Herriman Journal | October 2023

BUTTERFIELD TRAILHEAD REGIONAL PARK’S NEW TRAILS EXPANDS OUTDOOR ACCESS

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Aribboncutting ceremony on Aug. 31 opened the newest trailhead in the southwest corner of Salt Lake County. Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park is open and available for mountain bikers, trail runners, equestrians and hikers.

While the celebration opened 14 miles of trails at the park (including a trail that connects to Yellow Fork Canyon), by the end of the year, there will be 16 miles of trails. It’s part of the Southwest Canyon Trails Network, which includes Rose, Yellow Fork and Butterfield canyons.

The regional park was formed through a partnership between Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, Rio Tinto Kennecott and the Bureau of Land Management.

“It is beyond exciting to officially open these multiuse trails to the public. Residents in the southwest part of the valley, who have been yearning for mountainous trails near their homes, now have a new, close-to-home space to recreate,” Martin Jensen said, Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation director. “Collaborating with the mayor and county council, as well as with city and community partners, we remain committed to preserving natural, open spaces and improving the public’s access to them.”

Attendees at the event included Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and several county council members, plus mayors from nearby cities and representatives from Rio Tinto Kennecott and the BLM. Local law enforcement

Continued page 12

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Rio Tinto Copper COO Clayton Walker joined with local mayors, council members, mountain bike enthusiasts and community members to open Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park. (City Journals)

Top ranked cross country team, nationally

Community prepares for Bangerter Highway construction impacts

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

An open house was held at South Hills Middle School on Sept. 7 to answer questions from members of the public about the impact that the Bangerter Highway project will have on traffic in the coming months. Representatives from Ralph L. Wadsworth/WWClyde, a joint venture, were on site as well as representatives from the Utah Department of Transportation. The most urgent question on most attendees minds: when will the traffic start and what will the impact be?

According to the UDOT website: “This project will construct four new freeway-style interchanges with on- and offramps at 2700 West, 13400 South, 9800 South and 4700 South, eliminating stoplights at four more intersections for drivers on Bangerter Highway.”

The students and faculty at Elk Ridge Middle School and nearby Elk Meadows Elementary School in South Jordan will see impact starting in January 2024. According to Elk Ridge Principal Bryan Leggat, the pedestrian bridge that crosses Bangerter Highway at 9800 South will be taken down for an estimated 300 days. In addition to the loss of the pedestrian bridge, parking lot changes will be happening for Elk Ridge’s parents, students and staff.

“We are asking our parents to be extra patient with the school and with each other,” Leggat said. “It’s bound to be messy.”

Derek Harames, the project manager from Ralph L. Wadsworth, will be overseeing the 4700 South and 9800 South phase of the construction. He and his team are aware that in between the start and end of a project of this magnitude there will be some headache and frustration. But being in the business for more than 15 years,

Jou r nals

HERRIMAN TEAM

The Herriman Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Herriman.

For information about distribution please email hello@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2019 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.

Harames knows first-hand how vital these projects are to the communities they serve once completed.

“We’re excited to be in the cities, to build these projects,” Harames said. “We know what it’s going to do for the cities when we’re done…the end game is totally worth it.”

The end game will be hard to focus on for Herriman residents Mandy and David Smith who have lived through the 11400 South and the 12600 South interchange construction in previous years. They attended the open house event in anticipation of traffic becoming a “nightmare,” and wanted to know when they could expect it to start.

“Once this starts, it’s going to be 10 months of horrible traffic,” Mandy Smith said. “And that’s going to suck.”

Beginning in the fall of 2024 and lasting until late summer of 2025, the eastbound and westbound lanes at 9800 South will be closed.

Smith said that they are not looking forward to the surrounding surface streets being packed with cars as drivers will look for alternate routes, and it may cause their family to avoid shopping at certain stores once construction starts.

Physician and business owner Dr. Mary Tipton attended the open house wanting answers, too. As part owner of the Copperview Medical Center located on the east side of 9800 South and Bangerter, she and her team have been following the updates and plans very closely.

The medical practice is open to patients 365 days a year, seven days a week, seeing patients of all ages by way of primary care, chronic care and urgent care. Tipton’s priority is to maintain access

for her patients, even as the construction phases are implemented.

“We never closed a day for the whole pandemic,” Tipton said. “We are not going to close for this.”

Tipton said that despite the plan not to close during construction, she and her team are already making patients aware of the problems they may encounter with access to the parking lot that sits right at the corner of 9800 South and

Connect social media

PUBLISHER

Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com

EDITOR

Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Mieka Sawatzki | mieka.s@thecityjournals.com

Jason Corbridge | jason.c@thecityjournals.com

Ryan Casper | ryan.c@thecityjournals.com

Kayla Palmer | kayla.p@thecityjournals.com

Greg Tanner | greg.t@valuepagesutah.com

CIRCULATION COORDINATOR

Lydia Rice | lydia.r@thecityjournals.com 385-557-1022 Rack

Anna Pro

Ty Gorton

Amanda Luker

Stacy

Highway. Tipton manages the practice’s social media accounts and wants to get the word out to patients to leave early to get to appointments and schedule appointments appropriately.

For the most up-to-date information, including updates to the existing traffic plans and phases, and environmental studies, members of the public are encouraged to visit udot.utah.gov/bangerter/#/. l

Our

Bangerter

Dr. Mary Tipton asked the Utah Department of Transportation project manager Marwan Farah questions about how the construction project would impact her patients at Copperview Medical Center.

(Photo by Rachel Aubrey/City Journals)

Attendees to the contractor open house had lots of maps and graphs to pour over to try to get answers about how the upcoming construction will impact the nearby communities. (Photo by Rachel Aubrey/City Journals)

Rival schools, lifelong friends: Cheerleaders' unwavering bond

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

The headlines weren’t necessarily the Friday night lights rivalry between the Riverton Silverwolves and the Herriman Mustangs, two high schools that are separated by less than five miles. Nor was it the presentation of the huge American flag and the marching band show before the packed home crowd at Herriman’s homecoming.

It’s a story that was on the sidelines.

On the home side was sophomore Jaymi Bonner waving her pom poms along with other Herriman High cheerleaders as the football team ran onto the field and scored the first points of the game.

On the visitors’ side was Mia Jackman, also a sophomore, who rallied Riverton’s fans by standing on top of a pyramid of her cheerleading team.

While both girls have Down syndrome, a genetic disorder which causes developmental changes, their journey together began when Jaymi was adopted from Russia as a 6-year-old.

“Their friendship is such a beautiful story,” said their former Mountain Creek Middle teacher Karlee English. “Jaymi’s mom has another daughter with Down syndrome so the girls’ mothers were friends from a Down syndrome community before Jaymi arrived. When Jaymi got here from Russia with her mom, Mia and her mom were at the airport to welcome them with open arms.”

Jaymi’s mom, Jeana, remembered amongst the large crowd, the girls met and immediately “clicked. They've been pretty much best friends since. When they were tiny, none of us could understand what either of them were saying, but they spoke in their own language.”

That bond continued in kindergarten through middle school, mostly being in all the same classes. The past three years, English has taught them their core classes.

“They’ve been almost inseparable since they met,” she said. “Jaymi can be difficult to understand, especially during the COVID mask time, so Mia interpreted what she was saying so we could understand. They're in their own world together. There’s a deep connection. When one gets in trouble, the other one gets in trouble, too. She doesn’t care if she gets in trouble because neither of them wants their friend to be in trouble alone. It really is the cutest thing ever.”

English said while their personalities are different, the girls complement each other.

“Mia is a smart one, she was one of my higher readers. She is funny, a little firecracker. Jaymi is more athletic; she can climb a rope to the top of the gym, and she walked the entire LDS pioneer trek. She’s not afraid of anything she tries,” she said. “Together, they’re just spitfires. I can just see them in the nursing home together when they’re old and gray just causing all sorts of chaos. Don’t get me wrong, they are compliant and very sweet, but together they're very feisty. I miss everything about them, their laughing, their drama. My staff and I were real-

ly close with those two and five others who left my classroom, so it’s been really rough.”

Since they were young, the two girls played soccer, danced, cheered and done “everything together,” Holly Jackman said, Mia’s mom.

During their middle school years, they added band, dance company, yoga, cooking, unified basketball, ceramics and performing in a community special needs theater production of “Frozen.” They also threw out the first pitch of a Bees game together in August 2022.

“They’ve been almost inseparable in all their activities,” English said, noting that while Jaymi served as a middle school studentbody officer, Mia was on Mountain Creek’s PTSA board. “They even have a bound book about their friendship, how they’ve been best buddies.”

Bonner said that her daughter loves performing.

“Jaymi’s done ballet, jazz and hip hop. She started cheer around age 7 and the two girls have been on the same team. They’ve traveled to compete in the special athletes’ division in California and multiple times to Vegas. They’ve cheered at nationals together,” she said.

Mia, too, loves dancing and cheer.

“She loves to be around people. This is her first year at that school. She didn't go to middle school with most of them,” Jackman said about her daughter’s home high school. “Already, she knows quite a few people.”

Mia’s dad, Jared, agrees: “She loves the attention with cheer. She likes having all the friends. She’s very sociable.”

At Riverton, 15-year-old Mia auditioned for the team. She performed cheers in front of the judges. She is one of three students on the cheer squad with special needs.

“She was really excited to do a stunt,” her mother said. “Two other girls put their knees out and she stands on their thighs. She loves

performing that.”

While Mia’s participation with the team is “definitely modified as she’s not at the same level of stunts that the other girls are,” according to her dad, she can cheer at whichever games she wants and can travel with the rest of the squad.

“She’s doing it more than her special needs cheer team because they have football games every Friday and they cheer at assemblies. She's even cheered at a volleyball game,” Jackman said.

Similarly, 16-year-old Jaymi tried out for Herriman’s cheer squad.

“The coach has just been amazing. She approached two girls that had been cheerleaders, but they weren't planning to do it their senior year and asked if they’d be Jaymi’s mentors and come to other games with her. So, they're all cheerleaders, going to the games and traveling, just not competing,” Bonner said.

Like Mia, Jaymi is “drawn to performing and being on the stage. She is a go-getter and loves interacting with the teammates. It’s a great outlet where she’s made new friends and it’s a fun way for her to be included and integrated into the school. Her passion is people, getting to know them and being with them, so this is a perfect fit for her,” her mother said.

Bonner said that she knew high school cheerleading was possible when she took Jaymi, who was a young girl at the time, to Herriman High’s volleyball game and they saw a cheerleader with Down syndrome.

“That opened my eyes. I knew there were opportunities for her and for kids with disabilities, where they could be included. They both compete in unified sports, which is great, because they’re wanting that same community bonding and wanting to be a part of something. This has been a great experience for her to be able to go out and cheer alongside other cheerleaders for her school,” she said.

Before the game, just three days after seeing each other at a unified soccer tournament, the girls embraced on the sidelines.

“You’d think Jaymi hadn't seen Mia for 10 years,” Bonner said. “Every time Jaymi sees Mia, she'll just scream and run toward her and give her a hug. They did it in middle school and I'm like, ‘School just got out 30 minutes ago, you just saw her.’ They're so close.”

That bond was stretched across the football field.

“She’s my best friend,” Jaymi said on her sideline.

Mia, on the other side, saw Jaymi.

“I love Jaymi a lot. We’re forever friends.” l

Former Mountain Creek students Mia Jackman and Jaymi Bonner met when they were elementary school age and became steadfast friends through many activities, including cheer. (Photo courtesy of Jeana Bonner)

Now cheerleaders at their respective high schools, Mia Jackman and Jaymi Bonner remain friends despite not being in class together. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Sophomore Jaymi Bonner waves her pom poms with other Herriman High cheerleaders during the school’s homecoming game. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Seniors leading close-knit Mountain Ridge cross country team

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

In the grueling, demanding sport of cross country, it’s vital to have team leaders to provide an example and set the pace on and off the course. The Mountain Ridge cross country team is fortunate to have experienced veterans guiding the way and pushing others to succeed.

Not only does this leadership help with performance, but the athletes get along well and have created a positive feeling around the team.

“Our strengths are that we have a good group of young athletes, led by some good seniors, that get along and are learning to find some joy in the journey,” head coach James Barnes said. “We haven't had any team drama or issues that way this year. It is a great atmosphere.”

Mountain Ridge began the season with the dauting task of having to replace some standout performers from the previous season. Not many of last year’s top runners were back for the 2023 campaign. Also, the Sentinels have fewer numbers than they did a year ago. Still, even though the team isn’t one of the top contenders in the state, it has surprised some folks with its efforts in meets.

Still, despite those challenges, along with some injuries and illnesses, Mountain Ridge has been competitive. Many runners have gotten significantly better throughout the season.

“We have had every kid improve their times, some by huge margins, and a lot of improvements for the returners,” Barnes said. “We won the Sanpete Classic Invite last week with both the boys and girls varsity being down a top-three athlete on both sides due to illness. Our young JV kids have been placing very well too, so that is exciting for the future.”

Barnes also said some of the runners on the team have little to no previous experience—not just with cross country but athletics in general. Some team members have to learn what it means to compete and to push them-

selves to their limits, all while enjoying it.

“We try to make practices, team socials and camps challenging and fun, and create a good environment for kids to feel safe and build confidence,” he said. “We have been working on taking care of our bodies to avoid nagging little injuries that often occur in athletes new to running.”

Several runners have stood out this season, including the coach’s son, Jaren Barnes, who is the top runner on the boys’ side. He has placed in or close to the top 10 in every race this season. He was also the overall winner of the Sanpete Classic and has a personal best 15:42 time in the 3-mile run. A senior, Jaren Barnes missed his junior year due to a leg injury.

“He has a lot of pressure being the coach’s son and a team captain,” James Barnes said of his son. “He has been a huge help to the boys team having him healthy again and has helped build the overall confidence of the team.”

Coach Barnes said probably the most improved runner has been senior captain Nathan Burningham. He has gone from a mediocre JV runner, in Barnes’ assessment, to someone who consistently finishes in the top three at varsity races.

“He is a great example of hard work and dedication, and he is seeing the fruit of it now,” Barnes said.

On the girls’ side, Cailey Bracken is a senior captain and the top runner. Barnes said she is “probably the one with the biggest target on her back.” Bracken placed top 10 at Foot Locker Western Regionals last year and earned an all-expense paid trip to San Diego the next week as one of the top 40 girls in the nation to run at Foot Locker (Champs) Nationals. She also placed 32nd at Nationals last year. She is also the returning region champ. Despite a calf injury, she is still performing well and will run for a Division 1 team in college next year.

BrookLyn Tarr is the team’s No. 2 runner on the girls side.

“She is a very talented sophomore and the future of our girls team,” Barnes said. “She is one of the best sophomores in the entire state.”

Senior Grace Waite has also been impressive and might be the most improved runner on the girls team. She has been the No. 3 runner in every race for the Sentinels. She has been offered some college running opportunities as well.

The Class 6A state meet is Oct. 24, so Mountain Ridge has some more time to improve. Barnes is optimistic, and he also has enjoyed coaching this group of athletes.

“I love having my son and some of his friends on the team that I have known since they were toddlers and to see them grow and

accomplish good things in school and in running,” Barnes said. “I love that we are smaller and that people don't notice us as much (fly under the radar), but we are pretty decent and surprise teams regularly. I like the challenge.”

Barnes also hopes the sport will grow at Mountain Ridge and that students will see how exciting and fulfilling it can be to compete.

“I would love to see more kids come out to run with us in the future at Mountain Ridge,” he said. “We have great coaches and a great team. Young people need to learn that they are capable of doing hard things in life, and cross country is hard. But it is very rewarding, and the atmosphere is great where kids get to be a part of something good and do good and hard things that will give them confidence for their future endeavors.” l

Update: Herriman Highway paving before winter arrives, only certain residents in conflict with city

By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com

The City Journal would like to clarify the article in the September printed issue entitled, “Herriman City and resident feud over property,” which is found on page six and online. Multiple branches of the Dansie family live in the Herriman area, but Boyd, Claudia and their son, Chad, are the only members of the Dansie family who are involved in the dispute with the city. No other family members are involved in this conflict.

Construction crews have made significant progress in widening Main Street/Herriman Highway, though paving the road will soon become a race against time as temperatures drop. Because the sidewalk is not expected to be completed until at least November, Jordan School District and Herriman City will split the cost for bussing to and from Oak Leaf Elementary until the end of December. l

The road in front of Chad Dansie’s home. (Elisa Eames/City Journals

The Mountain Ridge High School cross country team has met challenges head-on to continually improve and be more competitive. (Photo courtesy of James Barnes)

Support for Herriman High band director is forte

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Inmusic, forte means loud and strong. When Herriman High School Band Director Raymond Hernandez was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at the beginning of marching band season, the community’s response was forte.

“Band directors from across the state have been reaching out to me about what they can do to show support for our students or help me out with classes,” Hernandez said. “They are willing to help me find substitutes. I had people offering to cook and take me to chemotherapy. A whole army of band directors came together.”

Family and friends, students and their families and colleagues organized fundraisers for medical bills, wore “forte with Nandez” shirts to show support on chemotherapy days and sent a steady stream of cards and gifts.

“Every time I go into my office, there’s a new gift basket on my desk,” Hernandez said.

Twenty-five-year-old Hernandez said focusing on the marching band practices and performances helps distract him from dwelling on his illness and treatments.

“You would think all this craziness would make me more stressed, but it’s actually a really good break,” he said. “I love being with these kids. I think this would be a lot harder if I didn’t have those kids with me.”

HHS band member April Harrison said she and her peers are determined to help make things run smoothly for Hernandez by working hard, cleaning up after themselves and being responsible.

“This is going to be hard on him, it’s going to be hard on us, and we just want to make sure that he’s focused on his health and not the little things, like the band room isn’t clean,” she said. “So everyone has been stepping up. And that’s a lot of what’s pushing our marching band show this year, as well. We are a lot more motivated.”

Support for Hernandez and the HHS bands has also come from “rival” school bands.

Members of Bingham High School’s marching band, which competes in the same division as HHS, brought popsicles to the 110 HHS band students during one of their hot summer rehearsals.

“The camaraderie between the bands is amazing so it doesn't surprise me that any of the bands would step up and support Herriman and Mr. Hernandez, because marching band kids are the best kids you'll ever find,” BHS Marching Band Booster President Joey White said. “To have a band whose direct director is not well indirectly affects all of the bands, because every band is honestly rooting for every band to be their best.”

Even during competitions, which run every weekend from mid-September to early November, the high school marching bands cheer each other on. Many of the bands are wearing blue ribbons on their uniforms during competitions to show support for Hernandez.

“Herriman [High School] has a tradition of supporting all the other marching bands when we go to competitions, so I think there's just been a lot of payback,” HHS Assistant Band Director Keith Davis said. “It’s ‘You guys have supported us for years and now you need it so now we’re supporting you’ so it's been pretty cool.”

Kenna Dickson, a member of Mountain Ridge High School’s marching band, said when they heard about Hernandez’ illness, she and her bandmates immediately wanted to do something.

“We want to show that we love and care about Herriman [High School] and to have unity for the bands,” she said.

The MRHS marching band joined the HHS marching band to play pep music at a HHS football game Sept. 1. When HHS premiered part of their new marching band routine

before the game, MRHS band students cheered the loudest.

“Technically we are rival schools, but just having that extra support and having them come play with us in the stands just shows that even though we are rivals, we can push past that and all come together as a community,” Harrison said.

Davis appreciated the sacrifice of the MRHS band members taking time out of their busy schedule to come support the HHS band.

“This whole town of Herriman is a good community and is really close, and even though we’ve got two high schools here, they know each other and I think they support each other really well,” said Davis, who is the band director at Copper Mountain Middle and has worked with the HHS band for seven years.

This is Hernandez’s second year teaching at HHS (he also spent one year as a student teacher there). He previously was the band director at Providence Hall.

MRHS Marching Band Director Cris Stiles went to college with Hernandez. They

both graduated from the University of Utah’s School of Music and took teaching positions at schools just five miles apart.

“We went to school together, and hopefully we’re going to work together for the next 30 years,” Stiles said. l

Herriman High School Marching Band Director Raymond Hernandez gives last-minute direction to students for their performance at the Oquirrh Mountain Band Invitational hosted at Herriman High School Sept. 23. (Photo courtesy of Melinda Mansouri)

Bingham High School and other competing marching bands wear blue ribbons on their uniforms during competition to show support for HHS marching band director Raymond Hernandez, who has stage four cancer. (Photo courtesy of Melinda Mansouri)

Raymond Hernandez’s band students send a picture of support to him every time he has a chemotherapy treatment. (Photo courtesy of Raymond Hernandez)

Mountain Ridge High School band students join their Herriman High School peers as they perform pep songs at a HHS football game. (Jet Burnham/ City Journals)

Mayor Jenny Wilson starts book/media club to engage community around the Great Salt Lake

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

“In this world of division; red, blue, old, young. What can we do to come together as a community? What can I do to create a dialogue? Let’s start a book club.” – Mayor Jenny Wilson

In late August, the stage at the Salt Lake City Public Library held some acclaimed names: Utah author and writer-in-residence at Harvard’s Divinity School Terry Tempest Williams, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Ben Abbott, BYU professor of Plant and Wildlife Sciences and the researcher who sounded the alarm about the dire state of the Great Salt Lake.

It was the second meeting of Mayor Jenny Wilson’s Book and Media Club, a community-wide club designed to engage people around a common theme. Up for discussion was a harrowing New York Times article by Williams telling the story of the retreating Great Salt Lake and the repercussions its potential death will have on the valley, the state and the nation, titled, “I Am Haunted By What I’ve Seen At Great Salt Lake.” The link to a PDF of the article can be found at parsintl.com/ eprints/115576.pdf

It was a free event, with ticketing/reservations available through the county website. During the club, Wilson led a 90-minute discussion between Williams and Abbott, leaving time for Q&A between panelists and the audience.

“Our body and the body of Great Salt Lake—there is no separation—we too are salt water.” – Author Terry Tempest Williams

Williams grew up in Salt Lake City and found acclaim as a naturalist and environmental writer with the publication of her 1991 memoir, “Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place.” Since then, she has published many articles and numerous books. She is a writer who draws inspiration from the American West and the arid landscape of Utah.

When the mayor asked Williams about the significance of the lake and her fears about the retreat, Williams indicated it was Abbott’s January 2023 report about the state of the lake that put her (and the world) on notice. “When I read that the lake could disappear in five years, I couldn’t sleep,” she said.

The climate editor at the New York Times also read the report, called Williams and asked for an article of 5,000 words, a length not often granted by the selective publisher. Williams was terrified to write the piece, completing 14 drafts in one month, because she had to tell the hard truth, because, “It had to matter.”

“As the lake goes, so goes our community.” – Professor Ben Abbott

Abbott’s BYU study sounded the alarm about the state of the lake, but his message during the book club was one of action rather than despair or complacency, indicating there

should be no divisions between urban and rural, left and right in coming to a solution. The condition of the lake affects everyone. The solution relies on legislation and conservation, and must be enacted now. For a link to the study, pws.byu.edu/GSL%20report%202023.

“The health of all of us depends on this lake,” he said. “I’m talking about our air pollution, our water pollution, our economy, because the Great Salt Lake is not an outlier. We know what will happen.” He was speaking of Owens Lake.

Owens Lake, a saline lake in California, a lake the fraction of the size of the Great Salt Lake and much farther from a community center, dried up due to water diverted to the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Before the diversion of the Owens River, Owens Lake covered an area of up to 108 square miles. When the lake dried, it became the single largest source of particulate contamination in the United States. To date, the state of California has spent over $2.5 billion to control the dust, but according to Abbott, “If you look at a map of air quality index, there is still a dark red ring, even today, around that dried lake.”

Compare that to the Great Salt Lake. After years of drought and increased water diversion upstream, the lake fell to its lowest level: 950 square miles. One takeaway? The Great Salt Lake at its lowest level is still 10 times larger than Owens Lake at its highest, with the potential of a much greater impact on our local and regional environment.

“Did the big snow year solve the problem?” – Mayor Jenny Wilson

Because of his faith, Abbott said he does see [the big snow year] as divine intervention. “It gives us a chance to do something, but it has only rewound the clock by one to two years. A solution it is not.”

Water levels at the Great Salt Lake have peaked for 2023. They rose about 5 ½ feet

from the record lows of last year. Even with improved water levels, about 50% of the lakebed is still exposed.

Researchers at the University of Utah found that in 2022, the exposed lakebed was responsible for about one-quarter of dust pollution along the Wasatch Front. Additionally, the dust that collected on the snow caused the snowpack to melt more than two weeks earlier than it should have, according to an investigative report on KSL.

“The only way to solve it is to live within our means.” – Professor Ben Abbott

The January report co-authored by Abbott indicates agriculture dominates water use in the Great Salt Lake watershed. Irrigation of alfalfa and other crops directly accounts for around 75% of total consumptive water, plus 5%-10% indirectly through storage and transport losses such as reservoir evaporation. Mineral extraction from the lake itself represents another 9% of water use. Cities and industry account for the final 9% of consumptive water use, of which 90% is outdoor water use (irrigation for lawns and other decorative plants).

Basically, many parties are financially tied to the lake, and the entire Wasatch Front population is reliant on the health of the lake for their own health and the health of their families. Because the stakes are extremely high, participants from all communities need to come together to make changes through conservation efforts and education. Additionally, “We are in a much better place than we were five years ago, as far as legal opportunities go, to take next steps,” Abbott said.

Collaboration and cooperation are needed. “We need to have the grace to believe all

sides have the best interest of others in mind,” said Abbott.

There are several organizations attempting to pull the many communities together, to invite people into the conversation, to forge new ideas. Grow the Flow at growtheflowutah. org and Friends of the Great Salt Lake at fogsl. org, are two.

Up Next for The Mayor’s Book and Media Club

While called the Mayor’s Book and Media Club, future events will include discussion about film, story and video, with the intent of creating open and engaging public dialogue. The hope is to hold an event every two to three months.

The next Book and Media Club discussion will be about the documentary film, “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed.” In celebration of the upcoming eclipse, the mayor’s office is providing 200 free tickets to the documentary at the Clark Planetarium. The ticket can be redeemed to any scheduled showing and will include a pair of eclipse viewing glasses.

Then on Oct. 14, the community is invited back to the Gateway Fountain for a live community viewing of the eclipse. Viewers should plan to arrive by 9:30 a.m., as the eclipse happens just after 10 a.m. Afterward, the Clark Planetarium education staff will facilitate a short presentation and discussion. Everyone is invited to the fountain for the eclipse viewing, but tickets for the film and glasses are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

For future events keep updated at slco. org/mayor/bookclub. l

Utah author and writer-in-residence at Harvard’s Divinity School, Terry Tempest Williams, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Ben Abbott, a BYU professor of Plant and Wildlife Sciences and the researcher who sounded the alarm about the dire state of the Great Salt Lake attend an event at the downtown library in August. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson facilitates a conversation between author Terry Tempest Williams and BYU Professor Ben Abbott. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

AI for access and equity

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Editor’s note: this is part of a series of articles about artificial intelligence in schools.

West Jordan Middle School teacher Dan Clark noticed a student struggling in his world geography class.

“He thinks he's just not very smart, but I know he is because if I'm speaking to him, he gets it immediately,” Clark said.

Clark recognized the symptoms of dyslexia and introduced the student to the AI tools available on his school-issued Chromebook— voice-to-text and text-to-voice—which would eliminate the problem of getting letters mixed up while reading and struggling to spell while writing.

“When I showed them these tools, their eyes got wide with excitement,” Clark said. “There's no better feeling for a teacher than when you get a student that's frustrated—they get that confused look on their face or they're putting their head down out of disinterest—and you show them a couple of little tricks that help them be engaged. There's no better feeling for a teacher. It's the reason we're all into it.”

West Jordan Middle School Principal Eric Price, an advocate for AI in education, believes AI tools can eliminate barriers for students with learning challenges and disabilities.

“My biggest philosophy is we don't stop the learning because somebody struggles to read,” Price said. “We find accommodations to help them to be successful.”

Price believes AI can even the playing field for students who struggle with traditional methods of learning and expression.

“You take a kid that's been struggling to write a paragraph for five to 10 years now, and they put in their best paragraph and tell Chat GPT, or whatever, to improve it,” he said. “Now they have this new improved way of increasing their ability to write, and they have just become more marketable in seconds.”

Price, who is dyslexic, said reading and spelling are particularly challenging for him, but that recent technology has helped him with both skills.

“The beauty of it now is I can go on my computer or phone and I can say the word and now I have it spelled for me,” he said. “So now I've taken areas that were a weakness and can turn them into a strength.”

Voice-to-text and text-to-voice, which come standard on smartphones and school-issued Chromebooks and iPads, can be a game changer for a dyslexic student because those tools help them keep up with their peers, Clark said.

He uses these tools to satisfy Individual Education Plan accommodations that necessitate students have test questions read aloud to them.

“It used to be that you needed an aide to take those kids into another room to read it out loud,” Clark said. “But now those kids aren't separated. They just put on some headphones,

they hit play and it reads it.”

Jordan District provides some students with access to audiobooks and textbooks through online catalogs such as Bookshare and Learning Ally, which are available to people with disabilities.

Price said this access is important because when kids can listen to a text, they can get the information and enjoy the content without the stress of struggling to read the words.

“There's a difference between reading the words on the page and feeling a book, and that's one of the reasons why a lot of times struggling readers will give up on learning and give up on education,” Price said. “If you're sitting there reading the words on the page, you're not seeing the value of why we even read.”

Education for students with learning challenges and disabilities has evolved from 100 years ago, when students who struggled to learn, read, write or speak were segregated. Because technology eliminates barriers caused by disabilities, these same students are now able to demonstrate their intelligence despite physical or mental limitations. Innovations allow the use of ears instead of eyes, eyes instead of hands, and hands instead of voice.

Jordan School District policy is to provide education to students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.

Cheri Blue, coordinator for assistive technology within Jordan District’s Special Education department, said this is accomplished by providing a range of technological tools for students with physical impairments, communication barriers and developmental disabilities.

She said the Jordan District administration has been very supportive of providing students with assistive technology.

“When we say a student needs something, they always get it,” she said.

Innovative tools allow the students to demonstrate their intellectual abilities without barriers. Tools such as voice typing, screen

reading for text and graphics, customizable dictionaries for predictive text and note taking tools are available for free as Chrome add-ons and through Adobe Suite.

Teachers use these tools to easily adapt assignments to a students’ abilities. With a few clicks, the reading level of a text can be adjusted to allow a student access to grade level content. A physical worksheet can be quickly digitized so that students can complete legible work beyond their limited fine motor skills.

AI digital voice assistants are regularly used in classrooms by physically and visually impaired students to open computer applications, navigate the screen and to initiate web searches.

“We use it more as an access method rather than generative to create,” Blue said. “So they could glean the same type of information from the internet that someone could do with a typed search, they could do it with a voice search.”

Blue said assistive technology gives students a way to express their thoughts, to learn something or to get something. The next step would be to use generative AI to help students create something new.

Blue predicts that as AI becomes more prevalent, educational methods will have to adapt to allow for this.

“It is something that we have to consider when we're thinking about our standards, what we want the students to be able to demonstrate and how they want to learn,” Blue said. “Looking standard by standard, we think about how could a generative AI tool be an assistive help to this, and also, on the flip side, how could the use of a tool like that prevent a student from actually learning this skill? We really need to have purpose and intention of how we're going to do it and not just the tool itself, but the system around supporting the tool and teaching students how to use it to meet their learning objectives.” l

Students who struggle to read can easily keep up with their classmates by putting in headphones and using the text-to-voice feature on their digital devices. (Image generated by Abode Firefly, an AI tool.)

Hopeful students have multiple chances to win Reflections contests

Eachyear, over 300,000 students across the nation enter the PTA Reflections contest to express themselves through dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.

Most Herriman area schools’ entry deadlines for the contest are in October.

Even though he is busy with schoolwork, clubs and teaching piano lessons, Mountain Ridge High School junior Isaac Turley has been thinking about what type of song he could compose for this year’s Reflections contest. His entry last year, a piano composition, won at the school, council and region levels, and earned a Music Composition Merit Award at state.

Turley, who has played the piano for about 10 years, often plays around with musical riffs, but the Reflections contest was the catalyst that encouraged him to write a complete song.

“I created this riff motif that I just loved, and when I saw the Reflections theme ‘Show Your Voice,’ I was thinking about the style of this really empowering motif that was rebellious and powerful, wanting to show what it's capable of in the music,” he said. “I wrote the song based off of that one little riff. I wrote a melody on top of that, then from

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

there, I expanded it to a full song. I tried to have it tell a story, the way you write a book.”

Turley was one of 169 Utah students to receive an award at the state level last year.

The theme for this year’s contest is "I Am Hopeful Because. . ."

Utah PTA Reflections Specialist Rebekah Pitts said this is one of her favorite themes.

“I just love hope and I love hearing what other people hope for and seeing how positive kids can be about the future,” she said. “I can't wait to see why thousands of Utah children have hope. It's going to be amazing!”

Each year, the Reflections theme is chosen from ideas submitted by students. This year’s theme was submitted by Alice Meko from Hampton Cove Elementary in Alabama.

Twice in the last few years, the Reflections theme winner has been a student from Utah. "Look Within" was the 2019-20 theme suggested by a Utah kindergartener, and the 2021-22 theme "I Will Change the World By. . ." was suggested by Lydia Keel, an eighth grader from Spanish Fork Junior High.

Entries for the Choose the Theme Contest are due November 1.

Another contest, the Utah Reflections

Theme Poster Contest, invites Utah students to submit artwork to be used on Reflections contest promotional posters. Poster designs for next year’s theme, “Accepting Imperfection,” are due March 1, 2024.

Pitts believes that the Reflections contest can have a huge impact on kids.

“You wouldn't think an art contest could change lives, but it does,” Pitts said. “Some children discover their future career through Reflections, others feel heard, some experience massive self-esteem boosts as they are recognized for their art. Many of these kids are very vulnerable with their pieces, sharing their hopes, dreams, fears and struggles. This contest gives them a chance to be heard and validated.”

Pitts said Utah schools have high participation rates in the Reflections contest but that there are always few entries in the Special Artist division for students who identify as having a disability.

“Last year, we had a national winner in the dance choreography category who captured our hearts with her enthusiastic wheelchair dance entry,” Pitts said. “We love seeing entries from special needs students and hope that more of them will learn about this opportunity and share their art with the Reflections program.”

The Reflections contest began in 1969. The impact the art contest has had on generations of students earned the founder, Mary Lou Anderson, a place in the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2020. l

Isaac Turley celebrates his Music Composition Merit Award at the state Reflections award night held May 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Erin Turley.)

‘Tree Time with Trent’: Herriman arborist offers tree-care tips and free class

Few residents notice Trent Bristol while he quietly cares for trees in Herriman, but his expertise has made a significant difference in the health of the city’s trees. December will mark Bristol’s fourth year as Herriman’s arborist. Prior to serving the city, he obtained a forestry degree from Utah State and was a forester for 25 years. In 2017, he received his arborist certification from the International Society of Arboriculture, and earlier this year, he was recognized as Arborist of the Year by the Utah Chapter of the ISA.

To share some of his extensive knowledge with the community, Bristol will offer a basic tree pruning class, “Tree Time with Trent,” on Thursday, Oct. 26, at City Hall from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The class is free, and registration is not required. Pruning can be tricky, but he states that the most common mistake people make is planting trees too deep—these trees often struggle and can die within the first year or even up to five years later. “[Trees] usually come too deep from the nursery. They pile up the dirt to keep them from tipping over,” explained Bristol. The ideal depth, he says, is for the soil to be just above the tree’s first major root.

Another common pitfall, Bristol reveals, is planting a tree that is not suited to

By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com

the climate. Residents may consult the city’s website, which offers a list of trees that thrive in Herriman. “I like to refer them to the list to diversify the tree canopy as much as possible,” Bristol said. He explains that if too many trees in an area are the same species, the tree population is vulnerable to species-specific diseases and insects. Bristol reveals that 47% of trees within Herriman borders are flowering pears. “Many people don’t know that the flowering pear is banned from being planted in park strips in front of residences,” he stated. “One issue is when branches get heavy, they break off and take half the tree with them, so it’s not a good street tree.”

Proper watering is also key. “Trees like to be watered deeply and infrequently, once or twice a week,” disclosed Bristol, recommending 10-15 gallons for the average small to medium-sized tree and 20-25 gallons for a larger tree. He notes that it is also necessary to check soil moisture once a week to ensure that the soil is moist but not saturated at least 12-15 inches below the surface.

Bristol also offers a warning about evergreens, which he says never go truly dormant during the winter. They continuously lose water throughout the cold months and will start showing symptoms come summer.

Unless there is snow on the ground, Bristol’s rule of thumb is that evergreens should be watered once a month during the winter when it is at least 40 degrees. If the temperature is below 40 degrees, he advises waiting

for a warmer day.

Don’t miss “Tree Time with Trent,” Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. l

Flowering pears comprise 47% of trees in Herriman. Residents may not plant flowering pears in park strips. (Elisa Eames/City Journals)

Trent Bristol has worked for Herriman City for almost four years. (Elisa Eames/City Journals)

was also represented by Unified Police Department’s Canyon Patrol, Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse, Herriman Police Department and Unified Fire Authority.

Those attending the ribbon cutting had the opportunity to explore the new trail which is the result of a 2022 lease agreement between Salt Lake County and Rio Tinto Kennecott.

“The community has long asked for access to this beautiful area, and this collaboration with Salt Lake County is our way of finding better ways to offer a safe and fun way for the public to enjoy Butterfield Canyon,” Rio Tinto Copper COO Clayton Walker said. “We’re so proud to see what’s possible through our environmentally focused reclamation efforts on what was once a mining site. I’m personally excited to get out and enjoy these trails with my family and friends.”

To ensure the trails are accessible, riders from Wasatch Adaptive Sports explored the trails on adaptive bikes prior to the ribbon cutting. First responders were also invited to navigate the trails and assess evacuation routes in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the trails were designed to host National Interscholastic Cycling Association mountain bike events for student athletes from across the state

and country.

“I had the opportunity to hike Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park several weeks ago. It was exhilarating to connect with the land and take in these breathtaking views,” Wilson said.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited at Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park. Two

dedicated full-time open space technicians will be onsite to manage the trails and work closely with BLM, Rio Tinto, Herriman City and first responders.

In addition to multi-user trails, the regional park will have a trailhead and parking lot, scheduled for completion this fall. For more information, visit slco.to/south-

west-canyons.

“This space will enrich the lives of all our residents and guests by providing accessible trails for outdoor recreation,” Wilson said, “and it reaffirms our county’s pledge to open space and preserving the natural beauty of places like this in our valley.” l

Members of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse ride the new trail system at Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park. (City Journals)

The new trail system at Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park offers more than 13 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and trail runners. (City Journals)

Herriman resident represents Utah at national pageant

When Rian Haslam took the stage at the National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopeston, Illinois, she represented not only Herriman City and Riverton High School, but all the young women in Utah dedicated to service.

Haslam, 24, is studying radiation therapy at Weber State University and although she didn’t win the national title, she was grateful for the chance to meet the other contestants and serve as Miss Utah Sweetheart Volunteer.

“It’s been a journey over the last several months and it’s been super fun and such a great organization to be involved with,” Haslam said. “It was the most incredible experience I think I will ever have. I know I will never take it for granted and will be so grateful that I had the opportunity to represent Utah at a national level. I would have never thought an opportunity that big would ever be something I would be able to do.”

Her platform for the pageant was focused on serving seniors in the community. She has worked in health care for the last several years and realized how the small acts of kindness and positive interactions with senior patients made a difference. She said the older generation often feels for-

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

gotten and just wants to be seen and heard.

“I see how small acts of kindness can really go a long way in somebody’s life,” she said.

Haslam recently participated in Honor Flight Utah, an organization that takes war veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials and monuments dedicated to their service. She was part of the welcome home ceremony that was a big celebration for these vets.

“A lot of them never got a welcome home from war, so that’s their second chance at getting a warm welcome home for all their accomplishments. That’s probably been one of my favorite things I’ve been able to participate in,” she said. “It’s nothing super big that I’m necessarily doing, it’s just being a nice friend or doing simple activities or just hanging out.”

For the talent portion of the pageant, Haslam shared a monologue she wrote with her mother, Traci Haslam, that explained her journey to a healthcare career and the struggles that brought her to where she is today.

Her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer when Haslam was in high school. Watching her grandmother go through radiation treatments and watching

her heal gave Haslam direction for her future profession.

“I’m one of about six people in the radiation therapy program at Weber, so it’s been a huge accomplishment,” she said. “It took a lot to get here but it’s been so worth it.”

Held each year in Hoopeston, Illinois, the scholarship pageant started in 1939 as a way to select the Sweetcorn Queen. The next year, neighboring states sent their own pageant contestants and the competition was changed to the National Sweetcorn Festival and the Miss Sweetcorn title became National Sweetheart.

Haslam’s considering another run at the Miss Utah Volunteer title and appreciates the $3,000 scholarship she was awarded. She never dreamed she’d have the chance to be in a national pageant but said the event has changed her life.

“I never would have thought that I would have been given such a huge opportunity to represent Utah,” she said. “It’s such a privilege and an honor that the Miss Utah Volunteer board of directors have trusted me to take on this role and have been guiding me through the process. It seriously meant a lot to me.” l

Herriman resident and Riverton High grad Rian Haslam represented Utah at the National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopeston, Illinois at the beginning of September. (Courtesy of Haslam)

HALLOWEEN SECTION

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

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

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Draper families transform their yards into Halloween destinations

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

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

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

Larsen Manor

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Haunted Haven

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Southfork Sanitarium

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

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

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

"Dan got started with the life-sized monsters," Stephanie said. He became hooked on Halloween after a trip to

a friend's Halloween store. About 15 years ago he joined the Rocky Mountain Haunters group.

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

The family has built up a collection of props that would fit in at any commercial haunted house. Some have been created by professional monster mak-

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

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

The Farrs' display has attracted attention beyond their neighborhood. "There have been years that we've been

in the news," Dan said. "A lot of people will come in from other areas."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mountain Ridge girls tennis wins region, sends players to state tournament

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

Girls tennis is the earliest fall sport to wrap up, as state tournament action began Sept. 28. Heading into the state championships, the Mountain Ridge Sentinels took the top spot in Region 2.

“We have had a great season this year,” head coach Preston Gardner said. “This is the best team that we have had since I have been the coach. The girls have all worked really hard, and their hard work is paying off.”

The entire Mountain Ridge varsity team qualified for state thanks to the region-winning tournament. Capri Fife, Sophia Packer and Isabelle Leak were Mountain Ridge’s top performers throughout the season. Gardner said Kate Burton was the team’s most improved player. She began the year on the JV squad but worked her way up to varsity by the end of the season.

The season started off on the wrong foot for the Sentinels, but the players quickly regrouped and went on an impressive winning streak that concluded with the big victory at the region tournament.

“We have had a lot of highlights this season,” Gardner said. “We lost a match early on in the season, which put our back against the wall a bit. After that first loss, we went undefeated and ended up winning

the region.”

With such a short season—only two months—it’s important the girls are ready to compete from day one. Players also need to stay active and play as much as possible before the season gets underway. Gardner was pleased that his players put in the time during the spring and summer.

“So many girls worked hard last offseason and are playing at a high level,” he said. “It is fun to see their success.”

The preliminary rounds of the Class 6A state tournament began Sept. 23 and continued with the round of 16 on Sept. 28.

In first singles, Fife had a bye in the round of 32 but lost her round of 16 match 6-0, 6-4. Leake also had a bye in the opening round. She then defeated her second singles opponent in the round of 32 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals against Eden Conley of Lone Peak. Packer was the third seed in third singles and got to skip the opening round as well. In the round of 16, she got past her opponent 6-3, 6-4. On Sept. 28, her season came to an end at the hands of Naomi Johnson of Skyridge, 6-0, 6-1. The Sentinels’ doubles teams lost in the round of 16. l

TAP INTO A NEW POSSIBILITY for depression

NeuroStar is like physical therapy for the brain. It uses magnetic pulses, similar in strength to MRI, to reignite dormant connections in the brain and give you control of your depression. With NeuroStar, you can live on your terms.

“I had taken 11 different medications without any relief… NeuroStar treatment has helped me bring my life back with a happiness that I’ve never experienced before” ~TODD

The Mountain Ridge girls tennis team completed a successful season in which every varsity starter qualified for state. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Budd)

What’s your legacy?

Serving Local Families Since 1885

COMPASSIONATE

During one of life’s most difficult moments, you deserve the utmost respect, kindness, care, and guidance. Six generations of Larkins have been devoted to serving Utah families in their time of need, and that unique experience enables us to guide you in preparing services for your loved one with consideration and respect.

Residents react to Herriman property tax increase

By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com

For the first time since it was incorporated in 1999, Herriman City will increase property taxes. At a public hearing on Aug. 22, the City Council voted to increase property taxes 12.2% to support the Herriman City Safety Enforcement Area, a taxing entity that funds the Herriman Police Department. City officials declared that if they don’t raise property taxes, residents will notice a decrease in police services, including longer response times and fewer investigations.

“If residents wish for the level of service to continue as time goes on, a revenue increase is needed in funding the police department. Costs have already been cut as much as the Council feels is reasonable without undermining the level of service,” the city stated.

At the hearing, various community members offered impassioned speeches for and against the proposed hike. Despite the stakes, however, attendee numbers were underwhelming—the council chambers were less than half full. The council disclosed in June that it was considering an increase of up to 15%, but after listening to public input for the better part of two hours, council members ultimately concluded that 12.2% was the optimal number.

Many residents expressed frustration at a raise that comes on the heels of other recent property tax increases. Councilman Jared Henderson, who is also a financial planner, thoroughly explained that Herriman City has nothing to do with the higher tax bills residents have seen. The city maintained that the significant hikes many Herriman property owners have noticed this year are largely because of increases levied by Jordan School District and Salt Lake County.

Some attendees are skeptical, however. Resident Glen Johnson feels that the city was merely pointing fingers and had made up its mind about the increase before the meeting even began. “I’d rather see a flat tax percentage on property tax. I think there should be an amendment that says they can never come back and ask for more,” he declared. Johnson feels that if the county or state is to blame for higher taxes, the City Council needs to “buck the state legislature” to decrease them.

Other Herriman residents in attendance agree that the outcome seemed predetermined and that costs seem too high. Attendee Kathy Gregory commented, “I felt like there weren’t enough people there to represent us and that the City Council already had their minds made up.”

Gerald White II of Herriman believes that increasing property taxes for the safety of the city is necessary, but to consider a 15% jump all at once was too much. “Costs should be controlled, avoiding excessive

spending on the latest and greatest tools. Herriman should be focused on setting commercial zoning and attracting businesses instead of trying to squeeze revenue out of high-density housing,” he asserted.

A recurring theme at the hearing was rising property values. Council members explained that in order to maintain a consistent dollar amount, Utah adjusts the tax rate according to fluctuating property values. If property values rise, the rate is lowered, and if property values fall, the rate is increased so the owner pays the same annual dollar amount. Of the thousands of dollars that Herriman owners pay in property taxes, the city itself only keeps an eyebrow-raising $60–$65 per property per year.

“Combined, the city entities are roughly a quarter of overall property taxes paid,” Herriman Communications Manager Jon LaFollette clarified. “For the average property value of $587,900… Herriman City… [receives] $62.73. HCSEA [receives] $478.16, and HCFSA [receives] $426.17.”

Some at the hearing questioned the city’s 2018 decision to leave the Unified Police Department, which is funded by the Salt Lake Valley Law Enforcement Service Area . Councilman Henderson referred to this decision as a “no-brainer.” The city revealed, “The number of officers on the streets approximately doubled for the same cost.” When the HCSEA was created alongside the HPD, Herriman levied the same property tax rate that was used by the SLVLESA—until August’s vote, this tax rate had remained unchanged since 2018. HCSEA and city finances are kept separately to ensure that funds for the HPD are used as intended and to offer transparency.

Property owners may wonder why the HPD is short on funds in the first place. Primary factors affecting the safety budget issue include significant inflation and an increase in average law enforcement salaries. Herriman must offer competitive salaries to retain officers. “... If your house value

goes from $500,000 to a million dollars, the City of Herriman doesn’t collect an extra dollar…” Councilman Steven Shields added. “So there’s no money disappearing. It’s just we have more costs… If we do not adjust for inflation, we will have to cut service. Period.” The city further explained, “Additionally, the city’s General Fund (not normally meant for police-related expenses) was helping to subsidize the Police Department if the HCSEA revenue wasn’t enough to pay for expenses.” Utah's property tax structure provides a measure of additional revenue for population growth but offers no solutions for inflation or market changes.

Retired Sergeant Sam Winkler moved to Herriman over a year ago, and asserts that in his experience as a former law enforcement professional, when police are underfunded and stretched too thin, officers begin to suffer mentally. “It got to be where I didn’t want to go out and take care of people, but that wasn’t possible. I couldn’t escape,” he recalled. Winkler supports the property tax increase if money no longer being borrowed from the general fund is used appropriately, especially for road maintenance. “I hate paying taxes,” he stressed. “But I see roads deteriorating. I support it as long as HPD and the city use the money properly.”

Yet the safety budget issue is only one piece of the overall general budget deficit Herriman is experiencing. Because the city has grown so quickly, ongoing operating expenses have been funded through onetime revenue sources such as development impact fees or building permit fees. “That was something the city knew it could not do forever, and made progress for years to reduce that dependency on one-time money and instead rely on ongoing revenue from taxes (sales tax, primarily) for operating expenses,” the city remarked.

This is the first year in many that onetime revenue is aligned with one-time expenses (such as building parks or install-

ing water lines), and ongoing revenue is matched with ongoing expenses. Predictably, in order to balance the budget, some city infrastructure and maintenance projects have been postponed, and some vacant or new staff positions have been reduced or eliminated.

Though many oppose the increase, numerous others approve of the City Council’s handling of the budget dilemmas. Longtime resident Curtis Cannon has been on the Citizen’s Advisory Board for four years. The Citizens Advisory Board works with the HPD to help ensure officers respond appropriately to situations and to provide feedback for improvement. Cannon feels he understands the needs of Herriman more than many do. “We need more police officers, especially with all the new development and Olympia Hills,” he said. “There’s so much more than just giving tickets. Police officers are at our schools. They… handle tense situations in a calm manner. It’s amazing that they can compartmentalize and go home to their families and live normal lives. I think they deserve more than what we’re giving them. They will give their lives to save other people. They’re not perfect, but man, these guys work hard.”

Kimberly Briggs of Herriman, who is also on the Citizen’s Advisory Board, supports the tax increase as well. “If we don’t [raise taxes] now, our level of service will start to decline as our city grows,” she said. “If it were my son or husband, I would want to make sure [they had equipment that keeps them safe]. They go above and beyond to help the community on and off duty because they care about the citizens.” l

City Council members and Mayor Palmer address resident concerns. (Herriman City)

Resident Glen Johnson expresses his concerns. (Herriman City)

Q & A

Business Spotlight

Megan Sewell owns Wild Sage Acupuncture in Cottonwood Heights. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Utah and maintains diplomat status at the national level: NCCAOM. Megan also has a Master’s degree in Science with a focus on Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine. She has 15 years of experience in the field of medicine and opened her clinic in Cottonwood Heights in 2021.

Q: What services do you offer?

A: As a holistic endocrinologist and pain specialist, I do acupuncture, cupping, diet guidance, and internal medicine in the form of herbs and key supplements.

Q: What sets your company apart from your competitors?

A: Our 100% natural therapies address the root cause of acute / chronic pain and hormonal imbalances. Your body never forgets how to heal, it just needs the right guidance and support. Through simple treatment strategies, along with our targeted acupuncture sessions, we provide a clear and concise way of improving your health and wellbeing. We offer a free initial consultation to see if our services are a good fit.

Q: Does your business solve a problem for your customers?

A: We offer solutions that Western medicine fails to provide. By reducing or eliminating pain, improving sleep and energy levels, and lowering physical and emotional stress for our

patients, on a daily basis, we naturally increase quality of life. Many of our patients love acupuncture’s naturally relaxing effects every time they receive treatment.

Q: Who is your ideal client/customer?

A: Anyone suffering from acute or chronic pain and/or nerve related conditions is urged to check us out. We also specialize in women’s hormonal health and infertility.

Q: What factors should potential customers know to make a decision about your business?

A: Our mission at Wild Sage is to provide efficient, cost-effective, natural healthcare.

We accept HSA/FSA cards, provide Superbills for insur-

ance reimbursement, and have a financing solution through CareCredit.

Q: What can customers expect from your business?

A: We will do a detailed assessment of your symptom or pain pattern, medical history, and other factors to determine the best way to treat you. If you follow the plan laid out, our experience has shown that we get quick and effective results, and once you are strong and well you do not need ongoing visits or treatments.

Q: Are you offering any specials?

A: We always offer free consultations and your first treatment is 25% off through May. Call 801-849-8312 to schedule a consultation and visit wildsageacupuncture.com for more information.

We love having our business in Cottonwood Heights to engage this wonderful community and be a source of renewed hope in healthcare. Find us on Facebook at @WildSageAcupuncture and on Instagram @wildsageacu.

Top-ranked Herriman boys cross country team setting the pace

In high school cross country, the No. 1 boys team belongs to the Herriman Mustangs. This isn’t just the best team in the state; the Mustangs are ranked No. 1 in the country.

Head coach Doug Soles, who has 24 years’ experience coaching cross country and who previously led one of California’s top teams, couldn’t be more thrilled with what the boys have accomplished.

“One thing that really set this team apart is how smart they are,” he said. “They really understand the concepts and strategies I’m sharing with them and using it to get better.”

At press time, the Mustangs were undefeated on the boys side and were tops in all the major national polls. The Herriman boys have won the Premier Invite, the UIAAA Invite, Timpanogos Invite, The Woodbridge Classic in California and the Bob Firman Invite in Idaho.

“We have faced and beaten many of the top-ranked teams in the nation,” Soles said.

So what makes the Mustang boys such a strong force? Soles pointed out a few factors.

“The boys have been able to win consistently because we have a very tight pack of guys all running near the front of races,” he said. “We are also the deepest team in the country, so we have lots of lineup options for each meet. The boys are tough and very consistent in their performances.”

On a team this good, there have been many standout showings and excellent runners. William Steadman is always at

By Josh McFadden j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

the front of the group in his races. He has finished in the top 10 each time out and won the Premier Invite. At the Bob Firman Invite, Tayshaun Ogomo finished 11th overall. At Woodbridge, Micah Tang was second with a time of 14:19 on the 3-mile course. Jack Beckstrom and Jonah Tang have also come up big for the team, helping lead the Mustangs past American Fork at the Timpanogos event.

No team is prefect, and the Mustangs have things to overcome. But some of the biggest questions the team has is whether everyone is going to be happy with his place on the squad.

“The biggest challenge for top-end teams like this is just making sure that everyone has a role,” Soles said. “It is hard to be a guy that is top two or three on any other team, and not make the varsity seven here. The guys understand they will have to race for positions in the postseason.”

Herriman is a big favorite to win the Class 6A state title in late October. The team also has a goal of winning the Nike Cross Nationals Championship on Dec. 2.

Soles has loved watching the team grow and improve. He arrived in 2022 and coached the track and field team. The year before he came, the boys placed ninth in cross country at the state meet. Watching the team become the best in the nation has been a fulfilling experience.

“Just watching them get good at all the little things to become great runners is really enjoyable to watch and be a part of,” he said.

The girls team has also had a good

year and is shooting for a top-three finish at state. Soles said the girls “have been great at getting a smaller and smaller time spread between our No. 1 girl and our No. 5 each meet.”

Soles complimented the efforts of Rachel Crosby, Alayna Wardle and Breelyssa

Leeper this season. Wardle won the Region Pre-Region Meet.

“I’ve been blessed with a great coaching staff and hardworking kids,” he said. “The future is very bright for Herriman Cross Country! We feel like this is just the beginning.” l

The Herriman boys cross country team captured first place at the UIAAA Invite earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of Doug Soles)

With the state championships coming up, the Herriman girls cross country team has its sights set on contending for a title. (Photo courtesy Doug Soles)

The Herriman boys cross country team has won multiple meets this season, including those with nationally renowned competition. The Mustangs are the No. 1-ranked team in the nation. (Photo courtesy of Doug Soles)

12th Sentinel program at Mountain Ridge scores a touchdown for inclusion

What started as a tragic loss has blossomed into a transformative program, where high school football players forge bonds that go beyond the boundaries of ability.

In 2013, Travis and Mandi Jacobson’s worst nightmare became reality when their 18-month-old son’s life was cut short. Tate had been born with multiple disabilities including Moebius Syndrome and he had only one hand. But his older brother, Hunter (who is now 14), was always looking for ideas that would allow Tate to hold a bat or carry a football.

Five years ago, the Jacobson’s were searching for a way to help their nephew, Porter Robins, get support at school. Porter has Down syndrome and the family worried about him getting bullied and being excluded. With Tate and Porter in mind, the Jacobson’s created the 12th Sentinel Program.

“We decided to start this program [with] the football players and these kids with special needs. The football players could look out for them, protect them, give them guidance, just kind of help them out at school,” Travis Jacobson said. “Seeing how this program has taught those kids resilience and how to overcome adversity has been incredible. It’s tough to be around our 12th Sentinels and not feel their strength and the love that they have for everybody around them. And it’s been incredible to see how those [football players] have learned from that. They’ve become stronger themselves.”

Porter’s brother, Brody, is a teammate with Hunter on the Mountain Ridge High School football team. While the program creates connections for people with disabilities, the football team is learning how to stand up for those with special needs.

MRHS head football coach Mike Meifu was on board with the program immediately. He’s come up with ideas to incorporate the 12th Sentinels into the team. For instance, during each home game, one 12th Sentinel goes out for the coin toss with the team’s captain, the Sentinels give the players high-fives before each game, they each have a team jersey to wear and they are invited to team dinners.

“I think it's awesome. It’s way cool to see all the kids. They’re always so happy and a joy to be around. So it’s way fun and I love it,” Hunter said. “It includes all the kids who can’t play football due to disabilities, and it’s a way for them to have a place to go and feel protected and confident.”

The program is open to anyone with disabilities. There are currently more than 30 12th Sentinels, with ages ranging from 4 to 19. The experience in the program is catered to each individual’s disability and

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

allows them to be involved in the best way possible. Some kids want to run in a touchdown, others want to be treated like a coach.

The Jacobson’s hope to grow this program and expand it to other schools. The benefits to both the individuals with dis-

abilities and the football players has far exceeded expectations.

“When we lost our son, Tate, I loved that my kids were learning how to look out for someone with special needs,” Brandi Jacobson said. “I love this program, what it’s teaching our family and our own chil-

dren. I love the relationships we’ve built with these 12th Sentinels and their families. You get out so much more from it than what you put in. Those friendships have changed our family’s lives.”

For more information, visit 12thsentinel.com. l

Mountain Ridge High School football players Lincoln Twilley (left) and Bridger Butterfield (right) join 12th Sentinel Madi Doman (center) as captains before a junior varsity football game against Lone Peak. (Photo courtesy of Shelley Swain)

Participants in the 12th Sentinel program prepare to run out of the tunnel before a Mountain Ridge High School football game. (Photo courtesy of 12th Sentinel)

The Truth is Out There

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

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

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

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

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

Maybe they were on their way to teach

Peri Kinder

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

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

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

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

Hmmmm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—Steve M., Army Special Forces

CSCS Chiropractic Physician