West Jordan Journal | December 2022

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

at Ascent Academy, a charter school in West Jordan, get to make a lot of choices. They get to choose how they will show what they’ve learned. They get to choose a subject they want to study in depth. And they get to choose the design for Principal Crystal Thomas’s fingernails.

Students

“I'll do whatever they design,” Thomas said.

Students draw their nail designs on paper and Thomas randomly selects one from what has grown to more than 150 options. Her nail tech nician matches every color and every detail from the students’ design, no matter how far out of Thomas’ comfort zone their colorful designs are.

“I think they need to know that they're important, that their design, their little polka dots, were important to me, that we put them all in the right place, because they put them there for a reason,” Thomas said. “It shows them that their art is important and of value to me. They need to know at a young age that what they do is important.”

This philosophy of student-led, personalized choice is in harmo ny with Ascent Academy’s charter philosophy, based on a school-wide enrichment model which encourages students to decide which methods they use to learn and to express themselves.

“We really believe that students should have ownership in their education, and they should have involvement,” Thomas said.

Each quarter, students choose one of the 10 SEM expression styles to create a project which demonstrates what they’ve learned. For exam ple, to show their understanding of fractions, one fifth-grade student used her violin to illustrate music note values, which are fractions of a beat, and a group of fifth-grade boys made a video showing how a zombie had

Principal Crystal Thomas lets her students choose her nail designs. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Thomas.)

Richard Paul Evans’ latest novel reflects the true meaning of the holiday season

By Collette Hayes | c.hayes@mycityjournals.com

By the time Richard Paul Evans was 21, he had lived in over 12 places. Leaving California to move to his grand mother’s abandoned home when he was 9 years old was a trau matic event in Evans’ life. In his book, “A Christmas Memory,” Evans takes a step back in time and reflects on the challenges of beginning life in Utah. When things seem to be at their worst, being bullied at his new school and the unraveling of his home life and family relationships, Evans meets an elderly neighbor and his dog Gollum who quickly become a beacon of light and hope in a world where Evans feels he has nothing left to lose.

The New York Times bestselling author has called Utah home for the last several years. He attended Cottonwood High School and is raising his family in the Holladay area. While living here, Evans has kept a watchful eye over the abused, abandoned and neglected children of Utah by providing funds to build a safe haven for those children in need of love, protec tion and shelter. The Christmas Box House, named after Evans first book, “The Christmas Box,” has provided shelter for over 136,000 children in need during the last two decades. In its infancy the Christmas Box House struggled to find community support and secure funding. After the sale of “The Christmas Box,” Evans came forward with personal funding to take on the responsibility of trying to provide a safe place for those children in need.

“I used most of the money I received from the sale of my first book, ‘The Christmas Box’ to fund building the Christmas Box House,” Evans said. “After the book funds were gone, I began taking out personal loans to cover the cost which about bankrupted us, and there was no guarantee there would be an other bestselling book. I was continually being advised to shut the project down. During this time, I had two really cool expe riences and because of these experiences, I decided, if the ship is going down, I’m going with it.”

Evans has more than 35 million copies of his books in print worldwide translated into more than 24 languages. His most recent Christmas novel, “A Christmas Memory” is a heartfelt story about forgiveness, the power of hope and the true meaning of the holiday season.

“The first of December of last year, I came down with pneumonia. I have never been that sick in my life,” he said. “I stopped eating, and then I caught Covid on top of all of that. At the same time my friend had what I had and died. He was the same age as I was. I started thinking, I might not make it

through this. My wife Keri was terrified. During all of this, a book idea started coming to me. I was literally on my stom ach starting to scrawl this book down on paper. I was so foggy headed at the time; I thought it probably was all pretty awful. Then in January, I finally began to get better, and I went back and read it and realized this was the most beautiful thing I had ever written. When I wrote the book, I couldn’t get through it without crying, because I deeply feel for the little boy and ev erything he had been through. The book is similar to a memoir. Most of it is based on my life. It is my absolute favorite book I’ve written since ‘The Christmas Box.’ It’s definitely a special book.”

Evans first feature film based on his book “The Noel Dia ry” will be released in November. Netflix gave “The Noel Di ary” their prime opening on Thanksgiving Day. The film is di rected by Academy Award nominee writer and director Charles Shyer and stars Justin Harley in the lead role as Jake Turner.

“My first feature film based on my book ‘The Noel Diary’ is coming up this year,” Evans said. “I’ve had seven televi sion movies produced based on my books, but this is my first feature film. My book ‘The Christmas Memory’ comes out on Nov. 22 and two days later on Thanksgiving Day, ‘The Noel Diary’ will be released on Netflix. I’m very excited.”

According to Evans, he writes when he is in the mood and has an approaching deadline. At times he will go to a hotel where there are no distractions and will write for 18 hours a day. He usually has food brought in and doesn’t go anywhere or see anyone due to the fact when creating a fictional universe, it is difficult when writing to leave the universe and then return. When writing one of his Michael Vey novels, he was struggling with an Amazon jungle scene. From the hotel where he was staying, Evans called and booked a flight to the Amazon and went to the jungle. He got what he needed, and it changed the book.

“I started writing young adult science fiction just for fun,” Evans said. “People who knew me thought it was strange that I was writing sentimental things because they see me as more of a science fiction writer. Actually, both are part of my per sonality. I wanted to write a story about a boy who had To urette syndrome. Both my son Michael and I have Tourettes, and I wrote it for him. I originally set Michael Vey in Holladay around Walker Lane but then decided to move the setting to Idaho. There are still parts of Holladay in the book. I have a Mi

Here in Utah, Evans helps bring people together with the annual Christmas Box Angel candlelight service to remember lost children. The event is held at the Salt Lake Cemetery on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Evans commissioned the angel monument in response to grieving parents who were looking for a place to grieve and heal. The service is open to the general public. l

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chael Vey fan club in Iran, and I have Skyped with students in Saudi Arabia where it was the most popular book in the school. Michael Vey books are also in Russia and South Korea. It’s amazing how books have the power to unite people.”

“A Christmas Memory Book” cover. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

West Jordan honors Veterans with memorial service

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

Nov. 11 marked the day for honoring veterans who served their country. This day is a reminder to all of us to offer thanks to those who have made sacrifices for our freedom. The West Jordan Veterans Memorial service honored all mil itary veterans with speakers, the Utah Pipe Band, Bells of Peace, Taps, Rifle Salute, and Posting of the Colors.

The event was held at the Viridian Event Center. The event started out with a breakfast served to Veterans and their families. The program began with Mayor Dirk Burton greet ing the attendees. “Thank you all for coming out today to join us in honoring all the men and women who served our great country,” Burton said.

“Thank you for you and your family’s sacrifice for this nation; we all know freedom isn’t free. You have paid the price for freedom. As a veteran, I am proud that we stood together. I am honored to call you my brothers and sisters. You shall never be forgotten,” said Kelvin Green, city coun cil member and fellow veteran.

All those involved in the memorial service did an out standing job in the remembrance of those men and women who served our country.

The invocation was given by retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Elmer Inman, the program had a Posting of the Colors presented by the West Jordan Guard and Council member David Pack sang the national anthem.

The keynote speaker for the event was Lt. Col. Michale Kjar. He gave a thankful speech honoring all veterans.

The Utah Pipe Band performed a Military Set as well as Amazing Grace, both powerful and moving numbers.

The Rifle Salute was performed by VFW Post 7442. The Rifle Salute added a very strong military touch, giving attendees an opportunity to reflect on our service men and women.

The Veterans Program was very honored to have local West Jordan resident and bugler, retired USMC Cpl. Ron Tranmer, perform Taps. His performance was very heartfelt.

Bells of Peace was a great remembrance of World War I to commemorate the 100-year Anniversary of World War I Armistice. l

Wall at West Jordan Park honoring Veterans (Linda Steele/City Journals)

Mayor of West Jordan, Dirk Burton (Courtesy of West Jordan Events Division)

Utah Pipe Band (Courtesy West Jordan Events Division)

eaten 6/10 of a finger and 1/2 of the leg of their victim.

Students also get to choose a topic of study for six-weeklong student-led cluster classes multiple times a year. They meet weekly to explore a topic with support from a staff member.

In the Community Improvement cluster, students brain stormed ideas such as repainting the school crosswalk and making kits for the homeless. In the Fitness Cluster, they brain stormed fitness activities and then tried a new one each week.

Staff members facilitate the cluster classes but provide lit tle direct instruction.

“A cluster isn't for me to teach,” Thomas said. “It's for them to find something and facilitate their own learning of it.” She learned this lesson when she facilitated the “Eating the Al phabet” cluster. She thought the students would want to taste foods that started with each letter of the alphabet, but on the first day, the students told her they wanted to make a cookbook.

“So we spent six weeks trying recipes and they all left with a cookbook that they made,” she said.

Kindergarten teacher Ericka Parry let the students in her art cluster tell her what they wanted to learn. They wanted to expe rience an art gallery, so she had them walk through the school halls to observe the artwork on display. They read a book about colors and decided they wanted to create colors of their own. She provided paints for them to mix together to create a new color, which they also got to name.

At the end of each cluster session, students will have made a product or performed a service. One year, an older group built a Rube Goldberg machine and then used it to teach younger students about physics. One group made a board game, another built birdhouses. The students in Parry’s cluster hope to paint a group mural.

Rachel Clark, the school social worker, was thrilled to facilitate a book-making cluster with first and second graders. When the students said they wanted to talk to real authors and book illustrators, Clark arranged for virtual visits with actual authors and illustrators.

“It's so fun to see when you give them the chance to de cide how they want to learn, and what they want to learn, it’s interesting the directions that they go,” Clark said. “They get to do this the way they want to and look at how engaged they are and how much they’re learning. It’s student-led so I had no idea where this was going to go. They are the ones that decided they wanted to make real live books and they wanted them to look like a real book.”

Clark was impressed with the creative stories and illustra tions the students came up with.

“You can tell some of these kids have the aptitude and they’re just running with it,” Clark said.

The students hope to share their stories with the whole school.

“We’re going to ask our librarian if we can display our real live books in the library so that kids can read them,” Clark said.

Thomas said students love cluster classes.

“The school is buzzing with energy on our cluster days,” she said.

Vice Principal Kathy Butkovich said the crafting and cook ing clusters are some of the most popular. Last month's clusters included a cooking class for middle school students and a Japa nese cooking class for fifth and sixth graders.

“I thought cooking Japanese food would be really fun and I would get to try sushi,” Anna, a fifth grader said. She previously took a sewing cluster and made a stuffed animal.

Anna said when she gets to choose which class to take, it’s more fun and entertaining.

“You get to do more interesting stuff—stuff you love,” she said.

In Ascent Academy’s Japanese cooking cluster, students learn to make strawberry-flavored shaved ice. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Ascent Academies of Utah was named Utah Charter Net work’s 2021 School of the Year.l

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Copper can stop a virus before it starts

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Students get a sense of Native American culture through their five senses

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

pat their hands, they crinkle paper, they hiss. They are creating a soundscape for a scene in a video of a Native American woman making traditional fry bread over a fire. Students use their voices, bodies and items around the classroom to mimic the sounds of the shaping of dough, the crackle of the fire and the sizzle of hot oil.

Students

lum in their classrooms to prepare students for a visit from Beyal, who is Navajo.

“We really try to think things out be forehand to make sure that they’ll get the most out of the activity,” Principal Marianne Johansen said.

This is what learning about Native American heritage looks like at Majestic El ementary Arts Academy. Creating a sound scape fits in with the school’s art-based

“That may not sound like your tradi tional music concepts, but they are listening, they're playing, they’re creating, and those are all really important aspects of music,” said Jennifer Purdy, program coordinator of BYU Arts in Partnership, who developed the fry bread lesson plan with the Native Ameri can Curriculum Initiative. They worked with input from teachers, artists and members of the eight sovereign tribal nations of Utah.

“We use our collective minds to come up with curriculum for students here in Utah,” Native American Curriculum Initia tive Director Brenda Beyal said. “We go to the tribes, and we asked them, ‘What would you like the children of Utah to know about you and your history?’ and then we work with teaching artists and they lend their ex pertise in teaching the content through the arts.”

The curriculum includes a discussion about the kinds of bread each culture has, reading a book about fry bread, watching a video of fry bread being made, creating a soundscape, and listening to songs about fry bread written by Native American musicians.

“We're helping children build a context around fry bread,” Purdy said. “And through this lesson, they learn important history of the Navajo people and where fry bread orig inated and how it came to be. And then we bring in all of the other cultures that use or make fry bread now across the country.”

Teachers at Majestic used the curricu

The fry bread lesson is like many of the lessons Majestic teachers use—it is immer sive and uses a variety of teaching methods, especially music and art.

“We definitely shoot for a high depth of knowledge on all subjects,” Johansen said. “How the arts help with that is they help the students create things on a higher level, so that they really get a full understanding.”

When Beyal visited Majestic Elemen tary in November to share her own stories and items important to her culture, students already had a framework of understanding to connect the information to. They also finally got to taste the fry bread they’d been learning so much about with Beyal’s own recipe.

Jordan School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey was impressed with how Majestic teachers used the curriculum to lay the groundwork for an impactful expe rience for students.

“The partnership with BYU and taking advantage of the Native American Curricu lum Initiative are just two examples of the way that Majestic is focused on creating a re ally immersive experience for kids, making sure that their learning is a deep level and in volves some real-life experiences,” he said.

Beyal hopes that these lessons and ex periences change children’s perception of Native Americans.

“What I hope they come away with is a new understanding, maybe a collection of narratives of how they think about Native Americans, that we are still here, that we are not invisible, that we are continuing to move forward, that we have a legacy of resilience,” Beyal said. “We hope they continue to learn and become more curious about the true his tory of indigenous tribes here in Utah.” l

Brenda Beyal, Director of the Native Ameri can Curriculum Initiative, reads a story about fry bread to students to share her Na vajo history and culture. (Doug Flagler/Jordan District)

Lily Reutze, an eighth grader at Kelsey Peak Middle School, wraps white yarn around a square of cardboard. After tying a few knots and making a few cuts, she has made a fluffy snowball. One down, 300 to go.

The snowballs were being made for an indoor snowball fight kit to be donated to Kauri Sue Hamilton School. It was just one of the projects she and her peers participated in at Jordan Virtual Learning Academy’s Day of Service. The hours students spent making hundreds of snowballs, coloring 40 food boxes for the Food Bank, tying 12 quilts for Prima ry Children’s Hospital and crafting over 200 cards for care center residents count toward the goal of 1,500 hours of service hours performed by JVLA students during November and De cember.

All three schools that are a part of JVLA—Rocky Peak Elementary, Kelsey Peak Middle and King’s Peak High—participate in the service hour drive. Last year, students per formed a total of 1,203 hours of service.

To meet this year’s higher goal, a Day of Service was held Nov. 11 to kick-off the ser vice season. Students and their families were invited to participate in four service projects at two locations. Lily and her mother Lisa, who works as an aid at Rocky Peak Elementary, helped with every project.

“It's good to help out your community and to help other people,” said Lily.

JVLA provides community service op portunities throughout the year—students and staff collected 536 pairs of socks for The Road Home in October.

“Service helps kids look outside them selves and takes them away from their own problems,” KPHS instructional coach Ami Anderson said.

KPHS ninth grader Blue Hegstrom said he loves helping others. He often helps out at home. The time he spends providing service for his family can be counted toward the school service hour total.

Sophomore Haedyn Cleveland said, as a virtual student, it was great to get out of the house and meet with her peers at the Day of Service activity. She said she appreciates that her school values community service and pro vides opportunities to get involved.

“It's important to help people and the school wants to set us on the path so we know how to start helping people and then we can continue to do that when we’re adults and in different environments,” Haedyn said.

Hawthorn Academy charter school holds a Day of Service for its students each year on the day before Winter Break. Instead of hav ing a holiday party, students work as a class on projects such as making blankets to donate to hospitals, making toys to donate to the Hu mane Society, and wrapping boxes of cereal to donate to students in need at nearby schools.

Hawthorn Academy students will also be collecting toys for Utah Youth Village and food

Students add service to their schedules

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

for Utah Food Bank, a tradition in its 14 year. Each year, the goal increases, based on the year. This year, their goal is to collect 222 toys by Dec. 14 and 2,022 food items by Dec. 21.

Through Dec. 16, West Hills Middle School students will be collecting blankets, clothes, shoes and glasses to benefit four char ities: Volunteers of America, Christmas Me, 20/20 Vision Quest and Unwanted shoes. Prin cipal Cynthia VanderMeiden said there will be a friendly competition among the students to encourage a successful charity drive.

Mountain Heights Academy, an online charter school, will also provide service op portunities for their students during the month of December. Students will help fill holiday stockings to send to military members over seas and to veterans in the hospital. School leadership groups will also organize students to serve meals at a local food pantry.

West Jordan Middle School will be hold ing a food drive and collecting money for charity. All proceeds from their Dec. 16 Winter Dance will go toward their charity fundraiser.

Joel P. Jensen Middle, Copper Hills High and West Jordan High also have charity and service events planned during December. l

Lisa and Lily Reutze earn service hours while making indoor snowball kits as part of Jordan Virtual Learning Academy’s Day of Service kick-off. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Westland Elementary celebrates 50 years

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

The 50th Homecoming celebration of Westland Elementary was a success, said Crystal Whitehead, who organized the event.

“We had a great turnout,” she said. “I think it was beyond a lot of people's expecta tions. We had a lot of past and current teachers, alumni and a lot of the community.”

There were many happy reunions between teachers, students and community members.

Former kindergarten teacher Rebecca Shaefer talked and laughed with both former students and former colleagues, reminding her of how much she loved being part of the West land Elementary community.

“This school is a home, there’s a general sense of community,” she said.

Jessica Hayes taught at Westland for 18 years. When she left four years ago, she said it was the hardest move she’s ever had to make in her career.

Many of the teachers who attended the homecoming event, held Nov. 10, expressed how special the community at Westland was and still is. Many of them brought their own children to Westland to be taught by their col leagues.

“Teachers bring their kids because they know they’ll be taught by good people,” said Jane Smith, who has been teaching for seven years at Westland. She loves the small staff that is close, the school programs and traditions.

Melanie (Bush) Mosley has many good memories from her time as a student at West land in the 1980s. She fondly remembers the husband and wife who were the school custo dians and gave students a soda for helping to put away folding chairs. One of her teachers was her neighbor, which made her feel safe at school.

The school was originally built with an open classroom design and Mosley remem bers the year that partitions were constructed to close off the classroom. Her children now attend the school, and she was able to show them her school pictures from the yearbooks on display at the Homecoming event.

Three of the Blackham children who at tended Westland— Trevin (age 18) Ali (age 23) and CarliAnn (age 16)— came to see the school, catch up with teachers and peruse the old yearbooks.

CarliAnn loved her teacher Ms. Howell, who she had in both fourth and sixth grade. She said Howell did a lot of science experiments, which sparked her interested in science. She is now taking biotechnology and medical foren sics classes at Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers.

Ali remembers many art projects, singing in the school choir and helping in the lunch room.

Their mother, Bethany Blackham, trans ferred her kids to Westland for the ALPS pro gram, which challenged her gifted children and provided them opportunities to participate in competitions. The school also provided sup port for her child who has dyslexia. She was impressed by the culture—there were lots of family activities, students were well-behaved and the school staff members truly cared about the students. She said the office workers knew every kid and Mr. V, the principal, (David Vic chrilli) popped into every classroom every day to say hi to the kids.

Whitehead said some families from near by West Jordan Elementary attended the event to get a feel for the school their children may be sent to when their school is closed or rebuilt.

“They just wanted to check out the school,” Whitehead said.

Past and current teachers agreed among themselves that anyone transferring from West Jordan Elementary to Westland Elementary will love it.

The celebration of Westland’s 50 years isn’t over yet. Whitehead collected memo ries from past students and staff, which she’ll be compiling into a scrapbook and sharing in upcoming school newsletters. She will also be putting together a 50th anniversary school cookbook. l

The Blackham family explores the yearbooks on display at the Homecoming event. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Arts society hosts first annual talent show

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

The Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan held their first an nual Community Talent Showcase Fundraiser and Talent Show on Nov. 12. Their goal was to help promote the cultur al life of West Jordan by promoting the arts in the community. West Jordan is excited to promote and sustain visual, perform ing and literary arts and bring a rich culture to the community.

The Cultural Arts Society held a silent auction that show cased many amazing works of art that attendees could bid on during the event. Items included paintings, drawings, tickets to attend theater, plus many more.

Those performing in the Talent Showcase were West Jor dan Jazz Band, Galo Lastra, Shilaylee, Gary Garff, Scott Hill, Deanna Leonard, Bart Robbins, Mountain West Chorale, Robert Thomson, Brook Rands and Melissa Huston, and Diana Larsen.

Rachel O’Crowley is the Chairman of Visual Arts. She is passionate about the arts being accessible to everyone. “The Cultural Arts Society is dedicated to making arts accessible to residents and people outside of West Jordan as well. We want to make sure that people of every age group, people of all different areas have access to the arts. We have easy affordability, acces sibility to the arts and fundraising, grants, money that comes in from the city makes that possible. It’s such a hard time right now, and the arts help to pull people out of dark areas and con tinue to help pull people in to find that light in their life,” she said.

“This is a great call to action by asking people if they want to be a part of the arts, or if they have ever thought about it, or if they just want to dip their toes in the water. Our organization has something for everyone. We have three different bands, senior band, jazz band, concert band. We have visual arts, literary arts,

youth theater, Sugar Factory Playhouse for adults, West Jordan Theater. If people are interested in donating, we are always looking for volunteers, donations, business sponsors. You can go to the website WJARTS.org and there are different options. We also ask if people are able to donate, they can go to Amazon smile, Smiths, these are ways people can contribute.”

Brook Mann is working with the West Jordan Youth The ater doing costuming. She has directed some of the shows. “I love the youth theater because there is a place for everyone. It is an inclusive theater; we have all types of kids. We typically get along. It’s nice to see them thriving and gaining confidence in a way that they don’t normally have. I feel like theater fills a lot of different needs for kids.”

Jen Crabb is a Sugar Factory Playhouse board member. Sugar Factory Playhouse offers a wide range of roles for not just kids, but adults as well. “It’s a chance for a skilled accountant, a nurse, or a stay-at-home parent. They can come and embrace the passion and work toward common goals, like a big family. Every show we are in we accumulate more people in our the ater family, and you get to know every person that you’ve been through the fire with and stressful situations. You have rehearsal times, then everybody performs, and it brings people together like no other way I have experienced,” Crabb said.

Jerry Hardesty is an artist who was painting at the auction on a canvas, using a small squeegee and a spatula. “I paint by intuition, I never know how something is going to turn out, I just start painting.”

The arts are a way of bringing a community together and enjoy using their talents. Whether you are an actor, artist, musi cian or a writer you can join the Cultural Arts Society of West

Jordan. You can also be a

one of the groups,

For more information about get ting involved in the arts go to WJARTS.org. l

volunteer with

sponsor programs or donate.

Artist Jerry Hardesty painting at the Silent Auction. (Linda Steele/ City Journals)

Copper Hills athletes set high marks in the classroom and on the field

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

Several Copper Hills athletes received honors as part of the Utah High School Activities Association’s aca demic all-state awards program this fall.

“Individuals are selected for this award on the basis of their athletic ability and academic proficiency,” UH SAA Executive Director Rob Cuff said in a press release. “The award is the most prestigious honor the UHSAA presents to senior students.”

Athletic performance can make education more diffi cult because of time constraints. In a University of Kansas study, athletes on average have better grades and graduate at a higher percentage.

Angela Lumpkin, a Kansas professor of health said, “In general, athletes are not smarter than nonathletes, but evidence suggests they take studies more seriously if they want to compete.”

For more than 25 years the UHSAA has presented academic all-state awards to athletes that maintain high academic standards and contribute to their respective ath letic fields. In the past, the award meant you were a varsi ty player and had one of the top 10 grade point averages in your classification. In 2018 that changed in two ways.

The first change made the award not just an athletic achievement. The award is now given to all UHSAA-sanc tioned activities. Theater, debate and music participants are now recognized at the completion of seasons just like athletes.

The second change includes the use of a matrix that uses grade point average and ACT scores. All 4.0s receive the award, but a student with a 3.9 and a 33 ACT may now

also qualify.

Athletes that were honored at Copper Hills include Emina Dervisevic, Ellie Brennan, Riley Taylor, Hyrum Perkins, Broc Traver, Michael Ballard and Ryan Mautz.

Dervisevic was a member of the girls soccer team. They finished the season with a 2-8 region record. She scored a goal and had one assist.

Brennan was a member of the girls tennis team and Perkins played football.

Taylor, Traver, Ballard and Mautz were all part of the Grizzlies cross country teams.

The girls cross country team placed 13 and Taylor placed 98 overall. The team also placed fifth at the Region 3 finals.

The boys cross country team also placed fifth at the region finals. Ballard placed 21 overall at the event.

“With over 85,000 students participating in high school activities, to be recognized is reputable,” Cuff said. “On behalf of all those associated with the UHSAA I con gratulate and pay tribute to those who have earned and received this distinguished award.”

Students are nominated through their registration process for school activities. The schools confirm their participation, grade point averages and ACT or SAT scores. The UHSSA then awards recognition and notifies the school of the participant's achievement. The schools then present the awards in separate ceremonies to recog nize their achievements.

“The real purpose is to recognize more students,” Cuff said. “We want to give out more certificates.” l

PROVENTION CELIAC DISEASE STUDY

This study is for adults 18 - 70 years, they must have a diagnosis of celiac disease. This study involves the use of a drug called PRV-015. PRV-015 is an antibody designed to block an immune system protein called interleukin 15 (IL-15). IL-15 is made in the small intestine and is one trigger that causes intestinal inflammation followed by death of the intestinal cells. In people with celiac disease, this immune response can be caused by eating gluten, in previous studies, PRV-015 has been shown to reduce inflammation in the intestine and improve the symptoms of celiac disease when used together with GFD (gluten-free diet).

GSK HPV EVE STUDY

This is a study for females 16- 26, The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that commonly affects the skin and the soft tissues (mucous membranes) around the genital area. These infections are common in both men and women and are often transmitted through sexual intercourse or another skin-to-skin contact. Symptoms vary from rashes to warts in the hands, feet, face, and genital area. Some types of can cer, such as cervical cancer are linked to HPV infections. There are more than 100 variants, this study is looking at an investigational vaccine called HPV9, the main purpose of the study is to see whether the study vaccine is safe when given to women aged between 16 and 26 years, in a 3-dose vaccination scheme. In addition to this, the study will look at how safe the study vaccine is compared with an approved (already available for use) HPV vaccine called GARDASIL 9.

This study is for adults 18 and older, who haven’t already received a flu vaccine this year, This study aims to see if a new type of influenza vaccine, called quadrivalent influenza modRNA vaccine (qIRV), is well toler ated and can help the body produce antibodies that may help fight influenza. Hemagglutinin (HA) is a protein that is made by the influenza virus that is important in how the virus works. The influenza virus can mutate the form of HA it makes, which means each year different strains of the influenza virus, making different forms of HA, become widespread worldwide. Each year surveillance is conducted to predict what influ enza strains are likely to be most common that year, and vaccines are then tailored to combat these.

Grizzly senior Hyrum Perkins was honored as an academic all-state award winner for scholastic achievement and athletic participation. (Photo courtesy of Copper Hills High School)

American Outlaws chapter hosts World Cup parties

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

Utahns have found a soft spot for the most popular game in the entire world.

The World Cup begins the week before Thanksgiving, and Salt Lake City ranks in the top ten of soccer fans' best cities.

“Our chapter of the American Outlaws has been around since 2009,” Brighton High School graduate and AO chapter president Todd Nate said. “We have around 250 mem bers here and are excited to cheer the US Men’s National Team on.”

The World Cup is the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world. It is held ev ery four years. The tournament is held over a month-long celebration and includes 32 teams. France is the defending champion and Germa ny won in 2014.

“We (the U.S. team) did not make it last time,” Nate said. “I think that makes this year more exciting.”

The AO chapter has scheduled watch parties for fans to enjoy the games. They are planned to be held at Beer Bar in Salt Lake City (161 E. 200 South). The organization is more than a set place to watch games. They encour age new friendships and donate time to local soccer leagues.

The chapter helps grow the game in the United States.

In other countries, World Cup games can close down a city.

“We went to watch a Brazilian World Cup game. We got there one hour before the match and the bar was sold out. You could not even get in. The excitement that other nationalities have for their teams is beginning to carry over,” Nate said.

In a study done by wallethub.com based on 52 key matrices, cities were ranked accord ing to their acceptance of the game. Salt Lake is number nine. Some of the soccer excitement is attributed to the growth of the women's game, but Nate said this year's tournament will be fun to watch.

“I think this is a smaller market and, like the Jazz, we only have a couple of major sports teams. I could not stand soccer, but as my kids started playing I fell in love with it. I am not sure how to explain how soccer is such a grow ing sport here in Utah,” Nate said.

The USMNT has a following here, but so do other teams.

“I cheer for the Mexican National team,” West Valley resident Ray Mondragon said. “My team is in limbo. They are not playing with their best players.”

Mexico left two of its best scorers off the roster because of injuries, Chicarito Hernandez and Julian Araujo. They have advanced to the knockout round for seven straight tournaments but have failed to win a game there to advance to the quarterfinals.

“I don’t expect them to go far, but the en tire tournament is full of great matches,” Mon dragon said. “I can’t pick Argentina so I will pick Brazil.”

The United States is scheduled to play Wales on Nov. 21 and England Nov. 25. There will be four games broadcast on Thanksgiv ing Day. The finals will be played Dec. 18. All games will be played in Qatar. This is the first time the tournament has been held in the Mid dle East, and Qatar is the smallest country to be a host.

The average ticket price for the finals is $1,600 apiece, and the U.S. purchased the third most tickets to the tournament, behind Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Brazil is the only nation to appear in all 22 World Cup tournaments.

“I would pick Brazil, Germany is always tough. You could watch for England and I think the U.S. could be a sleeper,” Nate said. “We are a young squad and hope we get out our group,” Nate said. l

ANGELO PULGIANO, MD Internal Medicine

Dr. Pulgiano joins Granger Internal Medicine – Riverton from the University of Utah. He graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine degree from Saba University School of Medicine in the Caribbean Netherlands in 2002. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in 2005.

Dr. Pulgiano is passionate about being a strong patient advocate and gives his best efforts to educate, support, and encourage each patient throughout all aspects of their care. He is a strong believer in preventative medicine, utilizing annual routine exams and age-appropriate screenings, combined with a healthy lifestyle. He is dedicated to applying his knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide accurate diagnoses with the most advanced medical treatments in order to provide superior care to his patients. In addition to internal medicine, Dr. Pulgiano also offers facial rejuvenation treatments that include dermal fillers for the cheeks and lips in addition to Botox for the face.

The Salt Lake City chapter of the American Outlaws is full of supporters of the United States Men's Na tional team. They will host watch parties of the World Cup at Beer Bar in Salt Lake City. (Photo courtesy of American Outlaws)

Navigating Grief and the Holidays

By Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW

The holiday season is nearly upon us. This is the time of year when grieving people often feel dread and sorrow about the very events and traditions that formerly brought happiness.

As every grieving person handles loss in their own way, each one of us observes holidays in our own way in time of bereavement. There simply is no one right way to experience the holidays. Some find meaning in following cherished traditions, and others benefit from avoiding traditions because their associations are now tinged with loss. Some people find great comfort in being with other people, others prefer solitude to camaraderie. For all of us, how we gather is as important as gathering at all.

Plan ahead for the holidays: The first step in planning is to listen to yourself….what will help you most at this time? You may have strong memories and powerful feelings. Accept this as normal, but prepare for it. Anticipate the pleasures and the stresses of events, and select those you want to participate in. If you expect to be lonely, arrange supportive companionship. If you can’t bear the thought of connecting with the entire extended family, let the family know of your needs. Be creative and accept support by using distance technology.

Accommodate your plans to your new limits: Most grieving people have significantly lowered physical stamina and emotional reserve. Perhaps you can’t get every decoration out this year. Accept these limits as temporary, and good enough for this year. Choose to put your energy into the things that matter most to you.

Accept that the holidays will be different this year: The holidays are often filled with unrealistic expectations that may overwhelm you. You may need to revisit your goals and find a balance between continuity and change. Many people find a special comfort in establishing a new holiday tradition that honors the memory of the person who died.

Recognize that other family members or friends may have struggles, too: Look for opportunities to discuss your feelings and wishes with others who may also be grieving for your family member. Try to respect their choices, if they are different from yours. You all may need to make compromises.

If the holidays have always been hard for you: Use this transition in your life to try something completely new…an untraditional-tradition. Perhaps you have never taken the occasion create a new experience on your own. As challenging as loss can be, it can bring momentum to grow and to try something new.

For all of us, whether the holidays are a time of personal significance or not, it can be a season in which we reflect on what we do cherish as we journey through grief.

Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW is an Associate Professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing and the Director of Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program. Caring Connections is a not-for-profit program that offers clinician-facili tated grief support groups in Utah. 801-585-9522 healthcare.utah.edu/caring-connections

New 55+ Community Now Building in South Jordan

Just south of Salt Lake Community College, Utah’s leading builder of active adult communities has begun construction of their newest development. Leisure Villas, known for their lifestyle-oriented neighborhoods, has broken ground on what is promising to be one of their more premiere locations.

55+ Community offers better living for retirees

While nobody likes to see another open field disappear to housing, it is nice to see that it will be constructed by a builder who has a strong reputation for not only building quality homes, but homes and communities that are attractive and fun.

Hearthstone Villas, located at 9550 S. 3400 W. has just opened its first building for sale. While supply and labor shortages threaten to slow construction, the builder is committed to doing all in their power to open four new homes for sale each month.

This long-anticipated community will soon have its community clubhouse under construction also, with its accompanying amenities, like a pool, theater, exercise room, billiards, library, community gathering areas. This community is also planning on installing two pickleball courts and some horseshoe pits in the next phase of construction. Needless to say, there will be plenty to do, and great people to do it with.

If you would like more information about this new community, you can speak with a representative by visiting the sales office on site, or by calling: 801-701-1147.

Election security in Salt Lake County

Another election season has come and gone and I’m sure, like me, you won’t miss the campaign ads that peppered bill boards, pedestrian walkways, TV commer cial breaks, and your social media feed.

I would like to thank you for the op portunity to serve you, my constituents, in District 3 for another term on the Salt Lake County Council. My district is a swing dis trict that could easily be won by a Repub lican or Democratic candidate, and I am honored to have your support. I’ve spent my life living and serving in District 3 and I consider it a great privilege to represent you.

With the election season drawing to a close, I often get asked about our election process. First, let me say that I believe our elections are secure, and while we contin ue to find ways to improve our process, I believe the outcome accurately reflects the voter’s choice.

Vote by mail became an even more popular option in the midst of the pandem ic, but did you know that Utah was one of five states that had already implemented vote by mail prior to the pandemic? That means we have had several years to finetune this process. For those voters who chose the vote by mail option there were three ways to return your ballot: the US Postal Service, one of the 21 drive-up bal

lot boxes, or any vote center.

When your ballot arrives at the Salt Lake County clerk’s office the barcode on the envelope is scanned, creating a re turn log and vote history for the voter, and ensuring that only one ballot is accepted for each voter. The privacy tab on the re turn envelope is removed, and the voter’s

signature is compared to the voter-signed affidavit. The ballot remains sealed inside the envelope during this process. Once the signature has been verified, the security sleeve containing the ballot is removed and separated from the envelope, making the ballot anonymous. The anonymous ballots are removed from the security sleeve and prepared for counting. Ballots are carefully logged in and tracked during the tabulation process.

The County Clerk's office works hard to maintain accurate voter rolls. Election staff review all returned mail to verify the accuracy of voters’ addresses and vot er status. Deceased persons are regularly removed based on a list provided by the Office of Vital Records. Notifications from other states identify voters who have moved out-of-state. Address changes made with the Utah Driver License Division are automatically applied. The database is scanned regularly to remove duplicate en tries and ensure accuracy.

I recognize the importance a secure and accurate voting system plays in ensur ing a stable society. Our electoral process includes many security measures to ensure integrity. You can learn more about the steps Salt Lake County has taken to protect ballot security and privacy at slco.vote.

Aimee Winder Newton

Salt Lake County Councilwoman| District 3

There is such a thing as a free lunch

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

The federally funded free and reduced school lunch program provides meals to students whose families can’t afford to pay full price. However, there are families who don’t qualify for the program but still struggle with the expense.

“We’ve found, especially recently, there’s this population of students who do not qualify for free and reduced lunch but still have needs due to high expenses—housing, food, just gener al cost of living—so we are finding that our neg ative lunch balances keep increasing,” Westvale Elementary School Principal Odette Desmarais said.

When a lunch balance goes into a negative balance, parents get an email. If the account re mains unpaid, school administrators work with families, ensuring they are signed up for the lunch program if they qualify.

Jordan School District Nutrition Services Director Katie Bastian said families can apply for the lunch program any time their income or the number of people in their household chang es. She said no child is ever denied food if their lunch account is unpaid.

“We try and make it so it doesn’t affect the kids,” she said. “If they go into a deficit, they get fed either way. But it does tax the school when the principal has to pay for those deficits.”

Desmarais said the total lunch account defi cit might have reached $1,000 during the first quarter of the school year. Fortunately, lunch bal ances have been paid off recently by generous

donors.

In September, a group of Westvale teachers raised $500 to pay off lunch account balances. In November, Tua Kealoha, a local business owner and father of three, raised and donated $600 for past due lunch accounts.

Kealoha has donated a total of $3,000 to pay off deficit lunch accounts at five different schools so far this school year.

When Lindsay Auld, who works with the Jordan Education Foundation, found out what Kealoha, who is a friend of hers, had done for schools in other districts, she asked him to choose a school in Jordan School District for his next donation.

“I think people forget that we are a lower income district,” Auld said. Jordan District has seven Title 1 schools, including Westvale Ele mentary.

JEF President Mike Hayes said some JSD schools have lunch deficits as much as $2,000.

“We have probably a dozen schools right now that have a debt, [Westvale] is just one of them,” Hayes said.

Westvale Elementary lunch clerk Kandi Manzanares said Kealoha’s donation brought ev ery lunch account current—at least for one day.

“There were so many outstanding lunch accounts, so it was nice to be able to pay them all off,” she said. “There have been so many grateful parents.”

Desmarais said anyone interested in donat

ing money for school lunch balances can contact any school or just show up in the front office. She said even a $20 donation can make a big differ ence to a family.

“To have people like Tua that comes in and provides that support to our students is absolute ly amazing, it really means a lot to us,” Desma rais said.

Parents can also opt to donate the lunch credit left by their graduated students back to the school to cover other students’ balances, Bastian said.

“The clerks and the principals work real ly closely together to use those donated funds where they feel are most needed and which fam ilies need them the most,” Bastian said.

JEF also works with schools to stock school food pantries and provide weekend food packs for families struggling with food costs. The foundation also recently sponsored a winter coat drive to provide clothing, books and winter coats for students.

“There is so much need,” Auld said. “I don't think we prepared ourselves for the amount of need we would see this year. So anything the community wants to do to help is obviously something we’re going to embrace and work with them to make that happen for our students.”

Financial or in-kind donations can be ar ranged through jordaneducationfoundation.org. l

Every student at Westvale Elementary gets a lunch, even if their family is behind on their lunch account. (Doug Flagler/Jordan School District)

Even though 2022 seemed to last as long as a 5-year-old reading “Green Eggs and Ham,” the holidays rushed in like a wicked case of intestinal flu. But high grocery prices? Rising inflation? Those things have never stopped Americans from over-celebrating the holidays.

If you’re finding it hard to capture the spirit of Christmas this year, just remem ber the real meaning of the holidays: get ting presents. All those brightly-wrapped packages will bring you hours of tempo rary joy and fulfillment.

I wonder if we have lost our senses, in a very literal way. Maybe if we come back to our senses for the holidays, we’ll stop eating when we’re not hungry, partying when we’re tired and buying a doghouse full of gifts for the family puppy when we’re already overbudget.

Let’s start with the sights of the sea son, like the piles of enticing Amazon box es shoved into hiding places and spilling out of closets. The twinkling lights of po lice cars at the neighbor’s house. The deadeyed stare of a Target cashier and colored globes hanging on the Christmas tree that drops needles when someone walks by.

How about the sounds of the season, like your favorite holiday tunes played by an accordion, or the infinite Mariah Carey

song remix/mash-ups/covers. You’ll hear “Carol of the Bells” so often it becomes part of that nightmare where you’re run

ning to get the last LEGO set but you’re wearing furry slippers and keep tripping over elves. And there’s so much jingling!

What does Christmas feel like? A tod dler’s fingers, sticky from a candy cane, leaving pink fingerprints down the hall. Paper cuts from wrapping gifts. Cold, wet toes as you trudge through snowy parking lots and discover a hole in the sole of your boot. Frozen fingertips, runny noses and being bustled by bustling crowds.

The tastes of Christmas include nasti ness like eggnog and fruitcake, but also the sugary sweetness of gumdrops that suction to your molars and must be surgically re moved. Then there’s scalding hot choco late with toasted marshmallows. (Hint: don’t toast marshmallows in the actual toaster. I know that now.)

December smells like cinnamon, cloves, Seussian roast beast and smoke from your overused credit card. I’ve never smelled roasted chestnuts, but I imagine they have an aroma like a wet dog lying by the fire. Real evergreen trees emit the scent of fresh forests while making it hard to breathe for people with pine allergies.

Obviously, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong with the holidays, without paying attention to the feeling behind the scenes. When I sit with that

emotion, it’s one of peace, generosity, kindness, forgiveness and love. Things Hallmark Christmas movies are always going on about.

What if Hallmark is right? And I’ve never said that before.

Maybe the miracle of Christmas is noticing the small pleasures like when your friend sends you a funny card or your husband brings you a soft, fluffy blanket as you binge holiday movies. Maybe it’s reading stories to your grandkids or listen ing to grandparents share favorite Christ mas morning memories.

More than the senses, Christmas is about time. A time to pause. A time to be still. A time to remember. A time to breathe. A time to be grateful. A time to be with family. A time to reflect with wonder and awe at the beauty of this world.

Coming back to our senses, in a real way, slows time. It reminds us we’re not alone as we move together through these dark nights with bright stars, just doing the best we can.

Peri Kinder is an award-winning hu mor writer, hosts the Life & Laughter pod cast and was voted Best of State for 2022. She’s also a yoga/meditation instructor and life coach.

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter