As the new West Jordan Community Arts and Events Center reaches completion, the Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan is asking for donations for finishing touches. Stage lights will be sponsored by com-
munity members who purchase seats, which will be inscribed with the donor's name, allowing them to “forever be part of West Jordan’s arts legacy.”
“The Cultural Arts Society of West Jor-
“A dark stage is just a space, but with your help, it will become a vibrant center for music, theater and community events.”
dan is inviting the public to purchase a seat in the new Arts Building as a part of our ‘Light the Room’ campaign — it is a great opportunity to support the local community and the very talented artists who will perform at the
new venue,” said Rachel O'Crowley, CASWJ president. “I think it is a wonderful venue and I cannot thank the West Jordan City Council, the mayor, Salt Lake County, SIRQ Construction and all of the donors who have supported the efforts in getting this building erected enough!
“It truly takes an entire community to make this happen,” she said.
One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will go towards the new lighting in the center which will serve the Literary Arts Society of West Jordan, Sugar Factory Playhouse, West Jordan City Jazz Band, West Jordan Community Band, West Jordan Symphony, West Jordan Visual Arts and West Jordan Youth Theater.
As of March 31 at noon, $19,050 of the $75,000 goal was raised with the purchase of more than 15 general and seven premier seats, along with five arts patron and West Jordan patron sponsorships.
Prices for seats range from $250 to $500, while sponsorships range from $1,000 to $5,000, per the donation page. But any donation amount is tax-deductible and anyone is welcome to contribute any amount to the
The new Community Arts and Events Center in West Jordan shows progress in March. It is to be completed this summer. (Photo courtesy Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan)
Riverton Hospital Thanks:
• South Jordan City Fire Stations 61, 62, 63, 64
ThankYou
• West Jordan City Fire Stations 54 and 55
• Unified Fire Authority Station 103 (Herriman)
• Unified Fire Authority Station 115 (Copperton)
EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement andFirstResponders
Join us in celebrating National EMS Week
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your dedication and service to our communities. In celebration of National EMS Week, we invite you to join us for a free BBQ.
• Unified Fire Authority Station 120 (Riverton)
• Unified Fire Authority Station 121 (Riverton)
• Unified Fire Authority Station 123 (Herriman)
• Unified Fire Authority Station 124 (Riverton)
• Gold Cross Ambulance
• Bluffdale City Fire Stations 91 and 92
• Riverton City Police Department
• Herriman City Police Department
• South Jordan City Police Department
• West Jordan City Police Department
Carlos Moreno: From political asylum to Salt Lake County Council
Carlos Moreno, a former political asylee from Venezuela, has become one of the first Latino members of the Salt Lake County Council to represent the communities of District 2.
By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
Carlos A. Moreno took the oath of office in January 2025, making history as one of the first Latino members elected to the Salt Lake County Council. Representing District 2—which includes West Valley City, Kearns, West Jordan, South Jordan and Herriman— Moreno brings a unique perspective shaped by his experience as a political asylee from Venezuela.
Moreno’s path to public service began in Venezuela, where he completed law school with a specialization in Venezuelan labor law. As political tensions in the country grew, he became an activist, founding an organization called Venezuelan Students Abroad to denounce human rights violations.
"The entire country was divided between socialists and those who opposed the changes we were experiencing," Moreno said. "The regime became increasingly repressive and dangerous. They began killing college students."
His activism brought international attention, leading him to speak at the Organization of American States, the European Parliament, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Congress. However, his efforts also made him a target.
"One day, I woke up to more than a thousand messages on my phone," Moreno recalled. "People were warning me that the president of the Venezuelan Parliament had charged me with treason and conspiracy on national TV the night before. Overnight, I became an enemy of the state—without a country, without a future and almost homeless."
Moreno was granted political asylum in the United States, an experience he describes as life changing. "That day was one of the most beautiful days of my life. I felt as if 50 pounds had been lifted off my shoulders. Freedom is magical, it is why we are alive."
He credits his father’s words as motivation to dedicate his life to public service: "Carlos, you are in the land of the brave, the land of freedom. If you do the right thing, you will find peace, opportunity and freedom. God bless America."
Moreno and his wife own an insurance brokerage agency, working with hundreds of clients on business and personal insurance needs. His experience as a business owner informs his approach to policy.
"As smart business owners, we value simplicity in government processes, especially when it comes to granting licenses," he said. "When you're a small business owner, your focus is on opening your business and making it successful. That’s why we need to design the most efficient ways to expedite the licensing process."
Moreno plans to create an advisory board in collaboration with local chambers of commerce. "Small businesses are the heart of our economy and we need to find ways to support them."
Having witnessed the collapse of democratic institutions in Venezuela, Moreno emphasizes the importance of civic engagement.
"Fighting socialism for 25 years of your life is like earning a Ph.D. in Freedom Studies," he said. "We lost our country in less than two decades because our people were too lazy to get involved and be civically engaged at the beginning of Hugo Chávez’s regime."
Moreno encourages citizens to participate in politics. "America needs new leaders, especially young ones with a clear vision of today’s world."
As the first Latino and naturalized U.S. citizen elected to Salt Lake County office,
Moreno sees his role as one of listening and acting on behalf of his constituents.
"As an immigrant, you develop special attributes such as patience, humility, resilience and perseverance," he said. "As public servants, we are here to listen and serve, not to give our constituents lectures or classes on anything. Our duty is to find solutions for everyone."
District 2 is among the most diverse areas in the county. "From Herriman to Magna, every city has its own identity, needs and goals. That’s why I spend time with my constituents; to listen, learn and act."
Public safety is one of Moreno’s key priorities. He is working closely with law enforcement to bridge the gap between communities and police agencies.
"I have a deep respect for our police officers and law enforcement agencies," he said. "I am meeting with police chiefs and law enforcement agencies to put myself at their service while also serving as a liaison to our constituents."
Moreno is planning to establish a West Side Safety Advisory Committee to address public safety concerns. "I want my constituents to know about the wonderful work law enforcement does every day for our communities. Even as a candidate, I was actively working with some police departments on investigations in my district."
Moreno has made fiscal responsibility a priority, advocating for a more efficient county government.
"We need to rein in taxes and spending while ensuring county services remain effective," he said. "That’s why I am leading efforts to streamline services, eliminate duplication and consolidate programs where necessary."
His plan includes increased budget oversight and performance-based funding. "Each department must justify its funding based on results, not just maintaining bud-
gets. We’re focusing on outcomes to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being spent wisely."
He is also working to establish regular efficiency audits. "This will help us identify waste and inefficiency so that we can make the most of every dollar spent."
Outside of politics, Moreno is a devoted husband and father of three boys. "I have been married to my beautiful wife for 15 years, and our sons train in Taekwondo. We also have an English bulldog named Bruno."
Reflecting on his journey, Moreno remains grateful for the opportunities he has found in the United States.
"America is not a dream; America is a miracle," he said. l
The West Jordan Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout West Jordan.
Carlos Moreno holds a picture of himself standing with his father while he is sworn in to the county council. (Photo courtesy Carlos Moreno)
Rugby assembly scores high
Students are introduced to the sport of rugby and the team’s values.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Studentsare getting excited about rugby— and the Utah Warriors rugby team’s core values of community, family, tradition and respect. Players from Utah's major league rugby club run an assembly in which they demonstrate rugby skills and invite students to participate with them in drills and activities.
“We just randomly select students to come and learn how to pass a rugby ball,” Warriors Community and Events Manager Patrice Nautu said. “We do some small competitions and relay races. And then we also, we have Koa our mascot come out and he just adds just the most excitement for our young kids, especially our elementary kids.”
The Warriors hold assemblies to generate interest and enthusiasm for the sport of rugby, which is fairly new to Utah. However, many Utahns remember the excitement surrounding the Herriman High School graduate Alex "Spiff" Sedrick, who helped win a bronze medal for the U.S. women’s rugby team at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
“There's still this buzz and this excitement around rugby that we just want to share with the youth,” Nautu said. “And so that's our goal, just getting to more schools, introducing this
awesome game of rugby and then sharing our values of community, family, tradition and respect.”
“Many of our students were already familiar and excited to see professional athletes, and others were exposed to a new game and culture,” West Jordan Middle School Assistant Principal Ethan Walsh said.
West Jordan Middle School invited the Warriors to hold an assembly for their students.
“We chose to partner with the Utah Warriors because of their strong emphasis on values that align closely with our school's focus on creating a safe, responsible and respectful environment,” Walsh said. “The team's dedication to promoting these principles through sports was a natural fit with our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program.”
The team values, which they call the four Warriors stripes, are the basis of the assembly, but they also incorporate any other messaging a school administration requests.
Athlos Academy, which emphasizes the values of Prepared Mind, Healthy Body and Performance Character, has hosted the Warriors assembly many times.
“The last few years we've invited them back, because they're just very energetic, very positive. They really get the kids engaged—we love their assembly program,” Athlos Academy Assistant Principal Stacy Tonozzi said.
The Warriors leave the schools they visit with warrior tokens to reward students for liv-
ing the team’s values. They also provide tickets to students to attend a home game, with a portion of that night’s ticket sales donated back to the school. Nautu said it’s an affordable and family friendly event and that it’s fun to see students cheering with a section full of their classmates and families. She said they get pretty excited, especially when students are called to the field during half-time to represent their
school and to greet the players with a high-five line.
“Just seeing the joy with these students on the field with professional athletes, it makes everything worth it,” Nautu said. “The experiences and the impact that rugby can have on these young students, on the youth, is truly impactful.”l
Terra Linda’s administrators double up on awards
The administrative team has impressed colleagues, teachers and parents.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Terra Linda Elementary School’s principal and assistant principal were selected as award winners by the Jordan Association of Elementary School Principals. Yajaira Martinez was named Student Advocate Principal of the Year and Kirt Davis was named National Distinguished Assistant Principal of the Year.
“They've really got a powerful team over there doing a lot of good at Terra Linda,” JAESP committee member Garett York said. “The principal there is just consistently a rock star at everything. Yajaira’s name in these nominations comes up often so it wasn't surprising to see her here again. Kirt being there is just kind of the icing on the cake for Terra Linda. They already had a really strong setup that just got stronger. Kirt has obviously done a lot to endear himself to the faculty and employees of Terra Linda in just the short amount of time he's been there.”
The administrators were nominated
them personally. Standout phrases include "unwavering dedication,” “constant encouragement” and “genuine investment.” “You can't meet Yajaira without being impressed," York said.
Martinez and Davis said they make a great team because they share the same belief in the importance of building relationships.
someone to relate to, and I have seen an increase of our parents just being more open and feeling like school is home for them, too. So that's one thing I'm really proud of.”
They also take a positive and constructive approach to student behavior.
by staff members, parents and colleagues. York said as the awards committee read through Davis’ nominations, they noticed a pattern.
“The common thread that runs through Kirt's nominations are his empathy, reliability and compassion—at least one of those three words appears in every nomination that was written for him,” York said. “You can tell that the ones who wrote nominations for Kirt are truly, truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside him.”
Martinez's nominations included detailed descriptions of what she has done for their school, for their students or for
“I think that we both really buy into the whole idea that students will learn when they feel loved and when they feel safe,” Martinez said. “And I love that we're both on the same page when it comes to that, because we're constantly modeling that for the staff, or at least we're trying to.”
Both administrators also focus on relationships with parents, the community and other stakeholders.
With the increased numbers of multilingual students, their response has been to build relationships. Since she became principal three years ago, Martinez has worked to make the Spanish speaking community feel welcome.
“I feel like more of our Spanish speaking community has gotten more involved, even if it's little things where they visit the office, they are willing to come talk to me,” she said. “That's huge for me personally, just because I feel like sometimes they just need
“We’re creating a culture of compassion and I think one way we try to do that, and we'll continue to try to do that, is rather than trying to make it a punitive thing, we’re trying to teach appropriate behaviors, trying to understand why behaviors are happening, and do that in a compassionate way that builds relationships rather than destroy them,” Davis said.
Other JAEPS award winners include Distinguished Principal of the Year - Jessica Stowe, Bastian Elementary; Rookie of the Year - Baylee Lansford, Jordan Hills Elementary; Innovator of the Year - Amy Adams, Fox Hollow Elementary; Community Leader of the Year - Buddy Alger, Heartland Elementary; School Improvement Leader of the Year - Keith Klein, Columbia Elementary; Principal Mentor of the Year - Ronna Hoffman, Oak Leaf Elementary; Instructional Leader of the Year - Melissa Beck, Jordan Ridge Elementary; and Principal Supervisor of the Year- Becky Gerber, JSD Administrator of Elementary Schools. l
Excited students pose with their free tickets to a Warrior’s Rugby match. (Photo courtesy Patrice Nautu)
Kirt Davis, National Distinguished Assistant Principal of the Year. (Photo courtesy JSD)
Yajaira Martinez, Student Advocate Principal of the Year. (Photo courtesy JSD)
En Pointe School of Ballet to perform ‘Swan Lake’
The show will feature plenty of aspiring youth dancers, and a little magic.
By Linda Steele l.steele@mycityjournals.com
EnPointe School of Ballet will be performing “Swan Lake” this coming June.
“Swan Lake” was created during the same era as similar tragedies like “Romeo and Juliet” and “Giselle.” The choreographer decided to make a ballet where the white swan Odette dives off a cliff and kills herself to release herself and the other swans from the magic spell. The prince dives off after her and they are together in the afterlife. The evil sorcerer Baron Von Rothbart, who can turn into a bird and human, is defeated. There is the good swan Odette and the evil swan Odile who are the main female characters.
En Pointe will have a different version of the show since children make up their cast. Rachael Ellis, owner and founder of En Pointe School of Ballet, wanted to avoiding the end where she takes her own life. Ellis researched the ballet and found the original ending was supposed to be good defeating evil. In En Pointe’s version all of the swans stand up to the evil Baron Von Rothbart while he is in his magical form as a huge bird. The swans help the prince defeat Rothbart. The spell is broken and Odette and all of the maidens return to being human.
En Pointe School of Ballet has boys and men featured in their “Swan Lake.”
En Pointe has boys only classes, which is not typical for most ballet schools. The youngest classes are frogs in this ballet and range in age from 4 to 13. Other male parts such as Pa De Deux scenes, throughout the entire ballet are performed by the men and boys that are in the partnering classes. They perform the skills they have learned in partnering classes.
The show will feature a couple of magic tricks including turning a bouquet of white roses into red. “It is pretty fun to use distraction to pull off magic tricks to surprise the audience,” Ellis said.
“Swan Lake” will be performed for the third time since En Pointe Ballet was opened in 2010. They have a repertoire
of several ballets including “Nutcracker” and every five to six years, they bring back an old ballet in June each year.
“We have the costumes, sets and props already, it's just a matter of choosing which classes will do what, doing auditions and selecting your principal dancers, who we select out of our students. Our students learn professional choreography, which is an important detail about our studio. We don’t hire professionals to come in and dance Odette and Odile. The self-esteem the students gain is gained through learning all the choreography in rehearsals and working together to pull off the performance and the choreography all together. Part of their training I love is how they learn to work together backstage,” Ellis said.
For the main roles they always double cast, and have them work together backstage.
“They serve each other,” Ellis said. “When you serve someone you love each other, you don’t have that competitiveness where they are stressed out wondering if the other one is better than the other dancer. They work with each other to do their absolute best performance and they have to work together. Having them help each other leads to them treating each other differently. It is such a supporting and loving atmosphere backstage. This is one thing that is different at our studio, we really stress to be supportive of each other.”
One challenge in the rehearsals is all the formations. The swans actually have nine individual pieces they perform, or they are standing on the stage as background to the soloists. Doing “Swan Lake” helps them have more graceful arms and fingers, because they learn how to float their arms, Ellis said.
Caio Silveira started dancing with En Pointe in their very first boys class when he was 5 years old. Silveira has been with En Pointe for 15 years. His first ballet was En Pointe’s very first production of “Swan Lake” in 2012. He is performing Rothbart as well as other roles in this “Swan Lake” production.
En Pointe School of Ballet is entering into their 15th year and will continue training dancers in classes, onstage and in their lives.
“It contributed greatly to who I am today and I will forever be grateful for the influence of ballet in my life,” Ellis said. l
Group of ballet dancers at En Pointe School of Ballet dressed in white costumes. They are part of the swan corps. (Photo courtesy Tamra Hyde/Modern Expressions Photography)
Savannah Jenkins - Odile Evil Swan in black. Julie Mitchell - Odette Good Swan in white. (Photo courtesy Tamra Hyde/Modern Expressions Photography)
Caio Silveira is Evil Rothbart, Rebekah Lin is Evil Odile. These dancers perform “Swan Lake” at En Pointe School of Ballet. (Photo courtesy Angie Brown/True Infinity Photography)
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Stroke from Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley Stroke Team
By Dr. Rebecca Reiser
We know how important it is for patients and their families to find a hospital and a care team that you can trust - especially when emergencies, like stroke, happen. That’s why our team at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley is so incredibly proud to be a certified primary stroke center with thrombectomy capability. Recently, our stroke care team was recognized by the American Heart Association and received their Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus Award with Stroke Honor Roll and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. This award means our facility met or exceeded the national recommendations for stroke care for our patients and it highlights our hard-working, talented stroke care team for providing excellent patient stroke care! To start, we work closely with our EMS partners to help them recognize patient stroke symptoms while they are out in the field. They are trained to let us know when they are on their way to our hospital so we can be ready for stroke patients before they even arrive. Our team is then able to evaluate each patient quickly and thoroughly to determine the best course of treatment. We have medications to help break up blood clots in the brain and a team of highly
trained vascular neurosurgeons who can remove a blood clot from the brain, also known as a thrombectomy. An important note - Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley is the only hospital on the west side of the valley that has the capability of performing these state-of-the-art thrombectomies!
So, what are the signs and symptoms of stroke that you should be aware of? The easiest way to remember what to look out for is through the acronym, BEFAST:
● Balance changes
● Eye or vision changes
● Facial droop
● Arm weakness
● Speech difficulty
● Time
reduces disability among stroke survivors by 4%! That’s because about 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke until blood flow is restored. It is important that if you see someone showing the signs or symptoms of stroke outlined above, call for help immediately.
When you or your loved ones come to Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley for stroke care, you can expect state-of-theart stroke treatment and compassionate, healing care fueled by humankindness. From the teams in the ER to the stroke care teams to the physical, occupational and speech therapists that help care for patients throughout their rehab journey, and to the neurologists that assist in care decisions from the start, you are in good hands at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley!
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.
It is important to recognize the above signs and symptoms because time matters! Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, but it is the leading cause of long-term disability. Studies show that every 15 minutes saved when a patient is experiencing stroke symptoms,
Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
The
right ER. Right around the corner.
When you need emergency care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. You never know the level of care you’ll need when an emergency happens and choosing the right ER can make all the difference. And a hospital ER comes with the confidence of additional services right on-site.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Dr. Rebecca Reiser Neurologist and Stroke Director CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital
Integrated Autism Therapies provides heart felt care
Local students painted a mural at one of the therapy buildings as part of their capstone project.
By Linda Steele l.steele@mycityjournals.com
IntegratedAutism Therapies is dedicated to helping every client identify their barriers. The staff all work together to provide a positive environment for each client to grow and learn their purpose and have a better quality of life.
Barb and Mark Niederhauser are the owners and founders of IAT. They founded the business in 2017. Their son was born healthy and developed severe autism when he was 18 months old. It was their goal to provide the autism community with services they wished were available for their son.
The Niederhausers feel it is important that all families and clients are treated with respect at IAT. They have worked hard to find and hire high quality, compassionate, like-minded professionals that work hard for their clients. Their goal is that all clients feel heard and their unique needs are met.
They believe “that each client deserves to be viewed as an individual, and an approach that works for one child may not work for another, and that it takes a village of caring specialists
and professionals to provide the best practice and service possible for this population.”
The Niederhauser’s son was going between his therapy sessions, speech and OT. The sessions were all being done differently and it got confusing to their son. Barb Niederhauser didn’t think they were getting professional information and the therapists were contradicting each other. Barb and Mark started doing some in-home work and working out of pocket, so they got insurance.
As soon as they were covered by insurance, with Utah’s high autism rate, “it seemed vultures came out to get paid and take advantage of kiddos under the spectrum. We found programs that said they would take our son. He was either pushed in the corner or mistreated. The programs weren't followed up on. They were cookie-cutter programs, one size fits all. They sure wanted to bill us. We were cancelled on some therapy sessions seven times in one week, and we were billed for it,” Barb Niederhauser said.
Whoever the provider, Barb Niederhauser said they came with issues whether it was losing sight of the children, constant cancellations or therapists not showing up.
At this point she wanted to do something for parents where they only had to make one stop, where they could come to the facility and the professionals collaborate, and are respectful enough with each other to stay in their scope of
practice. She found that it takes a special breed to find providers that have respect and build each other up.
"I wanted to find like-minded professionals that wanted to do what is best for the kiddo. The kid comes first,” she said.
In starting their business it was important to Barb and Mark Niederhauser to have people who will work together and have the kids' best interest in hand. Barb Niederhauser wanted to avoid the pit falls she saw from her experiences. She wanted to make sure her staff was not blind-sided and would know how to handle the child.
“We need to make sure that we're doing things that are getting a productive session and not have the RBT guessing what they should be doing because they don’t have a game plan for the child, or they have not been properly instructed,” Barb Niederhauser said.
Barb and Mark Niederhauser have two buildings. The Sensory Gym building is located at 7733 S. Redwood Road. The Life Skills Center is located at 1902 W. 7800 South. The locations are close and convenient for clients.
“It is very ideal and works out for our staff,” Barb said.
They ended up getting a bigger space so they could expand OT and speech. They have a vast array of rooms, such as a quiet room, open gym, parent consultation room, conference room, study room, mini market, indoor playroom, ABA yellow and blue room and art room/education room. They have a professional development room for older children to get training for employment and how to look for jobs. They have a game room for the older kids, so they can feel like a young adult. There is a kitchen and laundry room for the older children to learn daily living skills.
Barb and Mark Niederhauser are very proud of their staff and got together an advisory
board with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, occupational therapist and a speech pathologist. All employees are trained so they know how to deescalate situations.
“It is the staff that makes it work,” Barb Niederhauser said.
The service providers employed at IAT are appreciative of the environment. “We work really hard to make sure everything we do has a collaborative effort so none of us make business decisions without consulting with each other when it comes to direct patient care, just because things go a lot better with our clients when we are able to make decisions all in the same direction, we seem to do that really well,” Nate Cantor said, speech language pathologist.
Brooke Shields is the Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Shields meets with the family and does a direct assessment to see where each client is. “We will write up a treatment plan that teaches them skills they need to drive independently, to take skills to other environments, and help generalize skills to help with their everyday lives,” Shields said.
Lisa Smith, sensory clinic coordinator coordinated with Erin Grimshaw, Lily Kemp, Katelyn Blodgett, Taylor Mechling and Ileana Geary to paint the mural. These artists from Bingham High were in search of a capstone project for National Honor Society and contacted Integrated Autism Therapies to propse an art installation of a mural.
The students met with Barb Niederhauser to discuss the vision they had for the mural. They spent over 15 hours on a weekend to create and paint the mural at the Life Skills Center in West Jordan.
“The art itself is as beautiful as the students who created it. They are extremely talented and deserve recognition for their desire to use their talents to serve and lift a community,” Smith said. l
Bingham High School students Erin Grimshaw, Lily Kemp, Katelyn Blodgett, Taylor Mechling and Ileana Geary painted this mural at Integrated Autism Therapies for their National Honor Society capstone project. (Photo courtesy Camille Grimshaw)
Academy for Math, Engineering & Science
The Academy for Math, Engineering and Science (AMES), opened August 2003, is an early college charter high school with a reputation for academic success. AMES offers a diverse high school student body, opportunities to learn and apply knowledge beyond the typical high school curriculum.
AMES is a stimulating place for curious, motivated and academically inclined students. We offer an exceptional teaching staff, including University of Utah faculty, small classes where individual needs can be met. Courses include accelerated programs in math & science, as well as core classes in language arts, social studies, world languages, and the arts. AMES is hosted by Cottonwood High School and Granite School District which affords students the opportunities for multiple academic elective classes as well as extra-curricular and sports participation.
AMES is looking for students who are searching for better educational opportunities and are willing to work hard at applying themselves to challenges. It is NOT about attracting students with the highest GPAs or test scores. AMES is a public charter school with open enrollment to all students.
As an Early College High School, AMES is committed to providing students with experiences and coursework that will enable them to succeed in rigorous university-level courses. Through a combination of required classes, internships and other academic experiences, AMES students earn college scholarships, concurrent credit, and advanced placement credit.
For further information, please check our website: www.ames-slc.org
Welcome to a new community with a vision for sustainability. A place where outdoor activity and neighborhood clubs live alongside sageland stewardship and citizen science. Where new homes are designed to be as smart as they are beautiful. And where late-night conversation mingles with water conservation. It’s an idea being realized with input from people who will live here. Could that be you?
ThrivePoint Academy offers unique educational approach
Parents and students looking for a flexible alternative education will have another option this fall.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Twenty-five years ago, there were only eight charter schools in Utah. There are now 144. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are governed by an independent board and operate according to their individual charter agreements.
The newest public charter school to offer nontraditional educational options for students grades 7-12 is ThrivePoint Academy, which will open in West Jordan for the 2025-26 school year.
"We are excited to bring ThrivePoint Academy’s unique educational approach to Utah,” ThrivePoint Academy Board Chair Shannon Smith said. “Our programs are designed to empower students by offering them the flexibility, guidance and resources they need to excel, no matter their circumstances.”
ThrivePoint Academy offers online, in-person and hybrid learning methods with both morning and afternoon sessions. The West Jordan campus houses an open learning center and private study rooms. Students will visit the campus twice a
week to attend classes, study and to receive one-on-one support from teachers and student success coaches.
“We just want to ensure that if you are a hybrid student, you have that accountability with the Student Success Coach and your teachers to ensure that you're reaching success, and you're submitting your coursework, and you are hitting those goals that you set,” Learning Center Coordinator Taylor Smith said.
Smith said the flexibility of ThrivePoint’s model meets the various needs of students, including those who want to get ahead or get caught up academically, or who need a flexible schedule because of work or other activities, or for students looking for a nontraditional environment.
”We're mostly helping kiddos that need another option because the traditional option wasn't working,” Smith said. “We are mostly focusing on helping kids reach their next big step.”
One of the unique programs ThrivePoint Academy offers is the Next Big Step, a workforce development course. Students take the course to prepare for their post high school career and education goal by exploring their options through interest-based field trips, community engagement, internships and partnerships with local businesses.
“Kids can start looking at different options, maybe it's military or college or a career readiness program at SLCC or at the University of Utah,” Smith said. “We want to have different options for kids to go out in the community and find things that they're passionate about.”
Securing community partners to help
students find success after high school is part of the school’s program. Due to their location near 9000 South and Redwood Road, they have already set up partnerships with business neighbors Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design and the Armed Forces Career Center.
School staff members will also collaborate with local higher ed institutions— Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah, Utah Valley University and Utah State University—to help prepare students who choose to pursue a college degree.
ThrivePoint Academy is new to Utah but has been serving students for more than 20 years at locations in Nevada, Arizona and California. Enrollment at the West Jordan campus is capped at 400 students.
“A lot of kids just fall through the cracks at a traditional school—those schools are so big,” Smith said. “We just want to be a community partner with the local schools and families so that they can have a different option. We want families to feel like they have choices, not just to be bound to their local school.”
To enroll or to learn more about ThrivePoint Academy, visit www.thrivepointutah.com or call (801) 228-0793. l
ThrivePoint Academy will open for enrollment in July. (Photo courtesy ThrivePoint)
lighting.
West Jordan City Councilmember Kayleen Whitelock bought two general seats.
“I have always enjoyed the arts and feel they contribute to a well-rounded populace,” she said. “Enjoying the arts allows us to see the world in more diverse ways.”
She also said that fundraising or “individuals contributing” like this, in her opinion, is “the best funding source for the arts.”
Another donor who bought an arts patron sponsorship said he’s glad to support “opportunities for the community to come together as a team.”
"I appreciate arts organizations, like CASWJ, that provide opportunities for the community to come together as a team to create something greater than any individual contributor could accomplish alone,” arts patron sponsorship donor Eric J. Bowden said. “They demonstrate a commitment to the notion that ‘arts’ aren't just picked up and left behind in high school, but something that can be continually developed through a lifetime of engagement!"
The center has been under construction for a year, since the second groundbreaking in April 2024. Construction was started in 2017 and was halted due to a lack of funds from the city and again in 2020 when COVID-19 hit.
The new arts center is on schedule for a grand opening this summer, and O’Crowley invites the public to “attend and/or participate in the upcoming performances.”
“A dark stage is just a space, but with your help, it will become a vibrant center for music, theater and community events,” reads the campaign. “Your donation ensures that every performance shines, and your name will forever be part of West Jordan’s arts legacy.”
More information about “Light the Room” can be found at https://www.wjarts. org/light-the-room.
Read previous coverage about the West Jordan Community and Arts Center online at westjordanjournal.com. l
Comcast RISE to award millions in small business grants
Getting a small business off the ground, or scaling to the next level, takes more than hustle and passion. It takes resources. A small business grant can be the difference between success and failure, and Comcast is investing in success.
The Comcast RISE program will award comprehensive grant packages to 100 small businesses in Bluffdale, Draper, Herriman, Riverton, Sandy, South Jordan, West Jordan and White City. Through May, Comcast will accept applications from small business owners who are committed to growing their companies, lifting their communities and inspiring the next generation.
“The Comcast RISE program will deliver innovative and impactful resources that will make a lasting impact on small businesses in Utah. Supporting small businesses is crucial for economic development and ensuring that the backbone of our communities can thrive,” said J.D. Keller, senior vice president of Comcast’s Mountain West Region. “Among the many things we all love about Utah is our vibrant small businesses and Comcast’s commitment to supporting them.”
Each grant includes a technology makeover (with digital services for one year), access to online entrepreneurship courses, coaching sessions, a business assessment and $5,000. Grant recipients will also receive a professionally produced TV commercial and media strategy consultation.
Scott Cuthbertson, president/CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, said small businesses are the foundation of the state’s economy. More than 90% of companies in Utah are considered small businesses, run by families, friends and neighbors. He said it’s essential that these businesses succeed.
“Comcast is such a valued partner,” Cuthbertson said. “They make critical investments in our infrastructure and we think they’re exemplary about how they invest back into the community, in particular, through this RISE program that provides needed support to our small business owners.”
Andrea Benitez is the fundraising manager at Suazo Business Center, which offers resources for economically disadvantaged businesses. Through education, workshops, and access to capital, the center has helped launch hundreds of small businesses, generating millions of dollars in revenue.
Benitez’s clients include minority and underserved populations who need direction for creating a business. They might
not qualify for a loan or don’t want to go into debt to fund their dreams, so the Comcast RISE program could be a game changer for these struggling entrepreneurs.
“This Comcast grant is just a great opportunity for them to apply and help their business grow,” Benitez said. “We have lots of clients in that part of the valley and we’re going to help them apply for this grant.”
Diana Lopez owns Cakes by Edith, a popular bakery with two locations in the Salt Lake Valley. As a small business owner, she understands the obstacles faced by entrepreneurs and the many hats they have to wear to keep their businesses running.
As Cakes by Edith grows, Lopez hopes to expand to a third location where she can continue to carry on her family’s legacy. She said if she’s awarded the Comcast RISE grant, she’ll use the funds for marketing and equipment.
“There are so many trends in the baking industry and we’re trying to stay current with everything in the baking world,” Lopez said. “This opportunity with Comcast would provide for businesses in the area. For us, honestly, we would love that opportunity.”
The southern end of Salt Lake County has seen significant growth during the last decade and is geared for more expansion. The South Valley Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Salt Lake Community College, offers a 10-week entrepreneurial program to help small business owners find resources for success.
Jay Francis, president/CEO of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce, said small business owners face myriad challenges as they try to get an idea off the ground and that this Comcast RISE program could give them the momentum they need to create something big.
“If a business is fortunate enough to be able to receive one of these grants, I think that’s huge. It’s a real lift and a real boost,” Francis said. “I appreciate Comcast and I think more opportunities need to be afforded to small businesses. This fits in really well with things that we’re focusing on as a Chamber.”
Utah is one of five regions to receive 100 Comcast RISE small business grants this year. Recipients from Salt Lake, Boston, Grand Rapids, Nashville and Seattle will join the 14,000 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been supported through the program since it launched in 2020. For more information, visit www.ComcastRISE.com. l
Small business owners in Salt Lake County can turn possibility into progress with help from a Comcast RISE grant. (Photo courtesy of Comcast)
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Itineris Early College High School wins 2025 city sustainability award
Itineris Early College High School leads in sustainability with solar power, xeriscaping, no-idling zones and hands-on student projects that benefit both the environment and community.
By Rebecca Olds rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
The West Jordan Sustainability Award was a new phenomenon created by the West Jordan Sustainability Committee in 2025.
A way of highlighting the community’s sustainable environmental efforts, the award has certain stipulations for nominations, such as the nominated organization must be based in West Jordan or have a strong presence in the city. Nominations were open to businesses, nonprofits and community groups and “judged on their innovation, impact and commitment to sustainability.”
“At the end of last year, we began advertising for a new sustainability award, and in January, our committee all voted to select a winner,” committee volunteer Jessica Navarro said.
Navarro said a total of five nominees were in the running to receive the award for its first year, including local West Jordan businesses, organizations and communities,
Vidas Wax Works, Local West Jordan, Conservation Gardens, Terraine and, last but not least, Itineris Early College High School.
Itineris Early College High School was ultimately awarded the 2025 West Jordan Sustainability Award for innovative programs and efforts to make the school sustainable.
Brighton resident and dean of students at Itineris, Jeff Bossard, nominated the school.
“I'm big on the environment, and I wanted our school to kind of be a model for what buildings can do, or commercial buildings or whatever, can do in terms of sustainability and the environment,” Bossard said.
In Bossard’s nomination, he cited an impressive list of the school’s commitment to energy and water sustainability measures.
The school’s commitment to energy sustainability is showcased by replacing 50% of the building’s electricity with solar energy, powered by solar panels on the roof. To reduce overall energy use, “controllers have been added to the HVAC units to reduce power demands and reduce electricity consumption.”
When it comes to driving and transportation, the school also excels.
Students and staff from the school use public transportation to commute and are given TRAX passes to commute to all
school functions. Bossard also mentioned the use of "No Idling" signs on the property that encourage people who do drive to “keep the air quality better.”
Students and staff members also partic-
ipate in an annual “large Earth Day service project,” where everyone pitches in to pick up trash around the school and in the vicinity of the premises.
In the area of water sustainability, more than 2,000 square feet of grass has been replaced with rock and xeriscaping. Installed smart water controllers reduce water usage by more than a third.
The saved water is put to use in the Environmental Science Club’s hands, Bossard mentioned, which “plants vegetables to help contribute to the school lunch program.”
“They've actually taken the next step, where they've actually started composting food waste,” he said. “So that's something that just got started, but it's, you know, they're building a composting area and now they're collecting food waste within the cafeteria as well.”
The award was presented in early 2025 by the city to both Bossard and Itineris’ principal, Renee Edwards.
“We're still very much under the radar, so to be honored in front of the people at West Jordan, that was a very proud moment for our school,” Bossard said.
He said “because we're not part of a school district, a lot of people — even though our school has been around for over 20 years and in the building itself for 11 — we're not on a main road, we don't have a sports team, so it was really nice for us to get some recognition, to get some awareness of our school in the community.”
With its focus on early college education partnered with Salt Lake Community College, the public school celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024. l
TRAX passes are given to students and faculty to use public transportation rather than charter buses. (Photo courtesy Itineris Early College High School)
Students are flying high after winning state drone competition.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Jordan School District students took first and second place at the Technology Student Association State Drone Competition in March, but the pathway to their success was scattered with melted propellers, spliced batteries, burned-out servos and a lot of crashes.
“Every single part on every single drone didn’t work at some point,” Herriman High School senior Drew Hammon said. “If it works the first time, it's going to break eventually. So, it's just like problem solving being able to figure out super technical issues.”
West Jordan High School junior Audrey Beckstrand and JATC student Isaac Hancock, whose team took second place at the competition, went through five redesigns of their drone and burned out every servo they had before their drone was ready for competition.
“There’s like hundreds of different variants of every single part that have been at least thought of in detail,” Beck -
NineFailure fuels success for drone designers
strand said. “I don’t remember the exact numbers—I think it was like 34 printed parts, every single one redesigned at least twice.”
Learning through trial and error is a key lesson in Amber Saffen’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Design class at Jordan Academy of Technology and Careers, in which the students from Jordan District learn to design, build and program a drone.
“Because it is an engineering class, and engineering and failure goes hand in hand, we like to see the failure because then we learn from it, and we get to get the data from it and figure out why it does not work,” Saffen said.
Saffen has been teaching drone skills for three years. The first year her students participated in a competition, only one of their drones got off the ground. She and her students have learned a lot since then.
“This year was the first year I had every single group was able to get off the ground—and now, they might have only been off the ground for half a second as their drone flipped over—but they got off the ground,” Saffen said.
Four of the seven teams at the state competition were from JATC. Hammon and teammate Tanner Gunnell took first
place and will be competing at nationals in Nashville, Tennessee this summer. Saffen was thrilled with their performance.
“The amount of things that they have to get and calculate and solder correctly and mount correctly and design correctly to even get off the ground is monumental, so let alone then complete the TSA course, that anytime they do, I'm just so proud because it's not an easy thing,” Saffen said.
The competition challenged students to design a drone that could complete specific tasks.
“We had to fly through an obstacle course and pick up a toy dinosaur and then fly it back and drop it in the zone, and then we also had to fly through the obstacle course and pick up a 3D printed cage with the dinosaur in it and fly it back,” Gunnell, a Riverton High School senior, said. “And we also had to use a camera that transmitted video on our drone to identify things throughout the run.”
Hammon said the drones they built are not like those that can be purchased at the store.
“We had to make a drone that could be really, really good at those fine movements in a small, enclosed space, which is, like, way harder,” Hammon said. ”But the real engineering came in with these claws that we had to completely design from the ground up, attach it to a frame and work with the servos to fit all in here, and then to pick up these very irregularly sized things.” l
New Mental Health Crisis Center opens in Salt Lake County
years ago I was sitting in my family room at 10 p.m. My adult son, who had been struggling with mental health, came upstairs and said, “Mom, I’m done.” He expressed to me his desire to end his life.
I knew he had been struggling and we were on waiting lists to get him into a doctor and therapist, but he was tired of waiting. I panicked – not knowing where to go or what to do. “Do I call 911? Should I take him to an emergency room?” I thought. I couldn’t believe that I didn’t know what to do. I was serving on the county council at the time and thought that if I didn’t know what to do, certainly other people would be feeling the same way.
I took him to the emergency room and we sat for hours, only to be sent home with a list of providers on our insurance. It was so frustrating!
After that I learned about the 24/7 crisis line, now 988, that people can call for help. We utilized that a few other times over the following weeks. Eventually, my son got the help he needed and I appreciate that he allows me to share his story in an effort to help others.
Because of these experiences I was determined to get more involved in our mental health system by serving on the state’s behavioral health crisis response commission. This enabled me to help advocate for a three digit crisis line, and more resources throughout the state. Our county council donated land for a new mental health receiving center and also gave funds for an expansion of the proposed facility. Since counties are the mental health authorities - as designated by the state - it made sense for us to engage on a deeper level.
On March 28, we cut the ribbon on the new Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center. This facility, located at 955 W. 3300 South in Salt Lake County, helps
Aimee Winder Newton Salt Lake County Councilwoman| District 3
people facing mental health emergencies. This 24/7 facility offers immediate assistance, including crisis intervention and short-term stabilization, all in a caring, safe environment. By bringing together mental health professionals, social workers, and community partners, it aims to streamline access to services—so individuals can quickly receive assessments, therapy, and connections to longer-term support. The center also helps reduce the strain on hospitals and the justice system by guiding people toward recovery, rather than unnecessary hospitalization or incarceration. Overall, it’s designed to be a welcoming place where anyone in crisis can find immediate help, understanding and hope.
A few weeks before the opening of this center, I took my son with me to tour the facility. It was touching to have him there with me as we talked about how needed this is and how we wished it was around nine years ago. I got emotional thinking about the many family members who won’t have to wonder where to take their struggling loved one if they are having a mental health crisis.
I know our family is not alone. Many of you have reached out to tell me of your family struggles with mental health. It
is so hard! I hope you know we are working hard to combat this. The opening of this new facility is another step in that direction.
Drew Hammon and Tanner Gunnell won first place at the TSA state drone competition. (Photo courtesy Amber Saffen)
I was born with the fashion sense of a platypus: lots of assorted parts coming together but nothing cohesive, nothing you could call style.
It’s not that I haven’t tried to dress nice. I even did some fashion research and read an article that said I should find clothing that fits my personality to feel confident about my wardrobe. My personality is a cross between a hibernating bear and a librarian, so I guess I should wear furry blankets and mustard-colored cardigans? Done.
The article also said to implement different colors and patterns, and not to be afraid to get out of my comfort zone. But my comfort zone is so comfy. Hence the name.
For a long time, my fashion palette consisted only of black; or gray, if the occasion called for levity. Walking through the grocery store, I was often mistaken for a murder of crows, but that might have been because of all the flapping and squawking.
So, I banned black from my closet, except for 13 black blouses because you never know when you’ll attend a My Chemical Romance concert. Then I decided any new clothes I purchased couldn’t be black. Now my closet is filled with a rainbow of dark navy, charcoal, espresso and eggplant for when I’m feeling whimsical.
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
Out of Style
The article suggested trying different styles. Trendy boxy tops look adorable on the pages of fashion magazines but turned me into SpongeBob. Maybe I should stop wearing striped socks with squeaky black shoes and white laces.
I just don’t know how to look effortlessly stylish although Vogue breaks it down into 79 manageable steps. I stopped reading after the one step suggested I wear one thing that scares me. Crocs are the most frightening thing I could think of. Nope.
Once, I was working at an event and was given a T-shirt to wear. I threw on a pair of shorts and called it good. My coworker showed up in her T-shirt matched with cute capris, colorful espadrilles and a rakish beret. I felt like Gollum standing next to her.
If I have to attend any social event, I get fashion paralysis, completely incapable of choosing an outfit. If the event is really fancy, I’ll spend at least 47 days riddled
with anxiety about what to wear. My husband says, “Go buy something new,” but that makes it even worse because trying on clothes is a torture device invented during the Spanish Inquisition.
First, the options are overwhelming. Second, what if I choose something too dressy? I don’t want to look like a wedding cake if the event calls for shortbread. Third, I want my clothes to feel comfy, which is the complete opposite of style. No wonder fashion models always look so angry.
The one area in fashion that I do shine is footwear because Chuck Taylors can be worn with anything. Barefoot is also an option I employ from May through October. (By Halloween, the soles of my feet are as tough as a Kevlar and as grungy as a music festival’s porta-potty.)
Oscar Wilde, my style guru, said, “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”
If every fashion trend comes back again, I’ll just stick with what I love: clothes that hide salsa stains and are super soft. Anna Wintour would have some disparaging glances to throw my way but it’s better than my platypus fashion that looks like I just crawled out of a swamp.
