West Jordan Journal | May 2023

HOMELESS TEENS AT WEST JORDAN HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE A FRIEND AND ADVOCATE

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

West Jordan high schools don’t have many homeless students, but the McKinney Vento representatives at Copper Hills High and West Jordan High believe even one homeless student is too many.

McKinney Vento is a federal program that allows schools to help homeless students who might not have the support they need to succeed. Sometimes these students are living in shared-housing situations with other family members, or living in motels or shelters, or couch surfing at friends’ houses.

Milonie Taylor at Copper Hills High and Robyn Luke at West Jordan High are McKinney Vento representatives, serving as liaisons for these students. Luke said the job has been life changing.

“I have learned so many things from the point of view of what it’s like to be desperate, to be overwhelmed and want things and not know where to go and have compassion on those who are different,” she said. “You don’t know what they’re going through.”

The program is intended to ensure students living in homeless situations keep their education stable, continue to attend classes and graduate. When teens register for school, a parent checks the box that says they are in a homeless situation. Part of Taylor and Luke’s job is to find out if the family is truly homeless and if it’s temporary or ongoing.

They hold one-on-one meetings with these students to page

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

“Think about something that you totally love, something you totally love to do,” said Cydni Tetro, president and one of the founders of Women Tech Council who oversaw SheTech Explorer Day. “Then think for just a moment how technology might be part of the things that you love to do. You’re going to have an opportunity today to see so many different technologies and to be able to apply to things that you love. Think about if you learn technology, how you can apply that and help us change the world—and some really big problems. Your objectives today are to learn about all sorts of things you don’t know about, to intentionally meet role models— hundreds of them. Take advantage of the time to go and meet those women; they are here because of you.”

Behind the “Imagine the Possibilities” SheTech Explorer Day, was a student board of about 100 girls.

SheTech’s student board has two ambassadors from each high school who serve a one-year term. As ambassadors, they share information at their schools, attend monthly events, belong to school SheTech clubs, and have opportunities interacting with women in tech, industry leaders and the governor.

Many of them participated in the SheTech summer internship program. Several donned cap and gown as seniors and 30 were honored with SheTech scholarships to further their education. Applications for the board and internship are open now at their website, www.shetechexplorer.com.

Hillcrest High Work-Based Learning Facilitator Cher Burbank said her school’s ambassadors have promoted SheTech’s

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than 3,000 girls attending the ninth annual SheTech Explorer Day profited from the 1,000 mentors, tech companies and educational institutions who offered classes, tech zone experiences and advice to them.event annually.

“I like how the day is interactive; they’re showcasing their innovation and changes in the industry, and it engages students year after year,” she said.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox supported that as he addressed the attendees.

“Technology is changing rapidly and it’s impacting every single experience that we have; it’s impacting every industry and we need more women involved in those industries,” he said. “I see some of the best leaders in technology in our state here and they are incredible women. You can look up to them. I look up to them. We’ve been working hard to remove those barriers in the past and that’s what today is all about. This will do more to remove barriers than anything else. These people here have broken down those barriers for you and are here to support you in exploration and journey in STEM.”

Tetro realizes the impact SheTech is making as former SheTech students become leaders.

“Last year, a presenter told me, ‘I’m teaching one of the workshops and the only reason I graduated in civil engineering is because I came to SheTech seven years ago. Another told me she had met a woman who was an aerospace engineer, and she decided, ‘I could become that person,’” she said.

Summit Academy senior Kaidence Johnson followed the footsteps of her older sister to serve on the student board. She also serves as vice president of her school’s SheTech Club, a group her sister founded.

“I love the message SheTech is sending of empowering women to get into STEM,” she said. “It’s definitely a field that is growing and I’ve seen on Instagram and on the news how powerful SheTech is. The program is exploding into every school across

About 100 high school girls, seen here with Women Tech Council president Cydni Tetro and Gov. Spencer Cox, represent their high schools are part of the SheTech student board, which is now taking applications. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Utah and every tech industry, so it’s exciting to be part of it.”

Hunter High senior Paris Ott also is a student board member.

“The end of my junior year, I didn’t know what direction I wanted to go and that’s when I came across the opportunity for the summer internship,” she said. “It was through that, I applied to be a board member and found my passion within STEM.”

She learned from data analysts, product managers and software engineers.

“Seeing their passion and the opportunities I had, I realized ‘this is something I

can go into.’ I started my school SheTech club and I’ve been helping others see opportunities. At Hunter High School, we have a lot of ethnic kids with Latina and Asian backgrounds. I think a lot of them don’t know that they even have opportunities, especially those like me, as a woman, to have a future in STEM. I think a lot of girls are scared to enter the STEM field because it’s been a male-dominated field. When I see all these women in STEM, it inspires me. I’ve gained so much confidence through this program, and I was able to get an internship with Pixar because of SheTech.”

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Thousands of teen girls’ interests sparked at SheTech Explorer Day

Johnson said the male-dominance is changing.

“My dad works in tech and says the attitude is changing and they’d love women’s viewpoints, but there’s still the idea of 20 years ago when you didn’t have a chance,” she said.

During the day, students were engaged in workshops such as programming, engineering, robotics, biomedicine, web development, ChatGPT, virtual reality, entrepreneurship and others.

Copper Hills High sophomore Sadie Smith attended their first Explorer Day.

“It is a good way to learn more about different jobs and get that in-depth understanding of technology, specific for girls,” Smith said. “Having an organization run this that encourages women empowerment is cool.”

Riverton High junior Elizabeth Westwood said she was researching engineering and learned about SheTech’s student board and scholarship program.

“Explorer Day seemed like a perfect opportunity to learn more about that and about STEM,” she said. “I love physics and math, which isn’t everyone’s love, but it’s normal here.”

The TechZone offered hands-on learning about aerospace programs, 3D printing, automotive tech, gaming, aerial photography and more. Students also used creativity and visionary skills in the annual TechChallenge, with the guidance of industry mentors.

Participants chatted with Miss Utah Lyndsey Larsen, who shared she was a SheTech ambassador and summer intern as a Skyridge High student.

“I’m hoping I’m breaking stereotypes by talking about tech with a tiara,” she said. “I was really intimidated by math growing up, but I came to SheTech and realized that STEM is all around us. My experiences inspired me to take a kinesiology class. As a dancer, it was interesting to learn about the mind and the body and how that connection and the science behind that. That early exposure here at SheTech helped me want to pursue kinesiology with ballet performance for my college degree.”

Hillcrest High senior Morgan Khantivong, who plans to study English and zoology at Weber State, appreciated what she said.

“It made me see how anyone, no matter what your title is or how people may perceive you, can do whatever you want with your life,” she said.

Nearby, girls crowded around the University of Utah’s entertainment arts and engineering, where they learned about game development.

“We teach everything from the history of games to how to do it, like production, design, tech art, game art, programming, all of that culminating in publishing a game,” said academic adviser Miranda Klausmeier. “We want girls to disrupt the norm and en-

vision their future where they can develop these games, whether it’s a traditional entertainment game, or an alternative game, say for the educational or medical field. These young women here are going to be our leaders in STEM fields.”

Through involvement with SheTech, Adobe Chief of Staff of Cloud Operations Jamie Dalton wants to engage more females into STEM by sharing more career choices.

“We have a community of women here who are wanting to give back and help these young women succeed,” she said. “A lot of times women are pitted against each other and don’t realize if you get into a good

healthy environment, women can be your biggest allies. For these high school girls, they’re going to have a really big advocacy group, cheering them on to success.”

Tetro said that is one of the reasons the Women Tech Council founded SheTech—to increase students’ exposure to women in STEM and to have that network “of thousands of women in STEM.”

“We interviewed a 1,000 girls, who said, ‘We don’t know any women in tech and that’s why we don’t enter STEM fields,’” she said. “We knew we could change that.”

Nurse Practitioners: Steve Ostergaard, NP Teresa McNaught, CPNP Laura Clyde, NP

Mental Health Team: Nate Ridge, PhD-PAC Kapono Barton, CSW Registered Dietician: Melody Jones, RD

East High ninth-grader Addy Feldman and 12th-grader Mia Feldman talk with Miss Utah Lindsey Larsen at the ninth annual SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Sunset Ridge Middle Schooler Reagan Darnell points out part of her group’s presentation during the TechChallenge at the conclusion of SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

WJHS aims to be the go-to resource for multilingual families

The members of the West Jordan High School English Language Development Task Force want West Jordan High School to be the go-to resource for newcomer, migrant, refugee and multilingual students and their families.

“What I'm hoping for, as the end goal of the task force, is that when a new family moves in, they will be told, ‘West Jordan High School is going to take care of you,’” task force lead April Winegar said.

JHS’s student body is 43% diverse population, the largest amount of any school in the district. The task force, as expressed in their mission statement, works to “find ways to help multilingual learners be and feel visible, valued, safe, celebrated, included and supported so they will succeed at West Jordan High School and beyond.”

Over the past five years, the ELD Task Force has implemented programs that support multilingual students' educational needs, including bilingual peer tutoring, the Diploma Now credit recovery program, and their social needs, with Latinos in Action, Black Student Union and People of the Pacific student organizations.

Their programs also support families to ease the transition for newcomers and connect them to community resources. WJHS hosts evening English classes twice a week through Unity in the CommUnity, which also offers citizenship classes for adults and bilingual math tutoring for students.

More programs are continually being dreamed up and developed by task force subcommittees and supported by school staff and administrators, many of whom are ESL-endorsed.

“Everything evolves as we get more kids and as it becomes more clear what the needs are,” Winegar said. “It's definitely a collective group effort. Everyone cares about these kids and works really hard.”

One focus of the task force this year has been ensuring all school communication is equitable and accessible to non-English speakers, both students and their parents, by providing translated materials and an onstaff translator.

“It's important that parents have access to all the information so that they can parent,” Winegar said. “If you want to guide your child and encourage them to take on new chances, but everything is given to you in a language you don't understand, you might not know about the opportunities that are available. So we want to make sure that parents have the ability to parent.”

WJHS counselor Helen Brown said schools need parents of multilingual students to be more involved.

“In all of our school decision making groups, we really need their feedback, to know what we can do to better meet their needs,” Brown said.

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

She said oftentimes students and their parents are unaware of how the Utah school system works or what resources are available for credit recovery or college scholarships.

As a member of the ELD Task Force, Brown helped organize JagConnect Multicultural Night, held March 23, to spread the word about helpful school and community resources for multilingual families. Representatives from WJHS, the public library, vocational rehab and community organizations such as Unity in the CommUnity, shared information about scholarships, medical and mental health resources, legal services and classes on parenting, citizenship and English. Free vision screenings and vaccinations were provided on-site.

“We just tried to come up with all these resources to help these families that are struggling and try and make their lives a little bit easier, which is what it really comes down to,” Brown said.

It was also an opportunity to celebrate diversity, with cultural dances and artwork shared by students from West Jordan High, West Jordan Middle, and Heartland and Majestic Elementary Schools.

WJHS Principal Jim Birch provided pizza, and the Tacos El Toro Roco food truck was on location.

Latinos in Action students provided Spanish translation for the hundreds of community members who attended the event.

“It really brought the community together,” Brown said. “We wanted our communities to come together and build that rapport and that camaraderie and it definitely did that. We’ll move forward and do it every year, and hopefully, as it builds and grows, we'll have more and more participation from the community.” l

Free vision screenings by Jordan School District nurses was just one of the resources provided at the first annual JagConnect Multicultural Night. (Photo by Terisa Clegg)

The first annual JagConnect Multicultural Night connected multilingual students and families with school and community resources. (Photo by Terisa Clegg)

West Jordan High School’s People of the Pacific club performs for Multicultural Night. (Photo by Terisa Clegg)

Members of West Jordan High School’s Black Student Union perform for Multicultural Night.

(Photo by Terisa Clegg)

WJHS pretende ser el recurso de referencia para plurilingüe familias

Los miembros del Grupo de Trabajo de Desarrollo del Idioma Inglés de la Escuela Secundaria West Jordan quieren que la Escuela Secundaria West Jordan sea el recurso de referencia para los estudiantes recién llegados, inmigrantes, refugiados y multilingües y sus familias.

“Lo que espero, como objetivo final del grupo de trabajo, es que cuando una nueva familia se mude, se les diga: 'La Escuela Secundaria West Jordan se hará cargo de ti'”, lideró el grupo de trabajo April Dijo Winegar.

El cuerpo estudiantil de WJHS es 43% de población diversa, la mayor cantidad de cualquier otra escuela en el distrito. El grupo de trabajo, como se expresa en su declaración de misión, trabaja para “encontrar formas de ayudar a los estudiantes multilingües a ser y sentirse visibles, valorados, seguros, celebrados, incluidos y apoyados para que tengan éxito en la Escuela Secundaria West Jordan y más allá”.

En los últimos cinco años, la Tarea F de ELD CUALQUIER ha implementado programas que apoyan la multilingüe educativo de los estudiantes necesidades, incluida la tutoría bilingüe entre pares, el programa de recuperación de créditos Diploma Now y sus necesidades sociales, con Latinos in Action, Black Student Union y gente del pacificoorganizaciones estudiantiles.

Sus programas también apoyan a las familias para facilitar la transición de los recién llegados y conectarlos con los recursos de la comunidad. WJHS ofrece clases de inglés por la noche dos veces por semana hasta Unidad en la ComUnidad, que también ofrece clases de ciudadanía para adultos y tutoría bilingüe de matemáticas para estudiantes.

Los subcomités del grupo de trabajo están continuamente imaginando y desarrollando más programas y apoyados por el personal y los administradores de la escuela, muchos de los cuales cuentan con el respaldo de ESL.

“Todo evoluciona a medida que tenemos más niños y se vuelve más claro cuáles son las necesidades”, dijo Winegar. “Definitivamente es un esfuerzo de grupo colectivo. Todos se preocupan por estos niños y trabajan muy duro”.

Uno de los enfoques del grupo de trabajo este año ha sido garantizar que toda la comunicación escolar sea equitativa y accesible para los que no hablan inglés, tanto para los estudiantes como para sus padres, proporcionando materiales traducidos y un traductor en el personal.

“Es importante que los padres tengan acceso a toda la información para que puedan ser padres”, dijo Winegar. “Si desea guiar a su hijo y alentarlo a asum -

Por Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

ir nuevas oportunidades, pero todo se le brinda en un idioma que no entiende, es posible que no conozca las oportunidades disponibles. Así que queremos asegurarnos de que los padres tengan la capacidad de ser padres”.

La consejera de WJHS, Helen Brown, dijo que las escuelas necesitan que los padres de estudiantes multilingües participen más.

“En todos nuestros grupos de toma de decisiones escolares, realmente necesitamos sus comentarios, para saber qué podemos hacer para satisfacer mejor sus necesidades”, dijo Brown.

Dijo que muchas veces los estudiantes y sus padres no saben cómo funciona el sistema escolar de Utah o qué recursos están disponibles para crédito recuperación o becas universitarias.

Como miembro del grupo de trabajo ELD, Brown Ayudó Organizar Noche multicultural JagConnect, celebrada el 23 de marzo de correr la voz sobre la escuela útil y comunidad recursos para familias multilingües. Representantes de WJHS, la biblioteca pública, rehabilitación vocacional y organizaciones comunitarias como Unidad en la ComUnidad, información compartida sobre becas,recursos médicos y de salud mental, servicios legales y clases sobre paternidad, ciudadanía e inglés. Se proporcionaron exámenes de la vista y vacunas gratuitos en el lugar.

“Simplemente tratamos de encontrar todos estos recursos para ayudar a estas familias que están luchando, y tratar de hacerles la vida un poco más fácil, que es de lo que realmente se trata”, dijo Brown.

También fue una oportunidad para celebrar la diversidad, con bailes culturales y obras de arte compartidas por estudiantes de las escuelas primarias West Jordan High, West Jordan Middle y Heartland y Majestic.

El director de WJHS, Jim Birch, proporcionó pizza y el camión de comida Tacos El Toro Roco estuvo en el lugar. Los estudiantes de Latinos en Acción proporcionaron traducción al español para los cientos de miembros de la comunidad que asistieron al evento.

“Realmente unió a la comunidad”, dijo Brown. “Queríamos que nuestras comunidades se unieran y construyeran esa relación y esa camaradería y definitivamente lo hizo. Seguiremos adelante y lo haremos todos los años y, con suerte, a medida que se desarrolle y crezca, tendremos más y más participación de la comunidad”. l

Exámenes de la vista gratuitos realizados por enfermeras del distrito de Jordan fue solo uno de los recursos proporcionados en la primera reunión anual.Noche multicultural JagConnect.(Foto por Terisa Clegg)

La primera anual Noche multicultural Jag Connect conectado plurilingüe estudiantes y familias con recursos escolares y comunitarios.(Foto por Terisa Clegg)

El club People of the Pacific de West Jordan High School se presenta para la Noche multicultural. (Foto por Terisa Clegg)

Award recognition has big impact on outstanding educators

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Like many teachers, Jennifer McNees works long and works hard to take excellent care of her students.

“She works so hard and she is so absolutely dedicated to whatever these kids need. She’s amazing,” her husband Jeff said.

But being such a dedicated teacher comes with a cost. Many teachers suffer from burnout.

As much as she loves working with the students in her special education classroom, McNees admits that teaching is a difficult job. But on the morning of March 23, she had a surprise visit that reinvigorated her enthusiasm.

Jordan School District representatives, including Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey, members of the Jordan Education Foundation, the Jordan School District Cabinet and the Jordan Board of Education entered her classroom with balloons, confetti, flowers and cheers to announce that she’d been selected as Antelope Canyon Elementary School’s Outstanding Educator of the Year, and, additionally, was chosen as one of the top 15 winners to receive $1,000 and invited to attend an appreciation banquet.

It was a much-needed boost.

“It has been a challenging year and we have a lot of kids with a lot of different needs,” she said. “So, it’s nice to have somebody notice. It makes hard days easier when somebody notices.”

Her husband said it was great to see his wife get some much-deserved recognition.

“She never looks for attention and usually shies away from it, but I know this is huge for her,” he said.

Sixty-eight teachers, one from each school in Jordan School District, were honored as Outstanding Educators of the Year. They were selected from hundreds of nominations from among the 3,800 teachers working in Jordan District.

Jordan Education Foundation President Dawn Ramsey said she feels privileged to be able to read through all of the nominations describing the amazing things teachers are doing. She said all of the teachers deserved to be recognized.

“It is really hard to narrow it down,” Ramsey said.

The award is especially meaningful because the winners were nominated by their peers.

When Kalomyra Shenk was recognized in a school assembly as this year’s Oakcrest Elementary School Outstanding Educator of the Year and top finalist in the district, she was given a folder full of the nomination letters written by her colleagues. Principal Ken Westwood encouraged her to read their comments whenever she was feeling down to remind her how appreciated and loved she is.

“I think you will find the contents of this folder to be worth much more than cash priz-

es or a crystal trophy,” Westwood told her.

Shenk expressed appreciation that Jordan District takes the time and effort to recognize and celebrate teachers.

“It's great to be recognized, it's so meaningful,” she said.

Being recommended by colleagues and selected as winners by district representatives has a significant impact on winners.

“It just felt like a huge vote of confidence in me and in what I'm trying to do, especially as I was tinkering with burnout,” recalls April Winegar, who received the Outstanding Educator Award in 2018. “I was very, very close to the line of burning out and not coming back.”

Being nominated and selected for the award helped change her mind.

“I felt like my admin team believed in me and really wanted me to know it—and not a little, they believed in me a lot—and they thought that the direction I was going was really important,” she said. “That was a big boost in my decision to stay and to keep working and to keep moving forward on it, and to believe in myself, and to believe in the potential that the big dream I had could actually come to pass. So I'm still working on it.”

Winegar has continued to teach at West Jordan High School, where, in the five years since receiving her award, she has expanded the English Language Development Department and continues to dream up programs that improve the lives of hundreds of multilingual students and their families. l

Outstanding Educators of the Year (top winners are in bold)

• Antelope Canyon Elementary School– Jennifer McNees

• Aspen Elementary School – Nichole

Moore

• Bastian Elementary School – Reid

Denison

• Bingham High School – Andrea

Call

• Blackridge Elementary – Judy

Erkman

• Bluffdale Elementary School –

RoyAnn Gregerson

• Butterfield Canyon Elementary School – Carol Hoffer

• Columbia Elementary School –

Kathryn Shurtleff

• Copper Canyon Elementary School– Marlene Shelley

• Copper Hills High School – Kristen

Oda

• Copper Mountain Middle School –Keith Davis

• Daybreak Elementary School –

Carlynn Jones

• Eastlake Elementary School – Bing

Wang

• Elk Meadows Elementary School –

Holly Fjeldsted

• Elk Ridge Middle School – Mollie

Gonzales

• Falcon Ridge Elementary School –

Janet McCall

• Foothills Elementary School – Huihui

Chi (Lily)

• Fort Herriman Middle School –

Madison Feist

• Fox Hollow Elementary School –

Ami Briscoe

• Golden Fields Elementary School –

Stephanie Lorenzana

• Hayden Peak Elementary School –

Rebecca Tucker

• Heartland Elementary School –Haydee Carranza

• Herriman Elementary – Kelly

Grundy

• Herriman High School – Kelli

Nielsen

• Hidden Valley Middle School –

Annelise Baggett

• JATC North – Kalin Organ

• JATC South – Richard Clayton

• Joel P. Jensen Middle School –Courtney Beesley

• Jordan Hills Elementary School –

Melissa Reynolds

• Jordan Ridge Elementary School –

Christine McIntyre

• Kauri Sue Hamilton School –

Joanna Larson

• Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle School –Christy Rand

• Kings Peak Virtual High School –

Cinthia McCoy

• Majestic Elementary School– Lisa

Blodgett

• Midas Creek Elementary School –

Kathleen LeBeau

• Monte Vista Elementary School –Sarah Christine Matheson

• Mountain Creek Middle School –Jodie Milad

• Mountain Point Elementary School –AnneMarie Taggart

• Mountain Ridge High School –Sarah LaFond

• Mountain Shadows Elementary School– Janae Robinaugh

• Oak Leaf Elementary School –Angela Alm

• Oakcrest Elementary School–Kalomyra Shenk

• Oquirrh Elementary School – Vicki Robinson

• Oquirrh Hills Middle School –Halceyn Fobert

• Ridge View Elementary School –Heidi Walker

• River’s Edge School – Diane Malmborg

• Riverside Elementary School –Kaelin Tumblin

• Riverton Elementary School – Arnica

Christensen

• Riverton High School – Michaela Griffiths

• Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary School – Jenna Cherry

• Rosamond Elementary School –Allyson Vietti

• Rose Creek Elementary School –Elizabeth Shields

• Silver Crest Elementary School –Lori Nelson

• South Hills Middle School – Darren Seamons

• South Jordan Elementary School –Diane Witt-Roper

• South Jordan Middle School –Lindsey Morrill

• South Valley School – Laurie Egan

• Southland Elementary School –Melinda Davies

• Sunset Ridge Middle School –Melanie Leavitt

• Terra Linda Elementary School –Natalie Newbold

• Valley High School – Jenny WitzelBurke

• Welby Elementary School – Allisun Cartier

• West Hills Middle School – Charte Young

• West Jordan Elementary School –Connor Sullivan

• West Jordan High School – Natalie Nielsen

• West Jordan Middle School – Kathy Howa

• Westland Elementary School – Jason Lee

• Westvale Elementary School –Shelby Blonquist

Jennifer McNees reacts with surprise and gratitude to the announcement that she was selected as Antelope Canyon Elementary School’s Outstanding Educator of the Year, and one of the top 15 teachers in Jordan School District. (Photo courtesy of Jordan School District)

Middle school athletes compete in first state unified basketball tournament

About100 athletes and their peer partners packed Jordan High School’s gym for Utah’s first-ever middle school unified basketball tournament.

The middle school unified basketball tournament is modeled much like the early March high school state tournament where three athletes and two partners play together on the court. The ball is shared with everyone on the team and partners help their fellow teammates be successful, said Boston Iacobazzi, Unified Champion School’s college-growth coordinator.

“We’re wanting to involve more of our middle schools and also elementary schools in Unified Champion Schools,” Iacobazzi said, adding the progression starts with Sports Days or various games at the elementary level. “Inclusion can happen at a young age. It doesn’t need to be later in life; we want it to start as young as possible. Last spring, we started a middle school unified golf program as more of an individual-type sport that students competed in this past year. Now, we’re adding the team sport of basketball. Our goal is to have 25 middle schools involved next year.”

Seven Canyons and Jordan school districts’ middle schools’ players practiced with their peer tutors since mid-winter for the March 23 tournament. Several schools brought more than one team to the tournament. The teams were set into divisions based on the players’ ability.

“It’s all about inclusion,” Iacobazzi said. “Everyone gets to play; everyone is on the floor dribbling, passing, shooting and being out there, having fun.”

Often during the games, unified sports players will clap or high-5 a player after a basket, even when the athlete is on the opposing

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

team. Players break out in an impromptu dance with a big grin on their faces in pure joy, realizing that by being included, they’re an important part of their team and their school, he said.

“For me, middle school was not my favorite time. Middle and junior high is an awkward phase in a student’s life. So, it’s important that we add that inclusiveness, that sense of belonging and inclusion while everyone’s still learning how to be a young adult,” Iacobazzi said.

At the tournament, the division 1 middle school teams squared off, with Mount Jordan Middle 1 taking first place. Second place went to Mountain Creek Middle 2 and third to South Jordan Middle 1.

Oquirrh Hills Middle 1 was the champion of division 2, with South Jordan Middle 2 taking second. Mountain Creek Middle 1 took third and Mt. Jordan Middle 2 took fourth.

In division 3, West Jordan Middle won. Second place was Oquirrh Hills Middle 2, followed by Draper Park Middle and Mt. Jordan Middle 3.

“It was very cool seeing just the level of play and how well the coaches, most of them being special education teachers, had really coached their teams,” he said. “And it was great seeing some of the high school coaches supporting and talking to the middle school players, asking them to be on their team when they reach their schools.”

In addition to the middle school tournament, Special Olympics Utah held a March 24 alternative high school state basketball tournament after more than 70 teams competed for one of the 32 play-off spots.

“We offered this tournament to those teams who didn’t get the chance to play earlier at Weber State,” Iacobazzi said. “We wanted to

offer more opportunities than just their one-day region tournament and the state tournament.”

At the March 25 college tournament, four Utah schools competed to advance to nationals. Brigham Young University won and was slated to represent the state April 13-16 in Maryland. It was also the first unified college tournament for the state.

Special Olympics had its state community basketball tournament March 25, which has

been held for about 10 years. About 35 teams, with players age 8 years old and up, competed at the University of Utah.

“It’s one of our biggest events; we may have to pattern it after the high school tournament and hold a state and alternate state tournament just to make sure we have enough basketball courts,” Iacobazzi said. “It’s great that so many are wanting and getting the opportunity to play.” l

A South Jordan athlete brings up the ball in the game against Mt. Jordan at Utah’s first-ever middle school unified basketball tournament. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Hakala)

West Jordan’s unified basketball team won its division in the first middle school unified basketball tournament. (D. Rae Garrison/West Jordan Middle School)

During Utah’s first middle school unified basketball tournament, Mountain Creek and Oquirrh hills meet at the opening tip. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Hakala)

In front of a packed gym, an Oquirrh Hills student-athlete brings up the ball in the game. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Hakala)

West Jordan student-athletes give each other a high-5 during unified basketball, in a game that is meant to bring friendship into sports in middle schools. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Hakala)

Mt. Jordan athletes and partners team up to play in the state’s first middle school basketball game, where all players are included. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Hakala)

make sure they are keeping up on school work and encourage them to stay focused on graduation by checking grades and attendance. The program allows teens to stay at their school of choice, even when the family is displaced.

“It’s tough when you grow up wanting stability and structure and those things are taken away. It affects your thinking and affects wanting to get up and be here,” Taylor said. “There’s the stigma of it and they don’t want anyone to know. They just want to be regular teens.”

Along with school support, Taylor and Luke provide food, clothing, personal hygiene items, computer access for homework and a washer and dryer so students can clean their clothes. There are even sleeping bags and two-man tents available for teens who are truly homeless. Local groups organize coat drives or food drives to keep the pantries stocked at the high schools.

Luke shared the story of a student body officer who had no food in her home. She would come to the pantry every day to get food to sustain her throughout the day. She fast-tracked through college and was accepted into Harvard University.

“The hardest thing for me is knowing students are going home hungry because they’re either too shy to come in, which is often the case, or they don’t know we’re

here,” Luke said.

The McKinney Vento program has shown great success in Jordan District.

Taylor said CHHS has a 100% graduation rate for students in the program. She credits the high school staff with making sure teens who need help get directed to her office.

“All the office ladies here and the administrators and counselors are amazing, the teachers are amazing. It’s almost immediate. We find a kid who needs attention, and they get attention,” she said.

What Taylor and Luke need is more awareness of the program. They are grateful for donations of every kind but ask that people reach out to them at milonie.taylor@jordandistrict.org and robyn.luke@ jordandistrict.org to see what the teens need.

Currently, both schools are in need of snacks, Cup Noodles, mac and cheese cups, fruit snacks, brownie and cake mixes, pancake mix and syrup, shampoo and conditioner and jackets of all sizes.

“I see miracles every day,” Luke said.

“I guess what I love is seeing the great hearts of so many people. People want to give; they just need to know where and how. They’re so generous.” l

Pantries at West Jordan high schools provide food, clothing, personal care items and other resources for teens struggling with homelessness or food insecurity. (Photo courtesy of Milonie Taylor)

Fun with reading, not just for elementary schools

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

P. Jensen Middle School staff members are enthusiastic about Reading Plus, the supplemental reading program used in reading classes that is helping students make significant gains in their reading proficiency skills.

“The data is amazing,” Principal Aaron Hunter said. “We have kids go from second grade level to sixth grade level by the end of the year. Our data last year was each grade level went up on average at least a grade level. This program is incredible—especially for our readers that are lower on their lexile.”

As much as Hunter and the reading teachers love the Reading Plus program, they also understand the importance of getting kids off the computer and spending time reading books.

“Getting them to break away from screens and social media—it's hard,” Hunter said. “So we’re just trying to promote that reading is fun, that there's books for everybody, there's genres for everybody.”

To involve both students and parents in making reading fun, Joel P. Jensen Middle School holds an Annual Literacy Night every March. This year’s event featured a rescued eagle and its handler, open pickleball courts, literacy-based carnival games, information about community resources, a hot dog dinner and free books. It brought together staff, students and their families, said JPJMS PTA President

Barbie Curtis.

“As we get parents and younger siblings to come and feel part of our community, then it feels more like a home, they feel welcome and a recognition that there's a place for them here,” Curtis said. “The goal [of Literacy Night] is to open the school for families to come in, have the chance to share a meal together and promote literacy—and get books in each of the kids' hands.”

Every child went home with a book, selected from the school library’s surplus inventory.

JPJMS Library Media Specialist Kendal Poole makes reading fun and engaging for middle school students with monthly themes and activities in the school library. In March, students voted for their favorite books with a March Madness-style book bracket. In April, they submitted original works for a schoolwide poetry contest.

“My goal is just to get kids in the library, whether they're reading or just being with their friends, so they're familiar with the library space and know that it's a safe space that they can go,” Poole said.

To expose students to a variety of genres and authors, she encourages students to read books which have been nominated for the Beehive Book Award, the only children's choice

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award for literature in the state of Utah. She said this challenge introduces students to books and authors that they might not have read otherwise. Students were invited to vote for their favorite books and help determine the Beehive Book Winners of the Year.

Poole selected 12 students to represent JPJMS at the district-wide Beehive Book Bat-

tle held at the end of March. The team divided up the list of the 25 nominated books to read 4-5 books each to be able to answer questions covering material from all of the books. The JPJMS team competed against teams from about 12 other schools and tied for a fourth place finish. l

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Joel P. Jensen Middle School’s Literacy Night featured literacy games run by student leadership groups such as stage crew, Latinos in Action and Strive Club. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

West Jordan restarting its youth council this summer

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Teenagers will be involved in city government.

At least that’s part of the idea behind the West Jordan City Council restarting the city’s youth council.

The Youth Council Program, sponsored by the council under city code, would start in June before being fully organized in August with members being sworn in. The program would help teach youth leadership principles, provide opportunities to participate in service events and learn and participate in the West Jordan city government.

“There are lots of things we can do to build the skills of the high school youth in West Jordan,” Councilmember Kelvin Green said.

Councilmember Pamela Bloom said she participated in a youth council as a teenager where they worked with city attorneys and city council, underwent leadership trainings, met with legislators and worked on mock punishments for their peers who broke the law.

Councilmembers said the program could also encourage further civic engagement with kids, whether through city government or volunteering for other committees.

In March of last year, some youth councils across the valley went to a threeday leadership conference at Utah State in Logan.

Draper’s youth council typically runs a youth court, service projects for events and set up the Meet the Candidate night for elections. Taylorsville’s youth council ran a clothing drive last year with its 15 members.

Green said they opted for a June start to get the youth involved in the Western Stampede.

Startup costs would be $2,500 to cover “apparel or other ancillary start expenses.”

Sandy’s youth council receives approximately $5,000 per year while Taylorsville budgets $8,000 for its council.

Councilmember Chris McConnehey asked for flexibility in the planned policies and procedures, to not lock themselves into anything as the program finds its feet.

For now, the City Council opened the program up from freshmen to seniors. Students from public schools, private schools and home schooled are all invited to apply. Applications for West Jordan’s youth council can be found on the city’s website. l

Photo:

Here is the Taylorsville Youth Council last year at the Capitol. A day at the legislature is often one of the features for a youth city council. (File photo courtesy Kris Heineman)

The West Valley Youth City Council at its end of year celebration in 2016. (File photo City Journals)

West Jordan resident Kjersti Parkes is Granite School District’s Teacher of the Year

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Kjersti Parkes was beginning to suspect something was up. During an assembly at Hunter High School on April 13, she noticed the Granite District superintendent and several district leaders in the crowd. She leaned to her friend and whispered, “This might be for me.”

She was right. Granite Superintendent Rich Nye made a surprise announcement during the assembly, naming Parkes the 2023 Granite School District Teacher of the Year.

“This award is so well deserved,” Nye said. “Ms. Parkes has a love for teaching and anyone that has been in her classes or around her can feel and sense that love. We’re honored that as a graduate of Granite, Ms. Parkes continues to share her expertise, kindness and compassion as a teacher in our district.”

Parkes has taught drama and theater at HHS since 2010 and has been an educator in the district for 17 years. She was named an Excel Award winner for Granite earlier in the year and it had put her in the running for Teacher of the Year.

“It was kind of a blur,” she said. “I did not expect it and it was a little overwhelming. My family came on stage and my students were all there…it was overwhelming but also really cool at the same time, and not

expected.”

She learned her students had been in on the surprise and had kept the secret from her for a week. Looking back, she could see that her students were acting a bit suspicious, but she didn’t think much about it.

“There were so many clues I missed. There were people making sure I was in a certain place [during the assembly],” she said. “When I look back there was a ton of suspicious behavior but I just thought my students were being weird. They’re teenagers.”

As a graduate of HHS, in the class of 1997, Parkes loves teaching drama at the school where she experienced her first onstage performance. When she took the job, she replaced her theater teacher, who was retiring. She considers it an honor to carry on the tradition of excellence the school has established.

Parkes also carries on a legacy of award-winning educators. Her mom, Kristine Davis, was a previous Excel Award winner and a teacher at Hunter Junior High School.

Teaching theater and drama gives Parkes the opportunity to help students find their voice, learn to connect with others and develop empathy. She believes the communi-

cation skills they learn in her classes help make them better equipped to deal with the world in a healthy way.

“In theater, you have to communicate with each other and a lot of students, bless their hearts, I think it’s the generation they’re growing up in, they have lost the art of communication because they live their lives on their devices,” she said. “When kids finish their work, it’s dead silence because they’re all on their phones. With drama, you can’t disengage. You have to be engaged.”

She said working as a theater group teaches students to come together to create something they’re proud of. Learning to step into a character’s shoes allows them to learn about themselves in ways they can’t experience anywhere else.

“The art of performance helps kids develop confidence in themselves which a lot of kids need to do,” she said. “I try to create an environment where it’s safe to take risks and it’s safe to explore. I really think theater teaches you how to be human.”

Parkes lives in West Jordan with her two dogs, 14-year-old Eponine and 2-yearold Molly. l

Virtual Study for Asthma

BE A MEDICAL HERO! JOIN A STUDY TODAY.

KANYOS BIO - CELIAC DISEASE:

This is a two-part study is for adults 18 -70 years old. Which part you are put in will determine how long you will be in the study. It can be either 56 days or 58 weeks long. You must have a diagnosis of Celiac Disease either by a positive celiac serology test or a biopsy and have followed a gluten-free diet for at least 12 months to qualify.

HORIZON - UNCONTROLLED GOUT:

This is a four-part study for adults 18 years and older and can be up to 45 weeks long. You will have 18 visits and you will come to the clinic at least 11 times for blood draws. These visits will be 48 hours before you have the infusion, you will have infusions every week for 22 weeks, and they can take up to 2-3 hours. There is one phone call 30 days after your last infusion. You must have uncontrolled gout defined as meeting the following criteria: (a) you must have an elevated level of uric acid (b) you must maintain the serum acid with Allopurinol at the maximum medically appropriate dose of 300 mg, or with intolerable side effects meaning it didn’t work for you based on medical records or the subject informing us the Allopurinol didn’t work. You must also have one of the following symptoms of gout: The presence of at least one tophus (uric acid builds up around your joints) recurrent flares are defined as 2 or more flares in the past 12 months, or the presence of chronic gouty arthritis.

BATURA AVILLION ASTHMA:

The BATURA Study is now enrolling participants 12 years and older for an asthma research study.

You may qualify for this clinical research study if you:

• Are 12 years of age and older*

• Have had a clinical diagnosis of asthma by a healthcare professional

• Are actively using short-acting beta-agonist inhalers (as-needed rescue inhaler, such as albuterol) to control or reduce asthma symptoms, alone or in combination with either low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (Flovent® , Pulmicort® , or Asmanex®) or leukotriene inhibitor montelukast (Singulair), zileuton (Zyflo®), or zafirlukast (Accolate®)

• Meet additional study criteria

*Parental consent is required for individuals under 18 years of age.

This study is for children 12 years and older who have a diagnosis of Asthma from a prescribing healthcare provider. We will need documentation of diagnosis from medical records or a letter from your child’s physician. You must be capable of signing and understanding the eICF (including assent with parental/legal guardian consent for children ages 12 - 17 years old). Your child must be actively using a SABA (short-acting beta antagonist) alone or SABA on a background of either low-dose ICS (inhaled corticosteroids) or a LTRA (Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists such as Accolate, Montelukast, Singulair, and Zafirlukast. This study is 52 weeks long with 8 virtual visits. You will get paid $50 for each completed visit, and you will make a total of $400 for the study. You and or your child will be required to use the Science 37 app, which can be downloaded on your phone.

PFIZER CHILD LYME DISEASE VACCINE: This study is for healthy children or children that have stable pre-existing chronic medical conditions. This is a study for children 5 to 17 years old. Children and their parents must be able to attend all appointments and phone calls. This study is 2 years long; there are 6 clinic visits and you will get paid $116 for each, as well as $116 for any unscheduled visits. There are 2 phone calls, and you will get $25 (parents or guardians will get this money) for each of those phone calls, and there is a weekly ediary that you will get paid $10 for upon completion. Parents will get $87.75 for any TeleHealth visits. This study is a 4-dose series; you will get your first 3 doses at your first appointment, your next dose during month 2 and month 3, and then your last dose at 18 months.

This research study is enrolling. Learn more.

3590

Kjersti Parkes was named the 2023 Granite School District Teacher of the Year during a surprise announcement at Hunter High School. She has taught drama and theater at HHS since 2010. (Photo courtesy of Kjersti Parkes)

Jaguars top 10 in girls lacrosse

Photos by Travis Barton

Amelia Henderson had dropped in 32 goals through seven games for the Jags, leading the team in scoring.

Lily Henderson has been a dynamite addition for the Jaguars this season chipping in double digit goals and assists as a freshman. The West Jordan girls lacrosse team was ranked No. 7 in the RPI at press time going 5-4 featuring wins over Salem Hills, Ridgeline, Provo, East and Payson while dropping games to Brighton, Bear River, Syracuse and Riverton.

West Jordan K-9 unit makes an impressive performance at national competition

Atonly 2 years old, Vranik is one of the youngest members of the West Jordan Police Department. But since he joined the team 10 months ago, he’s been credited with 17 arrests.

Police Service Dog Vranik and his handler Sgt. Mike Jones recently returned from the 31st Annual Metro K-9 Trials in Las Vegas where they took second place in the building search competition. More than 75 teams attended the national event, competing in categories like explosives and narcotics detection, agility, tactical obedience and handler protection.

Jones leads the WJPD K-9 unit which consists of five teams, all of which competed at the event. Officer Brett McMullian and PSD Trigger earned a first place finish in the area search challenge. Officer Miguel Rodriguez and PSD Harley, Officer Taylor Longmore and PSD Jax, and Officer Brandon Lawson and PSD Zeke also performed well in their events.

“We spend more time with those dogs than we do with our own family,” Jones said. “We go to work a 10-hour shift and they’re with us for that. Anytime we do extra things, like if I’m called to help out with a warrant or a fugitive arrest, we’re gone. Then they come home and get to be here with us. The bonds that are created are pretty strong.”

It takes the right temperament for a dog to become a member of the K-9 unit. Old-school belief was that tough, aggressive dogs were the way to go, but Jones said agencies have stopped working with those types of animals because they are difficult to handle and often bite their partners.

“Today’s policing dogs are highly social dogs that can function in both worlds,” he said. “They can come and be home with the family or come back to the department and be around the guys. They’re able to be a pet and let people touch them, and then they can go out and switch it on.”

K-9 teams have to train every day to keep the dogs engaged and to keep their skill levels on point. The WJPD teams train for two hours every day, except for Wednesdays, when they train for four hours.

Jones said the WJPD is one of the few agencies that build mandatory training time into the work schedule.

“That’s how you get those dogs to that level. It makes it so we have good dogs,” he said. “[Vranik] has been involved with 17 assisted arrests. That means he has been on a call where his presence has influenced an arrest. That is priceless. When you have an 80-pound Dutch Shepherd barking at you, you start rethinking things. [PSDs] prevent suspects from being injured and prevent officers from being injured.”

Jones has trained with four other service dogs, including an explosive ordinance detec-

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

EVENING SERIES

Season Tickets: $49 Adult, $45 Senior, $29 Child Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South Ticket Info: 801-264-2614 or www.murray.utah.gov

Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South

Ticket Information: 801-264-2614 or

www.murray.utah.gov/1959/Tickets

MAY

May 26 The Alapa Family and the Kulturang Pilipino Ensemble of Utah

May 27 Aladdin, Movie Sing-Along

JUNE

June 3 Murray Concert Band

June 9-10, Disney’s High School Musical 12, 15-17

June 24 Murray Symphony Pops

JULY

July 7-8, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 10, 13-15

July 21 Peter Breinholt

July 28-29, Seussical the Musical 31, Aug 3-5

AUGUST

Aug 12 Thurl Bailey with Marvin Goldstein

Aug 18-19 A Celtic Summer’s Night

Aug 25 Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband

Aug 26 Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four

tion dog that worked at Utah Jazz games. He is also a dog-training instructor for the state of Utah. Although he’s competed in local events, this was his first time at the national level.

He was proud of Vranik’s performance at the event. “Vranik is a single-purpose apprehension dog. Probably the ? one in the state of Utah. He’s only there to help arrest bad people. That’s his main function.”

WJPD Police Chief Ken Wallentine said the K-9 squad is a critical part of the department and integral to its mission to enforce public safety.

“Our dogs have a range of specialized skills and abilities to perform vital tasks, including drug and explosive detection, protecting officers in dangerous circumstances, locating suspects and assisting in search and rescue operations. Their keen senses and specialized training enable them to perform tasks that humans can’t perform as efficiently as police service dogs. Our K-9 squad provides irreplaceable support and protection to our police officers and enhances the capabilities of the West Jordan Police Department.” l

SEPTEMBER

Sept 1 4 HIMS

Sept 9 Trio Los Charros

This program has received funding support from residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, Utah Humanities, and National Endowment for the Arts.

West Jordan Police Department K-9 unit Officer Brett McMullian and PSD Trigger earned first place in the area search challenge during the 31st Annual Metro K-9 Trials in Las Vegas. Sgt. Mike Jones and PSD Vranik took second place in the building search competition. (Photo courtesy of Mike Jones)

West Jordan Police Department K-9 unit officers Miguel Rodriguez, Brandon Lawson, Brett McMullian, Taylor Longmore and Sgt. Mike Jones competed at the 31st Annual Metro K-9 Trials in Las Vegas with their police service dogs. (Photo courtesy of Mike Jones)

Closing Celebration for West Jordan Elementary School

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Anyone who has attended or worked at West Jordan Elementary School is invited to a community celebration on May 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to honor the legacy of the 41-year-old school, which will be permanently closed at the end of this school year.

The event will focus on the good times and good memories of the beloved school and its community, said Katrina Beckstrand, a WJE parent and longtime member of the school community council.

“It’s a community celebration of this school that was so great for 41 years,” she said. “We're trying to invite people who were students here or had children who attended here, or used to work here—and of course, all the current students and parents and employees—to come have a night remembering all the cool stuff we've done together.”

Attendees can walk around the school one last time, reconnect with former classmates and teachers, and reminisce about the Christmas sing-alongs, the sixth-grade “Thriller” dances, and other favorite West Jordan Elementary traditions. There will be food trucks on-site and activities for the kids.

The celebration committee is collect-

ing input from current and past students and staff members to create a Wall of Memories and a slide show. Send photos and favorite memories of West Jordan Elementary to wjescelebration@gmail.com.

West Jordan Elementary School will open its doors for one final open house celebration on May 18 before it is permanently closed. (Photo courtesy of Rob Bolke)

Past and present West Jordan Elementary staff, students and families are invited to walk the school’s hallways one last time on May 18. (Jet Burnham/ City Journals)

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

to Honor Military Veterans for Their Service to Our Country.

Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10:00 am.

Monday, May 29, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

At Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery

1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy

FEATURED

SPEAKER:

Jennie Taylor

Gold Star Wife, Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army

PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE:

Hill Air Force Base, Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet

The featured speaker is Congressman Chris Stewart. Program will include: Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet and Refreshments Courtesy of Cedarwood at Sandy.

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Local battles cancer, bad moving experience, before opening own business

Anthony and Rachel Starace want their new business to be run with morals. That’s why what they believe is right in the name.

Anthony Starace is an army veteran who opened up a moving and junk removal business called College HUNKS, a new moving business that aims to provide “Honest, Uniform, Nice and Knowledgeable Service,” or in short: HUNKS.

“We really want to highlight the “H” in our business, that our guys are humans. The employees that work for College HUNKS have had experience in the area of being a lead plumber, another employee played for UCLA and a couple of high school hunks.

When you add the human aspect to the business, you know who’s coming into your home, moving your belongings, it's not just a normal mover,” Anthony Starace said, With a passion for those in need, Anthony wants to give back to the community. By opening the business he feels he can give back by sorting out other people's junk and taking the good, usable items to those in need.

Rachel Starace is the recruiter of College HUNKS and she painted the mural of the mountains on the interior of their business. Anthony is from Arizona, Rachel is from Michigan. They actively started working on the business in October 2022 then opened up for business April 6 from their office at 7114 S. Redwood Road. The business already has eight to 10 employees in the short time they have been open.

Anthony has an entrepreneurial mind. While in the military for seven years, he would move ammo and food for the troops. When he got out of the military he wanted to focus on business. He was a yacht sales broker in Florida for nine months and wanted to learn about sales. He learned how to deal with VIPs, millionaires, billionaires and focus on his customer success. Then he joined a startup as a customer success manager. He got to see the whole picture on the business side.

They moved to Utah and he was offered a job through a small logistics company. He got skills and training, then he decided to start his own business. After three months in Utah, he left his logistics job.

He received a DM on LinkedIn from Dana Hansen, Franchise Director from College HUNKS Hauling Junk. Hansen asked Anthony if he wanted to open up a moving company. Anthony told him no because he had a bad experience with some movers when he moved to Salt Lake.

The movers were two and a half months late and broke $6,000 worth of their items. Anthony and Rachel slept on an air mattress for a long time due to that loss. The movers were hard to work with. Anthony told Hansen, “why would I want to open up a moving

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

company when I just got screwed over by a moving company?”

Hansen called Anthony and said, “why don’t you change the stigma about movers?”

Anthony was skeptical, but after hearing more about the franchise from those within the franchise, people would say, “focus on the values and everything else will come.”

Anthony thought more about the franchise and decided to look into it, because he is passionate about honesty and helping people. Anthony decided to try it.

“I’m a very passionate person, I love leadership. I focus on my people and the community, and that is where we are at,” he said.

Getting the business started was hard on more than one level. Starting any business comes with its challenges, but Anthony is also a year and a half into a battle against cancer.

“It is like having your hands tied behind your back, starting a business and leading the troops per say, it has been very difficult. But what has been enjoyable is I can dive into it more. My passion and wanting to serve people really fueled me. I really enjoy connecting with people. I visited a senior living center and told them all about what we do and what we are all about. I really enjoyed the visit and they were so happy with our help and talking to us,” Anthony said.

When Anthony joined the military, both he and Rachel knew that he wasn’t going to be in the military for an entire career, so they discussed what life afterwards. They put in the paperwork to leave the military. When

the time came around for the final day, Covid hit.

Military service is where Anthony could have stayed, but his said his passion lied elsewhere, he thought it was yacht sales, then it slowly evolved into starting his own business.

He loves community building and giving back. Anthony tells his guys, “We are going to do some of the dirty jobs to give back to the great jobs and bless those people who are moving out of their house in a poor situation and look them in the face and say ‘don’t worry about it, we will take care of it.’” He assures people that “we are HUNKS

and we are humans, we are going to do everything possible to make sure this happens today,” Anthony said.

When Anthony interviews prospective employees he doesn’t wait to see if they answer the question right. “I really like to hear what their passion is, and what drives them when they are not at work. I like to feel their energy and hear their goals and ask questions. If I can’t feel their energy and passion, I know they aren’t a good fit.” l

Anthony Starace with his dogs. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Starace)

Anthony Starace bumps fists with an officer on a horse at Arlington National Cemetery. (Photo courtesy of Rachael Starace)

Anthony and Rachel Starace standing in front of their mural with a sign. (Linda Steele/City Journals)

College HUNKS warehouse. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Starace)

Veterans Memorial Park will have a new addition.

Sponsored by Councilmembers Kelvin Green and Kayleen Whitelock, the council approved a Gold Star Memorial be placed next to the existing memorial at the city’s signature park.

“It honors the families of the soldiers and sailors and airmen that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the nation,” Green told the council when presenting the topic during a March meeting.

Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments are a two-sided tribute made of black granite. One side bears the words: Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a loved one for freedom. On the other side of the monument, there are scenes etched on each of the four panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice. At the center of this tribute is a silhouette of a saluting service member which represents the Legacy of the Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

South Jordan was the third city in the state to install one last September and Draper just recently approved its own planned installation.

The idea, according to Green, is to pay $60,000 initially before announcing a fundraising drive for residents to donate, offsetting the costs.

Currently city officials are working on a Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan, organizing the future of the park. The sponsors pushed to have the budget opened for the $60K so the work could begin and not wait for the master plan to be finished.

“If we wait for the veterans park master plan and try to integrate this, we won’t be sixth in line to have this into the city, we will be 35th or 40th because the master plan isn’t anywhere close to being done,” Green said. “I’d like to see this in sooner

Gold Star Memorial coming to West Jordan

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

than later.”

Whitelock and Green envisioned the memorial as an additional amenity placed next to the current plaza at the park, rather than folding it into current planning.

City staff highlighted other requests made by council for renovations and projects to be completed for the park and wanted to confirm this was a top priority for the council.

All councilmembers were in favor of the memorial, but some did highlight there were other modifications the current memorial needed such as image replacements, lighting issues and additional flag poles.

“I personally would like to see what we can do to bring the dignity back to that memorial,” Councilmember Chris McConnehey said. “And I think there’s gonna be some renovation along with that. I would like to see the permanent incorporation of a Gold Star Memorial.”

Green urged formalizing the approval as quickly as possible to start the process that includes getting the graphics, working with the memorial foundation and any customization.

The council chose to utilize the council contingency—where money already allocated to the council can be used as the council deems appropriate—to start the process rather than wait for staff to bring the budget opening back for a council vote before beginning the work.

Councilmember Zach Jacob encouraged having bricks with names engraved of families who lost loved ones, while Green visualized the memorial being added just east of the plaza so in the morning the “sun shines through the soldier” who is facing east.

No set timetable was given for when the monument could be finished. l

South Jordan City’s Gold Star Families Memorial Monument is the third in the state, and the first in Salt Lake County. It is meant to bring strength, hope and comfort to Gold Star Families within the city. (City Journals)

Draper breaks ground on its planned Gold Star Memorial. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)

Youth thespians find their place in West Jordan

Run by the hard work and dedication of volunteers and participant’s parents, the West Jordan Youth Theatre is one of the only youth community theatres that puts on full length productions. Their recent production of “Beauty and the Beast” was another in a long line of successful shows.

Youth who participate in the shows range in age from 8-18 years old and come from West Jordan as well as all over the valley, some coming from as far away as Syracuse and Park City. Typically, the theatre has anywhere from 60-100 kids show up for auditions. For “Beauty and the Beast,” they had 118.

Tracey Lyu is the Director of the West Jordan Youth Theatre. Lyu, with the theatre for four years, was excited to direct “Beauty and the Beast.”

Costume Director Brook Mann has worked with the theatre for five years. The theatre is “giving kids something to do, what they love, they have a place to go, teaches them discipline, and keeps them actively engaged with positive energy,” she said.

Because they produce full length productions, youth who participate gain a tre-

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

mendous amount of experience that helps them as they venture into other performing arts.

“It is fun to see these kids grow and see their progress. The kids that come back to audition for the shows just keep getting better and better. It’s amazing how theatre can change and give them confidence,”

Mann said.

Participation in the arts is so valuable for children. West Jordan Youth Theatre aims to cater to the younger age group helping them learn and find happiness and security in themselves.

“West Jordan Youth Theatre is a place where you can give it a try. Just come and

audition, even if you don’t get in, just the audition is enough experience. We have people who audition and not make it, and audition again and make it,” Mann said.

The theatre does a fall and spring show each year with auditions in January and July, plus summer workshops. For more information visit www.wjarts.org. l

Belle, played by Hannah, and the Beast, played by Zach, in West Jordan Youth Theatre’s recent production of “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo courtesy of Natalie Bate)

The cast of West Jordan Youth Theatre’s “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo courtesy of Natalie Bate)

After the closing night production of West Jordan Youth Theatre’s “Beauty and the Beast,” cast members embrace and talk with audience members and friends. (Linda Steele/City Journals)

Tracey Lyu, Director of West Jordan Youth Theatre. (Linda Steele/City Journals)

The cast of West Jordan Youth Theatre’s “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo courtesy of Natalie Bate)

Grizzlies softball battling in tough region

Photos by Travis Barton

Madison Jennings throws the runner out at first. The senior is hitting .417 for the Grizzlies who have played a tough schedule. Copper Hills got six games played over a weekend in March at an out-of-state tournament going 2-3-1 before starting up region on April 8.

Freshman Kennedy Jennings pitches against Bingham in the team’s region opener.

Head coach John Flores talks to Anslie Yazzie, who was hitting .577 and knocked in 10 RBIs through the first nine games.

Melanye Quintana catches a fly ball during the Grizzlies 6-4 loss at Bingham.

GUARANTEED

Totally Awesome ‘80s Prom at the Viridian Event Center part of Adult Night Out series

The Totally Awesome ‘80s Prom was a fun walk down memory lane at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan.

“The vibe was amazing. People were dressed up in ‘80s gear, ruffled collars, wind pants, track suit, Memphis style pants, purple pants and checkered suits,” Jeffrey Buydos said, public relations coordinator at the County Library.

Hairstyles seen at the event were everything ‘80s, bilevel, mullet, high top fade and Jheri curls. Booths were set up with ‘80s stores that were reminiscent of WaldenBooks, Sears and Tower Records. Guests were invited to try their hand at the “avoid your mom” escape game. Favorite movies and ‘80s characters in the style of Tony and Tina’s Wedding and The Donkey Show were all set at Wannaget High’s Senior Prom. Attendees were able to travel back in time and form a break dance circle, enjoy pop rock music, hang out with their crush or play video games.

Hosting the Totally Awesome ‘80s Prom was a big team effort from the county library.

“We were looking for something fun that we haven’t done before, and something that would bring some nostalgia and bring people together,” Buydos said.

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

of home video game systems, home PCs and the mall of that era.

“It was fun to bring all the memories of the ‘80s back and remember what it was like in a way that people will remember. Also pay a tribute to the art and style of that time and mix it in with a little bit of an educational element as well,” Buydos said.

The technology part of the evening was set up with video arcades, Nintendo Atari, skee-ball table and board games. There was an adventure game made off of VHS tapes. The VHS movies were available to watch and participants were invited to try out the “choose your own adventure” station.

The committee has been working on preparations for the event since October 2022. When the event finally happened on March 31, 370 people attended.

“For me, and a lot of people, when we were in the dance room the nostalgia kicked in. Even though it was a two-hour event, I feel like we could’ve been there all night. We could have gone five hours just dancing to ‘80s music,” Buydos said.

The next adult activity will be a scavenger hunt Thursday, May 18 to Saturday, May 20. More information and registration at www.slcolibrary.org/events/featured/adultnight-out. l

“ Robert and Mark were great! We had pipes burst at night and they were right there to help us get the water shut off and to help us get all the water out and dried. They were both professional, communication was great and they were thorough.I would recommend them to anyone! ”

—Anna D

The committee that worked on the event wanted to give people the opportunity to go to an activity that was safe and fun. The ‘80s prom was a great way to incorporate fun things from the ‘80s such as the emergence

A couple enjoys dancing at the Totally Awesome ‘80s Prom. (Photo courtesy of Audrey Linvingston)

Attendees danced the night away at the Totally Awesome ‘80s Prom. (Photo courtesy of Audrey Livingston)

Authentic ‘80s video games were part of the Totally Awesome ‘80s Prom at the County Library’s Viridian Event Venter. (Photo courtesy of Audrey Livingston)

The easiest way to restore your home... the best way to restore your life.

TAP INTO A

Polish your teapots, iron your doilies and butter your crumpets. For the first time in 70 years, an English monarch will be crowned and the whole world will tune in to see if King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry bust each other up at Westminster Abbey.

Whether or not the coronation turns into a fistfight, there will be plenty of spectacle, pomp, circumstance, tradition, snobbery and a reminder that England adores fluffy hats.

King Charles will be 74 on the day of his coronation, code-named Operation Golden Orb (not even kidding). He’s much older than his mother was when she was enthroned. Queen Elizabeth was crowned at the age of 27 and reigned for 156 years.

The coronation is based on traditions going back centuries. In fact, for nearly 1,000 years, the Archbishop of Canterbury has conducted the ceremony. You’d think, at some point, people would start asking how he’s been alive for so long.

Our country has a bit of history with England, but we're still infatuated with royalty. American royalty just isn’t the same. It’s either the Kardashians or the Kennedys, depending on who you ask. When we elect a new president, we don’t

The Royal Treatment

coronation. King Charles and Queen Camilla will leave Buckingham Palace in a four-ton Gold State Coach that’s been used in coronations since 1830 and is notoriously uncomfortable. It’s covered in gilded statues and painted panels and will be pulled by eight dragons through the streets of London.

The procession travels from the palace, past Isengard at the southern end of the Misty Mountains, along Trafalgar Square, through Hogwarts to Westminster Abbey where the king will be anointed with holy oil using the Coronation Spoon. I don’t know if there’s a knife and fork. Wikipedia didn’t mention any other coronation utensils.

King Charles will then stand next to a really old chair (and it’s not even made out of swords pulled from the hands of his dead enemies), and given things to hold like the Royal Orb, a couple of scepters, gold spurs, a jeweled sword, gold bracelets and a ring. No wonder it’s hard to be king. That’s a lot to carry.

follow centuries of history and tradition. We do a swearing-in ceremony followed by four years of smack talk on social media.

But England knows how to stage a

Then the Archbishop (who HAS to be a vampire, I mean come on!) places the five-pound crown on the king’s head. Saint Edwards Crown has a solid gold frame and is bedazzled with rubies, ame-

thysts, sapphires and other jewels, making the crown worth more than my entire lifetime income.

Everyone yells, “God save the king!” and trumpets blare and, Bob’s your uncle, England has a new king.

Then the fun starts. Concerts will feature new musical pieces commissioned by the king himself, including an anthem written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and I can only hope it’s performed by the cast of “Cats.” A refugee choir and an LGBTQ+ ensemble will perform, because we all know how much the royal family loves diversity.

There’s even a Coronation Quiche consisting of spinach, broad beans, cheese, tarragon and lard, to celebrate the country’s devotion to bland food. You can get the recipe online and make it for your family as you watch the celebration.

Leaders from around the world will attend the coronation, except some countries who are afraid if they send leaders to the event, England will colonize them while they’re gone. But this is a historical moment you won’t want to miss, especially if the royal family starts throwing the crown jewels at each other.

“Dozens of doctors told me that there was nothing more that they could do to expect to be in a wheel chair. I went from the top 1% in the army Special Forces to being in so much pain that I could not tie my shoe or hold my new daughter. I did physical therapy and pain killers for years, but nothing worked. Finally, I went to Dr. Smith and I improved exactly as he told me I would. I couldn’t believe it! My wife cried, “I have my husband back.”

—Steve M., Army Special Forces

D.C. CSCS Chiropractic Physician