Midvale Journal | May 2024

THE JOURNALS INTRODUCES NEW PROCESS TO ENSURE LOCAL NEWS DELIVERY

The City Journals have published newspapers every month for the past 33 years. During which we have mailed a copy of the Journal to nearly everyone in the city. We know from audits that over 70% of the households in the city read the Journal, but that means 30% do not. That is a

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considerable amount of wasted paper. We also know that some people in the community are not receiving the Journal, although they want it.

Until now there was no way to address these issues. But now, using this QR code, you can select if you want to receive the Journal.

Because staying informed about local happenings is more important than ever, the Journals is proud to announce an innovative process to guarantee community members receive their local news each month.

Recognizing the vital role of local journalism in fostering community engagement and connection, the Journals has developed an approach to ensure timely and reliable news delivery to every doorstep within our coverage areas.

Using cutting-edge logistics technology and a dedicated team of delivery professionals, we can create enhanced route planning, tracking systems and distribution methods. The Journal aims to overcome challenges that have hindered timely news delivery in the past.

“It is important to keep readers informed about what’s happening in their

neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government,” said Bryan Scott, publisher at The City Journals. “With this new process, we’re not only reaffirming our commitment to high-quality local journalism but also ensuring every member of our community has reliable access.”

We have deep gratitude for the United States Postal Service, whose dedication enables the delivery of more than 200,000 monthly Journals to our readers. This partnership is instrumental in ensuring our local news reaches every household efficiently and consistently. With our new system, readers will still receive their Journal in the mail each month but with more accuracy and control based on our new process.

This underscores the Journals’ unwavering dedication to providing trusted local news and information for our readers. Whether reporting on community events, highlighting local businesses, or investigating important issues affecting our neighborhoods, the Journals remains steadfast in its mission to celebrate and build the community.

The Journals encourages readers to provide feedback on their news delivery experience, allowing for improvement and refine-

ATTENTION: USE THIS QR CODE TO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP GETTING THE JOURNAL

ment of the process. With this groundbreaking approach, the Journals reaffirms its position as the leading provider of local news, delivering stories that matter to our valued readers.

Residents can now choose if they want to receive the Journal at their home by using the QR Code or by visiting Mail.TheCityJournals.com. We ask all residents to complete this form to continue receiving the Journal each month.

Share this message with others in the city who may not be familiar with the newspaper and want to sign up. l

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Decoding engineering and manufacturing careers, insights from Fortune Global 500 company manager

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Flex offers a comprehensive portfolio of engineering and manufacturing solutions when customers need it—globally.

That was a message that Flex Industrial Engineering Manager Sergio Hirata relayed to about 50 Hillcrest High students at the school’s recent Meet the Pro speaker series.

“We’re able to take a concept, a customer’s request of whatever they need, and deliver it the next day,” he said. “We have the capability to develop it and build it in one day.”

Hirata, who understands four languages, told students being multilingual is beneficial as it opens opportunities in the career at Flex, a Fortune Global 500 company.

“Before I graduated, I was already studying English and Spanish,” said Hirata, who’s native tongue is Portuguese. “This helped a lot to get my first job.”

Hirata has worked in manufacturing companies for 33 years and 26, in engineering. He first began as a maintenance engineer in 1997, then worked as a process engineer for three years in automotive companies. In 2001, he became an industrial engineer in the electronics industry.

In 2008, Hirata joined Flex in Brazil, working at two of the firm’s sites as an industrial engineer and business excellence manager. He moved to Salt Lake City in 2021 to help start the Flex operations in Utah where he was responsible for implementing industrial engineering and business excellence, which he now oversees.

Flex has more than 100 facilities in 30 countries, employing more than 170,000 workers. It manufactures for 16,000 suppliers worldwide.

“We work with some of the biggest brands in the world; some of them don’t have their own factory so they hire companies like Flex to manufacture for them. Some don’t even do their own product development so that’s another thing we do. Flex is No. 2 in the world, one of the biggest companies that manufacture big brands so any electronics you see in your car and house probably have something or the whole product was made by Flex,” he said.

It could be microphones to car headlights and taillights. In Salt Lake City, it’s servers.

“We build servers and deliver them to customers,” Hirata said. “I like the challenges in my job. What we are now facing is a different challenge because servers now are much heavier and bigger, so we need to rethink the whole process and the whole line to handle that. I like that it’s not the same thing every day and that there are challenges.”

He recommends high school students

get a solid education in mathematics, physics and chemistry.

“We do a lot of calculations, so they need to be good at those. If they manage a project to introduce a new product, they need good communication skills and be able to handle different groups who work together in different areas of a project,” said Hirata, who also is speaking to college students about internships and open positions.

His talk covered Flex’s Salt Lake City area roles and responsibilities from program manager and production to process, product, test, quality and new product innovation engineering.

By sharing about those roles, Hirata hopes it will help students better understand engineering.

“When students go to the university, they may choose to be an engineer, but they really don’t know what engineering is,” he said. “It’s not, ‘I’m going to develop a new process;’ it’s more than that. When you become an engineer, you have a lot of different fields you can work with so I wanted to show the students different engineering and what we can do and what they can choose from.”

Canyons School District Career and Technical Education Director Janet Goble said the Meet the Pro series is designed to give students a chance to widen their perspectives about professions.

“Students are able to ask questions to industry professionals to deepen their understanding of the careers,” she said. l

The Midvale City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Midvale. For information about distribution please email hello@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2019 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.

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Meet the Pro speaker Sergio Hirata shares with Hillcrest High students the role of engineering at Flex, a Fortune Global 500 company. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Career days help shape future of elementary students

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Brittany Gharring met James Blake while working on “Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse.”

As a celebrity makeup artist, she did his hair and makeup. Her services have been used for other celebrities, from Disney and Marvel productions to Nike and Kroger campaigns.

It’s a career that has taken her from Los Angeles to New York, but it started 20 years ago with a skill she learned at school. She now chooses Utah to raise her family; her kids attend Oak Hollow Elementary in Draper.

“I learned a skill and developed it to take it to where my career is now,” she told students at Oak Hollow’s career day. “Find your passion, your inspiration and start learning about it.”

She was one of hundreds of career day speakers at Canyons School District’s elementary schools’ career days, which dotted the calendar throughout the school year.

Most, like Gharring, were parents invited by their students to share expertise in their field, said work-based learning facilitator Jared Vincent, who helped coordinate the career days in 27 elementary schools.

“It’s important to start planning early so they can be college and career ready; they may choose to learn a trade or attend a vocational school,” he said.

Interior designer Candice Marsh spoke to Midvalley Elementary students in Midvale.

“I took art classes in school and use those skills all the time,” she said to students. “I use math when I measure and draw a design to scale. I need to communicate with my customers. I’ve been mostly doing residential houses, like the ones we live in, but now, I’m in school as I want to do commercial or design for hotels. You can always keep learning.”

She gave first-grade students a challenge. Each student received a piece of material and instruction to design a room around that color. It gave them a chance to be creative and apply skills they’re learning in school.

In a kindergarten classroom, Trent Labrum pointed out the router in the classroom and explained his career.

“I’m a superhero of the internet,” he said. “I work on stuff behind the Wi-Fi to connect you to the internet, and I put up safety guards to keep the bad guys away. I use my computer to do good things.”

Kindergarten teacher Kylie Falke said not only does it help their “brains to start thinking about careers they may want someday, but it also ties into learning about our communities and people who work in it. They’re learning that the reading and math they’re doing now could someday be built upon the careers and

Tskills they’ll do in the future.”

Metal grinder Trevor Woodford, who has two children at Sandy’s Peruvian Park, talked to a class and told them that he fabricates new tools “that nobody else makes.”

“It can be challenging and creative to make something useful out of nothing,” he told students—most, who were learning about the career for the first time.

Talking to a class nearby was filmmaker Dan Kettle, who’s first job was to make a video for a friend’s restaurant in trade for food.

“My camera has taken me to some cool places from Hawaii to Ghana,” he said. “Well, maybe not my first camera anymore. It fell into the ocean during a boat tour, but I dove in to save it.”

He walked students through writing scripts in preproduction, talked about the excitement that comes during filming and then editing where he “brings it all together with the best takes.”

Down the hall, Rivka Wilkins shared her work as an artist and graphic designer with students. They oohed and aahed when she showed them her Northern Lights artwork and were intrigued when she explained her technique.

Wilkins explained that while she loves blending colors, she also has a business mindset. That is a concept she wanted students to

understand.

“As my own business owner, I do the marketing, the pricing and work with my 2,000 serious clients,” said the Instagrammer who has about 275,000 followers. “If I do nothing, I don’t get any sales. Then, my art isn’t shared.” l

Canyons School District’s woodworking contest spotlights talent, craftsmanship

wenty-five woodworking students—five from each of Canyons School District’s five comprehensive high schools—had their tools ready to begin.

Only they didn’t know what they were creating in the four-hour block of time.

Welcome to Canyons woodworking and turning contests.

At the given time, the plans and materials to make a toolbox with a rounded handle were distributed and students began as their woodworking teachers looked on.

In a second room, additional woodturning students started on making a three-legged stool on lathes.

“The projects change every year,” said Ben Poulsen, Corner Canyon High’s career and technical education coordinator. “Last year, it was an end table. The year before, a chessboard with a drawer.”

The competition has been going on since before the District formed 15 years ago, when it was Jordan School District.

“It was an event that was always well attended by the schools on the east side so naturally, we continued it when we became Canyons,” he said. “It sets students up for the Skills USA woodworking contest, which also has students figure out how to build the project on their own. That’s why this is set up the same way; it give students an opportunity to com-

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

pete and to hone their skills. It prepares them for the state competition.”

While state is limited to one student per school, this experience also allows more students that level of competition, Poulsen said.

“The one at state is more of a cabinetmaking competition, which is a box-building activity. Here, we do more of a furniture type level, which involves joinery, and that’s more difficult than box-making so we give them more of a deeper experience to learn from,” he said.

In the woodworking contest, students are given wood for them to cut to size for the toolbox.

“If they mess up and they cut something too small, they have to work with what they were given. They can’t get any more lumber. It’s one of those measure four times to cut once,” Poulsen said. “They may make the overall project smaller than what was on the plans or glue boards back together. You may still see the glue line to make it the original size, but it can look really nice because their excellent craftsmanship. These students just don’t give up.”

That was the experience of Hillcrest High senior Fischer Coleman, who said he was calm and thinking logically, when the miter saw wasn’t fully locked in.

“I have a good memory and that usually allows me to get ahead of my competition, but

this time, I messed up,” he said. “The miter saw slipped. I’d have to unglue everything to make it smaller and at this point, I’d rather help my friends. I’ve done this contest twice before and finished in the top three last year so now, the best thing I can do is be a good teammate and help them. I love the fact we can use teamwork; the best way to help your friends is for them to learn from my mistakes. Honestly, I’d rather them win than for me to do OK trying to undo it to fix my mistake. Helping them is the best part of this competition.”

Coleman even offered tools and advice to a student from another school.

“I don’t really care about winning. I would rather everyone has a fun time doing it and see them perform really well,” he said.

Paulsen said that businesses support students, from Intermountain Wood giving a 50% discount on the contest wood to industry professionals judging students works awarding them with donated tools or gift certificates. l

Trent Labrum talks to students at Midvalley Elementary’s career day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Canyons School District woodworking students compete in a four-hour woodworking contest making tool boxes. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Hail to Hillcrest High’s principal: The advocate for students

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

When480 Hillcrest High students gradu-

ate May 29, so will their principal.

After 34 years in education, Greg Leavitt will hang up his cap and gown in June from the school building he helped build—the second in his career.

During his tenure, he has impacted thousands of students, supported hundreds of teachers, mentored several administrators— and had his face grace an unknown number of T-shirts, cell phone PopSockets and air fresheners.

“Mr. Leavitt is a student advocate,” said Tom Sherwood, Canyons School District’s director of high schools. “He believes when we set the bar high enough, the students will reach it; Given the proper supports, all students can be successful.”

Leavitt didn’t dream of becoming an educator.

“Education for me was not necessarily a plan,” he said. “I decided I’d teach math even though I didn’t do well in math in high school. Even the first couple of classes in college, I didn’t do well. I just kept with it and started to blossom. It gave me an advantage in my teaching career when helping students who didn’t understand because I was one of those that math didn’t come easy to.”

Leavitt taught at Butler Middle in Cottonwood Heights.

“Math is straightforward; I like that about it,” he said. “As a teacher, I liked being connected to the kids. When we’d do fractions, I’d put on a chef’s hat, and we made cookies. They’d figure out how we’re going to increase this recipe and we’d have them for a week.”

Leavitt then was a counselor at Eastmont Middle in Sandy and in 1997, his first administrative appointment was at West Jordan Middle, where he served as an assistant principal for five years.

Then, he was transferred to the now defunct Crescent View Middle School in Sandy, as an assistant principal before being named principal there.

Current Eastmont Middle School principal Stacy Kurtzhals was his assistant principal and recalled Leavitt following his long-term plan.

“He is very innovative and willing to take risks,” she said. “His long-term vision was to make school the best possible for kids. He was the leader on the middle school vision of having teams within the school, so kids felt like they belonged. He was prominent on working with teachers in professional learning communities and making sure that teachers did their best work.”

Kurtzhals remembered Leavitt moving his desk in the hallway.

“He said, ‘I’m just going to be right here.’ He just wanted kids to see him and know he supported them and cared,” she said.

Draper Park Middle Principal Chip Watson, Leavitt’s other assistant principal at the time, said that Leavitt stressed understanding students. That’s why Leavitt decided they needed to know what it felt like to be students, so the three administrators enrolled in beginning band class.

“He had the rule was you had to play something you’ve never played before. He played the trumpet,” Kurtzhals said, unaware that Leavitt had played it in high school. She learned the flute while Watson played the clarinet.

“We went to band class as often as we could to learn how to play our respective instruments and we all played in the Christmas concert,” Watson said. “We also went in every classroom and played, ‘We Wish you a Merry Christmas.’ We were pretty bad, but the kids got a big kick out of it.”

Leavitt was a Crescent View administrator for nine years, including when in 2012, the school board voted to close the school in favor of building Draper Park Middle, where he then served as its first principal.

“I worked with the architects and built that from the ground up,” he said, unaware that in a few years, he would be principal at Hillcrest in Midvale and would repeat that process with the high school’s rebuild. “I learned stuff I didn’t know about myself. I liked looking at plans and saying, ‘This will work better. This is the flow of the hallway. This is the flow of the office.’ We messed up on Hillcrest’s office. Everyone has to walk around the secretary’s desk. I didn’t catch it and feel bad about that.”

Leavitt comes from simple beginnings.

He grew up in Bunkerville, Nevada, a ranching and farming community in the des-

ert, five miles southwest of Mesquite along Riverside Road.

“His family and his grandparents lived on the same street; it was a very rural upbringing,” Sherwood said, having visited the town with Leavitt during a desert road trip. “It was a small town; small enough where everyone knows everyone.”

As a boy, Leavitt, the oldest of five children, delivered the Las Vegas Sun and Las Vegas Review Journal on his newspaper route.

“I gave my money to my parents,” he said. “I never went without; I had everything I needed. I worked at almost every gas station in Mesquite, and I worked a lot as a restaurant dishwasher, cook or busboy.”

Leavitt was born with congenital glaucoma. While he doesn’t have sight in one end, he likely may have lost sight in both his eyes if not for the critical steps his parents took.

“As a kid, as a baby, my parents took me to the University of Utah Medical Center for treatments. There hasn’t been a year that I don’t have to visit the eye doctor two or three times a year,” he said.

His dad was a sixth-grade teacher, and his mom was a bank manager and a manager of a café. He grew up in Bunkerville after the 1950’s spike of childhood leukemia since the town was downwind of nuclear test sites and before the town boomed with 1,000 people in

2000.

Leavitt gets up at 5 a.m.—“I’m not much of a sleeper in; I jump up and get ready to go, but I always eat a nice breakfast with eggs and bacon and some orange juice”—before his 20-minute commute to school.

Once at school, he’ll problem-solve. It may be to help a student with poor attendance, or one who needs funds to participate in an activity. He had Hillcrest’s rebuild include a community center to provide students with showers, laundry facilities and a pantry.

“We always want what is best for kids. I think every principal does. When principals get to this level, you want your kids to succeed. You look out for them,” Leavitt said. “I try to make sure that students have the support they need.”

That’s something that School Community Council chairwoman and parent Stacey Timmerman appreciates.

“When you look at everything he does running his administration and the programs he’s introduced, it’s focused on the needs of the students,” she said.

Former Hillcrest Assistant Principal Jan Hansen said as a team, they looked to help the school community.

“He always wants to support the kid who’s struggling,” she said. “He knows he can make a difference here. He’s constantly

Hillcrest High Principal Greg Leavitt, seen here at the school’s 2023 commencement exercises, will retire at the end of the school year. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Hillcrest High’s Husky mascot whispers a secret to school principal Greg Leavitt at a 2017 football game. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

tweaking this or fixing that.”

Simple things, like Taco Fridays, Leavitt introduced to recognize the students.

“It was our way of saying thank you for going to class and doing what they’re supposed to do because kids don’t get recognized all the time,” Hansen said. “He was open to ideas; he knew where he wanted to lead the school.”

When Hillcrest graduates came to Leavitt to start an alumni association, he listened.

“We weren’t sure what kind of reception we’d get,” said Craig Conder, Hillcrest High Alumni Association president. “But he said, ‘Thank you guys. We’re charged with tearing down this building and I don’t really have a grasp of what people care about and should stay.’ Back then, he hadn’t been a Hillcrest guy for very long. I felt like we had an ally there, right off the bat.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Leavitt looked for solutions and keep students in the forefront, Timmerman said.

“I enjoyed serving alongside him during COVID, watching him figure out how to help the kids still thrive,” she said.

Leavitt said it wasn’t ideal.

“We tried, but watching the kids, seeing their change and their gaps in learning, online learning didn’t work,” he said. “They stayed home, and they did work, but so many kids that missed the functional part of learning and the trial and error having a teacher in front of them, making sure they understood.”

Even during COVID, Leavitt connected with students.

Known for singing “Friday, Friday, Friday is my favorite day” every week during the school year, Leavitt felt it was important to keep the tradition students loved. So, he took a tricycle and rode it down a school hallway, as other teachers and administrators following in a golf cart, singing, “Friday” and posted the video for students.

“He would sing on ‘Friday’ and the kids just would roll their eyes—but secretly, they loved it. He endeared himself to them,” Timmerman said.

2017-18 student body president Boston Iacobazzi said when Leavitt sang ‘Friday,’ more so than a selection from that year’s musical as he’s known to perform at graduation, it unified the students.

“We made shirts that had his face on it with ‘It’s Friday’ to play along,” he said. “Mr. Leavitt was approachable for us students and open to listening to our ideas and finding ways to help us achieve them. He and the other male admin(istrators) did men’s drill with us, and he came to almost every football game and track meet and even now, he’s at unified sports events.”

Timmerman agrees.

“No matter how quirky he was, he could laugh at himself. A marketing class made and sold ‘Love it or Leavitt’ T-shirts with his picture and everyone wanted it,” she said. “He takes students out to breakfast to celebrate

successes and cheers them on at their competitions. The vocal ensemble group went to New York and Principal Leavitt supported them at Carnegie Hall. Last year, he coordinated the mayor, school board, fire trucks to celebrate the state theater win. This past fall, when theater kids went to the Shakespeare competition, he was sitting around the campfire telling them a ghost story. All my kids have very specific memories of him.”

Union Middle Principal and former Hillcrest Assistant Principal Brenda McCann said at Hillcrest, “Greg’s an icon. Every year they put his picture somewhere and he just goes right along with it.”

Conder said students refer to Leavitt as “The Man, the Myth.”

“One time I was there, and they had a goofy picture of him in high school on a poster and he just rolled with it,” he said. “He doesn’t take himself too seriously, but he takes his job very seriously.”

While those are in jest, Hansen said, “One of my fondest memories is during COVID when the kids did a beautiful chalk art of him in a park. It was a tribute to his connection with the kids.”

Students cheer for Leavitt at football games as he often brings pizzas.

“Every football game, he hands out 4050 pizzas,” McCann said. “He wants kids to have food so they can have fun and not worry. But he worries about the kids who aren’t involved, or the attendance kids who aren’t

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graduating. When students approach him, he likes to say ‘yes.’ His advice to me was, ‘Try to find a way to say yes, instead of no.’ So, I call him the ‘Yes Man.’ I used to tease him about that—‘I can say no because they’ll just go ask you and you’ll say yes.’”

Always the math guy, Leavitt calculated after nine years at Hillcrest, it’s time to retire.

“For me, it was adding up the numbers to retire. I’m 62. I have enough financing to live the next part of my life,” he said.

McCann said he’s been a successful educator.

“It’s amazing when you look at him coming from a little town to making some huge differences in kids’ lives,” she said.

Kurtzhals adds, “His legacy is creating a community of people who believe that students are first.”

Leavitt isn’t planning a big bash as he retires.

“I’ll go to the district reception and maybe have a barbecue after everything’s said and done. I’m going to take six months off to do anything I want,” he said, adding afterward, he will go on a church service mission.

Conder said he heard Leavitt tell others, “‘Don’t call me; I’ll be on a boat.’ I don’t know if that meant he’ll be fishing or traveling the world.”

That is, after one last commencement. l

Hillcrest High girls ‘par-fect’ their golf swings

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

During every round, practice or in a match, Dave Richardson, who coaches with Jeff Mayer, sees improvement in Hillcrest High’s girls golf team.

“None of our team grew up playing, so we’re seeing them get better stroke by stroke,” Richardson said.

The 11-member varsity team competes against Park City and Stansbury high schools, which are expected to dominate 4A region 10.

The season already has been challenging. It got a delayed start with snow canceling the first two tournaments. One was rescheduled for May 10; the other won’t be made up.

“It’s hard to get in swings with snow in February and March,” Richardson said, although he was thankful Top Golf allows the team to hit balls for free in the winter months.

With multiple school districts in the region holding different spring breaks, the girls didn’t compete for several weeks.

Still, Richardson expects the Huskies to be competitive with Cottonwood, Murray and Jordan highs.

He foresees his athletes having potential this season.

“Kinzley (Dietz, a senior) is hitting the ball a lot better; she took some lessons last summer and got in some practice,” he said. “Golf is a passion. I can teach it, but players need to play to get better, the same as any athlete needs to in any sport. Olivia (Sayles, a junior) put in some time last summer and Holland (Johnson, a junior) also took lessons. They have improved a lot and have opportunities to keep getting better.”

Junior Fiona Chen already had topped her previous best golf score, while the natural athleticism in seniors Lola Nielson and Sarah Pruden as well as freshman Kaitlyn Poulsen and solid play of sophomore Ellie Schreiber helps contribute to the team.

Nielson began golfing her freshman year.

“I heard on the school announcements we needed girl golfers, so I went,” she said.

“My brothers loved coach Richardson as a teacher so I was kind of interested in golf and thought since he’s a good teacher, he

could teach me golf. I was nervous the first day, knowing nothing, but coach Richardson is super nice and a good guy, so it’s been super fun.”

Nielson said through his instruction and patience, she has grown more comfortable and confident.

“Knowing I’m picking up this new skill I’ve never done before, I’m learning to be patient with myself too. I’ve improved, but still can be better. I like being able to correct myself and challenging myself to get better. I’ll look at people’s swings and sometimes I’ll video myself to see what I can do,” she said. “Every improvement is a steppingstone.”

Nielson also appreciates playing in tournaments against Jordan High, where her cousins, Jill and Eliza Ballou, play on their school team.

“We play at the same level and compare our scores at tournaments to see who is the best of us three. I really like the way the tournaments partner us up with girls from three other schools because I get to meet a lot of people,” she said. “With our team being so small, it’s been a fun experience getting to know girls on the team. I’ve been playing with Kinzley since we were freshmen and we’ve grown close.”

Hillcrest’s girls’ regular golf season was slated to end April 29 with the region championship.

Richardson swung his golf cart by Nielson as she was on the Glendale Golf Course to offer her, as he did other team members, some hand warmers that cold start of the early season golf tournament.

“And when it warms up,” she added, “I like being outside.” l

Husky boys’ lacrosse scores points with fans

Photo By Julie Slama

Mid-season in their inaugural year, Hillcrest High boys lacrosse players, seen here April 12 in a match against Jordan High, were in fifth place in the 4A region 10 standing. Junior Shyne Vickers led the team with goals and assists; sophomore Om Tiwari had the best shot percentage; freshman J. Wyatt Christensen had the most saves and takeaways; and sophomore Ivan Pearson led with the most ground balls. The team is coached by Spencer Steele.

Hillcrest High’s girls golf team member, senior Lola Nielson tees off during the March 20 tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Señor Pollo and Comcast Business partner as restaurant expands

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals

When Jesus Ruiz and his wife, Dulce, opened their first Señor Pollo location in Ogden in 2018, they knew they were onto something special. Ruiz is from Michoacán, a state in Mexico, but was raised in Utah. He introduced his secret family recipe for Sinaloa-style grilled chicken to patrons at his Señor Pollo restaurant and it quickly became a local favorite.

Since 2018, Ruiz has expanded his business to include nine restaurants, with more expected to open this year. Now fully franchised, Señor Pollo will soon open its first location out of the state in New York. He expects his award-winning restaurant to be a national brand soon, offering his fire-grilled chicken to even more consumers.

“Our challenge is consistency,” Ruiz said. “The biggest problem is training employees. We expect them to be very friendly to everybody. We’re trying to get all our staff to offer great customer service. One of our main goals is for every customer to leave satisfied and happy.”

As his business grows, Ruiz needs a reliable internet connection, not only to create a good customer experience but to communicate effectively with franchise owners. After having troubles with his previous internet provider, Ruiz turned to Comcast Business and has worked with the company for several years.

Comcast Business helped Ruiz streamline his communication channels and create a reliable point-of-sale system to give customers an easy way to pay for their chicken plates, tacos, nachos and tamales.

“I was paying too much for internet services, so I shopped around, talked to a Comcast representative, and

we went from there,” he said. “They provide internet and phone service. We don’t have problems with our TV services or problems with our point of sale. We have no problem connecting our equipment. They make it easy.”

Comcast Business works with companies of all sizes to create a strong network. As businesses grow, products and services grow too, including the need for better cybersecurity, unified communications, reliable connectivity and IT assistance.

Because each organization is different, Comcast Business can design, build, implement and manage a custom solution for each industry. Whether it’s a custom app for a restaurant, for easy ordering and delivery, or a transformative online presence for a unique shopping experience, a Comcast representative can help create the best system.

“Señor Pollo has been using our Comcast Business Internet and Mobility lines, which offer the fastest, reliable network and fiber solutions, for each of their locations,” said Tomas Cid, Comcast sales representative. “Beyond providing internet speeds up to 10 gigs, having our Connection Pro service gives Jesus peace of mind that he will always have data to service his customers.”

When unexpected disruptions happen, Connection Pro helps keep a business internet service seamlessly connected for up to 16 hours with powerful 4G LTE backup, which becomes more critical when businesses grow as Señor Pollo has seen.

“Working with Jesus has been great because on every location that we provide service, we’ve overcome different challenges, such as construction, installation schedul-

ing, and transferring phone numbers from other carriers,” Cid said. “Together, we work out the details so he has the fastest, most reliable internet and mobile service all the time.” l

Señor Pollo's business keeps growing as owner Jesus Ruiz and team operate nine locations with more expected to open this year. He works with Comcast Business for the fastest, most reliable internet and phone service.

Students find belonging and acceptance through Hillcrest inclusion week

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Whatdo crazy socks, board games, a paper chain and basketball have in common?

In late February, they were all part of Hillcrest High’s inclusion week.

“Everyone needs a place to belong,” said Hillcrest special education teacher Becca Remy, who helped students coordinate the inclusion week. “I want to create an atmosphere where people feel welcome and they’re able to be themselves. They don’t have to feel or have to act a certain way to fit in; everyone is welcome and everyone fits in.”

On each day, students united by dressing up. One day it was wearing pajamas to school. On another, it was wearing crazy socks. Graphic T-shirts and Husky gear rounded out the four-day school week.

Then, during their advisory period, students would join Remy’s class to watch movie shorts, play board games, make bracelets or just take crayons and colored pencils to coloring pages. They also practiced with the school’s unified basketball team, where special education students play on a team together on the court with partner athletes. Hillcrest’s unified basketball teams were set to compete in the state champion-

ships March 8.

“There’s something magical about my students; they see people through a lens that is inclusive, and they don’t judge people. They see people for who they are, and they

love them without boundaries,” she said.

“They want to make friends and are accepting of everyone.”

One of the inclusion week projects was inviting the student body to help make

a paper chain that Remy plans to put up at school. On each link, a student wrote how they could include others—“be kind to each other,” “invite them to eat lunch with me,” “join in activities together.”

“It shows we’re all connected; we’re unified. We’re making ways to include everyone; we’re making a big change,” she said.

Remy already is seeing the change within the student body the past three years the school has been holding inclusion week. It goes beyond her students and their peers announcing activities together on the daily announcements.

“I feel being around people who are accepting, you are more inclined to be yourself. That allows students to feel more at ease. I’ve had students tell me my kids are on the little quirky side so they feel they can come in, relax and be themselves. They don’t have to act a certain way to feel accepted,” she said, adding that she welcomes students who have a positive attitude and an open heart to be peer tutors to her students. “My favorite thing is when the kids make their tutors laugh and brighten their day. I love seeing that they love it. It just makes me smile.” l

During inclusion week, Hillcrest High students and faculty wrote messages of being inclusive on a paper chain to hang in the school. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Middle school intramural champions crowned

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Albion Middle proved its power on the court as it took four of the six championships in Canyons School District’s recent intramural three-on-three basketball.

Albion sixth-grade and seventh-grade girls’ and boys’ teams won the titles, while its eighth-grade boy’s A team came in second to Mt. Jordan. Albion boys’ B team was third.

The girls’ eighth-grade Indian Hills team beat Mt. Jordan to take the crown.

Seventh-grade girls’ second place went to Draper Park and Butler was second in seventh-grade boys. Mt. Jordan finished second in sixth-grade girls and Indian Hills was second for the boys.

Earlier this year, Indian Hills won the intramural chess championships, with 42 points. Albion followed with 39, and Midvale took third with 38 points.

In May, the middle schools are slated to compete in the coed soccer intramural championships. l

Canyons School District’s intramural basketball championship, middle schoolers take the court. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Hillcrest robotics and energetic spirit: Winning combination at regional qualifiers

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Hillcrest High’s Husky Robotics won a qualification match and received the Team Spirit Award Feb. 29-March 2 during the Utah Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, which was held at the Maverik Center.

In addition, sophomore Senya Walker received the FIRST Dean’s List Finalist Award and will be attending the World Championships.

At the Las Vegas Regional, Husky Robotics again scored a qualification win, received the Team Spirit Award and Walker received the FIRST Dean’s List Finalist Award.

Hillcrest also hosted the state FIRST Tech Competition this spring.

In FIRST Robotics, the teams first are challenged to build industrial-size robots following strict rules and limited time and resources, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team “brand,” and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.

Then, at the regional competition, they take part in Crescendo, this year’s game themed around music. It involves two alliances consisting of three teams each competing to perform various tasks, including shooting rings known as “notes” into goals, and hanging on chains at the end of the match.

Calling all green thumbs!

Sandy’s Waterford School’s Ravens grabbed seven wins in qualification rounds and won four of its five playoff matches to be an event finalist. They also received the Autonomous Award in Utah and at the Idaho Regionals, the Quality Award.

The school’s second team, First-Year Ravens, claimed five qualification wins.

Other Sandy teams competing in Utah’s Regionals include Alta High’s ICARUS INNOVATED, which secured eight wins in qualification rounds and was an alliance captain in the playoffs. The team won the Team Sustainability Award sponsored by Dow in Utah and at the Idaho Regionals, the Creativity Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation.

Alta High’s second team, the New Hawks, won five qualification rounds.

Jordan High’s Gravediggers recorded four qualification round wins.

South Jordan’s Bingham High’s 8-Bit Miners won five of its qualification rounds and competed in the playoff rounds while Holladay’s Olympus High’s BityBots 8174 won four of its qualification rounds. Draper’s Corner Canyon High’s Charger Robotics won five of its qualification rounds.

Murray’s AMES’ Amperes was awarded the “Quality Award” and grabbed two wins and Cottonwood High’s Underdogs won four qualification wins. l

Purchase garden plants to benefit Jordan Valley students

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Jordan Valley School will hold its plant sale for the community beginning at 10 a.m., May 9 by the greenhouse on the east side of the school, which is located at 7501 S. 1000 East. The sale will go until 2 p.m. unless the plants sell out before that time.

The starts are mostly vegetables—varieties of tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, zucchini and squash as well as herbs, such as basil, parsley and rosemary.

The sale of the plants, which cost $1 per plant or six for $5, benefits both the school and Canyons Technical Education Center, said Stacey Nofsinger, Jordan Valley principal.

“It supports JVS with purchasing additional items students need to be successful throughout the year,” she said. “It benefits CTEC in that they are participating in something that serves others.

(CTEC teacher) Dave Dau has been so gracious to support us while also giving his students something to feel good about.”

Last year’s partnership brought in about $1,500 for the students, who have severe multiple disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, communication impairments, genetic disorders and syndromes, Deaf–blindness and students who are extremely medically fragile.

The project begins with CTEC students preparing the plants’ starts and growing them in their greenhouse. Jordan Valley students help with some preparations, such as filling the pots with soil, placing and covering seeds, labeling pots, and mixing the soil.

“It was awesome to have our older students helping gather plants and place them in people’s cars,” she said, adding that it provides

them with work skill opportunities. The goal at Jordan Valley School is to improve the quality of life for students, age 5 to 22, and their families. Students receive individualized instruction and related services to maximize their independence through acquiring necessary communication and self-advocacy skills, all while contributing to their community. l

Hillcrest High’s Husky Robotics received the Team Spirit Award during the Utah Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Jordan Valley eighth-grader Cristel Solis Medina works the soil around plants that will be for sale during the Jordan Valley fundraiser. (Stacey Nofsinger/Jordan Valley)

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 801-567-7211

Public Works 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 801-567-7204

Email: mstevenson@midvale.com

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

801-567-7200

Ordering A New Trash Can 801-567-7202

Permits 801-567-7213

Court 801-567-7265

Paying For Tra c School 801-567-7202

Business Licensing 801-567-7214

Cemetery 801-567-7235

Planning and Zoning 801-567-7231

Code Enforcement 801-567-7208

Building inspections 801-567-7213

Graffiti 385-468-9769

PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY CONTACTS

EMERGENCY 911

UFA Fire/UPD Police

> Non-emergency 801-840-4000

Uni ed Police Department

> Midvale Precinct 385-468-9350

Public Works 801-567-7235

Rocky Mountain Power 877-508-5088

In The Middle of Everything

City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047

Mayor’s Message

A Reorganized Uni ed Police Department

In April of last year, I wrote about a new state law that required our community to go back to the drawing board for policing in our community, as it removed the Salt Lake County Sheri as the Uni ed Police Department (UPD) CEO, creating uncertainty about the future of our police department. Early last year, my fellow UPD board members appointed me as the chair of UPD to oversee this process, where we have worked tirelessly to better understand what this legislation meant and how we could move forward in a way that best protected our community’s public safety, o cers, and tax dollars.

As we started this process, our city recognized that we had three options for policing:

• Create our own Midvale City Police Department – this would provide the most local control, allowing our city to fully oversee the law enforcement operations, such as the budget, policies, police chief, etc. However, this option also comes with hard realities regarding cost and service levels. We could not provide the same service levels we currently see without overburdening our residents with cost.

• Reorganize the Uni ed Police Department – this would provide the highest level of service at the least amount of cost, but we would see less local control than we would have with a Midvale police department. Sharing a police department with other communities means we see greater service levels and cost savings from sharing administrative and specialty unit costs, such as human resources and SWAT. However, that also means we share control over the department’s budget, policies, etc.

• Contract with the Salt Lake County Sheri ’s O ce – this would provide some cost savings, with the least amount of local control and less direct service. This option would mean we’d have no governance control over the organization and would not oversee any part of the organization’s day-to-day operations, budget, or those in charge of policing in our community.

As our city council and I have spoken with our community over the past year, it’s been clear that ensuring we do not lose service levels while keeping costs under control has been most important. Participating in a reorganized Uni ed Police Department is the best way to ensure service levels are maintained at limited cost impacts.

THE REORGANIZATION PROCESS

By Mayor Marcus Stevenson

board directed our police chief to reorganize the department while staying under a 7% cost increase. We felt this would be a reasonable starting point, feeling we could create an e ective and e cient department by using this budgetary goal.

Service Level Expectations – UPD operates two types of organizational services: precinct services and shared services.

Precinct Services: Each UPD community has a precinct that covers our patrol o cers, street crimes, property crimes, tra c enforcement, etc. These services are fully funded by the individual community, and Midvale’s precinct will largely stay the same. Our goal was to ensure our community would not feel a drop in service levels. Salt Lake County also has a precinct in UPD, which covers canyon patrol, the gang unit, the mental health unit, DEA task force, etc. These services will return to the county and be served by the Salt Lake County Sheri ’s O ce. While UPD will not cover these services, our community can still access them through the Sheri ’s o ce.

Lost Economies of Scale – From the beginning of this process, our city recognized that this legislation would either require us to see increased costs or decreased service levels – this is primarily due to losing economies of scale. While the State’s legislation did not require Salt Lake County to remove themselves from UPD, the county made it clear that this would be their goal. With the county leaving, we would lose their 20% contribution to all shared services costs while only losing about 11,500 people from the UPD service area. Because we were losing so few people, and therefore cases and calls, from UPD’s service area, we could not necessarily cut shared services by 20%. For example, the shared services from UPD’s special victims unit and violent crimes unit will have a similar number of cases and, therefore, need the same support sta from human resources, forensics, training, etc. Cost Goals – When looking at service areas of similar sizes to UPD, we found that our total policing costs were about 7% below the average cost of policing in those other communities. Knowing that, the UPD

Shared Services: Each UPD community pays a portion of shared services based on a formula that weighs the city’s 3-year average number of cases (70%), the city’s population (20%), and the city’s taxable value (10%). This formula is recalculated annually and covers each community’s portion of human resources, records retention, training, violent crimes unit, special victims’ unit, etc. These services will largely remain the same, and our community should not feel any di erence in service levels.

Impact on our Community – Going into the reorganizing process with a goal of maintaining service levels while knowing we were losing 20% of the funding, we knew costs would go up. Fortunately, we could reorganize our department to nd cost savings while accounting for lost economies of scale and in ationary cost increases to stay within the goal of a 7% increase. However, a 7% overall increase impacts each community di erently because of the shared services formula and precinct variables. Our total cost increase to incorporate these changes is about $1.8 million. While going through this process, our city found no way to maintain current service levels without seeing increased costs, and this still provides more signi cant cost savings than we’d see with a Midvale department while maintaining current service levels. We know the City Council will have to consider increasing property taxes this year to cover the new costs, but we are still nalizing the city’s budget and do not have that number yet. Supporting public safety will be our number one priority this year.

What’s Still to Come

– Now that Midvale City and our UPD partners (Millcreek, Holladay, Kearns, Magna, White City, Emigration Canyon, Copperton, and Brighton) have all voted to stay with the reorganized UPD, we still have a lot of work to do before the County’s separation date of July 1 of this year. We still have small things like moving the shared services sta from the Sheri ’s O ce Building into the city precincts and big things like nalizing contracts to continue to share some services with the county, such as evidence storage.

On a personal note, this issue has been the most complicated and overwhelming issue I’ve encountered to date (and some elected ofcials who have been around a lot longer than I have, say the same thing). Having the trust of my fellow UPD board members to chair the organization during this transition has been an incredibly stressful honor. While the initial cost increase will be hard, I’m con dent that this reorganized UPD will provide nancial and public safety stability for our community and our o cers.

In The Middle of Everything

Midvale City Council Recognizes NextGen Cohort

Passes Proclamation In Support Of Community Renewable Energy Program

Mayor Marcus Stevenson’s NextGen Initiative serves as a platform for empowerment, aiming to tap into the passion, talent, and potential of the youth in our city. As part of the NextGen Initiative, participants have valuable opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and gain insights into the inner workings of local government. This direct interaction enables participants to better understand the decision-making processes, policies, and initiatives that shape our city. Through active engagement with their community, students lay a solid groundwork for a brighter future, right in their hometown.

The inaugural NextGen cohort consists of Nyah Cox, Ethan Mears, Benjamin Bridge, Narayani Shanker, Isabella Goates, Manvi Chechi, Ivy Costello, Maqee Chavez, and Matthew Miller. In the last six months, these students have delved into a journey of discovery and education, engaging in informative tours of The Road Home, Uni ed Police Department Midvale Precinct, Public Works, State Legislature, and beyond. Furthermore, they have invested their time in researching and crafting a proclamation in Support of the Community Renewable Energy Program.

Utah Renewable Communities is a coalition of cities, counties, and other municipalities that are pioneering renewable energy solutions in our state. These communities are 100% committed to clean energy for Utah. They work to inform, inspire, and empower our communities to be the change for a sustainable tomorrow.

Mayor Marcus Stevenson emphasized the signi cance of the Community Renewable Energy Program, stating, “The Community Renewable Energy Program allows cities to opt into net-100% renewable energy through Rocky Mountain Power. This program gives cities a seat at the table for energy in their communities and gives residents the choice of where they receive their energy from.”

The NextGen cohort’s hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. On April 16, 2024, the City Council unanimously passed the proclamation and extended recognition to the NextGen cohort for their unwavering commitment to their community. This milestone serves as a testament to the impact of youth involvement and the positive change it can bring about.

Volunteers Needed for Festival

Join us as a volunteer for the upcoming Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival! We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic individuals (aged 18 and older) to ll various roles and help make this event a resounding success.

No matter your interests, personality, or skills, we have a position that’s perfect for you. All roles involve interacting with the public, so friendliness and safety are our top priorities. Plus, as a token of our appreciation, each volunteer will receive a Festival tee-shirt and sticker!

Visit EngageMidvale.com/2024-mural-festival to learn more about the available roles and shifts and submit a Volunteer Application.

2024 Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival

Saturday, June 8, 2024, 4pm to 9pm

Step into the vibrant Midvale Main Arts & Culture District and immerse yourself in the creative energy of the Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival, a testament to Midvale City’s steadfast commitment to supporting artists and arts organizations. More than just an event, this festival is a celebration of our local community’s diversity and a platform for artists to showcase their talents. Get ready for an immersive experience lled with live murals, music, delicious treats from food

truck vendors, refreshing sips at the beer garden, and a curated selection of art vendors o ering a diverse range of creations. This festival showcases the talent of both local, regional, and international artists, reinforcing our city’s dedication to fostering creativity and cultural vibrancy.

Whether you’re a longtime resident or a curious visitor, inspiration awaits at every turn of the Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival. Come be a part of our community’s magic and celebrate the boundless power of creativity with us. Learn more at EngageMidvale.com/2024-mural-festival.

MAY 2024 CITY NEWSLETTER

MIDVALE. UTAH. GOV

Exciting developments are underway in Midvale City as construction begins for the highly anticipated Midvale Main Food Truck Plaza. Set to open its doors in August 2024, this vibrant outdoor dining destination continues the momentum of activating Midvale Main.

Located just north of City Hall, the Midvale Main Food Truck Plaza will transform an underutilized space into a bustling hub of activity. The plaza will boast an inviting atmosphere with trees, ample seating, shaded awnings, and open concrete, providing the perfect backdrop for visitors to indulge in delicious fare from a variety of delicious food trucks.

More than just a place to grab a bite to eat, the plaza aims to enhance the vibrancy of the Midvale Main Arts & Culture District. Festival-type lighting and public art installations will add to the area’s cultural charm, making it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.

In addition to enhancing the aesthetics of the area, the construction project includes sidewalk improvements on the east side of Holden Street, connecting the plaza to Main Street. This pedestrian-friendly design will provide greater access to local businesses and attractions, further revitalizing the Main Street area.

Midvale Main Food Truck Plaza is part of a larger e ort to activate Main Street and support local businesses. Partnering with the Food Truck League, Midvale City will host Food Truck Tuesdays during the summer months, o ering a diverse selection of culinary delights for residents to enjoy.

Funding for the Midvale Main Food Truck Plaza comes from the Redevelopment Agency of Midvale City (RDA), which is dedicated to revitalizing Main Street and supporting economic and community development initiatives. In addition to business development, the RDA prioritizes a ordable housing, working to ensure that all residents have access to safe and a ordable housing options.

This thrilling new addition builds upon our current successes, poised to further ignite economic growth and deepen community engagement. It epitomizes the ongoing revitalization of Midvale Main. Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Main Street like never before!

Dive deeper into the Midvale Main Food Truck Plaza project. Visit EngageMidvale.com/plaza to learn about the project’s timeline, construction locations, and phases. Plus, peek at the conceptual renderings of the Midvale Main Food Truck Plaza.

Construction Underway For Midvale Main Food Truck Plaza Spring Sprinkler Checklist: Water-Wise Tips for a Sustainable Season

As the days grow longer and the temperatures begin to rise, it’s time to prepare your sprinkler system with water e ciency in mind. With careful maintenance and attention to detail, we can ensure that our landscapes receive the water they need while minimizing waste. Follow these ve steps to optimize your sprinkler system for water e ciency this spring.

1. Check the Controller - Ensure your sprinkler controller is programmed for e ciency and clean it of any debris. Consider upgrading to a smart controller.

2. Check Sprinkler Heads - Inspect and clean sprinkler heads, considering highe ciency options. Adjust positions for uniform coverage.

3. Check for Wear & Tear - Check for damage and replace worn parts to prevent leaks. Utilize leak detection devices for proactive maintenance.

4. Run the Sprinkler System - Before watering season, run a test for leaks and ine ciencies. Adjust settings to minimize runo and schedule watering for early morning or late evening.

5. Check Valves - Check valves for proper operation and replace faulty ones. Install shut-o valves for leak prevention and regularly inspect for corrosion.

By following these water-wise tips and implementing regular maintenance practices, you can ensure that your sprinkler system operates e ciently and responsibly throughout the spring season. Conserving water not only bene ts the environment but also helps reduce water bills and preserve our precious water resources for future generations. Let’s work together to make every drop count this spring!

The

Hillcrest’s drill team’s storybook season ends with national trophies

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

When she was 3, Lola Nielson fell in love with dance.

“I loved getting to move my body to the music to express myself,” she said, remembering she took modern dance and ballet classes at the University of Utah’s dance program. “My parents tried putting me in the sports my brothers played—basketball and soccer—but I was always the kid doing cartwheels and spinning and not running toward the ball. That’s how they knew I really loved dancing.”

Through the years, she added jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tap and ballroom.

When she decided to compete, she dedicated herself to training.

Fast forward a few years and now, a senior in high school, the Hillcrest High head drill captain just completed one of the most successful Hillcrest drill seasons in the school history—including recently returning from national competition where the 22-member team was champions in two routines and top three in two others.

HD, as it’s fondly called, also was region 10 and 4A state champions.

At the 57th annual Miss Dance Drill Team USA national competition, the group began with their dance routine, usually one of the team’s strongest routines, Nielson said.

“It wasn’t our best performance. I think we were very jittery, and it shocked us. We realized it was just nerves and nationals wasn’t as scary as we hyped it up to be in our minds. We realized once we were on the floor, it feels the same as any other floor. So, we collected ourselves and were confident to go with our other dances,” she said.

Their military routine was next, and HD nailed it.

“Military is most competitive in Utah; other states don’t do it the same, so it was fun when girls from other states thought it was cool,” she said about HD’s firstplace finish. “Military brings so much en-

“This year exceeded my dreams. You always hope to win and we always want to win and the fact that we did win everything this year was just insane,” Nielson said. “Our team is dedicated and our coaches put in so much hard work. It was amazing to win and get that validation. Every year, our goal is to do our best and we’re happy and proud of ourselves when we do, but to do that and win is just awesome.”

ergy so we can really feel it and fed off of each other.”

They then put that energy into their Princess Peach show piece, which also earned Hillcrest a first-place trophy.

It’s such a fun dance and she’s a cool character to connect to. She’s cute, fierce and with all her facials, vocals and expressions, it’s fun to embody that into a dance,” she said, adding that a junior high team that was competing was dressed in Super Mario characters, including a Princess Peach, was excited to watch their routine. “Our routine was super good. I was blown away by our energy and we were proud of that one.”

HD also earned third in pom and second place in hip hop.

“There’s a lot of good hip hop crews in California so we weren’t expecting to do as well in that one, but we gave it our best. I think we got second because we are big on cleaning our dances to make sure we all look the exact same so we were sharp,” she said.

Several team members competed in soloist competitions. Adalyn Cox finished in the top three in the freshman level.

Junior Aniyah Hassell, who placed in the top 10 at Miss Drill Utah, also competed for the Miss Drill USA title and with Team Utah drill team.

Hassell and senior Angelina Hickcok, who are the dance captains, along with

spirit captain and junior Eden McFarland, joined Nielson in the captain’s routine.

Nielson said they were pleased with their fourth place.

“Our coaches, Carter (Williams) and Chelsea (Divine) did a great job of choreographing it to showcase our individual abilities. Eden’s a great turner, Angelina has amazing flexibility and Aniyah is amazing at jumping; it’s fun to see it all come together,” Nielson said, adding that doing tricks is her contribution.

Nielson said HD appreciated the support of family and friends, including those who traveled to nationals in California and were able to sit in front of them performing on the floor to cheer for them.

“That was super cool, having them be right there as we competed and then, everyone was cheering and screaming when our team was announced in the awards ceremony. It was crazy,” she said. “I love the family aspect of drill, getting to know my teammates and coaches. We spend so many hours and work so hard together. We got through highs and lows together; it’s a unique bond.”

Now, about to graduate, Nielson isn’t planning to hang up her dancing shoes. She plans to continue to dance as she studies mining and Spanish at the University of Utah, bringing her dancing career full circle. l

Hillcrest High’s drill team members were all smiles as they brought home trophies from the Miss Dance Drill Team USA national competition for the HD display case. (Photo courtesy of Joslyn Nielson)

education SECTION

By Jet Burnham

“Without PREP, I'd be a loser right now,” West Jordan High School graduate Arlen Villalba Guerrero said. “I wouldn't be very far, just the same old boring stuff, getting ready to do a job that I didn't even enjoy.”

Arlen is one of 15 students graduating from high school with an Engineering Drafting and Manufacturing Technology Certificate of Completion from Salt Lake Community College through Jordan School District’s Pre-freshman Engineering Program (Jordan PREP).

Jordan PREP students, many of whom are typically underrepresented in STEM careers, take four years of science, technology, engineering and math summer courses to prepare to earn 30plus general and engineering college credits by the end of high school.

Arlen joined the program his sophomore year and immediately began to explore his options.

“Being in PREP, you get to think so early about how you're gonna get to what you want to do,” he said. “PREP makes you do so much better and shoot for so much more. I know everything I wanna do right now. I know exactly how to get where I wanna be, and I know exactly what I need to do to get where I wanna be.”

Arlen is now on the pathway to become an Air Force fighter jet pilot, with a head start and higher pay grade due to his college credits.

Natalia Solis said the PREP classes she took as a 12 year old helped her discover her interest in drafting and interior design. She is already on her way to earning a college degree, the first person in her family to do so.

First generation college students, those from economically disadvantaged families or underrepresented minority groups make up the majority of the

students in the Jordan PREP program, which recruits interested students from Title 1 designated schools to motivate and prepare them for STEM careers.

Jordan PREP Coordinator Stacy Pierce has been amazed by the students’ dedication to the program despite difficult life circumstances.

“You've got kids that you had no idea the challenges they had at home— and the challenges got far greater—and they're going to make it,” she said. “They're going to graduate from this program regardless of those challenges.”

She said the rigorous academic enrichment courses students take each summer during their middle school years, prepare them academically, socially and mentally for advanced courses in high school and increase their opportunities to attend college.

“Because it's not a camp—it's a rigorous academic program— I think that's been key to making these kids believe that they could do anything and pursue any career,” Pierce said.

She said the math courses have the biggest impact.

“Math is the gatekeeper that keeps kids out of, say, 80% of the higher paying jobs that help these kids break into a different economic level,” she said. “To help them maintain and build that math confidence—I think it's absolutely huge.”

Anna Fotheringham said staying academically active during the summer with PREP courses gave her an advantage.

“You learned a little bit of math before [school started], so when you did math [in school], you already kind of knew what you're doing,” she said. “So I feel like it gave me a step ahead in regular classes, and then also just in life, because we have a lot of college classes

done that kind of set us up to, if we want, pursue the certain career that they have set up for us to go into.”

When she was younger, Anna wanted to work in a nail salon but is now planning to earn a manufacturing degree.

“Doing programs like this made me realize that doing nails is not really going to give me enough money to live on my own, basically,” she said. “It made me realize I can do harder careers.”

Ayden Bascom said many of his friends don’t have a post-graduation plan yet, but that PREP taught him to think ahead.

“In PREP, especially with Stacy [Pierce], she tells you this earlier, to be prepared for life,” he said.

Natalia said the expectations set in PREP classes, especially during her middle school years, helped her set

higher goals.

“It pushed me into showing myself that I can do harder stuff than I had set myself to, because I had set my standards low for myself,” she said. “You can do much more harder things than you think you can.”

Lai Lai Havili almost dropped out of the program but is glad to be graduating high school with college credits he can use as a fallback plan if his dreams of playing in the NFL don’t work out.

Talon Johnson, who has always known he wants to be a chemical engineer, said the PREP program has not only given him a head start that will save him time and money, but the confidence to be successful in college.

“I have this foundation that a lot of other students may not, and I can push

Continued page 18

Jordan PREP Plus students will graduate high school with 30-plus college credits. (Photo courtesy of Stacy Pierce)

Unique traditions make graduation ceremonies special

By Jet Burnham and Julie Slama

Thousands of students will be graduating at the end of this month and each school will conduct their graduation ceremony with unique traditions, awards, celebrations and themes.

Students will be the main speakers at Providence Hall High School’s graduation ceremony. The student body president, two valedictorians and two other students will share their thoughts and wisdom with their peers.

“We really make it kid focused, so adults don't speak more than three minutes,” Principal Melissa McPhail said. “I feel like if we're waiting ‘til the last day to teach them something, then we have not done our job for four years.”

McPhail said one of the student speakers chosen to speak this year is not a well-known student but will share an impactful message.

“We get these kids who have had a unique journey through high school, and we catch the attention of those kids that weren't the activity type or the academic type,” she said.

Providence Hall’s graduation ceremony is always less than an hour and 40 minutes to ensure the students have time to celebrate with friends, family, and former elementary, middle and high school teachers who attend the ceremony. Of this year’s 155 graduates, 29 have attended Providence Hall since kindergarten.

After the speeches and diplomas, the students will leave the stadium as the ‘song of the year’ plays. McPhail chooses the song that best fits the graduating class. Last year’s song was Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” and in 2020, it was R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World As We Know It.”

“The kids really want to know all year what their song is going to be, but I wait until the day of graduation,” McPhail said.

Providence Hall’s ceremony will be held at the Zion’s Bank Stadium at nearby Salt Lake Academy, which also has a unique graduation tradition. Following the graduation ceremony, each Salt Lake Academy graduate receives five roses to give as a ‘thank you’ to their

Continued from 17

myself to do more, to do better because of this foundation,” he said.

Talon will return to Jordan PREP in June as a tutor for some of the 220 PREP students taking classes this summer.

Many of this year’s program gradu-

parents, teachers, counselors or friends.

“They get to present them to people who have influenced them along their journey,” school office manager Cheryl DeHeck said.

Gifts are also a part of South Valley School’s open house style graduation. Students and their families will also be treated to refreshments and a slide show highlighting each of this year’s 35 graduates.

Here is the pertinent information. ADA accommodations are available at all locations.

Academy of Math, Engineering and Science — An anticipated 118 students will take part in the school’s commencement exercises, which will feature nine student speakers and two musical numbers. The 90-minute ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., May 23 in Cottonwood High’s auditorium.

Alta High — About 545 seniors are to walk through commencement exercises at 10 a.m., May 29 at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Center with Canyons Board of Education Vice President Amanda Oaks and Board member Holly Neibaur speaking and will be joined by Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood. This year’s theme is “Alta, Let’s Fly!”

American Academy of Innovation — About 60 seniors will take part in their commencement exercises. Graduation will be at 6 p.m., May 29 at Thanksgiving Point’s show barn.

American Preparatory Academy — At APA’s commencement ceremony, 52 students will graduate at 10 a.m., June 1 at the school. The APA Chorum Vita choir will be singing a Latin piece titled "Omnia Sol" by Z. Randall Stroope and "For Good" from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” The valedictorian will be selected in early May. The ceremony is by invitation only.

Beehive Science & Technology

Academy — Twenty-three students will listen to their commencement speaker, Sandy City Council Member Marci

ates were part of the first cohort of the Jordan PREP program which began the summer of 2018 with 25 seventh graders. It has since served over 300 students.

Nationwide, PREP is only a threeyear program. With grant money, a sponsorship by Merit Medical, and a partner-

Houseman at 7 p.m., May 23 at Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Free Enterprise Conference Center’s auditorium. This year’s valedictorian is James Nelson and salutatorian Lliam Delahunty.

Bingham High — Commencement exercises will be held at 5:30 p.m., May 30 in the UCCU Arena at Utah Valley University in Orem. The theme is from author T.S. Eliot, “The end is where we start from.” Speakers will include Jordan School District Superintendent Anthony Godfrey, Jordan Board of Education members Marilyn Richards and Bryce Dunford with Board president Tracy Miller and District Administrator of High Schools Brad Sorensen in attendance.

Brighton High — Canyons School District Assistant Superintendent McKay Robinson is scheduled to speak to 520 students who are expected to graduate at 2 p.m., May 29 at the Maverik Center. Joining him will be Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill and former Board president Nancy Tingey. This year’s theme is “The future depends on what we do in the present,” by Mahatma Ghandi.

Copper Hills High — May 29, 6 p.m.

UCCU Arena at Utah Valley University

ship with Salt Lake Community College, Jordan District’s program expanded to a PREP Plus program, continuing through high school to earn a college certificate and set the students up for a promising future.

“It so far exceeded anything I ever dreamed of when I first started the pro-

“Be your best self”

Corner Canyon High — “Always One” is the theme for 550 seniors who will graduate at 2 p.m., May 29 at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Center. Canyons School District Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood is scheduled to speak. Joining him is Canyons Board of Education Vice President Amanda Oaks and Board member Holly Neibaur.

Cottonwood High — About 400 seniors will walk through the traditional commencement exercises at 10 a.m., May 24 at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Center.

Cyprus High — May 23, 1 p.m. Maverik Center

Diamond Ridge — About 60 students will graduate at 6:30 p.m., May 28 at Eastmont Middle School’s auditorium. Canyons School District Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood is scheduled to speak. Joining him is Canyons Board of Education Vice President Andrew Edtl, former Board president Nancy Tingey and Board member Karen Pedersen. This year’s theme is by Canadian poet and author Rupi Kaur: “You don’t just wake up to become a butterfly. Growth is a process.”

Entrada — Canyons School District

gram,” Pierce said. “If they decide not to pursue any more education, they've got a sustainable livelihood, and then they also have the option to continue their education and have the means to pay for it.”

For more information, see prep.jordandistrict.org.

Former Sunrise students who studied at several Salt Lake Valley high schools reunited at their elementary school prior to their 2023 graduation ceremonies. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood is expected to address 135 soon-tobe graduates at 7 p.m., June 26 at Alta High School. Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill and Vice President Amanda Oaks will be present. The theme is “Winners never quit. We choose to win!”

Granger High — May 24, 7 p.m. Maverik Center

Granite Connection High — An open house will be held 4-7 p.m. on May 22 and 23 at Granite Connection High.

Granite Peaks High — June 5, 6:30 p.m.

Granite Peaks

Granite Transition Services — The graduation ceremony will be 10 a.m. on May 23 in the Granite Connection Auditorium.

Hartvigsen School — May 23, 12:30 p.m.

Hartvigsen gym

Herriman High — May 30, 7:30 p.m.

Herriman High Football Stadium “Here and Now”

Hillcrest High — About 480 seniors will turn the tassel at their 9:30 a.m., May 29 graduation at the Maverik Center. The speaker is Canyons School District Assistant Superintendent McKay Robinson. Joining him will be Canyons Board of Education Vice President Andrew Edtl and member Kris Millerberg. The theme comes from American businessman and writer, Max Depree: “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.”

Hunter High — May 24, 2 p.m. Maverik Center

Jordan High — Canyons School Board of Education Vice President Andrew Edtl and Karen Pedersen will address the 430 seniors at the 6:30 p.m., May 29 commencement ceremony at the Maverik Center. For their theme, the seniors selected “And the Beet Goes On,” to tie into their nickname, the Beetdiggers. Canyons School District Assistant Superintendent McKay Robinson will be in attendance.

Jordan Prep Plus — May 3, 10 a.m. Maverik Center

Jordan Valley — Canyons School District Special Education Director Nate Edvalson will talk to five students who will graduate at 3:30 p.m., May 24 at the Hillcrest High School’s fieldhouse gallery. Canyons Board of Education former president Nancy Tingey and Board

member Kris Millerberg will join him. The theme is “Adapting to Change.”

Juan Diego Catholic High — The Baccalaureate Mass for 168 students in the Class of 2024 will be held on May 21 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine Catholic Church. The commencement exercises will take place on May 25 at the school. Both events require a ticket to attend.

Kearns High — May 24, 9 a.m. Maverik Center

Kings Peak High — May 30, 6 p.m.

Hidden Valley Middle Auditorium

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”Eleanor Roosevelt

Life Skills Academy — Eight students will graduate at 12:30 p.m., May 28 at the school. The theme is a quote by author J.R.R. Tolkien; he said: “The greatest adventure is what lies ahead. Each day brings new possibilities for exploration and discovery.” Speaking will be Canyons School District Special Education Director Nate Edvalson and he will be joined by Canyons Board of Education President Amber Schill, former president Nancy Tingey and member Karen Pedersen.

Lone Peak High — May 22, 12:30 p.m.

BYU’s Marriott Center

Mountain Ridge High — May 30, 1 p.m.

UCCU Arena at Utah Valley University

“This is the Time”

Murray High — The graduation ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., June 6 at the Lifetime Activities Center on Salt Lake Community College’s Redwood Campus.

Olympus High — May 24, 2 p.m. Huntsman Center

Paradigm High — At 4 p.m., May 30, 55 seniors will graduate at the University of Utah’s Kingsbury Hall. The yet-to-benamed valedictorian will be the student speaker.

Providence Hall — May 24, 10 a.m. Zions Bank Stadium

River’s Edge — “Level Up” is the theme for this year’s commencement, which will be held at 1 p.m., May 31 in the school’s auditorium. Speaking will be Jordan Board of Education President Tracy Miller and Jordan School District administrator Lisa Robinson. Joining

them will be Board vice president Darrell Robinson and Board member Lisa Dean.

Riverton High — May 30, 8:30 a.m.

UCCU Arena at Utah Valley University

“Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living.” - Bob Marley

Salt Lake Academy — May 30, 10 a.m.

Zions Bank Stadium

Skyline High — May 24, 6 p.m. Huntsman Center

South Valley — May 29, 3 p.m.

South Valley School Cafeteria

“Chart Your Course”

Summit Academy High — May 30, 2 p.m.

Summit Academy High Gymnasium

Taylorsville High — May 23, 6 p.m. Maverik Center

Valley High — Graduation will be held at 10 a.m., May 29 at Zions Bank Stadium at Real Academy in Herriman. This year’s theme is “The People, The Stories, The Experiences.” Speaking will

be Jordan Board of Education President Tracy Miller and Jordan School District Administrator of High Schools Brad Sorensen with Board vice presidents Darrell Robinson and Niki George and Jordan District administrator Becky Gerber in attendance.

Waterford School — At 10 a.m., June 6, the school will honor its Class of 2024 on the campus’ east soccer field. About 70 students are expected to participate in the commencement exercises, which will feature Waterford’s vocal ensemble, the Troubadours, as well as a musical performance by the Lower School students. ADA access is on the southwest side of the field.

West Jordan High — May 29, 2 p.m. UCCU Arena at Utah Valley University

“We didn’t know we were making discoveries, we were just having fun.”A.A. Milne in Winnie the Pooh

Dinner Seminar

Learn more about AdvancedFuneral Planning, Wills, Trusts, Burial Plots, and Cremation

Young women in Jordan and Canyons School Districts are shaping the future of business

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

A celebration was held for the 22 graduates of the South Valley Chamber’s Junior Women in Business Program. This year’s cohort was the biggest so far in the history of the initiative that coaches high school seniors through leadership, business and mentoring opportunities.

Young women from high schools across Jordan and Canyons School Districts spent the year attending women in business events, meeting female entrepreneurs in the area, doing job shadowing, participating in service projects and receiving one-on-one mentoring with prominent business and civic leaders.

Savanna Barlow (Alta High School) said the experience was a valuable way to create connections with female leaders, gain experience with the legislative process and develop relationships with the other young women in the program. She plans to attend the University of Utah to get a degree in business management. Each graduate received a $1,000 scholarship.

“That scholarship was only the tip of the iceberg for what this program gave us,” Savanna said. “It was amazing. First of all, the monthly luncheons and the guest speakers

were incredible. We talked to CEOs, authors and entrepreneurs…Each of these women told us about the challenges they faced in the business world and in their personal lives. Those experiences are priceless.”

Sponsored by America First Credit Union, WCF Insurance, Intermountain Health and Crystal Maggelet, president and CEO of FJ Management, the Junior Women in Business program started 12 years ago.

Along with Savanna, these high school seniors also graduated from the program: Aubrey Campbell (Brighton High School), Ava Pezely (Riverton High School), Brooklyn Woodley (AHS), Chantel Moore (Jordan High School), Daira Camacho (West Jordan High School), Gabriella Martinez (WJHS), Giovanna Grant (BHS), Grace Mahoney (JHS), Grace Palmer (RHS), Hannah Bradshaw (Juan Diego Catholic High School), Healani Hernandez (Bingham High School), Jaci Elzinga (BHS), Kaitlyn Rios (Herriman High School), Kate Taggart (Corner Canyon High School), Kiara Sunil-Singh (Providence Hall), Madison Crowther (Copper Hills High School), Makai Johnson (Mountain Ridge High School), Mya Ruiz (American Preparatory Academy), Samantha Picker-

ing (JDCHS), Sienna Yang (Hillcrest High School) and Zoe Kener (CCHS).

“At the Chamber, we’re trying to do some good, and I think the community is a better place,” said Jay Francis, South Valley Chamber president and CEO. “We have 22 young ladies who have rubbed shoulders with some of the best business women in the community. We’ll just keep multiplying that and we’ll just be better.”

At the graduation ceremony held at the Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers South Campus, Sarah Davies (The Piano Place), Alma Lopez and Diana Lopez

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(Cakes by Edith), and Sadie Bowler (SadieB) participated in a panel discussion talking about their business journeys as female entrepreneurs.

“From the age of 11, I decided I wanted to go to business school and learn how to manage business, how to hire people, how to manage a group of people and eventually how to become an entrepreneur,” Alma Lopez said. “I feel super happy and blessed that my sister and I are able to take the reins of the business and manage the business and be entrepreneurs.”

Nearly two dozen young women graduated from the South Valley Chamber’s Junior Women in Business Program in April, after receiving leadership and entrepreneurial training. (City Journals)

volleyball fans dig new sanctioned sport

In the inaugural season of sanc tioned boys’ volleyball, Hillcrest High’s team secured its first win in a close match against Tooele High, 3-0. The Huskies won the first set 28-26; the second, 26-24; and the third, 25-22. At mid-sea son sophomore Sergio Iberra was leading the team with kills (17), senior Aidan Morton scored the most aces (3), senior Allan Menezes had the most blocks (10) and senior Acintya Sai Yoganath was on top with the most digs (12) and assists (41). The Huskies, seen here April 12 against Cottonwood High, are coached by Laura Roth.

Over the last few years, more readers are emailing us about the Life and Laughter columns that run in the Journal. Last month, realizing the topic was more controversial, we decided to ask for reader feedback. Our readers left nearly 200 responses.

Over 60 percent of readers agreed with the article. Here is a small sampling of the comments that we received from our readers.

“I always love Peri Kinder's articles. I am on the same page with her politically. However, the length and tone of her articles make clear they are written for people who already agree with her - not for people on the fence or are looking for information on a topic”

“Peri inspired some thoughts that I hadn't paid much attention to.”

“Peri's bigotry is showing. No one should have to apologize for their sex, race, income status, or sexual orientation, unless of course, according to Peri, you’re a straight white male in Utah. Replace white with black and male with female in her piece and maybe you’ll be able to recognize the vitriol for what it is. Women are entitled to safe, private spaces, and I guarantee that if there were a man pretending to be a woman ogling at Peri in the bathroom, she might feel just a wee bit uncomfortable. As a woman, I’m tired of feminists telling me to “just get over it” and that my feelings don’t matter. Must I once again subjugate my desires in deference to a man who wants things his way? Maybe you should ask the girl in Virginia who was sexually assaulted by a transgender girl in the girls’ bathroom at school. Just because Peri doesn’t mind men in her bathroom doesn’t mean the rest of us aren’t traumatized by it. The Legislature did absolutely the right thing, carefully balancing the rights of transgender people with women’s right to privacy and safe separate spaces.”

“Biological men do not belong in the same restroom as women. I do not want my children to ever be in a bathroom where a man is present. Just because the author has

Life and Laughter Reader Response

not encountered a “creepy man dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire, accosting women in the restroom,” does not mean this has not occurred. There are numerous cases where women have been assaulted by so called transgender info inside of women’s restrooms, for example, the case in Louden County VA.”

“I really like a lot of her articles but I am very opposed to pretty much everything she said in this one.”

“I agree with most of the comments about the legislature. However, I do not want transgender (born male) in my women's bathroom. They can use the family bathrooms which are becoming much more available.”

“Responding to "the article" as a whole cannot be done here because many different opinions were expressed on many issues. My only reaction to the overall article is "what happened to laughter"? I have often enjoyed your humor but this article had none! That's sad.”

"I agree that Trans women should not be allowed in the female bathrooms. Why? Because they are not women. There are only two genders. There always have been two genders and that cannot change. It is not dependent on what we think we are or are not.

We cannot and should not change the gender given to us by our Creator. I think He knows best.”

“Also, the author makes it sound like not allowing Trans women in a female bathroom is being unloving...love thy neighbor. Since when does disagreeing with someone's lifestyle directly correlate to being unloving? In any relationship we have with others, there are likely times we don't fully agree with someone's opinion or choices. We can still love that person, but not agree with their actions or lifestyle. These days it seems that if you disagree in any way with diversity, equity and inclusion you are labeled a hater. How is it that everyone else is entitled to their opinion but if mine is different in any way, I am wrong. How is that loving? We live in a free country that allows us to have a variety of opinions and express those opinions in a respectful way. But we also have to understand that not everyone is going to agree with each other and that is OK. With the bathroom issue, single stall bathrooms that allow either gender is the best solution in my opinion."

“Agree 100%. Peri is right. Sometimes it is embarrassing to live in this state with the things the legislature worries about and focuses on, and the bills they pass. There are more important problems to deal with than worrying about which bathrooms people are using, fighting DEI, and what books kids should or shouldn’t be reading. Frankly I think some of these things send the wrong message; I fear the kids are only learning that the adults don’t trust them to make good decisions. Or any decisions at all which will only lead to more problems down the road… an even more intolerant society with no critical thinking skills which is never a good thing.”

“This article is right. I couldn't agree more with all of Peri Kinder's articles. This one is my favorite.

I usually read the Peri Kinder column to get a good chuckle but this one hit the nail right on the head.”

“Thanks for printing this. I'm a trans woman who lives here and this was nice to see. I worked at the airport before, now I'm looking for a new job. It's been a rough couple of years for trans people and can seem overwhelming at times. Thanks for reminding me there's allies out there.”

“Peri is so sensible. I appreciate her writing this column.”

"I completely agree. We have a short legislative session and too much time and efforts were made supporting hatred and exclusion, singularity of thought and government being for themselves instead of for the people.

Read the polls: none of this is what the majority of voters are asking for.”

“It is so refreshing to read an opinion driven by common sense and compassion, rather than ignorance and fear. I know people in Utah are more compassionate than those who represent them, based on proposed legislation.”

“I look forward to Peri Kinder's article every month. This article was especially "spot on". Government needs to be more transparent! Not hidden behind so called "privacy" laws that block access to to the daily calendar of elected officials. I also agree with Peri's stance on public restrooms. Nobody goes into a restroom 'looking for" a transgender. They are there to "do their business" and leave asap! I have noticed that airports, some restaurants, and some of the wonderful theaters (Pioneer Theatre's new Meldrum Theatre and The Eccles) have an open doorway. The stalls allow for individual privacy, but the rooms are open and very visible. This is the first time I have used my scanning code. I felt it was important to express my point of view.”

“Acceptance has been slow over the years, but acceptance of the reality is gaining more support as people learn about their families.”

“I question the comments about guns in schools but clearly agree with the rest.” l

My dog, Jedi, runs to the closet where her leash hangs. She spins in circles as I take it off the hook and click it on her collar. She bites the leash and pulls because I’m just not moving fast enough. She is so happy to walk the neighborhood and terrorize small animals.

Usually, these daily walks cheer me up, but recently, I follow behind her like I’m wearing cement shoes on a muddy beach. Does anyone else feel soul-tired?

I’m the weariest I’ve been since my daughters were newborns when sleeping two hours a night left me moving through life in a haze of dirty Pampers and milk-sour T-shirts.

But what’s my excuse now? I’m a deflated balloon, bouncing along the floor without the helium needed to float. I’m too weary to yawn, too sluggish to nap.

I guess I’m not alone because author and computer science professor Cal Newport said we’re in the throes of “The Great Exhaustion.”

It’s not about getting more sleep, it’s not about eating more fiber or fewer Hostess Twinkies, it’s a complete burnout because rest is a sign of weakness.

Taylor Swift recorded a double album while performing in a sold-out global tour

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

Dead on My Feet

and then flew halfway around the world to catch her boyfriend’s little football game. And here I am, struggling to write a column and make it to my granddaughters’ soccer games.

I sprawl on the couch watching dust accumulate on the end tables, too fatigued to do anything about it. I pray a brisk breeze blows through the house, scattering the dirt back to the floor where it belongs.

I feel a lot of people are in this same engineless boat. It doesn’t help that companies now require employees to return to the office, even though the flexible, at-home schedules have kept thousands of women in the workplace. Even though, for the first time in history, job schedules have helped women feel like work and home are almost manageable.

Our energy is also being drained fast-

er than our bank accounts because we’ve trained ourselves to be 24/7 content creators. We spend a crapload of time making reels about our trip to the Grand Canyon or a TikTok video about how to raise goats and make goat milk ice cream.

But there’s more! Start a tech company during your free time! Renovate your kitchen and use time-lapse videos to share with the world! Become an Instagram influencer by creating beauty masks using pencil shavings! Document all the moments all the time and share on all the platforms!

With nonstop information from streaming shows, music, podcasts, audiobooks and social media going directly into our big noggins, our brains are tired. Every person in your household (and possibly your pets) is processing information at speeds unheard of just a few years ago. There’s probably smoke coming out of our ears.

It’s a firehose of electronic data. Everything is breaking news. Everything is trying to capture our brief attention. Life is one big clickbait link and we doomscroll like we’ve been enchanted by a wizard to sell our souls for just a little more spilled tea.

Are you feeling burnt out? Tell us about it.

Are you feeling fresh, share your secret with us!

The funny thing is, we can turn it off, silence the noise and deactivate the notifications. But our cortisol addiction is out of control. So what do we do?

Jedi has the right idea. Walking outside, breathing fresh air, maybe even chasing a cat up a tree reminds us the small things matter. Quiet rituals are important. “The Great Exhaustion” is a bone-deep weariness but also a reminder we’re not alone as we stumble through life.

Maybe in sharing our weariness, we can find a listening ear, a comforting shoulder or a Hostess Twinkie.

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

to Honor Military Veterans for Their Service to Our Country

Monday, May 27, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

At Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy

FEATURED SPEAKER: Congressman Blake Moore

PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE: Hill Air Force Base, Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society Bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC