Adventure with Ty

By Karmel Harper | k.harper@mycityjournal.com

When Kaysville’s Sandi Quick adopted Ty Burningham when he was 3 months old, they were told that he would not live to see his first birthday. Ty has Trisomy 9p, an extremely rare condition where he has an extra piece of chromosome number 9. Quick said, “He is extra special.” Yet Ty continues to defy the doctors’ expectations and celebrated his 26th birthday on July 4.

Ty has become a fixture in Kaysville and regularly ventures into town on his scooter or bike to interact and converse with neighbors. “Ty’s greatest joy is people,” Quick said. And with his huge smile and outgoing and friendly demeanor, Ty gives that joy right back to everyone he meets.

Meeting Ty in random Kaysville locations has become such a highlight for Kaysville residents that Jeff Bosen created a Facebook group called “Adventures with Ty,” where people can post selfies and share stories about their interactions with him. Kaysville’s Melissa Saunders Jackson shared a Ty selfie after she saw him at Walgreens. Jackson said, “Thanks Ty for brightening my day!”

Other residents have shared stories and videos of Ty sending greetings to LDS missionaries, how he can remember details about people he meets such as their kids’ names and ages, and how he makes people feel like they have been lifelong friends - even from the first brief interaction. Kaysville’s Carol Hartvigsen Ferguson has run into Ty several times over the years but after the most recent one in October at the Dollar Store.

“He asked a lot of genuine and sincere questions about me and my family,” Ferguson said. “We talked about weather, watches, wallets, phones, and weekend plans. Ty should teach a communications course on how to be genuine and sincere and have no inhibitions when speaking to friends or strangers. With Ty, there are no strangers, only friends.”

On Ty’s 25th birthday on July 4, 2020, a dozen Kaysville teens pooled together their money to replace his broken scooter. The recent Davis High grads wanted to do something nice for Ty for his birthday, so they each donated money to surprise Ty with an upgraded and much faster electric scooter. Hunter Garrett told KSL news, “He’s got that personality where it’s like you see him and you just can’t not smile. He just lights up a room wherever he is.”

When Ty’s bike was stolen on October 27, the Adventures with Ty Facebook group donated to replace his bike. On November 2, Bosen posted, “PLEASE NO MORE DONATIONS. First off I want to thank everyone who donated money towards Ty’s bike. In less than 24 hours

Brittney Johnson, an employee of Bennion Crafts, often enjoys quality time with Ty. Photo courtesy of Samantha Johnson.

you guys raised a lot of money!” Raising more money than what was needed, Bosen and Ty’s mother, Sandi Quick, asked the community what to do with the surplus money. While they were willing to return an equal amount back to everyone, the community replied that the money be put towards the Kaysville Gives holiday project, an endeavor that provides holiday gifts to over 35 local families in need.

Ty was thrilled when Bosen presented him with a new bike on November 7. Ty then surprised Bosen with gifts as well - some delicious snacks and a bottle of Goo Gone. If you would like to continue the spirit of friendship, joy, and generosity that Ty inspires, visit www. kaysvillegives.com. l

Year-end deadlines are nearing for my529 tax bene ts

Did you know that a 529 educational savings plan can be an integral piece of your estate planning?

my529, Utah’s o cial 529 educational savings plan, makes it easy for grandparents and/or retirees to support their bene ciary’s dreams of college, university or technical school.

Earnings in a my529 account grow tax deferred and withdrawals are tax-free when used for quali ed education expenses like tuition, books, fees, computers, and room and board.

Another advantage my529 o ers is a tax credit for Utah resident taxpayers. Contributions to my529 accounts are eligible for the credit up to certain amounts per quali ed bene ciary. Investing in my529 may also provide estate planning advantages. The end of the year is approaching, and so are deadlines for contributions to apply to the 2021 tax year. Contributions to my529 accounts are due by Thursday, December 30, 5 p.m. MT, if mailed in and Friday, December 31, 11:59 p.m. MT, if submitted online.

Learn more at my529.org

my529.org | 800.418.2551

By Cindi Mansell | c.mansell@mycityjournals.com

The Business Supporting Business group was created during the COVID pandemic to help support local Kaysville businesses, but it has since grown into a group to support all things positive in “Utah’s Home Town!” The group has loved supporting local businesses and organizers tout how rewarding it’s been to see how many unique and creative businesses there are, along with the great people who work so hard to run them.

“We Are Kaysville” is partnering with the Business Supporting Business in Kaysville effort to connect local businesses owners and employees with other businesses to share support, applicable education, and resources. Monthly meetings are scheduled from 7:15 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. for the 2nd Tuesday of every month (unless otherwise noted) with breakfast and education before work at the DATC Business Resource Center, 450 Simmons Way. The meetings are free to attend and are open to all owners and employees involved with businesses in Kaysville City. Kaysville has councilmembers who are committed to making essential services a priority. Their department managers lead by example, as many are often wearing multiple hats in order to cover all the necessary tasks required to handle and maintain the amenities our citizens have come to expect and appreciate. The group is grateful for its volunteers who willingly donate time and talents to take part on committees and boards that help all of us.

Visit the “We Are Kaysville” Facebook page to keep up on current events, see what type of businesses people are looking for, view business recommendations, and respond if you can help. l

Kaysville Police Department’s mission statement is shown here. Courtesy photo

Police Department updates its Mission Statement

By Cindi Mansell | c.mansell@mycityjournals.com

The Kaysville Police Department recently updated its mission statement. Officer professionalism, and partnership with our community, as guided by the constitution of Bret Bateman was kind enough to put this image together. It reads:

“The mission of the Kaysville Police Department is to protect the lives, property, and rights of all people through prevention, this great state and country. We will enforce the law impartially with a reverence for human life and provide service with compassion, integrity, and honor.”l

Birds of a feather flock together at Farmington High

FARMINGTON—Adam Blundell’s love for birds came from his mother – now it’s become his passion. After months of preparation and hours and hours of work the Farmington High teacher’s idea has come to fruition with the creation of a first-of-its-kind aviary at the school.

“When I started the ornithology class four years ago I only had a few students,” he said. “Now it’s a thriving program and kids are on a waiting list to get into it.”

The aviary opened last Friday with South American, African and Australian displays and more to come. “This creates a great atmosphere for the students,” said FHS Principal Rich Swanson. “We were just in the right place at the right time. Youth are so engaged with the wetlands. It’s amazing to be able to have this here where kids can get hands-on experience in a world where they can really make a difference.”

It’s really the students who did all the work, Blundell said. “They put in an insane amount of work to get this done. It’s all the students, they’ve been fantastic.”

Farmington High senior Bella Hansen is one of those students who helped bring the aviary to the school. “I’m mainly in charge of the South American exhibit,” she said. “We have a bird club that goes out to the bay to watch for birds and identify them. I love being outside in the environment so I found a bunch of people with the same idea and made a club. I just love it.”

Hansen said she was one of the main people who pushed for the aviary. “I’ve been in the ornithology class since the 10th grade. We spent most of last year planning the aviary then finished it up this year. Every day we spend most of class time feeding the birds and cleaning the cages.”

It wasn’t just ornithology students who contributed to the display. “A computer science student developed an interactive app where you can select the country and it will tell you about the birds,” said Blundell. “The art department also got involved and past and present students. I designed the exhibit but it was student driven. They put up walls, hammered nails and put it all together.”

Blundell said for some students it was life changing. “It gave them a clearer direction of what they want to do with their life.”

Bryon Geddes said his daughter Judith was one of those students who has had a life changing experience in Blundell’s class. “With COVID going on and just being high school kids it’s tough enough to be students,” he said. “We moved here at the beginning of her junior year. There were clicks, etc. that made it hard for her to make friends.”

Mr. Blundell took her under his wing without knowing the private yearnings in the heart of a parent, said Geddes. “He answered the call of providence to care about her. As a result of the love of a teacher she gained friendships and purpose and he gave her a direction of what she wants to be when she grows up. I can’t say enough about this man. He’s a rock star in the Geddes family.”

A conference room was remodeled across from the counseling office to create the exhibit, Swanson said. “Adam wanted it to be on one of the ends of the school but we wanted to put it in the middle where it’s a focal point where people can see it and see what it’s doing for the students. You can’t walk out of the office without it catching your eye of this amazing exhibit.”

Blundell was teaching at the University of Utah when he decided to come to Farmington High. “I wasn’t looking for a job,” he said. “I loved the job I had. It’s crazy. When I told my wife I was leaving my position to go to Farmington High she said ‘are you sure about this?’ I said ‘nope’ but it all turned out great in the end.”

“This is a world-class experience for our students. They’ll do all the cleaning, feeding, etc. l

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@becky.g@davisjournal.com

Students look at the three bird rooms in the aviary display at FHS.

FARMINGTON—Talent Ready Utah in the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity has launched a new program designed to help high school students get the skills they need to enter the tech industry. The Tech Sales Pathways Program in partnership with MarketStar Corporation will provide career pathways to sales in social media, SaaS, digital ads, IT and cloud services.

“There’s a growing need for talent in sales as businesses across industries adopt new technology,” said Dan Hemmert, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. “Through work-based learning programs, we can better prepare the younger generation for future careers.”

“Students take courses in high school or Davis Technical College in business, sales or marketing,” said Davis District CTE Supervisor Camille Hogge. “When those are completed they do an internship in that tech pathway.”

Once they’ve finished their internship they are guaranteed an interview in that industry, she said. “A lot of students walk out with a job right out of high school. it gives them a head start in that career. Then if they want to go on and get more education some industry partners will pay for tuition depending on the industry partner.”

The district is involved in quite a few of the Governor’s pathways, said Hogge. “We’ve been working with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and industry partners as we’ve been getting this going.”

MarketStar is one of the first, she said. “We’ve been working together for about a year to solidify how it will work to benefit students that take the program as well as have an interview.”

The industry partner also becomes part of the advisory board, said Hogge. “It’s nice to bring all of the industry partners in to advise us on what to teach.”

Hogge said the program just started in the district. “If students finish up their courses this semester they can start an internship next semester if they meet the requirements. It’s usually after school working onsite at the industry location. They usually work with students individually on when they can do it, etc.”

Students who are interested in the program can work with their school counselors to get enrolled. “They can also talk with the CTE coordinator to make sure they take the right classes,” said Hogge. “The business and marketing instructors can also help. They’re an integral part in learning and can give students the right information so they can be successful. This is a great opportunity for our students.”l

By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

Northridge High School students gather at the launch of the Tech Sales Pathways Program. Courtesy Davis School District

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