South Jordan Journal | March 2023

BINGHAM DRILL SPINS ITS WAY TO FOUR-PEAT

The lead at the point of the show routine literally spun like a top on the tips of her toes along the wooden surface at the UCCU Center in Orem. All the Bingham Minerettes had left to do at the 6A Finals Saturday Feb. 4 was get enough judges to believe in their final routine like the song asked.

Bingham was able to accomplish that when all 20 Minerettes then spun together in unison to capture a fourth straight state championship.

“This team had every quality a coach could hope for,” head coach Erika Cox said. “They are talented, dedicated, disciplined, hardworking, passionate, fierce and classy. They earned every bit of their fourth consecutive state title and even more than that, they have a journey they can look back on and be so proud of.”

After having taken first place overall at every competition, and then having a clean sweep at region and becoming Region 3 champions while attaining the No. 1 ranking all season, to finish with another state cham-

Continued page 4

Bingham’s drill team won its fourth straight state title in February. (Photos courtesy Erin Gadd)

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

pionship is truly something the kids can be proud of based on what they had to go through to get that fourth straight state title, Cox said.

“Since we started off so strong at the beginning of the season this year, we had to push extra hard,” added Cox. “The girls knew they couldn’t settle and that made for some really tough days and practices. They had to be mentally tough and never stop fighting for more. No matter the limits they reached [inside] they kept pushing them. It was an inspiring process to watch.”

It is honestly hard to know as an outsider whether or not this state title came easier than did the previous three for Bingham, who when it was announced at the end of the competition finished second in the military portion of these 6A Finals to Farmington.

That said, Cox said she believed that the Minerettes difficulty in their routines also set a very high standard and her team executed those difficult skills flawlessly. The military routine would be the last time on Saturday that the Minerettes weren’t given a first-place trophy, even on a night when other competitors like Cyprus were poised to steal the show dressed up like Wayne and Garth of the hit comedy “Wayne’s World” during the dance portion of the competition.

Bingham ended up taking home both the first-place awards in the dance and show portions of the competition in order to win the overall trophy.

“When they hit all three of our routines so phenomenally at state, to say we were proud is an understatement. Before awards I circled my girls up and told them they had done every last thing they could have possibly done and regardless of the results, there was not one thing to regret. You never know how the results will go,

but I can say that I knew they had done everything they needed to do in order to win a state championship and that feeling going into awards brought a lot of peace.”

During show phase, Bingham came out with a vengeance. Having changed outfits between the dance and show phases, the Minerettes were now donning golden crowns. They took that dance routine to another level and impressed the judges as the entire 20-person squad pirouetted in unison.

In anticipation of the announcement immediately following the drill portion, the Minerettes huddled in one of the corners of the floor. They hugged each other tightly in their black hoodies emblazoned with a giant white B on each of their backs.

As soon as Bingham was announced as 6A state champions, all of the other drill teams surged toward those 20 Bs in a show of sportsmanship.

Bingham now joins the 2004-07 Minerettes as the only teams in school history to four-peat, and if they win next year would become the school’s only five-peat drill team.

With this victory, Cox is now Bingham’s winningest drill team coach ever with four straight state titles [Bingham was co-coached by Cicely Gibbs and Morgan Smith who won three consecutive state championships, from 2005 to 2007.]

The Minerettes also had three of their members named to the 6A All-State team Saturday night, the most of any school. They then received a police escort once they were inside South Jordan City limits back to Bingham High, where hundreds anxiously awaited their arrival. l

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The Minerettes were treated to a police escort when they got back to South Jordan. (Photos courtesy Erin Gadd)

The Minerettes swept region on its way to a state championship. (Photos courtesy Erin Gadd)

Breaking the ice at Daybreak’s Winter Freeze Festival

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Daybreak’s

Winter Freeze Festival continues to grow, even as the temperatures on the event day, Jan. 21, hovered in the low 30s. Organizers said the number of attendees doubled from the previous year’s event.

Austin Perez, LiveDAYBREAK Recreation Manager, said the winter festival is gaining momentum and new attractions were added to this year’s festival, including a cardboard sled contest.

“The public loved it. People had opportunities to learn and see art and get to know winter athletes and winter sports,” he said. “We had two ice sculptors from the area carving ice sculptures. They also brought four pre-made sculptures where people could go and look at the finished product and take pictures with it.”

Held at SoDa Row (11274 Kestrel Rise Road), the Winter Freeze Festival featured bobsledder Jeremy Holm, Olympic speedskater Aaron Tran, Grizzbee from the Utah Grizzlies and Arctic Rescue, a nonprofit that fosters and adopts Huskies and Malamutes.

“Kids were able to learn about the dogs and how the dog sleds work,” Perez said. “At the same time, Arctic Rescue was able to talk about its organization, talk about adoption and hopefully get some business.”

A local Special Olympics snowshoe team brought snowshoes so the public could try out the sport. There was also a DJ on-site, a train going down Soda Row and campfires where families could enjoy s’mores.

Perez wanted to incorporate an activity in this year’s event to help kids learn about design and engineering. The cardboard sled contest encouraged families to create a ride-

able sled that was creative and functional. Kids could enter in one of two categories (12 and under or 13 and over) and the contest was such a success, Perez hopes to bring it back next year.

“One of our things in Daybreak is about lifelong learning. We have something called Explorer’s Club where kids learn STEAM-related skills,” Perez said. “Kids built cardboard sleds and some of them were phenomenal. There was an airplane made into a cardboard sled, someone made a fighter jet, a UFO, and the Mystery Machine. They were spectacular. I was impressed. They were so creative.”

Seven-year-old Rory Hundertmark took top prize for his model bi-plane sled, with help from his parents, Jason and Andrea, and his 4-year-old brother Aiden. His grandfather owns a radiator shop and donated big cardboard boxes for the project.

“I think the highlight for the kids was playing in the boxes before they even made the plane,” Andrea said. “It took 10 days to construct. He was so excited by the fact he actually won. It was a cute family activity.”

To warm up the event, fire dancers performed while attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, took photos with the ice sculptures and spent time with friends and neighbors.

“We’re really happy with how it turned out. From residents, we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, so overall, it was a great time,” Perez said. “I think in Utah we often think the only thing to do in the winter is ski or snowboard. To be able to talk about more winter sports and educate them was nice. We saw an opportunity to have something in January and build upon it.” l

the

Seven-year-old Rory Hundertmark (in front) took top prize in the cardboard sled contest for his model bi-plane sled, with help from his father Jason and his 4-year-old brother Aiden. (Photo courtesy of the Hundertmark family)

Bingham High student-athletes receive offers, scholarships to colleges

For head football coach Eric Jones, he was pleased to see that seniors Ben Latai and Sonasi Po’uha, two of the kids he coached on the gridiron at Bingham High, would be able to continue to “Dig In” for more opportunities to play the game they enjoyed.

“Ben received a scholarship from Snow,” Jones said of his defensive end Latai who had 41 tackles and eight sacks—in just 11 games this past fall. The 6 foot 2 inch senior will now take his talents to Snow College in Ephraim.

For Po’uha, the route the 6 foot 2 inch senior offensive tackle will take is slightly different from Latai in that “Sonasi received a ‘preferred walk-on’ which isn't a scholarship,” according to Jones. [The Bingham head coach added that it was his understanding “that all PWOs at BYU get a scholarship of sorts paid for by their deal with BUILT Bar.”]

Jones also had another senior who played football for him receive a scholarship in a different sport: baseball.

For Maddax Peck, the 6 foot 2 inch senior had a nice season for the 10-3 Miners on the football field. His 800 total yards and five touchdowns showed just how versatile he is.

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

But what Peck brought to the gridiron can easily be multiplied on the baseball diamond. In his junior year last year, Peck hit three homers, had 18 RBI and had a 3-0 record as a pitcher for the Miners. It’s that athleticism, as well as impressive academic prowess, that earned Peck a scholarship to play baseball at BYU.

“They're extremely talented football players who are good enough to play at the next level,” Jones said. “I’m really happy for them and their families that they've been given that opportunity.”

Other Bingham student-athletes who were offered scholarships included seniors Boston Jacobs and Bridger Slade [SLCC, baseball], senior Natalie Swain [Utah State University, XC/track], seniors Ensley Anderson [Southern Virginia University, soccer], Greta Davis [Utah Valley University, soccer], Meg Haycock [North Idaho College, soccer], Marleigh Leister [Utah State Eastern, soccer], Mia Roberts [Western Kentucky University, soccer] and Berkley Payne [Nicholls State University, soccer]. Also receiving scholarships were seniors Braxtyn Hunter and Shelbee Jones to Salt Lake Community College, in softball. l

Runner Natalie Swain will head north to Logan for her college career. (Photo by Roger V. Tuttle)

Pitcher Shelbee Jones (right) and second baseman Braxtyn Hunter will continue playing softball at SLCC next year. (City Journals)

JDCHS hockey player shares joy of MVP award with team

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

TheJuan Diego Catholic High School hockey team now lays claim to its first ever award for the Utah High School Hockey League Most Valuable Player. And, in even better news for the program, South Jordan’s Wyatt Hanna is just a sophomore.

“This is a great honor for Wyatt, but also for our team. It’s a simply amazing accomplishment,” said JDCHS head coach Moe van der Sluys. “He has risen in the ranks of scoring in the entire state of Utah and has 10 more goals than the second-place player. He’s an exceptional talent and not only plays forward, but defense when called upon.”

His mom, Destony Hanna, said she is extremely proud of her 16-year-old son who leads the league in goals scored and game-winning goals and is second in total points. “He deserved it and had a lot of fun out there, but I’m almost more excited for the school to be honored,” she said.

Wyatt was informed of the honor by his teammates as he came out of a January practice. “I wasn’t expecting to be named MVP, but I was super happy and I was really glad to share that news and excitement with my teammates because I wouldn’t be here without them,” he said.

Wyatt started playing hockey when he was just 3 years old, following in his father

Brian’s footsteps. “We put skates on him and sent him on his way,” Destony Hanna said. “It came pretty naturally for him with it in his genes and he loved being on the ice.”

The sophomore is also athletically gifted in other sports and played football and baseball for several years—he still plays on the diamond for the Soaring Eagle team—but he is “all in” when it comes to hockey.

“I do like to play a lot of different sports, but it was fun to see how much my dad loved to watch me play hockey out of all the other sports I was playing. That’s a fun connection we have always had,” Wyatt said.

He has been playing on the Wasatch Renegades, a Tier 1 AAA team, the past four years which keeps him extremely active nearly every day of the week whether it’s with practices, working out or playing in games.

“Hockey is literally a whole week event for Wyatt, but it’s his favorite sport in the whole world,” Destony Hanna said. “He would never quit. In fact, if you ask what he wants to do, it’s either play hockey or work for ESPN.”

On the Juan Diego team this season, he has led the Soaring Eagle squad to a 14-3 record during the regular season among the nearly 30 teams statewide.

“We have one of the smallest numbers with just 14 players but we have a lot of very

talented players,” said van der Sluys.

“We’ve been doing really good and we’re winning a ton of games,” Wyatt said.

After a first-round bye in the state playoffs, Juan Diego defeated Herriman 4-2 Feb. 6—with Wyatt scoring two goals—to reach a quarterfinal matchup with Park City Feb. 10 that they also won 2-1 in an overtime shootout that went to the 10th round.

They lost to Brighton 10-1 Feb. 13 in the semifinals and was scheduled to play Feb. 21 in the double-elimination playoffs.

Wyatt said he’s grateful for what hockey has meant to him and what he’s been learning along the way. “It’s taught me to be kind and respect those older than you,” he said. “But, it’s also helped me be fun and have fun while continuing to grow.”

Destony Hanna said that hockey has instilled confidence in her son along with other life lessons.

“He knows how to take wins and losses,” she said. “And, he’s also learned how to be a team player.”

Wyatt said his dad has been a huge mentor for him as well as his coaches who have been “so good and supportive.”

Wyatt will be recognized with a plaque and a gift card for his MVP award during intermission of the UHSHL All-Star Game on

March 8 at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex. His name will also be engraved on the perpetual trophy that is permanently housed at the South Davis Recreation Center.

The sophomore, who has his sights set on playing in college, will be taking further steps that way at an “invite only” juniors camp this summer in Chicago. l

Juan Diego Catholic High School sophomore Wyatt Hanna was named Most Valuable Player in the Utah High School Hockey League this season. (Photos courtesy Destony Hanna)

South Jordan family ‘survives’ TV show competition

TheNewbold family is not unlike your average family. There is mom Heather, a registered nurse, dad Kiley, owner of a marketing agency, and teenagers, Sydney (Jones), 18, Parker, 14, and a daughter away at college. Despite being a blended family, the Newbolds have found success in their everyday endeavors. Both parents enjoy the outdoors and being active outside, while the kids enjoy being outdoors less than their parents. Unlike most families, blended or otherwise, the Newbolds were given the opportunity to bond, unify and collaborate in a very unique way.

The show is called “Survivalists.” It’s a competition reality show in which two families compete against each other. Think “Amazing Race” meets “Suvivorman” meets “Crikey! It’s the Irwins.” Each family races the other across rugged terrain relying on “teamwork, communications and survivor skills.” Previous seasons took place in the U.S. while the current season was filmed on location in Baja, Mexico.

The beginning of this once in a lifetime journey for the Newbold’s began in September 2021 when they were initially approached to interview for the show. Parents Heather and Kiley discussed the idea with their children, and after a little persuading, and mention of a cash prize, they began a lengthy interviewing process.

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjourals.com

The family admitted that the questions asked in the interviews focused less on survivor skills and more on the dynamics of the family. A dominant theme throughout previous episodes of the show was that of helping families who may be struggling interpersonally.

Not having the intense rifts as seen in some episodes by former participants, the Newbolds approached the opportunity as a chance to unplug from technology, to rely on each other and make memories.

“Being a blended family, we felt like this could be something that could really bring us together,” Heather said.

In January of 2022, Heather got the email disclosing that they had been selected. The Newbolds then had approximately three months to plan and prepare.

Part of the preparation included logistics: securing passports for the kids and taking time off work. Then there was the physical preparation: hiking to build endurance, learning to orienteer with a compass, and learning how to build a fire. (The latter two skills coming under the advisement of the production team.) Unique to the current season was the omission of the GPS unit. In the previous two seasons, participants were allowed to use a GPS. The Newbolds met the task of learning to use a compass head on, taking a class with a guide

and practicing around the Salt Lake Valley prior to boarding their flight.

“I was digging deep into the Boy Scout knowledge,” Kiley said.

The family touched down in the southern tip of Baja, Mexico, in the town of La Paz in April of 2022. There were nerves and excitement upon landing, there was also apprehension, as most of what was going on in terms of show production was kept secret.

Less than 24 hours after arrival, the family was briefed, given their gear and taken to the location. There were four days of filming total, and the Newbolds had microphones on their person most of that time, except for when they got to sleep. All the behind-the-scenes work, coupled with hiking through the hot desert of Mexico, made for a long four days. Although some reality competition shows portray a lot of dramatic moments for entertainment value, “Survivalists” approached scripted and unscripted dialogue in a different

way.

“They weren’t trying to manufacture drama,” Kiley said. “They just [wanted] real family experiences.”

Looking back on the four days, a week total of being in Mexico, both Heather and Kiley said that their expectations going into the show were achieved. For Heather it was creating a stronger bond with her stepson Parker, and for Kiley it was that their kids came to realize how capable they are even without technology.

“I had an expectation or hope of the kids recognizing the restorative power of being outside,” Kiley said. “Both of our kids learned, ‘I’m stronger than I think I am.’”

“Survivalists” is in its third season and is hosted by Colin O’Brady, a 10-time world record-breaking explorer and one of the world’s best endurance athletes. The episode featuring the Newbolds aired on Sunday, Feb. 19 on BYUtv. You can view all previous episodes at www.byutv.org/survivalists. l

(From left to right) Kiley, Sydney, Parker and Heather took part in a unique bonding experience in the desert of Baja, Mexico. (Photo courtesy of Abbey Kovacevich)

Two families competed on the show “Survivalists” where they were given only a single outfit to wear for four days of filming, relying only on each other to complete tasks. (Photo courtesy of Abbey Kovacevich)

Q & A Business Spotlight

Tell us about Zulu Grille.

In 2010, Jared Turner traveled to South Africa for the FIFA World Cup. He was blown away by the big African sky, animal life, the people of this land and the mouth-watering food.

Returning home, he was obsessed with this experience and inspired to bring the savory Piri Piri flavors and spirit of Ubuntu to the United States. He shared his idea with his good friend, Nikki Davis, and together they opened the first Zulu Grille in 2018 in Thanksgiving Point and a second location in South Jordan in 2022.

Zulu Grille is a unique African-fusion fast casual restaurant dedicated to improving the world one meal at a time. We call ourselves a social impact restaurant because we created Zulu to be a business designed to do good in the world. It is our philosophy that businesses have the responsibility and opportunity to have a positive impact on the world; that businesses can and should do good and still be successful. We wanted to create a business where people could do good by doing something they do every single day—eating a meal. For every meal purchased at Zulu, we give a meal to a young woman at our partner organization in South Africa, Home of Hope for Girls, that rescues young girls from human trafficking. Since we began in 2018, we have donated over 200,000 meals!

After interviewing dozens of organizations, we selected Home of Hope for Girls as the beneficiary of our Meal for a Meal program because of their outstanding leadership and focus on building confidence, hope, self-reliance, and a bright future. In the 20 years since Mam Khanyi started Home of Hope, she has rescued more than 11,000 young girls! She mothers each one of these girls and lives in the home with them. Each girl attends school; participates in extracurricular activities; learns business skills by helping with the small businesses Home of Hope has started as part of its emphasis on self-reliance; and helps the younger girls with homework, chores, and daily activities. The home truly operates as a HOME, filled with love, support, encouragement, and

Zulu Grille

10709 Redwood Road, South Jordan

Tue-Sat: 11am - 8pm

Sun-Mon: Closed ZuluGrille.com

social impact and provide a simple way for customers to change the world. Through our Meal for a Meal program we provide a meal to a vulnerable child in Africa for every meal served at Zulu. It helps us make the world a little more connected.

Q: Who is your ideal client?

the teaching of sound principles.

Zulu Grille aims to spread the Ubuntu spirit. Loosely translated, “Ubuntu” means “I am because of you. You are because of me.” It encapsulates the idea that we all need each other, that we as communities are interconnected and function best and are most fulfilled when we’re united and coming together for a common good. We want all to feel welcome, necessary and part of something great when they step foot inside a Zulu Grille.

Q: What’s on the menu?

A: Zulu Grille serves African-fusion cuisine with African flavors and spices featuring the native African Bird’s Eye Chili Pepper, or the “Piri Piri” pepper in our signature dishes. Zulu’s flavor master Chef Rob Howell tried over 100 different variations of recipes before coming up with Zulu’s proprietary Piri Piri sauce. Chicken entrees are prepared according to personal taste with the restaurant’s own spice index – ranging from savory lemon-garlic to Africa-Hot – and include our famous Piri Piri flamegrilled chicken (with African yellow rice and Piri Piri sauce). Zulu Originals include flavorful chicken sandwiches, both sweet and spicy chicken salads, Piri Piri Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo and our fresh, best-sell -

ing Chicken Bowl with grilled Piri Piri chicken, grilled corn, arugula, avocado, cucumber and Piri Piri aioli – all served over African yellow rice.

These masterful dishes are complemented by a number of sides such as tri-colored potatoes (fries), Piri Piri sweet potato wedges, African street corn, and side salads like the East African Cucumber Mango salad. Zulu Piri Piri Chicken Grille has even prepared several family packs for large parties, and offers a special kids’ menu and a variety of sweets and beverages to satisfy the appetites of every guest.

Q: What sets your company apart from your competitors?

A: We wanted this restaurant to have

A: Our ideal client is someone who appreciates craveable flavors and fresh ingredients. We also cater to health-conscious individuals and only use fresh and natural ingredients, non-GMO, range-free chicken, no refined sugars and no additives or preservatives.

Q: Why is giving back important to your business?

A: Half of the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 per day. Malnutrition claims the lives of far too many children and opportunities like education and job training, that we take for granted in Western society, are luxuries to most children in the world.

We believe consumers care about doing good and that businesses have a social obligation to use their influence and profits to make the world a better place. Our Meal for a Meal program contributes to a nutritious meal for a vulnerable child in Africa for every meal purchased at our restaurant.

Q: What is your best advice for a potential client?

A: Come in with an open mind and a big appetite. You’ll want to try everything on the menu. The flavors are exquisite and should be savored. So maybe turn off your phone, enjoy your meal and connect with the diners around you.

Q: Are you running any specials?

A: Using the coupon in the City Journals, customers can receive 20% off their choice of any entree.

South Jordan’s Skyley Hanna takes third at girls state

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

South Jordan’s Skyley Hanna, of Juan Diego Catholic High School, placed third in the 115-lb. division at the 1A/2A/3A girls state wrestling championships Feb. 15-16 at the Sevier Valley Center. The junior defeated Duchesne’s Daniella Spencer and Juab’s Andelynn Stephensen before losing to Providence Hall’s Alyssa Lujan. In the third/fourth place match, Hanna pinned Grantsville’s Bailey Rainer to finish third. At the divisionals Feb. 4 at Morgan High School, Hanna won her weight class to help the Soaring Eagle squad take sixth as a team. (Photos courtesy Destony Hanna)

Funeral arrangements are a deeply personal choice. Preplanning provides you with the time needed to make practical, detailed decisions that reflect your standards, lifestyle, taste and budget. And we assure you and your family that the choices you make will be carried out as planned.

Plan Ahead

Skyley Hanna and Coach Zac Petereit at divisionals at Morgan High School Feb. 4 (JDCHS wrestling coach Zac Petereit

Skyley Hanna after winning divisionals at Morgan High School Feb. 4 (115-lb. weight class)

Skyley Hanna at state winning a match.

Parent Playbook app offers a virtual community to parents

They say it takes a village to raise a child. The team at Parent Playbook say, take the village with you in your pocket. Parent Playbook is an app that allows parents and caregivers a chance to extend their villages. Users ask questions and obtain knowledge from other parents, caregivers and even professionals, about a variety of topics from bed wetting, to nutrition, to emotional health and more, all without intrusion to privacy or fear of judgement.

Not just another social media platform where opinions and advertisements run rampant, the “newsfeed” on Parent Playbook allows users to scroll through to find information put forth by counselors, therapists, psychologists, doctors, and of course, other parents, thus building a virtual community. Anyone can use Parent Playbook.

Launched in January by Daybreak resident and CEO Phil Anderson, co-founder Bruce Hymas and a team of very dedicated developers, the app is considered a smart Q&A platform that utilizes the newest advancement of artificial intelligence technology through Chat GPT. The app is free to use and free to download, with no fees.

“We want to make the journey for parents more enjoyable,” Anderson said.

The team at Parent Playbook launched Sophie in early February, the digital parenting assistant that will connect parents and caregivers

By Rachel Aubrey| r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

to the most relevant and tailored information. Users of the app can type a question and Sophie will send back information that is most appropriate. The name Sophie means “wisdom.”

“We are a… platform that connects parents to artificial intelligence, in a digital assistant capacity, as well as with other parents in a community of parents and professionals to solve just about any parenting challenge you may encounter,” Anderson said Anderson asserts that unlike a search engine that will grab information from all over the world wide web and display the top results based on an algorithmic formula, Sophie has been trained to be empathetic, non-judgmental, kind and inquisitive. In essence, Sophie is a mom.

“This is not Google,” Anderson said. “It’s themed for your child, there are playbooks inside the technology [for each child].”

No private information is needed to be able to use the app, allowing users to generate profiles for each child and customize the content based on relevant tags.

A founding team member, Sumita Sharma is a full-stack developer for Parent Playbook. Not only an integral part of the team, she is also a mom. Sharma admitted that sometimes it can be hard to open up to other parents in-person about topics that may be sensitive.

“Sophie is just another friend to talk

with about parenting,” Sharma said.

Originally from Northern India, Sharma resides in the bay area of California. The app has been a way for her and her husband to share ideas and advice from professionals about how they collectively want to approach parenting their teenage son.

“This app is bringing everyone together,” Sharma said. “You can collaborate with others in your circle of trust.”

Mother of five, Stephanie Edwards has been impressed with the app, its functionality and its knowledge base. Edwards said that she doesn’t have a child psychologist within her “village” but with Parent Playbook, she can seek professional advice to help her positively parent each of her five children.

“I don’t need another Instagram,” Edwards said. “I want legit advice.”

Edwards said that the curated knowledge that Parent Playbook has brought has empowered her and given her specific tools to become a better parent.

Anderson, a native of New Zealand,

came to the United States more than 30 years ago. He has been an entrepreneur most of his adult life. He is also a parent and said that he would have used Sophie to help him look beyond when his children were small to realize their future potential and not get caught up in the setbacks of those early moments.

He believes that Parent Playbook can impact not only parents of today, but parents of tomorrow and beyond.

“This is my crowning achievement as an entrepreneur,” Anderson said. “This is bigger than anything I’ve ever done before.”

Parent Playbook is currently only available to U.S. residents. For more information, visit their website www.parentplaybook.com.l

Phil Anderson of Daybreak is the co-founder and CEO of Parent Playbook, an app that curates information and solutions for parents. (Photo courtesy of Phil Anderson)

The Parent Playbook app uses the latest in artificial intelligence and is considered a smart Q&A platform. (Image courtesy of Phil Anderson)

South Jordan Arts Show supports local artists

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Local artists from across the Salt Lake Valley will have their art displayed during the 2023 South Jordan Arts Show. The show opens on March 21 and runs through April 27 at The Gale Center (10300 S. Beckstead Lane).

This will be the 15th year for the arts show that has categories for youth, adult, professional, photography, 2D and 3D entries. Prizes will be awarded for each age group and category.

The show, which is partially funded by the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks program, is free to the public. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some art will be available for purchase. For more information, visit SJC.Utah.gov/403/arts.

“I think it’s engaging for the community to come do something like this. It helps people focus on other things that are good and stress-free,” Tiffany Parker said, arts program coordinator for South Jordan City. “It can be inspiring to go look at art.” l

Akshara Sudhakar’s quilling art piece took second place in last year’s South Jordan Arts show in the Youth 3D category.

Photographer Heather Van Leeuwen earned a first place award at the South Jordan Arts show in 2022 for her landscape photo.

Tom McMahon used 1,101 pieces of maple, wenge, padauk and yellow heart wood to create the sculpture that won Best of Show in last year’s South Jordan Arts show.

In the 2022 South Jordan Arts show, Renee Foutz won first place for Professional 2D art for her oil painting portrait.

Elizabeth Foutz’s needlepoint earned her a first place finish for Youth 3D at last year’s South Jordan Arts show.

This drawing of a tiger earned Audrey Latham a first place award in the Youth 2D category at the 2022 South Jordan Arts show.

Former Bingham coach named high school referee of the year

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

In one swift move, Utah High School Activities Association official Scott Maxfield moved his hands to make a T.

It wasn’t a shove or a swat on the arm that warranted the technical. It wasn’t even at a game, but rather it was in jest at the UHSAA’s distinguished service awards where Maxfield was being honored with a wooden plaque as the male official of the year.

“I’ve had 44 years of officiating; I have it down,” said the girls’ and boys’ basketball and football referee.

There are 2,500 referees who officiate UHSAA sports.

“Scott is a perfect example of an official,” UHSAA Assistant Director Jeff Cluff said. “He was a high school coach and has a great background of the game. He also officiated some college and junior college football. He is really proficient and excels; his ability to communicate with coaches is a strength. Scott understands how coaches think and he also understands the value of that communication between an official and a coach—and that’s what makes him so good. He has a great temperament and is somebody that coaches really enjoy having on the floor or on the field because of his ability to manage the game and do what’s best

for the game.”

Maxfield played football and hurdled in track and field at Hillcrest High in Midvale before graduating in 1974 and then, continued as a student-athlete at Snow College in Ephraim. He was an assistant girls’ soccer coach at Bingham High in South Jordan between 1995 and 2005, including in 2003 when the Miners won the state title, before coaching the boys’ team for five years.

“Scott referees all over the place. He just finished the 5A state championship game in football and has worked at least 10 championships; he’s one of our top-rated high school basketball officials,” said Cluff, who said that the sports’ associations evaluate referees and recommend them for post-season play.

Maxfield began refereeing when he heard about it from a family member. He started with football and added basketball the following season.

“It started off as a way to get a little bit of extra money for Christmastime and what brought me back year after year was the camaraderie of my officiating brothers and sisters,” he said. “We take our craft seriously and are working to improve it all the time. We want to understand rule knowledge and apply those rules during the game.”

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While Maxfield will say the games are exciting and “a rush, mentally, emotionally and physically” and they work hard to get the calls right, “at the end of the day, you just want to feel you’ve just given up your very best.”

That is something Cluff knows as well.

“Regardless of how good you are, you’re going to miss a call,” he said, adding that even professional officials miss calls. “The call you miss is the one everybody remembers. It’s a tough gig. It can take three, five, seven years or longer to become a quality high school official and there is continuous training.”

With all the calls students, coaches and fans make at referees, Maxfield is patient—to a point.

“I don’t tolerate people who make it personal. Don’t try to embarrass me or my crew. It’s not going to go well for you. I don’t give a T very often because I feel like I’m a good communicator. But there’s times when they’ve crossed the line and then, that’s grounds for me to give a technical foul or to throw a flag. The bottom line is that games are won on the floor, on the court, on the field, on the track, whatever it is, the games are won there. It’s unfair to hang that responsibility on what’s perceived as a missed call,” he said.

Maxfield tries to defuse any situation before it could even arise.

“One of the things I really liked to do in basketball is go to the students and I try to say hi, get to know them a little bit, tell them who I am and hope that they will cheer for

us. We need to feel some love once in a while and I see how that disarms people, and they feel like we’re approachable. Sometimes, I’ll ask if the students if they’ve brought a Sharpie for autographs, just to have fun and showing the humanistic side of the things,” he said.

It also helps to create a positive environment and foster good sportsmanship.

“I think in sports, you learn life lessons. Sometimes you win, other times you learn how to lose. Sometimes calls go your way, sometimes they don’t. You may not be picked first; it’s those life’s lessons in interscholastic sports some people make it, and some don’t. It teaches you life’s not fair and sometimes life’s hard, but it helps you understand the ups and the downs, the joys of winning and the sorrow of defeat— and the willingness to bounce back and do better than next time,” Maxfield said.

There’s also been a bit of fun as he’s officiated at schools, seeing traditions from taco shells on the basketball floor to releasing a pheasant on a football field.

“My favorite are the unifying ones, where fans may show up in old basketball gear that doesn’t fit or when they announce the visiting team and they turn their back and pull up newspapers to read,” he said.

Through the years, Maxfield has gotten to know numerous officials as well as high school administrators and coaches.

“Most of the coaches I know very well and call my friends,” he said. “When I go into one of those environments, whether it’s a football or a basketball game, I never want to disappoint; I think an important aspect that people don’t know and understand is that the official-coach

UHSAA Assistant Director Jeff Cluff honors referee Scott Maxfield with the male official of the year award. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

relationship is not adversarial. It’s more that we want to try and take our skills and bring them together where, regardless of the officiating contest, whatever the sport is, it’s done according to rules and the players are kept safe. It’s the kids who determine the outcome.”

Through his years officiating, the game day experience for referees has changed.

“When I first started refereeing football and basketball for that matter, it usually constituted climbing into a car and going with your crew to drive together to a game. Most of the games were at 3:30 in the afternoon as a lot of schools didn’t have lights. We’d spend four or five hours together, talking about football or basketball, our family, our kids,” Maxfield said.

At some schools, they provided sandwiches and even white socks. Another had a complete meal for officials. The referees were expected to change into their uniforms in classrooms and even in a custodial closet. Now, they may be handed a bottle of water or Gatorade and some of the newer schools have officials’ dressing rooms, he said.

“After officiating, we’d see each other at all the meetings, camps and clinics and it solidified our friendship. We’d go over rules and talk about game situations and go back and review a call, maybe see it from a couple different angles, slowing it down,” Maxfield said. “A lot, because of COVID, has changed and we do some stuff online.”

When he began, Title IX allowing female sports was developing as was female officiating.

“It used to be that there were officials who didn’t want to do women’s sports because the style of play is different, but now many, like me, do both. There are women officials who referee both; it’s personal preference. Both males and females are working officiating at the highest levels and that speaks well for our officiating

community,” Maxfield said. “One of the most challenging parts is our numbers don’t necessarily grow as quickly as the number of schools that crop up so it’s a huge challenge. A lot of people work extra games during the week, to make sure that we can get every game covered.”

Even so, he spends time with newer referees to teach them.

“I’m a product of a lot of good officials who took the time to put their arm around me and said, ‘Hey, why don’t you try this way? Why don’t you do this?’ I was flattered and humbled when I received this award. I am the official I am because of the guys who were before me who gave me their time and knowledge, so I try and pay that forward,” Maxfield said. “There’s a lot of things that take place on the officiating field that you’re not going to find in a rule book—how to deal with different types of situations, how to recognize when momentums have changed, and emotions have changed and being able to deal with it in the right way. This past month, I’ve spent some Saturdays at Junior Jazz, basketball games, working with these young high school officials who may want to pick up our trade. I just find joy in giving back and teaching trying to help what I know.”

While Maxfield has been invited to be an official for soccer, he instead, takes a “time out” to spend more time with his family.

“It gives me time to decompress. People don’t realize officials have meetings, there are rules to study, there are clinics. It’s a tremendous amount of time away from my family. All of us referees are making sacrifices to make sure it’s a great environment for kids,” Maxfield said. “This way, I can put away my shirt so when I pull it back out, there’s excitement and enthusiasm to get back going again.” l

Scott Maxfield, seen here before the triple overtime 5A football state championship with his son and grandson, has officiated high school football and basketball for more than four decades. (Photo courtesy of Scott Maxfield)

Improv group, The Sock Puppets, brings laughs to South Jordan

TheSock Puppets want to bring more humor to your life. The improv group based in South Jordan was founded eight years ago by Seth King and his wife, Angela.

“We started a little group and invited some friends to be a part of it,” Seth King said. “We had some friends with a history in the theater world and some friends who didn’t have history in the theater world that we thought would be good at it. It’s kind of evolved.”

The group meets regularly for rehearsals and improv games and holds workshops for people wanting to learn more about the art of improv. They perform the first Friday of every month at 9 p.m. at The Gale Center (10300 Beckstead Lane).

Angela King is a Broadway-level talent who’s performed in many local productions. Other core group members also have theater experience, plus there are usually surprise performers, guest pianists and musicians, and people from other improv troupes who like to stop in and participate.

“I’m just a goofball who loves theater,” Seth King said. “I like being in the ensemble and being in the background. There’s a lot of talent in the group and it lifts the quality of what we do. We’re not a huge group but we have workshops and things that help out-

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

side people get involved with improv. We’re always looking for people interested in performing, if they gel well with the group.”

Seth King describes improv as “make-believe.” He said it’s about creating a story out of nothing based on a prompt from the audience. Using the rules of improv, group members create something funny and new, and every performance is different and unique. Other than rehearsals or knowing how to play certain improv games, everything is made up on the spot.

Improv rules include the statement, “Yes, and,” meaning players build on whatever prompt or story they’re creating, no matter how ridiculous. The intention is to add new information, change things up, throw in silly ideas, find ways to use props and have fun.

“At the very least it shows you can create something from virtually nothing,” he said. “That’s why improv is so fun for us. In a group of mid-life crisis individuals, we still get the acting and the thrill of performance. Sometimes it’s brilliant and other times it could have been more brilliant.”

Seth King called the monthly performance an “easy and cheap hour-and-a-half laughfest.” Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased through Venmo @Sock-

PuppetsImprov. For more information, visit Facebook.com/TheSockpuppets.

“We’re not an alcohol venue so we like to do it a little later in the evening when people are punch-drunk. The tiredness adds to the silliness,” Seth King said. “We just want people to come enjoy themselves, learn a lit-

tle about improv and hopefully be a little impressed with what we create and send them with home with smiles. I always enjoy the show. We have a talented group and we have a lot of fun. Our goal is to always make people happy.” l

The Sock Puppets improv group performs the first Friday of each month at 9 p.m. at The Gale Center in South Jordan (10300 Beckstead Lane). The group has performed together for eight years and are always looking for new members. (Photo courtesy of Seth King)

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NO TWO ARE ALIKE

Through ‘Day in History,’ Early Light students make connections to yesteryear

Flashback to the 1980s – a decade of acid-washed jeans, parachute pants, fingerless lace gloves, jean jackets, Air Jordans, shoulder-pad dresses, leg warmers and neon windbreaker suits. Video games led by “Pac Man” were on the rise, hacky sacks and skateboards were popular, break dancing was big as were females’ hairstyles. In the news, the Cold War ended at the end of the decade.

This is just some of what students at Early Light Academy, a South Jordan charter school that emphasizes history, learned during their 10th annual Day in History, focusing on the 1980s.

“We hope our Day in History helps kids make connections to the things that they read or hear about in history,” Early Light curriculum director Shannon Berry said.

Sixth-grader Jordyn Larsen said she appreciated learning about some of the pop culture of the 1980s.

“We listened to a lot of music, and it was really cool to learn all of the music that was popular then and discover how popular it still is,” she said. “We learned about the toys and things they did in the 1980s. It’s really cool to see how trends now relate to what they did in the ‘80s.”

She wore a vintage 1908s T-shirt and said many of her friends, as well as their teachers, dressed in the 1980s look and while

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

they worked on projects, they rocked out to music. They listened to Journey, Elton John, Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” and Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.”

Displayed at the school was a “museum” of items from the 1980s with popular toys such as Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, Gremlins, Jenga and Transformers, and technology of the era; Walkmans, boomboxes and even a rotary phone.

Fifth-grader Drue Allen learned about the Berlin Wall and watched videos of former President Ronald Reagan saying to tear down the wall.

“It fell in 1989, and it was pretty cool to see how people got together to break it and to see where they painted on sections of the wall,” she said.

Drue also learned about technology then.

“I didn’t know they had computers in the ‘80s,” she said.

Her class was also able to watch parts of 1980s movies, including “The Sandlot,” which was filmed in Midvale, Salt Lake and Ogden.

Fourth-grader Sophia Jones learned about the Challenger space shuttle and about Christa McAuliffe.

“She was the first citizen ever selected to go up into space and be trained like a professional astronaut,” she said. “It did explode,

unfortunately. We watched the video, and we learned our teacher was in eighth or ninth grade in 1986 and she was watching it on TV in a library. She said that little by little they all started to think that something wasn’t right.”

Sophia said they learned to play a game called “The Oregon Trail.”

“You just basically travel the Oregon trail to get out west. It was super fun to play. One of my friends was amazing at it,” she said.

The girls also said they asked relatives to share their memories from the 1980s. One said her grandmother brought out yearbooks and photos of their lives then and told her about their favorite music and movies, such as “Back to the Future.”

Berry said that the Day in History not only was held in the elementary school, but in the junior high as well.

“In one class there, they learned about the Exxon oil spill and did a simulation of cleaning up the oil spill and how they did it with the chemicals they had to use. It helped them get a better understanding of what went on,” she said about the 1989 Valdez supertanker disaster in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

In previous years’ Day in History events, Early Light students have learned about Ancient Greece, Medieval times, the Vikings, 1400s, 1776, 1820s, 1847, 1920s and 1969.

An open house is planned March 7 for

interested students and parents to learn more about Early Light Academy. l

Second-grade twins Olivia and Addison Blank dressed up in 1980s outfits for Early Light’s Day in History. (Shannon Berry/Early Light Academy)

Monte Vista students combine language, culture into Chinese New Year celebration

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Monte Vista dual immersion students hopped into the Year of the Rabbit with an evening celebration on stage at Bingham High School.

Students sang, danced and celebrated the Lunar New Year with traditional Chinese festivities for families and the community.

Third-grader Wembley Cottle performed an upbeat Chinese New Year dance with her classmates while Cole Hansen, who was one of the narrators at the celebration, joined his fellow sixth-grade students in a traditional Tai Chi Kung Fu fan dance.

“The moves were kind of hard to understand at the beginning because we were learning how to do it from the video and then our teacher was teaching us too,” Cole said.

Each grade presented a special performance for the celebration. First-grade students performed “Let Me Say Thank You,” followed by second graders who shared animals of the zodiac. Fourth graders performed “Descendants of the Dragon” while fifth-grade students performed the traditional bamboo pole dance. Sixth-grade students also performed the dragon dance.

All the students returned to the stage at the end of evening to see “Gong Xi,” the traditional Happy New Year song meaning “congratulations” and “happiness to you.”

It was a capstone experience for the students’ Chinese New Year celebration. Leading up to it, students rotated through various Chinese New Year activities.

For example, in the art rotation, they made red lanterns, which are symbols of wealth, fame, and prosperity and learned of the tale to scare off Nian, the beast who is believed to come out of its hiding place to feed on people and animals.

“We also folded origami bunnies and got to draw Chinese New Year pictures about the zodiac,” Wembley said.

In their STEM rotation, they worked on dragon puzzles on the computer. In music, they learned how to beat the drums that are typically used for the dragon dance.

“We had to keep a beat that the dragon would move to,” Cole said.

In his class, they also did a Chinese New Year activity in class where they wrote words of peace, harmony and good fortune. Some other classes practiced their calligraphy and Chinese characters or made Year of the Rabbit pictures.

For 13 years, Monte Vista has offered the Chinese dual immersion program to students beginning in first grade.

Wembley decided to follow the footsteps of her older sister, who also had started in the dual immersion program before her.

“My best friends are in it with me, and I’ve made more friends; it’s been a lot of fun doing it together,” she said.

Wembley hopes that she can go to China in eight years, when she is 20. She plans

to earn college credit while in high school and would like to earn a scholarship in Chinese for college.

In the dual immersion program, students begin by studying math in Chinese and that can be challenging, Wembley said.

“Sometimes when the math problems are in Chinese, it can be hard to understand,” she said.

Cole agrees: “In third grade, you learn fractions in Chinese and learning fractions is hard already, so it makes it harder. Later on, you get a real good understanding of fractions. You also learn science in Chinese, so it’s learning those words specific to the subject that makes it harder.”

Students also learn that Chinese tones can be difficult as there are four different tones to learn, or technically even a fifth neutral tone. The tones are used to differentiate Chinese characters with the same pronunciation. Students also learn the spelling with ideogrammatic characters.

Cole said by learning the language, he knows how to study.

“You have to concentrate and learn to speak and understand math and science in Chinese first, but in fifth and sixth grade, it becomes easier and we’re able to learn even

more. It sets us up to have good study habits,” he said.

Cole chose to come to Monte Vista after one of his friends, who is older than he is, enrolled in Monte Vista to learn Mandarin.

“I just got interested in what he was learning and decided that I wanted to learn Chinese,” he said. “I want to keep speaking it and I know there are a lot of more job opportunities available since I know the language.”

By the time sixth grade rolls around, Cole said he knows everyone in his dual immersion grade, as they have been together since they entered it in first grade.

He, too, would like to travel to China.

“I’d like to go to Beijing and Shanghai; they’re the big cities and I know the Great Wall is near Beijing,” he said. “Learning the language is kind of cool, especially when you meet a Chinese person, and they’re like, ‘Whoa, you’re American. And then you can speak Chinese.’”

In the meantime, he’s looking forward to taking the culture class in the middle school.

“I’m excited for that. I’ve heard it’s really fun,” he said.

Assistant Principal Andrew Lovell is impressed with the students’ learning.

“I’m always blown away when I go to these kids’ classrooms or see a performance, with just how much they’ve learned; it’s amazing,” he said. “These kids have it down. I mean, they do very well at speaking and communicating. Then they learn science and math, not in English, but like, in Mandarin, and that’s just incredible.”

Lovell said students in dual immersion also tend to have better attention and focus because they’re not only practicing the language, but they’re also working on skills and subject matter.

“They’re task switching, and they have that mental flexibility of being able to be flexible in their thinking,” he said. “The quality of teaching is so high and the expectations our Chinese teachers have for their students are high, so their learning is a testament to the dedication and the work that students put in to learning this language.”

Through the dual immersion program, Lovell believes students gain a greater understanding of the world.

“It’s a huge benefit or blessing they’re gaining culturally,” he said. “They have a better understanding of the world we live in, of other cultures within our world, and they have greater empathy for others.” l

Monte Vista dual immersion students performed in their Chinese New Year celebration on Bingham High’s stage. (Photo courtesy of Monte Vista Elementary)

TAP INTO A NEW POSSIBILITY for depression

Bingham boys hoops routine of going to gym early to get up more shots began to pay off

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

Admittedly, Bingham boys basketball coach Kyle Straatman knew the preseason was going to be a struggle—and it was, as his team went 1-6, from the start of the season on Nov. 22, 2022 to Dec. 19.

“We are a very inexperienced team but are a very scrappy group. This team is fun to coach because they show up every day and work very hard to get better,” Straatman said of his Miners squad.

But the grind of playing against some of the top teams in Utah and elsewhere began to pay off for Bingham [11-12, 7-3 Region 3]. It made life a tad easier for the coach who in his fifth year was trying to rebuild his team after five players graduated from a group that went 22-3.

The reason for this resurgence was as old as the game itself.

“I have been going in at 6:00 a.m. every morning and we have multiple players getting up extra shots before school starts on our two shooting machines,” Straatman said midway through the season. “They also are working very hard in the weight room and have really bought into the team concept and do not care who gets the glory. We have great leadership on this team, and they are doing a great job picking up where last year’s group left off with continuing our Bingham Brotherhood culture.”

That buy-in by Bingham’s starters, who all averaged between 7 and 11 points per game, has led to an 9-4 record since Jan.3.

In that span the Miners defeated 6A schools Westlake and Pleasant Grove, weren’t swept by any school in Region 3.

“We play one of the toughest schedules in the state which helps us get ready for our region,” the Bingham coach said, who has another five kids averaging at least 2 points per game.

The Miners finished tied for second in region behind Riverton and were set to play Skyridge in the first round of the playoffs, after press deadline.

In order of their jersey numbers, the 2022-23 Bingham Miners boys basketball team is: Carson Bagley

Luke West

Caden Wood

Gabe Sivulich

Donavan Averitte

Tyson Shewell

KJ Jenson

Tyson Averett

Rhett Dawson

Alex Kartchner

Owen Simpson

Jason Peterson

Stockton Tueller

Gage Vance

Brayden Whitehead

Rykan Meadows

Austin Goodwin

Luke Cantwell l

Freshman Luke West is averaging 10 points per game for the Miners. (Travis Barton/City

Journals)

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Bingham’s True Blue winter fundraiser supported local children with medical conditions

Bingham High senior Gabe Cain said he isn’t one to sing, but he was willing to try for a good cause.

As part of Bingham High’s True Blue winter fundraiser, the annual Mr. True Blue pageant was held. Cain was one of the contestants.

“I didn’t really sing,” he said. “I dressed up like Justin Bieber a little bit and then just lip synched one of his Christmas songs. My parents came and I told them, ‘No recording.’ They definitely broke that rule.”

The public relations student body officer who likes organizing events and being behind the scenes admitted being on stage performing was out of his comfort zone.

“I was a little bit nervous because I didn’t really want to go out in front of people, but when I saw a bunch of my friends, it actually became a fun thing,” he said. “It’s one of the bigger events of True Blue, a way to get everyone involved. The senior boys are part of this mock pageant, and everyone comes in formal dress. The audience can buy a regular ticket or a VIP ticket and be served food and make a night of it. The senior guys on stage have a talent section, a runway section and then an interview; it’s all meant to be fun.”

For his interview, Cain was asked about his celebrity crush, Zendaya, and the perfect date they’d go on; his response was a hike to a lake where they’d picnic.

He was named second runner-up.

“I missed out on the crown, but all the money raised from it goes to True Blue,” he said about the $3,000 raised in that event alone.

Overall, the $63,000 raised from this year’s annual fundraiser was earmarked to help Angel’s Hands Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps improve the quality of life for local children who have rare and undiagnosed medical conditions.

They also supported a second nonprofit organization.

Through a winter school dance, students raised $6,000 to help children get their wishes granted through Make-a-Wish Foundation. Bingham High was matched with a toddler named Presley who lives in the area; his family came to the assembly and shared his journey. Presley’s wish is to go to Disney World.

“It’s cool to see how you can make an impact on your community and other kids your age,” Cain said. “We had the whole student body together at our opening assembly or closing assembly and playing games in fun competitions just to raise money for charity. We’re giving back to their community and we’re being part of something to make a difference, knowing how it will impact these kids.”

Throughout the weeks of December, student leaders held different activities to raise funds.

“One way we raised money is from doing squad jobs, going to houses every night to just see if they need a small job done in exchange for money. We decorated a Christmas tree, did their dishes or vacuumed,” he said. “There was a lot of snow, so we did a lot of shoveling. One house paid us to shovel their neighbor’s driveway for them. I thought that was cool.”

During lunchtime activities, there were fun tournaments and other activities.

“We had pay to play, so they could donate to True Blue to play pingpong, corn hole or some other activity. We sold Candy Grams and then students would write a note and attach it to the cookie or candy cane and then the guys in student government would dress up and sing a song when we delivered it to their class,” he said. “This time, I really did sing, but it didn’t have to be super good.”

Student leaders organized a family carnival where clubs and teams sponsored booths of games for children to play

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

by purchasing tickets, said student body officers’ adviser Ali Bridge.

“We had a lot of families in our community coming to support our fundraiser and have fun. There was a real sense of community and all the kids loved playing games and getting little prizes,” she said, adding that it brought in about $2,500. “It also gave our clubs an opportunity to support True Blue.”

Other groups on campus supported the fundraiser through their own events. For example, Bingham’s Dance Company held its annual Zumbathon and the improv team held a pay to play where as long as students paid, they’d keep performing. Students also could purchase True Blue merchandise.

A lot of students got involved in the annual penny wars where each grade competed against each other to bring in the most points. Coins built up the number of points; and bills, which could be placed in a competing grade’s collection, subtracted from the total.

“One of our seniors, she had people Venmo her donations and then she went to the bank and brought back all these giant boxes of coins,” Cain said, adding that they made several trips back to banks with coins to count before the senior class was declared victors for the second year in a row.

Local businesses supported the students and held spirit nights where a portion of their proceeds would be earmarked for True Blue. Some businesses and individuals gave items such as Utah Jazz and Utah Grizzlies tickets, gift cards and other items that could be used for the True Blue silent auction that was held in conjunction with the music department’s performances, Bridge said.

Through the years, Bingham students have helped raised money or given service to multiple organizations. Student leaders also have helped fill principal’s pantries with food and supplies by helping the Jordan Education Foundation and made hygiene kits for the International Refugee Committee.

“It all started as a Sub-for-Santa tradition, but we’ve carried it over and expanded to supporting charities the entire month of

December. One year, the student government kids brainstormed names and came up with True Blue, and we’ve called it that ever since,” Bridge said. “Every year, I’m always so surprised how willing the kids are to do a lot of activities and put forth so much work. They just show up and are excited about everything and want to help. True Blue is a unifying tradition at our school, a way everyone can get involved and make a connection to our community.” l

Bingham students held a family carnival to help raise money for True Blue, their winter fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Bingham High)

The senior class won the penny wars trophy; all donated funds went to Angel’s Hand Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps improve the quality of life for local children who have rare and undiagnosed medical conditions. (Photo courtesy of Bingham High)

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When I was a kid, I worried about four things: my Halloween candy being stolen by siblings, missing a spelling word on a test, accidentally eating mayonnaise and nuclear war. In that order.

While those four things were the main cause of concern, I also worried about rainy days because stupid boys would throw earthworms down my shirt. I worried about wearing dresses to school because stupid boys would look up my skirt.

I worried about running out of books to read because I couldn’t imagine that apocalyptic scenario. I worried about earthquakes because we were constantly told The Big One would happen when we least suspected.

I guess I worried a lot, but I’m pretty sure our state legislators at the time didn’t give a rat’s behind about my mental health. In fact, children in the 1970s weren’t really considered people until they had a job and started paying taxes.

But now, our illustrious leaders say they are really concerned about the mental health of Utah’s youth, but only in select situations. There is talk to ban social media for kids under 16 because of the harmful impact it has on their mental wellness.

However, representatives don’t seem

A Mental Health Day

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

society. Even though teens with access to these treatments have demonstrated better mental health.

This is a “problem” our leaders don’t have to “solve” because, hear me out, it isn’t a “problem.”

On a related note, I found it interesting Utah will still permit cisgender female teens to get breast implants. Because Utah.

Do you know what else affects a child’s mental health? The fear they’ll be shot at school. The fear that climate change will eliminate elephants and polar bears. The fear their overworked teachers will quit because public money has been siphoned off to private and home schools.

I won’t clump all our elected officials into this bunch of wackadoodles because there are many people working to help trans youth, create sensible gun laws and reduce the load of our poor public school teachers who get beat up each year during the legislative session.

milla introduced a bill that would legalize psilocybin in Utah under strict controls. Because this is Utah, this mushroom therapy bill will probably go down in hallucinogenic flames, but hopefully it gets the conversation started.

Another way to help our youth develop better mental health? Stop passing harmful bills. Start passing bills that help our children and grandchildren deal with the everyday pressures of living in this world that feels like it’s gone bananas.

I agree social media causes great harm to our teens through cyberbullying, shaming and creating a comparison mindset. But there are additional issues we could tackle to help our children sleep better at night.

concerned about the mental health of transgender youth since our state leaders banned gender-affirming care for minors. Even though suicide rates skyrocket for trans youth who often feel stigmatized in

I vote that each educator be given a 10-day trip to Hawaii, paid for by the record-breaking state liquor sales. Of which they’ve heartily contributed, I’m sure.

Speaking of addressing mental health, Senate Minority Leader Luz Esca -

I never had to worry about cyberbullying as a kid, although actual physical bullying was definitely a thing. I worried about being pushed off the monkey bars onto the hard concrete. I worried about kids laughing at my homemade polyester pantsuits.

What I worry about now is how to create an inclusive and safe environment for our youth. I also still worry about accidentally eating mayonnaise, and nuclear war. In that order. l

SOUTH JORDAN

“Dozens of doctors told me that there was nothing more that they could do to expect to be in a wheel chair. I went from the top 1% in the army Special Forces to being in so much pain that I could not tie my shoe or hold my new daughter. I did physical therapy and pain killers for years, but nothing worked. Finally, I went to Dr. Smith and I improved exactly as he told me I would. I couldn’t believe it! My wife cried, “I have my husband back.”

—Steve M., Army Special Forces

D.C. CSCS Chiropractic Physician