future,” he said.

Draper Airbnb host Heidi Camacho came to the council meeting out of concern that some short-term rental hosts are ruining it for others. Camacho said she is an on-site host who makes sure she abides by security measures to prevent problems. Most of her guests are paragliders.

“Being an Airbnb host comes with great

all the time growing up in Utah.

This is a dream.”

Keyes knows that whatever the future holds, for her it will be filled with her music. That knowledge gives her a sense of peace when she performs and the ability to keep chasing her dream.

“When I performed live on the show, I wasn’t nervous.

Whatever’s meant to be is going to happen. What I can control is what I do on stage, how I feel and what I take away from it,” Keyes said. “Through this experience, I’ve met incredible people, I got to record and release a song and I wore the coolest outfit ever. I look at it as though I’ve already won.” l

responsibility. It helps create and strengthen that reputation that Draper is a welcoming community. We have people from Colorado, Louisiana, and Tennessee that come to the paragliding school…they go to restaurants, the grocery store, and we have a guidebook of places to see for our guests. I think it’s a valuable way for us to promote tourism in our state and in the city. It puts Draper on the map. To propose that it all be banned is something there should be additional conversation about,” she said.

According to Harris, his colleague Lt. Pat Evans suggested a solution to possibly curtail the problem. “Maybe if they would consider not renting their houses out for just overnighters, if they were required to rent multiple nights, it might slow them down from having a big bash…maybe a good idea to avoid trouble,” Harris said. l

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Draper City Journal

Investments of $30 million-plus tackle affordable housing, jobs and water conservation

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

I

n a response to the state’s housing crisis, the Salt Lake County Council recently approved $20 million in funds to build and preserve nearly 1,200 affordable housing units. The housing will be near childcare resources and jobs, with access to broadband, transportation and schools.

“More affordable housing is desperately needed,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said. “There are way too many hard-working households that are left behind because of skyrocketing home prices, rising rents, and fewer options to choose from. Salt Lake County is listening to residents and responding with significant funding to build and preserve housing.”

Funding for the project comes from the American Rescue Plan Act with an additional $12.1 million earmarked for water conservation and workforce development.

With the steady increase of rental and home ownership costs, and stagnant wages, the council approved the ARPA funds in the form of grants to community housing organizations, nonprofit housing providers, municipalities, and private developers.

In 2021, rental costs increased by 12% and homeownership costs increased by

28% or more in the county. In March 2022, the median price for a Salt Lake County single-family home sold for $580,000.

“Housing is one of the things that keep us up at night,” said Dina Blaes, director of Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development. “But, fortunately, the county has a lot of expertise in affordable housing. So, we’re going to leverage our expertise with this new funding to enable thousands of families to remain living and working in Salt Lake County.”

Workforce development will receive a $10 million boost for the new Workforce Inclusion and Successful Employment program. Through grants, WISE will help nearly 2,000 students complete trainings that lead to higher-paying jobs. Students will also be connected with childcare, mental health and mentorship services.

“I think this is an awesome opportunity for Salt Lake County residents who might be working two or three jobs. We’re making it easier for them to succeed with career goals that really help themselves and their families,” said Jevon Gibb, Salt Lake County economic development director.

Water conservation receives the final allocation of ARPA funds, with $2.1 mil-

In a response to the state’s housing crisis, the Salt Lake County Council recently approved $20 million in funds to build and preserve nearly 1,200 affordable housing units. (City Journals)

lion going to a regional water conservation program. By collaborating with cities and unincorporated areas in the county, the development of water conservation and landuse action plans will address the state’s

current drought, the worst in 50 years.

As growth in Salt Lake County is projected to add 600,000 residents by 2065, water for current and future populations is a top concern for the region. l

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Middle school basketball tournament gives student-athletes chance to develop skills

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

T

wo Albion Middle School teams took first in the middle school 3-on-3 intramural basketball district championships.

Albion’s eighth-grade girls’ team and its seventh-grade boys’ team, coached by Nate Foster, took home championship trophies. Midvale Middle won the eighthgrade boys’ trophy and Draper Park Middle won the seventh-grade girls’ top place.

Indian Hills sixth-grade girls team won as did Mt. Jordan sixth-grade boys.

At Midvale, coach Mitch Edmonds held practices Mondays and Wednesdays after school, but he often would find “some of the boys would get up and go to the gym to practice as early as 5:30 a.m. or as late as 10 p.m.”

He said the eighth-grade boys’ leadership with the younger teams and communication on the floor helped them in their overtime win against Albion, beat Mt. Jordan and then knock off Draper Park in the semifinals. Their win against Union in the finals sealed their victory.

Draper Park’s winning seventh-grade girls’ team also were champions as sixth-graders so they “repeated as champions this year,” Draper Park coach Rhodes

Baker said.

Draper Park’s teams practiced three days every week leading up to the tournament. Baker said there was so much interest at the school, they held their own tournament to determine which teams would represent Draper Park in the district tournament.

“Most of the kiddos have played basketball for a few years and know how to play, but I tried to teach them the basics so they could do well at the district tournament,” he said. “On offense we worked on the ‘pick ‘n roll’ and ‘give ‘n go.’ On defense, we worked on boxing out and going to the boards to get the rebound. Overall, I thought the kids played great.” l

Draper Park Middle School seventh-grade girls basketball team, coached by Rhodes Baker, won back-to-back district titles. (Photo courtesy of Rhodes Baker/Draper Park Middle)

Corner Canyon, Juan Diego seniors to graduate this month

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

C

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orner Canyon and Juan Diego Catholic high school seniors will turn their tassels at commencement exercises this May. At 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, Canyons School District Superintendent Rick Robbins will address 550 high school seniors at their commencement exercises at Charger Stadium at Corner Canyon High School, 12943 S. 700 East, Draper. Families, friends and guests are invited; graduating seniors will be given ticket information.

The graduation theme is “The best is yet to come.”

Also, to commemorate Canyons School District’s first graduating class that will include students who have spent their entire K-12 school years in the district, each graduate will receive a gift from the Canyons Board of Education and Administration signifying their place in Canyons District’s history.

Juan Diego Catholic High will hold its senior farewell mass at 10:30 a.m.,

Friday, May 20. The mass is to honor the 159 seniors as well as announced the class of 2022’s valedictorian and salutatorian. This will be held on campus, 300 E. 11800 South, Draper.

The baccalaureate mass on Tuesday, May 24 will be held at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. A ticket is required to attend.

The procession of seniors to the grotto with roses will begin at 9 a.m. prior to the commencement exercises, which starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 28 in Juan Diego Catholic High’s auditorium.

Expected to honor the graduates will be Bishop of Salt Lake City Oscar Solis, Superintendent of Catholic School for the Diocese of Salt Lake City Mark Longe and Associate Superintendent Nikki Ward in addition to school principal Galey Colosimo and other administration.

The safe grad night party filled with games, music, food and more will be held from 9 p.m., Saturday, May 28 to 2 a.m., Sunday, May 29 on campus. l

Draper City Journal

Former NBA coach hosting camp

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

U

tah native Barry Hecker, who coached in the NBA for more than two decades, continues to teach the game of basketball to young players. At the beginning of summer, he will host a camp June 7-10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Sandy (location still to be determined) for boys and girls in third through ninth grades.

“These camps are all about the basic fundamentals of basketball,” Hecker said.

“We focus on quality fundamental instruction, we work hard with a lot of discipline and structure and we have a lot of fun. When these kids walk out of there, they know they’ve been taught and improved.”

The cost of the camp is $85. Registrations will be open soon online by visiting www.sandy.utah.gov/735/Barry-Heckers-Basketball-Camp The veteran coach, who lives in Murray, said the values he has learned from his basketball coaching journey—beginning at Oxon Hill High School in Maryland and spanning through Salt Lake Community College and stints with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies—are invaluable. Being able to share those principles of hard work, teamwork, unselfishness and persistence, along with the physical skills of the game itself,

with others thrills him.

“I don’t care who I coach or when I coach,” Hecker, who has worked with current Jazz players Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, said. “I simply enjoy teaching the game. It’s great to see a smile on someone’s face as they experience success. If you help somebody, you’ll be somebody.”

Hecker has conducted clinics all over the world for more than 40 years, including many since his retirement from coaching in the NBA. He said he particularly enjoys working with the youth.

“If you teach skills, that leads to confidence and that confidence can allow anyone to do anything they want,” he said. “I have more fun with young kids than with the pros. In the NBA, you have guys who are making millions and they don’t listen. These kids are making nothing and they’ll listen to you.” l

Former NBA coach Barry Hecker has been teaching the game of basketball for more than 40 years.

(Catherine Garrett/City Journals)

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May 2022 | Page 17

First state unified coed basketball tournament provides inclusion, belonging in high schools

I

n its first unified basketball season, Brighton High Bengals brought home the gold.

But it meant more than that.

It was an opportunity for inclusion, partnership and belonging, said First Lady Abby Cox, who supports unified sports through her Show Up initiative.

“Every student has a chance to be included and every student gets the chance to compete,” she said at the opening ceremony of the state unified basketball tournament where 32 teams played against—and sometimes, played together—for a chance to represent their team and school for a ribbon or medal.

“We clapped when the other team makes a basket—absolutely—but there is some competition because that’s part of life,” Brighton unified basketball coach Jared Denslow said.

“What Special Olympics is trying to teach us is we’re helping kids with special needs to get equal opportunities. We want to treat people equally and to make it an even playing field.”

The tournament included coed athletes from 25 high schools running through a gauntlet of Utah Jazz and Weber State cheer squads and professional teams’ mascots, all there to support unified sports.

It is the first high school state tournament, said Unified Champion Schools manager Courtnie Worthen, since during pre-COVID-19 years, the tournament was held for community teams vying for the state title. The 2020 tournament, which was planned to be a statewide event, was canceled because of the pandemic, and last year, regional competitions were held to reduce the numbers and possible spread of the pandemic.

Worthen said after the statewide soccer tournament last fall, which was held at Rio Tinto stadium and had the support of Real Salt Lake, interest in unified sports grew.

“A lot of it was thanks to the First Lady’s initiative, Show Up,” she said. “More schools started to see what unified sports could be and wanted to be a part of it, so we saw a lot of growth. This was an incredible event.”

That included eight of the nine high schools in Davis School District competing as well as Jordan Education Foundation pledging to support 10 new teams. Wasatch High’s team will even represent Utah at the national Special Olympics games.

Since Worthen began overseeing unified sports four years ago, the competition has more than doubled from 22 to 50 teams involved in soccer, basketball and track.

“A coach told me that this whole week they have seen inclusion, that their students have made friends with unified partners and even students who weren’t participating. They talk to each other and the students on the unified team feel like they’re a part of the school for the first time,” she said.

It’s not just high schools. Worthen said that by the end of the school year, unified sports activities will have quadrupled in the past year, bringing participation up to 160 elementary and secondary schools. In May, unified golf will be introduced at the middle school level.

Unified sports also gained the community’s support.

The basketball tournament, which was supported by the Utah Jazz, had four sections: two developmental and two competitive divisions. The winners of each division were invited to be recognized at the Utah Jazz game April 6, where a highlight reel of the tournament was shown.

However, the focus at the tournament was on basketball.

A maximum of two partners or peer students could be on the floor with its athletes, or special needs players; the rest of the team regularly rotating in and cheering for both teams on the sidelines. Several schools had banners and families and

Page 18 | May 2022

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

A Brighton High player gets a fist bump from Leo, RSL’s mascot, and one of about a half dozen who came to cheer on the unfiled basketball players at the first state high school unified basketball tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

friends cheering.

One of Brighton’s teams won its competitive division at both region and state, the developmental team placed third at region and sixth at state. They had a total of 12 players and 12 partners on the teams.

“I got a call from one of my students’ parents who said, ‘Hey, would you be willing to do this?’ It just gives the kids an opportunity to go out there and have some fun,” Denslow said, adding that quickly the school community came to support the team from taking their photos to show on the school’s televisions to providing team members’ free physicals so they could play. “It has really helped to unify the school.”

He said that it helped teach some partners “to put aside their ego and realize, this isn’t about me,” and “see the smiles on the kids’ faces who were proud to represent their school and community; that was what it was about.”

Brighton’s practices began in February, working on basic dribbling to learning how to move and communicate on the court. Players saw one another and learned they could do hard things, so “not only does it help them with physical attributes, but it also helps them in many mental ways,” he said. “We also learned how to win with dignity and how to lose with dignity, just to be good sports and to be kind and to help other people.”

Denslow said that it also allowed them a different social skill activity and they made friends with their peers. The school now plans to host a special needs prom at the school.

Canyons School District, thanks to a Hillcrest High student who received a $1,000 Youth Innovation grant, will also hold a unified dance this spring.

Hillcrest, which finished third at region and fifth at state in their competitive division, was excited for the chance to play ball.

Huskies senior player Raymond Bryant was ready for his opportunity.

“I play like 24-7,” he said. “I’ve learned how to take better shots, have better ball handling, and pass the ball when my teammates are open. I like how my team works together.

It’s been so much fun learning more about basketball, but also making friends with my team.”

His teammate sophomore player Dax Bowen said that it has been fun.

“We’ve learned how to throw the ball, how to move to an open spot on the court, how to block by having our hands up,” he said after playing in front of his extended family. “It’s just getting a chance to play, play with my friends at school and have fun when we’re playing basketball together.”

That’s how Jordan High freshman Tegan Mast felt.

“I like that we’re getting challenged to play basketball,” Mast said. “We’re really learning new things and getting to meet friends and getting to play; it wasn’t canceled this year because of the pandemic.”

Mast’s teammate, freshman Kaitlyn Unzaga agreed.

“It’s been so much fun and we’re getting to play basketball and learning a lot with our friends,” she said.

The Beetdiggers placed fourth in region and sixth at state.

Denslow said the best thing was a compliment he received when another coach said this team was “the kindest; they showed the best sportsmanship and for me as a teacher and as a father, that meant the most to me. That meant that as a team, people thought we were kind and accepting and that was the best compliment, better than the gold.” l

Draper City Journal

Channing Hall choir opens Grizzlies game with anthem

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

C

hanning Hall’s 60-member combined choir sang the national anthem April 2 at the Utah Grizzlies hockey game under the direction of Jamie Bunker. Normally, the chorus, for grades one through four, and the choir, for grades five through eight, practice

after school and perform for school concerts and special events, such as the upcoming school international event in May. (Photo courtesy of Heather Fehrenbach/Channing Hall)l

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May 2022 | Page 19

St. John the Baptist students become wordsmiths with literacy program

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

T

his summer, St. John the Baptist Elementary students may be sitting down to read more for their enjoyment, thanks in part to both a summer reading challenge and the support they’ve received from the school’s literacy team.

“We always have some kind of reading and math challenge through the school and then, we’ll try to offer something for our striving readers as well,” Director of Student Support Services Becca Moore said.

The love of reading is instilled through regular reading opportunities throughout the school year. For example, the kindergarten through second grade read and return program is where students check out a book on their level weekly and by the end of the week, they take a comprehension test based on it, Director of Curriculum and Faculty Development Gina Parker said.

With the upper grades, about 70 striving students pick a book from the collaboration reading room and their reading progress is tracked.

“Sometimes for these striving readers, it’s just mapping out the book for them, helping pick a book that they can read on their level that they’re going to enjoy and

have success with,” Parker said.

The collaboration room as well as the collaborative literacy hour and program support are the successful outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

“Our teachers were working together to build these students back up. We knew they were coming back with learning loss,” Parker said.

To help overcome that learning loss during the pandemic, the collaborative literacy hour was implemented in fall 2020 for kindergarten through second grade.

Last year, the need was identified, and third grade was added, she said.

Moore said that typically kindergartners through second-grade students learn how to read, but then in third grade, students make a transition from learning how to read to reading to learn and are introduced to subjects they read and learn about.

“There’s that shift, but we noticed with the pandemic, that some of our third-graders still really need reading instruction and learning how to read and that’s why we added third grade,” she said.

The idea behind collaborative literacy hour is that each classroom is assigned a teacher or paraeducator who provides

small group reading instruction for 30 minutes during a set time. This educator implements “Words Their Way,” a word study curriculum that provides instruction in phonics, vocabulary and spelling.

Students are all assessed and organized into small groups by ability and then are given specific skills they need to develop, she said.

Moore said that students look at spelling word patterns so “they are learning not only how to read the words, they’re learning the word patterns and the phonics of them.”

Parker said they’re also listening for the sounds, to have the phonemic awareness versus “just memorizing a list of words for the test on Friday. We’re really trying to dig deep into understanding the principles as the way words are spelled.”

Students are tracked for their reading and assessments.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth in our students,” Moore said. “We track individuals and really ensure that they are making progress. When they’re not making as much as we’d like them to, then they come and work with my team.”

When those students are identified needing more support to master skills, they are pulled out twice per week during a non-core subject time and work with the literacy support program, directed

by Moore. That team monitors students’ progress through assessments and collaboration with the classroom teachers. They also reinforce phonemic awareness, phonics, word study, reading comprehension, fluency and writing skills.

“Kids come into the program support, and I show them a sight word that doesn’t follow a word pattern, they’ll say that it’s an odd ball. So, I see lessons that they’re taught in collaborative literacy; it’s really cool to see they are grasping that words do have patterns and when they don’t,” Moore said.

Moore often will look at standards students are struggling with and incorporate what they’re learning in other subjects into her lessons. For example, they may be learning about the American Revolution, so she will “throw in vocabulary like revolution and taxation and words with that suffix. It reinforces what is being taught in the classroom.”

Moore said that the program and room full of resources came by the faculty and staff wanting to support each other and students after the pandemic.

“We all had been isolated and really wanted to come back strong and know that everyone has support,” she said. “We’re working together for our students’ success.” l

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St. John the Baptist literacy team member Monica Bathurst provides small group instruction of “Words Their Way” to kindergartners. (Photo courtesy of St. John the Baptist Elementary)

Draper City Journal

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Intermountain Healthcare donates more than $500,000 to address domestic and sexual violence in the state. (Wikimedia)

$540k donation from Intermountain Healthcare will provide help for domestic and sexual violence survivors

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

O

ne in three women will experience domestic violence in the state of Utah.

Statistics also demonstrate that one in six women and one in 25 men experience rape or attempted rape, and one in three women will experience some form of sexual violence.

With such concerning numbers, Intermountain Healthcare is donating $540,000 and partnering with the nonprofit Utah Domestic Violence Coalition to assist Utahns who need help in recovering from the impacts of abuse.

“Access to resources is an essential part of the healing process,” said Mikelle Moore, senior vice president and chief community health officer at Intermountain. “The members of the UDVC work together to support domestic violence survivors in a way that makes access easier and the use of funds more efficient. Intermountain is proud to support their efforts ensuring services are available where and when survivors need it.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, sexual and domestic violence cases have risen 8.1% in Utah. The UDVC provides advocacy and education to member programs and community partners. Its membership includes nonprofit domestic violence shelters and sexual assault advocacy organizations.

The donation from Intermountain will

DraperJournal .com

help cover the operations costs of UDVC members. These community organizations provide resources to address healing from trauma such as the reduction of psychological suffering.

UDVC will distribute the donation to more than a dozen local organizations: Canyon Creek Services, CAPSA, Dove Center, Friends Against Family Violence, Gentle Ironhawk, Healing Pathways, New Hope Crisis Center, New Horizons Crisis Center, Peace House, The Refuge, Safe Harbor, Seekhaven, South Valley Services, YCC, YWCA, Rape Recovery Center and Restoring Ancestral Winds. To learn more about the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, visit udvc.org.

"The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition and our member programs are so grateful for the financial support from Intermountain Healthcare in meeting the increased need for services for survivors,” said Jennifer Campbell, executive director of UDVC. “Having operational funding will help our programs continue to provide their life-saving services and ensure that when someone is in need, they can find help." l

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Special JDCHS basketball team manager signs with SLCC to stay on the court

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

W

hen Jason and Kate Andersen of South Jordan found out their young son, Jordan, had DiGeorge Syndrome, they couldn’t imagine what his future held for him. They certainly didn’t see this.

Jordan, a senior at Juan Diego Catholic High School, will graduate at the end of May and begin a team manager position for the Salt Lake Community College men’s basketball team, a now familiar spot for him as he has served the JDCHS boys team in the same role for the past four years.

On April 13 at Juan Diego, Jordan signed with SLCC in front of his family, coaches and teammates, Bruins head coach Kyle Taylor and a commons area packed full of students.

“This is an awesome opportunity for our guys to have Jordan come in and help us.

We’ll incorporate him quickly,” Taylor said, noting that he had an in-home recruiting visit later that evening. “Regardless of whether that player signs for me, I’ll tell him that he’s the second best kid we got today.”

Jordan, who donned Bruins gear from Coach Taylor, said, “It’s pretty exciting to be able to go to SLCC and be a part of their team too.”

Since the DiGeorge Syndrome diagnosis at three years old where the Andersens were informed that they should prepare for all that Jordan’s condition—which is a depletion of the 22nd chromosome that brings significant intellectual challenges—would entail, they tried to brace themselves and readjust the dreams they had for their son.

“We were told he would never achieve past a fifth-grade education,” dad Jason Andersen said. “And here he is getting ready to graduate high school and attend college.”

Mom Kate Andersen said processing the fact that your child has special needs is similar to a death in the family. “You have to mourn the child that you thought you had and the life you envisioned for them, and then once you’re through the denial and grief you turn your attention to ensuring he lives the happiest, fullest and most comfortable life possible,” she said. “For Jordan, that meant finding ways to manage his constant pain, enrolling him in private therapy to address his various concerns and most importantly to us, finding a place where he felt comfortable, safe, accepted and happy. We’re so fortunate to have found that at Saint John and Juan Diego.”

For hours each week, Jordan would meet with speech, occupational and cognitive therapists – among other specialists until he reached high school. From a physical standpoint, he has endured over a dozen surgeries on everything from reconstructing his soft palate and several bones as well as multiple knee surgeries. He also had two rods and 18 screws inserted in his back when he was in the sixth grade to help with a sep-

Page 24 | May 2022

Juan Diego Catholic High School senior Jordan Andersen poses with his parents Jason and Kate after Senior Night Feb. 11. (Photo courtesy Kate Andersen)

arate and unrelated challenge, scoliosis, and he still walks with a limp.

Through it all, the Andersens were constantly reminded to temper expectations and avoid pushing Jordan too hard. “The reality of it is that Jordan always looked at his peers and said, ‘I’m going to do this, or I’m going to do that,’ whether that meant he was going to play basketball or read or drive a car,” Kate Andersen said. “We learned early on not to put any limits on Jordan and just take our cues from him. If he wants to do something, we are going to do everything in our power to ensure he has the opportunities to pursue them.”

The reality of that perspective came to a bit of a head when Jordan approached his parents as a ninth grader with the idea of trying out for the Soaring Eagle high school basketball team. “We just wanted to protect him from the emotions of not making the team,” Jason Andersen said. “Fortunately, Coach Trost found him a role as the team manager and he has been able to travel with the team and has, in every way, felt as much a part of the team as any other player.”

And, in a dream come true for Jordan, he did get action on the court at the end of Juan Diego’s game on Senior Night Feb. 11 against Providence Hall. Within his 45 seconds of playing time, Jordan put up a few shots that rimmed out with passes continually coming to him that weren’t just from his own teammates. The Patriots’ players got involved in the action too and both sides of the gym were cheering for Jordan to score.

“They just let us keep getting the rebound

JDCHS basketball coach Drew Trost and Athletic Director Ted Bianco talk with Jordan Andersen and his parents Jason and Kate prior to Jordan’s signing with SLCC to be the Bruins team manager next season.

(Catherine Garrett/City Journals)

and giving it back to Jordan to shoot a 3.

They even got a couple of rebounds and handed it to him to shoot,” Trost said. “Unfortunately, not one of those shots went in although a lot of them were very close. He made them in practice! Everyone kept asking me why we didn’t have him shoot from closer, but if you know Jordan, you know that he loves 3s, so there was no way he was going to shoot anything else.”

JDCHS Athletic Director Ted Bianco said, “It was neat to go in the Providence Hall locker room after the game and thank them for their sportsmanship towards Jordan and share in the moment that was obviously bigger than basketball. It’s been such a pleasure and honor to have him as part of our basketball program.”

Trost said Jordan’s addition to the team over the past four years has been tremendous. “It’s been so awesome,” he said.

“He has helped us out in so many ways. We were able to get him involved and give him more and more responsibilities with water, uniforms, our scorebook and the scoreboard.

He lightens the mood which keeps things in perspective for us. It’s been great to see the team embrace him and see what he means to them.”

Mom Kate Andersen said Jordan calls his teammates “my guys” and they truly are just that to him, and the feeling is mutual.

“No one would dare tease Jordan at school.

These kids just take care of him,” she said, adding that he’s a “local celebrity” at the Draper campus.

At Jordan’s signing, Trost shared a story which shows the honesty that endears so

many to him. “A few years ago, we had a center who took an ill-advised three-point shot and at halftime, I was emphasizing the importance of taking good shots and then I paused for a minute,” Trost said. “That’s when Jordan blurted out his teammate’s name and called him out for the poor shot.”

The 2021 Homecoming Royalty finalist said he is currently suffering from another condition – “senioritis” – as he is trying to finish out his high school classwork over the next few weeks.

After graduation, Coach Taylor said he will put him to work helping with SLCC summer basketball camps, handing out water and towels to players, being in charge of jerseys for games and managing stats and the scoreboard. “We’ll also need him to keep track of all of our basketballs as we seem to lose about one a week,” Taylor said. “Jordan will do awesome.”

Jordan said he wants to study history in college, and he’ll be doing it all with a new set of “his guys.”

Whatever Jordan decides to do, his family knows that he’ll simply find a way. “We used to keep telling him that he couldn’t do something, but every single time, he would break the mold and accomplish it,” dad Jason Andersen said. “He has no boundaries.”

“Jordan’s an example that is used in textbooks because what he’s been able to overcome was not supposed to be possible, including getting a degree. Most with DiGeorge syndrome that get this far have certificates,” mom Kate Andersen said. “He’s an anomaly who has continued to defy the odds.” l

Draper City Journal

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May 2022 | Page 25

Corner Canyon softball players, military families bond during special game

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

F

or Corner Canyon High softball coach Todd Thompson, the team’s annual tradition of hosting a military honor game is personal. His friend, Sgt. First Class Rocky Guerrera was killed in action in Afghanistan 15 years ago and continuing to remember his friend is something he’s tried to do ever since.

“We get to wear special uniforms with the name of our fallen soldier on the back which recognizes who we are playing for,” Thompson said. “We typically don’t learn about our military that are serving until it’s hard news.

Unfortunately, it’s become personal for me.”

Each year, the Chargers players connect with their soldier’s family and those relationships have provided deep meaning for seniors Sammie Opheikens and Kat Miner.

“Playing for Spc. David Gannon has meant a lot to me,” Opheikens said. “It’s made it more important and for something more than just me playing high school softball.

David’s family has been amazing. They have taught me so much about their son and have changed my life for the better. I couldn’t be more grateful to have met them and played for their son.”

“It’s been super cool to play for Sgt. Jesse A. Blamires the past three years and to be able to talk to his family and kids,” Miner said.

“It has taught me that these families sacrifice

so much. This means a lot to me because we get to forget about ourselves for a minute and honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

The Operation Hero organization displayed a smaller version of its combat boot memorial to honor the families of those participating this year. The nonprofit was formed six years ago by Antoinette Stapley in honor of her husband Tracy who died July 3, 2013 in Qatar at the age of 44 after 26 years of military service.

Patriot Guard riders were also on hand along with Draper City Councilmember Tasha Lowery while all involved enjoyed a barbecue to establish further bonds and celebrate in the military members’ service and ultimate sacrifice.

CCHS softball team mom and manager Robin Bazzani, who organized this year’s event, said, “The families are always so kind and really enjoy watching the girls represent their soldiers. Many of the families came up to me during the game and stated how much they enjoy this event every year.”

In this year’s game Salem Hills won 8-1.

“The game is the smallest part of this,” Thompson said. “We get to learn some of what these families have done for us and gone through for us and show them that people care

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Corner Canyon High School players donned jerseys with names of Utah fallen soldiers in their annual military honor game April 15. (Photo courtesy Jon Clifford, All Star Photography)

for what their family has done. They become a second family to us. It’s an amazing atmosphere and truly heartwarming.”

Other fallen soldiers honored by CCHS players were PVT Cody Gene Hendricksson (represented by Brooklyn Miller), PVT Philip M. Christensen (Mikaela Gale), SGT Sheldon Loveless (Brenley Clark), SGT Brandon Allen (Jane Manning), SGT Matthew Simmons (Chelsie Sundquist), LT Joshua Ryan Wall (Amaya Kano), SGT Quincy Andrews Fenn (McKenna Gibbons), Pfc. Jordan Matthew Byrd (Isabella Bassani), PVT Matthew G Nish (Hannah Brown), SPC Daniel G Dolan (Emma Rasmussen), SPC Michael Anderson Hatfield (Gwen Curry), SGT Aaron Kramer (Jaci Alvey), PO2 John Adrian (Cece Faucette), HM2 Daniella Juliana Casey (Ashley McDonald), 1SG Tracy Stapley (Audrey Smith), SSG Kort Jensen (Abbie MacWilliam), 2Lt John Alley (Samantha Healey), SFC Ben Miller (Midori Kano) and SSG Jared Farr (Taylor Dotson).

Salem Hills players are playing for Ma-

jor Brent Taylor, SSGT Ben Devereaux, SPC Kyle Mecham, SSGT Jeffrey Rollins, SSGT Alex Mitchell, SSG Lincoln Olmstead, SFC Tyler Hill, CW3 Matt Wagstaff, SPC Cody Towse, SSG Landon Henscheid, LCPL Quinn Keith, LCPL Dion Stephenson, SGT Jacob Lannigan, Major Matthew Wharton, LCPL Nigel Olsen, SSGT Christian “Fox” Larsen and SPC Kasey Beatty.

“Playing in this game has made me appreciate our military and all they give up for our country and the risks they take. We are blessed to have them,” Opheikens said. “Their families are wonderful people who go through a lot of hard times and are still positive and show compassion to everyone.”

Miner said, “I’m so thankful for the new perspective this program has given me and the opportunity to play for something bigger than myself these past three years.”l

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Corner Canyon High senior Sammie Opheikens who played for Spc. David Gannon, talks with David’s parents, Pat and Mike Gannon, prior to the Chargers’ annual military honor game. (Photo courtesy Jon Clifford, All Star Photography)

Draper City Journal

Colosimo’s Hall of Fame career honored

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

A

simple act early on in his football coaching career seems to epitomize the legacy of former Juan Diego Catholic High School football coach John Colosimo, who was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame April 6.

Early on in his coaching career and marriage when money was tight, Colosimo was wearing some brand new shoes for a game until one of his players discovered that his cleats had been stolen from his locker. As John’s wife, Kathie, tells it, “They didn’t have money to go buy another pair. Even though John’s coaching shoes weren’t the best, they were better than what [his player] had and he took them off his feet and gave them to the boy so he could play the football game that night.”

Kathie knew something was different about the “goofy looking shoes” her husband came home with that night, but John’s response that he had “forgotten them at home” closed any further questioning of the matter. Kathie said she was approached years later by that player’s Former Juan Diego Catholic High School football coach John Colosimo was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame at the Little America Hotel April 6. (Photo courtesy Mikelle Martson)

parent who expressed appreciation for what Colosimo did for her son that night.

“I would never have known that had that parent not told me that story,” she said.

“John often gets letters from players and he puts them in a little drawer. He doesn’t boast or brag about them or even tell me about them unless I press or ask.”

Colosimo retired from the sidelines in 2020 as one of the all-time winningest coaches in state football history, leading the Soaring Eagle program to eight state titles—including two 3-peats— which tie him for the most in Utah history. He coached for 45 years, including 20 at JDCHS where he led his teams to 17 region championships, with 12 of those titles being consecutive, and 18 state postseason appearances in a row.

In winning nearly 80% of the games he coached at Juan Diego, the Utah native owns the highest percentage of any coach in any sport in the state. Since 1974, he has been honored with numerous coaching awards over the years while coaching 10 state football MVPS, countless All-State and Academic All-State players and several that went on to play collegiately.

“No one is more deserving to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame more than

John,” said former JDCHS Athletic Director Chris Long. “He influenced hundreds of lives in a positive way. By being coached by John, his players learned there is no substitute for hard work, honesty and integrity. They learned that preparation and execution can, and often will, defeat superior physical talent.”

Long said that respect and influence are two of the characteristics of Colosimo that he has seen up close and personal for nearly four decades.

“By playing for John—a simple, good, decent, and faith-filled man—the boys learned dedication to a cause greater than themselves, to take responsibility and ownership of their own actions, that work ethic and dedication to detail will often triumph over superior ability, and that respect and trust are earned, not given,” Long said.

“They learned to be men. They are better husbands, fathers, employees, and citizens because they played for John Colosimo.

His players were coached, taught, guided, and most importantly love, by the rarest of things: a truly good man. His players loved playing for him and they became better people because of him. I can’t think of a better legacy for a coach.” l

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Q&A Business Spotlight Desert Star has another rip-roaring musical mash-up ready to make you laugh your abs off with the show “Hunk-cules: I’m Too Sexy For My Toga.” The laughs will keep going with this musical melodrama for the whole family.

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The Children’s Center of Utah recognizes Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month

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ach year on May 7, Children's Mental Health Awareness Day brings recognition to the value of a child’s mental health.

But The Children's Center of Utah will highlight the importance of children’s mental health all month long.

“Our organization is inviting the whole community to become involved,” said Rebecca Dutson, The Children's Center of Utah president and CEO. “On our website, people can find a whole lot of ideas they can be engaged in or their business can be engaged with. The more we talk about it, the less there will be a stigma.”

The Center is asking businesses to give a portion of proceeds to The Children's Center of Utah during May and invites everyone to promote its mission on social media platforms.

Yard signs are available to put outside a home or business, promoting awareness for children’s mental health. Anyone interested can contact Joni Clark at jclark@tccutah.org to reserve a sign. Or visit childrenscenterutah.org/awareness for more ideas on how to become an ambassador for mental health and raise money for the cause.

“The best thing we can all do is start talking more openly about not just our own mental health but mental health in the family,” Dutson said. “There is so much support.

One of the promises we make to our community is that we do not turn anyone away for inability to pay.”

Supporters are also invited to attend The Children's Center of Utah’s SHINE Gala on Friday, June 3, at the Gallivan Center Plaza.

The gala will be in-person, the first time in two years, and there is lots of interest from long-term supporters.

The SHINE Gala, which started more than 20 years ago, features a social hour, silent and live auctions, entertainment and a buffet dinner. In the past, the event has raised more than $500,000 to help pay for children’s mental health services. Registration is available on The Children's Center of Utah website.

“We’re shining a light on the importance of early childhood mental health and comprehensive mental health care for children,” Dutson said. “Every child and every child’s needs are unique. We encourage families who have concerns about their child to reach out and start a conversation.”

COVID shone a light on mental health issues. Children were heavily impacted by their parents’ stress, the change of schedules and isolation from friends and family during the pandemic. “[The pandemic] allowed for more conversations about mental health. We just want to continue to build on that,” Dutson said.

“The relationships that children have with their caregivers and parents are so important. It’s usually those adults that realize there might be a concern. When we talk about mental health it can change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

The Children's Center of Utah works with children from infants through 6 years of age. Its mission is to bring a heightened awareness to the issue of children’s mental health. For more than 50 years, the organization has used evidence-based treatments, helping more than 1,800 children each year to increase resilience and develop healthy emotional well-being.l

Draper City Journal

X marks the spot

H

e might not have a parrot or an eye patch, but my dad has found more buried treasure than any pirate. Inside his mild-mannered dad costume lurks the heart of Captain Jack Sparrow, ready to tackle any adventure with dashing flair and comic grace.

On a blustery day in April, he took a pickaxe and hammer to help his great-grandkids find fossilized shells and pieces of quartz on the side of a mountain near his home in central Utah. He was excited about every discovery, and everywhere he looked, he saw treasure.

He pointed to the west and said, “That mountain is full of blue agate.” He pointed down and leaned in to whisper, “We’re standing on the biggest gold mine in the state.” He pointed east to where dinosaur bones hide in the hills and pointed south to Native American sites where he’s examined petroglyphs and rock paintings.

I’ve explored with Dad many times, usually only finding spiders, cacti and the occasional rattlesnake. He can stick his hand in a hole in a rock and pull out gemstones, old coins and a jackalope skull.

Dad’s always had a sense of adventure. If he could make a living exploring

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

ghost towns and spelunking in caves for lost treasure, à la Indiana Jones, he’d be the happiest man on earth.

With his keen, scientific mind, he built model airplanes and assembled rockets that exploded in midair, not always on purpose. He’d ignite a mini cannon on the Fourth of July that freaked out the neighbors, cracked a basement window and set off car alarms. We’d run inside and hide like the Feds were after us. They probably were.

For him, life has been one big treasure hunt. He often takes his metal detector to parks and always shows up when a road is being dug or a house demolished.

You never know what he’ll find; sometimes a rare penny, sometimes radioactive marbles.

He once discovered a class ring and

used his Hercule Poirot-level detective skills to return it to the family of the man who’d lost it decades earlier.

Even with his work, he stood on the leading edge of discovery. In the ’60s, he helped build the first communications system for Air Force One. Later, he created cameras that flew on the space shuttle, were installed in telescopes and helped aerial refueling tankers.

A camera he designed took the first pictures of the Titanic at the bottom of the ocean.

Never one to pass up a good conspiracy theory, Dad talks about his close encounters with UFOs, ghosts, the Illuminati and home teachers. He also plays the accordion, although how can you tell if someone does that well?

He’s a master woodworker, making toys, banjos, ukuleles and violins that he donates to teens. He cuts and polishes the stones he finds to make necklaces, and he’s been known to set a trap or two for Santa Claus. He’d frighten us with scary stories before bedtime, stories he insisted were true, which made it worse.

If Dad had the chance to take a rocketship to the moon, he’d already be packed. He’d love to fly in a fighter jet

or visit the space station. He’d gladly sail the Seven Seas under the Jolly Roger and swashbuckle through hidden caves looking for gold doubloons and diamonds the size of cantaloupes.

But through all of his adventures, misadventures, escapades, quests, deeds and feats of reckless abandon, Dad knows the biggest treasure is the one in his own backyard.

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