Herriman Journal | May 2023

MUSTANG SOFTBALL RELOADS IN TURNAROUND YEAR

Photos by Travis Barton

Top: McKenzie Quintero, a sophomore, slides into third as part of an inside-the-park homerun against Riverton, handing the Silverwolves their first loss in 21 games with a 12-5 win. Right Top to Bottom: Gaby Lancaster was hitting .379 through Herriman’s first 10 games. The energetic center fielder made an excellent diving catch against Riverton as her defense helped propel Herriman to an 10-2 start, a year after going 5-22. Kiaira Smith is leading the Herriman softball team’s turnaround this year hitting .742 from behind the plate while maintaining a 1.96 ERA from the mound. Sophomore Keira Rodriquez fouls off a pitch. The Mustangs were No. 4 in RPI at press time.

“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

Smith D.C. CSCS Chiropractic Physician

Friends of Herriman offer fresh ideas to arts, culture, parks and trails

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

WhenHerriman City created the Friends of Herriman nonprofit last year, its purpose was to provide meaningful programs to connect residents. The group is made up of individuals willing to invest time and money in activities that promote healthy living, physical activity and the arts to make Herriman a go-to community.

Chris Berbert serves as the Friends of Herriman board chair. He said there are four focus areas for the group: arts, culture, parks and trails. Each of these areas has a director to oversee programming, plus there is a director of events and volunteers, and a director of social, community and student interaction.

“We have four high schools in Herriman. We have a representative from each high school that’s a staff member, then we have a couple of students from each one of those schools,” he said. “All of these groups are organized and designed to create different programs within Herriman that individuals in the community can enjoy.”

Because Herriman has grown so fast, it’s been hard for city staff to keep up with the demand for arts and culture events. The Friends of Herriman frees up staff so they don’t have to organize all the events in the city. City leaders work closely with the group, and they’ve developed a relationship that furthers everyone’s goals.

“The nonprofit was formed with the idea that we can help bring to the community more meaningful programs faster than the city could do on its own,” Berbert said. “I think when you grow as quickly as we’ve grown, part of the thing that tends to be a struggle is unifying a community.”

The Herriman Arts Council is now part of the Friends of Herriman. Arts programs in the city focus on the city’s summer musical, a children’s show, a youth theater workshop and performance, the acapella group Har

Jou r nals

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monyx, the orchestra and jazz bands and the children’s choir.

Culture is divided into three different areas: diversity and inclusion, heritage and mental/physical health.

Herriman’s first culture event will be the Health and Safety Palooza on Saturday, May 13 at Crane Park and Plaza (12998 S. Fort Herriman Pkwy.) from 9 a.m. until noon. There will be fitness demos and a Pedal Palooza with free bike helmets for kids. The event also features a BMX Bike trick show, food trucks and the Kids’ Teddy Bear Clinic provided by Lone Peak Hospital Herriman.

The parks division creates events within the city’s parks and raises funds for new

parks or park maintenance. The trails team will create fundraising opportunities to build new trails, organize volunteers for trail cleanups and hold events within the city’s trails system.

“Realistically we’ll probably have new events and new groups within what we currently have that are really able to provide a more meaningful impact to our community,” Berbert said. “We just want to make it so there’s something you could do every weekend, if you wanted, or even during the week.”

The Friends of Herriman partnered with artist Eric Dowdle to create a puzzle for Herriman featuring heritage images, key individuals and modern additions to the city. Sales

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com

EDITOR

Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

Ryan Casper | ryan.c@thecityjournals.com 801-254-5974

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Mieka Sawatzki | mieka.s@thecityjournals.com

Jason Corbridge | jason.c@thecityjournals.com

CIRCULATION COORDINATOR

Brad Casper | brad.c@thecityjournals.com 801-254-5974

EDITORIAL

Ty Gorton

Amanda Luker

Stacy Bronson

from the puzzle will help fund future events.

Berbert has met with other cities in the county to talk about the nonprofit and how it benefits growth and community in Herriman. To get information, sign up to volunteer or donate, visit FriendsofHerriman.org.

“We’d love to have many people get involved,” he said. “Everyone’s passionate about something different. This is one area you can find your passion because there are enough different types of committees and groups and activities that you can find something you’re really passionate about.” l

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Cast members, including Herriman City Councilmember Steve Shields as the king, perform in “Cinderella.” All arts and culture events in the city are now overseen by the Friends of Herriman, a nonprofit formed to create programs and activities in the city. (Photo courtesy of Herriman Arts Council)

Herriman widens Main Street, some residents left frustrated

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Herriman Main Street is being widened, but not without some frustration.

The project, having been in the works for years, faced a critical juncture in March and April.

“It is a very rough road in need of repair,” Assistant City Engineer Bryce Terry told the council in March.

In order to proceed with a project that stretches the road to three lanes, installs bike lanes, a park strip and sidewalks, they had to encroach on residents’ properties who would be affected.

Traditionally in these situations, cities will pay a third-party determined fair market value for the property being taken, negotiating with those residents to finalize price and install roadway improvements.

With the main street project, city officials requested eminent domain, a legal process whereby cities can acquire privately owned property, on 10 different properties. While the acquisition process reportedly went smoothly for some, others felt differently.

The Herriman City Council unanimously approved the eminent domain action at the end of March. City staff noted the timeline for the project was compressing due to a midApril deadline as they needed to reinstall existing irrigation as part of the process, finish negotiations so Rocky Mountain Power can begin moving their poles and a need to establish the safe walking routes from 7300 West to the new Oak Leaf Elementary by August when school opens.

“That adds another layer of urgency to this project,” Terry said.

While Terry said the majority of the negotiations went well, there were several properties yet to agree. The disputes centered around fair compensation and, most significantly, where the existing property line ends. Residents argued they own up to the center of the roadway and therefore felt the price should be higher. But city staff said its where the road ends, as state code says if the road is used for more than 10 years as public use, it is then dedicated for public use.

Councilmembers and staff both noted the property line dispute would need to be decided by another party, with the city attorney pointing to the state ombudsman as the most likely mediator.

Staff hired a professional surveyor to properly identify where the line is to show how much property they need to acquire.

Terry said each parcel of land was professionally appraised with offers sent at the end of January. State code requires a minimum of 30 days of negotiation. Terry said they about doubled that length trying to find a solution.

With certain projects Terry said they could find ways to work around the delays, but had “hit an impasse for these properties.”

EVENING SERIES

Season Tickets: $49 Adult, $45 Senior, $29 Child Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South Ticket Info: 801-264-2614 or www.murray.utah.gov

Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South

Ticket Information: 801-264-2614 or www.murray.utah.gov/1959/Tickets

MAY

May 26 The Alapa Family and the Kulturang Pilipino Ensemble of Utah

May 27 Aladdin, Movie Sing-Along

JUNE

June 3 Murray Concert Band

June 9-10, Disney’s High School Musical 12, 15-17

June 24 Murray Symphony Pops

JULY

July 7-8, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 10, 13-15

July 21 Peter Breinholt

July 28-29, Seussical the Musical 31, Aug 3-5

AUGUST

Aug 12 Thurl Bailey with Marvin Goldstein

Aug 18-19 A Celtic Summer’s Night

Some residents questioned the city’s tactics with Chad Dansie—who lives on Herriman Highway—saying officials and Herriman-hired acquisition agents were threatening condemnation of their land unless he and his neighbors signed vague paperwork.

“This is bullying, straight and simple,” Dansie told the council in March.

Dansie said they weren’t against the project, but were unhappy with the process and what they deemed a “lack of transparency,” especially since an open house on the project wasn’t held until February, rather than last year. He also argued many neighbors didn’t hear of their property being acquired until very late in the process, though city officials said all state mandated noticing

requirements were met.

Councilmembers noted this was not an easy decision and empathized with residents’ unhappiness. In the end, the council agreed all necessary steps were taken by city officials.

Negotiations could still continue even after the eminent domain vote, as Terry and the council indicated a preference to find a fair settlement, though residents did have the option to approach the state ombudsman to redo the property appraisals or determine the property line.

“I hope we can continue to negotiate,” Councilmember Sherrie Ohrn said during the March council meeting. l

Aug 25 Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband

Aug 26 Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four

SEPTEMBER

Sept 1 4 HIMS

Sept 9 Trio Los Charros

This program has received funding support from residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, Utah Humanities, and National Endowment for the Arts.

Herriman City Council approved widening Herriman Highway through eminent domain in late March. (File photo City Journals)

Local professional businesswomen mentor high school girls in scholarship program

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

It wasn’t expected to be a traditional cap and gown graduation, but one to celebrate 11 high school seniors at South Valley Chamber’s Women in Business meeting. Miss America 1985 Sharlene Wells Hawkes and two students spoke.

These female students—one from each Canyons School District high school and Canyons Technical Education Center, four from Jordan School District and one from Juan Diego Catholic High School—have been part of the Junior Women in Business program this school year. It’s an opportunity for them to be mentored by professionals and be awarded with a $1,000 educational scholarship.

Corner Canyon High senior Chesney White, who plans to study international business at the University of Utah, is one of the junior members.

“I thought this would be a great scholarship opportunity for me, but since being a part of it, it’s been much more,” she said. “I’ve shadowed my mentor (Draper City’s Chief of Staff Kellie Challburg) and learned how the city runs and collaborates with other

local businesses. It’s important to have good relationships because it impacts the community.”

The program pairs professional businesswomen with the students, who learn that even successful leaders may have been once just like them—ambitious, but maybe a little uncertain too.

Gaby Bernal-Camacho graduated from Junior WIB in 2019.

“As a first-generation college student, I was honored to have received that scholarship, but moreso, the resources that Junior Women in Business gave me were unmatched,” she said. “My mentor, Chris Whipple, was phenomenal. We immediately clicked. She was so supportive, I could have called her at two in the morning and she would have been there.”

Bernal-Camacho’s mentor helped her on her career path, supported her through graduating with a health society and policy major and a business minor and applauded her as she started her own business.

“When I shadowed Chris, she was passionate about her job. I remember thinking,

‘I want to be that in love with my job and have that kind of impact in the world,’” she said. “She and (former South Valley Chamber director of programs) Karla Rogers were always there helping me make decisions that impacted my life and my career.”

South Valley Chamber CEO/President Jay Francis is enthusiastic about the program that began about 20 years ago.

“I’m passionate about having these high school senior girls rub shoulders with successful businesswomen at professional lunches, perform a service project, be mentored; it gives these young ladies a boost up,” he said.

Former Sandy Chamber CEO/President Greg Summerhays agrees.

“Many of these girls have a great GPA, they know where they’re going, they know what they want to do,” he said. “Others look for direction and guidance. So that one-onone mentorship helps these girls to discover what it’s like to be a woman in business, the challenges women face, and the amazing opportunities out there. They’re able to network and have their mentor’s cell phone number

as they are graduating from high school, entering college and looking for jobs or internships. It’s an amazing connection for them.”

The mentorship helps the girls gain insight, support and guidance, said Susan Edwards, Canyons School District’s public engagement and legislative liaison.

“We match the girls and their interests with our mentors,” she said, adding that in the past 15 years she’s been involved in the program, mentorships that once focused in business fields now extend to other careers.

“(My mentee) this year is interested in environmental policy, so she’s had some experiences and talked to people in that field. Last year, my mentee wanted to understand politics so she talked to people at the Capitol. When a student wants to go into education, I introduce her to all the working parts of the district office so she learns the business behind education.”

White, and the other junior members, attend monthly luncheons featuring keynote speakers.

“We heard how small business owners learned from their experiences to become

Salt Lake Community College President Deneece Huftalin talks with Junior Women in Business members during a recent South Valley Chamber of Commerce Women in Business luncheon. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Program graduates take a photo with Miss America 1985 Sharlene Wells Hawkes. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

successful. We heard from the Policy Project, a nonprofit that recently got the legislature to pass getting menstrual products in schools,” said White, who afterward volunteered to be an ambassador with the Policy Project. “We’re lucky because as Junior Women in Business members, we get a shoutout and get to meet the presentation speakers. It’s a cool opportunity to be with these successful women, all who answer our questions. I’ve learned a lot of leadership skills; it’s been uplifting.”

Bernal-Camacho also remembers speaking to the women leaders.

“I’d ask every speaker for contacts and follow up with them,” she said. “I wanted to make the most of the opportunity. I’m still in contact with some of those people as well as my cohort of girls to this day.”

Through the years the speakers have ranged from Gail Miller, owner of the Larry H. Miller Company, to the local business entrepreneurs with Julie Ann Caramels and RubySnap Bakery.

In March, Salt Lake Community College President Deneece Huftalin shared how she uses her leadership style to lead the state’s largest two-year school. She hopes she inspired the junior members.

“I want them to think the world is their oyster,” she said. “They should never think that they can’t do things they care about. If they want to do something, pursue it. Work hard to get to that place, do your homework

and be prepared, and realize, you can do more than you think. Sometimes, a job doesn’t always line up with what is on your resume, but when you’re passionate and have enough capability, you can do incredible things.”

Three-year WIB committee member Gayle Whitefield of Jordan School District said students appreciate the messages of encouragement.

“It motivates them to see the changes they can make and how women are leaders,” she said. “They realize, ‘I can be a part of this great thing;’ we’re here to make that connection and give students a step to achieving their dreams. These girls will be leaders, and we’re giving them support.”

As part of the program, the teens learned from legislators at the Utah House of Representatives.

“We learned how they work through bills and how the government affects how businesses run. I compete in congress debate in school, so I was able to relate to it, which was neat,” White said, adding that they helped with Women of the World, an organization that helps women who have been displaced become self-reliant. “This program is one of the best things I’ve done; I’d do it again—in a heartbeat. I’ve loved it.”

The program evolved from Sandy Chamber of Commerce wanting to support a student interested in business into the mentorship scholarship, beginning with seniors in Canyons School District and at Juan Diego,

Edwards said.

Former Sandy Chamber President/CEO Stan Parrish said that the strong WIB program allowed for more networking opportunities.

“There’s a lot of support in the program and a genuine goodness in the community to want to help,” he said. “We learn a lot from one another about running a business; when we share those stories with everyone, we become a stronger community.”

The junior program multiplied in 2019 when the chamber became South Valley and included four Jordan District high schools: Bingham, Herriman, Mountain Ridge and Riverton. It also expanded in its scope beyond the business pathway, Edwards said.

Summerhays said Rogers “elevated” the program during her tenure to include powerful speakers, strong mentors and meaningful service.

“What’s neat is the Junior Women in Business girls are right alongside these professional women; they see their impact in our community,” he said.

Rogers said the program’s focus allows girls to learn from women about their careers.

“I grew up thinking you were either a nurse, a schoolteacher or a secretary, so having these girls be exposed to women with so many varying backgrounds is critical to their learning,” she said.

Juan Diego Catholic High’s John Moran, a WIB committee member, agrees.

“There’s a big push to get girls into these nontraditional tech fields, so we get them opportunities to see these women in action so they can learn successful professionals are doing and how to become those future leaders,” he said.

This fall, the Chamber plans to include girls from all Jordan School District high schools Francis said.

“We’re reaching to all the high schools in Jordan and some private schools to expand this opportunity to 17 or 18 girls. As a Chamber, we’re finding resources so we can mentor young women in careers and help with their college education,” he said.

Canyons’ Career and Technical Education Specialist Patti Larkin is serving her sixth year on the WIB committee.

“The biggest benefit is the connections that are made, those with the mentor, the speakers, the Women in Business and the other girls themselves,” Larkin said. “Most of the girls stay in touch with their mentors long after their mentorship ends and continue to connect with those people they’ve met during their senior year.”

Summerhays agrees.

“There are tears and hugs when they say goodbye at the formal end of the program, but the girls stay in touch as they move forward with their lives,” he said. “Those connections continue through college and as they enter the business world.” l

Herriman disposes of its dumpster rental program

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Renting a dumpster for your spring (or summer) cleanup? Herriman City no longer offers that option.

For the last 10-12 years the city has offered the service, Public Works Director Justun Edwards told the Herriman City Council in March. Since its website was revamped to make it easier for residents, it’s become more popular Edwards said.

The program typically runs from May to October with officials budgeting around $70,000. But Edwards said with Waste Management, Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling and other private companies also offering those services, they are simply duplicating efforts residents can get elsewhere.

“We spend a fair amount of money there to handle those cleanups,” he said.

It goes beyond the financial investment, according to Edwards. Staff are often pulled off normal duties to drop off the dumpster at a house, then go back to pick it up and run it to the landfill. The interruption tends to require approximately three hours of staff and equipment time.

Edwards said they are essentially covering the cost with a $150 rental. They charge $290 in case the dumpster exceeds two tons due to a tipping fee at the landfill

and refund the renter if it remains below the allowable weight.

But if they were to charge for more than the labor, including the truck and

equipment, then the total would be about $270, Edwards said.

“And we’re charging $150.”

By disposing of the program, officials

said they can recoup city funds and better manage staff time.

Other entities offering dumpster rentals include Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling with its trailer rental programs for $55 for green waste and $190 for bulk along with a landfill voucher and season container reservation program for free. Waste Management has a dumpster rental program with varying sizes of containers. Then private companies like Bin There Dump That can be found online.

Herriman will continue to offer its spring and fall cleanup for free to all city residents with this year’s spring cleanup taking place at Butterfield Park in April.

Allowable items include tree limbs under 12 feet and brush trimmings for green waste, as well as household general garbage, furniture and some appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers).

Prohibited items include: asbestos, explosives, paint/stains, batteries, dead animals, dirt, tires and hazardous waste such as oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze and household chemicals. l

Dumpsters will no longer be offered by Herriman City from May to October. (City Journals)

Water supply detailed in outlook report, conservation still urged

Whetheryour arms are tired from shoveling, you’re excited to keep skiing or disappointed spring weather isn’t here, it’s been a winter to remember.

With the state’s drought brought into sharp focus in recent years, the past several months have brought much needed precipitation across the state. That includes a statewide snow water equivalent measured at 200% of normal as of April 1, compared to 75% at that time last year according to the

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Utah Water Supply Outlook Report for April released by the National Resources Conservation Service.

“Our statewide SWE has broken all previous snowpack records,” shared Snow Survey Supervisor Jordan Clayton in a press release. “This has truly been a memorable snow season.”

All of Utah’s major watersheds were above 130% of normal precipitation as of April 4, with four at record-high levels (Pro-

vo-Utah Lake-Jordan, Tooele Valley-Vernon Creek, Beaver and Lower Sevier).

The historic snowpack is a welcome sign given the last several years of equally historic drought in the state, but while reservoir storage is at 54% of capacity and small to medium-sized reservoirs will likely fill, the effect will be less dramatic for the critically low Lake Powell or the Great Salt Lake, reports the NRCS.

“Utahns will need to continue to conserve water to help make progress replenishing our storage systems,” Clayton said.

Snowmelt runoff is likely to break its own previous records this spring, with greater than 200% of median flow forecasted for 61 out of 82 stream gage locations, at greater than 400% predicted for 15 locations.

With growing flood concerns, NRCS notes streamflow forecasts from April to July snowmelt runoff volume are based on observed SWE and precipitation at Utah’s SNOTEL (snow telemetry) sites and are volumetric. This information does not provide guidance on peak discharge magnitude at stream gage locations.

It’s the deepest snowpack ever measured in Utah, according to report, with 41 of the 138 SNOTEL sites reporting an all-time record high amount of SWE and 16 more sites

were second highest.

Sherrie Ohrn, a trustee on the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District board representing Bluffdale, Herriman and Riverton, told the Riverton City Council despite the higher water levels, the drought is not over. With so many years spent in the deficit, they need another year similar to this record-breaking winter season.

“No matter how tired you are of shoveling, you got to hope it’ll happen again next year,” she said.

Jordan Valley Water will still encourage programs and education such as Slow the Flow, Utah Water Savers, Flip your Strip and toilet replacements—where those with toilets from before 1994 could be eligible for a toilet replacement rebate.

Ohrn noted there’s funding available to help promote people changing their landscaping. She also encouraged member cities to continue its messaging and even share more of its conservation story, highlighting success stories to endorse further water preservation.

“We’re about halfway there,” Ohrn said. “It’s going to be super important that we continue to have conservation efforts and conservation messaging.” l

Troy Brosten, Assistant Snow Survey Supervisor at the Atwater SNOTEL site near Alta, trying to dig his way down to the instrument shelter to check readings. Snow depth at this site hit a new historic maximum this winter, for a period of record dating back to 1984 at the Alta Central snow course. (Photo by Doug Neff)

Closing Celebration for West Jordan Elementary School

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Anyone who has attended or worked at West Jordan Elementary School is invited to a community celebration on May 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to honor the legacy of the 41-year-old school, which will be permanently closed at the end of this school year.

The event will focus on the good times and good memories of the beloved school and its community, said Katrina Beckstrand, a WJE parent and longtime member of the school community council.

“It’s a community celebration of this school that was so great for 41 years,” she said. “We’re trying to invite people who were students here or had children who attended here, or used to work here—and of course, all the current students and parents and employees—to come have a night remembering all the cool stuff we’ve done together.”

Attendees can walk around the school one last time, reconnect with former classmates and teachers, and reminisce about the Christmas sing-alongs, the sixth-grade “Thriller” dances, and other favorite West Jordan Elementary traditions. There will be food trucks on-site and activities for the kids.

The celebration committee is collecting input from current and past students and staff members to create a Wall of Memories and a slide show. Send photos and favorite memories of West Jordan Elementary to wjescelebration@gmail.com. l

Past and present West Jordan Elementary staff, students and families are invited to walk the school’s hallways one last time on May 18. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Pearls With Purpose breaks generational poverty in developing countries

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

When Wendy Bird’s husband suggested she make jewelry to sell at farmers markets, she had no idea it would turn into a global foundation that provides training, mentorship and income for hundreds of women.

Back in 2001, Bird was a stay-at-home mom with five children, looking for a project that would help rediscover her identity which had gotten lost in all the laundry and daily chores. Jewelry making seemed the perfect fit. As a certified gemologist, Bird loves pearls for the way they mimic humanity.

“I love that they’re formed because of an irritant within the lining tissue of the oyster,” she said. “The oyster can’t spew it out, it can’t do anything but secrete a soothing nacre. It can only hug the irritant and that transforms it into this lustrous gemstone. To me, that’s a perfect example of what humanity needs.”

The Riverton resident sent out a request looking to import quality pearls for jewelry making and got a response from a woman in the Philippines. The woman said if Bird imported jewelry pieces, instead of loose pearls, she would change lives.

Bird jumped on the idea and created information to make necklaces, earrings and bracelets. She emailed the docs to the Philippines and a group of women began making jewelry. Bird would import it back to the States and sell it, giving the women 64% of the profits.

Pearls With Purpose had begun. The social impact organization provides microenterprise training for women in poverty, or women rescued from sex trafficking or abuse, in the Philippines, Kenya, Peru, Dominican Republic, India and Cambodia.

For four years, everything was done through long-distance correspondence; she had never traveled internationally. But then a representative from another nonprofit invited Bird overseas to meet the women working with her.

“I landed and saw for the first time ever, these humble circumstances that the individuals live in and the struggle it was to get to the internet cafe and the cost associated with being able to print out the documents,” she said. “Everything was 10 times worse than what they’d conveyed because I put this American spin on it.”

The obstacles her jewelry makers faced hadn’t registered, even though she had trained more than 70 women at that point. Invited to stay in the home of one of the women, she was shocked at the level of poverty.

“In my head I thought I’m going to stay in a bedroom with my own toilet. No. They showed me this piece of plywood they put on the dirt floor they’d covered with a sheet that had been shipped over in a shipment that I had sent, and it happened to be one of my kid’s sheets,” Bird said. “There was no electricity. I was told to shower under this tree, and it’s mostly private. I realized these people needed more from me than I had been giving.”

That trip changed her mindset. She applied for 501(c) (3) status and started doing in-person trainings to adapt her program to their needs. She trained women in an abandoned school, she helped women living in the jungle and in villages ruled by a king. She adapted to cultural differences and language barriers and learned each woman dealt with their own difficulties.

In a leper colony in India, Bird trained 183 women on a dirt floor in a community center. As untouchables, the women couldn’t sit on chairs because their low caste status meant they couldn't sit higher than anyone else in the village. After months, Bird got permission for the women to sit on mats.

“We’re dealing with individuals who for their entire life had been told you will never go to school, you will never be

counted as human, you will never have a job. You will just sit on the sidelines of life and watch it unfold,” she said. “If you’re a woman and you’ve been told a very specific stigma your entire life and all of a sudden you hear that it could be different from what you’ve always known, wouldn’t you show up?”

An orphanage in Cambodia reached out to Bird, asking her to bring Pearls With Purpose to their location, training teens from 15-17 in jewelry making so they would have a skill when they left the orphanage at age 18. Often, those 18-yearolds turned to sex work or drugs, but with a skill to fall back on, they could create a different life.

“A year after that training, we got the first email that [a young man] was going to a university in Australia and because of this program he has the $5,500 to attend this university,” Bird said. “So all of a sudden you can see that it’s working.”

In the Dominican Republic and Kenya, Bird worked with children rescued from sex trafficking through Operation Underground Railroad. She taught them to polish, design and wire-wrap gemstones to allow them to create an income.

Along with jewelry tools, Pearls With Purpose also purchases sewing machines, computers and other items women can use to better their lives. Bird teaches them to meet with wholesalers and negotiate prices.

Right before COVID hit, Bird met with some women in the Philippines. They were talking with her but she couldn’t remember their names. She asked what training session they’d completed.

“One of them said, ‘You didn’t train me. You trained my mom. Because of you, I went to college. My mom put me in school. She had enough money.’ Another said, ‘Hi, I’m Janet’s daughter and this is my baby and I married a good man because I went to this university because you trained my mom.’

“It was this generational break in poverty,” Bird said. “I

just started bawling. It was so unexpected. You sit there and listen to these younger adults and you know because you landed on that plane in 2005, they were the ones running around barefoot in their little tank tops and shorts…and here they are dressed so properly you don’t even recognize them and they’re saying, you trained my mom and my life is different now.”

Pearls With Purpose endured through COVID on fumes and held a fundraiser in February to rebuild its accounts. The community can help by purchasing jewelry and books at Pearlswithpurpose.org, donating cash or frequent flier miles, and by spreading awareness on Facebook and Instagram.

Bird’s husband, David, is her biggest cheerleader. As travel opens back up in developing countries, he wants her to get back to doing what she does best: teaching women to build self-reliance and self-worth.

“For years, she has given keynote speeches and had the opportunity to sell the jewelry that these women make,” he said. “My wife is amazing and has dedicated her life to helping hundreds of women in several different developing countries.” l

Riverton resident Wendy Bird (left) created the Pearls With Purpose Foundation to provide jewelry-making training for women in developing countries. The women can create an income while building self-reliance. (Photo courtesy of Pearls With Purpose)

Through Pearls With Purpose, women in developing countries gain self-reliance, self-worth and an income that provides opportunities, education and growth. (Photo courtesy of Pearls With Purpose)

Photos by Travis Barton

All action Kelsie Lambert in white is leading the Mustangs in scoring this season as she and Morgan Eldredge pace Herriman’s attack. The Mustangs scored five second half goals against Mountain Ridge falling just short 7-6. Through its first six games, Herriman’s only losses were to crosstown rivals Mountain Ridge.

Cure for discouragement: winning Outstanding Educator of the Year award

Asa special education resource specialist, Judy Erkman has a caseload of 32 students with various physical and intellectual challenges.

“Teaching is hard,” Erkman said. “And I think a lot of people don’t realize the hard work that’s involved in it and how time consuming it is. And special ed is hard. There’s a ton of paperwork. I wish I had a secretary that could do all my paperwork for me. I don’t think people really realize, until they’re in it, what it entails.”

Erkman has been a teacher for 32 years and often feels discouraged.

“At the end of every year, I feel like I have failed,” she said. “I think part of it is me, and I think part of it is just a lot of times in teaching, you don’t see the successes. Sometimes you don’t see it until 10 years down the road, so it’s not always something that you see immediately.”

Occasionally, she hears an update about one of the students she taught in California from former colleagues. But often Erkman’s students move on without her ever knowing if she had any effect on them.

Erkman’s colleagues, students and their parents think Erkman is doing a great job and so nominated her for the Jordan District Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. She was selected by the Jordan Education Foundation as Blackridge Elementary School’s Outstanding Educator of the Year and as one of the top 15 finalists in Jordan School District.

“To be chosen among 3,800 teachers to be one of the finalists really speaks to what an incredible teacher she is,” Jordan District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey said.

Godfrey, along with other district administrators, and members of the Jordan Education Foundation and Board of Education, surprised each of the 68 winners—one from each school in Jordan District—with balloons, confetti, flowers and cheers from their students. Some schools held an assembly for the entire student body and staff to celebrate their winning teacher.

Jordan Education Foundation President Dawn Ramsey said it is a privilege to be able to read all the nominations that pour in each year. “It is really hard to narrow it down,” Ramsey said.

Out of the 68 winners, fifteen, including Erkman, were chosen as top winners, to receive $1,000 and to attend an appreciation banquet.

“I just feel very, very honored,” she said. “It was just really quite a surprise. It was something that I never ever thought would happen—the furthest thing from my mind.”

Erkman said she works closely with a team of teachers and aides and believes they are also deserving of the award. Many of them contributed to the nomination by sharing why they think she is an outstand-

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

ing teacher. Erkman received a copy of their comments to keep.

“It really touched me—it did my heart good,” she said. “It was very sweet and very special. This makes me feel like I’ve touched a lot of lives.”

Erkman said winning this award has given her an extra push to power through the end of this year and through next year, when she will retire. l

2023 Outstanding Educators of the Year (top winners are in bold)

Antelope Canyon Elementary School– Jennifer McNees

Aspen Elementary School – Nichole Moore

Bastian Elementary School – Reid Denison

Bingham High School – Andrea Call

Blackridge Elementary – Judy Erkman

Bluffdale Elementary School – RoyAnn Gregerson

Butterfield Canyon Elementary School – Carol Hoffer

Columbia Elementary School – Kathryn Shurtleff

Copper Canyon Elementary School– Marlene Shelley

Copper Hills High School – Kristen Oda

Copper Mountain Middle School – Keith Davis

Daybreak Elementary School – Carlynn Jones

Eastlake Elementary School – Bing Wang

Elk Meadows Elementary School – Holly Fjeldsted

Elk Ridge Middle School – Mollie Gonzales

Falcon Ridge Elementary School – Janet McCall

Foothills Elementary School – Huihui Chi (Lily)

Fort Herriman Middle School – Madison Feist

Fox Hollow Elementary School – Ami Briscoe

Golden Fields Elementary School – Stephanie Lorenzana

Hayden Peak Elementary School – Rebecca Tucker

Heartland Elementary School – Haydee Carranza

Herriman Elementary – Kelly Grundy

Herriman High School – Kelli Nielsen

Hidden Valley Middle School – Annelise Baggett

JATC North – Kalin Organ

JATC South – Richard Clayton

Joel P. Jensen Middle School – Courtney Beesley

Jordan Hills Elementary School – Melissa Reynolds

Jordan Ridge Elementary School – Christine McIntyre

Kauri Sue Hamilton School – Joanna Larson

Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle School – Christy Rand

Kings Peak Virtual High School – Cinthia McCoy

Majestic Elementary School– Lisa Blodgett

Midas Creek Elementary School – Kathleen LeBeau

Monte Vista Elementary School – Sarah Christine Matheson

Mountain Creek Middle School – Jodie Milad

Mountain Point Elementary School – AnneMarie Taggart

Mountain Ridge High School – Sarah LaFond

Mountain Shadows Elementary School– Janae Robinaugh

Oak Leaf Elementary School – Angela Alm

Oakcrest Elementary School– Kalomyra Shenk

Oquirrh Elementary School – Vicki Robinson

Oquirrh Hills Middle School – Halceyn Fobert

Ridge View Elementary School – Heidi Walker

River’s Edge School – Diane Malmborg

Riverside Elementary School – Kaelin Tumblin

Riverton Elementary School – Arnica Christensen

Riverton High School – Michaela Griffiths

Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary School – Jenna Cherry

Rosamond Elementary School – Allyson Vietti

Rose Creek Elementary School – Elizabeth Shields

Silver Crest Elementary School – Lori Nelson

South Hills Middle School – Darren Seamons

South Jordan Elementary School – Diane Witt-Roper

South Jordan Middle School – Lindsey Morrill

South Valley School – Laurie Egan

Southland Elementary School – Melinda Davies

Sunset Ridge Middle School – Melanie Leavitt

Terra Linda Elementary School – Natalie Newbold

Valley High School – Jenny Witzel-Burke

Welby Elementary School – Allisun Cartier

West Hills Middle School – Charte Young

West Jordan Elementary School – Connor Sullivan

West Jordan High School – Natalie Nielsen

West Jordan Middle School – Kathy Howa

Westland Elementary School – Jason Lee

Westvale Elementary School – Shelby Blonquist

Blackridge special education resource specialist learns she has been selected as Blackridge Elementary School’s Outstanding Educator of the Year.

(Photo courtesy of Judy Erkman.)

Advantage Arts Academy Arts Integration

Director Cindy Jahnsen has more engaging lesson ideas than you can shake a stick at, but she chose sticks and the steady beat method to introduce to teachers at their monthly training meeting. The method uses a steady four-count or eight-count beat to turn any information into an easy to remember rhythmic phrase.

“I wanted to show the teachers how they can incorporate it into their curriculum, because not all of them are music people, but they can keep that steady beat and feel how that cadence runs through the phrase,” she said. “It’s kind of fun, and I love how the teachers have just run with it.”

As an easy and versatile teaching tool, the steady beat method can be adapted to loud bucket drums or softly tapping fingers, but most teachers just stick with hands or drumsticks.

The steady beat method is off the beaten path for most schools, but it’s a big hit with teachers at Advantage Arts Academy, who follow an arts integration educational philosophy to bring music, drama and movement into nearly every lesson.

Kindergarten teacher Cassandra Bateman discovered that using the beat method makes learning and practicing sight words more fun and easier for her students. They love to tap their hands or percussion instruments as they spell their sight words or rehearse spelling rules in unison. She said it is easier to keep everyone on task because it’s so engaging.

“I love it because it kind of gives structure to their learning,” Bateman said. “And it makes them more engaged because they get to stay with you. They’re focused, and in order to be involved, they have to be focused.”

She began using the technique just a few months ago, but Bateman said it has already become the students’ favorite time of the day. They have responded so well, she is beginning to apply the method to math and science lessons, too.

“We do it multiple times a day,” Bateman said. “There’s times where we’ll just be sitting on the carpet and if something comes to my head, I’ll say, ‘let’s tap it out’ and then they’re just following along, repeating what I do.”

Upper grade teachers are also seeing measurable benefits, and are committed to stick with the program, as well. Fourth-grade teacher Jen Parks uses it to gamify lessons. As a review of prepositional phrases, the class tapped a steady beat as each student took four counts to think of an example of a prepositional phrase and share it with the class.

“It made them have to think faster, because they have to do it on beat,” Parks said. “They had to be ready and that helped them, I think, to put everything together, truly using

Learning accompanied by a steady beat

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

all parts of their brain at the same time.”

Parks said the steady beat method engages kids who are auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners. “You’re getting the whole gamut of learning styles by doing it, and hopefully it sticks,” she said.

Her students wrote their own rhythmic definitions of math terms to a steady beat, which they can chant to themselves when they encounter them on an assignment or a test.

“I’m noticing they’re remembering because these beats kind of get stuck in their head,” she said. “And they’ve created the beats themselves, so they’re more likely to remember. It’s not something I just gave them.”

Jahnsen said the activity was a great example of partnering academics and music.

“I was really impressed with the vocabulary that they had in there and how well they were thinking about how it fit into the measures,” she said.

Jahnsen works with students each week and regularly collaborates with teachers to tie-in music, art and movement activities to their curriculum.

Advantage Arts Academy Charter School has 315 K-6 students enrolled. The school opened three years ago and is not yet up to full capacity, but some parents are already beating a path to the door.

Jennifer Myers drives her two daughters all the way from Eagle Mountain each day to attend the school, where she said her fifth-grader, Lily, has really blossomed.

“She is very artistic and she seems to really focus when she gets to do things with her hands and be more involved,” she said. She said Lily makes better connections and is better able to show what she’s learned when there’s an art project involved.

Lily’s writing and reading skills have improved and she recently took the initiative to write a story about her teacher’s pet, a fish named EGBDF, and have her friends act it out for the entire school. “It was just for fun,” Lily said.

Principal Kelly Simonsen said AAA teachers bring tons of experience and talent to their classrooms. Some teachers have advanced degrees in drama, others are accomplished singers or have extensive experience in the visual arts. Bateman is one of the Utah Jazz Dancers.

“I think we’ve got a great collection of artists and artists-at-heart who want to share that with the kids,” Simonsen said. “The arts, the dancing, the moving, the singing—it just speaks to everybody, no matter how old you are. It is easy for teachers to get caught up in the lesson plans and the grading papers and the not so fun parts. But in our trainings, we really try to encourage our teachers to have fun with it, to make their class a place they would want to be as a child.” l

Cassandra Bateman leads her kindergarteners in sight word practice by spelling them to a steady beat. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Fourth graders tap a steady beat to recite and memorize math vocabulary definitions. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Reigning state champs beginning to hit their stride

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

to Honor Military Veterans for Their Service to Our Country.

Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10:00 am.

Monday, May 29, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

At Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery

1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy

FEATURED

SPEAKER: Jennie Taylor Gold Star Wife, Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army

The featured speaker is Congressman Chris Stewart. Program will include: Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet and Refreshments Courtesy of Cedarwood at Sandy.

PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE: Hill Air Force Base, Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Photos by Travis Barton

Top: Emmery Clark escapes the Herriman midfield. Bottom: Lily Masina uses her calm in the closing minutes of a tight game against Herriman to help move the ball down field. After a monstrous preseason schedule featuring Park City (twice), Olympus and two potent teams out of California, the Mountain Ridge girls lacrosse team started region defeating perhaps its two toughest opponents in Herriman (7-6) and Riverton (12-5). At press time, the Sentinels were 5-6.

Sentinels enjoying positive run, staying near top of region

Photos by Travis Barton

Top: Tahj Henrie has proven to be the Sentinels ace this season, holding opponents to an ERA of .89 at press time. Henrie held Bingham to one run in the 11-1 victory. Middle: A Mountain Ridge baserunner is called out at the plate, though it didn’t matter in the long run as the Sentinels still scored 11 runs. Bottom: Easton Gunn and his team were 9-5 and ranked fifth in the RPI at press time, with the entire team dying their hair blonde.

Middle school athletes compete in first state unified basketball tournament

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

About100 athletes and their peer partners packed Jordan High School’s gym for Utah’s first-ever middle school unified basketball tournament.

The middle school unified basketball tournament is modeled much like the early March high school state tournament where three athletes and two partners play together on the court. The ball is shared with everyone on the team and partners help their fellow teammates be successful, said Boston Iacobazzi, Unified Champion School’s college-growth coordinator.

“We’re wanting to involve more of our middle schools and also elementary schools in Unified Champion Schools,” Iacobazzi said, adding the progression starts with Sports Days or various games at the elementary level. “Inclusion can happen at a young age. It doesn’t need to be later in life; we want it to start as young as possible. Last spring, we started a middle school unified golf program as more of an individual-type sport that students competed in this past year. Now, we’re adding the team sport of basketball. Our goal is to have 25 middle schools involved next year.”

Seven Canyons and Jordan school districts’ middle schools’ players practiced with their peer tutors since mid-winter for the March 23 tournament. Several schools brought more than one team to the tournament. The teams were set into divisions based on the players’ ability.

“It’s all about inclusion,” Iacobazzi said. “Everyone gets to play; everyone is on the floor dribbling, passing, shooting and being out there, having fun.”

Often during the games, unified sports players will clap or high-five a player after a basket, even when the athlete is on the opposing team. Players break out in an impromptu dance with a big grin on their faces in pure joy, realizing that by being included, they’re an important part of their team and their school, he said.

“For me, middle school was not my favorite time. Middle and junior high is an awkward phase in a student’s life. So, it’s important that we add that inclusiveness, that sense of belonging and inclusion while everyone’s still learning how to be a young adult,” Iacobazzi said.

At the tournament, the division 1 middle school teams squared off, with Mount Jordan Middle 1 taking first place. Second place went to Mountain Creek Middle 2 and third to South Jordan Middle 1.

Oquirrh Hills Middle 1 was the champion of division 2, with South Jordan Middle 2 taking second. Mountain Creek Middle 1 took third and Mt. Jordan Middle 2 took fourth.

In division 3, West Jordan Middle won. Second place was Oquirrh Hills Middle 2, followed by Draper Park Middle and Mt. Jor-

dan Middle 3.

“It was very cool seeing just the level of play and how well the coaches, most of them being special education teachers, had really coached their teams,” he said. “And it was great seeing some of the high school coaches supporting and talking to the middle school players, asking them to be on their team when they reach their schools.”

In addition to the middle school tournament, Special Olympics Utah held a March 24 alternative high school state basketball tournament after more than 70 teams competed for one of the 32 playoff spots.

“We offered this tournament to those teams who didn’t get the chance to play earlier at Weber State,” Iacobazzi said. “We wanted to offer more opportunities than just their one-day region tournament and the state tournament.”

At the March 25 college tournament, four Utah schools competed to advance to nationals. Brigham Young University won and was slated to represent the state April 1316 in Maryland. It was also the first unified college tournament for the state.

Special Olympics had its state community basketball tournament March 25, which has been held for about 10 years. About 35 teams, with players age 8 years old and up, competed at the University of Utah.

“It’s one of our biggest events; we may have to pattern it after the high school tournament and hold a state and alternate state tournament just to make sure we have enough basketball courts,” Iacobazzi said. “It’s great that so many are wanting and getting the opportunity to play.” l

West Jordan’s unified basketball won its division in the first middle school unified basketball tournament. (D. Rae Garrison/West Jordan Middle School)

Left: In front of a packed gym, an Oquirrh Hills student-athlete brings up the ball in the game. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Hakala) Top: During Utah’s first middle school unified basketball tournament, Mountain Creek and Oquirrh Hills meet at the opening tip. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Hakala)

Cirque Ma’Ceo gallops into Salt Lake County for a unique performance

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

If you’re lucky enough to witness the beauty and spectacle of Cirque Ma’Ceo, you’ll appreciate the rare opportunity to see a performance that blends the strength and grace of horses with the flexibility and bravery of riders and aerialists.

The equestrian-focused show features mesmerizing aerial feats, exotic horses and heart-pumping acts that leave audiences enthralled.

“This show is a blend of traditional circus and contemporary circus. It’s a very up-closeand-personal show where the audience can feel the rhythm of the horse hooves pounding the ground,” said Rachel Gauthier, aerialist and trick rider. “The audience is sitting so close it becomes really intimate. I like the possibility of being connected with the audience and the audience has the same feeling. They feel like they can be part of the story with us.”

Staged under a custom-designed Italian Big Top tent, the theater caters to a smaller crowd in order to provide a more personal experience.

Several horse breeds perform during the show, including a Friesian, an Andalusian, quarter horses, mustangs, a Suffolk Punch and a miniature horse stallion, which is a crowd favorite. The heart-pounding Cossack act brings a rush of adrenaline to the audience, while watching riders doing tricks upside-down with the horses.

Cirque Ma’Ceo was created by Olissio Zoppe, one of the most experienced and well-rounded equestrians to perform on stage. Zoppe has mastered the dangerous art of bareback riding and has performed since he was 4 years old with shows like Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, Cheval Theatre and Circus Flora.

“There is a bareback act that comes from Olissio’s family,” Gauthier said. “He’s an eighth and ninth generation of a traditional circus family that came from Italy. His family were equestrians and bareback riders. Olissio has learned from his grandparents and generation after generation. His act is one of the core acts of the show.”

Along with the incredible horse shows, Cirque Ma’Ceo features aerial acts with chandeliers and silks, a tightwire performance, gaucho dancers and more. To learn about the show, or to purchase tickets, visit Cirquemaceo.com.

The 90-minute show runs May 5-7 at the Bastian Agricultural Center (2100 W. 11400 South) in South Jordan. Tickets are available for Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m.

“It’s a small circus, but there’s a lot happening,” Gauthier said. “It’s like a family. In these types of circuses, everyone gets involved. Everyone works together to make this happen.” l

Athlos Academy of Utah is a tuition-free, nationally accredited public charter school with award-winning educators.

Students in grades K-9 love learning in our safe, spacious modern building with small class sizes and affordable before and after school care.

The Cirque Ma’Ceo equestrian show runs May 5-7 at the Bastian Agricultural Center (2100 W. 11400 South) in South Jordan. It features dazzling aerial feats and beautiful horses performing under an Italian Big Top tent. (Photos courtesy of Cirque Ma’Ceo)

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Polish your teapots, iron your doilies and butter your crumpets. For the first time in 70 years, an English monarch will be crowned and the whole world will tune in to see if King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry bust each other up at Westminster Abbey.

Whether or not the coronation turns into a fistfight, there will be plenty of spectacle, pomp, circumstance, tradition, snobbery and a reminder that England adores fluffy hats.

King Charles will be 74 on the day of his coronation, code-named Operation Golden Orb (not even kidding). He’s much older than his mother was when she was enthroned. Queen Elizabeth was crowned at the age of 27 and reigned for 156 years.

The coronation is based on traditions going back centuries. In fact, for nearly 1,000 years, the Archbishop of Canterbury has conducted the ceremony. You’d think, at some point, people would start asking how he’s been alive for so long.

Our country has a bit of history with England, but we're still infatuated with royalty. American royalty just isn’t the same. It’s either the Kardashians or the Kennedys, depending on who you ask. When we elect a new president, we don’t

The Royal Treatment

coronation. King Charles and Queen Camilla will leave Buckingham Palace in a four-ton Gold State Coach that’s been used in coronations since 1830 and is notoriously uncomfortable. It’s covered in gilded statues and painted panels and will be pulled by eight dragons through the streets of London.

The procession travels from the palace, past Isengard at the southern end of the Misty Mountains, along Trafalgar Square, through Hogwarts to Westminster Abbey where the king will be anointed with holy oil using the Coronation Spoon. I don’t know if there’s a knife and fork. Wikipedia didn’t mention any other coronation utensils.

King Charles will then stand next to a really old chair (and it’s not even made out of swords pulled from the hands of his dead enemies), and given things to hold like the Royal Orb, a couple of scepters, gold spurs, a jeweled sword, gold bracelets and a ring. No wonder it’s hard to be king. That’s a lot to carry.

follow centuries of history and tradition. We do a swearing-in ceremony followed by four years of smack talk on social media.

But England knows how to stage a

Then the Archbishop (who HAS to be a vampire, I mean come on!) places the five-pound crown on the king’s head. Saint Edwards Crown has a solid gold frame and is bedazzled with rubies, ame-

thysts, sapphires and other jewels, making the crown worth more than my entire lifetime income.

Everyone yells, “God save the king!” and trumpets blare and, Bob’s your uncle, England has a new king.

Then the fun starts. Concerts will feature new musical pieces commissioned by the king himself, including an anthem written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and I can only hope it’s performed by the cast of “Cats.” A refugee choir and an LGBTQ+ ensemble will perform, because we all know how much the royal family loves diversity.

There’s even a Coronation Quiche consisting of spinach, broad beans, cheese, tarragon and lard, to celebrate the country’s devotion to bland food. You can get the recipe online and make it for your family as you watch the celebration.

Leaders from around the world will attend the coronation, except some countries who are afraid if they send leaders to the event, England will colonize them while they’re gone. But this is a historical moment you won’t want to miss, especially if the royal family starts throwing the crown jewels at each other.

Educational, interactive and fun From activity books, to neat fiction series, to internet-linked science and history encyclopedias Buy Books and More NOW Contact Independent Consultant: Lauren Casper @ letsreadfunbooks.com

DECKS

DRUM LESSONS

On

HEATING

CONCRETE