During Utah’s unforgiving summers, conserving water is often a major consideration for residents, city officials and even the state.
“Water irrigation and conservation has been a big topic in recent years with the city,” Herriman Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation and Events Anthony Teuscher said.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average American uses 82 gallons of water per day and the average family can waste around 180 gallons a week through leaks alone. That’s potentially 9,400 gallons of water wasted a year per household.
The many hats of the parks department
Though parks personnel are primarily responsible for park maintenance, the department is entrusted with much more. “We do have a broad range of things that we do,” Teuscher said.
Parks personnel are often involved in the construction process of new parks and other projects. During winter months, they also operate and maintain the ice ribbon, including creating ice. As temperatures rise, the ribbon is transformed into a splash pad overseen by parks staff.
The upkeep of playgrounds, green spac-
By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com
es, open spaces and trails naturally falls to the parks department. “With all of that comes a lot of weeding, mowing and trimming… there’s a lot of emptying garbage cans… and cleaning bathrooms and other facilities that we operate,” Teuscher said.
Herriman currently has 49 parks, 18 restrooms, 7.8 million square feet of public grass and 30 miles of trails; the city expects these numbers to keep growing. “We do all the irrigation on that as well, and that’s one thing that keeps us immensely busy throughout the summer,” Teuscher said.
City conservation efforts
An important aspect of maintaining Herriman’s watering systems is monitoring sprinkler heads. The city is divided into six irrigation zones, and within each zone, there are tens of thousands of sprinkler heads and thousands of valves. Making sure that each head and valve is functioning properly is crucial to prevent water loss.
“They’re constantly monitoring, auditing and checking those heads, making sure they’re spraying where they’re supposed to and that we don’t have any geysers or leaks. They’re fixing breaks and leaks… it’s nonstop… during the summer months,” Teuscher
said. Often, sprinkler heads are damaged by bike riders, curious children, or even motorcycles, which are prohibited on grass.
In 2021, Utah’s Gov. Cox declared a drought emergency and issued an executive order mandating water conservation at all state facilities. Herriman responded by continuing its conservation efforts and implementing additional best practices for reducing water usage.
One of these measures was watering no more than three days a week in lightly used areas, such as park strips, versus five days a week in more heavily used areas, such as recreational fields. “It’s okay if [park strips] are a little dry and they’re a little brown during the summer months… we just decided we were going to be okay with that,” Teuscher said. Actively focusing on water conservation
There are approximately 7.8 million square feet of grass maintained by the city. (Courtesy Herriman City)
Streets will take majority of funding for upcoming capital improvements
By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com
Herriman City has approved a new 10year capital improvement plan that includes maintenance and improvements for streets, parks, facilities, stormwater systems and other projects. The city is short an estimated $18 million for all requested projects, which total nearly $282.3 million over the next 10 years.
“Now we have to step back and say, okay what’s realistic, what can we actually do… we’re dealing with all the commitments that have already been made,” City Manager Nathan Cherpeski said, referring to contractual commitments made by the city in previous years.
Herriman anticipates additional projects will be added over the next decade.
As budgets are approved two years at a time, funding for projects beyond fiscal year 2026 is not yet solidified. “The project still isn’t finally approved until the construction contract is awarded following the design and bidding process,” Herriman Communications Manager Jon LaFollette said. “They’re all subject to change until the construction begins.”
The new capital improvement plan will require $72 million in the first two years. Funding will come from tax and fee revenue, grants, bonds and impact fees. To fulfill upcoming financial obligations and make reimbursement payments, the city plans to issue a bond, a common strategy for municipalities.
By state law, developers must pay impact fees so costs do not fall on existing residents, but this source of income is limited.
“Projects or parts of projects related to new growth can be eligible for funding through impact fees. Cities also have limits on what they can charge,” LaFollette said. “In reality, the costs of projects often exceed the revenue generated from impact fees…
The city must carefully prioritize the use of impact fee funds, as with any other funding sources.”
In a category of their own, proposed equipment and vehicle expenditures will pull money from the capital projects equipment fund. Totals for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 are $607,340 and $725,280.
The city will spend the majority of its capital improvement funds on streets. In fiscal year 2025, 6000 W. Road Widening Phase 1 will widen 6000 West from Silver Sky Drive to Herriman Blvd. and is estimated to cost $3.4 million.
Another pricey undertaking in fiscal year 2025, 6400 W. Improvements Phase 3, is budgeted for around $4.7 million and will build 6400 West from Midas Creek to 11800 South, including a bridge.
For fiscal year 2026, 7300 W. Extension Phase 4 is the most expensive endeavor but will be funded by a grant. Costing $7.7 million in total, $200,000 of which is scheduled to be paid in fiscal year 2025, this project will include infrastructure improvements from Main St. to Butterfield Creek and a traffic light at 7300 W. and Main St.
A close second at $7.1 million, 6400 W. Improvements Phase 2 in fiscal year 2026 will extend 6400 West from Herriman Blvd. to Midas Creek.
Other fiscal year 2026 projects of note include a replacement for Fire Station 103, which weighs in at $5.7 million, and a design for a new animal shelter. The design is projected to cost a comparatively humble $92,800. The city shelter is currently housed in a leased facility.
Because of problematic sections, many Herriman residents have requested work on 5600 West, but it is not included in the capital improvement plan. Originally slated to be re-
built in the upcoming fiscal year, the city has since decided to delay work after learning that Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District plans to install a water line in the road.
“We’re certainly aware of the road conditions. But we don’t want to fix the road only to have it ripped up when… Jordan Valley… does their project,” LaFollette said. “We’d rather wait and partner with them, including sharing costs where we can.”
In the interim, city officials explored the possibility of milling the roughest patches of
5600 West by removing surface asphalt to level the road but have opted to leave it as is until Jordan Valley begins work.
“We had a pavement specialist… look at the asphalt… Their recommendation was that… all of the asphalt needs to be replaced…” City Engineer Bryce Terry said. “That asphalt is about 25 years old, and so it is getting to its end of life.” The city expects this approach to save money, anticipating that the road will be completed within the next few years. l
Pioneer Street, or 6000 West, will be widened from Silver Sky Drive to Herriman Blvd. (Elisa Eames/City Journals)
Portrait of a Graduate: Jordan School District identifies the characteristics of the ideal student
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Whenseventh-grader Rykien Evans’ wheelchair got stuck in the grassy terrain during Copper Mountain Middle School’s traditional Running of the Colts, his friend Nate Wegwitz picked him up and carried him. Other students moved the empty wheelchair to the paved path and the friends finished the 1-mile race together.
“At times I walked with him, at times I picked him up—we wanted to finish the race,” Nate said.
Spectators were impressed with the empathy, resilience, responsibility, creativity and collaborative problem solving exhibited by the boys. Nate said sportsmanship, teamwork and having fun are emphasized in PE classes. Rykien said Copper Mountain Middle also incentivizes students to perform and report acts of kindness during an annual Kindness Week.
“The school heavily encourages us to be kind and to include everybody, and they obviously do a good job, because it’s working,” said Rykien, who has many friends.
The exemplary character and abilities these students exhibited are the characteristics Jordan District wants their graduates to have when they venture out into the world. Creative problem solvers, engaged citizens, empathetic communicators, resilient learners, responsible teammates and curious thinkers are the characteristics identified in Jordan School District’s new Portrait of a Graduate and 5-year
strategic plan for preparing students for posthigh school success.
These characteristics were selected based on feedback from students, parents, educators, community members and business and religious leaders.
Education Elements, hired by Jordan District to collect public comments, conducted various focus groups and analyzed data from 20,763 survey responses. Many of the comments were about equitable access to learning opportunities, student and staff wellness, effective communication and the need for collaboration skills.
“Education Elements said we got a lot of really good feedback, and it is overwhelmingly positive,” JSD Administrator of Teaching & Learning Carolyn Gough said. “They said they’ve never seen a district receive this much positive feedback.”
Committees of board members, educators, parents and students used the feedback to develop the Portrait of a Graduate and strategic plan.
“It was really a privilege to be able to take time to think about every single comment that came in and to place it on real people,” JSD Board Member Niki George said. “We got into small groups and talked about different topics, and every group that I was in, I heard personal stories from each of them, and it really helped me to remember the ‘why’ of what we do and
the effort that we make.”
Gough said the board’s decision to create a Portrait of a Graduate document reflects their understanding of the need to align education with current technology and workforce environments.
“Portrait of a Graduate really hearkens to the fact that we’re in the 21st century,” Gough said. “We’ve moved beyond just giving factual information to students and we’re moving more towards the skill-based attributes that students are going to need when they enter into the business world, colleges or a trade.”
Committee member and PTA Region 6 Administrator Jessica Navarro said the document addresses all types of students and options.
“There isn’t one cookie-cutter model of a ‘quality education’ and a 4-year university isn’t the best fit for every student,” she said. “There are resources available to every student to leave JSD feeling prepared for a successful future, where they can contribute to our society. I want students to know that their school is a safe place to explore options and feel like they have access to people that know how to guide them through that process.”
The 5-year strategic plan was based on
the five pillars of high quality instruction, culture of belonging, opportunities for all learners, effective communication and student and staff wellness. It will be the lens the board and school administrators will use to evaluate and make logistical and fiscal decisions, Gough said.
“It provides a great vision, an overarching goal and expectations based on very specific community feedback,” she said. “It helps narrow some of the competing voices, ideologies and curricula—all the things that are out there trying to take principals’ and teachers’ time.”
Administrators and teachers will receive training over the summer to learn to implement systems that help students develop the skills identified in the new documents.
Navarro said seeing the way the community and educators worked together to create the document and plan makes her hopeful for the future of Jordan School District.
“I see this document impacting my childrens’ future by establishing a great foundation where all of the people involved in their education can be aligned on the goals and priorities that we felt were the most important,” she said. l
Salt City Orthodontics
NOW OPEN IN HERRIMAN
At Salt City Orthodontics, we have over 30 years of combined orthodontic experience and are committed to providing patients with excellent care, superior service, and a beautiful smile.
Dr. Ben and Dr. Hillstead use the most advanced technologies to make your orthodontic work faster and more comfortable than ever and work hard to provide the highest level of care for patients.
We accept all Insurances including Medicaid, offer financing, and can find the best payment structure for your needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and see how we can give you the best smile possible. New patients can receive up to $1000 off! Call us today for details at 801-900-4748
Nate Wegwitz gives his friend Rykien Evans a lift during Copper Mountain Middle School’s traditional Running of the Colts. (Photo courtesy Jordan School District.)
Herriman City celebrates 25 years at Towne Days
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Clockwise - Top Left: Parade-goers of all ages wave at Miss Murray and her attendants on June 22 at Fort Herriman Days. Mayor Lorin Palmer called the 25th annual celebration of the city “a good opportunity to link the past to the future.” Top Right: The Texas Roadhouse float was a crowd favorite as water was sprayed and peanuts were thrown from the back of the float to adults and kids alike. Middle Right: A vintage vehicle is one of the first floats to be seen in the parade. Bottom Right: Several floats during the Fort Herriman Day parade sprayed water to cool off residents on a more than 90-degree day on June 22.
Vendors, city royalty and political candidates made up the 92 floats at the Fort Herriman Towne Days 2024 parade on June 22, more than any other year. Middle Left: Herriman City residents chant “Herriman” as the Herriman Drill Team float passes by. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Bottom Left:
Top Left: A dad and his kids slide down the carnival slide at Fort Herriman Towne Days celebration on June 22. Middle Left: Workers at the Fort Herriman Towne Days carnival anxiously await residents and neighbors shortly after opening at 11 a.m. on June 22. Top Right: Fort Herriman Towne Days celebrated 25 years with a week of festivities, including a carnival by Brown’s Amusements and Good4Life farmers market. Middle Right: Balloons, candy and more were handed out by those in the parade to parade-goers, keeping the “small town feel” that Herriman Mayor Lorin Palmer said the city is trying to keep while it grows. Bottom: Carnival rides such as the Family Swings, Carousel and Gondola Wheel were available at the carnival to celebrate the occasion. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
has caused “a culture shift” within the parks department. Employees now work to find underlying problems, such as disease, that may cause brown spots in the grass rather than simply increasing the water.
These and other conservation efforts allowed the city to maintain the same amount of water used in 2018 and 2019 despite increasing green space acreage. In 2022, the parks department cut usage by 18% and by 6% last year—all while increasing green spaces within the city.
“I want to give residents credit, too… Even though Herriman is growing both population-wise and in public [facilities]... watering has actually gone down the last few years…” Teuscher said. “I think people are realizing, ‘hey, we’re really in a water crunch’… we’ve all got to chip in and do our part in order to have a long-term effect on our water supply.”
What you can do now
In another executive order given last year, Cox again mandated water conservation measures, and two months ago, he urged residents to continue conserving.
Though we had a wet winter, conservation is always needed to protect against future dry spells. “Utah is a desert. We are either in drought or preparing for the next one,” the Utah Department of Natural Resources says
on its website.
A Herriman ordinance prohibits residents and HOAs from watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. “Typically, it’s windier… during the daytime… so you’re going to get a lot more drift… and evaporation is higher during that time frame as well,” Teuscher said. Exceptions for the city include system audits and caring for freshly planted seeds or newly laid sod.
Because of its many responsibilities, the parks department asks for help from residents to minimize wasting water. It encourages phone calls about any water-related problems, especially damaged sprinkler heads. Even if residents see a potential issue in an HOA-maintained park, the city will gladly alert the proper individuals.
“We do rely quite a bit on residents. If they see a pattern that’s concerning… report it…,” Teuscher said. “The more information they can get us the better… snap a picture… and send it to us. That helps us out tremendously...”
The Utah Department of Natural Resources offers indoor water conservation tips. It suggests residents reuse cooking water to hydrate plants, fill the sink to wash dishes and produce instead of leaving the faucet on, run dishwashers and washing machines only when full, replace old shower heads and toilets and take quicker showers.
Outdoor conservation tips include directing gutters and rain spouts toward plants,
installing water-wise landscaping, ensuring sprinklers don’t spray cement areas and letting kids play in the water only over areas of your yard that need moisture.
Even small conservation efforts can make a difference, and gallons saved begin to add up quickly. For more information and tips, visit conservewater.utah.gov. l
Herriman offers tips for saving water during the summer. (Courtesy Herriman City)
Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley honored for commitment to patient safety
By Christine McSweeney
Each and every day, our incredible physicians and nurses work relentlessly to uphold our values of excellence, innovation and compassion. Central to this effort is our unyielding commitment to the safety of our patients.
That is why we are honored at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley to receive recognition from The Leapfrog Group with an “A” grade for Hospital Safety in Spring 2024. Leapfrog is a national nonprofit watchdog that assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
Our recognition of an “A” grade at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley belongs to our exceptional physicians and care teams who constantly strive to improve our care and protect patients from preventable harm. We are grateful for the dedication of all our caregivers to the safety of our patients and ensuring they are protected at every stage of their care journey.
“Everyone who works at these Mountain Region hospitals should be proud of this ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It takes complete dedication of everyone at every level, and an ironclad commitment to putting patients first. It is our patients who illuminate not just our common spirit, but our shared mission to improve health, advance social justice, and make known the healing presence of God. We are proud to serve all in our communities, and nothing is more important than the safety of every person who comes through our doors. Together, we will achieve our vision of a healthier future for all.
Care with a mother’s touch.
Natural Birthing Suites
Infant Security
Lactation - Trained Nurses
Level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit
Postpartum Care
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
3580 W. 9000 South | West Jordan, UT 84088 mountain.commonspirit.org
SPONSORED CONTENT
By Christine McSweeney CEO, Holy Cross Hospital Jordan Valley
Eighteen-year-old Chelsah Thomas designed and painted colorful murals at six elementary schools with input and help from administrators and students.
“The reason I wanted to include kids in the process, and do larger projects for the school, is so it’s more than just pretty art on the wall,” she said. “I want kids to have an appreciation for their school, because I feel like when they love where they’re at and they appreciate where they’re at, they want to do better. It makes the school a better place and makes them a better person. And, obviously, the things I’m putting up on the wall are good values, so I’m hoping at least the values will sink in.”
Her first mural was created for Copper Canyon Elementary, where her grandma Patty Bowen is the principal.
“She asked me if there was something that I wanted, and I said, ‘Well, we have started this year with a new theme about kindness, and I would really love something that focuses on kindness, something bright, something colorful,” Bowen said.
Together, they came up with a design of the word ‘kindness’ with various colors and patterns in the letters which student council members helped paint on the gym wall.
“I just hoped it would be a strong reinforcer every day that that is an attribute that we all need to be cultivating,” Bowen said.
Bowen spread the word to her colleagues and Thomas has since completed murals at three other schools in the West/South Jordan area—Oquirrh Elementary, Columbia Elementary and Monte Vista Elementary—and at two schools in Colorado.
“Anything that will make our school look like a more inviting fun place sounds like a great idea to me,” Columbia Elementary Principal Keith Klein said. “We had sterile white walls, and now we’ve got a neat red, white and blue message.”
The mural at Columbia Elementary School is a colorful reminder of the year’s theme “Make a Difference” and encourages students to “be grateful” and to “keep Columbia clean.”
“I had a group of sixth graders help me paint it, and I tried to talk with them a little bit about what that meant,” Thomas said.
Oquirrh Elementary Principal Jennifer Ludlow had Thomas paint the mural in the gym where all students would see it.
“We liked the idea of having a mural that was personal for the school, that goes with our Mountain Man theme, but also emphasizes one of the core values that we are teaching our students,” Ludlow said. “We want kindness to be an integral part of our school culture. When she presented the idea of Kindness Moves Mountains, we knew that was perfect for our school.”
Ludlow said many parents use it as a
Murals with morals are full of ‘value’
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
backdrop when taking pictures of their students at school.
Each project took a lot of time and effort, especially since Thomas normally works in sculpture.
“She came in multiple weekends to make it the way that she wanted it to be,” Klein said. “She put in a ton of time. I just want to express a big thank you to her. It’s just a neat thing that she did and I’m very appreciative.”
Thomas began painting murals in local schools to beef up her portfolio when she was named Herriman High School’s 2023 Visual Arts Sterling Scholar. She continued to paint murals for the next year and a half.
“I’m waiting to go to college until after my [church] mission and I don’t like the idea of a gap year, that made me really sad to think about,” she said. “So I wanted to fill it with stuff that was meaningful and that would help me, not just with portfolios or clout, but just, like, as a person. I just wanted to fill my year with service.”
The mural at Monte Vista Elementary will be her last for a while; Thomas leaves on her mission later this month. l
The mural Chelsah Thomas created at Copper Canyon Elementary School. (Photo courtesy of Chelsah Thomas.)
Top: Students helped Chelsah Thomas create a mural at Columbia Elementary School based on the year’s theme. (Photo courtesy of Chelsah Thomas.)
Bottom: Murals Chelsah Thomas created for two elementary schools. (Photo courtesy of Chelsah Thomas.)
Itineris Early College High School’s class of 2024 earned $7,434,500 in scholarship offers (not including some needs-based scholarships) which was more than $3 million more than any other graduating class in the school’s 20-year history. Of the 105 graduates, 75 received at least one scholarship offer, 49 received at least three, and 23 who received five or more.
IECHS instructor Rabecca Cisneros said the reason colleges and universities are offering IECHS students financial incentives to attend their school is because they are well-prepared, well-rounded students.
“We teach them how to write, they have high ACT scores, and they do a lot in the community as far as service and extracurricular activities,” Cisneros said.
College-bound ninth through twelfth-graders fill their school schedules with concurrent enrollment college courses. Many earn an associates degree or college certificate of completion by the time they graduate high school.
And they don’t stop during the summer. One hundred students are taking concurrent enrollment college courses at IECHS summer school, which is for students who want to get ahead, not for those who are behind.
Students can take college level English,
Summer school students get ahead
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
communications and Psychology classes
A pilot summer accelerated math program, funded by a grant from the Utah State Board of Education’s ULEAD program, is available to incoming freshmen who want to move through math courses more quickly.
“This course not only prevents summer slide, but will allow students to start Secondary Math III as sophomores, thus allowing them to access concurrent enrollment math in the summer between their tenth and eleventh grade year and progress through calculus, should they choose,” IECHS Director of Students Jeff Bossard said.
Incoming sophomore Serentha Murray said the math class moves quickly to fit a semester of work into just 10 weeks.
“We have homework every night, we have quizzes every day in class, and we only have four unit tests,” she said.
Murray plans to become a pediatrician, and is taking summer courses to get a headstart on the 11 years of college that career requires.
“I’m saving about two to three years and quite a lot of money,” she said.
To prepare for a heavy load of college courses, IECHS students are first required to take an Introduction to Higher Education college course.
“Offering this course to ninth and tenth graders provides the students with an understanding of what higher ed is, how to think and learn like a college student, as well as how to read, write, and present like a higher level learner,” Bossard said. “Providing the class over the summer means that these students will be able to access core CE classes in their fall schedules, with the tools and skills necessary for successful college level work.”
Cisneros said the class sets students up for a successful academic career.
“Even if they applied half of what we discuss, they will be much more successful
than a typical high school student,” she said. Pedro Santos said because he is taking the Intro class this summer, he feels more prepared for his college courses this fall.
“This class shows me how professors want to see your work—like, an essay, what should it look like,” he said.
Santos said he has also learned time management skills as he juggles his summer classes and a job. Cisneros said other benefits of summer school are developing social skills and staying productive during the summer months. l
Summer school at Itineris Early College High School is for students who want to get ahead, not for those who are behind. (Photo courtesy of Rabecca Cisneros)
Hometown exchange inspires personal change
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Salt
Lake resident Bre Albertine spent a week in New York City this summer with a group of peers from all over the country as part of the American Exchange Project.
“It was very immersive with all the other students that were there, but also with other cultures, and different parts of New York—I really felt like I got to know the city,” Albertine said.
AEP founder David McCullough III created the domestic exchange program in 2019 as a research project to heal a divided country.
“I think the emotional/social benefits of the program are enormous,” he said. “And then also as a way of breeding a more civil society, I think the program could be a real antidote to polarization.”
After their exchange experiences, students report feeling more optimistic about the future of America and increased faith in their fellow Americans.
“We see them becoming less biased toward people who are different from them or disagree with them,” McCullough said. “We see them more excited about hanging out with people who are different from them.”
This summer, 500 students are participating in one of the 62 all-expense paid AEP exchanges hosted in 54 different towns across the country.
Albertine participated as a recent graduate of Mountain Height Academy, which sent 14 recent graduates on exchange and hosted 12 students for a week in June.
MHA graduate AnaSofia Bravo, who lives in Brigham City, was assigned an exchange to New Mexico. Initially, she was worried because she’d heard it has the highest crime rate in the U.S. but she was excited to experience a cave full of bats and to learn about Native American culture.
Similarly, some exchange participants had concerns about coming to West Jordan, Utah.
Zofia Kosakowski, from the small town of Fairlee, Vermont, said her mom was concerned about the cults and religions she’d heard were in Utah.
“I was like, that’s the whole point of AEP, to go there and see and break all these stereotypes,” she said.
Nathanael Hahn, from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, said Utahns weren’t like what he had expected.
“Most of them seem pretty normal, even the Mormon ones,” Hahn said. “Everyone has been very nice.”
As a political science major, Hahn was interested in getting to know people with different politics, cultures and religions. “It’s important to have an understanding of what matters to people and what they think needs to change in this country,” he said.
Those from small cities were surprised by how condensed the cities were and how
many highways connected them, and those from big cities were surprised by the close proximity to nature.
Amaris Hammiel Carter, who lives in downtown Los Angeles, California, loved staying in the foothills of her host family’s Herriman neighborhood.
“I’m a city girl through and through, but being sent to Utah, it was definitely a really cool experience to see just all the nature, specifically the Jensen’s home was right near the mountains—like they were next door neighbors,” she said.
Carter initially thought the exchange would be a fun way to spend a week of summer but it ended up changing her perspective.
“Seeing how people are in a state that I’m very unfamiliar with, it kind of shifted my thinking about traveling the country that I live in, and maybe to not be as afraid of what I expect I might come across, and more so, just being open to experiencing different things, and just trying to be more of an open-minded person,” she said.
Teresa Akagi, who has been the AEP program coordinator for MHA for two years, said the participants form strong friendships through spending time together and through prompted activities which encourage participants to share personal experiences and beliefs to connect at a deeper level.
She said by the end of the exchange, they don’t want to leave each other.
With input from MHA students, and donations from local businesses, Akagi put together a full itinerary to give exchange students a true Utah experience and met the program’s four category requirements of professional development, service, cultural immersion and community events.
During their one week visit, the exchange students, along with local students,
went hiking, rafting and watched the sunset on the Salt Flats. They toured HAFB’s museum, Union train station, the state capitol, Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolate Factory and a radio station. They went to Lagoon, a REAL soccer game, Olympic Park, saw a show at Hale Centre Theatre, met with Utah politi-
cians, got drinks at Swig, made blankets for an animal shelter and were gifted blankets on a tour of Minky Couture.
MHA and American Fork High School are currently the only Utah schools participating in AEP, but McCullough is working to expand the program in Utah. l
Exchange students pose for a photo shoot on the Salt Flats. (Photo courtesy of Teresa Akagi)
Serving Families Since 1885
LARKIN MORTUARY HONORS FAMILY PIONEER HERITAGE
Larkin Mortuary is one of the most respected funeral homes in the Salt Lake Valley. Its pioneer founder, George William Larkin, arrived in Utah in 1863, having emigrated from Cambridge, England. He started the Larkin tradition of arranging funerals in 1885. Today, with seven generations of history serving Utah families, four mortuaries, cremation facilities and two cemeteries, Larkin Mortuary remains locally family owned and managed.
Larkin’s vertically integrated services also provide a premier floral shop, monument, urn and vault manufacturing facilities, along with beautiful memorial meeting and luncheon facilities. Multilingual staff honor and facilitate important traditions of many cultures.
LOCAL FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
Taking Care of your Family’s Needs every step of the way
Family tradition of perfect ACT scores continues
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
n Herriman High School’s 14 year history, only four students had earned a 36, the top score possible on the ACT exam. However, this year, two more students, Travis Ferrin and Zanna Bruening, were added to that list when they each scored 36.
Only 0.25% of students nationwide who take the ACT earn a 36. The standardized test measures academic mastery in English, mathematics, reading and science and is used to predict students’ ability to succeed in higher education academics.
“Earning a top score on the ACT is a remarkable achievement,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said. “A student’s exceptional score of 36 will provide any college or university with ample evidence of their readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.”
High school students take the ACT at no cost during the second semester of their junior year.
“We encourage everybody to come and take it, just because you never know what you’re going to do at that next step,” Herriman High School Counselor Geoffrey Cox said. “So they can come and take it, get a score on the books.”
Some students get the score they want the first time, but many take it multiple times, trying to improve their score. Ferrin scored his 36 on his first attempt. Bruening took the test twice.
“The first time I got a 35 and so it was so close that I felt like I had to try for 36,” Bruening said.
Cox said there is a reason so few earn a 36.
“You’re not going to get a 36 just by being a good test taker,” Cox said. “You have to know the content and be extremely smart.”
Bruening said taking seven college-level classes in a variety of subjects her junior year helped her prepare to do well on the test.
“Having taken those hard classes was super helpful for me because it made the ACT feel just like another test in those classes,” she said.
She said HHS teachers also provided study sessions and helped with general test-taking skills.
Students can earn a 36 composite score even if they miss a question or two because it is an average of the scores of the four subsections. However, Bruening’s test was flawless; she scored a perfect 36 in every subsection.
Perfect scores run in Bruening’s family—her father and uncle both scored a perfect 36 on their ACTs and her father also earned a perfect score on his LSATs—but she said her aspiration to continue the family legacy was self-imposed.
“I put pressure on myself to get a good score—they never put any pressure on me,” she said. “I think it helped to have people
who had achieved that in the family, because it showed me that it was possible, and they were able to help me prepare all throughout my life—not just right before the ACT—and show me that it was possible.”
Her father Ari Bruening said, “This isn’t something that just happens overnight. It takes hard work throughout your life to put yourself in a position to be able to excel at a test like that.”
He said his daughter holds herself to a very high standard.
“She expects excellence out of herself, and that causes her to do what it takes to be excellent,” he said.
He said the benefit to doing well on standardized tests is that it expands your options. His top ACT score 29 years ago earned him a full tuition scholarship to BYU.
“It gives you the ability to choose what you want to do with your life,” he said. “The doors are opened for elite colleges or scholarships, or whatever it is you want to do with your life.”
Bruening said her top score gives her confidence to pursue her dreams.
“I really want to go to either med school or become a physical therapist, and I think this was really important for me, because it proved to myself that I can handle that,” she said. l
Zanna Bruening celebrates her perfect ACT score, the third perfect score in her family and the fifth 36 composite score in Herriman High School history. (Photo courtesy Ari and Diana Bruening)
Sentinels lose in heartbreaker in girls lacrosse finals
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
As in other sports, lacrosse games can often be decided in the final seconds or by a matter of inches. The littlest things can determine outcomes.
For the Mountain Ridge girls team, a state championship was just a goal away.
The Sentinels lost in the Class 6A state title game to Fremont, falling to the Silverwolves 11-10 on May 23 at Zions Bank Stadium in Sandy. The heartbreaking defeat came after Mountain Ridge had made a furious comeback in the second half after trailing 10-3 at halftime. The second half belonged to the Sentinels, which outscored Fremont 7-1 after the break. But time ran out on the Sentinels, and they couldn’t quite get the equalizer.
In the championship game, several players stepped up to put up big numbers and make critical plays, especially in the second half. Emmery Clark, a senior attacker, tallied four points—two goals and two assists—on the day. Junior attacker Taya Chalk had two goals and one assist. Junior Kimber Hanks and freshman Taylie Anderson both had two goals in the loss, while junior midfielder Olivia Cannon had a goal and assist, as did junior attacker Karlee Farnsworth. Junior defender Brielle Fabert led the team with five caused turnovers. Senior goalkeeper Bailey Sanders made four saves.
The loss was a tough one to take, but it didn’t diminish the team’s effort or its accomplishments during the season.
Mountain Ridge finished the year with a 14-6 record. The Sentinels were two games behind Region 2 champion Riverton in the league standings, finishing second with a mark of 7-3. The Sentinels earned the fourth seed in the 6A tournament and defeated 13th-seeded Westlake at home in the second round by the count of 15-3. Mountain Ridge raced to a commanding 9-0 halftime lead
and was never threatened. Clark and Cannon scored four goals apiece, while Farnsworth scored three times and had an assist. Four other players scored, with Kali Guymon getting two shots into the net.
Mountain Ridge took down region foe Bingham at home in the quarterfinals on May 18, prevailing in a high-scoring 17-11 contest. Clark was fabulous in the win, tallying a head-turning seven goals and registering a pair of assists. Cannon was also brilliant, as she scored four times and assisted on two more goals. Fabert caused five turnovers.
The semifinals featured two Region 2 heavyweights and saw the Sentinels get a satisfying win.
To reach the finals, Mountain Ridge defeated Riverton—a team it had lost to twice during the regular season—by the score of 13-12 in a hard-fought game. Mountain Ridge started fast, getting ahead 8-5 and held on for the victory. The Sentinels had previously lost to the Silverwolves 19-13 and 129. But in this matchup, held May 21 at Westminster College, Cannon scored seven goals to lead all players. Farnsworth added three goals, and Clark scored twice and dished out a game-high five assists. The victory allowed Mountain Ridge to take down the top-seeded team and reach the state championship for the second season in a row.
Unfortunately for the Sentinels, things ended in a similar fashion as they did in 2023 when they lost to Lone Peak 11-10 in the finals.
Still, Mountain Ridge players have no reason to hang their heads. The Sentinels also have a strong core of players coming back in 2025. Clark graduated, but Cannon, Chalk, Fabert, Farnsworth, Hanks, Guymon and Anderson, among others will return to make Mountain Ridge a possible contender next season. l
Mountain Ridge softball advances in state after grueling region season
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
If your softball team is part of Region 2, you know the high-level play is going to prepare you for the postseason.
Just ask the Mountain Ridge Sentinels.
The Sentinels may have taken some lumps in region play this past season, but that didn’t mean the team was a pushover. Mountain Ridge placed 3-7 in league play, finishing in fourth place. But considering who the Sentinels had to face week in and week out, the team performed admirably. Mountain Ridge was 14-11 overall and reached bracket play in the Class 6A state tournament.
Region 2 also featured state champion Riverton, state runner-up Bingham and Herriman, which reached the semifinals.
Mountain Ridge earned the No. 8 seed in the tournament and began by defeating ninth-seeded Westlake 5-0 and 5-1 in the bestof-three series May 16 and 17. The Sentinels then gave Riverton everything it could handle, falling 7-4 on May 21. In the consolation round, Mountain Ridge lost to No. 4 seed Pleasant Grove 7-1 on May 21 to end its season.
Head coach Andre Ashton was happy with the team’s effort in the tournament and throughout the 2024 campaign. He was especially pleased with the girls’ resilience and attitude. Most games presented formidable challenges, and the Sentinels were up for the task.
“I think we had a good season as a whole,” he said. “One thing our team did a really, really good job with was staying together. We have a really tough region and had a really tough schedule, which led to not winning as much as we’d like, but our team stayed together all season long.”
Coming into the season, Ashton and his team knew the region battles would be difficult. Ashton wanted the girls to compete every game and to improve throughout the season. Reflecting on the season, Ashton said he believes the girls met and even surpassed his expectations.
“I think we accomplished our goal, which is to be playing the best as a group by the end of the season,” he said. “At the end of the day, only one team really gets
to be truly happy, and I feel like we put together a product that gave us a chance to win and be competitive.”
Mountain Ridge had a number of standout performers. In particular, Ashton highlighted the play of Brooklyn Van Renselaar, who was voted Second-Team AllState; Adison Brooks, who was voted Second-Team All-State; Sierra Beratto, who was Honorable Mention All-State; and Tatyana Toala, who achieved Honorable Mention All-State recognition.
Van Renselaar had five RBI this season, while Brooks hit two home runs, two triples and seven doubles, all while driving in 29 runs. Beratto hit a home run and hit a triple and seven doubles. Beratto also had 19 RBI. Meanwhile, Toala hit two home runs, six triples and three doubles. Toala also brought in 19 runs this past season. Brooks also did a lot of pitching and had 52 strikeouts
and went 9-6 on the year.
“Those four players were huge for us all season long,” Ashton said.
The Sentinels’ other main pitcher, Sydney Lambert, was 5-4 and struck out 45 batters. She also drove in nine runs from the plate and hit three triples and two home runs.
Region 2 isn’t likely to be any less competitive in 2025. Fortunately for Mountain Ridge, the Sentinels appear to be in good shape next season. The team returns some key players and should have a deep, experienced roster. Ashton believes Mountain Ridge could be a force next year.
“We have really high expectations for next year,” Ashton said. “We only lose two seniors, so we have eight of the 10 players who played significant varsity innings coming back. So, we have high expectations and goals to be competing into the end of the sea -
son next year.”
The offseason will be critical.
During the summer and spring, players will play club ball, while others may participate in other sports. Winter conditioning is an important factor that can help the girls be physically ready for the upcoming season. Ashton wants to see each girl improve in every facet of the game. The players have a lot of work to do, but Ashton is confident in the girls’ abilities and desires to work hard and put forth the necessary effort.
“Every single player in our program needs to come back a more complete and consistent softball player,” he said. “I always believe that the best players are the most consistent ones, or those ones that you know what you’re going to get out of them every time they step on the field. Next year, our team is no longer young and hopeful. We should
have high expectations, and in order to reach those goals every kid in our program needs to come back significantly better. We need them to be better hitters, have better range in the infield and outfield, have more speed and quickness and have more athleticism all around.”
In his five years at the school, Ashton, the program’s only coach in its young history, has amassed a 75-37 record. This includes the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign when the team only played three games. The Sentinels went 25-5 under Ashton in 2021 and advanced all the way to the state championship game, falling in a pair of games to Spanish Fork. The Sentinels were also 19-8 in 2022 before going 15-12 during the 2023 season. l
Head coach Andre Ashton was proud of how his team stayed together this season. (Photo courtesy Andrew Ashton)
Boys volleyball at Mountain Ridge begins with solid season for Sentinels
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Boys volleyball made its debut this past season as a sanctioned sport in Utah. Among the most impressive, accomplished teams in Class 6A was Mountain Ridge.
The Sentinels were one of six teams in Class 6A to eclipse 20 wins on the season. Overall, Mountain Ridge was 22-7, winning more than 70% of its games. The Sentinels were 6-3 in Region 2 play, 2 ½ games in back of Herriman, which took first. With a second place showing in league play, Mountain Ridge was seeded fourth in the Class 6A state tournament, which began May 14. The Sentinels secured a bye in the first round and went to work in round two, held May 16 at Utah Valley University.
Mountain Ridge got off to the start it wanted.
The Sentinels defeated 13th-seeded American Fork three games to one in a closely contested, hard-fought contest. The match went back and forth, with the sets going as follows: 23-25, 29-27, 30-28, 28-26. There was little rest for the Sentinels, which then moved to the quarterfinals to face Region 3’s Lone Peak, the fifth seed in the tournament. Mountain Ridge lost 25-18, 15-25, 25-23, 25-22.
But the Sentinels stayed alive. In the double-elimination tournament, Mountain Ridge went to the consolation bracket where it continued its season in impressive fashion. Mountain Ridge had to face top-seeded Herriman, which itself had suffered a quarterfinals upset loss. Mountain Ridge had split the regular-season series with Herriman, winning once and losing the other time. But in the playoffs, when it mattered most, Mountain Ridge prevailed in a two-set win, 25-22, 25-22.
This big victory sent the Sentinels to the fifth-seventh matchup against another familiar foe: Bingham. In two previous meetings, Mountain Ridge hadn’t had much trouble with the Miners, winning 3-0 both times. Things were different in the battle for fifth place in 6A.
The Sentinels fell in three sets despite winning the first 27-25. But Bingham got the better of the Sentinels 25-23 in set two and 25-17 in the third and deciding set.
Mountain Ridge made a big impact in the inaugural season of boys volleyball. Head coach David Johnston lost some key players from the squad but will welcome back some talent and experience in 2025. l
Herriman softball finishes season strong with playoff run
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Playing in the most competitive, deepest region in the state, the Herriman softball team was well-equipped to win some games in the Class 6A state tournament.
The Mustangs proved this and more by reaching the 6A state semifinals, narrowly missing a chance to play for a state title. Herriman fell to Region 2 rival Bingham 10-6 on May 22, ending their season with an overall record of 23-6.
A young team, Herriman had different players step up in the tournament, as the second-seeded Mustangs defeated Corner Canyon in a pair of games in the super regionals. Both games ended in blowout 15-0 victories. Four different players hit home runs in the win, as Herriman defeated the Chargers for the fourth time this season. The victory sent the Mustangs to double-elimination bracket play. There, Herriman lost to Fremont but responded with a win over Lehi (9-5). Then, in a rematch, Herriman took care of Fremont 5-4 on May 22. Head coach Heidi McKissick had a glowing review of her team’s effort in the playoffs.
“The team performed admirably at the state tournament,” McKissick said. “Despite the absence of a senior player, many of our girls stepped up to fill the gap and contribute to the team’s success. It was impressive to see different players rise to the occasion, showcasing their skills and determination.”
The loss to Fremont in bracket play was a setback, though the team fought to stay alive in the one-loss bracket. Still, the early defeat put the pressure on the Mustangs to win a lot of games in a short span.
“To advance further in the state tournament, winning the first game against Fremont was crucial,” McKissick said. “The current bracket system poses a significant challenge: if a team loses on the second day, they must win three games to reach the finals. This requirement is nearly unattainable, as evidenced by our experience where it took seven hours to complete two games, with an additional two and a half hours needed for a potential third game. This scheduling disparity is particularly evident when compared to the boys baseball schedule, which does not require such an intensive play schedule in one day.”
Herriman’s revenge victory over Fremont saw the team get up 3-0 after one inning. Herriman was up 4-1 heading into the third, but Fremont tied things up with three runs. Facing the prospect of going to an eighth inning, the Mustangs scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. McKenzie Quintero hit a home run and drove in a run.
McKissick couldn’t say enough about the play of Quintero. But she was hardly the only Mustang to stand out. Teammates Sofia Lancaster and Ayvree Egelund “excelled with their batting, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive power,” McKissick
said. The 11th-year coach also praised freshman Ashlyn Beratto, Sierra Prescott, Keira Rodriguez and Sammy Nelson.
“[Beratto] consistently pitched well throughout the season and carried the team,” she said. “Despite recovering from a broken foot, [Prescott] delivered a strong performance. [Rodriguez] and [Nelson] had an outstanding defensive season, making crucial plays.”
In its final game, Herriman gave its all against Bingham, a team it had split the regular-season series with and tied for second in Region 2 with a 7-3 mark. In the semifinals, the teams were tied at 3-3 after one inning. Herriman scored twice in the third to go ahead 5-3. But it was all Bingham from there, as the Miners outscored the Mustangs 7-1 the rest of the way. In a losing effort, Quintero was fantastic, hitting a pair of home runs and recording three RBI. Tanzie Smith hit a double and drove in a run.
Earlier in the tournament, Egelund also hit home runs in consecutive games. McKissick pointed out these players’ home runs as being highlights of the tournament.
“These provided thrilling moments for the team and spectators,” she said.
Though the Mustangs didn’t quite reach the top by winning a state title, McKissick was pleased with her players’ hard work. She said the girls focused all season to get better and overcame a lot of adversity to put together a successful, memorable season.
“What stands out most about this season is how the team continually improved with each game,” she said. “The players fought
hard and demonstrated remarkable resilience and teamwork.”
Keep a close eye on the Mustangs next season. Herriman brings back a lot of firepower and experience, making it a favorite to win the state crown.
Herriman will only lose one starter from the 2024 squad, so McKissick is confident in the girls’ chances. There’s no reason to believe the Mustangs won’t once again be a force in the 6A ranks.
“With almost the entire squad returning, Herriman is poised to be a strong contender for the 2025 state championship,” she said. “Although Tanzie Smith will be graduating
early, the team will benefit from multiple pitchers and strong batting capabilities.”
Of course, just because the Mustangs had a good season in 2024 and bring back virtually the entire roster, success won’t come automatically. McKissick knows the girls will have to commit to improving and developing their game. The next few months will be critical as the Mustangs prepare to build off this past season.
“The girls need to continually work on improving their skills and maintain confidence in their abilities and know they are capable of achieving great things,” she said. l
The Herriman softball team finished the season with a 23-6 record and was just one victory away from playing for the state title. (Photo courtesy Heidi McKissick)
McKenzie Quintero fakes a bunt before eventually belting a home run to right field. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
Mountain Ridge baseball follows strong regular season with deep playoff run
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
During the regular season, the Mountain Ridge baseball team came up just short of winning a region title. The same thing happened during the Class 6A state tournament.
The Sentinels put together a successful season, even if a championship eluded them.
Mountain Ridge went 23-9 on the year. No one in 6A earned more wins than the Sentinels this past season, and only four teams in the entire state amassed more victories. Mountain Ridge was a game behind Riverton in the Region 2 standings, as the Sentinels went 11-4 in league play. During the regular season, Mountain Ridge defeated Riverton twice in three matchups.
The state tournament was filled with surprise, as a No. 5 seed (Lehi) defeated a No. 10 seed (Corner Canyon) for the title. Mountain Ridge was just one win away from reaching the finals.
The Sentinels got to the semifinals and upended fellow region foe Corner Canyon 3-1 on May 22. It was the fourth in as many tries for Mountain Ridge over Corner Canyon, as it had defeated the Chargers in all three regular-season matchups. In the playoff win, Mountain Ridge had eight hits and allowed just two, with pitcher Dylan Singleton striking out four batters. Edwards also hit a double and a triple. However, the win in the tournament was the first loss in the postseason for the Chargers in the double-elimination tournament, so a second game between the two rivals took place May 23.
Unfortunately for the Sentinels, they couldn’t make it five in a row over Corner Canyon.
Corner Canyon scored seven runs in the opening inning, and the Sentinels couldn’t recover. Still, the Sentinels made a furious rally in the bottom of the seventh after Corner Canyon had built a 10-4 advantage. Mountain Ridge scored four runs and got close to making the comeback. Ultimately, it fell short, leaving the Sentinels with a season-ending 10-8 loss. Mountain Ridge had 10 hits but gave up 13 and committed five errors. Leo Bacciocco hit a triple and drove in two runs. Ethan Iacono and Juan Gonzalez each hit doubles. Remington Edwards had two RBI.
The tough loss was a difficult one to take, but it didn’t diminish the team’s accomplishments.
Mountain Ridge opened the tournament with a pair of wins in the super regionals over Region 3’s Lone Peak. Win No. 1 came May 16 by the count of 2-1. In the hard-fought victory, the Sentinels got a big day from Iacono, who hit a home run. Edwards and Bacciocco each hit doubles. The following day, Mountain Ridge had a lot more breathing room, blowing out Lone Peak 11-1. The Sentinels outhit the Knights
14-4. Seven of Mountain Ridge’s runs came in the sixth inning. Pitcher Anderson Decker was fantastic, striking out 10 batters. Meanwhile, Stockton Fowlks impressed with two home runs, a double and three RBI. Edwards hit a home run and brought in three runs. Juan Gonzalez and Bacciocco hit doubles.
A setback on May 20 put the Sentinels up against the ropes.
Mountain Ridge fell to Region 1 foe Fremont, the sixth seed in the tournament, 8-4. Mountain Ridge got behind 6-2 after three innings and couldn’t catch up. Luke Nelson, Austin Ellis and Bacciocco each hit doubles. Gonzalez had two RBI.
Mountain Ridge stayed alive and advanced by defeating Davis on May 21 by the count of 6-5. The Sentinels got off to a good start by scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. However, Davis kept things close with three runs of its own. It was a back-and-forth battle after that, but the Sentinels held on. Fowlks and Cooper Goff each had two RBI.
To advance to the semifinals, Mountain Ridge got revenge on Fremont on May 22.
In a loser-goes-home matchup, the Sentinels prevailed with their season on the line by the score of 10-0. They outhit the Silverwolves 8-4 and committed no errors. The game was close through the top of the fifth inning, with Mountain Ridge up just 2-0. But in the bottom of the fifth, the Sentinels had six runs to put the contest away. Deck-
er was the winning pitcher, striking out nine batters in the process. Ellis had two RBI, and Fowlks hit a double and drove in a run.
That victory got the Sentinels to their matchup with Corner Canyon.
The Sentinels have reason for optimism in 2025. Several key players will come back, making Mountain Ridge an early contender in the race for state supremacy. Head coach Brock Whitney, who has a 71-48 mark in his five years with the school, will welcome back productive players and leaders such as Fowlks, Bacciocco, Iacono and Goff. Of course, Mountain Ridge lost some talent, too, with Ellis, Edwards, Decker and Gonzalez, among others, graduating. Still, the Sentinels only lost seven seniors from the 2024 squad.
As usual, Region 2 should be tough again next season, with fellow league foes Riverton, Corner Canyon and Bingham always posing formidable tasks.
The 2024 squad went down as one of the most explosive in the state, with the Sentinels scoring 264 on the season, the most in Class 6A and eighth-most in the state this past spring. The team had 13 games this season in which it had at least 10 runs as well as 18 games with at least eight runs. The pitching and fielding were no slouch either. Mountain Ridge allowed 134 runs in 32 games, an average of just 4.2 an outing. l
Are you a business leader?
At no cost, the ElevateHERTM Challenge is easy to accept and will benefit your company. Join businesses across Utah in our mission to elevate the stature of women’s leadership. Take the ElevateHERTM Challenge and stand with other businesses as we pledge to elevate women in senior leadership positions, in boardrooms, on management teams and on politcal ballots.
www.wliut.com/elevateher-challenge
No one in 6A earned more wins than the Sentinels this past season, and only four teams in the entire state amassed more victories. (City Journals)
City Journals’ Julie Slama awarded esteemed Josephine Zimmerman award for inclusivity journalism
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
During the 2024 Utah Chapter of the Society Professional Journalists awards ceremony on Thursday at the University of Utah, journalists from across the state were honored for exceptional journalism.
Among the finalists were six City Journals’ writers, one of which received the esteemed Josephine Zimmerman Pioneer in Journalism Award.
Education writer Julie Slama received the Josephine Zimmerman Pioneer Award for her inclusivity coverage of community members with special needs over the course of several years.
The Josephine Zimmerman Award is presented by the SPJ to journalists who have broken ground in journalism for a particular group or in a particular area. It’s named after longtime government reporter Josephine Zimmerman, who received the award in 2006 and retired from the Provo Daily Herald at age 80, per her obituary in the Deseret News.
Like Zimmerman, Slama’s advocacy for those in the community has been impactful and her writing has inspired mainstream media coverage.
“Thank you to SPJ for this award and for considering community news as a recipient for this award, because often community news is overlooked,” Slama said at the event when she received the award.
Slama called community reporting “the heart of journalism.”
“It's more than just ink on paper,” she said. “It's a labor of love crafted by dedicated journalists who are passionate about telling our community stories. It's a platform for bringing people together to share opinions, discuss local issues and build a sense of community through resident stories and their accomplishments.”
Slama has written for the City Journals for nearly 20 years. But for the past five years, she’s written at least 125 articles on
the topic of inclusivity for those with special needs, 30 of which were written in 2023 and submitted for the Josephine Zimmerman Pioneer in Journalism Award.
Editor of the City Journals Travis Barton said Slama is “working from the frontlines breaking ground on those who have fought to advance science, improve understanding and provide opportunities for those with special needs.”
“Whether it’s covering the growth of unified sports in high schools or young adults trying to raise awareness and comprehension for those with special needs, Ms. Slama covered the special needs community from every angle she could,” Barton wrote in his nomination of Slama.
In addition to her coverage of unified sports in Utah high
Top 5 splash pads in Salt Lake County
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Splash pads are a summertime staple with water jets, sprays and fountains helping kids of all ages beat the heat. As cities look to create sustainable, family-friendly activities, splash pads continue to grow in popularity, transforming public spaces into vibrant interactive centers.
While Salt Lake County has many splash pads, these five parks stand out for creativity and size.
Wardle Fields Regional Park, 14148 S. 2700 West, Bluffdale
With myriad water features, Wardle Fields splash pad is perfect for warm summer days. A wading river runs through most of the area and the waterfall offers a cool spot from the heat. Sprayers, misters, fountains and shallow pools provide playful options. Bring shade tents to create a sun-free zone. Water at the splash pad is filtered to water the adjacent park. Open Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day.
Magna Regional Park, 4042 S. 7200 West, Magna
This award-winning 62-acre park in Magna features an inclusive splash pad for people of all ages and abilities. The waterfalls are a popular attraction, as are the misting vents, musical toys and large rocks that spray water. The splash pad covers a wide area and features
unique fountains for all-day play. Open Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day.
Heritage Splash Pad, 10828 S. Redwood Road, South Jordan
Incorporating 17 different water spray features, the splash pad at Heritage Park turns 1-year-old this year. Highlighted by an old-fashioned water tower, a wading creek, small waterfalls and numerous interactive spaces, including a shaded area for small children, the splash pad is a destination spot for families this summer. The park utilizes a recirculation system to reduce water consumption. Open Monday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sandy Splash Pad at Amphitheater Park, 1245 E. 9400 South, Sandy
Featuring seven unique waterfalls, the Sandy City splash pad offers an interactive water experience for families seeking relief from the summer heat. Water from the falls flows through the splash pad area to create a fast-moving, shallow river, while sprayers, fountains and misters add fun elements for kids and parents alike. With large grassy areas, ample shade and beautiful views of the Wasatch Mountains, this splash pad is a great place to spend a day. Open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Smith Fields Splash Pad, 150 E. 13400 South, Draper
schools, she’s written riveting stories on a prom organized to further inclusion of those with special needs, a sophomore with Asperger's syndrome asking legislators to sign a pro-inclusion pledge, and a junior with spina bifida creating art to spark inclusion.
In one particular article Slama wrote about Copper Hills’ celebration of a national banner honoring inclusion in basketball, she quoted Utah First Lady Abby Cox.
“You are making sure that everybody has a place of love and belonging,” Cox told students at the event. “You are starting an inclusion revolution. Everyone needs a friend and you’re making sure that we’re creating those friendships.”
Slama’s writing has made her a part of that “inclusion revolution” and led to her recognition at the SPJ awards ceremony.
At the ceremony, she gave the credit for her success to all those that were the true “heroes” behind the award.
“I'm deeply grateful to those unified students and their families, they've opened their hearts and they trusted me to tell their stories,” Slama said. “I've watched many of them excel, and they're truly the heroes behind this award.”
She was also recognized for six other awards that night, alongside six fellow writers of the City Journals including Peri Kinder who won first and second in the humor and lifestyle column category, Ella Joy Olsen who won first place in the environmental category, Genevieve Vahl who won an honorable mention for solutions journalism and third for arts and entertainment, Jet Burnham who won third in the Division B series, and Collette Hayes who placed second in the military category.
A total of 15 awards were won by journalists of the City Journals. l
Using an interactive river, spray nozzles and fountains, the Smith Fields Splash Pad provides hours of water fun in a shady venue. A “water weave” design cascades water down the steps at the park with arching, vertical and bubbling sprays to keep everything cool. Dumping buckets, spray cannons and spin soakers create
fun opportunities for water play while shade sails provide relief from the sun. The splash pad is operated with limited hours, to reduce water usage. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Aug. 31. l
City Journals’ writers (from left to right) Ella Joy Olsen, Collette Hayes and Julie Slama were honored at the 2024 Society of Professional Journalists Utah Chapter Award Ceremony on June 27.
(Courtesy Elizabeth Sweat)
Several splash pads in the county offer fun, wet, cool summer relief. (Stock photo)
Young spellers showcase talent at national spelling bee
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
In March, Sophia Montana and Brooke Powell tied for first place at the Greater Northern Utah Spelling Bee, earning a trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. at the end of May. At the national spelling bee, they tied again, this time for 60th.
Brooke, 13, said being at the national event was one of the best experiences of her life. The Fruit Heights resident, who is homeschooled, made it to the quarterfinals before missing the word “aligreek,” a word considered obsolete by the Oxford Dictionary which states the only known use of the word is in 1867.
“It was really fun meeting all the different spellers and all the different people who helped with the national spelling bee,” Brooke said. “It was a really fun experience in that, if you ever go, make sure you do all the activities.”
The Scripps National Spelling Bee hosted 245 contestants this year, ranging in age from 8 to 15. It also hosted a Bee Week for spellers and their families that included tours of the nation’s capital, educational workshops and special events.
Sophia, 12, represented South Jordan’s Daybreak Elementary at the national spelling bee. She enjoyed the trolley tours
Britannica, Merriam-Webster.
Bruhat Soma, a 12-year-old from Florida, won the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee, after competing in the second-ever spell-off to win the title. Sophia and Brooke were two of four Utah students who represented the state at the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee. For more information about the national bee, or a list of contestants, visit SpellingBee.com.
The City Journals has sponsored the regional spelling bee since 2014 and pays for the trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and one parent. Planet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry in West Valley sponsored a second speller this year.
through Washington, D.C. and spending time with her cousin. Sophia went through three rounds at the event before getting tripped up on “inspeximus,” a Latin word that translates
to “We have inspected.”
“I just missed it by one letter,” Sophia said. “Overall, the experience was pretty good, and it was something new that I haven’t done before. It was just nice being there. I was pretty nervous because I thought, wow, I’m here on the stage, and this is actually happening. But when I was at the microphone, I didn’t feel too nervous.”
Each participant at the national event was given a prize package that included souvenirs, an official certificate of participation and a one-year subscription to Encyclopedia
Sophia will try next year if her school takes part in the regional spelling bee competition but Brooke hasn’t decided yet if she’s ready for that experience again. They both said that anyone who wants to make it to the national event next year should study, memorize the words and word origins but also make sure to take time to relax and have fun.
“You have to study as much as you can. But don’t study so much you get burned out,” Sophia said. “Just keep learning and keep practicing. Maybe watch some movies about the bee for inspiration.” l
Sophia Montana poses with Scripps National Spelling Bee pronouncer Jacques Baily at the event in Washington, D.C. Sophia was a co-winner of the Greater Northern Utah Spelling Bee.
Courtesy of Montana
Fruit Heights resident Brooke Powell competed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. at the end of May. Brooke was a co-winner of the Greater Northern Utah Spelling Bee. Courtesy of Julie Powell
Salt Lake Men’s Choir commemorates its 40th anniversary with summer concert
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
For
40 years, the Salt Lake Men’s Choir has provided an inclusive community for singers of all backgrounds to come together with their love of music. To celebrate four decades of musical excellence, the choir held a summer concert at Murray High School in June that featured its favorite songs from stage and screen.
Dennis McCracken has served as the choir’s artistic director for 18 years. He conducted the performance that had the audience cheering, laughing and emotionally connecting with songs that included “Pure Imagination” from “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory,” “For Good” from “Wicked” and “Make Them Hear You” from “Ragtime.”
“Over the years the men’s choir has done about every genre of music available and we always come back to ones that we love to sing, and that is Broadway show tunes,” McCracken said.
Several soloists performed during the event including Darrell Peterson, Buck Patton-Hedger, David Haslam, Berry Payne and Conor Reese. The “Circle of Life” rendition, from “The Lion King,” featured flutist Jarod Smith and drummers Allen Anderson, Rhys Davidson and Brad Meehan.
The choir celebrated Pride Month with “The Rainbow Connection” from “The Muppet Movie” and incorporated lighter numbers like “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady” from “At the Circus” and “Sing!” from “A Chorus Line.”
Davidson has performed with the choir for six years. The West Valley resident said being part of the organization allows him to be around like-minded people who love music.
“We like to sing, and I get to see all of my friends each week,” Davidson said. “I tell people all the time, if you like to
sing show tunes or acapella, our concerts are super fun. It’s just a good time.”
The Salt Lake Men’s Choir’s reputation is one of welcoming acceptance. Many of the members identify as gay or bisexual and the choir is a safe place that offers support, social connection and encouragement.
“It’s a big family. So it’s more than just getting together and singing, they really take care of each other and love each other,” McCracken said. “The mission of the choir is to be inclusive, take our music everywhere and let people see what a great bunch of people we are.”
More than 70 choir members participated in the summer concert that featured 18 songs and a medley of showstoppers. The audience was filled with supportive family and friends, cheering everyone on.
Reese, originally from South Dakota, now lives in Salt Lake and is enjoying his first season with the choir.
“I’ve been singing since I was in grade school but there was a big gap after college and I realized I had more time on my hands and there was something in my life that was missing,” he said. “I got with the choir and it’s been great.”
Anyone interested in joining the choir can attend rehearsals on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church (777 S. 1300 East). For more information, visit SaltLakeMensChoir.org
“Everybody has different backgrounds, different voices, but we all come together and make it work,” said choir member Mitchell Eddards. “We have people that come from all over the state. It’s a lot of fun to put together. And a lot of work.”l
Darrell Peterson prepares for his solo in “God Help the Outcasts” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” during the Salt Lake Men’s Choir summer concert. (City Journals)
More than 70 singers performed in the Salt Lake Men’s Choir's 40th anniversary performance at Murray High School in June. (City Journals)
With exit doors blowing off, landing gear falling on neighborhoods, wings ripping apart and engine covers shooting into the skies, you’d think airlines would be handing out free puppies and hundred-dollar bills, trying to convince people to support air travel. You’d be wrong.
Instead of lowering ticket prices (in your dreams), dropping baggage fees (you’re bonkers) or making flights more comfortable (ROFL), airlines double down on lazy, expensive service.
Even when Southwest Airlines (whose motto is “Sit Down and Shut Up”) was fined $140 million for leaving thousands of holiday passengers stranded, the industry knows we will travel. And we’ll pay any price.
If airlines have open seats, and the flight takes off in a week, instead of offering reduced prices, ticket costs rise. Once, after we purchased airline tickets, we got an alert that prices had jumped $1,000 per ticket. That’s bananas!
Recently, my husband and I flew Hawaiian Airlines for the first time. With its slogan, “Well, you could just drive to Honolulu,” we didn’t expect great service, and we weren’t disappointed.
We settled into our six-hour flight with its panic-inducing, claustrophobic seating, only to find movie screens weren’t provided.
Peri Kinder
Life and Laughter
Fight or Flight
However, we could download the airline’s app to watch movies on our phones, as long as it was downloaded an hour before boarding. So, as soon as time travel is invented, I can go back, download the app and have access to movies for our flight.
We left early in the morning and breakfast sandwiches were offered to passengers with normal digestive systems. If your body treats gluten like poison, you get to starve or purchase a box of gluten-free crackers and hummus. I’ve learned to pack snacks because, like the United Airlines motto states, “Suck it up. We’re not your mom.”
As we flew through the skies, we played games like, “Is it turbulence or did we just lose the landing gear?” and “Annoy Fellow Passengers.” I think I won that when I reclined my seat from 90 degrees to 95 degrees. The woman behind me sighed like a passive-aggressive parent who was not mad, just extremely disappointed.
On the way home from the Big Island
of Hawaii, we ended up running through the Honolulu airport because our connecting flight was late. We dashed to our terminal, which is not the best way to end a vacation, especially after eating your weight in kalua pork and fish tacos.
Net profits for the airline industry are set to hit more than $30 billion this year. Even Boeing (“Safety is Our 15th Priority”) knows it can install faulty parts, disregard safety inspections and hunt down whistleblowers because people will always want to fly.
Boeing stock is dropping faster than its Max 737s but the company doesn’t seem concerned. Even when people bounce off the ceilings due to cockpit issues or have to make an emergency landing in Denver be-
cause a passenger is stuck in the bathroom, Boeing knows people will fork over handfuls of cash to travel.
Passengers expect delays, cancellations and lackadaisical assistance. Any other industry would hire a fancy PR team to encourage people to use its services but the airline industry doesn’t give a flying fig about its image.
Even with its rock-bottom reputation, the airline industry has us over a barrel. With wheels ricocheting off the runway, engines catching fire and toilet waste flooding the cabin, passengers continue to pay increasing costs for the “luxury” of travel. And, like the Delta slogan states, “We Really Don’t Care.”
