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Both the Riverton softball and baseball teams captured state titles one day apart from each other to record a unique double for the school. For the boys it was the program’s first state championship while the girls earned their third trophy in eight years. Stories for both teams can be found on pages 6 and 14. (Photos by Pat McDonald and Travis Barton)
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Riverton City Journal
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July 2022 | Page 3
Educational support personnel recognized for outstanding contributions to schools By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
J
ordan Education Foundation Executive Director Mike Haynes was thrilled to give educational support personnel the opportunity to realize how much they're valued by the community. The JEF board selected eleven outstanding ESPs from Jordan District to receive $1,000 and to be recognized at a Jordan District board of education meeting. "The ESPs are our backbone of our schools—those in the front office, the lunch ladies, they're the bus drivers and everyone else who make the schools run,” Haynes said. “Without the ESP employees, education would fail. They have a perspective that nobody else does. They can identify students who have needs and help support those needs through their effort; they're really miracle workers.” Korbi Brey is an education support professional SMAC teacher at Kauri Sue Hamilton School who always goes the extra mile. “Whenever something is needed, Korbi is one of the first to volunteer or step in to help cover a class or bus duty or really anything that's asked of her,” a colleague said. “If something needs to be done, she either does it or figures out a way to do it without being asked.” Colleagues said she contributes to a positive school culture with her perseverance, accountability, adaptability, consideration, passion, loyalty, empathy, respectfulness and kindness. Marilyn Smith, an administrative assistant for the Office of the Administrators of Schools, is responsible for student overnight travel trip experiences for the district. “She's constantly problem-solving to ensure proper paperwork and processes are being followed. She has helped create and simplify the paperwork process easier for schools to know and follow what is expected.” Cari Minnesota is an administrative assistant for the Office of the Administrators of Schools, with responsibilities ranging from coordinating school fees, maintaining the district website and managing the drivers education program. “She is a driving force in getting state grants to help with projects such as upgrading a car fleet or building awnings to better protect and secure driver education vehicles.” “Cari has incredible patience, knowledge, compassion and understanding and is an asset to her department and the entire Jordan School District.” Maricarmen Garcia is an Administrative Assistant in the
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Outstanding educational support personnel are recognized at a Jordan Board of Education meeting. (Photo courtesy of JSD.)
Student Services department for Jordan School District where she coordinates a director, six consultants, four other administrative assistants, four specialists and analysts, two assistants, three counselors and three psychologists. “Carmen knows every single person and makes them each feel an important part of the team,” a colleague said. She also provides translation services and positive energy to the department. “As Student Services continues to grow, so does her common skill set and abilities,” a colleague said. South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey introduced the winners to the Board. “We all know that our schools would not be the amazing places they are without these folks, without our education support professionals and all they do to keep schools going strong,” she said. 2022 Outstanding ESPs Kristine Burge, Administrative Assistant - Mountain Creek Middle School
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Riverton City Journal
Outstanding teachers recognized By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
T
hree Mountain Point Elementary teachers were recognized as outstanding teachers this year by three separate organizations. Heidi Rivera was one of 27 teachers recognized by the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce. The award was celebrated with a certificate, gifts, treats and a luncheon, which showed her that the community values educators. “It was just an affirmation that what I do is important to the community that I serve in,” Rivera said. Rivera loves her job. She’s been teaching kindergarteners for six years. Mountain Point Principal Elizabeth Felt said Rivera is a “powerful resource in our building” and a “strong mentor.” “She is one of those kinds of teachers that, regardless of what grade level you teach, you come and talk with Heidi,” Felt said. Rivera helps other teachers, no matter what grade they teach, understand critical learning skills in a simple way. Felt said she is “like an evangelist”— when Rivera has success with a resource, product or strategy, she enthusiastically tells others about it. “I think that teachers have the best job in the world and I want everyone to be as excited about this as I am,” Rivera said. “And so if there's something new that I find out, I want to share it with them and let them be as excited as I am.” Bluffdale City Council identified seven Exemplary Teachers, including fourth grade teacher Crystal Hammer. Hammer’s secret to being a great teacher is that she asks her students a question on the first day of school that sets the tone for the entire year. “This gives my students the opportunity to have a say in how they want their year to go,” she said. “I believe when students have a voice and ownership in the classroom it builds trust quickly.” Hammer builds relationships with her students and with her colleagues. Felt said Hammer, who has been teaching for nine years, has been a great mentor to practicum and student teachers. “She has been willing to step in and step up to helping those practicum teachers understand just a little bit of the ropes,” Felt said. Hammer enjoys working with new teachers and inspiring them to love the teaching profession. “I help them find a deeper passion for their future career,” Hammer said. “This, in turn, reignites my passion for teaching and I evolve at the same time.” Hammer has also “brought in this ray of sunshine” to the Mountain Point staff by planning parties, baby showers, personalized gifts and fun activities to boost morale among colleagues. “She does a great job at building people up and coming up with fun things for our faculty to do,” Felt said. Gina Vondwingelo was selected as the Jordan Education Foundation Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Mountain Point Elementary. Colleagues describe her as lively and engaging. She loves to use technology, creativity and humor in her fifth grade classroom. “I have found that sometimes that little bit of laughter will often reduce the tension some can feel with new learning,” Vondwingelo said. “I also often overly gesture and have been known to use a very bad accent or to randomly break out in bad singing.” Vondwingelo is a veteran teacher (16 years) who mentors both new and experienced teachers. “She's one of the leaders in our building innovation and
RivertonJournal.com
Board members celebrate Gina Vondwingelo as Mountain Point Elementary’s 2022 Outstanding Teacher of the Year. (Photo courtesy JEF.)
JEF Outstanding Educators
Foothills Elementary School - Amy Anderson Midas Creek Elementary School - Dr. Cheryl Pribble Mountain Point Elementary - Gina Vondwingelo Rose Creek Elementary - Danielle Tuttle Southland Elementary School - Lara Stout Rosamond Elementary School - Seth Otteson Riverton Elementary School - Lynette Jorgensen Bluffdale Elementary School Larissa Carla Rodrigues Collaco South Hills Middle School - Nichole Valerio Oquirrh Hills Middle School - Janae Rindlisbacher Hidden Valley Middle School - Ryan Nielsen Riverton High School - Raechel Bunnell JATC South - Brenda Straley Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary - Celena Ottley Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle - Krista Gibbons Kings Peak Virtual High - Kelli Malmberg
Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Teachers
Summit Academy Elementary - Toryn Coombs Kauri Sue Hamilton School - Beau Burningham Holy Trinity School - Jenn Kiel North Star Academy - Emily Storye JATC South - Brenda Straley Foothills Elementary - Krista Cummings
technology use,” Felt said. “She's usually one of the first teachers to implement an innovative teaching strategy.” Colleague Melissa Monsen said Vondwingelo is dedicated to helping all her students succeed. “She has the knowledge and resources to make learning meaningful and fun for the students,” Monsen said. “She is just a stellar teacher who gives everything she has to help students succeed.” Felt said she trusts Vondwingelo to work with any stu-
Bluffdale Elementary - Janae Young Mountain Point Elementary - Heidi Rivera Riverton Elementary - Gina Nokes Midas Creek Elementary - Dr. Cheryl Pribble Butterfield Canyon Elementary - Cara Pool Rose Creek Elementary - Angela Johnston Oquirrh Hills Middle - Krystal DeJesus South Hills Middle - Teri McIntyre Hidden Valley Middle School - Heidi Peterson Riverton High - Cindy Morrey
Bluffdale City’s Exemplary Teachers Bluffdale Elementary - Kadee Oman Summit Academy Independence Campus Rose Webb Summit Academy Bluffdale Campus Elisabeth Kindmark Mountain Point Elementary - Crystal Hammer Hidden Valley Middle - Shannon McDonald Summit Academy High - Marcus Dickson Riverton High - Robyn Harris
Jordan Association of Elementary School Principals, Principal of the Year Awards Rookie Principal of the Year: Garett York - Southland Elementary School Student Advocate Principal of the Year: Courtney Titus - Kauri Sue Hamilton School dent, regardless of their skill set or level of ability, because she is a dynamic teacher with an engaging and relatable teaching style. Vondwingelo is the kind of teacher who is loved by students, parents and colleagues. “She has built relationships that are long-standing and enduring,” Monsen said. “Giving her best is what she does every day.”l
July 2022 | Page 5
‘Once-in-a-lifetime team’ looks back at Riverton’s sensational softball season
T
he numbers don’t tell the whole story, but it’s a good place to start. The Riverton girls softball team completed perhaps one of most complete seasons of softball in state history as the Silverwolves went 28-1 en route to a second-consecutive 6A state championship. The Silverwolves had a +280 run differential, finishing with 301 runs and only allowing 21 all year. They recorded 323 hits. They had 75 stolen bases. They knocked in 48 home runs, 19 of those bangers came off the bat of junior Jolie Mayfield. The team hit .424, with all nine starters banking at least 20 hits and its lowest batting average by a hitter was .333. Even the team’s “weakest” batter averaged a hit every third atbat. Of the team’s 29 games, 18 were runruled (where the game ends early if you’re up 10 runs). Starting pitcher Kaysen Korth had the fifth-best earned run average in state history at .55. Her defense behind her kept a fielding percentage of 96% with only nine errors the entire season. And the Silverwolves reached a No. 4 national ranking in USA Today Sports/NFCA High School rankings. “It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime team, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said senior Chloe Woods. ‘You could tell they were unique from day one for sure’ Entering the year, the Silverwolves were coming off a special 2021 where the team went 24-1 to snare the program’s second-ever state title. The team graduated star Chloe Borges along with three other seniors, but the bulk of the team was returning for 2022. Many of the girls also already played together on travel ball teams so it didn’t take long for the team to gel. After splitting time with Borges last year, Weber State commit Korth returned to the mound as the team’s primary pitcher to ensure a major piece of the puzzle was in place. The team even had three returning sophomores in the starting lineup who saw lots of game time a year ago in Kyli Carrell, Tessa Hogue and Lilly Heitz. While expectations were high for the returning champs, players wanted to keep it loose and focus on the present. “We were mainly just excited,” said senior and third-baseman Lexi Shaver. “We wanted to take it slow, day by day, we didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves. Our first goal was to win region, we didn’t want to think about state until we won region.” Before even hitting region play, the Silverwolves won their first eight games by a combined score of 74-1. It was perhaps hard to
Page 6 | July 2022
Story and photos by Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com not get too excited about what this squad was doing. “I kept having to stop myself and live in the moment, because I knew something like this wasn't ever going to come again,” Woods said. “It's just such a special group of girls including the coaching staff, our fans, every part of it.” With every game that passed, Korth knew it was a special year, highlighting an early game against Spanish Fork, one of the state’s softball blue bloods and 5A state champs. The Silverwolves lost to the Dons a year ago for the team’s only loss, but returned the favor this season with a 6-0 road win that for Korth showed her “how much we’ve improved.” Head coach Katelyn Elliott, who now has three state titles in eight seasons at Riverton, said it wasn’t just the talent that was special, it was the attitude, the little things. Such as varsity sticking around to cheer on the JV team. “They were special, you could tell they were unique from day one for sure,” she said. ‘Every day bringing that level of intensity we brought is not easy’ Riverton softball is very process oriented. Driven by Elliott, the team strives to be students of the game, controlling what they can and finding ways to learn especially in moments of failure; whether that’s a missed swing or a fielding error. By so doing the Silverwolves were relentless, especially offensively. Several games could feel like the team was pushing against a dam and once it broke, the runs would pour in. Whether it was first game against Herriman, where five runs in the fifth clinched the win, or the semis against Fremont where seven runs between the fourth and fifth innings ended the game early. “Even though we made it look easy, it’s not easy,” Elliott said. “Those girls went day in day out relentless and determined at getting better and mentally staying dialed in.” It could be a practice all about the outfield, which was followed up the next day with Woods making a diving catch in right field against Bingham and then later reinforced in the state title game when Kylee Ruesch fielded and fired a ball from left field to hold the runner at third. Or it could be practice on the mental side, working on controlling your emotions to stay focused and react more productively to a mistake, such as if an infielder makes a mistake that leads to a baserunner, the instant reaction from the shortstop Mayfield is to start talking about a double play. On top of practices most days among the two games a week, softball also runs during fourth quarter finals “which is a stressful time in school,” Elliott said. Then add on top of that being nationally ranked with a target on their back getting every team’s best game. “Every day bringing that level of intensity
Lexi Shaver rips a first-inning double to left field to launch the four-run inning.
Jolie Mayfield avoids the tag at home plate after a Kylee Ruesch triple drove in three runs.
we brought is not easy,” Elliott said. ‘We just wanted all of us to have a say’ That attacking mindset was just one part of the process. Team chemistry was another. Woods said the team worked on “plugging in” to a teammate each game, someone specific they could cheer on. Shaver noted some of her best friends are sophomores on the team with the whole group often hanging out outside of softball. Senior Brynn O’Reilly pointed to a lack of drama, a common goal and a passion for the sport as crucial factors that created “this amazing chemistry.” But all of them noted the lack of seniority in the team with no team captains and no freshmen being responsible for equipment. Things that could divide a team, Woods said. While the squad had leadership aplenty,
the seniors focused on keeping everyone equal. “We just wanted all of us to have a say,” Shaver said while Woods added, “It worked out in our favor.” ‘They just kept on pushing until they finally saw the success’ The already talented team also found ways to improve throughout the season. With Mayfield, perhaps the Jocelyn Alo of Utah softball, hitting cleanup and leading the team with an almost .600 batting average—the junior also has 32 career home runs, six shy of the state record, and that’s with a COVID-shortened freshman season—Elliott knew teams would try to pitch around her. So, she focused on having a lineup that could hit from top to bottom, one through nine. “The bottom of our lineup was phenomenal,” she said.
Riverton City Journal
The Riverton Silverwolves dogpile after winning the 6A state championship.
Two players in particular saw their swings improve as the season progressed in juniors Ruesch and Mariyah Delgado. Elliott highlighted Ruesch as the “most improved hitter of the year.” Ruesch struggled at the beginning of the season and, with the help of her coaches, retooled her swing, to the point where she knocked in a three-run homer in the semis against Fremont. “It was really cool to see them not just get frustrated with hitting that they just gave up,” Korth said of her teammates. “But instead they just kept on pushing until they finally saw the success.” ‘I don’t think failure should be something you fear’ In a year where the Silverwolves won 28 of their possible 29 games, took the Region 3 title with an 11-1 record and lifted the championship trophy, it’s hard not to wonder what happened in that one game. The one that kept them from an undefeated season. To open the region campaign, Riverton took down Mountain Ridge on the road with a 10-1 victory that saw three different hitters go yard and second-baseman Heitz smack three doubles. But in the second matchup, the Sentinels scored two runs in the seventh to win 2-1. “Everyone is going to give us their best game,” Elliott said. And Mountain Ridge’s game included pitching slow and outside to throw off Riverton’s rhythm, and it worked. “We wanted to get on so badly that we just started chasing balls and we weren’t really swinging at the best pitches,” Shaver said. “That game really taught us to stay patiently aggressive at the plate.” So the next several practices focused on hitting off-speed pitches in the outside zone, anticipating more opposing pitchers to use that formula. An undefeated season would’ve been great, Korth said, but that game played a role in the rest of the season. “Looking back at it, I wouldn’t trade it for the world just because we learned so much,” she said. The reaction to the loss speaks to a guiding principle for Elliott and her program: failure is a learning opportunity. Just as she wants her hitters to learn from a strikeout for their next at-bat, the same applies to a loss for their next game. “Sometimes getting beat is one of the best things that can happen to you,” she said. In the ensuing 15 games, the Silverwolves only scored less
RivertonJournal.com
than 10 runs twice. “It’s huge on my team to respond in that way, to get better from that loss and learn from it,” Elliott said. “I don’t think failure should be something you fear.” ‘It was one of those things you see in the movies’ Riverton entered the playoffs with the No. 1 seed in the 6A tournament, needing to win at least seven games in just over a week to clinch another state championship. The Silverwolves had played three of the other top five seeds six times in the regular season, going 5-1. They swept Herriman in the super regional before dispatching a pair of northern teams in Weber and Fremont (twice) to reach the title game, outscoring their opponents 53-0 in the process. The state title series against West, played at BYU’s Miller Field, saw the Silverwolves jump on the Panthers early with an 11-run second inning in Game 1 en route to a 14-0 victory, featuring big hits from Heitz, Woods and Korth. Game 2 saw the Silverwolves allow a run for the first time all tournament, but still showcased a dominant performance from Korth as the Silverwolves won 11-1. Korth finished with 10 strikeouts despite dealing with a blood blister for the final game. The senior normally pitches games quite frequently, but in high school where there are typically only two games in a week, her callus went soft. Transitioning back to pitching every day in the state tournament saw a cut form during the semifinal and her needing to glue it to stop the bleeding. The first game of the championship series it started to feel like a bruise, Korth said, before she woke up the day of Game 2 with the blood blister where it then burst open during the first inning. You wouldn’t know it from watching her remain a force on the mound, but she said it affected her rise ball, her best pitch. Combine that with the glue rubbing off from the stitching on the ball and her sweating so it doesn’t dry fast. “It was kind of like the worst scenario for it,” she said. But true to form, Korth said it was a learning experience, trusting both in her other pitches as well as her defense behind her. “They’re great behind me so I just kind of need to relax a little bit and let them do their job,” she said. Elliott said they had a conversation about possibly taking her out, pitchers were warming up in the bullpen just in case, but
Kaysen Korth was dominant from the mound in the championship series. Only allowing seven hits and one run across the two games.
there was no way Korth was exiting. “This is something she’s prepared for her whole life and she would chop her finger off if she had to, she was pitching that game,” Elliott said. Despite the issues, the Weber State commit only allowed four hits and one run across six innings. The final inning saw a three-run homer from Mayfield to make it 10-1, before the bases loaded up for Woods to single to right field in what would be her final at-bat. “My biggest focus was just ‘I gotta move the runner,’” Woods said of her thoughts at the plate. She rounded first, turned around and saw her team running for her. “It brought me to tears,” she said. Shaver said Woods had to hit the walk-off. “I was so happy, it made it so much more special that it was Chloe that was able to do it.” Elliott won a state title as a player with Spanish Fork, but said both after the game and later that winning as a coach is “way better.” Seeing the girls apply what the coaches taught them, then feel so much joy themselves is “the most rewarding feeling in the world,” she added. After the trophy presentation, the team and fans broke into an MVP chant for Korth, bringing the normally stoic senior to tears. “It was definitely surreal,” she said of the moment. “I felt like it was one of those things that you see in the movies.” The game also saw Riverton players wearing green and blue ribbons in their hair for fallen peers. Green for Riverton student Taegan Brown who died in May, and blue for a fellow softball player from Cache County who also died. ‘That opened my eyes a little bit’ This year’s squad featured four seniors, Korth, Shaver, Woods and O’Reilly, all of whom played pivotal parts. Korth, who plans to study exercise science and wants to be a college pitching coach, is everything Elliott wants in a Riverton softball player. Not just because of her talent and leadership, but Korth’s insatiable desire to soak up information in order to improve. The pitcher said her fear of plateauing prevents her from “even taking a week break. I can never do that I’m just so scared Continued page 8
July 2022 | Page 7
Continued from page 7 I’m going to lose all my pitches somehow.” But Korth is quick to credit Delgado, her first catcher when they started at 8 years old. That connection carried over the past decade, including the last three at Riverton. While most teams have wristbands and the coach calls pitches from the dugout, due to the already established bond and softball IQ between the two, Riverton does not. Elliott lets Korth and Delgado call the game. Elliott noted Delgado reads the game so well knowing how to adjust based on the batter’s stance or how the umpire is calling the game. To the point where she’ll go tell the leadoff hitter what strike zone is being called and what pitches to avoid. “To have high school kids pick up that next level stuff is pretty cool,” she said. Korth and Delgado’s connection runs so deep that sometimes they only use one number for the type of pitch based on the situation. “She’ll usually give me the sign and I already have the grip for it,” Korth said. “She’s like a sister to me, so it’s really, really nice to have her there.” Shaver, who plans on being a labor and delivery nurse, had a bounce back year, she said, as her offensive production featured eight home runs and a .481 batting average. Elliott calls her a “vacuum” at third base with her defense and said she had a “phenomenal year at the plate.” Shaver, along with Woods, will be playing softball next year at SLCC before hopefully transferring somewhere out of state. Woods who plans to go into the medical field for either nursing or physical therapy, had the walk-off hit and solid production from the 9-spot in the lineup as well as steady defense in right field. Elliott said her hitting “peaked right at the end” of the year. The secret sauce of the season might be O’Reilly. “Probably one of our most inspirational players,” Elliott said. “She is the glue that holds us all together.” The senior started at second her first two years in the program before a torn labrum ended up sidelining her the last two years. Despite not being able to throw or hit, she could pinch run, so O’Reilly came to every practice working on her baserunning. “A big thing we focused on was controlling the controllables and so that’s something I really tried to focus on was making the best of the situation and doing my part, because everyone has a part to play on the team,” said O’Reilly. “So I focused on supporting my team and doing all that I could, despite it looking a little different from everybody else.” Luckily baserunning is one of her favorite parts of the game. “It was really, really fun.” Being forced to watch from the dugout also afforded O’Reilly, who plans to study exercise science at BYU and be a physician’s assistant in orthopedics, a unique perspective. “Years down the road, people aren’t going to remember the plays you had or your bat-
Page 8 | July 2022
Riverton celebrates its state title, repeating as 6A champs.
Assistant coach Whitney Holm avoids the water bath from her players after the game.
ting average or how many errors you had, but they’re going to remember who you were as a person and how you made them feel,” she said. “They’re going to remember the work you put in. That was something that opened my eyes a little bit. That it’s OK I wasn’t playing. What’s most important is you’re uplifting others and you’re becoming better yourself.” ‘It just doesn’t feel real’ Whether it was playing backwards softball (throw and hit left handed), the final hugs or simply winning the state championship, there were hundreds of moments the coaches and players will remember from this season. But the dominance of this special season is still settling on everyone involved. Elliott was filling out forms for the UHSAA for records they’ve broken in early June. Going through the numbers of Mayfield’s RBIs and home runs or Korth’s strikeouts or team stolen bases, Elliott said it started to dawn on her.
“Reflecting on that it’s like holy cow, I knew we had something special, but then you really see it, all the records that you’re breaking,” she said. Woods imagines the program will do nothing but grow, mostly because of the person at the helm, coach Elliott. “I’d do another four years with her if I could, she’s an amazing coach.” Korth credits Elliott with the team’s relentless mentality this season. “I love my coaches more than anything and knowing I’m never going to be able to play for them again, kind of hurts,” she said. “I just feel really thankful,” Korth said, spreading the gratitude around to her teammates, coaches and family. “I couldn’t have really dreamed of a better senior season. It just doesn’t feel real…I feel such a love for Riverton High softball.” l
Riverton City Journal
Board of Education Update Congratulations to the Class of 2022
2022 District Teacher of the Year
She has worked tirelessly with kindness and compassion, educating students in Jordan School District for 30 years. Congratulations to South Jordan Middle School’s Kim Player, the 2022 Jordan School District Teacher of the Year.
This year more than 4,000 Jordan School District students graduated from our high schools and those graduates earned more than $41 million in scholarships. Way to go, graduates!
Significant Teacher Pay Increases The Board of Education has consistently increased teacher pay. The starting salary for a teacher in the District is now $53,080, which is competitive with surrounding districts.
$40,000
$48,000
$48,625
2019-20
2020-21
$50,500
$53,080
$42,800
$34,339 2016-17
Did You Know Our Board Local Levy is the Third Lowest in the State?
Of the 41 school districts in Utah, Jordan School District has the third lowest Board Local Levy. Only Wayne and Piute school districts are lower. Uintah Carbon Millard Granite Davis Salt Lake State Average Canyons Murray
2017-18
2018-19
2021-22
2022-23
Truth in Taxation The Jordan School District Board of Education will hold a Truth in Taxation hearing to consider increasing taxes so we can continue to increase teacher and staff salaries and support their hard work and dedication to student achievement. Maintaining competitive teacher pay and supports for teachers is a priority.
Alpine Jordan Wayne Piute 0.000000
0.001000
0.002000
0.003000
The Board will take public comment on Truth in Taxation on Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. at Riverton High School. For more info, go to jordandistrict.org/financialfacts
For the latest news & information please visit us at jordandistrict.org or find us on RivertonJournal.com
July 2022 | Page 9
Unified track offers athletes of all abilities chance to compete By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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n late spring, high school athletes from across Utah met to compete at the Utah High School Activities Association-sanctioned unified track meet. About 25 teams were there to compete, which is up from 15 teams in previous years, with some traveling to Copper Hills High from as far away as Cedar City, to take to the track, according to Courtnie Worthen, Unified Champion Schools manager with Special Olympics Utah, who helped coordinate the event. Bingham High’s coach Braxton Thornley said it was a great experience and competition. “I saw teams here that I haven’t seen before, so it was good to have more athletes and their partners,” he said. “It’s fun for my athletes to talk and compete with other athletes on other teams.” Thornley had three athletes in the 100-yard and 200-yard dashes and long jump. Then, the athletes partnered with peers in the 4x100 relay, in which the Miners won their heat. They had their studentbody officers supporting them from the sidelines, waving a huge
Bingham flag. Coach Alexis Brown, of Riverton High, had 16 athletes and 12 partners “work their hearts out” at practices held every other day. They competed in three of Riverton’s track team's home meets before the state meet. Decked in their athletic warmup shirts provided by U First Credit Union, her athletes warmed up for their events in the 100, 200, 400, and 4x100 relay on the track, and long jump and shot put in the field events. “It’s a fun opportunity for our students every year, and this year, everyone has had a buddy, so they were able to make sure they got to the right spot at the right time and could cheer each other on or run alongside them,” she said. “This is a great way to be inclusive and unify our school.” l
Riverton High unified track team relaxes during the state unified track meet. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
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Riverton City Journal
What the West General Plan means for you By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com
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n May, the Salt Lake County Council stamped approval on a nearly 200 page West General Plan that took over 125 meetings across four years to create. The plan covers an area on the west side of the valley that is in unincorporated Salt Lake County, which means the land is not part of any existing city. In fact, most of the land is privately owned by residents and businesses, the largest being Rio Tinto. Property owners have the first say in what happens on their land. So what’s the point of the plan if the county can’t develop the area on their own? “A general plan is mandated by the state,” Jordan Carroll said, communications manager in the office of regional development. “There wasn’t one before. This was very much needed. It had been attempted in the past but never completed or passed.” A general plan is just what it sounds like. A foundation for future development to build on. “General plans…are very broad and visionary,” Carroll said. “We can really look at preservation and development and transportation and conservation and recreation and trails on a regional level.” To use trails as an example, if there is
RivertonJournal.com
a high level idea, then perhaps there could be a connecting pathway across many cities, like the Jordan River trail. Development decisions would be made with plans that would benefit multiple cities at once. If a property owner wants to do something different with their land than what it has now, they will need to approach the County Planning Commission and Council for input and approval. This is when the plan comes into play. “Developers or land-owners don’t necessarily have to look at the plan,” Carroll said. “[But], the planning commission and County Council is going to refer to this and it would heavily impact their decisions.” The plan is not something that will come into play very soon. “This is set out [to influence the next] 30+ years at this point,” Carroll said. No development will take place until landowners decide to do something. Rio Tinto will finish their mining before they make any changes. The goals of the plan include conservation of water and environment, transportation, land use and housing preferences, parks and trails, economic growth, utilities to power the growth and public safety. These goals include:
There is a lot of land on the west side of the Salt Lake valley that the County Council is working to have developed wisely. (Photo courtesy Salt Lake County)
Use water and energy conservation tools Protect the Great Salt Lake ecosystem Avoid ‘leapfrog development’ (using space wisely) Incorporate town centers Allow accessory dwelling units Mix in affordable housing and build more ‘middle-housing’ as well as traditional single-family homes Build connecting roads to established
major highways, like I-215, Bangerter Highway, etc. Connect cities with trails and bicycle lanes Incorporate public transportation Plan events and programs to attract people to new spaces The full plan can be viewed at slco.org/ west-plan. l
July 2022 | Page 11
Riverton outpatient facility graduates four individuals to life-long recovery By Dylan Wilcox | d.wilcox@mycityjournals.com
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n 2010 Dr. Joseph White started the Foundation for Family Life, an outpatient treatment facility in Riverton for individuals suffering from things ranging all the way from substance and alcohol addiction to issues experienced in marriage and family relationships. Since its founding 12 years ago, the Foundation has provided support and life coaching for dozens of individuals and their families. On May 27, four individuals graduated from the 6-month program. Will Toon, Josh Anderson, Sateki Lao and Joseph Villalobos each were presented a plaque indicating their completion of the Foundation’s Redwood Recovery program, which aims to help participants to set a life of complete and total sobriety. White acknowledged that this program is not for everyone, but he attested to the effectiveness of it. “The Foundation for Family Life has developed two programs specifically for those with substance abuse challenges transitioning from incarceration. These programs are designed to equip those who want to change with the tools and resources necessary to make sustainable, lasting change. We never push; we only invite. In fact, clients often come back if they aren’t ready the first time around,” White said. White says that their approach is individual-focused, meaning that they will work on helping each person with their own unique struggles and circumstances. “The overarching goal from the creation of these programs has been to provide the most effective tools, resources and environments in which successful recovery can happen,” he added. The Foundation’s purpose, as written in its framework, is “to help families and individuals learn, practice, and commit to health communication, effective parenting, enriched relationship skills and lasting recovery.” And its mission is “to empower individuals and families to improve their lives through quality programs and services.” Will Toon, one of the program’s graduates, said he is grateful for being able to complete the program. Toon experienced bouts with addiction and run-ins with law enforcement which created an untenable life for both himself and his family. After living in New Hampshire, he decided to relocate to Utah to get away from the rebellious lifestyle he decided to leave behind. “I never thought I would complete this program, I never thought I would be sober,” Toon said. “I was able to turn it all around through this program. I was able to find a job, put time in a company, and stop drinking. I recommend this program to people who are serious about recovering,” he added. Jennifer Toon, Will’s mother, said it was very difficult to deal with Will’s struggle with alcoholism and encounters with police. She said she didn’t play a specific role in Will’s recovery but knew that she had to
Page 12 | July 2022
The overarching goal from the creation of these programs has been to provide the most effective tools, resources and environments in which successful recovery can happen. Dr. Joseph White continue to support him through his journey, no matter how difficult that journey would be. “I had to set my boundaries, but luckily all the growth has been for the positive,” she said. The Toons unfortunately lost a daughter to addiction but believe that this program helped to save their son. “Will lost a sister who died when she was 25. We all have those addictive behaviors that we have suffered from, but I am so proud of Will, and I hope he’ll continue to stick to [his recovery],” Jennifer Toon said. Will’s older sister, Aubrey, was deeply moved when Will got up to speak in front of the room packed with people about his recovery. “I am just really proud of you, Will,” Aubrey said. “It was a lot of stress on our family for a lot of years. You came out determined to be different and to change and you really, really have,” she added. Aubrey’s relationship with Will has changed for the positive, even saying their ability to communicate together has improved. Will’s father, Bill Toon, echoed his family’s sentiments about Will’s recovery. Bill said it was very difficult to deal with the challenges their family experienced, having experienced a couple family members passing away, namely Bill’s father and his daughter. The struggles that Will had compounded to an even more difficult time period for their family. “Those were unbearable years, Will was in and out of jail, in and out of lawyers,” Bill said. “I lost my father, I lost my daughter, and Will was in and out of prison. It gets to a point where you say, ‘You can’t do it all, you’ve got to do this on your own.’ This is the first time that I’ve heard Will have self-reflection that this is his issue, not everybody else’s. I’m very proud of him that he’s taken ownership,” Bill added. Alec Beaulieu, Will’s friend and mentor, flew out from Portland, Maine to celebrate Will’s sobriety milestone with him in person. Alec and Will lived together as roommates in New Hampshire. “The Will today
Graduates of the Family Foundation program pose with Dr. Joseph White. (Dylan Wilcox/City Journals)
is totally different from the Will I knew six years ago,” Beaulieu said. “Back in the day, Will would fall apart at the drop of a hat. He would be very angry, but today he’s much calmer and more rational,” he said. Beaulieu said their friendship was rocky because of Will’s argumentative attitude. “Will is calmer, he’s a calm person now. We used to argue a lot back in the day, but now it’s different,” Beaulieu said. Bill joked that their friendship sounds like “a working marriage” now. Josh Anderson began his program in August 2021 and nearly 8 months later, he successfully completed the program. Anderson learned about the Foundation’s program through a probation officer. He said this program was different, having been through a couple other addiction interventions in the past. “I’ve been through four or five different programs I just couldn’t graduate,” Anderson said. He said that the other programs were difficult to get past after 60 days from a combination of the strictness of the plan and his own decisions. After deliberating his options with his probation officer, the officer suggested Anderson undergo the Foundation for Family Life’s program. “[The Foundation] is willing to work with you. Other programs have a two-strike rule. This program will work with you. If you relapse, they’ll work with you. They’ll take you to an inpatient detox as long as you want to do it. That’s the biggest difference I would say,” Anderson added. He said that White’s team was “very supportive” of everyone in the program. He cited the team’s welcoming camaraderie and understanding
point of view, given that some members of the Foundation’s team have experienced being in prison. Ray Flitton, a current participant in the Foundation’s program, says the program has been a positive experience thus far. Flitton has been in the process for two months, even becoming a House Lead to “keep an eye on things, make sure there’s no problems” at the facility. “This has been a blessing,” Flitton said. “They do focus on the subject of families. And as men, we sometime lose our way, but [the program] gives us the tools to lead a healthy and fulfilling life again,” he said. Flitton said this program has helped him immensely, based on his experience with two other programs before. He cites the Foundation’s mentorship and ability to help participants without being overbearing in the process. Flitton dealt with homelessness as a result of his alcoholism, but finding his way back through the program has been a lifesaver for him and his family. Flitton, a diesel mechanic who worked on heavy machinery, said his wife and kids have been supportive throughout his time with the Foundation. He has viewed the program as a new lease on life and is strongly considering becoming a mentor to help others in a similar situation as he was in. “I just really admire what they’re doing and we need more people to do this, the need is there,” he said. For more information about the Foundation’s work, visit https://rr.fflut.org/ l
Riverton City Journal
Mountain Ridge girls lacrosse wins state championship By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com
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he Mountain Ridge girls lacrosse team was on a mission this season. After a disappointing loss as a 2-seed in the second round of last year’s playoffs, the Sentinels came into this year like they had something to prove. Once again, Mountain Ridge was a dominant force during the regular season. In 12 of the team’s 18 wins during the season, the Sentinels had a margin of victory of at least 10 goals. And many of them were more lopsided than that. In one threegame stretch in the middle of the season, they outscored their opponents by a combined score of 69-3. The only blemishes on the Sentinels’ season was a 12-9 loss to Skyridge and a loss to 5A powerhouse Park City. The Skyridge loss was early in the season, when many of the team’s younger players were still learning the team’s unique system. For the rest of the season, head coach Angie Brescia hoped for a chance at a rematch. “We play a different kind of defense than most teams do, so early in the season when we had a lot of freshmen playing on defense, they were still learning it. So we weren’t prepared early in the season to face them. You can ask anyone I’ve spoken to, but I’ve been wanting a rematch with them because I knew we could do better,” she said. That potential rematch seemed almost inevitable as both teams headed into the playoffs. Skyridge secured the No. 1 seed, with their only loss of the season coming against Park City. Mountain Ridge once again was the number two seed, just like last year. After a very similar regular season, and even ending up with the same seeding as last year, the Sentinels may have felt like they were having deja vu. But Brescia said a big focus for the team this year was their mentality: not getting in their heads and taking things one game at a time. And that’s what they did, as they steamrolled their way to the championship game, winning three playoff games by a combined score of 51-15. Skyridge held up its end of the deal in securing a rematch in the state championship game in equally impressive fashion, winning their playoff games by a combined score of 54-16. And so the stage was set for two juggernauts to face off at Zions Bank Stadium (just down the road from Mountain Ridge High School). The home-field advantage was apparent for the Sentinels, who were backed by a sizable crowd of supporters. Mountain Ridge took an early lead as they scored the first few goals. But Skyridge responded with a few goals of their own. Each time the Sentinels built a lead
RivertonJournal.com
Junior Aubrie Shaw looks for an opening against the Skyridge defense in the state championship game. (Justin Adams/City Journals)
The future looks bright for Mountain Ridge lacrosse, as Emmery Clark led the team in assists and was second in goals scored as a sophomore. (Justin Adams/City Journals)
of a few goals and looked like maybe they could blow the game open, the Falcons answered back with a few of their own. But Mountain Ridge never gave up the lead and eventually walked away with an 11-9 victory. “I’m happy to have faced them in the championship. They did an exceptional job, making sure we fought all the way until the end to get this win, which just makes it feel all that much bigger,” Brescia said. As the Falcons tried to make a comeback in the final minutes of the game, Sentinel goalkeeper Bekah Bargeron had to make a number of saves. Asked who was the game’s MVP, Brescia pointed to Bargeron. “It’s really hard because I feel like they all stepped up in their own way, but honestly I’d give it to Bekah, because I feel like Skyridge had a huge percentage of the possession and got a lot of shots off on her, but she was stopping them for us,” Brescia said. “That means everything,” Bargeron said. “Last year was really hard. I had a really tough time with my former team, and I had to switch schools. This team was so welcoming and so nice. I’ve worked so hard, and a lot of it has been for them. It’s amazing that I could do that for them.” “It just makes you proud,” Brescia said about the team’s state championship victory. “You can only do so much and teach so much. They have to be the ones to want it and to bring it out on the field. It’s an honor to be their coach and I’m just super proud to be here with them.” l The Sentinels hoist the state championship trophy. (Justin Adams/City Journals)
July 2022 | Page 13
‘You couldn’t write it any better,’ Riverton baseball captures historic state title By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com | Photos by Pat McDonald
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artway through Riverton’s historic boys baseball season, the team gathered to hear an object lesson from their coaches and a sports psychologist. The squad had to put a puzzle together that, once completed, spelled out 6A state champions. The message was simple: everybody contributes no matter how large or small your piece of the puzzle may be because everyone is necessary to complete the picture, whether you’re hitting home runs or getting water in the dugout. “It was awesome,” senior captain Parker Goff recalled. “It was very accurate to what it's actually like to play a team sport.” Various puzzle pieces came together to create not just this team, but a memorable season for the Silverwolves. One that ended with the program’s first ever state championship. “All the adversity we faced and then to still do what we did,” Goff said. “It was awesome to be part of this team, I couldn't be more thankful for these guys.” Lead off: Injuries Entering the year players and coaches knew they had a potentially special season on their hands. Head coach Jay Applegate described the team as “probably one of the deepest and most talented teams” he’s had. Senior captain Sam Beck said they had a “special feeling that this was our year.” But then adversity hit. Again and again. The first wrench in the plan came last summer when Beck hurt his elbow pitching at a prospect camp in August. On the day he hit 90 mph for the first time, but he hurt his arm in the process leading him to need full Tommy John surgery in October. October also saw their starting leftfielder from a year ago, senior Josh Jacobson, tear his ACL during the last football game of the year. “That was devastating for all of us,” Beck said. Beck, who is committed to BYU and is maybe the best pitcher on the staff, was told he’d only be able to hit for the season. “I was like, ‘you gotta be freaking kidding me,’” he said. So the senior immersed himself in physical therapy and with each passing checkup, his timeline advanced. He could play infield by playoffs, then could play by the middle of the season. Then, a week before the season started, he was cleared to play. Beck couldn’t pitch, but he could play infield. By the final week of the season, Beck said his arm was “the best it’s ever felt.” No example might be better than Game 2 in the championship series when he was at shortstop and fielded a grounder moving to his right, away from first base, and on the run, threw out the runner at first. “He worked his butt off in rehab,” Applegate said. “Doctors were amazed and he was obviously a vital piece of the puzzle for us.” But injuries kept coming, which included another Tommy John surgery and two fractured shoulders, one of whom was perhaps the other best pitcher on staff, Zach Edwards. The sophomore, known as “Eddie,” hurt his throwing shoulder on the last game of preseason against American Fork. He missed all of region and was only able to hit in the playoffs, meaning Riverton played all of region without its two best pitchers. Beck himself had to overcome another injury just a week before the playoffs. In a unique accident, he fell on a chair with the leg puncturing his stomach. He had to stay in the hospital overnight for observation where the doctors told him it missed his colon by millimeters. Injuries weren’t limited to just the players either. Applegate, whose had three knee replacements in his left leg, broke his femur in the same leg during tryouts week at the beginning of March. “It didn’t break the skin, but it was sticking out,” he
Page 14 | July 2022
The Riverton High baseball team won the 6A state championship, its first in program history.
The team celebrates Sam Beck’s triple play during the clinching championship game.
said.
Applegate couldn’t put any weight on his leg for six weeks, he was able to watch games from a wheelchair in the gallery but couldn’t return to the dugout until the middle of April. The players and remaining coaches, spearheaded by assistant Curtis Wilson, adopted a saying that brought the group the closer: Play for Jay. They made posters in honor of Applegate, placing them in the dugout until he returned. “That was pretty touching to me,” Applegate said. Most teams say next man up, but Riverton had to live it. “Just all year we had dudes step up constantly whether it was coaches or players and doing what they had to do to get the job done,” Goff said. It proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Silverwolves. “We felt that if we could get some of the young guys some experience early on, it’s going to pay dividends at the end of the year,” Applegate said. That proved prophetic as sophomores Dylan Zullo, Carson Moody, Cooper Hansen and Kaden Allred were among the underclassmen with clutch moments in the postseason. On deck: Chemistry While they had the talent to overcome injuries here and there, Goff said it was their relationship as a team that allowed them to execute the next man up philosophy. “Sharing the field with your best friends makes it easy to relax and enjoy the moment,” he said. “So just our overall team bond had a huge effect in how people stepped up, along with how talented we were.” Applegate said it helped having seniors who were “some of the best character kids around.” “They’re close, they’re playing for each other, they love the game,” Applegate said. “The chemistry of a team plays a huge role in also the success of the team.”
Senior Kaden Miller gestures to the bench after his double during a masterful Game 2 performance from the plate.
The team set a goal of five positive affirmations a day where you give someone a high-five or tell them they did a great job. The daily goal wove the positivity into the fabric of their season. “That helped us a lot too because it was such a good environment on and off the field,” Goff said. Off the field was where the team chemistry was forged. It may have started in the weight room where the team did 5:30 a.m. workouts during the winter. Guys grew stronger individually, collectively, and Goff added the challenges showed them their potential. “I think that opened our eyes to how good we can be and what we can push through,” he said. “That program was hard, and now we know we can do hard things and get through hard
Riverton City Journal
stuff as long as we stay together.” Groups were often mixed to allow different bonds to form and attendance was constant whether a player was injured or not. “Every single person was there every single morning,” Beck said. Whether it was going out to eat together, playing video games in the clubhouse, or traveling to a St. George tournament where they ate pies and swapped scary stories in the hot tub, they were all just “best friends.” “All year I feel like our team chemistry was just unmatched,” Beck said. Though Beck and Goff were the only designated captains, both said the nine seniors were crucial in leading the team including Jacobson, Owen Olsen, Braden Nelson, Kaden Miller, Mitch Applegate, Mack Bright and Tyler Barton. “Kaden Miller was one of those dudes that's a natural leader and he's super vocal so he's good at talking to the team, knows exactly what to say,” Goff said. “The whole senior class is a bunch of good leaders that are going to do great things.” In the hole: Accepting your role One aspect that perhaps impressed Applegate the most about this year’s squad was its focus on the bigger picture. Using the puzzle as an analogy drove home the point with players, but constantly reminding them that each player has a role to fill whether they play or not was instrumental. Goff said even upperclassmen who weren’t playing would not only cheer their teammates but also looked for tips to share during games with those playing over them. “It really came down to caring about each other and doing it for the guy next to you, other than doing it for yourself,” he said. Applegate’s son Mitch was the starting second baseman this season, who finished with a 96% fielding percentage and recorded 12 assists in the championship series. But when Edwards returned from his injury, Applegate decided to take his son out of the batting lineup and replace him with the sophomore. Mitch hits singles, but Edwards could get them “doubles, triples, home runs.” Mitch’s response: “I don’t care as long as we win.” “The whole senior group is willing to do anything to win,” the head coach said. “It’s a hallmark of this team, they don’t care who gets the credit. They’re willing to do anything to win that state title. I was just so proud of him.” Applegate added it was a “testament to how these kids were raised.” “Parents were phenomenal this year, some players sit and then there’s anger, but everyone had their eye to the big goal,” he said. Hitting cleanup: It all comes together Between the selflessness, the talent, the chemistry and now experience up and down the roster, the Silverwolves put together a special year. The team went 7-2 in preseason stringing together some impressive wins. Then went 11-4 in Region 3, hovering around the top seed for the playoffs, but finished 1-2 against Bingham in the series finale to finish runner up in region. After beating its region rival 6-0 in Game 1, Riverton dropped the second game in extras 5-3, before a wild Game 3 saw the teams combine for 30 runs and 17-13 win for the Miners. But the team chose to “focus on the bigger trophy.” “It was good to have a little adversity before we got to the playoffs,” Beck said. “Just so we're not tearing it up all year and not be ready to then get upset in the playoffs.” That upset still almost came in the super regional. The three-game series against Layton saw Riverton smoke the first game winning 13-3. But Layton responded with a 6-3 win the next day, followed by an early 5-1 lead in Game 3. The Silverwolves battled back to a 7-6 deficit. They were
RivertonJournal.com
Mitch Applegate and Mack Bright look to catch a fly ball in short right field. The two were part of a nine-member senior class.
down to their last strike when they knocked in the tying run. “It was like we got revived, so much life came back into us,” Goff said. “Once we got that hit to tie it, we weren't going to lose that game.” They walked it off the very next inning. “That whole game we were like we just need to focus on our roles and whatever happens, happens,” Beck said. Goff said they viewed everything after that game as “a gift.” “We felt like we gotta treat everything like a gift, that's what pushed us into the state tournament and why we played so well,” he said. Riverton then threw three straight complete games to defeat Taylorsville, Bingham and Pleasant Grove from Braden Nelson, Cooper Hansen and Remington Robins. “Robins stepped up big time as our day three starter,” Applegate said. “He had a heck of a game against PG in the state tournament, best I’ve ever seen him throw. When those kids got on the big stage they were ready, they did a great job.” Applegate’s players were ready in part due to his preparation. Beck noted the coaching staff started giving them scouting reports during region that were spot on, putting them in “perfect positions” defensively. The Silverwolves arrived to the championship series against defending state champs American Fork (who also won the 2020 Covid-inspired Last Chance Tournament defeating Riverton in the championship game). A tight game saw Riverton load the bases down 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to capitalize. Riverton had a runner controversially called out at home on a squeeze bunt that would have tied the game. Pretty much everyone associated with Riverton thought the runner was safe and Beck admitted they were upset on the bus ride home that night, but collectively decided to control what they could. Applegate said it was a great life lesson for the kids, perhaps prepared by the adversity faced all season long, to “reset when things happen to you and just keep moving forward.” Reset might undersell what happened the next day. Sparked by an eight-run second inning to changed the momentum, the Silverwolves cruised to an 18-8 victory in Game 2
Sophomore Zach Edwards hits a grand slam as part of Riverton’s magical day.
highlighted by Kaden Miller’s five-hit, seven-RBI game. Of those 18 runs, 17 were scored with two outs. “Everyone was hitting, everyone was executing. There were just so many little things in that game that helped out,” Beck said. “I think we really saw the true, true potential of our team,” Goff said. Riverton kept the momentum rolling in Game 3 as they took a commanding 6-0 lead featuring a grand slam from Edwards and a triple-play by Beck. “To see both of those caliber of plays in one game was absolutely unreal,” Goff said. “To actually see a triple play in real life…Once that happened, I was like ‘we're not losing this game.’” The Silverwolves held off American Fork to win 8-3, capturing its first state title in program history, setting off a delirium of celebrations. “It was freaking awesome,” Beck said. For Goff, it was incredible to “see everything come together.” “It's hard to describe what an amazing feeling it was be on the field with all my buddies playing our best baseball in the state championship series against a really good AF team, it was just crazy.” The team was treated to a police escort on the way back to the school where a pizza party was thrown in its honor. For Applegate, who is the only head coach Riverton baseball has ever known, who came close in the 2018 championship series, he’s “just grateful to be a part of it.” “With AF being so good and dominant, to lose the first one and win the next two, you couldn’t write it any better,” he said. It is perhaps made more special that baseball capped a successful year for Riverton athletics, with girls soccer and softball also capturing state titles. “That is freaking cool,” Applegate said. Even a week later, Beck said winning still “felt like a freaking dream.” A sense of gratitude was settling in for Goff. “I’m thankful to be a part of such an amazing group of dudes that would do anything for me and I'd do anything for them,” he said. “No other team, school, program I'd rather be a part of than Riverton. I’m just so thankful to have the opportunity to make history with such a great group of dudes.”l
July 2022 | Page 15
MARK YOUR CALENDAR CINEMARK RIVERTON AND COMING SOON TO MOUNTAIN VIEW VILLAGE Our brand-new theatre opens in July, featuring a wall-to-wall XD screen, heated Luxury Lounger seats, and all your favorite concessions.
NOW SUMMER OPEN2022NOWSUMMER OPEN 2022 NOW OPEN SUMMERNOW 2022 OPEN SUMMER NOW OPEN 2022 Page 16 | July 2022
Riverton City Journal
July 2022
RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Park Updates and New Park Plans By Mayor Trent Staggs Riverton is home to 33 city parks and over 470 acres of city-owned public green space. Over the course of the last year and half, we’ve seen some exciting updates take place at some of our parks that I wanted to make you aware of. The most exciting update has taken place at Riverton City Park. We’ve added an additional four pickleball courts to the park, bringing the total number of courts at the park to eight. These additional courts will allow more residents to enjoy the game of pickleball on a more regular basis. This
A new 10-acre park will be built in the Edge Homes development adjacent to the Welby Jacobs Canal, south of 13400 S.
expansion will allow us to host more pickleball tournaments moving forward. The addition of these courts necessitated that the sand volleyball court be moved. It has been relocated just to the south of the tennis courts. New playground equipment has been installed, or is being installed, this year at the following parks: Monarch Meadows Park, Morning Cloak Park and Peggy Green Park. These are in addition to new playgrounds that were installed in 2021 at Autumn Hills Park, Oquirrh Park and Swensen Farms Park. The splash pad at Old Farm Park was also updated in 2021. We strive to include funding for playground replacements for three or four parks each year. Looking to the future, Riverton will be home to two brand new parks within the next couple years on the west side of town. The first will
A new 16-acre park will be built at the northwest intersection of Old Liberty Way (4050 W) and Majestic Rise Parkway (13200 S).
RIVERTON REVIEW | JULY 2022
Four newly completed pickleball courts at Riverton City park brings the park total to eight.
The Riverton City Parks, be located in the Edge Homes Recreation and Trails Committee development adjacent to the Welby will be actively reviewing ideas Jacobs Canal, south of 13400 S for park design and amenities to and just north of 13800 S. This recommend to the will be a 10-acre Riverton City Council. park and will adjoin The addition of these a public park in “If you have ideas new parks is an Herriman being built on what you’d like exciting opportunity for to the south of 13800 to see at these the city, and we want to S. The second new make sure we get them park will be located parks, please feel right. If you have ideas at the northwest free to reach out on what you’d like to intersection of Old to me or your see at these parks, Liberty Way (4050 councilmember.” please feel free to W) and Majestic Rise reach out to me or your Parkway (13200 councilmember. S). This park will be 16-acres in size and will be I invite you and your family to take considered a regional park. a moment this summer to explore the parks you haven’t been to The city and developers are still in in Riverton. You can find a full the early stages of planning these listing of parks and amenities at parks, but we hope they will add rivertonutah.gov/parks. incredible value to the community.
PAGE 1
COUNCIL MESSAGE
Building on the Legacy of the Past 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 HALL 801-254-0704
By Councilmember Troy McDougal
this time to thank those past and present who have and are serving our country. Thank you for your service!
July is a wonderful month to pause and take The second celebration is stock in what held on July 24 to comhas brought us memorate the men and to where we women who at great sacriare today. We celebrate two mafice journeyed to Utah and jor events that have benefited the established what would residents of Riverton City. The first later be the 45th state in is the remembrance of our national the Union. Their sacrifice independence on July 4. Men and was not one journey, but women, years ago, made not just the sacrifice of a lifetime, one sacrifice, and of but multiple many sacrifices, over through“We should each reach a long period of out the out to our neighbors and years, to time, to allow friends to work toward us to enjoy the establish July is a great month to reflect on our heritage and those freedoms we a place who came before us to make our community great. common goals rather have today. that we call than focus on that which Regardless of home, a example of those from the past. We divides us.” political affiliaplace that we raise should each reach out to our neightions or cultural our families, find bors and friends to work toward differences, they new friends: a town common goals rather than focus united their best efforts to establish like Riverton where we give our best on that which divides us. I believe a land of liberty. Throughout the effort to come together and develop we can unite to continue to build on years, men and women have again a place we love to live! the legacy of the past so that those united to defend those freedoms, in the future might enjoy what we and it is appropriate that we take I challenge us all to follow the have.
UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday, July 19 & August 2, 7 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS Thursday, July 14 & August 11, 6:30 p.m
FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov www.rivertonutah.gov PAGE 2
Weekly Lawn Watering Guide
The Utah Division of Water Resources publishes a weekly guide for how often lawn should be watered, based on weather conditions that week. Riverton residents are encouraged to follow the lawn watering guide on a weekly basis. conservewater.utah.gov/weekly-lawn-watering-guide
RIVERTON REVIEW | JULY 2022
PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE
Why Fire Training is Important By Chief Wade Watkins The environment in which we are fighting fire has changed and continues to change all the time. In the late 1970s, there were 1.8 traumatic deaths per 100,000 fires compared to three deaths per 100,000 fires in the late 2000s, while the number of fires has actually decreased by 53% in the same time. What has contributed to this change? Older homes (pre-1950) were built with dimensional lumber and wooden structural members. By dimensional lumber, I mean a 2x4 actually measured 2” by 4”. Currently, 2x4s measure much smaller. We also use much more engineered lumber constructed with glues and hydrocarbons today which burn hotter and faster than traditional lumber. Additionally, the “fire load” or home furnishings have also changed. Old-
er furniture, flooring and walls were made with natural materials like wood and cotton. Presently, furnishings are made with many more synthetic materials and plastics.
4
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Today’s homes are larger than ever before, which does a few things. This additional space not only provides more oxygen for a fire to burn, but also today’s Modern technology helps firefighters see potential dangers. open concept floorplans have less walls in residential buildings but also comand rooms to confine a fire to one mercial and industrial buildings. area. Larger homes also increase the time it takes us to advance a One of my mentors once told me hose to where we can hit a fire with our hose stream of water. that a good firefighter never stops learning. I have always taken that to heart. As firefighters, learning I have been a firefighter for 20 years, and the way we fight fire now and adapting to the changing risks to our communities while improving is even drastically different from our response is key to doing our job when I started. We continually train effectively. on new construction trends not only
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Protect Our Waterways: Cleanup Firework Debris Did you know that firework debris can be a major pollutant for our streams and rivers? As you celebrate Independence Day and Pioneer Day in July, remember to sweep firework debris from roads, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways. We recommend placing debris from fireworks in a bucket of water before disposal.
RIVERTON REVIEW | JULY 2022
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PAGE 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
RIVERTON REVIEW
• FOOD TRUCKS • CONCERTS • VENDORS • MOVIES •
FRIDAY FUN NIGHTS IN RIVERTON Friday Fun Nights in Riverton are a blast! With several events all happening at beautiful Riverton City Park, bring the family for a casual night out. Food trucks, summer market vendors and games are open from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Entertainment normally begins at 7 p.m. The outdoor movie begins at dusk. There are also three playgrounds and a splash pad at the park. Come for a FUN night out! When: Friday Nights, July 29 - August 26, 2022 Times: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S, Riverton Utah 84065
July 29 - August 26 Movies In The Park
July 29 American Underdog
Entertainment Schedule July 29
5:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Andrea Sharp Joshua Creek
August 5
5:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Miss Margene’s Creative Generation Red Light Challenge
5:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Li’l Feathers Title VI Southern Punch
August 12
August 5 Encanto
August 19 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. August 26 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
August 12 Clifford the Big Red Dog
August 19 Boss Baby 2
Miss Riverton Lily Snow & Friends CityJazz Big Band Kaleb Austin Cold Creek Bluegrass Band Featuring Blaine Nelson
August 26 Peter Rabbit 2
Riverton Public Safety Night Wednesday, August 3, 6-8 p.m. | Riverton City Park
Bring the family and come learn more about the Riverton Police Department and Unified Fire Authority. There will be activities, demonstrations, and lots of fun! Free and open to all. PAGE 4
RIVERTON REVIEW | JULY 2022
Paper gets put in its place
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By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
n order to be good stewards of the environment, students at St. Andrew Catholic School have been participating in a green initiative this year. “What was happening was a lot of paper was just getting thrown out rather than getting to the recycling bin,” Principal Erin Carrabba said. “So the function of what they did this year was making sure that all of the paper that would otherwise go into the garbage was getting put in the recycling.” Students involved in the National Junior Honors Society developed a recycling program for the school, placing large paper recycling bins in classrooms and workrooms. Each week, they collected the bins and deposited the paper into an outdoor collection bin to be picked up by the city’s recycling truck and delivered to a recycling center. The project has been successful. “We estimate that the green initiative has recycled over 15,000 pounds of paper, which is making a difference,” Carrabba said. NJHS members said the success of the initiative has been because it addressed a school-wide problem and it involved more than just the twelve members of NJHS. “It was something the whole school could help with,” said Emma, an NJHS
member. NJHS students were responsible for emptying the bins, and they made sure to educate the other students and the faculty members about their responsibility to use them. Bubba, another NJHS member, said when younger students see them collect the recycling bins, it is a reminder that the bins are there and that they should put their used paper into the bins instead of the garbage. He said they are also setting an example for younger students. “They’ll see us picking up the bin, and having them see us take it out shows them, ‘look, they’re recycling, we should also try to do that,'” Bubba said. “So it doesn’t only help the environment around here, they might do that at their house.” NJHS members said the initiative has already made an impact on their choices, inside and outside the school. They said they are more environmentally aware, looking for a recycling bin while at a friend’s house and remembering to turn off lights at home when they leave the room. NJHS students plan to expand the initiative into the coming school year and to focus more on education, teaching students strategies for reducing, reusing and recycling.
Three fabulous music groups in YOUR community. COME JOIN US!!
Members of NJHS collect paper waste for the recycling program they initiated this school year. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
“They will create activities so that older students can mentor younger students in making conscious decisions about these things,” said NJHS Adviser Mary Carlson, who believes that being good stewards of the environment is part of the students’ Christian identity. Assistant Principal Vicky Simpson also helps support the program, which will continue to expand each year. “This is just the first phase of our initiatives,” Carlson said. “This first year was about recycling, the first, easiest step.” The
students hope to build onto the initiative each year, addressing food waste and ultimately, building a greenhouse on campus to cultivate and sell plants. Carlson said the NJHS students are learning how to make their vision and goal a reality by breaking the process down into manageable steps. “Sometimes we have a billion ideas, but we can only start with one little step,” she said. “So we start with the first step and we do it well.” l
Fabulous Music Groups
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Singing a broad range of styes including ACappella & tight harmonies Contact Deb Veater • (801) 631-3200 deb.veater@gmail.com
New startup! Meets Mondays 12:30-2:30pm Auditions in September FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT SOJOCHORALARTS.ORG Over 50 performances per year, summers off Men & Women’s voices, small group Contact Patty Anderson OR EMAIL US AT SOJOCHORALARTS@GMAIL.COM (801) 243-6736 anysrocks@comcast.net
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Call 801-915-0123 to make an appointment
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Riverton City Journal
Rio Tinto Kennecott visitor experience reopens after two-year closure By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com
T
hose looking for an educational outing during the summer, need only take a drive up the mountain. On Friday, May 20, the visitor center at the Bingham Canyon mine opened once again to the public after being closed the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Founded in 1903, the mine is the largest human-made, open pit mine in the world and prior to the pandemic saw approximately 45,000 visitors a year. The visitor experience offers education about the history of the mine and the process of turning ore into copper, a material found in such products as smart phones, laptops, televisions and other household appliances. Education is important component of the visitor center experience according to Rio Tinto Kennecott Manager for Communities and Social Performance Ryan Perry. “We want to have kids up here to learn about geology and minerals,” Perry said. “We want to inspire them.” Inspire, educate, and leave the world a better place. According to Rio Tinto Kennecott Superintendent for Operations Support, Anthony Hoffman, Rio Tinto invests millions of dollars a year to try to make the earth better, despite the ongoing mining operation. In 2020, Rio Tinto partnered with Brigham Young University students and professors from the department of plant and wildlife sciences and the department of chemistry and biochemistry to reclaim land surrounding the mine. “We know we’re disturbing the earth, and we want to try to put the earth back in the same position that it was, if not better,” Hoffman said. Present on opening day was Ray Anderson, a former
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Utah resident, who now resides in Green River, Wyoming. Anderson came specifically to participate in some pump training on site but couldn’t help take some time see how vast the site has become. “This is one of the only mines in the world where you can stand over and actually see what’s happening,” Anderson said. “This is phenomenal.” Anderson said that most of the public don’t stop to consider what mining actual is and how it impacts everyday life. As a former contractor during the early 2000s, Anderson has not been to the mine since before the 2013 slide, which caused the original visitor center closure. The visitor center was reopened in 2019, and then closed again a year later due to the pandemic. Even during the pandemic, the mine itself remained fully operational, running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. According to the website, reservations are still required at this time however the visitor experience will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week with shuttles running up the canyon every 30 minutes. Visitors are asked to park in the Bingham Canyon Lark parking area. All proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the Kennecott Charitable Foundation, a Utah-based charitable organization that has been helping in the local community since 1992 through various ways including food pantries, school programs and education programs. According to Perry, in 2019 the charity was able to donate $150,000 to approximately 49 different organizations. To book tickets online and for more information visit www.riotinto.com/operations/us/kennecott/visitor-experi-
ence l
Wyoming resident Ray Anderson hasn’t been to the Rio Tinto Kennecott mine in over a decade and captures photos on his phone of how vast the operation has become. (Rachel Aubrey/City Journals)
Aunty’s Hawaiian Kitchen - Now Open in Riverton!
unty’s Hawaiian Kitchen is locally owned and operated- we’re a family business, with a family home-cooked feel. Aunty’s is inspired by our Hawaiian roots and island culture. Everything we do, we are surrounded by food. Every party, family event, or special occasion, food is the center of it all. And we all have that one Aunty that brings her specialty that we all look forward to. At Aunty’s Hawaiian Kitchen, we share our family favorites with you! Whether you love chicken, beef or pork, Aunty makes it fresh for you with every order. Topped with our homemade Cherreh-Aki Sauce, and unique mac salad, made with imitation crab, our menu brings our version of Hawaii to you. Join us on Aloha Fridays for our specials or come by to try one of our yummy cakes & mochis. We hope you come in to join us and feel a little bit of our Aloha spirit, or enjoy takeout or delivery with DoorDash.
Aunty’s Hawaiian Kitchen
‘Cause everything is bettah with Hawaiian Food. 12544 Pasture Rd, Ste E • Herriman, UT 84096 (385) 900-5144 • auntyshawaiiankitchen.com
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July 2022 | Page 23
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Redistricting shakes up Riverton’s state legislative district boundaries By Michael J. Jewkes | m.jewkes@mycityjournals.com
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ome changes are coming to Riverton’s representation in the state legislature. Riverton’s city limits are currently covered by two different districts in the House of Representatives and one district in the Senate. These boundaries are subject to change. Every 10 years, following the national census, federal, state and local governments are required to redistrict their boundaries to account for population shifts and growth. Riverton, along with other growing cities in the western part of the Salt Lake valley, has boomed considerably in the last 10 years. In light of the 2020 census, significant changes will be coming to House Districts 41 and 52. One new district will also be added to Riverton’s boundaries. Current districts will expire Jan. 1, 2023. House District 41 Currently, House District 41 covers the majority of Riverton. With Utah County acting as its southern border and the Jordan River as its western border, House District 41 is massive. It also encompasses a small part of Herriman and the vast majority of Bluffdale. Rep. Mark A. Strong currently represents House District 41. Strong is a Republican, winning his first election in 2018 against Democrat Wendy Garvin, who he also beat in 2020 as an incumbent to hold the seat. In the proposed redistricting, House District 41 will be reassigned the designation of House District 47 and will shift north, giving up much of Bluffdale and Riverton, as well as all of its claim to Herriman. House District 47 will, however, gain most of Draper’s business district.
Although Strong will be appealing to a slightly ‘bluer’ demographic in 2022’s elections due to the redistricting, no democratic challenger has stepped forward. Instead, Strong will face David Lundgren, the nominee from the United Utah Party. House District 52 While House District 52 covers only two neighborhoods within Riverton’s city limits, it has represented a group of residents who are often overlooked in government. With such close proximity to Herriman, it has become increasingly more common to group residents from these two neighborhoods with the city of Herriman. One of the neighborhoods lies south of 13400 South and west of Mountain View Corridor, while the other lies south of 11800 South and west of 4000 West. Rep. Candice B. Pierucci currently represents House District 52. In the proposed redistricting, House District 52 will be reassigned the designation of House District 49. The district will lose a large chunk of Herriman and Riverton. Only Riverton’s southwestern most corner will remain in the district. The Republican Pierucci will face Democrat Miles Pomeroy to retain her seat in the 2022 election. House District 48 One final House District will be taking up a large part of Riverton’s boundaries following the 2022 elections. House District 48 has been drawn to cover the northwestern quarter of the city, reaching boundaries as far south as 13400 South and as far east as 2700 West.
The new proposed boundaries for House District 47 cover about half of Riverton’s city limits. (Utah State Legislature)
Without an incumbent, this district will see a race in 2022 between two up and coming candidates. Democrat Katie Olsen will face Republican Jay Cobb. Olsen will be making her political debut, while Cobb will be returning to the political arena after losing in the primary election to Mia Love for U.S. House District 4 in 2012. The proposed districts will go into effect at the start of the new year. l
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Riverton City Journal
Reflecting back on Riverton Police Department’s first four years By Michael J. Jewkes | m.jewkes@mycityjournals.com
I
t has been just under four years since the Riverton City Council approved the resolution declaring its intent to leave the Unified Police Department. Since then, many changes have been made to what used to be the Riverton Precinct of Unified Police Department. The new Riverton Police Department was created and officially in operation by January of 2019. The change came primarily in response to financial differences in managing bodies, between the taxing district in charge of collecting funding for law enforcement services, the Salt Lake Valley Law Enforcement Service Area, and the Riverton City Council. In July of 2018, details of UPD’s intention to make changes to the original agreement with member communities surfaced, leading Mayor Trent Staggs to say, “It made me really nervous to know that the UPD Board would be considering such substantial changes to our agreement during a time when we are actively trying to resolve some very important concerns.” This statement brought a stark difference in opinion from previous Mayor Bill Applegarth, who released a statement just a year earlier, saying, “The Unified Police Department provides the best law enforcement service Riverton City could have.” Applegarth did, however, hold some
doubts regarding the funding aspect of the local police in Riverton. Applegarth added, “The question becomes whether Riverton City should continue to finance UPD by remaining a part of the Salt Lake Valley Law Enforcement Service Area or should we establish our own Riverton Police Service Area,” putting the idea into the public eye. Despite Applegarth’s claims to make the issue a public decision, the Riverton Law Enforcement Service Area would have its first meeting before elections could show the issue on the ballot in October of 2017. A resolution was passed, unanimously giving the newly formed RLESA the authority to levy taxes in place of the SLVLESA. The RLESA is comprised of members of the City Council as well as the mayor, who serves as the board’s chair. As we fast forward to 2022, Riverton’s police has changed in many ways. What once was under the leadership of Precinct Chief Rosie Rivera is now under the command of Chief Don Hutson. Being sworn in as the Riverton Police Department’s first chief, Hutson has seen his officers become “… more involved in the community.” Riverton remains one of the lowest criminally active cities in the Salt Lake Valley, leading many to feel that taxes from Riverton were
going to fund other cities with higher crime. “A lot of your shared resources are spent in high crime areas,” Hutson told the City Journals. The new RLESA is a similar taxing service area as SLVLESA, however, instead of encompassing the entire valley, it covers only Riverton City. The goal of a more regional police force is, as Chief Hutson said, “[having]…more dedicated officers…for the same budgeted amount…” Riverton PD has been able to save Riverton tax dollars in massive ways. “We are saving approximately $3 million to taxpayers in Riverton by leaving SLVLESA,” Hutson said. While long-term tax dollars have been saved, upfront costs of forming a new police department can be extensive. Original estimates allotted $500,000 for the upfront costs of Riverton PD, on top of routine costs of running and maintaining the department. Public opinion surrounding the new Riverton Police Department has been positive. Riverton resident Megan Carter says, “I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the Riverton Police Department. They all seem to have pleasant attitudes and pride in protecting and serving the community.” Last month, Carter’s 12-yearold son fell victim to bike theft.
Chief Don Hutson reflects on the benefits and challenges of leaving Unified in 2018. (Riverton City)
Despite the police and family’s best efforts to recover the stolen Cannondale bike, no one was able to find it. Carter was later amazed to learn that “[Riverton Police] decided to search unclaimed property and see if they could find a similar Cannondale bike and they had!” Officers from the RPD gifted the bike to Carter’s son, who responded by saying, “The kindness and just overall phenomenal job from those officers was very
moving!” Hutson does believe the connection between the police and residents has strengthened over the past four years. With present political landscapes and relationships between the police and the people, this connection comes at an important time. “I don’t think you can measure those long-term relationships with the community,” Hutson added. l
‘Slow Down in Your Town’ video encourages safe summer driving By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
P
olice chiefs and mayors in the Salt Lake Valley joined forces to create a video asking drivers to slow down. Utah Department of Transportation officials reports that Utah averages 100 traffic fatalities between Memorial Day and Labor Day, approximately one death per day. To combat dangerous driving practices like speeding, the mayors and police chiefs urge residents to drive the speed limit and be aware of road conditions. “We are now in the 100 deadliest days of summer, the time of year when more drivers are traveling to destinations and traffic fatalities rise. Many of the fatal accidents are caused by excessive speed,” said Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski. The goal of the “Slow Down in Your Town” message comes after the summer of 2021, one of the deadliest summers in Utah history due to fatal traffic accidents. “Law enforcement is heavily enforcing traffic and speeding laws but we can’t be everywhere,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera.
RivertonJournal.com
Salt Lake Valley mayors and police chiefs released a driver safety video, encouraging drivers to “Slow Down in Your Town.” (Courtesy of Salt Lake County)
The safety video urge drivers to slow down when there are dangerous road conditions caused by weather or construction, be aware of cyclists and give them ample space, and to be safe behind the wheel as speeding is a key factor in auto accidents. Distracted driving and driving under the influence are other factors that con-
tribute to auto fatalities. “I have joined the other mayors and police chiefs in the Salt Lake Valley to send a strong message to our residents to slow down,” Zoltanski said. “This is not just a Sandy issue; excessive speed is creating unsafe conditions in all of our communities. The goal of the ‘Slow
Down in Your Town’ video is to amplify the message across the county. We can all solve the issue of unsafe roads by just slowing down.” View the video at youtube.com.l
July 2022 | Page 27
Into the woods: Outdoor classroom an invaluable resource at Riverton Elementary
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iverton Elementary’s most popular classroom doesn’t have any windows, desks or electrical outlets. Instead it has picnic tables, singing birds, and trees that offer the perfect reading spot. It is an outdoor classroom, separated from the playground and field by a border of mature trees and shrubs. “It's really such a cool space,” Riverton Elementary PTA President Katie Fuller said. “We're, as far as I know, the only school in Utah to have a space like this where it's mature trees.” The outdoor classroom, originally called the “learning grove,” was created in 1995 by members of the school community council, the school principal and community members. They designed the space, with native trees and plants and an irrigation system, and, with the support of community and staff members, built and maintained it. Over the years, Scout troops and church groups have helped care for and make improvements to the grove. They hung bird feeders, built planter boxes and created signs to identify plants and trees. Eventually, the school district took over the upkeep, but they were unable to keep up with the growth. The space eventually became overgrown and neglected. In 2019, Dan Larsen attended a school event with his child and saw that the outdoor classroom needed to be cleaned up. He contacted Fuller, the PTA president, who happens to be his sister. “My brother brought the space to my attention,” Fuller said. “He is a Riverton Elementary alumni and helped plant the space as a student in the first years there.” So, in 2019, the PTA began revitalizing the space for its 25th anniversary. The community, again, lent their support for the project. Mike Maret, who was an integral part of the original classroom’s development, was invaluable during the restoration project, because of his knowledge of, and passion for, the space. PTA members Jeran and Rachael Farley used their connections with the Division of Urban Forestry and Tree Utah to secure grant money, outdoor classroom supplies, and an additional ten trees (which were planted by students in the spring of 2021). Materials, labor, funds and expertise were also donated by Lowe's, Walmart, Timber Ridge Tree Service and Jordan School District. “We've also had about 150 community volunteers help with the various cleanup efforts since 2019,” Fuller said. Principal Joel Pullen said the outdoor classroom represents the beneficial relationship between the community and the school. “It started out as a collaborative effort between community and school,” Pullen said. “And now, we're back to this collaborative effort of community and school.” The restoration efforts were in full
Page 28 | July 2022
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Riverton Elementary student Hadlee Hanosek enjoys a book in the outdoor classroom. (Joel Pullen/Riverton Elementary)
The originators of the outdoor classroom:
Bonnie Dahl, Ken and Debi Dastrup, Mike and Anna Marett, Joe and Sylvia Ahlber, Lee and Stephanie Alger, Larry Turner, DeEtte Earl, Debbie Fishnick, Bus and Kathy Kemp, Jim and Kathy Anderson, Reed and Jaque Robertson swing when the pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, and when school resumed in the fall of 2021, the classroom was ready to meet the high demand for its use. “During those critical times in the pandemic, it became a critical space,” Pullen said. It became a space where students could social distance and take off their masks. It became a space where students could spread out to explore and learn, or find a quiet nook in which to read. It became a space where teachers could take a break or grade papers in isolation. "I love the outdoor classroom,” said Annabelle Fuller, who just completed fifth grade. “It's so peaceful, and it makes me happy. My classes have read stories, had scavenger hunts, and looked for leaves to draw in the outdoor classroom. We've even eaten
Second grade teacher Gina Nokes utilizes the outdoor classroom at Riverton Elementary. (Joel Pullen/ Riverton Elementary)
lunch together as a class in the outdoor classroom." Larsen’s daughter, Marion, said her third grade class used it for a change of scenery. Instead of working math problems inside, they would sit in the outdoor classroom, solving them on whiteboards, while enjoying nature. The outdoor space provides limitless
learning opportunities. When Rachael Farley was a teacher at Riverton Elementary, she put together lesson plans for each grade which tie-in to the outdoor classroom. “She gave those to teachers so they have a starting point to more effectively use the space,” Pullen said. A shed was built adjacent to the classroom this year to store sup-
Riverton City Journal
JULY-SEP EVENTS
2022
The outdoor classroom is surrounded by mature trees, some planted 25 years ago and some planted last year. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
plies Farley helped get donated—magnifying glasses for exploring, tools for measuring, clipboards for note-taking, and buckets for temporary student seating. While the classroom is near the playground, Pullen said the trees block out most of the noise. Students are quiet while in the outdoor classroom. “They respect this place,” he said. “You don't see running and jumping on the tables. They don't treat it like a playground. When they come in, it's a space to get away. That's how it was used during the pandemic.” The outdoor classroom was so popular with students and teachers wanting a break from masks, especially during the 2020-21 school year, Pullen identified twenty additional areas on the school property—spots of grass in the shadow of the building and under
trees—to serve as alternative classrooms. “We did that so that we could get more kids out of the building, in fresh air, knowing that calms and decreases anxiety,” Pullen said. He said a change of scenery and other ‘brain breaks’ outdoors are beneficial for kids. Fuller said the outdoor classroom has become a model for other schools who want to develop similar spaces. At a school event in May, the PTA celebrated the outdoor classroom and those who helped make it possible, including the original principal, Bonnie Dahl, original community council members, and community contributors like Mike Marett and Jeran and Rachael Farley. Their names will be listed on a plaque on the shed. l
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July 2022 | Page 29
Sentinels softball wrap successful first year in 6A Photos by Travis Barton
Mountain Ridge would go 19-8 on the year, falling to Fremont twice in bracket play to bow out of the playoffs. The Sentinels were the only team to defeat the 6A state champs Riverton Silverwolves. Freshman pitcher Adison Brooks shared innings with senior Maryn Murdock on the year as the Sentinels went 19-8, falling in the quarter finals to Fremont.
The Sentinels celebrate a Mylee Milne home run against Fremont in the playoffs.
Page 30 | July 2022
Taegan Smith was a major contributor for the Mountain Ridge softball program during her four years with the program. The shortstop led the team this season in batting average, runs, hits and stolen bases.
Tessa Hokanson doubles to drive in a run during the playoffs. Hokanson will be another talented departure for the Sentinels. The second baseman led the team in home runs and RBIs.
Riverton City Journal
Home visitation program helps parents and families with young children By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com
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ne day in June, Lisia Satini was working with a young client. She asked the 3-yearold boy to name the plastic animals she held up, and was delighted when he named them all. “This was a child who could not speak before. His verbal skills were like ‘uh, uh,’” Satini said. “Now he’s able to say ‘zebra!’” Satini is the home visitation program supervisor for Children’s Service Society of Utah (CSS). The home visitation program offers parent education to families throughout pregnancy and until the child enters kindergarten. Satini had originally been working with the child’s older sibling. “The parent was able to pick up on the cues. She knew something was up,” Satini said. “We were able to detect at a young age that he was on the autism spectrum. So we screened him and saw a child development (specialist). We were able to consult with the parent about seeing a pediatrician and now we have him in an IEP (Individualized Education Program).” Satini continued working with the family and recalls another recent visit with that child. “He had the potty training seat on his head,” Satini said with a laugh. “You know, I’m sure it was clean, his mom was letting him. He’s working on potty training and this is how he’s connecting with it. He has the seat and he’s saying ‘circle’ because he loves shapes. I love it, going from where he was at couldn’t say words to now he knows shapes. Just the way he was connecting through the screen was awesome.” The home visitation program uses the Parents as Teachers curriculum, a method used throughout the United States and six other countries. Caregivers learn how to overcome challenges involved with parenting to help children ages 0 to 5 reach their full potential. Certified parent educators like Satini are trained on how to apply scientific information on early brain development into specific, practical advice for parents. For example, parents learn how to find teachable moments in everyday life to help improve their child’s language, social, intellectual and language skills. “This program, now that I know what it is, I recommend it to everyone,” Satini said. “You’re able to learn about the family and how it functions. Whether you’re a single parent home, two parent home, just a parent. It’s not easy. Children are not easy. We’re all still learning.” The parent educators usually visit twice a month, or once a week in the case of single parent households. “I didn’t know, besides just going to the doctor, that these are the milestones my children need to be at,” Satini said. “And knowing the statistics of what it does when you read to your child. It sets them up at an early age to be able to perform in the school system.” Along with lessons and advice, the educators offer screenings to assess the child’s development as well as connections to other
RivertonJournal.com
The home visitation program offers parent education and support to families with children ages 0 to 5. (Photo courtesy Children’s Service Society of Utah)
resources that are available. “Right now we serve refugee families, Pacific Islanders, Spanish-speaking families, and also teen parents,” Satini said. “We have paraeducators trained to provide that culturally-sound connection where families can feel comfortable.” Of course, challenges arose at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In our curriculum we strongly push parent engagement. We talk a lot about limiting screen time,” Satini said. “But with the pandemic we had to start offering virtual visits, so then of course we’re going back to the screen. We went through a transition in the beginning with families not having the right technology. It was not easy doing visits through the phone.” In 2020, CSS organized fundraising campaigns and provided Chromebooks for all of the families in the home visitation program. But even with the new technology there were hiccups. “Visits are an hour long and we’d use most of that training them on how to get set up,” Satini said. “But now we have parents who have that skill. We can say that’s a plus. We have kids interacting on the screen and attention spans are a little longer. These are the little milestones that make it worth it.” Home visitation paraeducators are just beginning to make arrangements to visit families in person again, as long as everyone involved feels comfortable with meeting. Virtual visits will continue to be an option. Representatives from CSS are back to attending community events to let parents know about the home visitation program, and social media and word of mouth also drive participation. Interested parents can visit www.cssutah. org/services/home-visitation/ to fill out a refer-
The home visitation program offers parent education and support to families with children ages 0 to 5. (Photo courtesy Children’s Service Society of Utah)
ral form. “When we visit with these families, we learn how their family functions,” Satini said. “If they need resources we’re able to help them tap into all of these connections, from mortgage relief, rent relief, to free lunches in the summers.” Most families working with the home visitation program live in Salt Lake County, but educators have begun working in Davis County as well. “To me, home visitation is the true prevention program that exists in our community,” said Encarni Gallardo, the executive director of CSS. “The program puts educators and community health workers in their homes. They see where the struggles are, and offer the resources the families need. It tailors support to the family to ensure the children are safe and receiving the support they need to be ready for school.” “We always say CSS is the oldest child welfare agency in Utah,” Gallardo continued. “We’ve been around since 1884 and we’ve adapted services to meet the needs of the community as things change.” Today, CCS offers several programs in addition to home visitation: adoption services, Grandfamilies Kinship Care, and Care about Childcare, which offers services to parents and
providers. The organization’s newest venture is the Building Blocks Childcare Center in Taylorsville, which offers free and reduced cost childcare and preschool to low-income families in partnership with the United Way of Salt Lake. “I’ve worked with families of all kinds and all different incomes,” Gallardo said. “Children have a universal language. All children want to succeed in life. To me what CSS does is put a voice to those children. CSS is here to assure that caregivers have the support they need for children to grow up and succeed. These kids will be taking care of our future. Let’s give them the opportunity they need to stay healthy and safe.” Satini’s own children are nearly grown. When they were young she was a stay-at-home mom. She later worked in community health. In 2016, she joined CSS as a specialist for working with Pacific Islander families. “It’s the same work, except I’m now going into homes,” Satini said. “My baby is now 13, so I didn’t get to take advantage of it. However, I do love this curriculum because I still apply a lot of things with my teenage kids. I believe connection never stops with your children.” l
July 2022 | Page 31
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Riverton City Journal
Utah Asian Festival celebrates 45 years of connection and celebration By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
T
he Utah Asian Festival, the longest-running festival of its kind west of the Mississippi, will be held in the Grand Building of the Utah State Fairpark (155 N. 1000 West) on Saturday, July 9, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Founded in 1977, the festival showcases Asian traditions, cuisine, dance, art and music from the dozens of nationalities that make up Utah’s fastest-growing ethnic population. Founders Jimi Mitsunaga, Lang Wong, Joe Arzacon and Chung Mun Lee organized the first festival with a vision to strengthen the connection between Asian communities in the state and cultivate ties with Utah residents. “In 2022, we will be celebrating 45 years of success,” said Dr. Shu Cheng, executive director of the Asian Association of Utah. “Three generations of Asian Americans have volunteered to make the annual Utah Asian Festival fun and educational. The event transforms
Asian Americans into leaders and consolidates them into a cohesive core in Utah.” Asian people have been part of the state’s history for more than 150 years. In September 2020, archaeologists from the Utah State Historic Preservation Office discovered remnants of a house built by Chinese railroad workers. Preservation officer Chris Merritt declared it to be “the first Chinese [transcontinental railroad workers’] home…in the entire nation.” Utah’s leaders have assisted the federal government in sponsoring the resettlement of Asian immigrants and refugees from the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand and more, whose descendants have put down roots in the Beehive State. “Not only will this all-day gathering serve to connect recent immigrants and refugees to the historic diasporas in the region, [but the festival] is a platform deeply benefiting Utahns of any background, honoring the ways
in which our state’s Asian families have preserved, persevered and flourished against the odds,” said UAF chairwoman Eunice Lanean. “[It’s an] opportunity to reunite with old friends, make new ones, break bread with our elders and youth, and forge bonds across generations that will last generations.” The festival attracts thousands of people from all parts of the state and is the only event where Utah’s Asian communities come together to celebrate and honor their heritage, traditions and vibrant culture. This year’s event is described as “the boldest iteration yet” for the multicultural festival. For more information, visit UtahAsianFestival.org. “When I learned that UAF originated as an attempt to unify the various Asian ethnic groups, I felt a sense of duty to continue the mission, especially in the midst of resurgent anti-Asian violence and discrimination,” said Emilio Manuel Camu, UAF’s cochair. “Our committee's duty is to
Asian fan dancers will perform at the Utah Asian Festival on Saturday, July 9. The event highlights the culture’s contributions to Utah through dance, cuisine, activities and art. (Courtesy of the Utah Asian Festival)
honor the past, remain relevant to all our peoples’ needs, and create durable, meaningful, cross-cul-
tural and inter-generational friendships along the way.” l
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July 2022 | Page 33
Students dive into summer reading with Ocean of Possibilities-themed challenge By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com
S
chools are out for summer, but at Salt Lake County Library branches, reading challenges are just getting started. Through July 31, students can participate in the Ocean of Possibilities summer reading event. For the past 30 years, the county library system has used the summer reading challenge to encourage and bolster young readership by incentivizing students to pick up books with the promise of prizes, rewards and celebrations at the finish line. “Every year we host a kick-off party that ties into our theme and introduces the theme to participants. This year’s theme is Ocean of Possibilities, which has been particularly fun to conceptualize,” said Jeff Buydos, the PR coordinator of the Salt Lake County Library and one of the masterminds behind championing the summer reading event. To further celebrate the Ocean of Possibilities theme, county branches have been decorated to reflect the mystique of the ocean. “If you come into one of our branches during the summer, you’ll see we’ve decorated accordingly, we were even able to get b-roll footage from The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium,” Buydos said. Students and parents who visit the branches, in person, will learn more about the world’s oceans through fun facts, visuals and important
Page 34 | July 2022
messaging that speaks to the need for people to collectively work toward preserving the oceans. “At its core, it’s really a way for us to integrate systems of learning with hands-on, fun activities for children,” Buydos said. “Kids will walk away having learned important lessons pertaining to the ocean, while simultaneously incorporating play and imagination into those lessons. Play is so vitally important for children, in the same way, that literacy is. We’re really looking at matters through a holistic lens.” The summer reading event runs until July 31 and can be accessed and tracked in one of two ways. Students can either visit their local library and receive a physical tracking sheet, or they can use the library’s chosen tracking application, Beanstack. Beanstack is a mobile application that allows students to track their progress digitally, receiving real-time encouragement as they work toward meeting their reading goals. Students can enter the challenge at any point throughout its run time. “One of the challenges of the library in recent years has been ingratiating technology into the format. Obviously, we want to keep a focus and emphasis on good old-fashioned books. However, the landscape of how we consume content has changed significantly,” Buy-
The West Jordan Library has historically been a popular location for summer reading kick-off parties. (Photo courtesy Salt Lake County Library)
dos said. “And so we’ve really worked hard to figure out how we can strike a balance that emphasizes reading as a classic tool for enrichment while still making way for modern technology like audiobooks, videos, music, virtual reality, things of that nature.” The Beanstack application is yet another way for libraries to streamline reading practices and promote literacy using modern technology. The app was developed amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, providing another outlet for students to access the challenge without having to compromise social distancing safety nets. Now that the pandemic has begun to largely stabilize, in-person participation is yet again on the rise. However, Buydos was still thoroughly impressed as he witnessed the turnout of students who continued to participate in the challenge, at the height of Covid social distancing. “We took a much-anticipated dip in our participation during those peak times of Covid, but even then, it was still an impressive turnout all things considered. This year, we can’t say anything definitively until the challenge is over, but we already know those numbers are trending upwards. The kick-off parties were certainly a sobering reminder of how invaluable social connection is.” Especially during the summer, when it’s easy for boredom to take over and leave children in need of stimulation that is both fun and informative. “Our mission is to make a positive difference in our community, and Summer Reading is a great asset for fulfilling that mission,” said Salt Lake County Library Director Jim Cooper. “The benefits from this program at both the micro and macro levels have received empirical support. We know summer reading programs leave positive footprints wherever they’re implemented.” Literacy serves as a gateway to so many important things, said Buydos. “Children who read can then take what they read and learn how to relate to others, how to empathize, and how to critically think. There’s also the bonus
The Oceans of Possibilities summer reading event continues through July 31. Students can opt to participate at any point during the duration of the challenge. (Photo courtesy Salt Lake County Library)
of rendering imagination and world creation. The possibilities are just endless.” In addition to the physical act of reading, the Ocean of Possibilities challenge also encompasses and rewards students who participate in different learning adjacent tasks. “When you consider the many ways people can take part in summer reading, it really is an ocean of possibilities,” said Salt Lake County Library Program Manager Nyssa Fleig. “Beyond reading, participants can do things like paint, sew, visit local museums and parks, play sports or board games, start new clubs, and volunteer to complete their reading records. It’s an inclusive program with nearly infinite ways to participate.”l
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Riverton City Journal
South Jordan nonprofit, Footsteps for Africa, unveils Namibia school project
A
fter serving a church mission in Zimbabwe and doing anthropological research in Namibia with Brigham Young University, South Jordan resident Austin Cameron was shocked at the desperate need faced by orphans and vulnerable children in those communities. He returned home and lost sleep worrying about these children. “I realized I needed to make it part of my life’s mission to help them,” Cameron said. In 2010, he started the nonprofit Footsteps for Africa, an organization dedicated to helping the most forgotten populations. His first initiative was to gather winter clothing, shoes and school supplies. The donations were shipped to Africa, where he met the shipment himself and distributed the goods to the children. “A lot of aid gets to the continent of Africa, but through inefficiency or corruption and other obstacles, it doesn’t get to a lot of kids who need it most,” he said. “I’m determined that with every initiative we do that we have a physical presence on the ground and a way to make sure the resources and efforts reach these kids.” Footsteps for Africa got word that children in Namibia were living in shacks on school grounds because their villages were too far away for them to attend school. More than 100 children, some as young as 8 years old, cooked meals outside with no running water, no toilets or showers, and with an added danger of poisonous snakes that would come into the shacks at night. “Worrying about snakes coming in at night shouldn’t be anything any 8-year-old should worry about,” Cameron said. “I was touched by the kids and made a promise that we’d help.” Last month, Footsteps for Africa, along with students, teachers, government officials and the surrounding community, held a grand opening for a construction project that improves living conditions for students at Oshamukweni School.
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com Through a generous, six-figure donation by Tiara and Alan Salzman (Cameron’s sister and brother-in-law), the nonprofit built new bunkhouses, a kitchen and a dining hall for 300 students. A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of the project. “Due to their generosity, Footsteps for Africa has bettered the lives of those in this village,” said Isak Hamatwi, director of education at Ohangwena Regional Council. “The schooling life and learning environment at Oshamukweni Combined School will no longer be a life of struggle, but a life befitting a life in an independent country.” The new facilities include a 2,000-square-foot building equipped with food preparation equipment, showers, restrooms and cold storage. Salzman Hall, a 5,000-square-foot dining and congregation hall will serve the school and the entire community of several thousand people. “Upon learning the critical needs of these disadvantaged children in Namibia, and as a mother myself, nothing was more important to us than to support Footsteps for Africa in helping these children succeed,” Tiara Salzman said. Footsteps for Africa also issues school uniforms and supplies for students. Sanitary kits are provided to young girls, along with education to battle absenteeism and period shaming. New wells, solar pumps and agriculture water tanks near the school will bring clean water to 20,000 people in the community. “Namibia has a lot of schools. Among all of those schools, Footsteps for Africa chose to help our school, and we thank you for that. I am very happy for the [Salzman Kitchen] because we now no longer have to cook on fires outside,” said ninth-grade student Namola Abraham. Since 2010, Footsteps for Africa has provided aid to more than 5,000 orphans and vulnerable children in more than 50 schools and orphanages in Namibia and Zimbabwe.
South Jordan resident and founder of Footsteps for Africa Austin Cameron walks around the school grounds with students from the Oshamukweni School in Namibia. (Photo courtesy of Footsteps for Africa.)
For more information, or to donate, visit footstepsforafrica.com/donate. “It’s the most rewarding feeling of anything I’ve done in my life,” Cameron said. “It just makes me feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. This is what is most important in life. We don’t have to go further than our own community to find
children in need, and we need to start there. “With small amounts of resources, we can make a difference. It sounds like a sales pitch, but it’s true. For not a lot of money, we can really change these kids’ lives and give them opportunities they never would have.” l
African government officials, students and teachers celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new construction provided by Footsteps for Africa, a South Jordan nonprofit. (Photo courtesy of Footsteps for Africa.)
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July 2022 | Page 37
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Teed Off
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t was the height of COVID. We were trying to figure out Zoom meetings and DoorDash and online grocery shopping. I’d been laid off. The world was topsy-turvy. Stress levels were off the charts. My husband decided we weren’t fighting enough, so he thought he’d teach me to golf. I was young and naive and thought it would give us a break from the COVID lockdowns and Netflix binging. But two years later, it’s become the most infuriating part of my life. A sport with an uppity dress code should have been the first clue. We got to the golf arena and rented a cart, which is really the only reason to golf. Tom gave me the scorecard like I understood “par” or colors or numbers. We drove to the starting line and he proceeded to give me my first golf lesson. “What club are you going to use?” he asked. “How should I know? Sandwich? Soda? Strip?” Tom swore, handed me a club and instructed, “Widen your stance, get closer to the ball, shoulders up, head down, knees together, thumbs out, straighten the arms but bend the elbows. Twist, but don’t move your hips. Watch the ball. Watch the ball!” After getting me in peak form, I took a swing. I totally missed the ball and sprained
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Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
several unused muscles in my back. “You’re pulling up,” he said, unhelpfully. “Pulling up what?” “Just pulling up.” “I don’t understand the words you’re using,” I replied. I considered throwing a ball at his head. “You know, just don’t pull up.” I glanced around the course, certain a divorce lawyer had to be within range. “Watch,” he said. “This is what you’re doing.” Tom then proceeded to reenact my swing, which, according to him, looks like I’m trying to kill a spider with a baseball bat. “Don’t do that,” he said. “Understand?” “Do you understand alimony?” I mumbled.
It’s gone downhill from there, but at least now I’ve learned golf etiquette, like how driving the cart through those fun sand dunes is frowned upon. And I should whisper on the golf field unless I miss a shot, and then I’m supposed to yell a swear word and throw my golf bat in the lake. I also learned I shouldn’t shout “Fore!” every time I take a swing, and kicking the ball onto the fairway is a cool golf-pro trick. And the drink cart is like an ice-cream truck for grown-ups. After watching Tom’s conniption when he hit a ball into the creek, I asked him, “You do this to relax? Is it working?” He gritted his teeth and drove to the next hole. I sat back and watched the beautiful scenery. I’ve seen deer, squirrels, ducks and bunnies romping near the “greens,” which is a lazy name if I’ve ever heard one. Maybe during the next pandemic, Tom can teach me how to pole vault or we could join a curling team or maybe we could do a DIY extension to our house. There are just so many ways to start a fight. Peri Kinder is an award-winning humor writer and hosts the Life & Laughter podcast. She’s also a yoga/meditation instructor and life coach.
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