Herriman Journal | May 2025

Power of faith, family and optimism: Herriman family meets adversity—and cancer—head on

By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com

Despite ordeals, the Hall family has grown stronger, finding peace in relationships, service, faith and a positive attitude.

TimHall knew he wanted to get to know Beth Newman as soon as he saw her. Both were students at Brigham Young University, attending the same congregation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hall’s responsibility was to schedule appointments for members to meet with local clergy.

“When he called me to set up my appointment… he told me it was 30 minutes before the actual appointment started,” Beth said with a smile. “He did this on purpose to have time to talk with me while I waited.”

Married for 22 years, the couple moved to Herriman 14 years ago. “We love the family-oriented community and the wonderful people here!” Beth Hall said.

At home, church or on stage, music is an integral part of life for Tim, Beth and their five children. “One of our favorite things to do as a family is to sing together… around the house and at church and perform in musical productions together,” Beth Hall said.

“A highlight in our family memories was the musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” with Herriman Arts in 2019,” Beth Hall said. “I played the role of the narrator, Tim was Potiphar and Issachar, and four of our kids were also in the show.” Their youngest, little 3-year-old Jojo, cheered them on at each rehearsal and performance.

A 5-year-old’s strength

A close-knit family, the strength of their relationships has helped them weather a series of storms that began in 2021 when Jojo was diagnosed with Perthes disease, a rare hip disorder resulting from a disruption of blood flow to the top of the femur. With no access to blood, the bone stops growing and dies.

“She was just 5 years old when the blood supply spontaneously stopped…” Beth Hall said. The Halls found a specialist in Texas, and the family has made the trek there several times a year since 2021.

Over the last four years, Tim and Beth Hall have watched their daughter face heartbreaking challenges. Jojo was not able to put weight on her leg for two years, relying on crutches or a wheelchair. Now in fourth grade, she has endured multiple surgeries, daily physical therapy since the diagnosis and the restriction and frustration of wearing a brace to immobilize her leg 18 hours a day.

“But this didn’t stop her from living life and being happy,” Beth Hall said. With her crutches, Jojo made her stage debut in the children’s production of “Frozen” through Herriman Arts in 2022. “She got really good at running and playing with her crutches,” Beth Hall said. “She even jumped waves in the ocean

The Hall family finds peace in each other and through service and faith. From left to right: Ellyse, Eli, Beth, Jojo, Tim, Ethan and Sami. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)

Riverton Hospital Thanks:

• South Jordan City Fire Stations 61, 62, 63, 64

ThankYou

• West Jordan City Fire Stations 54 and 55

• Unified Fire Authority Station 103 (Herriman)

• Unified Fire Authority Station 115 (Copperton)

EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement andFirstResponders

Join us in celebrating National EMS Week

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your dedication and service to our communities.

In celebration of National EMS Week, we invite you to join us for a free BBQ.

• Unified Fire Authority Station 120 (Riverton)

• Unified Fire Authority Station 121 (Riverton)

• Unified Fire Authority Station 123 (Herriman)

• Unified Fire Authority Station 124 (Riverton)

• Gold Cross Ambulance

• Bluffdale City Fire Stations 91 and 92

• Riverton City Police Department

• Herriman City Police Department

• South Jordan City Police Department

• West Jordan City Police Department

Autism clinic for kids opens at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Riverton

Applied Behavior Analysis clinic helps close the gap for autism treatment.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Autismspectrum disorder affects about 25,000 children in Utah. The neurodevelopmental disability manifests in myriad ways including communication difficulties, motor skill impairments, learning challenges and struggles with social interaction.

A care gap in Utah means families don’t receive autism diagnosis, evaluation and treatment quickly. The new Applied Behavior Analysis Clinic will address that gap by expanding autism services.

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital celebrated the opening of the autism clinic which will allow kids (ages 2-6) to receive early intensive services such as behavioral assessment and individual/group therapy. The ABA clinic is located at the Primary Children’s Outpatient Clinic at Intermountain Riverton Hospital (3741 W. 12600 South).

“We realize there is an urgency for this and it is an exciting day because Primary Promise, for the very first time, is announcing a new focus, or a new circle of care, and that circle of care is autism services,” Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital CEO and vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health Katy Welkie said. “We will support children with autism and other developmental disabilities. This milestone is only possible because of the generosity of our community.”

The ABA clinic in Riverton can expand its services thanks to a $3 million donation from Sandi Hendry, founder and CEO of Minky

Couture. This is Hendry’s second gift to Primary Promise; the first was a $1 million donation to the Newborn Intensive Care initiative. She also donates thousands of mini Minky blankets to NICUs across the country.

Hendry has grandchildren with autism spectrum disorder. When she and her daughter started looking for places that provided services for children with autism, they were put on a two-year waiting list.

“When I heard Primary Promise was doing this new facility for autism, I thought there are thousands of people that need these answers, thousands of moms that lay in wait to know ‘What’s my next step?’” Hendry said. “I am grateful today to be able to donate this portion and I pray that as I grow as a businesswoman, I will be able to continue to contribute.”

Lily is a 13-year-old with autism who enjoys painting, acting, fashion and Taylor Swift. She joined her parents, Carrie and Roger, at the clinic’s grand opening celebration. The family is grateful for the services that have helped her flourish in the years following her diagnosis.

“I have found that the care providers here had such a focus on their job, which was not to hide who Lily is, and not change her personality, but to remove the anxiety so she could shine, and we could see who the real Lily is,” Carrie said.

Lily presented Hendry and Primary Promise Executive Campaign Cabinet CoChair Gail Miller with paintings she had created and joined them in cutting the ribbon on the new ABA clinic.

“Today, our message is very clear,” Miller said. “Autism services are crucial for healthy children and healthy communities. With your help, Primary Promise is enabling life-chang-

ing advances and advancements for children’s well-being. I would encourage every community member to join us in helping more children grow up healthier and feel supported.”

Primary Promise is an initiative to build a model health system for children. Through Intermountain Health and community philanthropic support, Primary Promise surpassed its $600 million fundraising target thanks to community generosity. As a result, leaders were able to fund this critical expansion of autism

services.

To donate, visit PrimaryPromise.org. To learn more about Primary Children’s Autism Services, visit PrimaryChildrens.org/AutismServices.

“It’s been 15 years now since [Intermountain Riverton Hospital] has been here and not only has it provided a tremendous amount of medical care and attention to our residents, but they’ve been a very valuable stakeholder,” Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs said. l

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Lily (center), a teen with autism, joined philanthropists Sandi Hendry (left) and Gail Miller (right) to celebrate the opening of the Applied Behavior Analysis clinic in Riverton which will provide vital treatment for children with autism. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)

Herriman to provide shelter services for Riverton animals temporarily

The agreement is anticipated to last six months and only shelter cats and dogs.

By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Riverton has no animal shelter. For now.

In the meantime, the Riverton and Herriman City Councils approved an agreement in March that will allow Herriman to temporarily house Riverton dogs and cats in its shelter for six months until Riverton builds its own animal services building.

“We appreciate that,” Mayor Trent Staggs said of the willingness from Herriman officials to assist during the March 4 council meeting. “We expect that facility to be completed here soon and so it’s just on a temporary basis for our neighbor here to help us out with that.”

The city’s new facility, to be built as part of the Water Shop at Old Farm Park (3250 W. 13680 South), was approved by the council in December as it allocated $700,000 for the design and construction of the facility. Riverton previously contracted with Stone Ridge Veterinary Clinic, but with that coming to an end, and the new facility yet to be built, city officials found their solution with Herriman.

The completion of its own animal services building is a long time coming for Riverton, who once upon a time contracted with Salt Lake County for its animal control services. Riverton voted to split from the county in July 2017 after they increased costs. And then began the seven-year partnership with Stone Ridge.

City Manager Kevin Hicks said in November that decision saved the city $1.5 million compared to what they would have paid if they stayed with Salt Lake County.

Hicks also emphasized the positive relationship the city has with Stone Ridge and the clinic’s willingness to help. The estimated net expenditures for the first year would be about $355,000, Hicks said. In comparison, Salt Lake County, Herriman and Draper are all at least $414,000.

Herriman themselves have experienced a similar journey as Riverton, leaving Salt Lake County in 2019 and establishing its own animal services unit under the police department’s umbrella.

However, in terms of shelter, the city leased space from South Jordan until December 2023 when its partnership ended. South Jordan needs its full capacity. Herriman officials signed a five-year lease for its own temporary location at 15856 S. Rockwell Park Cove, while they make plans for a future shelter.

The agreement limits the types of animals Riverton can bring to Herriman to only dogs and cats. Herriman will provide

shelter and care, but Riverton will provide medical attention if needed. Responsibility for picking up animals, locating owners or arranging adoptions will fall on Riverton. Riverton will pay Herriman $50 per day per animal.

With the southwest communities continually growing, each city has found a need to bring animal services in house as opposed to contracting out or partnering with other entities.

The cost to create Riverton’s own service, which also requires an additional full-time employee to help run the shelter, was too much for one council member.

Councilmember Andy Pierucci expressed reservations at the city’s plan in November and December due to the shelter’s high costs, especially relative to the small number of animals and residents served. With the impending termination of the city’s partnership with Stone Ridge, he said this might be a short-term solution that doesn’t justify such a large investment.

“I don’t believe government is good at adoption services, the private sector’s better than us at that,” he said during the December council meeting.

Pierucci also voiced a preference to partner with other cities, but Hicks and Staggs explained other cities or alternative clinics were explored but were not interested or had similar limitations to what the city has now.

There are intentions, Hicks said during that same meeting, to partner with nonprofits and other pet stores to help with adoptions.

Councilmember Troy McDougal preferred to build the shelter now and then find ways to make it profitable. “I would prefer we control our destiny rather than partner with another city.” l

New 10-acre park coming to Herriman border

Located just south of Mountain View Village, the park is expected to feature a splash pad, pickleball courts, playground, walking paths and a soccer field.

By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com

The Southwest valley’s vast array of parks will have a new addition.

Ten acres of empty land located just south of Mountain View Village between 13400 South and 13800 South will be turned into a 10-acre park as part of Edge Homes’ development of the area.

Riverton city officials and a representative of Edge Homes presented plans and requested feedback on the Mountain Ridge development park in early March.

“It looks beautiful, I think it’s going to be a great amenity for our city and the neighborhood,” Councilmember Tawnee McCay said during the council meeting.

Her enthusiasm wasn’t isolated either as other council members expressed excitement at the park’s potential.

The park is expected to feature lighted pickleball courts, a playground, splash pad, walking paths and a soccer field on the south end with the possibility of more

amenities.

“The design of this park, the value of it is you’ve got all ages that can benefit from it,” Councilmember Andy Pierucci said.

The two concerns voiced by council members were about parking and water use for the splash pad in Utah’s current environment.

Officials said parking should be sufficient, street parking will be allowed but no homes of the surrounding development will face the street so parking won’t be in front of homes.

The splash pad was a recommendation by the city’s parks, recreation and trails committee as there wasn’t anything similar on the southwest side of the city.

Pierucci said the splash pad targets families and expected the demand to be quite high.

“There will be a lot of interest in something like that, especially for young families,” he said.

While Edge Homes is developing the overall area and design on the park, it will be a Riverton City park. Plans for development are expected to start on Greenford Lane on the south end and build street frontage along the park. l

Riverton will share animal services with Herriman until its new animal control facility is built this year. (Stock photo)

Right on the edge of the Riverton/Herriman border, the vacant area between 13400 South, the Welby Jacobs Canal, Sentinel Ridge Boulevard and 13800 South will feature a 10-acre park. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

on a family vacation while on crutches. Nothing stopped her!”

In March, Jojo shared her experiences on a podcast and spoke to BYU nursing students. “I wished so many times I could take away the difficulties… so my Jojo wouldn’t have to suffer… But watching her… share all that she’s learned and how she’s grown, I wouldn’t take that away from her for anything,” Beth Hall said.

A teenager’s perseverance

Amid the ongoing storm surrounding Jojo’s condition, another tempest broke in 2023. During a high school cross country race, oldest child Ethan, then a senior, broke his femoral neck, the region of his femur connecting the ball of the hip joint to the shaft.

Collapsing in the middle of the state qualifying race, Ethan’s dreams suddenly evaporated. Tim and Beth Hall stood by as their son was carried in severe pain from the course, packed into an ambulance and rushed to the hospital.

Mere hours after emergency surgery, an interview via Zoom from his hospital bed won Ethan the title of Mountain Ridge High’s Sterling Scholar in math. And just three weeks later, he defied his circumstances by performing as a lead in Mountain Ridge’s musical—on crutches. “He had to be on crutches or a wheelchair for the next four months,” Beth Hall explained. “He worked incredibly hard to get his strength back…, and he ran in the last couple of track meets of his senior year.”

The other Hall children have experienced their own injuries, including several broken arms and ankles requiring surgery. “What has helped us get through is not focusing on our bad luck or the difficulties. We just take things as they come and work together as a family to get through them,” Beth Hall said.

The greatest storm of all

On Jan. 12 of last year, the winds of the most difficult storm the Halls have ever faced began stirring when Tim Hall noticed he could barely use the fingers on his right hand. Shortly thereafter, his speech deteriorated. Though he knew what he wanted to say, he was physically unable to speak. As he tried to communicate with Beth Hall, he managed one word: “stroke.”

“I quickly got him into the car and drove him to the emergency room,” Beth Hall said. At the hospital, the winds of the brewing storm abruptly intensified: CT scans and MRIs revealed that Tim had a brain tumor the size of a racquetball. The family clung to the chance that it was benign.

Though they had expected to take 75%, surgeons removed only 50% of the tumor, as much as was possible without impacting fine motor skills, speech and Tim Hall’s entire right side. He and Beth marked a sober 21st anniversary in the hospital’s intensive care unit while he healed.

“I was just so grateful that he was alive and came out of the brain surgery as himself,”

Beth Hall said. “I will never forget… he asked how much of the tumor they removed. I had already cried by myself over the fact that only 50% was removed, but in true Tim fashion, he saw the good in everything and immediately replied, ‘That’s better than 49%!’”

It was after the surgery that the looming storm finally hit—a category 5 hurricane: Tim Hall’s tumor was cancerous. The diagnosis was Grade 3 oligodendroglioma, a rare, fast-growing cancer, accounting for under 1% of brain tumors. Tim Hall was given 10 to 15 years to live. The shock and grief crashed down on the family like a tsunami.

“But truly, we knew the recipe for getting through hard things. We had done that before as a family,” Beth Hall said. The Halls continue to believe that no matter the storm, there will always be positive things and blessings.

“We move forward with God’s help, even if it’s one day or one minute at a time,” she said.

Doctors prescribed 30 rounds of radiation and six rounds of chemotherapy, each six weeks long.

“Tim has been an amazing warrior!” Beth Hall said. Over the next 15 months, he endured severe fatigue and loss of appetite, memory and hair. All food tasted awful and he experienced a constant metallic taste in his mouth.

By the end of all the treatments, he had lost 60 pounds. “To say that the last 15 months… have been hard would be a huge understatement!” Beth said. The Halls are tremendously grateful for the invaluable help of friends and extended family who took children to and from school and activities, cooked meals, provided emotional support, offered prayers and more.

Since the diagnosis, Tim Hall has continued to work full time in project management and sales, serve at church, and be the best father he can, attending his children’s events and activities, including serving as a swim official at their second son’s five-hour swim meets. Every day of his 45-day radiation regimen, he ran three miles. “Tim tried extremely hard to stay upbeat and positive with the kids, even though the medications caused increased irri-

tability and fatigue,” Beth Hall said. “The kids and I saw his loving efforts.”

The miracle of looking outward Service and involvement in their community and church are very important to the Halls, and it has helped them stay afloat among the wind and waves. “Volunteer work and helping others is a big part of our family culture,” Beth Hall said.

Ethan has served on the state youth council board and is currently in Bolivia on a religious mission. Eli, the Hall’s second, is on the Herriman Youth Council and participates in choir, musical theater and his school swim team.

Next comes Ellyse, who is on her school dance team, serves on the Herriman Youth Council and loves choir, theater and cross country. Fourth is Sami, who plays the piano, sings, dances and is learning how to perform

with aerial silks. And finally, when Jojo isn’t singing, dancing or acting, she plays soccer.

Tim and Beth Hall have both found fulfillment in working with church youth groups and other volunteering. A former board member for nonprofit Friends Of Herriman, Beth also served on the Herriman Arts Council for 13 years, was the children’s theater specialist for the Herriman Arts Council for 12 years, has taught voice lessons for 20 years and writes and composes her own songs.

Recently, she cofounded nonprofit South Valley Performing Arts, which provides local arts opportunities, and Rising Stars Theater Academy, where she teaches youth and teen musical theater classes.

Not to be outdone by his family, three years ago, Tim created “The Hall Scholarships,” which the Halls award annually to select Mountain Ridge seniors for choral singing, swimming and cross country racing. “We

Ethan Hall is currently volunteering for his church in Bolivia. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)

Tim Hall is grateful that surgeons were able to remove 50% of the tumor. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)

Beth and Sami Hall accompany Tim Hall as he prepares for radiation treatment. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)

wanted to give back in a small way to kids participating in programs that mean a lot to us…” Beth Hall said.

Being open and honest about the diagnosis has also helped their children cope. They provide a safe space for the children to feel, acknowledge and process emotions. “They know that sometimes mom stays in her car a long time crying... I say, ‘I was feeling some emotions and getting some things out, but I’m doing better now,’” Beth Hall said.

Instead of focusing on their challenges, the Halls concentrate on helping others while enjoying and being fully present during every minute together. “I don’t want worrying about the future to ruin the joy of having Tim present here now,” Beth Hall said.

They rally around members who need help. To support Jojo with the exhausting demands of daily physical therapy, the family participated in the exercises with her.

When big brother Ethan broke his femoral neck, Jojo showed him how to navigate the ground and floors on crutches. And as their father struggled with treatment, the children offered extra help and support.

Hope for the future

“Our family motto has been ‘we just modify!’” Beth Hall said. “We just modify how we do things and continue doing our best to make memories and spend time together in fun ways.” In addition to performing in musicals, the Halls enjoy hiking, visiting national parks, road trips and running races together—even with crutches or a wheelchair.

The family has also found peace and hope through each other and their faith. “The most difficult part is watching someone I love so dearly go through something so hard,” Beth Hall said. “But it has made me grateful for my faith and the eternal perspective that this life is not the end. And one of the purposes of this life is to learn and grow through good and hard

things. We just feel incredibly blessed to have each other as we manage whatever hard thing life gives us.”

“The most challenging aspect of this diagnosis is facing the reality that life will potentially end before I want it to,” Tim Hall said. “But I am grateful for even better relationships with my family and loved ones and with God and Jesus.”

Going forward, Tim Hall will need an MRI every three months to monitor the tumor. The family is investigating holistic treatments to stop the tumor’s growth. “We are doing a lot of our own research,” Beth Hall said. “It’s also difficult because none of the treatments we’re looking into are covered by insurance… But we are willing to do whatever it takes to give Tim more time with us. We just keep trying to do things that bring us joy with the people that we love most.” l

Tim Hall rings the celebration bell at Riverton Hospital after his last round of radiation. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)

Ethan Hall gets some tips on using crutches from little sister Jojo. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)

The Halls enjoy a family hike at Arches National Park. From left to right: Ellyse (above), Beth, Eli, Tim (above), Jojo and Sami. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)

Beth and Jojo Hall run in the 2022 Fort Herriman Days 5k race. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)

ThrivePoint Academy offers unique educational approach

Parents and students looking for a flexible alternative education will have another option this fall.

By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Twenty-five years ago, there were only eight charter schools in Utah. There are now 144. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are governed by an independent board and operate according to their individual charter agreements.

The newest public charter school to offer nontraditional educational options for students grades 7-12 is ThrivePoint Academy, which will open in West Jordan for the 2025-26 school year.

"We are excited to bring ThrivePoint Academy’s unique educational approach to Utah,” ThrivePoint Academy Board Chair Shannon Smith said. “Our programs are designed to empower students by offering them the flexibility, guidance and resources they need to excel, no matter their circumstances.”

ThrivePoint Academy offers online, in-person and hybrid learning methods with both morning and afternoon sessions. The West Jordan campus houses an open learning center and private study rooms. Students

will visit the campus twice a week to attend classes, study and to receive one-on-one support from teachers and student success coaches.

“We just want to ensure that if you are a hybrid student, you have that accountability with the Student Success Coach and your teachers to ensure that you're reaching success, and you're submitting your coursework, and you are hitting those goals that you set,” Learning Center Coordinator Taylor Smith said.

Smith said the flexibility of ThrivePoint’s model meets the various needs of students, including those who want to get ahead or get caught up academically, or who need a flexible schedule because of work or other activities, or for students looking for a nontraditional environment.

”We're mostly helping kiddos that need another option because the traditional option wasn't working,” Smith said. “We are mostly focusing on helping kids reach their next big step.”

One of the unique programs ThrivePoint Academy offers is the Next Big Step, a workforce development course. Students take the course to prepare for their post high school career and education goal by exploring their options through interest-based field trips, community engagement, internships

and partnerships with local businesses.

“Kids can start looking at different options, maybe it's military or college or a career readiness program at SLCC or at the University of Utah,” Smith said. “We want to have different options for kids to go out in the community and find things that they're passionate about.”

Securing community partners to help students find success after high school is part of the school’s program. Due to their location near 9000 South and Redwood Road, they have already set up partnerships with business neighbors Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design and the Armed Forces Career Center.

School staff members will also collaborate with local higher ed institutions—Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah, Utah Valley University and Utah State University—to help prepare students who choose to pursue a college degree.

ThrivePoint Academy is new to Utah but has been serving students for more than 20 years at locations in Nevada, Arizona and California. Enrollment at the West Jordan campus is capped at 400 students.

“A lot of kids just fall through the cracks at a traditional school—those schools are so big,” Smith said. “We just want to be a community partner with the local schools and families so that they can have a different option. We want families to feel like they have choices, not just to be bound to their local school.”

To enroll or to learn more about ThrivePoint Academy, visit www.thrivepointutah. com or call (801) 228-0793. l

ThrivePoint Academy will open for enrollment in July. (Photo courtesy ThrivePoint)

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Stroke from Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley Stroke Team

By Dr. Rebecca Reiser

We know how important it is for patients and their families to find a hospital and a care team that you can trust - especially when emergencies, like stroke, happen. That’s why our team at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley is so incredibly proud to be a certified primary stroke center with thrombectomy capability. Recently, our stroke care team was recognized by the American Heart Association and received their Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus Award with Stroke Honor Roll and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

This award means our facility met or exceeded the national recommendations for stroke care for our patients and it highlights our hard-working, talented stroke care team for providing excellent patient stroke care!

To start, we work closely with our EMS partners to help them recognize patient stroke symptoms while they are out in the field. They are trained to let us know when they are on their way to our hospital so we can be ready for stroke patients before they even arrive. Our team is then able to evaluate each patient quickly and thoroughly to determine the best course of treatment. We have medications to help break up blood clots in the brain and a team of highly

trained vascular neurosurgeons who can remove a blood clot from the brain, also known as a thrombectomy. An important note - Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley is the only hospital on the west side of the valley that has the capability of performing these state-of-the-art thrombectomies!

So, what are the signs and symptoms of stroke that you should be aware of? The easiest way to remember what to look out for is through the acronym, BEFAST:

● Balance changes

● Eye or vision changes

● Facial droop

● Arm weakness

● Speech difficulty

● Time

reduces disability among stroke survivors by 4%! That’s because about 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke until blood flow is restored. It is important that if you see someone showing the signs or symptoms of stroke outlined above, call for help immediately.

When you or your loved ones come to Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley for stroke care, you can expect state-of-theart stroke treatment and compassionate, healing care fueled by humankindness. From the teams in the ER to the stroke care teams to the physical, occupational and speech therapists that help care for patients throughout their rehab journey, and to the neurologists that assist in care decisions from the start, you are in good hands at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley!

At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.

It is important to recognize the above signs and symptoms because time matters! Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, but it is the leading cause of long-term disability. Studies show that every 15 minutes saved when a patient is experiencing stroke symptoms,

Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.

The right ER. Right around the corner.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Dr. Rebecca Reiser Neurologist and Stroke Director CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

A publication covering local mental health and wellness around the Salt Lake Valley

Students lead the charge for mental health awareness at Mountain Creek Middle

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Through the Say Something Squad, Mountain Creek Middle students transform mental health conversations.

At Mountain Creek Middle School, three ninth-grade students are leading a movement to raise awareness about mental health and prevent tragedies such as suicide and violence.

They are part of the Say Something Squad, a national initiative created by the families affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy, which trains students to recognize warning signs in others who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others and to alert trusted adults.

“This is teaching students how to tell people when there's a problem,” said Jada Marrott, who along with Madison Searle and Eliza Wootton, help lead their school chapter.

Since the Sandy Hook tragic school shooting in December 2012, more than 11.6 million people across the country have pledged to protect children from gun violence.

At Mountain Creek, about 40 squad members have committed to “say something” to support their peers and to prevent future tragedies.

“It was two years ago when a student, who was struggling with suicidality, came back from a mental health hospital and asked, ‘Why isn't there more suicide prevention stuff around the school?’” said school therapist Nicole Nelson. “Say Something has a free curriculum and is evidence-based. I like that it stems from family members who felt it in school and are directing it for schools nationwide to prevent any school tragedies from happening.”

The three girls decided to join the squad after attending a school assembly two years ago when a classmate shared his personal struggles.

“When (the classmate) shared his story and how he was feeling, I related so much

that I wanted to join this club and be a part of that experience of how he got better and I wanted to get better too,” Jada said.

Madison said everyone listened intently to the classmate.

“It was touching. I've never seen an assembly where it was so quiet; everyone walked out of that assembly more aware,” she said.

This spring, the Say Something Squad contributed to the school’s mental health week and an assembly where students experienced a simulation showing how the loss of a peer affects an entire community.

“It showed how one person committing suicide can affect so many people; it doesn't have to be your best friend for you to be impacted; it was powerful,” Madison said. “A lot of people feel they are lifting others burdens by ridding them of their life, but it’s not.”

Jada said the Say Something Squad can help in those situations.

“We learned you have to say something to a trusted adult. You could tell someone all day long you love them, that you don't want them to die, because it's going to hurt so many people who love them. They might not think they're loved, but they are. In their brain, they think that person who says they love them is just lying to them. That’s when a professional can help,” she said.

The Say Something Squad has been trained to develop empathy, belonging and social awareness and to help people struggling with mental illness find support. Those trainings are held throughout the year, Nelson said.

“We talk about how to prevent social isolation and look for loneliness, because those are the people who have been shown through data that they might bring a gun to school and might be a school shooter,” she said. “We talk openly in our trainings. I intentionally say, ‘suicide prevention,’ because the word ‘suicide’ is a stigma in Utah; we don't want it to be, so we talk about it open-

ly. The curriculum also talks about anti-bullying, empathy and compassion.”

Besides social isolation, the girls said signs such as sleep deprivation, refusal to eat, absenteeism and speaking negatively about oneself prompt them to reach out to classmates in need.

They’ve learned one of the key lessons of the Say Something Squad — reaching out to trusted adults when they notice signs of someone struggling; whether it’s joking about suicide or withdrawing from friends, speaking up could save a life, Madison said.

Eliza said teachers display posters in their classrooms to let students know they’ve been trained to help. The squad also encourages peers to turn to other trusted adults, such as parents or coaches.

The girls encourage students to use

the SafeUT app — a crisis chat and tip line which connects users with real-time crisis intervention for students, parents, educators and others — or call or text the 988 suicide and crisis hotline number.

“The important thing is to find someone,” Madison said. “In Utah, suicides are higher than it should be, especially our age. March, which is why we just had our mental health week, is the month that has the highest suicide attempts. We learned in our assembly that’s when most people are feeling lonely, sad and depressed.”

Eliza said mental health awareness is critical.

“We need to talk about suicide prevention, so people aren't afraid of it, because if

Mountain Creek Middle School ninth-graders Eliza Wootton, Madison Searle and Jada Marrott, standing by a poster made for Hello Week, are leading the Say Something Squad to raise awareness about mental health and prevent tragedies. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Building awareness and breaking the stigma around mental health

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Thousands of Utahns suffer in silence, struggling with anxiety, depression, stress or burnout. Societal or self-imposed barriers often stop them from getting help but by shining a light on mental health challenges, more people might be open to taking the first step toward change.

May’s Mental Health Awareness campaign is meant to inspire crucial conversations, break down stigmas and challenge misconceptions. Psychologist Magenta Silberman, Ph.D., works in Young Adult Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment at Huntsman Mental Health Institute (501 Chipeta Way). She said issues like anxiety and depression are more prevalent than people realize.

“Mental diagnoses and psychiatric conditions don’t discriminate,” she said. “Regardless of your age, gender, socioeconomic class, ethnicity, etc., you can be impacted and some are impacted in disproportionate ways. I think there is this misperception that it only happens to a select few but there’s a spectrum of what psychiatric symptoms can look like.”

Signs vary by individual but withdrawing from friends and family, having no interest in favorite activities, changes in sleep patterns, low energy or thoughts about self-harm are all examples of potential mental health illness.

Silberman said social media has changed the perception of mental health. On the plus side, people on social platforms might relate to someone going through depression and decide to get help themselves. On the other hand, sites that promote the

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anyone is struggling, you don't want them to be too scared to talk about it,” she said.

Jada said they want to break the stigma which comes with talking about mental health.

“In the past, if you had a mental illness, you were considered crazy and that's why they didn’t tell anybody. At the assembly, we let them know it’s normal and they're not crazy. They can talk to somebody,” she said.

Madison agrees, pointing to the need to shift people’s perception.

“Suicide ideation and depression aren't talked about enough because people are afraid if they talk about it, suicide rates will go up. But it really is the opposite. If we never talk about it, it just becomes a bigger problem and we’ll never find a cure; we're never going to get better,” she said.

Jada understands what some of her classmates may be experiencing.

“I was severely depressed during seventh grade. I felt like I had no friends. There

idea that mental health is a matter of will can be detrimental and even dangerous.

“This sort of misunderstanding, at times mischaracterizing it as a lack of willpower, can create a lot of stigma,” she said. “If you had type 1 diabetes, that would be a life-changing piece of information. You have to make lifestyle changes and take medication, and you can live a fulfilling life. The same is true for individuals with more serious, persistent mental illness.”

For those worried about family members or friends, don’t hesitate to ask questions about what they are going through. Open discussions, without judgment, can be a powerful tool. Even when we think we know what’s best for a loved one, they might not be ready to ask for help. Being self-aware can also spur us to notice mental health challenges in our own lives. Silberman listed behaviors that shouldn’t be ignored.

“If you feel like you’re not living the life that you want to live…or things aren’t bringing you joy like they used to. You’re feeling on edge and anxious, you are not feeling in control. Thoughts or feelings are interfering with your friends, your job and just living the life you want to live. That's when I would definitely get support.”

Therapeutic modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, mindfulness-based therapies and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Dr. Thomas Rayner is a psychiatrist at NeuroHealth in South Jordan (10437 S. Temple Drive). He’s dedicated to finding the best treatment for his patients and said TMS has

were people around me, but I felt I was isolated in a crowd. I would go home and not want to do anything. I wouldn't eat. I just wanted to sleep. It was rough, because of my panic attacks. I was worried I wasn't good enough; I felt I had to live up to so many expectations of my parents, my family and my friends. I felt I had to be the perfect person for everyone else, and I realized later I just needed to be good enough for myself, because if you're not good enough for yourself, you can't be good enough for anybody else,” she said.

Talking to professionals and knowing she wasn’t alone helped.

“I'm going to have depression and anxiety. I'm going to have panic attacks. But that's OK because it's something I can use to become more empathetic to others. I don't want anybody to go through what I did, so I'm going to try to help everyone the best I can,” Jada said.

been a game changer in the battle against treatment-resistant depression.

“TMS changes brain function in key areas that are implicated in major depressive disorder and other mental health conditions,” Rayner said. “The ability to effectively treat the symptoms of depression without the barriers and side effects of medication is a giant leap forward for the field of psychiatry.”

Everyday practices like eating well, drinking water, exercising, getting enough sleep and interacting with friends can help keep mental health stable. Most people experience sadness, fear or anger, but if those emotions last too long, it could be time to talk to a professional.

For those struggling with day-to-day challenges, like getting out of bed, clean-

The club began the school year by building connections during Hello Week, fostering inclusivity through lunchtime activities, games and pledging to “say something.”

Then, the squad held an anti-bullying week. The girls said prior to the week, it had been common to see slap fighting, name calling, vaping and other mean things happening at the school.

Madison said they are combating bullying through small acts of kindness such as saying hi or paying a compliment.

“I feel people can be kinder. Simple things can change somebody’s whole entire perspective on their day,” she said.

Looking back on their leadership roles, Eliza said she’s glad Say Something has made an impact at the school.

“Say Something has raised a lot of awareness; people have a better understanding of what mental health is, what a person with anxiety is dealing with, or what is going through the mind of someone dealing with depression. People have become more empathetic in understanding others,” she said. “Something good did come out of something bad.”

Jada remembers when she once masked her feelings and felt alone.

ing the house or going to work, Silberman suggested taking small steps. Put away two cups, fold one towel or straighten up one corner of the room. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Creating community can also boost mental health

“We’re social beings at our core and even for those of us that are less social, having access to people gives us new ideas,” Silberman said. “We get out of our shell and rhythm of doing the same thing that we're feeling stuck in. Just leaving the house and getting outside is helpful. Natural social opportunities can be a two-for-one to be outside and have some connection.”

For more information, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness at NAMI.org. l

“It wasn’t until that spring when we had that assembly about mental illness when I realized I needed help,” she said. “People didn’t know the warning signs and that's why it's important to raise awareness. We need to continue to talk about this.”

With more than 34,000 schools involved nationwide, Madison said students are playing a critical part in saving lives. She said since its inception, more than 700 suicides have been prevented and 18 school shootings have been averted.

Jada said tragedies happen when people who struggle don't know how to cope with it and show up at school.

“It's really a sad thing, but it happens,” she said. “We shouldn't have to grow up with it. It shouldn't be a thing, but it is. It’s our reality. It happens. It’s ours to own, to educate people, to prevent. We’re all part of it and it’s up to all of us to say something.”

Eliza added: “That’s why it’s important to deal with mental health; it might prevent future tragedies. It’s up to all of us to speak up and support each other — because every life matters.”

Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has addressed the challenges of living with a mental illness. This month, people are encouraged to share stories, advocate for change and break the stigma around mental health disorders. (Canva stock)

Music hits a special mental note

By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com

“Even in the 10 years that we've been open, I have seen such a shift, just in the social climate of our students,” said Sarah Davies, The Piano Place founder. “I love that music is making them slow down, unplug and really tap into what's going on inside of them.”

It wasn’t until later in life that Sarah Davies, founder of The Piano Place, realized how much music could do for not only her mood but for her mental health. It’s something that she now incorporates into her teaching philosophy.

Davies grew up like a lot of us in Utah, taking piano lessons that required practice outside of the actual lesson weekly, which some of us grew to resent rather than love.

After taking piano lessons for several years, she decided to quit lessons in the sixth grade, but never actually quit the piano. She said her mom “would often say, ‘Why do you want to quit piano when you're always playing?’”

“During that time, I actually felt like a shift within myself — I felt like I didn't have a creative outlet,” she said. “And so it was really crazy, because I kept turning to music and even though I wasn't in lessons, my mom said I would just still constantly be playing.”

I feel like a lot of times I would play, depending on my mood,” she continued. “If I was frustrated or feeling antsy about something, I would go and I'd play fast songs, and I'd want to get all my energy out that way, and sometimes I'd be feeling more calm and wanting to be inspired.”

Davies restarted lessons in 10th grade and with more enthusiasm than before. Every Saturday morning at 6 a.m. for the next two years, her mother would drive her 30 minutes to visit her piano teacher and play.

Her journey from that point set her in motion on a path of music where she played professionally at The Roof Restaurant in Salt Lake City on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building before teaching lessons out of her house.

“As it was a good outlet for me, I don't think I was aware of what power music could play in someone's mental health, until I actually started teaching piano,” she said. “It was with my very own students that I began to see how important it is, especially for kids, to have an outlet to turn to.”

She noticed that music could be a positive influence on her students’ mental health in a world saturated with “social media and different things like that, that kids are going through a lot when it

comes to friends and socially.”

Music, the invaluable and unlikely tool

“Even in the 10 years that we've been open, I have seen such a shift, just in the social climate of our students,” she said. “I love that music is making them slow down, unplug and really tap into what's going on inside of them.”

“They've got to dig deep. They've got to learn to sit in the heart,” she said. “And I just love that music is the venue that they can explore all of those amazing things.”

With technology on the rise, Davies expressed concern about AI in addition to the tech already flooding the world.

“I don't think we want to find out what happens mentally when we don't have the influence of music in our lives, and instead, just turn it over to technology to fill in the gaps,” she said.

Music therapist of 18 years, Camille Savage, has worked with a range of ages from children to adults. She said that the type of music we choose to listen to usually has a lot to do with our emotions and our memory.

Mostly working with those with dementia, Savage said music uses a part of the brain that can stimulate memories and emotional responses from different periods in one’s life.

“Music hits the memory, the parts of the brain where the memory is,” Savage said. “Dementia patients may not be able to form a whole sentence anymore — that's a different part of the brain — but they can sing a whole song with me.”

It works the same for children, she said. For example, a mother singing to a child that makes them feel safe and secure could help the child later in life feel that same emotion when they hear that same song.

Different instruments can be different outlets depending on the needs of the student, Savage said. For instance, drumming can be a form of stress relief or an outlet for aggression, even for deaf students.

She called music “motivating” for people, even students to learn math.

“Music is definitely powerful,” Savage said. “The more that we're able to express in healthy ways, I think the healthier mentally that we can be and using it as a means of expression.”

At The Piano Place, concerts have always been a big part of building positive attributes such as confidence and resiliency.

“As a parent, there is nothing better than seeing your kid accomplish something hard, or stand up on a stage and

be brave,” she said. “Those moments are just absolutely priceless. And so that's one thing at The Piano Place we really emphasize.”

Davies called the ages before 12 years old as the “critical years” when laying the foundation for children to develop musical skills is the most important, with the ideal length of five years.

She said that important time is for more than just building musical talent, it’s to build resiliency and “a refuge that they can turn to and build confidence.”

In 2016, The Piano Place was built on the “core of the mission is to just figure out a way to make music fun enough and engaging enough that kids will want to stick with it.”

“For us, we are trying to help families recognize the importance of investing in a music education,” she said. “We get that it's not easy, we get that it's hard, but it is so valuable for these kids.”

The Piano Place has 12 locations in Utah and is part of a larger parent company, One Music Schools, with 12 more national locations, that employs 320 music teachers.

“Even if somebody doesn't know how to play an instrument, I think it would be important to be able to spend some time in looking over at the things that we listen to, the concerts that we go to, and really be aware of how that all does affect us,” Savage said.

Sarah Davies plays the piano as a form of keeping balance in her own life. (Photo courtesy of The Piano Place)

Live music, especially performing at concerts, can be especially good for building skills like confidence and improving mental health. (Photo courtesy of The Piano Place)

The Wellness Farm offers compassionate support for those grieving

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

In November 2023, The Wellness Farm Foundation officially opened its doors as a nonprofit organization that helps “provide support for grief and trauma...” in Utah.

Much like the reconditioning of the property itself, the 2.5-acre retreat in Bluffdale has paralleled the emotional and mental reconditioning for licensed clinical social worker and founder Camille Hawkins who experienced her own loss and grief five years prior.

Hawkins and her husband currently fund the operations of the farm from their own pocket and rely on a staff of volunteers to help facilitate the monthly retreats and weekly workshops, geared towards adult participants. The retreats and workshops focus on a range of topics that are often associated with grief and trauma including divorce, suicide, substance abuse, infertility, and loss due to death or non-death experiences, in addition to parenting support.

The Wellness Farm, “intentionally create(s) a space where humans, nature and animals come together with the goal of fostering safety, connection, restoration, and empowerment.” Participants therefore are encouraged to look toward the farm’s two- and four-legged creatures as a mode of support. A mini horse, an emu, a mini donkey, bunnies, cats, goats, a pig, and a blind dog named Ray all live on the property and are available to help participants in their healing.

“What we're trying to do here is like... bring the realness,” Hawkins said.

Much, if not all of what happens on the farm is evidence-based as outlined in the volunteer facilitator training handout.

“Like with death grief, we've sort of changed the terminology to not get over your grief, but learn [and] grow with it,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins has had the experience and training to approach grief and trauma in terms of biology, taking into consideration the way certain chemicals and hormones made in the brain can lead to happiness. However, she knows well that connection is another vital means of healing.

“In order for us to go through something hard and then integrate it so that we can be happy and well-adjusted and live life, we need the right kind of support,” Hawkins said.

A time to grieve

Originally from Davis County, Hawkins, who was interested in medicine and psychology, earned her undergraduate degree in social work from Utah State University. She spent time shadowing a medical social worker in the Intermountain Health McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden. Her first position was on the obstetrics floor, in

the neonatal intensive care unit.

“I really enjoyed the populations I worked with,” Hawkins said. “But I did actually struggle with being in the hospital setting.”

During her time at USU, Hawkins met her future husband Palmer, an engineering major, and the two were married in 2009.

Several years into their marriage, the couple began to realize that they were unable to grow their family and struggled with infertility. Despite her personal trauma, Hawkins started a support group for those experiencing the same things as she and her husband were, which subsequently led her to founding the Utah Infertility Resource Center in 2015 where she served as the executive director for three years.

After unsuccessful attempts with in vitro fertilization, the couple turned their attention toward adoption. Present for the births of both of her daughters, currently 9 and 10, life had, at that point, seemed good.

In 2018, the same year her daughters turned 3 and 4, Hawkins found out she was pregnant.

“We were shocked,” Hawkins said. “And you know, sure enough, it was the real deal. There was a baby growing.”

Hawkins’ joy was suddenly overshadowed by loss as she birthed her stillborn daughter Everly in November 2018.

“That was tragic and heartbreaking, and I was in the hospital,” Hawkins said. “And I was like, this is so odd, because I am usually on the helping side.”

In anticipation of being home with her newborn Hawkins had already stepped down from her position with Utah Infertility Resource Center. A blessing and a curse according to Hawkins, not having to go back to work after losing her child allowed her the downtime she needed to navigate that first hard year.

“And so, you know, I just started to think, Ok, well, what do I want to do?” Hawkins said. “I had all this love for my baby, and she's not here, so I needed that energy to go somewhere.”

Still on her own journey to healing, she started her private counseling practice. Her first client was a woman who had lost a baby 20 years prior due to sudden infant death syndrome and subsequently became addicted to substances to deal with the grief.

Looking back on that period of her life, it wasn’t clear how she would help others work through their grief as she still reconciled her own.

“For me, at that time when my baby's heart stopped beating, I was like, how is my heart continuing to beat? Because I

feel dead inside, and I want to be dead,” Hawkins said.

Like a scar from a bad wound, grief never goes away, but it will heal eventually.

Voices of trauma

Healing comes at various times for various reasons. Volunteer Jamie Sheranian has worked through her grief and trauma for many years after losing both her parents to drug overdose, her father when she was 3 and her mother when she was 19. As she mourned and grieved the loss of her parents, the notion of why people feel such a heavy emotion was made clear to her.

“We grieve because we love,” Sheranian said.

Formally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, Sheranian found

community at the Wellness Farm and likeminded people dealing with similar trauma.

“Even just like a couple months ago when I first came here, I feel like I've broken out of my shell even a little bit,” Sheranian said.

Both Hawkins and Sheranian invite those who are in doubt to experience what the farm has to offer for themselves.

“Until you experience it yourself, you're not going to understand,” Sheranian said. “Or even if you're not experiencing grief or trauma, these tools are things that we can use throughout our whole entire life, not just when grieving someone.”or those looking to give back and volunteer, donate, or those interested in retreats or workshops, visit the wellnessfarmut.org.

Wellness Farm volunteer Jamie Sheranian (left) and founder Camille Hawkins (right) tend to the baby goats on the 2.5-acre property, which houses several species of animals, all meant to provide support in the healing process. (Rachel Aubrey/City Journals)

Failure fuels success for drone designers

Students are flying high after winning state drone competition.

By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Jordan School District students took first and second place at the Technology Student Association State Drone Competition in March, but the pathway to their success was scattered with melted propellers, spliced batteries, burned-out servos and a lot of crashes.

“Every single part on every single drone didn’t work at some point,” Herriman High School senior Drew Hammon said. “If it works the first time, it's going to break eventually. So, it's just like problem solving being able to figure out super technical issues.”

West Jordan High School junior Audrey Beckstrand and JATC student Isaac Hancock, whose team took second place at the competition, went through five redesigns of their drone and burned out every servo they had before their drone was ready for competition.

“There’s like hundreds of different variants of every single part that have been at least thought of in detail,” Beckstrand said. “I don’t remember the exact numbers—I think it was like 34 printed parts, every single one redesigned at least twice.”

competition were from JATC. Hammon and teammate Tanner Gunnell took first place and will be competing at nationals in Nashville, Tennessee this summer. Saffen was thrilled with their performance.

Learning through trial and error is a key lesson in Amber Saffen’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Design class at Jordan Academy of Technology and Careers, in which the students from Jordan District learn to design, build and program a drone.

“Because it is an engineering class, and engineering and failure goes hand in hand, we like to see the failure because then we learn from it, and we get to get the data from it and figure out why it does not work,” Saffen said.

Saffen has been teaching drone skills for three years. The first year her students participated in a competition, only one of their drones got off the ground. She and her students have learned a lot since then.

“This year was the first year I had every single group was able to get off the ground—and now, they might have only been off the ground for half a second as their drone flipped over—but they got off the ground,” Saffen said.

Four of the seven teams at the state

“The amount of things that they have to get and calculate and solder correctly and mount correctly and design correctly to even get off the ground is monumental, so let alone then complete the TSA course, that anytime they do, I'm just so proud because it's not an easy thing,” Saffen said.

The competition challenged students to design a drone that could complete specific tasks.

“We had to fly through an obstacle course and pick up a toy dinosaur and then fly it back and drop it in the zone, and then we also had to fly through the obstacle course and pick up a 3D printed cage with the dinosaur in it and fly it back,” Gunnell, a Riverton High School senior, said. “And we also had to use a camera that transmitted video on our drone to identify things throughout the run.”

Hammon said the drones they built are not like those that can be purchased at the store.

“We had to make a drone that could be really, really good at those fine movements in a small, enclosed space, which is, like, way harder,” Hammon said. ”But the real engineering came in with these claws that we had to completely design from the ground up, attach it to a frame and work with the servos to fit all in here, and then to pick up these very irregularly sized things.”

Drew Hammon and Tanner Gunnell won first place at the TSA state drone competition. (Photo courtesy Amber Saffen)

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Community Heroes: Roller skating coaches bring heart and soul to the sport

Meet the coaches directing artistic skaters one glide at a time.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Doug and Diane Adams are the unsung community heroes behind the scenes of Utah Skating Academy. Whether teaching wobbly beginners or mentoring professional roller skaters, the couple have influenced the sport for more than 50 years. Together, they have coached more than 50 national champions and their artistic roller skating teams have won top spots in the Southwest Region and Pan American International competitions.

West Jordan resident Steven Geoghan nominated the duo as City Journals Community Heroes. The 70-year-old roller skater thought they deserved attention for the good they do for their students and the sport.

“Even when I left this morning, they were trying to encourage me and tell me I did a good job, even though I have my own thoughts about that,” Geoghan said. “They’ll work with anybody and it’s been good for me.”

The Adams are more than instructors. They are advanced certified coaches with USA Roller Sports and the Society of Roller Skating Teachers. As cheerleaders on wheels, they help skaters of any age build confidence and learn to enjoy the art of skating.

The Utah Skating Academy is based at Classic Fun Center (9151 S. 255 West) in Sandy, where they’ve been coaching since they moved from Ukiah, California, to Utah in 2017. The

academy provides multiple artistic skating lessons each week for beginners of all ages and more experienced skaters with figure, loops, freestyle, dance and show.

“There were some surveys done back in the early 60s with teenage girls and skating was the most popular sport in the country. Today, things have changed a little bit,” Doug Adams said. “We’ve got something for all ages. My wife is really good at coming up with promotions and fun ideas.

Thanks to the 2024 TV series “Roller Jam,” the Utah Skating Academy has seen a resurgence of interest in the sport. The show features roller-dancing teams from across the country and one of the Adams’ former students, Josiah Bishop, competed on the show.

On Saturday mornings, the academy offers four classes: freestyle, dance, figure/loop and one-star/two-star. On Wednesday afternoons, another one-star/two-star class is offered, along with skills and drills. Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for travel team practice.

In 1961, Doug started skating in Walnut Creek, California. He skated as an amateur for 10 years, before turning professional in 1970. Later, he returned to Walnut Creek to operate the rink then moved to Ukiah where he owned and operated a roller rink for 30 years. That’s where he met Diane. Her parents were former rink operators and had retired in Ukiah. Diane went to work for Doug and they were married two years later.

“We are an artistic skating club, which means figures, loops and freestyle, which is jumping and spinning, and dance,” he said. “I used to coach roller derby and I’ve coached hockey, so I’ve kind of done everything in skating that there is to do. We prefer the artistic and we’ve got a nice artistic club. We’ve got about 45 skaters here and our program is four days a week.”

For more information about classes, competitive teams, events and skating packages, visit SkateCityUkiah.com.

“We do what we do because we love it. We have a big love for the sport,” Doug said. “Not only have I been in it all this time, but I’m honored to be able to give back. We love giving back to the community.”

To submit your Community Hero, email hero@thecityjournals.com. l

Diane and Doug Adams have performed with and coached artistic roller teams for more than 50 years. They were nominated as Community Heroes in the Sandy area. (Photo courtesy of the Adams)

Comcast RISE to award millions in small business grants

Utah is one of five regions to receive 100 Comcast RISE small business grants.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Getting a small business off the ground, or scaling to the next level, takes more than hustle and passion. It takes resources. A small business grant can be the difference between success and failure, and Comcast is investing in success.

The Comcast RISE program will award comprehensive grant packages to 100 small businesses in Bluffdale, Draper, Herriman, Riverton, Sandy, South Jordan, West Jordan and White City. Through May, Comcast will accept applications from small business owners who are committed to growing their companies, lifting their communities and inspiring the next generation.

“The Comcast RISE program will deliver innovative and impactful resources that will make a lasting impact on small businesses in Utah. Supporting small businesses is crucial for economic development and ensuring that the backbone of our communities can thrive,” said J.D. Keller, senior vice president of Comcast’s Mountain West Region. “Among the many things we all love about Utah is our vibrant small businesses and Comcast’s commitment to supporting them.”

Each grant includes a technology makeover (with digital services for one year), access to online entrepreneurship courses, coaching sessions, a business assessment and $5,000. Grant recipients will also receive a professionally produced TV commercial and media strategy consultation.

Scott Cuthbertson, president/CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, said small businesses are the foundation of the state’s economy. More than 90% of companies in Utah are considered small businesses, run by families, friends and neighbors. He said it’s essential that these businesses succeed.

“Comcast is such a valued partner,” Cuthbertson said. “They make critical investments in our infrastructure and we think they’re exemplary about how they invest back into the community, in particular, through this RISE program that provides needed support to our small business owners.”

Andrea Benitez is the fundraising manager at Suazo Business Center, which offers resources for economically disadvantaged businesses. Through education, workshops, and access to capital, the center has helped launch hundreds of small businesses, generating millions of dollars

in revenue.

Benitez’s clients include minority and underserved populations who need direction for creating a business. They might not qualify for a loan or don’t want to go into debt to fund their dreams, so the Comcast RISE program could be a game changer for these struggling entrepreneurs.

“This Comcast grant is just a great opportunity for them to apply and help their business grow,” Benitez said. “We have lots of clients in that part of the valley and we’re going to help them apply for this grant.”

Diana Lopez owns Cakes by Edith, a popular bakery with two locations in the Salt Lake Valley. As a small business owner, she understands the obstacles faced by entrepreneurs and the many hats they have to wear to keep their businesses running.

As Cakes by Edith grows, Lopez hopes to expand to a third location where she can continue to carry on her family’s legacy. She said if she’s awarded the Comcast RISE grant, she’ll use the funds for marketing and equipment.

“There are so many trends in the baking industry and we’re trying to stay current with everything in the baking world,” Lopez said. “This opportunity with Comcast would provide for businesses in the area. For us, honestly, we would love that opportunity.”

The southern end of Salt Lake County has seen significant growth during the last decade and is geared for more expansion. The South Valley Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Salt Lake Community College, offers a 10-week entrepreneurial program to help small business owners find resources for success.

Jay Francis, president/CEO of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce, said small business owners face myriad challenges as they try to get an idea off the ground and that this Comcast RISE program could give them the momentum they need to create something big.

“If a business is fortunate enough to be able to receive one of these grants, I think that’s huge. It’s a real lift and a real boost,” Francis said. “I appreciate Comcast and I think more opportunities need to be afforded to small businesses. This fits in really well with things that we’re focusing on as a Chamber.”

Utah is one of five regions to receive 100 Comcast RISE small business grants this year. Recipients from Salt Lake, Boston, Grand Rapids, Nashville and Seattle will join the 14,000 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been supported through the program since it launched in 2020. For more information, visit www.ComcastRISE.com. l

Small business owners in Salt Lake County can turn possibility into progress with help from a Comcast RISE grant. (Photo courtesy of Comcast)

WIGHTMAN LEGAL

First woman, no politics: Sheila Srivastava’s new approach \ to county treasurer

Srivastava makes history at Salt Lake County’s first female treasurer.

By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

Sheila

Srivastava has made history as the first woman elected to serve as Salt Lake County Treasurer. But for Srivastava, the significance of this milestone extends far beyond personal achievement—it represents a broader shift toward community in financial leadership.

"When I was a young college student applying for a job, one of the first questions on the application was, 'Did your husband give you permission to apply for this job?' I was stunned," Srivastava said. "That moment reinforced my awareness that I was entering a male-dominated field, and it wouldn’t be easy. But I was determined—I worked hard, took advantage of every opportunity and spoke up when I had something important to say."

Rebekah Wightman, J.D.

Rebekah Wightman, J.D. is an experienced Estate Planning and Probate attorney. She takes pride in serving her clients and providing them a pleasant present and a peaceful future. Rebekah’s fun personality and commitment to her clients, make an often dreary experience “a-heck-of-a-lot-of-fun”!

With a career spanning over three decades in fraud detection, federal grant management and municipal consulting, Srivastava enters the Treasurer’s Office with a commitment to responsible stewardship of public funds. "Success in government isn’t measured by stock sales or bottom-line profits—it’s about responsible stewardship of public funds. This is the people’s money," she said. "Every decision I make is with Salt Lake County’s residents— my constituents—in mind."

Raised by a single mother in a small community where government was often met with skepticism, Srivastava’s early years were shaped by financial hardship. "My family relied on welfare and food stamps to get by, and the rising cost of basic necessities was a constant concern," she said. "My mother worked three jobs to make ends meet and send me to school, where I became the first in my family to graduate from college."

Srivastava initially built a successful career in private-sector accounting, but her most fulfilling work, she noted, was with nonprofit and municipal organizations. "When I worked with them, I wasn’t just helping an entity—I was serving an entire community," she explained.

After retiring in 2022, Srivastava intended to step away from professional life but soon realized she wanted to continue serving. "When I was asked to run for treasurer, I initially hesitated, but the opportunity to put my decades of experience to work for the people was too meaningful to pass up."

Since taking office on Jan. 6, Srivastava has been focused on key priorities, including transparency and technological modernization. "At Salt Lake County, we maintain full transparency—every dollar spent or invested is detailed in publicly available documents," she said.

Recognizing that financial reports can be difficult for the average taxpayer to interpret,

Srivastava has implemented an open-door policy. "I am always willing to meet with taxpayers, walk them through their tax notice, and explain exactly how their dollars are working for them. Trust is built when elected officials take the time to listen, acknowledge concerns and provide clear, evidence-based explanations."

According to Srivastava, her approach to governance is rooted in collaboration and a commitment to nonpartisanship. "I campaigned on a commitment to keeping politics out of the Treasurer’s Office. At the end of the day, we’re not serving Democrats or Republicans—we’re serving the people of Salt Lake County," she said. "With good data and open minds, we can collaborate and put politics aside to continue the tradition of good governance."

One of her top initiatives is modernizing the county's mainframe tax management system. "Upgrading our technology will increase efficiency, reduce costs and enhance service for taxpayers," she said. "Change can be challenging, but it also presents opportunities for growth. I am working with my colleagues to determine the best ways to implement these improvements."

Srivastava aims to be mindful of concerns about regressive taxation’s impact on low-income residents. "We will maintain high collection rates, invest wisely and ensure efficient spending. Our goal is to manage the process effectively and distribute funds quickly so county agencies can continue delivering high-quality services to residents," she said. "Sometimes, people just need someone to listen. My team knows that I have an open-door policy, and I will gladly sit down with any taxpayer and help them break down their tax notice so they understand exactly where every penny is going."

Encouraging civic engagement is another priority for Srivastava. "There are many public meetings and opportunities to have a voice on municipal ordinances and state statutes," she noted. "I want to ensure those opportunities are well known so taxpayers can advocate for

the changes they need. The great thing is, local council members and elected officials genuinely care about hearing from constituents, and the State Legislature and Administration also want to hear from all Utahns."

Despite her demanding schedule, Srivastava finds ways to recharge. "Knowing the financial struggles that so many people are facing keeps my mind constantly engaged, always thinking about how my work can make a positive impact. But sometimes, I need to quiet my thoughts and recharge," she shared. "For me, that means taking a walk, curling up for a movie with my husband and our beloved dog Moxie or practicing yoga. I also find peace in nature and cherish time spent with my children, Zachary and Vanessa."

As Srivastava looks ahead, she remains committed to upholding the county’s strong fiscal standing. "Salt Lake County is a welloiled machine. Our previously elected officials, along with the mayor’s finance team and investment advisors, have done a fantastic job safeguarding our investments and managing our portfolio to ensure long-term financial stability," she said. "With a AAA bond rating from all three major ratings agencies, Salt Lake County’s fiscal management is in the top 0.1% of all cities and counties in the country. I am proud to take the baton and continue this tradition of preserving our strong position in collaboration with a committed team of professionals."

Whether through fiscal oversight, community engagement, or technological upgrades, she has not lost sight of what her election means: "We need more women to run for office and take on leadership roles in finance and STEM. Women belong in these spaces just as much as anyone else. I hope my election inspires other women to step forward, knowing they have a seat at the table. Representation matters."l

Shiela Srivastava addresses constituents. (Photo courtesy of Shiela Srivastava)

Tang twins helping to power Herriman’s success on the track

Twin brothers Jonah and Micah Tang are two of the top performers and leaders on the Herriman track and field team.

By Josh McFadden

It’s no secret that the Herriman track and field team is one of the strongest squads in the state. Twin brothers Jonah and Micah Tang are big reasons why.

The Mustangs were fourth in the Class 6A state meet last season, a year after finishing second in 2023. There’s little reason to think Herriman won’t be in the mix again this season, especially with stellar performers like Jonah and Micah.

Despite not starting their competitive running careers until they were freshmen, the two senior distance runners have quickly established themselves as forces on the track. Both Jonah and Micah compete in the 800-meter, 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter races.

“The Tang twins are quite a story,” head coach Doug Soles said. “They have worked hard and have turned themselves into two of the best guys in the state and beyond. I would add that they are two of the most consistent athletes that I have ever coached. They show up every day, work hard, have fun and do their best to improve. It is hard to find one athlete like that, let alone two identical ones. It has been amazing to watch them grow over the past four years.”

The identical twins have similar looks and features—and talent. Soles said he “can’t tell them apart most of the time.” On the track, both runners are driven to do their best and see just how well they can do.

“I like to see how fast I can run and test my limits,” Jonah said. “I want to see how fast I can get.”

Micah said he logs quite a distance and amount of time on the track but believes the efforts are well worth it.

“I love that every time I step on the track I get to test my limits,” he said. “I run thousands of miles every year and I get to see all of it pay off when I compete.”

Both brothers love the sport not only for the chance to see how far they can take their skills and abilities and for how much they can improve but also for the friendships they have built with their teammates. The Mustangs are a close-knit team, and the Tang brothers love being around the other competitors, on and off the track and the field.

“I like hanging out with my teammates at practice and track meets,” Jonah said. “I like to be around people who like to run, too.”

Soles and his staff are dedicated to

helping the runners learn to love the sport and to get better each day. The Tang twins appreciate this support as well as the instruction they receive. Both brothers are grateful to be a part of a thriving program that sets its sights high every season.

“We have knowledgeable and hard-working coaches,” Jonah said. “I have become close with my teammates.”

“The best thing about the Herriman team is that we all have the same goal: to be the best student-athletes possible. We also have very supportive coaches that help us reach this goal.”

Class 6A features some excellent teams and talented runners. Every meet, the Tang brothers and their Mustang teammates face formidable competition. To be successful at this level, the brothers know they have to be focused and aim for their best times each time they step onto the track. Jonah said his biggest strength is being consistent.

“I'd say one of my best qualities as a runner is consistency,” he said. “I can compete well at every race I do.”

Micah echoes his brothers words when speaking about his own abilities and what he brings to the Herriman team.

“My biggest strength is consistency,” he said. “I am very consistent in both my training and my racing.”

The ability to turn out fast times in each meet has helped these two runners become standout performers and lead the Mustangs to the top echelon of 6A track. But neither runner is complacent. Both Jonah and Micah know there are things to improve and continued hard work ahead if they want to achieve their goals.

“I want to work on my kick at the end of the race,” Jonah said. “Many races are decided at the end when everyone is sprinting toward the finish line.”

Micah wants to have a positive attitude and a can-do mindset.

“I need to be more confident,” he said. “I need to truly believe that I can compete with the best of the best.”

Jonah is setting out to be among the top five finishers in at least three of the four events that he will run at the state meet this coming May. He’s part of some relay groups that he hopes will set some records at state. The Mustangs are looking strong in the 4x800 and 4x1,600, and Jonah is confident that he and his teammates can achieve the top spot at the state meet.

Micah wants to rack up lots of points at state for his team and contribute to a record-setting performance in the 4x800 relay.

“Before the season ends, I hope to podium and score in all four distance events at the state meet in May,” he said. “As a team, I really want to break the 4x800 na-

tional record.”

Jonah said being committed to training and practicing is crucial. Of the three distance events he runs, he said “the 800 is the most challenging for me,” so he is working tirelessly to drop his times in that race. Micah said track can be demanding, so taking care of yourself is vital.

“I wouldn't say any one thing is challenging about track, but it is the combination of doing every little thing that is challenging,” Micah said. “It is really important to sleep well, eat good and hydrate along with training hard.”

Once the season ends, big things await the brothers.

Jonah has signed to run cross country and track at Utah State University in 2027. Micah will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Once he returns home, Micah plans

to join his brother at Utah State on the cross country and track teams.

The brothers have loved the experience of competing together for Herriman and look forward to more enjoyment and success on the track. They’re also competitive against one another and push each other to be at their best.

“It is very fun to compete with my twin brother,” Micah said. “I have to make sure that I am doing everything to be in the best possible shape so that I don't get beat by him.”

Jonah said Micah motivates him to be an even better runner.

“It is awesome to have a twin brother to train and race with; I am never running alone,” Jonah said. “Seeing him run well gives me a lot of confidence that I can do the same. He holds me accountable and pushes me to achieve my goals.” l

Micah and Jonah Tang are two of the top distance runners in Class 6A. The brothers are hard-working leaders for the Herriman track and field team. (Photo courtesy Doug Soles)

It’s not that I haven’t tried to dress nice. I even did some fashion research and read an article that said I should find clothing that fits my personality to feel confident about my wardrobe. My personality is a cross between a hibernating bear and a librarian, so I guess I should wear furry blankets and mustard-colored cardigans? Done.

The article also said to implement different colors and patterns, and not to be afraid to get out of my comfort zone. But my comfort zone is so comfy. Hence the name.

For a long time, my fashion palette consisted only of black; or gray, if the occasion called for levity. Walking through the grocery store, I was often mistaken for a murder of crows, but that might have been because of all the flapping and squawking.

So, I banned black from my closet, except for 13 black blouses because you never know when you’ll attend a My Chemical Romance concert. Then I decided any new clothes I purchased couldn’t be black. Now my closet is filled with a rainbow of dark navy, charcoal, espresso and eggplant for when I’m feeling whimsical.

Out of Style

The article suggested trying different styles. Trendy boxy tops look adorable on the pages of fashion magazines but turned me into SpongeBob. Maybe I should stop wearing striped socks with squeaky black shoes and white laces.

I just don’t know how to look effortlessly stylish although Vogue breaks it down into 79 manageable steps. I stopped reading after the one step suggested I wear one thing that scares me. Crocs are the most frightening thing I could think of. Nope.

Once, I was working at an event and was given a T-shirt to wear. I threw on a pair of shorts and called it good. My coworker showed up in her T-shirt matched with cute capris, colorful espadrilles and a rakish beret. I felt like Gollum standing next to her.

If I have to attend any social event, I get fashion paralysis, completely incapable of choosing an outfit. If the event is really fancy, I’ll spend at least 47 days riddled

with anxiety about what to wear. My husband says, “Go buy something new,” but that makes it even worse because trying on clothes is a torture device invented during the Spanish Inquisition.

First, the options are overwhelming. Second, what if I choose something too dressy? I don’t want to look like a wedding cake if the event calls for shortbread. Third, I want my clothes to feel comfy, which is the complete opposite of style. No wonder fashion models always look so angry.

The one area in fashion that I do shine is footwear because Chuck Taylors can be worn with anything. Barefoot is also an option I employ from May through October. (By Halloween, the soles of my feet are as tough as a Kevlar and as grungy as a music festival’s porta-potty.)

Oscar Wilde, my style guru, said, “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”

If every fashion trend comes back again, I’ll just stick with what I love: clothes that hide salsa stains and are super soft. Anna Wintour would have some disparaging glances to throw my way but it’s better than my platypus fashion that looks like I just crawled out of a swamp.