
Big-hearted principal Heartland Elementary leader holds the center of his community Page 18
Big-hearted principal Heartland Elementary leader holds the center of his community Page 18
By Josh McFadden
The Jaguars softball team made history by winning the Class 5A state championship, its first girls team title.
In the 40 years of West Jordan High School’s history, no girls sports team had ever won a state championship. Until now.
The Jaguars put an end to that streak by winning the Class 5A state championship, earning the school a memorable prize. West Jordan took down Salem Hills in back-to-back games in a best-of-two championship series May 22 and 23. West Jordan ended its season with an impressive 24-4 record and ran through the state tournament with a 7-1 record.
Winning the state championship was a monumental accomplishment for the program, the school and the community.
“The feeling and emotions have been unreal,” head coach McHailee Danner said. “It’s what we have been pushing for all year. Being a second-year coach, we haven’t known each other very long. It’s been a lot of building and growth, but I could feel the moment the girls bought in and could tell they were ready for something big. There was nothing but pure and unadulterated joy after winning.”
The Jaguars clinched the title with a 6-5 victory over Salem Hills in game two. West Jordan fell behind 3-0 after two innings but was undaunted. The Jaguars scored a run in the third inning and
Continued page 17
Using a well-balanced vision of focus, follow-through and fun, Columbia Elementary principal brings out the best in students and staff.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Whenhe took over as principal in 2023, Keith Klein’s vision for Columbia Elementary School was one-third Harvard (rigorous academics,) one-third West Point (structure and order) and one-third Disneyland (tons of fun.)
“It has to do with clarifying and raising expectations in terms of the learning and the structure and order, and getting kids and teachers to believe in themselves,” Klein said. “We want to be about education and learning seriously, doing the right thing at the right time, the right way, the right place, and recognizing that there's a lot of fun in just learning, as well.”
Klein began realizing his vision by setting goals and providing tools to improve students’ reading proficiency and capacity.
Lisa Robinson, a Jordan School District Administrator of Elementary Schools, is impressed with the improved academic outcomes resulting from Columbia’s empowered teachers.
“Mr. Klein’s focus on student engagement and the science of reading has helped teachers see the power of reaching every learner,” Robinson said.
Klein also encourages the joy of learning and supports teachers as they creatively engage students.
“We try to have as much fun-and build relationships through that fun stuff-as we can,” Klein said.
When Klein noticed many students playing soccer at recess, he saw an opportunity to improve their experience by procuring goal nets for the school playgrounds.
Second grade teacher Abbey Knight said Klein’s leadership style is consistent and effective.
“He's improved the feel of our school with his consistently no-nonsense approach to student behaviors and discipline,” Knight said. “When Mr. Klein sets out an expectation for our students he stands by it.”
Columbia staff members use a data-driven positive behavior intervention system and a collaborative social emotional learning program to equip students with the tools they need to succeed.
“We build things in where kids can earn things because of positive behavior, but it also does a great job of clarifying those expectations about when, where and how,” Klein said. “And then we try to reinforce when students are doing what they're supposed to.”
The positive changes Klein has made at Columbia Elementary were recognized when he received this year’s JAESP School Im-
provement Leader of the Year Award.
“Keith Klein joined Jordan School District two years ago, bringing over 20 years of experience as an elementary and secondary school administrator,” Robinson said. “In that short time, his dedication, innovation and unwavering commitment to the school community have led to remarkable growth and improvement.”
Heartland Elementary Principal Buddy Alger admires Klein’s “unwavering commitment to school improvement.”
“Keith is a leader who has a clear vision of what he wants for children and educators, and he works tirelessly to make that happen,” Alger said. “His whole heart is committed to helping kids learn and grow.”
Before he accepted the job at Columbia Elementary, Klein met individually with all 60 staff members and with a group of fifth and sixth graders to get feedback about the school and discuss possible improvements.
In response to feedback, Klein added an afterschool chess club, and rebooted programs offered to community members by the school’s Family Learning Center. He prioritized attracting and retaining good teachers by incentivizing them with stipends for taking steps to improve their teaching practices. He also made changes to improve teacher clarity and teacher and student beliefs.
“If teachers understand what they're doing and why they're doing it, and then students do the same, we're much more likely to hit the mark,” Klein said.
Because they feel supported, more teachers are remaining at Columbia this year.
“Mr. Klein values our expertise and recognizes that we are the ones on the 'front line' of the classroom,” Knight said. “That is an invaluable trait to have as an administrator, and one of Mr. Klein's best.”
Third grade teacher Angela Drope said Klein makes thoughtful changes based on feedback and data, and that his vision for a fun, consistent and challenging learning environment “has set Columbia on a path for great success.”
“Mr. Klein came to our school with high expectations. I believe we (students and faculty) all rose to the occasion,” she said. “It is Mr. Klein's personality, expectations, reflectiveness and willingness to do what is best for everyone that has improved retention.”
Klein will continue to make improvements.
“I think a lot of that goes back to that collective vision, because that's something that has to be in place before you can really take strides forward,” Klein said. “So some of that improvement maybe isn't numerical or quantitative, but it's more the look and the feel of the building, and some of the esprit de corps that we're building that's a prerequisite to some of those other things coming together.” l
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homes for the animals. Many animals get adopted at the Walmart adoption events, which means Best Friends can bring more into their center and get the animals adopted.
By Linda Steele l.steele@mycityjournals.com
BestFriends Animal Society partnered with Walmart for a great event to find homes for animals. Different adoption events happened at Walmart across the country, and Walmart graciously paid for all of the adoption fees for the entire month of May.
“It is the goal of Best Friends Animal Society to find homes for as many animals as possible,” Public Relations and Marketing Strategist Michelle Sathe said. There is a sanctuary in Kanab, and Salt Lake has a life-saving center. There are life-saving centers in different locations across the country. Best Friends as a whole has been around since 1984.
In Utah, 93% of the shelters are no-kill, with only four shelters left in the state that are not. The governor signed a no-kill proclamation in 2024.
“The governor is very committed to getting the shelters to no-kill and we are so close with 93% of them being no-kill,” Sathe said.
It is the goal of Best Friends to get every shelter across the country no-kill and part of that is having the adoption events and finding
Best Friends goes to different centers that are overwhelmed with dogs and cats in their center. Many of those pets go into foster homes so they can get adopted.
“If Utah becomes no-kill this year they will be the first western state for the no-kill,” Sathe said.
There are about 2,000 dogs and cats in Utah shelters that are being killed because they don’t have a safe place to call home. If five more people adopted a pet every day in Utah there would be no problem. “It is inevitable that the entire country will become no-kill, it’s just a matter of when. Part of what we are doing is adding that urgency and trying to make it happen as quickly as possible so animals aren’t losing their lives,” Salt Lake City Best Friend Animal Society Executive Director Amy Kohlbecker said,.
“If 1 in 6 Americans would adopt a pet instead of purchasing one, then America would be no-kill,” Sathe said.
There are 400,000 pets nationally that are killed currently because they don’t have a safe place to call home. With Walmart having over 200 million customers across the country, and by getting a fraction of that customer base to adopt other than purchase a pet, that is a game
changer, and that is why Best Friends is so excited about the partnership with Walmart. Walmart is committed to finding a home for every pet. Adopting a pet is very cost effective and humane.
“There is a huge misconception that if a pet is in a shelter there is something wrong with them. That is not the case. The adopted pets are very good and cared for. They are fixed, micro-chipped and vaccinated, waiting for a home.” Kohlbecker said.
The pets are waiting for their next family
and a nice comfy warm bed and a loving home. There are older trained pets and young puppies and kittens. A lot of the puppies and kittens come from foster homes. Another way to help is fostering.
“It is an easy way for people to support the mission by giving the foster animals a home for a couple of weeks, then get them to a pet adoption,” Sathe said.
Go to bestfriends.org to find out more about adopting animals. l
Murray Rotary, in conjunction with the Bountiful, West Jordan, the Hispano-Latino South Salt Lake and Lima, Peru Rotarians recently completed their annual international service project. This year they visited Peru and provided medical equipment to special needs adults and children.
By Ella Joy Olsen e.olsen@mycityjournals.com
At a time when it seems that we are becoming more insular and focused on our own well-being, Rotary offers a way to connect with community, provide service (both locally and globally) and look beyond the things that threaten to divide us.
You might know of Rotary.
They serve the pancake breakfast for Murray Fun Days on the Fourth of July, they build parks around the city (think Rotary Park at the mouth of Emigration Canyon or the playground at Liberty Park), they sponsor food and clothing drives, Operation Santa, and a variety of scholarships and roadside cleanups. They collaborate with many existing local service organizations, providing money and volunteer hours.
But you might not know that they maintain a strictly nonpolitical stance. Clubs do not endorse candidates or take sides on issues, which allows members from diverse backgrounds to come together with a common goal of service. In fact, their motto is “Service Above Self.”
You also may not know that Rotary has a global presence. They have 1.4 million members and 47,000 active clubs in more than 200 countries. Utah, alone, has 45 active clubs.
Rotary clubs in Utah take pride in serving internationally, not just locally. For example, Murray Rotary, in conjunction with the Bountiful, West Jordan and Hispano-Latino Rotary clubs recently completed a service project in Arequipa, Peru.
“Ninety-five percent of our service is local, but we do have a tradition of once a year, serving somewhere else,” Jerry Summerhays, past Rotarian president, said.
So, each year, the International Service Chair of Murray Rotary reaches out to overseas clubs to identify a sustainable project that aligns with the club’s budget. The International Rotary Club knows the needs of its specific community and can manage implementation of the project.
This year, Murray Rotary facilitated the purchase of $19,000 of essential medical and rehabilitation equipment to a nonprofit in Peru, run by local nuns, that takes care of 35 special needs adults and children.
The Utah clubs collected the money and sent it to the Lima Rotary, a 103-year-old Rotary Club, which purchased the equipment and facilitated the project, locally.
Then, in staying true to their club motto, “Fun with a Purpose,” 25 Utah Rotarians trav-
eled to see the impact of their financial support. On the trip, they also enjoyed visiting Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lima.
Additionally, over the past four years, Murray, Bountiful, West Jordan and Hispano-Latino Rotary clubs have completed projects in Columbia, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico.
In Panama, Utah clubs financed a pilot project in six rural towns called RACHEL (Remote Access Community Hotspot for Electronic Learning), which was launched by the Rotary Club of Playa Coronado in Panama City. The RACHEL hotspot contains a terabyte of data. Additional grants allowed them to provide laptops to 18 schools, and now the Panama Ministry of Education, who is implementing the training, is seeking Rotary assistance to expand the system to an additional 50 towns and schools.
In Guatemala, they collaborated with local clubs to support a school for children and adults with Down syndrome. And in Columbia, they helped establish a soy factory to provide soy-based nutritional supplements to low-income communities facing malnutrition challenges, currently serving over 50,000 beneficiaries per day.
Rotary International History
Rotary was founded in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris, with the intention of gathering professionals with diverse backgrounds to
exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Harris had fond memories of being raised in a small town, and he wanted to bring the dedication and camaraderie of that setting to his city life in Chicago.
In the early days, meetings moved from one member’s home to the next and this rotation is what inspired the group’s name: Rotary.
Rotary spread like wildfire, first across the United States and then across the globe. By 1912, Rotary had gone international with clubs in Canada and Europe, and within two decades there were 20,000 Rotary members in over 200 countries. Very quickly their vision extended to humanitarian service, which is implemented locally and internationally.
Rotary International, has survived two world wars and changing times. One of their first and continuing humanitarian goals is the eradication of polio, worldwide. They also support services to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene around the world, help grow local economies and protect the global and local environment.
There are many Utah Rotary clubs searchable at www.utahrotary.org, but the Murray Rotary Club meets twice a month at Golden Corral (665 E. 7200 South) to socialize and plan monthly service projects, and they welcome visitors to attend and see what “Fun with a Purpose” is all about. l
By Ryan Callahan, DO
As temperatures rise, so does outdoor activity—from weekend hikes and pickup basketball games to long days on the pickleball court. But with the thrill of movement comes a sharp uptick in lower extremity injuries, particularly to the ankle and Achilles tendon.
Every summer, emergency rooms and orthopedic clinics report a surge in ankle sprains, fractures, and tendon injuries. The most common culprits? Uneven terrain, sudden pivots, overuse, and inadequate warm-ups. While a minor sprain might only need rest and bracing, more severe injuries can sideline someone for months—or require surgery.
Three of the most common issues to be aware of:
ANKLE
Ankle sprains, often underestimated, can lead to chronic instability if not properly treated. Recurrent sprains may
eventually necessitate lateral ligament reconstruction, a procedure to restore stability to a weakened ankle.
Ankle fractures—whether from a misstep while running or an awkward landing during sports—may require an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), where the bones are realigned and stabilized with plates and screws.
Achilles tendon injuries, particularly ruptures, are also on the rise in active adults. These injuries often occur during explosive movements, like jumping or sprinting. While some partial tears can be treated without surgery, a full rupture often requires Achilles tendon repair to restore function and strength.
Injury prevention is just as critical as treatment. Proper footwear, cross-training, structured warm-ups, and balance exercises can go a long
way in keeping you active and injury-free during the summer.
If you experience persistent pain, swelling, or instability in your ankle or Achilles, don’t “walk it off”—get evaluated by a physician. Timely diagnosis and tailored care can make all the difference between a season on the sidelines and a full recovery.
As you get out and enjoy all the amazing summer activities available here in Utah, be sure to take the proper precautions to protect your function and future.
Ryan Callahan is a board-certified foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon at CommonSpirit Orthopedics & Sports Medicine West Jordan.
Learn more about the services, care providers and missiondriven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
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By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Todd Quarnberg, called Mr. Q by students, is leaving Jordan School District after 35 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal—most recently at Copper Hills High School and Herriman High School.
Students, families and colleagues gave Quarnberg a standing ovation at Herriman High School’s graduation ceremony last month. He was embarrassed but touched, responding by forming a heart shape with his hands.
In his final message to the graduates, he shared an impactful experience he had when a student with autism grasped his hand during a Unified sports event and wouldn’t let go for several minutes. Quarnberg said the simple gesture taught him the power of human connection and the importance of being present for others. He encouraged the graduates, especially in the current culture of divisiveness and judgemental fault-finding, to be kind to everyone because “race, religion, socioeconomic status or GPA don’t matter when showing somebody you care.”
“I believe it's time for all of us to be in-
tentionally visible in taking a stand for humanity,” he said. “Let's not allow ourselves to be consumed with judgment, wondering who is reaching out or worrying about what others may think. Instead, let's simply hold on to the hand of friendship, of kindness and
of understanding. Tonight, as I shake your hands, it's not just the touch of your hand I will remember after 35 years in education, it is how all of you have touched my heart.”
As a dedicated principal, Quarnberg’s principal focus has always been connecting
with the school community.
“He is a master at building relationships with kids, with teachers, with parents,” Lou Ann Burnett, Quarnberg’s administrative assistant of 13 years, said.
An innovative administrator, Quarnberg began the practice of a monthly principal’s roundtable to get feedback from student leaders representing his school’s 40 teams and clubs. Students knew he was their biggest fan because he attended every team game, group performance and club activity he possibly could.
“He’s married to education,” Burnett said. “He is devoted, he is passionate. He has sacrificed his personal life for education.”
Quarnberg has been actively involved in the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals, serving as president and as representative of Large High Schools. He was awarded the UASSP Principal of the Year Award in 2015, the Huntsman Education Award in 2018 and the Utah Music Educator Administrator of the Year in 2021.
Quarnberg was chosen to take the helm at Herriman High School in 2018, the year after the suicide contagion which involved several students. School counselor Cindy Watkins said Quarnberg helped a broken school become whole again.
“[He] took years putting our school back together, piece by piece, talking to everyone, getting to know everyone and going to every single event that any group ever had—he was there—and, bit by bit, he put us back together,” Watkins said.
His commitment to understand and connect with the school community helped Quarnberg successfully navigate the challenges of the past several years.
When Mountain Ridge High School opened in 2019, boundary changes caused a split in Herriman High’s student body and
“That was hard because I had to release 45 teachers in two years,” Quarnberg said. “They had to find their own job, so we got on the phones and helped get everybody
The following year, Quarnberg responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting traditions and routines to boost morale.
And in the past few years, he has compassionately supported the influx of student refugees by providing translation devices, holding activities to break down social barriers and working with Herriman City to connect families with needed resources.
“I believe in helping kids get a good quality education, but it's the humanity part of it that keeps me coming back,” Quarnberg said. “I worry about those kids still. Are they going to be okay? I'm so connected to them
Quarnberg is leaving to be the principal at Juab High School to live closer to his ag-
Students can now get all the benefits of a K-12 elite sports academy without the premium price tag.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Salt
Lake Academy High School and Athlos Academy of Utah, two athletics-focused charter schools in Herriman, have teamed up to provide a seamless K-12 athletic and academic experience.
Last year, SLA had 61 feeder schools and no room to expand for a middle school program. Meanwhile, AAU had been crippled by financial and staffing struggles, declining middle school enrollment and no high school feeder system.
“All the way around, we looked at it as a win-win, of really being able to get the most maximum benefit,” former AAU Executive Director Brian Dawes said.
Effective July 1, 2025, SLA acquired AAU under authorization of the State Charter Board. The transition was facilitated by Salt Lake Academy Executive Director Sam Gibbs, who has been an administrator at both schools.
“I had a vision of both sides—of the two school communities—and what it would take to successfully merge them,” Gibbs said. “The community deserved a successful, powerful
school choice option.”
The original SLA, now called the Herriman campus, will house grades 9-12. The AAU campus, now called the West Herriman campus, will house grades K-8. Both campuses have a fully licensed staff. The West Herriman campus will get upgrades to the building, sports field and tech equipment. But one thing that won’t be changed is the mascot—both schools were already using a griffin.
SLA remains a free public charter school, providing an elite level sports academy experience without the $50,000- $80,000 annual tuition.
“Any kid from any walk of life that has a passion and wants to succeed academically and athletically can come here,” Gibbs said. Soccer will remain the school’s anchor sport with access to REAL Salt Lake’s training grounds. Opportunities to work with pro-
fessional athletes will expand for all SLA students, with daily soccer training for high school and middle school students and optional after-school training for elementary students. Basketball and volleyball programs will continue to compete at a high level and eventually partner with local clubs, as well.
While a sports focus is what attracts students, SLA also boasts a rigorous academic curriculum, with many graduates attending elite universities.
“We aren't just a sports school,” Gibbs said. “We pride ourselves on high academics, but some of the best practices of academics are very difficult to implement with so many different feeder schools, and so the hope is to establish an aligned academic curriculum from K to 12, that we can move kids further academically.”
Student and parent response to the acquisition has been mixed, but overall positive, Gibbs said.
Amy Rowe, an AAU parent, was initially concerned about staffing changes, class sizes and schedules. She said most of her questions were addressed at a community meeting, one of several held to keep stakeholders updated.
“I believe that this is the best thing to do for me and my family at this time,” Rowe said. “I know there’s a lot of parents out there that are not going to give it a chance and I believe that they should give it a chance.”
Families with athletic students are excited about the change.
“Our plan was just to go through Athlos and then to get [our son] into a sports high school—he’s just an avid little soccer player—so it’s exciting about the merger because it's done for us,” AAU parent Anna Andre said. However, the change wasn’t a good fit for all AAU families.
Erika Cruz, who was already frustrated with the high staff turnover and limited class options, was already considering pulling her child from AAU.
“I said I'm going to give it one year to see if it's really going to work for me or not, and then the merger came and that was my verification that I'm done—especially where it's sports-oriented and my daughter is more into performing arts,” Cruz said.
AAU has struggled with student retention past sixth grade. Enrollment dropped from 10 students two years ago to five this past year.
AAU’s PTO President Linsey Bair’s children all attended AAU for elementary school and then transferred to public middle schools, including her youngest, who just completed sixth grade.
“Our plan was for her to go to the public middle school because she really likes art, and they can offer more variety of classes and so she's really looking forward to doing that,” Bair said. “If her situation had been such that she does really well with smaller classes, and if she was really into the athletics, we probably might have kept her [at SLA].” l
Local Family Learning Centers provide skills and support to help parents improve their lives.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Bilingualelementary school staff mem-
bers used to field every call from Spanish speaking parents.
“A lot of parents do get embarrassed and shy when trying to speak English,” Heartland Elementary’s Community Resource Coordinator Julia Gomez said.
However, because of the skills classes taught at the Family Learning Centers housed at three Jordan District elementary schools, it’s becoming more common for these parents to communicate with whichever staff member answers the phone.
“I have parents not asking for me and so it's very rewarding,” Majestic Arts Academy Elementary School FLC coordinator Rosa Tecalco Mendez said. “They are able to excuse the kids’ absence, even log into Skyward and do the yearly registration. They can do it on their own, and they don't need us for everything and so that's just so great.”
stand it.”
Acquiring language and computer skills helps parents be more involved in their child’s education and in their community.
“A lot of these parents sometimes don't see the bigger picture,” Infante said. “When schools have Family Learning Centers, it presents them opportunities and things that they didn't even realize they had chances and new experiences and things for them to do outside of their little bubble.”
Understanding child care is hard to find, FLC teachers allow parents to bring their children to most FLC classes.
“One thing that I love about our Family Learning Center is that our kids see their parents pursue learning, and so it builds this sense that school is important to my parents, and therefore school is important to me, “ Majestic Principal Marianne Johansen said.
While the majority of participants are Spanish-speaking, FLCs also serve families who speak other languages with the help of translation apps and interpreters.
The FLCs at Columbia, Majestic and Heartland elementary schools are a resource for school communities and family members of students. They offer a variety of English, computer, life skills and GED classes.
lunch balances, registration and to schedule teacher conferences.
Columbia Elementary FLC coordinator Holly Infante said one of the most needed classes teaches parents how to navigate Skyward, the schools’ system to access grades,
“Every single year was the same thing,” Infante said. “They don't know how to get into Skyward, they don't know how to use it. It’s in English and it’s hard for them to under-
FLCs also help families with basic needs—food, clothing, hygiene and housewares donated by the Jordan Education Foundation, the USANA Foundation and generous community members. Families also receive support navigating health insurance, immigration status, food and utilities assistance and American cultural norms and holidays.
FLC resources have improved many peoples’ lives, helping them get jobs and make connections in the community.
One woman, who thought she would just be a homemaker her whole life, earned her GED, learned computer skills and now teaches classes at the FLC. A Lyft driver who struggled with English gained confidence to converse with his passengers after taking basic English classes.
FLC coordinators encourage parents to volunteer at the school to practice their English skills. Johansen loves to see parents helping with book fairs, teacher projects and Food Bank donations.
“A lot of times our marginalized communities don't feel like they belong in schools, or they don't feel like they belong in our community, and I think this creates a space where they know they belong, and they know that they're important, and they know they have something to contribute,” Johansen said.
Johansen expects to see an even bigger increase in participation from Spanish-speaking parents at Majestic this coming year when Mendez serves as the school’s first bilingual PTA president.
Gomez said there’s been a recent uptick of Spanish-speaking parent volunteers at Heartland, too.
“Little by little, the parents are coming out of their comfort zone to be able to participate, whether it be on a field trip or to help the PTA set up for dances—little things like that,” she said. l
At the Accountability for Utah Event held in Daybreak in April, Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, coming straight from his role of coach of his son’s baseball team, accepts the “Friend of Transparency Award” from the Utah Taxpayers Association. To the left is Utah Tax Payers Association President Billy Hesterman. To the right is NoGovInternet spokesman Greg Hughes. (Photo courtesy Leslie Carpenter)
The state senator’s legislation to provide more public awareness over broadband used by cities earned him the recognition.
By Linda Steele l.steele@mycityjournals.com
UtahState Sen. Lincoln Fillmore received the Friend of Transparency Award from NoGovInternet in late April. This was in recognition of his leadership in passing SB 165 bill which aims to protect taxpayers with further transparency in government.
“Thank you Sen. Fillmore for bringing much needed transparency and accountability with the passage of SB 165. Thanks to his efforts, taxpayers will have a stronger voice and better oversight when it comes to major public projects,” wrote Greg Hughes in a statement, spokesman for NoGovInternet.
The Friend of Transparency Award was created by NoGovInternet and the Utah Taxpayers Association in March 2025. It is aimed at honoring elected officials who demonstrate a strong commitment to public accountability, open processes and taxpayer protection.
Fillmore’s bill received strong support in the legislature, updating an existing bill on communication to include broadband. The bill says if a city is considering installing its own broadband network using public funds, a public hearing dedicated to this topic must be held. It requires the commission of a feasibility study, and how much it would cost, what would
the bond payment be and how many customers would you need to service that bond. The bill gives the people of that jurisdiction a chance to speak on whether they want to commit taxpayer dollars to building broadband.
Hughes said this legislation provides a clear window for how local governemnts prioritize and allocate public dollars.
The bill passed by a super majority of votes in the House. He said this is a bill for constituents that you serve and those public servants in getting together and sharing important information early on. With the update, the communications act it is now called The Municipal Broadband Service Amendments.
“Senator Fillmore put key provisions in state law to protect taxpayers and ensure that government is transparent and responsive to the people,” added Billy Hesterman, President of the Utah Taxpayers Association. “This is consistent with legislation he runs every year, and Utah is fortunate to have him serving in the state legislature.”
Fillmore wasn’t going to be able to make the meeting to received the award because he is a baseball coach for his son. They were humbled by him not being able to be present for the award, but they really wanted to give the award to him in person. As soon as his coaching was done, he went to the meeting in his uniform.
“I love seeing a state senator in his baseball coach uniform for his kid,” Hughes said. “He’s a dad, senator, and a baseball coach. It was a great look instead of seeing some stuffy senator in a suit and a tie.” l
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five more in the fifth to take a 6-3 lead. Salem Hills added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but neither team got on the board the rest of the way. Rita Tavita was the winning pitcher, and she also struck out seven batters. Arianna Fjelsted hit a double and a triple, while Hailey Fox drove in two runs.
Danner said it’s difficult to put into words what this championship means to the school.
“Walking into the halls of West Jordan High, you can tell there has been a monumental shift,” she said. “So many of our programs have shown out this year, and we just happened to be the icing on the cake. I feel like we’ve been a school that’s been hiding in the shadows a little, but we are busting out with a bang, and the sense of pride that is coming out of the school and any alumni has been contagious.”
The softball team’s state crown is the first the school has won since the boys basketball team captured the 5A title in 2009.
A combination of several factors contributed to the Jaguars’ success this season. West Jordan won Region 4 with a perfect 10-0 mark. The team was solid in all phases of the game, including hitting, pitching and fielding. Perhaps most importantly, Danner said the girls believed in one another and developed a cohesive bond.
“The team has so much trust in each other,” Danner said. “No matter what is happening or who gets put in or if we are winning or losing, we just didn’t quit and were confident that everyone had a job and everyone executed near phenomenally. We never stopped fighting and never stopped being hungry. At the end of the day, we aren’t just a team, we were a family too, and I think that made all the difference on the field.”
West Jordan reached the final game after defeating Salem Hills 13-7 on May 22, giving the Skyhawks their first loss of the double-elimination tournament. West Jordan got off to a good start, scoring five runs in the opening inning and never looking back. West Jordan added four more runs in the fifth inning and led 9-2 heading into the sixth inning. The Jaguars amassed 15 hits in the victory and got two doubles and an RBI from Andrea Tagovailoa. Fjeldsted hit a triple and drove in three more runs.
Nothing came easy for West Jordan in its quest to win the championship. The Jaguars encountered their share of challenges, including what Danner called “winner’s fatigue.”
“What I mean by that is, we didn’t ever lose focus, but it’s hard to see the end goal when you are tired and pushing and reaching,” she said. “We got beat by Bountiful in the semifinals, and I’m almost grateful because it gave us a kick in the pants to get ourselves back into gear. It really hit home that we’ve worked too hard and put our hearts on the line to finish short of anything less than the championship.”
Indeed, after the 1-0 loss to Bountiful on May 21, the Jaguars responded with a 6-2 victory over the Redhawks later in the day. That set up the two wins over Salem Hills.
Reflecting on the key players on the team this season, Danner said several girls played a role in the success. She is also grateful for her coaching staff and their dedication.
“Really and truly, we could not have done anything or gotten as far as we did without every single player and coach— from cheering in the dugout, having a deep pitching staff, our girls who scored, pinch running, etc.,” she said. “I told them they had to bring the energy. [Tavita] was clutch in the circle all tournament, wanting the ball 100% of the time. [Fjeldsted] almost pulled out a hat trick and was pivotal in starting our rallies and getting us going hot. Lafiana [Fiifita] and [Tagovailoa] had some clutch power hits, Hailey [Fox] and Megan [Grey] were consistent at bats. Abigail [Bunker] was a beast behind the plate. All in all, we are just a well-rounded team.”
The Jaguars lost some firepower but also bring back some talented players. Danner is confident that West Jordan can be a factor in the state race in 2026.
“I have some strong seniors graduating for sure, but I also have such a strong staff coming up behind them,” she said. “I will have 10 seniors next year, with a solid junior and a wicked sophomore class as well. The expectations are high, but I also know that we’ll stay within ourselves, continue to grow and just continue to love the game of softball. When we do that, everything is achievable.” l
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Heartland Elementary School Principal
Buddy Alger has a big heart.
“It's in his name—he truly is like a buddy to every person who walks through the doors at Heartland. You immediately feel that welcoming presence,” Angela Solum, former Heartland assistant principal, said. “He's very authentic and loving and warm, and so people feel right at home when they come to him.”
Following his heart
Alger began his education career fifteen years ago as a school psychologist and then a district psychologist and behavior specialist. He enjoyed finding innovative programs and creative approaches for students with difficult behaviors, special needs and at-risk factors. When he realized he could make a bigger impact as a principal and engage more directly with kids, he followed his heart to become an elementary school principal.
He was an administrator at Herriman, Silvercrest and Bluffdale elementary schools before being assigned to Heartland.
“The biggest impact that my training and my experience as a school psychologist had on me becoming the principal that I am is because of the people aspect—focusing on relationships, understanding people, understanding the needs that they have, and working hard to make sure that we're educating and supporting the whole child, not just one aspect of a child,” Alger said.
At the heart of the matter
Relationships are at the heart of Alger’s leadership style.
“I think that the way that he fosters relationships with his families, he's one of the greatest principals I've ever seen of being able to not only foster those relationships with the students who are within his building, but their relationships are so strong that they're sustained well after kids leave,” Solum said.
It is important to Alger that every student feels they belong at Heartland. He learns the names of every student and connects with them throughout the year, celebrating their growth and giving them opportunities to take ownership of their learning. School-wide goals to improve literacy and attendance helps each student recognize how much their presence and efforts are needed. As they contribute to their class’ progress, it strengthens their
sense of purpose and belonging.
Alger is proud that in a recent survey of students, 71% of Heartland students said they feel like they belong at school, a percentage that ranks in the top 20% of all schools.
“We've really helped strengthen kids' sense of belonging at school, which, in my mind, is one of the best predictors of school success and future child success,” Alger said.
Alger also wants students’ families to feel that same sense of belonging. He encourages parents to volunteer at the school and to attend school musical and theatrical performances, celebration dinners, the annual dance festival and Family Week activities.
Heart in the right place
Colleagues hold Alger in a special place in their hearts, describing him as jovial, charismatic, knowledgeable, highly respected and revered, knowledgeable and approachable.
“He's very professional and he knows what he's doing, and so we all trust him,” Majestic Arts Academy Elementary Principal Marianne Johansen said. “Buddy is the person you call when you need to solve a problem and you don't know how to solve it, because Buddy has a solution for everything,”
Finger on the pulse of the community
Because Alger speaks Spanish, he is able to develop relationships with Spanish-speaking parents and is well-connected in the community.
“When our resource officer would hear something that happened in the neighborhood or in the community, Buddy would be the first person he would reach out to,” Solum said. “Buddy would most likely either know how to contact the family or just make sure that we were able to provide support.”
Solum said while Alger’s decisions are student-centric, he is just as committed to following through with what he says he’ll do for families and teachers.
When Alger first came to Heartland, parents were discouraged with the 50% teacher turnover rate which prevented a sense of continuous school community. In response to their feedback, Alger prioritized teacher retention and this year, 90% of the staff members are staying.
“I think every teacher thought they were his favorite,” Solum said. “The work in education is really hard but you know you can do the hard things when you have a principal like Buddy there to support you. He is very much a person first before the profession, and I think that makes his teachers want to work really hard for him, myself included.”
Putting the heart in Heartland
Alger has embraced the school motto: I put the heart in Heartland by caring for myself, caring for others and caring for my community.
“One of my goals for Heartland was to make it a space where kids not only came to read and write and do math at a high level, but that they also learned that they themselves are important for contributing to a better world and a better local community, that it's not just about being your best self, it's also about being your best self and then turning to others, and then turning to your community, because that's what makes us all better, and so that's been a big push,” Alger said.
Alger was recognized with two prestigious honors this year: the Jordan Association of Elementary School Principals Community Leader of the Year Award and the Jordan Education Foundation 2025 Principal of the Year Award.
His humble response was to share the credit.
“I'm lucky enough to have such great students and great families and great teachers that make me look good,” Alger said. “They have a shared commitment and vision to make sure that all of our students can do amazing things. And because I am their leader, I feel like I'm the one that gets the recognition for it, but I certainly share that recognition with so many people who make it all possible.” l
For years “coach Daddy Matty,” as he was called, coached a Junior Jazz team at the Taylorsville Rec Center. Though his own sons were on the team, he was able to impact other kids who benefitted from his service as a volunteer coach. These kids learned how to show respect for others, work hard to achieve goals and be good sports—in both wins and losses. Thanks to the Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) program in Salt Lake County, thousands of young people are able to do programs like this.
You may remember voting on the ZAP tax this past November. It is up for renewal every 10 years and overwhelmingly passed with 79% support, making this the most popular tax we’ve seen in Salt Lake County (if there is such a thing). The amount of the tax is 1/10th of 1% sales tax—one penny for every $10 spent.
The sales tax is collected and the funding is awarded through a competitive grant process to nonprofits and is a key funding source for over 230 organizations including Utah Symphony, Utah Opera, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Hogle Zoo, and Natural History Museum of Utah, as well as community parks and recreation projects, such as trail systems, playgrounds, amphitheaters and public spaces.
These funds are distributed in the following ways: Approximately 16% of the funds support the three zoological entities–Hogle
Salt Lake County
Councilmember|
District 3
Zoo, Tracy Aviary and Living Planet Aquarium. Culture and arts organizations receive 54% of the funds which includes everything from Ballet West to local community theater. It’s pretty incredible that over 200 arts organizations in every area of the county receive seed money. In exchange some of the heavy hitters must maintain robust K-12 outreach, free-day programs and audited financials.
Parks and Recreation make up 30% of the funding. This helps to fund parks, open space, recreation centers and other programming like Junior Jazz.
The ZAP tax is collected from retail sales throughout the county and has proven to be a unique way for tourism dollars to benefit Salt Lake County residents. We love it when people visit our county—they spend money here, contributing to our sales tax base, but then they
leave and we don’t have to pay to educate their kids or provide other services for them.
The ZAP tax was introduced by the Utah State Legislature in 1996 and has been renewed four times since its initial approval with overwhelming support.
The ZAP distributions have proven to be more than just an investment in culture and the arts. It’s also a powerful driver of our local economy. According to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Salt Lake County collected $36.7 million in ZAP revenue in 2023. That funding supported organizations that employ nearly 15,000 people and welcomed over 11
million visitors to in-person events and services each year.
Few places in the country have a sales tax program like ZAP. It’s a local tax with local control, meaning every penny stays in Salt Lake County and is distributed by local decision-makers with community input.
ZAP is a unique way to collect and distribute funds that enhance quality of life for Salt Lake County. So next time you attend community theater, a Junior Jazz game, or visit the zoo, know that your tax dollars are hard at work and paying off in a big way to make our county a great place to live.
Remember maps? Old-fashioned, fold-out paper maps the size of a beach towel? My husband wanted to buy one to navigate our road trip through the Sacramento Valley. I stared at him for 47 seconds before stating, “We have Google Maps.”
“It’s not the same thing,” Tom said, sadly. I reminded him I have the orienteering skills of a baby sea turtle running away from the ocean. Handing me a paper map is the equivalent of asking me to decipher ancient Egyptian. Although, to be fair, Google Maps can be equally confusing. Don’t tell me to turn left in 450 feet. That means nothing to me. You might as well say, “Turn left after 850 toothbrushes.”
Unfortunately for him, there were no road maps to be found. So, with phone in hand, I guided us through Chico, Stockton, Napa Valley and Yosemite. I don’t know which direction we drove. North? West? Up? Sideways? Sure.
Road trips should be a great time to catch up on my reading, but Tom doesn’t know how to sit in silence for longer than 1.3 seconds. Even though he hasn’t lived in California for decades, he had a story to share about every city we passed.
“About 15 years ago, there was a serial killer arrested in Yuba City,” he said. “Look it up.”
I put my book down and switched my phone from Google Maps to Wikipedia to learn about the murderer, Juan Corona. But, dear reader, he was arrested in 1971. Just a touch
more than 15 years ago.
Tom can hold a conversation with himself for at least 30 miles. It’s a stream of consciousness speaking that is amazing to behold. Let me give you an example:
“This is a great Glen Campbell song. Jimmy Webb wrote a lot of songs for Glen Campbell. Did I tell you Merrilee Rush was the first musician I saw perform live? Can you find yacht rock on the radio? Where does that driver think he’s going? Move over, scumbag! I’ve never been to Yosemite. I’ve heard it’s hill-arious.”
When I noticed a line of cars on our bumper, I suggested he drive a bit faster, although he insisted he was going the exact speed limit. I told him that was the problem.
Remember when you taught your kids to drive and you kept pushing an imaginary brake pedal on the passenger side of the car because you thought your teenager was going to drive you into a building? Well, I have an imaginary accelerator on my side of the car that I press when Tom’s going the exact speed limit.
But once we hit Yosemite, or any mountain range, my husband turns into Dominic Toretto of “Fast and Furious” fame, Tokyo-drifting off cliffs and taking corners at the speed of sound. I was grabbing the door handle, not sure if I was trying to keep it closed or if I was preparing to jump out if we launched into Yosemite Valley.
On our way through wine country, we stopped at the Napa Valley Welcome Center to get ideas for which wineries to visit and where to get a good Chardonnay. The woman at the counter whipped out a map of the area. Tom’s
eyes widened with glee. He used so many exclamation points, I thought his heart might burst with joy.
“Look!” he said. “She has a paper map! Cartographers really know how to draw the line!”
We did a lot of driving in California, which could be considered relationship bonding or time served, depending on the situation. Tom still swears by paper maps. I’m dedicated to Google. But we always find our way.
rs told me that there was nothing more that they could do to expect to air. Finally, I did the
treatment and improved exactly as ould. I couldn’t believe it! My wife cried, “I have my husband back.”
—Steve M.,