West Jordan Journal | October 2023

TRIO OF STANDOUTS LEAD COPPER HILLS TURNAROUND AS 13-3 TEAM ENTERS PLAYOFFS

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

Ayearago, the Copper Hills girls soccer team struggled to a 5-13 record and placed second-to-last in region play. This season was a whole lot different.

The Grizzlies improved to an impressive 13-3 overall record this season. They were second in Region 2 with a 9-3 mark, just a game behind Mountain Ridge. Though Copper Hills relied on a team effort to have such a successful season, three players, in particular, paced the team.

Senior Baylee Beck, junior Sydney Torres and freshman Camila Palafox—each in her own way—helped engineer the Grizzlies’ improvement.

Beck led by example, working hard on and off the field. Her stellar play as a Grizzly is especially noteworthy considering she doesn’t have as much experience as many of her teammates and opponents.

“I started playing soccer when I was 12, in the middle of 6th grade, which is a lot later than most of the girls I've been playing with since,” she said. “I got interested in soccer when my fifth grade teacher kept encourag-

ing me to try it. He told me constantly that I’d love the sport and that I could be really good at it if I tried. A year later, when I signed up for my first rec league team, I immediately loved everything about the sport.”

Torres, who had seven goals during the regular season, got involved at the young age of 4 and was playing competitively on a boys team by age 8. She soon moved to an all-girls team where she had tremendous success, winning tournaments all over the state and country. She said her father was her example and got her interested to start playing.

“I got inspired by my father when I would watch him play,” Torres said. “I knew I wanted to be like him one day.”

The youngest member of the trio, Palafox, quickly made a name for herself. Many ninth graders must wait a couple of years to even get a shot on the varsity team, but Palafox was too good for head coach Justin Hendrix to

Continued page 23

Sydney Torres dribbles downfield for the Copper Hills girls soccer team. The junior helped guide the Grizzlies to a 13-3 record. (Photo courtesy of Sydney Torres.)

“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

Community prepares for Bangerter Highway construction impacts

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

An open house was held at South Hills Middle School on Sept. 7 to answer questions from members of the public about the impact that the Bangerter Highway project will have on traffic in the coming months. Representatives from Ralph L. Wadsworth/WWClyde, a joint venture, were on site as well as representatives from the Utah Department of Transportation. The most urgent question on most attendees minds: when will the traffic start and what will the impact be?

According to the UDOT website: “This project will construct four new freeway-style interchanges with on- and offramps at 2700 West, 13400 South, 9800 South and 4700 South, eliminating stoplights at four more intersections for drivers on Bangerter Highway.”

The students and faculty at Elk Ridge Middle School and nearby Elk Meadows Elementary School in South Jordan will see impact starting in January 2024. According to Elk Ridge Principal Bryan Leggat, the pedestrian bridge that crosses Bangerter Highway at 9800 South will be taken down for an estimated 300 days. In addition to the loss of the pedestrian bridge, parking lot changes will be happening for Elk Ridge’s parents, students and staff.

“We are asking our parents to be extra patient with the school and with each other,” Leggat said. “It’s bound to be messy.”

Derek Harames, the project manager from Ralph L. Wadsworth, will be overseeing the 4700 South and 9800 South phase of the construction. He and his team are aware that in between the start and end of a project of this magnitude there will be some headache and frustration. But being in the business for more than 15 years,

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Harames knows first-hand how vital these projects are to the communities they serve once completed.

“We’re excited to be in the cities, to build these projects,” Harames said. “We know what it’s going to do for the cities when we’re done…the end game is totally worth it.”

The end game will be hard to focus on for Herriman residents Mandy and David Smith who have lived through the 11400 South and the 12600 South interchange construction in previous years. They attended the open house event in anticipation of traffic becoming a “nightmare,” and wanted to know when they could expect it to start.

“Once this starts, it’s going to be 10 months of horrible traffic,” Mandy Smith said. “And that’s going to suck.”

Beginning in the fall of 2024 and lasting until late summer of 2025, the eastbound and westbound lanes at 9800 South will be closed.

Smith said that they are not looking forward to the surrounding surface streets being packed with cars as drivers will look for alternate routes, and it may cause their family to avoid shopping at certain stores once construction starts.

Physician and business owner Dr. Mary Tipton attended the open house wanting answers, too. As part owner of the Copperview Medical Center located on the east side of 9800 South and Bangerter, she and her team have been following the updates and plans very closely.

The medical practice is open to patients 365 days a year, seven days a week, seeing patients of all ages by way of primary care, chronic care and urgent care. Tipton’s priority is to maintain access

for her patients, even as the construction phases are implemented.

“We never closed a day for the whole pandemic,” Tipton said. “We are not going to close for this.”

Tipton said that despite the plan not to close during construction, she and her team are already making patients aware of the problems they may encounter with access to the parking lot that sits right at the corner of 9800 South and Bangerter

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Dr. Mary Tipton asked the Utah Department of Transportation project manager Marwan Farah questions about how the construction project would impact her patients at Copperview Medical Center.

(Photo by Rachel Aubrey/City Journals)

Attendees to the contractor open house had lots of maps and graphs to pour over to try to get answers about how the upcoming construction will impact the nearby communities. (Photo by Rachel Aubrey/City Journals)

Editor’s note: this is part of a series of articles about artificial intelligence in schools.

West Jordan Middle School teacher Dan Clark noticed a student struggling in his world geography class.

“He thinks he's just not very smart, but I know he is because if I'm speaking to him, he gets it immediately,” Clark said.

Clark recognized the symptoms of dyslexia and introduced the student to the AI tools available on his school-issued Chromebook—voice-to-text and text-tovoice—which would eliminate the problem of getting letters mixed up while reading and struggling to spell while writing.

“When I showed them these tools, their eyes got wide with excitement,” Clark said. “There's no better feeling for a teacher than when you get a student that's frustrated— they get that confused look on their face or they're putting their head down out of disinterest—and you show them a couple of little tricks that help them be engaged. There's no better feeling for a teacher. It's the reason we're all into it.”

West Jordan Middle School Principal Eric Price, an advocate for AI in education, believes AI tools can eliminate barriers for students with learning challenges and disabilities.

“My biggest philosophy is we don't stop the learning because somebody struggles to read,” Price said. “We find accommodations to help them to be successful.”

Price believes AI can even the playing field for students who struggle with traditional methods of learning and expression.

“You take a kid that's been struggling to write a paragraph for five to 10 years now, and they put in their best paragraph and tell Chat GPT, or whatever, to improve it,” he said. “Now they have this new improved way of increasing their ability to write, and they have just become more marketable in seconds.”

Price, who is dyslexic, said reading and spelling are particularly challenging for him, but that recent technology has helped him with both skills.

“The beauty of it now is I can go on my computer or phone and I can say the word and now I have it spelled for me,” he said. “So now I've taken areas that were a weakness and can turn them into a strength.”

Voice-to-text and text-to-voice, which come standard on smartphones and school-issued Chromebooks and iPads, can be a game changer for a dyslexic student because those tools help them keep up with their peers, Clark said.

He uses these tools to satisfy Individual Education Plan accommodations that necessitate students have test questions read aloud to them.

AI for access and equity

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

“It used to be that you needed an aide to take those kids into another room to read it out loud,” Clark said. “But now those kids aren't separated. They just put on some headphones, they hit play and it reads it.”

Jordan District provides some students with access to audiobooks and textbooks through online catalogs such as Bookshare and Learning Ally, which are available to people with disabilities.

Price said this access is important because when kids can listen to a text, they can get the information and enjoy the content without the stress of struggling to read the words.

“There's a difference between reading the words on the page and feeling a book, and that's one of the reasons why a lot of times struggling readers will give up on learning and give up on education,” Price said. “If you're sitting there reading the words on the page, you're not seeing the value of why we even read.”

Education for students with learning challenges and disabilities has evolved from 100 years ago, when students who struggled to learn, read, write or speak were segregated. Because technology eliminates barriers caused by disabilities, these same students are now able to demonstrate their intelligence despite physical or mental limitations. Innovations allow the use of ears instead of eyes, eyes instead of hands, and hands instead of voice.

Jordan School District policy is to provide education to students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.

Cheri Blue, coordinator for assistive technology within Jordan District’s Special Education department, said this is accomplished by providing a range of technological tools for students with physical impairments, communication barriers and developmental disabilities.

She said the Jordan District administration has been very supportive of providing students with assistive technology.

“When we say a student needs something, they always get it,” she said.

Innovative tools allow the students to demonstrate their intellectual abilities without barriers. Tools such as voice typing, screen reading for text and graphics, customizable dictionaries for predictive text and note taking tools are available for free as Chrome add-ons and through Adobe Suite.

Teachers use these tools to easily adapt assignments to a students’ abilities. With a few clicks, the reading level of a text can be adjusted to allow a student access to grade level content. A physical worksheet can be quickly digitized so that students can complete legible work beyond their limited fine motor skills.

AI digital voice assistants are regularly used in classrooms by physically and visually impaired students to open computer applications, navigate the screen and to initiate

web searches.

“We use it more as an access method rather than generative to create,” Blue said. “So they could glean the same type of information from the internet that someone could do with a typed search, they could do it with a voice search.”

Blue said assistive technology gives students a way to express their thoughts, to learn something or to get something. The next step would be to use generative AI to help students create something new.

Blue predicts that as AI becomes more prevalent, educational methods will have to adapt to allow for this.

“It is something that we have to consider when we're thinking about our standards, what we want the students to be able to demonstrate and how they want to learn,” Blue said. “Looking standard by standard, we think about how could a generative AI tool be an assistive help to this, and also, on the flip side, how could the use of a tool like that prevent a student from actually learning this skill? We really need to have purpose and intention of how we're going to do it and not just the tool itself, but the system around supporting the tool and teaching students how to use it to meet their learning objectives.” l

Students who struggle to read can easily keep up with their classmates by putting in headphones and using the text-to-voice feature on their digital devices. (Image generated by Abode Firefly, an AI tool.)

Utah photographer’s art on display at Viridian Event Center

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

Mark

Mickelsen is an artist of photography. Mickelsen has been photographing America, and specifically Utah, for the last 45 years. His favorite landscapes include Utah’s Bryce Canyon, Arches, Zion National Park, Lake Powell and Red Canyon.

“Photography for me is all about light, shadow and form. The Red Rock inspires hoodoos and cliffs that you find in these areas in Utah that really illustrate the importance of these elements. These areas are unique to the world as far as red rock goes,” Mickelsen said.

Mickelsen has taken surveys from his website and found that his clients’ favorites are the Red Rock photographs. With that in mind, Mickelsen decided to put some of his favorites on display at the “Utah Red Rock” exhibit in Salt Lake County at the Viridian Event Center, Oct. 10-26.

In his exhibit, Mickelsen has attempted to capture the pure beauty of nature and illustrate the importance of Utah’s Red Rock elements to allow visitors to recapture personal experiences and memories they have had in Utah’s Red Rock.

In 1976 when Mickelsen was in college, he was invited to an exhibit featuring the black and white images of Edward Weston, who Mark believes is one of the greatest photographers of the past century. “When I looked at his iconic pepper photograph, it inspired me to pay attention to form, light and shadow, and from that point on I was a different photographer,” Mickelsen said. He learned a lot from Edward Weston about what to look for in nature, what to look for in people’s faces and what to look for when you are photographing animals and still life. “It’s all about light, shadow and form.”

Mickelsen was born in Idaho but has been in Utah since 1978. He graduated from the University of Utah in communication.

Mickelsen is excited about showing his work at the exhibit. “This is the point where I really would like to show my work and see how people feel about it, and get good feedback from folks.”

Mickelsen has 30 galleries on his website, markmickelsenphotography.com. He has taken close to 100,000 photographs throughout his lifetime. At his Red Rock Exhibit at the Viridian there will be 14 high definition chromaluxe metal prints, “The finest metal prints you can get in the world,” he said. Mickelsen expressed his gratitude for the Viridian Center and said they are great to work with.

Mickelsen started his website to allow people to see his work about five years ago. One of the things he has found on his website is how people love the beauty of Utah landscapes. People love the red rock and the uniqueness of Utah landscapes. Mickelsen wants to show people what a beautiful state we have and what beautiful red rock Utah has to offer in the national parks. His website also features the different photographed seasons in Utah.

Mickelsen will be going to Vermont to shoot fall landscapes. The next exhibit he would like to do is fall landscapes all over the United States because he loves the fall colors.

“If there is one thing I would like people to get out of this exhibit is, the beauty of Utah, and how lucky we are as people and citizens of this state to be able to go and see these beautiful landscapes. We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to

take care of these landscapes as clean, pristine and pure as we found them.

I feel lucky as a photographer to photograph in Utah because there is no shortage of landscapes and it has the most varied landscapes in the United States,” Mickelsen said.

Mickelsen’s Utah Red Rock Exhib-

it will be open Oct. 10 - 26 at the Viridian Event Center located at 8030 S. 1825 West, West Jordan. The exhibit is free to the public. For information go to slcolibrary.org Go to markmickelsenphotography.com to see Mickelsen’s photography galleries. l

Photographer Mark Mickelsen holds one of his pieces, “Spires & Canyons,” in front of the Viridian Event Center (Courtesy Rebecca Mickelsen)

Mark Mickelsen’s “The Walking Tree.” (Courtesy Mark Mickelsen)

Mark Mickelsen’s “Zion Summer.” (Courtesy Mark Mickelsen)

ToshoCON Convention held in West Jordan

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Hundredsof teen anime fans descended on the West Jordan Viridian Event Center (8030 S. 1825 West) on Sept. 15 and 16 to participate in the 11th ToshoCON event. The convention is a realm where passionate fans bring their favorite characters to life through intricate cosplay and gaming.

Hosted by the Salt Lake County Library, ToshoCON featured teen-led panel discussions, vendors, teen-owned businesses, K-pop random dances, food trucks, anime music videos, comic and art contests. Nearly 1,000 teens attended the free convention to engage with fellow anime enthusiasts through karaoke, comedy improv and scavenger hunts.

“We want to create a welcoming environment where kids can be themselves,” said Marissa Hodges, public relations coordinator for the Salt Lake County Library. “This is a chance for them to interact with other fans…Teens who don’t even know each other are now interacting because they see similar characters, so they interact with each other because they recognize the other character, otherwise, they would have never spoken to that other teen. It gives them a chance to really connect.”

In July, the library made a call for submissions for the art, comic cosplay and anime music video contest. Teams worked all summer long to present their creations at ToshoCON. The following winners were announced during the awards ceremony at the convention. For teen privacy, names have been limited to initials/preferred names.

Art category. Black and White Beginner, Childhood Wonder by E.M.; Black and White Intermediate, Hobie Brown by clickerbee; Color Beginner, They Grow Up So Fast by E.W.; Color Intermediate, Joestar Locker by Z.B.; Mixed Beginner, Sofie’s Painting by Yuki_Rie#8414; Mixed Intermediate, Don’t Cry Homura by Koala Guy.

The winner for best anime video was The Legend of Zelda by M.N. and the comic winner was Piper and the Pest by A.I. The beginner cosplay award went to Taylor as “The

Voidfish aka Fisher” and the intermediate cosplay prize went to Lori for “Xie Lian.”

Best cosplay skit was awarded to Dex for “Gumi.” Cosplay People’s Choice went to BreeAsha as “Ranboo” and Deborah & Evelyn were given the cosplay craftsmanship award for “The Drop Twins.”

To see the award-winning entries, visit slcolibrary.org/ toshocon/contest-winners.

Sam Lemley, 18, attended the event for the first time this year. Her friends convinced her to join them and she had a great time.

“I love interacting with others who like similar things,” Lemley said. “I love hanging out with my friends and cosplaying with them, and it’s just fun.” l

Charlotte Norton channels Genshin Impact character Qiqi during the two-day anime convention in West Jordan. (City Journals)

Beck Banza, dressed as Wirt Aylward, attends the 11th annual ToshoCON at the Viridian Event Center. (City Journals)

Hundreds of teen anime fans gathered at the Viridian Event Center for the annual ToshoCON.

Hundreds of teens attended the two-day ToshoCON event at the Viridian Event Center to celebrate anime culture. (City Journals)

Sam Lemley attended ToshoCON for the first time this year. She chose to represent Danganronpa’s ultimate musician Ibuki Mioda. (City Journals)

West Jordan’s Lewis helps Jaguars’ girls tennis finish second in region

She might not have a ton of experience, but West Jordan High School senior Emma Lewis emerged as one of the top players on the girls tennis team and in Region 4.

Lewis’ efforts were a big reason why the Jaguars finished as runners-up at the Region 4 tournament in late September. Lewis, playing third singles, took first in that group, defeating every opponent in her path at the tournament. Lewis said it’s her best accomplishment of the season, but she also celebrated her teammates’ success.

“It was the best feeling winning, knowing all of the work and practice that was behind it,” she said. “West Jordan got second overall in region, which is also huge. I’m super proud of all of my teammates; they’ve all fought so hard.”

While many high school tennis players have been playing the sport since they were in grade school, Lewis didn’t pick up a racket and play competitively until she got to West Jordan High School. Initially, she was just looking for something social, but her passion for the game grew.

“I started playing tennis my sophomore year because me and my friends all wanted to do something together in high school,” she said. “I wasn’t planning to take it too seriously, but that changed quickly. I fell in

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

love with the game and worked to get better. I love playing tennis because it’s not something that you can fake till you make it; every point matters, which makes the wins that much more satisfying. There’s not a better feeling than rallying with your opponent but getting that final point.”

Lewis has loved her three years on the team, especially the girls she has played with. The Jaguars are a tight-knit group of players who cheer one another on. Lewis has enjoyed that aspect of play and said it has fueled much of her success.

“I love my team so much,” she said. “There hasn’t been a game where I haven’t been cheered on by my teammates, and it has kept me going through the long, hot matches. We’re all there to have fun and support each other.”

Lewis has been an excellent teammate, as she, too, has rooted for the other girls on the squad. Her skills on the court have made her the top third singles player in Region 4.

“Something that I’ve relied on this season is consistency,” she said. “I might not have the most perfect positioned shots offensively, but I can always count on defense and returning the ball. My matches were full of very long rallies, which made it really fun but tiring.”

The girls tennis season is considered a fall-season sport; however, a good chunk of it takes place in the summer. Playing in the hot sun has not been easy for Lewis. She admits that playing in extreme heat is a big challenge and that her body has difficulty adapting.

“There has been multiple times where I didn’t think I could make it through my match, but I kept going and fought through it,” she said.

Though she isn’t planning on playing tennis in college, she hopes to continue to play recreationally and with family and friends as time allows. Unlike contact sports, she believes that tennis is a sport that people can enjoy well into adulthood.

“I love that tennis is a game that can be played for many years even when you get older,” she said.

In her three years at West Jordan, Lewis has improved her play and developed skills and abilities. But without the help of those around her, she isn’t sure she could have accomplished everything she has as a Jaguar.

“I wouldn’t have pushed myself as hard as I did if I didn’t have the support from my family, coaches and teammates,” she said. “They really kept me going through the three-hour matches.” l

West Jordan senior Emma Lewis has been the No. 3 singles player for the girls tennis team this season. Lewis won the Region 4 title, advancing to state. (Photo courtesy of Emma Lewis)

Odyssey House is the largest nonpro t behavioral health agency in Utah, with more than 30 locations in Salt Lake County and 70 Best of State awards. It was started in 1971 and provides treatment for substance use disorder and mental health issues through a variety of programs, both residential and outpatient, for children, teens and adults. It also has its own medical clinic (Martindale) and administers a substance use program in the Salt Lake County Jail. On any given day Odyssey House serves 1,100 clients and served 12,000 clients in the last scal year.

Randall Carlisle is the Odyssey House media and community relations director. He’s been with Odyssey for six years and before that he spent 40 years as an anchor/ reporter in television news.

What sets Odyssey House apart from other treatment centers in the region?

We have the highest success rate of any nonpro t treatment center. We are the largest and o er more specialized programs than any other similar agency. We can also treat anyone regardless of their ability to pay and our service can be free for residents of Salt Lake County.

Who do you serve?

If you have a substance use or mental health problem we can help. Substance use disorder and mental health problems a ect anyone from all walks of life. We help clients solve the problems of drug addiction and mental health issues.

How do potential clients make the choice between you or a competitor?

We provide low-cost or free care. We are in network with all major insurance providers and we can provide a more successful outcome than other providers. We back up our slogan which is “We Are Recovery.”

What types of treatment do you o er?

We o er adult and youth residential programs, sober housing, an intensive after-school outpatient program for youth, a parent with children program and a criminal justice program. Odyssey also has a medical clinic that includes harm reduction services and we have men’s and women’s mental health treatments. All of our programs include extensive case management, trauma informed care and life skills development.

What is your success rate?

We have a 173% higher drug abstinence rate than the 2020 National average and an 84% higher drug abstinence rate than the 2020 Utah average. We o er recovery that leads to a successful and happy life.

How do you help those who have graduated from the Odyssey program?

Odyssey House is about lifetime recovery, even when you have some bumps in the road. Alumni services are provided for free and include therapy and relapse support, sober outings and graduate groups.

How can people learn more about you?

We have over 30 locations in Salt Lake County. Our weekly podcast Odyssey House Journals can be seen on YouTube or listened to on all podcast platforms. We can also be found at odysseyhouse.org.

Hopeful students have 3 opportunities to enter Reflections contest

Each year, over 300,000 PreK-12 students across the nation enter the PTA Reflections contest to express themselves through Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts.

The Reflections contest began in 1969. The impact the art contest has had on generations of students earned the founder, Mary Lou Anderson, a place in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2020.

Utah PTA Reflections Specialist Rebekah Pitts believes that the Reflections contest can have a huge effect on kids.

“You wouldn’t think an art contest could change lives, but it does,” Pitts said. “Some children discover their future career through Reflections, others feel heard, some experience massive self-esteem boosts as they are recognized for their art. Many of these kids are very vulnerable with their pieces, sharing their hopes, dreams, fears and struggles. This contest gives them a chance to be heard and validated.”

Contest entries advance from the school level to council, region, state and national levels.

Last year, 9-year-old Clara Bradford, a student at Falcon Ridge Elementary, was one of 169 winners at the state level. She earned a Merit Award for her music composition entitled “Flying High.”

“I was very excited,” Clara said. “I’m very proud of myself.”

In previous years, Clara has entered in the dance and art categories. She plans to enter the music and art categories this year.

“I really like Reflections,” Clara said. “I just think it’s a good opportunity for kids to have the freedom to show whatever kind of art they want.”

Clara was inspired to enter the annual Reflections contest after seeing her older siblings enter and from encouragement from her mom, Sharey Bradford, a past PTA Reflections Commissioner.

Bradford encourages kids of all levels and abilities to enter the contest.

“You can sometimes find hidden talents

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

that you didn’t know you had, or you find things that you really enjoy doing that you didn’t know you enjoyed, so I think it’s just a good opportunity to try new things and develop some skills,” she said.

Deadlines for West Jordan area school Reflections contests are set for October.

Utah PTAs have high participation in the Reflections contest except for the Special Artist division for students who identify as having a disability, Pitts said.

“Last year we had a national winner in the dance choreography category who captured our hearts with her enthusiastic wheelchair dance entry,” Pitts said. “We love seeing entries from special needs students and hope that more of them will learn about this opportunity and share their art with the Reflections program.”

The theme for this year’s contest is “I Am Hopeful Because. . .”

Pitts said this is one of her favorite themes.

“I just love hope and I love hearing what other people hope for and seeing how positive kids can be about the future,” Pitts said. “I can’t wait to see why thousands of Utah children have hope. It’s going to be amazing!”

Each year, the Reflections theme is chosen from ideas submitted by students.

This year’s theme was submitted by Alice Meko from Hampton Cove Elementary in Alabama.

Twice in the last few years the Reflections theme winner has been a student from Utah. “Look Within” was the 2019-20 theme suggested by a Utah kindergartener, and the 2021-22 theme “I Will Change the World By. . .” was suggested by Lydia Keel, an eighth-grader from Spanish Fork Junior High.

Entries for the Choose the Theme Contest are due November 1.

Another contest, the Utah Reflections Theme Poster Contest, invites Utah students to submit artwork to be used on Reflections contest promotional posters. Poster designs for next year’s theme, “Accepting Imperfection,” are due March 1, 2024.

“We created this contest just a few years

ago as a way to give more students a chance to shine,” Pitts said. “We thought it would be really exciting for the winners to have their art used so widely and encourage them to contin-

ue developing their skills and talents.” More information can be found at utahpta.org/ref. l

Clara Bradford celebrates her Music Composition Merit Award at the state Reflections award night held May 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Sharey Bradford.)

Elect Kayleen Whitelock for West Jordan Mayor

West Jordan Elevated

Inmusic, forte means loud and strong. When Herriman High School Band Director Raymond Hernandez was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at the beginning of marching band season, the community’s response was forte.

“Band directors from across the state have been reaching out to me about what they can do to show support for our students or help me out with classes,” Hernandez said. “They are willing to help me find substitutes. I had people offering to cook and take me to chemotherapy. A whole army of band directors came together.”

Family and friends, students and their families and colleagues organized fundraisers

Marching band community is forte

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

focusing on the marching band practices and performances helps distract him from dwelling on his illness and treatments.

“You would think all this craziness would make me more stressed, but it’s actually a really good break,” he said. “I love being with these kids. I think this would be a lot harder if I didn’t have those kids with me.”

HHS band member April Harrison said she and her peers are determined to help make things run smoothly for Hernandez by working hard, cleaning up after themselves and being responsible.

“This is going to be hard on him, it’s going to be hard on us, and we just want to

for medical bills, wore “forte with Nandez” shirts to show support on chemotherapy days and sent a steady stream of cards and gifts.

“Every time I go into my office, there’s a new gift basket on my desk,” Hernandez said.

Twenty-five-year-old Hernandez said

make sure that he’s focused on his health and not the little things, like the band room isn’t clean,” she said. “So everyone has been stepping up. And that’s a lot of what’s pushing our marching band show this year, as well. We are a lot more motivated.”

Support for Hernandez and the HHS bands has also come from “rival” school bands.

Members of Bingham High School’s marching band, which competes in the same division as HHS, brought popsicles to the 110 HHS band students during one of their hot summer rehearsals.

“The camaraderie between the bands is amazing so it doesn’t surprise me that any of the bands would step up and support Herriman and Mr. Hernandez, because marching band kids are the best kids you’ll ever find,” BHS Marching Band Booster President Joey White said. “To have a band whose direct director is not well indirectly affects all of the bands, because every band is honestly rooting for every band to be their best.”

Even during competitions, which run every weekend from mid-September to early November, the high school marching bands cheer each other on. Many of the bands

are wearing blue ribbons on their uniforms during competitions to show support for Hernandez.

“Herriman [High School] has a tradition of supporting all the other marching bands when we go to competitions, so I think there’s just been a lot of payback,” HHS Assistant Band Director Keith Davis said. “It’s ‘You guys have supported us for years and now you need it so now we’re supporting you’ so it’s been pretty cool.”

West Jordan High School’s marching band has plans to join the HHS band to play pep music for one of their football games as a show of support. The Mountain Ridge High School marching band joined the HHS marching band in the stands to play for their Sept. 1 game.

“Technically we are rival schools, but just having that extra support and having them come play with us in the stands just shows that even though we are rivals, we can push past that and all come together as a community,” Harrison said.

This is Hernandez’s second year teaching at HHS (he also spent one year as a student teacher there.) He previously was the band director at Providence Hall.

West Jordan High School band director Shianne Ogzewalla said there is good camaraderie among all the Jordan District high school band directors. They get together for breakfast once a month to collaborate and enjoy time together.

She said Hernandez is keeping up high spirits despite his challenges.

“He looked great during the competition we had Saturday,” she said. “He said that he’s just tired, but other than that, he’s still going strong. Raymond is such a chill dude. He takes everything in stride and he just keeps pushing through.” l

Herriman High School Marching Band Director Raymond Hernandez gives last-minute direction to students for their performance at the Oquirrh Mountain Band Invitational hosted at Herriman High School Sept. 23. (Photo courtesy of Melinda Mansouri)

Bingham High School and other competing marching bands wear blue ribbons on their uniforms during competition to show support for HHS marching band director Raymond Hernandez, who has stage four cancer. (Photo courtesy of Melinda Mansouri)

Raymond Hernandez’s band students send a picture of support to him every time he has a chemotherapy treatment. (Photo courtesy of Raymond Hernandez)

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:

PFIZER CHILD LYME DISEASE VACCINE:

The

BATURA Study

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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.

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.

AZ BATURA Asthma Study Flyer_V3_09722

A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for men, women, and children in the Salt Lake Valley

The scariest way to know what’s most popular this Halloween—with numbers!

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

Hit the trifecta this Halloween by giving out M&M’S (or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) to the trickor-treaters while wearing a scary (but unique) costume in between catching glimpses of one of the Halloween franchise movies on your television screen. (“Halloween Ends” is the most recently released movie in the franchise, but “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002) and “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Meyers” (1995) (filmed in Utah!) seem to be most adored by fans.)

If you’re wondering what type of candy variety pack to pick up from the store for the Trick-or-Treaters this year, go with the chocolate. Specifically, M&M’S, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Kit Kats tend to be the most sought-after candy choice.

Some 1,188 participants (based in the United States) were surveyed during an online study conducted in October 2021. Participants were asked which candy they liked better during head-tohead match-ups of 76 different sugary items.

M&M’S topped out by being the favorite of the online voting base with 76.1%. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups came in at 74.4%. Kit Kats received 72.8% of the vote, with Peanut M&M’S not trailing too far behind with a 72.4%. Butterfinger was the last of the 70 with 70.9% of the vote.

The remaining candies to make up the top 10 favorite Halloween treats (scoring between 67.1% and 68.8%) included Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Hershey’s and Reese’s Pieces.

In case you were curious about the top 20: coming in at being the favorite between 57.5% and 65.5% of the online surveyed population were Hershey’s

Kisses, Dove Dark Chocolate Bar, 3 Musketeers, Dove Milk Chocolate Bar, Krackel, Crunch, Almond Joy, Baby Ruth, Starbursts, and Andes Chocolate Mints.

Another study conducted in 2020 broadly backs up the claim to fame for chocolate. Some 13,852 participants were surveyed about their various Halloween preferences in September 2020.

Out of those 13,852 (United States) adults, 88% reported that they would be buying chocolate candy. Forty-two percent reported that they would be buying candy that was either chewy or fruity, with 40% reporting they’d be buying caramel candy, and 37% reporting lollipop purchases. Further, 36% of respondents reported they’d be buying sour gummies, 28% would be looking specifically for candy corn, 25% would by buying taffy, 20% would be buying nut-filled candy and 12% would be buying either gum or mints.

Overall, most (United States) adults purchased candy for their trick-or-treaters (71%). But! Twenty-nine percent of adults still purchased healthy alternatives like carrot snack bags, trail mix, or toothbrushes to throw in amongst the candy. But! You can’t just give out the most desirable candy and be the favorite Halloween house around. You have to dress the part!

A study conducted in 2017 by aytm, a market research company, encourages people to dress as scary imposters. A thousand (American) adults were surveyed during September 2017. Survey results were compared with secondary research of search trends from Pinterest and Lyst as well as predictions from USA Today.

Some 24.4% of Halloween costumes were described as being scary, with 20.3% described as sexy. Other

descriptions of costumers that didn’t score as high were cute, funny, weird/ creative, classy/sophisticated, and other. The most frequent costumers of 2017 including Pennywise the Clown, a witch, Wonder Woman, a “Game of Thrones” character and a zombie.

Echoing the sentiment, a 2021 study surveying 2,312 (United States) adults encourages people to pick classic Halloween costumes like ghosts and witches, as that’s what 20.81% of respondents chose to do.

Even if you’re still unsure what to dress up as this year, absolutely don’t go as an athlete, clown, pumpkin, ghost or cat. Survey results show that we’re all too tired of those costumes.

And be yourself! The 2021 study reported that only 10.57% of people coordinated their costume with another person.

While you’re waiting for trick-ortreaters with your M&M’S and scary costume, you may as well spend you time watching the most preferable scary/Halloween movie.

According to an online survey conducted in October 2022, 56% of 2,210 (United States) adults reported “Halloween” as their favorite horror movie franchise. “Friday the 13th” just about tied with a rounded 56% as well. “Nightmare

on Elm Street” came in closely after those two with 54%.

“Halloween Ends” ranked as the fifth top grossing horror movie in the U.S. and Canada in 2022 at $81 million, according to data collected and published in January 2023.

Plus! Halloween 2023 is anticipated to see the most participation and attendance in the last decade. According to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, 73% of (United States) adults will participate in Halloween activities this year. The last time over 70% of the population participated in Halloween actives was in 2017 when 71.7% of adults participated in spooky fun.

What will we be doing? About 67% of us will be handing out candy (hopefully those chocolate bites!). Fifty-one percent of us will be decorating our homes and yards (this reporter’s decorations have been up for two weeks now). Forty-seven percent of us will dress in costume. Forty-four percent of us will carve a pumpkin (you got this one). Twenty-eight percent of us will throw or attend a Halloween party. And 20% of us will dress up a pet (this reporter’s fur baby rocks her pumpkin costume). l

Responses to the question “What Halloween costume(s) are you sick of seeing every year?” (Photo courtesy of Wyatt Edwards and Katelyn Shaaf/HalloweenCostumes)

Draper families transform their yards into Halloween destinations

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

No other state gets into the spirit of Halloween like Utah. A recent three-year study of Google search terms and homeowner survey by Lombardo Homes revealed that Utahns lead the nation in decorating for Halloween. Across the state, people transform their yards and gardens into supernatural realms filled with animated creepy characters, spooky lighting, fog machines and all manner of things that go bump in the night.

The most elaborate of these homemade “spook alleys” attract visitors from all over and become neighborhood gathering places on Halloween. For years, three families in Draper in particular have shared their passion for the spine-chilling and spooktacular with the community through their immersive yard displays.

Larsen Manor

“We build stuff all year long,” LaDawn Larsen said. “It’s a construction project when it starts. It takes over everything.” LaDawn and her husband, Steve, transform the grounds of their home at 1871 Flat Bear Circle into “Larsen Manor” for the month of October. Visitors to Larsen Manor can walk around the yard where a giant pumpkin-head creature with burning eyes watches over a graveyard and skeletons appear to march out of a mausoleum.

“Steve and I got married 11 years ago. He got drawn into the Halloween craziness and it got bigger,” LaDawn said with a smile.

Halloween is a special holiday for the couple. As a firefighter in Magna, Steve used to dress up as a cyclops and ride the fire truck handing out candy on Halloween. LaDawn has cherished memories of trick or treating in Sandy as a child and enjoyed decorating and throwing Halloween parties as an adult. The pair got engaged at TransWorld Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis.

“We really like to mix things up,” Steve said. “This year we’ll have armies of the dead. A mad scientist scene will be the feature.” The Larsens also plan to transform their 12-foot skeleton into the mummy of King Tut.

“A little girl who likes to come every year said that we needed more jump scares,” LaDawn said. “So we did. We have a pumpkin that opens up and comes alive. We’re trying to do more of those things.” She added that their display is not gory. “We don’t have our own children that are here so we do this for other peoples’ kids.”

The appreciation they receive from visitors to Larsen Manor is a major inspiration for LaDawn and Steve. They plan to open their yard display on Oct. 6 but will have to close it before Halloween this year on Oct. 28, for work-related reasons.

The Haunted Haven

Tifini Folkersen’s love for Halloween is a longstanding family tradition. Her mother, Jodi Tebbs, decorated her childhood home at a time when Halloween decorations weren’t quite as popular as they are today. Tebbs’ parents loved the holiday as well. “My mom’s dad would dress up like a werewolf, in full theatrical makeup. He’d run around the neighborhood and scare people,” she said.

A trellis over the front walk leading to the Folkersen’s house at 1338 Hana Court is entwined with skulls and grimacing skeletons. “Our decorations are never the same,” Folkersen said. “It changes from year to year as the kids grow.”

Tebbs and Folkersen explained that their décor came out of a desire to make Halloween an interactive experience for the children in the family. The yard display features little vignettes that relate to members of the family. When Folkersen’s son, Kolsyn, went to his senior prom, they put up dancing skeletons in the display. “Last year, Kolsyn went to the U so we had a University of Utah-themed skeleton area,” Tebbs said.

“We make it family friendly,” Folkersen said. “It’s fun and spooky, not too scary.” On Halloween night, she and her husband, Lynn, give out candy and run the technical aspects of things. Tebbs enjoys mingling with the visitors.

This year the family is planning a ghosts in the graveyard theme. “Once I come up with a theme, we figure out what we want to add and build,” Folkersen said. “We’ve been collecting for 30 years and building. There are memories attached to each decoration.”

Building the displays is a labor of love for the family and they enjoy watching visitors react to their handiwork. “It’s cute seeing all the people having fun,” Folkersen said. “People stay and have a good time.” She said that her neighbors having been getting into the Halloween spirit with their own decorations as well.

Folkersen plans to have her display ready for the first weekend in October. It is open to visitors every night from when darkness falls to 10:30 p.m. She said, “We tell people, when they hear the witches cackle, it’s time to go home.”

The Farr family’s “Southfork Sanitarium” is located at 927 E. Southfork Drive in Draper. The decorations are up throughout October. (Photo by Farris Gerard)

A pumpkin-headed monster towers over “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by Steve Larsen)

Southfork Sanitarium

Dan and Stephanie Farr explained that "love for the neighborhood" was the inspiration behind their yard display. "I loved it in our old neighborhood when our neighbor would have a Halloween potluck," Stephanie said. The Farrs started out serving chili and hot dogs to their neighbors on Halloween night and set up a "spook alley" in their yard. The spook alley got more elaborate every year and evolved into "Southfork Sanitarium."

"Dan got started with the life-sized monsters," Stephanie said. He became

hooked on Halloween after a trip to a friend's Halloween store. About 15 years ago he joined the Rocky Mountain Haunters group.

“I geek out on Halloween,” Dan said. "I love entertainment and doing stuff that makes people happy.” That same passion inspired Farr to become the founder and producer of FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention. Soon after the convention ends in late September, the Farrs start putting out the monsters.

The family has built up a collection of props that would fit in at any commercial haunted house. Some have been

created by professional monster makers. Dan has acquired a few creatures, including a giant animated demon, from his friend, Dick Van Dyke. The actor enjoys putting up an elaborate Halloween display for trick or treaters at his home in Malibu, California.

Other supernatural scares are homemade. Dan constructed Stephanie's favorite, a glowing ghost on a pulley that appears to hover in the window over the front door. "I don't like gore, I like spooky fun and jump scares," she said. The Farrs' display has attracted attention beyond their neighborhood.

"There have been years that we've been in the news," Dan said. "A lot of people will come in from other areas."

Stephanie explained that this year's haunt might not be quite as over-thetop. "We used to have our sons and their friends help set everything up, but they're grown up now," she said. "We've had to simplify."

Still, monsters will appear once again at 927 E. Southfork Drive this month. "The neighborhood kids love it!" Stephanie said. Dan added, "We just can't stop!" l

Steve and LaDawn Larsen put personal touches on their Halloween display. “Larsen Manor” will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

When their youngest son went to college, the Folkersen family put up a “U” themed vignette with skeletons as part of their Halloween display. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

The cackling of the witch tells visitors that it’s time to go home at the Folkersen family’s Halloween display in Draper. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

In this photo from 2021, a skeletal procession was on display at “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

Double, double, toil and trouble: Murray Haunted Woods spells fun and funds for families

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

For over 50 years, Murray Haunted Woods has been a tradition in the local community, but it's more than just a seasonal attraction. It serves a dual purpose, both as a family-oriented entertainment venue and as a fundraiser for noble causes, primarily focused on the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence.

Originally managed by Murray City until 2010, the Haunted Woods faced potential discontinuation due to budget cuts. However, the Murray Exchange Club and Youth Council stepped in to take over the event. "During the economic turn, the city needed to cut back. When they cut this event, the citizens responded with an adamant ‘No, we need to keep this. It’s tradition and family-oriented,'" Sheri Van Bibber of the Murray Exchange Club said.

The event has always had a charitable edge. "Our Exchange Clubs across the valley all participate. We contribute funds to different groups, past examples include YWCA, Taylorsville Family Center, Midvale Family Center, Boys & Girls Clubs, Victims’ Advocates of SLC and several more," Van Bibber said.

The Murray Haunted Woods has adapted to the changing times, especially in the era of COVID-19. "We almost shut down, but public input encouraged us to continue," Van Bibber said. "We met all health requirements and have since added double the availability. People can buy tickets online or at the gate." The event also complies with all city and county standards to ensure safety and enjoyment for all attendees.

Interactive elements have become an integral part of the event. "We want the wait in line to be just as much fun as the actual tour through the Woods," Van Bibber said. Performances from the West High Drill Team, appearances by the Ghost Busters Team and their iconic car, and multiple interactive activities are designed to keep visitors entertained throughout.

However, creating such an event does not come without challenges. "We spend months preparing, so logistics are always a challenge," Van Bibber said. In addition to dealing with increasing amounts of props that now require rented storage space, the event must adapt to changes in the city's infrastructure. "Last year, the challenge was the pavilion being rebuilt; this year, it was a new addition to the city's warehouse," she said. Despite these hurdles, Van Bibber assured that "everyone has been working together to make it possible."

Being an outdoor event, weather is a significant concern, but the organizers are undeterred. "We have run the woods in wind, rain, snow, hail, 11 degrees; it just adds to the ambiance," Van Bibber said.

She also mentioned the valuable assistance from local police and fire departments in ensuring that the event setup remains secure overnight.

As for the experience itself, the Haunted Woods offers something for every age group. "We start in the daylight with the 'Silly Trails'—the music and characters are fun and entertaining. As the sun goes down, the energy in the woods shifts, and so do the characters," Van Bibber said. A safety feature, a "Safe Code" called “Ghouls Be Gone,” is in place if anyone finds the experience too intense.

Although there have been discussions about extending the traditional three-day schedule, limitations arise. "People have asked us to run all month, at least a week, or even move to the weekend," Van Bibber said. However, due to logistical issues related to volunteer availability, "we have found it best to leave things as they are."

This year's event includes several noted attractions. "The football team playing ball in the woods as scarecrows is always entertaining," Van Bibber said, "and the polo team playing on land along with Madame Leota is new this year."

Regarding the trail designs, Van Bibber said, "We always look at it with fresh eyes every year. There's a 'Light Show' crafted by Jeff Evans and music and design by Andy and Jeleigh Evans from Murray High."

Over the years, there have been many memorable moments in running the event. "One of our first years we had three fog machines, and it was so humid that the whole park filled up with fog. The Fire Department kept getting calls that the park was on fire," Van Bibber said. In another instance, "One year, it was thundering and snowing, and we were all covered with snow. The kids had a riot, and no one wanted to leave."

Volunteers from the Murray Youth Council and the Exchange Clubs are vital. "There’s a lot of leadership involved, and we have amazing kiddos," Van Bibber said. Local businesses like K Real Estate and AAA Restoration play significant roles behind the scenes. "Our Murray businesses are the reason we are still here. We are always open to our business family and look forward to more partnerships in the future.”

The event runs Oct. 23-25 at Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.) on the south side of the outdoor swimming pool in pavilion 5. Visitors can choose the Silly Trail for younger guests from 5:30-7 p.m. or the Scary Trail from 7-9 p.m. for the more adventurous. Tickets are $5. Visit MurrayHauntedWoods.com for tickets and more information. l

Two ghosts dance in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A zombie startles visitors in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A witch greets small visitors on the Silly Trail of the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

We take only 1% of the sales price to list and market the home, while offering a competitive commission to the buyer’s agent. Although we charge a significantly lower commission, we provide the same real estate services as a full-service brokerage. Because our sellers are saving thousands of dollars, they can price their home more aggressively or simply keep more of their hard-earned equity.

DAVID A BRUNET-VERA OWNER/OPERATOR

New house system at Hawthorn Academy boosts unity and engagement

At the beginning of this school year, Hawthorn Academy students and faculty members were sorted into one of eight houses in a new house system.

“It’s all about lifting each other up and building each other up,” Head of Houses Alicia George said. “Each student gets to belong to a different house and so they automatically have a community that they get to be a part of rather than finding their way around and maybe feeling lost for the first little bit if they’re brand new.”

Being a charter school, Hawthorn Academy has students from a wide geographic area, so most students don’t know each other outside of school.

Eighth-grader Emma Hayes said the new system helps students make friends more easily.

“I love the house system because it makes Hawthorn more of a family and it includes students who normally might not have the opportunity to get to connect with other students,” she said.

Emma is the President of Reveur House, the house of dreamers. Each of the eight houses has a color, symbol and trait.

“My favorite part is how each house represents something different,” eighth-grader Krithika Karthikeyan, Student House Pres-

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

ident of Isibindi, said. “Mine is Isibindi, house of courage.”

At weekly house meetings and monthly assemblies, students learn about the house traits of friendship, courage, kindness, unity, success, uplifting, dreamers and givers.

The house sorting was determined by the random spin of a wheel.

“It’s not necessarily the house that fits you the best but it’s the house that you’ll become,” George said.

West Jordan Mayor Dirk Burton and some West Jordan police officers also spun the wheel to be sorted into a Hawthorn House.

“It’s about community involvement, too,” George said. “So we’re trying to really reach out to different members of the community and make them a part of it as well.”

Sixth grade teacher Laura Caldwell said the house system gives students opportunities to meet other students and teachers they would not have met otherwise, and helps students feel included.

“I love how inclusive the program is,” she said. “Our students know they belong here because they are a part of something big.”

It is common for students and teachers to greet each other in the school hallways

with their house gesture or cheer. They also cheer or gesture when they recognize a student or teacher from another house.

Teachers award house points to a student’s house when they demonstrate excep-

tional behaviors and accomplishments in their classes.

“The teachers have been amazing with it,” George said. “Their classrooms are all decked out in their house’s color. They go all out on Fridays and wear, head to toe, their color. They’re really working with the engagement in the classroom.”

In addition to more social connections and more engagement in class, George said the house system has created more unity and school pride, and that there have been fewer discipline issues so far this school year.

“The house system is all about creating a positive and inclusive environment for our students and staff,” George said. “The engagement tools we have implemented bring learning up to a new level. It’s just a fun place to be!”

Each house has a student president and vice president and a faculty leader who focus on creating an inclusive environment for their house members. Student leaders plan Spirit Fridays, house meetings and monthly spirit assemblies, in which students wear their house shirts and sit together as houses to learn about house traits through games and guest speakers.

“They create healthy competition between us and the chance to be great leaders,” Krithika said.

Hawthorn Academy’s West Jordan K-9 campus has eight houses, while the smaller South Jordan K-6 campus has four. The House program Hawthorn Academy is using is adopted from the program developed at Ron Clark Academy in Georgia. Hawthorn Academy teachers have received training there and now student leaders will be going to the academy in Atlanta Oct. 6-8 for leadership training. l

Students spin the wheel to be sorted into one of the eight houses of Hawthorn Academy. (Photo courtesy of Alicia George)

West Jordan Cross Country experiences growth in numbers, performance

In a sport such as cross country, the more people you have on your team, the better shot you have of competing well. Larger teams are more likely to place

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

more runners and thus earn points for the team.

The West Jordan Jaguars made some big strides this season.

The Jaguars were few in numbers a year ago but had more participation this season. Head coach Taylor Hatch is pleased with the progress.

“This year has definitely been a step in the right direction,” he said. “We had a very small team last year, and this year we added a lot more people. On the girls’ side, we only had about five girls last year, and now we have 12. We are back in a region with schools in our area and around our abilities, so we have goals to try and win the region or be top two.”

Moving to Class 5A Region 4 from Class 6A has helped the team be more competitive, as it now faces schools with a similar number of runners. But it hasn’t just been the increase in participants or the classification change. Hatch said many of the runners have worked hard and improved, making the Jaguars a better team top to bottom.

“A lot of kids improved and stepped up this season,” he said. “It has been awesome to see the athletes work together in races. Our boys spread from 1–7 is amazing! And our top five girls are very close together as well.”

Hatch highlighted the efforts of Tyndale Curtis, Thomas Gudgell and Spencer Johns. The trio has consistently finished in the top three on the team. On the girls’ side, Hatch said Olivia Richards, Yllka Curtis and Cristie Bastidas have been the top three for almost every race.

Compared to last season, the Jaguars have been more competitive. There has not been as large of a space between the team and other schools in races. As a result, the team has been more successful when it comes to earning points and placing in the final standings.

“Our strength would have to be how close our athletes are in the races,” Hatch said. “The gaps are very small and that has helped move us up in final placement.”

West Jordan still has a way to go as a program, Hatch said. The team is young, with the bulk of the runners coming from the freshman or sophomore ranks. Some runners on the team have never even participated in cross country before.

“We will keep building and get more experience for next year,” Hatch said.

The Class 5A state cross country championships will be Oct. 24. Regardless of how the team fares at state, Hatch is grateful to coach this group, and he is pleased with the team’s progress.

“I will always remember how enjoyable it was to be around the athletes,” he said. “They had very positive attitudes and worked very hard this season.” l

The West Jordan boys cross country team has been more competitive this season and has worked hard to earn better race times. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Hatch)

With more numbers to its team this season, the West Jordan girls cross country team has put together a solid year. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Hatch)

leave off the field. She, like Torres, wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father. She joined a recreation team at age 6 with her sister and was playing on a competition club team just a year later.

The three players’ journeys have each been different, but they all agree that playing for Copper Hills has been a special experience. The team camaraderie and positive atmosphere is something Beck, Torres and Palafox each note and appreciates.

“The thing I enjoy most about the Copper Hills Team is the love and passion that you can feel from each of the girls,” Beck said. “I can feel the energy before I even see any of the girls before the game. The best part of playing with the grizzlies is that we play hard, and we play our game, and we stay in control, which is the best feeling in the world.”

Torres said the players each help one another perform their best.

“The thing I most enjoy about playing with Copper Hills girls soccer is how supportive and uplifting the girls and the coaches are,” she said. “We all treat each other like a family. We feed off each other’s energy on and off the field. That’s what I like most about this unique High School team.”

As for Palafox, her first year has been an unforgettable one. She loves the work ethic her teammates show and the dedication her coaches have had.

“I enjoy being a part of the grizzlies team because I know every single girl will never stop fighting.” She spoke. “Additionally, I enjoy playing for the Copper hills team because they have an amazing coaching staff.”

Beck, Torres and Palafox each brings something a little different to the team. Beck is a speedy player and uses that talent to drive the Grizzlies’ offensive attack. She also said she has good composure and “brings energy and accountability” to the team. Torres is a competitor. She is also quick and has excellent ball control. She also said she has a good long-range shot and has “a mindset to win. Palafox, who was second on the team in the regular season with 10 goals and topped the Grizzlies with 12 assists, has a positive outlook and reads the game well. She believes she has “good pace and strength.”

The three Copper Hills starters speak highly of one another too, sentiments that exemplify just how close the Grizzlies’ players are. Beck said playing with Torres and Palafox is great because they “bring great technicality and speed to the game.” She also said their talents and skills make playing the game more enjoyable for her.

“The two of them play insanely well together, and they feed off of each other’s energy,” Beck said.

Torres credits much of the team’s accomplishments to Beck and Palafox.

“I like playing with [Beck] because she brings defensive energy that’s contagious,

and she’s always building other people up to be a better player on and off the field,” she said. “I love playing with [Torres] because we have a great attacking mindset together. We have a special bond on and off the field. She understands how to attack. Not only is she a goal scorer, she has great assists.”

Palafox echoes these thoughts.

“I love playing with [Torres] because we have the same way of playing and shaking the chemistry,” she said. “[Beck] has an outstanding positive mind, who will push you to do your best and hardest. All three of us bring a lot of energy to the team, whether it be emotionally or physically.”

It’s no wonder Copper Hills went from second-to-last place in region to second in just one season. For their efforts, the Grizzlies secured the third seed in the Class 6A state tournament and got a first-round bye. Copper Hills faces the winner of Lehi and Bingham at home on Oct. 10. The Grizzlies shut out the Miners 3-0 on Aug. 17.

For Beck the state tournament is her last chance to play with Torres, Palafox and the rest of her Copper Hills teammates. However, she hopes to keep playing at the junior college level after she graduates.

“I can’t imagine not playing soccer after high school, and I intend to be involved in the sport for as long as I can,” she said.

Torres has a goal of playing in college, while Palafox knows she has plenty more time to think about the future of her soccer

career. For now, she is cherishing the chance to play for Copper Hills.

“I have enjoyed being able to be a great contributor to the team, especially as a freshman because I have three more years to look

forward to,” Palafox said. “These girls have not only made me want to work hard for them but also for myself.” l

Camila Palafox (No. 9 in green) takes on a defender. The freshman was one of the top offensive weapons this past season for the Copper Hills girls soccer team. (Photo courtesy of Camila Palafox.)

What’s your legacy?

New 8600 South bridge to alleviate traffic on west side

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

West Jordan residents may have been hearing noise, construction and seeing a lot of dust this year because of the 8600 South bridge project. This is a much needed bridge to accommodate the growth of West Jordan. The new bridge is above Mountain View Corridor on 8600 South to connect 6000 West and 5600 West. The city is trying to make it easier for residents to get around. The bridge will connect neighborhoods and the roads will be throughways instead of side streets and neighborhood roads. The bridge will alleviate traffic that goes through side streets and neighborhoods.

“This will mostly help alleviate the traffic on the west side due to the growth on the west side. With that growth comes new roads,” Public Information Manager for the city Marie Magers said.

This project started in February and is projected to be finished in the fall of 2024. The finish date is contingent and could be pushed back due to weather, supply chain difficulties with equipment and supplies and a myriad of other unforeseen circumstances that may arise with such a large project.

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This is a steel bridge that stretches 312 feet. It is estimated the crews will be moving around 160,000 cubic yards of dirt in and out of the work zone. The bridge will be about 16 feet above Mountain View Corridor. The bridge will be surrounded by an ornamental fence that will be pleasing to look at while traveling.

The bridge will have a sidewalk for bicyclists and pedestrians. The neighborhood that is across the street from Copper Hills High School will be able to use the bridge to get straight to Ron Wood Park. Where the bridge connects is a roundabout that ends in

“It is connecting an entire part of West Jordan that wasn’t connected before to one of the biggest parks in the city,” Magers said.

West Jordan has been aware that the infrastructure needed to be worked on. It has been a matter of getting the funding to make interconnected roads and build bridges. With the growing population in West Jordan, it needs the change that the bridge will bring to the area.

“One of the many things we’re trying to do is better the east to west traffic,” Magers said.

The project has an email and text for residents to sign up on to get updates about the project and find out about any closures or any other information you might want to know. This is a public information email or text message. Go to www.8600southbridge. com. You can call the information hotline at 801-255-6710. l

Ron Wood Park.

Aerial view of construction at the 8600 South bridge project in West Jordan. (Courtesy West Jordan)

Diagram of the bridge being constructed at 8600 South to improve connectivity for residents of West Jordan. (Courtesy West Jordan)

Crews are working hard to complete construction of the bridge at 8600 South. (Courtesy West Jordan)

Bridge construction at 8600 South. (Linda Steele/City Journals)

Gardner Village boasts new seasonal look with ghosts and ghouls

Gardner Village has gone through a frightening makeover for the coming Halloween season.

Overrun with witches, ghosts, devils and vampires, Gardner Village looks very different from its typical decor and theme. With 25 years under their belt for Witchfest, Gardner Village knows what they are doing. Starting the end of September and going through October, there are many seasonal activities for people of all ages. From the classic search-and-find of a variety of witch statues across the Village, to Halloween-themed escape rooms, there are spooky changes across the entirety of Gardner Village.

Not only are the changes for a variety of ages, but also an array of different activities for almost everybody. There are various Halloween-themed shows, spooky dinners and a variety of scavenger hunts all across the Village that draws in crowds of children and adults alike.

One such patron of the haunted Gardner Village was dressed in a red outfit, a mascara dye mask and red horns. “I like the shopping at Gardner Village during the fall,” stated the masked visitor, “but tonight I’m on my way to the devil’s dinner the (Gardner) Village does.”

One of the shop owners in Gardner Village is particularly excited about the seasonal changes. Heather, owner of Boho Chic Boutique, was very knowledgeable about all the happenings around the shopping center. “This is my second Witchfest as a shop owner,” Heather said. She also mentions that she’s particularly impressed with the changes made to The Chocolate Covered Wagon, a candy shop located in the village. “They have, like, 12 or 13 different flavors of caramel apples available.”

By Annabelle Larsen | a.larsen@mycityjournals.com

Her shop also has gone through many changes along with the seasons. Making custom witch hats for customers at her boutique, Heather makes changes to her shop inside and out for Witchfest.

Lastly, Gardner Village now hosts their kid-friendly park on the west side of the complex, which includes a petting zoo, little roller coasters and pony rides. This area is also decorated to match the fall holiday, with skeletons strewn about the play place and pumpkins at every corner.

Across Gardner Village, each shop boasts new spooky decorations, often inside and out. Each shop is responsible for their own decorating, and they all stepped up to the task to really do their part in decorating the whole village for people all across the state to enjoy. l

One of the many witches found in Gardner Village has a cat chasing a rat under her skirts. (Annabelle Larsen/City Journals)

A Bridge that crosses a small stream in Gardner Village is renamed “Witching Bridge” to celebrate the Halloween season. (Annabelle Larsen/City Journals)

Do You Have a Chronic Wound?

If you have a wound that has been open for more than 4 weeks, then something in your body is not allowing that wound to heal properly. Chronic wounds are defined as wounds that fail to proceed through the normal phases of wound healing in an orderly and timely manner. Often, chronic wounds stall in the inflammatory phase of healing.

How do you heal a wound that will not heal?

Debridement (removal of dead tissue) is the most common treatment for stubborn wounds, and involves the removal of unhealthy tissue within a chronic wound to promote the growth of healthy tissue, reduce complications of infection, and speed up the healing process.

Your care team may also suggest the following treatments:

• Antibiotics

• Skin substitute grafts

• Laser Treatments

• X-rays to assess for bone infection

• Scans to ensure proper blood flow is getting to the wound to promote healing

Visit Innovation Medical Group today to get a wound care specialist to help guide your care plan and to get your life back without a chronic wound present. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 801-758-2091. We are located at 4624 Holladay Blvd on the second floor in Suite 201 right above Olympus Family Medicine. We accept all major insurances and look forward to being able to enhance your quality of life.

Untangling the Madness: Why Trimlight is the Ultimate Holiday Hack

The holiday season is fast approaching, bringing with it the timeless tradition of adorning our homes with festive lights. You’re likely familiar with the routine – unearthing boxes of tangled lights, grappling with a ladder that seems determined to defy you, and attempting to transform your residence into a shimmering winter wonderland. It’s all fun and games until you’re knee-deep in a web of extension cords, pondering the choices that brought you here. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a better way – outdoor permanent holiday lights from Trimlight.

they’ve staged a revolt, protesting against your decorating skills. You become a detective, tracking down the rogue bulb that’s sabotaging your holiday dreams. Just when you think you’ve triumphed, a gust of wind turns your carefully placed lights into a chaotic display of brilliance.

And let’s not forget the extension cords. You weave and wind them through your yard like a mad scientist setting up an experiment. And guess what? They have a mind of their own. They tangle, twist, and trip you up in a game of holiday-themed Twister.

The Drama of Hanging Holiday Lights

Picture this: You’re in your front yard, armed with a string of lights that may have been plotting against you in the attic for the past year. You attempt to untangle them, or at least you try. Suddenly, you nd yourself locked in a wrestling match with a stubborn knot that refuses to let go. This is where the adventure begins.

But that’s not all! You embark on a ladder-climbing odyssey, channeling your inner acrobat as you teeter on the edge of catastrophe. The ground seems to disappear into the distance, and you ponder the cosmic signi cance of your holiday decorating decisions. In that moment, the ladder is not just a ladder; it’s a perilous gateway to a realm of festive uncertainty.

Now, the real challenge begins. You plug in your lights, and behold – a quarter of them refuse to illuminate. It’s as if

By now, your ngers are either frozen or numb, and you’re seriously reconsidering the merits of holiday cheer. You might even have a breakdown amidst the holiday lights, swearing to never repeat this ordeal—until next year, of course.

The Brilliant Solution: Trimlight’s Permanent Holiday Lights

Now, imagine this instead: You’re sipping hot cocoa, snug inside your warm home. With the touch of a button or automated schedule, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame. No battles with knots, no precarious ladder ascents, no detective work, and no expeditions in sub-zero temperatures.

Outdoor permanent holiday lights are your comedic relief in this festive chaos. It’s akin to having a team of holiday magic-makers who turn your home into a dazzling masterpiece with a simple press. You can change colors, craft patterns, set schedules, and adjust brightness—all from your cozy couch.

Meanwhile, your neighbors are outside, grappling with their lights and cursing their extension cords. You, on the other hand, get to relax and savor the spectacle. You’ve outwitted the holiday lighting madness, and you’re relishing every moment.

In summary, the holidays should be a time of joy, not a test of your patience and ladder-climbing skills. Trimlight’s outdoor permanent holiday lights are the ultimate holiday hack, sparing you from the chaos and transforming your home into a yearround holiday haven. Embrace the brilliance of permanent holiday lights and leave the comedy to the experts – and maybe even enjoy a chuckle or two as you witness the chaos unfold elsewhere! Happy Almost Holidays!

Trimlight is the industry leader in outdoor permanent holiday & accent lighting and nobody helps more Utah homeowners than Trimlight. To learn more about Trimlight, or to schedule a free estimate visit trimlight.com/saltlake, or call 801-382-8746.

With the touch of a button, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame.

The Truth is Out There

Depending on who you ask, aliens have either 1) frequently visited our planet, 2) never visited our planet, or 3) are currently running our planet.

It’s been quite a year for Unidentified Flying Objects, which are now called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. (Tomayto, tomahto.) These “extraterrestrial” vessels made the news, created a TikTok channel and had their own congressional hearing.

In early 2023, the Air Force started blasting weather balloons out of the sky. Although weather balloons have been used since 1896, it’s only in the last year the balloons became malicious enough to be shot down. It’s definitely American to shoot first and never ask questions.

It reminds me of the 1978 video game Space Invaders, where the goal was to blast UFOs out of the atmosphere before they reached Earth. Whether the current UAPs were peace emissaries from Alpha Centauri or galactic multi-level-marketing sales-aliens, we’ll never know.

Look at it this way. If you launched a celebratory lightspeed rocket on the day Jesus was born, it would still be in the Milky Way Galaxy, even traveling for 2,000 years at the speed of light. So if a flying saucer made its way across its galaxy and our galaxy, it would take hundreds of thousands of light years to reach us, only to be casually shot down by an F-22.

Maybe they were on their way to teach

Peri Kinder

Life and Laughter

us how to travel at lightspeed, how to create a functional Congress or how to evolve so our skin glows in the dark. We’ll never know.

UFO sightings occur all over the world, but the U.S. has the most interaction with aliens. The Roswell crash in 1947 was the first “flying saucer” wreckage that authorities said was a UFO, then it was a weather balloon, then it was Carl’s tractor from down the road and then it was the remnants of an atomic test, which didn’t make anyone feel better.

Air Force pilots share stories of strange objects in the sky, security cameras capture “meteors” and eerie lights, and there was a congressional hearing to talk about what the government isn’t telling us. Spoiler alert: the government keeps a lot of secrets.

Many people are convinced the pyramids were built with alien technology. Some people think UFOs travel the world making intricate designs in crops, kind of like alien graffiti. Others point out the first microchip was created just 10 years after the Roswell crash. Coincidence?

Hmmmm.

Records from Rome (AD 65) and Ireland (AD 740) document chariots flying through the clouds or ships floating in the air, filled with people. Too bad there wasn’t an F-22 to shoot them down.

“War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells was written in the late 1890s. It was one of the first novels that detailed an alien invasion on Earth. People lost their minds when Orson Welles dramatized it on a 1938 radio show.

I’m not saying UFOs are real. I’m not saying they’re not. But sightings have increased, usually in the form of an orb, a disc, a triangle,

a cylinder, an egg, a toaster, a VW Bug or other random shapes.

I’ve been saying for years that Earth is a hit reality show in the universe and little green men (or blue or white or gray) watch the hilarious antics on our dumpster fire of a planet while eating alien popcorn.

It’s pretty egocentric of us to think we’re the only planet with intelligent life. And I use the word “intelligent” lightly. I hope somewhere in the universe there’s a planet where the inhabitants live in peace and work together to create new ideas. I just hope they don’t come here. We’ll shoot them out of the sky.l