Murray Journal | March 2024

MURRAY SCHOOL BOARD SEEKS PUBLIC OPINION ON PROPOSED BOND, BOUNDARY CHANGE

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

This month and next the community is invited to weigh in to Murray school board members on a proposed school bond, which would impact all schools within Murray School District. In addition, a boundary change impacting students at Parkside and Liberty elementaries also is being considered.

A public informational meeting about the Murray Board of Education’s recommendations will be held at 6 p.m., March 7 at the Murray School District office, 5102 S. Commerce Drive. The Board also will take public comment at its March 15 and April 11 meetings, which begin at 5 p.m. at the District office.

The proposed bond measure for November 2024 would be earmarked to rebuild Riverview Junior High and add a wing to Murray High School. Along with these structural changes, the Board recommends the District move from its current junior high or seventh- through ninth-grade model to middle schools, or sixth through eighth grades.

“This recommendation comes after nearly five years of facility and student population studies, reviews and discussions,” said Jaren Cooper, Murray Board of Education chair. “It’s not an easy decision but reflects a commitment and responsiveness to optimizing learning conditions for our Murray students.”

Perry said that only 10% of the country still uses the junior high model.

“Students are tracked on their academic performance more closely beginning in ninth grade so it makes a lot of sense to move those students

Continued page 23

Riverview Jr. High may be rebuilt if patrons support the proposal for a bond this spring and if voters approve it in November. (Julie Slama/City Journals) page

Independent

Puzzle competition

PGA title

High-quality, innovative health care with a heavy dose of compassion

With a focus on health care excellence, community service and faith – the doctors, nurses and care teams at Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake are committed to compassionate and highquality care for their neighbors.

It has been nearly a year since CommonSpirit Health took over five Wasatch Front hospitals that now bear the name Holy Cross, a reference to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, who brought Catholic, faith-based health care to the people of Utah nearly 150 years ago.

Today, the hospitals are reinvigorating the Sisters’ vision while caring for all with open arms, including at the original hospital they opened in 1875 that cares for patients 24/7 on S. Temple Street.

“We have returned to our roots in the way we care for the people of the Salt Lake Valley, and we are so excited to re-emphasize community-focused, faithbased health care for the people of Utah,” said Kevin Jenkins, Market CEO for the Holy Cross hospitals. “Our care is truly focused on neighbors helping neighbors.”

Besides innovative health care in services that include orthopedics, bariatrics, neurosurgery, heart care, and robotic-assisted technology, the hospital’s teams are actively involved in helping to make their communities better outside the walls of the hospital. These efforts range from food pantry donations and first aid sponsorships with local arts festivals to partnering with the American Heart Association to educate our communities about heart health.

Through its Hello Humankindness program, CommonSpirit is actively promoting the health benefits

of kindness and recognizing employees who go above and beyond the call of their jobs to help those in need.

“We believe that simple acts of kindness have a profound impact on the lives of our patients and communities, in addition to the medical expertise that our doctors and nurses provide,” Jenkins said.

The Holy Cross hospitals have also re-started volunteer and chaplaincy programs, which had not been a priority for the previous owner.

“We have a Director of Mission and Ministry who leads our chaplaincy program to provide prayer and other support for our patients – regardless of who they are or faith tradition - and is making sure our healing mission is carried out in our hospitals,” Jenkins added.

CommonSpirit’s mission includes advancing social justice for all, and last fall, it bestowed eight grants from its Health Equity & Advancement Fund to local nonprofits that are working every day to improve lives in ways that include health screenings for Spanishspeaking neighbors and mental health treatment for children and families.

With a long legacy of service and healing, CommonSpirit is just getting started in extending health care excellence for all Utahns at the Holy Cross hospitals.

“Our vision is a healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity,” Jenkins said.

Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.

Orthopedic care with compassion at its core.

Our physicians provide the most advanced care and treatment options in orthopedics, including hip and knee replacement, total joint replacement, and sports medicine. We are committed to creating personalized treatment plans and providing extraordinary care to every patient.

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Kevin Jenkins, Market CEO

Marathoner and newly-elected Murray City Councilmember Adam Hock runs a competitive race for District 5—and wins

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

Newly-elected

Murray City Councilmember Adam Hock loves to run. In fact, he’s completed five marathons, dashing up to 60 miles a week while in training mode. It would appear all that running put him in good shape to run a competitive and well-funded campaign, beating incumbent Garry Hrechkosy for the honor of representing District 5.

Hock knew it was going to be a competitive election, but he was as surprised as anyone to see the totals in campaign funds raised. “We were both willing to ask for money and endorsements, and I knew that’s what this race required because my opponent is quite politically connected, so that’s how I ran it.”

No stranger to racing, Hock often experiences District 5 on his own two feet, as one of his marathon training routes takes him along the rim of the district, from as far west as Fashion Place Mall, east to Van Winkle, then over to 5600 South. Wheeler Farm is smack in the middle, and the residential areas he runs through are diverse, from older neighborhoods, to newer apartments, to million dollar mansions.

Aside from the ongoing business of council, Hock has many ideas for Murray in his upcoming term, from niche projects that may be easier to sprint, to marathon-like changes.

For example, while he was campaigning (literally running) he noticed the poor condition (or lack of) sidewalks on 6400 South. “I know what it’s like to have cars right next to me when I’m on the side of the road,” said Hock, adding that he’d like to improve the condition of sidewalks and walkability in Murray.

Also while on the campaign trail, he realized a geographic swath of residents were being double taxed for both Cottonwood Heights and Murray Parks & Recreation. He hopes to

quickly address this issue.

Over the long haul, he’d love for Murray to contribute to larger statewide environmental goals.

He’d like Murray to participate in landscape rebates such as the Turf Buyback Program offered by the state to qualifying communities. Currently, Murray has not adopted necessary qualifying ordinances, and he hopes to remedy this. He’d also love for Murray Power to move toward 100% clean energy and away from coal-fueled power.

Hock grew up in neighboring Taylorsville, but these days he and his family are well-connected to the Murray School District. Hock teaches seminary for both Hillcrest Junior High and Murray High School, and he has children at Longview Elementary and Hillcrest Junior. His wife is a Murray High graduate and when the couple was looking for a place to set-

tle and raise their children, she sold him on the charm of Murray.

“She told me Murray was an easy place to feel at home, and it absolutely is,” Hock said. “It feels like a small town because Murray is independent and cohesive. You go to the library or a Murray Rec youth sporting event and you see the same people, all neighbors.”

Hock’s wife, Stephanie Hock, is an artist who has painted many a charming Utah and Murray landscape. “Yeah, I’m Mr. Stephanie Hock,” Councilmember Hock laughed. “I’ve embraced the title.”

Hock has many advanced degrees. He received a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and master’s degrees from both Brigham Young University in religion and the University of Utah in American History. He’s been a part-time student and a full-time teacher for 16 years. “I love learning and initially thought my

career path would lead me into academia as a professor.”

But it was while finishing up his master’s in American History when he started to relate broader topics of study to his own community. “I realized I wanted to be more directly involved, rather than just academically observing.” That’s when he decided to run for local office.

When asked what lessons he could apply from his education into city government he said, “Decision making in a community with a bunch of players isn’t easy. We need to understand that everything has a history and decisions that were made, even if they were a bit of a mistake in retrospect, were not made in a vacuum. If we can see the historical perspective and use a wider view going forward during the decision making process, we might do a better longer-term job.” l

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Newly-elected Murray City Councilmember Adam Hock coaching his son’s basketball team. (Photo/Adam Hock)

Newly-elected Murray City Councilmember Adam Hock being sworn in at Murray City Hall on Jan. 2. Hock has also been elected as council vice-chair and vice-chair of budget and finance. (Photo/ Adam Hock)

Celebrating excellence: Exceptional educators honored with Pinnacle Awards

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Quietly, members of Murray Education Foundation, Murray School District and Murray High snuck outside the conference room door. Inside, Murray High volunteer Jen Davies was meeting with Assistant Principal Emily Bird about the PTA’s Battle of the Bands when Principal Quinn Linde stuck his head in the door and told Davies she was needed in the office.

“My thoughts immediately went to my son Ethan who attends Murray (High) and was he OK. He and his friends are very adventurous, and I was wondering what they might have done,” she said. “I walked out and saw everybody and wondered, ‘What on earth was going on?’ Here I was in my workout clothes and all these administrators and Ethan, but also my husband, my parents and sister and brother who came from St. George and friends were there. I was shocked.”

It was especially sweet for Davies who has spent a large amount of her time with all her volunteer efforts recently and her son had told her days before that she deserved an award.

“‘He said, ‘here’s your award, Mom.’ It was really a sweet, tender moment—and what an honor to be recognized, especially as a volunteer,” she said, adding that it made her cry.

Earlier that morning, Murray High special education teacher Jessie Agiriga got a surprise visit from the group, which included her three children, all wearing

Morered-and-white heart pajamas for pajama day at the preschool.

“My husband told me he got a strange email from Brady (Smith, the school’s athletic director who has coached unified sports with Agiriga) and I thought maybe it was about Brady because he got teacher of the month here at school,” said the 18-year teaching veteran. “I didn’t expect this.”

The day continued with popping in and stunning teachers and a classified employee, who were in the middle of instructing in classrooms or busy in the library or auditorium.

“This is always so much fun to surprise them,” said Jeanne Habel, the executive director of Murray Education Foundation, which receives many nominations to honor outstanding employees and a volunteer. “It’s one of the best parts.”

The Pinnacles are now in its 21st year. Since its inception, more than 150 people have been honored with a statuette designed by Doug Clawson and sculpted and bronzed by Jim Rennert. The honorees also are given flowers, gift cards, $1,000 and on March 14, will be celebrated at a special gala dinner, which involves some of their own students as well as those at Murray High School.

This year’s recipients include Grant Elementary fifth-grade teacher Kayti Graham, who has worked for the District 10 years; Horizon kindergarten teacher Blair

Peterson, who has given 13 years to the District; Liberty Elementary second-grade teacher Kristen Flower, who has dedicated 29 years at the District; Riverview Junior High science teacher Jen Mackay, who is in her 19th year at the District; and Viewmont Elementary support professional Caroline Walker, who has devoted 30 years at the District, along with Agiriga and Davies.

More than 20 years ago, Davies had taught history and dance classes at both junior highs and coached drill at Murray High School. She stepped down after five years and has volunteered at numerous Murray schools, mostly as PTA president at Longview Elementary and Riverview Junior High before becoming involved at Murray High.

Among the countless hours she’s dedicated, she has helped with choreography of about 10 school musicals, planned school carnivals, helped with Project Graduation, overseen teacher appreciations, coordinated school service projects, been athletic teams’ parent, helped with Spartan Closet, taught social-emotional learning, spent hours with the dance celebration for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympics at Viewmont and coordinated the 50-year celebrations of both Murray High and Riverview.

“I love being in the schools; I love being with kids,” she said. “I feel blessed I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer.” l

Top spellers to compete at the Greater Northern Utah Spelling Bee

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

than 100 schools will be represented at the Greater Northern Utah Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 23 at 9 a.m. at Wasatch Jr. High in Millcreek (3750 S. 3100 East). Sponsored by the City Journals community newspapers, the winner of the event will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

Each school can send up to two spelling representatives to compete at the Utah bee. Students will complete a written test before the competition and everyone will have the chance to spell one word on the stage. After the first round, the top spellers will be announced and they will compete for the state championship.

“The spelling bee is a foundation of the building blocks of education,” said Elizabeth Sweat, people leader at the City Journals. “It teaches children the importance of hard work, language skills and aiming for the best. It helps them become strong thinkers, ready to create a better tomorrow.”

The City Journals has hosted the region-

al spelling bee since 2014 and pays for the trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and one parent. This year, Planet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry in West Valley will provide funds to ensure a second speller can also attend the national bee.

Last year’s winner, Surya Kapu, competed at the national event, finishing tied for third place. It was the third time the South Jordan resident had competed at that level. Surya won the regional bee four times but didn’t attend the Scripps event one year because of COVID. This year, he is too old to compete, so there will be a new champion crowned.

City Journals publisher Bryan Scott is adamant about hosting the event each year and giving students the opportunity to shine.

“To me, children are synonymous with our future and our community,” Scott said. “Any time we get to celebrate a child is awesome. For some of these spellers, this may be the only time in their life where they are on a stage. Those few moments make all the difference.”

Murray High volunteer Jen Davies was pulled out of a meeting and surprised to learn she is a 2024 Pinnacle Award recipient. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

To support the regional spelling bee and competitors, donate with the QR code. Help send the champion to Washington, D.C. to complete at the national level. l

The City Journals sent South Jordan resident Surya Kapu to Washington, D.C. last year to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This year’s regional bee will be held on Saturday, March 23. (Photo courtesy of Udaya Kapu)

Murray coalition seeks partners to tackle mental health issues, substance disorders

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

In a significant move to bolster community health and unity, the "Murray Partners 4 Prevention" coalition is experiencing a revival. Spearheaded by the Murray Chamber of Commerce, the initiative is a collaborative effort, reimagined post-COVID, to foster stronger connections between government, residents and businesses in Murray.

Sheri Van Bibber, a representative from the Murray Chamber of Commerce, explained the coalition's revival, "Historically, the coalition was managed by a small group, which was unsustainable during Covid. The county encouraged us to bring it back to reignite collaboration across the Murray community. Our goal is to support all levels of needs, ensuring positive health and wellness outcomes and making our city more connected through common goals, networks and resources."

The primary focus of the coalition revolves around substance use prevention, mental health support and suicide prevention. "Data indicates that Murray's youth, along with the rest of the state's youth, continue to experience increased rates of anxiety, depression and substance use," Murray City School District’s Prevention and YIC Coordinator Sierra Marsh said. The school district employs various professionals to

support these youth, but a larger community approach is essential for a sustainable impact. "Part of the work of the coalition in this round of beginning stages will be to collaboratively identify specific, measurable goals with outcomes that can impact the community at large," Marsh added, highlighting the proactive and collaborative nature of the initiative.

The coalition's approach to addressing community needs and strengths is particularly noteworthy. "No one person can know all the needs and strengths of a community," Van Bibber said. The coalition's diverse membership, representing various sectors, will play a crucial role in identifying these needs and strengths.

Discussing the role of collaboration, Van Bibber elaborated, "In the beginning phases, we created a list of various organizations and associations. This initial list is a starting point in identifying key sectors to a healthy community. We hope to have representatives from each sector on our Leadership Board, who will then report back to their respective sectors about coalition action plans and ideas."

The coalition's structure is based on four pillars: health, education, business and community engagement. "These four sec-

tors are somewhat of an umbrella, creating an alliance that covers a wide range of the Murray community and benefits everyone," Van Bibber said. The first meeting will focus on maximizing community engagement and creating initiatives supported by all pillars.

Emphasizing an evidence-based approach, Van Bibber mentioned the coalition's partnership with the Salt Lake County Health Department, which guides them in evidence-based practices. "This ensures that our initiatives, programs, interventions, and strategies are more effective, saving time and resulting in a greater impact sooner," Van Bibber said.

The long-term vision of the coalition is inclusivity. "We envision an approach where key leaders in the various pillars will disseminate and generate information from others within their areas of expertise," Van Bibber said. The aim is to establish a method of communication among all community organizations, including business-

es, nonprofits, front-line workers, religious groups, medical professionals, youth, older adults, residents and government employees.

However, challenges are inherent in such an ambitious project. "The beginning phases are all about aligning the pieces together," Van Bibber said. But the coalition is optimistic, drawing inspiration from 15 other cities working with the county. "We aim to learn 'Best Practices' but also create a foundation tailored to Murray’s specific needs," she concluded.

If your organization is interested in participating in the Murray Partners 4 Prevention Coalition contact Sierra Marsh at the Murray City School District (www.murrayschools.org) or Sheri Van Bibber at Murray Chamber of Commerce (www.themurraychamber.com). l

Members of Murray’s Youth Chamber of Commerce visit the State Capitol. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

Paul Pickett talks about his priorities, profession and his love of people and pizza

Whenasked what one thing newly-elected District 1 Councilmember Paul Pickett would like the residents of Murray to know about him he quickly responded, “I’m a nice person and I’m approachable. I like to talk to people and to listen to people.” Basic enough, but then he continued, slightest of accents detectable. “I make friends easily because Argentines love to talk and they love people.”

Roberto Paul Pickett-Acevedo was born in Cordoba, the capital of Argentina. His father is a native Utahn who met his mother on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission, returned to Argentina for his girl, and started a family in the South American country.

Pickett’s early years were spent in a “magical little world” with extended Argentinian family, but at age 11 his family decided to move to Utah, which at the time seemed a shock to young Paul. “It was almost like I had this secret American heritage and citizenship I didn’t really recognize,” Pickett said. “I still miss the place. Sometimes I wonder if I’m an American who had an Argentine experience, or an Argentine having an American experience.”

Priorities

His foreign heritage doesn’t mean Pickett isn’t invested in his local community, now even more so, as he has been elected to represent District 1. A longtime Murray resident (nearly a quarter of a century), Pickett decided to run for office because of the unprecedented growth that Murray has experienced in the past few years, and that the former representative was a newer resident of the district.

“I felt like she didn’t know the heart of the residents,” Pickett said. “My district is comprised of people who are long-term homeowners who are very conservative towards growth, who feel like we ought to pause and act in a wise way. They feel like the city is moving fast without their insight.”

His district includes Murray City Hall and historic Block One, which is currently up for redevelopment. He believes the block should be designed as “a place of attraction where people want to gather and spend time.”

He would love to have the master plan reopened and look at zoning laws to be sure proposals for development match where Murray wants to go, suggesting that the master plan may have been too vague. “Envision the worst case scenario. What if every lot that was zoned for high density housing was developed? What would that do to our infrastructure?” Pickett asked. “Could we still live the same quality of life or would we overwhelm our resources?”

A couple of other issues Pickett wishes to tackle: in his district there is a need for continual sidewalks leading to the Jordan River Parkway, and also sidewalks leading toward

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

bus stops. “There has not been an accident yet, but people walk these places and they’re not safe on the side of a road,” he said.

Pickett often bikes the Jordan River Parkway and he recognizes there are a few homeless encampments, mostly north of about 4800 South. Other newly-elected councilmember, Adam Hock, has also recognized this as one of the issues he’d like to tackle. Pickett is eager to work with Hock to improve the unhoused situation in Murray.

Profession

Pickett has worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 32 years, but his first job might have been the most rock-solid. He worked in the Family History vaults buried 700 feet in the granite walls of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

“The storage qualities of the rock keep the temperature and humidity constant, so the microfilm can stay safe forever,” Pickett said. “It’s why visitors aren’t allowed in the vault, because additional bodies would change the temperature and humidity.” Despite the dramatic location of the vault, inside it “felt very much like a regular warehouse.”

Back in Pickett’s day, when someone visited a family history library and requested information, the search was done by hand. Pickett (and other employees) would receive the order, pull it, take the document to the film processing area, copy it, and ship it to the history library. This procedure still exists, but the church is in the process of digitizing all microfilm for easier online access.

Since then, Pickett has taught seminary in four different states, including in Murray from 2004 to 2008. He worked in meeting house facilities (again for the LDS Church), and in 2021 he switched to BYU-Pathway, serving in 12 countries in Latin America.

Pickett attended the U.S. Air Force

Academy in Colorado Springs where he fell in love with the history and gallantry of the military. “It created in me a sense of discipline, patriotism and pride in America that might not have come after being born in another country,” Pickett said.

He served an LDS mission to Mexico, where he learned a whole new Hispanic culture, though he said with a laugh, “My Spanish was better than my fellow missionaries, even if the accent and dialect in Mexico are very different to that in Argentina.”

Pickett received his bachelor’s from the University of Utah and his master’s from Washington State University.

Pastimes

One of Pickett’s pastimes has a nice perk. For the past 19 seasons he has worked as an MLS Referee Liaison for Real Salt Lake. “I’m one of the few remaining fixtures from the initial team,” he said. This means he makes the visit to Utah enjoyable for referees from out of town. He’s a “rabid Real fan” and lucky to be at the stadium field-side for every game. “I try to maintain neutrality during the games, of course, because of the job,” Pickett confided. “But when we score goal, inside I’m very happy.”

Another interesting side-gig: Pickett is

an actor. He can be found in numerous commercials and LDS film productions including the recent Book of Mormon series. He has sported more than a couple interesting hairstyles as an actor representing an historic figure. While he loved his time as an actor, he feels like he’s done with acting. “I will be devoting this time to Murray,” he said.

People and Pizza

Pickett and his wife Jennifer have lived in Murray for 23 years. All five of their children attended schools in the Murray School District. Most of his children have moved from home and are “starting to scatter around Utah and the East Coast,” though all four of his grandchildren are in Utah, and he still has one child living at home. “We are a very connected family, so someone is always stopping in,” Pickett said.

Why do they visit? It might be for the pizza. When Pickett was 15 his family opened a pizza place in Idaho. He spent his high school days tossing pizza. He kept the recipes and the technique and Friday nights at the Pickett house are pizza nights. He makes his own dough, sauce, and tosses the crust. Neighbors (and family) know they are always welcome to walk in, sit down and have a slice. l

Friday night is pizza night at the Pickett house when neighbors and family are welcome to stop in for a slice. Paul Pickett is the newly-elected councilmember for District 1. (Photo Paul Pickett)

Paul Pickett was sworn in as the newly-elected councilmember of District 1 on Jan. 2. (Photo Paul Pickett)

Independent Murray: Why does the city have its own library system?

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

Residents of Murray acknowledge their independent streak. After all, Murray is a small city which sits smack dab in the center of Salt Lake County…yet has its own library system, school district, recreation center, power and water. Heck, it even has its own hashtag #wearemurray. Why?

Reasons are varied, some are a little mysterious, and most are steeped in history. The Murray Journal will take a look at this independent streak through a series of articles called: Independent Murray, starting with the Murray City Library System.

There are three library systems in the Salt Lake Valley. The Salt Lake County Library system has 18 full-service libraries. The Salt Lake City Public Library system has nine branch libraries within Salt Lake City limits. And then there’s the Murray Library, with one branch. No other Wasatch Front cities have their own system.

“It’s a Murray thing,” Murray City Library Director Kim Fong said with a chuckle, acknowledging she doesn’t know the exact reason Murray has stayed independent. “Murray likes to do things on their own.”

“And here’s an interesting fact,” Fong continued. “The library building sits on Murray School District land and is leased to the library for one dollar, under the stipulation that the Murray City Library cannot join the county system.”

However, the library systems do play nicely together, she reinforced. In that they have a three-way reciprocal borrowing agreement. Anyone in the county can get a Murray library card and access to Murray materials. Vice versa, county and city materials are available for Murray residents, if they apply for a free city or county card.

“It’s actually a good thing for residents because we are the taxing authority for the Murray Library. Murray residents don’t pay for the county libraries, and they pay less annually in Murray for library services,” said Doug Hill, Murray City’s chief administrative officer in the mayor’s office. “Yet they still have access to county materials.”

Library history

Though tiny, the Murray City Library is older than the county library system. The Murray Library was founded in 1911, and money for the construction of the first library was donated by Scottish-American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. The original building, which opened in 1912, was located on Vine Street, eventually became part of the Mount Vernon Academy and has since been demolished.

By contrast, the county library system was founded in 1938.

Murray did have a second branch, for a time, located where the Senior Rec Center is now, but both early libraries closed in 1992, when the new (and existing) library was opened at 166 E. 5300 South. The new li-

brary is about three times the size of the two older facilities combined.

Side note, the Salt Lake City Public Library system is the oldest in Utah, as might be expected, opening over 125 years ago on the top floor of the Salt Lake City and County Building. The first dedicated city library building was built just south of the Alta Club on State Street and opened in 1906. The building later became the Hansen Planetarium, and is currently the O.C. Tanner flagship store.

Murray general history

Per the www.murray.utah.gov website, the Mormon pioneers came to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. A pioneer group called the Mississippi Saints arrived, just one year later, and began to develop a scattered settlement in the south end of the valley in the fall of 1848.

The area remained agricultural until 1869 when a body of ore was found in Park City and additional ore was found in the Little Cottonwood Canyon. Because of its central location and access to the railroad, the first smelter was built in Murray in 1870 and Murray became the home of some of the largest smelters in the region over the next 30 years.

The City received its present name from the post office, which officially changed its name from the South Cottonwood Post Office to the Murray Post Office in 1883, after the territorial governor and civil war general, Eli Murray.

Murray incorporated and was recognized as a city on Jan. 3, 1903.

“Murray’s independent nature probably came about because it was a population center far removed from Salt Lake City,” Hill said. “Because the men who worked in the smelters stirred up trouble, and in order to feel safe, citizens needed police protection. And probably because they were far from the city they also wanted their own library.”

The numbers

The library footprint in Murray is

19,599 square feet, all in the one building. The county system has 18 branches, the largest being 33,000 square feet. The other county branches are likely an average of about half that, totaling well-over 300,000 square feet of library space.

There are about 43,000 card holders in Murray. In contrast, there are about 900,000 county residents (this number does not include any Salt Lake City or Murray residents) and 70% of these residents have an active library card (that’s about 630,000 for anyone who’s counting).

When questioned about such a high percentage of active county patrons, Sara Neal, marketing and communications manager of Salt Lake County Libraries, said, “Let’s just say people love and use the library.” Of note, Neal is a Murray resident and also holds a Murray Library card. Additionally, she holds a city library card and regularly uses all three to easily secure materials.

Murray boasts nearly 62,946 physical items and over 30,000 electronic items, so nearly 100,000 items. The county has about 2 million items in the system, including physical and electronic, but it changes constantly as new items are introduced and older items are retired.

The annual budget for Murray is $2.6 million, for the county $50 million.

The Murray library budget comes from a dedicated library levy, is paid through property taxes and does not receive any sales tax revenue. In Murray, the median library

levy per household is $94 per year. In the county, the library is also funded via property tax and county residents pay about $149 per year, based on an average home cost of $560,000.

About 30% of Murray patrons live outside of Murray. The county doesn’t track how many Murray residents hold county cards.

Value of an independent library to Murrayites

“The Murray City Library is a benefit to the residents of Murray, because we can focus our service to our citizens. Residents enjoy shorter wait times for materials and often comment on the excellent customer service they receive here,” Murray City Library director Fong said. “We place an emphasis on purchasing items that are specifically requested by our patrons and keep an eye on hold times. Because we are small, we can pivot more quickly to provide new services, try innovative ideas, and make quick adjustments when needed.”

“The best government is the government closest to the people. People say they know they are in Murray because it’s better managed,” Hill said, noting he has worked in Murray for over 27 years. “You won’t find it on paper, but with snow removal and so on, we are more responsive and focused on our citizens. You can call someone and they will answer the phone and help you solve your issue.” l

The first Murray City Library, built with Carnegie funds, pictured about 1912. (University of Utah Digital Library)

The stained glass window in the Murray City Library commemorates the 100 year anniversary of the Murray Library System, with a nod to the original Carnegie library built in 1912, in the left hand corner of the window. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

The Professional Golfer’s Association has been working over the last few years to grow the game—to make it more accessible and family-friendly. In December, it held its inaugural PGA Family Golf Championship at the La Quinta Resort and Golf Club in California, and the winners were from Utah.

Dave DeSantis, the PGA professional who teaches at Golf Galaxy in Murray, along with his wife Holly and grandson Gordie Gatrell, ran away with the title. Their team finished at even par for the two-day tourney played on the Pete Dye designed Mountain and Dune courses. Their closest competitors were a California father and son that finished at 13-over par.

“It was kind of a nervy format,” DeSantis said, “not a straight scramble. We could select the best drive on each hole, but then we played alternate shots, so it was a challenge at times.”

More than 150 golfers from 24 states participated in the event, which the PGA hopes to make an annual tournament. DeSantis said the PGA would like to develop local events that produce winners who would then qualify for the national championship. He said the PGA Tour will probably move the tourney around to different states each year—always warm weather states since it will be played in December.

The field consisted of 60-plus families, with teams composed of some combination of mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts

By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

tourney title

and grandparents. Each team had to include at least one adult and one junior. DeSantis and his wife enjoy playing with Gordie, a 15-year-old high school golfer who lives in St. George.

“He loves golf and already has his sights set on being a pro,” DeSantis said. “It was really a great experience for all of us, playing beau-

tiful courses with great weather.”

For participating, each player received Adidas pullovers and hats, and each team received a photo in a PGA Family Golf Championship frame. They also were treated to a pizza and pasta party after the first day of competition with a taco truck and ice cream provided at the

conclusion of the competition. The division champions were awarded PGA West license plate plaques and bag tags.

DeSantis has been the pro at Golf Galaxy for the past seven and a half years. He’s also taught at a number of courses in the state, including at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy and at River Oaks which he helped open. His first job was as the golf professional at the Palisades Golf Course near Manti. DeSantis and his family will be invited back to next year’s tournament as defending champions.

The PGA Tour has held events in Utah in the past—the Senior Tour (now called the Champions Tour) for golfers over 60; at Jeremy Ranch and in Park City for several years; and the Korn Ferry Tour for up-and-coming players or those hoping to regain their regular tour cards, which has been played in Utah for more than 20 years. This year, the tour comes back with a regular event for the first time in 60 years, playing at the new Black Desert Resort in Southern Utah. The same course will host an LPGA event in 2025.

Utah had a second team in the La Quinta tourney as well. Darci Olsen, PGA professional at Glenmoor Golf Club in South Jordan, along with her husband Joey and daughter Randli, also played. l

Murray golf professional Dave DeSantis, left, his wife Holly and grandson Gordie Gatrell won the inaugural PGA Family Golf Championship in California. (Photo courtesy of Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Serving Families Since 1885

LARKIN MORTUARY HONORS FAMILY PIONEER HERITAGE

Larkin Mortuary is one of the most respected funeral homes in the Salt Lake Valley. Its pioneer founder, George William Larkin, arrived in Utah in 1863, having emigrated from Cambridge, England. He started the Larkin tradition of arranging funerals in 1885. Today, with seven generations of history serving Utah families, four mortuaries, cremation facilities and two cemeteries, Larkin Mortuary remains locally family owned and managed.

Larkin’s vertically integrated services also provide a premier floral shop, monument, urn and vault manufacturing facilities, along with beautiful memorial meeting and luncheon facilities. Multilingual staff honor and facilitate important traditions of many cultures.

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Murray swimmers perform well at state, secure high finish

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

Competing at the Class 4A level after spending the past handful of years in 5A, the Murray swim team excelled in the pool at the state swimming championships Feb. 16-17. The Spartan boys team placed second at state, while the girls came in third out of 22 schools.

The boys scored 248.5 points, well behind champion Crimson Cliffs, which totaled an impressive 338. However, Murray was far and away the second-best team on the boys’ side, as the third-place team, Sky View, had 163 points. Meanwhile, the girls tallied 177 points, behind Park City (261 points) and Ridgeline (292).

This year’s state meet was quite a bit different for the Spartans than it was a year ago in the 5A ranks. Murray was 16th on the boys’ side and 22nd on the girls’ in 2022.

For the Murray girls, junior Kathleen Richter had one of the best performances for the Spartans. She captured the championship in the 200-yard individual medley relay by swimming the event in 2:11.93, barely defeating the runner-up by .01 seconds. She was also fourth in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:00.85. Her sister, Brooklyn Richter, just a freshman, duplicated Kathleen’s feat, this time in the 100 freestyle. Brooklyn placed first in the event, swimming it in 52.41 seconds, .09 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. Brooklyn was also second in the 50 free. In this sprint, she finished the event in just 24.07 seconds, .22 seconds behind the winner.

Murray’s 200 free relay team was second on the girls’ side, finishing the race in 1:42.93. The team, composed of Brooklyn Richter, Kinlee Cook, Natalynn Davies and

Kathleen Richter, was only 2.33 seconds behind first-place Ridgeline. Also, the girls did well in the 400 free relay. Brooklyn Richter, Marie Haas, Adelaide Stoddard and Kathleen Richter combined to swim the relay in 3:44.93 to place second overall.

Individually for the boys, senior Zach Richter won the 100 free with an impressive time of 47.09 seconds, half a second ahead of the runner-up. He also brought home the 100 breaststroke title coming up with a great time of 59.66 seconds to win. Also, freshman Marcus Richter was sixth in the 200 free, swimming it in 1:459.16. Marcus was also third in the 500 free, swimming it in 4:56.37. Junior Riser Lundberg tied for fifth in the 200 individual medley. He finished the race in 2:05.32. In the boys 50 free, junior Austin Sorensen was sixth with a time of 22.02 seconds, while junior Aiden Martin was eighth with a time of 22.72 seconds. Sorensen and Martin were also sixth and eighth, respectively in the 100 free.

The boys performed well in relays too.

The Murray boys captured the 200 free relay title with a time of 1:29.20. Zach Richter, Marcus Richter, Martin and Sorensen teamed up for the big accomplishment, beating the competition by .55 seconds. Sorensen, Marcus Richter, Martin and Zach Richter also combined to win the 400 free relay. Their efforts of 3:16.42 were 2.28 seconds ahead of the next-best group. l

The Spartan boys team placed second at state, while the girls came in third out of 22 schools. (Stock photo)

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Why A Locally Owned, Family Operated Mortuary Really Matters

Larkin Mortuary is the most respected funeral home in the Salt Lake Valley. Its pioneer founder, George William Larkin, arrived in Utah in 1863, having emigrated from Cambridge, England. He started the Larkin tradition of arranging funerals in 1885 and today, with seven generations of history serving Utah families, Larkin Mortuary remains locally family owned and managed.

Our quality reputation is everything to our business and we have established ourselves in the local community as a quali ed and trusted resource. We are not a national franchise and are not controlled by any outside in uences. Larkin can meet any need by providing all varieties of funeral and graveside services, cremation facilities, cemeteries, indoor and outdoor mausoleums, cremation niche and scattering gardens, personalized life memorials and legacy keepsakes.

One of the most important aspects of being locally owned and operated is our rsthand knowledge of the communities we serve. With 139 years of excellence and innovation in providing quality memorial products and compassionate service, Larkin Mortuary provides a full spectrum of end of life services.

Being a quali ed resource to you is our core mission. Larkin’s vertically integrated services provide a premier oral shop, monument, urn and vault manufacturing facilities, and beautiful memorial meeting and luncheon facilities. This full range of services o ers individuals and families the exibility to design a custom memorial tribute for their loved one. Multilingual sta honor and facilitate important traditions of many cultures. Larkin can also assist with legal transactions and documentation for timely and e cient transfers to other countries.

We are community minded and donate either monetarily or with our time to many worthwhile causes in the local area. Being community-minded is who we are. It de nes our character and provides a solid foundation with the people we serve.

Memorial preplanning services are o ered by quali ed and compassionate Larkin counselors who will help determine nal wishes. Advanced funeral arrangements can provide peace of mind knowing that end of life plans are complete and will be carried out exactly as speci ed. Preplanning reduces the details and decisions loved ones must confront during a time of grief.

The family and sta at Larkin Mortuary understand that arranging a funeral or memorial service is a deeply personal experience. Realizing the sacred nature of the profession, Larkin is honored to serve the community by providing genuine care at this sensitive time of life.

Our memorial services are available in any of our beautiful buildings amongst our four locations along the Wasatch Front or in a building of your choice.

For more information, please visit www.larkinmortuary.com or call (801) 363-5781 for an appointment with an experienced funeral director.

Pieces come together perfectly when family and friends gather for a Jigsaw Puzzle Competition

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

It was a chilly February morning and the room was packed. Tables full of family and friends leaned toward a common goal, hands outstretched, waiting. A collective inhale, the signal was given, and they began.

Murray Parks & Rec hosted their fourth jigsaw puzzle completion on Feb. 10, and it was the most successful thus far, filling both sides of the large gymnasium. Nearly 40 registered teams of between four and six puzzlers huddled around tables, sorting and clicking pieces into place at a furious pace.

Each team was given an identical 500 piece puzzle and 2.5 hours to puzzle, but the winning table positioned the last piece after only 37 minutes.

“This is our fourth puzzle competition here,” puzzler Libbie Lindon said. “The first one was super fun, and we won! So we kept chasing that feeling of winning.” Since entering competitions Lindon says she prefers doing puzzles in one setting rather than always having a large puzzle going. “Five hundred pieces is the best size because you can finish it and put it away. It’s like training.”

The Rec Center started the jigsaw puzzle competitions about a year ago and plans to hold them quarterly, as the event has become quite popular. “There were only 12 teams the first time and today there are nearly 40,” Jennifer Leitner, Murray Park Center director, said. “First through third place teams get prizes (candy or maybe gift cards) and bragging-rights medals. Plus ev-

ery team gets to keep their puzzle.” The cost to enter is $20 per team.

A puzzling history

The first jigsaw puzzle was created by a map engraver named John Spilsbury in 1762. He mounted a map onto wood and then cut around the countries to help local children with their geography education. It was an instant hit and the concept was soon expanded into other educational images such as farms and religious scenes.

At this time puzzles were called “dissected puzzles.” The term jigsaw comes from the special saw that was invented in 1855, and the name “jigsaw puzzle” didn’t appear until 1906.

Early puzzles had pieces cut exactly on the color lines and there were no transition pieces with two colors to signal that the green area of a field, for example, fit next to the blue of a sky. Additionally, a careless move could undo hours of work because the pieces did not interlock. And, unlike children’s puzzles, the adult puzzles had no guide picture on the box, so the subject of the puzzle could remain a mystery until completion.

Puzzle popularity peaked during The Great Depression, as puzzles offered an escape from the times, when unemployment was above 25%. With tight budgets, home entertainment like puzzles replaced money spent in restaurants and night clubs.

At that time, many unemployed architects, carpenters, and other skilled crafts-

men cut jigsaw puzzles in home workshops. During the 1930s, drugstores and libraries added puzzle rentals to their offerings, charging three to 10 cents per day depending on size.

Pleasures of puzzling

There are many pleasures and benefits of puzzling. According to the publication NYU Dispatch, these include improvements in problem-solving skills, attention to detail, visual/spatial reasoning, preservation, task completion and short-term memory.

Additionally, jigsaw puzzle completion produces a sense of quiet and tranquility, which is similar to the effects of meditation. By focusing solely on the puzzle, it clears away everyday concerns.

Local puzzler Dani Bain Smith agrees, “Even if it’s a competition and we’re intense and rushing, it’s meditative. It blocks out a lot of the noise and thinking about work. You get in a zone, an hour’s gone by, and it feels like a nice break.”

Jenni Jensen, Taya Turnbow, Rachel Jensen and Alex Yrungaray are sisters-inlaw who’d never puzzled together and entered the competition to check it out. Jensen insisted she always puzzles alone and she always finishes in one setting. “Even if my husband asks if he can help, I tell him no!” In response Turnbow laughed, “Well, I guess we’ll see how the teamwork goes today.”

The team that won second place was comprised of sisters and their mother who’d flown up from California, specifically for the competition. “This is our first competition and we called Mom and told her we couldn’t do it without her,” puzzler Andie

Wenger said. “I’ve been puzzling with my mom since I was three.”

All teams agreed that it’s not entirely about winning…it’s about being together, creating social connection, and cooperating to solve a problem. “That’s all true,” agreed Wenger who was on the second place team. “But it’s also awesome to win!”

Murray’s next jigsaw puzzle competition isn’t far away with a superhero-themed contest set for April 27. Interested participants can register at mcreg.com under special events. l

On Feb. 10, Murray Parks & Rec hosted their fourth Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. The event has become quite popular and will likely be held quarterly. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

It was the first Jigsaw Puzzle Competition for the family/friend team of Andie Wenger, Renee Bush, Karen Hansen and Amber Hanna. Mother to two of the girls, Karen Hansen, flew from California for the competition and the team took second place. “We couldn’t have done it without her!” said her girls. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

In their first competition Kadyn Woolstenhulme, Anne Woolstenhulme, Abby Hiskey and Natalie Wilkins, a mother-in-law, cousin, niece and friend, finished the puzzle in only 37 minutes, coming in first place. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

Granite Credit Union invests in students

Granite Credit Union awarded four scholarships to students in Salt Lake County during its annual member meeting in February. The winners were selected by the GCU board of directors after reviewing dozens of applications.

High school seniors Eleanore Croft (Highland High School), Jaelyn Forsyth (Murray High School), Ethan Luker (Cottonwood High School) and Thomas Marchant (Anthem Preparatory School) each received $3,500 to help cover costs as they move on to college.

Students were selected for the scholarship based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community service. GCU has been awarding scholarships for several years as a way to invest in education in the county. l

Eleanore Croft

Ethan Luker

Jaelyn Forsyth

Thomas Marchant

Colts capture second region title in a row

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

The Lady Colts basketball team captured the Region 10 title.

Junior Avea van der Beek averaged just a shade under 10 points per game for Cottonwood and is one of the Colts’ main forces inside as the team’s second leading scorer.

With sophomore Carley Caton who averages the same number of points and rebounds as van der Beek and is the Colts’ leading scorer by half of a percentage point, Cottonwood had two formidable presences in the interior when both were available.

The Colts earned the No. 4 seed in 4A receiving a bye to the second round of the state tournament where they fell in a heartbreaker to Desert Hills 49-48.

Cottonwood rolled to an 11-game winning streak to end the season. But the key to their success didn’t come as easy as some might think.

There were some fits and starts that the Colts had to go through to find their identity during the preseason, according to head coach Teresa Soracco, but they’ve pulled through those hard times.

According to Athletic Director Greg Southwick, who also serves as one of the team’s assistant coaches, the main reason that Cottonwood is winning is due to an experienced backcourt led by Ciel Budge and Alivia Hutton.

“Our two guards are leading the way, especially Ciel and then Alivia is playing great defensively,” said Southwick of the Colts’ two starting seniors.

For a Cottonwood team that had five players averaging between eight to 10 points per game when you include junior Ashlyn Tripp, it’s uncanny balance to have on any team.

One good reason to keep an eye on this Colts team, according to Southwick?

“We’ve won 11 games in a row,” he said.

In the absence of van der Beek the last two games of the season, the Colts have seen other players step up and carry the load. Hutton poured in 13 points at Stansbury Feb. 13 and then had 14 at Park City on Feb. 16.

Ciel Budge did similarly for Cottonwood, scoring 13 at Stansbury and 11 at Park City. [Caton also filled in admirably at Park City, scoring 14 points for her teammate.]

Kya Budge also chipped in five points for Cottonwood, tying a season-high.

The Lady Colts have also played stingy defense since December, having only allowed one of those 11 past opponents to score more than 50 points in a game. l

Head coach Teresa Soracco, seen here in 2022, led the Colts to its second region title in a row. (File photo City Journals)

FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS

Grant Elementary . . . . . . 801-264-7416

Heritage Center (Senior Programming) 801-264-2635

Hillcrest Jr. High . . . . . . . 801-264-7442

Horizon Elementary . . . . 801-264-7420

Liberty Elementary . . . . . 801-264-7424

Longview Elementary 801-264-7428

Ken Price Ball Park 801-262-8282

Miss Murray Competition (Lindsey D. Smith) 801-699-2288

McMillan Elementary 801-264-7430

Murray Area Chamber of Commerce. 801-263-2632

Murray Arts Advisory Board (Lori Edmunds) 801-264-2614

Murray Boys & Girls Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-268-1335

Murray City Cemetery 801-264-2637

Murray Community Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-264-7414

Murray High School 801-264-7460

Murray Museum 801-264-2589

Murray Parks and Recreation O ce 801-264-2614

Murray Parkway Golf Course 801-262-4653

Murray Park Aquatics Pool . . . . . . . . . 801 290-4190

Mick Riley Golf Course (SL County). . . . . . . . . . . . 801-266-8185

Parkside Elementary . . . . 801-264-7434

Riverview Jr. High 801-264-7446

Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation . . . . . . . . 801-468-2560

Salt Lake County Ice Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-270-7280

The Park Center 801-284-4200

Viewmont Elementary 801-264-7438

HEADSTONE CARE AND PRESERVATION WORKSHOP

CULTURAL A RTS

This will be a hands-on workshop lead by Amy Barry. You will learn safe and e ective methods for cleaning and maintaining headstones without causing damage, and helping to revive and enhance the beauty of aging headstones.

Date: May 14, 2024 • Time: 1:00pm

Location: Murray Cemetery (5490 S Vine Street, Murray) For any inquiries, please contact Rowan at rcoates@murray.utah.gov

MURRAY PARK CENTENNIAL

Mark your calendars for June 15, 2024, as we commemorate Murray Park’s century milestone! Come together to celebrate in a hundred years of community spirit with exciting activities and festivities.

Time: 4:00pm to 10pm

Date: June 15, 2024

Where: Murray City Park (296 E Murray Park Ave, Murray)

C ULTURAL A RTS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Do you like acting or storytelling? Interested in history or like working with kids? Then this event is for you! We are looking for volunteers for our yearly cemetery tours for elementary school kids.

Volunteers will be needed May 6th – 8th from 9:30am to 11:30am at Murray City Cemetery.

Those who sign up will be helping 2nd – 4th graders learn more about Murray’s past.

Any questions? Contact Rowan at 801-264-2589 or rcoates@murray.utah.gov

COTTON TALES - WRITING CONTEST

Make the quantum leap into Murray’s history - or it’s future!

This year celebrates Murray Park’s 100th birthday. To help celebrate, our theme this year is “Murray’s Magical Time Machine”! Propel your tale back in time or into the realms unknown!

Students grades 3-12 are invited to submit their original creative writing.

Categories include Poetry, Short Stories (under 500 words), Picture/ Comic Books (under 500 words), and Long Stories (500 - 2,000 words)

Winners will be announced at the Murray Park Centennial Celebration, June 15, 2024.

Questions? Email rcoates@murray.utah.gov or phone (801) 264-2589.

AUDITION NOTICE!

We are now holding auditions for our summer musicals! The plays we will be doing are: South Paci c: In Concert, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Peter and the Star Catcher.

If you are interested in auditioning, check out murray.utah.gov/1642/Auditions

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH MURRAY CITY CULTURAL ARTS BY FOLLOWING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

MARCH 2024

THE PARK CENTER & RECREATION

Adult Men’s Basketball

The Park Center

DAILY ADMISSION

(3-17)

ADULT (18-59) SENIOR (60+)

00

00

ONE MONTH MEMBERSHIP

(3-17)

ADULT (18-59)

(60+)

PAID IN FULL ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS YOUTH (3-17)

ADULT (18-59) SENIOR (60+)

ADD ON YOUTH (3-17)

ADULT (18-59)

SENIOR (60+)

AUTO PAY ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS (per month) (full year commitment)

YOUTH (3-17)

ADULT (18-59)

SENIOR (60+)

ADD ON YOUTH (3-17)

ADULT (18-59)

SENIOR (60+)

$12 50 mth $23.33 mth $14.17 mth

$4 17 mth $8.33 mth $6 67 mth

Thurs, March 21-May 16

$450

Adult Kickball

Thurs, April 8-May 30 | $340

Deadline: March 20

Adult Pickleball League

April 9-May 16

$30 Res | $40 Non-res

Adult Softball

April 8 - June 10 | $375

Mon - Coed | Wed - Mens

Adult Volleyball

March 3-April 22 | $300

Mon: Women | Thur: Coed

Puzzle Competition

Saturday, April 27 | 4pm

$20 per team

Women’s Golf

Monday April 4-Sept 9 | $35

The Parkway Golf Course

Art with Sandy

Tues, March 12-26 4pm-4:45pm |$42

Chess

Wednesday |Ages 6-14 |$99

Intermediate 4:30pm

Dance & Tumbling

Friday | $38

Ages: 2-3 | 4:30pm-5pm

Ages: 4-5 | 5pm-5:30pm

Ages: 5-7 | 5:45pm-6:30pm

Tumbling | Ages: 5-7 6:30pm-7:15pm

Evil Scientist

Thursday | March 7-28

Grades 1-6 4:15-5:10pm | $ 85

Karate

Saturday | March 2-30

Beginner 11am or 12pm | $45

PROGR R MS ROGRAMS

Activities for Toddlers

Wednesday | Monthly

Ages 2 | 11am-11:45am

$15 Res | $20 Non-res

Basketball

Tuesday | April 9-May 14

Ages: 6-7

Friday | April 12-May 17

Ages: 8-9

Saturday | April 13-May 18

Ages: 10-11, 12-13

$40 Res | $50 Non-res

Boys and Girls Volleyball

Tuesday | April 9-May 14

Ages: 10-12 & 13-15

$40 Res | $50 Non-res

Coach Pitch Baseball

Wednesday | April 10-May 15

Ages: 7-9

$35 Res | $45 Non-res

Conditioning

Tues, Thurs, Fri | April 16-May 24

Ages: 6-15

$50 Res | $60 Non-res

4-5 year old Basketball Camp

Thursday | March 7, 14, 21, 28 1pm - 2pm

$20 Res | $25 Non-res

Girls Softball

Mon & Wed | April 15-May 8

Ages: 10U, 12U, 14U 5:30pm-7:30pm

$40 Res | $50 Non-res

MAC Swim Team (Monthly)

Tiger Shark Res $45 | Non-res $50

Bronze: Res $55 |Non-res $65

Silver: Res $65 | Non-res $75

Gold: Res $80 | Non-res $90

High School Boys Slow Pitch Softball

Tuesday | April 9-May 21

Team: $350

$40 Res |$50 Non-res

Outdoor Soccer

Thurs & Sat | April 13-May 4

Ages: 3-4, 5-6

$50 Res | $60 Non-res

Ages: 7-8, 9-10

Coed: 11-12, 13-15, 16-18

$55 Res | 65 Non-res

Sports “FUN”damentals

Monday | April 8-May 13

Ages: 3-4

$15 Res | $20 Non-res

T-Ball

Monday | April 8-May 13

Ages: 3-4, 5-6

$35 Res | $45 Non-res

Top Flite Basketball

Monday | April 1-May 20

Grades: 3 & 4

Wednesday | April 3-May 22

Grades: 5 & 6

Thursday | April 4-May 23

Grades: 7 & 8

$525 Team

Willow Pond Fishing Club

Tuesday | April 16-May 21

Ages: 6-13 | 6pm-8pm

$30 Res | $40 Non-res

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 30

Ages: 12 & Under 10am or 11am

$2 Res | $4 Non-res

Egg Splash & Ducky Derby

March 22: $6 Res | $8 Non-res

5:30pm Ages: 6-9

5:45pm Ages: 3-5 6:00pm 1-2

Lap Pool

5:30pm 10-12

5:45pm Ages 13-15

M URRAY S ENIOR R ECREATION C ENTER

10 East 6150 South, Murray, Utah 84107 801-264-2635

seniorrec@murray.utah.gov

murray.utah.gov/140Senior-Recreation-Center mcreg.com

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Closed Saturday and Sunday

Check our website for any changes in programs.

CHEF OMAR LIMON

Daily Lunch

Date: Tuesday through Friday

Time: 11:30 a.m. – noon

Cost: Cost is $5; prior registration not required

CLASSES

Ceramics

Date: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon

Cost: $1.50 each class plus cost of supplies

Grief Support

Date: Friday, Mar. 8 and 22

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free; Register now

Vital Aging: Mind and Clutter Connection

Date: Tuesday, Mar. 26

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Cost: Free; register now

Living Well with Chronic Pain

Date: Tuesday, Mar. 5 through Apr. 9

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: Free; Register now

Thursday Quilters

Date: Thursday, Mar. 14

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

DANCE

Line Dance: Beginning

Date: Tuesdays

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $10 for the month; register now

Thursday Evening Social Dance

Live Music provided by Tony Summerhays

Date: Thursdays

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Cost: $5

EXERCISE

Daily Exercise Classes – check our current newsletter for the schedule

PROGRAMS

Hand and Foot Card Game

Date: Mondays

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Bridge Lessons

Date: Mondays

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Mexican Train Dominos Game

Date: Thursdays

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

HEALTH SERVICES

Haircuts

Date: Wednesdays

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Cost: $12; advance appointment required

Massage Therapy

Date: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00

Cost:

per hour; advance

Murray City is accepting applications and resumes for future board members. View the details at murray.utah.gov/115/Boards-Commisions or call 801-264-2600

WOMeN’S SECTION

A publication covering local influential women in honor of International Women’s Day

Utah-educated doctor chosen to lead National Institutes of Health

By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com

For the first time, a University of Utah medical school graduate sits at the helm of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Monica Bertagnolli, M.D., was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2023. She is the second woman to serve as NIH Director since its inception in 1887 and the first surgeon in that role.

The NIH is located in Bethesda, Maryland and is comprised of 27 institutes and centers. The organization has a budget of more than $47 billion and serves as the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world.

President Biden stated: “Dr. Bertagnolli has spent her career pioneering scientific discovery and pushing the boundaries of what is possible to improve cancer prevention and treatment for patients and ensuring that patients in every community have access to quality care. Dr. Bertagnolli is a world-class physician-scientist whose vision and leadership will ensure NIH continues to be an engine of innovation to improve the health of the American people.”

Bertagnolli first earned an engineering degree from Princeton University, then she attended and graduated from the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine in 1985. She was interested in immunology but discovered a different passion. “I signed up for surgery as my very first clinical rotation, just because I wanted to get it out of the way. I still vividly remember my first day in an operating room because I immediately knew that’s where I belonged,” she told the ASCO Post.

In more recent years, she served as chair of the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s External Advisory Board. Bertagnolli was previously a professor of surgery at Har-

vard Medical School and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She has been president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and leader of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.

Prior to her current role at the NIH, Dr. Bertagnolli was the first female director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a role she took in October 2022. NCI is a component of NIH. One month into her time at the NCI, a routine mammogram led to Bertagnolli being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Since then, she has called herself a cancer survivor. “Fortunately, my prognosis is excellent. And this is due to NIH-funded research over the last several decades. And the many women who participated in clinical trials before me,” she said.

Her upbringing on a ranch in rural Wyoming as the daughter of first-generation immigrants has shaped her professional approach by providing an understanding of the medical challenges rural communities experience. An NIH press release said, “Equity is a core value that drives all her efforts, which includes ensuring NIH research is equitable and accessible to all people from all walks of life regardless of income or zip code.”

Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO Mary Beckerle, who has known Bertagnolli almost since her Utah med school days, compares her to the late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who also grew up on a ranch: A “bundle of wit, resilience, and can-do spirit,” Beckerle said in Science magazine, December 2023 edition.

Beyond being a cancer surgeon for more than 35 years, her research has

DR. MONICA BERTAGNOLLI is a 1985 graduate of the University of Utah medical school. She served on an advisory board for the Huntsman Cancer Institute and was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which is made up of 27 institutes and centers for biomedical research.

focused on the genetic mutations that lead to gastrointestinal cancer and how inflammation stimulates cancer growth. In her current role, she hopes to leverage commonalities such as how inflammation causes cancer but is also a component of Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, Long COVID and other diseases.

In 2023, she was named one of the 100 Influential Women in Oncology by Onco Daily.

Bertagnolli said in a December 2022 NCI statement, “Having been an oncologist my entire career, it was always—and still is—all about the patients and survivors. It’s one thing to know about cancer as a physician, but it is another to experience it firsthand as a patient as well. To anyone with cancer today: I am truly in this together with you.” l

Photo credit: Chia-Chi Charlie Chang/NIH

‘Look Good, Feel Good’ conference focuses on inclusion for Pacific Islander women

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

The inaugural “Look Good, Feel Good” conference, held in February at Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy, was organized to empower Pacific Islander women in Utah. In partnership with the Creative Pacific Foundation, the Women’s Executive Alliance held the event to celebrate women of the PI community through education and connection.

La Wolfgramm serves as president of the WEA, the women in business arm of the Utah Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce, that just celebrated its first anniversary. As the owner of Pasifika Kitchen, Wolfgramm wanted to bring women together and provide a fun environment where they could learn about holistic empowerment, covering physical and mental health, hair and fashion.

“We started WEA because we felt that there was nothing out there for PI women,” she said. “I wanted our PI women to see that there’s someone that looks like them, that talks like them and walks like them. It’s a comfort thing to know they can come in, and if they want to, they can start a business.”

The “Look Good, Feel Good” event marked the first time Utah PI experts in food, health, entertainment and fashion joined together in one place to offer support and information.

Guest speakers included Aveda beauty and hair expert Ben Powell, “Project Runway” designer Afa Ah Loo, mental health expert Celia Moleni (owner of Manaaki Mental Health) and wellness expert Alex Millions, RN, (owner of ModeRN Hydraesthetics). The conference ended with a keynote address from Sui Lang L. Panoke, senior vice president of culture at Zions Bank.

In addition to workshops, the event featured a DJ, a 360-degree photo booth, catered food and mocktails.

Analei Samasei’a serves on the WEA board of directors. She wants PI women to understand that they belong in these spaces and that what they contribute to the community has value.

“A lot of our women are caretakers. They stay home with their families, they take care of their aunties or uncles or mothers or fathers. That’s what we inherently do in our culture,” Samasei’a said. “So they’re not always available to go to these types of events, nor do they have accessibility. But now, we have all these experts here in the room. They were all mingling together and asking questions.”

Partnering with Creative Pacific allowed WEA to host the “Look Good, Feel Good” conference with a focus on inclusion while

strengthening bonds between PI women. Creative Pacific is a nonprofit that celebrates cultural diversity.

For information about WEA and the Utah Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce visit

Upichamber.org. To learn about Creative Pacific, visit CreativePacific.org.

“We had a mental health expert who walked us through some exercises to connect back to ourselves and understand the sensations we were feeling and how

our thoughts determine actions. It was like a good therapy session,” Samasei’a said. “And so it unified everybody in that room. We’ve all shared this experience together, and now we can talk about it to our friends.” l

“PROJECT RUNWAY” designer Afa Ah Loo talks to Pacific Islander women about fashion at the “Look Good, Feel Good” conference.

City Journals

MORE THAN 70 WOMEN attended the first “Look Good, Feel Good” conference for Pacific Islander women at Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy. The event celebrated women of the PI community.

City Journals

LA WOLFGRAMM is president of the Women’s Executive Alliance, the women in business branch of the Utah Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce.

City Journals

Salt Lake Community College President Deneece Huftalin leaves behind a legacy of student-centered leadership

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

For more than 30 years Deneece Huftalin has been a student-focused leader at Salt Lake Community College serving in various capacities within administration. What began in September 2014, when she became president of SLCC, will come to a conclusion in June of this year as Huftalin officially retires. She will have been the longest serving female president within the Utah System of Higher Education.

With the most diverse student body in the state, Huftalin said she always aimed to keep true the SLCC mission “[to] engage and support students in educational pathways leading to successful transfer and meaningful employment.”

To “support students” is something that she spent her career being focused on.

A Salt Lake City native, and a University of Utah graduate, Huftalin spent some time outside of Utah on various higher education campuses including Northwestern University, Stanford University and University of California, Los Angeles. But it was a job at Harper Community College in Palatine, Illinois that helped open her eyes to the community college system.

“I worked in orientation, but they considered their student affairs people faculty, which was a really cool model,” Huftalin said. “I was able to teach a little and serve on the college senate, but also have kind of a staff role.”

That position at Harper, although brief, left an impression. As Huftalin found herself back in Utah, returning so her husband could take a job opportunity, she found herself looking for work again on another college campus.

“There’s something [magical] about campuses,” Huftalin said. “People are thinking, discovering, laughing, having fun and testing waters, and it’s a good place to be.”

As Salt Lake Community College was booming with growth and expansion in the early 1990s, Huftalin realized that her time at Harper’s gave her a bit of competitive edge when it came time to apply for positions at SLCC. She began her tenure as the director of academic and career advising in 1992.

“I always feel fortunate that Harper College gave me a little bit of knowledge and a kind of step into a community college role,” Huftalin said.

That first role led to her eventual “dream job” in the mid-1990s, as the dean

of students. Being involved with students was always where she saw herself.

“I just love being with students,” said Huftalin said.

Over the years, colleagues took notice of that student-centered persona. Alison McFarlane, who became the Vice President of Institutional Advancement in 2012, worked closely with Huftalin, who was the Vice President of Student Services at that time.

“Deneece is the most student-focused leader I could have possibly imaged,” McFarlane said. “You always hear about Deneece being the voice for students.”

Cassidy Behling has been the Administrative Assistant to the President for the last 10 years, and has watched as Huftalin, who often gets pulled in so many different directions, has been able to focus on what truly matters in higher education.

“Her care and concern for her students is always her guiding force,” Behling said.

Huftalin admitted that she worries

about current and future students and how heavy the world is on them, especially when it comes to mental health.

“It takes a lot to break through and come and be courageous and learn and try something new,” Huftalin said.

Despite never seeing herself in the role of president of SLCC, Huftalin said that being in leadership roles has allowed her to model behavior that she has witnessed over the years. Throughout her career, she was able to be a part of women-led communities, allowing for the formation of friendships and connections.

“Younger women are experiencing things differently than I ever have,” Huftalin said. “But I do think there’s some continuity of support…and having lived longer and navigated different things, I can give advice and support or encouragement.”

While in office, Huftalin realized several goals such as, but not limited to, the addition of the Westpointe Workforce Training and Education Center in Salt Lake City and

the Juniper Building in Herriman which has increased geographical access to classes and the Open Education Resources (OER) initiative that allows students access to public domain textbooks for general education courses.

According to McFarlane, who retired in October 2023, one of the many ways that Huftalin has been able to accomplish these goals is because she is a “connector” of people and ideas, fostering collaboration within the college and the surrounding communities.

“When she sees opportunities, she’s very [eager] to give them to other people,” McFarlane said.

Those connections have led to great relationships with students, faculty and staff, and Huftalin said she will miss those the most after retirement.

“…Those relationships are hard to step away from,” Huftalin said. “Because they’ve just meant so much.” l

DENEECE HUFTALIN has been president of Salt Lake Community College since 2014 and when she retires in June, she will have been the longest serving female president within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).

Photo courtesy of Salt Lake Community College

Comcast helps private school implement updated technology for security and connectivity

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

When high school students and faculty at American Heritage School went back to class last September, they were given a personal MacBook Air to use throughout their high school experience. With more people logging onto the internet, the need for connectivity soared. The school looked for a solution that would increase bandwidth.

Levi Crockett, the school’s education technology director, reached out to Comcast for solutions. Daniel Jasinski was the Comcast sales associate who helped work on the two main problems facing the school: the ability to manage their network and the need for visibility of the network.

“We brought in some specialty teams within Comcast business for a managed Wi-Fi solution, like the ability to have visibility and setting up managed firewalls,” Jasinski said. “They definitely valued the kind of innovative approach that Comcast business had. We’re honored to provide the necessary communication equipment and services that will fuel their school’s growth and educational initiatives.”

Internet safety was a big concern for American Heritage. Along with protection

against cyberattacks, ensuring students were safe online was imperative. With Comcast’s help, the school’s IT team will be able to set protocols in place to monitor websites students visit and to create safeguards and firewalls to increase online safety.

“That’s something that’s top of mind for them. As a private school in American Fork, they have some pretty significant concerns,” Jasinski said. “We’re actually taking that off their plate so they can focus on the important things, such as educating the kids. Let Comcast business be the security experts when it comes to your Wi-Fi.”

Not only will Comcast provide all the hardware and access points necessary to increase internet speed for the school, but it will help build a sustainable network to take the school into the future. It took several months to resolve the issue at American Heritage School, but moving forward, the school is in better shape for technology and growth.

Jasinski said many organizations and businesses should take a look at their current internet system to see if it has the appropriate bandwidth and be willing to

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upgrade to avoid a potential crash. If the internet seems slow or if there’s an expansion into cloud computing, talking with Comcast could be the fastest way to increase speed and capability while keeping the network operational.

“There’s a general trend among businesses in Utah that are striving for business growth and initiatives and they need the technology to support those initiatives that will expand their network and their operational execution.”

The updated infrastructure for American Heritage will be completed in June, in time for the next school year. Crockett said working with Comcast was the best choice

they could have made.

“The expertise, professionalism and organization demonstrated in our interview and onboarding processes has been seamless,” he said. “Comcast has left no stone unturned. The lesson we learned that could benefit other organizations is that you can really tell the quality of an organization by how efficiently and exactly they implement well-thought-out procedures and operations.”

To learn how Comcast Business Solutions can support your business needs, contact Jasinski at daniel_jasinski@comcast. com, 801-946-7415 or business.comcast. com/contact. l

American Heritage School looked to Comcast to increase connectivity, internet safety and manageability for its high school students and staff. (Stock photo)

Continued from front page

to the high school,” he said.

Additionally, students in Riverview and Hillcrest junior high schools already are competing athletically at the high school level.

It also will allow the District to take a closer look at its aging schools.

“We have some facilities that are aging and need to address them to ensure we are managing our assets and taxpayer investments responsibly,” Cooper said.

Riverview, built in 1961, is already showing its age.

“It’s probably in the worst shape, physically, of all our schools,” Perry said. “We have a lot of issues with plumbing and a lot of issues with leaking. Whenever it rains, I’ve seen between five and 15 big garbage cans that are catching water from the ceiling, leaking really bad. There’s flooding that goes on beneath the school, which is causing some corrosion.”

It would be rebuilt on the school’s field so current students would not be disrupted, Perry said, adding the same intent would be at the high school.

Hillcrest Junior High was rebuilt in 2015 and Murray High in 2003.

“Murray High was originally built so an additional wing could be built in that open plaza area between the gym and the

office. That template is in place to build that addition if it were needed. The addition would be three stories and match the aesthetics of the current building,” he said.

If the District receives favorable public opinion, Perry said that the next move will be to look into architectural plans, costs and other specifics and timelines to go forward with the bond measure this November.

The Board also will review other schools’ conditions and possibly consider rebuilding or closing elementaries as Murray, as across the nation, is seeing a declining student enrollment.

Perry said overall enrollment is expected to continue dipping for the next five years.

“All the elementary schools, outside of Horizon, are in a similar boat with being built in the 1950s and ’60s. The Board will have to look down the road here in the not-too-distant future at replacing some of those elementaries or redrawing boundaries more comprehensively and potentially closing one or two elementary schools. What we’re trying to do is ‘right-size’ Murray schools,” he said.

“Right-sizing” the schools is the idea behind the anticipated school boundary change for the 2024-25 school year. Under the recommendation, about 70 students

Congratulations on your 70th Wedding Anniversary

Carl and LuGene Hansen of Murray celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on March 3rd.

The Hansens are the parents of four children, 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

living north of Fireclay Avenue and west of State Street and are currently enrolled at Parkside Elementary would attend Liberty Elementary next school year.

“Those students already are being bussed to Parkside, so that recommended transition makes as minimal change as possible and will help Liberty out with their enrollment numbers,” said Murray District spokesman Doug Perry.

Currently, Liberty’s enrollment is nearing 300 students. Parkside has more than 400.

“This recommendation will allow us to right-size Liberty Elementary’s enrollment,” he said. “We need to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The Board looked at lot of different possibilities—possibly closing one of our schools, combining schools, moving boundaries for next year. At the end of the day, the least disruptive for this next year was to move that small pocket of students along our northern portion of the District and have them attend Liberty next year.”

As both schools are Title I, this would also necessitate a small shift in staff and funding to Liberty to commensurate with per pupil costs. While both that impacted neighborhood and Liberty are along the TRAX line, it would allow parents public transportation for easier access to after-school and evening events.

Perry said that families can put in for boundary exceptions as usual and depending on enrollment and capacity, their students may be granted to remain at Parkside.

These recommendations come after the District began the study five years ago, but were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, they’re back on track to see the future of the District, Perry said.

“We want people to continue to come to our board meetings and offer public comments and also to reach out to their board members individually, or collectively by email. They’re very open to different ideas and questions and whatever is on the minds of Murray citizens,” he said.

Murray Superintendent Jennifer Covington said the Board carefully considered its options leading to these recommendations for the community input.

“Our commitment is to provide the best possible education for every student in our District,” she said. “This proposal and their vision for the future reflect that, ensuring our schools are appropriately sized, well-equipped, and capable of meeting the evolving needs of our community. I believe this fosters an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.” l

Digital parenting: Night aims to unlock key to safe, healthy device use for families

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Digital technology and safety for families will be the topic when Liberty Elementary hosts a parent engagement talk this month.

Supported through national PTA, the Ready, Tech, Go program is made possible through an AT&T-sponsored grant with the aim to help parents and guardians become more familiar with tools and resources to determine screen readiness and digital life at home.

The hour-long event will begin at 6 p.m., March 13 and the Murray community is invited, stresses Principal Shana Mondragon.

“The information provided is important for all parents in our community,” she said. “We want the entire community to benefit from the information.”

Mondragon plans to follow the main points provided from the grant’s materials to empower families with tools, research and support around digital parenting; provide an overview of current research about kids’ tech habits; discuss ways to promote healthy and responsible device use for the entire family; explore meaning of screen readiness and provide valuable resources to promote a safe and healthy digital home.

The program will include a phone-ready quiz, tips and tools for building belonging in digital spaces and discussion time.

PTA President Courtney Hammer learned about the grant through a national newsletter.

“I thought it would be a good program for us to do,” she said. “On the application, I told them this would be great for our White Ribbon Week, and we could use this in our community.”

As a mother with two young children,

she hopes the material will help her with decision-making.

“They’re always wanting to take my phone, so I’m wanting to hear about when a good time is to decide your kids are ready and mature enough to have their own phone and how to teach them how to make smart choices. I think that’s valuable for our community so we’re happy to be able to share it.”

Hammer said she has seen students as young as 7 and 8 years old with phones or watches. While many may have the devices to stay in touch with their parents, she said it still can be a scary idea to give one to a child.

“When you think about any smartphone that opens up that internet world to kids, I ask myself, ‘am I really ready to give my kid access to the internet and allow the internet access to my kid?’ I know it can be a valuable tool of information, but it still can be really scary for me so I’m hoping this presentation will help,” she said.

Hammer said there will be free swag bags for the first 100 people in attendance.

The presentation will tie into the school’s White Ribbon Week, which will highlight students’ commitment to digital safety.

“We’ll have daily activities, worksheets, discussion in the classroom,” she said. “We’ll also have our Classic Skate night as we want them to have time off their devices too and they can go spend time and skate with their families.” l

Liberty Elementary will present a PTA Ready, Tech, Go night on March 13 for the community. (Graphic)

The cost to play high school sports may increase next school year

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

The cost to participate in high school athletics in Canyons School District may increase next school year, but District officials say it’s to match inflation and the rising costs associated with sports.

The proposed bump “isn’t unusual; it occurs every couple years,” said Canyons School District Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood.

“The UHSAA (Utah High School Activities Association) has had an increase for the cost of officials the past few years; they’re paying more to attract more officials, so we have to account for that,” Sherwood said. “We don’t raise fees every year. We try to phase them in.”

One of the least expensive sports, cross country is proposed to cost a maximum of $2,560 per student-athlete, up $265 from last year and up $655 from 2021-22 season. While the UHSAA participation fee has increased $40 during the past few years, camp costs have increased $325 and team travel, $250.

Cheer, one of the more expensive sports, has risen from $3,950 in 2021-22 to a proposed $4,240. However, the increased from last year to this year is only $40. During the past couple years, UHSAA participation fees have remained the same, but its camps, clinics and team meals that have fluctuated.

“We tried to equalize the sports in terms of travel and camps and clinics. There’s no reason to have a camp and clinics cap different by sport. It should be the same for all sports and the same can be said for travel,” he said.

Canyons’ proposed camp and clinic maximum within each sport is $400. Travel, at $1,500, matches the current school year’s maximum cost.

“It’s important to realize that the maximum amount per student in athletics and in activities is $5,000. That doesn’t mean every student will reach that amount. Last year, we only had one student who did. It also doesn’t mean every coach will spend $1,500 per student on travel; we’re setting the boundaries and trying to make it fair across the board,” he said. “All this money goes to that program and to kids by rule. We don’t use it to pay for anything outside of that program or for the kids. None of this goes into the coaches’ pockets or to the school. This is just the operational costs for these activities. A few years ago, the (Utah) legislature made it so every activity had to be self-funded. The kids have to pay whatever it costs to play that activity. So, when the activities become more expensive than what we’re collecting, we got to adjust it.”

Canyons School District’s fees also

Obituary

Jerry Laverne Nesbit

Dec. 28, 1946 - Jan. 30, 2024

Jerry Laverne Nesbit, 77, of Murray, Utah, formerly of Warsaw, Illinois, passed away at 12 p.m., Jan. 30, 2024, at his home.

Jerry was born Dec. 28, 1946, the son of Lloyd Laverne and Henrietta Adalia (Heineke) Nesbit in Keokuk, Iowa. He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1965 and went on to take courses in computer sciences in Chicago. It was a lifetime career that he greatly enjoyed. Jerry also loved reading and teaching the Bible and could often be found teaching others about Christ.

Jerry is survived by two sisters, Patricia Vickers of Elvaston and Janie Barnett of Warsaw; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Shirley and Mary Katherine in infancy.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Oakland Cemetery in Warsaw. Printy Funeral

Home of Warsaw is in charge of arrangements. Printy Funeral Home, 317 Main St., Warsaw, IL 62379.

increased for soccer, golf, track and volleyball. The proposed fees for Canyons’ sports and activities can be found at www.feeschedules.canyonsdistrict.org/#/ home/700.

The student fee proposal will be reviewed by the Canyons Board of Education through its March 12 meeting, said Canyons spokeswoman Kirsten Stewart. Patrons can address the Board through public comment or by contacting their school’s Board member.

“No child has ever been turned away from an activity,” Stewart said. “We al-

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ways work with families.”

Families who qualify can apply for fee waivers. Schools, on a case-by-case basis, may grant fee waivers to a student who does not qualify for a waiver, but because of extenuating circumstances, is not capable of paying the fee, she said.

Sherwood added that most teams also provide fundraising opportunities.

The cost of student fees for athletics and activities is reviewed annually by school districts. While each district may break it down differently and can vary per sport, usually it accounts for participation fee, camps and clinics, uniforms and clothing, team activities and meals, travel and miscellaneous costs.

Murray School District’s proposed student fees for the 2024-25 school year can be found at www.murrayschools.org/ high-school-fees.

Jordan School District’s proposed student fees for the 2024-25 school year can be found at www.proposedfees.jordandistrict.org/schedule/high.

Granite Board of Education will review their high school student fees at a March meeting, said spokesman Ben Horsley. l

In Canyons School District, cross country and other UHSAA-sanctioned sports may experience a price increase next school year by its school board to cover rising costs. Other school districts’ school boards also will review athletic fees. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

As I’ve gotten older (but never wiser), I expected the hot flashes, mood swings and irritability. What I didn’t expect was that my age would turn my hair into a mortal enemy. Each morning, I stare in the mirror and prepare for what feels like a battle to the death.

If the indignity of having my face turn a heat-blasting shade of scarlet at any given moment wasn’t enough, I suddenly developed cowlicks along my hairline, giving my head the appearance of constant swirling, like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” My hair suddenly changed directions and refused to be bullied into lying flat.

In fairness, my hair and I have been through some stuff. We endured the spongy, pink curlers mom twisted onto my head every Saturday night. We survived my feathery Farrah Fawcett era, the spiral perms, the lemon bleaching in the summer, the sky-high bangs of the ’80s and a decade of nothing but ponytails when my daughters were little.

Maybe my hair never forgave me because now there is no amount of styling products or heated irons that make my hair manageable. It usually looks like newlywed hawks nested on my head to raise their young.

After another morning struggling to arrange my hair in some semblance of

Letting my hair down

control, I threw my hair straightener down the hall and burst into tears. My husband walked out of his office and asked what was wrong. I pointed at my head and kept bawling.

“I don’t care if your hair looks like a tornado emoji,” he said. “You’re always beautiful to me.”

“I don’t want to be beautiful to you,” I sobbed. “I want to be beautiful to complete strangers.”

He doesn’t get it. Men can be bald or gray or have a comb-over or just a Van Dyke beard and they’ll still be considered handsome, even distinguished. But if a woman can’t style her hair using a tube sock, a bottle of mousse and a barrette, the TikTok police jump out of nowhere and create harsh videos for public shaming.

But it’s not just the random cowlicks that give my scalp the appearance of a tropical storm weather map, it’s the breakage and the sensitive scalp and the way my

hair just refuses to comply. My hair breaks so often, it looks like my stylist started to give me a bowl cut and then got bored after trimming the first layer.

I’ve invested in expensive shampoos and luxury leave-in conditioners with no effect. My hair just twirls insolently from my head. I purchased soft brushes and vitamin supplements and I paid someone good money to rub my scalp for 45 minutes. The pampering hasn’t paid off.

There’s no such thing as “styling” my hair. I have to distract it, wrestle it into place, staple it down and spray it with a light coat of cement. It doesn’t matter.

Within minutes it’s spinning around my face like it drank too many mimosas for breakfast.

Maybe the lack of compliance is the reason many older women end up cutting their hair into cute pixie styles, easy crops or elegant bobs. But my face is too round for a short haircut. I end up looking like a basketball wearing a toupee.

I hope at some point my hair and I can become friends again. Between my mood swings and hot flashes, I don’t have the patience to be irritated at one more thing.