Sandy Journal | May 2026

Proposed elementary mergers raise questions about neighborhoods’ future

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Canyons officials cite declining enrollment, but residents say closures could reshape neighborhoods.

OnMay 5, Canyons Board of Trustees

may — or may not — make final decisions about possible merging of Granite Elementary with Quail Hollow Elementary and also, Park Lane Elementary with Willow Canyon Elementary. If approved, the consolidations would take effect in the 2027-28 school year.

Canyons School District officials say schools under consideration are experiencing both immediate and long-term enrollment declines, driven largely by Utah’s declining birth rates and rising housing costs.

The proposals have been met with concern.

At the March 19 public hearing at Park Lane, one parent said closing both Granite and Park Lane would create a “four-mile radius that wouldn’t have any school for the people here.” She added closing a school “prematurely would weaken our community.”

Another parent focused on the long-term neighborhood impact.

“An empty school sitting unused for five or more years sends a troubling message that makes our area appear as though it’s declining or struggling, and that perception matters,” she said. “It can discourage young families from moving into our neighborhood, which ultimately impacts the long-term health of our entire feeder system.”

Local real estate trends reinforce those concerns.

Realtor Bruce Cockrell, of Realtypath Central in Sandy, said housing prices in the Salt Lake metro area have “skyrocketed over the past six to eight years.”

“That increase in cost is not conducive to most young families being able to afford

Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill addresses patrons during the public hearing on possible school closures and boundary changes held at Granite Elementary. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Together We Thrive

Public Open House

Date/Time: Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 2-4 p.m.

Location: Intermountain Alta View Hospital, Behavioral Health Center (Entrance B, building 4)

Join us as we celebrate the opening of our brand new, beautiful Behavioral Health Center, featuring new services for maternal mental health, crisis care, withdrawal management, and extended care. Enjoy refreshments and take a self-guided tour for a sneak peak before we open the doors to our community in June.

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COMMON GROUND

I can’t afford YOUR tax bill

Common Ground will be a column of rotating viewpoints that highlight specific feelings across the political spectrum, and it will always end with possible ways to come together.

Thousands of Utahns put down their phones from their doomscrolling and rage-baiting, to create vulgar poster boards and attend the No King rallies. Because Salt Lake City found it acceptable to shut down blocks of State Street, I watched the crowd waving their signs and chanting as they made their way to the State Capitol.

It was the weekend, and I wanted to be home. I had no desire to sit behind a police roadblock, watching people chanting and waving their signs. But I was working that day, or at least trying to work.

This was the end of a 60-hour work week for me, making sure we covered expenses and payroll for my business, trying to eke out just enough for me to get my bills covered. Then a question took over, a question that nearly every middle-aged, middle-income man finds themselves asking, “What am I doing here? Why am I working so hard?”

Could it be that I’m working so hard just to pay the bills of others?

Look at the facts. The national debt is $40 trillion. The Utah State Budget is over $31 billion. Salt Lake County increased property taxes by 14.65%, with a budget of over $2 billion.

How did we get here?

Let’s look close to home. Let’s start with Salt Lake County. We have a nine-member council, with five republicans, four democrats and a Democratic mayor.

Collectively (8-1), the council approved a $2 billion budget that significantly raised property taxes.

Earlier this year, Salt Lake County Council Members tried to cut the budget, proposing the shuttering of a county-operated senior center and child care facility. Then, all those who have had their hands out for

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John J. Walker Common Ground

years popped out of the cookie-jar, insisting they keep getting their subsidized child care or, in some instances, their jobs.

I watched the parents argue for continued services at below market rates, as if society and the taxpayers were somehow responsible for providing them with subsidized child care.

The same tiny violins were played throughout the legislative session earlier this year, with state legislators lined up to bring bills that would stick the Utah taxpayers with subsidizing or paying more money for child care, more money for property tax deferment/credits and more money for down payments for first-time home buyers, paying more money for Medicaid, more money for the homeless, more money for Title 1 schools, mental health treatments and food pantries.

Have we lost our conservative way of life here in Utah? Are we slowly drifting away from our base and sliding into the pit that California has become?

How much more can we afford? For me the answer is none.

Common Ground: In my late 20s, I asked a friend a question. What is the difference between a Republican and a Democrat? I will never forget his answer, “If you are a Republican in your 20s, you don’t have a heart; if you’re a Democrat in your 30s, you don’t have a brain.” At the time, it made sense; now that I’m in my 40s, it makes a whole lot less sense.

I like to think most of us have brains and hearts, all at the same time.

PUBLISHER

Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com

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Big expenses for the general population are best paid for by taxes, such as the military or highways. I am happy to pay my share of taxes to build roads and bridges. I surely don’t want to pay fees at a toll booth.

Sometimes having a monopoly makes sense. I guess the city could stop collecting trash and each home could pay a company to pick up the trash from their home. But I would imagine that would be less efficient and more expensive.

I’m curious to know what residents feel is the purpose of local, county and state government. I think most would agree on roads, bridges, trash pick-up, dumps, water infrastructure and more. But how do we really feel about child care, senior centers, golf courses, zoos, museums, and theaters?

My fear is that when the economy is prospering, we vote yes on these expenses, but now that cost of living has increased and people are struggling more, we are less likely to support these governmental expenses. l

From the Publisher:

Last month, the City Journals launched Common Ground. The column will tackle typically divisive political topics, with a focus to bring the community together. It’s our goal to help community members better understand how their neighbors feel.

We had a large response from readers. With over 100 emails, several mailed letters and phone calls, we consider month one a success. Peri submitted her opinion about local immigration legislation that was proposed during the 2026 legislative session earlier this year. The responses were largely favorable for the Common Ground article, with both supporting and dissenting comments on Peri’s first

submission. Unfortunately, we had some readers who simply were not interested in hearing how their neighbors felt.

The general tone of the dissenting readers was that Peri did not distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants. One commenter wrote, “First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Kinder’s commentary never used the words illegal immigrants…But illegal immigration is the issue the Utah legislature is trying to address.”

Other dissenting views included the large amounts of tax money spent each year supporting and aiding illegal immigrants.

Those who supported Peri’s comments were appreciative of having their views represented, they also commented about how immigration is the “American Way,” a nation built by immigrants. From a workforce perspective, they said our economy needs immigrants and their willingness to take less desirable jobs at lower wages. Others supported immigration from the perspective that fertility rates in the United States are decreasing and our economy is essentially centered on population growth.

Where people did agree was that Congress needs to work together to create effective policies around immigration on a national level, and that those laws need to be consistently enforced and adhered to from administration to administration. One reader wrote, “This is the key to solving our immigration dilemma.”

Hopefully, this fall as we select candidates to represent Utah in Congress, we all remember that we need Congress to fix the immigration issue.

— Bryan Scott

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Lindsay Andreasen | lindsay.a@thecityjournals.com Rack locations are also available on our website.

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Huntington Learning Center Helps Students Succeed

Since 1977, Huntington Learning Center has helped students achieve academic success. Mandilyn Johansen operates the Draper location and assists any parents–especially those who have seen a decline in public education–who need help supporting their children academically.

“I am a success story of Huntington Learning Center,” Johansen said. “My siblings and I attended Huntington for ACT or SAT prep throughout our high school careers. I was able to raise my score and get into my dream college, the University of California San Diego, studying marine biology. My brothers got into the colleges they wanted or received scholarships. I wanted to help others reach their goals, so I came back to work here and now own it.” Johansen ended up graduating magna cum laude from the University of Utah with a double major in teaching and international relations.

The Huntington K-12 skill-building tutoring program begins with a comprehensive evaluation to gauge where each student needs assistance. Then, students receive a tailor-made plan to help them reach the appropriate grade level, or get ahead, in math, reading, writing and study skills.

“We ensure students have foundational skills to set them up for academic success and meet with parents regularly, so everything is transparent,” Johansen said. “We provide tutoring for most subjects, including math through college level, science, history, ELA, AP classes, etc.”

The test-prep program at Huntington offers training for the ACT, SAT, preACT or PSAT. It begins with an evaluation using a full-length ACT or SAT to provide a breakdown of the concepts that are missing. Then, instructors tailor the program to help students reach their goals.

For students working with the test-prep program, the average ACT score increase is six points, with an SAT score average increase of 229 points. Johansen said that can make the difference in getting into a dream college or earning a scholarship.

The individualized approach at Huntington is based on an original assessment that demonstrates the center’s commitment to its students. Instructors connect with schools and teachers, so what students learn corresponds to work in the classroom. The program also helps with homework and teaches kids study skills.

“If homework time is a dreaded part of the day or your child is bored in school and wants to get ahead, we take some of the burden off parents,” Johansen said. “Often, students hate school and lose motivation because it’s too difficult and they aren’t sure how they’ll catch up. We start students at a comfortable place to build confidence in their abilities.”

Students often enroll at Huntington after working with one of its competitors. Johansen said they don’t waste time on concepts students have already mastered, which is a common complaint she’s heard about some competitors. The K-12 students enrolled in the skill-building program move up an average of two grade levels in reading and math in three months.

“It’s good to get students in for tutoring as soon as you see the signs,” she said. “They start to lose confidence in their ability as school continues to get harder.”

Huntington works with students throughout the Salt Lake Valley and offers online tutoring for students who live further away. Tutoring can be done 100% virtual for any student, or hybrid programs can be created for students.

Huntington is accredited through the Middle States Association and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. They must undergo the same accreditation process as other schools and universities, meaning they meet or exceed established standards of educational quality. l

Huntington Learning Center 684 E 11400 South, Ste. C 801-810-2759

huntingtonhelps.com FB @HLCDraperUT

Copper Rock golf championship set for May 14-16

The road to the LPGA Tour begins with the Epson Tour, and again this month, 132 of the best female golfers on the planet will reconvene for the Copper Rock Championship May 14-16 in Hurricane, Utah. Golfers will compete for $250,000 in prize money and points in the season-long Epson Tour standings.

There were 15 players who gained LPGA status during last year’s Epson Tour season, and 13 of them finished in the top 30 at Copper Rock in 2025. Champion Gina Kim won twice on the Epson last season and is now playing on the LPGA Tour.

Exemptions this year went to four golfers:

Navy Hubbs is a junior at Salem Hills High School who has verbally committed to Boise State University. She started playing golf at the age of 12 and quickly developed a passion for the game. Since then, she has enjoyed competing in both local and national tournaments, gaining valuable experience and continually challenging herself against strong competition.

Hubbs is known for her calm presence on the course and the strong work ethic she brings to improving her game. She approaches competition with focus and determination while enjoying the process of learning and growing as a golfer and developing friendships with others on and off the course.

Maria Jose “MJ” Barragan is a standout collegiate golfer for Brigham Young University, known for her consistency, competitiveness and upward trajectory on the women’s golf scene. A native of Morelia, Mexico, Barragan has quickly become one of BYU’s most impactful players, combining sharp scoring with a calm mindset under pressure. She owns a career-low 18-hole score of 68 (4-under) and a lowest 54-hole score of 210 (−6), achieved at the 2024 Red Raider Invitational where she claimed her best finish with a victory. Barragan has also

Utah golf, recognized for her competitive excellence and advocacy for women’s golf. An inaugural member of the women’s golf team at Dixie State University (now Utah Tech), she was a two-time PacWest Conference Champion, Conference Player of the Year and an All-American.

She competed professionally on the Cactus Tour and is a seven-time Utah PGA Women’s Player of the Year (2019-25), a four-time Women’s Utah PGA Match Play Champion, and the 2025 Utah Section Assistant Professional of the Year. Her career includes numerous Utah Section victories, multiple top-10 finishes in both men’s and women’s events, and an overall championship at The Copper Club Open.

posted strong rounds in key events including the opening rounds of the 2025 San Diego State Classic and the 2025 Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, and she played a pivotal role in BYU’s 2025 USF Invitational win with a 72-73-69 (214) performance.

Off the course, Barragan is equally distinguished. She’s majoring in pre-business and has earned recognition for her academic achievements, being named to the 2025 CSC Academic All-District team. In amateur golf, she finished runner-up at the 2025 Women’s Mexico Amateur in a dramatic playoff and represented Mexico at the Pan American Games in Paraguay, showcasing her talent on the international stage.

Gabby Barker is a professional golfer known for her resilience, consistency and purpose-driven approach to the game.

A standout junior and collegiate competitor, Barker built her foundation through

years of high-level tournament play before turning professional and committing fully to the grind of tour golf. Since turning pro, Barker has competed across multiple professional circuits, including the Epson Tour and various mini tours, steadily gaining experience at the highest levels of women’s golf.

Her career has been shaped by perseverance, adaptability and a deep belief in long-term growth — both on and off the course. In addition to her competitive career, Barker is the first female Native American professional golfer, a milestone she carries with pride and responsibility. She uses her platform to inspire younger athletes, advocate for representation in golf, and share the realities of pursuing a professional sports career.

Haley Sturgeon is an accomplished golf professional and respected leader in

There are always so many things to enjoy during and around the Copper Rock Championship. On Tuesday, May 12, RAM Aerospace presents the 2026 RAM Women’s Business Luncheon. The theme is “Rising Together: Personal Growth and Professional Influence.” Keynote speaker is Stephanie Palmer, Director of Radio Sales for KSL NewsRadio, FM 100.3, The Arrow and the KSL Sports Zone. Whitney Harris, Director of People and Culture at RAM Aviation, will join in that discussion. The luncheon will run from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A free Junior Clinic will be held on Championship Saturday, May 16, at noon. Signups for the clinic and RSVP for the luncheon can be made at Copperrockchampionship.com. There will also be a free photo booth on Championship Saturday, and food trucks will be onsite including Corn Dog Company and Chicharos Tacos.

To get tickets to the tournament go to Copperrockchampionship.com and choose from General Admission, Club 17 or Copper Rock Club tickets, and the website details those options.

Copper Rock is located at 1567 W. Copper Rock Parkway in Hurricane. l

2025 Champion Gina Kim (Courtesy Copper Rock) Young golfers can participate in a free Junior Clinic on Championship Saturday at noon.

Haley Sturgeon Maria Jose “MJ” Barragan Gabby Barker Navy Hubbs

More than a game: Where inclusion, not just winning, is the focus

Jordan High’s state championship highlights how unified sports brings students of all abilities together, onand off-the-court

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

In a high school gym, the sounds are familiar — balls bouncing, high tops squeaking on the court and teammates cheering.

But unified basketball is not just a game; it’s a space where students of all abilities come together as teammates, playing together on the floor to build friendships, confidence and community through sports. The focus isn’t only on winning, it’s on inclusion, sportsmanship and connection.

At Jordan High, the spirit carried all the way to the biggest moment of the season, as the team beat Highland High in the state championship for their division at the Delta Center. The victory was exciting, but for the players, it meant more than a title.

Jordan High senior Alejandro Beltran Lopez plays with pride and purpose.

“I want to continue my dad’s legacy in playing sports,” he said. “He taught me a little and coach taught me more; Dad’s happy for me.”

Beltran Lopez said unified sports helped

Jordan High is all smiles after winning the unified state championship. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

pave friendships with his teammates, from eating lunch together to watching the movie, “Elf.”

“We’ve had others at school support us too,” he said. “Unified soccer was fun; we wanted to beat Bingham at state championship (played at America First Field last fall), but it’s OK we lost because being a good

sport means accepting defeat.”

His teammate, junior and peer tutor Sawyer Herzog, said unified sports extends beyond the court.

“I love this,” he said. “We’ve become friends and I probably wouldn’t have met him if not. We’ve become genuine friends. We

Beating Afib Without Meds

Beating Afib Without Meds

How

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hang out, doing puzzles, watching Switch TV, talking, I help with math and ELA (English Language Arts). My whole family loves him.”

At Alta High, senior and peer leadership team member Macey Rockwood sees unified sports as something bigger.

“The goal of PLT is to make the community better, so through unified sports, we can support them,” she said. “Everyone deserves a community.”

Rockwood has refereed and ran the score table at unified tournaments and enjoys helping others succeed.

“It’s satisfying to help others have fun and have a sense of accomplishment,” she said.

For players like Corner Canyon sophomore Mia Lems, the competition still matters, but so does kindness.

“I like to take down the other team,” she said. “I’ve made friends with other teams too. I like to give them handshakes and clap and give high-fives for making good shots.”

Corner Canyon finished as state runners-up in their division at the state championship.

Lems’ teammate, senior Fisher Ghiz, didn’t realize how much unified basketball would change him.

“It has taught me patience; it has taught me how to make friends with those different than me,” Ghiz said. “I used to be shy, but they’re so social, I’ve become more outward. This is awesome. I want to keep playing in college.” l

Canyons District promotes from within as familiar face takes the helm

Longtime Canyons educator McKay Robinson steps into district’s top role in a rapid transition with Supt. Rick Robins’ retirement announcement.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Aleadership change at one of Utah’s largest school districts is unfolding quickly, but for those in the District, it feels like a natural step.

On March 19, Canyons Board of Education appointed longtime educator McKay Robinson as the next Canyons School District superintendent, selecting a familiar face to guide the District through its pivotal period of proposed boundary changes and school closures as enrollment declines and at the same time, developing an innovation center to bring a new approach of education to students.

Robinson will succeed Supt. Rick Robins, who on March 6 announced his retirement effective June 30. Robins, who has been with the District since 2020, was unavailable for comment.

The appointment was made after what board leaders described as “careful consideration” and breaks from a traditional national search process. Instead, board members opted for continuity, elevating a leader who already is embedded in the District’s mission.

“As the board got talking, we were all on the same page,” Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill said. “We thought, we have the best person internally, and he’s the right person for the job at the right time, so it all aligned. He’s already in tune with what’s happening. He knows our District inside and out, and he knows what our goals are and what we’re working on. He can hit the ground running on the first day.”

Robinson, a 25-year educator and current assistant superintendent, will become the fifth chief executive overseeing the District’s 47 schools and programs while continuing implementation of its long-term strategic plan.

“Dr. Robinson has the vision, relationships and community trust we need to build on our success,” Shill said.

For Robinson, the appointment 13 days after Robins’ retirement announcement came as a surprise.

“It did happen very quickly; this is totally unexpected,” he said.

His path to the top job has been shaped by decades in classrooms and school leadership, but also by an influential time in his own childhood.

“My parents divorced when I was 7 years old and going into third grade; fortunately for me, in that third-grade school year, I had a teacher, Mr. Miner, who knew my circumstance, knew what I was going through,” Rob-

that everything we do is what is ultimately best for kids,” she said. “He’s committed to making sure that staff have the tools that they need to be successful. He genuinely loves this District; he’s our biggest champion, and at the same time, he’s the most humble, down-to-earth, in-the-trenches person.”

Shill said those qualities along with his leadership with District plans such as Canyons’ COVID-19 response and strategic planning efforts made him the clear choice to lead upcoming initiatives, including the development of Canyons Innovation Center, potential boundary changes and ongoing enrollment challenges.

Robinson is ready to build on the foundation already in place, including that of the strategic plan and innovation center.

“The opportunities are endless in that regard, and so I’m really just trying to help carry that vision forward,” he said. “Dr. Robins did a great job.”

Robins’ six-year tenure was marked by both disruption and progress. Taking the helm in the summer of 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he guided the District through unprecedented challenges while expanding employee supports, leading the creation of the District’s first strategic plan and overseeing several school construction and renovation projects.

inson said. “He truly became so much more than just a teacher. He became an advocate, a champion, one who was constantly pushing me to be the best that I could actually be.”

At the end of third grade, he knew he “was going to be Mr. Miner one day.”

“That ultimately became my goal, and I never deviated from that. I pursued that from the time I left third grade,” he said.

That experience continues to shape how he views his work.

“It’s a never-ending quest for me. I wouldn’t be here where I am today without the exceptional teachers throughout my life. Mr. Miner was that starting point, but there were so many more along the way, and I’ve always believed in providing that same type of opportunity,” he said.

Robinson holds an Associate’s degree from Snow College, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Korean from Utah State University, a Master’s degree in Teaching from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Brigham Young University, and a Doctorate in K-12 Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah.

“I’ve graduated from the three major universities in the state,” he said. “I bleed red, always have, but I have a special place

for the blue because of my experiences at Utah State and BYU.”

Robinson began his career teaching at Sprucewood Elementary in Sandy, then instructed at Butterfield Canyon in Herriman when it first opened. He then served as elementary principal at Sandy Elementary and Lone Peak Elementary, also in Sandy, and became Canyons’ director of elementary schools. He has received multiple awards as an outstanding administrator.

Colleagues say he’s a visible, approachable leader focused on students.

“He’s a great listener,” Principal Shad DeMill said. “He does a great job to be able to step back and see all different perspectives of parents, teachers and kids without being judgmental and making good decisions in that way. His focus is on kids and what they need most is right there at the forefront.”

Others emphasized his presence in schools and ability to connect.

“He shows up,” Eastmont Principal Stacy Kurtzhals said. “He supports what’s happening in schools and he calls people by name throughout the school district.”

Director of Elementary Schools’ Alice Meridth said his dedication extends to everyone throughout the District.

“McKay is truly rooted in making sure

“The vision of the innovation center is his idea,” Shill said. “We wanted a strategic plan, which Rick led us out on that. Our strategic plan is in place, and it’s not something that’s on the shelf; we’re continually using it. Rick has been a very collaborative leader who brought people together to make decisions. He cares about the District, the people.”

Colleagues say Robins’ leadership centered on listening and relationships.

“He listened,” Canyons Business Administrator and CFO Leon Wilcox said. “A lot of superintendents don’t listen like he did, and he made changes where he could — wellness rooms, teen centers, employee daycare, pay raises. He did anything he could do to make life better for our kids and our employees.”

As the District prepares for its next chapter, Robinson said he hopes to carry that same focus forward.

“Dr. Robins genuinely cared about people. That’s something I hope to carry on,” he said. “I genuinely care about our people and want what’s best for them.”

With the transition underway, District leaders say the goal is clear: maintain momentum while continuing to put students at the center of every decision.

Robinson is an avid cyclist who has raced in the 200-mile Logan to Jackson, Wyoming (LoToJa) eight times, but now takes 30- to 100-mile weekend road rides with his wife, Dixie. This spring break, they will complete their goal to see every major league baseball team play in their home stadium. l

On March 19, Canyons Board of Education appointed longtime educator McKay Robinson as the next Canyons School District superintendent. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

real estate in some areas,” he said. “Those families are being replaced with home buyers who are older and more established in their lives and careers and whose children may have aged out of the school system. I suspect that if the trend continues and there is less enrollment in schools and schools close, that will expedite that trend because if parents with children don’t have a school to attend or they see a declining school system, they will not want to relocate to that area.”

Cockrell added limited housing turnover also is a factor.

“Those who currently own homes who have either been in their home for a while or those who have interest rates on their current home that are significantly lower than the current rates have a hard time justifying making a move,” he said.

The March 19 meeting was one of two public hearings during the 90-day public input period the board began on Jan. 20, allowing families to review the updated proposals for Sandy’s east-central area. The other hearing, held March 10 at Granite, where residents also voiced concerns, including those who chose the neighborhood for its walkable schools.

“When we were looking around here, people said ‘there are no kids here,’ but since moving in this area in ’21 we have seen so many families move into this area and have

looked forward to our son attending Granite,” said Shannon McNeily, whose parents have lived in the area since 2012. “We moved here so he could walk to school in a safe neighborhood. He’s excited when he sees school buses; we walk to see kids going to school and he knows the crossing guards. With the proposal to close the school, it will take the heartbeat out of the neighborhood.”

Although Sandy City is adding more housing, district officials say the new developments are not located within the Granite and Park Lane boundaries.

Canyons business administrator and CFO Leon Wilcox also pointed out: “We looked at that; we don’t get a whole lot of kids from high-density apartments. We get roughly six to eight for every 100 units.”

Additionally, the board is suggesting boundary adjustments to better balance enrollment, particularly in the Jordan High feeder system. Those proposals also have been met with questions.

“People say, ‘Why don’t you look at the middle schools and high schools?’ Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill said. “We are looking at that, especially for Eastmont (Middle School) and Jordan (High,) but that’s not where we’re having a problem. The problem is declining enrollment at elementary level, and that’s why we’re addressing that first.”

Enrollment challenges extend upward. Eastmont Middle has about 535 students, the

district’s smallest middle school.

“There’s no growth around us and there’s no place to have any growth,” said Eastmont Principal Stacy Kurtzhals, who added an estimated 80% of Alta View Elementary students in Eastmont’s boundary instead attend Mt. Jordan Middle to continue in the dual immersion program, further compounding the low enrollment issue.

The pattern carries into Jordan High, which has the lowest enrollment among Canyons’ five comprehensive high schools. Shill said a boundary change 10 years ago contributed to the shift.

“What ended up hurting Jordan was when we did the boundary change in 2016; that’s when Alta (High) had the low numbers around 1,800 while Jordan and the other schools had about 2,200 at that point. So, we, the board, voted to take a section west of the freeway where it was being developed new houses, and put that to Alta. But that move, over time, ended up hurting Jordan,” she said. “Hindsight is 20/20.”

Another recurring concern is timing. Proposed east-central Sandy school rebuilds are slated for 2029 and many parents urged the board not to consolidate schools only to return students to their original campuses a few years later.

“The main message I got was, ‘if we’re going to rebuild, wait to close us.’ That’s what I wrote down, time and time again,” Shill said.

Parents expressed appreciation for revisions made since the 2025 proposal, particularly ensuring special education students could remain with neighborhood peers. The earlier plan, to consolidate Granite and Park Lane, was not approved, though the merger of Bella Vista and Ridgecrest, both in Cottonwood Heights, passed unanimously.

District leaders emphasize the issue goes beyond enrollment figures.

“Like many districts across the state, we’re trying to navigate that declining enrollment,” said McKay Robinson, current Canyons School District assistant superintendent who will take the top job July 1. “As I continue to look at that and think about it, I keep having to remind myself this isn’t simply just about numbers. It truly impacts our families and our communities and even the identity of our schools, so we have to be very mindful of that as we continue to look at the declining numbers. It’s unfortunate that our birth rate is as low as it is, as well as just the cost of living makes it hard for young families to build in our community, in our neighborhoods, but we’ll continue to try and look at that and remain in constant communication with our community members, listening to their feedback and looking at different options.”

Community members can continue to submit feedback comment and access updates at www.canyonsdistrict.org/boundarystudy/. l

Death Cab, Jimmy Eat World to take stage at Sandy Amphitheater

It’s a summer season full of diverse local, national and international entertainment.

By Cassie Goff c.goff@mycityjournals.com

Concert season is here! Sandy Amphitheater (9400 S. 1300 East) reopens their doors beginning on May 18 with their first free event: Jazz in the Park.

Free events are presented throughout the season by Sandy City and the Sandy Arts Guild as an opportunity for all residents to experience the performing arts. The amphitheater recognizes the importance of local cultural arts groups by offering a professional venue to present such programming.

Sandy Amphitheater is preparing for their 2026 season with shows already scheduled throughout June and July. Most shows begin at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m. (with a few exceptions throughout the season). Check out what’s scheduled so far:

May 18 - Jazz in the Park (free - no tickets required)

May 30 - Tash Sultana’s North American Tour (with Daisy the Great)

June 12 - Gary Allan

June 13 - Metric’s All The Feelings Tour (with Broken Social Scene and Stars)

June 14 - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s All The Good Times: The Farewell Tour (with Brit Taylor)

June 19 - The Dead South (with Amigo The Devil)

June 20 - Watchhouse (with Two Runner)

June 24 - Brothers Osborne

July 21 - Jimmy Eat World 25 Years of Bleed American (with Motion City Soundtrack and Illuminati Hotties)

July 22 - Jimmy Eat World: 25 Years of Bleed American (with Motion City Soundtrack and Illuminati Hotties)

July 28 - Death Cab for Cutie’s I Built You a Tower World Tour (with Nation of Language)

July 29 - Death Cab for Cutie’s I Built You a Tower World Tour (with Nation of Language)

Tickets can be purchased over the phone or in-person through the Sandy Amphitheater’s box office (Mondays through Thursdays 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. or Fridays from 9 a.m. until noon). Otherwise, tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Concert-goers are allowed to bring the following items inside the venue: lawn chairs, umbrellas, blankets, coolers (but not loose ice), factory sealed outside food and beverages, refillable water bottles and small cameras.

Parking at the Sandy Amphitheater is available on either

the west (closest to the box office) or east (next to the Sandy Senior Center) side lots.

Sandy Amphitheater has a number of concession options available for purchase including: snacks and treats such as cookies, candy, ice cream and popcorn; food such as charcuterie boxes, hot dogs and wraps; drinks such as soda, waters and nonalcoholic beers; and cocktails, wine, beer and seltzers.

For general information, show questions, venue questions and ticketing help, contact Sandy Amphitheater’s main office by phone or email at: 801-568-6097 or sandyamp@ sandy.utah.gov.

Sign up for the Sandy Amphitheater email list at: www. mailchi.mp/sandy/email-notification-list

Check out Sandy Amphitheater’s website at: www.sandyamp.com l

The 2026 season starts on May 18 at 3 p.m. with a free evening of Jazz in the Park featuring jazz bands from Brighton, Lone Peak, Alta, Pleasant Grove, Provo, Westlake and other high schools. (Photo courtesy Sandy Amphitheater)

Beehive students bound for robotics world championships

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Beehive Science & Technology Academy’s

The Hive is heading to the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics world championships.

As one of 32 teams that qualified for the state tournament, including teams from Holladay, Sandy, Riverton, Cottonwood Heights, Taylorsville, South Jordan, West Jordan, Midvale and other local communities, The Hive contributes much of their success to experience and resiliency. They received the “The Inspire Award,” which is an automatic bid to worlds, which will include more than 1,000 teams from 66 countries meeting April 29 to May 2 in Houston.

After hundreds of hours and four different versions of their robot, Topaz, and a qualifier win the week before, state didn’t go as planned for the 15-member team from Sandy.

“State was a super up and down day, more than any other competition,” senior Jonah Wood said. “Our first match, our robot disconnected. It wasn’t something we can really control, just bad luck. We lost the match because of that. The second match, a wire

broke, so we lost that one. We did a super quick fix, and got it working again, but it was stressful. And if you lose two out of your five, it was a little heartbreaking.”

Team captain and senior Neset Kablan continued: “We won the third and fourth matches, but we couldn’t score for most of the match because a gear on the robot came

unscrewed, so we couldn’t shoot for the rest of the match. We played defense against the other robots, we won that match, but it was very disappointing.”

The week before the competition, Beehive hosted 10 schools for practice scrimmages.

when Wood was overseas. He watched the robot game reveal and immediately began sketching ideas.

“I started working on CAD for the robot,” he said. “When I got back, there were three days before our first competition.”

The Hive rapidly built and tested, often prototyping parts in wood before fabricating them in aluminum.

“We built a lot of these pieces individually out of wood before we actually ended up cutting it out of aluminum to make sure they worked and that our geometry is right, because sometimes the actual theory of a piece doesn’t work in practice,” Kablan said. “We spent most of our time testing, which means that this robot is a darn good robot. It has a very high potential.”

Since state, the team has been fundraising to pay for travel costs. Senior Leah Hammond said last summer’s three-week robotics camp for 200 youth raised $14,000. It’s supplemented by food sales at the school’s fall festival, plus corporate donations and grants.

Hammond said the program teaches more than robotics.

“We were scoring over 200 points, way above state records. That helped other teams see we’re a promising team, and they could see the problems were outside of our control, but we picked ourselves back up – and that’s what helped when picking alliances,” Kablan said. “It was really disheartening, because if we could score, we would have done a lot better. It was a very rough day to go through.”

Before worlds, the team plans to rework wiring and build in more practice time to troubleshoot issues.

Experience has been key with 13 returning members.

“This season is the culmination we’ve had over the past three years our group has been together and we know what we’re doing, so we’ve been able to achieve a lot more,” Kablan said. “It makes a big difference when talking about team productivity. Before, we had a lot of people who didn’t have previous experience in robotics, so it was teaching. But also, ‘how do you work together as a team?’ We made multiple iterations of the robot, because this is a shooter year where the robot shoots the balls whereas, like previous years, you’ve had to pick something up and place it. So, for all of us, including the coaches, it’s new.”

Wood said the team’s two-robot system, one for mechanical work, another for programming, accelerated their progress.

“This was one of the first years we had the resources to do that, material-wise, but also experience-wise,” he said.

The season kicked off in September,

“The most valuable thing in the program is learning how to work in a team,” she said. “It’s valuable to be able to work with other people, learn to delegate tasks and be able to communicate. Those are good skills that are valuable in any job.”

Wood agrees: “When you like think about robotics, you think of a bunch of nerdy introverts, which is what robotics is. And nerdy introverts suck at communicating, no engineer works alone. Everyone works in a team. I’ve met a ton of smart people, but if you can’t work in the team, you can’t use anything you know. Being able to communicate what you know and work with a team allows you to be so much more.”

Kablan, who comes from a family involved in robotics, said humility has been his biggest lesson.

“The hardest lesson I’ve learned is to strip that ego down and to learn from other people,” he said. “I have connected with tons of teams across the world, and some of those teams have been, performance-wise, worse than ours, but that doesn’t matter. They all have some kind of lesson to give, and I have some kind of lesson to learn from them. That’s the most important lesson I’ve learned from robotics.”

Beehive’s robotics program has earned multiple state titles and under coach Annie Drennan, 13 teams have advanced to worlds.

“There’s a bit of pressure,” Hammond said. “At state, there were more than 30 teams from all around the world watching our Utah championship to see us make worlds. That’s not the mentality we have as a team, but there can be external pressure. At worlds, I hope we will have a better competition day, but also, meet teams from around the world and have fun.”

Students from Alta wait

their turn to compete at the state FIRST Tech Challenge championships. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Small business SECTION

Opening a business in Salt Lake County? Your costs may depend on the city

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Ranging from $0 to more than $300 for a base license, business licensing fees differ across Salt Lake County.

For entrepreneurs looking to start a company in Salt Lake County, location can shape the cost of opening that business. Licensing fees vary drastically as cities determine costs and define regulations. Fees can fluctuate based on the type of business, number of employees, impact on city services and required inspections.

On one end of the scale is Riverton, which in 2018 became the first city in Utah to eliminate all business licensing fees. The move was orchestrated by the mayor at the time, Trent Staggs, who wanted to let companies know the city was open for business.

“He wanted Riverton to be a business-friendly community,” said Riverton Business Licensing Coordinator Angie Keller. “We’re also very user-friendly when it comes to getting a license. They click on our website and it guides them through the process. I don’t get many phone calls asking for help…I feel like Riverton has gone above and beyond, as far as pointing them in the right direction and giving them all the information they need.”

Draper’s base fee for a commercial license is $82, with additional fees for alcohol or firework sales, sexually-oriented businesses and solicitors. Murray charges $100 for a commercial license with regulatory fees on companies like auto towing, tobacco retailers, tattoo parlors and convalescent homes. Midvale has a base fee of $137 for commercial businesses with add-on charges for industries including bars, hotels, pawn shops and restaurants.

For companies in the county’s newly incorporated areas, including Kearns, Magna and Copperton, the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District administers those business licenses. The district charges a $150 base fee for commercial businesses and home-based locations that have customers coming to the home.

On the higher end of the scale, South Jordan charges $337 for a general business license application fee, with additional charges for hotels ($2,700), restaurants ($633), big box stores ($3,331) and entertainment/recreation facilities ($1,727).

Brian Preece serves as South Jordan’s Director of Planning and Economic Development. He said the city’s licensing fee structure wasn’t put together haphazardly, but was based on a feasibility study that determined the cost impact of specific businesses to the city. More fees are placed on businesses that have a higher volume of calls for police or fire services.

“We have a fire inspection for most businesses and that’s part of the [licensing] fees,” Preece said. “Even though Riverton doesn’t have a business licensing fee…it’s being paid for somewhere. The general fund is paying for it.”

South Jordan Public Information Officer Rachael Van Cleave added, “If we weren’t to charge these fees, taxpayer dollars would be subsidizing these costs for businesses. So the fees help to take that off the general taxpayer.”

For home-based businesses, Utah Code states that cities cannot charge a licensing fee unless the business impacts the neighborhood, such as having customers or an unusually high number

of home deliveries. However, several cities, including Taylorsville and South Salt Lake, charge administrative processing fees of $100 and $59, respectively, for home-based businesses.

Riverton requires every home-based business to have a license, but there is no fee. South Jordan does not require home-based businesses to have licenses unless they operate a daycare/preschool or if they have regular clients coming to the home.

“We made the decision to not charge for or even require a home license business,” Preece said. “If somebody wants one, then we’ll get you a license, but you have to go through the regular process, and that’s your choice.”

While getting a business license is certainly an important step in starting a business, it’s not the only step. Business owners need to make sure that the company is registered with the state and, if sales are involved, with the Utah State Tax Commission. Owners must ensure all licenses and inspections are complete before a business license can be issued. Most cities have license approval completed in two weeks or less.

The wide-ranging business licensing fees and processes across the county impact business owners and municipalities differently. For some entrepreneurs, that difference could be the deciding factor on where they ultimately locate their business.

Starting smart: What every small business owner needs to know first

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

For many entrepreneurs, the journey begins with a spark—an idea, a passion or a defining life moment. For me, it started with loss.

In 2019, after my mother passed away, I made her a promise: I’ll write the book. That promise became more than a personal goal, it grew into a business rooted in becoming an eight-time award-winning published author — speaking, podcasting, coaching and consulting. Like many small business owners, my path wasn’t linear. It was built step by step, with research, guidance and a willingness to learn.

My story reflects a larger trend. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than five million new businesses were launched in 2025. Yet only about 65% of small businesses become profitable. The message is clear: starting a business is more accessible than ever, but building a successful one takes preparation and persistence.

Start with research—not just passion

Passion is important, but it’s not enough on its own. “Do your research,” advises a representative from Investor.gov. “You may have a bright idea, but before you invest money, make sure it’s viable.”

That means asking hard questions: Is this a true passion or just an interest? Do you have the time and financial stability to pursue it? Is the timing right?

Timing, in particular, can shape the entire experience. In my case, reduced work hours during the pandemic created an unexpected opportunity to build something new.

Understanding your market is just as critical. Who are your competitors? What makes your idea different? Tools like a SWOT analysis—evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats— can provide a realistic snapshot before you commit.

Build the right foundation

Once your idea is validated, it’s time to make it official. That includes choosing a business name, registering it and selecting a structure that fits your goals.

“Make sure your name is available, not just legally, but online,” says David York, managing partner of York Howell. “That includes checking domain names and social media handles.”

Next comes the operational setup: securing an Employer Identification Number (EIN), registering with your state, and opening a dedicated business bank account. Keeping personal and business finances separate isn’t just good practice— it’s essential.

Tony Wolff of Wolff & Company puts it simply: “Set up your financial system early. It will save you and your tax advisor a lot of stress later.”

Know your money habits

Your personal relationship with money doesn’t disappear when you start a business—it follows you.

“How you handle money personally will carry over into your business,” says financial coach Sara Fernandes. “Whether you rely on cash, debit or credit, understanding your habits can help you avoid costly mistakes.”

She also emphasizes consistency over complexity: “Set aside time weekly to track expenses and send invoices. Don’t let it pile up.”

Your brand is your first impression

In today’s digital marketplace, your online presence often determines whether a customer engages with your business.

“Don’t wait for your website to be perfect before you launch it,” says Promise Tangeman, owner of GoLive. “Get it live and improve it along the way.”

Clarity matters. Visitors should quickly understand what you offer and who you serve. And when it comes to growth, Tan-

Built from the ground up, Redrig gaming truck shows how small businesses can bring big ideas to life. (Redrig)

geman advises focus over reach: “Most people chase reach—the real leaders chase depth.”

That same strategy applies to social media. Choose platforms you can maintain consistently and build trust over time.

Protect yourself and communicate clearly

Legal and operational safeguards are essential, even if they’re not the most exciting part of entrepreneurship. Permits, licenses, insurance and contracts all protect your business.

“Communicate, communicate, communicate,” York emphasizes. Clear contracts outlining services, pricing and expectations can prevent issues before they arise.

Getting your first customers

Marketing often starts small. Networking, community involvement and word-ofmouth remain powerful tools.

“Marketing is what you say; branding

is what they feel,” says Susan Carlson, owner of Redrig gaming truck. “Make that first feeling count.”

Simple strategies—like creating a Google business profile, joining a local Chamber of Commerce, or building an email list—can help establish visibility and trust.

Progress over perfection

If there’s one common thread in entrepreneurship, it’s this: success doesn’t come from having everything figured out. It comes from starting, learning and continuing forward.

The journey may feel overwhelming at times, but every business begins with a single step. And sometimes, it begins with a promise, and the courage to follow through.

Learn more from some of these small business owners and others on Holly’s Highlights podcast, available wherever you stream podcasts and at www.HollyCurby. com.

While daughter Mackenzie Hyer is breaking barriers at Alta High, her father, Todd, has shaped the soccer game for generations.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

On the sideline of the pitch this season, Mackenzie Hyer is doing something no one else in Utah has done — again.

In her sixth season leading Alta High’s boys soccer program, Hyer is guiding her team to an undefeated season (as of press deadline), with the goal in mind to win a state championship: “We got the players; we got the skills. We just need to execute.”

It’s a testament to a culture she has built over years with steady leadership. Hyer is the first female to coach boys and also, to win a boys state soccer championship — twice.

Now, Hyer has added another milestone being named the 2025-26 National Federation of State High School Associations’ Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

It’s been a story that has been decades in the making.

“I knew her long before she came to Alta,” said Lee Mitchell, the legendary former Alta coach who spent 36 years coaching the boys program and 29 with the girls. “She came to my goalkeepers camp at age 9 or 10. She was very coachable and although she wasn’t the most talented, she was one of the hardest workers you’ll ever find. She’s that way as a coach, too. Coaching beside her was great. She would give me her opinion — that’s what I expected from her. She was my right hand.”

Hyer’s journey has never been about intending to break barriers. It has been about preparation, consistency and belief, values instilled in her long before she stepped up as head coach.

She grew up playing goalkeeper for Alta, being named an All-American player, then was a member of Utah State University’s women’s first team. She returned to Alta in 2001 as assistant coach for the boys and girls teams and spent more than two decades learning from Mitchell before taking over the head job of both programs. This is her 50th season coaching.

“I remember talking to coach Mitchell one day,” Hyer said. “I told him, ‘I’m coming for your job.’ He laughed at me, but here we are, years later.”

When she stepped into the role, the transition was seamless for her players. To them, she wasn’t a novelty, but to outsiders, there was some friction.

“People would ask them, ‘how do you like being coached by a girl?’” Hyer said. “My players would say, ‘What do you mean? That’s just coach Kenzie.’”

Her father, Todd Hyer, remembered the

A Hyer standard

concern about her being the boys head coach.

“Those who didn’t know her questioned if the boys are going to listen to a woman coach and how she was going to take care of them in the locker room,” he said. “It was some of those old concerns people come up with when they want to hold somebody back. When the boys won the state championship, she put those to rest.”

Even as an assistant boys coach, she faced flak: “The other team was like, ‘I can’t believe Alta doesn’t even have coaches for their JV team; they have a team mom out there.’ My response was, ‘We just won, 5-1.’ It fueled my motivation.”

Her team reflects her approach: disciplined, structured and unified.

Utah High School Activities Association Executive Director Rob Cuff sees that: “Her teams are very disciplined. They’re very structured. You see that when postseason rolls around because they have been conditioned to do that, and they may lose a game or two during the season, but they’re mentally and physically prepared for tournament time.”

Hyer credits her players.

“The players have bought in,” she said. “They’ve decided they’re going to control the things they can control. You can’t control who you’re playing, but they can control how they treat each other, how they play, how they respond. That’s a lesson I learned from coach Mitchell; we are a family without the soccer. I care about them as human beings way more than I care about them as players.”

The idea of family isn’t just a metaphor for Hyer; it’s literal. On the same fields where she is building champions, her father, Todd Hyer, has spent four decades shaping the game from a different perspective. As a constant presence in the pitch with his whistle, Todd Hyer was honored by the NFHS and UHSAA for guiding games and mentoring officials across the state for 40 years.

“I started refereeing when Mackenzie was 5 years old,” he said. “They needed volunteer coaches and referees and because I was working firefighter shifts, I couldn’t coach, but I could referee, including those high school games that start at 3:30 in the afternoon on weekdays. We’ve been a soccer family; when we’d go into tournaments, I’d be refereeing, the kids would play. My wife was a volunteer coach, too.”

Todd Hyer’s passion has continued long beyond his three children’s games. Since officiating his first high school match in 1986, he has refereed more than 2,800 games, including 170 playoff games and several state championships — in addition to officiating football for 31 years. He has refereed youth soccer through college games and also, served more than 20 years as Utah High School Soccer Officials Association president.

The secret to the art of refereeing, he said, is to shape not just the games, but people.

“I enjoy working with the kids and being able to hopefully make the game as safe and fair as it can,” he said. “High school soccer is an extension of the classroom. If I’m approachable, they can ask a question and will get an answer; it calms any tensions down. We’re not enemies; we’re referees.”

Those qualities — calmness, fairness and integrity — are exactly what others see in him.

“Todd has been a legend and a staple in the high school soccer community for as long as I’ve been in the association, 25 years,” Cuff said. “He helped me with the rules, the relationships, and guided me through the clinics. I’ll always be grateful.”

Having her dad be honored for the integrity of the game he came to love was meaningful to his daughter.

“Seeing my dad get recognized for the service he’s done for high school sports throughout his life made me happiest,” she said.

Together, their stories are intertwined. Todd Hyer’s honors represent the foundation of the sport while his daughter’s reflects the present and future of soccer, Alta High Principal Ken Rowley said.

“Kenzie has changed the lives of generations of young men and young women in our Alta community, by the way she coaches. If you could write a book about what the ideal coach would be like, you’d take those characteristics of how Kenzie

Mackenzie Hyer and her father, Todd Hyer, were recently honored for their contributions to high school soccer. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

coaches and use that as an action plan to be successful,” he said. “She and her dad are both honest, disciplined and have integrity. He is a first-class human being; he treats people with respect.” l

THE SANDY CLUB

“A Safe Place for Boys and Girls” Members of the Month

Congratulations to our April Members of the Month: Yareli Figueroa, Kyser Taintor, & Jordyn Yack!

Yareli is 11 years old: Yareli wants to become an actress when she grows up, she has been attending the Sandy Club for 4 years, in that time she has learned social & emotional skills with friendzy, science, & kindness.

Kyser is 9 years old: he wants to become a youtuber, he has been attending for 3 years, in that time he has learned social & emotional skills with friendzy.

Jordyn is 7 years old: she wants to become a vet, she has been attending for 8 months, and in that time, she has learned social & emotional skills with friendzy.

Congratulations once again, we are so proud of you all!

A street corner worth noticing

White City residents rally to transform a forgotten corner into a community gateway.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

t one of White City’s busiest corners, an overlooked patch of land is on the verge of becoming a community gateway.

For years, the 0.13 acres of land at 700 East and Sego Lily Drive has been rocks and weeds, a remnant of the road expansion in 2007. Now, thanks to a grassroots effort led by White City Community Council, that “eyesore” is being reimagined as a welcoming pollinator-friendly public space.

“I’ve had this in my sights for six years,” said Brent Potter, White City Community Council chairman. “It’s been an abandoned, ugly corner and it would be great to get the pollinator program working there and even, add some greenspace to our community.”

Potter, a landscape architect by profession, has helped lead the project from concept to near-construction along with another White City resident, Sam Taylor, a fellow landscape architect. The turning point came in late 2025 when the council secured a landscaping lease with the property owner, Utah Department of Transportation, which gave the community permission to improve the land.

Three design workshops held earlier this year invited residents to help shape the vision. Ideas ranged from garden spaces to exercise options to a community gathering area. The final concept, selected by a close community vote, includes shaded seating, walking path, native plants and a community

The land owned by UDOT near 700 East and Sego Lily Drive may get a makeover if White City residents have their way. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

information board, with future additions such as benches, signage and a trellis planned as funding allows.

“I was happy to have all the feedback. We’re providing the most professional, transparent process as possible,” he said. “A citizen suggested the idea of engraved pavers, and I really like the idea. It leads to more ownership of the park from the community.”

This spring, Potter is working on the next step in the project: securing water and applying for the Utah Department of Agriculture’s Utah Pollinator Habitat Program.

“That application has to be submitted to the habitat pollinator program by April 15,” he said. “To be considered for

that program, I have to have water to the site.”

If successful, the program would supply much of the native plants, which is an essential piece of the project’s ecological and financial plan, Potter said. Those plants are typically delivered in late September, aligning with the council’s timeline for installation.

Work on the site is slated to begin in late summer. Volunteers, through a new initiative called “Give Back White City” which connects residents with service opportunities, will first clear weeds and prepare the ground before donated labor and materials are slated in September.

“Internally, we have our own volunteer network of labor,” he said. “We also have verbal commitments from three semi-local companies to have labor donated.”

Potter said the project could be built in phases if needed.

“We can get the walking paths and with the water, the plants in and if we need to, the benches, trellis structure, community board and signage could be later,” he said.

If the beautification project adheres to its schedule, a grand opening is slated for October.

“If successful, the project will not only beautify a highly visible intersection but also create a lasting space that reflects the values, input and pride of White City residents,” Potter said.

In addition to the gateway entrance, White City has several community events planned. A plant swap is scheduled for May 16, followed by a 5K race and walk June 20. On July 11, a car show will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, supported by a $1,500 state grant. The events wrap up with the community’s “Last Blast of Summer” held in late August. White City has about 6,000 residents. The 9805 S. 700 East address of the site was previously a private residence. l

Young entrepreneurs participate in ‘Shark Tank’-style competition at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Business students from Canyons and Jordan School Districts competed.

By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

This year, the South Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Shark Tank”-style event for high school students took place in front of an actual shark tank. The competition between young entrepreneurs, modeled after the “Shark Tank” reality show on ABC, was held March 18 at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Students from Jordan and Canyons School Districts presented their ideas for new businesses before a panel of five judges. The winners received thousands of dollars in prize money.

“Really, there are no losers,” Chamber President and CEO Jay Francis said. He spoke of how the competition showcases the hard work, ingenuity and talent of the younger generation. “This is one of my favorite events,” he added. “You go home after this and think, ‘We’re going to be OK.’”

The South Valley Chamber of Commerce brings together entrepreneurs, small businesses and corporate leaders to foster a strong local economy. “As a chamber, we’re connecting the next generation to the local business community through this event,” Francis said.

The Chamber initiated the competition about 10 years ago. “It’s about encouraging students to be business-minded,” he added. “This is our way of giving back.”

The judges were Sybrina Ely, President and CEO of Kenbry Capital; David Edmunds, owner of Salt Mine Productive Work Space; Jeanette Bennett, CEO and Executive Managing Director of Colliers International; Beth Colosimo, Salt Lake County Regional Development Director; and Heather Nash, general manager of Mountain View Village.

Eleven teams of local high school students, selected by the Chamber’s Small Business Committee, competed live at the event for $9,500 in prize money. Their presentations were judged on personal style, business effectiveness, timeliness and ingenuity.

The students’ ideas ranged from environmentally-friendly fashion designs to AI person-

al assistants to tools for rock climbing. Jayme Jensen, Vice President and Managing Director of the South Valley Chamber commented, “These young entrepreneurs are incredibly impressive, and it’s exciting to see the creativity and initiative they bring to their businesses.”

All of the competitors take courses in business at either Canyons Technical Education Center (CTEC) or the Jordan Academy for Technology & Careers (JATC.) Alta High School and CTEC student Aiden Leon explained that his business concept evolved out of an assignment in his Business Leadership class. Leon pitched his idea for a guided planner and journal to help teens combat stress and burnout called “Burnout to Balance” and won second place in the competition.

First-place winners Abby Elmer and Kellyn Hovi from Herriman High School and JATC, named their proposed earring brand, “KIVI.” According to their pitch, KIVI pierced earrings would consist of hypoallergenic posts with interchangeable charms allowing customers to change their look while their ears are healing from the piercing.

“We just sat down and brainstormed ideas to solve everyday problems,” Elmer said. She and Hovi won the $5,000 grand prize. Both are members of DECA, a nationwide organization that prepares high school students for leadership roles in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Monday, May 26, 2025

“I’m super happy,” Hovi said. “Going into this, I didn’t expect it, but I’m so glad we were able to win. I learned a lot about presenting and business through this and met so many new people. I loved it.”

The third place winners were Cash Christensen, Kolton Candelaria and Ayson Christensen from Riverton, Herriman and Bingham high schools, respectively. The three students, who also attend JATC, pitched their concept for “Stashed,” a customizable financial planning app for teens.

The panel of judges praised all of the contestants. Ely had some words of advice. “We are so incredibly proud of all of you,” she said. “Don’t quit and keep innovating.”

“Business is an exciting place to be,” Bennett said. “There’s a lot out there to explore.”l

The winners of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Shark Tank”-style event posed for a group photo with the judges at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium last March. (Katherine Weinstein/City Journals)

Sandy certifies a policy plan to address housing shortages

City lawmakers aim to fix “missing middle” housing by loosening zoning requirements and incentivizing developers to build affordable housing.

By Giovanni Radtke

g.radtke@mycityjournals.com

Sandy officials launched a two-year project to overhaul the city’s land code, and local lawmakers ratified a framework to guide its housing policy along the way.

On March 24, the city council adopted the Building Our Future report for its housing strategy. The council developed the report through a series of workshops and lays out lawmakers’ vision for balancing Sandy’s unique qualities with the goals of boosting homeownership and expanding the housing stock to meet the needs of all residents.

The roadmap also suggests legislative tools the council can use immediately to address housing market issues, as the code rewrite is underway.

“Every policy recommendation we are making within this final report, every strategy, every tactic, every tool is filtered through those two lenses: how do we achieve the vision… and how do we best address those prioritized issues,” Dustin Fratto, Council Office executive director, said to the council on March 10 when presenting a draft of the report.

Many of the prioritized issues listed in the report intersect. For instance, Sandy’s restrictive zoning code and lack of condominium construction contribute to the creation of “missing middle” housing.

Single-family homes make up 75% of Sandy’s housing stock, crowding out middle housing options such as duplexes, townhomes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), according to data from Utah Foundation cited in the housing report.

A number of the legislative tools in the council’s current arsenal can be used through development agreements, in which the city

offers incentives to developers in exchange for deed-restricted units. Fratto said those restrictions would be outcomes-oriented.

“It was made really clear to us early on that there wasn’t an interest in incentivizing housing in necessarily in a particular geographic location, and there wasn’t an interest in incentivizing certain types of housing structures, but there was an interest in incentivizing outcomes,” he said. “And what I mean by that is incentivizing things that would constitute a major public benefit, so an outcome might be housing for first-time homebuyers or housing for seniors.”

Along with diversifying Sandy’s housing options, elected officials also want the middle housing to blend seamlessly with existing neighborhoods. The report lists requiring ADUs to be owner-occupied as one of the primary ways of doing that.

“An important part of maintaining neighborhood character you are maintaining the character of ‘hey, the people who own this property live here,’” Fratto said.

The council would like to limit detached ADUs to low-density neighborhoods, but they “might have to give a little” on that condition after the state legislature recently passed a law prohibiting municipalities from adding zoning requirements on some accessory units.

“We can [restrict locations] when we are talking about lots that are under 11,000 square

feet under the current state statute,” Fratto said. “...But once you hit that 11,000-square-feet threshold, my understanding of what the law is that they are going to be permitted by right.”

While the new law gives Sandy’s elected leaders wiggle room in zoning ADUs, Councilmember at-large Aaron Dekeyzer said he’d be happy to “plop one down wherever you want.”

“I cannot wait for the council to pass an ADU ordinance,” Dekeyzer said in March. “It’s been over a year since we’ve been trying to do that, and there are dozens of residents chomping at the bit for this to happen, so I’m super excited that happened in the legislature.”

Updating the land code

The housing strategy is part of a larger plan to rewrite Sandy’s Land Development Code, or Title 21.

The code revision was prompted by the fact that the city’s current zoning code impedes the implementation of key features of Sandy’s master plan, according to a memo sent to the council authored by the Community Development Department.

“Furthermore, the last major update to the Land Development Code was almost 20 years ago,” the memo states. “Since that time, there have been a variety of code changes to address specific needs and state law changes; however, piecemeal code amendments have created structural and organizational challenges that need to be addressed in a wholistic manner.”

The city hired engineering firm Psomas to advise on the land code project. The housing report suggests two zoning tools to direct the consultants towards the council’s goals: a Form-Based Code and Overlay Zoning.

Form-Based Code shifts the focus of zoning laws from specific land uses to the physical form of buildings. This would allow the city to enter into by-right development agreements, reducing developers’ costs associated with legal delays.

“By-right development agreement, I kind of view it like the self-checkout lane,” Fratto said. “It’s the ‘hey, here are a list of standards, and if you meet these standards, you can by right build this thing in this location.’”

Zoning based on a building’s form would mark a comprehensive code rewrite. In contrast, overlay zoning is more “surgical in nature.”

“So if we want to provide an incentive to a very particular location in the city, we may use an overlay zone,” Fratto said.

The code overhaul also aims to redevelop Sandy’s transportation and commercial hubs. And the adopted housing framework reserves low-rise apartments for the high-activity city centers.

Now that the council has adopted the housing strategy, the report will be handed off to Psomas’ consulting team to aid them in updating Title 21. The consultants will provide Sandy with a code framework proposal in June, according to the community development department memo.l

A map of Sandy’s future land use. (Courtesy of Sandy)

Sandy rezones a single-family home

Despite concerns from neighbors, a single-family home will be converted into a townhome with six additional units.

By Giovanni Radtke g.radtke@mycityjournals.com

Asplit council approved rezoning a single-family home to higher-density townhouses despite concerns neighbors raised about safety, parking congestion and how it would impact the character of the Sandy suburb.

The 4-3 vote on March 10 allows a homeowner to add a duplex and a fourplex on her 0.65-acre plot near 8600 South and 1000 East. The applicant plans on living in her home and hopes the townhomes will make it easier for her to remain in Sandy.

“She’s getting later in years and wanted to do something where she didn’t need to maintain so much property and such a big house,” Josh Becker, a representative of the homeowner, told the council at a meeting on March 3.

The rezone includes a requirement that the applicant list the newly constructed dwellings for sale. Sandy lawmakers included the stipulation to increase the chances that the townhomes will be owner-occupied.

Boosting homeownership is a top priority in the council’s recently ratified housing policy framework, which aims to address housing shortages while maintaining the character of Sandy’s single-family communities.

Residents living in the suburban neighborhood, however, expressed fears that the increased density would change the fabric of the suburb.

“There has been many of us neighbors who have spoken out against this rezone to try and preserve this area that has grown into this single-family neighborhood over the past 40 years,” Shannon Maynard said during a public hearing leading up to the council’s vote. “This type of rezone would not only double the density of what this area has grown into and developed into, but it completely changes the look and overall character of this neighborhood.”

Neighbor Miriam Tucker shared similar concerns, adding that she’s worried the rezone “sets a precedent for other little pieces of property” to be built in the neighborhood, creating “a hodge-podge community of rentals among single-family dwellings, which we do not want that to happen. We want to try to keep it as single-family homes.”

Tucker also raised safety concerns that the townhomes would create a parking bottleneck.

“This adds more vehicles and possibly parking on the street, which creates a problem for people trying to back out of their homes and children crossing the street trying to go to the other side,” she said.

Councilmember Alison Stroud echoed the residents’ concerns and opposed the rezoning due to the development’s high density.

“I’m not comfortable with this…It’s more dense than those really nice single-family homes across the street on 10th East,” she said.

“It’s a mix and match, and it doesn’t look good,” Stroud added.

Council chair Brooke D’Sousa, however, does not think the rezone will change the character of the suburb since the street already has an inconsistent mix of single-family homes and duplexes.

“I think it is hard to make an argument for what would be considered continuous or provide continuity with the surrounding area because of the mismatch that exists currently,” the council chair said.

Still, D’Sousa said the extra driveways provide her “with a little bit of hesitation and discomfort, especially with thinking about safety and some of the issues that arises with some of the traffic that 10th East sees.”

Despite her concerns, D’Sousa voted in favor of the rezone with the added stipulation that the subdivisions will be put up for sale. Other Sandy legislators echoed the need to incentivize homeownership, but also emphasized the applicants’ desire to stay in their community.

“The way I am seeing this project is that the intent of the developer is to make single-family living a reality on a tiny little footprint of a lot, which may not be what everybody wants, but it is something we need in Sandy,” Councilmember Marci Houseman said before the vote.

“I think that is the intent of the property owner,” Houseman later added. “She wants to stay in Sandy, she wants to live in one of these units, she wants to have neighbors who are now able to be homeowners I think that intent is good so I know it’s hard and I know it’s not what some of you are hoping to hear, but I think that’s where I’m landing on this.” l

Renderings of the planned townhomes submitted to the Planning Commission. (Courtesy of Sandy)

Crescent View Middle sale to fund district’s innovation center, preserve community use

Life Skills Academy remains temporarily as school district leaders determine permanent move

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Apossible sale of the former Crescent View Middle School to Sandy City is moving forward, with both city and Canyons School District leaders saying the site’s future will be a community asset.

Crescent View ceased normal operation when Draper Park Middle opened in 2013, and since then, the site has been used intermittently for temporary student relocation during school rebuilds and renovations. Since 2024, it has been home to the district’s Life Skills Academy.

Canyons Board of Education unanimously approved a purchase-and-sales agreement to sell the 17.8-acre property at 11150 S. 300 East, adjacent to Crescent Park, for $17 million. The deal includes $100,000 in earnest

yons business administrator and CFO.

The city has until early December to complete that process, with closing about three months later, he said.

Sandy City has indicated it intends to keep the property for civic use, though spe-

“They want it to stay an asset for the community and that’s what we, as a board prefer, it’s the best-case scenario,” said Amber Shill, Canyons Board of Education president.

Wilcox added: “We received bids from a couple developers, but Sandy City agreed to

He said the sale is a decision is not just financial, but also practical.

The Crescent View building was used in recent years as a temporary space during school rebuilds and renovations, including Mt. Jordan Middle, Midvale Middle, Eastmont Middle, Peruvian Park and Edgemont elementaries. Additionally, the campus has been used for youth basketball and soccer programs.

“We have rebuilt or are remodeling every one of our eight middle schools, and we have plenty of capacity, so we don’t see ever needing the Crescent View building,” Wilcox said. “We think we’ll probably have some vacant elementary schools that we can put kids in temporarily with any additional rebuilds. Crescent View was built for about 1,400 middle school kids, so it’s hard to justify that for 70 kids for LSA, when there are other spaces for them.”

The agreement is structured to provide stability for LSA post-high school students with differing abilities until district leaders determine a permanent new home.

“We have agreed to rent back the building until the end of June 2027, so they’ll be there all next year,” Wilcox said.

District leaders are exploring potential sites that would support LSA’s program focus on life and job skills, including looking at nearby businesses for internships and public transportation. Wilcox said coordination with UTA and district transportation will be considered with the decision.

Accessibility is key, said LSA Principal Stacey Nofsinger.

“The new location needs to be accessible, that needs to be at the top of the list,” she said. “We’re preparing our students for independent living and having transportation to help them with pre-job readiness will help prepare them for life after school.”

A possible option that has been discussed is relocating LSA to Cottonwood Heights’ Bella Vista Elementary, which will cease operation at the end of this school year. While no final decision has been made, Shill said the board is keeping the students’ needs at the center of the discussion. l

Canyons Board of Education unanimously approved a purchase-and-sales agreement to sell the former Cresent View Middle School to Sandy City for $17 million. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Eastmont teacher publishes final chapter of epic fantasy trilogy

doesn’t work without Conrad.”

Readers can anticipate intensity in “Downfall,” but Gregson says also expect hope.

His wife serves as his “alpha reader” while his 12-year-old daughter already is a devoted fan.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Eastmont Middle School eighth-grade

English teacher Marc Gregson is used to helping his students craft arguments, edit essays and find their voice. This spring, however, he also is celebrating the release of “Downfall,” the final installment in “Above the Black,” his science fiction trilogy.

“Book three is the culmination of everything that was built up with the first two in the series; it’s action-packed,” he said about the novel released in March.

For Gregson, finishing the trilogy was both exhilarating and emotional.

“It was fun to write the story in this world I created, but it also was difficult emotionally saying goodbye to these characters,” he said.

That emotional connection is something his students might recognize.

Gregson spends his days encouraging his student-writers to develop characters with clear motivations and goals, the same advice he follows.

His main character remains closest to him “because I was in his head so long. The story

“There will be some sad parts, but ultimately, its core is hopeful and optimistic for people,” he said.

While “Downfall” marks the end of the trilogy, Gregson isn’t finished. He has an adult dystopian thriller, “Behind the Glass,” coming out this November and he already is writing a second science fiction trilogy for young adults.

“I like big stories, but for me to be able to write the stories I want to tell and have them be as big and epic as I want, I write multiple books,” Gregson said.

His first trilogy included “Sky’s End” and “Among Serpents.”

Gregson also is involved in a screenplay adaption of his work.

“I’ve already seen a first draft of the script, and I’m very impressed with it,” he said. “I can’t say who the screenwriter is, but he has worked on other blockbusters.“

With Antoine Fuqua, known for thrillers and action movies, as the producer, Gregson is upbeat about the project.

“I’m cautiously optimist about it because they’re so careful and true to the story. That’s a good thing; they’re not rushing anything,” he said.

While his cinematic career is taking off, Gregson remains committed to his own writing and family.

“She’s read all three books already and offers advice. She’s like, ‘I want more monsters,’” Gregson said.

It was a junior high librarian who noted Gregson’s love of science fiction after he wrote a Halloween story with a killer squirrel. She introduced him to “Ender’s Game.” He then read “The Hobbit” and the Harry Potter series and got hooked.

“My stories are more adventurous than those ones are; mine have an edge to them and are a lot more explosive, like big action battles and cinematic,” he said.

Gregson and his family like adventures of their own, taking daring rides on roller coasters across the country.

“The back row is the best because you get the extra Gs. I feel like I’m on the back of one of my sky serpents in my books,” he said.

Balancing teaching and writing hasn’t been easy. Now working part time, Gregson maintains a schedule: up at 6:45 a.m., do a set of 40 pushups and write 1,000 words until 10:30 a.m., when he comes to Eastmont.

That dedication is something he passes on to his students, along with practical advice: focus on your character’s goals to keep the story moving, avoid comparisons to other writers and embrace the process.

“You’re on your own trail. Follow it,

wherever it takes you even if it zigs or zags,” Gregson said, recalling his first book he wrote, “The Bringers,” which never got published, but motivated him to write more and eventually, he became a New York Times best-selling author.

Gregson is enjoying his own journey from the classroom to the page and soon, the screen, and while he said goodbye to his favorite character, Conrad, it might just be “see you later.” “I’m only 40, so maybe in 10 years, I will come back to Conrad,” he said. “Maybe he’ll show up again.” l

Raffle winner, eighth-grader Maggie Doubrava, won the “Above the Black” trilogy from her teacher, author Marc Gregson. (Photo courtesy of Violet Joseph/Eastmont Middle)

Albion girls win third straight title in ‘Real March Madness’

Teams celebrate friendship and school pride while competing in school district intramural basketball tournament.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Teammates rushed together in a swirl of hugs as Albion A’s eighth-grade girls claimed Canyons School District’s middle school intramural 3-on-3 basketball championship, capping their middle school careers with a third straight title.

Parents and friends cheered and rushed the court to snap photos of the team with a Hulk-style trophy – one hand gripping the rim and the other palming a basketball – capturing the energy of “The Real March Madness.”

The team said their final run was as much about friendship as continuity in winning.

“We all decided to play together; we play together on the comp team, Brighton Bengals Bantam, outside of school so this is our chance to play together for our school,” eighth-grader Lily Pohlman said.

Her teammate, Jane Kasteler, added: “We want to represent Albion; it’s been a fun three years playing for our school.”

While playing together has translated into strong on-court chemistry, Lexi Frye and her teammates were quick to credit the adults

who coached them.

“Our coaches are supportive,” player Hana Alger said. “They’re always here, wanting the best for us.”

Teammate Harper Misik added: “Our coaches taught us different plays and helped us in practice; they make us better.”

Those coaches include Brooke Harris, Dante Ross, Cory Christianson and “coach Ragdun.”

Even though the girls were excited to capture the title, Lily said it wasn’t the highlight.

“The best part definitely is getting to

know each other better. We met in sixth grade, but now we’re not just teammates, we’re good friends,” she said.

Harris, who has coached intramurals for nine years, said making those connections is the heart of the program.

“It’s great to get the kids out, meeting each other and creating the best memories,” she said. “3-on-3 doesn’t take a lot of time as an extracurricular with practicing only once per week, but they’re active, they’re bonding with each other and they’re having fun in the competition.”

This is the second time Harris had the

same team win a title in every grade.

The championship also earned the Albion eight-graders a bonus reward. Principal Eric Gardner promised them root beer floats if they won their third title.

In the eighth-grade division, second place went to Indian Hills A, followed by Mt. Jordan A in third and Eastmont A in fourth.

In sixth-grade girls play, Draper Park A took first, with Albion B in second; Eastmont third; and Mt. Jordan, fourth. The seventh-grade girls bracket was won by Draper Park A, followed by Draper Park B, Midvale and Butler.

A memorable moment came during the sixth-grade boys tournament.

“Both the first- and second-place game and the third- and fourth-place game where tied when the games ended so it went into sudden victory free throws,” said intramurals coordinator Taylor Hansen. “The first- and second-place game had to go four players deep until a basket was made and the thirdand fourth-place game, three players deep.”

That resulted in Eastmont beating out Mt. Jordan for the championship and Draper Park claiming third place over Albion.

In boys seventh grade, Butler B won, followed by Draper Park B, Butler A and Mt. Jordan A. The eighth-grade boys bracket was won by Butler A, followed by Butler B, Albion and Draper Park B. l

Albion eighth-grade girls team won Canyons School District basketball titles each year in middle school. (Julie Slama/City Journals

Whenastronaut Neil Armstrong took those first steps on the moon, I had just celebrated my first birthday. I don’t remember either event, but the entire world held its breath as it watched Apollo 11 land, while I shoved my hands into a birthday cake.

That moon mission used less technology than your bathroom scale. It was basically human calculations, a slide rule and a Rand McNally paper map that guided those astronauts on the first lunar road trip.

We were told that space was the final frontier; space was the future. We learned that, like age and teenagers, space isn’t forgiving.

As a Murray High School senior, my home ec advisor wheeled a TV into the classroom to watch the Space Shuttle Challenger carry the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, into space. We were speechless when the shuttle blew up at 46,000 feet. In February 2003, I watched the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster unfold as the spacecraft disintegrated on re-entry.

To say I was apprehensive watching the Artemis II mission launch to the moon would be an astronomical understatement.

On April 1, NASA perched the Orion space capsule atop a 300-foot rocket, one of the most powerful ever built. It launched a team of four astronauts 250,000 miles away from Earth, the farthest humans have ever traveled, discounting alien abductions, of course.

Unlike the catapulted station wagon that

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

Copy, Moon Joy

somehow got us to the moon during Apollo missions, Orion uses autonomous navigation and extreme precision, carrying astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time in more than 50 years, traveling at speeds up to 25,000 mph.

It was the 10th manned moon exploration, or for conspiracy theorists, the 10th “faked” moon mission. The entire adventure was livestreamed so we could travel together.

Space exploration is equal parts wonder, technology and angst. During the 10-day moon trip, I endured galactic levels of anxiety. Launch sent my blood pressure soaring. My jaw clenched while they circled the moon on April 6, and my internal organs somersaulted during splashdown on April 10.

I was hyperaware that dreams explode and rockets fall apart.

Apollo missions were built on bravery, and America was racing to beat Russians to the moon. Now, Artemis is an international collaboration, one that should remind us we only sur-

vive this wild ride by working together.

In Greek mythology, Artemis is Apollo’s twin sister and goddess of the moon. It is an apt comparison: while the first moon missions had bro energy, the Artemis program continues the story in a wiser, more thoughtful way.

Women play key roles in the Artemis program. Besides the first female to fly on a moon mission, there are female science officers, mission leads and launch directors. In fact, for the first time in NASA’s history, the current astronaut class has more women than men.

If I could do math while enduring crushing g-forces and the stomach-dropping sensation of freefall, I would definitely have been in the space program. Instead, I appreciate the life of an astronaut from the comfort of my recliner.

Apollo gave us “One giant leap,” Challenger dropped us to our knees and Artemis refocused our gaze. These missions remind us to look to the stars, but also look to our beautiful, blue planet. We only have each other. We should start acting like it.

As I approach my next birthday, one I hope I remember, I raise a glass to the dreamers, the heroes, to the brilliant engineers in mission control and the fearless astronauts who explore new paths. It reminds us that even when the story goes wrong, we need to keep looking up.

Peri Kinder is an award-winning columnist and journalist who has written for The City Journals since 2004. She can be reached at peri.k@thecityjournals.com