South Jordan Journal | July 2023

RIBBON CUTTING OPENS BINGHAM CREEK REGIONAL PARK

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Whencompleted, Bingham Creek Regional Park will be the largest park in Salt Lake County. At 160 acres, it will surpass Sugar House Park’s 110-acre space. Local government officials gathered on June 22 to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the first phase of the park that includes multi-purpose sports fields, playground equipment and the start of an extensive trail system.

Located at 5000 W. 10200 South, the park will serve residents on the southwest side of the Salt Lake Valley. The much-anticipated park was the result of collaboration between Salt Lake County and the City of South Jordan.

“I know that many of you who have been a part of this for 15 years feel like this took forever, but I feel like it was only yesterday when [South Jordan] Mayor [Dawn] Ramsey and I were here during Covid, socially-distancing in masks, on dirt, looking around thinking this is going to be something one day,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said.

The park is an $18 million investment, with the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks program contributing $13.2 million, $1.5 million from the county's general fund and $3 million from the City of South Jordan.

Bingham Creek Regional Park is only one-third complete. Once the park is finished in a few years, it will include a splash pad, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, and a connective network of trails.

The park is owned and operated by the Bingham Creek Regional Park Authority, an interlocal agreement created to

Continued page 9

New playground infrastructure is a highlight to the first phase of Bingham Creek Regional Park plan. A grand opening held on June 22 featured a ribbon cutting in the afternoon followed by food trucks, games, face painting and more at an evening celebration. (City Journals)

High school outdoors clubs offer students opportunities to recreate

Thissummer, local trails or courts may be busier with teenagers than in previous years.

Area high school teachers say it’s a lasting positive impact from COVID-19 when participation in outdoor recreation increased.

According to Penn State University’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management and Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, outdoor recreation increased to nearly half of Americans taking part monthly, including 20% who are new to it.

As many national parks saw a record number of visitors during the pandemic, the outdoor recreation boom has continued as boating, running outdoors, bicycle riding, and walking in nature can be accessible to people of all ages and ability levels, the report said.

That stretches to students who may be adding adventurous experiences—sailing, mountain biking, kayaking and other non-traditional high school sports.

In fact, many area high schools offer clubs focusing on outdoor activities. Even with school dismissed for the summer, some students even plan to continue to meet through the summer on their own. Here’s a look at some outdoor high school clubs in the southern end of the Salt Lake Valley.

Cottonwood High hiking club

Senior Matthew Gordon, along with his hiking buddies from Cottonwood’s hiking club, plans to hit the nearby canyon trails this summer once they’re clear from snow.

“We haven’t gotten in very many hikes; it snowed a week after our first hike last fall and this spring, there’s the whole flooding situation,” he said. “We’ve been to the lower falls in Bell Canyon, and we’ve done some hikes in Millcreek Canyon. This summer, we’re wanting to hit the trails, starting with Donut Falls.”

During school, the club of about 20 stu-

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By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

dents usually met at lunch to discuss hikes— the length, its difficulty, carpooling. They’ve hiked on days when school wasn’t in session.

“We usually stay together and talk music or other things, usually not school. Some club members are my good friends, but I’ve also gotten to meet new people who I’ve become friends with. It’s a lot different than interacting with people at school. I feel it’s a lot more genuine,” he said. “I love getting into nature and getting away from things. It brings you a lot closer to the people you’re around and I love the physical exercise. It’s a lot different than sports or going to the gym because you’re always walking uphill or downhill, getting lots of fresh air. I like that you get a big reward at the end of the hike when you get to see the sights.”

Gordon, who also is in the Madrigals and orchestra at school, has taken on an informal club leadership role—from helping plan to often carrying the first aid kit and extra water on hikes.

“I think it fell on a few of us because we were the first people who were meeting and organizing the year. One of my friends does a good job getting the word out and passing out fliers. I have a van that I can drive, so that helps get our group to a trailhead,” he said. “It’s something I’ll miss after this year.”

The club’s adviser, Audryn Damron, said that the students have been proactive.

“They have a chat bringing up, ‘Who wants to hike?’” she said. “They created a Google photo album for the hiking club and put all the pictures in there. Not everyone has hiked before, so I helped them pick a hike. We use the All Trails app that tells them how hard the hike is and how long the hike is and direction to the trailhead.”

Damron, like some of the students, said she really loves to hike, but didn’t have friends who enjoyed it.

“I grew up close to Glacier National Park, so I love getting out in nature; I love the smell of the outdoors, the freshness, the views,” she said. “Creating this opportunity was perfect. You have a club with a variety of people of different levels and they learn how to plan and how they can do it. It’s just really fun to see the kids take on leadership roles in a club they care about and in a space they love. I also love to share my love of hiking. We live by the mountains, and I would love to have kids be outside engaged with nature. If I can provide some coaching or guiding, I’m all for that.”

In addition to the student hiking club, she started a faculty hiking club during the COVID-19 pandemic and created a Google form of hikes.

“It has been fun because there are several teachers and counselors who share the love of hiking,” she said. “I had just moved here and started teaching at Cottonwood right before Covid hit. It was a way I could make better friends with Cottonwood faculty, do something I enjoyed and go to places where we could avoid the crowds. Now we continue hiking because we love it.”

Corner Canyon High roller-skating club

Corner Canyon High School’s roller-skating club began last fall when a student came to teacher RJ Green asking him to be the club’s adviser.

“I said, ‘Sure, let’s make that happen,’” he said. “If kids come to me with a fun opportu-

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At Cottonwood High, students in the school’s hiking club take to the trails to see the beauty in the area. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood High hiking club)

nity to get other people involved and doing fun stuff, and I can facilitate that, I’ll almost always say yes. I thought it’d be fun. When I was in undergrad, I rollerbladed around everywhere for about two years.”

That first year, the club met a couple times to skate in the evenings. They were hoping to get together as spring turns into summer.

“Covid was a catalyst for the group. Last year was the first year that they had a full year not masked. They wanted a stress-free way for the kids to get together and do something fun. They call it the retro experience, just that high school and arcade pizza socializing thing,” he said about the two dozen students who get together to skate.

While some kids own their own, others rent skates or blades.

“We’re hoping to build the culture and add a couple more events because it’s definitely fun and we have people who are quite interested,” he said.

Green’s experience with rollerblading began as a mode of transportation across his college campus.

“It looked really cool in the ’90s. That’s why I started—and literally everybody else did it. I also love staying in shape. It’s really fun,” he said. “I like that this roller-skating club isn’t a sedentary activity with a phone. These kids are showing up, getting some exercise and socializing outside of the confines of school with friends their age. It isn’t just limited to school time.”

Brighton High rock climbing club

About 10 Brighton students regularly hit the climbing gym during the school year.

“Some of them start off, learn about climbing and hopefully have a positive experience climbing with their friends in the gym,” Brighton High adviser Ben Hall said.

Hall said students pay their own way as there are no fees associated with the club. Everyone is welcome, no experience is needed.

“Some have experience, others are brand new. If you’re brand new, there’s always somebody in the club who will climb or boulder with them to teach them how to climb,” he said. “If any of the kids are interested in becoming better or stronger, I share some training techniques. The best way to train is to climb more, focus on doing hard individual moves when you boulder. You can shift to longer routes on ropes to work on endurance. You’re always climbing and building technique, getting comfortable and learning how it feels to climb.”

Hall, himself, is a climber.

“This is my first year as a teacher, so I was looking to get involved and the previous adviser was ready to pass the baton for me to take over,” he said. “I got into climbing during college in Michigan; I was just looking for something to do and I figured I’d try. Climbing is awesome. It’s a great way to get outside, do something in nature and see a lot of amazing places. It’s adventurous. It’s thought provok-

ing. It takes some strength, but it’s also about how you can move and work through problems. I like being out in a beautiful place and trying something hard. Climbing is ultimately how I ended up here in Salt Lake City. This is a great place to climb and enjoy the outdoors.”

While he has climbed in the Utah desert to nearby canyons, he said that there are some easier crags in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

“In the future it would be good to start at just doing maybe more of an after-school climb in the spring when there’s a lot of daylight. Go out for a couple hours. Get the climb around here. When we have an experienced group, we could look into organizing a trip over summer break,” he said. “But for now, we’re building up, getting that experience and keeping it to the gym.”

Jordan High pickleball club

Jordan High pickleball club adviser Sandra Brown became a fan of the sport during the pandemic.

“I started playing pickleball with another teacher during Covid because we were losing our minds when we both had to teach online and felt locked up in our houses,” she said. “As we played, we became best friends. I love having another sport that I can play and be outside. I love that pickleball is free. It’s a way that I can get together with some friends or meet new strangers in the park and exercise and just enjoy the sunshine. I love the community aspect of it. I love it when people bring their speaker

and listen to good music and just having a good time in the park.”

When they started playing, the colleague’s son, who now is a junior at Jordan, started playing with them.

“It was so fun that he and I started the club because we fell in love with pickleball and wanted the students at Jordan High to be able to play,” Brown said.

Twenty or more students get together at a nearby park with courts to play weekly, weather permitting.

“Everybody’s welcome to come. If they don’t know how to play, we have extra paddles that students can borrow and other students teach them how to play. That’s the great thing about pickleball, it’s easy to learn,” she said, adding that while the sport has been around since the 1970s, it got a boost during the pandemic. “The kids like that it’s not a sports club where you have to commit. They just show up with a ball and paddle and play with their friends, or with new people.”

Brown is excited about the club.

“It’s a sport for all ages and most abilities, even grandparents can play pickleball with grandkids. The goal of the club is for kids to just make connections so that they can then go play whenever they want. We like the idea to keep it simple,” she said. “I like that students are falling in love with something athletic so that they get some healthy exercise and are having fun.” l

Bingham FCCLA student earns perfect score at region competition, 10 advance to state

At region FCCLA, one student accomplished a score her adviser had never previously witnessed.

“We had one girl in the ECE (early childhood education contest) who got a score of 100 percent,” Bingham High FCCLA adviser Janae Dunn said. “I’ve never seen that. It’s extremely difficult. I was super proud of her.”

That student, senior Morgan Johanson, earned a gold medallion, and was among the 14 Bingham High students who competed at region in February.

Joining her by earning gold medals at region were senior Adrienne Pulver in food innovations; junior Lizette Barton in leadership; and seniors Porter Wall, Ashlyn Jenkins and Spencer Jeppson in culinary arts.

Silver medalists were junior Shelby Brown in fashion design; junior Brooklyn Smith in baking and pastry; senior Hannah Schwarz in teach or train; junior Makenna Kershaw in early childhood education; and senior Katelyn Trimble in fashion design.

A bronze medal was awarded to senior Devanne Hick in early childhood education.

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Several silver and bronze medals were awarded at state to the Miners.

Those earning silver medallions were Brown, Johanson, Wall, Kershaw, Barton and Trimble. Bronze medalists were Smith, Schwarz, Pulver and Jeppson. As of press deadline, Jenkins’ placement was not known.

FCCLA is more than competition, Dunn said.

“We started the year with seven officers attending fall leadership conference,” she said. “They spent a whole day planning, learning about their positions and listening to professional speakers.”

Dunn said that one that was motivating was gold medalist Olympian skeleton racer Noelle Pikus-Pace, who spoke about perseverance.

“Our officers were super excited about the conference and doing service activities,” she said, adding that they helped with True Blue kids’ carnival and decorated the upstairs hallway with twinkling lights and snowflakes. “We tried to engage more people by offering different activities. We held a pumpkin painting contest and with ProStart, we had bake sales

at lunch. We also planned and held the Sweethearts dance with other school organizations and that served as our fundraiser to help support students for competition.”

Often FCCLA activities at their monthly meetings are fun — such as having a soda party or board game time for the 27 members — or they can focus on things they’re learning in class and can be applied toward competition.

“We do an activity where they can come in, try it, maybe learn something new and if they like it, they can pursue it more. We encourage them to present what they learned to teachers, as if we were the judges, so we can help prepare them for region or state,” Dunn said. “More than anything, I hope they have found a place where they fit into, somewhere where they belong, and they are learning and having fun.” l

Several of Bingham’s ProStart members took part in the FCCLA culinary contests. (Photo courtesy of Bingham High)

Sports Day gives students of all abilities the opportunity to be champions

South Jordan Elementary fifth-grader Conner Rosenthal was excited that he’d have the chance to jump “twice my height.”

“I’ve been practicing a lot on my jumping and for all the events,” he said, adding that he wants to participate in track and field when he’s in high school. “I like getting the ribbons and medals.”

Conner was gearing up for Jordan School District’s Sports Day.

The day is an opportunity for students of all abilities — those who have Autism, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, language disabilities, intellectual disabilities, those physically challenged with walkers and wheelchairs and other multiple disabilities — to come together to compete in a 50-meter dash, long jump, softball throw and “cross country,” or the 400-meter run.

Matched with other students of similar abilities in small groups, students are challenged within their own level during Sports Day. Some schools sent peer student-athletes to help, encourage and participate alongside those competing.

“I like how kids are competing against themselves and others, but more so, how they’re given a chance to show what they can do and have fun,” River’s Edge teacher Carnell Cummings said, who brought eight students to participate. “Today, it’s all about them. Sports Day makes them be Olympians for a day.”

Daybreak Elementary second-grader Oliver Casserilla was getting ready to compete.

“Oliver is nonverbal, but he loves to run,” his dad, Mark Casserilla, said. “Sometimes he just runs and runs; the teachers have to chase him because he loves to run so much. Sports Day gives him more opportunity to play sports.”

Oliver and some of his classmates already play baseball for the South Jordan Miracle.

“It’s great having all these opportunities for these kids, because a lot of times, they don’t have them. Just having this love and support and good energy is so helpful to them,” Casserilla said, who added that his son plans to compete in

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

unified sports in middle and high school.

Daybreak parent Morgan Meyers also appreciates Sports Day.

“There are so many places, maybe 80 percent of the environments, where he doesn’t fit in,” she said about her second-grade son, Landon. “So having a place where he does fit in and is included and is supportive, just the way he is, is special. It’s also nice for these kids who are a little different to be surrounded with other kids who are different, so they can say, ‘I’m not the only one who doesn’t necessarily always fit the mold.’ Often, they go to their siblings’ events and they’ll say ‘that’s great, but where do I fit?’ So this is nice for them to see a lot of kids who don’t necessarily fit the mold.”

Landon was looking forward to the softball throw, participating with his friends and “doing this together.”

Meyers said she appreciates her son’s school as well as Sports Day.

“I love that he’s in an environment where he’s really supported. He’s with like peers and they have resources to provide for him what he needs as an individual and that he has opportunities like Sports Day to really shine,” she said.

Fifth-grader Malakai McIntyre and his twin brother, Elijah, were competing with their South Jordan Elementary classmates.

“My brother and I both got first place running last year,” Malakai said, adding that their ribbons are displayed at home. “Cross country is my favorite. I can run for miles and miles.”

He was looking forward to meeting up with his friends from a previous school he attended.

“I get to see them and race them,” Malakai said.

Elijah, who also was looking forward to seeing his old friends, was concentrating on the 50-yard dash.

“It’s my favorite because I can focus on one thing — just aim straight and run fast,” he said. “At school, we practice them all, throwing, jumping and running far.”

Their mother, Melanie Candelaria, was cheering on her sons at Sports Day.

“I think they’re competing against each other more than anybody else, but I’ve raised them to know they’re only competing against themselves, and they’re there to support each other,” she said. “Malakai has come a long way. He has hydrocephalus and a brain tumor. He wasn’t even supposed to walk, let alone run. Elijah was born clinically dead and spent five weeks in the NICU. He didn’t talk until he was 8. He used to walk on his tippy toes, but he had surgery last year on both of his legs and was in a cast for six weeks. The fact that they’re here and competing and just having fun is an absolute win for me.”

Still, Candelaria said the boys are “very competitive.”

“It’s great they have this opportunity,” she said. “Sports Day has provided much excitement for these kids; there’s a lot of joy and smiles.” l

South Jordan Elementary’s twins Malakai and Elijah McIntyre finished 1-2 in their cross country heat during Sports Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Students from multiple South Jordan schools took part in Jordan School District’s Sports Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Bingham softball lifts first 6A state championship since 2010

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

Kiaira

Smith, Herriman’s Weber Statebound ace, needed a bandage for her fingers.

Bingham’s crosstown rival did get something to stop the bleeding—but Herriman didn’t find anything that could stop Bingham from scoring runs in Game 2 of the 6A state championship game, and the Miners won their first state title in softball since 2010 by the score of 11-5.

Herriman also did all that it could to “Fight For Her!”—a credo the team used to honor teammate Kiki Feliciano, a sophomore battling lung cancer for the second time.

Bingham’s crosstown rival made life interesting after the Miners raced out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. The Miners loaded the bases, but Herriman’s ace left Bingham stranded at Gail Miller Park at BYU.

With the mountains providing a scenic backdrop, the Miners punched out Herriman 1-2-and-3 thanks in part to senior Shelbee Jones, who was close to perfect through two innings.

Bingham [25-5] would add another run in the bottom of the third to increase the lead to 5-0 when junior Oakley Clark hit a single and then stole second base. Rian Howland then slapped a double, driving in Clark for the Miners’ only run of the inning.

Herriman scored in the bottom of the third inning to cut Bingham’s lead to 5-1—but the SLCC-bound Jones launched an RBI triple into the wall in center field to extend the Miners’ advantage to 6-1 to start off the fourth.

With a 7-1 lead in the top of the fifth thanks to timely defense, Jones’ arm started to wane. She walked a Herriman batter and gave up a double, putting runners at second and third base.

Bingham head coach Mikki Jackson sensed it was time for a change and put her arm around Jones and walked off the field with the senior, who to that point had been heroic for the Miners in what would be the last time she and several other seniors would wear a Bingham uniform.

It’s been a long road back for the Miners,

who watched as their next-door neighbor Riverton not only lifted last year’s state championship—the Silverwolves won the last two.

Jones didn’t know at that point how the Miners would fare in this Game 2 showdown; nobody did.

But sophomore Brecka Larson, who onehit Herriman in relief in game one of this 6A championship series, caught Herriman swinging on the very next pitch to record her first strikeout of Game 2.

Then Larson’s rise balls fanned the next batter on three straight pitches to end the threat and preserve that 7-1 lead for Bingham through five innings of play.

The Miners bats came alive in the top of the sixth as Charity Drake doubled into the gap in left center. Jones drew a walk. And Clark continued to have herself a day, as she slapped her fourth hit of the day, an RBI single. Another walk brought home Clark, giving the Miners a 9-1 lead.

Bingham’s defense was the player of the day, and series. In Game 1, the Miners literally had a 1.000 fielding percentage, as Drake — who missed most of last year with a serious injury — showed she was that crucial to Bingham’s title chances as the team’s first-string catcher.

Drake had seven total catches on pop-ups in Game 1. Larson herself had six catches and senior 2B SLCC-bound Braxtyn Hunter, four.

In Game 2, the Miners only had two errors and six out of eight again had picture-perfect days with 1.000 fielding percentages—numbers that helped Bingham out of two potential jams in the bottom of the sixth.

After the Miners scored two more runs to take an 11-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh, Herriman continued to fight for their sophomore teammate by loading the bases and then uncorking a grand slam home run from Weber State-bound senior Kiaira Smith to make it 11-5.

That led to Jackson turning back to Jones, who cleaned up that side of the inning. She and the rest of the Miners launched their gloves into the mountain air at BYU, state champions. l

Bingham won its first softball title since 2010 by sweeping Herriman in the championship series. (Photos by Pat McDonald)

South Jordan resident ties for third at the national spelling bee

Surya Kapu will never forget how to spell “kelep.” The South Jordan 14-year-old made it to the final rounds of the 95th Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. on June 1 before misspelling “kelep,” a carnivorous ant, found in Central and South America.

Surya tied for third in the competition, his best showing of the three years he’s represented Utah at the national bee. In 2019, he tied for 370th place and in 2022 he tied for fifth. He missed the 2020 national event after it was canceled due to COVID-19.

Although he didn’t win, Surya is pleased with his performance and the $12,500 he won in prize money, which he plans to use for college.

“My main goal this year was to get back into the finals and that happened. I’m really happy with getting third. It was a great week,” he said. “It was really fun. I met a bunch of people.”

Surya just completed eighth grade at American Preparatory Academy in Draper and is no longer eligible to compete in the national competition which is open to spellers from age 9 to 14.

This year, 231 spellers earned a place at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, the Bahamas, Ghana and Department of Defense Schools in Europe. The event took place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center May 30June 1.

Surya was one of only two 2022 finalists that advanced to the 2023 national competition. He tied for third

Replica of Old Testament Tabernacle Coming to South Jordan, Utah

July 11 – Aug 2, 2023

A full-size replica of the ancient tabernacle will be presented by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will be open for public tours at 2450 W. 10400 S. in South Jordan, Utah. Tours will run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Sunday tours will run from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It will be closed on July 24th.

All events are free and open to the public. More information is available at: www.tabernacleutah.com

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

place with Shradha Rachamreddy who misspelled “orle” in the same round as Surya. Dev Shah, 14, from Florida, was named the 2023 national champ after spelling “psammophile.”

“I met some people in 2019 [at the national bee] and we’ve stayed in touch. Seeing them in person was really fun,” he said.

Surya earned a spot in the national bee after winning the regional spelling bee for the fourth time. The City Journals sponsored the regional bee that had nearly 170 students participating from 104 Utah schools. The City Journals paid for Surya, his parents and his sister to travel to Washington, D.C. for the national event.

“I just wanted to say thank you to The City Journals for sponsoring me,” he said. “I really appreciate it.”

Surya said he spends up to two hours every day studying spelling words, grammar and definitions. He also enjoys playing chess, basketball, the saxophone and he earned a black belt in tae kwon do. He had some words of advice for any student thinking about participating in local, regional or national spelling bees.

“Keep learning your words and make sure you’re enjoying it,” Surya said. “Try your best.” l

Surya Kapu, 14, tied for third place at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, held in Washington, D.C. on June 1. This was the third time the South Jordan resident has participated in the national spelling bee. (Photo courtesy of Himabindu Talluri)

Continued from front page

establish effective governance. The seven-member board will consist of residents and merit employees to initiate rules, manage the park’s budget and create long-term planning.

“You should all know that it’s kind of a big deal,” Ramsey said. “It’s significant that every one of you has representation in how this park will grow and be managed and function because of the unique partnership of a Park Authority Board.”

The grand opening featured a ribbon cutting ceremony in the afternoon with additional events in the evening including food trucks, lawn games, a scavenger hunt, kite flying, face painting and a solar telescope.

Noticing the anticipation and excitement on the kids’ faces at the event, Wilson expressed her own enthusiasm for the future. “It's not just about what they’re experiencing today, but what they’ll experience next week and the months and the years to come,” she said. “And that’s especially exciting.”

Visit BinghamCreekRegionalPark.org for more information. l

July at the Gale Center

*Youth group leaders are encouraged to bring their group to the museum in lieu of picking up kits

New playground infrastructure is a highlight to the first phase of Bingham Creek Regional Park plan. A grand opening held on June 22 featured a ribbon cutting in the afternoon followed by food trucks, games, face painting and more at an evening celebration. (City Journals)

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson joined South Jordan City Mayor Dawn Ramsey and other city and council officials to cut the ribbon opening Bingham Creek Regional Park. (City Journals)

The South Jordan community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Bingham Creek Regional Park on June 22. Located at 5000 W. 10200 South, the park will serve the southwest side of the Salt Lake Valley. (City Journals)

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Paradigm Schools

Paradigm School is a public charter school that’s been in operation since 2006, serving grades 7-12. Its goal is to teach scholars HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Students don’t use textbooks but learn from primary sources and original works, relying on the classics. Using the Socratic discussion method, scholars develop the skill and confidence to speak in front of others with end-of-semester oral exams. Mallory Woodbury is the operations director at the school, where she has worked for 13 years.

Q: Does your school solve a problem for your parents/scholars?

A: Yes! We help teens find who they are, who they want to be and how to love learning. Those who graduate with us know that learning is for life and doesn't end when you graduate or earn a certificate. Instead of a final paper exam, they present and defend what they’ve learned all semester in front of a panel of mentors. It’s an empowering tool and our scholars report they feel this method of assessment is much more useful.

Q: How do potential clients choose between you or a competitor?

A: They choose us because of our unique educational philosophy and our small class sizes. Parents will also find out that we value them as the primary educator for their child and that we are simply a resource for the educational journey.

Q: What is your best advice for parents who are considering

enrollment?

A: They will need to learn more about our educational philosophy and many will also visit us for a campus tour and/or have their child shadow someone at our school to experience Paradigm for a day. Parents know what is best for their child and an education at Paradigm will set them up for knowledge and confidence for many years. Our school isn't for everyone, but those who choose it know their child will thrive and learn an incredible amount while they are with us.

Q: What is your favorite thing your school offers?

A: Our mentors (teachers) are the absolute BEST!

Q: Who is eligible to enroll?

A: Students can enroll from anywhere in Utah. We are offering a few online classes next year for high school scholars who want to experience Paradigm, but don't want to make the drive to and from school every day.

Q: What programs do you offer at Paradigm?

A: We are offering great classes this school year, including a speech and debate team (run with the Wasatch Independent Debate League), an academic decathlon class, and CTE pathway options. We also have athletics, including cross country, volleyball, basketball and soccer. We’re exploring the addition of girls basketball and girls soccer, based on interest. We might have enough to field both of those teams next year! Our sports teams participate in the Utah Schools Sports Association (USSA), which is a charter and private school league.

Q: Anything else you would like readers to know about Paradigm?

A: We are an amazing school that wants to increase enrollment. We’re one of the oldest charter high schools in Utah, starting our 18th year, which is a wonderful accomplishment! Our message is that we want parents to know we value them as the primary educator of their children.

CSI: Bingham High School

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Itwas a cold spring day as students from Bingham High School searched through an area near the Copperton Cemetery. The site was cordoned off with police tape as South Jordan detectives and forensic experts joined the students in gathering evidence.

The experience was a field trip for students in the BHS medical forensics class where they’ve spent the year learning how to collect evidence, perform bone and blood spatter analysis, follow chain of command with evidence to keep it untainted and become good observers of the world around them.

Using legally-acquired animal remains from taxidermists, police officers planted the evidence to give students valuable experience in the process of crime scene analysis.

“They get a real-world view from the police department and the detectives and from the forensic experts that work with them in the city,” Cynthia Cox said, class instructor at BHS. “It’s been a great opportunity for us to work with local law enforcement. One of those detectives, a forensic specialist, has just been phenomenal to help.”

Cox started the popular class several years ago because she enjoys giving students new experiences and opportunities. They learn about crime scene investigation as well as toxicology, evidence analysis, observation skills, biases in

observation and how to become aware of their surroundings.

“They like the class, especially those kids that have seen some of the crime shows on TV,” Cox said. “It’s good to have a class that gives us the opportunity to help feed them accurate information. You know, not all crimes are solved in 47 minutes between commercials.”

Lexi Smith is a South Jordan resident and recent BHS graduate. She’ll start at Utah State University this fall, enrolled in the nursing program. Smith said the class was eye-opening in comparison to how evidence is handled in

movies and TV.

She learned how meticulous and careful investigators must be to keep evidence from being contaminated or lost. Each assignment meant paying attention to detail and following a step-by-step process. She was surprised at how long it took to gather evidence and how much evidence had to be collected to solve a crime.

“I knew I wanted a health care career so I was hoping to get something out of it. I didn't know what I was in for,” Smith said. “It started off slow and I thought it was going to be easy.

And then the year really kicked off.”

Some students who have taken the class have gone on to police careers, but for others, the class taught them it was a career they didn’t want to pursue. Cox said it’s a win either way and added that all her students have gained respect for the jobs of forensic science experts and crime detectives.

“A lot of them have more understanding of exactly what it takes to solve a crime and why maybe when something happens in their neighborhood or in their community, their car gets broken into or whatever, why maybe they don't have immediate answers,” Cox said.

“It takes time to collect that evidence, to be able to interview people, to be able to put all of the pieces of that puzzle together before they solve crimes with conviction. You can’t just go around accusing people of crimes, we have to have the evidence. I do think that they get a better appreciation for law enforcement officers in general and for the work that they do.”

Smith said even if a person isn’t considering a career in healthcare or law enforcement, the class is an interesting opportunity and she challenges students at BHS to enroll.

“You learn so much,” she said. “You appreciate the people that are doing it and maybe you’ll find yourself wanting a forensics career.” l

Students in the Bingham High School medical forensics class take a field trip to the bone field near Copperton to learn about crime scene investigation. (Photo courtesy Jordan School District)

Mountain Creek students explore future jobs, engage in career learning

It was a day of career exploration for Mountain Creek Middle School students.

Seventh-grade students participated in job shadow day, eighth-graders learned about professions during career day and ninth-graders got a taste of adulthood as they took part in Reality Town.

“We’ve had career exploration before, but we decided to schedule it all on one day to keep class disruptions to a minimal,” Mountain Creek Middle School counselor David Parker said, who helped organize the Reality Town segment. “We had a lot of moving parts that day and are grateful for those who came for the benefit of our students.”

Reality Town is the event many middle schoolers look forward to, having learned about it from siblings or classmates. The Utahbased company offers careers to ninth-graders along with family scenarios. The students then are given a monthly salary to purchase their housing, transportation, food and other necessities as well as some things they want. The goal is for the students to learn how to budget their money and be financially secure.

“This year, we did it a little differently. We took their cumulative eighth grade GPA and then the first semester of their ninth grade GPA, as a best snapshot of the actual grades that they earned. We then had them use that GPA in a GPA range for different careers, and

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

they got to apply for their jobs within their career range. So, it reflected the hard work students put in. That resulted in stark realization for some students,” Parker said.

Along with a job application, students had a lesson on how to create resumes.

“We went over the job application process, references, career research, resumes and GPAs so they’d have some understanding of that,” he said, adding that if students dressed up, were studying a second language or had someone volunteer, they got a boost in their salaries. “One of my favorite outfits was a student who wore flippers and snorkel gear as he was a marine biologist.”

When the ninth-graders made it to Reality Town, they learned first-hand how to balance their spending.

“There were required booths they had to go to, like housing, transportation, food, clothes and essentials. All students were assigned at least one child, so they had to go to the Kids Corner for childcare,” he said. “The students learned a lot. Some students had a family of four and they were trying to buy a sports car so our volunteers would question them how they were going to drive their kids. The pet store was popular as they all wanted pets; many of them bought the cheaper goldfish than buying horses. I heard frustration when someone said they bought this new car and the tire blew, and

another who randomly learned they broke their arm complained that now they had to spend money for a doctor’s appointment. I even heard someone say they wanted to try to give their Reality Town booklet back because they didn’t want to be an adult.”

Not only did they rely on adult volunteers, but also Jordan Credit Union employees who talked to the students about the importance of saving and spending and shared with them how to set up a bank account. The ninth-graders counted on advice from Herriman High School National Honors Society students, many who had previous years’ experience with Reality Town.

After the day full of lessons, Parker and others follow up with the students.

“We have them write a paper about what they learned so they can reflect on it,” he said. “There definitely was some eye-opening realization on how much childcare is and just having children in general costs. There always is someone who asks if they can sell their children so they can afford an entertainment set or vacation.”

At all the career exploration events, about 100 career professionals came to share with students and about 65 volunteers helped to make them happen.

“I think they all learned an incredible amount. One of my favorite things about Real-

ity Town is just the realization that your choices have consequences, and you can change your choices. It’s a fun, non-threatening way to learn where some decisions may lead before it’s too late and to gauge where your future may be,” he said. “It gives them the chance to say, I want X amount of clothes and I want a big family, but I want to drive this car and go on this vacation. We’re able to help teach students skills, but they’re able to see it more when they’re engaged and learning first-hand.” l

Mountain Creek students made financial decisions and came to realizations during Reality Town.

(Photo courtesy of Mountain Creek Middle School)

For Bingham girls lacrosse, a season filled with new changes led to an upset bid at state

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

For Bingham head coach Courtney McCabe, it was truly a season of firsts.

First time she’d led an entire staff of new coaches. First time she’d herself been in charge of a high school lacrosse team. And the first time that she could have ever recalled this many days filled with stormy weather.

“Our season started out with a ton of rescheduling as we had a lot of snow days,” Bingham’s new coach said. The first two games of the 2023 season started out with a literal bang in early March, as the Miners walloped Alta 7-3 and pummeled Juan Diego 21-4 before succumbing to Corner Canyon in a tight 14-8 loss.

But with school valedictorian Paige Nelson as one of the focal points on this Bingham team, you had to know the Miners would figure things out after a 2-4 win-loss record in April put a wrench into all of their plans.

“Our girls played hard and adjusted well [on the fly] which showed some great resilience and team growth,” McCabe said of a merry month of May that saw the Miners go on a 6-game unbeaten run and avenge a loss to Corner Canyon in the 6A quarterfinals, May 20.

Bingham put up 12 points in the first half and held on for a 13-11 win, moving the upstart 6-seeded Miners into the 6A semifinals—with a brand-new coaching staff to boot.

“For our team, we emphasize good sportsmanship, success on all parts of the field and having a positive team dynamic,” McCabe said, who added that several coaches remarked how hard the girls hustled, spoke with respect and had fun regardless

of the conditions on the pitch.

For her efforts, McCabe was honored with the USA Lacrosse Coach Of The Year in Utah at the conclusion of the season that ended in the 6A semifinals for the Miners, who came up against the eventual 6A champions Lone Peak at Westminster College May 25 and lost, 19-9.

Several Miners were named to the 6A All-State team: seniors Ashlynn Smith and Bailey James; junior Morgan Edman; and sophomores Norah Davis and Aspen Little.

In addition, senior Mary Stubben was given the USA Lacrosse Jackie Pitts Award “in recognition for high school seniors who go above and beyond in service to their team, school and community.” l

The Bingham High girls lacrosse team reached the semifinals this past season. (Photo courtesy Bingham High athletics)

Sophie Curtis (12) and Ashlyn Smith (24) celebrate a goal against Skyline. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo has something to entertain the whole family for as little as $17, plus you have great views of the mountains and downtown Salt Lake City from the Days of ’47 Arena. Come early and experience the FREE Frontier Fun Zone area that will feature shopping and food, pony rides, petting zoo, mechanical bull rides, live music and much more. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. daily with the rodeo starting at 7:30 p.m. sharp.

The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions – celebrating Utah’s heritage since 1847. The rodeo, and other Days of ’47 events, commemorate the day – July 24, 1847 – when a determined company of Mormon pioneers real-

Let’s Ride Utah

ized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Valley. The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is a private, non-profit, volunteer, charitable organization. Our mission is to honor Utah’s pioneer heritage and educate Utah’s kids.

The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City takes pride in setting the Gold Standard in rodeo and in 2023 they will bring that standard to the ranks of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA).

The 2023 event will payout an estimated $750,000 and will play an important role in determining Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifiers and eventual world champions. Not only will contestants have

a chance to walk away with a pocket full of cash, but they will get the opportunity to win a gold, silver or bronze medal, a staple at this rodeo since 2017, making it the only Gold Medal Rodeo in the world.

“We are excited to once again partner with the PRCA, WPRA and their members that dream of qualifying for the NFR in Las Vegas each year,” stated Dan Shaw, Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo President & CEO. “It is our hope we can make that dream come true for a number of contestants, while also bringing world class rodeo action to our fans here at the Days of ’47 Arena. July has always been a profitable month for rodeo athletes, and we are honored to now elevate that even more and put Utah on the map among

top paying ProRodeos.”

Beginning in 2023, the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo will be the largest paying professional rodeo in the State of Utah.

The 2023 Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, is slated for July 19-22, 24 and will take place at the state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark (155 North, 1000 West), custom designed and built for rodeo. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats.

For more information on the event and to buy your tickets visit www. utahdaysof47rodeo.com.

R.C. Landingham captured the 2022 Gold Medal in the bareback riding. Photos by Ric Andersen.

Chalk art festival makes art accessible for Summerfest audience

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

Oneof the many attractions at the South Jordan Summerfest was the chalk art display sponsored in part by the South Jordan Arts Council and ZAP. Beginning on June 2 and despite the weather, artists were seen huddled under canopy’s and EZ-Up tents to begin their creations. Artists were given time on June 3 to put the finishing touches on their art, and winners of the contest were announced at 2 p.m.

For $25 per individual artist and $35 per art team, artists could enter one of the following categories: youth, teen, adult, team or professional. There was also a people’s choice award and a mayor’s pick award. The entry fee included supplies and a hat.

Brooke Keithley is a returning artist from Cottonwood Heights. She works not only in chalk art but as an apprentice in tattoo art as well. This year’s Summerfest is the fourth she has participated in for the city of South Jordan, and she is always glad to participate each year to help usher in the summer season.

“Chalk art itself for me is like bringing in summer,” Keithley said. “You can be out in the sun.”

Keithley began her Asian inspired gold fish picture under the protection of a canopy and was entered in the professional category.

“I love chalk art because it makes art accessible,” Keithley said. “This is a great opportunity for lots of people at this event to experience the arts.”

The chalk art festival also provides an opportunity for those younger artists who are just beginning their artistic journey. Beverly Lofgran, 12, and Scarlett Pugh, 8, had most of their chalk art picture completed despite the rainy conditions that prevailed that day. The cousins drew and drew as mom Taunya (Lofgran) watched the girls bring their vision to the pavement.

“They can be inspired by others by coming here and trying this,” Lofgran said.

South Jordan resident Breanna Holtry won first place in the team category, her mom Jane Brown was by her side as well as her niece as the family created “Kitty Dream,” a realistic juxtaposition of a cat astronaut in the ocean, surrounded by fish. Holtry, who got a degree in art education from Brigham Young University, also taught art for six years in both elementary and high school.

“I like art because there are so many ways to do it,” Holtry said. “As an art teacher I think it’s important to have a chance to create art and also to look and enjoy art.”

Both Holtry and Brown wished more would sign up to participate in the chalk art festival but also felt that the weather may have kept some away.

Those wanting to support the arts efforts in South Jordan can opt into the “Round it Up” program where utility customers can “elect to have their utility bill rounded up to the nearest

dollar and the increment will be donated towards funding the Arts in South Jordan City.” To enter residents can call 801-446-HELP.

For more information about the upcoming arts activities visit www.sjc.utah.gov/403/Arts.

The winners of the contest were as follows:

Youth Category

1st Place #109 – Elaine Bogus

2nd Place #127 – Aven Grimshaw

Teen Category

1st Place #128 – Erin Grimshaw

2nd Place #115 – Karlyl Baun

Adult Category

1st Place #102 – Brenna Brown

2nd Place #129 – Kai Hunter

Team Category

1st Place #100 – Breanna Holtry Team

2nd Place #132 – Aryn Tharp Team

Professional Category

1st Place #113 – Camille Grimshaw

2nd Place (Tie) #114 – Brittany Shepler #112 – Nicole Kleinman

People’s Choice Award #117 – Tristan Valdez

Mayor’s Choice Award #105 – Lexie Daley Team

The winner of the team’s category Breanna Hotly, along with mom Jane Brown, drew a realistic version of a “Kitty Dream.” (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Parker)

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Splash of color, fun added to Aspen Elementary’s fundraiser

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

ly, so everything was flowing better.

Second-grader

Aubrey Hurst was hoping to get purple chalk all over her.

“It’s the best color, the way it looks and how it stays on you,” she said.

Her mother, Myndi, didn’t blink.

She supported her daughter getting coated in chalk; Aubrey was getting ready for Aspen Elementary’s color run fundraiser.

“I have two kids running along with one of their friends,” Hurst said. “This was such an awesome fundraiser last year. The teachers sprayed chalk on the kids as they ran by on the field and the kids like the incentives of getting to slime their principal. It’s just well-organized and a fun way to raise money for field trips, teacher appreciation and everything they do here at school.”

Aspen PTA President Natalie Lund said that the color run was designed as a community event to offer students a chance to have fun with other kids outside of school hours and there are food trucks, so families could get dinner. Together, families and friends could participate in the color run and opt to get as much or as little chalk as they wanted.

“We were a new school last year and I thought this would be a fun way to get the whole community together,” she said. “It was something fun for everybody and it gave everybody a chance to get to know each other. The kids, everyone seemed to love it so we’re doing it again this year.”

Last year, the color run brought in $10,000. This year, the school community exceeded the goal of $15,000 by more than $2,000. Funds will be used for Reflections, Red Ribbon Week and other typical PTA-sponsored activities, Lund said.

“The more money we have, the more we can add fun things here at the school,” she said.

Fifth-grade teacher Mikayla Miller said that the fun run was organized a little different-

“I love that this brings together our community – the PTA, the parents, the students; it’s just perfect,” she said about the hundreds of families who came to support the school.

Miller, who with other teachers were spraying chalk on the runners, was preparing herself to have a pie thrown in her face.

“My class raised enough money to pie me,” she said, adding that other incentives included that evening’s sliming the principal, Suzie Williams, for raising $10,000; and having a foam party, when they reach $15,000.

“It’s all fun and it’s for a good cause,” she said.

Student Santi Zizumbo said parents’ reactions after they run is the best part.

“The parents are so surprised at how much chalk we have on us, but they can’t be mad because we’re helping the school,” Santi said. “I love just getting really messy and being able to be free, running around.”

Second-grader Indie Arnell was ready. Indie wore a “boring white shirt. I’m hoping to have it really dyed with colors – blue, pink and purple. Purple is the best color.”

Family and friends could pay $5 to join in the run and chalk packets were being sold for $20, said parent volunteer Mallory Hill.

“The kids like to have the chalk to throw it up in the air and at each other,” she said. “I had two of my kids run last year and they were just covered in chalk. I just threw everything they wore in the washing machine and washed their clothes five times. The blue is the hardest to come out, and it still didn’t come all the way out. They wear those clothes for yardwork and bedtime now.”

Hill wasn’t upset, but instead, she planned to join the fun this year.

“The kids had so much fun last year, our whole family all decided to join in this year,” she said. l

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Aspen Elementary students decked in many colors cheered; the community supported their color run, raising more than $17,000 for school activities and programs. (Photo courtesy of Jason Yeaman)

Eastlake Elementary students learn how to manage money

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Third-grader Amelia Morrison made her way around her school’s Kids Marketplace booths, learning how to be financially secure.

As part of the Kids Marketplace program, Amelia was given a mock career — a military officer with a $400 per month salary — and dressed up in boots, gloves and a jacket.

“I wanted to dress up to the part,” she said. “I went to every booth and learned you shouldn't spend more money than you have.”

Amelia saved $290 of her salary after “buying the cheapest things which seemed like the best deals.” Amongst her purchases were “a huge bed and a used TV for $5.” She planned to ride a bike to work so she’d be in shape and save money.

“I learned I don't want to run out of money. Expensive stuff is nice and cool, but if you get cheaper stuff, it will help you with your money. If you run out of money, life can be hard trying to pay the bills,” she said. “By saving I’ll have money if I need it for an emergency, but if I spend everything on rich things, I won’t.”

Amelia even made sure she had enough money to stop at the pet table to purchase a gerbil.

“This has been fun. I liked learning about jobs and learning how to save your money and seeing other people's costumes,” she said.

The Kids Marketplace is a real-life simulation, so the 130 third-grade students

learn the importance of budgeting and saving, said teacher Andrea Utley, who said the inclusive program allows students to partner with classmates who may have special needs, such as autism or Down Syndrome, so they, too, can participate.

“We read five books about saving money and learn money doesn’t bring happiness,” she said. “We talk about living within our means and not owing others money. They learn to distinguish between wants and needs and how to manage their money. It follows the common core curriculum to learn how to count money and to learn about saving money. They learn and use vocabulary such as balance, deposit, savings, withdrawal, budget.”

Utley, who has included Kids Marketplace in her teaching all five years she’s been with Jordan School District, said that students are given an hour to go to the bank, housing, clothing and grocery stations and then go to optional booths. At every booth they’re given a choice of items they want to purchase.

For example, at a housing station students may decide between renting a one-bedroom apartment, two-bedroom apartment and buying a home based upon their monthly salary.

“We look to see who has the most money left and the why, the choices they make. A lot of students want to go to the animal shelter first to get a dog, but they learn they have to have food and housing beforehand and then, they can budget for a

Eastlake third-grade students learn about distinguishing between wants and needs while managing their finances at Kids Marketplace. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

pet,” she said. “They’re getting a glimpse into what it’s like to have to pay expenses in the real world, but it’s something fun which they look forward to. Some kids get into the profession they’re randomly assigned, and it becomes a secondary lesson in careers. They learn all about it and then have fun dressing up with it.”

Third-grader Camden Southerland was a paleontologist who earned a salary of $450 per month.

“I hunt for fossil bones and do experiments on those,” he said, adding that he’d like to find some of a tyrannosaurus rex. “I’ve already been to the animal shelter so I could spend my money on a lizard and a

bird. I sleep in my lab, so I don’t have to worry about having a house.”

Amber Bennett, who’s third-grade son Archer took part in Kids Marketplace, was a volunteer. She said she saw several students think outside the box.

“One kid said, ‘I'm going to get this big couch for $120 so all my friends can come over; I can sleep on it too, so I won’t have to get a bed,’” she said. “They learn they don’t have to buy everything, and they don’t have families in this simulation, so they don’t have to worry about kids and adjusting for them.”

That’s what third-grader Hudson Jensen learned as well.

“I need to make a lot of money when I’m older so I can buy a house and a sports car,” Hudson said, whose random job was mayor at a salary of $400 per month. “I don’t think I could afford to fix my car if I were to get a dent in it if I had a family to pay for.”

Bennett, who also is a substitute teacher, liked the engagement of the activity.

“I love that we're teaching them how to budget their money,” she said. “I can see a lot of the kids’ personalities in what they choose. Some kids will choose a used bed because it's cheaper and then other kids are like, ‘give me all the most expensive

stuff.’ It’s all about learning about budgeting, because some will run out of money and then they have to return stuff and start again. It’s a hands-on way to learn the importance of money.”

Third-grader Sawyer Neeley had already bought groceries, transportation, clothing and visited a few other stations.

“I never spend too much money, but I just had to pay $20 at chance so now I’m worried about buying a house,” he said. “I may have to figure out something else for housing. I like Kids Marketplace. It’s fun to puzzle out how to make it all work out.”

Record breaking fraction chain links learning with fun

The longest equivalent fraction chain in the world, with 15,000 links, was created by 23 students in Kimberly Sander’s third grade class at Jordan Hills Elementary. Each link in the chain was a handwritten fraction equivalent to one-half, stretching from ½ to 15,000/30,000.

Students and parents helped spread the chain, which stretched back and forth across the school yard several times, on May 25 to document the feat. Sanders reached out to the Guinness Book of World Records to witness the accomplishment but received no response.

“We may not receive a Guinness World Record, but these kids are record breakers in my opinion,” Sanders said.

Students worked on creating the equivalent fraction chain for three months.

Sanders had originally assigned students to create fraction chains with seven links of

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

equivalent fractions to help them understand the concept. The students were inspired to create even larger chains.

“It started with just seven chains, and then they wanted to make one to go around the classroom, and then it snowballed into this,” Sanders said.

This was the first time Sanders had done a fraction chain activity during a math unit in her third grade ALPS class. “I’d never done it before and I’ll never do it again. It’s been a deal,” she said.

She said it took a lot of time, hard work and organization. Students would make the chains in chunks of 20 to create chains of hundreds and then thousands.

During the first month of the project, the students worked on the project sporadically. Then it became necessary to work on it every other day until the final week before the dead-

line, when students worked to complete the chains every single day.

Parents said their students brought home strips of paper to make chains during both winter and spring break.

Third-grader David Evershed tried to get to school early a few times a week to work on the chains. “He was really excited about the project,” said his mother, Emily Evershed.

Whenever their motivation waned, Sanders reminded her students that they had committed to a goal and that the Guinness representatives were expecting a world record breaking chain on May 25. Sanders was proud and impressed when students completed the chain the day before the deadline.

“They got to where they could just mentally get those chains done in about 30 minutes—written and stapled—so I felt like we set a world record of just getting them done fast,” Sanders said. “It was just amazing.”

Principal Kaleb Yates said it was a great activity.

“There’s the math component, but even more than that is the camaraderie of everybody wanting to build something together and have fun doing it,” he said. The project also kept the students engaged into the last week of the school year. “With this, they’re 100% focused on their goal and accomplishing it,” Yates said.

Sanders said the project was a great lesson in teamwork, perseverance, setting and reaching goals and achieving success. She said the hardest part of the project was keeping the chains organized. They were kept in large plastic bags in the classroom. On the final day, the chains were pulled from the bags, spread across the field, assembled into numerical order, and stapled together. The students were thrilled at the sight of their hard work colorfully displayed on the school field.

“It feels really crazy seeing it all be spread out,” third-grader Nolan McDonald said. “We had a ton of trash bags in our classroom and then it didn’t seem like a lot but the amount of chains inside the bags just created all of this.” l

Kimberly Sander’s third grade class celebrates their record-breaking fraction paper chain. (Photo by Sara McDonald)

Students and parent volunteers spread the 15,000 link fraction chain on Jordan Hills Elementary School’s field. (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Sanders.)

Students and parent volunteers spread the 15,000 link fraction chain on Jordan Hills Elementary School’s field. (Jet Burnham\City Journals)

Bingham High FBLA student crowned state champion

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

ABingham High student took first place in the recent state FBLA competition and qualified to compete at the National Leadership Conference.

Senior Sarah Hodnett, who serves as Bingham’s chapter president, won the human resource management event and will compete June 27-30 in Atlanta (after press deadline). Joining her is junior Carter Carling, who placed second in the state coding and programming contest.

In addition to those two students, 18 other Miners competed at the state competition of Future Business Leaders of America. There are 25 chapter members.

FBLA prepares more than 230,000 members for careers in business and encourages students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through career preparation and leadership experiences.

Bingham High also has a DECA chapter, and had one student, junior Sage Chaffin, compete at the International Career Development Conference which was held in April in Orlando. Chaffin had finished fourth in hotel and lodging management at the state contest.

Bingham’s DECA chapter, led by senior Mary Christensen, has 23 students.

DECA, which shares common goals with FBLA, prepares high school and college students to become leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. There are more than 3,600 high school chapters nationwide.

Bingham chapter adviser Laura Adams said that while teachers offer guidance and support, the students work together as a team to mentor each other as they prepare for competition.

The skills they learn in the chapter meetings and through competition are lifelong skills.

"As future business leaders, they are doing more than preparing for a competition,” Adams said. “They are experiencing life lessons and learning communication and networking skills that will impact them as they move forward out of high school and into the world of work.” l

Plan Ahead

Bingham High students hold their certificates after competing at a FBLA competition. (Photo courtesy of Bingham High)

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.

South Jordan native’s cereal restaurant works to end hunger

By Annabelle Larsen | a.larsen@mycityjournals.com

Arestaurant where the menu is an all-you-can-eat buffet of cereal seems like a child’s dream come true, but it is a reality at Stir’s in Midvale, 7186 Union Park Ave.

Offering over 70 different types of cereals that can be mixed and matched, Stir’s offers cold breakfast lovers a wide variety of choices. Not only does this food joint have a unique menu and setup, it also runs charity events that help those in need throughout Salt Lake Valley.

Stir’s started from a scenario many of us have found ourselves in. Sterling Jack, the owner, was one of the youngest of seven children in South Jordan and there was always a high demand for cereal.

Since his older siblings would get up earlier than him, he would find that the cereal his parents had bought would be gone, and he would be stuck making something else for breakfast. He then had the idea to store the cereal somewhere nobody but himself would find it. He poured himself a few bowls, covered them with tinfoil, and hid them under the couch. That way he always had cereal in the mornings regardless of when

he got up.

Sometime later, that love for a cold breakfast transformed into a restaurant offering cereal to everyone throughout the day, not just for morning people, and even displaying a hidden tinfoil-wrapped bowl under the couch at the store just for memory’s sake.

Stir’s employees also can be found taking their brightly colored

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food truck across Utah, serving locals at food truck nights as well as traveling to those in need to offer meals and support.

Recently, Stir’s nonprofit organization Friends of Stir’s worked with the Odyssey House in Salt Lake and The Road Home in Midvale. Friends of Stir’s mission statement is simple: bring food to those who are hungry. After their trip to these locations, those who partook in the event headed back to the Midvale store for a pajama party.

So far, the organization has raised almost $19,000 for food for those in need, according to the Friends of Stir’s website. This equates to 2,862 boxes of cereal and 6,240 ounces of milk.

Employees of Stir’s enjoy the humanitarian aspect of their work, as well as being able to be around cereal all day. One employee, Christy, stated, “It’s the best job I’ve ever had. Cereal is my favorite meal, even more than ice cream.” She goes on to mention that she has never had a negative customer experience since working there. “How do you be cranky around cereal?” l

We are very excited to announce the grand opening of CopperView Medical Center’s new location in Riverton. This is our second location; adding to the South Jordan location where we’ve been for 22+ years. We officially open our doors to the public on Tuesday May 16, 2023!

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A young couple sits on the couch that hides the tinfoiled cereal bowl. (Annabelle Larsen/City Journals)

Milk stations can be found to complement the cereal walls, offering a variety of different milks (Annabelle Larsen/City Journals)

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This is a live vaccine for children ages 2-5 years old. This study is 8 months long, and there are 15 visits total. 10 of these are in-person visits and 5 are over the phone. 2 doses of nose drops are to be administered on day 1 and day 29. Only one child per household can participate, they must not be around children less than 6 months old, pregnant women or be in daycare. Must have been a fullterm birth of 36-42 weeks.

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Daybreak welcomed back its Bollywood Festival

Photos courtesy Robert Stroud

LiveDAYBREAK welcomed the return of the Daybreak Bollywood Festival on June 17.

The festival featured Indian cuisine, henna and rangoli artists, a color throw and cultural crafts.

Cultural performances took place on the Soda Row stage featuring Aspire Bollywood, The Dazzlers, Bollypop Juniors, Utah Punjabi Arts Academy, The Divas, Bollywood Beats, Jugaad, Praveen Verma, Divya’s School of Dance, Bolly X, Tejal’s Dancers, Team Harsh and Bollypop, showcasing Indian art and culture. l

South Jordan fourth-grader wins Sons of Utah Pioneers essay contest

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

South Jordan fourth-grader Bree McCleary knows some of the adventures about her great-, great-, great-grandparents, Charles Lambert and Mary Alice Cannon.

She shared stories of their pioneer hardships in the Sons of Utah Pioneers fourthgrade essay contest.

“I wrote how Mary fell in front of her wagon and it rolled over her back, all 3,500 pounds, but she was able to continue her journey three days after it happened,” she said. “Charles’ shoes were worn out and he prayed that the Lord would send him to new shoes and then, he found shoes in the grass — and they were just his size.”

Two months after submitting it, Bree’s essay, which was limited to 250 words, was selected amongst other entries. As the winner of the essay contest, she was invited in May to the Sons of Utah Pioneers dinner where she was asked to read her essay.

“I got up there and my legs were shaking,” she said about her first public speech. “So, I just started reading the essay and tried to look up after every sentence or two to smile, but I’m not sure I did. I was so relieved when I was done that I just wanted to sit down, but they wanted me to stay up there.”

Bree was presented a certificate and $50.

Along with her parents, her teacher Karrie Wardell, who offered the contest to students as an optional activity, was there to support her essay winner.

“We have been learning about pioneers and their role in the movement west, so this essay tied right into what we’ve been studying,” Wardell said.

Bree said that even though it was optional, she was strongly encouraged by her dad to participate — and she’s glad she did.

“I picked them because I thought their stories were cool. My aunt created a book about all our ancestors on my mom’s side, so I got to learn about them that way. The book has at least 100 pages, so I didn’t ever read it before, but now I look at some of the traditions our family does that my aunt has included in the book and that’s kind of cool.”

Bree said she shared more about their story in her essay.

“I can’t believe that while they were crossing a frozen river, the wagon sank through the ice with all their belongings. I don’t know what I would have done if a wagon rolled over my back. If my shoes were worn out, I’d probably say, ‘Dad, can you give me a piggy back?,’ but they just went on. I learned my long-ago relatives did a lot of hard things and it makes me feel like I can do hard things like they did.”

Bree also was able to tie in what she learned in class about pioneers on the wagon

train to her essay.

“My ancestors went from far places to places with their wagon, just like the ones we studied. They had a lot of faith. I don’t think I’d be a good pioneer; I’d want to be sitting in the wagon. I learned through their stories just how hard it is to be a pioneer,” she said.

Others in her class wrote about their relatives, including Bode Johnson telling the story of William Madison Wall, his distant grandfather, who had many roles from pioneer, explorer and church leader to attorney, mayor and sheriff, and who is memorialized with a life-size statue in Heber City Park.

Bode wrote, “I hope to follow in his footsteps and make a difference in my church, city, state and country, even if I never receive a city park statue.”

Another classmate, Claire Stevenson, wrote about John Pack, who helped settle the Salt Lake Valley and set up what was later to become the University of Utah. Claire also pointed out that Pack is memorialized with a statue at This is the Place Heritage Park.

“It gave the students the opportunity to learn more about their ancestors or other pioneers who helped found this land we live on, and it offered them another good opportunity to practice their writing,” Wardell said. “It was a good way to make the tie to our curriculum.” l

Larkin Mortuary is one of the most respected funeral homes in the Salt Lake Valley. Its pioneer founder, George William Larkin, arrived in Utah in 1863, having emigrated from Cambridge, England. He started the Larkin tradition of arranging funerals in 1885. Today, with six generations of history serving Utah families, four mortuaries, cremation facilities and two cemeteries, Larkin Mortuary remains locally owned and family managed.

Larkin’s vertically integrated services also provide a premier floral shop, monument, urn and vault manufacturing facilities, and beautiful memorial meeting and luncheon facilities. Multilingual staff honor and facilitate important traditions of many cultures.

South Jordan fourth-grader Bree McCleary poses with Sons of Utah Pioneers’ Guy Moore following the organization’s awards dinner where Bree won first place. (Photo courtesy of South Jordan Elementary)

Salt Lake County Jail Library named Best in Category by the National Association of Counties

When COVID shut everything down, only two outside partners were allowed into the Salt Lake County Jail: chaplains and librarians. Considered an essential part of the jail community, the Salt Lake County library staff brought education and connection to the incarcerated population.

This year, the National Association of Counties recognized the Library Connections program at the Salt Lake County Jail as Best in Category for Libraries in the Achievement Awards. It was the first time the county has received a Best in Category for Libraries award.

“The Achievement Awards demonstrate excellence in county government and the commitment to serve our residents every day,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “This year’s winners represent some of the most innovative and collaborative efforts we have seen in over 50 years of presenting these awards.”

Serving roughly 2,000 daily residents, the jail library provides much-wanted reading materials but also participates in the jail’s Life Skills program, offering classes to help incarcerated individuals as they re-enter society. The courses offer valuable informa-

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

tion and resources to keep inmates from returning to jail.

Jenn McKague, senior librarian at the jail, said the Life Skills program is not just library courses, but 240 hours of intensive instruction in communication, mindset, anger management, victim empathy and relationships.

McKague and her staff teach classes about the resources a local library can provide including computer literacy, resume writing and language skills. Librarians also offer art activities, book clubs and yoga and meditation classes to inmates.

“The individuals who sign up for this, maybe they're incentivized for a pizza party, and in jail, that's a big deal, but for those who are able to stay in the program, and graduate, it's huge because you have to make yourself vulnerable. You have to get really honest with yourself,” McKague said. “In Life Skills, they have a graduation, and it’s very impactful and powerful.”

She recently had a prisoner who had been released right before the Life Skills graduation and he actually went back to the jail to graduate. He told McKague, the first thing he did when he was released was to get a library card.

McKague works with Deputy Isaac

Miera, who manages the program. Miera made an impression on her with the compassionate way he treats people in the jail system. She has adopted his approach based on kindness and respect and hopes society can change the way they think about incarcerated people.

“Isaac said, ‘This is how I would want my family to be treated,’ and I just love that,” she said. “It’s a really positive interaction. The jail trusted us to stay there during COVID and they consider library services an essential service in the jail, and that’s pretty huge.”

The county library also offers professional development courses for cadets with the county sheriff’s office, to educate cadets about the free resources available at the library. Using the Brainfuse platform, online educational tutoring is available from kindergarten levels up to higher education. There’s also access to LinkedIn Learning, career skills, computer literacy and exam preparation.

As inmates re-enter society, they know they can use county libraries as a way to stay educated, up-to-date on technology and connected to the community. Over the last decade, the jail library has become much more than just lending books. It’s become a portal to change, growth and hope.

“I think it is easy to assume that people in jail are inherently guilty,” McKague said. “But when I walk through those doors, I leave every bias outside. I'm there to provide a good service and that's the same for all of my staff members.”l

The Salt Lake County Jail won Best in Category for Libraries by the National Association of Counties. The jail’s library staff helps incarcerated individuals learn skills and practices to help keep them from returning to jail. (From left) T. Austin, E. Johnson, Jenn McKague, A. Irving, G. Crist, J. Callister, G. Densley. Not pictured: K. Jorgensen (Photo courtesy of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office)

Replica of Old Testament Tabernacle coming to South Jordan

Photos by Carole Brown

Afull-size replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle will be erected at 2450 W. 10400 South with guided tours conducted July 11 through Aug. 2.

The life-size replica is traveling throughout Utah. A press release about “The Tabernacle Experience” explained that the Old Testament Israelites were instructed by God, through Moses, to build a sacred tabernacle as a dwelling place for the Lord. Whenever the children of Israel changed locations, they packed up the tabernacle and moved it to the next camp, where it was reconstructed as a House of the Lord and a reminder of Jesus Christ.

The tabernacle will be open to all with the organizers’ goal to teach about the ancient tabernacle and modern temples and to bring people closer to their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Guided tours will run every 10 minutes from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Sundays when they’ll begin at 3 p.m. and will be closed July 24.

The tours consist of an introductory video, then an approximately 35-minute guided tour through the outdoor tabernacle replica, including stops at the gate, the altar of sacrifice, the laver of water, the holy place, the holy of holies (including a replica of the ark of the covenant) and more. Participants may

then finish with a self-guided tour of the visitor’s center where they will learn more about ancient and modern tabernacles and temples.

Elder Patrick Russell, who serves with his wife, Kim, as leaders of the Utah Tabernacle Service Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pointed out that so far this event has had almost half a million guests; “and we have received thousands of comment cards from those attending the tabernacle, expressing appreciation for the Spirit that they have felt at the tabernacle.”

The tours will be primarily conducted by young adults and youth in the immediate area. “One of the primary focuses of the Tabernacle Experience is to bless the rising generation,” Russell said. “As the youth have been trained on the tabernacle and have given the tour to over hundreds of thousands of patrons, their testimonies of temples, temple ordinances and the gospel of Jesus Christ have grown.”

Elder Joel Alba, along with his wife, Judy, serve as site leaders for the South Jordan experience. “This once in a lifetime experience is sure to leave a positive impact in our area. We encourage community members of all faiths to come and enjoy the blessing of having the tabernacle in South Jordan.” l

A preview, a parade and a whole lot of ‘Summerfest’

Theweather was no match for South Jordan’s annual Summerfest event held from May 30 to June 3. Kicking off this highly anticipated event on Tuesday, May 30 was the parade preview held at Highland Park, a new addition to the Summerfest line-up. In an effort to extend the fun to the west side of South Jordan, the preview gave the extended community an opportunity to view the city float as well as have a bite to eat from local food trucks and make and fly kites with none other than Mary Poppins.

Councilwoman Tamara Zander and Councilman Jason McGuire were glad to have a bit of the Summerfest fun and excitement happening to the west of Bangerter Highway.

“For me that’s what the kickoff to summer is all about, getting all of our residents coming out,” McGuire said.

Both Zander and McGuire noted that the use of Highland Park, which is a city park and not a HOA park within Daybreak, for the addition of the parade preview was a great way to let all of the city know that the main event was coming.

One of those main events being the parade itself, which was held on Saturday, June 3. The route for the parade began at 2200 West and traveled down Park Road, through the City Park and finally ending at Redwood Road. The

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

parade itself was greeted with sunny skies as well as parade Grand Marshall, Mike Haynes. A longtime resident of South Jordan, Haynes was selected by the city council to lead the parade. He is currently the executive director of the Jordan Education Foundation.

“It is fun every year to get that little booklet to see what’s coming and what’s going to happen,” Haynes said. “I think it does mean a lot to see a community come together.”

Haynes said that an event like Summerfest helps him to become reacquainted with old neighbors and friends, and is a great reason to get family together for a summer BBQ.

The parade also featured local businesses from South Jordan and surrounding neighborhoods such as Orange Theory Fitness, Flake Pie Company, Mathnasium Learning Center and Chick-fil-A, as well as sports teams from Bingham High School.

One of the first groups to walk through the parade carrying a large 30 x 60 U.S. flag were volunteers for the Major Brent Taylor Foundation. Major Taylor was the former mayor in Ogden and was killed in action in November 2018.

Amber Marshall attended her very first Summerfest Parade. She and her family recently moved to Utah from the Las Vegas area. Her kids enjoyed collecting candy being passed out

by those walking in the parade. Marshall noted how many family-friendly activities there were in the area, something she said she was excited for.

Summerfest was not short on activities for all audiences including a pickleball tournament on Friday evening, June 2, a 5k, ruck and kids race on the morning of June 3, a photo booth, chalk art competition, root beer garden, music festival, BMX demonstrations, carnival rides and more. The event culminated with the ever-popular fireworks display on Saturday, June 3.

Natalie Domino is the special events coordinator for the City of South Jordan and said that despite the weather, the event was a success in that it brought together a lot of the components that one might think of when they think of summer time such as sticky fingers from cotton candy, the carnival rides, and to end the whole event, the fireworks.

“[Summerfest] has all the good things about summer,” Domino said.

For upcoming activities and events sign up for the city newsletter by visiting https:// www.sjc.utah.gov/ l

Members of the Utah Dance Artists participate in the Summerfest parade, showing off their technical skills and creativity. (Rachel Aubrey/City Journals)

The Utah Jazz bear greeted Summerfest parade watchers and could ‘BEARly’ control his enthusiasm, throwing candy and foam balls to the audience. (Rachel Aubrey/ City Journals)

Held at South Jordan City Park, a map shows eager participants where all the activities are located including food trucks, chalk art contest, a free fun zone, vendors lane, carnival rides and more. (Rachel Aubrey/ City Journals)

The vendors market lined the main entrance to the city park which was crowded with concessions and carnival rides. (Rachel Aubrey/City Journals)

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AlthoughI don’t like crowds, parades or people, in general, when my husband suggested we attend the Pride Parade last month in Salt Lake, I painted a rainbow on my face, donned my “More Love” shirt and jumped in the car.

After a year of devastating anti-gay and anti-trans legislation across the country, we wanted to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community, even if that meant standing in a crowd of more than 50,000 parade attendees singing at the top of their lungs.

Because how do you fight hate? With a celebration of love.

The theme was “Queer Pride is Unapologetic” and that message rang throughout the parade. When the crowd saw the first rainbow banners a block away, it burst into applause and continued cheering for two hours. I sang out loud to every Lizzo anthem. I chanted until I lost my voice. I clapped until my shoulders hurt. I danced in ways that completely embarrassed my husband. I smiled until my face was sore.

Love was palpable. It brought me to tears more than once as I watched the support, kindness and joy being showered on this parade by thousands of people, of all ages, faiths, races and gender identities.

It was an event of unrestrained joy with enough sequins, bright colors, sky-high wigs, hella high heels and drag queens to

Take pride in love

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

bring a smile to RuPaul’s face. Couples were holding hands, hugging, kissing, smiling, dancing and lifting a big middle finger to oppression and hate.

It was great to see nearly 200 businesses and organizations put on their rainbow best to spread the love. Entries included Delta Airlines, Westminster University, Intermountain Health, the Cougar Pride Center and ABC4 Utah.

The Salt Lake City Public Library had a large group of participants, because librarians are on the front lines, defending free speech every day and fighting book bans with humor and flair.

I’ve never been to a better parade. I’ve never celebrated a better message. With suicide rates rising for LGBTQ+ youth, hate is not acceptable. Intolerance is not acceptable. The only thing that’s acceptable is inclusion, joy, kindness, grace and love.

After the parade, we walked through

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the festival, talking with vendors, enjoying live music and eating tasty foods. We learned about drag queen bingo at a local church, chatted with a BYU student who wrote a book about coming out as gay and took pictures for lots of happy couples.

We watched people get tattoos, we bought new T-shirts, we smiled at strangers, we stood in line for lukewarm BBQ. We visited with friends. We saw bravery. We saw community. We saw free mom hugs. We saw compassion. We saw gay Darth Vader. We saw celebration. We saw dogs in tutus. We saw love.

Threats against the LGBTQ+ communi-

ty have quadrupled over the last few years, and organizers spent extra money for heightened security at the parade and festival. State leaders, churches, communities and individuals should be careful about comments, rules and legislation that contribute to these dangers. Be careful who you exclude, it could be someone you love.

For the LGBTQ+ community, continue living unapologetic. The world needs more dancing, more sequins, more hella high heels, more bright colors, more sky-high wigs, more connection, more dogs in tutus, more rainbow T-shirts and more love.

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