Draper Journal | November 2023

Nov. 2023 | Vol. 17 Iss. 11

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On April 21, two homes in the Hidden Canyon Estates neighborhood collapsed and slid down the hillside into the city’s open space and trails below. The city had condemned the homes so they were empty at the time they collapsed, but this incident has city officials and state representatives pointing fingers as to what went wrong that allowed this to happen. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)

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ast spring, two recently built houses in the Hidden Canyon Estates of Suncrest collapsed and slid down the hillside upon which they were perched. Built by EDGEhomes, the houses were unoccupied because the city had condemned them. Two adjacent homes had also been evacuated, and other homeowners in the area chose to evacuate for fear their homes might also slide.

The news of the homes collapsing was so shocking, and video of the incident so unusual, it spread throughout Utah and beyond. The issues it raised continue to reverberate six months later, as do the questions of who or what is to blame.

The homes slid into the city’s open space and trails below, leaving damage to city property that is still being remediated.

According to Draper City Manager David Dobbins, the city became aware of problems with the homes and chose to condemn them in October of 2022. “The homeowners had reached out to us with concerns about the structures settling, so we went out and inspected the homes.

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some life-safety concerns with them remaining in the home,” Dobbins said. Six months later, in April 2023, the hillside gave way and the homes collapsed.

In May, Robert Gehrke of the Salt Lake Tribune addressed the situation in an article. “Since 1937, geologists have been mapping landslides in the mountaintop area that straddles the border between Salt Lake and Utah counties…It’s an issue that scientists and Draper City leaders have been aware of for decades, but it became Continued page 17

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Nov. 2023 | Page 3

Draper family has a sweet new business

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

A

fter a long career in the corporate world, Dan Bruns decided it was time for a change. His oldest son was in high school, and he felt the need to spend more time with his family. In July 2022, the family decided to go into the candy business and became the new owners of Angela's Finest Caramels.

The whole family gets involved in the making and packaging of the candy. "It's a shared activity," Dan said. "I really enjoy that."

While Dan does the cooking, his wife Lisa and 10-year-old daughter Chloe do the bagging and packaging. Johnathan, 16, cuts the caramels while his 13-year-old brother Danny is in charge of wrapping them.

“When I was in seventh and eighth grade, I took home economics,” Dan said.

“I’ve always enjoyed cooking and trying new things.”

Although the company is based out of the family's home in Draper, Dan rents commercial kitchen space at Anapurna's Kitchen in South Salt Lake to make the caramel.

"There's a process to make them," he said, explaining that carefully monitoring the temperature with a candy thermometer is key to giving caramel the right consistency.

"The caramels themselves are all natural, there's no preservatives," Dan said. The recipe, which is naturally gluten-free, consists of corn syrup, butter, sugar, evaporated milk and cream.

He tweaked the recipe a bit since purchasing Angela's Finest Caramels from the company's founder, a woman named Angela in South Jordan. The family has also made changes to the original caramel-making equipment.

Danny, a student at Draper Park Middle School, explained, “We’ve evolved from what the original owner had. The stirring is automated, we’re working on making the

Journals T H E

wrapping automated.”

“Danny can wrap a caramel in eight seconds,” Dan added.

“For the first month or so, we had to count the caramels all by hand. We’ve automated that process too,” Danny said.

Johnathan, who is a member of the Robotics Club at Corner Canyon High School, works on improving the machinery. “We’re all about efficiency,” Dan said.

The Bruns family makes the caramels in four standard flavors; regular, cashew, pecan and black licorice. There are also seasonal flavors. “We have pumpkin spice and caramel apple for fall,” Chloe said. “In February, we launched a new flavor, cherry cordial.”

Cherry cordial is Chloe’s favorite while Dan is partial to pecan and Danny likes the seasonal strawberry cheesecake flavor best.

This winter, apple cider and hot chocolate flavors will be added to the lineup.

It took about a year for the Bruns family to get the business off the ground. Today, their caramels are sold throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Western Nut Company carries Angela’s Finest Caramels as does Pirate O’s and The Quilted Bear in Draper and Jolley’s Pharmacy in Sandy. The caramels are also sold at gift shops in area hospitals, The Little America Hotel and Everything Utah.

“It’s cool when people give our products as gifts,” Dan said. “It means that we’re part of someone’s traditions.”

Danny recalled the family’s excitement mixed with a little apprehension when they received their first order for 500 caramels from Little America. “We were like, ‘what are we going to do?’” he said.

By working together as a team, the Bruns are building a successful small business. “What do I enjoy most about it? Spending the time with my mom and dad,” Danny said. “We make fun memories.”l

Dan Bruns, on the far right, took a selfie with his sons Danny, left, and John, center, when they dropped off their first shipment of Angela’s Finest Caramels to The Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. (Photo courtesy of Dan Bruns)

Angela’s Finest Caramels, now made by the Bruns family of Draper, are available at retailers throughout Salt Lake County. (Photo courtesy of Dan Bruns)

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Draper City Journal

Students at Draper Academy take martial arts classes to build confidence and increase focus

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

C

hildren with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often have trouble with paying attention and controlling impulsive behavior. These issues can make learning in a traditional classroom a daunting challenge. Students at Draper Academy, most of whom struggle with the disorder, are learning how to better focus their attention and energy through a new martial arts program taught by Derek Galanis, program director at Premier Martial Arts in Draper.

Both Galanis and Christine Kremer, founder of Draper Academy, have dedicated themselves to helping children with ADHD realize their potential. It was Galanis who initially approached the school about bringing martial arts instruction to the students. "I talked to Chris the principal and our goals aligned,” he said.

“The recurring theme of the martial arts class is self-control and self-discipline,” Kremer noted. “It does seem like it makes a difference.” She explained that Draper Academy is a school where the curriculum—reading, writing and math skills—is tailored to the needs and abilities of each student. The martial arts program fits right in because of its focus on the individual.

“Little by little you bring them out of their shell and build their confidence,” Galanis noted. “Over time you get things done.”

He teaches a form of martial art known as Krav Maga, which was developed in Israel. It is derived from a combination of techniques used in aikido, judo, karate, boxing and wrestling.

Martial arts is well-suited to learners with ADHD. Students are encouraged to work at their own pace to master different stances and movements which helps build their confidence. Learning the movements slowly and repetitively helps the students build muscle memory and improves their coordination. Much of the program’s benefit for the students also comes from putting them in a highly structured environment where respect for the teacher and others is key.

“We give people boundaries that they have to adhere to,” Galanis said. “It’s a strict environment that we provide, but an enjoyable environment. We throw in a little fun on top of it.” The students refer to him as “sensei” which means “teacher” in Japanese.

Galanis credits learning martial arts with his own personal success story. “I was a classic ADHD child. I was undiagnosed.

I couldn’t focus, couldn’t concentrate. I healed myself through martial arts,” he said.

Kremer listed the skills that she be-

DraperJournal .com

Becca Frei is all smiles after her first class with Derek Galanis at Premier Martial Arts in Draper.

(Photo courtesy of Derek Galanis)

Anna Mittelstaedt demonstrates her skill at breaking a board under the watchful eye of teacher Derek Galanis during a martial arts class at Draper Academy. (Photo courtesy of Chris Kremer, Draper Academy) Emery and Jensen Parker pose with their “sensei,” Derek Galanis, at Premier Martial Arts in Draper. (Photo courtesy of Derek Galanis)

lieves the students are absorbing through their weekly lessons with Galanis such as following directions, staying on task, respecting others and learning how to resolve conflict. “It’s about mind over body,” she added.

“It’s about building respect for yourself and your opponent,” Galanis said. “We help them accomplish things and give them life skills that apply to whatever that child will do.”

Kremer founded Draper Academy with the same goal of helping children

succeed through individualized education and personal attention. “I have a child who struggled in a traditional school setting,” she said. “After she graduated, I started my own school.”

Draper Academy is situated in a home in historic Draper. “I kind of want it to feel like an old farmhouse school,” Kremer said. She founded the academy in time for the 2019-20 school year. Having started with only two students, 15 now attend classes there.

“We are currently taking new students,” she said. Scholarships are available for students with IEPs. Draper Academy has four teachers and one aide which allows one teacher to work with five students.

“It’s very personal which is what the kids need,” Galanis said. “I go over to Draper Academy every other Tuesday and train all the kids for 45 minutes.”

He stated in an email, “Both [Premier Martial Arts and Draper Academy] are about youth development in the city of Draper. Youth development is a difficult but rewarding task under the best of circumstances. With additional challenges it is more difficult but even more rewarding.”

For more information about Draper Academy, visit draperacademy.com. Premier Martial Arts is always accepting new students. Visit premiermartialarts.com/ utah-draper to learn more.l

Nov. 2023 | Page 5

WWII veteran says kindness is what the country needs now

By Linnea Lundgren | l.lundgren@mycityjournals.com

B

efore World War II veteran Gerald Jolley recited the Pledge of Allegiance to a group gathered at Ashford Assisted Living in Draper, he talked about formalities.

“It’s not about saluting or taking off your hat,” he said of saying the Pledge. “It’s about what is in your heart.” And, with his voice filled with emotion, the 98 year old placed his hand on his heart and asked everyone to recite the Pledge with him.

Jolley titled his talk “Patriotism and Kindness” and spoke to about 25 residents and visitors on Oct. 12. He lives at Ashford along with his wife Norma Wiser, age 88, who he met there. “I saw him sitting alone at a table and he looked lonesome. So I went up and sat with him. I usually don’t do that,” Wiser recalled of their first meeting.

“She saved my life,” Jolley said. They were married at Ashford this year with some 300 friends, family and Ashford staff and residents attending the wedding.

After reciting the Pledge, Jolley spoke of its words.

“What do we pledge to do?” he asked.

“To be one nation indivisible. And that doesn’t mean you can’t see it (referring to how people often misinterpret the word as invisible).

It means we are not divided, but are one. Remember this because it is important.”

“And justice for all. What does that mean?” he asked. “To all, not me, not one group. It means everyone, no matter what they do.”

Jolley grew up in Arkansas, joining the service at 18 in order to be with his older brother Ace, who later died in a training mission. Jolley completed basic training at Camp Roberts in California. “I was a good marksman and in good shape. I thought I’d be a sniper,” he said. Instead, the new recruit spent three days on a ship headed to New Guinea, where he helped prevent Japanese soldiers from invading Australia, directly south.

He still finds it hard to imagine that World War II took the lives of some 407,000 U.S. military personnel. But, he added, often forgotten, but just as important as those who gave their lives are the mothers and fathers who gave their sons (to the war effort). Jolley talked in length about his service in New Guinea and in the Philippines, but the emphasis of his talk was on kindness.

“Instill in your kids, your grandkids, your great grandkids that we are a country united.

Differences can be resolved if there is kindness in everyone’s heart, and I think there is,” he said.

“I don’t care what side you’re on,” he said, “start working on kindness.”

Draper residents and newlyweds Norma Wiser and Gerald Jolley pose with their wedding photo. Jolley, a WWII veteran, lives by his “be kind” motto and writes Wiser a love letter every day, which she keeps in a large folder. (Linnea Lundgren/City Journals)

After serving in WWII, Gerald Jolley spent 58 years in education, including 22 years as a principal in California schools and 38 years as a basketball coach. During this time, he came up with a list of 23 life lessons that he titled “Administrative Dos and Don’ts.” Here are 10: 1. Take charge, you are the boss— accept the responsibility.

2. Always have an open door policy. Make yourself available.

3. Keep in mind that everyone has feelings.

4. Make those you work with as happy and satisfied with her/his job as possible.

5. Tread lightly if you have to discipline someone.

6. Don’t jump to conclusions.

7. Be kind, courteous and encouraging to everyone.

8. Listen—really listen.

9. Show that you are grateful by the way you live.

10. Develop a sense of humor and let it show.

“Our generation, the Greatest Generation, is called that because we went through two world wars and The Great Depression,” he said. “But what we are going through now (a divided country) is by far worse.”

Throughout his life Jolley said he has

tried his best to love his fellow man. He recalled how people of all races fought in WWII. “Brown, Black, white…they all fought for our country,” he said. “They bleed the same color blood I bleed.” l

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Draper City Journal

CCHS boys golf wins state title; Bowen Mauss earns medalist honors

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

T

he Corner Canyon High boys golf team has been hanging around the top tier of the 6A golf ranks for the past five years, including second-place finishes the last two seasons. This time around—and for the first time in school history—the Chargers can now lay claim as the best in the state following a nine-stroke win over four-time defending state champion Lone Peak during the twoday tournament Oct. 9-10 at Old Mill Golf Course. Junior Bowen Mauss won medalist honors, dethroning the Knights’ Kihei Akina as the state’s top individual golfer—an honor he had won at the past two 6A tournaments.

“I have every bit of emotion from relief of trying so hard to get over that hump to joy in watching the guys celebrate on the 18th hole dumping water all over me to satisfaction of finishing off a great season,” said head coach Derek Fox, who is in his sixth season at CCHS. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of boys. This team started playing golf the right way where they would play really well and then always feel that they could have done better.”

“This means a lot to our program,” Mauss said. “It was super fun celebrating with my team after a hard-working season.”

At the end of day one at state, Corner Canyon had a seven-stroke lead over Herriman with Mauss and senior Krew Labrum shooting 68s and tying for second place individually. “That got us off to a good start and the cushion helped relax the boys a little bit,” Fox said. “It was tougher conditions the second day so that cushion definitely helped.”

Labrum, who has only been playing golf for two years, joined Mauss in the top five with a fourth-place finish—shooting a oneunder-par overall with rounds of 68 and 73 to also earn All-State honors. Also competing for the Chargers during the two-day tournament were junior Lincoln Blake and sophomore William Pizza, who tied for 16th, junior Cooper Meyer, who tied for 27th, and sophomore Tyse Boman, who tied for 32nd.

“Our depth definitely saved us, but it’s really been our strength all along,” Fox said.

“All six players at state had their scores count at least once.”

Mauss, who was also the region medalist this year for the Region 2 champion Corner Canyon squad, duplicated a two-stroke victory over Akina at the region tournament Oct. 2 at Sleepy Ridge Golf Course to again win by two at state against the two-time defending 6A medalist.

“Being the 6A champion has a great ring to it after working hard for this all season,” Mauss said. “Winning the individual and team championship is the main goal so it doesn’t get much better than that.”

“Bowen may have played one of the best rounds of the season on day two, shooting a four-under, especially when you factor in the pressure of the moment, the windy conditions

DraperJournal .com

The Corner Canyon High boys golf team won the 6A state golf championship Oct. 10 after a two-day tournament at Old Mill Golf Course. (Photo courtesy Derek Fox)

Corner Canyon High’s Bowen Mauss hugs head coach Derek Fox after winning the 6A medalist title at the two-day state championship Oct. 10 at Old Mill Golf Course. The junior’s finish helped the Chargers win the program’s first team state championship. (Photo courtesy Derek Fox)

and the pin placement,” Fox said. “He is an incredible talent who thrives under pressure and seems to play better the bigger the moment gets.”

Mauss taking home the 6A individual trophy follows up his exceptional Utah Junior Golf season this summer and a top-16 finish in the U.S. Amateur.

“He had one of the best junior golf seasons in the history of Utah golf and he just took his game up a notch,” Fox said. “The way he played in high school all season was also great for the rest of our team.”

Corner Canyon has been continually building its program under Fox’s leadership, and close finishes at the state tournament in recent years have only fueled the players’ desire and work ethic. “This year, we simplified our message with ‘Let’s keep it simple—hit fairways, hit greens, give your putter a chance to play and if you get into trouble, limit the damage,’” Fox said. “We trusted the boys and it paid off with them shooting great scores and they never looked back. We knew the team would be good and after our second tournament of the year, I felt like we could actually be really good. It’s been a special year.”

Mauss was quick to give credit to coach Fox for his role in leading the Chargers program. “One of the biggest reasons we had so much success this season is because we have a great coach that cares so much about us,”

Corner Canyon High junior Bowen shot a -7 under to win medalist honors at the two-day 6A state golf tournament at Old Mill Oct. 10. (Photos courtesy Bowen Mauss)

he said.

Fox, who began Impact Golf, a highend custom club fitting facility in Draper, a few years ago said he has always been about “impact.” “Having an ‘impact’ is my passion, from my philosophies on someone’s swing and that moment of impact to the impact equipment has and life philosophies having an impact. It’s nice to see it coming full circle in being able to have an impact with these 27 boys who are like family to me,” the father of four girls said. “It’s the highlight of my golf career, and it has nothing to do with me hitting a golf ball.”

Also on the CCHS team this season along with All-Region players Mauss, Blake, Boman, Labrum and Meyer were seniors Jackson Gale, Eric Jorgensen, Davis King, Xander Neeley, McKay Neyman, Hayden

Trujillo and Owen Watkins; juniors Ty Anderson, Nolan Cloyd, Creed Covington, Aidan Springer, Stockton Weenig and Preston Wilde; sophomores Boston Bloechel, Nolan Kartchner, Cohen Miller and William Pizza; and freshmen Vance Alleman, Sasha Clark, Graham Jones, James Meadows and William Middleton.

Fox was assisted this season by Brian Rueckert, Brady Boman and Justin Labrum on the coaching staff with support from team mom Katie Boman, Corner Canyon High administrative assistant Chelsea Darrah and the “team village” of the Fox family, players’ parents and the alumni of the program.

“Our number one job is to raise young men and our number two job is to try and lift trophies,” Fox said. “We’ve done a little bit of both.”l

Nov. 2023 | Page 7

Juan Diego Catholic High School’s Cash Mattingly tied for 26th at the 3A state golf tournament at Meadowbrook Golf Course Oct. 11-12. The senior had rounds of 82 and 77—including a birdie on the final hole of his high school career—during the two-day tournament. Junior Bryson Newport also made the cut, finishing 64th, scoring an 83 and 93. Others participating at state were senior Dean Siegel and juniors Will Conley, Eamonn Dolan and Charlie Gleason. (Photo courtesy Charity Ryan)

JD boys golf wins region title

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

The Juan Diego Catholic High School boys golf team won the Region 14 title with a 333.9 stroke average, edging out Judge Memorial who had 331. The Soaring Eagle squad was led by senior Cash Mattingly and junior Eamonn Dolan who were co-medalists with a 75 at Meadowbrook Golf Course Sept. 25. Senior Dean Siegel shot an 84 for eighth place with junior Bryson Newport’s 85 tying him for ninth. Making the All-Region team for the season were Dolan (in second with a 79.9 scoring average), Mattingly (third, 80.5), Charlie Gleason (eighth, 84.8), Jayden Due (10th, 86.5) and Siegel (12th, 89.1). (Photo courtesy Charity Ryan)

Page 8 | Nov. 2023

Draper City Journal

Charger season ends in second round

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Corner Canyon High seniors from left to right: Whitney Bryner, Sadie Werts, Shaye Neal, Megan Broadbent, Elise Jeppson, Ava Perkins, Allison Rodriguez, Lacee Nelson and Eliza Heggewald led the Chargers to an 8-8 season and a second-round showing in the 6A state tournament. (Photo courtesy Kami Call)

The Corner Canyon High School girls soccer team finished the season 8-4 in Region 2, behind two of the top 6A teams in the state in Mountain Ridge and Copper Hills. The Chargers lost to Skyridge 3-2 in the second round of the 6A state tournament, closing out an 8-8 overall record. Senior Claire (Elise) Jeppson led the squad with 12 goals with sophomores Alice Peterson and Channing Wuest scoring three goals each. Peterson was tops in assists with four while junior Hagen Haycock recorded five shutouts this fall.

Also on the CCHS team were seniors Megan Broadbent, Whitney Bryner, Eliza Hegewald, Ava Perkins, Allison Rodriguez and Sadie Werts; juniors Bella Call, McKinsey Cox, Olivia Flack, Ava Howell, Gracie Johnsen, Shaye Neal, Lacee Nelson, Chaselyn Nichols, Kenzie Randall, Addie Rowley and Hallie Wroten; sophomores Alexandra Feroah, Olivia Gleason, Ella Iverson, Abby Love, Olivia Nordhoff and Sophia Simms; and freshmen Leah Carver, Olivia Edwards, Tessa Egbert, Avalon Fenlon, Ellie Lewis, Addie Paynter and Layla Valadez. (Photo courtesy Kami Call)

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Nov. 2023 | Page 9

End of an era: Alta High’s longest-serving teacher retires

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

T

Alta High social studies teacher Rique Ochoa is remembered for his classes being engaging and fun.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

he next time Alta High has a fire drill, something will be missing—a beloved social studies teacher wearing a taco hat to help his students locate him.

Rique Ochoa retired this past summer.

“I’m not the typical, model teacher, but I’ve taught 45 years and I really still like what I do,” he said as he packed up thousands of books that edged his classroom. “I just turned 73 and I want to do other things. I want to finish reading some books. I want to learn how to play the guitar. Honestly, I’m going to miss the kids.”

Ochoa was the last teacher left from when the school opened in 1978. He was hired to coach and build the debate program, but Ochoa also taught English, drama and social studies.

“Students are students. The biggest thing is letting the kids know that you care.

I tell my kids to believe in what they want to do. It really comes back to you never know who you affect. I learned that my very first year,” he said.

Ochoa remembers a student who was disruptive and had a hard time learning.

Ochoa planned to suggest at parent-teacher conference that he should find another class when the student’s father said to Ochoa, “‘Before we sit down, I want to shake your hand. The only reason my son comes to school is because of your class.’ That’s when I realized I didn’t know how much and who I was able to reach.”

Former Canyons Board of Education member Steve Wrigley said many students developed more than a love of history and service from Ochoa, they know he cares about them.

“His students know they’re loved, they’re valued, and they’re appreciated,” Wrigley said. “These kids 20, 40 years later, are still calling him their best teacher.”

Ochoa’s debate program grew to 200 students. To prepare for tournaments, he gave students stacks of evidence, 400 pages deep.

He also started the Silver & Black Tournament, a national qualifier for the Tournament of Champions.

“Back in 1990, the school district limited us to one overnight travel per activity which meant my debate team would only get that caliber of competition once. I wanted my kids to get more, so I thought, ‘why don’t I invite those teams and have my kids compete against them here?’” Ochoa said.

Alta students qualified every year for nationals and secured four second-place state team trophies during his 17 years coaching.

In April, Alta High teacher Rique Ochoa posed by the school library’s mural showing when the school opened and the year he was hired. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Page 10 | Nov. 2023

Speech and debate team members Kim Washburn and Dollie Murphrey McFarlin, who graduated in 1985, placed in in the top 10 at state; they credit Ochoa for their teaching and law careers.

“He was a skilled debate coach and took us to Berkeley for the big debate tournament,” McFarlin said. “He made sure we had tough competition, but afterwards, he’d stand on a desk and get us all laughing. Debate was our place to go; he guided us to make good choices.”

Washburn agreed: “He has a knack for being able to teach something eight different ways. He knew when to have fun and when to give us support.”

Ochoa’s drive was more than winning; he wanted to be there for his students.

When he was a debater in a small Catholic high school in East Los Angeles, Ochoa’s forensics coach had a significant impact on him. However, when his coach left, the school didn’t hire someone new, so Ochoa finished his high school debate career as a team captain, but without any guidance.

“I knew what it was like having someone influential, so I wanted to be there for my students,” said Ochoa, who also debated at Brigham Young University.

Ochoa wasn’t the backbone of just the debate team. He coached the academic decathlon, the “We the People” competition, and assisted coaching the boys soccer team, helping them win five state championships.

His love of sports—and academics— was apparent when he announced the football and boys’ and girls’ basketball games as the “Voice of the Hawks” during home games. He called football games for 40 years, boys’ basketball for 41 years and girls’ basketball for 15 years.

“When Alta was first built, I guarded the back fence to make sure that people didn’t jump over the fence to sneak in.

Mostly people would back up their pickup trucks to the field to have a good time. But when Don Ward, who was a legend, decided he didn’t want to announce anymore, I decided to do that instead of watching the fence,” he said. “I had a lot of fun announcing. I’d get vocabulary words from the English department and incorporated them into the flow of the game, saying, ‘It was a flamboyant play’ or ‘the tackle was made by a veritable plethora of Hawks.’ One I enjoyed was, ‘The Hawks were faced with a conundrum.’ They had just scored a long field goal, but a penalty gave them a first down. Afterwards, I’d say, ‘That’s another word brought to you by the Alta High English Department.’ Announcing gave me another connection to the students.”

In the 1990s, Ochoa resigned from debate to team teach Advanced Placement U.S. History with Ward in a room with a

Draper City Journal

Channing Hall families come together to support student filmmakers

T

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

he Allen family threw a blanket on the grass of Channing Hall, finding a place where they could see a giant inflatable screen.

“We came to watch some really great student-made movies,” said Chris Allen, who hadn’t seen the film his daughter Adeline and her class created for the second annual schoolwide film festival.

Adeline was excited.

“We got to choose what we’d add to the world to make it a better place,” said the first-time filmmaker. “I said I’d add bad dad jokes. My mom is actually the bad dad joke teller. She tells puns and lame jokes, like ‘I got fired from the calendar store because I took too many days off.’ But, they’re just funny.”

Her mother, Marcy, agreed: “Even if they’re bad dad jokes, especially if they’re bad dad jokes, we can laugh and commiserate all at the same time.”

Adeline said everyone in her class got to contribute, breaking into small groups to come up with an idea on how to improve the world. Then, they figured out how to illustrate it so it could be edited together as an animated film.

“I really liked having the chance to be funny and sharing our ideas. We got to be the voices behind the drawings,” she said.

Other ways the students in her class thought to make the world a better place ranged from a cat to a kindness shield so nobody could feel any unkindness.

Adeline wasn’t the only student who was excited about the film festival. About 20 films created by kindergartners through eighth-grade students were shown on the big screen, along with a teacher film as well. Topics ranged from a commoveable wall so “we could open it for our 300 kids to be in one giant room,” but closed it when Ochoa taught AP government.

Ochoa was recognized as Alta High’s outstanding educator as well as Utah’s outstanding history teacher.

“For my birthday growing up, I was given a World War II book from the supermarket with a picture of the Battle of Midway on the cover. I just ate that thing up; I still have it,” he said. “I like American history because of my personal ties. My grandmother escaped the Mexican Revolution crossing into the United States. My uncle who was a Marine got bayoneted in battle. My wife’s dad lied about his age, so at 15, he was fighting the Japanese in New Guinea. I learned during the Depression my family ate tongue and beef brains as low-cost substitutes. I teach the Zoot Suit Riots because that happened in my neighborhood when I was growing up. I talk about the ‘68 campaign, and I tell students how Bobby Kennedy came in a motorcade down Whittier Boulevard and was extending his hand. I reached—it was a swing and a miss—but I was that close. That was the day before he won the primary in California and the day before he was shot. We talk about the implications if he had survived to win the presidency, how there would have been a bigger push for civil rights, and I

DraperJournal .com

Families gathered to watch student filmmakers’ movies at Channing Hall’s second annual film festival. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

edy about soccer to LEGO animation.

This year’s film festival topic matches the Parent-Teacher Organization theme, “Space for All,” said Heather Fehrenbach, who helped to coordinate the film festival.

“We left it open to interpretation and creativity,” she said. “We’ve gotten more kids involved and the kids are getting more excited about it. It got started coming out of COVID as a way for our families to have a fun evening together and we also wanted a chance for students to showcase their talents. Almost every kid knows how to put together a YouTube or TikTok video, but our film festival also encourages them to use skills in STEM to get more proficient. It’s

think the war in Vietnam would have ended sooner—and how those choices were taken from us.”

2021 graduate Jack Dutton, who is now majoring in political science and history at the University of Utah, said Ochoa inspired him.

“He uses his insight and experiences into American history to make it personable and relatable; when we were talking about the Cold War, he’d tell us how in school, he’d have nuclear bomb drills,” Dutton said. “He wants his students to understand why these things matter and how they connect to us. He knows how to teach history. It’s not just dates. It’s this overarching narrative with people who matter.”

Dutton’s mother, Mimi, said her two sons would “tell stories about funny things they’d learned in his class at our dinner table. That’s the sign of an excellent teacher, when the kids are that excited, they want to share it with their parents.”

Jack Dutton recalls his teacher had a tradition surrounding the AP U.S. History test.

“The night before the test, he called every student on their landlines, and said, ‘Hey, I’m cheering you on. I know you, you’ll do well.’ On the test day, he walked us from his classroom to the testing room.

No other teacher does that. As we walked, he started listing off the amendments and

been something they’d loved.”

While students have access to the school’s green screen or a device to film, and they can get help from a STEM teacher, “most of them were doing it on their own or with help from their families and friends. We love having the whole community involved,” she added.

Fehrenbach said students not only brainstormed ideas, but they learned to work collaboratively to determine the best topic; created a storyboard; organized their film, actors and time; determined what equipment was needed and learned how to use it; and were able to edit a final product— in addition to setting and achieving a goal.

“It’s an amazing opportunity where they’re engaged and having fun, yet they’re learning all sorts of skills they may not even realize,” she said.

The film festival, which was the idea of librarian Sarah Holland, takes the place of the former harvest festival and is held in conjunction with the school’s annual giving fundraiser. The $55,000 yearlong fundraiser helps support the school from having more paraprofessionals to help students in math and English to purchasing interactive flat panels for the classrooms, Fehrenbach said.

“We welcome people who give $20 per month or maybe their businesses will do a corporate match of $100 to their $100 donation, or we’ll recognize community partners who want to support our school and programs and contribute $300 or more with a sign on our fence,” she said. “Through their support, we’re able to give our students more opportunities, do more activities and have more programs.” l

everybody chanted along with him,” he said.

Ochoa brought in other ways to enrich students’ experiences. Under his direction, Alta hosted colloquiums with nationally known speakers and Pulitzer Prize winners.

With an invitation to Ochoa from Rutgers University, Alta was the first high school in the nation to pilot the university’s women’s leadership program.

He led student groups to see the presidential inaugurations of Bush, Obama and Trump, and tour historic sights.

“I thought it was a cool opportunity,” Ochoa said. “We’d see all these sights not on a typical tour. At Arlington, we’d see the grave of Benjamin Davis Jr., the commander of the Tuskegee Airmen and first African American air general. We’d stop at the George Mason Memorial and talk about the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which is really the foundation of the U.S. Bill of Rights.”

They also met with some of Utah’s elected officials.

Growing up, Ochoa had significant relationships with elected officials. When Ochoa was a teen, his U.S. representative, Chet Holifield, sent him “huge boxes of printed congressional hearings” to use as evidence for debate. Ochoa also distributed literature for Kennedy’s 1968 campaign.

“My parents taught me that voting was

important, that it’s your duty. I’ve always voted in every election and even had a voter registration drive here. Until COVID, my government kids did public service.

They choose whoever they wanted to, and volunteered for a campaign,” he said.

Several students volunteered for Suzanne Harrison’s campaigns. Afterward, she met Ochoa and was so impressed, Harrison and her husband established an annual $1,000 scholarship in Ochoa’s name to honor a student “who caught the vision that Mr. Ochoa exemplifies of giving back in the community civic engagement and service in a positive and productive way,” she said.

Jack Dutton received the scholarship in 2021.

“Mr. Ochoa taught us how and why we should care about elections and about campaigns,” he said. “His legacy is not that he’s gotten so many people to love history, but that he taught them the real value of citizenship and civic engagement.”

Ochoa appreciates the distinction.

“It’s remarkable to have someone realize the impact a teacher can make and want to pay tribute,” he said. “It’s been a high point for me, to be recognized for what you do, and now these kids I’m teaching are going out and making a lasting impact.” l

Nov. 2023 | Page 11

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Managing Grief in the Holidays

By William G. Hoy

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olidays in grief can be particularly challenging with familiar and sentimental sights, sounds, and smells reminding us our loved one is not here. Because this period of the year is built around relationships, a death in the family can make these weeks very difficult. But rather than attempt to just “grope our way” through these special days, there are ways to grow personally through the holidays as grief becomes transformative for us.

Saying goodbye to a loved one is anything but easy, especially if well-meaning friends and family members expect you to just “get on with your life.” Allow time and space for grieving and crying this holiday season. Keeping a journal can provide a vital opportunity for reflection during the holidays. These weeks will not be the same as before because of the “empty chair” at the table so the pain is inevitable.

A list of favorite holiday activities might be quite lengthy but make that list anyway.

The list might include many holiday traditions such when the house is decorated, when and where worship takes place, and in whose home the family meals are shared. Though it is impossible to do everything “just like when Mom was here,” you can evaluate what you do for the holidays and determine, with your family’s help, which of those traditions you want to preserve.

In evaluating holiday traditions, consider creating something new.

Lighting a special candle, purchasing a unique holiday decoration, providing gifts to a needy family, or hosting an international student can become meaningful holiday traditions.

Well-meaning friends or family may want you to attend parties and gatherings, hoping to “cheer you up” but take control of your schedule and do only as much celebrating as you feel ready to do. Choosing which events to participate in acknowledges that grief is a tiring experience. Even under the best of circumstances, holidays can be taxing so attempting to attend every event, party, or celebration may bring about total exhaustion. Instead, say “no” to some well-intentioned invitations.

Simply remind friends, “My energy level hasn’t returned to where it was before he died; thank you for understanding my need to decline.”

Pay close attention to physical well-being, too. Adequate rest, good nutrition, and moderate exercise is essential for the grief process. Lean meats with fresh fruits and vegetables are better choices than sugar- and fat-laden treats. If your health care provider approves, a brisk walk or other moderate exercise can help you feel better physically and emotionally. And eating a healthy diet coupled with moderate exercise is a remedy for insomnia for many mourners.

Be sure to consider the spiritual aspects of life, too. Because holidays have spiritual roots make sure to include time for worship and reflection during this period.

Volunteering to help others or making a memorial contribution is a meaningful way to put feet to faith during the holiday season.

While it is inevitable to face pain at the holidays, following these suggestions can help bereaved individuals and families find transformative growth during this special season of the year.

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Draper City Journal

Continued from front page more pressing in the early 2000s when developers wanted to build the community of Suncrest….to be clear, we don’t yet know exactly why these homes collapsed—whether it was natural ground movement, poor design, faulty workmanship or something else entirely,” Gehrke wrote.

Gehrke spoke with Dobbins for that article. Dobbins indicated that planners have been aware of the slide risk for years and that the city adopted a geologic hazard ordinance in 2007, requiring potential developers to do technical studies in areas they intend to build. Dobbins said the city contracts with consultants to review the studies to make sure they’re complete. That happened in the development where the two homes slid, but the city and the developer went back and forth for months before the city approved the project.

Dobbins told Gehrke that the city doesn’t have much leverage in dealing with developers because of past state legislative action that led the state’s Property Rights Ombudsman to issue a 2010 opinion stating that developers have a vested right to build as long as the study is complete and uses reliable data.

Another article by Gehrke in June indicated that, after he reviewed thousands of pages through a public records request, it appeared that construction crews failed to comply with design requirements prior to the homes being built. Those design requirements indicated that vegetation in the area needed to be removed, fill soil compacted, and a drain installed to prevent the soil from becoming saturated with rain and spring snow runoff. “We don’t know the reason—whether it was to save money or time, or just sloppiness—but those requirements weren’t followed,” Gehrke wrote.

In an August interview, Dobbins said, “People have asked us why does the city not just deny permits in areas that have geological concerns. The Ombudsman’s office has said that if a property owner or developer has an engineer say that it can be done safely, the city can’t say no without it becoming what is called a ‘takings claim’…denying property rights so that the taxpayers of Draper would have to compensate that property owner if they can’t build on it. That puts the city in a predicament.”

Former Draper City councilmember turned state legislator Jeff Stenquist doesn’t think the problem is with the state statute or the Ombudsman’s ruling.

“The state Property Rights Ombudsman is intended to provide mediation between property owners and cities to avoid litigation. It’s not always a large developer, often it’s a small property owner that may own a few acres and those folks

DraperJournal .com

Visit us in Sandy 11052 So Grapevine Cove

This photo, taken in June, shows where the two homes that slid once stood. The homes on either side of those that slid are still standing, but those homeowners have been evacuated for safety reasons. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)

don’t have a lot of resources to go to court, so the Ombudsman is intended to provide a less expensive option. A city can require that engineering be done on a property that’s being built on. If a licensed engineer can say to the city that they’ve met the requirements of the city, then it wouldn’t be fair for the city to go back and say we’re now going to add more requirements. If the city has reservations, maybe they need to go back and look…and make sure they have the right standards in place, or the city could hire their own engineer at taxpayer expense to do the review, but it would cost the taxpayers a lot of money. When things go wrong, there are lots of questions about what’s to blame…It’s absolutely tragic for the homeowners, somebody obviously failed, but I don’t see a need to change state statute. I don’t know what state statute we could change that could have prevented that,” Stenquist said.

Draper’s mayor and some councilmembers have expressed frustration in recent years that state officials have chipped away the city’s local control and ability to decide what is and isn’t built within the city, often under the push for what the state deems as a need for affordable housing. A July report by Darby Sparks of KUTV2 News found that 26 state senators and representatives, that’s one quarter of the state’s lawmakers, have some type of involvement in real estate, whether as an owner of a real estate company, or a building or development company, or as a shareholder or investor.

“What happened with EDGEhomes was a tragedy. Our hearts are with the displaced families who lost so much,” Draper Councilmember Tasha Lowery said. “While we cannot go backward, as

we look to the future, we need the state to proactively take more steps to even the playing field between the homeowners and the development community.

Whether that is a requirement for up front disclosures regarding possible geotechnical issues that lie hidden beneath the home or notices attached to deeds regarding private ground water systems, the public is best served by being fully informed and educated. And cities should be able to impose reasonable engineering standards that better protect homeowners without fear of litigation from developers.”

Gehrke’s June article indicated that EDGEhomes did repurchase the collapsed houses from their owners and was paying the expenses of neighbors who were displaced. According to Dobbins, EDGEhomes is also working on and paying for remediation of the area, under supervision by the city and the county which holds the easement for the property, so that city trails can eventually reopen.

It’s an arduous task in an unstable area that’s difficult to get big but necessary equipment into.

“The houses are cleaned up and they’re now working on a permanent solution. I want to say that the company (EDGEhomes) has stepped up and they’re doing the work, and Salt Lake County has been a great partner for us,” Draper Mayor Troy Walker said. l

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Call for a tour 801-790-2795 Nov. 2023 | Page 17

Dragon Dash to carnival, Draper Elementary students involved in school fundraiser

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

J

ason Clayton was watching his kids, third-grader Peter and fifth-grader Emaline, and their cousin, scale the climbing wall set up on Draper Elementary’s field.

His three-year-old Teddy was asleep on his shoulder.

“We love this; it’s been a lot of fun,” he said about the evening event that included several large inflatables. “This is a great event for the kids and it’s a good way to raise money for the school. It brings a lot of people together.”

Fifth-grader Sophia Tatton also liked the rock-climbing wall.

“It’s fun,” she said, adding that she was curious about her family’s bid on the online silent auction, which was part of the fundraiser that also included donations from the annual Dragon Dash as well as a percentage of the sales at the food trucks that evening.

The dark skies and raindrops didn’t dampen the families’ spirits as they surpassed $25,000, which they earned last year, raising $27,778 this year, said PTA president Crystal Tatton.

That didn’t include the 428 wristbands for the carnival activities, which goes toward having three inflatables for field day at the end of the year.

“We’re able to fund our field day and

all the kids get to go do that,” she said. “We don’t take any profits from the tickets.”

This year the Dragon Dash was returned to being held during school hours from evening time.

“We like that the Dragon Dash during the day involves all the kids at the school and that the evening allows the families to get together and have fun as a community,” she said.

During the Dragon Dash, about 700 students, divided by grade, completed laps on a track around the school fields for 10 minutes.

“They ran, they walked, they skipped, some kids walk backward, but they were moving,” she said, adding that one student in a wheelchair cheered on her peers along with parents and other family members. “We like that the kids don’t have to sell anything, but it’s a way the kids can do something for the money—and our parents like that.”

As a result, every student received a school T-shirt and will be given a free book during literacy week. They also get to participate on field trips and in Meet the Master’s and Book Blitz Jr. programs and other activities like Reflections, Grandparents’ Lunch, ribbon weeks and family nights that are supported by the fundraiser.

The silent auction had several family

and kid-friendly items such as being custodian for the day and lunch with the principal and secretary to ballet and theater tickets.

“I love seeing the kids enjoy this day, running, playing here tonight, eating together, seeing all the things they want to bid on.

They love this; they just get so excited,” Tatton said.

About 20 volunteers helped with the day and evening events. “We can’t live without our volunteers. They’re huge and the faculty, just the support from the school, I love that,” she said.

Principal Ronnie Mulqueen said that she appreciates the support for the event.

“It’s so neat for all the kids and the parents,” she said. “It’s been a busy and really fun day with lots of activities and the community coming together.”

Mulqueen gave students high-fives and cheered the students on during the run before helping with the evening activities.

“We had quite a few parents who came to watch and run with the kids, and then, this event tonight is amazing. We have so many families involved here,” she said. “It’s been very organized; our PTA did a fantastic job of coordinating it. We have a very supportive, very involved PTA and school community council.”

Draper Elementary fourth graders race around their field as part of their annual Dragon Dash fundraiser. (Ronnie Mulqueen/Draper Elementary)

In the playing field, Jelissa Tucker was keeping track of the five kids she brought to climb on the inflatables.

“These kids want to do everything. Today, they ran all 10 minutes, and they said it was exhausting. Now, they’re running around here this evening, getting their energy out,” she said. “I bet they’re going to sleep well tonight.” l

Soaring Eagle soccer squad reaches state’s final four for second consecutive season

T

he Juan Diego Catholic High School girls soccer team resolved to get back to the 3A state semifinals after a 2-0 loss to Ogden in the final four a year ago. The Soaring Eagle squad did just that this year, but again came up against the eventual state champion Tigers—who now had 13 seniors—and lost 9-1 at Zions Bank Stadium Oct. 19.

“We knew Ogden was the one to beat and we were confident that we could compete with them,” said JDCHS head coach Joe Baca. “There was initial disappointment once the game was over, with some tears especially for the seniors who played their last game, but still a lot of pride and great memories in recalling the last four years for our nine seniors.”

Juan Diego got down a goal within the first three minutes of the game and were down 4-0 at halftime. But, Baca said the team made some adjustments at the break and knew they could get back into the game, even after giving up an early second-half goal.

Senior Kate DiGiandomenico netted their only goal of the game, assisted by sophomore Addison Pettit, in the loss. “We had some miscommunication and then Ogden got sneaky,” Baca said. “We had to go more into attack mode than we had planned and it

Page 18 | Nov. 2023

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

The Juan Diego Catholic High School girls soccer team reached the 3A state semifinals for the second year, losing to eventual champion Ogden 9-1 Oct. 19. (Photo courtesy Charity Ryan)

really was just a chess match back-and-forth where we made adjustments and they countered.”

On the route to the semis, Juan Diego— after a first-round bye—defeated Union 8-1 Oct. 11, going up 5-0 at halftime. Pettit scored a hat trick while senior Maddie Chiazzese added two goals and DiGiandomenico, sophomore Hayden Pettit and senior Peyton Montoya each had one.

In the quarterfinals against third-seeded Manti Oct. 14, the sixth-ranked Soaring

Eagle squad pulled out a 3-2 win in double overtime behind the golden goal from Chiazzese. Senior Jada Mirabile had a goal and an assist with Addison Pettit also netting a goal and Chiazzese and senior Morgan Mulcahy each assisting on a score in the big win.

Juan Diego was led this season by Addison Pettit and DiGiandomenico with 13 goals each along with Hayden Pettit with 10 goals. Senior Jada Mirabile was the top assists leader with 12 with Mulcahy, Addi-

son Pettit and Chiazzese adding eight each.

Sophomore keeper Alyssa Petersen recorded two shutouts in goal.

Baca credited his senior class for helping to get the program “going in the right direction.”

“These seniors really helped build our culture while playing as a unit and forming a real sisterhood,” he said. “They created a true family environment, and I’m thankful for all they gave to the program.”

Also on the JDCHS squad that went 11-5 this year were seniors Abbie Alamilla, Hailey Cutler and Kennedy Jones; juniors Ella Blair, Campbell Gentry, Alison Green, Abby Harbison, Hope Lowery and Denver Whaley; and freshmen Izzy Guernsey, Brylee Newport and Vivien Pettit.

Baca was assisted on the coaching staff this season by Troy Stroud, Joe Alamilla, Craig Gentry, Ameera Almaksosi and Tucker Davis, as well as team moms Jessica Mirabile and Debbie Jones who helped the program over the past four years.

“On the bus ride home after our loss at state, the juniors approached me with more team building ideas to strengthen the unity even further among the girls,” Baca said. “It was fun to see that. We want to continue to be winners here.” l

Draper City Journal

Inaugural middle school unified soccer state tournament met by enthusiastic players, partners, fans

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t was the first year of Utah’s middle school unified soccer and Jen Morphy was on the sidelines.

She wasn’t one of athlete’s mothers, but rather a mom of a ninth-grade peer tutor, who was assisting the athletes with the ball so they could have the same opportunities to play.

“It’s a really great program, and I love that,” she said. “Through unified sports these kids are getting to do so many things.”

Unified soccer, a program of Special Olympics Utah in partnership with the Utah High School Activities Association, allows student-athletes with and without disabilities to play on the same team.

While the teams are coed and play competitively five versus five on a smaller sized soccer field for two eight-minute halves, the focus is on development of skills, friendship, cooperation and sportsmanship as often players on either team will cheer for one another.

Fourteen teams played in the inaugural state tournament, split in four divisions based upon ability, said Boston Iacobazzi, Unified Champion School’s college-growth coordinator. There were about 150 student-athletes from area middle schools: Mountain Creek, South Jordan, Oquirrh Hills, Joel P. Jensen, West Jordan and Mt. Jordan—as well as from

nearby Alpine and Davis school districts.

“They had a great time and loved it,” he said. “It was really cool as some of them had never played soccer before. Some were super pumped to get to wear uniforms with their school’s name on it.”

Mountain Creek teacher Karlee English said that was true of her players, who were coached by volunteer Hannah Swett.

“We have worked hard for weeks in preparation for the tournament,” she said. “Most of the kids had never even played soccer before this. By the time the tournament came most of the students understood the game and really enjoyed playing soccer. Most of all, there was a real camaraderie between the athletes and the peers they were playing with. I actually had to do a drawing for peer tutors because so many students wanted to do it.”

Morphy’s son, Dane, has been a middle school partner athlete in unified basketball, which was introduced last winter, and with unified golf, which was new in spring 2022.

“My older daughter was a peer tutor for two years; she would say, ‘they need friends too.’ Dane knew all these kids through his sister, so he became a peer tutor and absolutely loves it. My younger daughter wants to be a peer tutor next year,” Morphy said.

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Mountain Creek Middle takes on South Jordan Middle in the middle school unified soccer state championship game. (Photo courtesy of Jen Morphy)

As well as being a parent and a fan, Morphy also is Mountain Creek Middle School’s PTA president.

“We want opportunities to include all our students, like this. We have one kid in their class who has seizures; half of his body doesn’t work how it’s supposed to. Last year, he was so good at basketball. It was fun to see him be able to do these things in a setting that allows him to excel. With soccer, our peer tutors would shag a ball and it goes right to one of the kids in the class to dribble back up the field. Our school had two teams and what’s fun about that is you have an entire sideline cheering you on. It’s not just parents, but you have all your peers there, so it feels even bigger,” she said.

When teams scored, Morphy said, “The kids would get so excited and then the peers were happy for them and everybody on the field comes in with high-fives and hugs. The sidelines were jumping up and down. They’re so happy and love being a part of all of it.”

English said the score at the end wasn’t what was important.

“Honestly, the highlight for me was watching a young man and his peer on the opposing team (South Jordan) who were very enthusiastic in working the ball down the field and the athlete ended up getting the goal. It was so much fun to watch both teams cheer this young athlete on. It wasn’t about who won the game; it was celebrating as one in this victory for this young man as he scored. The beauty in this moment wasn’t directed by any adult to cheer for this young athlete; it just happened spontaneously,” she said.

At the same time as the middle school

tournament, Iacobazzi also was overseeing 54 unified high school teams in the state playoffs.

“I’d love to get more middle schools involved and have high school soccer players help with their training. Ideally, we’d like each district to run its own middle school league then we hold one state event with teams from all the districts across the state,” he said.

Morphy said the tournament was a huge event.

“The whole community was there together—so many parents, families and so many games going on. It was fun because at Mountain Creek, it’s a tight group. Some of our students could see their friends who had gone on to high school and give them hugs and they’d cheer each other as they played,” she said.

Iacobazzi was planning surprise visits to present the medals to teams at their schools in early November.

In division A, Moose Nation from Mountain Creek got first; SoJo White of South Jordan was second; Eagles Blue from Oquirrh Hills took third; and Mt. Jordan was fourth. In division B, Joel P. Jensen Jaguars were first, SoJo Blue of South Jordan was second; Moose Stampede of Mountain Creek placed third; and Eagles white of Oquirrh Hills, fourth. In division C, local teams West Jordan won, with the Mountaineers from Mt. Jordan, second; and in division D, Joel P. Jensen Panthers were the champions. l

Nov. 2023 | Page 19

City opens water conservation garden

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

I

n an era that brings a need to be water wise, Draper City is hoping to make it convenient for residents to find water-saving ideas for their own yards. The city officially opened a community water conservation garden in October at the city’s Parks & Recreation office.

After being in the building for two years, and with aging landscaping surrounding it, the Parks and Recreation staff came up with the idea to turn their office’s yard into an example of a conservation garden. The staff designed and chose the materials, put the project out for bid, and worked with the contractor on implementing the plan.

“You don’t have to have grass that’s a big water waste,” said Rhett Ogden, Draper’s Parks and Recreation director.

The front yard features the newest technology in artificial turf. “Artificial turf is green year-round, it doesn’t take any water or fertilizer, it doesn’t take maintenance or mowing every week. It’s a great option,” Ogden said.

The front yard demonstrates how to capture rain with a water barrel and reuse that rainwater to irrigate your plants. The barrel has a spigot for connecting a hose to water plants.

“It’s a way to repurpose the rain water,” Ogden said. Also featured in the front are various sizes and colors of rock that offer contrast and

diversity to the landscape. And there’s an example of a low-water-use fountain for those that still want that special feature.

“One of the main things are interpretive, informative signs that have a QR code people can scan for more information. Every species of plant has its own, and each plant has a dedicated web page that it directs you to from the QR code,” Ogden said. Those informative signs and QR codes are found throughout the entire front and backyards on the various plants and products.

The backyard is an example of new ideas for an activity zone. It features corn hole, a fire pit, lounge chairs, a barbecue and a raised garden bed. “It demonstrates that you can have an active backyard, but it doesn’t have to be all grass. We do have a small section of grass, and Jordan Valley Water Conservancy isn’t opposed to a little bit, but you don’t have to do your whole yard in grass,” Ogden said.

“We wanted a place where residents could come to learn more about water-wise landscape and the rebates available, and to get ideas for plants that work well in this area… something local people could see, plus it beautified our offices,” Ogden said.

The garden is located at 12350 South and 800 East. It’s open to the public seven days per week during daylight hours. l

The newly redesigned yard at Draper’s Parks and Recreation office on 800 East demonstrates many ideas for water-wise plants and products. (Courtesy Draper City)

The backyard at Draper’s Parks and Recreation office has ideas for a landscape that isn’t dominated by grass but still offers opportunities for fun. (Courtesy Draper City)

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Page 20 | Nov. 2023

in life! Wins every time!” He firmly believes that strong relationships are the foundation of success, both in business and in life.

Graduating from Utah State University in 1985 and Pacific Coast Banking School in 1997, he embodies a commitment to education. He actively contributes to various non-profit boards and is deeply engaged in his community and church. Bruce, a devoted family man with five children, now leads Brighton Bank as President and COO, promising a positive impact on the bank and its customers.

Thank you, Bruce, for your exceptional contributions to banking and your dedication to building meaningful connections. We are proud to have you lead our organization.

Robert Bowen will remain with the bank as its Vice Chairman and CEO.

Draper City Journal

Youth council makes big and helpful impact on the community

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

T

he Draper City Mayor’s Youth Council (DCMYC) is made up of high school students in Draper looking to make a difference in their community. Draper has the largest youth council in the state, and it grew to 108 members this year. The entire council was sworn in at Draper City Hall on Sept. 12.

“They do so many things that make it possible for us to do the community events that we do…without them, we couldn’t do it. Our goal is that they leave this program having done service and knowing how government works.

It’s a fantastic group of young people,” Mayor Troy Walker said.

The group performs a variety of service projects throughout the year mixed with civics lessons. Each participant must log a required number of service hours to be eligible for membership. They meet monthly and attend legislative day at the capitol once each year to learn about government while also meeting members of other youth councils from across the state. For the youth, it’s an organized opportunity to help in their community while building their resumes for college applications and building friendships along the way.

CCHS senior Abby Holland is this year’s Youth Mayor. Holland has been a part of the youth council all four years of high school. She joined for the community service opportunity.

Outside of youth council, she also participates in policy debate for the CCHS Debate team.

She plans to study wildlife biology in college.

Her leadership experience from DCMYC combined with her debate skills and her interest in wildlife biology have her hoping to be involved in public policy in the future. “The older I get, the more I learn about the challenges the environment is facing. I want to work in conservation and environmental justice. Both the youth council and debate have inspired me to go the

Cécily Johnson, Abbie Rees and Addison Abbott (L-R) took this photo at Draper City Hall after taking their oath of office for the Draper City Mayor’s Youth Council. (Courtesy Cécily Johnson)

DraperJournal .com

public policy route. Debate has taught me how to advocate for myself and the causes I believe in,” she said.

Holland’s favorite events to help with are the Draper Days Children’s Bike Parade, because of the excitement of the little kids, and the International Arts & Crafts Festival. “Last year, I spent my time helping one of the henna artists. It was great to learn about a different art form and her life and her story,” Holland said.

Holland estimates the council has nearly doubled in size since she first became involved and she credits the adult advisors for the success and size of the program. “We have a lot of amazing advisors who are really invested in the program. They put so much time and effort into making it a really good experience, so everyone wants to come back and get their friends involved,” Holland said.

Cécily Johnson, a freshman at Leadership Academy of Utah, is in her first year on the council. “It’s cool to talk to other students about their different schools. I feel like the more people I get to know that live in Draper, the more I love this city because I know about the people,” Johnson said.

CCHS freshman Graham Jones heard about DCMYC from his mom and thought it sounded like a good opportunity. “I feel service is a way to forget yourself and think of positive things,” Jones said. Thus far, his favorite thing has been volunteering with little kids. He was recently asked to do face painting at an event and he was nervous because he’d never done it before. “The kids were just grateful and happy to be given the opportunity to get their face painted,” Jones said.

He also enjoyed the group’s project of cleaning up graves at Draper’s cemetery. “It was nice to see some graves that had been buried under the grass revealed and seen again.

Some of them were really old, and it was neat to see how long these graves have been there,” Jones said.

Ayush Pratham, a CCHS junior, is in his first year on the council after moving to Draper from Riverton. “I love the activities we’re doing and the social impact we have on the community. I think it’s amazing to have more than 100 kids get super involved,” he said.

Pratham’s favorite service activity thus far was the city’s marathon. “We did have to wake up early, but it was worth it to encourage the runners. I was standing close to the finish line so I got to keep pushing the runners and encouraging them,” he said.

CCHS sophomore Jefferson Davis thinks the DCMYC gives youth an opportunity for involvement that you wouldn’t find elsewhere.

He enjoyed the group’s opening activity where they got to meet the other youth they’d be working with in the coming year, and he especially enjoyed helping at the city’s marathon.

“It was fun to see the sunrise when we went up

Draper City Mayor’s Youth councilmembers (L-R) Audrey Johanson, Abby Holland, Abby Larson and Lily Henstrom helped at this year’s International Arts & Crafts Festival. The council gives local high school students opportunities for community service. (Courtesy Abby Holland)

there, to see all the runners going past, and to encourage them,” Davis said.

Youth Mayor Holland summarized her main takeaway from her four years of involvement with the DCMYC. “I’ve learned the value of coming together as a group to work on projects because there

are a lot of city events that require large numbers of volunteers,” she said. “Sometimes it seems like you’re doing small actions, but once you get the whole youth council out there, it’s really cool to see impact when people come together to do service.” l

Celebrating 70 Years

LaMar & Gloria Bradshaw Draper residents, LaMar and Gloria Bradshaw, celebrated their 70 th wedding anniversary on September 9, 2023. Their love story began as high school sweethearts who married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1953 and eventually welcomed 6 children into their loving home – Steve Bradshaw (deceased), Cal (Barbara) Bradshaw, Jill (Brent) Hansen, Boyd (Kaylyn) Bradshaw, Sharon (Richard) Maxwell, Julie (Jason) Haddock. They are grandparents to 25 wonderful grandchildren and – at last count – 35 great grandchildren!

LaMar served in the Army during the Korean War and then completed his education at the University of Utah. He worked throughout his life as a developer and home builder. Gloria embraced her role as wife, mother, and homemaker and has always found joy in serving others.

They have served in various church callings over the years and especially enjoyed being together as they presided over the Washington Seattle Mission from 1984 - 1987.

LaMar and Gloria are an example to their family and friends of working hard, serving others, and finding joy in the journey.

Thank you, Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa, for everything! We love you!

Nov. 2023 | Page 21

Jordan High among local teams that excelled at state championship as Utah’s high school unified soccer program grows

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

B

ack-to-back champions.

In any sport, it’s a difficult accomplishment. In the growing sport of unified soccer, it’s remarkable. This year, 54 unified soccer teams competed, up from 30 last year.

Yet Murray High succeeded in that achievement to defend their state championship title.

Murray High junior Mia Cox scored a goal in that title game and was receiving congratulatory hugs and high-fives afterward from her teammates, friends and family, her principal and superintendent.

“It was exciting,” she said. “I like kicking the ball with my friends on the team because it’s fun.”

Unified soccer is a program of Special Olympics Utah in partnership with the Utah High School Activities Association, that joins high school-age students with and without intellectual disabilities playing side-by-side on the same team. Five coed players take to a smaller-sized field in 10-minute halves playing in competitive or player development divisions.

“We had teams from Richfield High School to up in Logan in eight divisions,” said Boston Iacobazzi, Unified Champion School’s college-growth coordinator. “Several schools had two teams and a couple had three.”

Teams first played in local tournaments before they competed in the regional round robin competitions until the top two finishers from each division were determined. The state championships in those divisions played Oct. 10 at the Real Salt Lake stadium.

“It was close competition for a lot of the teams at both the playoffs as well as at the championships. A lot of games went into overtime and ended in PKs, which was exciting,” he said.

Jordan High junior Kaitlyn Unzaga controls the ball in the state championship game of unified soccer. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Page 22 | Nov. 2023

Both Jordan High unified soccer state champion teams pose with high school and Canyons School District supporters after winning their titles. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

At the local tournament in Midvale, Hillcrest High senior Haylee Wardle was all about winning.

“Let’s go!” she encouraged her teammates. “We want to get that gold.”

Wardle, her teammates and coach Rebecca Remy watched as Hillcrest freshman Johnny Bisby brought the torch into the school’s stadium. ASL club members signed the national anthem as well as the athlete’s oath.

“We have a lot of Husky pride and we want everyone to feel that at our school,” said Remy, who has been an assistant during her 20 years teaching, but stepped in as head coach this year. “I love seeing the students in other areas besides academics, witnessing their sportsmanship and inclusion and the unity with their peers, and using their skills on the field.

It’s great our drill, band, cheer and a bunch of different clubs and teams are supporting all the unified teams competing.”

In front of hundreds of fans at the RSL stadium, Hunter High junior Whitney Rasmussen took the athlete’s oath and sang the national anthem before joining her team to take a silver medal in their game.

For many student-athletes, it’s an opportunity to not only compete, but also to develop their skills, meet people, see old friends and belong to a team.

“It gives them a place to belong and to represent their school, just like their peers,” Iacobozzi said.

Longtime friends Mia Jackman of Riverton High and Jaymi Bonner of Herriman High gave each other hugs when they saw each other at a tournament, which was supported by Jordan School District’s superintendent.

Mia’s dad, Jared, is thankful for unified sports.

“It gives them the chance to do things that they’re seeing typical kids do and a chance to interact with some of their peers,” he said. “It makes them feel part of the school.”

Jaymi’s mom, Jeana, likes unified sports “enriches everyone’s lives and gives us perspective. It’s about, teamwork and sportsmanship. It’s not only about winning and being the best. That’s a valuable lesson that our kids are teaching us.”

Herriman High received silver medals at state.

Jordan High junior Kaitlyn Unzaga decided to play because “it’s really fun and it gets

my energy out.”

She was warming up at the RSL stadium before both Jordan teams would win their division championships.

“I always play no matter what if I win or not win. I really love playing for my school with my friends,” she said. “At school, we eat lunch together and practiced our kicking and defense, and how to move left and right. Then, we hang out.”

Her coach, Jenna Fox, said the school’s program has grown from five students to 22.

“The kids keep telling the incoming freshmen about it, so our numbers are getting bigger,” she said. “We have a developmental team and a more competitive one so we’re getting all abilities playing time and we’ve got some awesome peer tutors who are playing with them.

What’s fun is the kids are all friends and they respect each other. So, we play together, we go to class together, we celebrate together.”

Several Jordan High students, teachers and administrators were watching the games along with Canyons School District’s superintendent and other district administrators and school board members.

“Jordan SBOs (student body officers) gave us a send-off. They lined up creating tunnels for us to go through and we got cheered and waved off for state. That was super special for our team,” Fox said. “Having the championships at RSL, it makes them feel like royalty.”

Both Jordan teams as well as other teams, including Kearns High, that took first, were given medals by royalty — Miss Utah Sarah Sun and Miss Utah’s Teen Jaylynn Lindley along with Utah’s First Lady Abby Cox. l

Jordan High unified soccer players give each other high-fives after winning the state championship game of unified soccer. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Draper City Journal

New Deer Ridge trailhead opened in October

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

F

requent users of the Deer Ridge trail in Suncrest, or prospective new users, will be happy to find several amenities have been added to that area. Previously, it was a dead-end road with a concrete barrier and a porta-potty. It got a lot of use and the city took note.

“We decided to make it an actual trailhead,” said Rhett Ogden, Parks and Recreation director.

Trail counters helped determine what amenities were needed in the area that is particularly popular with dog owners. Based on the high usage, 44 paved parking stalls, two

running water restrooms, and two picnic pavilions are now available for use. The trailhead is a gateway for the off-leash dog area, the Eagle Crest trail, Telegraph trail, and nearby Maple Hollow trail and park.

“It’s got great views of both Salt Lake Valley and Utah Valley and especially of Lone Peak and Mount Timpanogos. Some of the best views in the whole city are from this trailhead or from the trails you can access from this trailhead,” Ogden said. “It really is a gorgeous area.” l

Draper City Manager David Dobbins, councilmembers Fred Lowry, Cal Roberts, Marsha Vawdrey, Tasha Lowery and Mayor Troy Walker broke ground on the new Deer Ridge trailhead on a sunny October day.

(Courtesy Draper City)

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Nov. 2023 | Page 23

Salt Lake County councilmember profile: Suzanne Harrison

By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com

S

he’s one of only a few Democrats to break through in both statewide and countywide elections, and after this latest election in 2022, she is serving on the Salt Lake County Council as an at-large member, a representative of the whole of Salt Lake County.

How did Councilmember Suzanne Harrison do it? “I see myself not so much as belonging to a party, but as a mom and a doctor, and one who cares about her community,” Harrison said. “That resonates across party lines, I think.”

Prior to serving on the county council, Harrison served four years in state legislature, but decided she wanted to serve at the county level at the next election, because she wanted to focus on issues “closer to home,” issues she saw affecting the day-to-day for her neighbors, her family, and other families in her community. “I wanted to help create the future, the kind of life we all want for ourselves and our kids: fun trails, clean air, affordable housing.”

Harrison is a roots-deep Utah girl and loves her state. She grew up in Provo where her parents spent their careers working at BYU. She went to Timpview High School and then attended Stanford University for her undergraduate degree where she met her husband, John, who was raised in Centerville, Utah. She earned her medical degree at the University of Utah and completed her residency in anesthesiology and critical care at Harvard University.

She made it back home to Utah to raise a family, living in Draper with her husband and her three children, ages 15, 18 and 20 (two high schoolers and one Utah State Aggie).

Currently, Harrison splits her workweek serving part time as a physician and an anesthesiologist (at Riverton and Alta View hospitals), and part time as a county councilmember.

Her hours per week on the council are variable, depending on the issues on the county agenda, but she always makes time to get out into the community.

County Councilmember Suzanne Harrison enjoys biking the trails with her husband, John. (Photo Suzanne Harrison)

Page 24 | Nov. 2023

In talking to people, she realized many don’t know about what their county government does and how it helps. One way she hopes to remedy this situation, and to connect, is through her Tip of the Week found on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/votesuz, where she highlights county programs that add to quality of life for all, programs ranging from Petapalooza (a pet adoption day at Salt Lake County Animal Services), to the opening day of a new trail system (Butterfield Regional), to opportunities to provide feedback regarding transit planning (UTA long-range transit plan).

Her Facebook feed is an informative highlight reel of Salt Lake County programs and opportunities.

She calls attention to services that are less visible, but vitally important. Things like tax relief, home repair, and assistance programs which are available annually to individuals who qualify. Many don’t know these benefits exist and Harrison is trying to get the word out on social media and by sponsoring an appropriation to send a flyer to every property owner and renter in the county.

Additionally, she’s excited to spotlight things like Meals on Wheels, a service that provides over 2,000 daily meals to homebound seniors, available through Salt Lake County Aging Services. Or that Salt Lake County recently secured a 2.7-million dollar grant to help youth who age out of foster care and who often have no safety net or home. Or a pilot program with the County Library System, for a one cent late fee for children’s materials over the summer, to encourage families to check out books and to “reduce barriers to reading.”

Harrison considers her political connections within the state legislature an asset, as county, state and city entities often work together, especially on complex and regionwide problems. Collaborative effort is the key to tackling difficult challenges, and Harrison aims for “engaged civic dialogue from the ground up, through all levels of government.”

As of 2021, there were 1.2 million residents in Salt Lake County, and Councilmember Harrison is an at-large member, representing the entire county. The county council is a nine-member body, three members elected atlarge and serving six-year terms, and six members representing constituents in a specific voting district and who serve four-year terms.

For more details regarding Salt Lake County programs offered and services provided, visit the county website at www.slco.org.

As much as Harrison encourages county residents to understand what existing services the county provides, and to take advantage of them, she also wants to listen. She loves to meet with different constituents and groups, to learn what they want from local government, and make sure county government is adapting to meet their needs. Email her at SuHarrison@ slco.org or see what she’s up to and connect on Facebook, Instagram or X (Twitter). l

County Councilmember Suzanne Harrison enjoys a summer evening at a Salt Lake Bees game with family and friends. (Photo Suzanne Harrison)

County Councilmember Suzanne Harrison tours the Meals on Wheels kitchen. Meals on Wheels is a service funded by Salt Lake County Aging Services, delivering over 2,000 meals a day to homebound seniors.

(Photo Suzanne Harrison)

County Councilmember Suzanne Harrison after a Unified Police ride-along. (Photo Suzanne Harrison)

Draper City Journal

Juan Diego football caps season

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Juan Diego Catholic High School junior quarterback Hayden Mezenen helped the JDCHS football team reach the 3A state playoffs this season, combining for nearly 1,000 yards passing and rushing and accounting for 11 touchdowns.

Also on the 54-member team who tied for second in the 3A North division with a 3-2 mark were seniors James Curran, Weston Eder, Andrew Gerzella, Suarjana Indra, Kayson Larson, Angelo Lewis, Austin Lund, Anderson Schmitz, Victor Giovanni Silva, Sharafeldin Wesaga and Aidan Wigton. (Photos courtesy Bob McClellan, Shooting Star Photography)

Juan Diego Catholic High School junior running back Antonio Archuleta (No. 8) led the Soaring Eagle football team this season, rushing for more than 700 yards and seven touchdowns while recording another 176 yards and a touchdown receiving. He also played linebacker and recorded 50 tackles and hauled in an interception on the defensive side of the ball.

DraperJournal .com

Nov. 2023 | Page 25

Salt Lake County won’t be shutting down

W

e’ve all heard the threat of a possible federal government shutdown if Congress can’t get their act together.

A stopgap bill was passed to push the Oct. 1 deadline to Nov. 15. But what will happen on Nov. 15? No one really knows. Here in Salt Lake County, you don’t have to worry about programs not getting funded, budgets not being balanced or debts escalating. Our Salt Lake County Council takes very seriously our charge to ensure a balanced budget will keep the county operating.

October begins the county budget process with the mayor presenting her 2024 budget to the council, setting the stage for a meticulous six-week evaluation by the council. During this time, we scrutinize proposals, dissect programs, and engage department heads in rigorous discussions. Every decision is weighed against the ultimate goal of a balanced budget that will sustain the county operations. The final budget will be passed on Dec. 5.

The Salt Lake County Council will be passing a balanced budget before the end of the year to keep Salt Lake County operating. You won’t need to worry about the jail not operating, your favorite recreation center closing, libraries

Aimee Winder Newton

Salt Lake County Councilwoman| District 3

shutting their doors, meals not getting delivered to vulnerable seniors, or conventions getting canceled at the Salt Palace. We take very seriously our charge to not only fund what taxpayers expect, but to do it in a fiscally responsible manner.

Our Triple A bond rating is a source of great pride for Salt Lake County, placing us among an elite group of only 29 counties in the nation. This rating is hard earned through maintaining the county’s strong financial health, which includes balanced budgets, controlled spending, and effective financial planning. This special rating helps you, the taxpayer, because it means we get lower interest rates. We are dedicated to ensuring that your hard-earned money is used wisely.

In Salt Lake County we know how to work together, and our success lies

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in our ability to collaborate. Both Democrats and Republicans serve on the council, and we know how to get along!

Partisanship will never keep us from fulfilling the needs and expectations of the people.

As we get closer to Nov. 15, there

might be some uncertainty happening on a national level. But don’t worry, in Salt Lake County, we’ve got everything under control and the services you expect from us will continue.

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Draper City Journal

Hark! the Herald Angels Scream

I

t was the Peri Kinder Cabbage Patch Kid Life and Laughter frenzy of '83 and parents had lost their dang minds. I was a young mother and didn’t think my 6-month-old daughter needed the trendy toy of the year, but watching crowds of people attack each other over a doll was inconceivable.

TV news showed Black Friday sales where hundreds of loving parents trampled their friends and neighbors to get one of the elusive Cabbage Patch dolls. I understand wanting to find the perfect present, but having mom arrested the day after Thanksgiving because she shot a store employee with a crossbow doesn’t exactly ring in the holidays.

Each year brought a new toy so necessary and valuable that people went shopping armed with baseball bats and pepper spray to ensure they got the Furby, Beanie Babies, Tickle Me Elmo or Teddy Ruxpin for their child who already had too many toys.

Shoppers expected riots, looting, broken bones and black eyes for every Black Friday sale. News reporters showed videos of chaos, pandemonium and anarchy. If you didn’t get a concussion while saving on bath towels, was it even Black Friday?

I didn’t often participate in Black Friday, although I once waited outside Toys R Us at 5 a.m., in freezing temperatures,

to save $50 on a Barbie Dreamhouse. My early-morning shopping adventures ended when a full-grown adult stole my 8-year-old daughter’s promotional football at Mervyn’s.

If I wanted to experience holiday anxiety, panic and frustration, I didn’t need to shop the Black Friday sales. I could feel all that stress in the comfort of my own home. But now, if there was a Black Friday sale on gas, gluten-free cake mixes or bags of dog food I’d definitely get up at 4 a.m.

Today, Black Friday just isn’t the same. Instead of waiting in line for hours while your toes freeze, people just turn on their phones and cybershop until their fingers bleed. There’s no frenzy, bedlam, fracas, turmoil or mayhem. Not even a hullabaloo. Just scrolling and clicking. Like every other day.

Americans are a wacky bunch. We spend Thanksgiving Day offering appreciation for our abundance and then eat until our livers explode. By midnight, gratitude is over and it’s time to spend until our credit cards warp. Within hours of Thanksgiving dinner, we’re in combat-mode, ready for holiday shopping.

It’s so on-brand for Americans.

Buddhists teach about a realm of hungry ghosts who have large stomachs but tiny mouths. They are tormented by unrelenting cravings that can never be satisfied. A student once asked Buddhist teacher and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, “What is it like in the realm of hungry ghosts?” he answered, “America.”

Ouch. But accurate.

Because it’s not just Black Friday anymore. It’s Small Business Saturday, Shell Out Sunday, Cyber Monday, TakeAll-My-Money Tuesday and What-Did-I-Even-Buy Wednesday. Social media platforms taunt us with shiny items that

might ease the relentless craving for more. But only for a moment.

Back in 1983, I never imagined how the world would change in 40 years. I thought we’d go on beating each other up for toys until the end of time. I never dreamed we’d be buying holiday gifts online, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on our phones or hanging Christmas lights that could be controlled through an app.

I probably wondered if we’d ever learn that violence isn’t the best way to start the holiday season. Especially a holiday with the catchphrase, “Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men.”

Let’s face it, holiday shopping will always be a jungle.

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