Millcreek Journal | May 2022

May 2022 | Vol. 04 Iss. 05

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hen Maria Soter went in for a routine sonogram in 2006, she wasn’t prepared for tragic news. Soter and her husband, Sam, learned that their unborn baby had a disorder called agenesis of the corpus callosum, and was missing the part of the brain that connects the left and right halves. Sammy Soter was born on April 11, 2006 and lived for 34 days.

“His 34 days on earth reshaped my life in ways that I could not imagine and only now, 15 years later, have I begun to understand,” reflects Soter, seated in a sunlit classroom at The Sammy Center, a preschool she founded to help children overcome trauma. “We just put the furniture together last night,” she said, looking around the room filled with books and toys.

When Sammy passed away, the Soters’ then four-year-old daughter, Theadora, had a hard time expressing the grief she felt from the death of her highly-anticipated baby brother. Thea began to struggle with anxiety and other emotional issues, and preschool became a place where Soter found herself more and more regularly, sitting alongside Thea and comforting her. As she got older, Thea’s early experience with death and grief manifested itself in other detrimental ways.

According to child development experts, children who experience adversity at a young age can

carry it with them from early childhood into elementary, adolescent and adult experiences. Often a social and emotional need that is left unaddressed has predictable results: adverse behaviors, impeded learning, and unsatisfying school experiences.

In short, as reported by the National Institutes of Health, mental and emotional health and well-being are just as important to a child’s life and development as physical growth, physiological changes and education.

Yet, while educators are equipped with ways to evaluate and deliver services to children who need special education assistance, and mostly have resources at their disposal for disadvantaged children, there is a gap in the mental health realm of support.

Soter is stepping in to fill this gap in the threeto-five-year-old preschool curriculum with The Sammy Center. “We believe that children who have unique emotional needs, especially those brought on by grief, trauma or loss, will benefit from a learning program that fosters social and emotional well-being,” said Soter, who is the CEO as well as Continued page 4 Tracy Halverson holds a book she likes to read to her students at the Sammy Center (3300 South 1515 East). (Deb Hafner/ City Journals)

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May 2022 | Page 3

Continued from front page the founder. “If addressed early enough through nurturing relationships and intervention, a good foundation and the tools, we will pave the way for positive future outcomes.”

If it is predictable that early negative experiences can have adverse results on a person’s life, Soter believes it is, therefore, preventable.

Mark Peterson with the Utah State Board of Education says, “With the variety of traumas that are being faced by preschoolers—family deaths, the pandemic, poverty, refugee status, etc.— it’s good for families to have options to place their children in trauma-informed preschools.

Current research has shown that creating positive childhood experiences in school can mitigate risk factors for trauma and mental health for students of all ages.

Creating those positive experiences for preschool-aged children likely has a greater impact for the student throughout their lifetime. Early childhood education sets up children for success later in school and in life.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) sites mental health as one of the most neglected areas of health globally, and the COVID pandemic has turned a spotlight on it. Soter remarks that “people don’t realize some of our students don’t remember a life without masks or constant hand sanitizing.”

Early experiences and anxiety from the global pandemic have added to the 45% of children who have suffered a trauma

before age four, and data from the American Psychological Association suggest that there is an early childhood mental health crisis. Across the country educators and parents have differing opinions about how to address mental health, and if it should be included in curriculum at all.

Nevertheless, studies show that the earlier an intervention, the better the outcome for the child.

“We believe that a child who has experienced grief, trauma or loss has unique needs that should be met,” Soter said. “Creating a foundation for social emotional well-being is our mission.” Soter and her team will be using the unique noni™ Educational Solutions, an online and app-based program that supports trauma-informed instruction.

Kerianne Dyer, a licensed therapist not associated with The Sammy Center, said a trauma-informed school “would be a huge benefit for families in need. It is a unique take on helping little kids who would otherwise not have support and services in the classroom.”

Soter is a certified crisis worker with the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah and taught in a Head Start program for many years. One of her teachers, Tracy Halverson, who also hails from a Head Start background, recounts an anecdote about a preschool girl she encountered in her years as a teacher. The four-year-old child’s father came to her room one night, kissed her, said goodbye, and was never heard from again. “People sometimes don’t

Journals T H E

know what a traumatic event is,” Halverson said. “For that little girl, she was traumatized, she was afraid, she developed abandonment issues.”

The Sammy Center staff and teachers are trauma-trained and evaluate students through what one study describes as a “trauma lens,” a distinct, informed perspective that allows them to connect to students and identify emotional needs.

“Adverse situations permeate all socioeconomic backgrounds,” Soter said, “and The Sammy Center is a place of equity and diversity which knows no boundaries.”

They will be offering a sliding scale tuition and taking advantage of recent state grants and funding, such as the new $12 million Expanded Student Access Grant from the Utah School Readiness Board—the first time funding has been made available for preschool. Gov. Spencer Cox has been driving mental health awareness and has introduced several programs for funding in the state.

Soter said from watching her daughter struggle all those years ago, “trauma affects us all, and as adults we may have gained experience, knowledge, and the ability to communicate and process our grief. However, for children, processing trauma is different.”

“Sammy would have been 16 this month,” Soter said. In 2008, Maria and Sam welcomed daughter, Aurelia, to their family.

Sammy’s family are all in a good place, having gained a distinct perspective into what it means to

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Maria Soter, founder and CEO of The Sammy Center, and Tracy Halverson, a teacher at The Sammy Center, stand in front of the schoolhouse at 1515 E. 3300 South in Millcreek. (Deb Hafner/City Journals)

experience grief and devastation, no matter how long ago, and find ways to communicate, heal and use collective wisdom to help others.

“Together, we as parents, adults, and educators can nurture, teach, and advocate for every child who has experienced trauma at a young age,” Soter said.

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Page 4 | May 2022

of Sammy, a love for all children, and the joy in knowing that there is more we can do together to help that we are opening The Sammy Center.”

The Sammy Center, 1515 E. 3300 South, will celebrate opening for enrollment with a ribbon cutting on Sat., May 7 at 10 a.m.

For more information visit www. thesammycenter.com. l

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Millcreek City Journal

Historic cache buried in wall at St. Mark’s Hospital

By Deb Hafner | d.hafner@mycityjournals.com

Q

uietly waiting to return since 1971, a time capsule was hidden behind a thick slab of marble in an exterior wall of the main lobby at St. Mark’s Hospital. On April 4, it was opened by CEO Jeremy Bradshaw, the board of trustees, and staff from the hospital.

Hospital staff chipped away the decades-old mortar and used a crowbar to pry open a slab of marble, revealing a slender rectangular copper canister perched on the inside stone ledge.

“No matter what is inside this,” said Bradshaw moments before the time capsule was freed from its repository, “it’s important to acknowledge what this represents. This capsule represents 150 years in our community. That is a 150 years of babies being born and growing families here, 150 years of saving lives and saying goodbye to those who we lost, 150 years of medical advancement and preventive medicine, and 150 years of caring like family, and 150 years of devotion to our mission, which is above all else, committed to the care and improvement of human life.”

To mark its sesquicentennial anniversary, the contents of the time capsule will be on display in a pop-up museum until the new building is finished, at which point the hospital has plans for a permanent exhibit that patients and the public can enjoy.

This was not the first capsule buried on St. Mark’s property. In 1892, when Utah was still a territory, and St. Mark’s was the first hospital in the Intermountain West, a container was filled with newspaper articles, photos and bibles and sealed in a cornerstone. The time capsule remained at 803 N. 200 West until St. Mark’s moved to its current location in Millcreek in the 1970s. At this point, the time capsule was exhumed and opened.

Its contents were logged and returned to the capsule, and new items from the 1970s were added. It was then sealed shut once again and buried in the wall of the hospital’s lobby, behind a marble slab engraved with “Erected to the glory of God and for the healing of all people.”

Original memorabilia from the 1890’s included prayer books and church hymnals, newspapers from The Salt Lake Tribune, The Salt Lake Times and the Deseret Evening News, lists of employees and volunteers and photographs of founding members.

A handwritten history of St. Mark’s from 1891, on yellowed paper in a near incomprehensible cursive, discloses how the idea for the first hospital in Utah came about.

“After a dinner party given at the residence of Bishop Tuttle, the importance and necessity of such an institution was discussed.”

Major E. Wilkes (who helped get funding from the mining companies), Reverend R.M. Kirby (who became secretary and treasurer), and Dr. J.F. Hamilton (who became medical director until his death) were guests, and

MillcreekJournal .com

A display table holds the contents of the time capsule unearthed at St. Mark’s Hospital in April. (Deb Hafner/City Journals)

Items in the time capsule that will be on display include:

St. Mark’s CEO Jeremy Bradshaw opens the copper time capsule that was buried in a wall of the hospital. (Deb Hafner/City Journals)

the topic of discussion was the Miller mine and the Emma mine, the document explains, which were giving workers lead poisoning.

Major Wilkes was “anxious that something should be done for their relief,” and St. Mark’s was born.

Items from the 1970s that were added include bibles and hymnals, collectable coins, jewelry, newspapers that headlined the devastating air collision that killed nine people on June 7, 1971, and lists of staff and volunteers, when volunteers were called “candy stripers”.

“It’s interesting,” observed Rachel Quist, an archeologist and historian who was on hand to observe the contents. “Every item isn’t directly tied to the hospital but instead are more of the times.”

• Protestant Episcopal Church hymnal, published in 1874 • A prayer book published in 1886 • A handwritten history of St. Mark’s Hospital, from the 1890s, that includes the names of members of the Board of Trustees at the time, architects, contractors and a superintendent for a hospital project • Newspapers dated Sat., July 30, 1892, from The Salt Lake Times and the Deseret Evening News • The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper from Sunday morning, July 31, 1892 • The Churchman, an Illustrated Weekly News-Magazine from Sat., July 23, 1892 • Volume VI of The Church Notes (Nevada and Utah) dated July 1892 • Several old photographs of representatives of St. Mark’s Hospital including physicians, board of directors and members of the facility’s building committee ranging from 1889-1892 • A list of employees at St. Mark’s Hospital – organized by title and medical specialty, including but not limited to supervisors, administration, admitting, etc.

– during June 1971 • Photos and an article from the Thurs., May 13, 1971 issue of The Salt Lake Tribune, detailing the opening of the first cornerstone box before the items was combined • The Deseret News from Mon., June 7, 1971 with the headline “9 Utahns Killed In Air Collision;” the subheading reads, “DC9, F4 Crash: Total Of 50 Die,” detailing the Air West Jet Flight 706 – en route to Salt Lake City – which crashed east of Los Angeles after a midair collision with a Marine Corps jet • A Sunrise Edition copy of The Salt Lake Tribune on June 7, 1971, about the air collision story • The June 1971 St. Mark’s Hospital Auxiliary Membership List • Coins and collectibles from 1971 • A necklace from 1971 “The people who are putting the newspapers in the time capsule are thinking this is going to be the only copy left. It shows what was important to people at the time,” remarked Quist, as she sorted through photographs, newspapers and bibles from 1892.

St. Mark’s is continuing to celebrate 150 years in Utah with special visual events such as the NICU “Hall of Hope,” a portrait

gallery in the hospital that is displaying two dozen photos of former neonatal intensive care unit patients all grown up and holding baby pictures of themselves. St. Mark’s is continuing to add to the Hall of Hope and contacting families of former NICU patients to add to the growing portraits. l

May 2022 | Page 5

First state unified basketball tournament provides inclusion, medals for Skyline team

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

A

t the first unified coed basketball state tournament, one of Skyline High’s teams brought home second-place medals and the other, seventh-place ribbons in their divisions. Hunter High wore second-place medals home as well.

But it meant more than that.

It was an opportunity for inclusion, partnership and belonging, said First Lady Abby Cox, who supports unified sports through her Show Up initiative.

“Every student has a chance to be included and every student gets the chance to compete,” she said at the opening ceremony of the state unified basketball tournament where 32 teams played against—and sometimes, played together—for a chance to represent their team and school for a ribbon or medal.

“Everyone shares the ball in unified sports,” Hunter coach Ashley Ellis said.

“Teams rebounded and gave the ball back to the opposing teams because they wanted them to make a basket, it’s just fun to watch.”

That was the camaraderie and spirit of the tournament, which included athletes from 25 high schools running through a gauntlet of Utah Jazz and Weber State cheer squads and professional teams’ mascots, all there to support unified sports.

It is the first high school state tour- Skyline High unified basketball team gets cheered during the parade of athletes at the first state high school unified basketball tournament. (Julie Slama/City nament, said Unified Champion Schools Journals) manager Courtnie Worthen, since during pre-COVID-19 years, the tournament was They talk to each other and the students on then, Hunter cheered for them,” Ellis said. basketball games” until practices began and held for community teams vying for the the unified team feel like they’re a part of “It was really cool to see how quickly that they’d teach their 25 team members how to state title. The 2020 tournament, which the school for the first time,” she said. bond took place and those friendships that dribble, shoot and pass, she said. was planned to be a statewide event, was It’s not just high schools. Worthen said can be made.”

Kellogg split the team in half. One canceled because of the pandemic, and last that by the end of the school year, unified Hunter’s journey to a second-place team finished second at both region and year, regional competitions were held to re- sports activities will have quadrupled in the finish in its division for its four athletes state and other team took fourth at region duce the numbers and possible spread of the past year, bringing participation up to 160 and five partners was a challenge. In the and seventh at state in its division. pandemic. elementary and secondary schools. In May, school’s second game of the tournament “They loved the crowd, having people Worthen said after the statewide soccer unified golf will be introduced at the middle against Mountain Crest High, the score was watching them. They realized everybody tournament last fall, which was held at Rio school level. still tied after double overtime, so it went wants to play and have a chance to make a Tinto stadium and had the support of Real Unified sports also gained the commu- to sudden death; the first team that scored basket. So, when we’re on the opponents’ Salt Lake, interest in unified sports grew. nity’s support. won. basket, they’ll rebound and give it back “A lot of it was thanks to the First LaThe basketball tournament, which was “It was scary, but we got it. We pulled to the shooters and say, ‘Here, try again.’ dy’s initiative, Show Up,” she said. “More supported by the Utah Jazz, had four sec- through. Then we went onto the champion- They’ll do it until they make it. I didn’t schools started to see what unified sports tions: two developmental and two competi- ship game,” she said. teach them that; it was all them. That’s who could be and wanted to be a part of it, so we tive divisions. The winners of each division Next year, Ellis hopes to have two they are,” Kellogg said, adding that parents saw a lot of growth. This was an incredible were recognized at the Utah Jazz game teams competing and to build up unified who came to support Skyline also cheered event.”

April 6, where a highlight reel of the tour- basketball at Hunter by having an exhi- for the opposing team when they made a That included eight of the nine high nament was shown. bition game during halftime of one of the basket. schools in Davis School District competHowever, the focus at the tournament high school games.

It was those little moments that stuck ing as well as Jordan Education Foundation was on basketball. A maximum of two part“There were a lot more fans there, in Kellogg’s memory. Like when a girl on pledging to support 10 new teams. Wasatch ners or peer students could be on the floor which made it fun,” she said. “My favorite the opposing team needed encouragement High’s team will even represent Utah at the with its athletes, or special needs players; part is just the celebrations that take place to shoot, they cheered for her, and she made national Special Olympics games. the rest of the team regularly rotating in and after a basket is scored. Everyone is just so the basket.

Since Worthen began overseeing uni- cheering for both teams on the sidelines. excited for each other; they take the time to “In the end, she came up and hugged fied sports four years ago, the competition Several schools had banners and families give each other a high-five or double high- me. That was awesome,” she said. “It was has doubled from 22 to 50 teams involved and friends cheering. five.” just fun to sit down and eat lunch with my in soccer, basketball and track.

And in Hunter’s case, they made Skyline coach Kelsee Kellogg said that team at the state tournament. They’re like, “A coach told me that this whole week friends with their opponents, Bingham after unified soccer, her team was excited ‘Do you want to trade me this for your fruit they have seen inclusion, that their students High. for its first season of unified basketball. snack?’ They were just there having fun and have made friends with unified partners and “We beat Bingham and then the next “We’d hang out at lunch, then on Fri- that’s what it’s all about.” l even students who weren’t participating. game, Bingham cheered for Hunter and so days play knockout or lightning types of

Page 6 | May 2022

Millcreek City Journal

Dominic Burchett sworn in as Unified Fire Authority’s 14th fire chief

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

W

hen Dominic Burchett was sworn in as Unified Fire Authority’s 14th fire chief in the agency’s 100-year history, he took over the reins for Utah's largest fire agency, serving 15 communities from Emigration Canyon to Eagle Mountain.

His appointment follows the retirement of Dan Petersen, who served as fire chief since 2017, a man Burchett has worked with and respects.

“Chief Petersen taught me the value of collaboration,” Burchett said. “He helped me understand the value of working with partners and stakeholders, searching to find the best answers for the community.”

Burchett, a Utah native, has extensive fire experience that stems from more than 20 years serving Salt Lake County, most recently as assistant chief of support services.

He was responsible for the daily operations of fire prevention, IT, logistics, and special enforcement. He also led the seismic retrofitting of all UFA stations and helped with several station rebuilding projects.

His fire career began in 1997 when his brother, Matthew Burchett, took a seasonal wildland job with Salt Lake County.

“He came home dirty and stinky, and I was in,” Burchett said. “I was able to be outside and work with people I really respected.

I was with my brother and other people who were working hard. I followed wherever he would take me.”

When Matthew died in August 2018, working on a fire line of the Mendocino Complex Fire in California, Burchett lost his brother and best friend.

“We grew up incredibly close,” Burchett said. “The healing process for me was a lot of therapy and people helping me through it. I think because of him I was able to step outside my comfort zone. He’s there kind of guiding me down certain roads and I feel his presence in different situations.”

Over the years, Burchett has taken opportunities for growth that helped him step up the chain of leadership. He moved through the ranks as a firefighter, wildland specialist, paramedic, captain, and division chief.

As the new fire chief, Burchett has three main areas of focus; the health and well-being of fire personnel, understanding the communities served by UFA, and continuous improvement for himself and the agency.

He said, historically, fire departments have acted in a reactionary way to issues such as suicide, PTSD, and burnout, dealing with problems as they come up. He created a video that detailed his own struggles in the

hope it will create an open dialogue about mental wellness.

“I want to look at these things more holistically and focus on prevention,” he said. “There’s a lot of responsibility on my shoulders and I want to do what’s best for my people. My focus is really providing the best service for the community and being the best fire chief.”

Over the last five years, Burchett said UFA has come a long way under the previous fire chief. Building on Petersen’s foundation, he doesn’t need to do a big overhaul of the department, just implement small changes to keep moving the organization forward.

“We have to be in tune with what our communities’ needs are. Our crews have to know what their communities want and how In April, Dominic Burchett was sworn in as Unified to provide that,” Burchett said.

Fire Authority’s 14th fire chief. (Photo courtesy With nearly 700 employees, UFA serves Unified Fire) more than 420,000 residents in Salt Lake and Utah counties. In 2020, UFA responded to be successful.”

31,226 emergency incidents with 59,056 Burchett lives with his wife, Jillian, and unit responses from 24 fire stations. their five children. He enjoys being outside, “He has some big shoes to fill,” UFA traveling, and participating in IRONMAN Board Chair and Holladay Mayor Robert competitions, which he’s completed five Dahle said. “That said, we are certain, given times. He owns a small business and earned the full support of our board and the backing a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the of both civilian and sworn members of this University of Utah. l incredible organization, he cannot help but

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A variety of local food purveyors will be supporting our event including Per Noi Italian Trattoria, the Millcreek Sodalicious, Toasters, and Sweetaly Gelato.

If you are unable to attend and would like to participate in our center’s development, please scan the QR code to purchase items from our Lakeshore Learning registry, send funds directly @thesammycenter on Venmo, or contact Maria Soter for opportunities.

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May 2022 | Page 7

Have you seen this tree? If so, call the Beaver Hotline

“H

ave you seen this along the Jordan River? ¿Ha visto esto al lado del Río Jordan,” asks a chalk-drawn parody of a wanted poster, with arrows pointing to a whittled, carved-out tree trunk.

These wanted posters aren’t meant to apprehend a fugitive, and the suspect at large is not going to face criminal charges.

Instead, biologists with Tracy Aviary’s Birds and Beavers program are asking trail users along the Jordan River to help collect data that will be used to make connections between beaver activity and bird habitats.

If a trail user spots a nibbled, chewed, or chomped tree, known as beaver gnawing traces, they are asked to take a photo, note the location and text it to the aptly-named Beaver Hotline. Trail users can find examples of gnawing traces on the Birds and Beavers website, along with an interactive map pinpointing beaver activity.

Birds and Beavers is a bilingual community science project that launched in April 2021 and is headquartered at Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center. “Some families who live close to or along the river speak Spanish, and we want to be an inclusive project that motivates residents to go outside and walk the trails and look for beaver activity,” says Frances Ngo, the lead conservation outreach biologist on the project.

Cities like West Valley City, with an approximate 38% Latino population, inhabit a large stretch along the Jordan River. According to experts, Latino communities in urban areas are often underserved when it comes to environmental education and outreach. Ngo hopes Birds and Beavers will encourage all residents to participate in outdoor activities and wildlife preservation.

The trail user photo project and resulting data is part of the three phases of the program that include identifying beaver activity, monitoring beaver activity, and educating the public and government agencies with the findings.

To date, trail users have submitted photos of beaver gnawing traces from as far south as Spanish Fork to just above West 2300 North Street in North Salt Lake City.

“We are primarily interested in how beaver activity interplays with bird habitat,” Ngo said. “Beavers are a native species prevalent along the Jordan River. They are known as ecosystem engineers because they can alter habitats by creating lush ponds, generating deadfall that attracts bugs, which in turn attracts birds, and facilitating the return of other species to an ecosystem.”

Over 200 species of birds, including migratory birds, call the Jordan River home.

Protecting trees or leaving fallen trees in certain areas is important for resident birds as they provide places to hunt and nest and insects to eat. Ngo and her colleagues are using the Beaver Hotline photos to assess

Page 8 | May 2022

By Deb Hafner | d.hafner@mycityjournals.com which trees need to be protected or monitored.

Beavers eat tree bark and the softer growing tissue under the bark, called cambium, and they prefer soft-wooded trees like native cottonwoods. A beaver can gnaw the entire circumference of a tree, called girdling, leaving an hour-glass shaped trunk with visible teeth marks.

Once a tree has been girdled, it is in danger of dying because it cannot get the nutrients it needs through its narrowed trunk.

Some larger cottonwoods need to be protected from too much beaver munching, so Ngo and her colleagues and volunteers have been wrapping endangered trees with chicken wire to encourage the beavers to feast on other species of trees, like the invasive Russian olive tree.

Ngo hopes to install motion-activated cameras in the future to continue monitoring beaver activity and to specifically see how long beavers dine at each tree before moving on to a new one. This data will inform city and county management efforts so they don’t remove dead trees and debris, called snags, too soon. “If we see perching, nesting or decomposers occupying areas, we don’t want to see the removal of snags,” Ngo said, adding, “Flickers, for example, create nests in dead trees, and if we remove those dead trees, we remove potential bird habitats.”

One sunny morning in early April, Ngo, with binoculars hanging around her neck, and Millcreek District 1 Councilmember Silvia Catten, set off from the General Holm parking onto the Jordan River Trail to look for new beaver activity.

Almost immediately, Ngo spotted a muskrat lounging on a log in the river. American coots, a duck-like bird that is not a duck, paddled down the river in pursuit of aquatic vegetation. “Did you hear that?” asked Ngo, excitedly. “That is an American kingfisher.”

In a few more steps, Catten spotted teardrop shapes hanging from branches high in a cottonwood tree. “Those are oriole nests,” informed Ngo, “they build new ones every year.” Excitedly, the pair continued south on the trail. “I bet most people don’t know about the myriad species of birds that live on or around the river, or that there is a population of beavers right through the middle of the valley,” said Catten.

Catten, who is also a vice chair on the Jordan River Commission, has taken an interest in the conservation and protection of the Jordan River “as a place for wildlife, open space, recreation and beauty in our urban landscape.” Millcreek, 16 other cities and two counties are members of the Jordan River Commission, which helps fund conservation, planning, education, and recreational efforts around and on the river. A partial grant from the Jordan River Commission is helping to support the Birds and Beavers

Frances Ngo, a biologist with Tracy Aviary, shows Millcreek District 1 Councilmember Silvia Catten what to look for when searching for beaver-chewed trees along the Jordan River. (Deb Hafner/City Journals)

program.

“Millcreek is planning to complete a trail—a loop—on the east side of the water that connects to the existing Jordan River Trail,” Catten said, adding that “while a lot of the work for Millcreek’s portion was completed last year, we are awaiting funding to finish the loop access to our portion. We’re hopeful it will be complete within the next few years.”

Ngo said that as part of the education phase of the program, they will offer guided and self-guided beaver tours and install interpretative signage along the trails.

Catten and Ngo headed south where the meandering trail led them to a small meadow, in the middle of which stood a large cottonwood tree with recent beaver chew marks. To the left was another dined-upon tree, and to the right an abandoned dinner spot. Across the river were more trees with beaver gnawing traces.

While Millcreek touches a small portion of the Jordan River, cities with larger portions of the river have led conservation efforts, and according to Catten, “When we became a city we wanted to follow suit and be good stewards, too. We have a relatively small portion of the river and we are so lucky to have bordering municipalities that

manage their portion of the river so well, like Murray. Our portion has benefited from that for sure. Our goal is to be a vested partner with the agencies, like the Jordan River Commission, who take prudent care to plan for the conservation of the river as a whole.

It’s our job to help as we can, even if it’s just for our tiny portion.”

As for the Birds and Beavers program, Catten believes “the knowledge gained from programs like this one does have a wider reach as I see it—the trees, plants, and weed management plans affect the wildlife, so as far as what might guide future plans for conservation, understanding the broader ecosystem is always helpful.”

Ngo and Catten took a photo of the beaver gnawing trace they discovered and sent it to the Beaver Hotline for Ngo to plot on the map.

If you see beaver activity along the Jordan River, take a photo and text it to the Beaver Hotline at 801-381-6349. You can visit the Jordan River Nature Center at 1125 W. 3300 South at the James Madison Oxbow Park. The Birds and Beavers website can be found at www.tracyaviaryconservation.org/ birdsbeavers.l

Millcreek City Journal

Millcreek Elementary School debuts Little Free Library and book vending machine

S

tudents at Millcreek Elementary School will now have no shortage of books to read thanks to the new onsite Little Free Library and book vending machine. Both outlets serve as mini dispensers where students can choose a book from amongst various titles and genres. The two new book dispensers are just the latest development in Millcreek’s longterm initiative to get students excited about reading independently and for pleasure.

“This year one of the main focuses of the PTA has been to stress the importance of reading for students. Well, non-academic reading that is,” said PTA school representative Anna Clark. “As recently as 20, even 10 years ago, the culture surrounding books in schools was much different.

Things like Scholastic fairs and book catalogs were a massive part of the culture and a highlight for students. And well, you’d be surprised how many of our parents fondly remembered those events from their childhoods. We wanted to bring that fun, that excitement back into reading for our kids.”

Unsurprisingly, in the past decade, how the world interacts with books has drastically changed. Especially for young children who are now growing up with advanced technology as the norm. Ironically, from an accessibility standpoint, books are easier to access than ever before, and yet youth readership has declined significantly. In 2014, nonprofit group Common Sense Media compiled a roundup of various studies in relation to teen, adolescent, and child readership.

“Nearly half of 17 year olds say they

By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com

Nearly half of 17 year olds say they read for pleasure no more than one or two times a year, if that. That’s way down Jim Steyer, Common Sense Media’s CEO read for pleasure no more than one or two times a year, if that. That’s way down from a decade ago,” Jim Steyer, Common Sense Media’s CEO said.

While none of the studies analyzed cited children’s accessibility to online content as a reason for declined readership, Steyer believes it is naïve to not consider the impact of technology on how children interact with reading. “It just seems like a logical deduction. Increased entertainment options online would lead to decreased interest in offline activities like reading,” Steyer said.

In the near-decade following Common Sense Media’s study, there have been some interesting developments on the forefront of reading trends that suggest Millcreek Elementary’s focus on championing books is actually becoming more commonplace. For example, what if social media, which is often cited as a di-

Mayor Jeff Silvestrini and kids cut the ribbon. Millcreek Elementary students can use the school’s new book vending machine to find their next read. (Photo courtesy of Mill Creek Elementary School)

MillcreekJournal .com

rect roadblock to reading, could actually be the catalyst for increasing youth readership? Take for example the phenomenon of #booktok, a subsection of TikTok content that is exclusively concerned with recommending books to millions of viewers. TikTok is one of the most heavily trafficked social media platform in the world right now and if one scrolls through the #booktok hashtag, they’ll find thousands of videos, many with millions of views, recommending books.

National Public Radio reported about the phenomenon of #booktok in December 2021, citing it as a driving factor in book sales. “It's hard to quantify how big BookTok is, because TikTok doesn't release a lot of analytics. But publishers say it has become a major force, especially in the market for young adult and contemporary romance books,” according to the NPR report.

Incidentally, TikTok is far from the only social media platform taking advantage of an increased interest in books.

Other platforms like YouTube and Instagram have similar communities, and if the numbers are any indication, it proves that there still is a huge market for reading for pleasure.

Despite these encouraging trends, funding such projects in a public school setting posed a significant challenge for those backing the initiatives at Millcreek Elementary. “When you’re in a public school system, getting funding for programs that aren’t deemed a necessity is just that much harder. That’s why we’ve relied so heavily on the donations of parents and the community in particular for the book vending machine. And as for the Little Free Library, well, that one we owe a huge thank you to [Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church],” Clark said.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, located in Holladay, is well known for its philanthropic work throughout the community. When members of the church overlapped with families at the school, those in the congregation were inspired to help crowdfund the reading initiatives and even suggest some of their own. “We had some people in the congregation who had previously worked to bring Little Free Libraries to the Holladay area,” said a member from the church named Mary. “We thought, why not try, and repeat that process but bring the Little Free Library to the school?”

After the church worked extensively with Little Free Library to get the project funded and approved, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place April 19.

Granite School District took to their social media page to thank the church and further say, “Millcreek Elementary held a ribbon cutting for their new Little Free Library

Millcreek Elementary School cuts the ribbon on a new Little Free Library courtesy of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District)

this morning. Students can take a book, read it, and return it. They can also bring a book from home and trade it for a new book from the library.”

Little Free Library, which has multiple locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley, including many in the Holladay/ Millcreek area, has found massive success nationwide. The hope is that children can find and derive the same enjoyment in the Little Free Library on their school campus.

As for the book vending machine? It can also be found on campus, located in the library. The innovative dispensing system runs on gold coins and can hold upward of 300 books. Those who funded the machine hope that the novelty of the system piques interest amongst the students.

“It’s the gift that keeps on giving and will for years to come,” Granite School District noted on their social media.

When it comes to future plans, Mill Creek vows to continue to support reading as best they can. Whether that looks like bringing back the Scholastic Book Fair or finding ways to appeal to children through programs like Little Free Library.

“Reading, it’s just that important,” Clark said. “There’s so much research that suggests the benefits of reading. And we want that for our students, and we’ve found, thus far, the best way to get them excited is through these modern programs like the vending machine. We look forward to seeing the direct impact on our students.”l

May 2022 | Page 9

Skyline, Olympus volleyball official; boys approved for sanctioning in 2023-24

R

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

epresentatives of the Utah Boys Volleyball Association had sat in meetings with the Utah High School Activities Association before—over the past four years in a formal fashion. So, when the UHSAA board again put the sanctioning of boys volleyball to a vote, the UBVA members braced themselves. They had been here before, and had walked out disappointed every time. Yet, on this day, March 24, 2022, it would finally be the outcome they had wanted when their organization was formed in 2015.

After decades of boys playing the sport in Utah, boys volleyball is official, and with a 10-4 vote, will now be a UHSAA-sanctioned sport beginning in the 2023-24 school year, joining the ranks with 25 other states nationwide.

“We had a lot more hope and momenThe Olympus High boys volleyball team placed third in the state last season. (Photo credit Brett Peterson) tum this time, but it was so surreal to sit there and hear it announced. We were just in shock,” said UBVA co-founder Jill Davis.

This latest attempt at sanctioning laid 10,000 signatures in front of the UHSAA board along with written support from local politicians, including Norm Thurston of the Utah House of Representatives, who was in attendance at the meeting, to BYU athletic director, Tom Holmoe, BYU men’s volleyball coach Shawn Olmstead and USA national men’s volleyball coach John Speraw.

UHSAA assistant director Jan Whittaker said, “The UHSAA is excited to be sanctioning boys’ volleyball for the 202324 schools year. This will allow many boys who have not been competing in a sport for their school the opportunity to be part of the high school sports experience. They will be able to benefit from the positive impact that The Skyline High boys volleyball club are consistently among the top teams in the state each year. (Photo high school athletics has on students.”

“This is really exciting and satisfying credit Josh Henderson) for the boys to have this opportunity,” said Skyline head coach Josh Henderson, who has been with the program for nine years, only no longer have to play in junior high growing interest and participation in the schools and other random places, but also sport. six as head varsity coach.

“I am really excited the boys will fi- don’t have to listen to friends say that it’s What they found was: • Boys volleyball is one of the fastest nally have a chance to truly represent their not a real sport because it’s not sanctioned.”

Davis said, “It’s a wonderful sense growing sport in high schools across the high school and will be able to play at the of accomplishment and it was an honor nation. school, not only in front of family and • Boys volleyball is one of the largest friends but in front of a student section. to be in the seat. A lot of people told us it Being able to practice at the high school wouldn’t happen, but our grassroots efforts club sports in Utah. In 2015, the state had gives the sport more legitimacy and makes and the community support made this hap- 24 club teams; last fall, that number was up it more appealing for boys to want to play. pen. This is a victory for everybody, espe- to 56.

• In 2019, 81 high school teams repSanctioning boys volleyball really is a cially the boys and their families.”

Davis has helped spearhead the UB- resented 56 schools in Utah. This year, great way to inform people that volleyball isn’t just a ‘girl sport,’ but that volleyball is VA’s effort the past few years to get the 122 high school teams are playing from 64 sport sanctioned. Her sons, Parker and schools with more than 1,500 boys competfor everyone.”

Olympus High boys volleyball club Price, were part of a Bingham High boys ing.

• More than half of those 64 high director Brett Peterson said, “I am extraor- volleyball program who three-peated in state titles from 2017 to 2019.

She, UBVA school teams had such a demand in numdinarily excited for the boys. This sport is co-founder Warren Van Schalkwyk and bers that coaches had to cut players at trygrowing extraordinarily and we anxiously Duke Mossman, who coaches at Wasatch outs due to popularity of the sport and lack await the day when sanctioning begins.

There is something special about playing in High, formed a collaborative effort of con- of facilities.

• Most of the 5A and 6A schools have your high school, and these boys will not tinually gathering statistics and surveying coaches statewide to keep up with the full teams with the 3A and 4A classifica-

Page 10 | May 2022

tions having a more mixed representation and the more rural schools in 1A and 2A coming in with the lowest participation rates.

• 53% of the boys volleyball programs pay for gym rentals from their schools in order to play and practice.

• 90% of participants statewide just play boys volleyball and are not multi-sport athletes.

“The push that Jill stayed on to make was really key,” Corner Canyon High boys volleyball director Dan Penrod said. “Over this long process, there have always been a few parents that wanted to get the sanctioning ball rolling, but when their boys were finished playing, the momentum died down. Jill staying on after her boys graduated was everything in making sure this happened.”

Whittaker noted how the Emerging Sports Program that the UHSAA formed three years ago played a key role in the sanctioning of boys volleyball. “That program was created to grow meaningful participation opportunities for student-athletes, particularly for female student-athletes, in sports and activities,” she said.

“A sport can be considered for sanctioning after it meets a certain threshold of participating of our students in member schools.

Boys participating in volleyball has steadily grown over the past few years.”

Whittaker said once boys volleyball had met initial criteria for sanctioning consideration the UHSAA Board of Trustees looked at several factors in the ultimate decision-making process including: • The impact on Title IX compliance • The percentage of member schools that facilitate interscholastic competition in the emerging sport • Participation in community-sponsored leagues for the sport • Whether other state high school athletic associations sponsor or sanction competition in the sport • University, college and junior college opportunities for participation after high school • Whether the sport is a lifetime sport or activity, easily accessed in later life, that contributes to public health or fitness • Whether the NFHS or other recognized governing body publishes rules for interscholastic competition in the sport • Assistance available for growing the sport from national governing bodies, instate coaches association and/or in-state officials associations • Significant obstacles to growing the sport, such as lack of facilities, expensive equipment, risk of injury, lack of experienced coaches and officials • The opportunity for student-athletes

Millcreek City Journal

to participate equally from all socio-economic backgrounds • Whether sanctioning the sport will divert participants from and weaken an existing sanctioned or emerging sport • Whether there is significant competition for student-athletes to participate in this sport outside of school • The length of time the sport has been an emerging sport • The burden on member schools, districts and on the UHSAA of sanctioning the emerging sport • Utah Division of Risk Management concerns and input “This is not a check off list, but are items that were discussed prior to making the decision to sanction boys volleyball,” Whittaker said, adding that each school and district will “make the determination whether they will sponsor a sport that UHSAA sanctions.”

Davis said that the sanctioning of boys volleyball is a “win-win.” “This legitimizes it for the boys and creates stability and consistency across the board under a fabulous umbrella. Scholarships are secondary,” she said. “Plus, county rec leagues can still function for those who were cut from their high school teams as well as those who just want to play.”

Davis, the former director of Bingham boys volleyball teams, has been gearing up to step away from UBVA since 2020 when her son graduated but “needed to stay in the game” to see the sanctioning process through. “Personally, to be able to serve these boys has been a thrill, and it’s an even bigger thrill to betting Utah on the map with boys volleyball,” she said. “I’ll forever be a part of the sport, but this ‘cherry on the top’ is so exciting for these kids and a great way to go out for me.”

“Jill is an absolute angel for doing all of that. She did an amazing job, and it means so much to the boys,” Peterson said.

Peterson, who has been directing the Olympus boys volleyball program for several years—with Ben Chamberlain coaching the varsity squad—said that he’s thrilled to have the boys experience sanctioned volleyball. Peterson’s own experience was competing for two years in sanctioned play in California, and then helping build a club team at Olympus High, where he was a player/coach over his final two seasons, while his mom, Chris, ran the program.

Despite being the defending state champions, the Skyline Eagles program has experienced somewhat of a down year in participation and numbers due to starting a few weeks late with unavailable gym space.

But, Henderson said the news of the sanctioning has brought a lot of buzz and extra interest and excitement to be involved in the program next year.

Henderson said that being able to practice at the school will be a game changer for his boys.

The UBVA will continue to host the

MillcreekJournal .com

Eagles near top of the mountain entering final stretch of the season Photos by Travis Barton

The Skyline High boys volleyball club are consistently among the top teams in the state each year, including the 2021 state championship. (Photo credit Josh Henderson)

Kyler Madsen looks to keep the ball in play during a 2-0 region win at Murray. Skyline was 8-2-1 at press time and held the No. 2 ranking in the RPI. A year after falling in the state final to Wasatch, the Eagles hope to soar higher this year.

Junior Spencer Carter takes a shot during a crucial region game against Murray. At press time, Skyline held a slight edge in the competitive Region 6 standings over rival Olympus and Brighton. Of the team’s seven region wins, five have been by one goal or less, including a shootout victory over the Titans.

Skyline’s Kai Sorenson and Nick Allen reach to block a Bingham attack with Jordyn Vagana also ready on defense. (Photo credit Josh Henderson)

state boys volleyball tournament for the next two seasons as budgets, schedules and regional alignments are put in place for the 2024 spring season when UHSAA will take the reins.

For more information on the UBVA, visit www.ubva.info or email ubva.info@ gmail.com.

The addition of boys volleyball will come just after Salt Lake City hosts the high school boys volleyball national championships in summer 2023. l

Carlos Pena is one of a myriad of contributors for Skyline this season. So far no one on the team has scored more than three goals with at least 14 different players recording a goal or assist. But the team’s greatest strength may be its defense as the Eagles had only allowed five goals all season at press time.

May 2022 | Page 11

Skyline softball chasing a region title Photos by Travis Barton

Chloe Quinn is part of an emerging Eagles softball team who were two games behind Murray at press time.

Chesnne Isom recorded three RBIs in the Eagles 13-7 win over Olympus.

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Hailey Louder is crucial to the Eagles this season from both the mound and at the plate. The junior has recorded all the team’s wins from the mound and leads Skyline with 21 RBIs. Important games May 3 at Murray and May 5 hosting Olympus could prove essential to who takes the region title.

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Millcreek City Journal

In a deadlocked region, Skyline looking to separate itself Photos by Travis Barton

Pitcher Aidan Boice and catcher Ethan Meyer celebrate an inning where Boice threw two strikeouts at Brighton. The Eagles were 7-2 at press time in region, sweeping East before taking 2-1 series wins over Highland and Brighton.

Garrett Adams slides into first base for an infield single during a 9-4 win over Brighton.

In a region that features perennial contenders Olympus and Murray, and adds the No.1-ranked Park City team, the Eagles are competing as well as any of them.

Aidan Boice is 4-0 from the mound so far this year recording over 60 strikeouts.

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Millcreek City Journal

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May 2022 | Page 15

Granite School District conducts two population analysis studies

By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com

G JUNE 2021 EVENTS

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ranite School District is currently conducting two population analysis studies, following significant changes in student populations within the district.

The district took to social media to inform students and their families of the ongoing studies stating, “[We are] currently conducting two population analysis studies pertaining to two specific areas. Van Winkle/700 East Boundary and Consolidation Study, and Skyline, Cottonwood, Olympus Network Study.”

Following the announcement back in March 2022, several open house meetings took place throughout April. The district stressed the importance of community feedback, seeing as the outcomes of these studies could potentially dictate future boundaries and even potential school closures and consolidations.

For those unfamiliar with population analysis studies, and why they occur, these studies are usually borne out of necessity following significant changes in student populations. They are conducted every year in areas where student population numbers have changed significantly. For community members who are concerned about potential outcomes, the district stresses the importance of the community’s involvement.

Depending on the results gathered, it’s a possibility that certain schools could be combined or closed entirely. If a school is to be closed, many community members rightfully wonder what will become of the building.

According to Granite School District, if the board does decide to close a school there are a few different potential routes for refurbishing and repurposing. “The district is disinclined to surplus or sell the property because our geographic boundaries limit potential for growth,” Granite School District announced on their Facebook page. “In instances when the facility is too old to be used or maintained, buildings could be razed, or the property maintained as a park by the city or country while the district maintains ownership.”

Families in the Skyline, Olympus, and Cottonwood networks received postcard invites encouraging them to participate in a series of community discussions and open houses that took place in April 2022.

According to study director Steve Hogan, “It has always been in the best interest of everyone involved to participate in these discussions, and we’ve made a concerted effort to reach out to every family who would be affected and invite them to our open forums.”

The spring open houses concluded on April 18, following two prior events held on April 11 and April 13, respectively. The feedback was mixed with some parents citing concerns about overcrowded classrooms as a reason for opposition against closures and

The infographic shows a general timeline for the population analysis studies currently being conducted.

(Courtesy of Granite School District)

consolidations.

“We are one of the fastest-growing states in the nation,” said a meeting attendee and parent who wished to remain anonymous.

“My son and daughter are both currently enrolled in a [Granite District] elementary school, where we’ve recently considered leaving given the ratio of teachers to students. The problem is, if Utah continues to grow as it has been these past several years, many districts are going to be facing this exact issue.

It leaves us with limited options as parents.”

Despite the conclusion of these open houses, the district is still allowing community members to submit feedback via the district’s website. Feedback will still be accepted and analyzed. Given the length of population analysis studies, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done before any definitive decisions are made.

While members of the public have just recently been made aware of the population analysis, it would have first crossed the board’s agenda back in February 2022 as a potential study. Once approved, the board compiled data and began research prior to the April 2022 open houses.

What comes next? Per Granite District’s memo, “In [May 2022] we will begin analyzing and compiling the public input and start to draft multiple solutions to be explored.

The Population Analysis Committee will then present an initial report to the Board of Education. In August and September, potential solutions will be refined based on input from the board. An initial report will be publicized, and public commentary solicited.”

As of now, there is no guaranteed date for the study’s completion. It will vary slightly based on the findings of the board, the community feedback received, and the level of modification needed for the final recommendation. However, it is estimated the final recommendation will be presented at some point in either October or November 2022.

The Population Analysis Committee will present a final plan to the board in a public hearing during a routine Board of Education meeting. The plan is either adopted, modified, or rejected by the board over the course of two readings.

If at that juncture, a boundary change is approved, and a school closure or consolidation is authorized, the district will create a

Millcreek City Journal

Granite School District is currently conducting two separate population analysis studies. (File photo courtesy Granite School District)

timeline for implementation based on the specific needs of the affected school and community. Regardless of the outcome, the district has made it clear families will be alerted every step of the way.

Granite School District also wanted to reiterate that their first priority is, and will always be, the well-being and welfare of the students. “It is our responsibility to do all things necessary for the prosperity and success of our students and our schools. A part of that responsibility includes conducting population studies when necessary. We do this with

the ultimate goal of ensuring that students in the district receive an equitable education,” according to the district.

Community members are currently encouraged to reach out to the district with any concerns or questions they may have about any component of the process. All questions can be sent via email to the Planning & Boundaries Division of Granite School District. Their contact is boundaries@graniteschool.org l

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OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. Page 18 | May 2022

Pure Solutions, the team from Skyline High School who proposed an innovative product for determining water quality, walked away with $10,000 and the title as winners of the High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. (Photo courtesy Skyline High School)

Skyline students win big in the High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge

By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com

P

ure Solutions, a team from Skyline High School, won a $10,000 grand prize at the High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, following their presentation of a product that enables consumers to easily analyze the safety of water samples.

The competition is hosted annually by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, an interdisciplinary division of the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah.

The event is sponsored by Zions Bank, who provided the $10,000 prize presented to the students following their win.

David Sun, a member of the Pure Solutions team, would have been content with merely bringing attention to an important issue. “Winning this competition means much more than just the money. I think the most valuable prize is the countless people that are so talented that we got to interact with. We wanted to bring awareness to an issue that is important to us, and we did just that.”

Pure Solutions intends to use the win as an impetus for getting their product patented and prepared for consumers. “We’re planning on filing a patent in [May 2022] so that we can assume ownership over the entire product. From there, we are planning on licensing that patent to utility companies or using it and starting our own business,” Pure Solutions team member Vivek Anandh said.

Pure Solutions beat out 20 other teams who made it to the final event in the business-idea competition held by the Lassonde Institute. The institute welcomes submissions from students all across Utah ages 14-18. The

students compete for recognition in addition to prize money and scholarships. Every team that participated was given the same challenge. They must first identify a consumer problem or demand and consequently develop a creative solution.

“Each year I am continually blown away by the sheer passion and effort displayed by these high school students,” said Sadie Bowen, who is the student associate for the High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. “We hope that by bringing more attention to this competition that we can continue to foster interest amongst Utah high schoolers.”

The High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge is a youth version of the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, a statewide student business model competition. It operates in a similar manner to the high school version; however, it focuses on university-age students and awards $30,000 to the winners. The Utah Entrepreneur Challenge is one of the largest collegiate competitions in the nation.

Pure Solutions placed first beating out second-place team Noisy NICU Cap and third-place team Creative Book Folding.

Noisy NICU Cap patented a sound-attenuating device that aims to reduce sound exposure for vulnerable babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Creative Book Folding uses 100% recyclable materials to fashion customized and unique gifts and decorations.

Sun was inspired by seeing the multitude of innovative products presented by his peers.

“Having seen the hard work put in by the other teams, we feel that much more grateful to

Millcreek City Journal

have been awarded first place. There were so many good ideas floated and so many worthy competitors. It made the win that much more special,” Sun said.

The top 20 teams that Pure Solutions competed against came from all across the state. The products presented provided solutions for industries across the board including event planning, physical therapy, financial literacy, repurposing ocean waste, and a series of innovative mobile applications.

“Part of why we developed the high school-age competition is because we wanted to give students at that level an opportunity to showcase their talent, to prove that people of all ages have the capability to transform lives and create products for the greater good,” Bowen said. “And given the outcomes we’ve witnessed in the past several years, this is more than a competition. Many of these finalists go on to actually sell, patent, or develop these products. They’re young people dramatically improving the world and that never ceases to be inspiring.”

Ultimately, it was Pure Solution’s water sample analyzer that triumphed. Per the team’s own description, “Pure Solutions is an innovative product that enables consumers to easily and comprehensively analyze water samples from the comfort of their homes.”

They go on to explain, “Unlike current water testers on the market, Pure Solutions’ reusability, intuitive design, and Bluetooth capabilities, will enhance water safety. The

product will inform millions of people about the quality of their water and provide low-income communities an affordable and effective way to improve their health and standards of living.”

The team stressed the importance of bringing this type of technology to communities that need it the most, particularly those impoverished communities where clean water is difficult to come by. They touched on the importance of clean drinking water as a basic human right that should be afforded to everyone.

Inspired by the examples of communities across the world who lack access to clean water, Pure Solutions wanted to streamline an easy and affordable solution that could be used worldwide or even right here in the U.S. They drew attention to Flint, Michigan where a notorious water crisis waged for five years from 2014 to 2019. “It shouldn’t be happening anywhere,” the team explained, “but the fact that it happened here and lasted for years?

Unacceptable. That got us thinking, and we built from there.”

As this year’s competition concludes, Bowen encourages students who are interested and eligible to get involved next year. “To all the teams who participated this year, we wish you the very best in your future endeavors,” Bowen said. “We look forward to seeing a whole new set of ideas and products at next year’s competition.” l

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Millcreek City Journal

I

Salt Lake County uses federal ARPA dollars for affordable housing, water conservation and workforce development

believe one of the most important roles for an elected official is acting as a steward of your taxpayer dollars. Residents entrust us to judiciously use funds to perform essential functions for the community, and as such residents expect that every dollar spent by the government will be carefully scrutinized. I used these principles to cast my vote for the allocation of federal ARPA dollars, which included funding for affordable housing, water conservation, and workforce development. Included are some details about each of these projects.

These funds do not come from property or sales taxes. They are funds given to counties from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocated by the federal government.

These funds are meant to support COVID-19 response efforts, replace lost public sector revenue, support immediate economic stabilization, and address systemic public health and economic challenges. They cannot be used to pay down debt, lower taxes or give refunds back to taxpayers.

We know affordable housing is a huge issue. In 2021 rental costs increased by 12 percent and homeownership costs increased by 28 percent. Low to moderate household incomes have experienced significant supply and cost barriers to access safe and affordable housing.

We know there is a far greater cost to society if

Aimee Winder Newton

Salt Lake County Council | District 3

youth end up homeless because their families can’t afford a place to live. Homelessness disrupts educational opportunities and puts them at higher risk of ending up in jail or utilizing government welfare services. This would end up costing taxpayers more than an upfront investment. Stability is key to helping young people succeed.

The Salt Lake County Council allocated $20 million dollars to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This trust fund will leverage state and local government funding to preserve, construct, and assist 1,200 units of safe, affordable housing in Salt Lake County.

Utah is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years and water conservation is a top concern. The Salt Lake County Council allocated $2.1 million ARPA dollars to Integrated Water Conservation & Land Use Municipal Partner-

ships. Salt Lake County will partner with cities to implement approved water conservation plans.

The Salt Lake County Council invested $10 million dollars to implement the Workforce Inclusion and Successful Employment (WISE) program. This program is designed to identify effective solutions that empower lower income communities to get education, skills and training needed to engage in the workforce.

It is the goal of the program that by 2026, a net tax impact will be shown by comparing WISE

program expenses with tax savings achieved through (1) increased revenue due to higher salaries and (2) reduced expenses due to less need for government assistance.

Every vote I cast as a county council member comes after thoughtful consideration of how it will impact the county overall, as well the constituents whom I represent in this role. I believe these ARPA funds are a once in a generation opportunity to invest in projects that will provide better opportunities and outcomes for residents now and in the future.

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Millcreek City Journal

X marks the spot

H

e might not have a parrot or an eye patch, but my dad has found more buried treasure than any pirate. Inside his mild-mannered dad costume lurks the heart of Captain Jack Sparrow, ready to tackle any adventure with dashing flair and comic grace.

On a blustery day in April, he took a pickaxe and hammer to help his great-grandkids find fossilized shells and pieces of quartz on the side of a mountain near his home in central Utah. He was excited about every discovery, and everywhere he looked, he saw treasure.

He pointed to the west and said, “That mountain is full of blue agate.” He pointed down and leaned in to whisper, “We’re standing on the biggest gold mine in the state.” He pointed east to where dinosaur bones hide in the hills and pointed south to Native American sites where he’s examined petroglyphs and rock paintings.

I’ve explored with Dad many times, usually only finding spiders, cacti and the occasional rattlesnake. He can stick his hand in a hole in a rock and pull out gemstones, old coins and a jackalope skull.

Dad’s always had a sense of adventure. If he could make a living exploring

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

ghost towns and spelunking in caves for lost treasure, à la Indiana Jones, he’d be the happiest man on earth.

With his keen, scientific mind, he built model airplanes and assembled rockets that exploded in midair, not always on purpose. He’d ignite a mini cannon on the Fourth of July that freaked out the neighbors, cracked a basement window and set off car alarms. We’d run inside and hide like the Feds were after us. They probably were.

For him, life has been one big treasure hunt. He often takes his metal detector to parks and always shows up when a road is being dug or a house demolished.

You never know what he’ll find; sometimes a rare penny, sometimes radioactive marbles.

He once discovered a class ring and

used his Hercule Poirot-level detective skills to return it to the family of the man who’d lost it decades earlier.

Even with his work, he stood on the leading edge of discovery. In the ’60s, he helped build the first communications system for Air Force One. Later, he created cameras that flew on the space shuttle, were installed in telescopes and helped aerial refueling tankers.

A camera he designed took the first pictures of the Titanic at the bottom of the ocean.

Never one to pass up a good conspiracy theory, Dad talks about his close encounters with UFOs, ghosts, the Illuminati and home teachers. He also plays the accordion, although how can you tell if someone does that well?

He’s a master woodworker, making toys, banjos, ukuleles and violins that he donates to teens. He cuts and polishes the stones he finds to make necklaces, and he’s been known to set a trap or two for Santa Claus. He’d frighten us with scary stories before bedtime, stories he insisted were true, which made it worse.

If Dad had the chance to take a rocketship to the moon, he’d already be packed. He’d love to fly in a fighter jet

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But through all of his adventures, misadventures, escapades, quests, deeds and feats of reckless abandon, Dad knows the biggest treasure is the one in his own backyard.

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