Midvale Journal | April 2024

CELEBRATING A LIFELONG COMMITMENT: TRIBUTES TO CANYONS SCHOOL BOARD VP

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Five years ago this month, Canyons Board of Education member Mont Millerberg jumped onto an excavator.

He was wearing a gray suit and tie and dress shoes that slid a bit in the muddy ground on what had recently been a grassy field at Midvalley Elementary.

Music was blaring as the announcer asked, “Are we ready for a countdown to move some dirt on this brand new home of the Junior Huskies?”

Before the countdown expired, Millerberg had already figured out how to move the scoop to grab dirt for the first ceremonial dig of the new Midvalley Elementary. When the countdown quickened, he pivoted the steel arm to the right. Then, after the crowd finished 3, 2, 1, he swung it back to drop the dirt in the same spot. He got a second scoop and received applause from one of the largest crowds in recent history to watch a groundbreaking.

“Right before the groundbreaking started, he leaned over and showed me the keys and said, ‘I’ve arranged for you to be able to use the excavator to dig dirt; it’s going to be so much fun,’” former Midvalley Principal Tamra Baker said. “I told him, ‘There’s no way for me to do that without having tried.’ He had a twinkle in his eye, and I could see the 10-year-old boy awaken in him. He hopped right up there, didn’t give it a second thought that he hadn’t done it before, and shoveled some dirt. The kids thought it was great. I laughed the whole time. I admired him very much. He was fun; always quick with a joke. He was a faithful public servant who knew what needed to be done and was willing to sacrifice a tremendous amount of time to make

Without a second thought, Canyons Board of Education member Mont Millerberg jumped into the excavator to “move some dirt” at the groundbreaking of Midvalley Elementary in April 2019. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Executives offer advice on doing international business at Women’s Day conference

Suzanne Wilson described the experience as “shattering, honestly.”

Earlier in her career, Wilson, now the chief marketing officer at The Seer Group, was in Japan, prepared to “run and visit customers.” However, as a woman, she had to wait in her car.

Speaking as part of a panel of international business executives during the Women in International Business Conference presented by the World Trade Association of Utah, Wilson acknowledged that international marketplaces now have better environments for women. But she and other panelists stressed that knowing the details about markets is vital to having success there.

Wilson said part of that approach involves checking your own assumptions and biases.

“Sometimes, we just think, ‘Hey, I have this company role, this is my title, this is how it’s going to play out,’” she said at the event, part of the International Women’s Day celebration. “Each culture that I’ve experienced, there are nuances.…You can’t just say, ‘Oh, I have to be nice and quiet and that’s going to work.’ Absolutely not. Working for a French-headquartered company, ‘nice and quiet’ is the opposite of what you’re supposed to do, for example, and that was a fun and enriching experience for me to be involved in. So, yeah, it’s getting down to understanding where you are, who you’re working with, and what’s appropriate.”

Venita Ross, program manager at the Global Business Center at The Mill Entrepreneurship Center, emphasized that companies can avoid needless “stumbling blocks” by gaining knowledge about markets, their culture and their expectations before entering those markets.

“Some of the challenges we see is that sometimes they will just figure, ‘Oh, we can do it’ and they jump right into it without really knowing all the things behind the scenes that they have to know before they go into that market,” Ross said, adding that her center can educate people about cultures, shipping, financing, marketing and branding and other considerations.

Ross and other panelists also stressed the need to have local contacts in those international markets because they are more experienced and knowledgeable about market intricacies. She also said some markets require soft skills and a familiarity with how to negotiate or network. U.S. executives also should learn the local cuisine and how the food is pre-

By Brice Wallace | Salt Lake Business Journal

pared.

“You have to know that we are similar but also different, and we have to learn to appreciate that as well,” Ross said.

“What you learn from being within a culture, it speaks volumes,” Wilson said. While with a dental products company, she learned that in the United Kingdom, it was offensive in some markets to push having “a big, white smile just like Hollywood.”

“Get your boots on the ground,” she said. “Get connected with people and understand what matters.” For much of marketing, 80% is “pretty uniform” but the remaining 20% is most important. “How you go in there with that message, localize it to the 20% and you’re going to see faster and better results and adoption,” she said.

Panelists had other bits of advice for future business leaders:

• Know yourself, have priorities and set boundaries, said Shirene Urry, senior global product manager at BD. “That will accelerate your opportunities more than it seems.…If you can really get clear on what matters to you and what matters to the business that you’re working for and serve customers, then you can grow,” she said.

• “Don’t take advice from people who don’t share your values,” said Shannon Ellsworth, principal advisor of land and water at Rio Tinto. She also stressed the need for resilience. “I don’t want women viewing failure as a dead-end or as a cul-

de-sac or some finite element in their lives,” she said.

• Ross suggested knowing your guiding principles, putting service to others above self and learning from mistakes.

• Jaclyn Presnal, director of strategic development at Williams, pushed for people to get out of their comfort zone by learning new skills, taking risks, pushing and challenging themselves.

• Asked about fitting into particular cultures, Wilson said people should be their “authentic self.” “Really taking the time to understand your personal values is a little bit taken for granted. …But take a step back or up, or both, and go inside what truly matters to you. When you bring that authentic self and your values, I think it translates across cultures better,” she said. “Know your audience and know the culture and know what’s appropriate, but to have those values and bring them to the table, I think you’re always going to win. And if you’re not accepted, that’s OK, too, because being true to your values and true to yourself is where you’re going to find your own success blossom tenfold.”

• Wilson also called upon businesswomen to have men as mentors, coaches and participants in their success. “Having that sort of sponsorship, having somebody that believes in you, having somebody that would stand up for you in a room that you were not in, has been probably the most meaningful thing that has greased the pathway for me in my career,” she said. “It’s not just women that we need to surround ourselves with in these kinds of conversations.”

The conference at the Zions Bancorporation Technology Campus in Midvale also featured a keynote presentation by Lesley Paterson, a five-time world champion professional triathlete; an address by Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson; and the presentation of Melanie Cox, CEO of Backcountry.com LLC, as World Trade Association of Utah’s International Woman of the Year.

In opening remarks by the conference emcee Barbara Bagnasacco, an attorney with the law-firm of Parsons Behle & Latimer, noted that International Women’s Day is a holiday in some countries. With the song “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” playing in the background over the PA system, Bagnasacco reiterated the African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

“Collectively,” she said, “we can forge an inclusive business community here in Utah for individuals, regardless of their nationality, race, religious and political views.” l

The crowd listens to a panel of international business executives during the Women in International Business Conference at the Zions Bancorporation Technology Campus in Midvale. Part of the International Women’s Day celebration, the event was presented by the World Trade Association of Utah.

Area students top DECA’s state finals; international competition will be in April

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

More than 22,000 high school students, teachers, advisers, alumni and business professionals will gather at the DECA international career development conference this month.

Many of the 10,000 DECA members will demonstrate their knowledge by participating in the competitive events program, which will be held April 27-30 in Anaheim, California. They had to qualify at their state competitions.

In Utah, hundreds of high school students dressed in their finest packed the Davis County Conference Center for the statewide business or DECA competition in late February.

DECA’s mission to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges worldwide. There are more than 255,000 DECA members who are students, teachers, advisers, alumni and professionals.

At the statewide competition, next year’s student officers were announced, including Corner Canyon’s Maddie Bloom, who will serve as the central region vice president.

Alta High was one of several Salt Lake Valley teams that competed. Its DECA club has 85 members and 30 competed at state.

“I’m so proud of these kids, watching how far the seniors on stage have come and seeing the progress already made for our younger students,” said Alta’s adviser Shaley Louder. “These students have a bright future.”

Corner Canyon was recognized as one of five chapters of the year.

Top finishers from Alta, Bingham, Brighton, Corner Canyon, Cottonwood, Jordan, Hillcrest and Murray high schools include: Business Administration Exam

Thomas Hansen, Brighton; McKenna Fuller, Bingham; Surya Kapu, Corner Canyon; Stephanie Ball, Corner Canyon Business Management and Administration Exam — Russ Storm, Bingham Entrepreneurship Exam — Nathan Laker, Corner Canyon; Kimball Shill, Brighton; Zachary Naylor, Corner Canyon Hospitality and Tourism Exam — Allen Liang, Hillcrest; Sophia Lin, Hillcrest; Maximilian Schneider, Jordan; Nathan Williamson, Corner Canyon; Grace Norton, Corner Canyon; Sang Chun, Hillcrest; Teagan Kay, Hillcrest; Daniel Whalen, Murray Marketing Exam — Kiara Collins, Brighton; Vishnith Ashok, Hillcrest; Dovan Lapin, Corner Canyon; Kayla Nguyen, Corner Canyon; Savanna Barlow, Alta; Max White, Cottonwood; Mia Palmer, Corner Canyon; Gwen Holt, Cottonwood; Sathwik Boya, Hillcrest; Draven Hodges, Jordan; Vincent Liang, Hillcrest; Colton Woodley, Alta; Jonathan Arulanandam, Hillcrest

Automotive Services — Dima Kurdi, Alta

Business Finance — Veeranshu Danech, Hillcrest

Business Growth Plan team — Corner Canyon

Business Law and Ethics team — Bingham

Business Services Marketing — Aditi Vandanapu, Corner Canyon Business Services Operations Research team — Brighton; Hillcrest

Business Solutions Project Management team — Corner Canyon

Buying and Merchandising Operations Research team – Hillcrest

Buying and Merchandising team — Hillcrest

Career Development Project Management team — two teams from Corner Canyon

Community Awareness Project Management team — two teams from Corner Canyon

Community Giving Project Management team — Alta

Entrepreneurship — Kalash Rimal, Bingham; Thomas Pepper, Cottonwood

Financial Literacy Project Management team — Hillcrest

Financial Services team — Alta

Food Marketing — Allie Hammond, Corner Canyon

Franchise Business Plan team — Corner Canyon

Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research — two teams from Hillcrest

Hospitality Services team — three teams from Corner Canyon

Hotel and Lodging Management — Grace Norton, Corner Canyon; Amy Baer, Corner Canyon

Human Resources Management — Ha ley Neff, Corner Canyon; Maria Salazar, Murray

Independent Business Plan team — Alta; Hillcrest; Corner Canyon

Personal Finance Literacy — Ava Lind man, Corner Canyon

Principles of Business Management & Administration — Jake Catten, Cottonwood

Principles of Finance — Gabriel Que bodeaux, Corner Canyon; Thomas Hansen, Brighton

Principles of Hospitality and Tourism — Alexandra Franklin, Bingham

Principles of Marketing — Stephanie Ball, Corner Canyon; Jet Piper, Corner Can yon; Jessica Cederlof, Bingham

Professional Selling — Dovan Lapin, Corner Canyon

Quick Serve Restaurant Management

— Daniel Whalen, Murray; Teagan Kay, Hill crest; Sienna Yang, Hillcrest

Restaurant & Food Service Management

— Sang Chun, Hillcrest

Retail Merchandising — Colton Wood ley, Alta

School Business Enterprise Event team — Alta; Brighton; Jordan; Corner Canyon

Sports & Entertainment Marketing team two teams from Hillcrest; Cottonwood

Start-up Business Plan team — Hillcrest; Corner Canyon l

AND THE

Alta High students show their medals earned at the state DECA contest this spring. (Photo courtesy of Shaley Louder/Alta High)

Continued from front page

it happen.”

Millerberg died unexpectedly Feb. 23 following complications from a stroke. He was the Canyons Board of Education vice president, having been elected to the inaugural Canyons School Board in 2008, then re-elected in 2016 and 2020. He served District 1, which included most Midvale schools and Union Middle in Sandy.

He grew up and lived most of his life in that community and was influential in forming Canyons, the first new school district in 100 years.

“He was a committed community leader and fierce advocate” even winning over and forming an ally in former Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini, who had worked as a teacher and an assistant superintendent over curriculum in Jordan School District, with a promise to rebuild Midvale Elementary that had a coal-burning boiler, said Susan Edwards, Canyons’ public engagement and legislative liaison. “He fought for the students and to update those schools in the Midvale community. That was huge. He had so much pride in his community.”

Baker said he had a built-in resource that helped him guide his decisions on what was best for children.

“I remember him telling me once, “I am not an educator, but I sleep with one,’” Millerberg had told her with a smile, referring to his wife, Kris, who had taught at Union Middle. “Mont really listened and valued what you said and continually worked with students and teachers, and systems and schools to make things better.”

As a youngster, Millerberg visited his grandparents and great-grandparents in a neighborhood south from Midvalley Elementary, where on school grounds, he would fly his model airplane early in the morning, much to the chagrin of the neighbors who “would call the police because the motors are very loud,” he said.

Millerberg said he grabbed his stuff and headed out the school’s back gate not to get caught and thought he got away with it—until a sign showed up prohibiting flying model airplanes on school grounds.

As kids, Paul Glover lived three houses away from Millerberg on State Street and went through school—Midvale Elementary, Midvale Middle and Hillcrest High—together. As kids, they often jumped on Millerberg’s trampoline and were in the same Boy Scout troop.

“We camped; made trouble; did flips on the trampoline, just did things that kids do,” Glover said. “He was always on top of his schoolwork. He ended up being an accountant, a CPA.”

Millerberg worked in several accounting firms before opening his own practice, Millerberg & Myers. He had studied accounting at Weber State University.

What the community noted most was his dedication to Hillcrest, his high school alma mater, where he had played football, sang in the choir and played drums in a band with friends.

“I have always felt that he has a special place in his heart for our school,” said Stacey Timmerman, Hillcrest school community council chair. “He had a special loyalty to Hillcrest. He was a great listener and would come to the SCC meetings and want to know our perspective, our needs on Hillcrest. He was a huge advocate for Hillcrest, and I’d always see him at Hillcrest events—a lot of sporting events and almost every theater performance.”

Hillcrest High Principal Greg Leavitt agrees.

“Mont was a cheerleader of Hillcrest in the education process and making sure Midvale got its fair share,” he said. “He was integral in making sure the bonds (2010 and 2017) were passed.”

During Millerberg’s time on the board, Canyons invested $270 million, or roughly 35%, of its bond money on improvements for Midvale-area schools.

“He was passionate about making sure the schools in the community were rebuilt. He came to every planning meeting for this school and was gracious asking our opinion and making sure the teachers got what they wanted. It was important to him to make sure we had a say in what we’d like and need and made sure the District knew,” Hillcrest High Principal Greg Leavitt said.

Leavitt said Millerberg also made it a point to highlight students whether it was taking part in a mock interview in a hallway or helping to arrange for a memorable escort to the school for the state-winning theater program last spring.

The two worked closely “spending hours talking about what’s best for Hillcrest, the kids, the teachers” and also, when the time came to tear down the former school where Millerberg attended, to help decide artifacts to save and be incorporated in the new design.

is one of my fondest memories and a bonding moment for us,” Edwards said, adding that he also went pheasant hunting with board members.

Millerberg was known to be a straight talker.

Jordan Board of Education President Tracy Miller, who served on the Utah School Boards Association Board of Directors with him, said, “Mont was a fierce advocate for kids and our public schools. In tough discussions, he wasn’t afraid to speak up and say what needed to be said.”

Edwards remembers Millerberg getting his point across at a Canyons board meeting.

Hillcrest High Alumni Association President Craig Conder credits Millerberg for getting the former school building’s bricks and sections of the basketball floor for the alumni to sell as a fundraiser and to install in the athletics hallway.

“I remember Greg (Leavitt) telling me that the district said they wouldn’t do that, but I knew people would want them,” he said. “Turned out Mont pulled strings because his class, 1968, was the year Hillcrest took state in basketball. Next thing I knew, Greg tells me, ‘We’ve got some pieces here in our woodshop you can come get.’ Part of the deal was giving Mont 50 feet of it. I don’t know what he ended up doing with it, but I’m grateful we got it.”

Millerberg was instrumental in establishing the Canyons Education Foundation.

“We wouldn’t have Canyons Education Foundation without his enthusiasm,” said former Canyons Board member Paul McCarty. “He was dedicated to the children and personally went to different businesses and got commitments. He was a fantastic CPA who gave us guidance in the early beginnings of the district before we hired a chief financial officer. He was always on top of it asking, ‘Where is the money coming from?’”

Each year, a golf tournament is held to help fundraise for the foundation, and in his true fashion, Millerberg would show up in his trademark shorts and sandals to Wasatch Mountain State Park, even when it was below freezing.

It was one of his favorite events; Millerberg started it.

“He always found a way to use the things that brought him joy, to build relationships with people that he worked with so that he understood them and got to know them better. I was with him at the state foundation conference, and he insisted we go shooting at the skeet range. He did a lot of head shaking, but it

“We were discussing something at a board meeting and he knew it was going to be tense and he knew that he was maybe not going to be on the majority on this,” she said. “He was dressed in his normal suit, but partway through the meeting, he unbuttoned that shirt and had a T-shirt on under it that said, I am getting ‘pisseder’ and ‘pisseder.’ That remained our mantra for Mont. He would call us out, ‘I’m feeling like you’re telling me what I want to hear. I’m asking for the facts. Tell it to me straight.’ He’d do that so he could make the best decisions for the schools, the teachers, the staff and the students of Canyons.”

McCarty said Millerberg’s sense of humor could often ease stressful times.

“There were times when the discussion was getting quite intense, which was often in the early birth pains of the school district, and Mont would crack a joke,” he said. “It was always an appropriate opine on what we were discussing. It would just crack us up and ease the tension in the room. He had a wonderful way of canceling out all those other feelings with humor and get us to refocus.”

Millerberg was the person to ask if someone wanted something done.

When RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath visited Midvale Elementary and learned many students couldn’t afford tickets to a soccer game, he arranged for tickets to be donated. When Millerberg learned this, he was instrumental in arranging free transportation to the stadium for the Midvale families.

It was the community that was at the heart of his work. Many years, he would wave to his neighbors along the Midvale Harvest Days parade, never missing the opportunity to listen to someone or share about what was happening in schools.

Millerberg was often in the schools. His reach was far. He’d volunteer to help Union eighth graders learn to balance their checkbooks as part of Reality Town, a simulation of real life, then be seen at a Family Learning Center recognition. When Jordan Valley got a new chameleon mascot in 2021, Millerberg took a paper cut-out of him and sent the students photos of their mascot biking the Virgin River Trail in St. George.

At last year’s Midvale Elementary literacy night, he rotated to the different stations along with the students.

“I love to see what’s going on inside our schools, to see what the kids are learning,

Mont Millerberg, Canyons board of education member, was a fixture at Midvale’s Harvest Days parade. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

what’s being taught,” he had said.

Canyons Board of Education Vice President Amanda Oaks said he had a deep commitment to the Midvale community.

“With all his skills and talents, he could have done anything in his retirement,” she said. “He chose to spend his time fully engaged in public service and worked especially hard for the populations of his community who needed a person of his strength and caliber to represent their interests. It’s humbling and inspiring to think of all of children whose lives have been positively impacted by his work on the board of education.”

Millerberg wasn’t one who wanted the limelight, McCarty said.

“He’s a very humble individual who worked his heart out. He had a huge heart and was generous with his time and his own funds,” McCarty said. “He had the institutional knowledge and was a true leader.”

Millerberg served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zurich, Switzerland. He and his wife also served a mission in an intercity Salt Lake City ward, where he met and befriended Sam McCall.

“Mont is just fun and he’s funny, just a neat guy; I got a kick out of him, and we’d go out golfing,” he said. “Every time I stopped by his house, he’d welcome me in, and we were always laughing. It was always a three-hour conversation with Mont that just flew by.”

Miller said Millerberg “was generous,

personable and fun to be around. His impact was felt large and wide.”

Friends and neighbors remember him for sharing his homemade sourdough bread, which his six children remember never being able to eat the bread fast enough. It was often a staple for Sunday family dinners along with homemade ice cream and meat he smoked as Millerberg often quipped, “I have a smoking problem.”

The former National Guard serviceman could also be found with “my best friends,” what Millerberg called his 16 grandchildren as they went boating, skiing, biking and played Hearts. He had had no qualms playing to win cards. He often was remembered saying, “I play for fun; what’s not fun about winning?”

Millerberg served as a Boy Scout master for 12 years, in which he helped his sons perfect their pinewood derby cars. They recall spending hours making their cars ready to race. What he didn’t account for was his 8-year-old dripping his hot dog’s mustard and ketchup into the axles and wheels to spoil the anticipated victory.

Millerberg was known to be able to pack the family Suburban to perfection, tease his daughter’s first date by sitting on the porch with his shotgun and ensure each of his children and grandchildren set goals and did their homework.

He spoke to Hillcrest Class of 2023 at their graduation, even quipping they were most excited for him since he was the last speaker.

He bid them simple, but meaningful advice: “Whatever you choose to do, do it well. Be good at what you do. Work hard, work smart and be diligent in what you do. Seek adventure, go do something fun, laugh. Keep moving, figure out where you are, where you want to be and where you want to go next.”

Canyons District is required to fill Millerberg’s vacancy within 45 days of his death according to state law. Applicants could apply for his seat by March 18. A new board member, who will serve the remainder of Millerberg’s term ending in December 2024, will be appointed by April 8. l

Canyons Board of Education member Mont Millerberg, who served on the first school board for the district, helps cut the 10-year anniversary cake along with other board members. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

get to make basketball hoops.”

“I’ve made friends on my team.”

“I’m part of my school now.”

“I’m so thankful my daughter is given the chance to play alongside her peers.”

“It brings out the best of these kids

These, and more comments, were made by student-athletes, parents and school administrators at a recent Canyons School District unified middle school basketball tourna-

Unified sports are where Special Olympians are teamed up with peers or partners to compete together on the court, field, track

Canyons Education Foundation is hosting a family-friendly fun run, walk and roll to raise funds for costs involved in unified sports uniforms and tournaments, said Denise Haycock, Foundation development of-

“It fosters inclusion and mentoring opportunities in our schools,” she said. “We are

hoping to have unified sports across all grade levels.”

The “May the Fourth Be with You Fun Run” will be held at 8 a.m., Saturday, May 4. The race begins on the track at Jordan High School, 95 E. Beetdigger Lane, Sandy. There will be a 1-mile option, which will remain on the track, or a 5K, which will run along the nearby trail. Registration is $25 and participants can register at: www.fundraise. givesmart.com/f/4ole/n?vid=14gzqm

“It is definitely a fun run and not a timed run; 100% of funds raised from the fun run will go toward supporting and expanding unified sports teams at our schools,” Haycock said.

Each participant will receive a themed fanny pack at the event, said Linda Hall, Canyons School District’s special education administrator.

“It will be a really fun event for all the families and a great fundraiser to hold every year to support our unified sports teams,” she said. “This builds mentorship, leadership and lifelong friendships.” l

Life Skills Academy offers training for students with special needs seeking independence

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

New student orientation will be April 23 through April 25 at Canyons School District’s newest school, Life Skills Academy.

Life Skills Academy, formerly known as Canyons Transitional Academy, provides instruction and support to students with special needs who have aged out of traditional high school and would benefit from additional training in the classroom and community and with job training.

The doors opened in January at the students’ new school, in the former Crescent View Middle School, 11150 S. 300 East, in Sandy. LSA offers many of the facilities as a traditional school with a cafeteria and gym, but also some vocational and home life classrooms so students learn those skills, said Linda Hall, who is in her second year as the principal.

“Our numbers have grown from 38 students to 55, and we’re projecting next year, we will be over 60 students,” she said. “This school is amazing for our students because now every teacher has a classroom where before we shared open spaces. We have a kitchen lab where they practice their skills. We turned one classroom into a studio apartment, so they’re able to practice their skills there. We have a partnership with the state’s vocational rehabilitation office so our students are learning skills and are connected to job placements. We have students who are in paid internships. The LSA staff is trained as job coaches; we are teaching our students independence so they will be job ready as possible.”

LSA is for students between ages 18 to 22, who have completed their senior year in high school and have an individualized education plan team determine that pre-employment services are needed. Many students are working to complete graduation requirements or are achieving a certificate of completion.

“At age 14, the IEP team at each school begins discussions about transitions—graduation, skills, training, goals, interests—with the student and family so we know the best way to help students,” Hall said.

Once a student ages out of LSA, she said the staff helps to connect families to Social Security Disability and Utah Parent Center.

“We have Medicaid right here on site that families can access,” Hall said, adding that the school partners with the state’s workforce services to offer additional student support.

Grayson Argyle likes being a LSA student.

“I come to Life Skills Academy to

learn life skills and learn how to become an adult, do some math and money management,” he said.

Hall said that students often make purchases with replica dollar bills at the school store so they can learn the value of money and purchase school supplies.

Argyle travels on TRAX to his job placement at Cal Ranch.

“I organize things on the shelves. It’s great. I make sure everything is in place,” he said.

He isn’t the only one. Many LSA students learn to ride TRAX and use other public transportation to get around the community to get to their job training or internships “because a lot of our students will never drive,” Hall said.

LSA has partnerships with about 15 area businesses, such as Scheels, Treehouse Athletic Center, Sam’s Club and Draper’s branch of the Salt Lake County Library.

“We’re always looking for more opportunities for students to have work experience,” she said, adding that many positions within Canyons School District are filled by her students. “Students pick jobs based on their interests, and can learn about jobs in-house, like the district cafe. At school, we have the cooking facility so they learn about recipes and cooking and then, will be familiar with that. We have a flower shop here on our campus where the kids are learning about flower arrangements and that may be an area of interest, we can help them find an interest in the

community.”

Argyle said that in class, he has learned how to prepare menus and then, cook the meals.

“We’ve made pizza, soup and rolls and even, sushi sandwiches,” he said.

Also offered in the summer is a workbased learning program that pairs students with special needs with employers so students gain hands-on experience in the work setting. Students work with job coaches who guide students to meet the employer’s needs for four to eight weeks.

“It provides a meaningful experience for our students as well as the businesses,” Hall said.

To prepare students, LSA has weekly community access days, where what students learn in the classroom translates to the community. For example, they may look at a recipe, create a grocery list and then on their community access day, go shopping and learn about pricing and purchasing needed items.

“One class recently was learning about security disability and how do I access that or apply for that? The students then went out to a disability Social Security office and did a tour of it and learned all about it. Another time, our students learned about cosmetology and then visited a beauty salon and learned to how to become a cosmetologist and own or work in a community business,” she said, adding that another class tied in what they were learning to touring the state capitol.

Students attend classes Monday

through Thursday and pick their own classes from those the LSA staff designs to help students learn skills.

“Every semester is a different set of classes based on the students’ interests. As a team we meet to offer classes based on the needs of students’ IEPs, which then they, with the help of their guardians, can sign up for,” Hall said.

For example, students’ IEP goals may be improving written language. So the course may be about finding a job, that will include writing resumes and letters of interests. Another course may focus about internet safety, and they will learn how to safely email someone and search safe websites. They also have a leadership class which enrolls about 10 students. Students learn planning skills as they organize activities for the school and learn how to design and make fliers to promote the events.

“We teach those skills they’ll need to be independent in the community, and then, we’ll have centers every morning that may tie into the classes, such as mock interviews for verbal and social interaction or counting coins to learn budgeting or other skills based on students’ IEP goals,” she said, adding that others may include learning about route planning, stranger danger, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices, multistep directions and more.

Argyle realizes he will need to be able to communicate at his job placement and in his dream of becoming a voice actor. He was planning to perform his aptitude at the school’s upcoming talent show.

Graduation this year, the first in their new school, will be special, Hall said.

Eight students will be given their certificates of completion by Canyons Board of Education members Nancy Tingey and Karen Pedersen at commencement, 12:30 p.m., May 14 at the school. Their graduation theme, “No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else,” is by P.T. Barnum.

The PTSA has arranged to get North Face backpacks from Scheels, which they’ll pack with useful items, from first aid kits to umbrellas, the students will need post-graduation. They will be given at the graduation lunch.

“We wanted to do something special for our students because we are the end of public schools when they reach 22, so we try to help them be as independent as possible, and reach whatever goal that they have,” she said. “We take that very seriously. My staff is incredible. They love their students, and they want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to support those students.” l

Flower arranging is one of the job skills students can learn at Life Skills Academy, which has made its home at former Crescent View Middle School. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Donations needed: Help make a dream prom come true for students with special needs

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

April 18 will be a day to celebrate in Canyons School District.

That’s the prom date for students with special needs that is being planned by their peers in the high schools.

Specifically, high school students with the Essential Elements Curriculum (grade-level alternate core standards for students with significant cognitive disability) are invited to attend the prom that will be more sensory friendly and less overstimulating than a typical high school prom, said Kelsie Wilson, Corner Canyon High School special education teacher.

The dance, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., is being organized by Corner Canyon High School’s Peer Leadership Team, peer mentors and other students who have extended the invitation to the other four Canyons comprehensive high school students to join in the planning.

“I’m very fortunate to have some mind-blowing PLT and peer tutors who want to make it so our EEC kids can do whatever they do and have as many of those high school experiences,” Wilson said.

Already the high school students have secured Lone Peak Park pavilion for the dance, partially paid for with the help of a private donor, and food, with the contribution from Chick-fil-A.

However, as students are working on decorations, music, flowers, photos and more, they could use help.

“We would love if there were any other donors out in the community to contact us if they’re willing to donate anything to help put this prom on,” said Linda Hall, Canyons School District’s special education administrator. “We’re always looking for community partners. For example, if there was someone with a flower shop that would like to donate flowers or if somebody who owns a drink shop would like to do drinks or if someone has some way to help, we’d appreciate making this special for these students.”

Wilson said those wishing to make donations can contact her at Kelsie.Wilson@ canyonsdistrict.org for more information.

Wilson’s PLT and peer mentors are partnering up with EEC students as dates to the dance, which has the theme, “Once Upon a Time.”

SUMMER JOBS

“My peer tutors and PLT members have talked about meeting to curl the girls’ hair and help the boys with their ties. We want this to be very special for these kids and by doing it at a neutral location it makes it a bit more of a bigger deal, and have it be a special occasion like a typical high school prom,” she said.

Wilson has hopes for the students beyond the dance.

Life Skills Academy (formerly Canyons Transitional Academy) together, along with Hillcrest, Brighton, Jordan and Alta students. Then, the kids will be divided by their abilities and intermixed. My thought is this prom can get them together so they can do something fun and meet and interact with each other before they go to Life Skills Academy,” she said.

Additionally, it provides an optional social opportunity for her students.

“At our school, EEC students have known each other most of their lives. They’re in a special class and they go to whatever elective classes they can go to. But really, all my students have known each other since elementary, and they just grew up together and they’re all best friends. After high school, they may go to

“My students, love, love, love dancing, and they love going to school dances, but they can only go for the first half an hour when nobody else is there. A typical high school dance can be a little rowdy. There always seems to be a mosh pit. The music is always crazy loud. The lights are always strobing,” Wilson said about dances where 2,500 students in a high school could attend. “This dance would be a good opportunity to provide more of a sensory friendly prom where wearing headphones is totally acceptable and there won’t be any crazy strobe lights or fog that’s getting pushed into the dance. It gives them a chance to interact and hang out with each other.”

Staff members will be there to chaperone the event, and parents also are welcome to attend.

Last year, Corner Canyon High’s PLT held a districtwide field day for EEC students that had carnival games, face painting, bounce house and a visit from the fire department. l

Lone Peak Park pavilion will be the site of Canyons School District’s unified prom this month. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

High-quality, innovative health care with a heavy dose of compassion

With a focus on health care excellence, community service and faith – the doctors, nurses and care teams at Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake are committed to compassionate and highquality care for their neighbors.

It has been nearly a year since CommonSpirit Health took over five Wasatch Front hospitals that now bear the name Holy Cross, a reference to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, who brought Catholic, faith-based health care to the people of Utah nearly 150 years ago.

Today, the hospitals are reinvigorating the Sisters’ vision while caring for all with open arms, including at the original hospital they opened in 1875 that cares for patients 24/7 on S. Temple Street.

“We have returned to our roots in the way we care for the people of the Salt Lake Valley, and we are so excited to re-emphasize community-focused, faithbased health care for the people of Utah,” said Kevin Jenkins, Market CEO for the Holy Cross hospitals. “Our care is truly focused on neighbors helping neighbors.”

Besides innovative health care in services that include orthopedics, bariatrics, neurosurgery, heart care, and robotic-assisted technology, the hospital’s teams are actively involved in helping to make their communities better outside the walls of the hospital. These efforts range from food pantry donations and first aid sponsorships with local arts festivals to partnering with the American Heart Association to educate our communities about heart health.

Through its Hello Humankindness program, CommonSpirit is actively promoting the health benefits

of kindness and recognizing employees who go above and beyond the call of their jobs to help those in need.

“We believe that simple acts of kindness have a profound impact on the lives of our patients and communities, in addition to the medical expertise that our doctors and nurses provide,” Jenkins said.

The Holy Cross hospitals have also re-started volunteer and chaplaincy programs, which had not been a priority for the previous owner.

“We have a Director of Mission and Ministry who leads our chaplaincy program to provide prayer and other support for our patients – regardless of who they are or faith tradition - and is making sure our healing mission is carried out in our hospitals,” Jenkins added.

CommonSpirit’s mission includes advancing social justice for all, and last fall, it bestowed eight grants from its Health Equity & Advancement Fund to local nonprofits that are working every day to improve lives in ways that include health screenings for Spanishspeaking neighbors and mental health treatment for children and families.

With a long legacy of service and healing, CommonSpirit is just getting started in extending health care excellence for all Utahns at the Holy Cross hospitals.

“Our vision is a healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity,” Jenkins said.

Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.

Interventional Cardiologist

Cardiovascular surgeons

Cardiac Team available 24/7

Cardiac Catherization lab 24/7

Heart Surgery

$69 heart screening - Call (801) 350-4451 to set up your heart screening

Kevin Jenkins, Market CEO

MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY

City Hall

801-567-7200

Finance/Utilities 801-567-7200

Court 801-567-7265

City Attorney’s O ce 801-567-7250

City Recorder/Human Resources 801-567-7228

Community Development

Public Works

801-567-7211

801-567-7235

Ace Disposal/Recycling 801-363-9995

Midvale Historical Museum 801-567-7285

Midvale Senior Center 385-468-3350

SL County Animal Services 385-468-7387

Communications

801-567-7230

MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Marcus Stevenson

Email: mstevenson@midvale.com

801-567-7204

CITY COUNCIL

District 1 - Bonnie Billings

Email: bbillings@midvale.com

District 2 - Paul Glover

Email: pglover@midvale.com

District 3 - Heidi Robinson

Email: Hrobinson@midvale.com

District 4 - Bryant Brown

Email: bbrown@midvale.com

District 5 - Dustin Gettel

Email: dgettel@midvale.com

WHO TO CALL FOR…

Water Bills

Ordering A New Trash Can

Permits

Court

Paying For Tra c School

Business Licensing

Cemetery

Planning and Zoning

Code Enforcement

Building inspections

Graffiti

801-567-7200

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801-567-7202

801-567-7214

801-567-7235

801-567-7231

801-567-7208

801-567-7213

385-468-9769

PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY

CONTACTS

EMERGENCY 911

UFA Fire/UPD Police

> Non-emergency

Uni ed Police Department

> Midvale Precinct

Public Works

Rocky Mountain Power

In The Middle of Everything

Mayor’s Message

Hello Midvale,

Let’s talk about crime along the 7200 S corridor – what we’re seeing, how we’re handling it in the immediate term, and what we’re working on long-term to help.

Crime Trends & Geographic Challenges

Looking at the last three years – 2021, 2022, and 2023 – criminal cases have stayed pretty steady, averaging 933 a month throughout Midvale. Most of those cases occurred along the 7200 South corridor, with three di erent hot spots – west of I-15 near the Riverwalk Shopping Center, I-15 to State Street, and on the eastern boarder of our city near the Shops at Fort Union.

A signi cant reason we see a concentration of crime along the 7200 South corridor is likely related to the geographic features and access. In about a mile and a half, we have the Jordan River, access to I-15 and I-215, several low-cost hotels, a homeless shelter, a Trax station, and State Street. Being situated “In the Middle of Everything” o ers our community unparalleled access, making it easier for residents and businesses to enjoy all the bene ts our valley has to o er. However, this central location also unfortunately makes it easier for undesirable activities to in ltrate our city.

Investing in Policing

unhoused individuals are facing, while holding them accountable with the law when necessary.

Direct Enforcement Unit – This unit tackles street-level crimes such as narcotics and prostitution. They have made strides in disrupting drug distribution, including removing large amounts of drugs from our community. Through their work building relationships with local businesses, especially hotels, the data has shown that this unit is actively deterring criminal activity. The nature of their investigations can become quite time-consuming, and having this unit helps us get drugs o our streets while allowing patrol to do their day-today work in being responsive when residents make emergency calls.

Our city’s accessibility brings big-city challenges to our small-city doorstep. Fortunately, our membership with Uni ed Police presents a signi cant advantage. UPD grants us access to specialized services and resources that would otherwise be beyond our reach as a small community. For instance, when o cers encounter someone that has been victimized into prostitution, UPD can mobilize their special victims’ unit. This team is adept at assisting victims in escaping their situation and arresting those responsible, a capability our city alone would struggle to provide. UPD enhances our ability to address complex challenges, providing us the capability to solve more crimes and better provide justice to victims.

Long-Term Investments

801-840-4000

385-468-9350

801-567-7235

877-508-5088

Since we recognize the need for proactive policing, our city has heavily invested in law enforcement along the 7200 South corridor, not only with our regular patrol o cers, but with two specialized units as well.

Shelter Resource O cers – In 2019, Midvale City, with help from the State of Utah, put together a team of shelter resource o cers – a unit of o cers who are speci cally trained to work with people experiencing homelessness. This unit uses a resource- rst accountability model, where our o cers work closely with the Midvale Family Resource Center, social service providers, and others to connect those on our streets with the resources they need to be self-reliant. For many people experiencing homelessness jail isn’t the answer, and instead we need to ensure they can access programs to address their unique needs.

Midvale City, Uni ed Police, and our shelter resource o cers understand this and work tirelessly to address the root of the problem

Investing in law enforcement is crucial for tackling crime along the 7200 South Corridor, but this approach alone is a temporary x to a persistent issue, in uenced by the area’s geographic features and current uses. We’re not suggesting extreme measures like rerouting the Jordan River (duh) or relocating the freeway or Trax. Instead, we are proposing to alter the land uses along the corridor to encourage more positive activities.

In essence, areas bustling with people due to attractions like restaurants, entertainment venues, and mixed-use housing are less likely to be chosen for illicit transactions like drug deals. That’s why Midvale is currently reimagining the future of the 7200 South corridor, considering new zoning that supports the kind of activities we want to encourage. Our central location, “In the Middle of Everything,” o ers tremendous potential for community bene ts, but realizing this vision will require time, dedication, and active community participation. To contribute to shaping the corridor’s future, please visit engagemidvale.com and participate in the Midvale Fort Union Corridor Study.

My County Rec Pass: Free Access to Youth Recreation in SLC!

Introducing the “My County Rec Pass,” a groundbreaking initiative brought to you by the unwavering support of Mayor Wilson, the Salt Lake County Council, and the Tourism, Recreation, Culture, and Convention program. In 2024, Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation is proud to launch this pilot program exclusively for youth.

With the My County Rec Pass, young residents gain access to a wealth of enriching, safe, and enjoyable activities completely free of charge. Whether it’s after school, during breaks, or on weekends, pass holders can explore a plethora of o erings throughout the year. This pass grants unlimited entry to all county-operated recreation centers, ice centers, and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Who’s eligible? Salt Lake County residents aged 5–18.

What’s included? A complimentary membership/pass allowing access to various Salt Lake County-operated recreation centers and amenities, such as 18 swimming pools, 3 ice centers, 2 climbing walls, gyms, weight rooms, tness areas, and walking tracks. (Age restrictions may apply.)

When can you get it? Registration opens on April 1, 2024, with card activation starting on June 1, 2024.

In The Middle of Everything

Shape the Future: Participate in the Utah Wellbeing Survey 2024!

The Utah Wellbeing Project collaborates closely with cities across the state to gather valuable insights into residents’ wellbeing. This collaboration informs crucial city planning processes and decisions, aiming to keep a finger on the pulse of residents’ perspectives on community issues. By participating in the Wellbeing Survey, you play a vital role in shaping the future of our communities.

Your voice matters in fostering informed decision-making across Utah municipalities. From April 15 to April 29, 2024, the survey will be open for you to share your thoughts and contribute to maintaining awareness of residents’ wellbeing and perspectives on community matters.

Your input is essential for enhancing the quality of life in Utah’s cities and towns. Let’s work together to make a positive difference in our communities. Join us in participating in the Wellbeing Survey and ensure your voice is heard!

Wellbeing Survey

Midvale City has partnered with Utah State University's Utah Wellbeing Project to conduct a public wellbeing survey, and we want to hear from you!

We encourage all residents aged 18 and older to take part in this brief 10-minute survey Please also share this survey with your friends and family.

Thank you for contributing to the betterment of our community.

Administration, is once again organizing a nationwide Drug Takeback event on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm, at the UPD Midvale Precinct located at 7912 S Main St. This initiative aims to provide a safe and convenient way for individuals to dispose of their unused or expired medications, thereby preventing potential misuse, abuse, or environmental contamination.

Residents of Midvale areas are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to clear their homes of any unwanted prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or other substances.

The disposal process is simple and anonymous. Participants can bring their medications in their original containers or remove the labels if they prefer. Law enforcement officials will be on hand to collect the

medications and ensure their safe disposal. This event is free of charge and does not require individuals to provide any personal information.

By participating in the DEA Drug Takeback event, community members contribute to the collective effort to combat the opioid epidemic and reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, overdose, or environmental harm. Unused medications left in homes can be a temptation for misuse, particularly among teenagers and others susceptible to substance abuse. Additionally, improper disposal of medications, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can contaminate water sources and harm wildlife.

So, mark your calendars for Saturday, April 27, 2024, and join the effort to safeguard our communities by safely disposing of unused. Together, we can make a difference in promoting public health and safety.

APRIL 2024 CITY NEWSLETTER

MIDVALE. UTAH. GOV

In-person Book Buddies at Salt Lake County Animal Services. This is a program designed for children under 18 to come read to the cats at Animal Services, where they will get their reading minutes in, and cats will get to socialize! How it works:

1. Come to Salt Lake County Animal Services, 511 W 3900 S, SLC, between 10 AM – 6 PM, Tue-Sat.

2. Children must always be accompanied by an adult.

3. Bring a book (or 3 to read) Or read one in the cattery “library.”

4. Sign in and out on the clipboard in the cattery. This is logged as volunteer time!

The program will help children improve their reading skills AND will help the shelter pets with socialization. Animals find the rhythmic sounds of a voice very soothing. Similar programs at other shelters across the country have seen the benefits the program has to offer. Questions? Email animalvolunteer@ slco.org or visit AdoptUtahPets.org.

Nestled along Midvale’s vibrant Main Street, The Art House will stand as a beacon for artistic expression, cultural exchange, and communal engagement. This dynamic space offers artists a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a supportive environment while contributing to the rich tapestry of arts and culture in the area.

Boasting approximately 4,791 square feet of open space, each artist will be granted their own personalized 8’X8’ area, providing ample room for exploration and innovation. Equipped with essential amenities such as security, electricity, internet access, onsite restrooms, and cleaning facilities, the studio spaces are designed to cater to the diverse needs of its occupants.

For a nominal monthly rent of $200, artists gain round-the-clock access, 7 days a week, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., allowing for flexibility and uninterrupted creative pursuits. Additionally, The Art House proudly reserves two studio spaces for artists demonstrating low income, offered at a subsidized rate of $115, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility within the artistic community.

Artists who will call this space home are required to pledge to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week in the studio during designated open hours, fostering a sense of collaboration and camaraderie among peers. This dedication extends to participating in community-oriented events, including monthly open studio nights, holiday celebrations such as Trick or Treat on Main, and seasonal festivities like Light Up Main Street, all orchestrated by the Redevelopment Agency of Midvale City (RDA) to promote local art and culture.

Artists at The Art House will be afforded numerous opportunities for exposure and advancement. Through strategic marketing initiatives led by the RDA, studio tenants will receive heightened visibility, showcasing their work on various platforms and attracting a broader audience. Artists will have the chance to host lectures, workshops, live discussions, and art shows within the space, with the potential to secure funding to support these endeavors.

As The Art House opens its doors to applicants, the deadline for submissions has been extended to April 11, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Artists passionate about making a positive impact on Midvale’s Main Street are encouraged to seize this opportunity to join a collaborative environment where creativity flourishes and community connections abound. Apply today and become a catalyst for change through the transformative power of art. Visit EngageMidvale. com/Art-House to learn more.

Cremation Services

You can count on a variety of options for cremation services when you choose Larkin Mortuary.

LOCAL FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Taking Care of your Family’s Needs every step of the way

You may choose a burial plot, urn garden, scattering gardens, columbarium niche, or memory wall at our on-site crematory. Whether your family would like a direct cremation without a ceremony or would like to enlist the help of our funeral planners for a memorial ceremony, we are here to help. Choose traditional funeral services or life celebrations to honor the life of your loved one.

As you plan the end-of-life services, there are dozens of decisions to make during an emotional time. LET OUR TEAM HELP YOU choose urns, vaults, and memorials. We can also help with flower arrangements, catering, and grief resources.

Larkin Mortuary

260 East South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 363-5781

Larkin Sunset Gardens

1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) • Sandy, UT 84092 (801) 571-2771

WE CAN ARRANGE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MILITARY HONORS & VETERAN SERVICES IN ANY TYPE OF PROGRAM

Larkin Sunset Lawn

2350 East 1300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (801) 582-1582

Larkin Mortuary Riverton

3688 West 12600 South Riverton, UT 84065 (801) 254-4850

LarkinMortuary.com

Midvale Middle’s makerspace fosters a love of learning through exploration

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Sixth-grader Olivia Day comes to Midvale Middle’s makerspace at lunchtime.

“I like making circuit boards and messing around with the Spheros,” she said. “It’s really cool.”

She was by the stacks of books while others circled the stations on tables on the other side of the media center.

Eighth-grader Zayden Hooper comes to makerspace for the technology.

“I’ve built this robot six times and every time, it’s different,” he said. I’ve taught myself. I want to be an engineer and so I’m learning how to create something structurally here and having fun.”

Eighth-grader James Che was also at the Cubelet table with him. James wants to be aerospace engineer, a pilot and an aviation owner.

“It’s fun figuring what works and what doesn’t,” he said. “I’ve learned how to build a robot. It’s all fun.”

They are among the 65 students who come in on average during lunchtime to check out the makerspace.

Makerspaces, in the simplest terms, are places where people, or “makers,” create, or “make,” projects using a variety of hands-on and digital tools.

Teacher librarian/media specialist Judy Rembacz started makerspace at Midvale Middle three years ago so “kids can be kids.”

“Many of our students don’t know how to play, they don’t know how to create on their own or problem-solve,” she said. “This gives them the opportunity to do just that. The purpose of makerspace is for kids to be able to create and learn on their own and find their interest.”

Students learn and create with snap circuits, tangrams, KEVA planks, Intelino trains, Cubelets, puzzles, Spheros, Makey Makeys and other STEM tools during lunch periods four days per week at the school.

“They don’t come to listen to me. They want to go and play and they figure it out and help each other. In fact, I love it when they teach me,” Rembacz said. “When people think

of makerspace, they think STEM, but it’s really about problem-solving. It’s about being able to go about a problem and find a solution.”

She said that by trial and error, students also are learning.

“They learn it’s OK if they don’t get it the first time. It takes several tries to get it right. That’s what we need to teach our students; they need to know how to problem-solve by failing and then trying again,” Rembacz said. “We learn by our failures, our mistakes. Makerspace gives them the opportunity to do so, not by us saying, ‘Let’s do it this way.’ This gives them the opportunity to learn and grow.”

The makerspace also is different than a classroom where it’s curriculum-driven, she said.

“Here they are being themselves, directing what they do and how they go about it rather than me or another teacher coaching them. They have that freedom of choice and they’re getting the opportunity to self-educate themselves,” Rembacz said, adding that many of them have become friends across the grades as they share common interests. “I love the connections they are making with each other here at the school and sometimes, kids just need a place of refuge where they can find themselves whether it’s in a book or hanging out with friends in makerspace. I’m happy to provide that space where they can just breathe, feel safe and belong.”

She wrote grants to acquire the supplies for the makerspace and has helped give insight to Canyons School District as they created STEAM kits for schools to check out.

“I want makerspace to be a place of discovery and to give students options at each of the stations,” Rembacz said. “Students are tinkering with their hands and they’re thinking with their brains. This allows us to explore, but it also helps us to cope and connect. It makes us question, examine and re-examine. It challenges us to wonder why something is the way it is and how it works and even, how it can be better. It all begins with having the freedom to learn and fail and think critically.” l

Midvale Middle School students build and program a robot at lunchtime in the school’s makerspace. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

New Sandy homeless shelter caters to the needs of the medically vulnerable

By Rebecca Olds | r.olds@thecityjournals.com

Anew Sandy homeless facility opened in January with a unique mission among Utah’s homelessness aid scene. Its goal is to provide interim housing not just for those experiencing homelessness, but for medically vulnerable people such as veterans, those aged 62 and above, and those experiencing health challenges while living on the streets.

“I call it ‘Most Valuable People,’” said Pamela Atkinson, longtime advocate for those experiencing homelessness and namesake of Utah’s Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund referring to the MVP initials that stand for “Medically Vulnerable People.”

“To have a special place where you've got challenges like they have, I think it makes a huge difference,” she said. “It says we recognize you have extra challenges, we recognize you need different facilities and different accommodations, we care about you, and (you’re) just as valuable as anybody else.”

“Once people start feeling special, then I think that gives them hope.”

Three organizations—The Road Home, Fourth Street Clinic and Shelter the Homeless—have tag-teamed efforts to maintain the building, staff volunteers and security, and provide medical care to guests.

The first of its kind in Utah

A general homeless shelter includes bunk beds that leaves very little space for maneuverability when wheelchairs and walkers are needed, said The Road Home’s Executive Director Michelle Flynn. With private and semi-private rooms at the MVP facility, those suffering with medical conditions can have a little more space to receive specialized help before a case manager can help them find a more permanent residence.

The idea for the MVP shelter first started when COVID-19 hit and social distancing was mandated. During that time, The Road Home partnered with Salt Lake County to rent hotels which helped those most at risk isolate.

“Unfortunately, the funding ran out and we had to close it,” Flynn said. “That was like a terribly devastating day when we had to vacate.”

The new building will be permanently fixed on serving those experiencing homelessness from more vulnerable populations including 62 years old and older, and those with medical frailty.

An important distinction is that it’s not meant to be an emergency overflow when other shelters become full.

“We don't want it to become a discharge location for anybody who's experiencing homelessness or who's leaving the hospital,” Flynn said.

Instead the shelter functions off of a need-based waiting list, where most residents will only stay 30 to 90 days before case managers help them find more perma-

nent accommodations, Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski told the City Journals.

Zoltanski was the one to first give the idea to repurpose the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites located at 8955 S. 255 West, said Flynn. But among several locations that were considered in different cities, Sandy was the most welcoming and supportive.

The shelter brings new purpose to the building. The pool was filled in to be used as a group activity space and several safety features such as the sprinklers, fire hydrant, and windows were updated to comply with the building’s new safety requirements.

Eventually, the building will include an on-site clinic. But for now, the large Fourth Street Clinic bus sitting in the parking lot takes care of any medical needs.

Close to a month after opening, the center has filled more than a third of its capacity of 165 people and is anticipated to be filled by Oct. 1.

Homelessness is a housing problem

At the shelter’s opening event on Feb. 29, Gov. Spencer Cox called homelessness a “state problem.”

“In 2023, approximately 30,000 Utahns accessed services from homeless systems throughout the state,” the governor said.

The Road Home has sponsored shelters for those experiencing homelessness in Midvale, South Salt Lake and Salt Lake City for years. But more recently, the need for more space has become desperate as rates of homelessness rise across the state and the country, Flynn said.

With Utah as a real estate hotspot, rents and prices are rising and displacing people making a bigger need for affordable housing, Flynn said.

State legislation is working to increase the amount of starter homes to 35,000 in five years to provide more affordable housing per Cox’s briefing after this year’s legislative session.

But as Flynn put it, “housing is a slow moving ship.”

Since before the beginning of the year, The Road Home’s Midvale Family Resource Center has been particularly hard as it struggles with an influx of people needing shelter—not all of whom are Utahns.

“We are seeing more people coming in through the migrant route, and that’s another piece adding to our challenge of not having enough space,” Flynn said. “Because there isn’t a facility or a program right now for migrant families that’s separate and they are showing up in our homeless services system.”

Flynn said as migrants seek asylum, there’s an added difficulty of communication and paperwork that the shelter is not equipped to handle.

Though there has been an influx of people needing shelter, Utah is the state with

the lowest rate of homelessness west of the Rockies, reported Axios.

Cox, along with Atkinson, encouraged Utahns to donate “even a few dollars” to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund which can “significantly help Utahns experiencing homelessness” and continue to give aid to shelters.

Cox filled out a large tax form, donating $50 to the fund.

Certain donatable items are listed on The Road Home website as well as information for volunteers.

“I think we just need to remember that it's the kindness and the caring, as well as the actual donation that helps to change people's lives,” Atkinson said. l

Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski and Laurie Hopkins, executive director of Shelter the Homeless, present the new MVP Program building during a ribbon cutting ceremony in early 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy City)

The Fourth Street Clinic’s mobile healthcare bus is parked in front of the new Medically Vulnerable People facility on Feb. 29 until the on-site clinic is renovated. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

The cost to participate in high school athletics in Canyons School District may increase next school year, but District officials say it’s to match inflation and the rising costs associated with sports.

The proposed bump “isn’t unusual; it occurs every couple years,” said Canyons School District Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood.

“The UHSAA (Utah High School Activities Association) has had an increase for the cost of officials the past few years; they’re paying more to attract more officials, so we have to account for that,” Sherwood said. “We don’t raise fees every year. We try to phase them in.”

One of the least expensive sports, cross country is proposed to cost a maximum of $2,560 per student-athlete, up $265 from last year and up $655 from 2021-22 season. While the UHSAA participation fee has increased $40 during the past few years, camp costs have increased $325 and team travel, $250.

Cheer, one of the more expensive sports, has risen from $3,950 in 2021-22 to a proposed $4,240. However, the increased from last year to this year is only $40. During the past couple years, UHSAA participation fees have remained the same, but its camps, clinics and team meals that have fluctuated.

In Canyons School District, cross country and other UHSAA-sanctioned sports may experience a price increase next school year by its school board to cover rising costs. Other school districts’ school boards also will review athletic fees. (Julie Slama/ City Journals) The

“We tried to equalize the sports in terms of travel and camps and clinics. There’s no reason to have a camp and clinics cap different by sport. It should be the same for all sports and the same can be said for travel,” he said.

Canyons’ proposed camp and clinic maximum within each sport is $400. Travel, at $1,500, matches the current school year’s maximum cost.

“It’s important to realize that the maximum amount per student in athletics and in activities is $5,000. That doesn’t mean every student will reach that amount. Last year, we only had one student who did. It also doesn’t mean every coach will spend $1,500 per student on travel; we’re setting the boundaries and trying to make it fair across the board,” he said. “All this money goes to that program and to kids by rule. We don’t use it to pay for anything outside of that program or for the kids. None of this goes into the coaches’ pockets or to the school. This is just the operational costs for these activities. A few years ago, the (Utah) legislature made it so every activity had to be self-funded. The kids have to pay whatever it costs to play that activity. So, when the activities become more expensive than what we’re collecting, we got to adjust it.”

Canyons School District’s fees also increased for soccer, golf, track and volleyball. The proposed fees for Canyons’ sports and activities can be found at www.feeschedules. canyonsdistrict.org/#/home/700.

The student fee proposal will be reviewed

by the Canyons Board of Education through its March 12 meeting, said Canyons spokeswoman Kirsten Stewart. Patrons can address the Board through public comment or by contacting their school’s Board member.

“No child has ever been turned away from an activity,” Stewart said. “We always work with families.”

Families who qualify can apply for fee waivers. Schools, on a case-by-case basis, may grant fee waivers to a student who does not qualify for a waiver, but because of extenuating circumstances, is not capable of paying the fee, she said.

Sherwood added that most teams also provide fundraising opportunities.

The cost of student fees for athletics and activities is reviewed annually by school districts. While each district may break it down differently and can vary per sport, usually it accounts for participation fee, camps and clinics, uniforms and clothing, team activities and meals, travel and miscellaneous costs.

Murray School District’s proposed student fees for the 2024-25 school year can be found at www.murrayschools.org/high-schoolfees/.

Jordan School District’s proposed student fees for the 2024-25 school year can be found at www.proposedfees.jordandistrict.org/schedule/high.

Granite Board of Education will review their high school student fees at a March meeting, said spokesman Ben Horsley. l

Husky softball hopes to have home run season with strong senior class

Batter up. The Huskies are ready.

This year’s Hillcrest High softball lineup includes a strong senior class. Three athletes already have signed letters of intent to play at colleges: catcher Brooklyn Ricci to Utah Valley University; pitcher Lilly Hutchings to Dawson Community College in Montana; and transfer student and pitcher Kyli Carell to College of Southern Idaho.

With two games—a 16-1 win over Granger High and 5-0 win over Carbon High—to start the season, the Huskies had one more game to play before taking to the road for a tournament in St. George where together the varsity and JV teams were to play nine games in two days. Then, the student-athletes return home to play an away region game, Tooele High, just days later.

“We have a good freshman, Lila Vawdrey, who plays centerfield; she’s starting on varsity. When she was a seventh grader, she came to one of the Hillcrest softball camps and she’s gotten better and better every year,” said head softball coach Anthony Ricci.

He also has two sophomores—Adrianne Sullivan in right field and Avilynn Godrey on second base—on his varsity roster.

While competing in a new region—4A region 10—there are some familiar teams and some ones who haven’t been in the same region with the Huskies.

“Our competition for region will be Tooele and Murray,” he said saying both high school teams have strong pitchers. “Stansbury, too.”

Even with tough teams, Ricci is optimistic.

“I think we have a good chance to beat them all. We can

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

do really well in region this year,” he said. “We should go pretty deep in at state.”

Additionally, the Huskies will have some “good battles” against Brighton High on April 8 and Cyprus High on April 10.

“Brighton should be a fun game when we play them for Battle of the Bat. We’ve won the Battle of the Bat the past three years,” he said. “They like that game because a lot of the kids know each other, they’ve gone to school together or live in the same neighborhoods. It’s a friendly rivalry.”

Ricci expects the team will bond during the St. George tournament between cheering each other on, eating together and doing fun activities during the downtime.

Many of them are familiar with each other’s play during previous seasons or on club teams as well as playing in a fall league, where they competed against area high schools. They also held open gyms in the offseason.

The JV team is 1-1, having beaten Granger and losing to Carbon at the start of the season.

“JV plays after varsity, so sometimes they don’t get to play a full seven-inning game because they’re running out of daylight. Most of the time, it’s a game that’s only an hour and a half,” he said, adding that against Carbon, the game consisted of only two innings. “We have some good players coming up and not just our freshmen and sophomores, but we have a lot of really good eighth graders who came to our open gyms and will be freshmen next year. It’s going to be exciting, not just for this year, but multiple years to come.” l

Hillcrest High pitcher Lilly Hutchings, seen here in 2023, is one of three seniors who have signed to play ball in college. (Julie Slama/ City Journals)

Strong Hillcrest boys tennis team likes odds to win region, be top 10 at state

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

First-year Hillcrest High head coach for boys tennis Creighton Chun has a dilemma.

As the head coach of girls’ tennis, and longtime assistant coach of both teams, he’s faced several issues, including most recently, the problem of finding courts to play on as the school was rebuilt and the tennis courts were amongst the last part finished. For four years, he scoured city parks to find courts, only to find some with uneven, broken pavement or nets torn or missing.

At one point, some players practiced in one location, while others played somewhere else, which made it difficult for both the team to become cohesive and the coaches to help all players at once since they split up with the players. Come game day, fan support dwindled to mostly parents since there never were any home matches.

Chun didn’t sign on for more problems, but this one “is a good problem,” he said.

“We’re deep. We’re strong. From our doubles teams through JV, our players are all really close (in playing ability),” he said. “Our JV team (after playing four teams) is undefeated this year; every single player is undefeated. Any given day, JV players could break into the varsity and play second doubles, at least. That’s the problem we’re running into right now. Again, it’s a good problem.”

Those players can challenge one another for varsity spots as the season progresses, as can his top three singles players. Currently, freshman Harith Sathish is the No. 1 spot, with transfer student and senior Payton Bell in second singles.

Senior Aarav Parikh, who has been Hillcrest’s top player in previous years, is undefeated playing third singles.

“Aarav is getting better as he’s playing more now,” Chun said. “He stopped playing after state last spring and just started playing maybe a couple weeks before the season started.”

Parikh, who had been playing about four hours four days per week since he was seven, said the break was needed.

“I was burnt out and lost that love for the sport so I needed to take some time away from tennis to focus on things that mattered to me, things that I enjoyed and then come back. I’m fully enjoying the sport and wanting to be on the court now,” he said.

Parikh said when he was younger, he tried about every sport, but “tennis was the one that stuck. It became a huge part of my life. When I was younger, I loved hitting the ball and hanging out on the court with friends. As I got older, the strategic aspect of it per se made it fun for me.”

Now Parikh and Bell are team cap-

tains, communicating with the team and leading warm-ups before matches.

“The biggest thing is hanging out with everyone because if you leave people out, they don’t feel like they’re part of the team. So we’ll hit with everybody and just, make the new kids feel welcome,” Parikh said. “We have a lot of new players this year. The coaches do a good job in developing us making sure we’re ready for matches. They put in a lot of effort to make sure that our team is in the best shape. I think the JV team as they get better the next year or two, those players will be really good as seniors. We’ll have a good talent for the next few years if not longer.”

Part of the coaches’ preparation is making sure that the “doubles players are in sync because in doubles it’s important that you know how your partner plays and their partner knows how you play. Our double teams are practicing together, doing drills together focused on situations that come up typically in doubles tennis, so they’re able to connect with each other

better,” Parikh said.

He, too, will rely on coach Chun, and his brother, Chris, who has been an assistant on both the boys’ and girls’ teams for five years.

“They’re both phenomenal coaches. They’ve spent years and years playing tennis; they know so much about the sport,” he said. “Having the coaches and a team support you is beneficial and gives you that extra motivation during a match that helps you play instantly better.”

Joining them will be former 2021-23 head coach Tui Satuala, who will be an assistant coach this season.

The team didn’t have a chance to practice due to inclement weather before their first match against East High, and the Huskies fell 4-1. About a week later after having practiced, Chun thinks the result would have been different.

However with a week of practice, the Huskies won their preseason matches against Mountain Ridge High 5-0 and

Mountain Crest High, 4-1. They also won their first 4A region 10 game against Tooele High, 5-0.

“I don’t know anything about Park City, and Murray has 20 freshmen who are really good according to their coach, but I think we can win all the games with our depth. We’re one of the favorites for region title,” he said, adding the Huskies will play on their home courts during region April 22-25.

Second round of state through the finals will be in May at Liberty Park; the first round site has yet to be announced.

“There are two strong brothers from St. George that are favorites at state, but we got to be a top 10 team, I would think. We’re our former region champions. We returned everybody at varsity except two and we gained a bunch of freshmen and transfer who are strong players,” Chun said.

And he has the doubles “problem.”

“I probably had three freshmen this year who surprised me during open courts and now, they all have played varsity,” he said.

In the mix for those double spots early in the season are junior Rohan Khakural, sophomore Lars Dalgleish, senior Briggs Hunt, senior Aarnav Kandakuri, sophomore Crew Hutchings (who was the second singles region champ last year) along with freshmen George Wang and Kabir Kandakuri.

Some of his players are enrolled in Hillcrest’s International Baccalaureate program, while others take Advanced Placement and honors classes. Many are involved in professional organizations, performing arts and student clubs.

Parikh, who is an IB student and has applied to colleges coast to coast, said the team is supportive of each other.

“We all like each other and have fun hanging out,” he said. “We’re a close team and we’re really good. I’m excited about this team my senior year.” l

Hillcrest High has several players who could play doubles this season; seen here playing No. 1 doubles are senior Briggs Hunt and junior Rohan Khakural. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Hillcrest track and field athletes: Racing faster, reaching new heights

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Hillcrest High senior Anna Ames has a possibility to join Husky alumnae Grace Weaver, Tara Sharp and Gracie Otto on top of the podium in pole vault at state track and field.

Ames already has vaulted over the bar set at 11 feet twice—at Davis Invitational April 2023, flying over at 11-feet-3-inches to secure first place at the invited event, and at 5A state last May, vaulted 11 feet to earn second place. She also earned second place at state in 2022.

This year, Hillcrest is back in 4A, where last year’s winning height was 8-feet-5.5-inches, but the state record set in 2019 stands at 12-feet-3-inches.

“Anna’s going to challenge the existing state record,” Hillcrest head track coach Scott Stucki said. “She’s the favorite to win state.”

With a background in gymnastics, the three-year flier on the Hillcrest cheer squad turned in her pom poms to have time to prepare in the offseason.

“This is the first time she’s done indoor track. She’s ahead of where she’s been before and we have a pole vault coach with track so she won’t have to go to the pole vault club as much as she has had to in the past,” Stucki said, adding there are five other assistant track and field coaches. “Anna is really good with the rock (motion) and getting vertical, pulling up on the bar and on the top end, going over the bar. She has a lot of core strength. We’re going to increase her speed a little bit more to get her up to the 12s.”

Stucki will keep his eye on Ames, his four-year varsity runner who earned academic all-state honors in cross country and serves as a student body officer, as well as his other vaulters, including junior Jack McDonough on the boys’ side, but with more coaches added to his staff, he likely will put more focus on Ames’ cross country teammates and others who are running distance races.

Ames also may run the 400 meters in a few meets, getting in a few last laps on the Hillcrest track this spring before crews plan to expand the six-lane track to eight lanes.

“It will happen probably toward the end of the season; some of the bleachers are going to go away to make room,” Stucki said, adding the football field also will receive an upgrade.

He’s hoping it will pave the way for Hillcrest to host an invitational meet next spring, which could highlight his athletes, including junior Josh Martin, who ran some of his best times during the indoor season.

“Josh has a shot at state in the 1600 and 3200; I’m pretty confident on the 3200,” Stucki said.

Last year, Martin ran his season best 3200, 10:53, in a meet against Uintah and Cottonwood high schools. During the UHSTCA indoor invitational, he ran 43 seconds faster.

His fastest 1600 meters last year was at region, 4:48.51. He ran a 4:36.57 at the Simplot Games during indoor.

Martin’s teammate, junior Matt Keller, also ran his fastest times during indoor, with a 4:52.87 1600 meters and a 10:53.71 in the 3200.

Ames’ teammate, top distance runner Edith Neslen, won’t get the chance to put many miles on the new track as she is set to graduate this spring. She already has committed to run for Salt Lake Community College.

“Edith’s running pretty similar 1600 times to last year’s outdoor season,” Stucki said. “We had a bunch of kids run some PRs (personal records) indoors. It basically gives our athletes a taste of racing during four or five meets and getting in some training.”

Sophomore Claire McCann, who ran second to Neslen in cross country, likely will run 400 and 800 meters, although Stucki said she could run longer distances as well. Junior Kimi Mavaddat is expected to add depth in the 1600 and 3200 meters.

have some guys that are going to hit some marks at region.”

Stucki is excited to see the numbers with sprinters this season.

“We’ve got a bunch of new sprinters. We’ll just have to see what that looks like. We should have an easier time filling relays than we did last year,” he said.

Senior Josiah Gonzales, who qualified for finals in the Simplot Games in 400 meters, has been a strong leg on the boys’ sprint relays the past two years. Stucki expects he will qualify individually as well at state; last year, he ran the 400 in 50.57 at the Davis Invitational.

He also has high hopes for seniors Mateo Paul, Tayden Black and Marcus Sollers in sprints.

This season was to open with a dual meet at Brighton High, followed by another at Murray. The Huskies also were scheduled to compete in March at the Tony Glover Memorial Invitational in Riverton and Draper as well as the Juab Invitational.

In April, the Huskies will host two dual meets and travel to Cottonwood for another as well as compete in West Jordan High’s, Taylorsville’s, Davis’ and Nebo’s invitationals. They will lace up their shoes for the region 10 JV championships April 30 or the Mountain Ridge’s twilight meet to finish the season before varsity regionals May 8 and the state meet, May 16-18 at Brigham Young University.

After first being impacted by COVID shortening its 2020 season to one meet and then, rebuilding the team numbers the past three seasons, Stucki is more optimistic about his team this year.

“We’ve got more kids out than we did last year. We haven’t had more than 100 kids for a bit; even now, we could use more kids. We had a bunch of new girls who are throwing; I think some of them might be pretty good,” he said, adding that his entire throwing class on the girls’ side graduated last year. “We have a pretty good group of guys too; we didn’t lose many (to graduation) from throws last year. We’re going to

Stucki is expecting senior Jessi Johnson and sophomore Sophie Peterson to lead the team in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles.

“Jessi was our best 100 hurdler last year. I’m hoping with all her experience, everything clicks for her this year. Sophie was starting to get pretty good at the 300s. I’m hoping they will be attacking them. We’ve got some guys that we’re going to push over into hurdles. We’re going back to our roots to build a strong hurdle team. The last few years we just haven’t had many,” he said.

Although Hillcrest moved into a new region (4A region 10) this year, so did Stansbury High, which Stucki said will be a strong team. Park City and Jordan high schools also could provide tough competition. Cottonwood and Murray high schools also are expected to have good athletes.

“I’m hoping we can have a decent finish in region this year,” he said. “If we can finish third, I feel pretty good about that.”

Hillcrest High’s track coach says senior Anna Ames, seen here in the indoor Simplot Games, is a favorite to win the state title in pole vault. (Photo courtesy of Hillcrest High Running Co.)

Senior Anna Ames, seen here as a sophomore running a relay for Hillcrest at region in 2022, is expected to win region and state in pole vault and race in the 400 and in relays for the Huskies. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Many of Hillcrest High student-athletes competed in postseason play in sports this winter. Here is a recap of the Huskies’ seasons.

Wrestling

Two individuals repeated as state wrestling champions—sisters Eva Zimmerman at 105 pounds and Eliza Zimmerman in 115 pounds. Their sister, Katie, was third in 100 pounds behind teammate Antonia Ingabire. Taking fifth place in 135 pounds was Aleia Baarsma and in 190 pounds, Asinate Mafuahingano. The Huskies finished fifth at 5A state.

The boys team finished 18th in 5A at state with Cooper Limb earning third place in 132 pounds and Marcus Sollers taking sixth in 165 pounds.

Swimming

In swimming, the Huskies celebrated a state champion in the unified 50 free. Freshman Santiago Romero swam to first place with a time of 34.42. Teammate junior Eitennemichel Camis-Bateman was close behind, touching the wall in fifth place.

Junior Thomas Powers returned to state in 100 breaststroke, finishing second in 59.96, a big improvement over his 1:03.9 swim last year where he finished in 19th place. He also swam 200 individual medley in 2:05.32 and tied for fifth place.

Joining Powers in the top 10 for boys were sophomore Alex Skorut, who swam to fifth place in 100 back, and junior Jacob An, who finished ninth in the 100 fly.

Junior Maria Magalhaes also finished in the top 10 in two events. She swam the 200 free in 2:03.15 for ninth place and the 50 free in 26.22 to finish 10th.

The Huskies had a couple relays place in the top 12 as well. The unified team’s relay finished second. The boys 200-yard medley relay of Skorut, Powers, An and junior Cody Su was seventh; and the 400 free relay with Skorut, Powers, An and sophomore Daniel Emett was eighth. The girls’ 200-free relay was 11th with teammates freshman Cora McIllece and juniors Maddie Peterson, Dadeian Hess and Magalhaes.

Other girls who placed at state are in the 100 fly—Peterson, 24th; 100 free—McIllece, 26th; and Peterson, 32nd; and 50 free—McIllece, 29th.

State-finishers for the boys are in the 100 fly—freshman Andrew Shupe, 12th; Su, 18th; 200 free —Emett, 19th; 200 IM—An, 15th; sophomore Benny Bridge 20th; junior Sean Wager, 24th; 50 free—Skorut, 20th; 500 free—Emett, 21st; junior Brighton Edmonds, 31st; 100 back—Wager, 31st; 100 breast— Bridge, 15th; Shupe, 18th; and Su, 32nd.

The girls’ team finished 17th at state and the boys, 11th.

Cheer

Early in the season, Hillcrest cheer qualified to compete in game day routine at UCA

Hillcrest wraps up winter sports season

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

National high school championship in Florida.

Besides the regional qualifier Dec. 9, the Huskies earned third place in the northern UHSAA state divisionals.

Competing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in February, the first-year coach Alex Martinez then posted on the team’s Instagram account: “I am so proud of this team right here. Cheerleading is not an easy sport. Changes in a coaching staff is not an easy transition. Qualifying for UCA Nationals is not an easy endeavor or one that is freely given. Yet, it is these athletes right here who did it all. They never gave up; they found grit within themselves and resilience to keep going when things were hard or discouraging.”

Basketball

Boys’ basketball finished fourth in 4A region 10. Among the teams wins were Park City twice, West, Kearns, Mountain Ridge and Northridge high schools. They had close losses to Jordan twice (away by 2 points and at home, by 3 points in overtime), four points in overtime to Tooele and one point to Stansbury. As a 20-seed, the Huskies traveled to Washington, Utah in the first round and lost to 13-seeded Crimson Cliffs in the state playoffs.

The teams had several players receive honors. On the boys’ team, juniors Damani Wilkerson and Zach Tanner, second team all region; and senior Rhett Robinson was all region honorable mention. For the girls, senior Aasia Julia and juniors Addison Back and Dayana Mulamba were all region honorable mention.

Girls’ basketball finished seventh in region, with a two-point loss to Granger High.

The team’s bench was deep so several Huskies are expected to play next year with significant varsity experience.

Drill

Hillcrest High’s 22-member drill team, fondly known as HD, were crowned 4A state champions.

“There were so many tears; I was so proud,” said the team coach Chelsea Divine.

As of press deadline, they were in California, competing in the 57th annual Miss

Dance Drill Team USA national competition. Additionally, junior Aniyah Hassell, who placed in the top 10 at Miss Drill Utah, will compete for the Miss Drill USA title. The season included tying with two other schools for first place at Utah Valley University, but losing the tiebreaker for a third-place finish. Sweeping the Davis Valley Classic for the win and edging out the top-seeded team to win the Royal Classic Invitational. They also were the 4A region 10 champions. l

Hillcrest High’s boys wrestler seen here in a meet against Cedar Valley High, finished 18th at state while the girls placed fifth, with two individuals repeating as state champions. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Hillcrest ninth-grader Santiago Romero swam to a state title in the unified 50 freestyle. (Photo courtesy of Jason Long/Jordan High)

Hillcrest’s junior Dayana Mulamba grabs the rebound in the last game of the season against Murray High. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

IHusky soccer coach’s hopes to challenge young team

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

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n 4A region 10 boys’ soccer, the competition got a bit deeper with the addition of Layton Christian Academy.

“We got Layton Christian added to our region, so it gives them a little more competition, but for us, we only have 14 games so it gets tough to have a preseason,” Hillcrest High coach Brett Davis said. “So, our region coaches decided to split our region into two groups and we’ll play the teams in our group of four twice and the other group of four we will play once. That’s the only way we could get preseason.”

For Hillcrest, its division includes Murray, Park City and Layton Christian schools. The other side is Stansbury, Tooele, Jordan and Cottonwood high schools.

The Huskies kicked off the season, winning a double overtime game against Mountain Crest High in a tournament in St. George.

“It was a good eye opening for our young team. We completely outplayed Mountain Crest, but we couldn’t figure out how to score even though we had several chances. Then, we got a red card and had to play a man down the last 15 minutes or so of regulation time and then through overtime,” he said. “We usually try to space out playing at the tournament with its cost, but we felt that last year it was such a positive influence on our region championship, our first in 30 some years, that we decided we would go again this year. It’s a big deal in team bonding and influential in our development early in the season.”

The second tournament game, Hillcrest played “a very good Lone Peak team who is expected to be one of the top two or three teams in the entire state of all divisions. They’re 6A and that game gave us some lessons to learn,” Davis said. “We expect all of our preseason to intentionally challenge ourselves; every game counts for the RPI, even the preseason. We’re going to be playing other solid preseason games with Hunter and American Fork. I expect them to be very competitive and that will give us good preparation as well as potentially good RPI.”

Much like college sports teams rankings, the RPI will be used to rank the Huskies based upon its wins and losses and its strength of schedule.

“If you’re in the top half of the RPIs, you play at home in the first round of state. I think we have a good chance of it because our RPI will take our record and that plays in along with the record of our opponents,” Davis said about the state tournament that begins May 1.

The Huskies were ranked fourth in region in preseason by the coaches, he said.

“I think we’re going to finish higher than that. It’s going to be more difficult to win the region, but I’m not taking that out of the equation. I think we’re capable. If our younger players gain the maturity to be able to do what they need to do, then I think we’re on the hunt,” he said adding that Layton Christian and Murray also will be in the mix.

The team likely will be led by senior Collin Scarbrough, one of nine seniors on the

team.

“He’s probably our top individual player. We’ve moved him to a role where he can be more influential in the game. He’s matured a lot as an individual and as a player and has really stepped up to become more of a team leader. He is very strong on the ball; he’s solid,” Davis said about his four-year varsity player who will play in the midfield.

Joining him as a team leader will be senior Kayden Burton, who has been on the team’s midfield since his freshman year.

“We’ve moved him a bit to the outside more this year, but he does play some in the center where the bulk of our most creative and effective players are so he will get a lot of minutes. He has been very dynamic and influential player for us,” he said about the versatile player who has played all positions except keeper.

Davis foresees a bright Husky soccer future.

“I’ve got a good junior class and a really good sophomore class. Our JV team is almost

all freshmen and sophomores. Our next two years of freshmen coming in are also very good. We should be good in the future,” he said. “When I started here, we were always the school that people left our boundaries to go play at Brighton or Alta or wherever. We potentially lost players who could help us win region or go to state. We’re now at the point where our players stay at Hillcrest and we’re getting others coming to Hillcrest for the school’s IB program or other reasons who are good players and that is helping our program.”

Along with the girls’ soccer team, the boys were slated to hold a clinic for every grade at Midvale and Copperview elementary schools in late March, like the skills clinic they held after the Midvale’s Harvest Day parade.

“We’re part of the community and want to give back to it,” Davis said. “It gives our players a chance to share their joy of the sport.” l

Hillcrest High senior Collin Scarbrough dribbles the ball against Hunter High. (Brett Davis/Hillcrest High)

I ’m not sure what Utah legislators think happens in women’s restrooms, based on the ridiculous bathroom bill that was recently passed. Do they imagine we walk into a restroom, disrobe, dance around drinking martinis and chat like teenagers in a TV sitcom?

Otherwise, I can’t imagine why our “leaders” thought banning trans women from public bathrooms would protect my privacy. If there was a creepy man dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire, accosting women in the restroom, yes, that would be terrible. And it’s already illegal.

But I’m letting the legislators in on a little secret. Here’s what happens in a public restroom. I walk to the bathroom and wait in line (because there’s always a line). I make no eye contact with the women around me. When a stall is available, I scurry into it, do my business as quietly as possible and rush to wash my hands. I glance in the mirror to make sure there’s no popcorn stuck to my face, and I leave.

I wouldn’t know if there was a trans woman in the bathroom with me because (and hear me out) trans women are women. Legislators, you continue to create fear and disconnection. Stop it.

This unenforceable law could mean

Circling the drain

we must carry a small copy of our birth certificate, next to the mini-Bible and a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution we’re already toting around. But… scanning my scriptures…I see one that reads, “Love thy neighbor.” Interesting. I don’t see an asterisk that explains *Unless your neighbor has a lifestyle of which you don’t approve.

Speaking of protecting privacy, as the legislative session wrapped up last month, our “leaders” passed a law that blocks access to the daily calendar of elected officials. (I think they confuse “privacy” with “secrecy.”)

Imagine you hire an employee and tell them you’ll be tracking their work, checking their calendars and watching their emails. You want to see how they spend their time, who they hang with and if they’re misbehaving.

Then imagine that employee said

you had no right to do any of that. That it’s none of your damn business. Well, you’d fire that employee in a heartbeat. Elected officials work for the people and we deserve to know what they do.

The Freedom of Information Act grants access to government records so the media and the public can see how the sausage is made. But Utah legislators continue to pass bills making government less transparent. It’s like painting over a window, one thin coat at a time.

In 2011, Utah’s governor and legislators were presented with the Black Hole Award by the national chapter of

the Society of Professional Journalists because of a bill they passed (HB477) limiting access to government records. Five years later, Attorney General Sean Reyes received the same award from the Utah chapter.

Sensing a theme?

Overall, the legislators passed nearly 600 bills this year, including one that eliminates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at universities and some government entities. That’s nice. As if Utah wasn’t white, wealthy, male and straight enough already.

And through a law signed by Gov. Spencer Cox, teachers are now encouraged to bring guns to school because how do we address a gun control problem in this country? More guns!

For a state that declares it’s against big government control, a lot of bills passed this year seem glaringly hypocritical.

As the year goes along, I’m sure we’ll hear more from our “leaders” about book bans, school vouchers, revised history curriculum, church-protected abusers and the benefits of coal. Legislators seem just as clueless about those things as they are about women’s bathrooms.