Despite being born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Matthew Lohmeyer’s journey is one of resilience. The progressive nature of this genetic disorder leaves people struggling with basic life functions, but a breakthrough drug has given Lohmeyer a new chance at life.
Lohmeyer, 35, is one of three siblings born with SMA, a neuromuscular disease that affects about one in 10,000 babies, but he’s never let it define his life.
“Growing up, I had plenty of friends,” he said. “My friends would hold onto the back of my wheelchair while they rode their skateboard. We had a ramp in front of our house and it was not uncommon for me to borrow one of my friends’ skateboards, sit on it, ride it down the ramp and crash into a tree.”
As the disease progressed, Lohmeyer found himself physically limited, but his mind couldn’t be weakened. He attended the Academy For Math, Engineering and Science, graduating with the first class who had attended all four years at the charter school in Murray.
He considered going into psychology, enjoyed statistics and even wrote to the late Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch asking why he couldn’t serve in the military, just because he was in a wheelchair. (Hatch responded that Lohmeyer wouldn’t be able to get through basic training, which is a requirement for any military job).
Lohmeyer earned his associate’s degree from Salt Lake Community College and a bachelor’s from Weber State University. He currently works as an IT program analyst at the University of Utah. His resiliency can be traced back to his family who refused to let him use SMA as an excuse.
“They’d tell me just because you’re in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you should be treated any differently. Don’t expect special treatment. As my grandfather used to say, ‘Life’s tough. Get a helmet.’”
Lohmeyer met his wife, Arielle, through an online dating platform. She loved his sense of
humor and he enjoyed making her laugh. They had several long conversations before they met for their first in-person date in September 2021. Soon after, he started taking the first at-home treatment for SMA, a drug called Evrysdi.
The Riverton resident didn’t have huge expectations for the drug but felt any amount of improvement would be a win. He also wanted his experience to further research into SMA treatments. The changes were gradual but he soon noticed more strength.
“It feels like Evrysdi has prevented the disease from progressing,” he said. “I feel like I’m physically as I was almost two years ago. If not slightly better.”
Lohmeyer married Arielle in October 2022 and went off the medication so they could go through the IVF process. Off the drug, he no-
ticed a rapid loss of strength. But once he started up again, his abilities returned.
He and his wife welcomed their daughter Nicole three months ago and Lohmeyer’s greatest joy is being able to change her diaper. It’s a time to bond with her and share his love for video game music.
“I look forward to that because it’s just me and her,” he said. “I can talk with her. I can tease her. On day one of being home with her, and figuring out how to change her diaper for the first time, I pulled out my phone and turned on the soundtrack to Final Fantasy IX.”
Genentech, the makers of Evrysdi, recently released results from a five-year study that showed marked improvements in children born with SMA, including the ability to swallow, eat without a feeding tube and sit without support
for more than 30 seconds.
Lohmeyer is happy to be a guinea pig in the research. His next challenge is getting a vehicle outfitted with hand controls so he can get his driver’s license. Something he never thought he’d be able to do.
“It’s hard for me to say where things would be in my life right now if I didn’t have [Evrysdi] because I saw how my body has degraded over the years,” he said. “Now, it’s basically plateaued, if not increased a little bit in ability. I can’t think where I would be without it.”l
After being born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Matthew Lohmeyer wasn’t sure he’d ever have a family. He’s pictured with his wife Arielle, his daughter Nicole and his dogs (from left) Ginger, Pepper, Rocky and Lucy. (Photo courtesy of Lohmeyer)
Freeland eager for improvement for Riverton football team
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Lastseason, James Freeland stepped into the position of head coach of the Riverton football team. Playing in arguably the most difficult region in the state, the Silverwolves struggled to a 1-9 record. Riverton picked up one region victory, defeating Copper Hills.
Freeland wants the team to take some steps forward in year two.
Riverton competes in Region 2, which features nationally ranked and perennial state power Corner Canyon, not to mention always-tough Bingham and solid squads in Herriman and Mountain Ridge. Improving Copper Hills rounds out the region foes. Though last season had some rough moments, Freeland thinks the team can build off what it learned and be more competitive in 2024.
“We want to improve upon last year’s experience,” he said. “We have a team goal of getting better every game in a tough preseason schedule. We want to compete for and win a region championship in the best region in Utah football.”
Those goals may seem lofty considering the competition the Silverwolves face and where the team was a year ago. Still, Freeland isn’t shying away from challenging his team and expecting more success on the scoreboard and in the standings. But more than scoring touchdowns and keeping other teams off the scoreboard, Freeland is hoping his players work hard, have a positive attitude and develop into good players and good people.
“We want happy kids that take pride in being Riverton Silverwolves,” he said. “We want kids that keep playing hard and learning life lessons.”
Freeland identified three team leaders he is looking to for production and for examples to their teammates. Senior quarterback Andrew Neilson started every game last season and got valuable experience under center. A pair of offensive linemen will help to protect Neilson and open up holes in the running game. Senior left
strong defensive effort, 13-7. In game two on Aug. 23, the Silverwolves played tough against a good Ridgeline team but fell in a close battle 28-21 in overtime.
As a Riverton resident himself, Freeland takes pride in coaching the Silverwolves. He’s grateful that the players represent the community and school so well.
“These are our kids,” he said. “I live here; I love this town and the way our kids are raised here. Their faith in what we are doing to be successful is second to none.”
Riverton’s final non-region game is Sept. 13 at Pleasant Grove. The first Region 2 contest will be against Herriman at home on Sept. 20. A noteworthy game will take place on Sept. 27 when Riverton travels to Corner Canyon. The Silverwolves entertain Bingham on Oct. 4 and host Mountain Ridge a week later on Oct. 11. Riverton wraps up the regular season at Copper Hills Oct. 18 in a game against the Grizzlies.
tackle Max Tuimaseve and senior right tackle KT Falateu are both returning starters from last season. Freeland described Tuimaseve as an “athletic pass blocker” and said Falateu is a “driving run blocker.”
Perhaps the best thing about the Riverton football team, Freeland said, is the camaraderie and brotherhood the players share.
“These kids love each other and aren’t afraid to let each other know about it,” he said.
With optimism and positivity in the program, Freeland admits there are challenges and potential barriers to the team achieving its goals. He said the most significant issue is losing players to other schools. Currently, it is virtually impossible for Freeland or others at Riverton to keep students within the school boundaries from transferring somewhere else. This can affect the Silverwolves’ numbers, talent and experience
level, and cohesion.
“The biggest challenges that Riverton faces is the transfer rule, or the lack of enforcement,” he said. “We are trying to teach our kids that the grass is greener where you water it.”
Riverton’s players are committed and excited to be Silverwolves. Freeland said everyone is doing his part to make this season as successful as possible. In the early part of the season, he has noticed some improvements from the previous year.
“We are a bigger, more confident team,” he said. “My first impression is one that reflects these guys work ethic and goals they have. They have a strong desire to be great and work for it.”
It didn’t take Riverton long to equal last season’s win total.
Riverton won its season opener against Syracuse on Aug. 16, prevailing at home in a
The Class 6A state tournament follows the regular season finale, with first-round action starting Oct. 25. Playoff seeding is determined by RPI ratings, which the Utah High School Activities Association bases off teams’ records and the records of their opponents and their opponents’ opponents. Higher seeded teams will get first-round byes and second-round home games. The quarterfinals are Nov. 8 and 9 at higher-seeded teams’ home fields. The semifinals are at the University of Utah on Nov. 14, while the finals are also at the U of U and will take place Nov. 22.
Last season, Riverton had a first-round bye and got a tough draw in the second round against Lehi. The Silverwolves lost that contest 31-0. Riverton’s last playoff win was just two years ago in a 48-6 victory at home over Kearns. That preceded a wild 55-50 loss in the second round at Davis. The last time Riverton advanced to the state quarterfinals was in 2014—a year when the Silverwolves made it to the semifinals and lost to Bingham 35-3. l
Riverton quarterback Andrew Neilson drops back to pass in the season opener against Syracuse. The Silverwolves won the game 13-7. (Photo courtesy Rick Meyer)
Fire trucks, first responders and free safety tips at Riverton’s Public Safety Night
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Every August, Riverton hosts Public Safety Night, aimed at strengthening ties between the community and the city’s first responders. Hosted at Riverton City Park, this year’s event on Aug. 7 featured interactive demonstrations, safety workshops and educational booths designed to promote public safety awareness.
The evening also provided an opportunity for residents to connect with police officers, firefighters and other emergency responders to gain an appreciation of public safety and the importance of collaboration between departments.
Unified Fire Authority Battalion Chief Wade Watkins works with Riverton to ensure UFA meets the city’s needs for emergency response services. Public
Safety Night is a highlight for Watkins as he gets to know residents and has time to answer questions.
“This year, we did a high-angle rope rescue scenario in front of the citizens that attended that night so that they could see some of the capability we have,” he said. “Unified Fire Authority has a heavy rescue team and a hazardous materials team, along with having a ladder truck, fire engine and all the different stuff that serves the community. One of the benefits of Public Safety Night is we get to display a lot of that equipment.”
Watkins also arranged to have a helicopter team from Life Flight attend the event.
Residents were able to talk to the team as well as get an up-close look at the inside of
the aircraft.
“[The Life Flight team] were super gracious,” Watkins said. “I wasn’t surprised that they stayed so long, but I was surprised they let a lot of the public touch things and get inside the helicopter.”
Other highlights at the event included a fire hose demonstration, mock vehicle extraction, a SWAT display, emergency services vehicles, a drunk goggles activity, the Riverton City emergency preparedness booth, police motorcycles and vehicles, an animal control information booth and free snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy.
Riverton City Police Chief Shane Taylor said the event allows the police department to connect with residents and other emergency
responders, highlighting partnerships that benefit the community. RPD officers took photos of attendees sitting in police cars and straddling Harley-Davidson police motorcycles.
Taylor said Public Safety Night helps build trust and understanding by creating relationships between public safety departments and the community.
“It’s just basically a fun interaction time with the community. It’s very informal. They can ask questions, and we just can work together,” Taylor said. “It’s just a great event in sharing both sides, UFA with Chief Watkins and what we have here at the Riverton Police Department. I think it’s very helpful and beneficial.” l
A helicopter from Life Flight lands during the Public Safety Night in Riverton City. Residents were allowed to talk to the aircraft medical team and look around the helicopter. (Photo courtesy Riverton City)
Unified Fire Authority displays a fire engine, a ladder truck, an ambulance and specialized teams during Public Safety Night. (Photo courtesy Riverton City)
Aliah and her father Julius Rivera attend the Riverton City safety event to take part in family activities and educational booths. (Photo courtesy Riverton City)
Riverton residents show up to support Public Safety Night at Riverton City Park on Aug. 7. The event promotes safety and connection between residents and emergency services. (Photo courtesy Riverton City)
Friday Fun Nights kickstarted each weekend in August
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Friday Fun Nights were back at Riverton City Park (1452 W. 12600 South) during August, bringing residents together to enjoy an evening with friends and family.
Every Friday, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., attendees could grab a meal from the Food Truck League and listen to live music from the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club, Cody Robbins, Goodnight Richard and Steven Bosco. There were market vendors, games, playgrounds and a splash pad for families to explore and each event finished with a family-friendly outdoor movie.
Miss Riverton Kylie Hallett attended the event to interact with city residents and encourage people to become active in the community.
“This gets people out of their houses, especially right now with the youth, there’s such a motivation to stay home and
watch a screen,” Hallett said. “This is so good to get people out of the house and into the community and help you know what is in your community and what there is to do.”
Members of the Riverton City Youth Council were also in attendance, encouraging youth to get involved with city events and public service.
“I’ve been on [the YCC] for two years, this is my third year,” said G Perry, YCC mayor pro tem. “It helps people understand the acity and to be more involved with their city.” l
Seasons Chorale takes flight as it prepares for its holiday concert
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
BenChapman compares conducting a choir to flying a plane. As a licensed pilot, he must interpret all the data coming in from the plane’s instruments while communicating with air control, reading maps and navigating the aircraft to a safe landing.
“Conducting is the same level of intellectual stimulation as flying,” Chapman said. “You have to comprehend everything about the music. You have to understand what’s going on in the brass section, what’s going on in the strings, what’s going on with the choir, what’s going on with the percussion and the woodwinds, and process all of that. You have the sort of mental creation in your mind of what this needs to become, and then you’re coaching this group and guiding this group to make that a reality.”
And just like flying, when the choir and orchestra come together, everything soars.
Chapman took over as conductor of Seasons Chorale, a 150-voice performing group and full orchestra in South Jordan, when the founder and former conductor, Marlene Stanley, stepped down in 2023. She passed the baton to Chapman who is known for conducting “Lamb of God,” the musical portrayal of the final days of Jesus Christ’s life.
Season Chorale is recognized for its Sounds of the Season Christmas concert that will be held at Bingham High School (2160 S. Jordan Parkway) on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The holiday concert benefits local family shelters and the Make-a-Wish organization.
“One of my big tasks earlier this year was to do the programming for the 2024 concert,” Chapman said. “It’s all put together. I’m very, very excited about it. One of the things I love about this community group is we get to perform a whole range of Christmas musical styles. So we’ve got everything from sacred to secular to jazz to gospel and everything in between.”
No auditions are necessary, for those interested in performing with the group, and all are welcome. Rehearsals are held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church building at 1540 W. 10400 South on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Additionally, performers in Seasons Chorale have opportunities to explore music through touring and educational workshops. Award-winning composer and conductor Mark Hayes invited the group to participate in a residency in New York City this past spring. The choir also collaborated with the Choral Arts Society for the Days of '47 pops concert and will tour London in the summer of 2025.
“This is a great opportunity to come and sing, but also come and learn,” Chapman said. “One of the things I’m excited about, and hopefully contribute to the community here, is I have a lot of background to help people who want to improve their singing ability. This is a great opportunity to do that because you essentially get free instruction.”
Seasons Chorale, which has been around for about 20 years, is formed under SoJo Choral Arts, an organization dedicat-
ed to supporting local music artists. McKell Scanlan serves as SoJo Choral Arts executive director and said groups like Seasons Chorale offer big benefits to the community.
“We found it’s really powerful for people to be a part of the music community and decide where they want to make a difference,” Scanlan said. “The magic of it is really that nobody has to show up because it’s their employer, because it’s their job, because it’s their church calling, none of that. It’s just community and making a difference.”
For information about Seasons Chorale or SoJo Choral Arts, visit sojochoralarts.org.
“Music is its own language,” Scanlan said. “It crosses socio-economic lines. It’s a human connector. It’s a powerful force to bring people together who want to make music, to create music. We always insist that it’s something that we give back to the community.” l
Families could play several games at the Friday Fun Night events including this giant chess game.
(Peri Kinder/City Journals)
Conductor Ben Chapman will lead Seasons Chorale during its holiday concert in December. Community members are invited to participate in rehearsals and performances. (Photo courtesy SoJo Choral Arts)
Jordan District takes on social media giants in national lawsuit
Jordan School District Board of Education’s priorities are student safety, wellness and student learning, said Board President Tracy Miller, which is why Jordan District is involved in a lawsuit against social media giants Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok.
“We see firsthand in our schools the impact of the mental health crisis among our youth,” Miller said. “Scientific data shows that social media damages the health and wellness of children and disrupts learning. We have the responsibility to do all we can do to stop the negative impact.”
Jordan School District was recently named one of twelve “bellwether” plaintiffs in a national multidistrict lawsuit claiming negligence and public nuisance on the part of the social media companies.
At a July press conference, board members reported Jordan District has invested millions of dollars in student mental health supports including staffing a district wellness department and hiring full time mental health counselors for every school.
“Jordan School District has devoted substantial resources to addressing students and curating mental health and to combat learning disruptions,” Miller said. “We are honored to be chosen as one of the lead plaintiffs, and are hopeful that this lawsuit will help us recoup some of our costs, and more importantly, change the way social media companies operate so our students are protected.”
The suit claims social media companies have failed to adequately warn users about the harm their products cause, noting that the psychologically manipulative techniques used to attract and retain the attention of users are addictive, especially to children and teens’ developing brains.
Other harms to youth cited in the suit include physical and mental harm by encouraging destructive behavior, promoting negative appearance and social comparisons, and—because of ineffective parental controls, age-verification measures and privacy protections—contributing to the sexual exploitation and endangerment of children.
The idea that social media and the internet are harmful to young people is a sentiment shared by many, including the U.S. Senate, which recently passed legislation to protect children’s privacy online, and Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who issued a mental health advisory last year.
“We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis— one that we must urgently address,” Murthy said in his May 2023 statement.
When the lawsuit goes to trial, most likely near the end of this year, Jordan District may be asked to testify. Jordan District employees are gathering evidence in preparation.
JSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
social media made him feel.
“But I recognize in the fact that I do still feel that way, should I get back on, I would be sucked right back into that toxic mentality that I had in the first place, and I would be super depressed again and super anxious all the time,” he said.
Columbia Elementary PTA President Sharol Stapley believes the lawsuit is a good step toward protecting children, but believes parents are ultimately responsible to safeguard their children. She sets screen time and content limits for her children and believes delaying exposure to the perils of social media will give her kids time to develop a healthy self-image.
“I want my kids to know who they are before they venture into a world that’s going to tell them everything opposite to what they know about themselves,” Stapley said.
Stapley believes schools can support students and their families by providing digital safety education and resources.
became emotional when speaking about social media’s effect on students.
“You see on an individual basis how their lives are negatively impacted—not just their living—but their ability to interact with others and have a productive day of school is dramatically negatively impacted by social media,” Godfrey said.
JSD Board Member Bryce Dunford personally witnessed his teenage son’s grades, personality, self-image and world view devastated by an addiction to social media.
“Logan was not prepared to be sucked into the social media world that was waiting for him, nor were his mother and I aware of what was happening on the other end to suck him in,” Dunford said. “It became an obsession. It became an addiction. And we kind of lost him.”
Getting likes, comments and shares on social media consumed Logan’s thoughts and his time for years.
“It was incredibly fulfilling, yet also not very genuine,” Logan said.
As a high school sophomore, he finally made the difficult decision to delete his social media apps for the sake of his mental health.
“I began to feel really uncomfortable and awkward and kind of unsafe in my own skin throughout all situations of my life,” he said. “And I thought that it was really important to somehow find a way to disconnect, and the easiest way to do that was going off social media.”
Dunford said in the absence of social media, his son became himself again.
“The student we knew in those early years came back— not just his grades, but his whole personality, his life, his image of himself, his happiness,” Dunford said.
Logan graduated from Bingham High
School in June, with top grades and the prestigious Pick and Shovel Award. But he still feels a craving for the way crafting a popular post on
This spring, Columbia Elementary’s PTA sponsored a Ready Tech Go family night, presented by AT&T, to educate families about the effects of excessive screen time and to provide parents with kid-safe websites and internet safety resources. l
At a July 29 press conference, Jordan School District Board of Education President Tracy Miller announces the district’s involvement in a multidistrict lawsuit against social media giants. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
It won’t be easy, but the Riverton girls soccer team is ready to challenge for the region championship.
The Silverwolves compete in Region 2, which features some strong foes, including Copper Hills, Corner Canyon and Mountain Ridge. Salt Lake Academy, Bingham and Herriman also are in the region. Riverton was 6-6 in league play a year ago, placing fourth out of seven teams. Overall, Riverton was 8-9 and lost in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs after getting a first-round bye.
The 2024 season got off to a rough start.
Riverton was 1-5 through the first six games and dropped its first two region contests. In six outings through Aug. 22, Riverton had scored nine goals and given up 17. Still, head coach Paul Moizer is confident in his girls that they will progress as the season goes along.
“I expect the team to be competitive and to keep improving throughout the season,” he said. “Our goals are to finish in the top eight of the RPI so we get a bye in the first round of the playoffs and to contend for the region championship.”
Being at or near the top of the league standings may sound like a tall order, but Riverton has some solid players who have talent, experience and leadership. A group of seven
Riverton girls soccer ready for region play
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
to reach its peak at the end of the season and into the state tournament. Moizer said Riverton players are “hard working, driven and competitive.”
“We need to continue to improve all season so we are playing our best when the playoffs are here,” he said.
To improve, Moizer said the Silverwolves need to focus more on the defensive end and “be more responsible for their one-onone battles.” He has been impressed with the girls’ passing but acknowledges that finishing is an area that needs attention.
The Silverwolves host Copper Hills on Oct. 3 to wrap up the regular season. Riverton plays all six Region 2 foes twice. The state tournament begins Oct. 10 with first-round games. The second round gets underway Oct. 15. Rounds one and two, as well as the quarterfinals, take place on the home fields of higher-seeded teams.
seniors stand out for the Silverwolves. Moizer loves what midfielder Xoie Warner, fullback Mylee Yeager, fullback Brindee Jones, fullback Josie Enniss, forward Marley Johnson, midfielder Ellie Anderson and midfielder Alli Sorenson bring to the field and how they hold the team together.
“They are the leadership core responsible for team chemistry and spirit,” he said. “They do a great job of making everyone feel included and important.”
Though Riverton got off to a rough start, Moizer believes the Silverwolves will regroup. To him, it’s most important for the team
Even when things aren’t going as well as they would like on the scoreboard or in the standings, Moizer said the girls still enjoy playing. They’re also excellent teammates, put forth a good effort and have good attitudes.
“They are very coachable and fun to be around,” he said. “They have fun but know when to work hard and apply themselves.” l
Riverton soccer started slow but expect to be competitive throughout the season. (Photos courtesy Riverton soccer)
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Stroke from Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley Stroke Team
By Dr. Rebecca Reiser
We know how important it is for patients and their families to find a hospital and a care team that you can trust - especially when emergencies, like stroke, happen. That’s why our team at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley is so incredibly proud to be a certified primary stroke center with thrombectomy capability. Recently, our stroke care team was recognized by the American Heart Association and received their Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus Award with Stroke Honor Roll and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. This award means our facility met or exceeded the national recommendations for stroke care for our patients and it highlights our hard-working, talented stroke care team for providing excellent patient stroke care! To start, we work closely with our EMS partners to help them recognize patient stroke symptoms while they are out in the field. They are trained to let us know when they are on their way to our hospital so we can be ready for stroke patients before they even arrive. Our team is then able to evaluate each patient quickly and thoroughly to determine the best course of treatment. We have medications to help break up blood clots in the brain and a team of highly
trained vascular neurosurgeons who can remove a blood clot from the brain, also known as a thrombectomy. An important note - Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley is the only hospital on the west side of the valley that has the capability of performing these state-of-the-art thrombectomies!
So, what are the signs and symptoms of stroke that you should be aware of? The easiest way to remember what to look out for is through the acronym, BEFAST:
● Balance changes
● Eye or vision changes
● Facial droop
● Arm weakness
● Speech difficulty
● Time
reduces disability among stroke survivors by 4%! That’s because about 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke until blood flow is restored. It is important that if you see someone showing the signs or symptoms of stroke outlined above, call for help immediately.
When you or your loved ones come to Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley for stroke care, you can expect state-of-theart stroke treatment and compassionate, healing care fueled by humankindness. From the teams in the ER to the stroke care teams to the physical, occupational and speech therapists that help care for patients throughout their rehab journey, and to the neurologists that assist in care decisions from the start, you are in good hands at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley!
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
It is important to recognize the above signs and symptoms because time matters! Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, but it is the leading cause of long-term disability. Studies show that every 15 minutes saved when a patient is experiencing stroke symptoms,
Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
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Dr. Rebecca Reiser Neurologist and Stroke Director CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital
Utah STEM Fest celebrates 10 years of student engagement
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
With its interactive exhibits and fun learning environment, the Utah STEM Fest invites students in grades five12 to explore how science, technology, engineering and math help shape their world.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the event aims to foster curiosity in STEM careers by providing the next generation of problem solvers the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and collaborative challenges with more than 10,000 students from around the state.
“We’re building a curiosity in STEM that helps to build a comfort level and helps kids gravitate towards being problem solvers,” said Tami Goetz, STEM Action Center Utah executive director. “Also, to be something like failure positive. It’s important for our kids to understand that failure is a learning process, too. So often in STEM, you get the chance to do things and some things work. Some things don’t.”
Hosted by the STEM Action Center Utah, the event will be held Sept. 17-18 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy (9575 S. State Street). Teachers across Utah bring their classes to attend the Utah STEM Fest and the STEM Action Center Utah provides transportation for students from places like San Juan, Sevier, North Summit, Nebo, Emery and Duchesne school districts.
Since the event started in 2013, Utah STEM Fest has grown to include a variety of businesses and organizations that showcase STEM-related activities. The Utah State Highway Patrol brings a vehicle filled with state-of-the-art mobile tech-
nology. Utah Valley University’s science department provides dynamic experiential learning. KSL News sets up a green screen for students to practice being on camera. There’s even a mobile planetarium where students can watch a star show.
“One of our biggest supporters is US Synthetic,” said Shelby Averett, communications manager at STEM Action Center Utah. “They make synthetic diamonds. They have a miniaturized display showing how they do that process in real life.”
A push to get more girls and young women interested in STEM courses and careers is paying off. All-girl robotics teams are more popular than ever and there’s a greater demand for opportunities like SheTech clubs in high schools. College-level engineering programs are also seeing an increase in female students.
“I do think we’re taking the fear out of STEM for a lot of our girls which is good because whether you’re a girl or you’re a boy, the demand for talent in STEM-related careers requires for us to at least provide the opportunity to have the choice to go into a STEM career,” Goetz said. “There’s such a demand for STEM talent and that’s not going away.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 4-8 p.m., Family Night at STEM Fest invites students and their families to explore exhibits and enjoy demonstrations from STEM professionals. Admission is free.
The Utah STEM Action Center, a division of the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, is tasked with advancing STEM education. By providing
a two-day event filled with fun experiments and an inspirational focus, Goetz hopes students will leave STEM Fest with a better understanding and appreciation for STEM careers and advancements.
“We’re not in the business of saying STEM is for everyone,” she said. “But we certainly are in the business of saying if
it’s something you haven’t thought about, let us help provide some opportunity to explore it. So that if you walk away from it, you’re walking away from it because you know you’ve had a chance to try it, regardless of your gender.”
For volunteering or event information, visit utahstemfest.com. l
City Journals recognized for ‘Championing Women’ in the workplace
Students from all over the state will attend the Utah STEM Fest Sept. 17-18 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy (9575 S. State Street). (Photo courtesy of Utah STEM Fest)
In December 2023, the City Journals was recognized as one of the 100 Companies Championing Women. The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Cox-Henderson Administration and the Utah Women & Leadership Project created the initiative in 2022, as part of the Inspire InUtah program, to recognize businesses that offer family-friendly policies and women-specific practices that advance women as managers and leaders. These efforts were the focus of a luncheon this August, in which representatives from organizations championing women were recognized. “I was so glad that I was able to attend,” said Elizabeth Sweat of the City Journals. “This recognition is a testament to our ongoing efforts to create an inclusive environment where women can thrive and lead.” Sweat and the other representatives of the City Journals expressed their gratitude to both the state, and the Grand America, which hosted the event for this honor.
Three Utah markers to remember early U.S. history
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
In Utah, the first day of September is the start of “Constitution Month” and a celebration of freedom.
At the state capital, the month is kicked off even before the first, on Aug. 29 with a public celebration. Constitution Day falls during the month on Sept. 17. There are monuments and relics in the state to remember those who fought for independence and were a part of the early years of the country. Here are three Utah monuments that celebrate independence to visit this Constitution Month:
1. Liberty Bell replica at the Utah State Capitol
In 1950, the United States Department of the Treasury gave each state a replica of the Liberty Bell, famous for its significance in symbolizing freedom and independence throughout the country’s history.
Utah’s replica of the bell can be found on the first floor of the Utah State Capitol building.
2. Daughters of the American Revolution Drinking Fountain Monument
Currently residing in the northeast corner of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, this drinking fountain was installed
much after the American Revolution in November 1905, per the Daughters of the American Revolution. It no longer functions as a water fountain but rather sits in a flower bed, surrounded by a short wall.
The Spirit of Liberty Chapter of the DAR dedicated this as the first monument of the organization in the state. The fountain was presented to the state with the hope that it would be a reminder of the lives lost and serve as a reminder of the efforts to gain the freedom the U.S. has today.
3. Escalante Monument
A year after the start of the Revolutionary War in 1776, Father Silvestre Valez de Escalante and a group came to the Utah Valley while trying to find a route from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Monterey, California. Escalante was the first “white man to look upon this valley,” reads the monument, per the DAR. Escalante Monument, dedicated in 1922 and placed by the Spirit Liberty Chapter of the DAR, is located in the northeast corner of the Spanish Fork City Park to commemorate the event. l
RIVERTON REVIEW
Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government
How the U.S. Constitution Shapes City Government
By Mayor Trent Staggs
Riverton residents are united in celebrating the honored principles of self-government, the rule of law, and federalism upheld by the U.S. Constitution. Each year Riverton City commemorates the courage and ingenuity of the Framers who crafted and signed the U.S. Constitution. Ours is the oldest written constitution still in use, and it continues to be the world’s best beacon of freedom to protect individual rights.
As we celebrate Constitution Day this month on September 17, I encourage everyone to read it and learn more about how its structure safeguards individual liberty. During this occasion, may we recommit ourselves - like our forefathers - to making the United States a more perfect union.
I thought it fitting to point out how the U.S. Constitution shapes city government and continues to influence municipalities throughout the country.
a similar structure for city governments. Our Riverton city councilmembers exercise legislative power by deliberating and agreeing on which laws we need. The office of mayor is the executive and is empowered to carry out the plans and enforce the laws the city council enacted.
“Ours is the oldest written constitution still in use, and it continues to be the world’s best beacon of freedom to protect individual rights.”
1. The Constitution divides power among legislative and executive offices to incentivize cooperation. The State of Utah has adopted
2. Riverton City police officers take an oath to protect the U.S. Constitution. Law enforcement is often considered to be the most visible protectors of Americans’ Godgiven rights. The U.S. Constitution plays a crucial role in ensuring police officers enforce the laws fairly, impartially, and with respect to the rights of all individuals.
3. Property rights of individuals and the laws protecting them originate
in the U.S. Constitution. Riverton City crafts its land-use regulations with respect for people’s right to their own property. The principle of federalism in the Constitution encourages local government to manage their own affairs. Each community is empowered to follow their own vision for the future.
4. Most importantly, the U.S. Constitution begins with the immortal words of “We the People.” The American people are the sovereigns of this country. The U.S. Constitution sets up the government to be of, for, and by the people. Likewise, the Riverton City government is set up to serve you, the people.
These are just a few of the ways the U.S Constitution shapes the day-today work of city government. I urge everyone to celebrate this great governing document that has been the catalyst to unleash the genius of our country.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Trent Staggs - Mayor
Andy Pierucci - District 1
Troy McDougal - District 2
Tawnee McCay - District 3
Tish Buroker - District 4
Spencer Haymond - District 5
UPCOMING
CITY MEETINGS
CITY COUNCIL
September 3 & 17, 7 p.m.
PLANNING COMMISSION
September 12 & 26, 6:30 p.m.
CONTACT US rivertonutah.gov 801-254-0704
Report a problem at rivertonutah.gov/report
COUNCILMEMBER MESSAGE
Riverton Recycling, Let’s Keep Improving!
By Councilmember Tawnee McCay
A vast majority of Riverton residents support and appreciate curbside recycling. We need to educate our community about what can be recycled to help improve our contamination rate (how much is put in the recycling bin that cannot be recycled). We currently have a contamination rate of 25.8%. Our goal is to get down to 15% potentially saving hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Some customers of Waste Management (WM) have been able to reach 13.4%! With the landfill increasing their fees for trash, it is even more important that we do a good job sorting our recycling.
Does our recycled material actually get recycled? Yes! Aluminum cans are turned into new cans, bicycle parts, and airplane parts, sometimes in as little as 30 days. Recycled glass is processed in Salt Lake City. Steel cans become industrial steel products at Nucor, here in
Utah. Below are some fun facts about recycling:
WM collects recyclables from 10,950 homes and 24 businesses in Riverton. In July, WM recycled 156 tons of cans, paper, cardboard, and bottles! Let’s increase these numbers.
Riverton’s recycling efforts saved the following resources this month:
● 2,551 Mature Trees (43,363,300 sheets of copy paper!)
● 364 Cubic Yards of Landfill Space (annual waste for 465 people!)
● 622,414 Gallons of Water (enough to meet the daily needs of 8,298 people!)
● 489,312 KwH of Electricity (enough to power 46 homes for a year!)
● Avoided 506 Metric Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (annual emissions from over 109 vehicles!)
Riverton is an awesome place to live. I know we can recycle right and save money!
PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE
Golf Carts, Traffic Safety, and Parking Questions
By Chief Shane Taylor
Over the past few months, many traffic questions have been raised about golf carts, traffic safety, and parking. Riverton residents have expressed concerns about seeing golf carts on public streets.
Let me be perfectly clear: it is not lawful to operate a golf cart on a public street in Riverton City.
Here is where the misunderstanding around this issue lies: It is true that state statute (see: Utah Code Section 41-6a-1510) authorizes cities to adopt an ordinance which permits the operation of golf carts on city streets. However, Riverton City has not opted to adopt an ordinance to permit golf carts to operate on streets within its jurisdiction. No city in the county has adopted an ordinance that would allow golf carts to be driven on public streets.
It is understandable that some residents may think operating a golf cart on a Riverton City street is acceptable, if they see this sort of activity in their neighborhood. However, the pervasiveness of this problem does not negate from the fact that it is prohibited. In truth, most cities are experiencing the same problem with the arrival of golf carts on their streets even though they haven’t adopted an ordinance to permit this activity.
It is not lawful to operate a golf cart on a public street in Riverton City.
this with the help of our community partners.
Parking and Traffic Concerns
Some other questions we get regularly are about parking laws. Let’s review the law regarding parking.
“Riverton residents have expressed concerns about seeing golf carts on public streets.”
Parking in front of private/public driveways and within 20’ of a crosswalk is not just discouraged, it’s prohibited. Parking on sidewalks and within 15’ of a fire hydrant is not permitted, and parking 30’ upon approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of the roadway is prohibited. Parking by no-parking signs is not discouraged; it’s a violation.
intersections. To safeguard children, stop at red flashing lights on school buses and obey the 20-mph speed limit within school zones.
Trailer and Boat Parking on Public Streets
Occasionally, trailers and boats are found parked at the curb of a public street for extended periods of time. City code prohibits parking on public streets of any boat, trailer, motor home, or tractor for 48 or more consecutive hours, and which has not been moved a minimum of 400 feet prior to returning to the same location.
Unlicensed vehicles are also prohibited from being parked on a public road. Additionally, living in a motor home that is parked on a public street is also prohibited.
n rivertonutah.gov/alerts Get important traffic alerts, emergency updates, and city info with Riverton’s all new text alerts. Text JOIN (and your email) to 530-456-9523
n @rivertonutahgov
Connect with Riverton City to get quick updates, essential information, event details and more on the platforms you use.
n rivertonutah.gov/app Report a problem, see the city calendar, get directions to parks and city facilities, and find city information right from your mobile device.
The Riverton Police Department is unwavering in our commitment to safety. We are here to ensure your safety, and we can only accomplish
Other questions brought up to officers regularly are about traffic regulations. Follow the posted speed limits to ensure a safe environment and stop entirely at signs and traffic lights before proceeding through
At the Riverton Police Department, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life. We do this by providing excellent law enforcement services and informative data that ensure the safety and security of the Riverton community.
n rivertonutah.gov/subscribe Get the latest city updates, e-newsletters, event information and other news delivered right to your inbox.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Utah VW Classic Car Show Fall Classic Tournament
Come enjoy Utah’s largest classic VW and early Porsche car show at Riverton City Park! Featuring classic Volkswagens from all years and models. This free event is Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Riverton City Park at 1452 W 12600 S in Riverton, Utah.
Sign Up: Christmas Choir
Join the community choir to sing at this year’s Christmas Night of Music Concert on Monday, December 9, 2024. Practices held weekly in November. Sign up online: rivertonutah.gov/ night-of-music
I Teach Art Exhibit
Step into the world of creativity and education with ‘I Teach Art’ -- an extraordinary exhibit celebrating the talent and passion of our community’s art educators. View artwork created by our local teachers. Sept. 9-25, 2024 at The Old Dome Meeting Hall. Visit rivertonutah.gov/exhibits.
Volunteers Needed
Pickleball players love Riverton’s Fall Classic Pickleball Tournament! The tournament features a pool bracket with various divisions. Join us on September 20-21 at Riverton City Park. Register online at rivertonutah.gov/pickleball.
Wreaths Across America
Be a part of a Riverton tradition and sponsor a $17 wreath to be placed at a veteran’s grave at Riverton City Cemetery this December. It is our goal to have a wreath for EVERY veteran. Learn more at: rivertonutah.gov/wreaths
Preplan for Peace of Mind
Preplanning ensures that when the moment comes, your loved ones can grieve and remember without the burden of decision-making. It’s a gift of love, a way to shield them from the practicalities, allowing them to focus on honoring your life and finding solace. At Larkin, our prearranged plans not only secure today’s prices but encapsulate your love and consideration for those you leave behind. Affordable payment options are available, making it easy to provide this peace of mind and love for your family.
Call us today to learn more.
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Larkin Mortuary 260 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 363-5781
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Larkin Mortuary Riverton 3688 West 12600 South Riverton, UT 84065 (801) 254-4850
The cellphone problem
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Jordan Education Association President Janet Sanders said teachers cannot continue to compete with cellphones for students’ attention.
“It doesn’t matter how engaging your lesson is, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing that day—you could be doing the most exciting thing there could be— but with that phone, the dopamine hit is there, it’s just so hard to resist,” she said.
The Jordan District Board of Education has been working for months on solutions to the cellphone problem in schools. In January, they authorized Lighthouse Research to conduct surveys and focus groups to gather feedback about the cellphone problem. Results showed 87% of parents, 70% of students and 91% of faculty agree cellphones should be restricted during class time.
Parents are concerned about the negative impact of cellphones on children’s development. Teachers are concerned about distractions from learning.
One educator said, “I feel like so much teaching time is lost because a student will zone out on a phone and then expect me to reteach what they missed.”
Board members have spent months exploring ideas, researching tools, speaking with constituents and searching their souls for solutions, but opinions still vary widely about the best approach. As other districts introduce cellphone restrictions, JSD teachers and parents are demanding direction from the board.
In August, the Board committed to write a new district cellphone policy, to replace the current vague and ineffective policy, to prevent distractions in the classroom and to reduce the burden on teachers and administrators who currently are left to develop and enforce solutions on their own.
The board is in agreement that there should be no cellphones during class time in middle and high schools, and no phones all day in elementary schools. These changes could go into effect as soon as this month. There are still mixed opinions among board and community members for a bell-to-bell ban for all schools. Some concerns include overreaching the board’s role, overriding parent choice and overburdening teachers.
Meanwhile, a bill is being drafted for the next Utah legislative session to call for a statewide cellphone ban in schools, which would include funding for the tools needed to implement such a policy. Jordan’s board has decided not to wait, but to use their own funds to explore solutions such as secure phone lockers and magnetically locking pouches. Schools willing to pilot one of the various procedures, tools, or consequences the board is considering will have board funding.
Until the board announces a new cellphone policy, administrators and teachers
Without a district-wide cellphone policy, teachers are on their own to deal with cellphones in the classroom, such as asking students to place their phones in plastic holders at the door. (Andrea Hinojosa/CHHS)
are implementing their own solutions.
Mountain Ridge High School announced at the beginning of the school year that no cellphones are allowed in class for both students and teachers. Some middle schools have been able to successfully enforce this type of ban for the past few years. In most schools, teachers are left to create their own classroom systems, such as verbal warnings and consequences, visual reminders of when cellphones can and can’t be used or requiring students to place the phones in plastic pockets or secure lockers when entering the classroom.
Sanders, who teaches at Mountain Ridge High School, said the high school’s new cellphone ban has been successful so far because it is school-wide, consistently reinforced and effective.
“In my class, it’s magical,” she said. “I’ve been in the classroom for many years and I will tell you that since the advent of cellphones, I’ve never seen anything like it. I consider myself to be a good teacher, to be dynamic, to do lots of activities, to make it as engaging as I can, but there’s always going to be that one or two kids determined to be on their phone. Guess what? They’re participating. It’s amazing. You look around the room. They’re talking to each other. They’re working together. They’re actually doing the activity.” l
Protect yourself against West Nile virus with precautions
By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com
Lastmonth, the West Nile virus was found in western Salt Lake City along the border of the Draper and Riverton cities. Members of the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement and the South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District expect additional mosquito pools to test positive before the year is out.
“There will be a growing number of mosquitoes carrying the disease, so it is especially important that Utahns protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Salt Lake County Health Department epidemiologist Andrea Price.
If a mosquito carrying the virus does visit your neighborhood and transmits the virus onto you, it is possible to experience no symptoms. However, if you’re the one in five people that does show symptoms, you’ll experience headaches, body aches, neck stiffness, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, tremors, convulsions and rashes. You may also experience fatigue and weakness, that can last a few weeks or even months.
Additionally, one in every 150 people who contract the West Nile virus may develop a neuroinvasive disease, which can result in long-term debilitating complications.
Last year, five out of the eight Utah residents to contract the virus ended up contracting the neuroinvasive form of the disease. One resulted in death.
Symptoms of the West Nile virus do not appeal for at least two days after the virus is contracted. Symptoms may appear up to 14 days after the infected mosquito bites.
There is no specific treatment for the West Nile virus nor are there vaccines. If contracted, the only thing to do is to treat symptoms. So it’s best to not contract the virus at all.
“There are not a lot of human cases yet, but it’s a worry,” said Cottonwood Heights Councilmember Matt Holton. “West Nile is coming within the States.”
To deter mosquitos, the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement members have shared a few suggestions for Utah residents. They recommend using an EPA-registered mosquito repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
If you are out and about when the sun isn’t shining, make sure to wear long sleeves and pants so the mosquitos can’t find exposed skin.
As mosquitos can travel over several miles, they tend to look for shady places to rest during the day. Residents are encouraged to continue cutting weeds and tall grasses short and making sure all windows are shut and/or screen tight.
If you have potential areas in your yard that might collect water, do make sure to drain that standing water daily. Mosquitos lay their eggs in stagnant water (which could accumulate in potted plants, pet dishes, buckets, old tires, even roof gutters!).
Everyone in the region is encouraged to take precautions against mosquito bites to avoid exposure against the virus. l
Health officials urge residents to take precautions to avoid contracting West Nile virus. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)
When playing outside this summer, make sure to dump any stagnant water as to not attract mosquitos and their eggs. (Wag-a-lot Atlanta/Flickr)
MISSION
VISION
BENEFITS: Resources, Networking, Education and Advocacy
SUSTAINING PARTNERS:
Riverton Hospital
Herriman City
Bluffdale City City Journals
Expand Business Solutions Mountain America CU Common Spirit Holy Cross Hospital
CONTACT: Susan Schilling
801-280-0595 susan@mountainwestchamber.org
We are excited to announce that our community has welcomed many new businesses in the past month! These businesses bring diverse services and products that will enrich our local economy and enhance our community’s vibrancy. We had the pleasure of hosting ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the following establishments:
• Mountain View Implants
o 6351 West 13400 South, Herriman
• Salt City Ortho, Copper Cove Pediatric Dentistry, and Foundation Physical Therapy
o 11962 Anthem Park Blvd., Herriman
• Encore Academy, Antelope Ebikes, & TL Flooring
o 2774 West 14000 South, Bluffdale
• 7-11
o Porter Rockwell and Redwood Rd., Bluffdale
• Lucky Thai
o 5516 W. 13400 S., Herriman
• Taqueria Chunga
o 13322 S. Rosecrest Rd., Herriman
• Royal Court Pickelball Club
o 15892 Rockwell Park Cove, Herriman
• Smith’s Marketplace Groundbreaking
o By FatCats Fun in Bluffdale
• DeCoeur Fine Art
o 14572 S 790 W, Bluffdale
• Quick Quack Carwash
o Porter Rockwell and Redwood Road, Bluffdale
These businesses are excited to serve you, and we hope you will join us in supporting them. By shopping locally, you help our community grow and thrive. Your patronage makes a significant difference in sustaining the vibrant business environment that benefits us all.
All year long the Mountain West Chamber Board of Directors, along with local business owners, and community leaders, work hard in raising money for scholarships. We work together with local high school counselors, and we ask them to nominate the “Most Resilient” students. These are the real go-getters, the comeback kids, the ones who worked extra hard to finish strong! We are excited to announce that we have awarded 8 very deserving local HS graduates, they will receive $1,500 each to go towards continuing education. Congratulations, we are all so proud of you!
Riverton girls tennis setting high expectations for 2024 season
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Coming off a 2023 season in which the Riverton girls tennis team placed 14th out of 18 teams at the Class 6A state tournament, The Silverwolves are eager to show improvement on the court.
They’ll have to do it with a mostly new cast of varsity players.
Riverton brings back just one starter from last season, making this an inexperienced team. On a positive note, however, Riverton does have three seniors leading the team. The trio—Mayci Call, Nicole Gowen and Addelyn Holt—will be critical in determining how successful the Silverwolves are in achieving their goals. Heading into the season, head coach Ronald Ence was pleased with their attitudes and commitment.
“They have earned varsity positions through their hard work during the off season,” Ence said. “As coaches, we love their example of always giving total effort. They treat the underclass players right and help create a team atmosphere.”
Last year’s senior-laden team had its ups and downs. Now, with lots of new faces on the varsity squad, Ence has high hopes that Silverwolves will eclipse what the team did last season in the win column and at the state tournament. He and his assistants are aiming to not only qualify all varsity players for the Class 6A state tournament but to see them advance.
“Our goal is to get all seven varsity players to advance to at least the second round of 6A state tennis tournament held at Liberty Park,” he said. “For the remaining JV players, their goal is to get better every practice or match whether they win or lose.”
As the 2024 campaign got underway a few weeks before school began, Ence was eager to see how the players have developed. He also expects the girls to have fun on the court at practices and matches as they compete against talented competitors.
“The coaching staff expectation is to see each and every player improve their tennis skills and that each player will enjoy being a part of the high school team and competing
against other schools,” he said.
Ence knows the Silverwolves will face their share of challenges. He acknowledges the players have a lot to learn and must continue to improve. Still, he’s quick to point out that a big strength that Riverton players have is their desire to learn.
“One strength of our team is that players are coachable,” he said. “Tennis uses unique skills, and they are always learning ways to improve and be better.”
Unlike other fall sports whose seasons can last three months, girls tennis has an abbreviated schedule. The season is only two months long, which constricts practice times and provides few breaks. This can be difficult, especially for Riverton as it breaks in new players. Ence said the quick season requires that players work hard in the summer as they prepare to take the court in August and September.
Another challenge Riverton will face is overcoming some of the mental difficulties that young, inexperienced teams often encounter. With only Holt returning from the 2023 varsity team, Ence said his players need to be focused and play with confidence and courage. He believes if the Silverwolves do this, they can have a successful season.
“The players will need to get the nervousness out of their minds and learn to be competitive in each game and match,” he said. “So far, the attitude and effort have shown they can do good things.” l
Addelyn Holt is back for the Riverton tennis team. (Photo courtesy Ron Ence)
Riverton cross country optimistic for new season
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
From early morning workouts to grueling races in the heat or cold, cross country is a sport that poses big challenges—physically and mentally. It’s not a sport for everyone, but members of the Riverton team enjoy the competition and thrill of working hard and accomplishing goals.
Head coach Marcus Dickson is pleased with what he has seen in the early going. The athletes began the fall season well-prepared. Dickson has some lofty goals for the team.
“We have very high expectations this year, as we do every year,” he said. “We feel that our team works extremely hard, and when we work, then good things happen.”
However, Dickson has a simple approach and has a philosophy to take things meet by meet. He wants to see consistent improvement so the athletes can all be at their best once the state meet comes.
“We try not to focus on outcome goals,” he said. “We want to run to our fullest and best capacity on the biggest of days, which for us would mean state, Nike Regionals and Nike Nationals. We think we can compete with anyone in the country.”
Arguably the top two runners for the Silverwolves are Corbin Randall on the boys’ side and Mya Oyler on the girls’ side. Oyler, a senior, was 11th at the state meet last year with a time of 18:33.3 in the 5K race. Randall, also a senior, was 13th at state last season with a time of 15:31.8.
Dickson is eager to see how these two runners build off their junior seasons and what they have in store this year.
“They are both going to be huge for our team this season,” Dickson said. “They have been top runners ever since they joined the Silverwolves, and I am excited to see what they can do for their senior season.”
Seniors Christian Ruf and Landon Nunley will bolster the boys team. Dickson said both runners had “strong summers” and that they could “shock a lot of people” this season. Meanwhile, the improving girls team has the potential to be the best in school history, Dickson said.
Riverton faces stiff competition in every invitational and meet. In particular, Region 2
boasts national powerhouse Herriman as well as solid teams in Corner Canyon, Bingham and Mountain Ridge. Dickson isn’t worried about where his team places and how they compare to opponents. Instead, he focuses on every athlete doing his or her best and developing throughout the year.
“If we as a team can measure success by consistency, intentionality and a strong team culture and not by outcomes, then I would say that is a success,” Dickson said. “If the athletes and coaches can say, ‘We did everything that we could to set these kids up to be successful’ (which includes setting them up to win, running extremely fast and being future leaders in our society) then we had a successful season.”
A key strength the Silverwolves have is their passion for the sport and how much they enjoy every practice, workout and meet. Dickson is amazed with the athletes’ attitudes.
“This team loves to run,” he said. “I don’t think I have ever been a part of a team (even as my time as an athlete at BYU) that loves to run as much as these kids love to run.”
Riverton began the season the second week of August. Dickson said so far, the athletes have performed well and run fast.
“The team has looked very strong,” he said. “The girls top five ran the fastest top-five average in school history for our time trial course. The boys have had some very impressive workouts and training weeks.”
Having fast times and improving on those times throughout the season is crucial. Still, Dickson looks at other elements, such as team culture, camaraderie, determination and a positive mindset. He’s grateful to lead the Riverton cross country team and has a lot of satisfaction in watching the athletes grow and get along with one another.
“I love coaching these kids because they are resilient,” he said. “They come back to practice after their best or worst workouts. These kids run six days a week and twice a day a lot of the time. The culture on the team is very fun to be around. The kids have huge goals and know how to fall in love with the process to get there.”
Brand new kindergarten teacher Alexa Byrd has a twinkle in her eye when she talks about beginning her teaching career. The sparkle comes from her excitement, her enthusiastic personality and from her glittery prosthetic eye. Byrd lost her eye to cancer at age 15, and it was a teacher— who gave her a box of fun and colorful eye patches—who helped her appreciate her own uniqueness and improve her attitude about school.
“So now I wear sparkly fun eyes, and so I get to be that for other kids, and I get to teach them their differences are what makes them special,” Byrd said. “I’m so excited I get to start their love of learning, and it makes me so excited to help them at an early age realize how fun school can be and make them feel special and that they can do anything in their lives.”
Jordan School District administrators share Byrd’s enthusiasm for the new school year because, for the first time in 10 years, they are beginning the school year with nearly every single position filled.
“The headline for a long time—or the narrative people wanted to push out—was this big teacher shortage,” JSD Communications Director Sandy Riesgraf said. “That pendulum has swung way the other
New teachers excited for 2024-25 school year
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
the skills that would best fit this group of kids?’” she said. “I’m really excited about the people that we hired. I think they’re the best fit for our school. I think we’re going to have a great year.”
Johansen said the high number of applicants for each job opening occurred because there has been less teacher turnover. Jordan District hired 400 new teachers this year, about 50 fewer than last year.
“I think the fact that people are staying is a testament to the successful supports that I think particularly Jordan provides for their teachers,” Johansen said.
Culture, wage, mental health resources and innovative use of technology and AI are some of the things that new teachers said drew them to Jordan District. Byrd, who will be teaching at Columbia Elementary, appreciates the district’s culture of continual learning and support.
way, and we’re excited about it.”
This year, secondary teaching positions had an average of 22.8 applicants, elementary teaching positions had an average of 40.3 applicants and special education teaching positions had an average of 13.2 applicants. Majestic Elementary Arts Academy Principal Marianne Johansen had twice as many applicants for each position
than previous years, with one position receiving 52 applications. Because there were so many qualified applicants, she had to use “high bar, robust filters” to whittle down the candidates.
“We just started looking at who was the best fit for the school in general, and we even went down to the students in the classes and said, ‘Who do we think has
“I have an awesome principal, I have an awesome team, so I have nothing to worry about as long as I believe in myself, and I know there’s a support team behind me,” she said. “I just love the atmosphere and they want to be here to help me. They know it’s hard and they’re not throwing me out into the sharks.”
Mariah Tolman, a first year special ed-
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New teachers are welcomed to Jordan District new teacher training Friday Aug. 9, with an enthusiastic greeting from high school cheerleaders, mascots, drumline percussionists, administrators and local mayors. (Doug Flagler/JSD)
ucation teacher at the new Juniper Elementary, said she was impressed by the support she received even before she was hired.
“When I was deciding to take this job, they reached out because I was a brand new teacher at a brand new school in SpEd, and I was like, ‘I don’t know if I should do this,’” Tolman said. “And then I had so
many people reach out with supports. They said, ‘We’re going to set you up with this and this and this, here’s the person you can contact for this, and you’re not alone, we’re going to come out and help you.’ And that was really one of the reasons why I was like, ‘Okay, I can do this.’” l
Principal Marianne Johansen gives her new teachers special treatment— a crown, a sash and a ride into new teacher training on the school mascot. (Doug Flagler/JSD)
Dedicated Riverton boys golf team eager to be the best
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
High school boys golf in Utah is competitive, including in the Class 6A ranks. Winning a state title isn’t easy, but the Riverton Silverwolves like their chances.
Head coach Kelly Pehrson, now in his third year leading the team, isn’t shying away from challenging the boys and touting them as a possible contender for the top prize in 6A.
“I have high expectations for our team this year,” Pehrson said. “I have witnessed how hard each of our players have worked during the season and during the off-season. Some of the golfers have not stopped practicing from last season. Our team has the physical talent to win it all; we are just struggling with the mental aspect of the game. Our motto this year is ‘Lock in.’ We have put it on our team hats to remind them to lock in mentally.”
Riverton’s overarching goal is to capture the 6A state title. This will require every player to be on his game each match and for consistent progress throughout the year. Because golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, Pehrson is using some different techniques this season to prepare the players.
“Obviously our team goal is to win a state championship for Riverton High School this year,” he said. “To do so we just have to improve each week in the season. We have implemented some mental assessment trainings and books to read to help them gain confidence mentally. We are reading as a team ‘Every Shot Must Have a Purpose,’ by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott. Each week they have to text the coaches what they have learned. The second chapter starts out with a quote from Henry Ford, ‘If you think
you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.’ This is our team goal: to have them gain confidence mentally.”
The Silverwolves have a large team that includes eight seniors. Two of those seniors—Collin Taylor and Andrew Huff—are first-time players on the Riverton team, having been cut after tryouts in years past. There are also five juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen.
“[Taylor and Huff] proved us wrong as coaches for not
choosing them in previous tryouts by working extremely hard in the off-season,” Pehrson said.
The team leader is Jaxon Erickson, whom Pehrson said is “one of the hardest-working kids in Utah Junior Golf.” He was third in 6A last season at the state tournament.
“[Erickson] has followed this up with an amazing summer season,” Pehrson said. “He sets the tone for the
The 2024 season could be a big one for the Riverton boys golf team. The Silverwolves are a senior-laden team with lots of experience. (Photo courtesy Kelly Pehrson)
Hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate, shelter: New emergency response terms parents should know
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
There will be less unnecessary fear and confusion now that Utah schools, law enforcement, news media and emergency response agencies have adopted a standardized emergency response protocol with clear terminology, Jordan School District Communications Director Sandy Riesgraf said.
“The problem in the past was we would say LockOut and the parents would think it was LockDown and they would think there was an intruder in the building—they were too similar,” she said.
The standardized protocols, which were prescribed in Utah’s 2023 legislative session, ensure everyone will be using the same terminology and responses.
“Everybody in the state is using it, every school district is using it, so it doesn’t matter which law-enforcement agency it is, they know where to go, and what we’re going to say,” Jordan School District School Safety Coordinator Matt Alvernaz said.
The five emergency responses are: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate and shelter. They provide a response to any incident that could interrupt the school day such as medical emergencies, intruders, wild animals, extreme weather, and dangers inside or outside the school building.
Hold
Response: Stay where you are and clear the halls.
What it looks like: Classes continue as normal but ignore any bells.
Reason: Hazard in the hall, student has a medical emergency and needs to be wheeled out on a gurney, a squirrel is loose in the hallway.
Secure
Response: Get in and stay inside the building. Lock outside doors and secure the area. What it looks like: Classes continue as normal.
Reason: Police activity nearby, cougar spotted in the area, dangerous person outside
rest of the team to chase. However, what I like most of all about Jaxon, even with all his success, he loves to be with the rest of the guys on the team, he is extremely humble, and he is friends with the rest of the team.”
Pehrson loves his senior class and is grateful for their hard work and dedication. He admires the examples they set for the younger golfers on the squad. These seniors, in addition to Taylor and Huff, are Charlie Jackson, Hayden Stewart, Dylan Openshaw, Camden Niell, Kayson Grover and Ryker White.
“They all bring amazing leadership and a great attitude each day,” Pehrson said. “Even after golf, I know each one of these
of the building.
Lockdown
Response: Locks, lights, out of sight.
What it looks like: Classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, teachers and students stay hidden and quiet. Parents should not try to contact students because cellphone noises could give away their position to an intruder.
Reason: There is an intruder inside the building.
Evacuate
Response: Everyone is directed to leave the building.
What it looks like: Students will leave belongings behind if instructed to do so but may be able to bring their cellphones, if possible.
Reason: There is a fire in the building, the ceiling caves in, mysterious fumes are coming from the chemistry room.
Shelter
Response: Specific safety strategy instructions will be given.
What it looks like: Depends on the nature of the hazard.
Reason: Natural disaster, severe weather or other outside hazard.
The new procedures were introduced at the end of last school year. Teachers and administrators receive regular training in coordination with local police departments and each school has a school safety specialist. Students practice the five responses as part of monthly school safety drills.
Alvernaz said holding regular training and drills ensures everyone understands what to do and why.
“We’re trying to normalize all of these drills,” he said. “It’s like a fire drill—Kids from all generations just go, ‘Okay, that’s a fire drill.’ And so we want to come to a point where if we drill a lockdown, it’s normal, it’s not a panic, it’s not a unique thing anymore. We drill a secure, a hold—whatever drill it might be, it just
boys have big plans after high school.”
Pehrson said the key to success this season is for the players to “swing with confidence.” The Silverwolves work hard and prepare. The key is to now develop more confidence.
Riverton doesn’t lack for leadership and experience. Most the players are now on their third or fourth year on the team. However, there are big challenges ahead. Region 2 presents some formidable opponents, with Corner Canyon, Herriman and Bingham, in particular, always bringing a strong game.
“Sometimes it can be intimidating playing with such talented players,” Pehrson said. “Again, we just have to have the
IN AN EMERGENCY TAKE ACTION
SECURE! Get inside. Lock outside doors.
STUDENTS ADULTS
becomes a part of safety, and it’s ingrained in their minds, so that way, it becomes standard and easier to execute.”
Parents will be notified and given instructions through the district’s ParentSquare app if their child’s school implements any of the emergency responses.
“We’ve produced videos that actually describe and show what each action means,” Riesgraf said. “So if you get an alert as a parent
that your school has been placed on Hold, at the very bottom there will be a link to a video, so that if you still don’t know exactly what it is, you just click on that video and it’ll show you exactly what it is.”
More information about the standard response protocols, including the informative videos, can be found on the Jordan District’s student safety webpage at schoolsafety.jordandistrict.org. l
confidence that we deserve to play right beside these players.”
The Silverwolves opened the season with a third-place finish behind Corner Canyon and Herriman at a tournament at River Oaks golf course. Those teams were first and third, respectively, at state a year ago. Pehrson is daunted by these foes. However, he believes the Silverwolves are capable of toppling any opponent.
“It is anybody’s day in golf,” he said. “I feel like if we bring our potential and it’s our day, we can beat anyone.”
What matters most to Pehrson in his coaching opportunities is not where the team finishes in the standings but that he gets the chance to work with some amazing
people. He’s grateful he gets to see firsthand these young men progress and grow.
“They are just great young men,” he said. “Spending three years with almost all of them has been so fun. I love that they are friends away from golf. I have a son on the team, and I appreciate the impact and friendships that he has gained from all of them. Their hard work has created a coach’s dream. They have helped create what we want Riverton golf to be known for: hard working, talented golfers.”
Riverton will play several tournaments and matches throughout the regular season as it prepares for the state tournament. The 6A tournament is set for Oct. 14 and 15 at Riverbend Golf Course. l
should be considered an art form. It’s part theater (acting like you can afford groceries), part digital interpretation (online shopping for best prices), part graffiti (throwing mustard at the wall when you receive a surprise doctor’s bill) and all illusion (where did the money go?).
My paycheck stretches like it’s on a taffy-pulling machine, folding over and over itself, almost to the point of transparency. When did the basic costs of living become a luxury?
While grocery shopping, my husband can’t stop comparing prices from 60 years ago. “When I was a young boy,” he said. “I could buy a loaf of bread for a nickel.”
“Were you Oliver Twist?” I asked. He ignored me and walked down the dairy aisle, ranting about the cost of eggs.
At the check stand, several items rang up for more than what was labeled on the shelf. I asked the unenthused cashier, “Did you raise prices while I was in line?”
He shrugged and continued packaging my groceries, smashing bananas, eggs and bread with my magnum of wine. Just kidding. You can’t buy wine at grocery stores in Utah.
Driving to work becomes a nail-biting thriller as I gauge how much gas is left and if it will last until the end of the month. I was filling up my car the other day and the
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
Show me the
gas pump showed the person before me had purchased $5 worth of gas. I hope that 1.6 gallons is enough to get him to the bank he needs to rob.
Even my chai tea latte from Starbucks has incrementally increased from $4 to nearly $6. That’s bonkers. I don’t mind paying a bit more so employees make a livable wage, but last year, Starbucks’ net revenue was $30 billion.
Then I learned the new Starbucks CEO was given a $75 million stock award, a $1.6 million salary and a $10 million signing bonus. The only signing bonus I ever received was when I got a free pen for starting a savings account when I was 8.
Corporate profits have hit all-time highs. And those rising prices are never going to drop because then how can the Starbucks CEO afford $1,500 sneakers for his Pomeranian without squeezing the life out of consumers?
My husband said, “Then don’t go to
money
Starbucks.”
“Shut up,” I replied.
Housing costs are outrageous. Going to dinner and a movie requires a home equity line of credit. Tax increases nickel-and-dime us to death. Did you know Utah is one of only a few states that tax social security benefits? Thanks, Utah Legislators! It’s not like I want to purchase Prada paper clips or Balenciaga bookmarks. I don’t need a Rolls-Royce or a personal library, complete with a rolling ladder and a fireplace. (Okay. I actually need that). I just want to afford a night out, maybe a weekend getaway or an annual massage without sell-
ing blood plasma.
My grandparents grew up during the Depression. Decades later, they still saved drawers full of tin foil and rubber bands in case we ever needed a defense against mind control or had to make emergency bouncy balls. Maybe I can learn from their frugal behaviors.
So, we tighten our belts, pinch pennies, clip coupons and say, “We’re right on budget this month.” The moment those words leave our lips, the garbage disposal explodes, the fence blows over or the basement floods. Budgeting might not be an art form, but it’s definitely a comedy.
