Midvale Journal | November 2022

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Nov. 2022 | Vol. 19 Iss. 11

INAUGURAL JORDAN RIVER CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS WORK BEING DONE TO PRESERVE WATERWAY

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By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

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lowing through the center of the Salt Lake Valley, the 50-mile long Jordan River has experienced a revival over the last 10 years. As one of the major tributaries to the Great Salt Lake, the Jordan River has become the focus of conservation and preservation efforts.

The Jordan River Commission will celebrate and recognize people and organizations who have spurred the resurgence of the river at an event on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 4-8 p.m. at the new Zions Bancorporation Technology Center (7860 S. Bingham Junction Blvd.) in Midvale.

“It’s going to be a multifaceted event with tours of the parkway, with art, with music, with dinner and recognition of these special contributors to the work we’re doing to improve the parkway and make it more accessible,” said Soren Simonsen, Jordan River Commission executive director. “We want to open up opportunities for education and arts and expression.”

The inaugural event will feature a tour of the Zions campus and Jordan River Parkway, including a bike ride to the Big Bend Nature Reserve.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own

A Jordan River celebration event will be held on Nov. 10 at the Zions Bancorporation Technology Center (7860 S. Bingham Junction Blvd.) in Midvale. The event

Continued page 17 will recognize champions of Jordan River preservation and conservation. (Photos courtesy of Neil Franti/Jordan River Commission)

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Union Middle students ‘Stop the World’ with ‘Newsies, Jr.’ performances

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

“

Newsies Stop the World,” is front page news when a reporter writes how newsboys bring light to the poor working conditions of not only themselves, but of all children in labor.

The clever headline also plays off the fact the newsies are striking in turn-of-the-century New York City to rally together in opposition to unfair work conditions by powerful New York World newspaper publisher, Joseph Pulitzer.

More than 130 students are making headlines at Union Middle School as they are a part of the newly released “Disney’s Newsies, Jr.,” a 70-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical and movie.

The student-actors will perform the show at 7 p.m., Nov. 30Dec. 3, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday on the school’s stage, 615 E. 8000 South. Tickets are $3 and are available at the door or at umspa.yapsody.com.

“We like that it is a really large cast, and we can include as many kids as possible,” said drama teacher Brooke Grant, who is codirecting the show with music teacher David Christensen and dance teacher Roxanne Paulsen. “There are more lead newsies in the junior version; they’ve added some parts so there are more dedicated female roles.”

Students auditioned in August.

“We have a really strong group of actors this year,” Grant said.

“Last year, we had a lot of good seventh-graders in ‘Spamalot’ so they were prepped and ready and

moved into the lead roles this year.”

She said the same thing is true this year, so Grant expects next year’s production to have strong leaders as well.

Paulsen added that “double-casting allows us to do that, to train our students.”

Union first double-casted roles in 2019 with their production of “The Addams Family.”

Grant said the “Newsies, Jr.” cast is one of the largest casts ever in the school history, and the last time students will perform a musical on the current stage as a new school building is being constructed and upon completion, the school built in 1968 will be demolished.

The new auditorium will seat about 650 patrons, about half the size of the current theater’s 1,200 seats, Grant said, so with the musical being “heavy” on dance, the larger stage works well.

“The students are being pushed out of their comfort zones as far as movement goes. It’s iconic choreography, so it’s fun to draw kids into seeing it and recreating it our own way,” Paulsen said. “We’ll do it at the students’ level, but there are iconic moments and motifs we put in.”

Some students have tap experience from previous shows or from studio lessons while others are learning it for the first time for “The King of New York” number.

“We’ll highlight those with experience and the others will join them in performing tap steps,” she

Journals T H E

Union Middle’s newsies are stopping the world with its production of “Disney’s Newsie’s Jr.” that will be Nov. 30-Dec. 3.

(Brooke Grant/Union Middle)

said.

Joining them in instruction is social studies teacher Taylor Brooks, who has acting, music and dance experience, and can help teach the thespians.

In addition to those on stage, there are two student stage managers and a 25-student stage crew helping with props and signs in addition to sound and lights. Grant said that the Art 3 class is painting backdrops for shows and parents volunteer with costumes and props.

“It’s fun for our community to be a part of this. We don’t have sports teams other than intramurals here, so this is the big thing,

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the draw that pulls all our students together,” Grant said. “When students are in the cast and crew, even if they’re in the ensemble, they’re connecting and being part of the community and tradition of being in a Union musical.”

“It takes all our community to pull it off,” Paulsen said.

Grant said there will be a surprise—even to the student-actors— appearance in the show. There also may be an opportunity to involve Union alumni, although Grant isn’t ready to reveal those plans.

She said it has been a gratifying experience for both the students and herself.

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“It’s a fun musical for students to be playing kids the same age and there’s not a ton of shows like that. They are filling the roles very naturally, and they’re very much connect to their roles, to the David and Goliath aspect of the show. It’s very empowering and uplifting.

It’s important that they feel the story they’re telling is helping them grow as people,” Grant said. “I’ve enjoyed seeing them succeed. It’s a hard show and it’s known for its dancing, and they have to be singing and acting at the same time. It’s been fun seeing them overcome the challenges to succeed.” l

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Midvale City Journal

Distinguished alumni recognized at Hillcrest’s homecoming game

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t was Mick Dowd’s first time back home in 26 years.

The 1963 Hillcrest High graduate and class vice president reconnected with his classmates and family as he accepted the Hillcrest High Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

“I was shocked and also, really flattered; I thought I had been forgotten, but obviously wasn’t quite so,” he said. “It was really nice to come back home again.”

At halftime of the homecoming football game Sept. 23, Dowd received the award in front of not only the student body, but also a group of his classmates from Hillcrest’s first graduating class.

The Distinguished Young Alumni Award went to Miranda Jessup, class of 2014, who is in England and was unable to accept the crystal award in person.

Alumni Association Vice President Michele Rasmussen, class of 1981, said, “We had a lot of outstanding nominations, but these two stood out.”

She said that Jessup’s academic interest in history, specifically transcribing Holocaust survivor accounts and exploring 17th-century English female education, as well as researching indigenous women in Utah history for Better Days 2020, were prominent in her nomination.

“She wants to share people’s stories and she uses her love of history to serve,” Rasmussen said.

In an acceptance statement, Jessup said the more she has learned about history and the complexity of life, the more she recognizes the value and impact.

“I choose to study history because I value people as complex human beings and am fascinated by their experiences and the stories they tell about themselves,” she said.

“I firmly believe that my time at Hillcrest set the trajectory of both my formal education and my personal growth and development.

My participation in the International Baccalaureate Programme encouraged me to look beyond my own perception and engage with other viewpoints as I developed critical thinking and research skills. My interpersonal experiences with fellow students from various walks of life taught me empathy and the power of connection.”

Dowd “has done so much in the entertainment industry and in the community. He began singing on TV when he was five here in Salt Lake and has gone to perform nationally with all the stars, but he also has worked as a volunteer for a children’s hospital for Special Olympics, so he has given back,” Rasmussen said.

Dowd attended Midvale Elementary and Midvale Junior High, then went to Jordan High his sophomore and junior years before Hillcrest was built.

“We were initially brokenhearted our

MidvaleJournal.com

senior year because these are kids we’ve gone to school with and to be separated our last year, we were all kind of saddened by that.

We ended up loving it, being the first graduating class of Hillcrest because, we got to pick everything, the logo, the school colors, the song,” he said, adding that he was the student who suggested Huskies for the school mascot after the initial name of the Rebels (after “Rebels without a Cause,” he said) was rejected by administrators. “At the time it was built, Hillcrest was a top-notch school. It was the best in the (Salt Lake) Valley.”

Since then, Hillcrest has been rebuilt and Dowd got his first glimpse of it at the game, when he met the current student body vice president, Kunal Kamtekar.

“Before we left Jordan, we had an election for Hillcrest’s president, secretary and treasurer, but they left off the vice president for some reason. We didn’t elect the vice president until we were at Hillcrest the following fall. I lost my bid for president, but I won vice president,” he said, adding that his competitor for the office, Mary Jensen, was in the stands homecoming night to support him getting the alumni award.

While in high school, Dowd shared his talents—as a ballad singer—as part of a traveling assembly group that performed at area high schools. However, he got his start as a child, singing weekly on a Saturday morning children’s program for about seven years.

The Deseret News named him as one of the pioneers of Salt Lake television.

“My cousin was on that TV show, ‘The Doris Hardy Show,’ and she had a birthday party at her house with a bunch of kids. We played spin the bottle and, in those days, you did anything that was suggested. When the bottle came to me somebody said to sing a song. So, I sang. The woman with the TV show talked to my mother and said she wanted to put me on TV,” Dowd recalled.

He sang at the talent show during Midvale’s Harvest Days, where he was scouted.

He was invited to New York City, where he competed in an amateur hour.

“It was like ‘America’s Got Talent’ today,” he said. “I won the national championship, but I came back to finish school.”

After graduation, during a summer while serving with the National Guard, he auditioned at Disneyland as a singer at the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland.

“I got a job there singing five shows a day and I did some other shows at Disneyland. I would go back every summer between going to college at the University of Utah and the National Guard,” he said.

Dowd went on to a singing career in Los Angeles.

He worked with Florence Henderson for three years (who sang with him at his birthday party in 1982), sang with Ann-Margret (“she is just the sweetest; there’s not

Hillcrest High Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Mick Dowd, receives a crystal plaque from association president Craig Condor. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

an evil bone in her body”), performed with Bob Hope, Julie Andrews, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Mitzi Gaynor and Dean Martin and was on shows with Sonny and Cher, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Steve Allen and others.

“Ann-Margret and I in Vegas had a song we did together, and I am notorious for getting the giggles and she was also, even in rehearsal we would make each other laugh a lot,” he said. “Bob Hope was lovely. The first time I worked with him was a (1975) homecoming show for UCLA basketball and it was filmed right on the basketball court.

I did some other shows with him later on, and I worked with Julie Andrews on her show. I was blown away really by just how beautiful her voice was and just how pitch perfect. When you see stars like that or hear them, and witness them in person, you become aware how amazing their talent is so amazing.”

Eventually, Dowd began working as a television producer in commercial production and was the casting director until retirement.

“I always consider myself as an average student, but everything just fell in place,” he said. “I always believed I was going to be successful and never waived on that belief. I was very lucky growing up in Midvale. How

Current student body vice president, Kunal Kamtekar, after participating in a chalk fight for homecoming, meets Hillcrest’s first student body vice president and Hillcrest High Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Mick Dowd.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

many people can say they went to school with their friends from kindergarten to college? And they’re still here supporting me today.” l

Nov. 2022 | Page 5

Wasatch Wanderers rescues abandoned exotic pets, ducks and geese

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

W

hen people think of animal rescue, they usually think about the thousands of abandoned dogs or cats waiting to be placed in forever homes. But Wasatch Wanderers rescue a different type of animal.

Although Adison Smith and co-founder Kade Tyler have been rescuing animals for more than 10 years, it wasn’t until last September that they created the nonprofit Wasatch Wanderers to help domestic waterfowl, farm animals and exotic pets.

“I’ve always been very passionate about helping animals because they don’t have a voice for themselves,” Smith said. “We just recognized there was a big need for farm and exotic animal rescue.”

Last fall, Smith was contacted by Weber State University to rescue more than 60 ducks and geese stranded on the school’s campus.

Water for the animals was drying up and the waterfowl were being attacked by dogs.

Geese had been at WSU for several years, but as the birds reproduced, and as people dropped off their pet geese and ducks on campus, the number of birds had increased, creating a problem at the school.

“For years, these geese had been seen as the Weber State unintentional mascot. They’d put the geese on shirts and hats and COVID masks,” Smith said. “I organized a rescue team and found homes for the geese.”

That’s when she decided to create Wasatch Wanderers, and during the last year, the organization has rescued more than 500 domestic waterfowl.

Smith said people don’t realize pet ducks and geese have been genetically altered with wings too small for their bodies. They get too fat to fly to safety. Because they can’t sustain flight, they don’t migrate and get stuck in ponds when the water freezes.

“They rely on humans to keep them alive. You’ll see a lot of dead waterfowl because they can't leave and they’ve become an easy target for predators,” Smith said. “People just don’t know they can’t fly or forage on their own.”

The goal of Wasatch Wanderers is to remove domestic waterfowls from places that aren’t safe and put them in forever homes.

But it’s not just geese and ducks rescued by the group, they also take in pigs, chickens, cows, hamsters, turtles and fish.

Smith is often contacted by shelters across the state who have a rooster, pig or duck that’s going to be euthanized. She takes those animals and gives them to one of the 50 foster homes willing to take in farm animals.

They recently saved a pig from a shelter near Vernal and rescued an additional four pigs from California. Wasatch Wanderers paid for a volunteer to transport the pigs to a foster home and got the animals medical care, including one pig that had eight babies after it was rescued.

“We travel basically everywhere in Utah

Page 6 | Nov. 2022

We travel basically everywhere in Utah where there’s a need. Wasatch Wanderers focuses on abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals.

Our goal is to educate the public and get them to treat and see animals differently.

Adison Smith where there’s a need,” she said. “Wasatch Wanderers focuses on abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals. Our goal is to educate the public and get them to treat and see animals differently.”

It can get overwhelming when so many animals need a home. There are currently 85 roosters in the group’s care, more than 150 waterfowl, lots of guinea pigs and hamsters, and they’ve stopped accepting rabbits because they can’t afford the medical care for all the rabbits they receive.

Wasatch Wanderers also rescues abandoned turtles and goldfish. In the last year, the group has saved nearly 70 turtles that have been abandoned in waterways. Smith said people don’t know that goldfish and turtles are an invasive species and damaging to wildlife.

“These are living beings and they have needs and if you can’t meet those, don’t buy them,” Smith said. “Not only is it harmful and cruel to that animal to do that, it’s also illegal. It’s actually a crime in the state of Utah to abandon any domestic animal, even something as small as a goldfish.”

Currently, the organization is 100% foster-based, but Smith and Tyler hope to purchase property to create an animal sanctuary when land becomes more affordable. All the money for medical care, food and transportation comes out-of-pocket or through donations.

To contribute to Wasatch Wanderers, to become a foster or for more information, visit WasatchWanderers.org.

“There is a resource available to pet owners who are in over their head. Don’t abandon, reach out to a rescue,” Smith said.

“The biggest change we want to make is educating the public and preventing the problem at the source. Prevent those impulsive buys because that’s what so many do when they abandon their animal. Make more responsible decisions. That’s what adults are supposed to do.”l

Kade Tyler and Adison Smith, founders of Wasatch Wanderers, rescue ducks, geese, farm animals and exotic pets throughout the state. (Photos courtesy of Holly Cluff)

Midvale City Journal

Governor speaks to Rotary Club members

“O

ne of the reasons I wanted to speak to Rotarians is because I believe that you are the best and most important thing happening in our country, and I’m devastated that we are in such a small room right now,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. On Aug. 25, Cox spoke to a group of 100 members of local Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sandy.

“Essentially, the governor spoke to us about increasing our community service by working more closely with local government and business leaders,” said Mike Peterson, public image chair of the South Valley Rotary Club. “He’s concerned that service-based institutions like Rotary are decaying.”

Rotary International is a worldwide, charitable society of business and professional people.

“I told my staff I have to talk about Rotarians because it’s so important to me,” Cox said. “And they looked at me and said, ‘Is that still a thing?’ I said, ‘Yeah, it’s still a thing and it needs to be a bigger thing.’”

Even those not familiar with Rotary Clubs might have heard of the Four-Way Test, a set of ethical questions to guide interactions in relationships. The test asks that before you think, say or do something, consider: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

“That Four-Way Test is the secret to everything,” Cox said. “Can you imagine if every politician, myself included, every time we had a decision to make, or a press conference to hold, or a tweet to send out if we went through that Four-Way Test how different would our country be right now?”

Cox went on to say that he no longer pays attention to what part of the political spectrum people subscribe to, whether it be far left, far right or moderate. Instead, he notices if a person is a builder or a destroyer.

The governor made it clear he believes Rotarians fall solidly in the “builder” category.

“We felt honored that he wanted to meet Rotarians,” said Steve Schoonover, president of the South Valley Rotary Club. “He was just down to earth, like a regular guy in your neighborhood.”

Cox wanted to speak to a large group.

So the South Valley Club, which has 22 members from Draper, Riverton, Herriman and Bluffdale, worked quickly to invite 12 other local clubs and three chambers of commerce.

The governor’s remarks were preceded by a video introduction made by a former Rotarian that was a humorous mix of satire and biography. For example, it poked fun at Cox’s commute from Fairview to Salt Lake City when he was lieutenant governor by suggesting that he drove the Mormon Meteor III, an historic race car that was used to set

MidvaleJournal.com

By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com

Rotarians from across the state assembled in September to hear the governor’s remarks. (Photo courtesy Mike Peterson)

speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

“The next day we were asked if we could forward (the video),” Schoonover said. “Spencer showed it to his staff and they really got a kick out of it. He literally was laughing, just chuckling the whole time.”

Rotarians like to have fun, but they also get a lot done. Service projects can be as small as having lunch with a special needs teen or as large as partnering with Rotarians in Kenya to provide life-changing access to water. They also award scholarships to high school students, sponsor a scout troop and organize an annual roadside cleanup at Rotary Park, which they built.

“We’ll collaborate with other clubs and other entities,” Schoonover said. “Some projects happen on a recurring basis. Some are things on the fly that we find out about.”

When a nonprofit in Riverton called Bear-O Care had the catalytic converters stolen from their vans, South Valley Rotary stepped up to raise the money to replace them.

An upcoming collaboration is Thanksgiving Heroes, which provides full Thanksgiving meals to Utah families in need.

“People can contribute money, nominate a family or participate on the day,” Schoonover said. “Last year we made thousands of deliveries.”

Those interested in helping out can go to www.thanksgivingsheroes.org/svrotary.

“Since I’ve been in it, I can tell you: government was never designed to solve all of our problems,” Cox said. “It was designed to solve some of our problems, like protecting us from outside forces. It’s designed to help us build roads because if you had

Gov. Spencer Cox addresses the South Valley Rotary Club in August. (Photo courtesy Mike Peterson)

to build your own road to your house, that doesn’t make sense.”

Cox recommended a book called “A Time to Build” and summarized a main idea that “We are a nation built on institutions: government, higher education, the media, faith-based institutions, and the family as an institution. There is concern that our institutions are breaking down and failing us because we’ve lost trust in them, and both the right and left are actively breaking them down in different ways. If we’re going to survive as a nation, we need to build up institutions like Rotary and other service-based institutions. Institutions are made to bring us

together and hold us accountable.”

“As a nation, we know that the best solutions are when you come together with your neighbors,” Cox said. “It’s cheaper, it’s more meaningful, and it’s much more lasting.”

At the end of his remarks, Cox opened the meeting for questions and answers.

Topics ranged from air pollution to mental health to geriatrics to water to school funding, which shows the concern and care Rotarians feel for their community.

“We are dedicated to the youth in our community,” Schoonover said. “They are our future leaders.” l

Nov. 2022 | Page 7

Utah Jazz and Instructure accepting nominations for top educators

N

ominations are now open for the Utah Jazz Most Valuable Educators, presented by Instructure, the Utah-based creator of the Canvas Learning Management System. The public is invited to nominate local teachers who make an impact at their school, in their community, and who inspire students.

The appreciation program will honor 14 educators throughout the 2022-23 Jazz regular season with the first recipient announced on Friday, Nov. 18 at Vivint Arena (301 S. Temple) during the Jazz home game against the Phoenix Suns.

“The outpouring of nominations last season only reinforced the importance of this program and the community’s desire to publicly thank and recognize our educators,” said Jim Olson, Utah Jazz president.

Each winning educator will receive a $1,000 classroom grant (courtesy of Instructure), a surprise classroom visit or assembly, a personalized Jazz jersey and free tickets to a Jazz game where they will be guests of Instructure.

Students, parents, peer educators, principals or school administrators can nominate the person they consider to be the most valuable K-12 and higher education teachers in Utah. Find the nomination form at

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com utahjazz.com/MVE. “Our program recognizes teachers that go above and beyond every day to engage our kids’ curiosity and show them just how fun learning can be,” said Steve Daly, CEO of Instructure. “It’s a tough time for educators and it’s more important than ever to recognize all they do and find ways to do more for them. Join me in nominating your favorite teacher and showcasing the amazing work they are doing to help our children feel safe, heard and excited to learn.”

Instructure will also provide 300 tickets for Utah educators to attend the Jazz game on March 18, 2023. Throughout the game, teachers will be recognized for their work in the community and given the opportunity to participate in activities. Fans who attend the game can write their own messages of gratitude for educators.

All 14 honorees of the Most Valuable Educators program will be invited to attend an awards dinner with the Utah Jazz and Instructure at the end of the season.

“We are grateful for Instructure to honor and showcase the hard work of our educators by putting a spotlight on them and acknowledging their tremendous im- Alison Bulson (right) is honored as one of the Utah Jazz and Instructure's Most Valuable Educators at a pact on our children,” Olson said. l Jazz game during the 2021-22 season. Joining her in the game-day recognition were (from left) the Utah Jazz Bear, Jim Olson, president of the Utah Jazz, and Steve Daly, Instructure CEO. (Courtesy of Utah Jazz)

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Nature’s Virus Killer Copper can stop a virus before it starts

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Page 10 | Nov. 2022

Senior Ray Powers, seen here competing in the 100 free in January, is expected to bring depth to the Huskies swim team this season. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Hillcrest High new swim coach expects improvement, sportsmanship with commitment

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

H

illcrest High new swim coach Elizabeth Drake knows many of her swimmers have academic responsibilities as International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement students. She also knows her team has other obligations and activities, and busing to Gene Fullmer Recreation Center in West Jordan takes additional time, but she does expect them to communicate and make the commitment to the team.

“Our team goal is that I want to leave every meet with the other team feeling, if nothing else, we have the most sportsmanship,” she said, such as wanting swimmers cheering at the end of every lane. “Whether it’s our team or not, every swimmer in the pool should feel supported 100%. Some years, Hillcrest may not have felt there was much cheering as they weren’t winning as many races or didn’t have as great turnout as far as their crowd. I want to turn that around.

It starts with our dedication to our team and working hard. Then, as a team, we will show that it doesn’t matter who you are, if you’ve got your parents there, or if you’re going to win the race or be two or three minutes behind in the 500 (freestyle), you deserve to be cheered for as much as anyone else because you’re working hard, and that’s what counts.”

Drake knows something about swimming and commitment. She was at practices herself, first swimming for the USA-sanctioned Clearfield City Aquatic Team, then swam at state for nearby Fremont High School.

“My grandparents met as lifeguards and

then they were on the swim team together.

My great uncle went to Olympic trials, so it’s kind of my family generation. My mom got us into some lessons and noticed that we were good little swimmers and so my older sister and I swam together in club and high school,” she said.

After graduating in 2017, Drake swam recreationally in college as Utah State University only had a club program. She majored in exercise science and is a first-year Hillcrest High math teacher.

“Coaching was always on my radar,” she said. “I’ve always known that I would enjoy teaching, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue it. After I graduated college, I started substitute teaching first and once I decided I really liked being at the high school level, I finished my associate educator license.

As soon as I got here, I asked, ‘What could be my involvement with the swim team?’”

Timing worked out well for her as the previous head coach left the program, so Drake stepped into the role. Assistant coach Tom Huddlestone stayed on to help with the transition.

“Coach Stone is a well experienced assistant coach, which is super awesome. He taught me a lot with the logistical things I didn’t know about so he’s a huge help to me, and the kids love him,” she said. “My exercise science degree helps me know which muscle components I want to target and how to add different things to their work out safely. Off season, we did a lot of conditioning

Midvale City Journal

Managing Grief in the Holidays

By William G. Hoy

District holds cross country race

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

D

ozens of middle school runners took off on the Canyons middle school district cross country race Oct. 8 on Jordan High School’s campus. While middle school cross country is an intramural event, there were plenty of cheers from the crowd along the

course for all the teams. Top team finishes were Albion winning both the girls and boys races; with Draper Park taking second place and Midvale in third for the girls; and for the boys, Butler was second, with Union in third place. (Julie Slama/City Journals) l

and in the pool, incorporated a lot of the swimming technique and stroke mechanics.”

Drake also can rely upon her background as a swimmer.

“My high school coach was going to school for human performance management, and he would share with us what we would do and why. If we were fixing something, he would share with us why and help us work on our skills and our strengthening. It gave me a great foundation,” she said.

Drake anticipates leadership from her captain, junior Evie Pendleton, on the girls’ team with strong support from sophomores Maddie Peterson, Lucy McDonough and Olivia Hermanson.

For the boys, Drake is hoping senior Luke Parker will qualify for state in 500 free-

style and appreciates continued strong dedication from senior Swayam Skapal. Both swimmers are captains. She also expects support from the Powers brothers—senior Ray and sophomore Thomas.

In addition to conditioning, the team had several weeks of clinics before tryouts, with a solid core of 25 swimmers opting in. With the season starting this winter, she expected another dozen swimmers to be on the team.

“It’s more of a dedication and an attitude thing that I’m looking for,” Drake said.

“If you’re there every day or you came to clinics whenever you could, or you’re communicating with me frequently, those are things I’m looking for because I know you want to improve and are adding to our team climate.” l

MidvaleJournal.com

Holidays in grief can be particularly challenging with familiar and sentimental sights, sounds, and smells reminding us our loved one is not here. Because this period of the year is built around relationships, a death in the family can make these weeks very difficult. But rather than attempt to just “grope our way” through these special days, there are ways to grow personally through the holidays as grief becomes transformative for us.

Saying goodbye to a loved one is anything but easy, especially if well-meaning friends and family members expect you to just “get on with your life.” Allow time and space for grieving and crying this holiday season. Keeping a journal can provide a vital opportunity for reflection during the holidays. These weeks will not be the same as before because of the “empty chair” at the table so the pain is inevitable.

A list of favorite holiday activities might be quite lengthy but make that list anyway. The list might include many holiday traditions such when the house is decorated, when and where worship takes place, and in whose home the family meals are shared. Though it is impossible to do everything “just like when Mom was here,” you can evaluate what you do for the holidays and determine, with your family’s help, which of those traditions you want to preserve.

In evaluating holiday traditions, consider creating something new. Lighting a special candle, purchasing a unique holiday decoration, providing gifts to a needy family, or hosting an international student can become meaningful holiday traditions.

Well-meaning friends or family may want you to attend parties and gatherings, hoping to “cheer you up” but take control of your schedule and do only as much celebrating as you feel ready to do. Choosing which events to participate in acknowledges that grief is a tiring experience. Even under the best of circumstances, holidays can be taxing so attempting to attend every event, party, or celebration may bring about total exhaustion. Instead, say “no” to some well-intentioned invitations.

Simply remind friends, “My energy level hasn’t returned to where it was before he died; thank you for understanding my need to decline.”

Pay close attention to physical well-being, too. Adequate rest, good nutrition, and moderate exercise is essential for the grief process. Lean meats with fresh fruits and vegetables are better choices than sugar- and fat-laden treats. If your health care provider approves, a brisk walk or other moderate exercise can help you feel better physically and emotionally. And eating a healthy diet coupled with moderate exercise is a remedy for insomnia for many mourners.

Be sure to consider the spiritual aspects of life, too. Because holidays have spiritual roots make sure to include time for worship and reflection during this period.

Volunteering to help others or making a memorial contribution is a meaningful way to put feet to faith during the holiday season.

While it is inevitable to face pain at the holidays, following these suggestions can help bereaved individuals and families find transformative growth during this special season of the year.

William G. Hoy is educational consultant to Larkin Mortuaries in Salt Lake City. Following a career of care for the dying and bereaved for a Long Beach, California-based hospice program, since 2012, Dr. Hoy has been Clinical Professor of Medical Humanities at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Next spring, Larkin Mortuaries will host a seminar series featuring Dr. Hoy. For more information on Larkin’s educational program, please call 801-363-5781 or email skehl@larkincares.com.

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Midvale City Journal

In The Middle of Everything MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY City Hall Finance/Utilities Court City Attorney’s Office City Recorder/Human Resources Community Development Public Works Ace Disposal/Recycling Midvale Historical Museum Midvale Senior Center SL County Animal Services Communications

801-567-7200 801-567-7200 801-567-7265 801-567-7250 801-567-7228 801-567-7211 801-567-7235 801-363-9995 801-567-7285 385-468-3350 385-468-7387 801-567-7230

MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYOR Marcus Stevenson 801-567-7204 Email: mstevenson@midvale.com CITY COUNCIL District 1 - Quinn Sperry Email: qsperry@midvale.com District 2 - Paul Glover Email: pglover@midvale.com District 3 - Heidi Robinson Email: Hrobinson@midvale.com District 4 - Bryant Brown Email: bbrown@midvale.com District 5 - Dustin Gettel Email: dgettel@midvale.com

WHO TO CALL FOR… Water Bills Ordering A New Trash Can Permits Court Paying For Traffic School Business Licensing Cemetery Planning and Zoning Code Enforcement Building inspections Graffiti

801-567-7200 801-567-7202 801-567-7213 801-567-7265 801-567-7202 801-567-7214 801-567-7235 801-567-7231 801-567-7208 801-567-7213 385-468-9769

PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY CONTACTS EMERGENCY UFA Fire/UPD Police > Non-emergency Unified Police Department > Midvale Precinct Public Works Rocky Mountain Power

911 801-840-4000 385-468-9350 801-567-7235 877-508-5088

NOVEMBER 2022

City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047

CITY NEWSLETTER

Marcus’s Message

By Mayor Marcus Stevenson

I’d like to think that we all understand the importance of libraries, especially in our own community. While the traditional library has changed through the advancement of technology and changing community needs, they’re still a critical part in the fabric of our society in providing free access to books, computers and internet, and a safe community space. Unfortunately, Ruth Vine Tyler Library (Tyler Library), located here in Midvale, but owned and operated by Salt Lake County, is near the end of its life and needs to be replaced. If needed funding is not secured, the library could risk closure and Midvale could lose its library. However, if we do secure funding, the Salt Lake County Library would like to move our library onto State Street and provide their Technical Services department out of this location. This would give us a larger, more visible library, with better programs, more materials, and an overall greater service to our residents.

WHY A NEW LIBRARY IS NEEDED

Salt Lake County built the Tyler Library in 1967, when Midvale City’s population was around 7,000 people. Today, our population is around 36,000 people and our library is both the smallest county-owned library (11,300 square feet) and the oldest county-owned library that has not been renovated (the West Valley Library was built in 1965 and was renovated in 2003).

Not only has our population grown significantly since the Tyler Library was built, but our current population data would suggest that a library is not just an important service, but one that is critical for the well-being of our residents and for the success of our community. In fact, as of the 2020 Census, about 7% of Salt Lake County residents live in poverty. In Midvale that number is doubled – 14% of our city’s residents live in poverty. Further, we have a lower median household income and higher crime rates. And while our library is small, it’s also mighty. In pre-pandemic levels, in 2019, the Tyler Library had 105,000 visitors, circulated 204,000 materials, distributed 4,300 meals to children, and provided over 6,000 computer sessions. The critical services our library system provides help ensure a stable food source and access to essential resources for our residents, especially those that need them most.

Unfortunately, while the Salt Lake County Library Facilities Master Plan does call for Tyler Library to be replaced, this takes needed funding approval from the Salt Lake County Council. This funding is not guaranteed, and there is no plan to continue long-term maintenance of the library. In short, our library is approaching the end of its life and it is unclear how long it will continue to serve our community. This could lead to the potential reality that our community will eventually lose our library if new funding is not secured.

WHY I’M ADVOCATING FOR NEW FUNDING

One of the major reasons why I’m advocating for new money for our library system is because Midvale City has played its role in provid-

ing for regional issues. First, and most notably, we are one of three cities in Salt Lake County (one of five in the State of Utah) that hosts a year-round homeless shelter. While we are proud of the role we play in addressing homelessness, there is no denying that hosting the Midvale Family Resource Center requires more resources to be expended than a community without one. Homelessness is a statewide problem, and our residents provide a regional service by helping to fund many of the mitigation efforts around the shelter.

Secondly, in 2017 (the most recent report) the Utah Department of Workforce Services released data showing that Midvale provided 7.5% of all affordable housing units in the county, while our population was only 3.4% of Salt Lake County that same year.

Further, we are one of the densest cities in Utah, based on our population size compared to our geographic size. Clearly, our community hits above our weight when it comes to providing affordable places for people to live.

Lastly, it’s important to note that our community can do hard things. We can provide shelter for the homeless and affordable housing for our low-income neighbors, but along with that, we deserve help to provide the basic social infrastructure that libraries give a community.

THE COST

In order to secure the funding needed, the Salt Lake County Council has proposed a property tax increase for the library system of $30 a year for a median priced home, which is their first increase to the library system in 10 years. While this increase may be difficult for some, our residents, through Salt Lake County property taxes, have helped pay for seven libraries in other communities since 2010 and I believe the negative impacts that losing our library would have far outweigh the price of the property tax increase. This new money will secure the future of our library.

MY ASK

I’m asking residents to reach out to their County Council members and ask them to support this property tax increase. We know that libraries serve everyone and are an essential hub in facilitating access to information, education, community connection, and are especially crucial in providing support and resources to underserved populations. We must do whatever we can to save our library and support these critical services.

In The Middle of Everything Jiffy Lube Offers Free Engraving Service to Track and Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

Jiffy Lube, Unified Police Department, and the Utah Attorney General’s Office held a joint press conference at the Jiffy Lube in Midvale to announce they are joining forces to combat catalytic converter theft.

According to Sherriff Rosie Rivera, there were more than 1,200 catalytic converter thefts in Salt Lake County in 2021. That was double the previous year. She stressed identifying victims of the crime is imperative because law enforcement cannot prosecute thieves if they don’t know who the victim is. Therefore, Jiffy Lube announced a new free service to help prevent, deter, and prosecute the theft of catalytic converters.

Jiffy Lube is offering to engrave the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) on the catalytic converter and add a stripe of high-temp paint. The goal is to deter thieves from stealing catalytic converters as it will be easier to track and if they do end up getting stolen it will help law enforcement with the prosecution.

The free does not require owners to get their vehicles serviced to qualify for the branding. No appointment is necessary, and it takes about five minutes to complete.

The service is now available at all 79 locations throughout Utah. To find a location near you visit JiffyLubeUtah.com.

WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

Midvale City Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Affordable Housing Mayor Stevenson and Council Members Dustin Gettel, Heidi Robinson, and Paul Glover attended the Sunset Gardens (now known as East 72) Groundbreaking Ceremony presented

by Housing Connect. Mayor Stevenson joined guest speakers from Zions Bank, Utah Housing Corporation, and Rocky Mountain Community Reinvestment Corporation to express his excitement for the project that will provide 89 units of affordable housing in the middle of Salt Lake County.

The original project, located at 7200 South and Fort Union Boulevard, included 12 duplexes that housed 23 affordable units. The new project, East 72, represents a unique opportunity to increase the number of affordable housing units from 24 to 89 and preserve the rent paid by the existing residents. The new construction will greatly improve the appearance and living conditions of the residents along with new amenities, including onsite client services by a variety of service providers.

The East 72 project will consist of one 3-story residential building with large floorplans (63 one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom onebath units, and three three-bedroom two-bath units). Twenty-five of these units will be set aside for the disabled (5), survivors of domestic violence (5), the homeless (5), and those with physical disabilities (10).

Affordable housing is a critical resource for all of Salt Lake County, specifically for Midvale City. About 7% of Salt Lake County residents live in poverty. In Midvale that number is doubled – 14% of our city’s residents live in poverty.

This $25 million development is possible thanks to funding from Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, construction financing through Zions Bank, permanent financing through Rocky Mountain CRC, the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund, Salt Lake County, and Midvale City.

“Midvale City has a long track record of doing the right thing to provide community resources and I’m so excited to be a part of continuing that,” stated Mayor Stevenson. Our city is incredibly supportive of this project,” stated Mayor Stevenson. “It is so important for myself and our City Council that everybody feels welcome in our community.”

NOVEMBER 2022 CITY NEWSLETTER WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

Winter On-Street Parking If there are cars parked on the streets, plows can’t fully clear the roads and run the risk of hitting parked vehicles.

Residents are not permitted to park any vehicle on city streets where one inch of snow has accumulated.

The parking prohibition shall remain in effect for 24 hours after the snow has ceased to fall, or until such time as the snow has been removed from the street. (Midvale Municipal Code Section 10.16.120). Residents should be mindful of the weather and make arrangements to park off the streets when snow is forecasted

Bad Holiday Foods for Fido The holidays are around the corner. Here’s a few quick tips on what to keep out of your pet’s mouth. Those tasty, fatty, rich foods from the holidays can cause some serious upset tummies, or even worse, a visit to the emergency vet.

AVOID: • Candy: Chocolate contains a substance, theobromine, that can be toxic to pets. Dark, semi-sweet, and Baker’s chocolate can be lethal to pets if ingested.

• Drippings: Those fatty leftovers from your meal can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

• NO BONES: Do not give your pet bones from leftover holiday birds, they can splinter once ingested and cause internal injuries, even death.

• Stuffing, pudding, relish, pickles, sauces, and anything with onions, grapes, raisins.

Your pet can eat some holiday foods in moderation BEFORE they’ve been prepared with spices: sweet potatoes, white potatoes, pumpkin (before adding fatty things like cream), cranberries, chard, kale, green beans, and a wee bite of turkey, ham, or other meats. If you have additional questions, please consult with your veterinarian.

Copperview Recreation Center – Junior Jazz League

Holiday Meals at Midvale Senior Center Midvale Senior Center will be serving a Thanksgiving Holiday Meal on Wednesday, November 16. It will be a traditional Thanksgiving meal (roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, dinner roll, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie). Our Winter Holiday Meal will be on Wednesday, December 14. Heart and Soul will provide the entertainment for both holiday meals.

We will have two seatings for each meal. One at 11:30 am and another one at 12:30 pm. You are also welcomed to pick up a to go meal from the café at 12:00 pm. Please call 385-468-3350 to make your reservations.

Reservations for the Thanksgiving meal will need to be made by November 9 and for the Winter Holiday meal on December 8.

Copperview Recreation Center is now registering youth, ages K-6th grade, for the Junior Jazz League. Sign up online at slco.org/Copperview or stop by the Center, located at 8446 S Harrison Street. There are also sign-ups for 8-12th grade ages and full teams at slco.to/junior-jazz If you have any questions, you can call 385-468-1515.

Salt Lake County Mayor and Council pass resolution opposing the gondola

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

A

fter the Utah Department of Transportation identified Gondola Alternative B as the best option to improve transportation in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and the county council passed a joint resolution asking UDOT to remove the gondola from consideration.

The resolution suggested that UDOT adopt the Common-Sense Solutions Approach, stating it would be more fiscally responsible and help protect and preserve the canyon.

“Instead of constructing 23 skyscraper-sized gondola towers that will devastate the majestic views of the canyon, UDOT should pursue common-sense solutions that invest in more practical, adaptable, and less invasive transportation strategies,” Wilson said. “These solutions on their own have the potential to solve the traffic problem without destroying our canyon. This common-sense approach will demonstrate that the costly and unsightly gondola is not right for our canyons.”

Common-sense solutions include creating a toll for the canyon, providing electric buses with mobility hubs, adopting parking management strategies that would include parking reservations and a smartphone app, and adding incentives for carpooling and rideshare programs.

Environmental organizations and many city leaders in the county have come forward to oppose construction of the gondola, which has a $550-million price tag, just for initial construction costs. Concerns were raised that the gondola only stops at two private ski resorts, only removes about 30% of canyon traffic and involves constructing nearly two dozen gondola towers up Little Cottonwood Canyon, plus a

base-camp location at the mouth of the canyon.

“We are moving into a difficult time in our economy,” said Salt Lake County Council Chair Laurie Stringham. “As UDOT looks at building a gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon, I would urge the State of Utah to look at all facets of this issue: water protection, fire safety, two ways in and out of the canyon in case of fire or avalanche, and other options available that solve more than just a narrow scope. It is easy for an entity with a narrow scope to come to a conclusion, but as public officials, we have a range of problems to solve and we need to look at solutions that solve those problems, not just a narrow scope.”

UDOT’s decision comes after a four-year Environmental Impact Study that started in the spring of 2018. The intent was to create transportation solutions to improve mobility and safety for visitors to Little Cottonwood Canyon and along Wasatch Boulevard. For information about the results of the study, visit Littlecottonwoodeis.udot.utah.gov.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for a permanent and risky project like this, especially when we could invest in common-sense solutions like electric buses that can also be used to benefit transportation issues across Salt Lake Valley,” said Salt Lake County Council Member Jim Bradley.

After heated public comment and a debate between council members, the resolution narrowly passed with a 5-4 vote. Council members Dave Alvord, Aimee Winder Newton, Steve Debry and Dea Theodore voted against the resolution.

“I was a ‘No’ vote on this resolution because the resolution had misleading information and I also believe we need

A mock-up of the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola shows one of the 23 towers that will be built up the canyon as part of the project. The Salt Lake County Mayor and Council recently passed a resolution opposing construction of the gondola. (Photo courtesy of UDOT)

to keep all options on the table for consideration as we look at long-term solutions to the traffic in the canyon,” Newton said. l

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Midvale City Journal

Ugandan refugee shares her story to help others

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

I

f someone had told 10-year-old Desange Kuenihira that she’d be living in America, graduating from college and starting a nonprofit to help people in Uganda, she would never have believed it. But now at 21, Kuenihira has accomplished all of that and is taking the next steps on her journey.

As a child, she fled her home while the civil war raged in the Congo. With her siblings and her aunt, Kuenihira survived deprivation and abuse at a refugee camp in Uganda before making her way to a foster home in the United States.

The Salt Lake County resident recently graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in health, society and policy, and a minor in business, and she just released her memoir “unDEfeated Woman.” Her nonprofit, unDEfeated, supports women and youth in Uganda.

“The first 10 years of my life really prepared me to live the life I’m living right now. I cry when I think about it,” Kuenihira said. “I’m on a different journey. I’m more grateful for this life and all the opportunities that have come my way. The first 10 years of my life really made me value the life I’m living today.”

Her story of resilience and courage reflects the hardships faced by women in Uganda who often experience sexual abuse, poverty and child marriage. Kuenihira hopes to break the cycle of

poverty by creating opportunities for women to start and operate their own businesses. unDEfeated provides education for underprivileged youth and women. Donations to the organization can send a person to high school or college. Over the summer, Kuenihira went to Uganda to meet with women in the community to create the most effective way to provide education, financial support and confidence.

“I was able to sit down with these women and some of them have lost hope. I want to give them their voice and help them find who they are,” she said. “Someone gave me a chance. I imagine, if I was still home, I would have been married and I’d probably have kids and that cycle would continue. I want to give them opportunities and fight for these girls and give them the love I never truly had for myself.”

Kuenihira plans to continue her education and will go back to school in the future, but right now she is spreading awareness through public speaking, her nonprofit platform and her memoir. She would like to collaborate with businesses that are invested in helping women gain a foothold in the corporate world.

She said if she can help women raise themselves to a higher standard of living, the next generation of daughters won’t have to endure what she went through. She wants to help them shift from trauma into successful and happy lives. For more information, visit Speakunde-

Continued from front page

adding different attractions. Boat launches, nature walks, stormwater treatment and bird sanctuaries have brought attention to the river which connects Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake. Keeping the river healthy is one of the ways to help the Great Salt Lake.

“It’s hard to talk about the Great Salt Lake without talking about its tributaries.

Obviously, when you see the really low water levels of the Great Salt Lake and you see the low water levels of some parts of the Jordan River, it’s easy to make the connection,” he said. “We’ve used the focus on the Great Salt Lake to remind people that the Jordan River is part of the solution to what’s ailing the lake. This is a good opportunity to raise awareness about that.”

The event is presented by the Jordan River Commission and Jordan River Foundation, with support from the Salt Lake County ZAP program and Zions Bank. Next year, it will become part of the monthlong Get to the River Festival held in September.

“There’s a lot that’s been accomplished and you can see a lot of momentum around the river right now,” Simonsen said. “Every city that touches the river is participating in the commission.” l

bikes, although some bikes will be available on site. The tour is free and open to the public from 4-5:30 p.m.

Following the tour, a celebration dinner will recognize Jordan River champions who are dedicated to improving, preserving and restoring the river and the parkway. Tickets are $30 and seating is limited. Ticketing information is available on the Jordan River Commission’s social media pages or at JordanRiverCommission.com.

We’re hoping this will be a magical evening that focuses on the river in a location that’s really beautiful and overlooks the river,” Simonsen said. “It's a brand new facility and is connected to the Jordan River Parkway.”

The new Zions Bancorporation Technology Center promotes biodiversity and provides additional habitat for the river. Zions has incorporated a bike share program so employees can use the parkway to bike to work. Artwork in the building focuses on the beauty of the area.

During the event, the Center for Documentary Expression and Arts will present photo documentary work created along the Jordan River.

The Jordan River flows through three counties and 16 cities, with each section

MidvaleJournal.com

A recent graduate from the University of Utah, Desange Kuenihira has written a memoir about her life as a Ugandan refugee and started the nonprofit organization unDEfeated to help youth and women in Uganda. (Photos courtesy of Marty Nicole)

feated.org.

“People can empathize with me and people can relate to me and people can try to put themselves in my shoes, but it’s not the same thing,” she said. “I talk about finding myself and knowing who I am, not letting the world define

me anymore. I’m taking that part of my journey to teens who are struggling to find their path. I teach them, how do you overcome something and still live your life and still see the beauty of the world and still accept yourself?”l

Nov. 2022 | Page 17

Hillcrest High homecoming traditions remain, yet change

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

A

As part of Hillcrest’s change in traditions, three students made up its royalty—Daniel Yi, Michelle Rodriguez and Tristan Badillo—and were crowned during the homecoming game. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

t halftime of the homecoming football game, the top 10 homecoming student nominees and their escorts walked onto the sidelines of the field.

The long-standing tradition of naming a homecoming court was anticipated.

The school’s first royalty was named in 1963 when the school opened.

A Senior Hop king and queen, a Football Dance’s king and queen and a Sweetheart’s Ball “Most Preferred Boy” were named that year.

Sixty years later, the class of 2023 is honoring those traditions, yet updating it naming homecoming royalty rather than a king and queen. Last spring, they did the same, naming junior prom royalty, to be more inclusive.

“We just want to make it royalty, so everyone is included,” Principal Greg Leavitt said. “We have the same tradition where the adviser or coach along with the students within the organization pick their senior representative or nominee.”

Each senior nominee parades on the track during the tradition of Burning of the H homecoming pep rally the day before the football game. After an initial vote, the top 20 candidates work together to make some fun videos, so students

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get to know them a little better, and are shown at the homecoming assembly on game day. Following the assembly, the student body votes.

“I don’t think differentiating between royalty and the king or queen really matters that much,” said senior Daniel Yi, who was escorted by his nine-yearold brother, Chrissy. “I thought it was cute that we wore matching suits. He said he’d do it if I bought him a pack of Pokémon cards.”

Yi, who has missed previous homecoming celebrations because he played football on the team, said it was a “cool experience” and he didn’t expect to make it to the top 10, let alone the top three.

“I was surprised,” he said. “I remember my crown didn’t fit. It would not go any tighter; it fell over my forehead.”

Yi, who was one of the representatives for boys’ tennis, along with Michelle Rodriguez, one of the representatives from Peer Leadership Team, and Tristan Badillo, from boys soccer, were named court members.

For the most part, Leavitt said there hasn’t been much change in the tradi-

tions since when he became the school principal in 2015.

“I’ve always been amazed at Hillcrest simplicity of homecoming and the traditions that stayed around ever since I’ve been there. I haven’t changed them, so they continued from year to year,” he said. “From picking their representatives from clubs, to having the homecoming walk, to having the burning of the H to the secret dancer in the men’s drill, to decorating the halls, the student body officers put it together and builds it up from year to year. This year’s SBOs have just done a great job from having a theme for the homecoming each day to giving support at the game.”

Craig Conder, who graduated in 1978, said he remembers students selected a homecoming queen when he was a student.

“It was at the homecoming assembly that we’d introduce all the nominees from different clubs and then at halftime of the game, we’d crown the queen,” said the president of Hillcrest High Alumni Association. “Homecoming was more of a tradition that included alumni then.”

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Senior Daniel Yi, right, shakes the hand of his nine-year-old brother, Chrissy, before he was crowned as part of Hillcrest High’s homecoming royalty. (Photo courtesy of Toccara Dumas/Hillcrest High)

Conder added more traditions. That year, the Association honored a distinguished alum and young alum with awards and introduced a student body president 50 years prior to the current one.

Leavitt said that it’s been a welcome addition.

“The alumni committee is somewhat dependent and independent of the school, and they’ve done a really nice job of securing a little piece of history during every homecoming,” Leavitt said. “This year, they brought back the SBO president (Brent Reed) from 50 years ago, and he told students at the assem-

bly that his coach told him he should run. Initially, he said no, but he finally came around to the idea of running. It was the morning of the election, and he parked a big bulldozer right in front of school and put a big sign on it with for his name and he won, because it was a unique campaign. He did a nice job connecting with the kids.”

For the most part, Leavitt said, traditions are what makes homecoming special.

“I don’t know who started all those traditions, but they’ve stayed pretty stable, and it’s what our students and alumni look forward to,” he said. “It makes it a fun week.” l

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385-317-6184 Hillcrest High senior Tristan Badillo is congratulated by friends after being named to Hillcrest High’s homecoming royalty. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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Hillcrest High’s unified soccer team, led by junior Isaiah Madry, enters the stadium for the state championship game. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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hile Hillcrest High Huskies may not have won the state unified soccer title, they are still champions on the field.

Playing on Real Salt Lake’s home field after Miss America Emma Broyles sang the national anthem, Hillcrest High fell short of beating Tooele High Oct. 4 at the second annual Show Up for Unified Sports Special Olympics State Soccer Championship game.

They lost in the overtime shoot-out, 2-1.

The players were congratulated with second place medals in their division by Broyles, Miss Utah Lindsey Larsen, Utah’s First Lady Abby Cox and RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath.

Unified soccer, a program of Special Olympics Utah in partnership with the Utah High School Activities Association, allows

student-athletes with and without disabilities to play on the same team.

While the teams are coed and play competitively five versus five on a smaller sized soccer field, the focus is on development of skills, friendship, understanding and sportsmanship as often players on either team will cheer for one another.

Hillcrest began its season playing at a regional tournament at Riverton High Sept.

20 before competing in the state playoffs Sept. 30 where they qualified for the state championship. The state championship game was the only game the team lost this season.

Hillcrest junior Kori Carmona, who missed playing in the state championship game because of injury, cheered her team on

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Hillcrest High took second place in state unified soccer championships. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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from the sidelines.

“I like having fun and having helpers on the team,” she said. “We’ve become friends and they’ve invited me to join them in other things and clubs. We have a very supportive team, and we have the best coaches.”

The team also was cheered on by student body officers, varsity cheerleaders and at every game, by the school’s chapter of Latinos-in-Action.

From more than 30 high school unified soccer teams in the area, 16 teams advanced in their respective divisions to the state championship games and participated in the parade of athletes.

Other area high school teams that competed in the soccer championships or playoffs include Alta, Brighton, Jordan, Hunter, Murray, Riverton and Skyline. l

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Midvale City Journal

Barking up the wrong tree

M

y dog Jedi started barking at cars. All the time. I don’t know why but my best guess is she a) hates cars, b) loves cars, c) wants to scare cars or d) she needs a ride to Petsmart to pick up some jerky treats and tennis balls.

I stop her from dragging us both into traffic by creating a distraction, usually with yummy treats. I tell her to look at me, hoping to snag her attention away from the tempting Hondas and Toyotas with their tantalizing and rumbly engines.

Sometimes she continues flinging herself toward cars but once she realizes a treat is coming, in the form of mozzarella or pepperoni, she usually stops barking and waits to be rewarded. Not really rocket surgery, but it works.

Someone suggested Jedi’s barking could be a reaction to stress which is probably true because we’re all as stressed as a Yellowstone bison being approached by human-shaped idiots.

Jedi also feels the urge to run outside at 3 a.m. to bark at neighbor dogs, tree shadows and (probably) aliens. Her woofing seems to be important. It’s like breaking news in the canine world.

I can’t yell at her to be quiet because then we’d both be barking at three in the morning. Plus, she’d translate my yapping as, “You are doing such a good job at howling, Jedi. Please, continue louder. Some neighbors might still be asleep.”

Once the noise levels drop, I check social media where barking has been elevated to an Olympic sport. Viral TikToks catch people in the act of snarling at each other. Twitter feeds show a slow regression back to our caveman roots where everyone spoke in grunts and howls.

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

Parents bark at teachers and librarians. Drivers bark at each other. Customers bark at grocery store cashiers, and let me tell you, cashiers don’t get paid enough to put up with

that baloney. Restaurant guests bark at the waitstaff, which usually ends with a footprint on your waffle. Y’all bark so much, I think some of you might have rabies.

Dogs bark because they’re excited, hungry, bored, scared, tired, playful and frustrated. The trick is to distract them and teach them a different way to communicate. Humans also need a different way to communicate, because barking isn’t working.

It doesn’t matter if you’re barking in fear or anger or fatigue, your message gets lost in the noise. Every time. Have you ever screamed at someone and thought, “Boy, I really think I got my point across. I feel so heard”? Yeah, me neither.

On the opposite end of the rainbow, my daughter had a teacher who only spoke in a whisper. The kids had to be quiet to hear what she was saying. It was kind of creepy talking to her because she’d forget she was talking to an adult and keep whispering.

Maybe there’s a happy medium between barking and mumbling. I know, let’s call it “civil discourse” where our conversations actually promote understanding and connection. Revolutionary!

Instead of talking to prove your point, can you kindly explain why you hate avocados, without melting into a puddle of sweat? Can you avoid the gnashing and spittle that comes with barking and just talk like a human being?

It might take practice but maybe if we calm down, our families will settle, our communities will rebuild and our civil discourse will improve.

Less barking, more listening. And lots of treats. l

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