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November 2021 | Vol. 7 Iss. 11

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HIGHLAND GIRLS TENNIS TIES FOR STATE TITLE By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

hat was once a struggling program has in recent years become a Region 6 power. Now, the Highland girls tennis team can add state champion to its resume. And to the trophy case. The Rams celebrated a long-awaited title, tying Woods Cross for the Class 5A crown at the two championships Oct. 9-10 at the Salt Lake Swimming and Tennis Center in Salt Lake City. The Rams and Wildcats each netted 17 points, three more than Timpview. Head coach Jeanine Elsholz had a good feeling about her squad as the season began. Accomplishing this goal took a lot of effort and preparation. “I knew at the first of the season that we might have a shot at a state title, but we had a long way to go, and I was just hoping we could get there in time,” she said. “The team gave their all during the regular season to give us a good point lead going into the region tournament.” Highland won the Region tournament, advancing all of its varsity players to state with either the No. 1 or No. 2 seeds. Winning region is nothing new for the Rams in recent years, but the team has struggled at state. Last season, Highland placed fourth, distantly behind champion Timpview. Two years ago, Highland tied for eighth place. This year’s squad had a whole new mindset and approach, and it paid off. “In past years, we played tight and underperformed at state,” Elsholz said. “But this year was so different. The girls were determined and focused. Every one of them played so well under pressure, some under extreme pressure. They were mentally tough and that made all the difference. I was so proud of how well they mentally prepared and how ready they were to play.”

Highland girls tennis team members Elsa Pearce, Sam Kiburtz, Gabrielle Dooling, Lucy Foulks, Dylan Lolofie, Kate Creamer, Grace Harman pose with the Class 5A state championship trophy. The Rams shared the title with Woods Cross after a successful tournament. (Photo by Brevin Elsholz, B Rev Photography)

Highland’s second doubles team turned in the top perfor- in the finals 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2. Dylan Lolofie finished second in mance at state for the Rams. The tandem of Lucy Foulks and first singles, and Sam Kiburtz was the runner-up in third singles. Grace Harman won the title, defeating a pair from Timpview Continued page 5

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Asynchronous Learning Day brings teachers together to collaborate By Lizzie Walje l.walje@mycityjournals.com

n Oct. 5, both Salt Lake City School District students and teachers participated in the first of several prescheduled Asynchronous Learning Days. The October learning day marks the first of four, with three to subsequently follow. As for what they entail, these workdays serve as an opportunity for teachers of the district to come together in person and discuss issues ranging from cultivating professional development to the implementation of trauma-informed responses to aid children exhibiting mental health issues. The district describes the day as a way for its teachers to refine their skillset and further develop important methodology. The learning day comes on the heels of Salt Lake City School District’s Superintendent Timothy Gadson proclaiming that during the 2021-22 school year, the district will focus on teaching educators evidence-based learning models and helping teachers recognize emotional fallout and fatigue in their students. When addressing parents at a Title VI town hall meeting earlier this fall, the Superintendent said, “[The district] will be focusing largely on community outreach and sustainable self-governance. We want more collaboration opportunities for our educators, and doing the right thing even if it’s sometimes the harder or more laborious option.” While the Asynchronous Learning Day will see teachers collaborating in-person, students will be at home working on tasks and assignments provided by their instructors. For some, it is a welcome change, and for others a reminder of an unpleasant not-so-distant past. Even so, it’s been a rocky few months as students balance the return of in-person learning with new Covid-19 regulations. The four learning days were initial-

Journals T H E

The learning days serve as an opportunity for teachers of all grade levels to come together and collaborate on important topics. (Courtesy of Salt Lake City School District.)

ly proposed by the Utah State Board of Education, although they only required teachers who taught grades K-3 to participate. As the Salt Lake City School District deciphered how they were going to fulfill the requirement, they decided to make it mandatory for all teachers, regardless of the grade they taught. Naturally, in-home learning days may prove more difficult for some students who rely on school lunch programs and do not have reliable computer access at home. On the four Asynchronous Learning Days, the

district said, “All school kitchens will provide a free grab and go combination breakfast and lunch meal service during the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.” Proper signage will be posted at each school directing those who are picking up to the destinated receiving area. Regarding potential technological limitations, the majority of the work students are provided will not require computer access. However, students are encouraged to speak to their teachers if they foresee access as an issue. The dates for the remaining asyn-

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chronous workdays will be the same for all schools in the Salt Lake City School District. Parents will be given ample time to prepare with reminders alerting them to the upcoming workday. However, if you wish to prepare in advance and mark your calendars, below are all the workdays taking place throughout the 2021-22 school year. • Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 • Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 • Tuesday, April 19, 2022 l

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Continued from front page Lolofie lost 6-4, 6-4 in the finals. Kiburtz came up short in the championship round 6-0, 6-1. But both players garnered a lot of points to help their team share the coveted state title. It felt unreal to me,” Harman, a junior said, after winning the championship. “I thought we were going to lose for a minute. But when we won, it was an indescribable feeling. All my goals were achieved. I felt like I was on top of the world. Many hugs from teammates, friends and families was overwhelming and amazing.” Her second doubles teammate Foulks said capturing the state crown was a true team effort. “Winning state as a team took all seven of us working as hard as we could,” she said. “Even though our doubles match was the one that finished it off, winning it wouldn’t have mattered if my teammates had not worked for every single point. If Kate Creamer and Elsa Pearce hadn’t have dug back during their match to win against Olympus in the second round, my match wouldn’t have made a difference. I felt a lot of pride to be able to bring it home, but if my incredible teammates wouldn’t have done what they did as well, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be the deciding match. When Highland High got announced for the championship, I felt like I was surrounded by celebrities. My teammates inspired me, and I felt an unbelievable adrenaline rush getting to walk up to grab our trophy with those talented girls.” Winning the title began long before the state tournament got underway. For the players, it all began in practices and workouts, even before the 2021 season. A positive attitude and supporting one another have also been critical for the team members. “It feels like all of my hard work has come full circle through this state championship,” first singles competitor Elsa

Pearce said. “Our team has all spent thousands of hours on the court, and it couldn’t be more exciting to see it pay off. This state championship would not have happened without our efforts on the mental battle of tennis. We have become fierce competitors, and we can keep our cool no matter how high the stakes are. Even though my partner and I lost in the semifinals, we fought until the last point was over. Then we directed all our efforts to cheering our teammates on.” Senior Kate Creamer, a first doubles team member, credited Elsholz and other coaches for getting Highland tennis to where it is today. “We also never could have gotten this state championship without our amazing coaches,” she said. “Our head coach, Jeanine Elsholz, puts everything into this team every single year without fail. Her two sons Brevin Elsholz and Christopher Elsholz are also a vital part of this team. They volunteer to coach us and have improved our skills in countless ways. We would not be the team we are today without all of these coaches, and I know every girl on Highland tennis is extremely grateful for them.” After years of dedicated work and plenty of ups and downs, Elsholz said the moment the team found out it won the title was surreal. “It still does not seem real to me,” she said. “We have worked so hard, for so long, to build a system and a program that could compete at the top. I could not be more proud of this team for bringing the championship home for Highland. It has been an honor to be their coach this year.” Elsholz also praised her two sons for their coaching and support. She emphasized, too, that every member of the team contributed to its success. Along with Creamer and Foulks, Kiburtz was part of a class that won three region titles in addition to this year’s state crown. “The thing I love most about our state championship is

Third singles player Sam Kiburtz was runner-up at state. (Photo courtesy Julia Johnson)

that it took every single varsity player to make it happen,” Elsholz said. “It truly was a team effort. Every player contributed to the point total, and we needed every last point to finish in first place.” l

Some Holiday Prices May Not Be Merry, But Utah’s Economy Looks Bright By Robert Spendlove, Zions Bank Senior Economist

here are many reasons to be cheerful about Utah’s economy heading into the holiday season. While pandemic-related challenges – including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and inflation – could make your holiday shopping a bit less merry this year, the overall economic picture looks bright. Utah’s economy now has 47,000 more jobs than it did at its pre-pandemic peak in February 2020. There’s only one other state – Idaho – that is above its employment in early 2020. And Utahns are ringing in the holidays with more economic optimism than the rest of the nation. The University of Utah’s Consumer Confidence survey was 83.0 in September, compared to 72.8 for the University of Michigan’s national Index of Consumer Sentiment. Both surveys use similar questions and methodology. Consumers stepped up their spending in the fall, which is good news for customer-facing businesses after a summer of weakening demand. The winter season should bring an additional lift to Utah’s retailers, with the average shopper spending nearly

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$1,000 on holiday purchases like gifts, food and decorations, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s on par with 2020 holiday spending, though holiday budgets won’t stretch as far this year. Consumer prices are up 5.4% compared to one year ago – the highest we’ve seen in 20 years. Meanwhile, producer prices – selling prices received by domestic producers for their output – have jumped 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. That’s an indication that inflation may stick around for a while. In addition to higher prices, holiday shoppers may deal with longer-than-usual lines and wait times because of the labor shortage, and out-of-stock items because of ongoing supply chain problems. This “everything shortage” we are seeing right now presents real challenges and is causing real struggles for families in Utah and around the country. It is a continual reminder that we remain in a COVID economy. As the pandemic transitions into an endemic, these temporary effects should dissipate – but it will take some time. However, Utah remains an example of economic success and strength. The state’s economy was not immune to the impacts of the recession, but it has recovered well and is again the envy of the nation. This should

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Covid-19, declining enrollment take center stage at superintendent’s Listening & Learning Tour By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com

n Oct. 21, Salt Lake City School District Superintendent Timothy Gadson and his colleagues including Salt Lake City Board of Education President Melissa Ford and Auxiliary Services Administrator Paul Shulte addressed an auditorium of parents at Clayton Middle School. Clayton’s town hall was the first of several to come as Gadson will be headlining the superintendent’s Listening & Learning Tour which will stretch from Oct. 21 to Dec. 2. During the tour, Gadson and his colleagues will be visiting Salt Lake City School District institutions all across the city. The plan is to visit a school within each precinct of the district. There will be seven stops on the tour. The meeting began with a slideshow presentation where several of Gadon’s colleagues addressed issues in their areas of expertise. These presentations included information regarding Covid-19 policies, the district’s ongoing plans for IB and AP curriculum and school safety procedures. Following the presentations, came a question and answer segment. Parents and students were encouraged to write down their questions on an index card which were then gathered and distributed to the appropriate staff member to answer the question. Below are some of the highlights of the town hall compiled and organized by category.

Covid-19

As a nation, we are well on our way to approaching two years of involvement in the Covid-19 pandemic, and yet, it continues to be one of the most contested and discussed subjects district-wide. Of course, parents want to know what is being done to keep students safe both mentally and physically. Shulte took the stage to discuss these concerns. Shulte said that the district is doing the most to keep students protected including honoring Salt Lake Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s August mask mandate (which has recently been extended into December). He also discussed some of the protocols being taken to ensure schools across the district are adhering to proper cleaning procedure. “We are currently generating our own hypochlorous acid on-site, in all schools across the district. It is one of the most highly regarded cleaning agents available and it is completely safe for your students to be exposed to. It takes water, salt, and electricity to make. If your child were to pick up the cleanser and consume it, there would be no consequences,” he said. He went on to explain that touchpoints and common areas are being cleaned regularly. While the district’s budget has strained under the various precautions

Page 6 | November 2021

being taken, Shulte insisted it was being handled appropriately and that safety is top concern. “Restrooms are cleaned four times a day. Sanitizers and face masks are available all throughout our schools, and we’ve eliminated touch points by creating alternatives such as touchless water fountains.” Shulte addressed the mental strain that Covid-19 has had on students and the measures being taken to mitigate fallout. This was a particularly important talking point, as Gadson highlighted the desire to improve mental health conditions for students as a major part of his campaign for the position of superintendent. Shulte explained that the district has partnered with Odyssey House, a wellknown Utah substance abuse and mental health service provider to offer students access to free therapy. “Our initiative with Odyssey House is a board-funded project. We already have 10 licensed social workers with plans to expand. We also offer students telehealth and in-person sessions where they can focus on self-awareness, self-regulation, and mindfulness,” he said.

Declining Enrollment

During the question and answer segment, Gadson was asked if he worried about the notable decline in enrollment districtwide. Gadson acknowledged that the Salt Lake City School District has been losing students to private schools, charter schools, and even other districts within the Salt Lake metropolitan area. Gadson responded by saying, “[The board and I] are extremely concerned. However, enrollment has been declining in the district for years. We agree that our board has to make this a priority. Over the summer I personally sent out over 6,000 letters to families that have left us over the years asking them to come back.” Gadson explained that there are three main reasons as to why families cited their exodus from the district. “For those families and students who were gracious enough to write back, they almost all cited one of three reasons for why they had left. Number one, some said they were waiting to see how things evolved after they were disappointed with decisions made during the last year. Number two, they left for programming that is not available in our district. Number three, they had developed a lack of trust in our system.” Regardless of why students have chosen to leave, Gadson said that he’s taking it seriously. Whether or not these students attend schools in the district, their parents are continuing to pay taxes, and Gadson

Superintendent Dr. Timothy Gadson addresses an auditorium of parents at Clayton Middle School. (Lizzie Walje/City Journals)

would rather these parents pay taxes that actually benefit their students directly. “These are areas the board and I are working on,” he said. “We hope to win those families back over and persuade them to come back.” Concerns Regarding Identity Politics Toward the end of the question and answer segment, a parent wrote a question in response to comments made earlier in the week by a board of education member during the last board meeting. Essentially these comments dissuaded the acknowledgement of identity politics in schools. The parent wanted to reiterate concerns for the safety of all students, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+ or BIPOC. Ford responded by saying, “It’s not an easy time. It’s a divisive time. However, when we strip away the excess noise and really look at the kids, and focus in on the kids, those divisions tend to go away. Ulti-

mately, we want to do what we can for every student. No matter where a student or parent sits on the ideological spectrum. We want them to know we want what’s best for their kids. We build trust with them.”

Upcoming Town Halls

If you are interested in attending one of the upcoming town halls, here is the schedule for the remainder of the Listening & Learning Tour:• Nov. 4 – Precinct 7 - Hillside Middle School (1825 S. Nevada St.) • Nov. 9 – Precinct 5 - Liberty Elementary (1085 S. Roberta St.) • Nov. 11 – Precinct 3 - Washington Elementary (420 N. 200 W.) • Nov. 18 – Precinct 4 - SLCSE-Bryant (40 S. 800 E.) • Dec. 2 – Precinct 2 - Glendale Middle School (1430 W. Andrew Ave.) l

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Good for what ‘ales’ you—The Gateway’s popular yoga class By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

t’s suds and sun salutations at The Gateway. What could be a better way for a midweek unwind than taking a yoga class with a bit of beer tasting? TruFusion, a new fitness tenant at The Gateway, offers a yoga class with beer for any adult yogi who is interested in inversions and imbibing (or not). Yoga instructors from TruFusion will lead this series with a power flow yoga, integrating optional beer drinking postures. All levels are welcome. “We always like to add an unexpected twist here at The Gateway so we incorporated the option of beer into our free weekly yoga classes, and it was an immediate hit,” said Jacklyn Briggs, director of marketing for The Gateway. The Gateway started this series four years ago as a way unwind and break up the week. It’s a community gathering space and a fun way for local residents to meet people or attend with friends. “We’re thrilled to welcome Yoga and Beer back to The Gateway for a fourth season,” said Briggs. “Yoga and Beer has been a welcome way to break up the work week since its launch four years ago.” In featuring the class, The Gateway is introducing the brand-new TruFusion.

“TruFusion has such a unique and specific framework for the fitness classes, and we love to let people experience the high-quality instructors and effective training programs,” said Brett Cortese, co-owner of TruFusion. So grab your over 21, beer-drinking, yogi buddy and bring a mat. Classes are held Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. at The Gateway 12 S. 400 West on the upper level from The Olympic Plaza. Yoga is free, beer is not. l

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Now in its fourth year, the popular Yoga and Beer class returns to The Gateway. (Photos courtesy of The Gateway)

SUPPORT FOR THE HAYES TOUGH FOUNDATION Larkin Mortuary has donated $12,500 to the HayesTough Foundation from proceeds received from its annual golf tournament at the Eaglewood Golf Course in North Salt Lake, Utah on August 25, 2021. The contribution from the Larkin charity event will support the mission of the charity to provide financial support and hope to families affected by childhood cancer. The mission of The HayesTough Foundation is to fund research for childhood cancer and support families with a child experiencing a terminal cancer diagnosis. Every year nearly 100,000 kids die from childhood cancer, which is almost 300 kids per day. Despite these numbers, childhood cancer research is vastly underfunded. The HayesTough Foundation believes that every child deserves to have a better quality of life as they battle this disease.

“We are extremely grateful to our vendors and supporters who generously rallied to offer their support for the ToughHayes Foundation this year,” said Lance Larkin, President of Larkin Mortuary. “With this year’s donation, we look forward to stepping up our long-term commitments to benefitting children with terminal illnesses.” Founded in 1885, Larkin Mortuary is one of the most respected funeral homes in the Salt Lake Valley and offers six generations of experience in the funeral and cemetery services industries. The family-owned company offers four funeral homes in Salt Lake City, Sandy, and Riverton, as well as an on-site crematory and two fullservice cemeteries.

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‘Devious Licks’ TikTok challenges sweep the nation, impacting schools everywhere

By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com

angerous trends are plaguing schools across the nation as a result of viral videos circulating on social media application TikTok. If you’re unfamiliar with the Chinese-based video sharing platform, TikTok has been around in some capacity since 2016. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that the application exploded in popularity due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Originally, the application was marketed toward children and teenagers. However, following Covid-19’s various quarantines and lockdowns, people of varying ages and demographics found their way to the application looking for entertainment. Currently, the app is home to an audience of 800-million active users and counting. Many argue that part of what makes the application so addicting is its superior algorithm. Videos are anywhere between one to three minutes, and can be posted by anyone, anywhere, at any time. Once you download the application, it quickly learns your tastes based on the videos you interact with and like. Ergo, children and teenagers are likely to see content from their peers, and in the case of “Devious Licks,” these trends are directly targeting a schoolaged demographic. “Devious Licks” is the name given to a series of challenges that actively encourage students to vandalize their school bathrooms by removing items including sinks, soap dispensers, trash cans and even toilets. The origins of the trend are unknown, but like most viral trends on TikTok, it didn’t take long for millions of views to accompany the most popular videos. Subsequently, the ante was upped as more children hopped on the trend, resulting in more egregious circumstances of theft and vandalism. The trend gained peak popularity during mid-September, prompting a TikTok spokesperson to release a statement in response to the backlash. However, the initial statement left many contemplating TikTok’s culpability as the application was quick to denounce central involvement in the trend. TikTok stated, “This alleged ‘challenge’ would violate our policies and we would aggressively remove all content. But the reality is that we have not found related content on our platform, and most people appear to be learning about the offline dare from sources other than TikTok.” Nevertheless, the application has done its part in removing suspicious content according to its users. Despite TikTok’s ambiguous attitude toward “Devious Licks” it hasn’t stopped the trend from impacting school’s across

Dangerous “Devious Licks” Trend Financially Impacts Schools Across the Nation including Salt Lake City School District. (Courtesy Tik Tok)

the nation, including several in Salt Lake City. Various institutions have started pursuing criminal charges against perpetrators. Disgruntled administrators have been forced to play their hand. The responses to “Devious Licks” range from prohibiting bathroom usage entirely, to having staff monitor bathroom entrances during peak traffic times. In schools that have been hit particularly hard, bathrooms have had to shut down completely due to a lack of plumbing and infrastructure. Despite attempts to quell thefts, the trend continues to prosper, forcing many districts to take further action and press criminal charges against students. For many teenagers, the adrenaline rush of going viral is clouding the real repercussions awaiting them. The occurrence of such a trend would be inconvenient in the best of circumstances, however, many school districts are still trying to recover from the fiscal impact of Covid-19, including Salt Lake City School District. The district has been transparent about being stretched thin as a result of their ongoing Covid-19 mitigation plan. Cyclical cleaning measures are being taken such as aggressive and ongoing cleaning of common touchpoints, and the continuous usage of airflow mitigation techniques and cleaning agents that are effective but highly expensive. Districts across the country are having to rely on taxpayer dollars to pick up the slack where “Devious Licks” has left destruction. Following TikTok’s ban of all “Devious Licks” content, it appears the trend has been stifled, however, Salt Lake schools

Sugar House City Journal

are not yet in the clear. In Superintendent Timothy Gadson’s October newsletter he directly addresses the carnage and fallout from the September thefts. “The result was costly for the district and ultimately for taxpayers like you. Unfortunately, it seems this trend of destructive TikTok challenges is continuing, with several similar challenges this month and in the next few months. It is reported that these challenges include smacking a teacher or school staff member, destroying school signs, causing disruptions to cafeterias, and other disruptive and destructive behavior,” he said. While some districts are anxiously awaiting to see if these latest trends take flight, it appears that in some schools across the country, challenges such as the disturbing “slap a teacher” already have. In fact, some districts are reporting involvement from children as young as elementary age. It appears that no age group is being spared, as the hunger for virality is causing children to act erratically and impulsively. Many superintendents, district officials, and administrators are urging parents to speak candidly with their children about the potential fallout both personally and professionally from engaging in the “Devious Licks” trend. Gadson himself seems to agree as he wrote the following in his sentiments re-

garding the trend: “Parents, please speak with your child(ren) about these actions and their potential harm. Students who are found participating in activities such as the ones mentioned above will face discipline, including possible suspension up to expulsion from school. Police may be involved, and criminal charges will be filed if warranted.” It appears that in the Salt Lake City School District the patience for the viral trend has waned, particularly as resources and funds run low. The “Devious Licks” trend not only affects the potential futures of children but will see taxpayers footing the bill for the damages that may run in excess of thousands of dollars. These thefts do not exist in a vacuum, and they have real consequences for taxpayers, students and districts at large. Gadson ended his remarks by doubling down on the district’s intention to involve the authorities in disciplinary action. The charges students will face if caught have the potential to impact their future professionally and personally. In the meantime, according to Gadson, students should be aware of the potential consequences. “Reparations for any damage may be required. We ask that you help your child(ren) understand that their actions now can impact their future,” Gadson said. l

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Riders of all abilities race in high school cycling league By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

levate is the program in the Utah High School Cycling League for special needs students. In its eight years of existence, they have helped several student athletes participate just like every other rider in the program. “We wanted to bring more inclusivity into this league,” league director Dallen Atack said. “We wanted to make it available to special needs athletes.” This season the league has had about a dozen special needs student athletes participate. They are each members of individual teams across the state. They include riders that are legally blind, deaf, autistic or missing limbs. These riders participate just like the rest of the members of the team. In some cases, they may race a small loop near the start finish line, but other kids race a normal lap, and spectators would never know the difference. “It is based on the capacity of the team. If they have the ability to work with these kids we can get them to practice and the races,” Atack said. Each participant can be individually supervised as needed. “We had an athlete that was deaf and rode a little slower so we had a parent ride behind her so that the oncoming racers knew to steer around her,” Atack said. “Another was

legally blind. A coach rode in front of him to keep him safe. He could not see in front of him very well, but he was fast and usually had a small tumble during a race, but we made sure he stayed safe.” The league provided training for its coaches with the National Ability Center in Park City. The NAC draws from decades of experience working with people of all abilities, using special equipment as necessary and techniques and teaching methods within its 1,900 volunteers. “They helped us learn to work with the athletes and taught coaches skills for each individual athlete,” Atack said. “They have also helped acquire bikes with special equipment as needed.” The league has 6,300 participants this season. They raced in four regions across the state and are scheduled to hold the state finals Oct. 28-29 in St. George. “Our league grew more than we expected this season. In some of our race venues we are bursting at the seams. We also had a tough weather year with several lightning delays and rain. We will be headed to St. George for the finals with approximately 2,100 riders who have qualified,” Atack said. The league culture is different than most people have experienced.

West Granite Composite rider Archie Wiley finished his lap at the Eagle Mountain course in 56 minutes. Riders in the series race to improve each time they get on course. The league is trying to make the series available to everyone. (Greg James/City Journals)

“Mountain bike culture is different than a lot of the other sporting cultures. Everyone helps each other. They are racing for a team, but also for themselves. The only way to get better is for you to get better. Everyone races, no one rides the bench,” Atack said. The riders race in divisions of skill and

must pass levels of ability to advance. “These Elevate riders are part of the team. It is a really neat program. We have had lots of fun with it,” Atack said. The league begins its season in July. Its teams practice two or three times a week and welcome riders of all abilities.l

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World champion paraclimber shares story, empowers Girl Scouts to find their passion By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

bout 100 registered Girl Scouts had the opportunity to not only listen to a world-class paraclimber share inspiring tales of mountain climbing, they also could choose to climb with her at the local Momentum indoor climbing facility. As part of the Girl Scouts of Utah’s Girls’ Empowered event, sixth- through 12th-grade girls listened as Maureen “Mo” Beck described competing at world championships and climbing the Lotus Flower Tower, a 2,200-foot granite rock face in the Cirque of the Unclimbables in Canada’s Northwest Territories. That alone is challenging enough for many people; however, Beck did those one-handed as she was born without the lower part of her left arm. By coincidence, her love of mountain climbing came at about the same age as the girls in attendance while attending Girl Scout camp near Acadia National Park in Maine, where she grew up. “My counselor said that I may just want to sit this one out,” she remembered. “So, the little 12-year-old me just thought, ‘screw you, I’m going to do it just because you think I can’t.’ I’m sure I didn’t do that well and didn’t make it to the top of the rock, but I wasn’t going to not do it. I never used not having my hand as an excuse.” She also used that same attitude to show her middle school coaches she could play soccer as the goalkeeper, the position where a player can use their hands; play softball—throwing the ball and catching it without a mitt; and play basketball—although she didn’t make that team since she missed tryouts. “I just wanted to show I was an athlete and could play; don’t count me out because I only have one hand. My grandma used to say that I was just being a smart-ass,” she said. But being defiant at Girl Scout camp meant more to the girl who once thought the best thing in the outdoors was hiking. “I fell in love with mountain climbing. It’s just me and the rock. It doesn’t care if I’m a girl. It doesn’t care if I don’t have a hand. It’s just there to be climbed. I knew then I wanted to be a climber and a good climber. Period. I had never known anything more than hiking. My parents weren’t climbers, so I went to the bookstore to buy magazines about mountain climbing.” With the help of friends, Beck developed her own style of climbing to accommodate not having a second hand. Her efforts didn’t stop there; she even tried ice climbing by attaching an ice tool to her prosthetic and also duct-taped a paddle to her prosthetic so she could canoe. Since then, most days Beck has given up wearing her prosthetic. “I had to figure out I can’t really wear a prosthetic to rock climb. It doesn’t help. So, I’m just going to tape my arm so I can feel the rock and also, so I don’t leave a bloody trail behind,” she told the Scouts. However, if Beck wanted to become a better climber, she told the girls, she had to confront her ego. “I had to be honest that it’s hard for me to do some things physically or I was unable to—and that was hard to do,” she said. “I had to realize I didn’t have all the knowledge or all the strength. I finally got to the point where I said at least I have to try and ask questions. I had to admit I didn’t know if I wanted to learn.” Once she did that, Beck said climbing became even more enjoyable. She told the girls that her first climbing title, the first U.S. Nationals held in Atlanta in 2014, she won because she was the only one in her category. “I felt conflicted about that. Does it count? Can I brag about being first if I’m the only one? I settled on you can because often times, the battle is stepping out of your front door; the hardest part is showing up,” she said.

MyS ugar HouseJournal .com

Professional paraclimber Mo Beck speaks with girls after the Girl Scouts of Utah’s Girls’ Empowered event, encouraging them to find their passion. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Later, she acquired four more national titles. With only a couple competitive events for paraclimbers each year, Beck made each one count. In 2014, she won the gold at the Paraclimbing World Champions in Spain as one of 15 paraclimbing athletes representing the United States. Two years later in Paris when the next worlds were held, she repeated her title and was one of 50 U.S. athletes, showing that the sport is growing. One championship was a three-way tie because “the people who built the competition underestimated us because it was too easy,” Beck said. Recently Jim Ewing, a climber with a prosthetic leg whom she didn’t know, asked her to join him climbing the Lotus Flower Tower; she reflected back on her decision when she said yes. “Society tells us, our parents tell us ‘no, we should stay safe. Our risks should be small, we should aim for incremental changes in our lives,’ but I think that’s wrong,” Beck said. “I think the more scared you are, the bigger risks you take, the worst that can happen when you take a risk is nothing changes. Failure is where you grow from. Failure when you take a risk is one of the best things that can happen. We’re so afraid of failure that we use it as an excuse to not grow. Life is too short for that.” Beck and the others were gone one month, most of it waiting for the weather to clear so they could climb. For 10 days leading up to the climb, they camped at the base of the peak, heating freeze-dried food on their backpacking stoves. When there was a break in the weather, they climbed part way up the steep cliff to a bivy ledge where they spent the night. “We finally got on mountain, and you can tell, I was a little less than stoked. The rock was still quite wet. I wasn’t ready for truly how loose and gross and mossy it was. Every single hitch that we did…was a full rope length; these were full 200-foot rope stretchers. So, when Jim would take off to lead, I would just be alone for so long during these belays. I was freezing wet and thinking fairly dark thoughts: ‘This was a horrible mistake. I’m not having fun. I’m 1,000 miles away from my family (she’s married, living in Colorado). It’s August. I should be in Colorado right now getting sunburned, sport climbing and having fun at the beach,” she told the girls. “But I knew anytime I was in a dark place, there is always something on the other side.” After witnessing the northern lights that night and waking the next morning, Beck was excited, but her climbing partner was sick. Knowing this was their only chance, they ascended the mountain, anyway. They reached the top—and rappelled down for nine hours arriving in the dark. “We wanted this to be the first all-adaptive ascent. We

World champion paraclimber Mo Beck tells local Girl Scouts that she never used not having a hand as an excuse and went on to win five national titles, two world championships and recently climbed a 2,200-foot granite rock face in the Cirque of the Unclimbables in Canada’s Northwest Territories. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

thought about it more and adaptation doesn’t mean you have one hand you learn how to climb. Adaptation is more about taking what is wrong and figuring out how to make it work. I realized the more that went wrong with this trip, the more I learned,” said the woman who was named the 2019 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. Now Beck is training for what she believes will be her last world championship before taking a break from competition. However, she isn’t ruling out the possibility of competing in paraclimbing if it is added to the Paralympic Games in 2028. Next, she wants to continue scaling peaks, maybe in Alaska. “Life isn’t over when you’re out of the spotlight and off of the podium, the world is still waiting,” she said, adding that now she teaches other adaptive climbers. “I want these girls to find their voice, their passion, what pumps them up. I’ve broken so many barriers now I want to empower them to push those farther,” she said. In addition to Beck, the Girl Scouts watched “The Empowerment Project,” a documentary made by women and featuring women across the country who were making a posit Girl Scouts of Utah CEO Lisa Hardin-Reynolds said that Girl Scouting gives girls opportunities—not only in the outdoors, but from STEM to life skills. “We encourage Girl Scouts to try new things because it could open up a new passion that they can do for their whole lives, just like it has for Mo,” she said. “We want to give them the opportunity to face challenges, lift each other up and see other women role models so they can see that anything is possible.” l

November 2021| Page 11

Mental Health Crisis Care Center to be built in South Salt Lake By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

etween the Salt Lake County Jail and Men’s Homeless Resource Center, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) and University of Utah Health broke ground for the first building of the Campus of Hope on 3300 South. “The HMHI Campus of Hope will be a multiphase, satellite expansion of HMHI on a 9-acre lot at 3300 South and 1000 West,” according to the Mental Health Crisis Care Center website. The location was chosen because it is in

the central part of the valley and is reachable via public transportation. “We are in the very early stages of developing the campus. We are gathering input from the community and are working with architects, consultants, and various stakeholders to create some concepts,” Dr. James Ashworth, executive vice-chair of HMHI, said. One part is known. A Mental Health Crisis Care Center will be the first building built.

Mental Health Crisis Care Center

“The new Mental Health Crisis Care Center represents the commitment of the state of Utah, Salt Lake County, South Salt Lake, the University of Utah, and the donor community all working together for individuals facing a mental health crisis,” said Dr. Michael Good, the interim president of the University of Utah and CEO, U of U Health. “Together, we will develop a center where people experiencing a psychiatric emergency will be treated efficiently and with dignity.” Charles Ellis, who has lived with bipolar disorder for more than 15 years, shared his story at the groundbreaking. In 2019, he was in a crisis and a friend called the police for help. Before they knew what happened, Ellis was surrounded “by officers with guns and tasers pointed at me.” Ellis was handcuffed and taken to the hospital by ambulance. Medical staff determined he was not a threat to himself or others. Nevertheless, he left the hospital in the middle of the night with new significant medical expenses. “I was angry and frustrated.” Ellis’s story is not uncommon. Unfortunately, the options are limited in Salt Lake Valley. The purpose of the Mental Health Crisis Care Center will provide a place for individuals experiencing a mental health cri-

sis or substance use crisis. “Individuals can walk in with a self-defined crisis, be referred by a provider in the community, or be transferred by police, fire, or emergency medical services,” according to the Center’s press release. “This is going to be a welcoming place for any individual facing a mental health crisis. Like the current receiving center at Huntsman Mental Health Institute in Research Park, it will serve everyone,” Ashworth said. “There will be a main entrance with a walk-in center for individuals and families to come and a separate entrance for emergency services/law enforcement to bring individuals. In addition to the shortterm stabilization center (receiving center), there will also be in-patient hospital rooms and multiple community resources to connect individuals to ongoing care.” The Mental Health Crisis Care Center will provide a compassionate evaluation of patients and families in psychiatric distress. The center will have the ability to intensively treat and stabilize 30 patients in a 23-hour stabilization center. The center will also have a 24-bed in-patient facility with individual rooms. Personalized care management and individual recovery plans will guide the process. “To have a facility of this size with so few barriers to entry meets a need in our

Dr. Michael Good, U of U interim president, speaks at the groundbreaking for the HMHI Mental Health Crisis Care Center. (Courtesy of the HMHI)

Page 12 | November 2021

Sugar House City Journal

The future home of the HMHI’s Campus of Hope and the Mental Health Crisis Care Center at 1000 West and 3300 South. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

community that has gone unmet for too long,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “Too many people with mental illness have spent unnecessary time in jails or emergency rooms. The crisis care center will be a safe space where people will receive proper mental health care and treatment.” A multi-disciplinary professional staff, including licensed psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses, social workers, certified peer specialists, and psychiatric technicians, will work with individuals at the crisis center. In addition, since the crisis center is affiliated with the University of Utah School of Medicine, it will also be a place for teaching, learning, and research to improve and transform mental health crisis care. “The opening of the Mental Health Crisis Care Center allows us to continuously study, evolve, and improve crisis services,” said Mark Rapaport, M.D., CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Institute and chair, Department of Psychiatry. “This critical community resource will unify services for people and their families and be a space for healing. Its unique design will be a model for the future of mental health crisis care and an example for other communities to emulate.” The Crisis Center will open in late 2023 or early 2024.

HMHI

The HMHI supplies a variety of services. The HMHI Receiving Center is in Research Park, south of the university. It is a short-term (up to 23 hours) secure center. While at the center, individuals will receive

MyS ugar HouseJournal .com

crisis management therapy, a psychiatric assessment, medication, and wellness recovery/discharge planning. The HMHI operates the Utah Crisis Line. The Utah Crisis Line, in association with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, provides compassionate support during challenging times for anyone. Callers of any age with any mental health issue are encouraged to call. The number is 801-587-3000 or 1-800-273-8255. The Utah Crisis Line sends out a mobile crisis outreach team (MCOT). MCOT services are fast, free either face to face or virtual. Youth and adult MCOT teams are available 24/7/365 to offer consultation and support to individuals, families, schools, treatment providers, and first responders. HMHI also runs the Utah Warm Line. The difference between the Warm Line and Crisis Line is that the Warm Line is a listenMy name is Jonathan Campbell. I am a resident of Holladay, and my kids attend school in the Olympus High network. I’ve been practicing dentistry for 20 years, near St. Mark’s Hospital. If you need a dentist, or you’d like a second opinion, we can help.

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ing ear for individuals who need someone to talk to. Specialized trained peer support individuals staff the Warm Line and are available 8 a.m. -11 p.m. seven days a week, 365 a year at no cost. The number is 801-587-1055 or 833-SPEAKUT. A final service is the SafeUT Crisis Chat and Tip Line. This Utah services supplies real-time emotional support and crisis prevention 24/7/365 to students, parents and educators. Individuals can send a confidential tip from their smartphone or call 833-372-3388. “Our family is very proud to be part of this partnership that is creating a no-wrongdoor approach to treating and caring for people experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Jennifer Huntsman Parkin. “Everyone deserves proper mental health treatment and recovery services, just like any other medical illness.”l

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Utilizing your tax dollars in the best way possible

very fall, Salt Lake County goes through its annual budget process. As the government entity with the second largest government budget in Utah (coming behind only the state budget itself), there are a myriad of programs, services, and expenditures that comprise the now roughly $1.5 billion budget. On October 21st, Mayor Wilson presented her proposed budget to the county council. In subsequent weeks council members have the opportunity to review all new budgetary requests, ongoing expenditures, and any reinstatement of funding previously cut due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the County will also review budgetary requests for funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Salt Lake County is a direct recipient of these federal dollars provided to support COVID-19 response efforts, replace lost public sector revenue, support immediate economic stabilization, and address systemic public health and economic challenges. One of the most important parts of being an elected official is acting as a steward of taxpayer dollars. Residents entrust those who run the government to judiciously use their tax dollars to perform essential functions for the community, and as such residents expect that every dollar spent by the government will be carefully scrutinized. Here are some key principles I prioritize during the budget process, this year included. First and foremost, tax dollars don’t “belong” to the county. The funds are yours. Taxpayers entrust the county, or any government for that matter, with a portion of their hard-earned money because they expect that entity to provide essential services for society to function. Second, I believe that all government functions should be viewed in two different categories: “need to have” and “nice to have.” The “need to have” list includes things that are statutorily required of the county to perform, think constitutionally mandated services such as criminal justice and election administration. I also consider public safety to be in this category, since keeping our residents safe is a core function of government. However, just because they are essential does not mean they are above scrutiny. Efficiencies can still be found. The “nice to have” list includes quality of life services the county provides, as well as any other program or initiative that can easily be described as a benefit to county residents, but not necessarily considered essential. Libraries and open space

Page 14 | November 2021

Aimee Winder Newton Salt Lake County Council | District 3

are some of the things in this category. Lastly, I review each aspect of our budget and ask, “Is this the proper role of county government?” There are many programs or services that are better suited to other government entities, nonprofits, or the private sector. It is always important to review each program, service, or expenditure and ask that question again and again. I’m confident that these principles are the essence of good budgeting and fiscal discipline, and I will always advocate for this approach any time the government is entrusted with taxpayer dollars.

Sugar House City Journal

Comcast makes a $1 billion commitment to digital equity

omcast Corporation, the global media and technology company, connects people to moments that matter. In fact, over the last 10 years, Comcast has connected more than 160,000 people in Utah to low-cost, high-speed, in-home internet services. Now, the company is doubling-down on its commitment to help low-income families in the state gain access to the internet. “Utah is one of the most collaborative states we work with across the country when it comes to helping its citizens gain digital equity,” said J.D. Keller, senior vice president, Comcast Mountain West Region. “Leaders from the state, county and city are working together as we open more free WiFi Lift Zones, connect more families to the Internet at home, and increase speeds for businesses and families across the state.” Comcast has pledged $1 billion to establish WiFi-connected safe spaces, or Lift Zones, in 35 community centers in Utah, and more than 1,000 zones across the country. These centers help students participate in online learning and will connect more than 8 million low-income people to the internet. The COVID-19 crisis put low-income students at risk and Comcast’s Internet Essential Partnership Program is focused on creating digital equity, allowing students to continue their schooling, even when they can’t attend class. Just this year, Comcast estimates students across America will complete more than 25 million hours of remote learning lessons at the hundreds of Lift Zone locations that have already opened. “We are delighted to work with such outstanding corporate partners, such as Comcast, as we connect more Utahns to the Internet,” said Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox. “Utah is regularly lauded for its innovative vision in numerous categories, and increasing our digital access helps everyone, including families, students and businesses.”

The Comcast investment includes laptop and computer donations, more than $100,000 in digital equity grants for local Utah nonprofit community organizations, and continued investment in the company’s landmark Internet Essentials program. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said Comcast is advancing the county’s effort in supporting economic prosperity throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The county is responsible for launching unique digital equity initiatives to connect its community. “We have one of the most forward-thinking counties in the country and having such a robust partnership with leaders in government and community organizations means we can connect the pivot points quicker and more securely for all involved,” Wilson said. “We’re committed to digital equity. Our Salt Lake County libraries have more than 300 hotspots and 150 Chromebooks in circulation to assist residents with digital needs in their homes.” As Salt Lake County collaborates with Comcast, the country’s largest internet provider, programs in the area will benefit from the partnership. Comcast recently gifted Neighborhood House with 300 computers and laptops to help clients in its programs, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake was awarded a financial grant to support its mission to empower youth and guide them toward success. “We are very grateful for this timely grant from Comcast,” said Amanda Ree Hughes, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake. “Comcast is a 360-partner because they give more than just dollars for computers and programs. Their employees bring skills, experience and knowledge to create a whole solution in providing access and technology to help our kids succeed.”

Keller commends Utah for its “can-do attitude” and the willingness of state and county leaders to create long-lasting collaborations that will benefit students and impact Utah’s prosperity. “Together, we have been able to connect tens of thousands of Utahns to the power of the internet at home and to the endless opportunity, education, growth, and discovery it provides,” Keller said. “Today, we are rededicating ourselves to this mission to ensure the next generation of students in Utah has the tools, resources, and abilities to succeed in an increasingly digital world. “Whenever we can help our community neighbors connect to reliable, high-speed internet access, we work to do that. It helps keep us all moving forward one family, one organization, and one community at a time.” l

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Sugar House City Journal

How does your city know how much property tax to collect? By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com

ach year, Salt Lake County sets a new property tax rate for each city. First, a city will receive the same dollar amount as the previous year. If they received $15 million from property taxes in 2020, the city will receive $15 million from those same property owners in 2021. The property tax rate then calculated is set based on the values of all the properties in that city. If values go up, the tax rate decreases. If values go down, the tax rate increases. If there has been any population growth, the city will receive extra. “New growth adds to the city revenue at the same property tax rate as the other properties and becomes part of the calculation the next year,” West Jordan Finance Director Danyce Steck said. If a city collects $15 million in 2020,

they may collect $15 million and an additional $200,000 if there is new growth in 2021. Then 2022 would bring the city $15,200,000. Any time a city wants to do a different rate than set by Salt Lake County, a truth-in-taxation meeting that involves the public is required. The rate change can only happen once a year. Because the property tax rate, the percentage, changes year to year, if the city “raises taxes,” the percentage owners will pay is not always higher for the residents than it was in the past. Councils usually consider adjusting the rate when the income of the previous year is not enough to pay for what is needed in the next year. For example, West Jordan performed the truth-in-taxation process this year. Last

Residential

The rate of property tax a city gets remains stable from year to year, unless there is a truth-in-taxation meeting. (Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels)

Business

Assessed Value

$ 350,000

Less: 45% Residential Discount

(157,500)

Taxable Value

$ 192,500

$ 350,000

Multiplied by: Property Tax Rate

0.001788

$ 344

$ 626

Property Tax Bill

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year their tax rate was 0.1899%. The county then set the new rate for this year at 0.1732%. The council raised this year’s rate by 3.2% and properties will now pay 0.1788%. Residents pay less than commercial property owners.

“All property’s value is set by Salt Lake County, but residential properties receive a 45% discount. This discounted value becomes the taxable value and is used to calculate the property tax bill,” Steck said. l

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Page 18 | November 2021

Sugar House City Journal

Life

Laughter AND

PERI KINDER

Talking Turkey

ne cool November morning, mom twisted my blonde hair into two braids and painted my face with orange and blue stripes. I put on a fringed vest made from a paper grocery bag (decorated with stick figures and animals), donned my construction paper headband with its fake feathers and walked uphill (both ways) in the snow to school. Along the way, I met up with friends dressed as Indians or outfitted in Pilgrim attire, with black, buckled hats or kitchen aprons. We were heading to our second-grade class party, unaware we were perpetuating a myth handed down for generations regarding the First Thanksgiving. We’d been taught the feast was a celebration of friendship, that the Indians didn’t want their BFFs to starve during the winter. We didn’t know Pilgrims were the guests that never leave, who end up stealing your bath towels and giving you smallpox. We also didn’t know ancestors of the Wampanoag Nation hadn’t been invited to the feast, but responded when they heard Pilgrims firing guns, and thought the settlers were under attack. But the Pilgrims were just shooting their rifles into the air, celebrating a successful harvest, like ya do. Have Americans always been gun lunatics? Our school Thanksgiving dinner consisted of turkey-shaped sugar cookies, banana bread, orange soda, candy corn and other

forms of sugar, because that was one of the main food groups in the ’70s. Our meal was nothing like the first Thanksgiving where lobster or eel was probably the main course, not turkey. I don’t know how they stuffed an eel, but I’m sure it wasn’t pretty. The teacher told us to write down things we were grateful for. My list included my family, Nancy Drew mysteries and apple pie. We also brought offerings for a food drive where some lucky family in the neighborhood received 25 cans of cranberry sauce, four boxes of Stove Top stuffing and a case of olives. Maybe the Pilgrims also made gratitude lists, including finding a land so completely devoid of other humans that they could take whatever they wanted and build a country. Did they think the people native to this continent were just visiting? Lost? The official Thanksgiving holiday start-

ed in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln was so tired of the Civil War, he just wanted a piece of pumpkin pie. Since then, in typical American style, the holiday evolved into a food orgy, consisting of overcooked turkey, mountains of mashed potatoes and nine different Jell-O salads. My food tracking app usually starts to smoke during dessert. Although it’s true Pilgrims celebrated days of thanksgiving, those observations usually involved fasting and prayer, not gluttony. These “thanksgivings” often occurred after a massacre of Native people. For instance, in 1637, Massachusetts Colony Governor John Winthrop called for a day of thanksgiving after hundreds of the Pequot tribe were massacred. Not really something you celebrate with grandma’s homemade rolls and jam. Along with your holiday celebration, maybe you can learn about the challenges still faced by Native Americans including poverty, domestic violence, healthcare and the continuation of harmful stereotypes. As a 7-year-old, I didn’t know cultural prejudice or appropriation was a thing. I didn’t realize the Disneyfied version of the first Thanksgiving wasn’t accurate, with its cartoonish Pilgrims, smiling Natives and bouncy soundtrack. But now I do. When you gain wisdom, you get to make better choices.

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