Riverton Journal | April 2022

April 2022 | Vol. 32 Iss. 04

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RIVERTON MEADOWS RESIDENTS RALLY TO BLOCK REZONE PROPOSAL

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By Michael J. Jewkes | m.jewkes@mycityjournals.com

“T

his is how government is meant to work,” Councilmember Troy McDougal said while looking proudly at the group of Riverton residents who came to voice their opinion at last month’s first city council meeting over a proposed rezone in Riverton Meadows.

In January, Riverton resident Josh Thomas filed an application with the city to rezone his corner lot in the semi-rural Riverton Meadows subdivision from R-1, or estate density residential, to R-4, or medium density residential. The rezone was unanimously denied by the city council.

The property in question is a corner lot located at 3444 W. 12350 South in Riverton’s District 2, represented by McDougal. Nearby residents and neighbors banded together under the leadership of Sam and Kara Jensen, Andrew and Hannah Peltier and Troy Anderson.

“We did door to door, stuck stuff on mailboxes, [and] sent emails out to people,” Sam Jensen told the City Journals. This small group of concerned neighbors did not hesitate to jump into action after word of the rezone proposal reached the streets.

What Jensen calls “weeks of work” paid off as hundreds of residents piled into the city counContinued page 4

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April 2022 | Page 3

Continued from front page cil chambers last month sporting red stickers which read “Keep Riverton Meadows R-1”.

With every seat in the chambers filled, stragglers were forced to view the hearing in standing room only. The rezone hearing was one of the first items on the agenda.

“This is probably record attendance,” Mayor Trent Staggs said as he watched resident after resident try to find a place to sit.

Thomas submitted the rezone application hoping to ”subdivide [the] lot into three lots…”

Thomas, the legal owner of the property, told the City Journals, “There certainly was a lot of attention and energy around my application.”

The proposed rezone, nicknamed the ‘Thomas Rezone,’ was filed with intentions of leaving the existing home, and to simply add two more. Thomas’ 1.29-acre rezone application faced intense opposition from other residents and city councilmembers alike.

According to Sam Jensen, one of the opposition effort’s organizers, Thomas could theoretically build up to 4 to 5 homes. “R-4 zoning would allow up to 5 [homes].”

McDougal opposed the rezone by saying that such rezones were “…stealing away a right of private enjoyment.”

Thomas was absent at the hearing but agreed to speak with the City Journals following the council’s decision. “I had zero interest in changing anybody’s rights,” Thomas said, shocked at the participation from residents to fight the single-property rezone.

Thomas, a mortgage broker in the Salt Lake area, said “I was just looking for different opportunities...[and] this would be an interesting opportunity.” Responding to the intense disapproval from Riverton residents at a public meeting weeks earlier with the Planning and Zoning Division, Thomas attempted to withdraw his application prior to the city council meeting where the rezone would be voted on, but city staff would not return his phone calls or voicemails.

“I had no idea I was changing everyone else’s property rights.” Thomas said. After

Journals T H E

seizing an opportunity to build two houses behind the existing house on the property, Thomas learned he needed to apply for a rezone changing the R-1 to an R-4 designation to build two other units. Regarding zoning designations, Thomas is inexperienced. “I don’t know R-1 to R-4…I don’t have any idea what any of those mean,” Thomas said.

The single 1.29-acre plot, though seemingly insignificant, represents a larger issue.

The proposed rezone comes at a time when the supply of housing hovers around all-time lows and demand hovers around all-time highs.

This housing crisis is nothing new to Riverton, however. With recent passing of bills regarding housing in the State Legislature, the city council has looked at how the issue will look in Riverton in the near future.

In October of 2019, the Planning and Zoning Division of Riverton City published a report on moderate income housing in the city.

The report was conducted by Zions Public Finance Inc. to investigate future housing options for moderate income residents in Riverton.

The report indicated a “shortage in supply of 1,442 affordable units...” as well as “…a need of 2,201 affordable housing units by 2024.”

SB34, an affordable housing bill passed by the Utah State Legislature, offered a list of recommendations to cities including to “rezone for densities necessary to assure the production of moderate-income housing.” The 2019 report recommended instead to “Plan for smaller single-family housing units in a medium-density residential (6+ units per acre) development…” thus focusing rezones for entire developments rather than existing semi-rural neighborhoods.

With such shortages in housing in the city, rezone proposals have become a common occurrence in recent years. Many have been shot down and openly opposed by residents like Jensen who say “There’s plenty of land, just not in Riverton Meadows, for that purpose.”

Jensen understands the reality of the current housing crisis saying in regard to higher density housing projects, “We are not opposed to [it], just not in our development.”

Troy Anderson, another organizer,

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(left to right) Riverton residents Sam Jensen, Troy Anderson and Hannah Peltier lead organized effort to block rezone at city council meeting. (Michael Jewkes/City Journals)

summed up his group’s argument in a speech addressing the city council. “The semi-rural life is not for everyone. It is not everyone’s idea of solitude and peace…but it is ours. Today, our dream and way of life is threatened by approaching developers who do not value the semi-rural life that our residents enjoy.”

Jensen fears such rezones and developments would cause them to “…lose our neighborhood as we know it today,” further stating that new residents that are not accustomed to the semi-rural lifestyle would complain and change the neighborhood and lifestyle of folks like himself and his family.

The Jensen’s efforts to block the rezone also included a massive emailing campaign with several emails and communications from residents to the Zoning and Planning Division expressing distrust of the Thomas Rezone prior

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Page 4 | April 2022

to the hearing last month.

Thomas defended his idea to subdivide the property citing the histories of other parts of the Salt Lake Valley that have since been developed from semi-rural areas like the Taylorsville/Bennion area where he grew up. “You can’t fight it…what you can do is guide it,” Thomas said.

Like all rezone proposals, a presentation was given by city government staff regarding the proposal and the property in question along with a staff recommendation. Led by the Development Services Director Jason Lethbridge, city staff recommended the city council deny the zoning change.

The council agreed, with McDougla motioning to deny the ordinance, a move unanimously supported by the council. l

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Riverton City Journal

Culinary guru Lavanya Mahate building nonprofit to share skills with refugees, underprivileged youth

By Michael J. Jewkes | m.jewkes@mycityjournals.com

R

iverton is home to many well-run businesses. But only one takes home the Business of the Year award each year.

This year, that business was Saffron Circle located at 4594 W. Partridgehill Lane in Riverton’s Mountain View Village.

At this year’s Peak Awards ceremony, many awards were given for many successful local businesses, but one sticks out of the pile.

“We moved here from India. We moved here as a family,” Lavanya Mahate said, founder of Saffron Circle. Mahate was unable to accept the award herself due to a business trip to London last month; however, she was glad to receive the award. “We feel grateful and very, very blessed to…share our food and culture with the local people who have been nothing but so warm and welcoming,” Mahate added.

Shortly after being married, Lavanya and her husband Lakshmi left India for a job opportunity in Salt Lake City. While her husband has worked as a software engineer, Mahate has successfully built a well-liked culinary business with multiple locations.

Beginning in South Jordan, the restaurant has expanded to locations in Sugar House, Downtown Salt Lake City, the U of U campus and Riverton.

Mahate’s success came from humble beginnings. “I started with a line of spice blends which I sold at the farmer's market in Salt Lake City, then the restaurant came about,” Mahate said.

“I had a background in business,” Mahate told the City Journals. Beginning with a degree in marketing, Mahate worked for the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce for over six years as both a marketing manager and program director.

Following her time in the Salt Lake

Chamber of Commerce, Mahate moved on to starting her business with the help of her family. “We are a family run business, so I started the first Saffron Valley Restaurant in 2011,” Mahate said. “Two years later the second one. The third one in 2017 and Riverton in 2019!”

Expanding the business has not been easy, bringing many challenges such as a global pandemic that hit the food industry particularly hard. This, among other difficulties, was nothing the Mahate family could not handle. “You always have challenges,” Mahate said. “There were many challenges along the way, but there’s always a solution.”

Mahate has not done it all alone. Her family has been supportive during the entrepreneurial ride the restaurants have been.

Saffron Circle has become a large part of the Mahate family. Lakshmi, Lavanya’s husband, helped found the restaurant. According to Lavanya, “…he quit his job…to be full-time at the restaurants.”

As for the future, Mahate foresees using her success to give back by building a nonprofit. Mahate says the nonprofit will “provide free culinary training to refugees and underserved youth.” This comes in response to a growing issue of a lack of trained personnel in the culinary arts.

The nonprofit is called Saffron Kitchen and is already in the process of getting up and running. Mahate told the Journals “… it’s there for the community to reach out to people who love to cook but maybe don’t have means to go to culinary school. And also, to place them at restaurants that are needing people.”

The nonprofit is currently accepting online donations. More information on the upcoming kitchen project is available on social media under the ‘culinary school’ link at the

Lavanya Mahate opens another Saffron Circle location in Riverton. (Swathi Arjun Photography)

restaurant’s website saffronvalley.com.

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the kitchen will be fully established in about six months. l

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Your Riverton Real Estate Experts Lavanya Mahate, founder of Saffron Circle, has expanded from selling spices at a farmer’s market to an international business. (Photo courtesy Lavanya Mahate)

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April 2022 | Page 5

Riverton Council Member, Tish Buroker, honored by Daughters of the American Revolution with Patriot award

C

hapter and community members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gathered to recognize Riverton Council Member, Tish Buroker on Saturday, March 12 who received the chapter’s Annual Patriot award. Buroker was recognized by the chapter as an individual who embodies patriotism through the preservation of history in the Riverton community.

“I am very passionate about history in general,” Buroker said. “Especially Riverton’s history. If you do not share about history, it is hard to appreciate the place you are.” The Daughters of American Revolution emphasizes three main aspects: promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The non-profit organization was founded by four women in 1890. Since then, DAR has grown to include nearly 200,000 members in 3000 chapters around the world.

Dawn Fleishans, the DAR Spirit of America Chapter Regent, was asked in March 2019 to form a chapter for the growing members in the Salt Lake Valley.

Fleishans started the South Jordan-based chapter in September 2019. The chapter started with only seven members, to form a board, which turned into 12 members to create a chapter and has since grown to 55 members in Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, and surrounding communities.

DAR is a “nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through education,” according to DAR’s website.

“We are a lineage-based society,” Fleishans said. “We are all connected to a Revolutionary War patriot. We can prove our lineage back to the War.” DAR is an organization whose members must show that they are directly descended from an individual who was involved in the American Revolutionary War. Marianne Crump, the chapter’s Chaplin and American Histories Committee Chair joined the chapter three years ago.

She was drawn to the organization because of its dedication to the preservation of national and local history.

“Being a descendant of a patriot is how you get in [to DAR] but once you’re in, it’s a service organization,” Crump said.

The chapter has organized several food drives, raised donations for veterans and even gathered school supplies for teachers who work at West Veil Elementary.

“We sponsored a teacher who needed markers, sanitary items, stickers,” Fleishans said. She reached out chapter members who pooled together funds to buy school supplies for the elementary school

Page 6 | April 2022

By Dylan Wilcox | d.wilcox@mycityjournals.com

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution Spirit of America Chapter participate in a meeting at the Herriman Library on Saturday, March 12, 2022 (Marianne Crump, DAR)

teacher. “That is our way of being present in the schools,” she added.

The current project the Spirit of America DAR chapter is pursuing is creating 20 gift bags for expectant mothers of active-duty military members at Camp Williams. The donations include diapers, baby wipes, books, toys, and quilts for those families on base expecting a child soon. DAR has worked with the outreach coordinator at Camp Williams and organized a Spring Baby Shower drive which will be delivering those donations to families at the base.

While the chapter’s beginning at the start of the pandemic proved difficult to grow, let alone retain membership, but they managed to stay afloat by reaching out to members on their birthdays and keeping in constant contact on individuals’ needs.

“We would go by their home with a birthday gift, just knock on their door,” Fleishans said. “We had so many brandnew members that had never been to a meeting because of COVID, and when I talked to them, they said they know no one,” Crump added. At their chapter anniversary, the board organized a celebration which was held remotely, but distributed party bags to members of the chapter.

“I think one of the ways we’ve been successful is recognizing the amount of time it takes to be part of the chapter,” Crump said. “We recognize people for the

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution Spirit of America Chapter participate in a meeting at the Herriman Library on Saturday, March 12, 2022 (Marianne Crump, DAR)

work they do as a pat on the back.”

One of those recognized in the chapter meeting was nine-year old Avery, who traveled to over 100 different U.S. national parks and monuments. She drew a patriotic depiction of the American flag and U.S. soldiers.

Fleishans was the first member of her family to join DAR. “I was doing researching my family history one night and came across ‘The Sons of the American Revolution’,” she said. As Fleishans continued her research, she came across the Daughters of the American Revolution. “It hit on everything I’ve ever wanted to do: the service, the education, and as a military spouse, the patriotism. I did my research, found I was directly descended to a patriot and have been a DAR member for five years now this April,” Fleishans said.

Crump was always aware of DAR as a genealogist. “I always knew I had a patriot in my line, but it took me a while to get to the organization. But it felt like it was the right time in my life – I had the extra time, the extra money, and the ability to do it. My only regret is I didn’t join sooner,” Crump said. “It’s the kind of organization that I feel we’re making a difference in the community, and I feel the time and effort is worth it,” she added.

“I am so pleased that there is a chapter of DAR in the South end of the valley,” Buroker said. “I have been aware of their good work for many years as they faithful-

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution Spirit of America Chapter participate in a meeting at the Herriman Library on Saturday, March 12, 2022 (Marianne Crump, DAR)

ly attend the naturalization ceremonies for new citizens and speak to the history and meaning of America. They have already made a tremendous difference here in Riverton with the Wreaths Across America program which is well supported by Riverton residents,” Buroker added.

Those interested in learning more about the Daughters of the American Revolution can do so on their website, www.

DAR.org. l

Riverton City Journal

Students take off for life-changing trips

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

A

fter two years of limitations and cancellations due to COVID, students are once again going on life-changing school trips that make their classroom learning come alive.

In February, 50 students taking advanced history and government classes at West Jordan High School went on a five day trip to Washington, D.C. Arranged by teachers, the trip was packed with educational experiences at monuments and museums.

“We just try to provide that experience for them so that they can have a love and appreciation for our Founders and for our history as a country,” AP Government teacher Elaine Grant said. “It's very powerful to be in some of those places where things happened. We read about it, but to actually go there and see some of those things, it's phenomenal.”

Junior Will Cebrowski had learned about the Founding Fathers’ sacrifice and dedication in forming a new government for a new nation, but it wasn’t until he saw the Declaration of Independence and other treasured documents on display at the National Archives that he felt a connection to them.

“While viewing the documents, Will was overcome with emotion connected to the sacredness of the documents and his feelings for freedom,” said Will’s mother, Em Cebrowski, who was one of 25 chaperones for the trip. A kind guard noticed Will’s reaction and gave him a special tour, sharing some lesser-known facts about the documents.

Grant’s goal for extra-curricular trips is to “try to bring history alive.” In May, she has a trip planned to Mesa Verde National Park where her AP World History students will be able to climb into the caves of Aztec ruins.

Crystal Coe said the D.C. trip was a reward for all of her daughter Eliza’s hard work in the three AP history classes she’s taken.

“A trip like this is more than just understanding history, it’s those real life experiences,” Coe said. “You learn in books and you experience the bubble that you live in, but I love these experiences because it really opens her world.”

Jordan District’s policy is that these trips must be optional and have no impact on a student’s grade. All trip costs must be paid by the participant, not with school funds.

While some students have parents or grandparents that help pay for the trip, others earn the money themselves through fundraisers organized by the teachers. WJHS students sold cookie dough, bread dough and Swig gift cards.

For students who qualify for fee waivers for extra curricular activities, administrators and teachers do whatever they can to help them earn money for the trip.

“There are no slush funds that we can

RivertonJournal.com

AP government and history students from West Jordan High School visit the Jefferson Memorial on a school trip in February. (Photo courtesy of Elaine Grant.)

Students enter the Jefferson Library of Congress during a school history trip in February. (Photo courtesy of Elaine Grant.)

pull money from,” Grant said. “If everyone wants to go on a waiver, then we just can't go.”

Bryan Leggat said one year, as an administrator at Copper Hills High School, he bought eight boxes of cookie dough from fundraising students.

“I didn’t necessarily like the cookies, but it was to support the kids because I knew that was their way to have these opportunities that maybe would be life-changing for them,” he said.

Jordan Board of Education President Tracy Miller said school trips are great learning opportunities that can be a memorable part of high school, but should be reasonably priced.

“The itinerary and all associated costs must be approved by 85% of the parents before it is submitted to the district for approval,” Miller said. “Once the costs hit a certain budget, it is difficult to receive approval.”

Copper Hills High School choir teacher Marc Taylor said trip prices are higher this year because of rising travel costs and cancel-for-any-reason insurance protection, which has become necessary due to COVID. He had to request special approval for the budget of his six day trip to New York for 65 choir students (and 30 chaperones) at the end of March. He said he was told “the means must justify the ends and we must not be burdening families with high ticket, extravagant or ‘unnecessary’ offerings.”

Taylor stands by every item on his trip itinerary.

“I am very careful to include things

that are all of educational value and that tie into my curriculum (and, yes, that includes Broadway, concerts, music of all kinds, etc.),” he said. “I do consider sightseeing the major sights of a major city as educational, in terms of its history and culture.”

Some of the activities, such as Broadway performances, were optional.

Taylor knows that with travel costs rising, future long-distance trips may no longer get approval.

“I know they're trying to make things more equitable, but sometimes it's hard to find the right balance,” Taylor said. “Many parents actually want a great experience with great things planned for their kids and are willing to pay for them.”

Taylor’s New York trip cost each student just over $1,400. The cost for the D.C. trip was $985.

“I felt like what they asked from us was super fair, and I'm a pretty frugal person,” Coe said.

WJHS art and photography teacher Robyn Briggs, who will take her students on a New York City trip later this month, kept the trip cost to $900 by utilizing free options, such as touring the murals around the SoHo area.

“The amount of art visible in NYC is life changing and really inspiring for so many of these students,” Briggs said. “Having a trip dedicated to their craft really helps them hone their skills and develop a love for their artistic abilities.” Briggs’ own high school trip to NYC influenced her decision to pursue a career in the arts.

AP Government teacher Elaine Grant outside the National Archives building during a history trip with her students. (Photo courtesy of Elaine Grant.)

Another low cost activity Briggs has planned is taking opportunities to create art.

“I love that students can photograph/ draw onsite at many famous monuments and locations, which gives them an experience unlike anything they have experienced before,” Briggs said.l

April 2022 | Page 7

Hope Squad members keep their eyes on the prize

T

he chance to win fabulous prizes was incentive for students and staff to participate in suicide prevention activities, part of South Hills Middle School’s Hope Week, held the first week of March.

SHMS counselor Kathy Campbell was impressed with the prizes, which were donated by local business owners.

“Usually we're lucky to get a free hamburger,” Campbell said.

This year, prizes included a $25 gift certificate from Chubby’s Cafe, ice cream treats from Iceberg Drive Inn, equipment and clothing from Legends Boxing, Amazon gift cards donated by Champion Heating and Air, games and toys from GameStop and The Red Balloon Toy Store, and passes to A Beautiful SurpriZe Pilates Studio, Labyrinth Reality Games and Airborne Trampoline Park.

Campbell said members of Hope Squad went out on their own to ask for the donations.

Ninth-grader Katelynn Goldhardt, who works parttime at Chubby’s Cafe, said it was intimidating to ask her boss, but she wasn’t surprised when he donated gift certificates and T-shirts. Other businesses were equally generous.

“I just thought it was really cool that they're willing to donate all these things, just out of the blue,” she said.

Seventh-grader Nolan Astin began by asking at GameStop and The Red Balloon Toy Store, where he said the employees have always been friendly and kind. When they happily donated games, toys and puzzles, he gained confidence to contact other businesses.

Red Balloon manager Kathy Deimler, who regularly donates to good causes, said she was particularly impressed by Nolan and his presentation.

“A very young kid taking the initiative to do that, and to come out of his shell, and speak to an adult and ask for a donation, takes a lot of courage,” she said. “I just felt a need to support it.”

Seventh-grader Ivorie Baldwin practiced with her mom before contacting businesses.

“By the end, I had called so many places and went and talked to so many places that it just got really comfortable for me,” she said.

Because there were high-value and popular prizes to win, there was more participation than usual in the Hope Week activities.

“I do think it did have a lot of effect on the kids to want to participate in the lunch activities,” Hope Squad member Gracie Edmunds said.

In Hope Squad, students learn the warning signs of suicide and how to get help for those who are struggling.

Campbell is impressed with this year’s members.

“In all the years I've done this, this is probably our strongest group—they really do care,” Campbell said.

“This is the first time that I've actually seen kids in the Hope Squad go out and take this information and share it with their community.”

Ivorie has been excited to share what she’s learned about suicide prevention with others, such as the girls in her church youth group.

“I really have been inspired by Hope Squad to help out and go into the community,” she said. “I really think that if we all work together, we can help prevent suicide and put a stop to it.”

Katelynn was inspired to place SafeUt app stickers around her neighborhood when the Hope Squad had some left-over after posting them around the school to encour-

Page 8 | April 2022

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

South Hills Middle School Hope Squad members Ivorie Baldwin, Nolan Astin, Gracie Edmunds and Katelynn Goldwater are enthusiastic about spreading the message of suicide prevention to their classmates, families and community members. (Kathy Campbell/SHMS)

age all students and their parents to have the app on their phones.

The SafeUT app is a crisis chat and tip line that provides real-time crisis intervention for suicide, emotional crises, bullying, relationship struggles, mental health challenges and threats of violence.

Hope Squad is part of the school’s Tiger Squad, which focuses on helping others and encouraging kindness.

Students said their involvement in the club has been life-changing.

“This is my first year in Tiger Squad but I've seen a difference in me,” Gracie said. “I've been wanting to help more people, and not just be in my own world. I've been noticing more people and seeing if people need help.”

Ivorie said she’s become more comfortable talking about suicide and now has the tools to recognize and help friends who are struggling.

“I've actually really started talking to people I know, just randomly calling them or sending them a text to check to make sure they're okay,” Ivorie said.

“I've been able to reflect back on what we've learned to help myself and to help others who’ve been struggling,” Katelynn said.

Nolan loves that Tiger Squad provides the opportunity to be a part of finding solutions to problems such as suicide.

“We're trying to stop something that isn't just a problem here in Utah but it's a problem all over the USA and world-wide,” Nolan said. l

Seventh-grader Ivorie Baldwin encourages her peers at South Hills Middle School to participate in suicide prevention activities by offering enticing prizes. (Kathy Campbell/SHMS)

Riverton City Journal

Internships provide the ‘how’ and ‘wow’ of various career options

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

W

hen Mountain Ridge High School senior Phoebe White was asked to test quail feces for disease, she was thrilled. Through her internship with the Utah Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division, she also shadowed the state meat inspector—visiting food plants, slaughterhouses and meat packing plants—and learned about the registry of branding for domesticated elk herds.

“I just wanted to see all different types of industries and get a feel for what's really out there to do in agriculture,” White said.

Her internship was arranged through the Jordan Academy of Technology and Careers (JATC.) “Regardless of what you want to do, they have an amazing way of helping you with your career skills, but also giving you that hands-on work to help you decide what you want to do,” White said.

Internship students earn credit toward graduation, learn general job skills and spend a minimum of 40 hours getting on-the-job experience in their chosen field.

JATC Internship Coordinator Wendy Checketts said there is always a need for more internship mentors. If interested in hosting an intern, contact wendy.checketts@jordandistrict.org.

She said when there are more options, students have a better chance of finding a placement which matches their skills and interests.

Past and current placements include hospitals, business offices and fire departments. Students have been mentored by entrepreneurs, educators, diplomats, city officials and authors.

“It amazes me how many businesses and individuals are willing to volunteer their time

and resources to help our students discover their path beyond high school,” Checketts said.

The relationship between an intern and mentor is mutually beneficial, Checketts said.

Businesses get an unpaid, passionate employee, and students experience the day-to-day of their dream job.

“We love hosting interns and watching them progress and learn new skills that will help them with their future endeavors,” said Shannon Nielsen, assistant manager at Copper View Animal Hospital. “Our veterinarians love to teach and allow our interns to observe their procedures. Interns have the ability to ask our veterinarians questions about these procedures and see if this is a field they are interested in pursuing.”

Sometimes the internship turns into a job offer because after 40 hours of observation, mentors know what kind of employee the student will be.

“Over the past years of having interns, we have hired select individuals after their internships are over,” Nielsen said. “All the interns we have hired have become a great asset to Copper View.”

Most students have some background knowledge before they begin an internship.

Because of the business marketing classes she’d taken at school, one student was able to make the most of her internship with the communication and marketing department at Herriman City.

Interns at Jordan Valley Hospital usually have taken a medical terminology or anatomy class. A student interested in working in business will have taken business, marketing, communications or finance classes.

Phoebe White visits a domesticated elk herd facility to learn the ins and outs of animal branding registration and regulations. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Checketts)

All students also take a basic job skills class before they begin on-site training.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Baker said these classes, and the internship experience, give teenagers a head start.

“Employers are demanding that [job applicants] have experience but a lot of these kids coming out of high school and college don't have real life experience, it's just textbook experience,” he said.

During his senior year, Baker took a JATC internship with a local real estate developer/entrepreneur/author, who walked him through the process of starting a business. In the past two years, Baker has started two businesses and a podcast. Through the internship, he also learned problem-solving, communication skills and how to use tools like LinkedIn, which he has utilized to grow his client base and find guests for his podcast.

“If I didn't have that internship, honestly, I

Phoebe White does paperwork for the Utah Department of Agriculture, as part of her internship.

(Photo courtesy of Wendy Checketts)

would still be in college, going into thousands of dollars of debt and not knowing what I want to do with my life,” he said. “I would not be where I am today.”

Oftentimes, the internship helps a student realize that type of job is not the career they want to pursue. One student was interested in phlebotomy and was placed with The Red Cross.

“She left that knowing she does not want to be a phlebotomist for the rest of her life,” Checketts said. “But she was going to train and become one to work to get her through school.” l

Children’s Center Jewelry Luncheon helps support childhood mental health care

M

ental health issues don’t just affect adults and teens.

Infants, toddlers and young children can struggle with anxiety or depression for years before caregivers understand their behavior is a result of undiagnosed mental challenges.

The Children’s Center Utah has provided treatment for children and education for caregivers for nearly 60 years.

On Tuesday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Little America Hotel (500 S. Main St.) people are invited to the ninth annual TCCU Jewelry Luncheon to raise money for childhood mental wellness.

“It’s a really unique event. I don’t think there’s another one quite like it,” said Rebecca Dutson, CEO and president of The Children’s Center Utah. “This started in 2013 with community philanthropist Helen Cardon. She inherited jewelry from her mother and wondered how it might benefit the community, and the idea was born.”

People donate costume, antique, estate or fine jewelry to TCCU all year and the pieces are sold or auctioned at the luncheon. The event displays thousands of jewelry items

RivertonJournal.com

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@davisjournal.com and has raised more than $500,000 for early childhood mental health over the last eight years.

The money raised at the event helps underwrite the cost of providing mental health services to children. Specialists agree that identifying and treating childhood mental health issues early on prevents more difficult problems later in life.

“Proceeds from the Jewelry Luncheon provide comprehensive mental health care to all children and families, regardless of their ability to pay,” said TCCU Development Manager Mary Burchett. “Money raised at this event ensures no family is turned away from our evidence-based, trauma-informed services.”

Part of the luncheon is a celebration of the services provided to Utah’s children and the success stories, and the event usually sells out. The 2022 event will feature a unique drawing from O.C. Tanner Jewelers and guests can attend in person or join virtually for the program and place bids on silent auction items. The Jeffrey S. and Helen H. Cardon Foundation will match donations at the luncheon,

up to $25,000.

Anyone interested in attending can purchase tickets at ChildrensCenterUtah.org, or donors can contribute jewelry pieces by contacting Burchett at mburchett@tccutah.org.

“Infants and toddlers have mental health issues just like youth and adults, and people don’t often stop to think about that,” Dutson said. “When we address concerns early, we change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

Founded by Agnes M. Plenk, Ph.D., in 1962, The Children’s Center Utah has expanded its services. In January, TCCU started hosting free Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health webinars to offer education for any providers working with young children. By getting to the root of mental health concerns, a child’s caregivers can help them deal with challenges and teach them to advocate for themselves.

“Parents and caregivers find us when they really don’t understand how to help their child,” Dutson said. “It’s such a blessing for children and families in our state to have the expertise we have on our team to help Utah families.” l

April 2022 | Page 9

Board of Education Update - Spring 2022 Brand New Literacy Launch

We know when students learn to read in the younger grades, they can read to learn in the upper grades.

With that in mind, we launched a brand new literacy curriculum this year. All teachers are working harder than ever to provide a solid reading foundation so students are fluent in reading by the end of third grade.

2016 Bond Update – All Projects Completed

All six schools in the 2016 Bond Plan opened on time or ahead of schedule. They were under budget enough to help pay for a seventh new school, Antelope Canyon Elementary in West Jordan.

• Mountain Creek Middle in South Jordan • West Jordan Middle (Rebuild) in West Jordan • Mountain Point Elementary in Bluffdale • Ridge View Elementary in Herriman • Mountain Ridge High in Herriman • Hidden Valley Middle in Bluffdale

$34,339

16-17

$40,000

$42,800

$48,000 $48,625

New Schools Funded by School District Capital Reserves

The Board of Education authorized the use of District capital reserves for the construction of three new schools to address overcrowding in high growth areas.

• Antelope Canyon Elementary in West Jordan • Aspen Elementary in South Jordan • Oak Leaf Elementary in Herriman opening for the 2022-23 school year

$50,500

Increased Teacher Pay

The Board of Education approved increased base pay, a more flexible leave policy, and additional parent leave benefits for teachers.

17-18

18-19

19-20

20-21

21-22

To receive Board of Education updates via email, subscribe today at jordandistrict.org/board/update Page 10 | April 2022

Riverton City Journal

Board of Education Update - Spring 2022 The Supercast

Enjoy following Superintendent Anthony Godfrey as he travels throughout the District telling amazing stories of students, teachers and staff on his podcast the “Supercast.”

Subscribe today @ supercast.jordandistrict.org

Jordan Virtual Learning Academy

The Board of Education authorized the District to open the first of its kind K-12 Jordan Virtual Learning Academy. The online schools put students on a path to personalized learning with weekly in-person options. The schools are tuition free and open to any K-12 student in Utah. Find out more at virtual.jordandistrict.org

Majestic Elementary Arts Academy

The Board of Education authorized Majestic Elementary Arts Academy in West Jordan to offer all K-6 students a new choice in education beginning in the 2021-22 school year. The school focuses on Instrumental Music and Visual Arts as part of students’ daily classroom instruction. Find out more at majestic.jordandistrict.org

Partnership with Special Olympics Utah to Offer Unified Sports in Schools

The Unified Sports program brings students with and without special needs together on the playing field, using sports as a catalyst for social inclusion.

For the latest news & information please visit us at jordandistrict.org or find us on RivertonJournal.com

April 2022 | Page 11

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Fifty authentic prom dresses from the 1980s were donated as costumes for Hidden Valley Middle School’s production of “Footloose.” Students rehearse for the upcoming show. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Argyle)

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Casting call: prom dresses with shoulder pads, oversized bows

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By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

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LarkinMortuary.com Page 12 | April 2022

T

heater teacher Joseph Argyle sent out a request for vintage prom dresses for his students to wear in the final scene of Hidden Valley Middle School’s production of “Footloose.”

After a search through closets, hope chests and boxes of play dress-ups, 50 dresses were donated by mothers of the students, community members, the Bluffdale Arts Council and even Hidden Valley Middle assistant principal Amber Zdunich.

“I actually have three dresses from the ‘80s that were worn to dances when I was in high school,” Zdunich said. “One has not seen the light of day since 1986.” The three dresses make terrific costumes because they are authentic ‘80s styles, with lace overlay bodices and lots of large bows.

Eighth-grader Cambria Swenson is excited to wear one of the dresses for the school dance scene because “they have flair and pizzazz.”

Parents not only donated clothing from their teenage years but also passed on tips about ‘80s hairstyles, makeup trends and how to fold the pant legs of their jeans for the show, which takes place in the mid-’80s.

“It has truly turned into a fun family affair,” Argyle said.

This version of “Footloose” is also family friendly. It’s a youth version which cuts out the “racy parts,” including the reckless tractor race from the movie version, which is a relief for Argyle.

“I don't know how to do that—just ask if someone has a spare backhoe, I guess,” he said.

But Argyle wouldn’t be surprised if a parent did offer to provide large tractor equipment for the show. He said parents have been very supportive in providing props—such as a set of 1980s Encyclopedias—and supplies, such as cans of hairspray, foam curlers, blue

eye shadow, and neon jewelry.

“I'm very grateful to be in a very generous community,” he said.

“Footloose” is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenager who causes a stir when he moves to a small town where dancing, which he loves, has been banned.

Eighth-grader Seth Christensen, who plays the role of Ren, said the character is misunderstood and so is stereotyped as a “bad” kid.

Seth has experienced being stereotyped.

Because he loves playing hockey, he is often labeled as a sports jock, however, he also loves theater. He expects some people will be surprised to see him singing and dancing on stage.

As for Seth’s costume, ‘80s formal wear for boys has been much harder to find.

“The tuxedos are harder, especially because I really need the “ring bearer” size, not so much the bigger size,” Argyle said.

Directing “Footloose” is a dream come true for Argyle—literally. He had a dream about the show last year and woke up determined to choose it for this year’s production.

Argyle likes that one of the messages of the show is that teenagers can resolve injustices by organizing and respectfully presenting solutions to the people in charge.

He is impressed with the youth of today—how they help each other and how they have responded to events in their lives.

“It's been really fun watching them shape their realities,” he said.

There are 67 students in the cast.

“I’m just so excited for the show, it is going to be spectacular,” Argyle said. “The level of talent is just unbelievable.”

“Footloose Jr.” will play April 6, 7, 8 at 6 p.m. at Hidden Valley Middle School.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on the school website. l

Riverton City Journal

My year with the City Journals: A reflection and review of the contributions of women

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

S

ince I began as a reporter for the City Journals, I have had the privilege of interviewing some amazing people. The interview process has always been my favorite part of reporting.

I have always enjoyed meeting someone new, learning about what makes them unique and writing their story for others to read.

During March, the stories being shared were about women. March 8, officially known as International Women’s Day, was a day to highlight the unique contributions and achievements of women the world over. To put it more eloquently, “to provide education on how women helped shape the nation [world].”

I’ve come to learn through my first year writing for the City Journals just how much women help shape our community and world.

And how important their stories are to tell.

I got the lead for my first story from Facebook, where I was able to get in touch with Kim Deverall, who specialized in giving haircuts to those living with special needs. We met at the salon she worked at, JCPenney at the District.

Deverall works to meet new clients and make new connections providing one-on-one service for clients who have special needs due to autism or other neurological divergent disorders.

“I am so lucky and honored to be in a position to help a population that is so frequently misunderstood,” Deverall said. “I love working for a company that has given me the ability to give neurodivergent individuals the dignity and socialization they deserve.”

I then had the opportunity to interview another woman who took a big chance only to have it pay off in a delicious way. I met Carol Timmons, a business owner in South Jordan, and reported on her little slice of heaven in Flake Pie Company.

Recently, Flake contributed $11,152 to help those in Ukraine through the CARE Ukraine Crisis Fund. According to an Instagram post, the Flake Pie Company team baked and sold 3,477 flakies, their signature pastry.

Anna Linner was a true gem from the moment I met her at the South Jordan Public Library. I wandered in one day looking for story leads actually, and Linner greeted me at the front desk, behind a large plastic shield (thanks Covid). I knew she had a story to share. And it turns out, I wasn’t wrong. Born in Hungary, she went on to earn a master’s of library sciences degree at age 50, to become a full-on librarian. Linner continues to work at the South Jordan library.

I was enthusiastic to learn that there was a new Girl Scout troop being formed in South Jordan last summer for girls enrolled in kindergarten or first grade, and that Jen Bingman was to be their leader. Twice a month Bingman lets a group of talkative and eager five to seven year olds in her backyard to teach them things about building robots, planting trees and selling cookies.

RivertonJournal.com

After many rounds of selection from Rocky Mountain Power Company, LiveDaybreak and the City of South Jordan, Durga Ekambaram’s painting was featured on a utility box in Daybreak. (Photo courtesy of Durga Ekambaram)

“We’ve had a fun first year with our Daisy troop,” Bingman said. “Our troop has had special challenges regarding meetings with Covid restrictions, cookie delays due to supply chain issues, and losing four troop leaders, but our families rallied around our troop to provide the support we needed to continue with our endeavors.”

Then I met Durga Ekambaram after I saw her mural under the bridge of the Jordan River Trail at 10600 South. I have been able to follow her work on social media. The patience and the persistence it must take to create, to have an idea and to have to slowly nurture it to life is inspiring on many levels.

The trail mural project has given Ekambaram the confidence to explore new mediums and techniques. In February, her mixed media artwork was selected to be displayed at the World of the Wild art show at the Hogle Zoo. Her watercolor paintings were also selected in November 2021 to be featured on a utility box in Daybreak. She is looking forward to several art displays at South Jordan City Hall, Millcreek Library and Utah Cultural Center.

I was once again amazed not only by the physical strength of women, but their mental strength as well. I met Debbie Millet, a former weightlifting champion and now a coach to young women competing in the clean and press and the snatch. I spoke to some of these young women, in particular Malia Levy and Maci Wynn, who talked about their training schedules and their determination, and what it meant to have a female role model like Millet.

According to Millet, Levy took gold at the American Open in Ohio late last year, and will

Girls from Troop 583 visited the fire station in Taylorsville in February to learn about respecting authority. (Photo taken by Jessica Ballard)

represent team USA at the Youth Pan Am and Youth Worlds this upcoming summer of 2022.

Wynn is now one of the top three women in the country, lifting the previous American record in the snatch event. Wynn is now in a position to make the 2024 Summer Olympic team.

Most recently, I met the heartwarming group known as Females in Action Salt Lake Valley or FIA. They welcomed me into their group, challenged me to a little physical exercise routine, gave me a nickname and explained how they as a group look out for one another. It

was heartwarming to see, as we live in a world that can be so divided, that these women will welcome and accept other women regardless of race, religion, economic status and a host of other things that often keep people at bay.

We have women in our communities who are leaders, mentors, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, volunteers, professionals and all-around positive influences. All of these women, and many others like them whose stories I have yet to share, help shape the community, and their stories are relevant. l

April 2022 | Page 13

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Riverton City Journal

APRIL 2022

RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE

2022 Legislative Session Recap

By Mayor Trent Staggs The 2022 Utah Legislative Session came to a close on March 4. Over the 45-day session, our state legislators passed over 500 bills that covered a wide range of issues from tax cuts, criminal justice, water conservation, and education. This year was also unique due to an increase in onetime funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was passed by Congress back in 2021.

In response, our state legislators had the opportunity to decide how best to spend the remainder of the state’s ARPA funds in a way that best maximizes their potential.

our water bills exactly how much secondary water we use, versus what the recommended use is, we will conserve. This has proven to be true in parts of the state where it has already been implemented.

In a previous legislative session, the state had mandated secondary water meters be installed at the city’s expense. HB 242 reduced this unfunded mandate by allocating $200 million of state ARPA funds for secondary water meters. These funds will be dispersed through a matching grant program that provides a state match of 70% during the first two years and then decreases at different intervals every year until 2030.

While Riverton City has already completed phase one of our secondary metering project, we still need about $10 million dollars to close out phases two This year, we and three. took a special With access interest in “...state legislators had to our own House Bill 242 the opportunity to decide ARPA funds, – Secondary how best to spend the and the newly Water Metering established Amendments. remainder of the state’s grant program In a time of ARPA funds in a way outlined in H.B. drought, the 242, we will be ability to educate that best maximizes their able to provide the public on potential.” secondary water use is a meters to the strategic step rest of our city to protecting without incurring our precious any additional debt. This will allow water resources. While H.B. 242 us to keep secondary water rates at mandates water suppliers to meter their current levels. all secondary connections by 2030, it does not require the city A second bill we closely monitored to charge based on usage. The was House Bill 151 – Retail Facility hope is that by demonstrating on

RIVERTON REVIEW | APRIL 2022

The 2022 Utah Legislative session came to a close on March 4. Over 500 bills were passed in the 45-day session.

Incentive Payments Amendments.

Unlike H.B. 242, I was a staunch critic of this piece of legislation as it would have severely restricted the ability to provide incentives to retail businesses inside our newly established Community Reinvestment Areas that reside in front of Riverton City Hall and Riverton City Park. Luckily, through the hard work of our city lobbyist, the Utah League of Cities & Towns, and our local legislators, multiple exceptions were included within H.B. 151 that will allow us to move forward with developing our two CRA areas and help us bring in new retail and dining options to Riverton’s east side.

Ultimately, this year’s legislative session was a success and I want to thank Senator Dan McCay, Senator Lincoln Fillmore, Representative Candice Pierucci, Representative Mark Strong and Representative Susan Pulsipher for their continued support and hard work in representing the great people of Riverton.

Come enjoy an Easter tradition with the kiddos at the Riverton Bunny Hop! Families make their way around Riverton City Park visiting stations to get candy or prizes and to participate in fun Easter activities. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance for a quick visit and photo with the kids.

Families may arrive anytime between 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and begin their participation at any station. Kids 12 and younger welcome.

Saturday, April 16, 2022 Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S

10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Teen Egg-Streme Chase Chase the clues, win prizes!

Clues will lead teens to safe local destinations throughout Riverton to get candy and prizes. Pre-registration online is required to participate.

Friday, April 15, 2022

This event is FREE for Teens 13 – 18 years.

Register online at rivertonutah.gov/teen-easter

PAGE 1

COUNCIL MESSAGE

Riverton Citizen Survey Highlights MAYOR Trent Staggs tstaggs@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129

CITY COUNCIL Sheldon Stewart - District 1 sstewart@rivertonutah.gov 801-953-5672 Troy McDougal - District 2 tmcdougal@rivertonutah.gov 801-931-9933 Tawnee McCay - District 3 tmccay@rivertonutah.gov 801-634-7692 Tish Buroker - District 4 tburoker@rivertonutah.gov 801-673-6103 Claude Wells - District 5 cwells@rivertonutah.gov 801-875-0116

CITY MANAGER David R. Brickey citymanager@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129

CITY OFFICES City Hall ................................801-254-0704 Administration ......................801-208-3129 Animal Control......................801-208-3108 Cemetery ..............................801-208-3128 Code Enforcement ................801-208-3108 Development Services ..........801-208-3138 Fire (UFA) ..............................801-743-7200 Justice Court .........................801-208-3131 Recreation & Events .............801-208-3101 Police ....................................385-281-2455 Public Works .........................801-208-3162 Recorder ...............................801-208-3128 Utility Billing .........................801-208-3133 Water....................................801-208-3164

FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov www.rivertonutah.gov PAGE 2

By Councilmember Tish Buroker

1. 55% of respondents stated that having a single username and password to access online services offered on the Riverton City website was either very or somewhat important. Riverton is currently working toward this goal with the purchase of a software platform. Installation and training will take the next two years, but it will improve your user experience interacting with the city and improve the efficiency of the city as all departments will be able to interact and share information across one platform.

In December of 2021, the Riverton City communications department surveyed Riverton residents regarding what residents appreciate about Riverton and what additional amenities they would like to see. There were 2,875 residents that 2. Residents completed requested the survey. more Those pickleball responses courts. have been Riverton is incredibly currently helpful to installing four the City additional Council pickleball and Mayor courts at as we Riverton develop our City Park, budget for bringing the the coming city total to year and eight. There have helped has been guide our additional found be can five-year survey the of Complete results discussion online at rivertonutah.gov/survey. master plan. regarding Thank you installing additional courts at to all of those who participated. The the new park to be built west of purpose of my article this month is Bangerter and north of 13400 W, to provide feedback regarding some or installing more courts at select of the key responses.

parks throughout the city. Pickleball courts are expensive and cost approximately $50,000 to install, but there is little maintenance required and no water requirements.

3. Residents also asked for more dining options (65%). There is expected to be additional restaurants at Mountain View Village. The city is also actively working to attract additional restaurants to the Riverton Town Center area (Redwood Road and 12600 S), specifically through the adoption of two Community Reinvestment Areas that have been created in the past several months. Please note that this area has been renamed the Town Center instead of historic downtown, as many of you commented there is little evidence left of our historic downtown. However, we still have an opportunity to make this area unique.

4. 70% of residents requested more biking and walking trails. Agreed!

We currently have about 26 miles of trail in Riverton. More are needed and connecting the incomplete trail system that we have will have a positive impact for Riverton residents. As money becomes available, we will continue to work to develop and improve our trail system.

It continues to be a great experience to live in Riverton and serve on the City Council.

April 2022 City Council & Planning Commission Meetings CITY COUNCIL • Tuesday, April 5, & April 19, 7 p.m.

PLANNING COMMISSION • Thursday, April 14, & April 28, 6:30 p.m.

RIVERTON REVIEW | APRIL 2022

PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE

Warmer Weather Brings Safety Risks

By Chief Don Hutson As we emerge from the continued disruptions in life we have been forced to endure as a result of the pandemic, we are all filled with anticipation and excitement as the weather warms, and we can actually see hope on the horizon to resume many of the activities we have not been able to do during the last couple of years. Flowers are blooming and

the young, as well as the young at heart, are spending much more time outside enjoying the warmer weather and longer days.

Pedestrian traffic and bicycle riding increase dramatically for obvious reasons, and motorcycle riding is far more enjoyable and prevalent.

These changes in the traffic dynamic on our roadways make visibility more of a challenge and cause us concern as public safety officers. It is important for all of us to be aware of this changing traffic landscape and be more vigilant in identifying potential hazards as we travel on our streets.

Criminals are aware we are approaching vacation season and they are always looking for an opportunity to break into an empty house or business. This is a good time for all of us to assess the security of our property and be reminded of how to minimize risk.

Additionally, some in our community, who are inclined to victimize others by stealing their property or burglarizing their homes, take advantage of the milder temperatures. Criminals are aware we are approaching vacation season and they are always looking for an opportunity to break into an empty house or business.

It is also easier for them to hide or avoid us tracking them with additional foliage and no snow to leave footprints.

For these reasons, it is a good time for all of us to assess the security of our property and be reminded of how to minimize risk. First, always lock your doors and keep your external lights on at night. If you are leaving town, let your neighbors know who should or should not be at your home so they can keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles.

Have someone retrieve your mail and ensure papers or flyers don’t accumulate on your porch.

As always, please don’t hesitate to call the Riverton Police Department if you see something suspicious.

Stay safe and enjoy our beautiful city as the weather improves and we spend additional time participating in outdoor activities.

Come learn about the Localscapes approach to help create your ideal Riverton yard using a series of landscaping patterns and practices that take into account Utah’s unique climate. You’ll learn how to solve your landscape challenges in a way that will improve curb appeal while reducing maintenance costs and time. Space is limited. Registration is free but required. Register Online: bit.ly/localscapes-april-6 Location: Riverton City Hall, 12830 S Redwood Road, Riverton, Utah 84065

RIVERTON REVIEW | APRIL 2022

Secondary Water System Maintenance Maintenance on Riverton City’s secondary water irrigation system will begin shortly.

Please ensure your valve is closed as soon as possible to prevent flooding.

Irrigation water is scheduled to be available for use by May 1.

Please ensure your ball valve is closed.

or re Scan He

PAGE 3

UPCOMING EVENTS

RIVERTON REVIEW

Arbor Day Tree Planting Workshop

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

Register: Start Smart Sports

Register: Tennis League Registration

Register: Pickleball League

Come learn the ins and outs of proper tree planting from an expert at Riverton City’s free annual Arbor Day Tree Planting Workshop.

Attend a free QPR suicide prevention class to learn how to respond to someone in crises.

Classes occur monthly, excluding July and December.

Registration is now open for spring Start Smart Sports programs for kids age 3-5, including baseball, soccer and multi-sport. Register online.

Riverton City’s flexible tennis league is for all abilities, with one match played per week on your own schedule. Register online.

Join Riverton City’s pickleball league to play in a fun, social and competitive environment.

Partners rotate weekly.

Register online.

• Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m., Monarch Meadows Park

• Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m., Riverton City Hall

• Registration Opens March 1, Programs Begin May 3

• Offered Monthly, May-August

• Sessions Begin in April

To register or find more details, visit rivertonutah.gov/recreation.

T R AV E L I N G E X H I B I T

V E RT RI

Spring Clean Up Days Dumpster Drop

RES E NT S ID

ON

FREE FOR

FREE Community dumpsters for trash, cardboard and tree branches will be available on two Saturdays in April at both Riverton City Park and Western Springs Park. For Riverton resident use only. Proof of residency required. Some additional limitations and exclusions apply, so please visit rivertonutah.gov/beautiful for details.

Saturday, April 9 & 23 | 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Two Locations: Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S, Riverton Western Springs Park, 4570 S Goshute Drive, Riverton

PAGE 4

WHAT IS IT YOU PLAN TO DO…?

Traveling Exhibit In 1992 Mary Oliver wrote the poem “The Summer Day” which ends with the acclaimed lines, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” The “WHAT IS IT YOU PLAN TO DO...?” Traveling Exhibit seeks to answer that question. The work in this exhibit has been created by artists who are exploring their world in various ways but all with the objective of understanding it better.

Tuesday, March 29 - Wednesday, April 27 Exhibit Hours: Monday - Wednesday, Noon - 5 p.m.

Public Open House: Monday, March 28 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Old Dome Meeting Hall

RIVERTON REVIEW | APRIL 2022

RivertonJournal.com

April 2022 | Page 19

Individuals and businesses recognized by Riverton City for outstanding service at Peak Awards

By Dylan Wilcox | d.wilcox@mycityjournals.com

A

s part of his annual State of the City address, Mayor Trent Staggs recognized individuals and businesses who have contributed to the burgeoning economy of Riverton at the Peak Awards Ceremony on Feb. 16 at the Old Dome Meeting Hall. President and CEO of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce, Jay Francis, introduced this year’s recipients. The South Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Peak Awards for Riverton.

The Apex Award recognizes a business that has provided services above and beyond their clientele, even assisting in local communities and beyond. This year’s Apex Award recipient was Abani Samal, President and CEO of GeoGlobal, a Riverton-based company that provides consulting and training services for mineral exploration in the mining industry. Abani has provided services for projects in countries all over the world, in the continents of Africa, Asia, North America and South America. Abani joined the South Valley Chamber last year and has led projects for the Chamber to grow his business.

As well as running GeoGlobal, Samal has also volunteered on the Government Affairs Committee and has participated in several business academy programs and networking events.

This year’s Businesswoman of the Year recipient was Kathrine Parnell, founder and Clinical Director of New View Counseling & Psychological Services. Parnell, a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield, has extensive experience working with children and families in foster care and adoption settings, especially with individuals on the autism spectrum. Parnell’s counseling center was opened in 2018 and has grown to 15 employees who serve nearly 2,000 clients in Riverton.

While cognizant of the importance of directing a thriving Riverton business, Parnell’s main ambition is to provide services that help people reduce the anxiety that stems from traumatic life events, navigate life transitions, and address symptoms that arise from chronic mental health conditions. Given the past couple of years during the pandemic, the center has begun seeing more clients to help navigate these difficult times.

This year’s Businessman of the Year recipient was Joseph Anderson, owner and president of Lighthouse Research & Development. Anderson’s business originally opened in 1998 and was acquired by him in 2004. Lighthouse Research & Development conducts comprehensive design projects through surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, telephone surveys and more for businesses around the country and around the world. Anderson’s business has grown to include dozens of employees who conduct research projects for organizations to make data-driven decisions.

Saffron Circle was recognized as Riverton’s Business of the Year. Featuring authentic made-from-scratch Indian cuisine, Saffron Circle opened its doors in August of 2019 at Mountain View Village. Ever since its opening, Saffron Circle has become one of the South Valley’s premier Indian restaurants. Founded by Lavanya Mahate and her family, Saffron Circle also has a

Page 20 | April 2022

Photos courtesy of Brook Bowen, Riverton City.

European location in London. Mahate was unable to attend the ceremony, so her husband and family accepted the award on her behalf. The restaurant is an example of a local, family-owned business that gives back to the community while achieving success. Despite opening mere months before the pandemic officially began in 2020, Saffron Circle has weathered through the storm of COVID-19 and has thrived as a result. Saffron Circle has supported refugees and provided groceries for underserved populations in South Valley through the Utah Pay it Forward program during the early stages of COVID-19. Saffron Circle has grown to include locations in Salt Lake City, Sugar House, Riverton and the location in London, United Kingdom.

Riverton recognized one of its own police officers, Detective Mike Ashley, as the recipient of the Excellence in Public Safety award. Ashley is a seasoned law

enforcement officer having served in various capacities for 20 years. He has been on the police force in Riverton since 2019. Detective Ashley’s willingness to engage with the community has garnered notice from community members in Riverton. Ashley serves as the

Riverton City Journal

school resource officer for Oquirrh Hills Middle School and teaches the DARE program at several elementary schools in the area. He also serves as a negotiator in the South Valley SWAT Team and has helped to establish neighborhood watch programs. Ashley also helped develop the curriculum for the first Citizen’s Police Academy this past year, working with businesses to prevent burglaries and other crime by creating educational materials for their patrons.

Brook Bowen, Riverton City’s Graphic Design & Marketing Specialist, received the Outstanding City Employee Award. In the few short years since he began with the city in 2018, Bowen has recreated the marketing and branding of Riverton City. Bowen has made countless impactful contributions to the city from designing Riverton City’s seal to creating the Riverton Police department decals. He has gone above and beyond his duties to focus on how to bring attention to important historical places in Riverton. Bowen created the veteran’s monument at Riverton City Cemetery as well as a forthcoming monument and wayfinding signage. He also developed the graphics and videos for the Local First Riverton marketing and public education campaign and much more. Bowen

has created dozens of videos and captured thousands of photos to enhance the overall image of the city.

The recipient of the Mayor’s Service Award was Rim Rimmasch, Riverton’s Volunteer Choir and Orchestra Director. Conducting the annual Riverton Christmas Night of Music Concert and other musical events, Rimmasch has volunteered since the beginning of the city choir and orchestra in 2015. He has spent hundreds of hours each year planning the concert and reviewing music, making selections from a variety of instrumental and vocal arrangements.

The majority of the music Rimmasch utilizes comes from his personal repertoire, spending his own personal funds to ensure details for musical events are finalized. He leads recruitment for the orchestra, finding experienced community members and professional musicians to dedicate their time and showcase their talents. Rimmasch has been resolute in his energy to contribute to the musical appeal of Riverton, despite the health challenges he faced recently. l

Ask for

Brent “Bunk” Bunkall

Call 801-915-0123 to make an appointment

LHMFordDraper.com RivertonJournal.com

April 2022 | Page 21

Teacher’s passion for books takes center stage

K

ate Walters has about 500 books in her third grade classroom library at Bluffdale Elementary.

“With 47+ students each year, it's important that I have a lot to accommodate everyone,” Walters said.

It is unusual to have such a large classroom selection. By contrast, second grade teacher Vitor Bispo only has 150 books. As a Portuguese immersion teacher, his books are in Portuguese, which are expensive and hard to find.

Walters has spent her 16 years as a teacher building her library. Initially, the books came from thrift stores and garage sales. Then, she got them with Scholastic book credits, grant money and at teacher workshops. Some have been donated by retiring teachers and by parents during Book Fair week.

“I'm tremendously grateful for every book that makes its way into my classroom,” she said.

Not only is Walters passionate about books, but she also loves drama. She often applies her two passions to create interactive classroom activities and is currently taking classes to earn endorsements in arts integration and in drama.

“We do a lot of drama activities in class

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com to make the stories we read come alive for the students,” Walters said. Activities have included writing a class opera, performing a readers' theater and reading books aloud.

Walters just finished reading “Matilda”

by Roald Dahl to her students in preparation for the school production of “Matilda, Jr.,” a musical based on the book. It will be performed April 11-13 by a cast of 62 third through sixth graders.

Walters is directing the play and also acting in the role of the intimidating headmistress of Matilda’s school.

“I'm playing Miss Trunchbull because I think the actor who plays her needs to be really formidable, much bigger than the rest,” Walters said.

“Matilda” tells the story of a small and clever girl who learns to stand together with friends against the adult bullies in her life.

Walters and Bispo are directing, third grade teacher Kylee Butterfield is choreography director and parent volunteer Kara Allen is the music director.

Allen said the story has several good messages relevant to students—standing up to bullies, believing that you can accomplish whatever you set out to do, and the power of friendship and teamwork.

Bispo said another of the play’s themes

Bluffdale Elementary students rehearse for their production of “Matilda Jr.” (Photo courtesy of Kate Walters.)

is “Everyone is special in their own way and no one should be treated poorly because of their diversity.”

“Matilda Jr.” features humorous characters, energetic dance numbers and clever songs.

“My favorite part is the music,” Bispo said. “It is very catchy and the lyrics are very powerful.”

The cast’s favorite song to perform is “Revolting Children.” It’s a high-energy number that celebrates when the children turn mean Miss Trunchbull’s insult into a call to stand together against her bullying.

Allen said as the cast members sing together, they really get caught up in the power and message of the song.

“There’s strength in numbers and there's also energy—you get a few timid kids

together and all of a sudden they become really powerful,” Allen said. “I love big huge ensemble numbers that are high-energy and that everybody can participate in and feel like they're part of something great.”

Some of the students were reluctant to participate in the play at first, but taking on that challenge is an experience that will help them for the rest of their lives, said Allen.

“I think anytime they do something that's hard and out of their comfort zone, they can draw back on that,” Allen said. “It can give them confidence in whatever else they do—maybe writing a report, or trying a new sport or playing piano—anything that's hard. They can draw back on the experience and say, 'This was hard, I pulled through and I did it.'” l

Kate Walters’ third grade classroom library is so large, she had to create a digital catalog.

(Photo courtesy of Kate Walters.)

Page 22 | April 2022

Riverton City Journal

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Senior Jack Mortensen turns away from his defender. Mortensen scored a goal in the big-time victory over Herriman. The Silverwolves finished out March with games against West, Spanish Fork and West Jordan.

Riverton lacrosse off to competitive start Photos by Justin Adams SCHEDULE: April 5 at Copper Hills April 7 at Bingham April 12 vs Mountain Ridge April 14 vs Herriman April 26 at West April 28 vs Juan Diego May 3 at West Jordan May 5 vs Copper Hills May 10 vs Bingham May 12 at Mountain Ridge

Colton Rasmussen looks for an inside pass as he circles the perimeter of Herriman’s defense. Rasmussen scored two goals and recorded an assist in Riverton’s 9-8 victory, its first of the season after a 12-8 loss to Brighton.

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Riverton’s defense surrounds the Herriman attacker during the Silverwolves' 9-8 victory over its region rival.

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801-285-4800 | www.westerngynob.com 12842 S. 3600 W., Suite 200 • Riverton, Utah 84065 April 2022 | Page 23

Comcast invests in Tech-Moms, a program that encourages women to move into tech

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

C

omcast Corporation is investing in women. The global media and technology company is the Title Sponsor for the Tech-Moms technical training program where Comcast will provide $42,000 in cash and support in 2022, in addition to providing $15,000 in support last year.

Tech-Moms is a nonprofit organization that helps women move into, or return to, technology careers. Students in the program are given opportunities to build skills and knowledge to transition to a profitable tech position.

“I just started my second week of training with a tech company in Springville, [Utah],” said Tech-Moms graduate, Janice Knudsen. “It pays more and has benefits that my old job did not. There are many opportunities for advancement since this company hires first from within.”

More than 200 women have gone through the TechMom program, which partners with five higher-ed institutions, and 80 women are currently participating in the program. Additionally, 300+ applications are waiting for a spot to open.

Students are introduced to a variety of technical careers and given a strong support network as they move forward. As the women transition into the tech industry, they discover hidden abilities that help them build confidence in this ever-growing field.

“After graduating from Tech-Moms, I have had the confidence to apply for new jobs,” said Rosa Griffin.

“Next week, I am going back to college, and I applied for a newSALT jobLAKE thatVALLEY I dared to apply for, even when I didn’t JOURNALS 7.73x5.49.eps 1 10/6/2014

meet the college requirement. Two days later they offered me the job. The only condition was that I would go back to school and start working towards my degree. My salary has had a great increase too! I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to be part of Tech-Moms.”

“The value of the contributions Utah women make is incredible,” said Deneiva Knight, Director of External Affairs at Comcast. “That's one reason we are partnering with Tech-Moms. We want to help provide women the opportunity to build the skills, knowledge, and professional network they need to transition into or re-enter a career in tech.”

Comcast has a history of community investment bringing digital equity to communities with programs like the $1 billion initiative Project UP. The project provides safe spaces for students to access free WiFi, it supports 13,000 small business owners of color with tech services, and it works with thousands of partners across the country.

With Comcast’s support, Tech-Moms has the opportunity to introduce women to careers that could change their lives. As more jobs open in the tech industry, women are empowered to apply for positions they’d never considered.

“I really am loving my new job so much more than I ever could have imagined,” said Tech-Moms participant Sherrie Hall. “Also, I didn't realize that this was what has been missing from my life. It feels so good to work and 2:38:03 PM

Hundreds of women have completed Tech-Moms, a program that helps women move into tech jobs. Courtesy photo

has been awesome for my mental health. Wish I would have found Tech-Moms sooner.”

With a better income and reliable employment, women are empowered to branch out and when that happens, everyone wins. For more information, visit Tech-Moms. org and Comcast.com.

“We have chosen Tech-Moms because it helps close the digital divide of haves and have-nots by strengthening women, which influences families and improves our communities,” Knight said.l

PRESEN BLUFFDALE ARTS BLUFFDALE ARTS

PRESENTS

JUNE 9-11, 13 JULY AUDITIONS

APRIL 15-16, 18, 21-22 nd

APRIL 15-16, 18, 21-22 nd

th

6-9 pm, B r 9th8 from eApril Importance ForevApril from 9am-noon ARSENLIaC ce Earnest Call Backs April 9 - afternoon Old

Forever BLUFFDALE

ART

THE

OF BEING

SAT. MATINEE Please bring 2 thirty second contrasting monologues APR. 16TH AT 1 PM

7 PM

FREE

8 PM

15327 Noell Nelson Dr, Bluffdale

M

Y

CM

MY

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SAT. MATINEE APR. 16TH AT 1 PM

APRIL 15-16, nd 18, 21-22 7 PM

SUMMIT ACADEMY INDEPENDENCE 15327 Noell Nelson Dr, Bluffdale

r e v e or F

BUY TICKETS AT BLUFFDALEARTS.ORG

8 PM

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BLUFFDALE PARK 2222 West Bluffdale City OFFICES |14400 1400 South South 2240 West

SUMMIT ACADEMY INDEPENDENCE

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BLUFFDALE PARK

14400 South 2240 West

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

BUY TICKETS AT BLUFFDALEARTS.ORG

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

Performances July 7, 8, 9, 11 Bluffdale City Park - 14400 So 2400 West

LES MIS SCHOOL EDITION

Ages 14-18 years -May 6th from 6-9 pm May 7th from 9am to noon Ages 6-12 May 7th -Young Cossette from noon to 1pm This project is made possible by s Gavroche from 1-2pm Call backs May 7th Afternoon

An accompanist will be provided. NO CDs or MP3s please!

SAT. MATINEE APR. 16TH AT 1 PM

7 PM

SUMMIT ACADEMY INDEPENDENCE 15327 Noell Nelson Dr, Bluffdale

This project is made possible by support fr

Performances June 9, 10, 11, 13 Bluffdale City Park – 14400 So 2400 West

Come prepared to sing 16 bars of an upbeat Broadway song Bring a hard copy of your music

Page 24 | April 2022

7-9, 11th

Performances August 4-6 - Hidden Valley Middle School Questions, Call 801-680-1192 | bluffdalearts@gmail.com Made possible by generous support from Bluffdale City and ZAP – SLC zoo arts and parks funding

Riverton City Journal

Silverwolves win tight matchup over Herriman Photos by Travis Barton

Sophomore Kaitllyn Davenport chases down a loose ball against Herriman. Riverton would win the backand-forth game 15-14. The Silverwolves started the season with losses to Corner Canyon and Lone Peak while picking up victories against Skyline and the Mustangs.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

SCHEDULE:

April 5 vs. Copper Hills April 7 vs. Bingham April 12 at Mountain Ridge April 14 at Herriman April 26 vs. West May 3 vs. West Jordan May 5 at Copper Hills May 10 at Bingham May 12 vs Mountain Ridge

Senior Livia Sargent looks to scoop up the loose ball after the faceoff. After falling behind early 3-0, the Silverwolves responded with six goals to close out the half, taking a 6-5 lead. Sargent scored four goals on 10 shots in the game.

801-938-4345

Diamond Tree Experts DiamondTreeExperts.com

Business Spotlights are a service offered to our advertisers to help them inform our readers about their businesses. For information on scheduling a Spotlight, please call us at 801-254-5974 or email us at ryan.c@thecityjournals.com

A

tree isn’t just a tree. For many homeowners, a tree is almost part of the family. That’s why you shouldn’t trust your tree care to anyone but the best. Diamond Tree Experts has decades of experience in tree trimming, pruning, stump removal, and a recent acquisition of Hidden Oak Tree Care expands that experience into plant health care.

“I grew up in this business, and have been doing it my whole life,” says Diamond Tree Experts’ President Trent VanDam. “My dad was the original owner. The company has been around for 54 years, and I’ve been here for 28 of those years.”

Spring is a time to take inventory of the trees in your yard to see if they need trimming for the upcoming season. Fast-growing trees, like Chinese elms or willows, should be trimmed every three years, while slower-growing trees, like maples and oaks, just need an evaluation every 15 years. “The more you can leave them natural, the better they’ll be,” Trent says.

Some homeowners like to plant trees in the spring, and that’s fine as long as the temperatures are cool, but for best results and tree health, waiting until fall will usually produce the best chance for a tree to establish its roots.

As trees start to bud and bloom, healthy color in the bark and bud is a good indication the tree is healthy. Ensuring trees are proportionate, well-maintained and have room to grow will keep them in your yard for many years. One mistake that’s common in Utah is overwatering trees. People see curled or yellow leaves and panic, thinking they need to water more but it actually drowns the tree. “I tell them to dig down into the soil four inches.

RivertonJournal.com

If it’s moist, the tree is getting enough water,” Trent says.

One way to help your trees stay moist is with mulch, and spring is a perfect time to add mulch to your yard. Mulch improves soil moisture and prevents soil from drying out too quickly. Customers might not know that Diamond Tree has a vibrant green waste-to-mulch program. All tree branches, stumps and trunks are converted into mulch; they have colored mulch in red, dark brown, chocolate brown, black to just a natural color for

decorating your yard. They also have a fine mulch product that’s good for gardens to break up the soil. They will have an organic mulch or soil product to fit any of your needs.

Diamond Tree also excels in tree trimming and removal, so if you have a dead or damaged tree, they can grind the stump and roots so another tree can be planted in the same location. If you have damaged branches, they can come and remove those for you and trim your tree for optimal growth and health.

Damage to trees and shrubbery can come from pests, diseases, or pollution, but the experts at Diamond Tree can identify the problem and create solutions for long-term health. The company provides soil testing, tree spraying and deep-root injections to promote viability.

“We’ll come out and take a look at it and let you know what’s going on with your tree,” says Diamond Tree CFO Elvin Serrano. “If anyone ever calls for tree work, we always send an estimator to provide a free expert evaluation of the tree and estimate for any work needed.”

That personal service is one reason Diamond Tree Experts is a leader in the industry. Building long lasting relationships is a big factor in the success of the company. Hiring professionals who are hardworking and trustworthy is a must for Diamond Tree and has helped establish its legacy of excellent customer service.

“When I’m taking care of customers, I’m making sure I’m treating everybody’s yard like it’s my own backyard,” Trent says.

For more information or to have an expert check out your trees, call 801-938-4345 or visit DiamondTreeExperts.com.

April 2022 | Page 25

Jolie Mayfield dives to stop a hard-hit ground ball during the Silverwolves 10-0 win over Herriman at home. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Kaysen Korth and catcher Mariyah Delgado celebrate a strikeout to end the inning against Mountain Ridge. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Riverton softball hits the ground running

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

A

year ago, the Riverton High softball team almost ran the table, going 24-1 en route to a state championship.

This year’s version of the Silverwolves might be even better, jumping out to a 10-0 record at press time.

The team only lost four seniors from 2021’s squad and reloaded with plenty of upperclassmen able to pick up where they left off, as well as a healthy dose of talented underclassmen.

With the large swath of returners, senior Kaysen Korth said team chemistry picked up right away, adding they’ve focused on the details that led to last year’s success.

“It’s really easy when you win state to just be like ‘oh, we're the best team out here.’

But our coach has drilled in our head that everybody's beatable, you keep on grinding or you are gonna get beat,” Korth said.

While from the outside it may look easy, head coach Katelyn Elliott is quick to point out it takes a lot of work to constantly grow, but this group has the right attitude.

“We have very coachable kids, all the way from seniors to freshmen, they're just always wanting to get better. It's fun,” she said.

That coachability has pleased Elliott more than the 10 wins the team rattled off to start the season. She highlighted the underclassmen as a group, many of whom could have looked elsewhere to play with a guaranteed starting spot.

“This is a really competitive program, they could take the easy way out and they don't,” Elliott said. “They went ‘no I want to go play under these state champions, I want to learn from them. I want to grow.’ That's the mindset we're working with and they will continue to grow when you have that mind-

Page 26 | April 2022

set so it's fun to see that.”

Part of that mindset is essential to the softball program at Riverton, where Elliott and her coaches emphasize constantly controlling the controllables, always focusing towards the present.

“One thing we really work on a lot is learning from your failures,” she said.

“We’re not going to be mad if you strikeout or miss a sign, but how did you respond.”

It’s a life lesson, Elliott said, she wants to accompany them throughout their lives.

“You’re not always going to hit the ball every single time, you’re going to fail seven times out of 10 and you’re considered a great hitter, so you’ve got to be mentally strong,” she said.

Korth acknowledges that mindset is driven into them by Elliott, and they’ve seen it pay off. Whether in a game last season where they adjusted to the umpire’s questionable strike zone, or a game this season hitting into a vicious wind, adjusting to hit hard ground balls.

“Instead of being mad we switched into 'now we have to make better plays,'” Korth said.

Wins are inevitably the result of that process for the gifted Silverwolves. Riverton was 10-0 at press time, coming off a week where it began region with a 10-1 victory over reigning 5A runners-up Mountain Ridge and a 10-0 win over rival Herriman.

In fact, through 10 games, the Silverwolves had a +88 run differential, winning by an average of nine runs. Two of their preseason wins came against 5A champs Spanish Fork (6-0) and 6A contender Skyridge (4-1). It’s even led to a No. 11 national ranking in the USA Today Sports/NFCA High School rankings.

Sophomore Tessa Hogue rounds third to score the game-clinching run. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

“We take it in stride,” Elliott said of the ranking. “The girls deserve the recognition, they’re a phenomenal team and it’s something that you need to recognize and say that's awesome. But also we're going to keep plugging along and keep working to get better.”

Korth is one of the reasons for that national ranking. The senior leads the team from the mound, only allowing two runs and recording 109 strikeouts while averaging .545 from the plate knocking in four home runs and 12 RBIs. But she is quick to underline the quality of the squad. From catcher Mariyah Delgado (“Catchers just do not get enough cred-

it, she’s in there every time, every frame is perfect.”) to shortstop Jolie Mayfield (“She’s insane, the amount of talent she has, she’s so smooth.”) to center-fielder Tessa Hogue (She’s so smart, she’s not a home run hitter, but she’ll get on every time just by little hits and starts the momentum.”), Korth points out the talent and attitude of her team.

“There's just so many to talk about, every single one of them is hard working and selfless and they're all amazing,” she said.

Korth herself was the 6A player of the year in 2021 but seems to have come back even stronger. She credits both improving her spins with her future Weber State college coaches (where she’s committed to play next

Riverton City Journal

The Riverton softball team celebrates Mariyah Delgado’s home run, the second of back-to-back homers with Kaysen Korth. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

year) and pitching relief to star Chloe Borges last season.

Having always been the starter on her teams, she said it helped “a lot learning from somebody older” and to wait until she was needed. When that happened in the state playoffs, “that just drove me to be like ‘nobody’s hitting off you.’”

“Not being the starting pitcher last year was probably one of the best things for me.”

But it’s her mental strength that stands

out to her coach.

“She’s never complacent, she just is always working hard and always attacking,” Elliott said. “She's the definition of everything we want here at Riverton.”

Perhaps to sum that up, when asked how she felt beating Mountain Ridge and Herriman by almost 10 runs in the same week, Korth responded succinctly: l Kaysen Korth unleashes a pitch during the Silverwolves' region win over Mountain Ridge 10-1. Through “It feels good, but I think we could’ve the first 10 games, Korth already had over 100 strikeouts. (Travis Barton/City Journals) done even better.” l

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By Matthew Barber

APR. 1-16, 2022

In the February issue, an article about Google Fiber coming to Riverton incorrectly stated that Riverton City would be providing $1.2 million for the Google Fiber project. The city is spending $1.2 million from federal COVID relief funds on a fiber project to connect city-owned facilities, but that project is not related to the installation of Google Fiber.

Matthew Barber pens a love story that’s just a little different.

A retired schoolteacher lives a quiet life in Texas, and is set in her ways. A smooth-talking handyman passes through town, intent on renovating her house, and perhaps... her life.

MAY 13-MAY 28, 2022

Correction:

Broadway Star & TV Host

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Female golfers will mix business and fun at the Copper Rock Championships in April

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

F

ormer Utah Senator Pat Jones understands not all business discussions happen in the office. Often, valuable deals are made on a golf course. When she realized many women aren’t usually involved in golf tournaments, she understood how often they are left out of important business decisions.

As the CEO of the Women’s Leadership Insititute, Jones organized a women’s golf clinic and tournament where they could build relationships, learn the basics of game and golf etiquette, participate in a scramble, and put themselves in a better position for inclusion.

“What I’ve learned, and I knew it intuitively, is that golf is the language of business,” Jones said. “That’s just how business has worked for so many years. It’s important for women to learn a sport that can help further their careers.”

The program was so successful that the WLI entered into an exclusive three-year charity partnership with the LPGA Epson Tour at the Copper Rock Golf Course near Hurricane, Utah.

The event is a week-long immersion for female leaders in Utah with the opportunity to play with top golfers and network with other professionals.

This year’s Copper Rock Championship event will run from April 18-23 and feature 220 pro female golfers. Last year’s event was a success, although Jones admitted she was a little intimidated playing with pro golfers. She even took a few lessons.

“I felt I had to play in the Pro-Am,” she said. “Since I was encouraging women, I felt I had to walk the talk. I can’t wait to go again this year. The pro golfers were so generous with their time and advice.”

The event starts on Monday, with the WLI Pro-Am, fol-

lowed by a Meet the Pros Night on Tuesday. Wednesday is the ElevateHER Challenge Luncheon with keynote speaker Sharlene Wells Hawkes. The luncheon will be a time to recognize companies that have accepted the ElevateHER Challenge.

Thursday through Saturday is the Copper Rock Championships where the women can cheer on their Pro-Am teammates as they vie for the title.

“ElevateHER is a corporate challenge with six actions companies can take based on best practices that will elevate women in business,” Jones said.

The program’s goal is to increase the number of women in leadership positions and the retention rate of female workers.

Companies are asked to increase the number of women who serve on community and corporate boards, establish a women’s leadership development program, close wage gaps, and encourage women to run for public office.

WLI started in 2015 to elevate female leaders in Utah.

With the WLI Career Development Series, companies can sponsor female leaders, investing in their future.

“It’s been hugely popular,” Jones said. “Companies who have accepted the challenge can send female leaders, mid to senior level. When women go back and teach their teams, it helps them be seen as the leader they are. It’s really magical.”

WLI also offers a Political Development Series that coaches women who want to run for office. The program started seven years ago and more than 300 women have completed the course. Several women currently serving as mayors in Utah went through the program.

“I couldn’t be happier with how this is shaping up,” Jones

The 2021 Copper Rock Championship was won by Bailey Tardy, who prevailed by three shots. The 2022 championships and WLI Pro-Am run Apr. 18-23 at Copper Rock Golf Course in Hurricane, Utah.

(Photos courtesy of Copper Rock Championship)

said. “[Men] are our allies and advocates for women. There are some awesome men in our state. They are part of the solution.”l

Mountain Ridge softball looking to build off state championship appearance

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

W

hen it comes to high school athletics, many teams who make it to a state championship game are due for a rebuilding year as they lose a talented group of players to graduation. But the Mountain Ridge softball team is poised to make another run, led by a core of players who were just juniors last year.

“We have eight seniors and our first baseman is a junior. All nine of them have been playing since the school opened up,” said head coach Andre Ashton.

One of those seniors is shortstop Taegan Smith, who was named to the 5A All-State team last year, following a season in which she hit 18 home runs and 66 RBIs. Sisters Tosha (catcher) and Tessa (second baseman) Hokanson also return for their senior years. While Ashton said every girl on the team is a leader in their own way, he sees the Hockanson sisters and Smith as the leaders of the team.

“They’ve been leaders since day one, even when they were sophomores,” he said.

“They set the example on the field and in the classroom - all three of them are 4.0 students. They’re three kids that we rely on.”

With such strong senior leadership, the team has high expectations for themselves.

Page 28 | April 2022

“We expect to be one of those teams that’s playing towards the end of the season.

Obviously you have to get wins and play the right way to get there. But it’s definitely a goal for us,” Ashton said.

Of course, the Sentinels will be going up against a new 6A region this year, one that features the two teams that played for the 6A championship last year in Riverton and Bingham.

“Our region is really really tough,” Ashton said. “We have such good pitching in our region. It’s going to be tough every single region game that we have. But I think we have tough girls, we have good leadership and girls that expect to make the right play.”

To help prepare the team for the daunting region schedule, the coaches scheduled a preseason trip down to Las Vegas to play in a tournament. The team played five games in three days, winning all but one. Their sole loss came against Oaks Christian, whose pitcher is one of the top-ranked in the nation and is committed to play for Notre Dame.

Going up against such strong competition to start the season has already proved beneficial for the Sentinels. In their first game back in Utah, they eked out a narrow 6-5 win over Skyridge. “I think if we

The Mountain Ridge softball team celebrates after beating Skyridge 6-5 last month. (Justin Adams/City Journals)

wouldn’t have gone to Vegas and seen the kinds of pitching we did, today would have been a lot tougher for us,” Ashton said following the game.

Even more important than the tough competition was the experience of traveling out of state as a team, something the program hadn’t been able to do in its first two years of existence because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“The kids being in hotel rooms and being around each other for four days straight, it was important for our program to have those bonding experiences,” Ashton said.

It seems to have paid off, as the Sentinels have gone 6-1 since returning to Utah (as of press deadline) .l

Riverton City Journal

RivertonJournal.com

April 2022 | Page 29

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Riverton City Journal

Taken to the cleaners

A

ppliances are like Christmas lights.

When one goes out, they all go out.

We’ve spent the last couple of years replacing appliances, and not easy things like toasters or the electric carving knife. We’re talking a dishwasher, a dryer, a refrigerator, and now our washing machine.

I hated to tell my husband the bad news, not because of the expense but because I had to brace myself for the laundry puns. He has loads of them. But I threw in the towel and waited for his list to unfold.

“Well, sheet,” he started. “I spilled laundry soap and now my hands are Tide. I’d better come clean ‘cause I’m in a lot of hot water. I’m all washed up. Oh, the irony!”

Once that was done, I had to decide the best way to clean our clothes until the new washer was delivered. Options were 1) go to a laundromat, 2) drive to Utah Lake where I could wash my clothes against a rock until developers make Utah Fantasy Island, or 3) say, “Alexa, do the laundry.”

The laundromat won. It’s been years since I’ve visited a laundromat. I bought a chai tea latte to sip, packed a book to read whilst waiting for clothes to dry, and a notebook to write pithy thoughts.

My first impression of the laundromat was the warmth from the dryers and the smell of fabric softener was so cozy. This will be joyous, I thought. Maybe I’ve found

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

my new community. Things went downhill quickly.

While inserting 19 quarters (!!) into the machine, I shoved clothes into the washer and noticed my tea had spilled all over the laundry basket. I grabbed my tea, closed the washer door, and sliced my finger open, leaving bloody fingerprints on the handle.

Trying not to think about what types of bacteria live on the handle of a laundromat washing machine, I considered leaving the blood there so the next person would wonder if a serial killer had washed his T-shirts. But I used a damp, tea-soaked towel to wipe it up and looked for a place to sit.

Making my way to a row of stiff, plastic chairs, I sat down to enjoy the lukewarm remains of my tea. I opened my book and looked around the room where people sat staring at cell phones. No one made eye contact.

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