Sandy Journal | February 2024

February 2024 | Vol. 24 Iss. 2

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‘GARBAGE BAG GIRL’ DETAILS HEARTBREAKING EXPERIENCE IN THE UTAH FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

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hen Celeste Edmunds entered the state’s foster care system at 7 years old, she spent the next nine years moving from family to family, and home to home. She carried her belongings in a garbage bag and lived in more than 30 cities by the age of 16.

Edmunds recently published her memoir “Garbage Bag Girl” co-authored by New York Times bestselling author Richard Paul Evans. It’s a story of resilience and hope, and a heartbreaking account of her childhood that was often filled with abuse and neglect.

“My childhood was a difficult and often unbearable experience where evil manipulation almost broke my spirit. But there were also caring people along the way who stepped in to do what they could to protect and nurture me,” said Edmunds. “As an adult, I look back at those moments and realize that they saved my life. My goal is to help as many children as possible in the child welfare system and help to ensure that they have the opportunities for success that I was not provided.”

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Surviving everything from her parents addiction to an ongoing series of fights, sexual and physical abuse, being adopted by a sadistic mother and fighting to stay connected to her younger siblings, Edmunds rose against the odds to tap into her own strength and power.

As a teen, Edmunds went down a dark and difficult path before a compassionate woman offered Edmunds a safe home and taught her that “Home is where they have to keep you.” Edmunds was 16, a high school dropout and it was the first time she felt supported and nurtured.

She dedicated her book to the woman, Carlie, who she considers to be her mom. Carlie eventually adopted Edmunds and didn’t know the book would be dedicated to her. Edmunds said without the influence of Carlie and other people who believed in her, she would have ended up incarcerated or dead. “[Carlie] read the dedication and Continued page 5

Hal Hale pro basketball, Vietnam

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Celeste Edmunds, executive director of The Christmas Box International, shares her heartbreaking story of a childhood spent in the Utah foster care system in her memoir, “Garbage Bag Girl.” (Aligned Media)

Alta View fundraiser

page 25

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February 2024 | Page 3

Canyons, other districts settle Title IX lawsuit, aim to promote equality in sports

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

S

ix years after filing a discrimination lawsuit for not providing sanctioned girls tackle football teams in Utah high schools, the three named school districts—Canyons, Jordan and Granite—reached a settlement.

Brought about by former football standout Sam Gordon and five other female players who lived within those districts’ boundaries, the settlement reached this past fall will hopefully result in increased opportunities for girls in high school athletics, said Canyons School District Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood.

“Basically, it spelled out some things that we need to do better as school districts in terms of honoring Title IX,” he said. “One of the agreements in the settlement is we will be more intentional in promoting girls high school sports beginning as early as elementary schools and in middle schools.”

That is one of Canyons District’s focuses in 2024.

“We have assigned all the high school [athletic directors] to help promote Title IX at their elementary and middle schools and in addition, each middle school now has a middle school administrator assigned to be a Title IX specialist,” Sherwood said. “We’re in the process of creating more intentional recruitment in spring to the middle schools specifically talking about girls sports. We’ll be doing promotional posters and being more proactive in promoting girls high school athletics. Before, we would go to the schools and say: ‘Hey, get involved in high school.

We have lots to offer. We have sports, choir, band, dance and all the activities,’ but this is very specific to promoting girls sports in middle schools and even elementary to narrow the participation gap.”

Sherwood, who was named as the director of high schools, also is the Title IX compliance athletic officer. He said as part

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of continuing to seek student input, Canyons District will survey female students to determine interest level in female sports and activities in future years. Sports, such as girls tackle football, may apply to become a student-led club sport within the district and can advertise on campuses and request to use school facilities.

While Title IX doesn’t specifically say athletics, it’s commonly known in the sports world as a way to equalize opportunity for girls and women.

“There is a three-prong test (practiced by the National Federation of State High School Associations) that’s been accepted by the Office of Civil Rights to determine Title IX compliance in schools,” he said. “One of the three prongs is proportionality in funding, facilities and participation, meaning that the ratio of female participation is close to the ratio of female enrollment. So, for example, Jordan High has 50:50 enrollment (of males and females), and they have 50:50 participation. Our other four comprehensive high schools are all within 6% in variability between participation and enrollment.”

Sherwood added that in late January, he will present those findings within athletics to the Canyons Board of Education in compliance with new state code 53G-6-1101 that states each district must report it annually and have an action plan to address discrepancies greater than 10 percent.

However, Sherwood isn’t just reporting the numbers. The other parts of the threeprong test are to show the district is striving to increasing opportunities for female athletes and accommodating interest.

“I’m aware that there’s a 6% gap, and even if I never achieve complete equality, what am I doing to close the gap?” he said.

“How could we support and expand opportunities for females specifically? In terms

Six years after filing a discrimination lawsuit, Canyons and two other school districts settled this fall, promising an increase in promoting girls high school sports. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

of expansion, [Utah High School Activities Association] recently added lacrosse, but again, that’s for both boys and girls. Cheer is much more participated in by girls than by boy,s and that was the last dominant girl sport sanctioned; however, in spring 2024, boys volleyball will be sanctioned, so it put us back in achieving participation equality.

One thing we’ve learned from all this is that UHSAA does not receive any federal funding, so they are not responsible for being compliant in the local school districts. It’s the districts that need to follow the tenants of Title IX, to find that balance and to ensure we’re supporting growth in female sports.”

Sherwood said the UHSAA, which also was part of the lawsuit, was not included in

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the settlement.

In interest of equality, Sherwood reviews budget, gear and facilities.

“There’s been a light shined on equity of facilities,” he said. “Canyons School District has been very intentional through its facilities’ improvements to ensure there is equality in our facilities, uniforms, equipment, gear and financial commitment uses of gyms and other rooms. We’ve had a lot of progress in just the past few years in terms of how we approach girls and boys athletics. As far as the spirit of Title IX and Canyons District, by our current levels of participation, facilities’ compliance, and efforts to expand female participation, we’re doing a pretty good job.” l

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Sandy City Journal

Four councilmembers sworn in for Sandy City

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

F

our councilmembers took their oaths of office in January having won their respective elections in November.

“It’s very humbling to win an election,” Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey said.

Sharkey spoke after being sworn in as she retained her seat as an at-large councilmember while Aaron Dekeyzer took the other at-large seat alongside Sharkey and Councilmember at-large Brooke D’Sousa who was elected in 2021.

Alison Stroud enters her second term representing District 2, running unopposed in the November election.

“I’m excited to see what the future will bring,” Stroud said.

District 4 saw another change to the position as Marci Houseman, who previously served as an at-large councilmember, takes over. She defeated Scott Earl 51-49 winning by 124 votes. Earl previously served in the position since January 2022, appointed by the council after Mayor Monica Zoltanski vacated the seat when she won the mayoral position. Houseman will be district’s third different councilmember since 2021.

After all four were sworn in, each councilmember spoke to those in attendance in the following order.

pend on us. We must serve them to the best of our ability and with the greatest consideration possible because they are also friends, neighbors and loved ones.”

While it humbles her to be elected, she said it surprises her too.

“It means that thousands of people put their trust in you and that’s both a responsibility and a clear road map moving forward.”

Sharkey, a former member of the planning commission and corporate executive, joked she weighed using her acceptance speech from four years ago thinking no one would remember it. But in rereading that speech, it reminded her she is the same person with the same principles as when she started.

“My aspirations for this city, the challenges that we face, the need to work together to achieve best outcomes for Sandy” are the same as four years ago, she said.

Hitting the campaign trail for the second time, meant she knocked some of the same doors she did in 2019. But this time around, she came across several who had passed away in the intervening years. She said the experience reminded her “these people were people first.”

“Friends, neighbors, loved ones,” Sharkey said. “We serve people in Sandy that de-

Dekeyzer, a Hillcrest High grad who holds a master’s in psychology, is in his first term as an at-large councilmember.

“It is with a deep sense of purpose and clear vision that I step into this role,” Dekeyzer said, noting his experience working with numerous nonprofits, various campaigns and even running for county council.

From public safety to his opposition to the gondola used much of his speech touching on the future and his priorities as he represents the city. Public safety, he said, extended to road redesign, lower speed limits, crosswalks, safe walking routes, street signage and technology.

“By adopting this multidisciplinary approach, we will ensure that Sandy embraces the safest, healthiest, and most equitable transportation planning framework to date,” he said.

Continued from front page

International, an organization that offers a safe and nurturing environment to thousands of children each year as they begin to navigate the child welfare system.

Located at 3660 S. West Temple Street in South Salt Lake, The Christmas Box International was founded in 1996 by Evans with the intention to create a safe place for Utah’s children. The organization was named after his first book, “The Christmas Box.” In the forward to “Garbage Bag Girl,” Evans writes, “I believe that ‘Garbage Bag Girl’ should be required reading for every

Cyndi Sharkey

there was a moment of the two of us realizing what it all meant for us,” Edmunds said.

“I said there is nothing I can ever give you to express how much you’ve given me. The book is the best I could do.

“I like to remind her, very often, that nowhere I am today, nothing successful I’ve done would have happened without her…I don’t know where I would have landed.”

Edmunds, a Sandy resident, believes everything in her life prepared her for her job as executive director of The Christmas Box

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Alison Stroud

Stroud, a former small business owner and teacher in the Canyons School District, said people often asked her why she runs for elected office.

She answered the question during her speech by referencing several pieces from Sandy history stored underneath her stairs.

Newspaper articles about the Cairns development or a performing arts center. Signposts of the city’s growth through the years.

“Even as a teen and my early 20’s, I valued my city,” she recalled.

Stroud was born and raised in Sandy, continues to call it home.

“Sandy is an amazing place to be,” she said.

Stroud thanked her family, residents, businesses, city staff and councilmembers past, present and future.

Aaron Dekeyzer

Four of Sandy’s councilmembers were sworn into office in January having won their elections last November. (File photo Sandy City)

Marci Houseman

Houseman, with her extensive background in education as both a teacher and a principal, enters her first term representing District 4 having previously served as an atlarge councilmember.

Growing up in a family that moved a lot due to her father’s career in the army, Houseman thanked the women of her “Oklahoma heritage”—her mom, grandma and great grandma.

“I inherited grit and grace from those incredible women,” she said, adding they will be guiding lights, along with Abraham

Lincoln, in her leadership role.

Besides thanking family, donors, friends, colleagues, she zeroed in on unity as she prepared her speech.

“On top of gratitude, I want to express an invitation to build even greater unity in the four years ahead,” she said.

She referenced the book, and recently released movie about the U.S. crew team who won gold in 1936, “Boys in the Boat” as a metaphor for what she hopes the city’s unity will be with residents representing the boat and elected officials the rowers.

Unity isn’t about “looking the same, sounding the same, voting the same. It is about the swing and the harmony that exists despite any differences,” she said, highlighting that everyone must row in the same direction and each has a role to play.

She said each elected official was chosen by the people of Sandy to work together and learn from each other, to lean into their strengths and weaknesses and find the “swing.”

“That is harmony, that is how you move the boat and that is what our residents deserve.” l

parent, foster parent, child welfare worker, and schoolteacher; in short, everyone who advocates and cares for the children of the world.”

Now, every child that leaves The Christmas Box International chooses new clothing, a new toy, new hygiene products and a new suitcase, backpack or duffle bag so they won’t have to carry their items in a garbage bag.

“Our motto is that every child deserves a childhood but it extends to the fact that no child deserves to feel like garbage,” Ed-

munds said. “In 27 years, no child has ever left the Christmas Box House with their items in a garbage sack. We’re very proud of that. Children also never leave with used items, they get only new items. It’s about a mindset we want to teach them that they deserve to know what it feels like to have a new pair of jeans or a new pair of sneakers.”

For more information about The Christmas Box House International, visit TheChristmasBox.org. Edmunds’ book “Garbage Bag Girl” is available on Amazon. l

Describing Little Cottonwood Canyon as the city’s “most treasured natural resource,” he promised to do “everything in my power to protect” it.

He identified transparency, accountability and inclusivity as the cornerstones of his tenure, indicating his plan to be accessible to everyone and pledging to serve the community “without bias toward political affiliation or background and is a commitment I take seriously.

“I am filled with optimism for Sandy’s future.”

February 2024 | Page 5

Duty and service: Hillcrest’s first professional athlete saved lives in Vietnam, became Jordan’s legacy coach

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t wasn’t the scripted storybook ending for a local Midvale boy who grew up shooting hoops in his driveway with his two older brothers and went on to become Hillcrest High’s first professional athlete.

But it turned out “all right” for the state basketball champion both as a player and as a coach who later received awards for saving lives in Vietnam.

Hal Hale, who still lives in his childhood home, grew up the fourth of five children on a farm with cows, horses, pigs and chickens.

With friends, he and his two older brothers played basketball, shooting on a backboard and rim mounted to the side of the garage.

“My brother Gary—he’s nine years older and was an All-American basketball player at the University of Utah—he went back east to a tournament and played on a regulation basketball standard where you could go underneath it,” Hale said. “He got the instructions, and we ended up building that when I was about 12, so we didn’t bang into the garage anymore. We had the only real standard around, so a lot of people came to play, and we became really good ballplayers through some competitive games.”

His first organized team experience was for Midvale Junior High, and they’d play other schools in the area — Murray, Union, Mount Jordan and Bingham junior highs.

“I could handle the ball, so I played point most of my life,” Hale said.

Hale played under Art Hughes at Jordan High his first two years of high school.

“My brother Cleve was Jordan’s student body president when I was a junior there. We had a good team,” he said about his teammates, Cleve and another who were All State and several others who played at college.

“There were 16 teams in the tournament and West was favored to win. We met them in the finals and beat them fairly easily. Our only loss that season was to Highland in the preseason. We met Highland in the semifinals and blew them out. We had a big celebration afterward, and they awarded the trophy to our coaches.”

Then, came the big blow that Jordan High’s student body would be divided with the new Midvale school, his team split in half. Hughes also went to Hillcrest; the Huskies floor is named after him.

The point guard became Hillcrest’s first student body president in 1962–63, running a campaign “Be a Pal, vote for Hal.” Mickey Dowd ran against him.

“He was not only being the basketball star but a genuinely nice guy who beat me to be student body president,” said Dowd, who ended up being the vice president.

Hale remembers there were four juniors on the state championship team; two stayed at Jordan and two went to Hillcrest, but the

Page 6 | February 2024

Hal Hale won a state basketball champion both as a Jordan High student-athlete and as a Jordan High coach and was inducted into the school’s Wall of Honor. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

other player ended up not playing for the Huskies.

“In the playoffs, we ended up losing to Bountiful by one point,” Hale said. “Jordan ended up beating Bountiful for the state championship. We were all coached by Art; he was a great coach. He could get the most out of his players; he was a real good motivator.”

During the playoffs, Utah State University’s head basketball coach LaDell Anderson attended nearly every game and “showed the most interest in me. He was the assistant coach at the U of U when my older brother was there, and Gary really liked him,” Hale said. “I had a scholarship to go to any of the Utah schools and Jack Gardner (U of U’s coach) thought I’d go there, but LaDell was the main reason I went to USU.” After that one Hillcrest season, Hale never played on his homecourt again — although he did see it before the old gymnasium was torn down in April 2020 as part of the school’s rebuild.

As a USU senior, his team was ranked “fourth or fifth in the nation; we were a good team.” Hale was named the most valuable player.

After the season, he received a letter in the mail: the American Basketball Association drafted him to play for the Houston Mavericks.

“I didn’t know I was going to be drafted,” Hale said. “There wasn’t any huge draft party back them, just a letter. If I didn’t go to Houston, then I might have stayed on as fifthyear athlete, so I could have played baseball all four years, and the football coach wanted

Former Hillcrest High basketball star Hal Hale still can swish a ball on his Midvale childhood home court. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

me to play defensive safety. But I decided to go to Houston and get my teaching certificate, so I did that and graduated in physical education and recreation.”

It was never Hale’s dream to play professionally, but he embraced it.

“Playing pro was exciting,” he said.

“When I played, it was because I had a passion for the game. There wasn’t any fame or fortune. We had a two-hour practice in the morning and six hours later, we’d go two hours again. To me, it was invigorating and fun. I thought it is fantastic to do something I really loved to do, to stay in great shape and to get paid for it.”

Hale’s salary that year was $10,000 with a signing bonus of $2,000.

“When we made the playoffs, we got another $500, and they had already talked to me about the next year about giving me this big pay increase,” he said. “I was thinking I would play a lot better because that season, I had an injury, a hip pointer.”

Even with his injury, he was the sixthbest three-point shooter in the league.

Hale didn’t return to the ABA. He was drafted to serve in Vietnam. His pay was cut to $90 per month, with an additional $50 for combat pay. His two older brothers also were serving.

“I felt strong about our country and the constitution, but I didn’t want to be part of this,” Hale said. “I had a doctor friend who didn’t believe in the Vietnam War, and he said he would cut my knee so I wouldn’t have had to go. I could have stayed and played pro basketball, but I couldn’t live with myself knowing I’d do that. A lot of people were going to Canada they were try-

ing to get out of this, and I couldn’t do that.

LaDell said he could get me to play basketball for the U.S. Special Forces in Europe as my duty, but when he called, they couldn’t accept me because I played pro, and that was against the rules.”

Hale was in Vietnam 13 months and 18 days.

He served as a medic, having taken lot of anatomy and physiology at USU, and received training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

His first three weeks in the 101st Airborne were quiet.

Then came a battle in the A Sau Valley.

“We were in the jungle, and we were getting hit every day,” Hale, who was awarded a Bronze star, said. “They were getting rockets coming in. You could hear a highpitched sound, and they come in from about 5, 6 miles away, and it was a ping sound.

You could actually hear ‘ping, ping, ping,’ and you knew you had to find some cover before these big rockets would come in and blast away. Most of the time, it happened in the daytime when we were moving around and didn’t have any protection. We had 84 of us in our battery, and I had to treat a little over half of them. Four people were killed.

Other times, we were being hit by the enemy, but that was the worst one as far as loss of life and most casualties that I had to treated at one time.”

The attacks also were at night.

“Some of those rockets went through the bunkers,” he said. “We had a guy hit in the throat, and it was really bad. I was trying to set up an IV, and some guy came crawling for help. I saw he was shot in the leg,

Sandy City Journal

but I told him to stick his hand in the other guy’s throat to block the stop the bleeding.

Growing up, I had seen cows’ blood spurt out, but never this. It was a hose coming out, so I knew I had to stop that immediately. I was able to set up the IV and then a helicopter took him, and I was able to treat the other guy with the leg injury that wasn’t as severe.”

Hale studied the medical manual the military provided him.

“Every opportunity, I had my nose in the book, making sure that I knew what to do to be ready for different situations that could possibly happen,” he said. “I also studied what to do if you got malaria, dengue fever and all sorts of types of fungus infections.

Sometimes, I just had to be creative ,doing my best under fire, in the rain, without the supplies that were needed and having just 10 weeks of training. They call me Doc; they trusted me.”

At times, Hale had a comrade watching out for him as he provided care, but “there were times we were taking fire and I had to stop treating people to help save myself and fire my M16 back.”

At times, Hale went outside the perimeter to treat his fellow soldiers.

One of those times, about six months into his Vietnam stint, he returned from treating others and went to see his captain.

“He saw blood coming down on my arm,” Hale said. “I didn’t even realize it at the time. I had been hit by shrapnel. The side of my face and my ear, I had had some little pecks where it had hit.”

Hale treated himself. His Purple Heart and Bronze Star with “V” device and other honors that was bestowed upon him aren’t on display.

“When you’re treating people that lost their arm or whatever, this didn’t seem to be significant,” he said.

Right before he was to head home, Hale was treating comrades who had fought on Hamburger Hill.

“Supposedly everything had been taken care of, but as we were getting ready to go up there, fire started coming from Hamburger Hill,” he said. “So, our mission was canceled.

The next day the helicopter picked me up, and I was the ‘freedom bird,’ heading home.

I had mixed emotions, because I was taking care of people and I got so close to them. I was happy I was leaving, but I felt I needed to be there to help them. Mostly, it was such a relief because every time I heard somebody scream out ‘medic,’ or ‘doc,’ it was a burst of adrenaline. It was such a relief to sit on that plane, not hearing that scream because every time I’d hear that, I knew it was something real serious. Sometimes, I heard that person made it after treating him and then other times, I never heard it he made it or not. The ones that had passed on, we knew, and they had body bags. What helped me it was probably going through college and playing some basketball and having the knowledge I have in the gospel helped me stay centered.”

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Former Hillcrest and Jordan High basketball point guard Hal Hale went on to play for the ABA Houston Mavericks. (Photo courtesy of Hal Hale.)

He planned to return to basketball, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“I had little blisters down in the bronchial tubes, and when I tried to exert myself, it just burned,” he said. “I also had broken my wrist four times and had the injuries from the shrapnel. So, I used the GI Bill and got my master’s degree in health science at Utah State.”

He ended up teaching at Jordan High and served as the head basketball coach for 29 years and won the state title in 1984. He was also the head baseball coach at Jordan for two years, the head boys tennis coach for 25 years and the head girls tennis coach for 31 years. He was named as Utah’s boys basketball coach of the year and the National Federation of High School coaches’ boys tennis coach of the year.

“I’d shoot around with some of my Jordan players,” he said. “When I was 40, I could still dunk.”

While teaching, the nephew of the Hale Centre Theatre founder took care of his mother, who lived to be 100. She was there to see him be recognized on the Wall of Honor at Jordan High and at their centennial celebration. He is featured in “Pictures Past: A Centennial Celebration of Utah State University” and in the Gallery of Honor at the Utah Sports Hall of Fame.

“I have a lot of trophies and medals somewhere in the basement,” he said. “But it’s the friends and teammates I’ve made in school and sports and in church and the service that have carried me.”

And he still grins when he swishes the ball on his childhood driveway. l

February 2024 | Page 7

Employees partner with nonprofit to pack 30,000 meals

To celebrate MLK Day of Service, BD Sandy partnered with nonprofit Rise Against Hunger, to pack 30,000 meals for people affected by food insecurity around the globe.

To honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy of giving back to one’s community, on January 11-12, more than 80 BD employees in Sandy and Salt Lake City partnered with nonprofit Rise Against Hunger, to pack 30,000 meals, consisting of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins for people affected by food insecurity around the globe. This is one of many volunteer events occurring between Jan. 9 and 24, during which the company expected to pack more than 370,000 meals across 22 U.S. cities.

Page 8 | February 2024

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February 2024 | Page 9

Canyons School District honors employees, volunteers, community for dedication, service

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t’s been said it takes a village to raise a child.

For 14 years, Canyons School District leaders have given Apex Awards to those who dedicate themselves to teaching, advocating and helping mold the education of children.

This year, a teacher, a volunteer, administrators, support staff and community leaders were recognized for making a positive impact in their community and with students.

Leading the charge in schools are Jordan High’s Principal Bruce Eschler and Eastmont Middle’s Principal Stacy Kurtzhals, who were honored for their dedication to students.

“It was a surprise,” Eschler said when he received a letter from Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill. “I’m honored. I couldn’t do anything I do without my [administration] team and my family backing me up.

If I’ve done anything, right, it’s because I’ve had good people around me, and I’ve had good mentors in my life.”

Eschler has dedicated his three years at Jordan High by “bringing new programs that resonate and are unique to our community.”

Under his leadership, Jordan officials introduced a drone program, which included electronics courses and a bike-repair program.

He has seen to the addition of CTE courses, adding classes in game development and web development as well as bringing Alta High’s successful Step to the U program to Jordan and providing Salt Lake Community College’s Education 1020 or Intro to College concurrent enrollment class.

Now, Jordan High is rolling out the Navy Defense Cadet Corps.

“This will be beneficial to not only the students who are here, but students in the future,” he said. “I’m proud of our students—as students as well as our athletes, our unified programs, our performing arts, our career and technical organizations. We celebrate the amazing things our students are doing. I’m happy to see change within our school culture, like recognizing all our kids and having positive relationships. Those are impactful on educational outcomes. I’m personally a product of that. I’m here because a teacher saw potential in me and took the opportunity to say, ‘Hey, I’m an advocate for you,’ and that’s what I try to do for our students.”

A positive school culture and advocating for students is key for Kurtzhals, who’s now in her eighth year leading the Eastmont Patriots. Not even flood, construction, nor asbestos, which forced the students to move to another temporary location, derailed her.

Nominated by students, parents and faculty, she said: “This is everybody’s award. It’s not about me; it’s about we. I can’t do anything without them.”

Instilling Patriot Pride from student leaders who took the initiative to welcome their

Page 10 | February 2024

classmates to a temporary new school building to creating a community of teachers who support each other, and their students has helped to “rebuild the culture, which was one of the best things that I’ve done,” she said. “The thing that motivates me the most is watching the growth in our students.”

Under her leadership and teacher innovation, students have engaged in learning from hands-on STEM engagement to puzzling out escape rooms. She also has seen her students embrace learning through AVID, a program that helps students identify strategies for learning from note taking to problem-solving and collaboration.

“It’s giving them the tools so they can be successful in school and in life,” she said, adding that the school is working to be a national demonstration school as well as a state STEM-designated school. “I love my kids. I want them to know what is possible.”

The Apex teacher of the year award was given to Midvale Middle math teacher Max Eddington, who was a finalist for the statewide teacher of the year award.

He taught at four schools before finding a home at Midvale Middle.

“I try to communicate with every single student in every class every day,” he said. “I try to know things about them outside of academics and to find ways for them to know that I am not just a teacher, but I’m a person who cares about them.”

Caring about students is a trademark of Apex district administrator of the year award winner, Charisse Hilton, who initiated Canyons’ Peer Court, where peers annually review about 100 cases of challenging behaviors within schools and provide positive outcomes.

Also on the district level, Canyons’ library media specialist Gretchen Zaitzeff, received the Apex Student Support Services Professional of the Year award for her dedication in creating policy in among the political turmoil of books in school libraries.

Canyons also honored four area legislators—Utah Sen. Kathleen Riebe and Reps.

Gay Lynn Bennion, Steve Eliason and Andrew Stoddard—with the Apex award for elected officials of the year for their support of public education.

Tacos El Cuñado, which has given free tacos to students at events such as Butler Elementary’s World Night, as well as to teachers during teacher appreciation or PTA conferences, was thanked for its dedication with the APEX community partner award.

The Apex education support professionals of the year award went to nutrition services.

These individuals not only provide healthy food choices for students now, but even with a worker shortage, they came up with a solution to safely provide breakfast and lunch to thou-

Eastmont Middle’s Principal Stacy Kurtzhals was amongst those honored at Canyons School District’s Apex awards. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

sands of students during the pandemic.

The Apex Legacy Award was given to Bob Dowdle, who served as Canyons School District’s assistant superintendent after a career in education. His duties extended from recruiting and hiring directors as the district began to establish academic programs and helping lead students to successfully navigate their online learning through the pandemic.

Honored for years of service without being on the payroll is Apex volunteer of the year Rebecca Martin. Mother of four, she has served as president or on the PTA executive board for the last 15 years at Peruvian Park, Midvale Middle and Hillcrest High as well as on several Canyons Districts committees.

“I stepped up when the need arose,” she said. “I know it’s important to have parent volunteers in the schools. I’m here to advocate for our students. I’m a parental voice for our students with our own administration, with Canyons Districts, the school board and at a state level. I email legislators about issues that are affecting our children in education to help make things better in our schools.”

At Peruvian Park, where in addition to PTA presidency duties, she organized the school’s 50th birthday party in 2015 that introduced the panther mascot costume, the writing and singing of the school song, a 50th birthday essay contest, a caricature artist, a timeline of events that took place, a creation of a time capsule and other activities.

“It was fun to bring in alumni, current and former teachers and principals with the kids at the school,” she said.

At Midvale Middle PTA President for two years, she encouraged use of PTA money to purchase books.

“We used money from the book fair to buy books for the school library and classrooms.

We wanted to get books in kids’ hands,” she said, adding that another effort was to involve all kids in the school fundraiser. “We tried to make it more of a spirit event to include everyone.”

At Hillcrest High, Martin’s volunteerism extended to helping get others, including her own family, to set up 500 flags at late notice for a memorial service for Hillcrest alum, Sgt. Taylor Hoover, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Not only did the flags get set up, but she decorated for the reception and gave tours of the new school.

During COVID and post-pandemic, she concentrated on teacher appreciation, making sure “faculty and staff felt appreciated and valued.” She also helped with activities her children have been involved in from cross country to drama.

“Whenever I’ve interacted with the students, they are always very appreciative, very respectful to me and other parents,” she said.

“They always say thank you, and that means so much to me—as much as the Apex. I want them to know that there are adults who support you, care about you, and we want to help you. I believe in community and connection.

Everything I do in the schools is to help everyone feel part of the community that we are here together.” l

Sandy City Journal

Alta View principal kisses pig as part of successful fun run fundraiser

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

A

lta View Elementary Principal Scott Jameson wasn’t going to chance it — not after a student said she felt bad for Mrs. Jameson.

With his back to students, Jameson bent down and kissed the head of Wilbur, a cute, stout, bristle-haired pig. When he stood up, students realized he wore plastic lips, much like those worn at Halloween.

“One of the teachers suggested I get some red, fake lips; it made kissing the pig easier,” he said.

It was an incentive students earned for raising funds during the school’s traditional fun run.

“We made about $44,000, the most ever,” said Jessica Davies, school PTA president, who said Jameson was joined by about 10 other teachers who puckered up to Wilbur.

Davies said the school got assistance from Boosterthon, which kept about $12,000, however the remaining $32,000 still exceeded their goal of $25,000. Funds will be used for Red Ribbon Week, art activity kits, literacy night, field trips, attendance incentives, books for the book vending machine, military appreciation day, family activity nights and more.

To earn the funds, students got donations or pledges per lap they ran in the school field.

Instead of knocking on doors, many students made a video about their participation in the run and sent it to friends and family via text or email.

“Donations were mostly online. We had about 60% of the donations came from non-immediate family members. We did some fun things with that. We had a map and anytime we’d get a donation from a different state we would color that in we wanted to see how many we could get,” she said.

Jameson said along with the promotion of the fun run, the videos and online donations really helped make a difference this year.

“The key is the kids make a personalized video and that gets sent out to relatives across the state, across the country even outside of the country. We have a greater reach to get those donations. Kelsey Fitzgerald, our PTA fundraising coordinator, did a fantastic job organizing everything and gave me information to share with students about the fun run for the morning announcements. The highlight is that everybody, parents, students and teachers, all unified under a common goal. I think we brought in three times what a school would typically bring in because everybody worked together to achieve this goal.”

Students ran for about 45 minutes as a DJ, dressed as a panda, hyped them up with music.

Davies said students ran up to 35 laps or about three miles.

“Mostly they ran, but we had fun laps where they could dance, or pretend to be an airplane. Our buddy lap was a lot of fun.

They’d find a friend and link arms. Every kid

S andy Journal .com

Alta View Principal Scott Jameson gives a pig a smack after students surpassed their goal to raise $44,000 in their fun run fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Davies Photography)

in the school who was here that day, all 485 of them, participated,” she said.

Davies tallied contributions from 34 states and locally, support from students’ families.

“Family members came and cheered. We had pom poms and little clappers. Some of our teachers ran and Mr. Jameson ran some with all the grades,” she said, adding that the roadrunner mascot also danced, cheered and gave students high-5s.

Leading up to the run and the final assembly, students had an opportunity to earn incentives. When they had 90% of the student body commit to the run – 10% higher than their goal — students could wear pajamas to school.

“Pajama Man, the superhero, came that day. He looks very similar to Mr. Jameson and the kids loved that,” she said.

Jameson said his original plan was to dress as a superhero, but then they wanted a pajama day.

“We decided to combine the two and had some fun with it,” he said. “I felt like I was a celebrity. I visited every classroom that day and the cafeteria. Pajama Man was hugely popular. He was a bigger hit than I imagined.”

The fun run wasn’t just a commitment to earn funds and run; there were also some lessons involved, Davies said.

“There’s a theme every year with some character traits,” she said. “About five min-

During Alta View Elementary’s fun run fundraiser, students ran up to three miles, including doing a buddy lap, as seen here. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Davies Photography)

utes every morning, students watch a video and it features character traits that we also read about. We all learn it and teachers wear T-shirts with that theme; this year, it’s ‘be a world changer.’ So we’d talk about five different things you can do to become a world changer and it’s something that can be reinforced through the year.”

But all good things come to an end and for Jameson, he got whatever was going around.

“Mr. Jameson got sick, but he did the morning video announcements,” Davies said.

“He sent the video in saying he came down with the swine flu — and peaked out of the blanket with a pig nose and pig ears on.” l

February 2024 | Page 11

From strangers to friends: Celebrating togetherness in Willow Canyon school community

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

A

fter kindergartener Rylee Knaub picked out pink cotton candy, she threw bean bags at a carnival game to win candy.

Her mom, Barbara, watched her youngster and felt comfortable knowing her fourth grader and seventh grader were doing other activities with friends at Willow Canyon Elementary’s second annual harvest festival.

“It’s a really fun, good community event where we can get to know one another,” Knaub said. “The teachers and the community are caring and loving; they make it a safe place for kids.”

PTA volunteer and parent Emily Hose was seeing how the event came together after helping string lights and setting up hay bales.

“I like that it brings our community together,” she said. “It’s fun to see everybody with their families. My kids (first-grader Dani and fourth grader Dylan) look forward to it all year.”

That feeling of community and togetherness is a goal behind the festival, said event coordinator Rachael de Azevedo.

“This is the perfect event,” she said.

“It’s a true family event. I literally think every person in the school is here, enjoying themselves and eating food. The kids are running around playing and getting all these fun experiences together as a school.”

It also sets the tone for the school year and future school years.

“This event brings us together as a community. We’re all here for our kids and want the best for them,” de Azevedo said. “It’s important to have connections with your friends, your teachers, your administration and other parents. As our kids grow, they’re presented with challenges, and we know each other to help get them through them.”

She also invited middle and high school students to help with face painting and run carnival booths as well as teach elementary kids the basics of lacrosse.

“It’s important for little kids to have interactions with big kids and big kids with little kids I’m kind of a big fan of building relationships our feeder schools.

These little kids see the Jordan lacrosse team and that’s one more thing that will stick in their head when they hear about Jordan High. Then, the big kids, they’re getting leadership experience, and gaining a different perspective, as they step into that teaching role. I love our feeder schools. I love that we can pull a community together for this. That’s unique. We’re lucky to have that,” de Azevedo said.

Page 12 | February 2024

Students, families, neighbors as well as students from nearby schools gathered at Willow Canyons Elementary for a festival that united the community. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

The event, which included a free hot dog meal as well as the activities, was free to everyone, paid for from the school’s no fuss fundraiser, which raised $20,000, she said.

“The PTA decided that we really wanted to keep it free for our community so everyone feels welcome and it’s completely carefree,” she said. “It’s become a great new school tradition.”

Canyons Board of Education member Karen Pedersen also enjoyed the festivities.

“I am loving the community support and the spirit that the festival provides for our school,” she said. “This is a good way for our parents to meet each other, especially the men who typically don’t make it into schools as much, so that they will help one another during the year.”

Pedersen, who taught at the school for 23 years, remembers the fun run fundraiser which was replaced by the harvest festival.

“I enjoyed the fun run while it lasted, but I think schools should evolve,” she

said. “The fun run appealed to a specific target group, and it was hard for parents to be here since it was during the school day.

This involves far more people, more families and I think we’ve had enough changes at Willow Canyon that it’s good to have a change, especially now when we’re trying to bring back our community from not being involved in schools during COVID.” One of those changes is Nicole Svee Magann, a veteran principal who is in her first year at Willow Canyon.

“I love that the festival is really inclusionary, and it brings in our whole neighborhood, not just about our school,” she said. “It’s a community effort and our school is the community center, where everyone should feel welcome. Rachael, this is her vision, and she has just made this magical. Our PTA put in an incredible amount of effort to make it feel festive and inclusive. They’ve incorporated involving the high school and the middle school students so it creates a larger community and gives those kids a chance to do service. That’s a lesson that these younger

students can learn. It also gives our students a chance to see our teachers as people who live in this community, not just as teachers.”

Svee Magann appreciates the community that supported the school with donations for the event as well as those who provided services, such as VIPS (Volunteers in Police Services), who not only provided fun for the elementary students, but informed adults of their free services.

The festival also gave fathers, grandfathers and other male role models in the community a chance to sign up to help launch the school’s chapter of Watch DOGS or volunteers who serve as extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security, reduce bullying, provide a greater sense of campus safety allowing students, and teachers to focus on learning and instruction and further build community within the school. l

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February 2024 | Page 13

Copperview students get new shoes during RSL stadium field trip

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

R

eal Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath gets a new pair of cleats about every two months—and he said he’s still excited to try them on.

“Getting a new pair of cleats is one of the best feelings for me,” he said while watching Copperview Elementary students try on new pairs of Adidas shortly before their winter break. “This is cool to see all the kids interacting with Santa and obviously lighting up when they get a new pair of shoes. I think we all get that same feeling with a new pair of shoes, having them fit, seeing the new colors. Most of these kids wear white tennis shoes, but the cameos are great shoes too. For me, helping these kids and seeing their reaction when they open the box is the best. It’s just very cool to be a part of this.”

MacMath was helping with the America First Credit Union’s Warm the Soles shoe program at America First stadium where RSL and the Utah Royals play.

“Not a lot of these kids have recognized me, but they all know Leo,” he said.

“They’re also excited to talk to Santa.”

America First President & CEO Thayne Shaffer stood up after fitting new tennis shoes on a Copperview student.

“This is a great example of two partners working together to do something that we couldn’t pull off separately,” he said about the program where they collect funds to buy shoes for schoolchildren in need. “America First has been doing Warm the Soles for 29 years. Now we’ve got this great partner in Real Salt Lake, and they invited us here to give the kids a little bit of a field trip that they normally wouldn’t get and make it more of an experience. So, we thought we would up the game a little bit, bring them here to see the stadium and let the kids have fun while getting their new shoes.”

Shaffer said it touches his heart to hear the kids’ stories.

“There was a kid who was looking at the colors, and he saw the cameos and he told me, ‘I love cameo because I’m sneaky,’” Shaffer said. “And then I heard a little girl say, ‘You don’t know how much better I’m going to be at soccer because of these shoes.’ We had another girl earlier today whose shoes were too small. She was used to them being tight, we had a hard time convincing her to get bigger ones. The best part are the kids, their smiles, this joy; I love it. These shoes mean a lot to them; it seems to lift them. Sometimes kids show up to these wearing the shoes they got last year. It’s fun to see their smiles and watch them walk away with a shiny new pair of shoes.”

About 25 America First employees, along with others from Real Salt Lake, Utah Royals and Copperview faculty, staff and administration, were helping about 340 students try on shoes. Earlier, America First

Page 14 | February 2024

employees helped school officials size students’ feet.

“Almost all of that is volunteer hours for our employees,” Shaffer said. “Today, the kids are all getting Adidas. RSL gets preferential pricing from Adidas, so when we were talking to them about things we could do together, that was one of the things they said they could bring to the kids here. So we’re paying about 60% of what we would pay in the open market, and that lets us spread our dollars further and give shoes to more kids.”

RSL President John Kimball, who also was fitting shoes on children’s feet, said when America First “brought this to us, we asked, ‘Is there any way we can be involved?’ This is exactly what we want to do for the community and to use our facility with our great partnership, we feel lucky.

We have Zac, Nick (Rimando) and Michelle (Vasconcelos) here, and the kids are seeing the field and the locker rooms. But it’s a little bit lower than meeting Santa Claus and walking out with a brand-new pair of highend Adidas. Bringing joy to these kids is what the season is all about.”

Copperview was chosen because of its proximity to the stadium as well as being a Title I school, said America First Foundation Executive Director Amber Greenwell.

“What’s cool about this is with our partnership with RSL, we decided to offer the entire school a field trip of a lifetime, giving them a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, see the locker rooms and go down on the pitch,” she said. “They’re meeting some players and the mascots and having that oneon-one connection that even if they come to a game, they wouldn’t get. Plus, they’re visiting with Santa, having a healthy lunch and then getting a new pair of shoes this holiday season. It’s an opportunity not just for a few students, but the entire student body.

This is an experience these kids may never experience again, and it’s important that we, as corporate partners, build a stronger community, and that starts with getting involved with the kids.”

Greenwell, who has been with the company 22 years, said Warm the Soles program kicks off every year in November to “make sure that those kids are getting a good pair of shoes during our winter months. We know there are some kids who will have cut off the fronts of their tennis shoes to make them fit.

These kiddos who may get shoes in August already have their shoes hammered. We had a few already today who have had their toes scrunched in, so we want to make sure that they’re taken care of all year long. We still have some of our coldest months that are ahead of us, so we want to make sure those kids are prepared for winter.”

She said it’s rewarding to help the community.

“One little guy hugged me and said,

America First President & CEO Thayne Shaffer helps a Copperview student with a new pair of Adidas after he and his classmates toured the stadium and saw Real Salt Lake’s MLS trophy. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Utah Royals forward Michele Vasconcelos, who grew up playing soccer while attending Sandy schools, helped distribute hundreds of pairs of shoes to Copperview Elementary students as part of America First Credit Union’s Warm the Soles shoe program at America First Field. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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Copperview Elementary students got a behind-the-scenes tour of America First Field, including Real Salt Lake’s locker room, seen here, and received new shoes as part of America First Credit Union’s Warm the Soles shoe program. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

‘Thank you; my feet no longer hurt,’” Greenwell said. “That is a real thing, a real individual out who needs help. For me, it’s taking that heavy burden off these littles so that they can focus on their education and not have to bear the weight of the world. Because when you’re hungry and you are not clothed properly, your focus on education comes secondary to your immediate essential needs. Being able to put a smile on a kid’s face and lifting that heavy burden of not getting lunch or not having a new pair of shoes, we’re evening the playing field for these kiddos who may be less fortunate.”

This is the first time America First has given shoes to students at the stadium. Typically, administrators at schools and school districts identify who needs shoes and they deliver pairs gift-wrapped.

“This year, we will be delivering shoes to 41 different schools in five states this year, totaling 3,200 pairs of shoes,” she said, adding shoes will be delivered to students in Jordan and Granite school districts.

Principal Colleen Smith said America First reached out to the community school facilitator Jenna Landward after learning that 70% of the students at Copperview are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Currently, through an application process, all students receive meals at no cost.

Landward said the opportunity was offered three weeks beforethe Dec. 7 visit, with enough time to get parent permission slips and size students’ feet.

“The kids were really excited about the opportunity to visit the stadium and getting new shoes; that’s always exciting for them,” she said.

First grade teacher Shelby Stanger said this was her students’ first field trip this year.

“They started off being excited, as it’s

S andy Journal .com

the first time they’ve ridden the school bus,” she said. “Then, for many of them, it’s the first time being here at the stadium, on the field, seeing the players, the mascots, Santa and now, getting the shoes. Their excitement keeps building. It’s amazing; they’re giving us such a great gift of an experience and shoes they can take home. They’ll remember this forever. All the kids love soccer. They play in at recess every day, so this is just incredible.”

Many of her students checked out their favorite players’ lockers and admired the MLS trophy RSL won in 2009. They learned how the pitch is taken care of, and a few kids identified former goalkeeper Nick Rimando handing out shoes after seeing his picture on the wall.

“I love being a partner with America First to be able to bring these kids shoes right here at the stadium,” he said. “They’re thrilled to see Santa Claus, and when they hear him say they’re getting a brand-new pair of shoes, there’s excitement in their eyes and joy on their faces. To be a part of that with America First, Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals, it’s really special during this season of giving.”

Utah Royals forward Michele Vasconcelos, who grew up playing soccer while attending Sandy schools, including winning three state titles before graduating from Alta High, said the day brought her joy.

“They’re really excited about seeing the different colors of the shoes, telling me they talked to Santa and how big the stadium is,” she said. “They’re so grateful. One kid told me, ‘These are the best shoes ever.’ Another kid said, ‘This is the best day of my life.’ It’s fun to see how excited they are about simple things.” l

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February 2024 | Page 15

Leadership program aims to help teenagers make schools, sports more welcoming

H

illcrest High senior Brooklyn Glover is a captain of her school’s basketball team and is learning how to lead.

“It’s hard because you want to be a leader, but you also want to be a friend,” she said. “I’m learning to find that balance of leading and being a good teammate.”

She is one of about 45 students from Hillcrest who are part of Canyons School District’s new student leadership program.

Each of Canyons’ five comprehensive high schools can invite up to 60 students to participate in the program from sports teams and activities sanctioned by the Utah High School Activities Association as well as 10 other students who may be identified as leaders or future leaders in their schools.

Partnering with Sunlight Works, an organization that helps deliver leadership and communication tools, about 300 students meet four mornings during the school year to address topics such as school culture, sportsmanship and resilience and then discuss them in break-out sessions. They’ve heard from guest speakers such as Brighton High alumni Bryan Kehl, who, as a former NFL linebacker, talked about what it means to be a champion; and former Utah State University basketball player Brock Miller, who addressed sportsmanship and accountability.

Four other mornings, each high school group meets to take what they’ve learned in the districtwide sessions and apply it to their own school.

Canyons’ Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood is overseeing the district program, which began in September talking about school culture.

“We’re wanting students to take ownership of their school culture and collectively, identify what they value and are about, and sharing that message with their community,” he said. “We want them to be intentional about what they’re putting out there, their behaviors with their peers and on social media, the interactions they may have on the court, in a competition and with people they’re interacting with.”

In November, the students learned about sportsmanship.

“We talked about what’s OK what’s not OK, how to be positive, supportive and how these extracurricular activities are an extension of the classroom where they’re learning to be part of a team, working hard and learning how to persevere through adversity and other life lessons,” Sherwood said. “We want everyone to feel welcome and safe—whether they’re a spectator, an athlete or participant—and it’s part of their responsibility to ensure that takes place.”

In late January, the topic is slated to focus on resilience and positivity. Brighton High alumnus Todd Sylvester, who showed great promise as a basketball player only to be derailed with alcohol and drugs, will speak.

“We’re wanting to make sure our students are taking care of themselves and their own social emotional needs, having that life balance, especially when they participate in extracurricular activities or sports, because it’s tough to do it all well,” Sherwood said. “They have to stay on top of things academically and make sure that they’re mentally good, and they have time to spend with family and with friends. We’re going to go over being self-aware and developing some stress management techniques and good organizational skills and prioritization.”

Together, students and administrators will decide a topic for March.

“I think we all—the school administrators, Brian (McGill, director of student services) Rick (Robbins, superintendent) and I—just saw a need to begin this,” Sherwood said. “We can help these students see things through a different light and learn what it means to be respectful and responsible and to help take some responsibility for their school culture. We hope they can influence their peers. That’s why this isn’t meant just for seniors; we want this to carry on, year after year and help change the culture.

Page 16 | February 2024

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

During a student leadership program, Canyons Director of Student Services Brian McGill speaks to student representatives from all five comprehensive high schools. (Tom Sherwood/Canyons School District)

We’ve seen a significant uptick in challenging behaviors in the last few years, post-COVID, so we want to help students make smart choices whether it’s in the classroom, athletics, music or hanging out with their friends and have them share the message with their peers. This is a great leadership opportunity.”

On months when they don’t meet together, school advisers lead discussions on the topics to focus on what they can do at their particular high school.

Hillcrest High’s Athletic Director Scott Carrell is the school’s student leadership academy adviser. He has taken workshops at conferences about student leadership academies, saying there has been “a big push across the country.”

“We want students to build a more positive culture and have students to be more involved in school,” he said. “Every school is different and has different issues, but at Hillcrest, we have a lot of students who work, so we want to find ways to involve them and have school be a positive experience. We brainstormed ways to pack the games and build a better atmosphere, one that is more inclusive with more school spirit.”

During the first meeting at the school, Carrell challenged his students, who he calls Leaders of the Pack—tying into the Husky mascot, to come up with five things they could do personally to be more inclusive at Hillcrest.

“A lot of them said they could constantly try to meet new people every day and invite them to activities, going to a game or seeing a play,” he said. “We were looking at small impacts they could do. Then, we talked about how they could take this back to their groups or teams and what they could do. We have some groups buying into this, and I’ve talked with the coaches and advisers to support this along.”

Glover said they’ve taken that brainstorming into motivating their peers to become involved or attend school functions and games.

“A lot of people know Hillcrest for the arts, so now we’re trying to support each other to play or come to the games,” she said. “We want to get rid of high school cliques and build community and have fun.”

The program might still be in its infancy, but Carrell is optimistic.

“I feel it is working,” he said. “It’s going to take us a year or two to get it implemented where it’s the norm. Hillcrest already is welcoming and inclusive, but we can build more on that. This was something that I wanted to do on a school level, but I think at the district level, we’re not seeing as much involvement in school activities. I don’t know why. I feel this program can help us a lot and we want to have opportunities for our students, and we want them to be positive.”

Carrell also said they break into groups to discuss situations and how, as leaders, they would handle the situation.

“We help them develop some leadership skills that will benefit them with their teams or club, but also, ultimately they’re learning skills that will not just help them in high school, but after high school,” he said.

Sherwood agrees.

“The kids have genuinely felt they are learning something,” he said. “It’s been good to learn and get tips from different schools. We’re all in this together, and we’re here to learn.

This, already, has been a game-changer.” l

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February 2024 | Page 17

Chinese workshop to transform students into artistic wordsmiths

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

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hinese art and calligraphy is an art form rooted in tradition and cultural significance. For centuries, Chinese artists have used intricate brushstrokes to catch the essence of nature, history and community.

The Salt Lake Eastern Art Club will hold a 6-week Chinese calligraphy and painting workshop at the Sandy Library (10100 S. Petunia Way) on six consecutive Tuesdays, starting Feb. 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The free course is geared toward K-12 educational professionals but is open to anyone 12 and older.

Chinese artist Yanqi Tong leads the painting portion of the workshop that will offer a unique, hands-on experience in the art form.

Attendees will learn how to use Chinese ink and brushes to create their own paintings.

“All the lines are actually drawn in a particular Chinese black ink. You have to use different grades of blackness from light black to dark black,” Tong said. “And we use special paper and Chinese brushes. We do the painting, then we add a little bit of color to the painting.”

Sponsored by the Utah Division of Arts and Museums Art Education Program, the National Endowment for the Arts and Salt Lake County Libraries, all supplies for the course are paid for and attendees can take their brushes, ink and paper home.

Wu Xu, president of the Salt Lake Eastern Art Club, teaches traditional Chinese calligraphy, which coincides with the painting.

She will introduce five basic types of Chinese script. Having an artistic background is helpful but not necessary for enrolling in the workshop, and attendees don’t have to read or speak Chinese.

“This Chinese art workshop is mainly to

introduce Chinese culture, so calligraphy is a written language from an ancient time that’s really deeply connected with Chinese culture,” Xu said. “I will teach calligraphy related to the painting. In Chinese painting, the signature and the title of the artwork are part of the whole art piece. I will teach those characters related to the painting so the student can build calligraphy skills into the painting and promote meaning to the painting.”

Although the workshop is focused on art, Xu said there are myriad benefits to learning the practice of calligraphy. The Salt Lake Eastern Art Club is a nonprofit that often goes into schools and senior centers to teach people the value of concentration and meditation the practice of Chinese calligraphy provides. The club can also be found at local events, holding demonstrations or teaching attendees how to write their names in Chinese.

“You have to be interested in this kind of art because Chinese painting is a very different type of art,” Tong said. “This way you can learn to appreciate these kinds of artwork.”

Space is limited to 12 students at the workshop. K-12 education professionals may receive a certification of completion for future recertification points. To register, visit Events. slcolibrary.org. l

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Page 18 | February 2024

Students at the free Chinese painting and calligraphy workshop, held at the Sandy Library, will learn techniques to create their own Chinese artwork. (Photos courtesy of Wu Xu)

Sandy City Journal

AVID Olympics gives Eastmont families a chance to learn and collaborate

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By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Eastmont students and families worked together during the school’s AVID Olympic family night.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

A

t Eastmont Middle School, about 100 students, adults and families teamed up for AVID Olympics, one of several family nights held during the school year.

AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a student-readiness program designed to help students identify best strategies for learning and developing the skills they need to be successful. Amongst the skills students practice are

note taking, problem-solving and collaboration.

“We’ve really worked hard on our AVID school,” said Principal Stacy Kurtzhals about the national program that was implemented at Eastmont in 2014. “Kids nowadays need to understand how to be a student and it’s not being taught. AVID helps them in high school and they can take it into college; it gives them the skills to be successful.” l

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Jordan girls basketball leading the way in revamped Region 10

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

A

t the halfway point of the region portion of the season, the Jordan girls basketball team was on top of Region 10.

Sporting a 6-1 record, Jordan defeated all six region opponents in the first goaround. The Beetdiggers face all six teams twice. Overall, Jordan was 8-10 after a 2-9 nonregion slate.

Jordan scores 40.9 points per game while giving up 44.8. However, in region games, those totals have improved to 48.3 and 35.3, respectively. In two of the first six region games, Jordan allowed 30 points or fewer. During this span, no team scored more than 48 points on the Beetdiggers.

Senior forward Tess Joseph has been one of the most consistent all-around players in Region 10, if not all of Class 4A. Joseph leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, putting up 11.2 points a game while pulling down 10.7 boards an outing. Her double-double average has been a big reason for Jordan’s success in region action. She also averages two assists a game and leads the team in steals with 2.5 a contest.

She isn’t the only Beetdigger to pile up stats, however.

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Junior guard/forward Tess Jacobson is second on the team with a 7.7 per-game scoring average. She also averages 4.4 rebounds, two assists and 1.1 steals a game. Junior guard Claire Todacheeny scores 6.8 points per game and averages 2.2 rebounds. She’s also the team’s leader in three-point shots made per game at 1.5. Senior forward Kenzie Colunga averages 5.2 points per game to go along with 3.8 rebounds. Another key contributor has been senior guard Sara Newman, who scores 4.2 points a game and paces the Beetdiggers with 3.5 assists a game.

As of press time, Jordan was 13th in the 4A RPI rankings. These rankings determine playoff seeding. The 4A state tournament will start Feb. 20 at the home sites of higher-seeded teams. The second round, Feb. 22, also takes places on the home courts of the higher-seeded schools. By Feb. 26, the quarterfinals move to Utah Valley University, where the playoffs finish out.

Last season, Jordan won a first-round playoff game in the Class 5A tournament, defeating Box Elder 46-41. Jordan lost in the second round to Lehi, by the identical 46-41 score. l

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

February 2024 | Page 19

Lady Hawks engineering incredible turnaround on basketball court

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

W

hat a difference a year makes.

Last season was a difficult one to say the least for the Alta girls basketball team. The Hawks were winless in 22 games, including an 0-12 mark in Region 8 and lost by an average of score of 65-29.

Heading into the final week of January, this season’s version looked nothing like the 2022–23 squad.

At press time, Alta was 15-2 and had a Region 6-leading 7-0 record. Alta increased its scoring to 59.2 points per game this season and are allowing just 39.8. Going from a team that struggled to score and defend to one of the top clubs in Class 5A is one of the biggest turnarounds you’ll see in girls high school basketball.

Of course, it helps to have a player like Fui Niumeitolu.

The Alta senior guard/forward is averaging 21 points per game, best in 5A and seventh-best in the state. She also leads the team with Women: Your Voice Matters!

7.2 rebounds per game (a high stat for a guard) and is second in assists We need more women in political with 2.2 a game. Niumeitolu hit a team-high 27 three-pointers through office. We need you! the first 16 games. She also paced the team with 45 steals (nearly three Join the Women’s Leadership Institute a game) up to that point. Niumeitolu opened the season with 42 points in its non-partisan, in-depth training against Green Canyon and has since put up at least 20 points eight othfor aspiring female political candidates. er times. She scored 31 points Jan. 3 at home against East. She posted The seventh annual cohort has started, four double-doubles in the first 16 games, with a rebounding high of 11 boards Jan. 9 at Highland. She also had seven steals Dec. 12 against Juan but we have a couple spots still available! Diego and four assists Jan. 19 at Brighton.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER: But Niumeitolu is hardly the sole reason for Alta’s spectacular rewww.wliut.com/pds versal of fortunes.

Page 20 | February 2024

Five other Hawks chip in at least five points a game, with sophomore guard Quincy Kegel scoring 7.2 points a contest, second on the team. Junior guard Brooklyn Larsen has a scoring average of 6.9 points a game, while senior guard Aolele Liava’a is third at 6.8 points a contest. Sophomore guard Alia Baldassano scores 5.9 points a game, with Maya Mishmash, a senior guard tallying 5.4 points a contest. Senior center Ashley Ferguson scores three points a game and is second on the team in rebounding, hauling down 4.3 boards a game.

Alta won 11 of its first 14 games by double figures, with eight of those being by at least 20 points and four being by at least 30 points. Alta has turned the tables from last season’s rough campaign by playing efficient offense and stingy defense.

But plenty of big games are still ahead.

At press time, Alta was fifth in the 5A RPI standings, which will set the team’s playoff seeding. The 5A state tournament gets underway Feb. 20. If the Hawks maintain their current RPI ranking, they’ll get a first-round bye and a second-round home game Feb. 22.

Before the playoffs, Alta will face more Region 6 foes, wrapping up league play Feb. 13 at home against Brighton. The Bengals gave the Hawks a close game when the team’s met Jan. 19, with Alta prevailing 52-46. Skyline also pushed Alta to the limit in a game that saw the Hawks win at Skyline, 44-39 on Jan. 5. The rematch was at Alta on Jan. 30. l

Sandy City Journal

Spreading joy: Alta High students provide warm pajamas to elementary students

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com Hundreds of Midvale Elementary students donned their pajamas one wintry Tuesday morning for the school’s Polar Express Day. Since then, some students have worn them again to school for a class pajama reward day—and cozied up in them at night too.

Thanks to Alta High students, every student at Midvale Elementary received a pair of pajamas along with two pairs of warm socks. The students brought enough pajamas that they also were able to provide them to 350 Copperview Elementary students as well as share some with local shelters. In total, about 1,500 pajamas were distributed, said Alta High senior Raehil Mason.

Giving pajamas to each student was mind-blowing, said Midvale Elementary teacher Sarah Gonsur.

“This is amazing for our students,” she said. “I’ve had some kids tell me, ‘I don’t have pajamas at home’ when they’ve earned a pajama day. How special is that?

Now they’ll have these pajamas that other students got for them to wear. It’s just so thoughtful and caring.”

Those elementary students weren’t the only ones with smiles on their faces, said Alta High teacher Shaley Louder, who advises several student groups.

“My kids are as happy as the elementary students,” she said. “They’re helping other people, and I love that. I’m grateful for the overwhelming support from our Alta community wanting to donate.”

The pajama drive started when Mason talked to her mother, Kristin, about doing a service project since she is an officer in her school’s chapter of National Honors Society.

The two brainstormed and decided there was a need for pajamas at Midvale Elementary, where Kristin Mason taught. It resonated with Mason, snice pajamas are a gift she and her sister, Shaye, receive each year from their family for the holidays.

With the support of Louder and Alta High administration, the Mason family sought the input of Heidi Sanger, Midvale Elementary’s Title I coordinator. Sanger provided information to share with Mason’s Alta classmates about the school with its vibrant, diverse population and its academic culture that offers Spanish dual immersion.

The letter pointed out that “As community school, we work together with various public and private partners to provide coordinated academic, social, mental and physical, physical and vocational supports for students, families and the community.

We know that the time around the traditional December holidays can be a time of joy, but also of stress for children and their families, particularly when meeting basic needs is a daily consideration for many families, bringing a little bit of comfort and warmth to students can make a dark and cold month much

S andy Journal .com

After performing a skit, Alta High students give Midvale Elementary students high-fives and candy canes before they head back to their classrooms to get pajamas. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

brighter.”

Sanger said having a new pair of pajamas “will wrap our students up in the love of community sending a positive note of encouragement from the big kids will also go a long way in their path to growth in their future.”

At Alta, Mason and Louder gathered National Honor Society students, who regularly provide service to the community, to lead the charge. They got help from the Peer Leadership Team, which teaches fifth graders positive peer refusal skills and encourages them to make better decisions, and the student DECA business chapter, which is familiar with planning and marketing events.

“The second that it was pitched to these students, the kids were all over it and ran with it,” Louder said.

In October, each advisory, or homeroom class, team, club, organization and group were emailed asking to sponsor a Midvale Elementary class. Once on board, they were given a list of sizes of pajamas needed, which Midvale Elementary staff provided.

“We said to email us back if you’d like to be a part of this,” Mason said. “It took off.

I think every team and group got pajamas, wrapped, delivered or helped in some way.”

During this time, Kristin Mason remembers her girls deciding that wasn’t enough.

“They said, ‘Mom, let’s go get more for the kids,’” she said. “So several nights, my girls sat outside of Sam’s Club (in South Jordan) with signs saying they were gathering pajamas for children. We probably got 150 pairs from shoppers there. Then, they got our neighborhood involved.”

Mason said they wanted to help as many youngsters as possible.

“I really want everyone to have a happy

holiday, because I’ve always been blessed,” she said. “I expected my friends and people I know to support this, but a whole bunch of people at Sam’s Club gave, and it was amazing to see how generous they were.”

Her younger sister helped each step of the way.

“I just love giving things to people who are in need,” Shaye said. “With everything that I have, I wanted to give to them, to share this tradition that we’ve had.”

Alta High senior Danika Miller not only serves as Alta’s PLT president but also in the seminary council presidency.

“We wanted to get everyone involved and make this as special as possible for them, so the seminary donated fuzzy socks,” she said. “We got about 3,000 pairs of socks, so each kid had at least two pairs of socks.

Everyone helped get pajamas because we didn’t want to be a single student left without a pair of pajamas. The drive was opened to our community, and our community is super willing to give, so we were we able to get enough pajamas for each child, then we had extra to share with the community.”

The pairs of pajamas were donated by Nov. 15, and many student clubs came together to wrap them. At the Mason house, family and friends held a wrapping party multiple nights for the 750 pairs of pajamas they had gathered.

Alta students’ efforts didn’t stop there.

For each grade level, PLT performed a skit with songs and jokes about kindness, tying it into the season.

“They tied the kindness into the holidays around the character Jingles and shared when you’re having a bad day, it can affect everyone, but we can make everyone’s day better by doing some simple things like sing-

Every student at Midvale Elementary, seen here, and Copperview Elementary received pajamas this school year from Alta High School students and nearby communities. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

ing, dancing and telling jokes,” Louder said.

“I love that they incorporated kindness and then gave them that as a gift as well.”

Afterward, other Alta students, including two members from each sports team, would deliver pajamas to the elementary students’ classrooms, Mason said.

“We’d tell them Jingles and his friends got you guys gifts, and they were all super excited,” she said. “When we handed them their gifts, they were appreciative. They would open the pajamas, and they had these huge grins and gave us hugs. It was cool.”

Shaye said many of them put them on over their clothes.

“It was fun to see that they were so excited,” she said.

Their mom said it was fun to see a family tradition be shared with the school.

“It’s going to be fun because I will be here when all the kids wear their pajamas to school,” she said. “What started as a school project kept growing to another school and to a shelter. I loved watching my girls work together to bring their vision into a reality.”

Sanger said she appreciated what the Alta students shared.

“Our kids loved the program,” she said.

“It was interactive, and the Alta students brought a fun energy to the school; they hit it out of the park. And it was amazing to see the high school kids rushing from room to room just trying to make sure that each kid got what the pajamas that fit and liked.”

Alta High Principal Ken Rowley also had a smile on his face.

“All you have to do is look at the looks on the Midvale kids’ faces and then look at the looks on the Alta students’ faces, and it’s the same look,” he said. “It’s joy and happiness in its purest form.” l

February 2024 | Page 21

Alta High students collaborate to create mural that welcomes and embraces everyone

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

t was an unveiling. While it was an unveiling of a mural, it was more of an unveiling and celebration of many students’ cultures at Alta High.

“We wanted to make something schoolwide that would represent ourselves and would help everyone feel represented, feel seen and be included,” said Alta High senior Eduardo Medina Perez, who is the co-president of Alta’s Latinos in Action group.

His co-president, senior Chelsea Perez Rios, agrees.

“We want to shine light to the diversity in this school,” she said. “There’s a lot of us and it’s growing more diversified every year.”

Around 2020, Medina Perez said there were less than 100 Latino students, now there are 300.

It’s not just Latino students. Junior Mariam Khan created the South Asian Student Association because “there were so many of us South Asians, I felt a club would bring us more together because we didn’t really know each other well.”

The mural, which was unveiled during the school’s multicultural week last fall, is above a staircase “that leads out to our bus loop and is one of the main arteries of the school, so it has a lot of visibility,” said Alta Assistant Principal Melissa Lister. “It represents Native Americans, Polynesians, Mexicans, Latin Americans, South Asian, Asian and we have the hawk and then the A, which represents Alta. It’s all encompassing. What you see in the mural is a gathering of the main cultures we have in our student body.”

Lister said that of Alta’s 2,365 students, aside from Caucasian students, Hispanic students make up the greatest percentage at 13 percent. Other breakdowns include 3% Asian, 2% Pacific Islander, 1.2% African American, 0.5% American Indian and 5%, multiracial.

“It really started with, what can we do to really make Alta known for being this multicultural haven for a lot of our students,” Lister said. “That’s when our LIA advisor (and teacher) Emily Gonzalez, came up with this idea of a multicultural mural last spring. She sought out our mural artist, and then we got a committee of students to meet with him a handful of times. We wanted our multicultural communities and our student body officers to give him input.”

Gonzalez recognized the need for Alta to have a visual representation of its culture.

“The hope was that this mural will significantly enhance the educational experience of our multicultural students and contribute to the tone of empathy and inclusivity of our Alta community,” she said.

Muralist Bill Louis said through meeting with students, he was able to see their vision.

“All the design the ideas came from the kids and then I brought in the sketches,” he said. “We went through seven or eight different designs. Everything had a tie to Alta, so

Page 22 | February 2024

we always had a hawk in there; sometimes we had flags or different designs for multiple countries. I took bits and pieces from the other designs to consolidate it to this image.”

Khan appreciated the procedure.

“We would give ideas so he really understood what we envisioned and what we liked,” she said. “I love how every single one of our opinions mattered and they, the administration and the artist, took value in them.”

Medina Perez said they wanted to showcase many of Alta’s cultures.

“We made sure to have colors and symbols that we represent everyone so everyone could see themselves in the mural. We researched symbols of countries, for example stars on flags are a symbol that many countries have, for example, my country Venezuela has them, the United States, Brazil, Chile — many countries. We did the same with colors,” he said.

Perez Rios added the patterns also represented multiple cultures from Africa, Polynesia and Native American.

Many of the students liked the part Louis was fond of best.

“I really liked the globe with the hands representing different cultures,” said the muralist, who is Pacific Islander. “All the kids love it best. That represents the unity of the world in this generation.”

After school and into the evening, Louis stood on ladders and used spray paint with a clear coat to create the mural. It took him about 10 days, including 13 hours the last night.

“I wanted it to be more like graphic art, more urban art. Something that’s more modern to represent Alta and its growing diversity,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of different murals for schools and businesses and I feel that murals need to have a lot of color. It’s eye-catching; it’s vibrant and can change your mood with its energy. I wanted something visually appealing that pops out.”

Principal Ken Rowley believes Louis has done that, and also appreciated his effort to include the students’ vision in his work.

“When he met with all the different student groups, he would donate his time,” he said about the mural which cost about $3,000 and was paid from cell tower rental revenue. “He asked questions and told them, ‘I want to create something that you will be able to find yourself in this mural.’ We had more than 100 kids involved. They saw the final rendition before he painted and they all said, ‘I can find myself in this.’ When I heard that I thought, ‘He’s done a good job listening and seeing all our kids.’”

The mural unveiling was the final part of the school’s multicultural week that also included a multicultural walk in the commons area by country flags that represent current and former Alta students. The walk showcased students in their traditional dress who shared their culture through music, food and artifacts.

“We had tables from Venezuela, Argenti-

During multicultural week, Alta High students, joined by city and educational leaders and the artist Bill Louis, cut the ribbon in honor of the new mural. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Alta High’s new mural, painted by Bill Louis, was created to represent the increasing diverse student population. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

na, Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mexico and so many countries,” Lister said. “Our students wanted to learn more about their classmates’ countries and customs. For instance, some of our students from Pakistan, India and Afghanistan dressed in their hijabs. I love that they feel comfortable coming to school dressed in their traditional clothing. There’s no better feeling than seeing a kid be prideful and happy to show where they’re from.”

Lister, whose parents immigrated from Turkey, knows that firsthand. She navigated challenges as the only Middle Eastern student in her Florida high school and vowed to improve the support for multicultural students.

“Since I’ve arrived at Alta two years ago, I’ve wanted all our students, no matter what culture they come from, to be welcomed and have all the activities for everybody,” she said.

“We’re trying to give them more of a voice in

our school and to provide them with support.

Our professional learning community provided resources to teachers, such as how to assist students whose English is not their first language, and they’ve given information to teachers about if there’s a behavior that is aligned with their culture. Before school started, I had a workshop for the teachers about cultural perception and awareness and differences of various cultures and expectations.”

Alta High also celebrates different cultures with awareness months and will host a multicultural assembly on Feb. 22. Last year, the assembly highlighted Polynesian, Chinese, German, Italian, Latin America and South Asian cultures.

“It’s our diversity that brings out our beauty,” Lister said. “And it’s through embracing our differences, that we get stronger. We’re wanting to celebrate that.” l

Sandy City Journal

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February 2024 | Page 23

Jordan boys basketball finding success in new region

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

R

egion realignments have been kind to the Jordan boys basketball team.

After facing a tough season in 2022– 23 in Class 5A’s Region 8, the Beetdiggers have found much more success in 4A’s Region 10. Though this season hasn’t been without some bumps in the road, Jordan won five more games through 18 contests than it won all of last season. As of press time, Jordan stood at 7-11 overall and 4-3 in Region 10. Compare this with last when

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the team was 2-21 overall and winless in 12 league games.

Different opponents and improvements on the court have made things more competitive for the Beetdiggers in 2023–24. Through seven region games, Jordan’s only losses were to Cottonwood (twice) and Murray, the two teams above the Beetdiggers in the standings.

Jordan has made strides on both ends of the court.

The Beetdiggers score 55.1 points per game compared to 44.9 a season ago.

Defensively, the team gave up 67 points a game last season but have improved a bit to surrender 64.5 this season.

Though no Jordan players are scoring in double figures on average, multiple Beetdiggers are contributing both offensively and defensively.

Senior guard Brandt Steed is pacing Jordan with just under 10 points per game at 9.6 a contest. Fellow senior guard Jacob Thomsen isn’t far behind with an average of 8.9 an outing. Senior forward/center Ayden Doyle and senior guard/forward Trent Benson both score 8.4 points per game. Meanwhile, senior guard Preston Chaney scores 6.2 points per game and

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tops all Jordan players in steals with more than one a game. Doyle leads the team in rebounds with just over four a game, while the leader in assists is senior guard Udochi Iheanacho with 1.8 a game to go along with his 4.2 points a contest. Senior forward/center Walt Gooden and sophomore guard/forward Holden Warnick have also been important players for Jordan this season.

Jordan won four of its first five Region 10 games, prevailing over Tooele (66-57 on Jan. 4), Hilcrest (52-50 on Jan. 9), Stansbury (70-63 on Jan. 16) and Park City (71-63 on Jan. 19. Jordan opened the season with four losses but rebounded with a pair of victories in which it topped the 80-point mark (83-79 over West on Dec. 5 in double-overtime and 82-60 at Granger on Dec. 8).

The Beetdiggers face each region foe twice ending the regular season Feb. 16 at home against Murray. The Class 4A state tournament gets underway Feb. 21. As of Jan. 16, the Beetdiggers were 20th out of 16 teams in the RPI rankings. l

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Page 24 | February 2024

Sandy City Journal

Sandy resident achieves goal of walking all the streets in the city

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

S

hannon Gibbons didn’t realize what she’d gotten herself into. After reading a news article about a man who walked every street in Salt Lake City, Gibbons felt the urge to tackle that same challenge in Sandy.

It turned into a journey that took more than two-and-a-half years, but Gibbons finally completed the nearly 900-mile adventure in 2023.

“I didn’t know it would take as long as it did,” she said. “I didn’t realize how big Sandy was until I started [walking].”

Having lived in Sandy for 23 years, Gibbons thought she knew the area pretty well but was surprised to find parts of the city she’d never seen. Following a map of the city, she would mark off each walked street with a pink highlighter.

Her self-imposed rule was that she had to walk every part of the street, every cul-de-sac, every dead end, without cutting corners.

Two knee surgeries, trouble with her Achilles tendon and extreme temperatures slowed her down a bit but didn’t throw her off track.

“I would go three to five miles at a time,” she said. “I’d get a sense of the neighborhood and get sucked in until I’d finish that whole section. I’d just keep going. I walked a lot more because I did a lot of backtracking, walking to the end of each street.”

When her partner Linda Wilson retired, she joined Gibbons for the last half of the challenge. They looked forward to the walks because they never knew what they were going to discover. From the mansions above Wasatch Boulevard to the Historic Sandy bungalows, Gibbons enjoyed the diverse architecture that

makes the city unique.

Often, the roads were steep and winding, but that added to the challenge, and she said the views never got old.

“The peaks of the Wasatch were always looming above, changing with the seasons.”

Her journey took her through quiet neighborhoods and down loud busy streets. She enjoyed seeing beautiful gardens and creative holiday decorations. Along with meeting neighborhood dogs and cats, she also found donkeys, peacocks, horses, goats and even a few alpacas.

“I just really enjoyed the nature part of it, like looking at people’s yards and seeing the landscaping and flowers, and then the mountains were just so close,” she said. “It was a pretty good workout.

I would just listen to music and get into it.”

She also found funny signs, bizarre statues and homemade mailboxes, like the one made from an old 1980s microwave or the tribute to E.T.. Along the way, she took photos of everything she encountered and made a book to remind her of her adventures.

At the end of her journey, it was a bittersweet feeling as she marked the last road off in pink highlighter. She’s already looking toward Cottonwood Heights as her next potential walkabout and challenges others to get out and explore their cities.

“Just do it one day at a time. It seems overwhelming in the beginning, but if you just focus on one section at a time, and keep at it, you’ll do it.” l As Shannon Gibbons walked a street in Sandy, she’d mark it off with a pink highlighter. It took her more than two years to walk every road in the city. (Courtesy of Gibbons)

Sandy resident Shannon Gibbons spent more than two years walking the streets of Sandy. She captured some of her favorite images from the city to remember her adventure. (Courtesy of Gibbons)

S andy Journal .com

February 2024 | Page 25

Alta boys basketball humming along, aiming for another title

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

T

o no one’s surprise, the Alta boys basketball team looks like the frontrunner in the Class 5A race.

The defending 5A champions, the Hawks figured to be one of the top teams in the state this season. They certainly have looked the part.

Heading into their Jan. 30 game at Skyline, the Hawks were 18-1 overall and a perfect 7-0 in Region 6. The team’s only loss didn’t even come against Utah competition. Alta fell Dec. 19 to California Powerhouse St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 81-69 after building a 60-52 lead through three quarters.

Alta has otherwise been dominant.

In league play, Alta won its first six games, all by at least 11 points. That 11-point game, incidentally, came against fellow perennial power Olympus, defeating the Titans 56-45 on Jan. 16. Alta also defeated West 57-43 on Jan. 12, Highland 60-41 on Jan. 9, Brighton 79-55 on Jan. 19, East 81-51 on Jan. 3 and Skyline 78-47 on Jan. 5. Only one of Alta’s wins was by single digits, a 75-68 win at defending 6A champion Corner Canyon on Dec. 5.

Because most of Alta’s games have been blowouts, a lot of players have gotten the chance to see the court. In all, 18 players have scored at least one point for Alta. At the top, a trio of talented Hawks pace the team in scoring. Senior Jaxon Johnson, who is headed to play for the University of Utah, averages 17.1 points per game. He also leads the Hawks with 7.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game as well as pacing the squad with 33 three-pointers. Fellow senior Ace Reiser, a guard, chips in 15.5 points and 4.8 assists an outing. Senior forward Carter Doleac scores 10.8 points

a game. Dash Reiser, a sophomore guard, contributes 9.1 points per contest.

Plenty of other players have contributed to the team’s success this season. Carter Goodfellow, Bo Compton, Matt McKea and Zak Paepke don’t get the recognition of some of their teammates. But they’ve filled important roles.

As a team, the Hawks excel at both ends of the court.

Alta averages 70.7 points per game while giving up just 52.6. Only four teams have reached the 60-point mark against Alta. The Hawks have held nine opponents to 50 points or fewer.

As of press time, Alta held the No. 1 spot in the RPI rankings, which will determine playoff seeding. Alta plays each region opponent twice, meaning there are some big games ahead, including a Feb. 9 showdown at Olympus.

The following game, Feb. 13 at Brighton, Alta wraps up its regular season. The 5A state tournament begins Feb. 21 at home-team sites. By Feb. 24, the quarterfinals arrive, and teams will play at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah. Alta hopes to avoid upsets along the way and reach the state title game again, which is held this season on March 1 in the Huntsman Center. l

Carter Goodfellow is part of a talented and hungry Alta squad. (Photo courtesy Carter Goodfellow)

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Page 26 | February 2024

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Sandy City Journal

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F

or a state run by legislators who sneer at tobacco products, I find it confusing they don’t give a flying cigar about our state’s dangerous air quality. GOP legislators balk at green energy initiatives like a vampire facing the sunrise and a head of garlic.

A 2023 American Lung Association report said Salt Lake ranks among the nation’s most polluted cities for ozone and short-term particle pollution. I don’t know what those words mean, but it doesn’t sound good.

Lawmakers say Salt Lake has always dealt with inversions, we just have to work around a valley filled with pollution. That’s like saying the kitchen’s always been filled with rotting banana peels, crushed egg shells, open yogurt containers veiled in mold, and a greasy chicken carcass. We just have to work around it.

Studies show polluted air is a bigger threat to our health than alcohol or tobacco. Maybe not breathing polluted air should be included in the Word of Wisdom next to wine (the devil’s fancy beverage) and tea (the witch’s drink). Then, perhaps, our lawmakers will pay attention.

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February 2024 | Page 27