South Jordan Journal | April 2025

From PTA member to freshman lawmaker: Rep. Tracy Miller is shaping education policy in Utah

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Miller introduced several bills focused on education during her first legislative session.

AtCapitol Hill by 7 a.m., freshman representative Tracy

Miller had already spent hours reading and reviewing bills, after arriving home the previous evening past 7 p.m. She felt prepared to vote — or so she thought.

Frequently, her days are meticulously planned, only to be upended when last-minute substitute bills are introduced.

“We’ll be on the floor, and there’s a substitute that just barely dropped,” Miller said with one week left in the legislative term. “I’m practically trying to read it and figure out if it made it better. That’s been the biggest surprise is the lack of time to know what you’re voting on.”

So much for planning and organization? Not entirely.

Before the session began, Miller contacted more than 1,400 constituents to gather their opinions on key issues and tracked their responses. She also dedicated hours to engaging with the people in District 45, reading and responding to emails.

“I looked at a lot during the session, so I knew what my people are thinking,” Miller said, adding she had “hundreds and hundreds of emails from people during the session, as well as text messages, phone calls and people who have come up to the capitol to visit with me.”

That feedback helped her make decisions about more than 500 bills which were passed in the 45-day legislative session. It, along with upholding her campaign and lifelong commitment to education, also propelled her to introduce several bills this session.

The former Jordan School District Board of Education president’s first bill, HB184, School Trust Land Amendments, aims to streamline the School LAND Trust Program by shifting responsibilities and enhancing transparency.

“It clarifies the responsibilities of the School Children’s Trust section at the Utah State Board of Education which is responsible for providing training and monitoring the compliance checks, so it provides more resources so they can provide better training to schools and LEAs (local educational agency). It makes sure the trust funds are all used correctly and the

Thank You

to our Community Sponsors for supporting City Journals

program is maintained with fidelity. We’ve seen huge growth in the trust fund in the past five or six years, and it’s an important source of funding for the goals and at each school, there are community councils with a majority of parents on them, they’re deciding how to spend that money. However, there’s turnover in school community council every year because it is a parent run program. So, there is a need for more training,” she said.

Miller introduced the bill on Jan. 31, ten days after the session opened. It passed on Feb. 24 and, as of early March, was awaiting the governor’s signature. She collaborated with a policy analyst to draft the bill before the session began.

“It was exciting and it’s quite a process to get it passed,” she said. “I was nervous introducing the bill. I hoped I said the right thing.”

Miller also introduced HB76, Public Education Revisions, which amends provisions and programs within the public education system.

“There were revisions from bills that have passed in past years which when they try to implement them, they found things were written in law, which aren’t working. So my bill

page 4

At the Utah Capitol, Rep. Tracy Miller talks to school children about the legislative process. (Photo courtesy Tracy Miller)

was to clarify some of those, like one on toilet training. The law that was passed last year said a child has to be potty trained to start kindergarten unless it’s a student with a disability or IEP and those exceptions the LEA works out. But we changed the word kindergarten to public school because there were people enrolling their children in first grade and second grade who weren’t potty trained, but the law just says you have to be potty trained to start kindergarten,” she said.

A part of her bill addressed school fees, but Rep. Mark Strong introduced B344, which passed unanimously in both the House and Senate, superseding Miller’s bill.

“Mark’s bill gives the districts the clarification they need on what price (fee) they can charge for fine arts such as band and music and art. A lot of parents worried these programs were going to go away because there wasn’t going to be enough money to sustain them and they’d charge students a fee. This makes it so there has to be a path to graduation where you can take classes or a project without a fee,” she said.

Miller’s Public Education Revisions bill passed both the House and Senate and was awaiting the governor’s approval.

Another bill she proposed was HB325, Parent Access to Learning Materials Pilot Program, which failed in committee.

“It looked to provide parents the curriculum your kid is studying. It was to close the gap between parents’ perception of what the teacher is doing because most teachers are providing access to their curriculum, but parents aren’t necessarily understanding how to access that. And so the pilot program was to give teachers extra money to take the extra step to increase their communication with parents and provide resources for them to access the curriculum that’s being taught, and be able to engage more with their students. It was a way to increase parent engagement, but I did get a lot of feedback from people who they felt their teachers were doing enough and they

were getting the information they needed. That was good feedback,” Miller said.

During the session, she drafted HB268, the Nonresident Online School Amendment, which, as of press time, was under consideration in the Senate.

“When we first started open enrollment in Utah, it allowed students to go to other schools besides the boundary school if it’s outside the district, and there was a provision that said the receiving district could bill a residential district for a portion of the property taxes to cover maintenance and operations and capital expenditures. The idea being if a lot of kids were going to a different district, that district was going to have more capital expenses. A lot has changed in the last 30 years since that rule has been on the book, including the creation of online schools. So this bill just says if the nonresident student is enrolled in an online school then the receiving district won’t bill the residential district for that portion of property taxes which is meant to maintain and operate a facility. I acknowledge it still takes some operating costs to run an online school, but not nearly the amount it takes to operate a comprehensive high school. The reason I introduced it was to reduce administrative costs. There was a lot of reconciling that had to go back and forth between the two districts which took more administrative costs than the amount of money they were getting from it,” Miller said.

Several groups visited the legislature to learn from the freshman lawmaker firsthand.

“I love to see our youth and young adults engaging in the process; I met with student body officers from Jordan School District and the Jr. Women in Business (high school age) group,” she said. “PTA Day at the capitol was great because I was super involved in the PTA and used to come up to PTA Day at the capitol. That’s probably what sparked my whole interest in the legislative process, and now, it was kind of surreal because a few years ago, I was sitting where they were listening to legislators and now, I’m a legislator. It’s still incredibly humbling for me to think that I get

to do this. When I look around in the house chamber, it’s humbling. It’s an honor people trust me to represent them and serve them in this capacity. It’s an incredible experience.”

One issue Miller often discussed with students is the use of cell phones in schools.

“Students recognize it’s a problem. They obviously don’t want to give up their phones, but they recognize it’s a distraction. Most are good if they can have it between classes, if that’s what the school district or LEA says,” she said.

The bill, which passed both the House and Senate, requires school districts or LEAs to have a cell phone policy. If no policy is set, the default rule is no phones in classrooms during instruction.

“Many LEAs have already done that. They already worked with their communities, with parents and with teachers and have come up with cell phone policies. So this bill says, ‘Great, you can keep the policy that you’ve come up with.’ It gave the LEAs the flexibility to respond to the needs of their community, but it also sends a strong message to put it away during instruction,” she said.

There are exceptions, including using a phone to respond to an imminent threat, a health or safety emergency, or as part of a student’s IEP or 504 plan, Miller noted.

School safety also was discussed with the amendment of HB40, which defines terms, modifies communication device requirements, revises training requirements of school safety personnel, revised screening and training requirements and more.

“School safety is a big concern; we want to know our kids are safe. One thing the bill this year added was studying recommendations for cybersecurity. Eventually, the school security task force will move beyond fiscal safety and disciple safety, but this bill just is to start studying that issue,” she said.

Miller keeps her constituents informed through a weekly newsletter.

“The biggest thing is bills change, and I may be definitely opposed to it with a lot of negative feedback from my people on it, then

it’ll be substituted and substituted again and again, and it will end up in a place where this is a good bill, and I can support it,” she said.

“I worry my constituents don’t know how the bill has changed and addressed all their concerns.

“I’ve learned a great deal starting from my first day when I just kept laughing because I was going out the wrong door and getting lost. All the security guards were probably sitting up in some big room watching me and laughing. I’ve learned that even through this process; to address it with patience and a willingness to give others the benefit of the doubt,” she said.

With that, Miller is productive in the demanding environment.

“It’s a good process,” she said. “I know it seems crazy and if you’re just reading the headlines in the paper, you’re not getting the whole story.” l

The South Jordan Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout South Jordan.

For information about distribution please email hello@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2019 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.

Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com

EDITOR

Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Mieka Sawatzki | mieka.s@thecityjournals.com

Lindsay Andreasen | lindsay.a@thecityjournals.com

Jason Corbridge | jason.c@thecityjournals.com

Ryan Casper | ryan.c@thecityjournals.com

Marc Davis | marc.d@thecityjournals.com

Rack

Lydia Rice | lydia.r@thecityjournals.com 385-557-1022

Anna Pro Ty Gorton

Stacey LaMont

SOUTH

9500 South 500 West, Suite 205 Sandy, UT 84070 PHONE: 801-254-5974

SOUTH JORDAN TEAM

Rep. Tracy Miller introduces a student guest who sat in during the Utah House of Representatives session. (Photo courtesy Tracy Miller)

SheTech Day sparks creativity and curiosity into next-gen tech leaders

Around 3,000 girls attended Explorer Day inspiring them to pursue STEM careers.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Ninth-grader Julia Ashby, of Riverview Junior High in Murray, wanted to explore AI and ChatGPT while Hadley Miller, a Draper Park Middle School student, was looking into college chemical engineering programs. Callyn Mortensen, a ninth grader at Sunset Ridge Middle School in West Jordan, was discovering more about coding and freshman Chelsea Baker, from Brighton High in Cottonwood Heights, was investigating various technology-related careers at the event.

These students were among the 3,000 girls from ninth to 12th grade who attended SheTech Explorer Day, an event designed to introduce girls to the world of technology in a fun, engaging atmosphere. During the event, they had the opportunity to meet STEM role models and discover a wide array of opportunities in the field.

Throughout the morning, girls from high schools across the state participated in more than 40 workshops focused on topics such as programming, engineering, aerospace, robotics, product invention, entrepreneurship, biomedicine, digital marketing, web design and gaming.

In addition, they had the chance to experience the interactive TechZone, where local STEM companies and educational institutions provided opportunities to learn about internships, programs and industry experiences.

The day wrapped up with a collaborative small group exercise in which the girls worked together to brainstorm, innovate and pitch solutions in a TechChallenge, all while being guided by industry mentors.

Students learned about the event through fliers posted at schools, emails from counselors or by hearing from teachers in various classes ranging from interior design to computer science to manufacturing technology.

Hailey Derr, a ninth grader at Cottonwood High in Murray, wanted to explore biomedical engineering careers, so she visited her career center and discovered the event was a good opportunity. She’s already planning to take medical terminology and medical math next year.

Reagan Fairchild, a ninth grader from Sunset Ridge, was learning “how they keep patients safe during surgery and other cool things in the medical field” as she explored the TechZone.

Sydney Birk from Draper Park Middle School had just finished astronaut training.

“I was clicking a button to spawn an object and grab it or flick it to a target; if I hit the target, it gave a score,” she said. “It was fun. I want to be an astronaut and this is better than online simulations.”

Rylee Blackwell from Hidden Valley Mid-

dle School in Bluffdale was trying out Alexa glasses.

“I like how you can hear music and nobody else can,” she said. “I was in my own little world while there’s so many people here. It was relaxing.”

Retired electrical engineer Shari Mann demonstrated how to use the Alexa glasses with built-in microphones, offering a hands-free experience.

“I'm really passionate about inspiring girls to go into engineering,” she said. “I like how excited the girls are to try on the Alexa glasses and not just learn how they work, but understand it.”

Mann’s father encouraged her to pursue engineering back when there were “just a handful of females studying engineering” at the University of Texas in the late 1980s. She has since programmed microchips and holds patents in the field.

“I always say, engineers invent the world, and we need all different kinds of people represented in inventing this world; it’s a great career and it’s been fun,” Mann said.

Jenny Curtis, Jordan School District’s work-based learning assistant, said the opportunity is incredible for girls.

“It’s cool, just to see all of these industries here, providing support and information and bringing all of these wonderful, mostly ladies, in tech,” she said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for girls to see what's happening in the field.”

Eileen Kasteler, Brighton High’s workbased learning facilitator, has brought students to the event for years and appreciates the event’s accessibility.

“It’s astonishing that a professional event of this caliber is free to girls year after year,” she said. “I like how the student ambassadors greet new girls, making it personal and welcoming.”

Gretel Diederich, a junior at Alta High in

Sandy, completed her first year on the SheTech student board.

“I like the program and wanted to keep it going, so I thought the best way was to be an ambassador and support it,” she said. “I like exploring the booths and love talking to all the people to learn about all the programs I don’t know about. I also really love the girls. I made friends two years ago, and I still talk to them when I see them here. It says a lot about the SheTech community and the people.”

She was joined by her sister, freshman Leslie, who appreciated the event's schedule of workshops, and Alta High junior Audrey Semler, who was enjoying engaging with industry experts and participants.

“I love the energy here; everyone is having fun and it’s easy to talk to everyone,” she said. “I learned about different organizations for internships and college programs and scholarships.”

Kaitlin White, a freshman from Brighton, was eager to explore the booths at the TechZone, where girls could try several interactive activities as well as sample a new Coca-Cola flavor to checking out a Cybertruck. They could even test angular momentum.

“I find STEM stuff interesting, and I want to learn what I can do in the future in a tech career,” she said. “I also want to be a sci fi author so this definitely helps with that.”

Near the area where robotic cars were being driven, Riverview Junior High ninth-grade students Lexie Nelson and Aubrey Clayton were experimenting with InstaSnow.

“There's so many more careers than I thought there would be here; it’s awesome,” Clayton said.

Nelson added: “It’s all fun; I love the women empowerment.” l

Sydney Birk from Draper Park Middle School took part of virtual reality astronaut training during SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Amateur performers entertain the community at Daybreak’s Got Talent

The Daybreak Field at America First Square is set to host its first game April 8 a little over two years after the stadium was announced.

By Laura Spendlove Crapo laura.c@mycityjournals.com

Daybreak’s Got Talent on Feb. 28 was an over-all positive group event. City residents, families and performers crowded into the Herriman High School auditorium with big smiles. There were no side-eyed glances between the entertainers nor the general supporters. The feeling of support and appreciation for those sharing their talents felt good.

The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Tyrone Foster who started by hyping up the crowd to increase the anticipation. He introduced the competition’s three judges. These judges were needed to critique the various talents coming their way.

John Sweeney has been a performing arts performer and director veteran for over 50 years. The other two judges are Daybreak residents. Heather Jackman is an acclaimed vocalist having sung the national anthem for major Utah sports teams and at the 2023 Stadium of Fire. Thad Weiland is an active LiveDaybreak volunteer who is passionate about performing and entertaining audiences.

DANCE

The first beautiful dance performance was given by Daybreak’s Got Talent’s youngest talent, Sasha Turteltaub. The choreographed grace continued with Katie McEntire’s dynamic piece. They both showed a combination of grace, flexibility, acrobatics and strength.

GROUP PERFORMANCES

The BeBops kicked off those performing vocally and instrumentally as a group with their history together. The Kensington Klassics showed their well-polished skills labeled as

Strings and Singing. A beautiful duet musical number was then performed by Sierra Johnson and Carson Ferris.

SOLO INSTRUMENTAL

The first entry in this category, performing with an energetic combination of guitar, harmonica, self-made ankle tambourine and a bass drum, was Austin Tyler. A beautiful piano piece was then played by Elizabeth Flores. Also on the piano with his expertly crafted melodies was Steve Buhler. Jieun (Cassie) Reed changed instrument choices when she expertly played “You Lift me Up” on her flute.

When asked by a judge if she was a ‘flutist’ or a ‘flautist,’ she said she didn’t know because she is from South Korea and wasn’t sure. However you say it, her playing was wonderful.

SINGING

Meira Taylor was the first vocalist which was a success with her rich and practiced voice. The next solo artist to sing beautifully was Elijah Bendock. Playing her uniquely beautiful guitar, Sage Mercedes sang along with a well-done, self-written song. Then, Galo Lastra broke the mold when he sang a strong and soaring opera number.

UNIQUE

Sierra Champion did not fit with any of the other categories with her energetic Hula Hoop Juggling and Acrobatics performance. The next unique performance was the event’s encore performance played by the 2024 Daybreak’s Got Talent winner Elliott Mitchell. He enjoyed enthusiastically playing his guitar while the judges carefully decided on this year’s winners.

EVENT SUMMARY

Daybreak’s Got Talent is made possible with the generous support of the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks Grant, which helps bring arts and cultural experiences to the community. The Grand Prize was $500 and the winner could donate the evening’s proceeds to the nonprofit organization of their choice.

Daybreak’s Got Talent winners were Sierra Champion coming in third, Galo Lastra was the second-place winner and Austin Tyler and his one-man band won the competition. Due to the recent suicide of his dear friend, Austin chose the proceeds be given to ‘i love you, bro’ which is a suicide prevention group. l

The BeBops introduce their group music number. (Laura Crapo/City Journals)

Austin Tyler’s one-man band. (Laura Crapo/City Journals)

Jieun (Cassie) Reed plays “You Lift Me Up.” (Laura Crapo/City Journals)

Youngest performer of the Sasha Turteltaub. (Laura Crapo/City Journals)

Sierra Champion wins her hula hoop juggling and acrobatic performance. (Laura Crapo/City Journals)

Community band of educators strikes the right chord

Since 1991, the West Jordan Community Band has provided an outlet for musicians to play together and build friendships.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

The West Jordan Community Band has been bringing people together through the joy of music for more than 30 years. While several directors have led the band, it’s now under the direction of Erik Wieben and Brandon Larsen who have conducted the nearly 100-member group since 2023.

“It’s a unique situation that we have an ensemble that’s as strong as ours is,” Larsen said. “Any investment in the arts in West Jordan is worth it and that’s why this ensemble is pretty incredible. I’m really excited about the level of music we’re able to achieve.”

Several band members are music educators from Jordan School District and other districts in the county. Wieben is the band and orchestra director at Sunset Ridge Middle School and Larsen directed bands at Herriman, Fremont and Grantsville high schools before taking the job as an assistant principal at Elk Ridge Middle School.

Larsen said the band provides an outlet, away from the daily grind, where people can disconnect from stressful situations and plug into the energy of live music. The musicians’ talent and dedication have helped the band grow since its inception in 1991.

Sarah Wright’s grandfather gave her a saxophone when she was 8 years old, and she’s been playing ever since. Now, Wright

works as a music teacher at Fox Hills Elementary in the Granite School District. She saw a flyer about the West Jordan Community Band and decided to sign up.

“It’s a lovely place to come and hang out with like-minded people and make music,” Wright said. “Music doesn’t judge you. Music makes you feel something that nothing else does…If you play by yourself, it’s fine, but when you play with the group and you make harmonies together, I mean, you can feel it.”

Funded partially through the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks program, the volunteer-based band holds five concerts each year. The Winter Concert, held Feb. 22 at the Viridian Event Center featured four pieces including “Radioactive Brilliance,” a song composed by band member Kalysha Chandler as a dedication to Marie Curie, the Polish-born physicist who spent her life researching radioactivity.

Chandler’s piece featured dissonant moments symbolizing the negative side effects of Curie’s work in the scientific community, the difficulties she faced in her career and the resulting health issues.

“Midway through the piece, I feature the French horns. I felt that the French horn was the instrument that best captured the essence of Marie Curie’s life,” Chandler said. “Marie Curie was an intelligent and driven woman with a conviction to stand her ground when needed. The French horn embodies these qualities.”

Larsen calls the band’s performances “dad concerts” because they only last about 30 minutes; not too long, but long enough to leave the audience wanting more. The next concert will be held at the Viridian Event Center (8030 S. 1825 West) on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. All concerts are free to the public.

“A community band is the epitome of community,” Larsen said. “There are 100 people who live in our communities who

come every Thursday night to rehearse and make music together with their friends. It’s been fun to watch that grow and develop.”

For information about joining the band, or for upcoming performances, visit Westjordancommunityband.com.

“These bands are important because, since it’s free, more people will come and be exposed to classical music or interesting music that they normally wouldn’t hear, because the symphony can be expensive,” Wright said. “But if people get a taste for it here, I think they might be more willing to go and listen to more classical music.” l

Attendance takes center court at Welby Elementary’s March Madness

Will the favored Welby fifth-graders win the competition in the classroom and on the court?

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Willthe favored Auburn Tigers or Duke Blue Devils claim the NCAA men’s basketball title, or could the 1-26 Mississippi Valley team defy the odds to win the Southwest Athletic Conference and earn a bid to the tournament? On the women’s side, will Texas manage to fend off perennial powerhouses UConn and South Carolina?

Closer to home, the 715 students at Welby Elementary are keeping a watchful eye on March Madness—though in their own way.

Within the walls of the 46-year-old school, a March Madness tournament is underway, and the students are eagerly following the competition to see if the top-seeded fifth-graders will emerge victorious.

“It’s an attendance tournament and we’ve seeded grades by their attendance through February, so fifth grade, which has the best attendance, gets a bye for the first round,” Principal Aaron Ichimura said, who adapted the idea from a Murray school to use at his school. “We will see how grades match up with their attendance with the goal to improve our over-

all attendance.”

In early March, Ichimura was sharing the details of the tournament with each grade.

“Kids are talking about it with some excitement because they are familiar with this bracket process. The ultimate goal of the championship is the winning grade will get to play lightning against me, the assistant principal and some teachers and staff. This way, we can use baskets on both ends of the floor so more students can play than if we just scrimmaged,” he said, adding that other grades can cheer for the players.

Ichimura, who admits basketball isn’t his strength, isn’t expecting to come out on top.

“The beauty of working in an elementary is the kids are a fan no matter what you do, as long as you’re willing to participate and try your best,” he said.

Students can regularly track the progress of their grade by checking updates posted outside the school cafeteria, where the monthly grade-level attendance certificates from earlier this school year are displayed.

“Our goal, really, is to have all students win and have better attendance in March than previous months,” Ichimura said. “We can’t help students and expect them to show gains and improvements in their learning unless they’re here for the instruction. So we’re encouraging them to be here, make the school safe and comfortable and the climate more welcoming, so that they want to be in school.” l

Members of the West Jordan Community Band perform during its Winter Concert at the Viridian Event Center in February. The band holds five free concerts each year. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)

Welby Elementary has its own March Madness tournament to track students’ attendance. (Aaron Ichimura/Welby Elementary)

Easter celebration set for April 14 at Ballpark at America First Square

Interfaith Council Easter Service event is set for April 14 at the Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan.

By Tom Haraldsen t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

There’s a special Easter celebration event planned in South Jordan this year, the South Valley Interfaith Council Easter Service set for Monday, April 14. It’s happening at the new home of the Salt Lake Bees, Ballpark at America First Square.

The idea came about a couple of years ago when Bethany Zeyer, who sits on the Council as a representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had a conversation with Pastor David Henderson of Neighborhood Church.

“He threw out the comment that it would be neat to have an Interfaith Easter event out here, as we knew the new ballpark was under construction,” Zeyer said. “When we were assured the ballpark was going to be ready for this April (the Bees’ home opener is set for April 8), I reached out to David’s wife Victoria, and we formed a committee to make this event a reality.”

In addition to Zeyer and Henderson, the committee includes Pastor Hannah Bechtel from Sego Church in South Jordan, Joy McCullough from the “Hello Saints” YouTube channel, and Morgan Bangerter from Multiply Goodness.

“We reached out to the Larry H. Miller organization and they’ve been so gracious,” Zeyer said. “They’ve never hosted anything like this before, and the timing is perfect since April 14 is the start of Holy Week.”

The Bees’ first homestand ends on April 13, so the next night, preshow activities for the Interfaith event will begin at the ballpark at 5:30 p.m. with music from a live band from the Salt and Light Church. Zeyer said there will be an experience called “The 14 Stations of the Cross,” which references something well known in the Catholic and Lutheran communities symbolizing the 14 things that happened to Jesus Christ from the time he was condemned to his crucifixion.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for members of all these different denominations to get together and share their traditions,” Zeyer said. “We’ll also have some nonprofit groups among the 14 stations, like the Rotary Club, the food pantry and the Columbus Education Center in Herriman.”

In addition, there will be an art show and a wall of testimonies from residents who will write their feelings about Jesus Christ.

“We’ll have vendors open so families can get food before the 7 p.m. event,” Zeyer said. “This will be a great opportunity to support one another’s faiths and find ways we can help lift one another.”

The main event begins at 7 p.m. with two Christian bands performing along with guest speakers from “Hello Saints” and “Don’t Miss This” YouTube channels. For the grand finale, all performers will be invited onto the stage to sing “Amazing Grace.”

The event is free but tickets are required. Zeyer said families can request tickets online at celebratingjesus.info.

“There are about 6,500 seats in the stadium, and we can have 1,000 people on the grassy berm, so seating is somewhat limited,” she said. “We just ask that people only take the number of tickets they need so we don’t want anyone who wants to come to miss out.”

“I am thrilled for the first-ever South Valley Interfaith Council Easter Service, a special event that brings our community together in a spirit of faith, unity, and celebration,” South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey said. “We are excited to be hosting it in South Jordan at the beautiful new Ballpark at America First Square. This event is an opportunity to strengthen bonds across our diverse faith traditions and reinforce the shared values that make South Jordan, and our neighboring communities in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley, such a wonderful place to call home.” l

The South Valley Interfaith Council Easter Service is set for April 14. (File photo Rebecca Olds/City Journals)

4/3/25

4/10/25

Salt Lake Bees new hive ready for opening day

at 1300 S. West Temple Street in Salt Lake City that was built in 1993.

By Laura Spendlove Crapo laura.c@mycityjournals.com

Salt Lake City has been home to Minor League Baseball for more than a century and will continue to be so. The Salt Lake Bees’ opening day at Daybreak Field at America First Square in South Jordan is scheduled for April 8. Their first opponent will be the Reno Aces, beginning their season that includes 75 home games.

“The Salt Lake Bees are dedicated to providing a premium experience with wallet-friendly ticket pricing,” said Ty Wardle, general manager of the Salt Lake Bees. “There is a ticket and seat for every type of fan. The seats are closer to the field than ever before, providing an intimate atmosphere to connect with the players on the field while offering the same incredible mountain views.”

The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The team previously played its home games at Smith’s Ballpark

Thirty years later, in early 2023, it was announced the Bees would move south to Daybreak in South Jordan with plans by the Larry H. Miller Company to build a stadium and master-planned community. Groundbreaking for that stadium soon followed in October 2023.

Now opening day is almost here.

“I am thrilled, we are excited about the Salt Lake Bees coming to play at the Daybreak America First field,” said South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey. “It’s been amazing to see the stadium rising from the ground – they’ve created a vision. It will be a bright and beautiful future for South Jordan.”

Ramsey and the South Jordan City Council have worked very closely with the LHM group, UDOT and UTA and are very optimistic about the growth coming to their city. She foresees a year of ribbon cuttings as the area expands. A new TRAX station will be built nearby the stadium which will increase connectivity for fans coming from the north and south.

Holidays at Daybreak Field will include Memorial Day Weekend, Juneteenth, Independence Day and Pioneer Day. A full promotion schedule including game times, fireworks nights, themes and giveaways will be announced at a later date. The stadium

seats 6,500 and with the berm and suites the seating increases to 8,000.

This season, the Bees will host Bark in the Park at nine games, Sunday Brunch every Sunday home game, three Abejas nights, a country-themed weekend, and a Superman night, among other theme nights. The Bees will also have fireworks, flyovers and drone nights throughout the season.

“This is a transformational time and we want to express our appreciation for the

LHM and Gail Miller group and all those involved in creating a bright and beautiful future for the Salt Lake Bees,” Ramsey said.

“All of the fans will have a major league experience with a minor league stadium. They are even working hard to get flyovers approved.”

For more information email tickets@ slbees.com or call/text 801.325.BEES. l

Choice in Home Care®

A rendering of the field and surrounding area’s future set up. (Courtesy Salt Lake Bees)

Bingham boys basketball reaches the state quarterfinals for the first time in four years

The run at the 6A state tournament was the longest since the 2021-22 season when the Miners finished 22-3 overall and made it to the state quarterfinals.

By Brian Shaw

b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

Not having Luke West available seemed to have an effect on the Bingham boys’ basketball team during most of their Region 2 campaign, as they limped to a 6-4 record.

In the absence of the junior Luke West though, Bingham had several players step up big in their season finale Feb. 14 at The Pit— AKA Senior Night.

One was Jason Peterson. The senior was one of two players that averaged a team-high 11 points per game, and one of four that hauled down four rebounds per contest. On Senior Night, Peterson poured in 23 points and drilled three triples, as the Miners gave Corner Canyon everything it had before falling, 75-72 in overtime.

Ayden Larsen was Bingham’s other forward who was also playing his last game at The Pit, and he exploded for a season-high 16 points—the second consecutive game he’d hit that scoring total. Junior center Lucas Neidig blasted away for 11 points, his highest output in nearly a month. Sophomore Parker Snedaker hit a few jumpers for 7 points in the loss.

And West, the team’s leading scorer before his injury during the last game of preseason, was finally given the green light to return on Senior Night. That he did, splashing 5 points through the nets in a lesser role.

It seemed like West’s return to the lineup was the boost his team needed. The Miners, who had of course won the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas with West and company surprising many back

in December, were still given their props: a five-seed and first-round bye for the 6A state tournament.

In the second round of the 6A state tournament at The Pit, the No. 5 Miners chipped away at Pleasant Grove to win 71-62. Bingham grabbed a 20-13 lead after one quarter, increased it to 39-24 by halftime and then kicked things into cruise control the rest of the way.

The youth movement was on full display against PG, as Bingham sophomore Trey Driggs drilled three triples en route to 15 points in his first-ever varsity game. Senior Brayden Ericson contributed 12 points and Snedaker had 11 to help Bingham move on to a place that used to look familiar to Bingham’s boys’ basketball teams this time of year: the Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah.

As luck might have it, the Miners were facing the same squad in the 6A state quarterfinals on The Hill that they had played on Senior Night—Corner Canyon.

Bingham [17-8] led 15-14 to end the first quarter at the Huntsman Center. But, CC pulled ahead 23-21 to end the second at the University of Utah, and extended Bingham’s deficit to 10 points by the third.

The Miners chipped back at that hole, and got the margins within three points at 50-47—but Corner Canyon proved to be too much for Bingham, who was led by Peterson’s 12 points. Peterson will be playing in the annual Utah High School 5A-6A All-Star Game later this month at Olympus High School, a recognition of the work he’s put in during three years on the Miners varsity.

Snedaker and Larsen each chipped in 9 points, and West had a team-high eight rebounds to go with his 7 points.

For Bingham head coach Kyle Straatman who has seen all the highs and lows in his six years at the school, he had nothing but gratitude for the season. This was one of the Miners’ best in several years, and even with West’s lengthy absence—few regrets, at least publicly.

“Only one way you ever want it to end,” Straatman said, who finished the season with a 94-52 career record at Bingham. “We’re grateful for the journey that this season was.” l

With eight seniors, Bingham softball hopes to avenge last year’s loss in the 6A championship

A new strength and conditioning program, along with a senior-laden starting lineup and some exciting freshmen have turned heads already.

By Brian Shaw

b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

Withsunny weather ahead for the Bingham Miners softball team, the unpredictable variety has unfortunately hit the Wasatch Front and forced several postponements that may be made up later this spring, depending on how the elements shake out.

As for the returning players the Miners have back this season, there are five heading to college softball programs at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year.

One is Shyann Banasky. The senior, headed to the College of Southern Idaho, or CSI, hit a shot that bounced off the top of the fence in the fourth inning and bounced back into play for a groundrule double in the home opener against Fremont Monday March 4. Snow College-bound senior Rian Howland tacked on a tworun double, Gracelyn Lemke lopped a solo homer, other Miners belted seven RBI and SLCC signee Brooklyn Fogg scored. Meanwhile, on the pitchers’ mound, fellow future Bruin Brecka Larson struck out 12 and held a no-hitter and shutout through five innings as the Miners 10-run ruled Fremont, 11-1. Freshman sensation Kendra Hintze earned the save in the sixth, striking out three and walking one.

In her second game March 11 versus Davis, Larson belted an inside-the-park three-run home run that showed off her newfound speed. Senior Zalia Carrillo and junior Brenna Cowley each slapped RBI singles driving in freshman pinchrunners Emrie Sellers and sophomore Mackenzie Turner. Larson fanned 12 more batters, giving the future Bruin 24 in just two games in a 5-1 win.

On the mound. the ace arm Larson is back for her senior season and is clearly one of the focal points on the Miners before she departs; Larson was 21-7 in 30 appearances last year with a 2.68 earned run average and had 240 strikeouts walking just 59 batters.

With the new pieces around her, especially Hintze who is the newest arm in a long line of Bingham legends at pitcher, the Miners have what they were missing last season in that heartbreaking Game 3 loss to rival Riverton in the 6A championship.

A title this year, however, would mean two in three years for a Miners squad that has more than a half-dozen key players returning.

Key to that title chase and the one catching all of Larson’s pitches barring injury will be catcher Rian Howland. Before she heads to the Badgers, the senior will try to improve upon a junior year when she hit .480 with five home runs and 39 RBIs. Her fielding was nearly impeccable; Howland had a .982 percentage, hurtling 264 put-outs.

Another piece for Bingham is outfielder Brooklynn Fogg. Recognizable by her blazing speed, the senior is a terror on the base paths, stealing 10 bases last year and 17 the year before when

Bingham won it all. The SLCC signee is also good with the glove, fielding at a .951 percentage, gunning down 38 batters as a junior. Shyann Banasky is another important piece who can do a bit of everything. The senior is solid at the plate, hitting .402 as a junior. She also threw out 28 runners and stole three bases. Zalia Carrillo is heading to Dawson Community College in Montana in the summer, but she is also vital as she’s capable of reaching first at any moment—as her .383 on-page percentage attests.

Other seniors to watch include Gracelyn Lemke. The senior slugger had a .383 batting average, belting eight homers and 41 RBI. Senior Kamrie Cowley is another glue girl for the Miners— one that can do it all, including step on the mound if need be [she had 14 appearances last year]. In addition, she’s had three bunt-outs and as many put-outs this season for the Miners, who by the time you’ve read this article will have played a tournament in Las Vegas and begun their Region 2 season that includes two games against Riverton. l

Snow College-bound senior Rian Howland. (City Journals)

Another piece for Bingham is outfielder Brooklynn Fogg. Recognizable by her blazing speed, the senior is a terror on the base paths. (City Journals)

Jace Bagley and the Miners went 16-7 during the regular season. (Photo by Pat McDonald)

Paradigm students step up to help California charter school rebuild after devastating LA fire

From bake sales to car shows, South Jordan community shows generosity in supporting Paradigm students’ efforts to raise money for Odyssey Charter School in California.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Agroup of a few hundred seventh- to 12thgrade students took on the challenge of stepping into the shoes of 375 elementary school students attending Odyssey Charter School’s south campus.

Since Jan. 8, these elementary students have faced an uncertain future after their school was destroyed by the devastating Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. While the 25-year-old school begins the process of rebuilding, Paradigm Charter School students in South Jordan showed empathy and raised support for the affected school during this critical time.

In about one month, Paradigm raised more than $15,200 for the California school, with donations coming from both students and their families, as well as from the South Jordan community, according to Paradigm studentbody vice president and senior Hannah Allred.

“We felt connected to them because our charter schools are about the same size; it hit close to home and there has been a lot more motivation to raise money for them,” she said

The students came up with creative ways to raise money, including hosting a bake sale where Allred baked 80 pumpkin chocolate chip muffins to sell, collecting pledges for a schoolwide reada-thon, and setting up fun booths for an indoor community carnival.

“The readathon earned more than $7,000 and we got to come in our pajamas and be all cuddly while we read all day in the gym,” Allred said.

Paradigm High also held a school dance with proceeds earmarked for the California school fundraiser.

“We went around neighborhoods asking for donations and people were generous. It was awesome. Some students called businesses and they donated, and we had a spirit night at Raising Cane’s and proceeds went to the Odyssey Charter School,” she said.

This year, Paradigm added a new initiative—a car show which raised $435. Three high school seniors—Gabriel Bailey, Gage Grable and Ryan Moore—came up with the idea to garner more support for the fundraiser.

“It was amazing; some outstanding selfless people who brought their cars donated money even though it was offered as free entry,” Bailey said. “They came, they brought their cars and they still donated hundreds. I saw the car show as something that people would enjoy, and it was an untapped market which we haven’t really explored before.”

Each year, the school supports a fundraiser. In years past, it has ranged from American Cancer Society to Operation Underground Railroad. In 2020, they donated to the Australia recovery efforts from their devastating bush fires.

Despite facing a setback because of a storm, 14 car owners participated, with some

leaving notes under the windshield wipers of cars they liked.

“Some of these people who came aren’t the typical types who participate, but I think they did it for this cause,” Bailey said.

Allred said it was heartwarming to witness support from the families who attended the carnival, neighbors who bought baked goods and the community members who brought their cars to display.

“It’s cool to see parents, friends, companies, even people we didn’t know, come together. There were so many different people in the community who wanted to help and donate,” she said.

Eighth-grader Paris Allred joined in by participating in the school’s penny wars to raise funds for the California charter school.

“We have these jars that SBOs or the (student) cabinet pus in every home seminar room and you put change in there to build it up to win. But if you put dollar bills in there, then it counts as negative and that’s called bombing. It can get really competitive,” she said.

While other students “bombed” their peers’ class jars, Paris chose not to.

“I didn’t bomb anyone. My teacher said not to bomb because it downgrades us. So, we brought our dollar bills to the office and got change to put in our jar; that’s positive,” she said. “We also made a presentation about the fundraiser and called businesses, and they donated. We sent that presentation to my teacher, Ms. (Amanda) Rogers, who had a friend’s grandma see it and donated $500. She was really generous.”

Paris and the other students filled into the Feb. 27 assembly to learn the total amount raised. The top class, students in Jennifer Lattin’s seminar, won a class party. Paris’ class came in second and was the top alliance alongside Lattin’s.

“Collectively, when the whole entire school brings in enough money, there’s prizes and punishments,” Paris said.

The students earned rewards such as an extended recess, a chance to wear jeans instead of uniforms for a week, and several prizes and fun punishments.

One favorite activity was “spill or fill,” where student leaders answered questions such as, “What was the most ridiculous thing you did to impress someone?” or ate a hot dog sundae.

Junior Josh Clark, a member of the student cabinet finance committee, emphasized it was all for a good cause.

“They sent us a video of what was happening there and that made it so much more real and personal,” he said. “They were talking about all the stuff they needed once they rebuild; I’m sure some of the money we raised will go toward their supplies.”

Senior Logan Stetler, another student cabinet finance committee member, agreed: “It’s all been a lot of work and fun, but getting to help people is the real reason behind this. I hope they send us a new video so we can see their reactions to our community’s contribution to their school.” l

Paradigm students raised more than $15,200 for the Odyssey Charter School in California that was destroyed in the Altadena fire. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Underneath their newsie caps, two girls shine. One is a bit shy at first, while the other is a social butterfly. Both are thrilled to join their classmates on stage in Elk Ridge Middle School’s production of “Newsies.”

The two students, who have Down syndrome, express their joy through song and dance in the show’s scenes, including “Seize the Day” and “Carrying the Banner.”

‘“Newsies’ is my favorite thing,” ninth-grader Eliza Millet said. “I like the people and the songs. I practice with my mom.”

Seventh-grader Alyssa Squire is helped by a peer tutor to learn the songs and choreography.

“I like to sing with Ella and all my friends,” she said. “I like to dance, too.”

Their teacher, Amanda Mair, said both girls eagerly embraced the opportunity to be in the musical.

“Every day Alyssa reminds me they have ‘Newsies’ practice,” Mair said. “She’s so excited for it, she puts on her newsies cap. Eliza has the same excitement, ready to go to practice.”

Eliza’s mother, Jolene, said the experience has been positive for her daughter.

“All the kids have been awesome,” she said. “They say ‘hi,’ they talk to her and they get her right involved. They sing and dance on stage together.”

The two girls tried out for the show alongside the rest of the seventh- through ninth-grade students who make up the 110-member cast and crew. They helped bring the show to life March 5-8, according to director JJ Vuki.

“They auditioned and they both did great,” she said. “I love having those kids. This is a great place for them to learn how to be social, and by them doing it with us, it makes everything better. They’re amazing. They both sing and they both act, and they understand it more than I thought they would. I love them so much, and I’m always surprised at how much they teach us and how little we teach them.”

Vuki added their enthusiasm and joy inspire others to elevate their own energy.

“They make all the students around them brighter. When they’re next to Alyssa and Eliza on the stage, they have to bring

up their energy, because those girls have a lot of energy. They have taught us how to embrace difference and how to be kind to each other. They’re kind to everyone they meet; they set an example for everyone in our cast,” she said.

This year marks the first time special education students have performed on stage during Vuki’s four years of teaching at Elk Ridge. In previous years, special education students have contributed to the technical aspects of the production.

“I invite Ms. Maier’s students to audition every year, but this is the first time they’ve been a part of my cast. Alyssa is shy when you first meet her; at first, she didn’t talk to anybody other than her buddy who comes with her and is in the show with her. About a month in, Alyssa could do it all on her own and once she opened up, she is this bright, outgoing, smiley, young person. Eliza, on the other hand, is everyone’s friend right off. She has a very big personality,” she said. “They both light up on stage.”

Vuki said the production is student driven.

“Our show is all done by the students. The kids help with the design work. They build sets, they paint. They help with costumes. I have a stage manager who’s a student. They do the sound, the light, all of it. We help and guide them, but a lot of it is on them, and then the run of the show is all the kids. I let them run it without me hovering,” she said.

Vuki’s assistant director is a Bingham High student, and another Bingham High student directs tech, while a third student directs acting.

“They’ve been in our program and moved on to high school, but want to come back to help,” she said.

Vuki chose “Newsies” as the musical, and while many students were familiar with the music, they didn’t know much about the historical context behind it.

“We talked about it a lot, because this is a very character driven show. We ask: ‘Who are these kids? Why is this happening to them? How do they feel about it, and can they make a change?’ That information we discuss with them and try to help them understand. They’ve taken that to heart and have created characters for themselves, and even students who are unnamed characters in the show have come up with their own name and their own backstory and have understood what this is all about,” she said.

Vuki appreciates the musical’s underlying message.

“It’s about kids their age learning things are hard, and it’s a wonderful way to teach them about history and about what their possibilities are. They learn there’s nothing they can’t do. Even as young as they are, they can still affect change,” she said. “There are endless possibilities to what they can do.” l

Seventh-grader Alyssa Squire and ninth-grader Eliza Millet were part of the 110-member cast and crew of Elk Ridge Middle School’s “Newsies.” (Photo courtesy Jolene Millet)

Carlos Moreno: From political asylum to Salt Lake County Council

Carlos Moreno, a former political asylee from Venezuela, has become one of the first Latino members of the Salt Lake County Council to represent the communities of District 2.

By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

Carlos A. Moreno took the oath of office in January 2025, making history as one of the first Latino members elected to the Salt Lake County Council. Representing District 2—which includes West Valley City, Kearns, West Jordan, South Jordan and Herriman— Moreno brings a unique perspective shaped by his experience as a political asylee from Venezuela.

Moreno’s path to public service began in Venezuela, where he completed law school with a specialization in Venezuelan labor law. As political tensions in the country grew, he became an activist, founding an organization called Venezuelan Students Abroad to denounce human rights violations.

“The entire country was divided between socialists and those who opposed the changes we were experiencing,” Moreno said. “The regime became increasingly repressive and dangerous. They began killing college students.”

His activism brought international attention, leading him to speak at the Organization of American States, the European Parliament, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Congress. However, his efforts also made him a target.

“One day, I woke up to more than a thousand messages on my phone,” Moreno recalled. “People were warning me that the president of the Venezuelan Parliament had charged me with treason and conspiracy on national TV the night before. Overnight, I became an enemy of the state—without a country, without a future and almost homeless.”

Moreno was granted political asylum in the United States, an experience he describes as life changing. “That day was one of the most beautiful days of my life. I felt as if 50 pounds had been lifted off my shoulders. Freedom is magical, it is why we are alive.”

He credits his father’s words as motivation to dedicate his life to public service: “Carlos, you are in the land of the brave, the land of freedom. If you do the right thing, you will find peace, opportunity and freedom. God bless America.”

Moreno and his wife own an insurance brokerage agency, working with hundreds of clients on business and personal insurance needs. His experience as a business owner informs his approach to policy.

“As smart business owners, we value simplicity in government processes, especially when it comes to granting licenses,” he said. “When you’re a small business owner, your focus is on opening your business and making it successful. That’s why we need to

design the most efficient ways to expedite the licensing process.”

Moreno plans to create an advisory board in collaboration with local chambers of commerce. “Small businesses are the heart of our economy and we need to find ways to support them.”

Having witnessed the collapse of democratic institutions in Venezuela, Moreno emphasizes the importance of civic engagement.

“Fighting socialism for 25 years of your life is like earning a Ph.D. in Freedom Studies,” he said. “We lost our country in less than two decades because our people were too lazy to get involved and be civically engaged at the beginning of Hugo Chávez’s regime.”

Moreno encourages citizens to participate in politics. “America needs new leaders, especially young ones with a clear vision of today’s world.”

As the first Latino and naturalized U.S. citizen elected to Salt Lake County office, Moreno sees his role as one of listening and acting on behalf of his constituents.

“As an immigrant, you develop special attributes such as patience, humility, resilience and perseverance,” he said. “As public servants, we are here to listen and serve, not to give our constituents lectures or classes on anything. Our duty is to find solutions for everyone.”

District 2 is among the most diverse areas in the county. “From Herriman to Magna, every city has its own identity, needs and goals. That’s why I spend time with my constituents; to listen, learn and act.”

Public safety is one of Moreno’s key priorities. He is working closely with law enforcement to bridge the gap between communities and police agencies.

“I have a deep respect for our police officers and law enforcement agencies,” he said. “I am meeting with police chiefs and law enforcement agencies to put myself at their service while also serving as a liaison to our constituents.”

Moreno is planning to establish a West Side Safety Advisory Committee to address public safety concerns. “I want my constituents to know about the wonderful work law enforcement does every day for our communities. Even as a candidate, I was actively working with some police departments on investigations in my district.”

Moreno has made fiscal responsibility a priority, advocating for a more efficient county government.

“We need to rein in taxes and spending while ensuring county services remain effective,” he said. “That’s why I am leading efforts to streamline services, eliminate duplication and consolidate programs where necessary.”

His plan includes increased budget oversight and performance-based funding. “Each department must justify its funding based on results, not just maintaining budgets. We’re focusing on outcomes to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being spent wisely.”

He is also working to establish regular efficiency audits. “This will help us identify waste and inefficiency so that we can make the most of every dollar spent.”

Outside of politics, Moreno is a devoted husband and father of three boys. “I have been married to my beautiful wife for 15 years, and

our sons train in Taekwondo. We also have an English bulldog named Bruno.”

Reflecting on his journey, Moreno remains grateful for the opportunities he has found in the United States.

“America is not a dream; America is a miracle,” he said. l

GRIEF HAS NO TIMELINE

is an individual journey with a path as unique as each one of us. To o er support and hope, we provide various Grief Support Services for those who are mourning a recent or past loss.

Carlos Moreno holds a picture of himself standing with his father while he is sworn in to the county council. (Photo courtesy Carlos Moreno)

Bingham High senior’s art showcases strengths beyond labels

Erin Grimshaw’s artwork lands in the U.S. capitol after major art show wins

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

In January, right before the submission deadline, Bingham High senior Erin Grimshaw finished her Prismacolor piece entitled, “Labeled.”

Her artist statement explained its significance: “My name is Erin, and I am an artist. ‘Labeled’ is a self-portrait depicting part of my artistic journey. In third grade, I was diagnosed as having a learning disability, often shortened to ‘LD’ on paperwork. For years, I have had to fight the stigma of being labeled for something that I was not good at, instead of being known for what I excelled in. After years of hard work, my strengths far outshine my weaknesses.”

That was apparent at the 53rd Springville Art Museum All-State High School Art Show, which featured 327 pieces of art.

Grimshaw submitted two pieces into the juried show. Both were accepted out of 1,029 submissions and truly shone.

“Labeled” earned the Juror’s Award of Merit, but it was her Prismacolor mermaid, “Young Siren,” that captured the most attention. The piece was awarded the Jurors’ Choice, Artist Nosh and Lyon Arts Studio awards.

Grimshaw was named Outstanding Student of the Year and received the Fourth Congressional District Award.

“I love the colors I used in ‘Young Siren,’” she said. “I made it last February (2024) using my brother’s body and my sister’s hair as the model. I like that it breaks the borders (of the artwork); I like that unexpected element.”

That piece, which usually hangs in the Grimshaw home, will now be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year as part of the congressional award.

“It’s pretty awesome; we’re planning to go to the ceremony once we learn when it will be,” she said.

In her statement accompanying the piece, Grimshaw shared her artistic journey: “Young Siren is a depiction of a young mermaid in a vast ocean. Being a young artist, I often feel like I am swimming in unfamiliar waters. My artist journey has been amazing, but taking risks has often left me feeling like a small fish in a big pond, not quite knowing where I am heading, just like a young siren-unsure of her path, but moving forward toward new adventures and opportunities.”

She created the mermaid’s face for the Urban Art Gallery’s Fables & Folklore exhibition in spring 2024 and the piece was also recognized among the top 10 in the Celebrating Art national contest last summer.

Grimshaw’s piece, “Butterflies” was the people’s choice in the Taylorsville Art Show, and she has exhibited her work at Salt Lake Community College President’s Art Show and was the artist of the month at the Gale Center of History and Culture in South Jordan. She also was to be honored with the South Jordan Community Arts Champion Award by South Jordan’s Arts Council in March.

Throughout her childhood, Grimshaw struggled with traditional academic subjects, but art became her refuge.

“I’ve drawn ever since I could hold a pencil; my mom was my first art teacher,” she said about her mother, Camille Grimshaw, who is a professional artist known for her ceramics and watercolor. “Art relaxes me. Honestly, it is something that I can do, like, something that makes me confident in myself. When I was little, I didn’t have much confidence because I was very insecure about my learning, but art taught me I can do it and be successful. I’m very thankful for that — and it just is fun to do.”

Grimshaw has a particular fondness for colored pencils. “It’s easy to clean up and pack up,” she explained, preferring it over other mediums like oils, which she finds “too messy.”

She also enjoys drawing on iPads and

participating in chalk art festivals.

“I like the large scale, and the people are so friendly at chalk art festivals; it’s like a fun art party,” Grimshaw said.

At Bingham High, she has taken a variety of art classes including AP art, ceramics, calligraphy, drawing and interior design — “basically, anything artsy, I took.” She has also experimented with quilling and danced ballet.

As a junior and senior, Grimshaw served as Bingham High’s first studentbody artist, creating designs for school T-shirts, pin designs, dance posters, backdrops and more.

“I’ve gotten more diverse what I draw because of student government, like one day I’ll be drawing a Yoda for them, then the next, a car. It’s random, but I prefer faces. I think they’re captivating and I like to show their emotion,” she said.

Last year, Grimshaw created a Prismacolor piece of her neighbor, titled “Wrapped in her Gaze,” which was displayed in the Utah All-State High School Art Show. She wrote about it: “It is my hope that her gaze will capture the viewer and indirectly invite them to share a moment of connection with someone they have never met. I love that as I draw people, I notice everything that makes them unique–from their beautiful features to their quirky characteristics.”

For the 2024 PTA Reflections Art contest, themed “Accepting Imperfection,” Grimshaw drew the face of a young girl with a port wine stain birthmark.

“She has a really beautiful, red mark on her face, but she was really inspiring to me,” Grimshaw said. “I drew flowers around her to represent how we think these imperfections in the flowers are so beautiful, but on a person, it’s less admired. When the little girl saw it, she said, ‘It’s someone who looks like me.’ That warmed my heart because she doesn’t see a lot of drawings of people like her, but she loved it.”

That piece of artwork advanced to the state level, with Grimshaw awaiting the results. She also is awaiting the outcome of the Deseret News-KSL’s Sterling Scholar Award in visual arts, for which she is a candidate.

Grimshaw hopes to pursue a career as an art therapist in a children’s hospital.

“I want to do art with little kids who are in hospitals and make their day a bit better. That’s my dream,” she said.

In addition to her mother, she’s inspired by professional artists Bryan Mark Taylor, known for mostly landscapes and cityscapes, and sculptor Ben Hammond, known for creating the Martha Hughes Cannon representing Utah in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the U.S. Capitol.

“They’re amazing,” she said, offering simple advice for aspiring artists: “Practice makes perfect. I know everyone says that, but it’s true. If you love it enough, it will just be awesome for you. Just keep going.” l

At the 53rd Springville Art Museum All-State High School Art Show, Erin Grimshaw was honored with several awards, including Outstanding Student of the Year. (Photo courtesy Camille Grimshaw)

Bingham High senior Erin Grimshaw drew “Young Siren” in February 2024. (Photo courtesy Camille Grimshaw)

What to know about visiting the E.R.

By Dr. Alex Drake

At CommonSpirit Health, our vision is a healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity. This extends to all the care we provide our patients, whether it be in our doctor’s offices, our clinics, or our hospitals.

We want your visit to our care sites to be as comfortable as possible, and we know that visiting the Emergency Department (ER) is difficult for any patient and their loved ones. I would like to share some information about what to expect in the ER, so that you can be as prepared as possible.

Our emergency caregivers are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to serve our community. We accept all patients – regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. A typical visit to the ER can take two-to-three hours, but please know that in the ER we must evaluate and treat our patients based on severity of their condition. This might mean longer wait times in the lobby or even after being placed in an exam room. However, this also means that if you’re having a life-threatening emergency, you will have the undivided attention of our doctors and nurses.

If you have mild-to-moderate symptoms – such as fever below 103 degrees without a rash, flu-like symptoms without shortness of breath, or sprains and strains – you may wish to consider calling your primary care provider or visiting an urgent care center, as these options may be faster and are often less expensive.

Symptoms or health issues that require immediate medical attention may include the following:

• Chest pain

• Sudden weakness or trouble talking

• Difficulty breathing

• Spinal injuries

• Severe head injury

• Major broken bones

• Major burns

• Sudden change in vision

• Heavy bleeding

• Large open wounds

You should never drive yourself to an ER if you are having severe chest pain, severe bleeding, if you feel like you might faint, or if your vision is impaired. When in doubt, please call 911 — what matters most is that you get to the emergency room quickly and safely. If you arrive by

ambulance, you will be triaged and we will determine the level of care required.

All emergency physicians at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals are board certified in Emergency Medicine and have trained for many years to help you in your emergency. The doctors also have specially trained midlevel providers who can also help. Your provider may order tests like X-rays, CT Scans, Ultrasounds, bloodwork, urinalysis, an electrocardiogram (EKG), or others, depending on your health problem.

After receiving test results, the doctor will discuss the findings and diagnosis with you. If needed, they will advise admission to the hospital. If your condition does not need admission, they will give you written instructions about treatment to be followed at home. This may include prescriptions, tips for home care, and any referrals needed for following up with either a primary care or specialized doctor. While we hope for the health and safety of those in our community, know that we are here if you need us. Our excellent doctors and nurses at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals are ready to provide high-quality, compassionate, and timely care.

As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.

The

right ER. Right around the corner.

When you need emergency care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. You never know the level of care you’ll need when an emergency happens and choosing the right ER can make all the difference. And a hospital ER comes with the confidence of additional services right on-site.

Find emergency care close to you at mountain.commonspirit.org.

CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy contact CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region Office of the General Counsel at 1-303-673-8166 (TTY: 711). Copyright © CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region, 2025. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-303-673-8166 (TTY: 711). CHÚ Ý: N

i

ố 1-303-673-8166 (TTY: 711).

SPONSORED CONTENT

By Dr. Alex Drake Emergency Physician CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital Jordan Valley West

A new playbook: Creating inclusivity through middle school unified basketball

just be on the sidelines.”

Oquirrh Hills ninth-grader Kaleb Koller enjoys shooting three-pointers.

“It’s fun to work on new skills,” he said. “I like being on my team playing together.”

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Elk Ridge ninth-grader Rowan Dennis was already excited before his team was introduced at the Jordan School District’s middle school unified basketball tournament.

“My school sent us off with a big cheer,” Rowan said. “The principal was there and he plays basketball, too. It got us all pumped up.”

Rowan, who credits his dad and physical education teacher Steve Pollock for teaching him how to dribble, shoot three-pointers, and play defense, said the best part is representing his school.

“It’s fun to play on a team with friends. I got to pick out my number for my school uniform,” he said.

As a member of his school’s unified basketball team, Rowan plays alongside both students with and without intellectual disabilities. Supported by Special Olympics Utah, the program has grown significantly, with several teams competing together at the district tournament.

Kathy Taylor, a functional academic support class teacher at Oquirrh Hills, said there’s value for the athletes to be on a team and play.

“They get to hang out with these kids who they already look up to, and they get to play the game with them instead of just watching the other kids play. It’s nice to see the friendships forming through unified sports,” she said.

Oquirrh Hills’ 45 athletes and partners paraded through the halls of their school, armed with signs to support each other and other teams at the tournament.

“They’re not only learning the game, they’re learning to get along with others and socialize,” said Eileen Siavrakas, Oquirrh Hills academic communication support class teacher. “They work together on a team and they’re recognized the same way as their peers. This gives these kids a chance to not

Partner Max Smith, a ninth grader at Oquirrh Hills, praised his teammate.

“His shots have improved a bunch,” he said. “Kaleb’s all about them threes and I’d honestly say he’s better than me at basketball, too.”

Smith appreciates they’re doing something they both enjoy.

“I like the inclusion part of it. I like how I get to play with them and I get to be a part of something I enjoy personally. We play sports together, and although we may have different abilities, we still like all the same things. It’s not only about just me playing and just them on their own; it’s about giving them an opportunity to play up to their level and it’s something we like to do as well. It feels nice inside to know we’re breaking down barriers,” he said.

For Smith, it isn’t left on the court.

“We see each other at lunch. I help them with their schoolwork. I’ll see them in the halls. I’ll say ‘hi,’ and help them get through the halls too. it’s just nice to be out there for them and know they have somebody who is willing to help them with anything,” he said, adding that recently, the school held a unified dance.

In fact, Oquirrh Hills Middle recently became a nationally recognized Special Olympics’ Unified Champion School for promoting inclusion and acceptance for students with and without intellectual disabilities.

Bryan Veazie, Jordan School District director of athletics and activities, advocates for inclusivity.

“Our goal in Jordan School District, in partnership with the Special Olympics of Utah, is to introduce all of our schools to the Unified Champion School program and to support them in identifying ways they can meet that criteria,” he said. “It’s a great avenue to promote purpose, belonging and inclusion for all students. As our unified athletes team up with partners to participate in unified

sports, it better develops their relationships and strengthens their bond. They get to know one another better and feel more comfortable with one another. That undoubtedly transfers into the school’s halls, into the cafeteria, into the classrooms, and as the rest of the student population sees those friendships, it encourages them to be more accepting of all students. It helps all students be connected to the school, which strengthens the culture and climate of a school. We want everybody to treat one another with kindness, consideration and respect, and want everybody to feel welcome, safe and comfortable in their school; it not only improves their social, emotional and mental health well-being, but it also creates a better environment to maximize the learning experience that our students have in the classroom.”

Many other schools across Jordan School District have inclusive spirit weeks, dances, carnivals, theater performances and more.

“Unified sports is a launching point for schools to dive deeper into other components of being a unified champion school,” he said. “We’re finding ways for our special needs students to be leaders within the school, whether that’s clubs, making morning announcements or being part of student leadership programs where they are an active part of making important decisions and being a part of leading in the initiatives of the school.”

He emphasized through whole school engagement, all students are learning about connectivity and working to improve belonging and inclusion.

Elk Ridge ninth-grader Olivia Myers was learning valuable lessons on the court.

“I’ve learned different people have different accommodations and you can’t treat everyone the same, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t capable,” she said. “You got to figure out what works and how you can do it together.”

South Jordan Middle instructional assistant Easton Watts played unified sports at Copper Hills High before graduating.

“I love unified sports because it’s including them, and they feel like it’s fun at school,” he said. “It is an activity for them to get out and have fun, and it’s a good source of friendship and meeting other friends from other schools and seeing old friends from elementary schools. They love to wear the jerseys with the names of the schools. I think that’s honestly the most exciting part. And I think it’s funny to see how much they love the school by wearing a jersey or shirt with the name on it.” He said he’s seen a lot of student growth by playing on a team.

“We work on basketball skills, but it opens their social skills. Some of our kids don’t love talking. But when we get to doing basketball activities together, they’ll just come out of their shell and they’ll start chatting it up. It’s a different world, completely different from class,” he said.

Mountain Creek ninth-grader Puka Williams is known for his outgoing nature. He learned “Girl Like You” by Maroon 5 and practiced it daily to lip-sync with the dance company at a recent assembly.

“We all sang it with him every day to practice in our class,” his teacher, Karlee English said. “He made so many friends and is kind to everyone.”

That friendly spirit was evident on the court as Puka dribbled, shot three-pointers, and gave high-fives not only to his teammates, but also to his opponents when they scored.

“I’ve made friends with people throughout the district,” he said. “I’m excited to play with my friends for my school.” l

South Jordan and South Hills middle school players go for a loose ball in a unified basketball game which has students with and without intellectual disabilities playing together on the court.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

Bingham girls basketball: For a new head coach, a deep run at state was worth some heartache

The Miners fell 62-52 to Copper Hills in the 6A semifinals but had many successes, both individually and collectively, in both varsity and in JV under new head coach Hector Marquez.

By Brian Shaw b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

For Hector Marquez, new Bingham head girls’ basketball coach, he said he will always remember the times they had together.

“Even though it’s been a few weeks since our last game it is hard not to think about my seniors. I will miss them and the memories we made along the way,” Marquez said. “I think we surprised a few people with our level of play. Even when we matched up against Fremont at the University of Utah, we played amazing and shot the lights out which rarely happens at the Huntsman Center.”

In KSL Sports reporter Alex Napoles’ estimation, Bingham’s state tournament successes came unexpectedly but were pleasant surprises.

“Honestly, my initial impression was that they weren’t on my radar to make a deep run in the tourney,” Napoles said, who called several games at state. “With a first-year head coach, I wasn’t sure what we were going to get out of Bingham this season. But for them to make that deep a run in the tourney, it was awesome to see someone like Addy Horsley take this team over and be a driving force.”

Though Bingham’s run ended at the state semifinals 50-38

to Copper Hills, Napoles said he liked what he saw out of this gritty bunch.

“I think [Coach] Marquez and that team proved a lot of people wrong this season,” Napoles said. “It’s heartbreaking to come up short of the championship game, but I think the future is bright for Bingham under Marquez’s leadership.”

The Miners led Copper Hills after a 16-point explosion in the first quarter and 2-point lead that they extended to 4, at 24-20, by halftime.

But, the Grizzlies clawed back, retaking the lead at the conclusion of the third by the score of 33-32 and clamped down on Bingham the rest of the way, handing the Miners a 12-point loss. Horsley played her final game at BHS, scoring a team-high 17. Fellow senior Iman Finau added a season-best 10 points and had four rebounds.

In previous rounds at the state tournament, Bingham blasted Corner Canyon 60-40 in the second round and then thumped Fremont 72-48 in the quarterfinals.

For a team that hit a few bumps in the road, according to Bingham’s coach, it was a group that built to a crescendo by the time the state tournament rolled around.

“We started the season 1-2, then won 8 out of 9 games and we ended the season going 18-8 with a semi finals appearance,” Marquez said. “I am very pleased with the way we played and the outcome of the season. It is always bittersweet when you don’t win your last game of the season.”

That said, Marquez said he was so impressed by the way these Miners girls of 2024-25 implemented a new system and language on the basketball court.

“The way they responded and performed was beyond expectation,” Marquez said. “I couldn’t have asked for better captains

in Brie Blanchard and Addy Horsley. I am just grateful. Grateful for my team and grateful for the community and everyone that supported us.

“I am sad we lose eight seniors, but they help lay the foundation of our program moving forward. We have some talented players lying in wait as our JV team went 21-1. I am excited for the future. Players like freshman Lanie Smith, Avery Aiono and Campbell Bourne. We will expect a lot out of sophomores Brizzy Cottle, Quinn Porter, and juniors Lily Henderson and Hannah Harmon will also be among players we rely on.” l

The Bingham Miners varsity and JV basketball teams circle around head coach Hector Marquez to receive some instruction at the 6A state tournament at the Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah. (Photo courtesy Hector Marquez)

Buoyed by special support from the sideline, Bingham swimming’s state run in 2025 was timeless

At state, the girls finish fourth at the BYU Natatorium, senior Lincoln Hymas repeats his two state gold wins and the unified team captures gold in the mixed 100 free—inspired by a special young lady.

By Brian Shaw b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

ForBingham head swimming coach Clint Sorensen, the 6A state tournament capped off a dream season for his Miners, starting with the girls’ squad.

“The state team was amazing. The girls rocked it and got fourth. I was excited to see so many personal bests, including seniors Reagan Whipple and Elle Christopherson,” Sorensen said. “They were joined by amazing performances by freshmen Lily Allen, Millie Neidig and Molly Thatcher.”

Joining the girls on the podium were two Miner boys in seniors Lincoln Hymas and Caleb Sorensen that had the races of their lives along the glassy waters of the BYU Natatorium.

“The boys team had a strong showing as well,” Sorensen said. “Lincoln and Caleb provided a memorable evening to finish their swimming careers.”

Bingham’s head coach wasn’t kidding.

In the 200 free, Hymas and Sorensen finished first and fourth in the preliminaries, qualifying for the final where the Miner duo finished … Nos. 1 and No. 5. Hymas later stepped to the start of the 500 free—and took home his second gold medal, giving the senior four state titles in two years.

The Spirit of the Miners

Neither of these feats from the boys or the girls, however, could’ve been accomplished without help from a secret weapon in Eliza Millet. The freshman, who has Down syndrome, could not attend the state meet at BYU in person, according to Sorensen, but she was certainly there in spirit.

“Eliza, unfortunately, missed the meet due to illness but still managed to participate in the Unified relay by watching her proxy, Danika Johnson, swim alongside her brother Thayne and the Layton team,” Sorensen said.

According to Bingham assistant swim coach Shauntel Banasky, Eliza is the third member of the Millet family to swim on the Miners. In addition to Thayne, a junior at the school, her older sister Cambryn competed until her graduation in 2024, and that’s where the team first met Eliza.

“Eliza would come to meets and team parties and was always excited to be with our team. I sent her a team shirt home so she could match with us last season,” Banasky said. “At one of our meets I asked if she was going to join our team the following season as she would be in ninth grade. She very enthusiastically said ‘yes!’”

The rest is history, as Eliza trained once a week with Banasky this past summer to get her more accustomed to joining the 45 swimmers comprising the Miners, most of whom were being gradually introduced to her.

Her own swim lane

Once practices got underway, the Miners were also given a friendly assist from the Kearns Oquirrh Park Pool where they’d be training.

“At the Kearns Oquirrh Park Pool we are fortunate to have a sort of bumper lane,” Banasky said. “It’s not a full lane, we don’t race in it, and only one person can practice in it with ease. This is now designated as the ‘Eliza Lane.’”

That’s where Eliza built up her strength and endurance—with help from her new teammates. At every practice, the coaches would introduce Eliza to each swimmer in order to ensure that all were comfortable working together.

“As a coach, it made me extremely proud to watch my neurotypical swimmers work with Eliza. Some of them were out of their comfort zone, but Eliza has a way of making everyone feel loved almost immediately,” Banasky said. “She could calm their

nerves and bring a smile to their face while they swam back and forth together.”

Though Eliza can be sassy – a trait her own mother Jolene warned the team about – she’s learned from her Miners teammates how to work out, focus on her stroke and control her breathing in the water, according to Banasky. In turn, it’s prepared Eliza for her moment.

“I remember one of her first swim meets, she was finishing the second half of her 50 free, and I know she was taking her time so she could enjoy the cheers from the crowd,” Banasky said. “I was bent over yelling at her to swim! [To] get her big circle arms and put her face in the water.”

Thinking outside the box

While Eliza wasn’t quite ready to go off the starting block, the team devised a way to get this special girl into the water comfortably.

“Mid-season, we talked about diving in off the wall. We kept this a surprise for her parents at the next meet. I asked a mom to film her race for me and she sent her full dive,” Banasky said. “Eliza was so excited because her neighbors were there to watch this meet. After that, she always started her races with a dive from the wall … Maybe next season we will get her on the starting block.”

At the end of the season, it meant that it

was time for the 6A state tournament for Bingham’s unified team, who would’ve had Eliza swim the 50 unified free and a unified relay with her brother and a swimmer from Layton High along with his companion. Eliza, of course, was unable to make it due to illness but that didn’t dissuade her from supporting her team.

“During the relay, we had Eliza on a FaceTime call so she could watch and see the other unified swimmers from the other schools race. She recognized one of her friends and was excited to cheer for him. After the race, our team passed the phone and an AirPod around so they could say hello to her and wish her a speedy recovery,” Banasky said. “She was on the phone with the team for nearly a half hour and was excited every time a new swimmer took the phone. It was fun to watch them all pass the phone and AirPod and light up when they heard Eliza say their names. The vibe that she brings our team can’t be matched.”

For Sorensen, Eliza’s indomitable spirit has been positive not only for him but for the whole team.

“Eliza has been a source of immense joy and inspiration for the entire team,” Sorensen said of his freshman swimmer. “Her exuberant fist pumps at the end of her races and her unwavering determination to swim her own way have truly showcased the depth of her heart.” l

The 2024-25 Bingham High School swim team poses outside the BYU Natatorium during the 6A state tournament. (Photo courtesy Clint Sorensen)

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

Russia is our ally. Canadians are the enemy. Tariffs will make us richer but we’re cutting staff at national parks. Measles is back. Gaza is the new Riviera. The economy is crashing and it’s tax season when I pay thousands of dollars to the government so it can purchase Tesla Cybertrucks to send to Jupiter.

The newspeak and doublethink we endure each day can be a bit overwhelming, but I’ve found a way to get through the endless cycle of breaking news: denial.

Denial is a beautiful, hazy way to spend your day. Instead of crying through a CNBC report, denial allows you to drift on a cloud of puff pastry surrounded by cherry trifle and savory scones.

This specific form of denial is “The Great British Bake Off” and it saved me during March when I was knee-deep in tissues, cough syrup and tariff wars. There’s only so much idiocy one can endure while healing from pneumonia.

Let them eat cake

the best Victoria sponge cake or sticky toffee pudding. The contestants are kind, positive and willing to offer a helping hand.

I love British television because everyone looks real. There are no plastic surgery junkies or steroid-addicted chefs, just regular people doing something they love. When the judges, Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith, make a criticism, it’s done with a British accent so it doesn’t sound so awful.

When Prue tuts and says, “This bake is a disaster,” she could easily be tucking a blanket around your shoulders and handing you a steaming cup of Earl Grey.

Instead of watching Elon Musk wield a chainsaw, I tune into GBBO which is filmed on the grounds of an English manor. Bunnies and squirrels scamper through grassy meadows like a Disney movie. There’s even a fanbase dedicated to identifying the different bird songs heard during the show.

the CDC and FAA. GBBO hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding wander through the competition, amusing bakers with their British humor and offering pep talks to stressed cooks.

Each episode has a specific theme. There’s bread week or pastry week or biscuit week, and each chef creates a signature bake, completes a technical challenge and makes a jaw-dropping showstopper. It’s a heartwarming alternative to the 24/7 chaos of the Trump administration.

Who knew there were so many British bakery items? But I have to admit, there are things they make I would never eat, including black pudding and chorizo buns topped with mustard custard. Nope.

baker can create a pie crust that doesn’t have a soggy bottom. The judges hate soggy bottoms. I’ve also learned to worry about fallen focaccia, overcooked tarts and croissant dough that’s not properly laminated. Even the mistakes feel cozy.

I’m impressed at how quickly chefs can whip up a batch of pistachio macarons, ginger tarts or spanakopita (a spinach and feta pie my husband would NEVER eat) with minimal tears or tantrums. It’s a reminder things can get done without fits of temper, vengeance or manipulation.

SOUTH JORDAN

Unlike American reality shows that foster cruelty and conflict, GBBO features a dozen creative bakers who just want to make

The pastel-colored set, with its matching counters, ovens and fridges, distracts me from personnel cuts at federal agencies including

Instead of worrying about the breakdown of our country’s system of checks and balances, I worry about whether my favorite

Denial is not a permanent solution but it’s a tool when messages from Big Brother and the Ministry of Truth get to be a bit much. Just turn on the TV and float away in a delicate orange buttercream or raspberry whipped cream. It’s some sweet positivity in a decidedly bitter time.

BACK PAIN STOPS HERE

“I would recommend the LaZR-DCoM program to anyone who has back and leg pain like I had.”

“I spent last year in so many doctor offices for severe back and leg pain. I was on all kinds of meds, but nothing “fixed” the problem... I drove 3 hours to do my LaZR-DCoM treatment and it was worth every minute… I finally feel so much better.”