Draper Journal | October 2023

Kelsee Sellers voluntarily devotes hours each week to a labor of love, a “snake” that delights rather than bites. He’s known as Rockwell because he’s made of rocks and he’s right by the Porter Rockwell Trail. He’s snaking his way along the abandoned train tracks, starting near where Draper’s well-known zebra resides, all the way toward Draper Park.

“It’s a nice little way to brighten people’s days,” Kelsee said.

It all began when Kelsee and her daughter Libby, age 3 at the time, were living back East a few years ago. “We were in Virginia during COVID and we found ‘kindness rocks’ in a park. It was really popular during Covid that people would paint rocks and hide them in plain sight. My daughter was overjoyed when she found a spotted rock, then she started painting rocks and hiding them all over. She thought it was the funniest thing when people found them, or sometimes she’d get too excited and randomly hand them to somebody,” Kelsee said.

A couple years ago, the family moved to Draper where Kelsee had grown up, and a baby boy named Lee was born. Libby is now 6 and Lee is 2.

In early June, Kelsee’s mom showed Libby a rock snake that she’d found on Facebook. “Libby thought it was super cool since we’d done the kindness rocks so she said, ‘Let’s do this!’ When my daughter gets an idea in her head, there’s just no stopping her.

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Kelsee Sellers and her children established the rock snake that runs along the abandoned train tracks parallel to the Porter Rockwell Trail. Since it started June 19, the project has grown to more than 2,500 specially-decorated rocks. (Courtesy Kelsee Sellers)

Corner Canyon High unveils theatrical lineup: Shakespearean classics to ABBA hits

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Atthe 47th annual Shakespeare high school competition, Corner Canyon will kick off its theatrical season with a 10-minute excerpt of William Shakespeare’s earliest tragedies, “Titus Andronicus.”

Eighty students will take part in the ensemble and individual and small group performances, choir and dance contests and Tech Olympics Oct. 5-7. The ensemble is being directed by theatre teacher Case Hamilton.

“He wanted to do something that would challenge the kids and ‘Titus Andronicus’ is one of Shakespeare’s hardest plays,” said Corner Canyon High director Phaidra Atkinson, who works alongside Hamilton.

The night before they take the Cedar City stage, the Chargers will perform the pieces on their own stage, inviting Draper Park Middle School theater students to join them with their own piece. The free “Shakespeare Showcase” will be at 6 p.m., Oct. 4 at the school, 12943 S. 700 East.

“It’s going to be a big celebration of Shakespeare with five different groups performing,” Atkinson said.

For some student-actors, it has meant juggling rehearsals not only for Shakespeare, but also for “The Addams Family,” their fall musical that will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 13 as well as at 1 p.m., Nov. 11. Tickets are $10 in advance at CornerCanyonTheatre.com and $12 at the door while seats are available.

The musical comedy with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice is based on ghoulish characters in “The Addams Family” created by Charles Addams.

“We have 86 kids in the cast, 30 student-musicians in the pit, 30 technicians and about 25 dance company members. We do this big show every year, which is always a lot of fun. We chose ‘The Addams Family’ because we wanted a funky show that the kids really like after doing a classical musical theatre performance of ‘Crazy for You’ last year. This is something they can have fun with, and they can be goofy, spooky and creative playing those Addams Family characters,” she said.

Atkinson said there are several opportunities for students in the show.

“We have the main family, which will be our leads; the ancestors, which will be featured; and the spirits, or ensembles that will be in a lot of scenes and in a lot of numbers,” she said.

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Atkinson and Hamilton will direct the show with Melissa Thorne as vocal director and Mitchell Atencio directing the orchestra pit. Brittany Hester is the dance company director and Brooke Barns is overseeing costuming. Atkinson also is helping with choreography and Hamilton is over the technical side of sets, lights and sound.

Following the musical will be the student-directed showcase, where seniors will direct four yet-to-be-announced plays that run between 20 to 30 minutes. The show will be at 7 p.m., Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in the Little Theatre.

Shortly afterward, the thespians will help with the school’s annual charity fundraiser. They’ll put on their annu-

al “Broadway Backwards” at 7 p.m. Dec. 12, performing “in something that they wouldn’t normally get cast as,” Atkinson said. “If it’s a gender thing, or if it’s a race thing or if it’s an age thing that normally would prevent them from playing that role, then this is their chance.”

Tickets cost $5 for the show in the Little Theatre, but she’s hoping patrons will donate as they pass the bucket to raise more money for their cause.

The student-actors will then have the opportunity to attend the Utah Theatre Association conference Jan. 18-20, 2024 at Weber State University where they’ll be able to attend workshops, see performances and network with other students in the field.

In March 2024, Corner Canyon will travel to Jordan School District to compete in their one-act, “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” by Suzan Zeder. They also will compete in individual and small group performances. Atkinson is directing the students.

The state competition is in April 2024.

The thespians’ last show of the season is the musical, “Mamma Mia!,” a jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson based on songs recorded by Swedish group ABBA and composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, members of the band.

It will be at 7 p.m., May 9-11 in the auditorium. Tickets are $10 in advance at CornerCanyonTheatre.com and $12 at the door while seats are available. Both Atkinson and Hamilton are directing the show.

“We have a lot of very talented girls so we wanted to pick a show that would showcase all these amazing girls and ABBA has such fun music. When we announced we’d be doing ‘Mamma Mia!,’ all the girls jumped up and down screaming, hugging, crying. This is their dream show. They’d say, ‘it’s the best thing to ever happen at Corner Canyon High School.’ I loved it on Broadway 20 years ago and couldn’t get enough. It definitely is a fun show,” Atkinson said.

Many of the students are part of the 80-member drama club that attends plays and musicals together, holds socials and hang out together.

“We want them to feel they have a home and a place to go and make friends,” she said. “I love that about drama club; they want everyone to be included.” l

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Corner Canyon High will present “The Addams Family” this November. (Image courtesy of Corner Canyon High School)

Channing Hall Achieves prestigious platinum STEM designation

At the start of the school year, 37 schools across the state have been designated as STEM schools, including Channing Hall that received the platinum distinction this past spring.

“We applied to be a silver school, but we were awarded platinum designation after they saw we fulfilled all the requirements for platinum in our application and visited our school,” said Heather Fehrenbach, who is a member of the school’s STEM designation team. “We’re vetted at the highest level of STEM that’s offered.”

The Utah STEM school designation program has criteria set by the Utah State Board of Education and the Utah STEM Action Center for a comprehensive STEM learning environment that prepares and engages students for college and career readiness.

At Channing Hall, STEM instruction aligns with the charter school’s International Baccalaureate program as well as its Utah Portrait of a Graduate, encouraging students to use critical thinking, collaboration, creative problem-solving, and taking initiative in their learning, said Channing Hall Assistant Principal Aaron Webb.

“I was surprised we were awarded platinum,” he said. “You’re always your worst critic. I knew we would get there eventually, but to be considered at that level by your peers and leadership at the state is really an honor and it inspires us to take the next step to grow even stronger.”

That includes encompassing more STEM-focused professional development as well as ensuring the school stays focused on its five-year STEM plan.

“Since the pandemic, we have grown in terms of our reading scores and math scores, and we want to improve our science scores and our reading scores by 3% every year. We’re ensuring everything is in alignment with our STEM strategic plan,” he said.

As a guideline, it also includes reviewing, improving and updating the criteria that was included on their application.

The application included 10 categories ranging from curriculum to strategic allianc-

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

es and within each category, there are subcat egories such as interdisciplinary instruction helping students make connections or family engagement and service learning.

“It’s a pretty extensive application,” Fehrenbach said about the process where the school filed an intent to apply in October before the actual application was due in Jan uary. “We provided three to 10 pieces of ev idence for every single element, whether it’s a lesson plan showing how we’re allowing students to guide their own STEM learning or a project and video of classes doing a proj ect together. Each piece of the curriculum included student problem-solving, creative thinking spurred by their curiosity, and rig orous learning.”

That application was reviewed by administrators and teachers from other schools—charter and public—across the state, Webb said.

That was followed in late April by a del egation touring Channing Hall, escorted by three seventh-grade students.

“The kids honestly took the idea of showing them what we do and ran with it. They came up with where they’d go and what exactly they were going to say. It was very impressive,” Webb said. “The team really loved the interactions they have with students as well as the amount of hands-on experienc es we had. They also loved the interdisciplin ary connections and seeing kids who are in spired and active and asking questions.”

Fehrenbach said the tour included the school’s STEM lab and detailing how it works with classes during the week.

“We have a whole elementary STEM program that’s a consistent weekly program in the classroom, and then we have one for middle school as well. Those STEM classes match what they’re learning in the classroom so if they’re learning about different types of rocks in the classroom, our STEM specialist is going to be bringing an experiment about what they’re learning to life. When they toured, they saw a kindergarten class in ac tion and they saw a middle school science class in action. They wanted to see how we

Draper’s Haunted Trail promises a spooky good time for families

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

F or family-friendly Halloween thrills and chills, the Haunted Trail is the place to be in Draper. The event, a short hike along a wooded trail filled with spooky scenes, eerie special effects and creepy characters will take place on Oct. 26, 27 and 28 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Andy Ballard Arena, 1600 E. Highland Drive.

Community Events Manager David Wilks explained that the idea for the Haunted Trail came about during the first year of the pandemic. “Because of the health conditions at the time, we were unable to gather for a traditional Halloween party,” he said. Previously, Draper families had enjoyed activities and treats at the annual Haunted Hollow events.

The Haunted Trail allowed for socially-distanced spooky fun instead and was a huge hit. “We thought at the time that it would be temporary, but the community response was so positive we’re continuing,” Wilks explained. This year, organizers planned the event to take place over three nights to accommodate as many families as possible.

The Draper City community events team is in charge of putting together the scenic décor along the trail. Wilks was quick to point out that the event is designed for children age 15 and under and does not

include any bloody or graphic violence displays. No costumed characters will be jumping out to scare or chase anyone.

Instead, guests will be greeted by a 12-foot skeleton and walk past a haunted graveyard. A display of creepy dolls will be new this year. Guests can also walk through a laser tunnel to witness a live dramatic scene from a galaxy far, far away.

“The darker it gets, the spookier it gets,” Wilks said. Very young children should attend the event earlier in the evening. All are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.

As noted on the Draper City website, the Haunted Trail does incorporate fog machines, sudden noises, scary music and strobe lighting. Persons with conditions that can be aggravated by these special effects should not attend. The trail is only partially paved and involves some uneven ground. Sturdy shoes are recommended and strollers are not permitted.

Members of the Draper City Mayor's Youth Council will be volunteering at the event. Connor Van de Graaff, a junior at Corner Canyon High School explained, “The DYC kids mostly guide people throughout the trail and help show people where to go.”

Kaiyah Sharp, who is also a junior at Corner Canyon, added, "We're stationed

throughout the trail. We stay bundled up and watch the kids go through it."

"It's a really fun opportunity to interact with the community," Van de Graaff said.

"This is my favorite holiday event," Sharp said. "It encompasses what Draper is all about—celebrating tradition and being with family but also being on the mountains, on the trails."

In the past, tickets for this popular event have sold out. The cost is $3.25 per child and accompanying parents get in for free. Wilks emphasized that the tickets, which are reserved for specific time slots, must be purchased online. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the event.

For more information and to find the link to buy tickets, visit www.draperutah. gov/916/Haunted-Trail. l

Intrepid explorers made their way through a trail of “spider webs” at Draper’s Haunted Trail event in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Draper City)

Grim reaper inflatables greet visitors to Draper’s Haunted Trail. (Photo courtesy of Draper City)

There is fun to be had by all at Draper’s Haunted Trail. (Photo courtesy of Draper City)

Off Broadway Theatre Co. presents a monster mash-up, ‘Dracula vs. The Hunchback’

OffBroadway Theatre Co. productions almost always involve lots of improvised comedy bits, song parodies, slapstick humor and a mash-up of cultural references. Their latest show at Draper Historic Theatre, "Dracula vs. The Hunchback," includes all of these elements and more. The production, which runs from Oct. 6 to 28 inserts Count Dracula into the story of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" with zany results.

"What's so much fun is that Off Broadway Theatre Co. will take a show you already know and give it a funny twist that makes it even more fun to watch," Krystal Funk said. Funk is one of the actors who plays the bewitching gypsy Esmerelda.

"Everybody in the show is a goofball in their own way," actor Tristan Mouritsen said. "It's slapstick comedy from beginning to end."

The plot involves Dracula pretending to be a magistrate in order to feed on the gypsies of Paris. He has his eye on Esmerelda as a potential snack. Esmerelda is also pursued romantically by the dashing but somewhat slow-witted Captain of the Guard, Phoebus, and the hunchbacked cathedral bell-ringer, Quasimodo.

Putting a comedic spin on characters from the genres of horror and drama takes special skill. As Quasimodo, Daniel Peckham

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

is embracing the role. "He's so sad and beaten down," Peckham said of the character. "But at the same time I have to make him likeable." He added, "It's actually really fun to play a character so completely different from myself. It's fun to do a character that is more serious but does funny things."

Having to be physically hunched over throughout the show can be hard too, but Peckham, who has a background in ballet, is having a ball. "This is one of those experiences where you'll be able to tell that everyone on stage is having fun," he said.

Director and Off Broadway Theatre Co. co-founder Eric Jensen has been honing his comic take on Dracula for years. He explained that while Dracula is “an unredeemable bloodsucker,” he finds comedy in imagining how a vampire manages everyday tasks like finding a good assistant or brushing his teeth.

"Basically, he's a nice guy vampire who deals with the problems I might have to deal with. He's how I would be if I were a vampire," Jensen said.

Logan Rogan, who has performed in Off Broadway Theatre Co. shows since the company's earlier years in Salt Lake City, said, "Eric Jensen as Dracula is one of the funniest performances you'll see on a Utah stage."

Rogan plays Phoebus, the Captain of

Wrestling team to host Steak Fry & Auction

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

The Corner Canyon High School wrestling team will host its 1st Annual Steak Fry & Auction Sat. Oct. 7 in the CCHS cafeteria. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner and a live auction will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person with all proceeds going toward the Charger wrestling program. For more information, contact Jeff Eure at Jeffrey.Eure@canyonsdistrict.org.

the Guard. "In my opinion, 'Dracula vs. The Hunchback' is the best show we've done. I'm excited to see it back," he said. The play, written by Jensen and Bob Bedore, was first presented in 1996.

The show has evolved since then. Jensen pointed out that “Dracula vs. The Hunchback” changes with every performance due to the element of improvisation. “We make living theater, there’s something happening on stage that is really happening, it’s not rehearsed,” he said. “The plot is a little different every night.”

Improvisational acting requires skill, timing and a good imagination. Aimee McPhie, who plays the role of a gypsy witch, said, “I’ve never done an Off Broadway Theatre Co. show I didn’t enjoy. It’s always pushing my limits and challenging me. I have grown so much as a performer.”

The youngest actors in the cast are building their acting skills as well. “I like playing a lot of different personalities. It’s really cool,” Carson North said. The 11 year old plays Pierre, a peasant boy who tries to talk some sense into the other characters.

The actors’ enthusiasm is contagious. Kasey Capanna, who plays the squire Vaughn Helsing, encouraged people to come see the show. “Come and forget about life for a couple of hours,” he said. “You’ll have a good

time.”

“Dracula vs. The Hunchback” will be presented at Draper Historic Theatre on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 6 through 28. Draper Historic Theatre is located at 12366 S. 900 East. For tickets visit theobt.org. l

Krystal Funk as Esmerelda and Daniel Peckham as Quasimodo strike a pose in the Off Broadway Theatre Co. production of “Dracula vs. The Hunchback.” (Photo courtesy of Off Broadway Theatre Co.)

A whimsical duo: Juan Diego and St. John present ‘Seussical’ and ‘How to Enchant a Bookshop’

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Juan Diego Catholic High and St. John the Baptist student-actors know a little bit about Whoville as they share the story of friendship, loyalty and love in their performance of the young theater audience version of “Seussical the Musical.”

The family-friendly show will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 17 and 18 and at 4 p.m., Nov. 19 in the Juan Diego Catholic High School auditorium, 300 E. 11800 South. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students.

“The libretto is full of singing and dance so it’s a great piece to have a larger ensemble and to be able to include 30 of our younger students on campus,” said new theater director Sophia Valdez Davis. “Everybody is excited.”

Senior Saxton McKnight will play the Cat in the Hat “and he’s just phenomenal,” Valdez Davis said.

The storyline brings in favorite Dr. Seuss characters, as the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of tiny people called the Whos. He is loyal in protecting them and in guarding an abandoned egg that has been left in his care by Mayzie La Bird. While facing ridicule and danger, his friend Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him and together, they welcome everyone into their community.

Joining McKnight is Valdez Davis’ son, Ayden, who was cast by another member of the directing team. He will play Horton. It’s his return to the stage after four years of being on the tech side of the theater.

The production comes following the advanced theater students’ performance at the 47th annual Shakespeare high school competition Oct. 5-7 in Cedar City.

Eleven actors are set to perform an ensemble piece “Much Ado About Nothing,” which they selected; several students will compete in individual events as well as six tech crew students also will take part in the Tech Olympics. About 10 students will perform in dance and 10 student-musicians will participate in the orchestra competition.

As well as competing, the student group will see Utah Shakespeare Festival performances of William Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” and “The Play That Goes Wrong” by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer.

In December, Juan Diego students will help St. John the Baptist students in their production of “How to Enchant a Bookshop.” The free performance will be at 7 p.m., Dec. 12 in Juan Diego’s auditorium.

In the play, the owner learns running the bookshop is harder than anticipated when a fairy-in-training helps by bringing story characters, such as Cinderella, Don Quixote, Beatrix Potter’s Two Bad Mice, to life to assist the owner.

“The older students will help with the middle school students’ dialogues and monologues and show them how to deliver on stage and how to stand and move with purpose. My advanced tech students will help teach lighting and sound. One of my specialties is hair and makeup design for stage so we’ll be doing some of those classes for the students so that they’re ready for shows when they move on to high school and if they do any community theater,” Valdez Davis said.

In addition, the Soaring Eagle Drama Club, which is an after-school program for fourth- through eighth-grade students directed by St. John faculty Gina Parker and Andrea Arnold, will perform “Lion King, Jr.” in February 2024. Juan Diego tech students will help with the production.

In March 2024, Juan Diego’s thespians will compete in the region contest and will host state in mid-April. They also will perform in a yet-to-be-announced spring show.

Valdez Davis, who has her Bachelor’s in Theater Education from the University of Utah, has taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade on the Skaggs Campus before moving into the high school theater role that former director Joe Crnich vacated. She also coaches middle school and high school cheer as well as teaches beginning drama, advanced drama, beginning tech and advanced tech classes in the high school.

She has performed for Pioneer Theatre Company, Hale Center Theatre, The Grand Theatre, Sundance Summer Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company and others before raising her family. Since then, she has returned this past summer to perform in “In the Heights” at both West Valley Performing Arts and the Grand Theatre.

“It’s been a whirlwind situation for me to jump right back in,” Valdez Davis said. “I’ve been utilizing all of my theater friends and community and they jumped in to help. We did a big unit that first week on how to do an in-person and virtual audition and the difference between the two. A lot of my friends sent me all their audition tapes and even the blooper reels that the students thought were hilarious and saw that even professionals can make mistakes. It’s been a fun return to theater.” l

Senior Saxton McKnight will play the Cat in the Hat in Juan Diego Catholic High’s “Seussical the Musical” this fall. (Photo courtesy of Juan Diego Catholic High School)

Summit Academy event welcomes community first, then raises funds for school ‘extras’

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Summit Academy cross country teammates Lewis Madsen and Draegen Kunkel were out for a training run on the Draper Canal Trail, gearing up for a 2-mile middle school race.

But the two eighth-grade friends weren’t just on a practice run, they were taking part of the school’s Super Family Fun Run.

Draegen was concentrating to improve his best time in an upcoming meet.

“I’m trying to get better every time,” he said.

Lewis, who also wants to improve his time, said the Summit run reminded him of a benefit from his cross country practices.

“I like running with my friends,” he said.

Waves of runners of all ages took to the trail, as Summit Academy fun run chair and Summit Parent Organization Vice President Danielle Bradshaw planned.

“It’s run your own distance,” she said. “It’s up to 5k if people want.”

Also optional was dressing up as a superhero.

“We thought it was a fun theme and it’s something that everyone knows and can enjoy. We told the kids to come dressed up so maybe we’ll have a Spiderman or Batman running around the trail,” Bradshaw said be-

forehand.

Near the registration and silent auction, the school’s mascot greeted families, who also came to play some large yard games and make purchases from food trucks as part of the community-wide event.

“We put up some signs throughout the city, in parks and along the trail and out by the school, inviting the community to come enjoy a nice, fun family evening together,” she said.

The event also served as the school’s annual fundraiser as the 650 charter students were encouraged to get pledges for running at the event. Students could earn incentives from free meal coupons to a popcorn and dance party for bringing in monetary donations.

The second part of the fundraiser was when community members could place bids on items ranging from a Minky Couture blanket to Hale Centre Theatre tickets at the school’s silent auction or they could make donations to fund “extra things we do for the kids.”

Those extras traditionally have included a literacy week, where an author is invited to visit, and a STEAM night, that includes different companies to teach skills to boost students’ interest in various fields.

“This is a little different this year. We wanted something that families could participate in without actually having to buy tickets to participate. We figured anyone can participate in the run, and if they don’t want to, they can still come and play the yard

games and sit on the lawn, and bring or buy a dinner,” Bradshaw said. “This is meant as a simple and more welcoming way for families to spend time together without spending a fortune on activities like a carnival. This way, everyone comes for a good time.” l

A decade has passed since Draper’s painful loss of Sgt. Derek Johnson

Sept. 1 marked a somber anniversary in Draper’s history: one decade since the city lost Sgt. Derek Johnson in the line of duty. As a kid, Johnson had dreamed of a career in policing and he fulfilled that dream after graduating from high school. The young policeman was shot and killed early one morning while on patrol in the area of Fort Street and 13200 South.

Every year, Draper’s police department honors Johnson by placing a wreath at his gravesite while bagpipes are played. This year, the ceremony was larger because of the 10-year milestone. Draper’s police and fire departments participated along with Johnson’s family and friends, Sandy Police Department’s Explorers, and officers from other agencies. Attendees shared their stories and thoughts of Johnson, a flyover of the cemetery concluded the ceremony, and a private social followed at Draper Park.

Lt. Pat Evans of the Draper Police Department was one of Johnson’s closest friends. They met while students at Alta through the Sandy Police Explorers program and both pursued a profession in policing. They worked together on Draper’s police force and Evans was Johnson’s best man at his wedding.

“It’s important to mention that even though Derek and I were close friends, he had many friends in the department. Derek was easy to love,” Evans said.

Evans said Johnson was a devoted family man who dearly loved his wife Shante, son Bensen, and his parents and siblings. He praised Johnson as a hard worker who loved law enforcement, often took on extra work, was innovative with his ideas and successful with his assignments. “He was one of the best police officers around,” Evans said.

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

In his short career, Sgt. Johnson received accolades including Detective of the Quarter from Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill in 2011 and Community Policing Officer of the Year from the Draper Area Chamber of Commerce in 2012. He helped fundraise and create a K-9 officer program in Saratoga Springs, solved an unprecedented number of graffiti cases in Draper, and performed CPR on an infant, saving the life of that baby who had nearly drowned.

His colleague and close friend Sgt. Clint Fackrell said in a 2013 article, “Derek was the most proactive guy I have worked with. I worked more overtime with Derek than I care to admit. I loved every minute of it.”

Reflecting on the passing of a decade since the tragic loss, Evans said, “Ten years was very surreal. Somedays it feels like yesterday, other days it feels like it’s been forever. Life moves forward, but we never ‘move on.’ We’ve made a commitment to make sure that we never forget Sgt. Johnson’s family and that the Johnson family’s police family will always be there for them.”

In addition to the Draper Police Department’s annual ceremony, an organization called Honoring Heroes places flags at both Johnson’s gravesite and the memorial park on 13200 South and Carlquist Drive. A private memorial further north on Fort Street features Johnson’s photo along with candles and flags.

“Each year as Sept. 1 approaches, I’ve learned to appreciate that it’s a time of year we reflect on Sgt. Johnson’s life. It’s a time we can talk about the good times we had and remember his big smile and contagious laugh,” Evans said. “The day never ends without a few tears shed and wishing he was here with us.” l

The first wave of runners in Summit Academy’s Super Family Fun Run takes off along the Draper Canal Trail. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Every year on Sept. 1, an organization named Honoring Heroes places flags at the memorial park on 13200 South and Carlquist Drive to remember Sgt. Derek Johnson who was killed in the line of duty. This year marked 10 years since the tragic event. The memorial park also has a large stone tribute to Johnson. (Mimi Darley Dutton/ City Journals)

Materials, a historic chapel, and people are given second chances at The Point

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

Sustainable practices and second chances are happening at the site where the prison once stood.

The majority of the materials from the old prison have been recycled, the historic prison chapel has been saved, and some of the demolition workers are former inmates who’ve turned their lives around. Demolition is more than 90% complete and the site is well on its way to transitioning to The Point, a project touted to benefit Draper residents and all the people of Utah.

Just 10 months since the public was invited to watch the first guard tower come crashing down, the final of several towers at the site was demolished Aug. 30. With the exception of the chapel, all that remains of the old prison buildings are piles of concrete that are quickly disappearing.

Draper resident and retired history teacher Todd Shoemaker long advocated for preserving the historic chapel which was slated for demolition, but the Lieutenant Governor and other officials from The Point chose to save the Chapel by the Wayside shortly before it faced demise.

“We are intentionally preserving the chapel…as an appropriate aspect of the site’s legacy…built by the inmates themselves…that place was considered one of the most positive aspects…a place where they could find solace and peace,” said Utah House Representative and Land Authority co-chair Jordan Teuscher.

Statistics provided by The Point indicate that more than 70% of materials at the site have been recycled, including 100% of the concrete from the old buildings. It was crushed and recycled on-site to save wear and tear on the roads, disturbance to surrounding communities, and emissions that would have resulted from trucking it to an outside facility. Invasive species such as Russian olive trees were taken down and ground into mulch. That mulch is currently being used to mitigate dust and will be reused in future landscaping.

“From day one we made a commitment to Utahns that we would conduct our work at The Point in a sustainable manner… Concrete…is being crushed onsite for use in the foundation of new buildings and to build future roads,” said Alan Matheson, The Point’s executive director.

Caleb Towns is Senior Project Manager of prison demolition for Grant Mackay. “Over 157,000 tons of material has been repurposed or reused. We’ve recycled enough concrete to build over 1,000 homes, enough steel to build 66 four-story structures, enough asphalt to build over 5 miles of road and enough rebar to build 540 cars. This wasn’t easy, but this was the task put before us. The workers are the reason we’ve been able to be safe and recycle as much material as we could on this project,” he said.

For some of the workers, being involved in tearing down the old prison was especially cathartic. Their story parallels that of the site, changing from a place of constraint to a place of opportunity. That’s because some of the people hired by Mackay spent time inside those foreboding concrete walls surrounded by razor wire. Corey Kiesel described being part of the demolition as “the ultimate rage room…It’s good to see it gone,” he said. Kiesel has been working on the site since April, a place he previously spent 12 years locked up. “It was weird coming back, being on the other side,” he said.

Matt Bryant said it’s been “very meaningful” for him to be part of the demolition crew. He understands why it’s hard to get a job with a record, but he said Mackay is willing to give people like him a chance. Bryant struggled with drug addiction and was first sent to the aged prison when he was 27. He was an inmate there five times for three- or four-year stints. He described his first day as a prisoner as, “Just a sick feeling…everything comes crashing down at once. I had to call my mom and dad and break their hearts.” In stark contrast, for his first day on the

demolition crew, he was outside running a processor to chew up concrete and separate the rebar. Now 43 and three years clean from drugs and alcohol, he’s been working at the site for the last six months. “I made my mom and dad a promise that I would clean up my life before they passed away, and now it’s my turn to take care of them,” he said.

Officials with the project remind the public that, as a result of a great amount of public input, The Point will become a place of opportunity benefitting the people of Utah for generations to come. “Utahns will be able to choose a wide variety of options. They’ll be able to bike, walk, take transit, drive…there will be parks, trails, sporting events and picnics. There will be a wide range of housing options, world class retail…diverse dining, premiere entertainment such as concerts and sporting events, and high-quality jobs,” Teuscher said.

It’s also a complete turnaround from a place of confinement to a place of opportunity specifically for Draper because the state’s 600 acres, owned by the taxpayers, falls within city limits. “One of the things we needed in Utah was a new prison. When you couple it with this opportunity…a place where the state owns the property…the benefit the taxpayers are going to have is amazing,” Draper Mayor Troy Walker said. Walker reiterated that he still dreams of getting an NFL or NHL team headquartered at The Point.

According to officials, all demolition will be complete in October, one month shy of one year since it began last November. Infrastructure including roadways, water, power and trails will begin to be built. Following infrastructure, development of 100 acres in the heart of the project known as “Phase One” will start to take shape as soon as 2025.

“We look forward to this being in Draper City as a city, not a prison,” Walker said. l

The final tower at the old prison site came crashing down Aug. 30 when The Point’s officials showed the progress they’ve made at the site in just under one year. The first tower was toppled last November. Demolition is more than 90% complete. (Mimi Darley Dutton/ City Journals)

She’s very determined and very persistent,” Kelsee said.

They began by making the head of the snake along with some signs describing how the project works and inviting others to participate. “Then I got a lot of cardboard and paint and the kids painted 20 rocks on the lawn to start it. They had a heyday painting stuff!”

Kelsee first chose the Porter Rockwell Trail as the best location for her family’s creation. “We just figured the walking path was a popular area where a lot of people would pass and see it, and we’d seen kindness rocks on the path before, so there was a good chance of it being seen and people wanting to add to it.”

Living snakes slither, but rocks are rocky, and this project wasn’t without some bumps along the way. “We drug it down there and put the snake up and my kids were very proud of themselves. We were disappointed at first when half of the rocks were taken, so I made signs that said please add to the snake to make him grow. It just started growing…it took off extremely quickly. We’d go down and count the rocks every day and it was such a fun and exciting thing for (my kids).”

But in July, Rockwell began to “butt heads” with some people at Draper City. Kelsee found a sign from the city indicating the rock snake was a maintenance problem on the path and it would have to be removed. She called Draper’s Parks and Trails Department and explained that she and her mother had been weed-eating the sides of the path to keep it clear for the rock snake to grow.

“They were persistent in saying it’s a fun idea but it’s not a place we can have them,” Kel see said. Then she emailed the mayor and city councilmembers and heard back from Tasha Lowery. “She said it was a fun idea, but, turns out it’s a free speech issue,” Kelsee said. After that, Channel 2 did a story on the local news which prompted a call from the mayor who said it was a fun idea but a liability.

Kelsee and family had to quickly find a new location before the city dismantled it. “Once it was on the news, between 100-200 people took their rocks when the city said they’d take it down.” Kelsee, her mom, her sister and Libby moved it to the abandoned train tracks, parallel to the Porter Rockwell trail where it had begun. Then, Channel 5 did a story about Rock well and the snake grew by 50 or more rocks per day.

Since then, the Draper City Arts Council encouraged Kelsee’s project and suggested she have a booth at a city event where people could paint rocks to add to Rockwell. Rocks are also available at the start of the snake for people to take home, paint, and add to the project.

All “pets” require care, and Rockwell is no exception. Kelsee and her kids visit the rock snake nearly every evening to count the new additions, make new milestone signs as need ed, and replace rocks that have been moved or kicked aside. Sometimes rocks are stolen, so Kelsee videos the rock snake weekly. “When kids can’t find the rocks they painted, they get sad. So, if it’s one I can easily replicate, I’ll do that and put it back or fix it.”

Untangling the Madness: Why Trimlight is the Ultimate Holiday Hack

The holiday season is fast approaching, bringing with it the timeless tradition of adorning our homes with festive lights. You’re likely familiar with the routine – unearthing boxes of tangled lights, grappling with a ladder that seems determined to defy you, and attempting to transform your residence into a shimmering winter wonderland. It’s all fun and games until you’re knee-deep in a web of extension cords, pondering the choices that brought you here. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a better way – outdoor permanent holiday lights from Trimlight.

they’ve staged a revolt, protesting against your decorating skills. You become a detective, tracking down the rogue bulb that’s sabotaging your holiday dreams. Just when you think you’ve triumphed, a gust of wind turns your carefully placed lights into a chaotic display of brilliance.

And let’s not forget the extension cords. You weave and wind them through your yard like a mad scientist setting up an experiment. And guess what? They have a mind of their own. They tangle, twist, and trip you up in a game of holiday-themed Twister.

The Drama of Hanging Holiday Lights

Picture this: You’re in your front yard, armed with a string of lights that may have been plotting against you in the attic for the past year. You attempt to untangle them, or at least you try. Suddenly, you nd yourself locked in a wrestling match with a stubborn knot that refuses to let go. This is where the adventure begins.

But that’s not all! You embark on a ladder-climbing odyssey, channeling your inner acrobat as you teeter on the edge of catastrophe. The ground seems to disappear into the distance, and you ponder the cosmic signi cance of your holiday decorating decisions. In that moment, the ladder is not just a ladder; it’s a perilous gateway to a realm of festive uncertainty.

Now, the real challenge begins. You plug in your lights, and behold – a quarter of them refuse to illuminate. It’s as if

By now, your ngers are either frozen or numb, and you’re seriously reconsidering the merits of holiday cheer. You might even have a breakdown amidst the holiday lights, swearing to never repeat this ordeal—until next year, of course.

The Brilliant Solution: Trimlight’s Permanent Holiday Lights

Now, imagine this instead: You’re sipping hot cocoa, snug inside your warm home. With the touch of a button or automated schedule, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame. No battles with knots, no precarious ladder ascents, no detective work, and no expeditions in sub-zero temperatures.

Outdoor permanent holiday lights are your comedic relief in this festive chaos. It’s akin to having a team of holiday magic-makers who turn your home into a dazzling masterpiece with a simple press. You can change colors, craft patterns, set schedules, and adjust brightness—all from your cozy couch.

Meanwhile, your neighbors are outside, grappling with their lights and cursing their extension cords. You, on the other hand, get to relax and savor the spectacle. You’ve outwitted the holiday lighting madness, and you’re relishing every moment.

In summary, the holidays should be a time of joy, not a test of your patience and ladder-climbing skills. Trimlight’s outdoor permanent holiday lights are the ultimate holiday hack, sparing you from the chaos and transforming your home into a yearround holiday haven. Embrace the brilliance of permanent holiday lights and leave the comedy to the experts – and maybe even enjoy a chuckle or two as you witness the chaos unfold elsewhere! Happy Almost Holidays!

Trimlight is the industry leader in outdoor permanent holiday & accent lighting and nobody helps more Utah homeowners than Trimlight. To learn more about Trimlight, or to schedule a free estimate visit trimlight.com/saltlake, or call 801-382-8746.

Former Charger tennis player, now a Buckeye, wins Junior National title

Former Corner Canyon High School tennis player Alex Fuchs, who now plays for Ohio State, partnered with fellow freshman Buckeye teammate Brandon Carpico to win the Boys 18 & Under USTA National Doubles title in Orlando, Florida Aug. 25-27.

The duo, who received a USTA gold ball for the win, were playing in just their second tournament together.

“It was fun playing doubles with him and was a great way to end our junior careers with a national championship,” said Fuchs, the son of Mark and Becky Fuchs of Draper. “We’re both pretty competitive, and I still think we have a long way to go to play even better as a team. We can communicate better, cover the court better, attack better and select better shots in the moment. It’s a never-ending process to become your best.”

Fuchs/Carpico didn’t drop a set in five matches and ultimately prevailed over Florida’s Jack Satterfield and Max Pettingell 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the final.

“We played two matches a day in hot and sticky weather so I sweated a lot and went through a bunch of extra shirts and sweat bands,” Fuchs said. “Luckily, it was doubles so it wasn’t as tough as singles.”

Fuchs, Utah’s 2023 Mr. High School Tennis who led the Chargers to the 6A championship in May while winning the No. 1 singles title, has been playing high-level tennis for the past few years. Most recently, he teamed up with now-UCLA freshman Emon van Loben Sels to win the National Indoor Doubles in Overland Park, Kansas last November and a pro tournament in Ojai, California this past spring.

Growing up in California, Alex Fuchs played soccer, basketball, Pop Warner football and high-level baseball. When he was 12, he won the home run derby at the Northern California Championships during the Little League World Series. “The trophy was as big as he was,” dad Mark Fuchs said.

It was a tough decision for Alex Fuchs to decide which sport he would eventually focus on, but he felt there was more action in tennis than baseball—“unless I was pitching, I really never worked up a sweat,” he said—and one view of the infamous 1985 NFL video of Lawrence Taylor’s hit that snapped Joe Theismann’s leg was enough to convince him that football may not be the one for him either.

He began training with Steve Roberts in Florida and Joey Johnson in California to develop his racket skills and proper technique, and continued to travel back to California off and on following a move to Utah where he played his senior season at Corner Canyon.

The 18 year old started to get on the radar for colleges after making the final 16 at the 2022 Junior Nationals in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His commitment to play for perennial powerhouse Ohio State—and their legendary coach Ty Tucker—followed his older sister Elizabeth, who played tennis for Southern Virginia University, and his older brother Zach, who currently plays on the BYU men’s tennis team, into playing the sport at the next level.

“It was good to have an older sister and brother who played as I learned a lot from them,” Alex Fuchs said. “It’s been great to have parents who supported me and I was super lucky to work with some really excellent coaches who early on taught me and got me on the right path and have kept me on the right path.”

Mark Fuchs said he has watched the dedication it takes to become a college tennis player in all three of his children. “There’s no microwave tennis,” he said. “You have to put in the hard yards and develop an all-court game where you are a threat from anywhere on the court—with your serve, your

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

groundstrokes and a net game.”

Alex Fuchs said his journey in tennis has been full of ups and downs, but he has been able to see parallels to life from lessons learned on the court. “Tennis is tough,” he said. “In practice and in competition you will suffer a lot. Tennis will kick your butt if you let it. I’ve had a lot of heartbreaking losses and tough injuries that have sidelined me. You have to deal with a lot of adversity and suffering. You just have to suck it up and get back up, but it’s only through that struggle that you can get better and stronger. And that struggle has also helped me be more appreciative of the sunshine when it occasionally peaks through the clouds.”

His dad, Mark, agrees. “You are on an island in tennis where it’s just you,” he said. “You have to figure things out in the ‘fog of war’ and still maintain your cool and composure while riding the ups and downs. It’s a long road with some wins and then lots of failures, but tennis really lets you know who you are and can reveal your true character in life as well.”

Now at Ohio State, Alex Fuchs said that the athletic preparation is on a different level. “Coach Tucker and the rest of the OSU coaching staff are putting me through insanely tough practices every day,” he said. “It’s crazy, but it will all help me become the best I can be. It’s the reason I chose to become a Buckeye.”l

Former CCHS tennis player Alex Fuchs (left) poses with Ohio State teammate Brandon Carpico after the freshmen won the Boys 18 & Under USTA National Doubles Title in Orlando, Florida Aug. 27. (Photos courtesy Mark Fuchs)

Former CCHS tennis player Alex Fuchs now plays for Ohio State who were runners-up at the NCAA National Championships last season. (Photos courtesy Mark Fuchs)

JDCHS cross country squads off and running

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

TheJuan Diego Catholic High School boys cross country team won the Region 15 championships last year and returned senior leadership to the Soaring Eagle squad who has now been competing in Region 14 this season. The girls team—who was also top 10 at the 3A state meet a year ago— have also had key upperclassmen back for their group.

“We’ve also got a bunch of good freshmen on our squad this year that we’re pumped about,” said fifth-year head coach Joe Elliott. “Many of the cross country kids had outstanding track seasons, and then followed it up with a bunch of miles in the summer. I’m hoping lots of them make big leaps this season.”

At the Premier Invite at the Cottonwood Complex to begin the season Aug. 12, senior Isabella Pickers was 12th in the girls 3A varsity race to lead Juan Diego to fourth as a team. The boys were sixth in 3A varsity, led by senior Connor Orges who finished 20th.

In the 1A-6A JV boys race, freshman William Yavelak came in 69th for the 12th-place squad with junior Lauren Keegan taking 135th on the girls side.

“We had a solid first meet and did a lot of the little things right, which showed some veteran savvy, and then followed that up with great races,” Elliott said. “Twelve of the 16 kids who ran there last year improved their times, which is exactly what we hope for.”

At the Pre-Region Invite at Wheeler Farm Aug. 23, Orges and senior Hobie Hodlmair were fourth and 10th, respectively, in leading the Soaring Eagle boys to a third-place finish. The girls were also third with senior Olivia Young coming in 12th.

At the Timp Invite at the Lakeside Sports Park Sept. 1, Pickers was 49th in the varsity race for the 14th-place girls team while Orges was 77th for the 17th-place boys squad. Freshman Colin Farr was 42nd in the boys freshman/sophomore event with Juan Diego coming in 16th as a team. For the 18th-place boys junior/senior lineup, Jason Parker finished 103rd while Keegan was 69th in the girls junior/senior race.

Pickers and Orges were again tops in the varsity races for the Soaring Eagle at the Juab Invite at Canyon Hills Golf Course Sept. 7. Pickers was 39th for the 15th-place girls and Orges was 83rd for the 16th-place boys. In the JV events, boys and girls teams had 15th-place showings with junior Owen Kotter placing 130th in the boys race and sophomore

Madison Sloan 149th in the girls.

At the pre-state event at the Regional Athletic Complex Sept. 13, Pickers’ 36th-place finish led the ninth-place girls varsity team with Orges coming in 88th for the 18th-place boys lineup. In the freshman/sophomore girls race, Ria Kale was 40th for the girls and freshman Seamus Arndy was 52nd for the 16th-place boys.

Pickers earned a medal—and a backpack—at the Bob Firman Invite in Meridian, Idaho Sept. 23, placing 19th in the girls varsity Division II race, leading the girls to a 10thplace showing out of 35 teams. Orges was 87th in boys varsity Division II for the Soaring Eagle team who took 19th out of 41 squads. Farr was 64th in the boys JV Section 1 event for the 30th-place JDCHS team—out of 55 entrants—and Sloan was 154th in the JV girls Section 1 race.

“I was really quite proud of how the team raced,” Elliott said. “Firman went super well for us.”

Also on the JDCHS squad this season are Joel Abanto, Sara Brunslik, Seabass Galindo-Ramirez, Remington Gray, Thomas Jones, Daniel Keegan, Tyler Lengerich, Mango Madden, Domiona Marine, Aidan Mulligan, Adriana Newton, Tanner Nicholson, Jason Parker, Sol Perez-Ventura, Maude Poirer, Abby Quigley, Cate Rainey, Ethan Stevens, Jackson Stolz and Matthew Tita.

The Soaring Eagle squad finishes out its season at the Region 14 championships at Wheeler Farm Oct. 3 with 3A Divisionals at Lakeside Sports Park Oct. 10 and the 3A state championships at Regional Athletic Complex Oct. 24.l

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JDCHS runners Hobie Hodlmair, Sebastian Galindo-Ramirez and Connor Orges (from left to right) have been leading the boys team this season. (Photo courtesy Joe Elliott)

Lights, camera, success: A Canyons School District filmmaker’s advice

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Lucky 13. In Canyons School District’s 13th film festival, a record was set with 242 entries from 610 students and teachers. It’s a sequel that’s only missed one year—2021— since the District began 15 years ago. Even during COVID, the show went on with a virtual awards ceremony.

This 2023-24 film festival categories will remain the same: short film, documentary, animation, PSA, newscast and teacher film in addition to the festival poster contest. From the entries, the winners of the foreign language and digital citizenship will be announced.

This year’s film festival deadline is April 9, 2024. The red-carpet ceremony is April 25, 2024.

While last year’s top video entries are posted on the District’s website, honorees also will be recognized on Utah Education Network-TV at a yet to-be-announced date, said film festival director Justin Andersen, who said he appreciates the learning that leads up to the film festival.

“I like how the film festival helps students be creative and at the same time, it provides them an end goal,” he said. “Anyone can enter, they can borrow a device to film from school, come up with a storyline, a schedule and be their critique of their own work. They feel successful when they meet their goal to submit a video. I like seeing how they’re feeling proud of their work. That’s a powerful thing.”

While Andersen is fairly new to coordinating the film festival, he has been involved for eight years.

“I’ve seen kids submit videos every year; it’s been fun to see them grow and try harder things they’ve learned. They get better and better every year,” he said. “Some of the kids have submitted for years and maybe they’ve never won, but they come back, excited to try different categories.”

Hillcrest High 2023 graduate Abigail Slama-Catron first heard about the film festival as a second grader.

In a backstage interview after winning the PSA contest about supporting Girl Scouts by buying cookies that year, the youngster said she wanted to continue entering films in the festival. She kept her word, submitting entries as a student every year the film festival was held.

“I enjoy the process of filmmaking,” Slama-Catron said. “It’s fun picking ideas. I liked my pet adoption PSA in fourth grade. I was obsessed with animals, and it was so cute when I started out with all these Snoopys around me, but my words were serious. I started with a PSA because it was only a minute and did films about topics I knew something about, so it was easier.”

She also appreciated being able to be creative, especially with her short film, “Doggy

Dreams.”

“I love that film. It’s a fun story. I was 11 and it was about my dog, thinking he can do all these fun things like race and fly. I portrayed him as a child who believes he could do everything. I had never done a feature film before, so it was fun to branch out. It was a simple story, but it turned out to be a favorite,” Slama-Catron said.

She entered several documentaries.

“I learned how to research, and I especially liked doing some first-person documentaries, which makes me feel immersed in the story. In elementary school, I interviewed people about Hilltop House, and I got to learn what they do and how they help families. I also interviewed people to learn the history of Mt. Jordan (Middle School) and see it being torn down firsthand for another film,” Slama-Catron said. “In middle school, I included an interview with Jesse Owens’ daughter for a documentary about the Berlin Olympics.”

Some of her entries were group entries that she did as class assignments or with friends.

“I learned how to create as a team and how much work is involved,” she said. “I learned what worked and what didn’t. Throughout my filmmaking, I learned other skills, starting with (former film festival director) Katie Blunt teaching me how to use a tripod and the rule of thirds. I learned how to place your action or the person you’re interviewing in the best camera angles. I learned the importance of storyboarding and how it’s helpful to have

an outline of your script before you fully write it. I learned a lot about lighting, sound and editing. From watching other people’s films, I’ve gotten ideas and I’ve learned how to tell an engaging story, especially from one teacher who enters every year. I always look forward to watching his entry.”

As a result of learning skills through her Canyons Film Festival entries, Slama-Catron, as Hillcrest’s audiovisual student body officer, created more than 35 films for her school. She also entered several contests, including being the youth runner-up at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival.

“Canyons Film Fest has made me into a comfortable filmmaker, editor and director. I wouldn’t have any idea of what to do in filmmaking if I didn’t do that nor would I have found this passion,” she said, adding now in her first semester of college, she is taking her first filmmaking class. “Going to the awards night is like being at the Oscars. Watching the films there is incredible. You get to watch an elementary newscast, then you see a hard-hitting documentary from a high school student. It’s engaging and you’re proud even if you don’t win. It’s important to try something new because you get that chance to learn. I don’t think when I was 7 doing these films that I would be taking a college film class. I just did it to have fun.”

The 2022-23 award-winners in the PSA category include Lucca Welch, Oliver Lundell, Liam Eliason and Kasey Horrocks, Sunrise Elementary; Jake Despain, Eastmont Middle; and Narayani Shankar, Hillcrest High.

The animation winners include Santiago Gonzelez, East Sandy Elementary; Joshua Lindsay, Albion Middle; and Jaeden Aguirre, Alta High.

Newscast winners are from Sprucewood Elementary and Jordan High School.

Documentary winners are Ethan Moore, Brookwood Elementary; Tawny McEntire, Eastmont Middle; and Kasch Hart, Corner Canyon High.

Short film winner are Ian Gibbs, Oak Hollow Elementary; Owen Turcsanski, Liam Turcsanski and Logan Hart, Albion Middle; and Jackson Hughes and Carter Kenworthy, Corner Canyon High.

The world language category winner is Anay Mertz, Hillcrest High and the digital citizenship award went to Slama-Catron. The poster contest winner is Nash Anderson, Hillcrest High.

Teacher film winner went to Dallin Maxfield, Dan Crowshaw, Joe Wale, Cory Christianson, Julianna Brassfield and Clark Ashland, Albion Middle. l

At Canyons School District’s film festival, awards are given to the top elementary and secondary students as well as teacher film entries. (Julie Slama/ City Journals)

HALLOWEEN SECTION

A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for men, women, and children in the Salt Lake Valley

The scariest way to know what’s most popular this Halloween—with numbers!

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

Hit the trifecta this Halloween by giving out M&M’S (or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) to the trickor-treaters while wearing a scary (but unique) costume in between catching glimpses of one of the Halloween franchise movies on your television screen. (“Halloween Ends” is the most recently released movie in the franchise, but “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002) and “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Meyers” (1995) (filmed in Utah!) seem to be most adored by fans.)

If you’re wondering what type of candy variety pack to pick up from the store for the Trick-or-Treaters this year, go with the chocolate. Specifically, M&M’S, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Kit Kats tend to be the most sought-after candy choice.

Some 1,188 participants (based in the United States) were surveyed during an online study conducted in October 2021. Participants were asked which candy they liked better during head-tohead match-ups of 76 different sugary items.

M&M’S topped out by being the favorite of the online voting base with 76.1%. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups came in at 74.4%. Kit Kats received 72.8% of the vote, with Peanut M&M’S not trailing too far behind with a 72.4%. Butterfinger was the last of the 70 with 70.9% of the vote.

The remaining candies to make up the top 10 favorite Halloween treats (scoring between 67.1% and 68.8%) included Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Hershey’s and Reese’s Pieces.

In case you were curious about the top 20: coming in at being the favorite between 57.5% and 65.5% of the online surveyed population were Hershey’s

Kisses, Dove Dark Chocolate Bar, 3 Musketeers, Dove Milk Chocolate Bar, Krackel, Crunch, Almond Joy, Baby Ruth, Starbursts, and Andes Chocolate Mints.

Another study conducted in 2020 broadly backs up the claim to fame for chocolate. Some 13,852 participants were surveyed about their various Halloween preferences in September 2020.

Out of those 13,852 (United States) adults, 88% reported that they would be buying chocolate candy. Forty-two percent reported that they would be buying candy that was either chewy or fruity, with 40% reporting they’d be buying caramel candy, and 37% reporting lollipop purchases. Further, 36% of respondents reported they’d be buying sour gummies, 28% would be looking specifically for candy corn, 25% would by buying taffy, 20% would be buying nut-filled candy and 12% would be buying either gum or mints.

Overall, most (United States) adults purchased candy for their trick-or-treaters (71%). But! Twenty-nine percent of adults still purchased healthy alternatives like carrot snack bags, trail mix, or toothbrushes to throw in amongst the candy. But! You can’t just give out the most desirable candy and be the favorite Halloween house around. You have to dress the part!

A study conducted in 2017 by aytm, a market research company, encourages people to dress as scary imposters. A thousand (American) adults were surveyed during September 2017. Survey results were compared with secondary research of search trends from Pinterest and Lyst as well as predictions from USA Today.

Some 24.4% of Halloween costumes were described as being scary, with 20.3% described as sexy. Other

descriptions of costumers that didn’t score as high were cute, funny, weird/ creative, classy/sophisticated, and other. The most frequent costumers of 2017 including Pennywise the Clown, a witch, Wonder Woman, a “Game of Thrones” character and a zombie.

Echoing the sentiment, a 2021 study surveying 2,312 (United States) adults encourages people to pick classic Halloween costumes like ghosts and witches, as that’s what 20.81% of respondents chose to do.

Even if you’re still unsure what to dress up as this year, absolutely don’t go as an athlete, clown, pumpkin, ghost or cat. Survey results show that we’re all too tired of those costumes.

And be yourself! The 2021 study reported that only 10.57% of people coordinated their costume with another person.

While you’re waiting for trick-ortreaters with your M&M’S and scary costume, you may as well spend you time watching the most preferable scary/Halloween movie.

According to an online survey conducted in October 2022, 56% of 2,210 (United States) adults reported “Halloween” as their favorite horror movie franchise. “Friday the 13th” just about tied with a rounded 56% as well. “Nightmare

on Elm Street” came in closely after those two with 54%.

“Halloween Ends” ranked as the fifth top grossing horror movie in the U.S. and Canada in 2022 at $81 million, according to data collected and published in January 2023.

Plus! Halloween 2023 is anticipated to see the most participation and attendance in the last decade. According to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, 73% of (United States) adults will participate in Halloween activities this year. The last time over 70% of the population participated in Halloween actives was in 2017 when 71.7% of adults participated in spooky fun.

What will we be doing? About 67% of us will be handing out candy (hopefully those chocolate bites!). Fifty-one percent of us will be decorating our homes and yards (this reporter’s decorations have been up for two weeks now). Forty-seven percent of us will dress in costume. Forty-four percent of us will carve a pumpkin (you got this one). Twenty-eight percent of us will throw or attend a Halloween party. And 20% of us will dress up a pet (this reporter’s fur baby rocks her pumpkin costume). l

Responses to the question “What Halloween costume(s) are you sick of seeing every year?” (Photo courtesy of Wyatt Edwards and Katelyn Shaaf/HalloweenCostumes)

Draper families transform their yards into Halloween destinations

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

No other state gets into the spirit of Halloween like Utah. A recent three-year study of Google search terms and homeowner survey by Lombardo Homes revealed that Utahns lead the nation in decorating for Halloween. Across the state, people transform their yards and gardens into supernatural realms filled with animated creepy characters, spooky lighting, fog machines and all manner of things that go bump in the night.

The most elaborate of these homemade “spook alleys” attract visitors from all over and become neighborhood gathering places on Halloween. For years, three families in Draper in particular have shared their passion for the spine-chilling and spooktacular with the community through their immersive yard displays.

Larsen Manor

“We build stuff all year long,” LaDawn Larsen said. “It’s a construction project when it starts. It takes over everything.” LaDawn and her husband, Steve, transform the grounds of their home at 1871 Flat Bear Circle into “Larsen Manor” for the month of October. Visitors to Larsen Manor can walk around the yard where a giant pumpkin-head creature with burning eyes watches over a graveyard and skeletons appear to march out of a mausoleum.

“Steve and I got married 11 years ago. He got drawn into the Halloween craziness and it got bigger,” LaDawn said with a smile.

Halloween is a special holiday for the couple. As a firefighter in Magna, Steve used to dress up as a cyclops and ride the fire truck handing out candy on Halloween. LaDawn has cherished memories of trick or treating in Sandy as a child and enjoyed decorating and throwing Halloween parties as an adult. The pair got engaged at TransWorld Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis.

“We really like to mix things up,” Steve said. “This year we’ll have armies of the dead. A mad scientist scene will be the feature.” The Larsens also plan to transform their 12-foot skeleton into the mummy of King Tut.

“A little girl who likes to come every year said that we needed more jump scares,” LaDawn said. “So we did. We have a pumpkin that opens up and comes alive. We’re trying to do more of those things.” She added that their display is not gory. “We don’t have our own children that are here so we do this for other peoples’ kids.”

The appreciation they receive from visitors to Larsen Manor is a major inspiration for LaDawn and Steve. They plan to open their yard display on Oct. 6 but will have to close it before Halloween this year on Oct. 28, for work-related reasons.

The Haunted Haven

Tifini Folkersen’s love for Halloween is a longstanding family tradition. Her mother, Jodi Tebbs, decorated her childhood home at a time when Halloween decorations weren’t quite as popular as they are today. Tebbs’ parents loved the holiday as well. “My mom’s dad would dress up like a werewolf, in full theatrical makeup. He’d run around the neighborhood and scare people,” she said.

A trellis over the front walk leading to the Folkersen’s house at 1338 Hana Court is entwined with skulls and grimacing skeletons. “Our decorations are never the same,” Folkersen said. “It changes from year to year as the kids grow.”

Tebbs and Folkersen explained that their décor came out of a desire to make Halloween an interactive experience for the children in the family. The yard display features little vignettes that relate to members of the family. When Folkersen’s son, Kolsyn, went to his senior prom, they put up dancing skeletons in the display. “Last year, Kolsyn went to the U so we had a University of Utah-themed skeleton area,” Tebbs said.

“We make it family friendly,” Folkersen said. “It’s fun and spooky, not too scary.” On Halloween night, she and her husband, Lynn, give out candy and run the technical aspects of things. Tebbs enjoys mingling with the visitors.

This year the family is planning a ghosts in the graveyard theme. “Once I come up with a theme, we figure out what we want to add and build,” Folkersen said. “We’ve been collecting for 30 years and building. There are memories attached to each decoration.”

Building the displays is a labor of love for the family and they enjoy watching visitors react to their handiwork. “It’s cute seeing all the people having fun,” Folkersen said. “People stay and have a good time.” She said that her neighbors having been getting into the Halloween spirit with their own decorations as well.

Folkersen plans to have her display ready for the first weekend in October. It is open to visitors every night from when darkness falls to 10:30 p.m. She said, “We tell people, when they hear the witches cackle, it’s time to go home.”

The Farr family’s “Southfork Sanitarium” is located at 927 E. Southfork Drive in Draper. The decorations are up throughout October. (Photo by Farris Gerard)

A pumpkin-headed monster towers over “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by Steve Larsen)

Southfork Sanitarium

Dan and Stephanie Farr explained that "love for the neighborhood" was the inspiration behind their yard display. "I loved it in our old neighborhood when our neighbor would have a Halloween potluck," Stephanie said. The Farrs started out serving chili and hot dogs to their neighbors on Halloween night and set up a "spook alley" in their yard. The spook alley got more elaborate every year and evolved into "Southfork Sanitarium."

"Dan got started with the life-sized monsters," Stephanie said. He became

hooked on Halloween after a trip to a friend's Halloween store. About 15 years ago he joined the Rocky Mountain Haunters group.

“I geek out on Halloween,” Dan said. "I love entertainment and doing stuff that makes people happy.” That same passion inspired Farr to become the founder and producer of FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention. Soon after the convention ends in late September, the Farrs start putting out the monsters.

The family has built up a collection of props that would fit in at any commercial haunted house. Some have been

created by professional monster makers. Dan has acquired a few creatures, including a giant animated demon, from his friend, Dick Van Dyke. The actor enjoys putting up an elaborate Halloween display for trick or treaters at his home in Malibu, California.

Other supernatural scares are homemade. Dan constructed Stephanie's favorite, a glowing ghost on a pulley that appears to hover in the window over the front door. "I don't like gore, I like spooky fun and jump scares," she said. The Farrs' display has attracted attention beyond their neighborhood.

"There have been years that we've been in the news," Dan said. "A lot of people will come in from other areas."

Stephanie explained that this year's haunt might not be quite as over-thetop. "We used to have our sons and their friends help set everything up, but they're grown up now," she said. "We've had to simplify."

Still, monsters will appear once again at 927 E. Southfork Drive this month. "The neighborhood kids love it!" Stephanie said. Dan added, "We just can't stop!" l

Steve and LaDawn Larsen put personal touches on their Halloween display. “Larsen Manor” will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

When their youngest son went to college, the Folkersen family put up a “U” themed vignette with skeletons as part of their Halloween display. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

The cackling of the witch tells visitors that it’s time to go home at the Folkersen family’s Halloween display in Draper. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

In this photo from 2021, a skeletal procession was on display at “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

Double, double, toil and trouble: Haunted Woods spells fun and funds for families

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

For over 50 years, Murray Haunted Woods has been a tradition in the local community, but it's more than just a seasonal attraction. It serves a dual purpose, both as a family-oriented entertainment venue and as a fundraiser for noble causes, primarily focused on the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence.

Originally managed by Murray City until 2010, the Haunted Woods faced potential discontinuation due to budget cuts. However, the Murray Exchange Club and Youth Council stepped in to take over the event. "During the economic turn, the city needed to cut back. When they cut this event, the citizens responded with an adamant ‘No, we need to keep this. It’s tradition and family-oriented,'" Sheri Van Bibber of the Murray Exchange Club said.

The event has always had a charitable edge. "Our Exchange Clubs across the valley all participate. We contribute funds to different groups, past examples include YWCA, Taylorsville Family Center, Midvale Family Center, Boys & Girls Clubs, Victims’ Advocates of SLC and several more," Van Bibber said.

The Murray Haunted Woods has adapted to the changing times, especially in the era of COVID-19. "We almost shut down, but public input encouraged us to continue," Van Bibber said. "We met all health requirements and have since added double the availability. People can buy tickets online or at the gate." The event also complies with all city and county standards to ensure safety and enjoyment for all attendees.

Interactive elements have become an integral part of the event. "We want the wait in line to be just as much fun as the actual tour through the Woods," Van Bibber said. Performances from the West High Drill Team, appearances by the Ghost Busters Team and their iconic car, and multiple interactive activities are designed to keep visitors entertained throughout.

However, creating such an event does not come without challenges. "We spend months preparing, so logistics are always a challenge," Van Bibber said. In addition to dealing with increasing amounts of props that now require rented storage space, the event must adapt to changes in the city's infrastructure. "Last year, the challenge was the pavilion being rebuilt; this year, it was a new addition to the city's warehouse," she said. Despite these hurdles, Van Bibber assured that "everyone has been working together to make it possible."

Being an outdoor event, weather is a significant concern, but the organizers are undeterred. "We have run the woods in wind, rain, snow, hail, 11 degrees; it just adds to the ambiance," Van Bibber said.

She also mentioned the valuable assistance from local police and fire departments in ensuring that the event setup remains secure overnight.

As for the experience itself, the Haunted Woods offers something for every age group. "We start in the daylight with the 'Silly Trails'—the music and characters are fun and entertaining. As the sun goes down, the energy in the woods shifts, and so do the characters," Van Bibber said. A safety feature, a "Safe Code" called “Ghouls Be Gone,” is in place if anyone finds the experience too intense.

Although there have been discussions about extending the traditional three-day schedule, limitations arise. "People have asked us to run all month, at least a week, or even move to the weekend," Van Bibber said. However, due to logistical issues related to volunteer availability, "we have found it best to leave things as they are."

This year's event includes several noted attractions. "The football team playing ball in the woods as scarecrows is always entertaining," Van Bibber said, "and the polo team playing on land along with Madame Leota is new this year."

Regarding the trail designs, Van Bibber said, "We always look at it with fresh eyes every year. There's a 'Light Show' crafted by Jeff Evans and music and design by Andy and Jeleigh Evans from Murray High."

Over the years, there have been many memorable moments in running the event. "One of our first years we had three fog machines, and it was so humid that the whole park filled up with fog. The Fire Department kept getting calls that the park was on fire," Van Bibber said. In another instance, "One year, it was thundering and snowing, and we were all covered with snow. The kids had a riot, and no one wanted to leave."

Volunteers from the Murray Youth Council and the Exchange Clubs are vital. "There’s a lot of leadership involved, and we have amazing kiddos," Van Bibber said. Local businesses like K Real Estate and AAA Restoration play significant roles behind the scenes. "Our Murray businesses are the reason we are still here. We are always open to our business family and look forward to more partnerships in the future.”

The event runs Oct. 23-25 at Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.) on the south side of the outdoor swimming pool in pavilion 5. Visitors can choose the Silly Trail for younger guests from 5:30-7 p.m. or the Scary Trail from 7-9 p.m. for the more adventurous. Tickets are $5. Visit MurrayHauntedWoods.com for tickets and more information. l

Two ghosts dance in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A zombie startles visitors in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A witch greets small visitors on the Silly Trail of the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

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The Juan Diego Catholic High School girls tennis team returned nearly its entire team of 30 girls from last season and that depth proved invaluable in helping the Soaring Eagle squad tied for third place in Region 14 Sept. 26.

Senior Piper Maxwell stepped in to play No. 1 singles after senior Jazmin Asmar had a late season-ending ankle injury along with other movement through much of the varsity lineup— including the team’s top singles player Isabel Hopkins playing doubles with Skyline transfer Lauren Foy—heading into the postseason.

The senior duo of Hopkins/Foy finished second at No. 2 doubles with senior Hannah Bradshaw/sophomore Quincy Kegel taking third at No. 1 doubles. Junior Keira Ahearn was sixth at No. 2 singles with senior Maria Cadena coming in sixth at No. 3 singles.

“The girls played very well,” said head coach Peter Matus. “We try to inspire them to go out there on the court and give 100% every match so they can look back and be proud of their play, win or lose. We have a great team and we are very excited for state.”

The first round of the 3A state tournament is scheduled for Sept. 30 at North Sanpete High School with the final rounds Oct. 6-7 at Liberty Park.

JDCHS girls tennis third in region

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Coach Matus, who is in his third year, has been working with assistant coach Heather Foy to help build the JDCHS program and their efforts are proving fruitful with the number of players being attracted to the team and being retained from year to year.

“I would like to chalk it up to the outstanding reputation we have put into place,” he said. “Heather is a great player and a great coach. With the two of us at the helm, the sky is the limit. The school is very supportive so we all make a great team. She has really taken over when I can’t be there and is doing an amazing job.”

The Juan Diego girls put time in over the summer to improve their individual games, according to Matus, with the hope of making a run at state. “The girls were all very excited to return to the team and play even better,” he said. “We have some great players that have a lot of potential. We are at it one day at a time with our goal of giving 100% and leaving it all on the court, win or lose. Walking off that court at the end of the match and holding your head up high, knowing you had fun and tried your best is all we ask for.”

During the regular season, the Soaring Eagle squad beat American Preparatory

Academy 5-0, Maeser Prep 3-2, Providence Hall 5-0 and American Heritage 3-2 while losing to Judge Memorial and Rowland Hall. They also finished ninth at the Spanish Fork Invitational in mid-September.

Also on the JCHS squad this season are Ana Alvarez, Maria Alvarez, Ava Clark, Angelica Copado, Debbie Cutler, Avery Johnston, Hadleigh Johnston, Sophia Lentz, Brisa Lucero, Sydney Maser, Piper Maxwell,

Nicole Morgan, Madison Pickers, Megan Selmer, Christina Shively, Devon Sliwa, Marlo Trewitt and Alexa Vonderohe.

“There are a lot of talented girls on this team and we are building this program as best we can,” Matus said. “The girls are all playing well, practicing hard and the results are starting to show. We are very proud of all of them.”l

The JDCHS girls tennis team tied for third at the Region 14 championships Sept. 26, led by a second-place finish from seniors Isabel Hopkins/Lauren Foy at No. 2 doubles. (Photo courtesy Marisa Smith)

Focused and driven Corner Canyon volleyball team among best in state

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

The Corner Canyon High volleyball team finished last season among the top teams in the state and have climbed to number two in 6A more than halfway through the year. The Chargers are 13-2 against teams in the state with its only losses to No. 1 Skyridge 25-27, 25-21, 15-12 in the seventh match of the preseason during the Riverton Fall Classic and fifth-ranked Bingham 25-15, 2523, 25-12.

The CCHS squad is led by senior 6-foot-2-inch First Team All-State outside hitter Elli Mortensen—whose career kill tally amounts to more than 1,300—and fellow captain senior Mia Palmer, who is also a key offensive weapon with over two kills per set.

Junior setter Brooke Stauffer has been running the offense—recording 292 assists so far this season—while also leading the team in aces with 33 from the serving line. Senior Brielle Bodily has 105 digs defensively while junior Madi Newbold and freshman Berkleigh Minnick both have 23 blocks at the net.

“Things are going great for us,” said head coach Mindy Ricks. “We just started region play and the girls and team are working harder than ever.”

Corner Canyon High senior Elli Mortensen, a First-Team All-State outside hitter, has been leading the Chargers this season to among the best in the 6A ranks. (Photo courtesy Taylor Sampson, tsmapsmedia)

The team recently returned from the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas Sept. 2223 where they went 4-3, beating Nevada’s Shadow Ridge and Faith Lutheran, Kahuku (Hawaii) and Chaminade (California) and losing to California’s Branson and Marymount and Bishop Gorman (Nevada).

“The level of play and competition was very high so we were excited to see and compete against some tough teams,” Ricks said. “Our girls are focused and driven. It’s a fun time of year. We love seeing the team coming together and things clicking into place.”

Also on the CCHS team this season are Jules Barber, Halle Bills, Sadie Brown, Kyra Curtis, Ember Hunt, Saryn Kirkham, Faith Kittel, Kallee Klingler, Tori Miller, Bella Morgan and Victoria Page.

Ricks, who is in her ninth season at Corner Canyon, is being assisted on the coaching staff by Kazna Tanuvasa, Nina Mortensen, Michael Burke, Nigel Wood, Ana Perkins

and Lindsey Crook.

At press time the Chargers sat in third place in Region 2 with a 2-2 mark with region matchups ahead against Mountain Ridge (twice), Riverton, Herriman, Copper Hills and Bingham before the 6A state tournament begins Oct. 31 at home sites and then Nov. 2-4 at Utah Valley University. l

The Corner Canyon High volleyball team were sixth a year ago in 6A and are looking for a higher finish this time around. (Photos courtesy Taylor Sampson, tsmapsmedia)

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Alta High: Where the drama is fetch! Premiering ‘Mean Girls’ on stage

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Alta

High thespians are one of the few high schools in the state to premiere “Mean Girls.”

The show will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 15-18 and 20 in the school’s Performing Arts Center, 11055 S. 1000 East. The Nov. 16 show will be performed by the understudies.

“This is going to be so fetch, honestly, it’s going to be a positive experience,” said Alta High theatre director Linze Struiksma. “Casting was really hard because we had a lot of talent, but we came up with a cast that’s going to work well together. A big focus was making sure people represent kindness. The whole essence of the show is recognizing that kindness is more important.”

“Mean Girls,” based on the film written by Tina Fey, is a musical focused around Cady, who, as the outsider in her new home in suburban Illinois, navigates the popular cliques in her high school, eventually taking on “the Plastics,” a trio of frenemies. Lyrics are by Nell Benjamin, and the music is composed by Jeff Richmond.

At Alta, the musical involves 73 student-actors as well as 15 in the stage crew.

“I picked the show because I love the message—being who you really are is more important than anything else. These characters want to be them, but they’re scared of not being liked or they don’t feel they’re enough. What better way to talk about it’s OK to be authentically you and how beautiful that is and how the world needs you than through the theme of this musical. It’s about making real friendships and real connections and how that’s powerful,” she said.

Struiksma said the show was released in January, so only a couple schools are taking it to the stage.

“We’re one of the high schools in the United States to premiere it. It has the message we want to share; we have the right kids to do this, and they’re excited about it. It puts us on the map,” she said.

Before beginning rehearsals, Struiksma worked with Fey’s team to make “the language and content more appropriate.”

“We worked to make cuts and change it so they were happy with it and we could present it at the high school. I also worked with my administration and school district for a solid two to three months to get it approved for our community,” she said.

In addition to Struiksma, the staff includes April Lund, music director; Susan DeMill, choreographer; and senior Addison Scarborough, student assistant director.

Prior to “Mean Girls,” Alta’s Shakespeare team will perform at the 47th annual Shakespeare high school competition Oct. 5-7 in Cedar City as well as host a Shakespeare showcase at Alta High at 7 p.m., Oct.

Cline.

“We’re setting it up is if we are on a soundstage for a ’90’s sitcom,” she said. “‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ is most like a sitcom in its language and the physicality and the social status of the characters—and even the way the scenes are laid out. So, we’ll be presenting it as if the audience will be watching the pilot episode of ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor.’”

To prepare for their competition, the 30 students not only are learning their lines, but they’re gaining an understanding of performing in a sitcom.

“We’ve watched a handful of clips of different sitcoms, and we’ll definitely be doing more throughout rehearsals. We pulled inspiration from very specific late ’80’s, early ’90’s characters,” Cline said. “They’re understanding pop culture entertainment as they do a deep dive studying characters and history of TV and situational comedies.”

Also, several students have individual events, and eight students will compete in the Tech Olympics.

As well as competing, the thespians will see the Utah Shakespeare Festival performance of “The Play That Goes Wrong” by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer.

Following the musical will be Alta High’s traditional murder-mystery dinner show and fundraiser. The show is being written by the captain of the 30-member improv team, senior Kassie Holt. The dinner and show will be held at 5 p.m., and again at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8.

In the spring, the student-actors will perform at region in March. State is in midApril.

The season concludes with student-directed one acts on May 9, 2024.

Tickets for all shows will be available online following the Alta athletics’ link on the school’s webpage, ahs.canyonsdistrict. org, or in person at the school’s main office.

3. The Hawks’ ensemble piece comes from three scenes from “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” said Shakespeare team director Lindsey

The cast of “Mean Girls” takes a break during an early production rehearsal. (Linze Struiksma/Alta High)

Alta High student assistant director senior Addison Scarborough looks at the script of “Mean Girls,” the musical Alta High is putting on this November. (Linze Struiksma/Alta High)

Standout on Alta girls soccer team calls it a career

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

It’sbeen a long ride on the soccer pitch for Emily Dachenhausen. But after 14 years of playing soccer, the Alta senior is ready to say goodbye to the game.

Dachenhausen, a midfielder for the Hawks, helped the team to an 8-8 record this season. At press time, the Hawks awaited their first-round playoff game, which took place Oct. 5. In Region 6, Alta was 6-6. Dachenhausen was a key member of the team, scoring twice and registering three assists. Three of those assists came in an Aug. 14 blowout of Highland.

But once the Hawks’ playoff run ended, Dachenhausen planned to step away from the sport she started playing at age 4.

“I have loved the time I have spent on the Alta soccer team, and some of my best memories have been made on that soccer field,” she said.

Beyond the friendships she has made, Dachenhausen has enjoyed the things head coach Mackenzie Hyer has taught her. She has learned lessons not just about playing well on the field but being a good person away from it.

“The thing I enjoy most about being on the Alta soccer team is the environment,” she said. “Throughout the season we are taught how to have quiet confidence on and off the field. Our coach builds the foundation of the team by teaching the importance of being a great person, not just being a great player. She wants us to stand out by having a positive impact no matter where we are. Being on the team means you are representing the team with your words and actions. This creates an environment for great players and great teammates.”

Dachenhausen started playing at the recreation level with eight other girls from her neighborhood. After a lot of success, her love for the sport grew, as did her desire to move to the next level. But first, Dachenhausen had to make a choice.

“I started taking gymnastics at age 5, so I participated in both soccer and gymnastics for several years,” she said. “Around the age of 11, I had to make the final choice whether to pursue soccer or gymnastics, as my schedule was just too busy for both. Two of my best friends from the recreational soccer team decided they wanted to try out for a competition year-round team, and I think they were the biggest reason I chose to stick with soccer.”

Dachenhausen started with Forza and then went to Olympic Montreux, where she has been since on the club level.

“Some of the things I enjoy the most about playing soccer is working with a team,” she said. “You move as a whole unit on the field and in order to accomplish anything you have to work with others. I love the atmosphere of being on the field and I still get excited for game days every week.”

During her time with the Hawks, Dachenhausen believes she has made big strides as a player. She said that as a freshman and sophomore, she lacked confidence. That changed when her junior year started.

“Once I began my junior year, I started playing like I know I can and started working to be a playmaker on the field,” she said. “As an older player, it's easier to have more confidence to play, and I wish I could go back and

use my freshman and sophomore years to be the confident player that I am now. The biggest influence that made this change was definitely my coaches and the other players on the team who believed in me. Because of the player I have become today, I try my hardest to uplift the younger players and encourage them to work their hardest and play their best.”

As a more seasoned, experienced player, Dachenhausen became one of Alta’s best passers. The center midfielder has a keen eye for the field and finding the open player. She understands how to get her teammates the ball and how to control the ball and the field. Her teammates have benefited from her unselfishness.

“I think my best strength on the field is

finding the channels for our forwards or wings to score,” Dachenhausen said. “As a [center midfielder], you are constantly finding channels to play the ball so that another player can run onto the ball while moving towards the goal. It is much easier said than done, and you have to consider timing, speed of ball, angle of ball, offsides, which channel and how to play the ball past a defender. I have used these skills to help my team score many goals this season. One of my favorite parts of the game is when someone scores off of my pass.”

Dachenhausen will have fond memories of her experience playing for the Hawks. She will especially miss her teammates and the strong bond they created together.

“One thing I will remember about this season is how much I love every single girl on the team,” she said. “Each girl is vital to the team, and each player is truly bringing their best every single day. This group of players has been my second family this season.”

She also appreciates the support other have given her during her career. Her eight neighborhood friends she started playing with at age 4—none of them played with her at Alta. But still, they have continued to cheer Dachenhausen on with every dribble, pass and shot. She also praises her parents and coaches.

“My parents have also been my biggest supporters. They spend so much time working around my soccer schedule and one or both of them come to every game. My best mentors are definitely my Alta coaches that push me to work hard and help me become a better player.” l

Corner Canyon soccer heading into state on upswing

Ittook the Corner Canyon High girls soccer team six games to find a win this season during a tough preseason stretch, but the Chargers have turned it on in region play. They have since outscored their opponents 15 to 6 including a 1-0 victory over thirdranked Mountain Ridge Sept. 12 to bring its season record to 8-7 and sit in third in Region 2 behind the Sentinels and Copper Hills who are both in 6A’s top five.

It’s a welcome reprieve to the CCHS program after a 6-11 campaign a year ago.

“It was really important to bring the morale back since we did not have a good season last year,” said head coach Fode Doumbia. “We worked a lot in the offseason to boost our chemistry and morale. We have tried to prepare our girls with renewed belief that they are better and can compete and prepare ourselves mentally for this year.”

After three games this season—in losses to Olympus (2-0) and Skyline (3-0) and a scoreless tie with Spanish Fork—Corner Canyon had yet to find the net. But, a 1-1

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

game with last year’s 6A champion Davis that went to a shootout, which the Chargers lost 3-2, began to flip the script this season.

“A tough preseason can be good where it prepares you better for region, but it’s also bad because you might lose a few and get down,” Doumbia said. “We’re trying to be better than last year, improve our record, go further than last year and let the seniors have a very good year.”

Corner Canyon began Region 2 play against two of the top teams in the state in Copper Hills and Mountain Ridge and, despite losing 5-3 and 2-1 respectively, the competitive games helped the Chargers start putting things together and finding the net more. Over the next four games, the CCHS squad scored eight goals—including two goals and two assists from leading scorer senior Claire (Elise) Jeppson—senior keeper Hagen Haycock recorded two shutouts in wins over Riverton, Bingham, Herriman and RSL Academy.

Following a close 2-1 loss to Copper

Hills Sept. 7, where Jeppson scored Corner Canyon’s lone goal on an assist from senior Allison Rodriguez, the Chargers defeated Mountain Ridge—again with a goal from Jeppson, assisted this time by sophomore Alice Peterson, with Haycock recording the shutout in the net.

A tough 2-1 setback to Riverton Sept. 14, with sophomore Channing Wuest scoring Corner Canyon’s goal, was followed by shutouts to Bingham and Herriman with goals from Jeppson (two), junior Kenzie Randall (one), junior Ava Howell (one) and two assists from Peterson and one each from senior Megan Broadbent and senior Whitney Bryner. The Chargers also pulled out a double overtime shootout win over Salt Lake Academy 1-1 (4-3) Sept. 26 to finish the regular season.

Jeppson’s 11 goals leads the squad while Peterson and Wuest have netted three each. Peterson and Rodriguez both have four assists for Corner Canyon with Haycock recording five shutouts in goal.

“We have been led by strong leaders and strong underclassmen,” Doumbia said.

Also on the CCHS squad this season are seniors Eliza Heggewald, Ava Perkins and Sadie Werts;

juniors Bella Call, Mckinsey Cox, Olivia Flack, Gracie Johnsen, Shaye Neal, Lacee Nelson, Chaselyn Nichols, Addi Rowley and Halle Wroten; sophomores Alexandra Feroah, Olivia Gleason, Abby Love, Olivia Nordhoff and Sophia Simms; and freshmen Leah Carver, Olivia Edwards, Tessa Egbert, Avalon Fenlon, Ellie Lewis, Addie Paynter and Layla Valadez.

Doumbia is being assisted on the coaching staff by Kesley Haag, Jaddon Rogers, Alban Gozo and team manager Kami Call.

The 6A state tournament begins Oct. 5 with first round action and ensuing rounds lead up to the finals Oct. 20 at America First Field. l

Emily Dachenhausen, a senior on the Alta girls soccer team, has been a big part of the Hawks’ success. (Photo courtesy Emily Dachenhausen)

The Truth is Out There

Depending on who you ask, aliens have either 1) frequently visited our planet, 2) never visited our planet, or 3) are currently running our planet.

It’s been quite a year for Unidentified Flying Objects, which are now called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. (Tomayto, tomahto.) These “extraterrestrial” vessels made the news, created a TikTok channel and had their own congressional hearing.

In early 2023, the Air Force started blasting weather balloons out of the sky. Although weather balloons have been used since 1896, it’s only in the last year the balloons became malicious enough to be shot down. It’s definitely American to shoot first and never ask questions.

It reminds me of the 1978 video game Space Invaders, where the goal was to blast UFOs out of the atmosphere before they reached Earth. Whether the current UAPs were peace emissaries from Alpha Centauri or galactic multi-level-marketing sales-aliens, we’ll never know.

Look at it this way. If you launched a celebratory lightspeed rocket on the day Jesus was born, it would still be in the Milky Way Galaxy, even traveling for 2,000 years at the speed of light. So if a flying saucer made its way across its galaxy and our galaxy, it would take hundreds of thousands of light years to reach us, only to be casually shot down by an F-22.

Maybe they were on their way to teach

Peri Kinder

us how to travel at lightspeed, how to create a functional Congress or how to evolve so our skin glows in the dark. We’ll never know.

UFO sightings occur all over the world, but the U.S. has the most interaction with aliens. The Roswell crash in 1947 was the first “flying saucer” wreckage that authorities said was a UFO, then it was a weather balloon, then it was Carl’s tractor from down the road and then it was the remnants of an atomic test, which didn’t make anyone feel better.

Air Force pilots share stories of strange objects in the sky, security cameras capture “meteors” and eerie lights, and there was a congressional hearing to talk about what the government isn’t telling us. Spoiler alert: the government keeps a lot of secrets.

Many people are convinced the pyramids were built with alien technology. Some people think UFOs travel the world making intricate designs in crops, kind of like alien graffiti. Others point out the first microchip was created just 10 years after the Roswell crash. Coincidence?

Hmmmm.

Records from Rome (AD 65) and Ireland (AD 740) document chariots flying through the clouds or ships floating in the air, filled with people. Too bad there wasn’t an F-22 to shoot them down.

“War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells was written in the late 1890s. It was one of the first novels that detailed an alien invasion on Earth. People lost their minds when Orson Welles dramatized it on a 1938 radio show.

I’m not saying UFOs are real. I’m not saying they’re not. But sightings have increased, usually in the form of an orb, a disc, a triangle,

a cylinder, an egg, a toaster, a VW Bug or other random shapes.

I’ve been saying for years that Earth is a hit reality show in the universe and little green men (or blue or white or gray) watch the hilarious antics on our dumpster fire of a planet while eating alien popcorn.

It’s pretty egocentric of us to think we’re the only planet with intelligent life. And I use the word “intelligent” lightly. I hope somewhere in the universe there’s a planet where the inhabitants live in peace and work together to create new ideas. I just hope they don’t come here. We’ll shoot them out of the sky.l

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

—Steve M., Army Special Forces

CSCS Chiropractic Physician