Murray Journal | November 2024

MURRAY HIGH OPENS THE CURTAIN ON THIS YEAR’S SHOWS

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, “Guys and Dolls” ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950.

Fast-forward almost three-quarters of a century, and the blockbuster show will have a limited engagement this month at Murray High School.

As their opening show for the season, the high school thespians will perform “Guys and Dolls” at 7 p.m., Nov. 1516 and again, Nov. 18-19 at Murray High’s stage, 5440 S. State St. There also will be a 1 p.m., Nov. 16 matinee. Tickets will be $8 in advance and available on the school website, mhs.murrayschools.org, or $10 at the door.

Directed by theatre teacher Alexie Shaffer, the show will involve about 50 actors, 18 dancers, 20 musicians and 20 tech crew members.

“I love ‘Guys and Dolls,’” she said. “It’s a light-hearted story with characters who live in New York and it’s about how they come together. It has classic songs like, ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,’ ‘A Bushel and a Peck’ and ‘Luck Be a Lady’ and watching our students sing these Broadway classics has been fun. They’ve really been pushed on their harmonies this year in learning some of that music.”

Shaffer said the production will be a fun show for patrons as well.

“The music of the jazz era is going to draw people to want to come see it,” she said. “The music style is in the late ’40s and ’50s, and we’ll have lots of bright, fun colors. We want Continued page 17

Murray High’s Shakespeare team’s actors and dancers competed at the 48th annual Utah Shakespeare High School Festival. (Photo courtesy of Murray High)

Early Detection is Key: Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Next Steps

By Cara Guilfoyle, MD

It likely isn’t a stretch to say that you know someone who has had to battle breast cancer within their lifetime, or maybe you have even been diagnosed with it yourself. With the new age of social media, stories of survival and those walking through their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment journey may be inundating your feeds. These stories of hope can certainly be inspiring but may also feel a bit unsettling. So, what do you need to know about breast cancer and how can you be sure that you’re on top of your health? Let’s start with what breast cancer is and how it occurs - breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both breasts. These cancer cells can spread to nearby tissues and form a mass called a tumor. The cells can spread within the breast, to nearby lymph nodes and other tissues, and to other parts of the body.*

“We are lucky that breast cancer is, for the most part, very treatable,” said Cara Guilfoyle, MD, FACS, Breast Surgeon and Medical Director for CommonSpirit Medical Group –Specialty Care in Utah.

Dr. Guilfoyle stresses the importance of getting yearly 3D mammograms beginning at 40 years old, “mammograms can find breast cancer on an average about five years earlier than you can feel it.” You do not need your physician to write you a prescription or complete

an order form for you to have a screening mammogram - you can self-request to make an appointment for your annual mammogram.

“It is important to stay current with your breast cancer screening because finding breast cancer at an early stage allows more treatment options and a better opportunity for long-term survival,” said Dr. Guilfoyle. “Early detection allows for much less aggressive treatment (for example, omitting chemo and/or radiation).”

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should talk to their doctor about genetic testing and risk assessments as some high-risk women can start breast imaging earlier.

While it is important to know your family history and risk… Dr. Guilfoyle shares that family history doesn’t tell us everything. “About 75-85% of women (three out of four) diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history or known risk factors.”

So, what should you look out for when doing self-assessments? Dr. Guilfoyle says that you should “never ignore a new lump!” Other possible indicators for cancers can include:

•New skin dimpling

•Skin changes

•Nipple retraction

•Nipple rash

•Nipple discharge

•Lump under the armpit

“At Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley, we have state of the art equipment, including breast MRI, 3D mammogram, SAVI scout for localizations and a soon-to-come Trident for intraoperative specimen imaging,” said Dr. Guilfoyle. “Our multidisciplinary team presents each breast cancer patient to a tumor board and allows for a collaborative academic discussion to formulate the most appropriate personalized treatment plan.”

We strive to exemplify all five of CommonSpirit’s core values of compassion, inclusion, integrity, excellence and collaboration when treating each and every one of our patients. If you are interested in seeing Dr. Guilfoyle at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley or Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point, you may call 385-345-3555 to make an appointment.

“I love being in a field that allows me to make a huge impact on patients’ lives,” said Dr. Guilfoyle. “I try to exude optimism and empower women to tap into the strength they need to face their challenge, and to reinforce that they are not alone!”

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

Orthopedic care with compassion at its core.

Our physicians provide the most advanced care and treatment options in orthopedics, including hip and knee replacement, total joint replacement, and sports medicine. We are committed to creating personalized treatment plans and providing extraordinary care to every patient.

At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

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Murray cross country makes strides, qualifies 4th for state

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

In recent years, it has been an uphill battle in cross country for the Murray Spartans. But this year, the team has made big progress.

Murray improved significantly, qualifying four runners—seniors Ali Hansen, Parker Nelson and Diego Andrade, along with sophomore Samara Griffiths—for the Class 4A state meet, Oct. 29 at Sugar House Park.

Head coach Randall Quarez couldn’t be more excited and more pleased with his runners’ efforts.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team,” he said. “We’ve made remarkable progress from the beginning of the season to the end. Every runner has improved their times, with many achieving their fastest performances on various courses. As a coach, it’s fulfilling to see this growth. We’re gradually closing the gap between us and our competitors. While other teams are improving too, we’re matching that progress.”

Quarez attributes the improvements to a few factors. First, he said the athletes are more dedicated than they have been in years past. Second, the team has enjoyed more unity. He also said the runners have more confidence.

“I believe the key difference this year has been the runners’ consistency and their commitment to training daily,” Quarez said. “Our mindset has also shifted; we’re embracing the belief that we belong and that we can compete alongside others. There’s a noticeable change in our team culture this year, fostering an environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and encouraged to grow—not just in running but in life as well. This positive atmosphere is helping each individual flourish.”

On the girls’ side, Hansen has been a key part of the team’s success.

Hansen is one of the most experienced runners for Murray. She began running cross country five years ago as a seventh grader with a friend. She quickly fell in love with

the sport and has continually gotten better.

Hansen said she enjoys seeing the fruits of her efforts—being able to set and achieve goals with hard work and determination. She also likes being part of a team and watching herself and those around her improve.

“Running makes me feel strong and capable; you feel so accomplished and good about yourself after you complete a hard run,” she said. “Running doesn’t make you super strong or smarter, or more coordinated. But the experiences you have with your team and the different races you get to run are so much fun, and they teach you so much.”

As a cross country runner, Hansen has tried to improve her sprinting, which is crucial during the home stretch of races. She has good stamina and doesn’t easily get worn out.

“I think I’m a good endurance runner; I can hold a good pace for a long time,” she said. “I also think I am good at individually pacing myself. I think I could work on my kick at the end of my race. I’m not a very good sprinter.”

Echoing her coach, Hansen is thrilled with how the team has done this season. Heading into state, she felt excited and confident. She has set some lofty postseason goals for herself.

“This season has been exceptionally good for me,” she said. “I’ve had a couple of personal record times. I think our team has had a pretty good year also. We’ve had some strong runners, and I think our team has bonded a lot better this year. I want to run a sub-20 [minute] by the end of the year.”

Since she started participating in cross country, Hansen has enjoyed running. However, her mindset has changed this season. Instead of running just to run, she has pushed herself more to see how much she can achieve. Her efforts resulted in a big reward: making it to state alongside three of

her teammates.

This season is Hansen’s last on the Murray cross country team. Following graduation next June, she plans on taking her talents to the next level—but in a different sport.

“I would like to wrestle in college or go to Southern Utah or Utah State,” she said. “If I could run in college, I would.”

Meanwhile, Nelson has been a leader for the boys team. He is excited to compete at state against the top runners in Class 4A. Nelson set a high bar for himself to lower his race times.

“I have gotten faster this season, but not as much as I had hoped,” he said. “By the end of the season, I hope to be able to run a 5k in under 17 minutes, which will take a lot of work.”

Nelson has some of the most ideal attributes for cross country. As the season has gone on, he has worked hard to improve.

“My biggest strength as a runner is my endurance,” he said. “Sometimes I feel as if I could run forever without stopping, even at a quick pace. This strength is also my downfall when it comes to racing. I have a hard time picking up the pace in a race and pushing myself to go faster.”

Nelson started running at age 6, though

he took a few years off. He has wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and even outpace the times he ran in his youth.

“My dad got me interested in running because I always want to be better than him, and he was pretty quick back in the day,” Nelson said.

To succeed in cross country, Nelson said runners need to be willing to sacrifice their bodies and their time. He said he and his teammates worked hard in the offseason to get ready for the season, which has been one of the best the program has had in years.

In addition, Nelson said runners need to be mentally tough.

“Working hard is crucial to cross country because the ability to push yourself in this sport is the only way to improve,” he said. “The mental aspect to running is crazy because it takes an absurd amount of grit to push yourself.”

After high school, Nelson wants to train for marathons and ultramarathons. One of his goals is to run 100-mile races and participate in triathlons. (Photo courtesy Randall Quarez) l

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Intermountain Health hosts information-filled, fun Ladies Night Out

By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com

Intermountain

Health is the largest healthcare provider in the Intermountain West, serving more than one million members, and their reported mission is to “go beyond treating illness and injury by encouraging healthy behaviors that can lead to longer, more fulfilling lives.”

As part of that mission, Intermountain Health offered free Ladies Night Out events at seven hospitals across Utah during September and October, and the events were such a success they will likely run them as an annual system-wide campaign in subsequent years, expanding their community outreach celebration to additional locations.

“We saw it on ‘events near me’ on Facebook and decided it would be fun to come. I took cards from several of the providers and plan to get appointments. They even had a hand surgeon available for questioning, and I need that,” Elanda Boles, a resident of South Salt Lake said holding up her hand. “It was really informative.”

“The food was also really good,” her friend Katee Garff added. “And we even got flowers.”

The events were intended to feel like a celebration, providing fun charcuterie cones, flutes of fruit juices and fresh bouquets to attendees.

Although not every person in the state is insured by Select Health (partner of Intermountain), these events were available for all members of each community, and advertised widely on social media platforms and signage across the state.

So, why was the event focused on ladies?

Women are often very good at taking care of their loved ones, families and friends, but that can make it difficult for women to prioritize their own health and well-being.

The event was not only intended to celebrate women’s health, but also to teach women more about their health care needs through the various decades of their lives, from adolescence to childbirth, to the postpartum period to helping to prevent breast cancer with regular mammograms, and through the ups and downs of menopause and beyond. Women of all ages were encouraged to attend.

Additionally, “women make 80% of the health care decisions for their families. So, the more informed they are, the healthier they and their loved ones can be,” Laura Simenson, women’s and newborn’s director at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, said.

Women were able to meet with women’s health providers from various medical specialties, such as women and newborn care, behavioral health, mammography, nutrition and pediatrics, as well as caregivers who specialize in women’s sports medicine, physical therapy, urology, breast reconstruction, cardiology, aging care, home health and hospice. Women were also able to schedule mammograms and to receive flu shots.

Several locations featured a question

Mickey Rosqvist, a pediatric pharmacist at Primary Children’s Medical Center is part of the opioid and naloxone group. They work with Utah Naloxone to distribute free Narcan kits to the public. In order to receive a kit, individuals need to learn how to safely administer as an intramuscular injection. Here Rosqvist demonstrates where to get the kits, what the kits look like, and allows attendees to practice administering a faux shot. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

and answer session with a panel of women’s health-related providers. In Murray, the panel included an obstetrician/gynecologist and women’s health doctor, a surgeon and specialist in pelvic floor issues, and a physician’s assistant in cardiology.

There were many questions answered and issues discussed, but “menopause and perimenopause are really having a moment,” the panel agreed. “Which is a good thing because it hasn’t previously gotten the attention and press this stage in life deserves.”

Thousands of women joined in the Ladies Night Out events across the state.

“We are proud to put on events to keep our community healthy and provide healthcare suggestions and screening options before care is an emergency,” Simenson said. “And we are lucky to have world-class healthcare right here in Murray. Intermountain Health is the No.1 rated academic medical center and we are excited for residents to get to know the providers.”

To find more resources for women’s health services link to intermountainhealthcare.org/services/womens-health l

Midwives were available to answer questions and provide information about the childbearing years of a woman’s life at Ladies Night Out at the Intermountain Medical Center Hospital in Murray. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

Wonderbloom Nature Preschool: Where children blossom...outside

Before the advent of screens, children learned about the world simply by being in it. Sent outside to play, they used the great outdoors to experiment and explore, exercise and socialize.

These days things are different. According to an article in Child Mind Institute, on average, children in America spend only 4-7 minutes outdoors in unstructured play. In a related article from the BBC, this is opposed to 7 ½ hours indoors and on a screen.

Results from this “nature-deficit disorder” are largely anecdotal at this time, but it appears this increase in screentime and the reduction in time spent outdoors correlates with an increase in obesity and mental health issues such as stress and anxiety, and irregular sleep schedules. There has also been a reported decrease in attention span, creativity, problem-solving skills and socialization.

To combat these alarming trends, Wonderbloom Nature Preschool was formed to provide outdoor learning, education and care. It is the first licensed nature-based preschool in Utah.

“Compared to a typical preschool that spends about 10% of their time outside, we spend anywhere from 60% to 90% of the day outdoors,” Sarah Stone, founder and executive director of Wonderbloom, said. “No matter the weather, we go outside. In the rain we wear slickers and boots, and in the snow, we wear coats and hats.”

Stone, who has her Ph.D. in childhood development and has worked in early childhood education her whole career, was astounded when learning about the benefits of outdoor learning and engagement with nature, so she founded Wonderbloom Nature Preschool in 2017.

Forest Schools, as they are called in Europe, have been popular for nearly a half century, but the new (yet, old) concept of outdoor classroom learning migrated to the United States only 15 years ago, and Wonderbloom is currently the only licensed nature-based preschool in Utah.

Wonderbloom has been operating for three years out of Cottonwood Presbyterian Church on Vine Street as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit school, though Wonderbloom, itself, is nondenominational.

“[Cottonwood Presbyterian] is a fabulous partner and hosting the preschool aligns nicely with their mission of caring for children and the environment,” Stone said. “The Soul Garden (community garden space adjacent to the church) is theirs, but we have our own plot to grow vegetables and access to the full property.”

“It’s where we keep our four chickens,” Lianna Lopez, co-founder and director of Wonderbloom, said. “The kids love to visit the chickens and collect eggs. Sometimes we cook up the eggs they’ve gathered for our snack.”

By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com

“We also harvest from our garden plot,” Stone added. “Right now, we’ve been digging potatoes and picking pumpkins which we’ve also incorporated into their snacks. It shows the children where their food originates and if they are involved in the process, they tend to try more things.”

Over the last three years, staff and volunteers have been building out the outdoor classroom spaces to acquire their national Nature Explore Certification, and in September they hosted a grand opening for the renovated outdoor classroom.

The ribbon cutting was attended by Murray City Councilmember Adam Hock, Utah Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion and Paul Garbett of Garbett Homes who matched donations to provide scholarships to children from disadvantaged families.

So, what exactly is an outdoor classroom?

It is an outdoor space set up like an indoor classroom. At Wonderbloom there is an art area for fine motor skills and creative projects, an Imagineering space with large loose toys like logs and bricks for building, a Tinker Table with an emphasis on STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math), a Movement Meadow (like a traditional playground with a woodsy feel), the Messy Cafe hosts a sandbox with tables and sinks for cooperative play, and they have a garden to allow children to learn about growing, harvesting and environmental stewardship.

Residents from the wider community have access to the outdoor classroom space after school hours, and many community members and parents have volunteered their time and resources to provide murals, plantings and supplies.

Wonderbloom offers a full and half day options and holds class from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with an extended care option until 4:30 p.m. They follow the Granite School District calendar and also have a week-byweek summer option for working parents.

Classes of children, aged 3 to 5, attend in a class of about 12 to 16 with two teachers, at a ratio of one to eight. The 2-year-old

class has a lower ratio to accommodate potty-training and other unique needs.

Registration starts in January and classes often fill long before school starts, so parents should think about preschool up to a year in advance. For more information, visit www.wonderbloom.org. l

Ezri, a student at Wonderbloom Nature Preschool enjoys the slides in Movement Meadow, a playground with a woodsy feel. (Courtesy Wonderbloom)

Over the last three years, staff and volunteers have been building out the outdoor classroom spaces to acquire their national Nature Explore Certification, and in September they hosted a grand opening for the renovated outdoor classroom. The ribbon cutting was attended by Murray City Councilmember Adam Hock, Utah Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion, and Paul Garbett of Garbett Homes who matched donations to provide scholarships to children from disadvantaged families. (Courtesy Wonderbloom)

Wonderbloom Nature Preschool has a garden plot in the community garden associated with the Cottonwood Presbyterian Church. Children plant seeds, water and harvest as part of their outdoor learning. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

Murray second graders burn (with questions) during Fire Prevention Week

By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com

Thesecond-grade classes at Longview Elementary sit “on their pockets,” hands raised high, ready to ask questions about fire safety to Murray City Fire Marshal Jeff Puls.

“What if your pants are on fire?” one asks.

Fire Marshal Puls reinforces that you shouldn’t try to take them off but should, “Stop, drop and roll.”

“What if the door knob is on fire?” And the questions roll in.

But the kids have been paying attention to the presentation, because when Puls asks, “Does anyone remember what your homework assignment is for over fall break?”

The whole class calls out, “Ask our parents if we have smoke alarms!”

“And then what?”

“Check that they are working!” The class responds in unison.

“And if you don’t have a smoke alarm, what can you do?”

“Tell our teacher!”

“That’s right,” Puls replies.

“Also, be sure we have a meeting place outside!” A couple of kids chime in.

And Puls enthusiastically agrees. “Yes, first you get outside. Then you go to your meeting spot. Remember, I said the meeting spot for my family is at the mailbox?”

National Fire Prevention Week runs each year in early October and has been a nationally recognized public health observance since 1925, making it the longest-running health observance in our country.

In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge set the week to

commemorate the Great Chicago Fire which began on Oct. 8, 1871 and killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

Each year the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets a theme for Fire Prevention Week and this year it was: Smoke Alarms – make them work for you. According

to the NFPA, working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by 54%.

During the week, Murray Fire visits every Murray City elementary, focusing on reaching the second-grade students.

“In second grade the children are able to understand and retain essential safety concepts and apply them to real-life events,” Puls said. “Plus, they love to operate the fire hose.”

Murray Fire also holds an event during Fire Prevention Week at the Senior Center to encourage seniors to plan their escape routes and double-check the status of their smoke detectors.

According to the NFPA, people over age 65 have an increased risk of dying in a fire due to physical or mental impairments or taking medicines or other chemicals that reduce reaction time. Old and non-functioning smoke alarms can also be an issue in senior dwellings.

Murray Fire works with the Red Cross through their Sound the Alarm program, so if one of the students (or any resident) indicates their dwelling doesn’t have smoke alarms, they can get help with installation of free alarms and develop personal escape plans.

Residents can sign up on the Red Cross website at www. redcross.org/sound-the-alarm.

Puls wants to remind everyone during Fire Prevention Week (and all year long) that, “Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, so make sure to take the necessary precautions to keep your home and family safe.” l

Deputy Fire Marshal Jed Finlinson demonstrates how to use the fire hose to several second-grade students at Longview Elementary during Fire Prevention Week. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)

More land for recreating by the Jordan River Parkway thanks to Murray City and Salt Lake County

Residents love the Jordan River Parkway and the ribbon of parks alongside the river. Recently, Murray City and Salt Lake County purchased additional land adjacent to the parkway to preserve for future recreational use.

The parcel is at about 6400 South and the Jordan River, directly west of the Jordan River Parkway.

“It wasn’t a planned purchase, but an opportunity that popped up,” Kim Sorensen, Murray Parks director, said. “The land had been owned by the LDS church for a ward house, but they decided to sell. Developers wanted to put houses on it, but based on the location, right next to the Jordan River Parkway, we chose to purchase it, preserving it for recreational use for all residents.”

No specific plans are in the works for the parcel at this time.

The property is approximately 5 divided acres, in two separate parcels on either side of the pow-

By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com

erlines. The power company owns the land under the lines, and the city will eventually work with them to connect the parcels with a thoroughfare of some sort.

The property cost $2 million, an amount split equally between the city and the county, the city using available park impact fees, and the county from their open space budget.

Currently, the property is not open to the public, but the purchase will allow for future enhanced recreational activities along the Jordan River Parkway.l

Developers were interested in this prime property next to the Jordan River Parkway, but Murray City and Salt Lake County jointly purchased the parcel to preserve it for the community and for future recreational use. (Ella Joy Olsen/ City Journals)

Grace under pressure: Murray teenager makes World Cup history

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

Nextyear, Utah will shine on the global stage at one of the world’s most coveted competitions—the FIFA U17 World Cup. Leading the charge is Grace Taeoalii, a remarkable teenager from Murray who, despite not yet being a professional player, a college athlete, or even a high school graduate, help captained the Samoan women’s team to their historic first-ever World Cup berth.

Sixteen-year-old Grace Taeoalii has been playing soccer for as long as she can remember. From kicking a ball around her backyard in Utah to captaining the Samoa U16 Women’s National Team, Grace Taeoalii’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Her achievements reached a historic milestone this year as she helped lead Samoa to qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, marking the first time a Samoan team, male or female, has made it to this global stage.

“It's amazing. I knew deep down that we could do it. It still doesn't even seem real though,” Grace Taeoalii said.

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) championship, held earlier this year, saw the Samoan team secure their World Cup spot after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over New Caledonia in the semifinals. In previous years, only the winner of the OFC tournament would qualify for the World Cup. However, a recent rule change by FIFA allowed two teams to advance, giving Samoa a rare opportunity. Although they lost to New Zealand in the finals, finishing in second place, both teams earned the coveted ticket to Morocco in 2025.

The journey to the World Cup began in June during the pre-qualifying tournament in New Zealand. Samoa faced tough competition but managed to defeat both Papua New Guinea and American Samoa with decisive 11-0 victories. Grace Taeoalii captained the team during these matches, demonstrating not only her skill on the field but also her leadership.

The path to qualification was not without challenges. Grace Taeoalii recounts a dramatic moment during the pre-qualifier, where she was kicked in the face during a match. “They showed it in slow motion on the replay, and it was yucky,” she said. Yet, she remained undeterred, pushing through the adversity to help lead her team to success.

In September, Samoa faced off against regional teams like the Cook Islands, Tonga, and Fiji in the main qualifier in Fiji, ultimately finishing second to New Zealand. Their remarkable run was highlighted by a strong defense and teamwork, securing shutout victories over teams like the Cook Islands (10-0) and Tonga (2-0).

“This has all been a lot for someone so young, and she has handled it all quite well,” her mother, Kelly Taeoalii said. “Our family

is so excited and proud of Grace. We have Taeoalii family in Utah, Hawaii, Florida, and Samoa, and they have all been checking in and cheering from wherever they are.”

Growing up in Utah, Grace Taeoalii found herself in a state where soccer is extremely popular, offering numerous opportunities for young players. “Growing up in Utah, there are a lot of great coaches and great opportunities because soccer is so huge here,” Grace Taeoalii said. “We have most of my Samoan family that lives nearby, so we get together a lot, and it's always a fun time.”

Grace Taeoalii is not only representing Samoa but also her hometown of Murray, where she attends Murray High School. Balancing her commitment to the national team and her schoolwork has been challenging. Over the past year, she has missed significant events such as her sister's graduation and even some school sports seasons due to her international soccer obligations. Despite the demanding schedule, she has managed to keep up with her studies, thanks to the flexibility and support of her school’s staff.

“The school has been amazing to work with me and help me figure out schoolwork when I am gone so much,” she said. “I do a lot of classes online but am still able to go to school when I am home and work on my online classes at the high school so I can still have the high school experience I want.”

Soccer runs deep in the Taeoalii family. Grace Taeoalii’s older sisters, Faith (now playing at Southwestern Oregon Community College) and Sariah (now playing at Utah State Eastern) also played for the Samoa Women’s team, inspiring her to follow

in their footsteps. “I loved going to Fiji to watch them play in 2022, and we all laughed when the coach asked where my cleats were,” Grace Taeoalii said. “I was too young then but told him I would be coming soon!”

Indeed, the coach's prediction came true, and Grace Taeoalii soon found herself donning the same jersey her sisters once wore. This time, however, she was without them on the field as they had aged out of the U16 competition. “I really missed my sisters because it was the first time I didn't have them with me on the team,” she said.

Kelly Taeoalii fondly recalled the emotional moments of watching all her daughters represent Samoa. “Watching them walk onto the pitch following the Samoan flag and sing the Samoan national anthem from their hearts with their teammates makes me cry every time. My heart is so full of awe and gratitude.”

Even though Grace Taeoalii spends most of her time in Utah, she remains deeply connected to her Samoan roots. “We have a family reunion every summer where we have classes about our culture and stuff,” she said. “I stay really connected to the other girls on the team as well through social media.”

One of the team’s traditions is to sing the Samoan national anthem on the field before each game, a practice that fills Grace Taeoalii with pride. “It's a really pretty song, and it makes me feel so lucky to be out there representing my family in Utah and Samoa.”

Grace Taeoalii's success story is not just about soccer; it’s about perseverance, culture, and the power of dreams. For young girls in both Samoa and Utah, she has be-

come a role model, showing that barriers can be broken with hard work and determination. Her message to aspiring athletes is simple but powerful: “You can do it if you put your mind to it. It won't be easy and takes a lot of work, but it's totally worth it. Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.”

Five players from Utah, including Grace Taeoalii, will be representing Samoa at the World Cup next year, showcasing the growing ties between the Samoan community and Utah. “It's such an exciting time for the soccer community in Utah,” Kelly Taeoalii exclaimed. “We have received so much love and encouragement along the way. There are even Utah girls who played for the Tonga team, and they brought home the bronze medal this tournament.”

As Grace Taeoalii and her teammates prepare for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, their eyes are set on representing Samoa on the global stage. “I want to represent Samoa well and make my family proud,” Grace Taeoalii said.

“I never could have imagined any of this. It has all been surreal,” Kelly Taeoalii said. “Soccer has taken us all over the Pacific. We have connected with such lovely people and families and have so many new forever friends. Being involved with the Football Federation of Samoa has changed all of our lives, and we are so very grateful for every opportunity we have been given.” l

Grace Taeoalii (left) smiles with teammates after a hard-fought match that led Samoa to the World Cup. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Taeoalii)

The Salvation Army in Salt Lake County offers assistance year-round

Volunteers with The Salvation Army in Salt Lake County are much more than season bell-ringers. The organization’s programs include helping people experiencing homelessness, hosting food pantries and assisting families affected by disasters.

Captain James Combs has served with The Salvation Army since 2013. He oversees the Army’s programs and activities within the area and works with local partners and agencies to get people the resources and help they need.

Services include homelessness prevention and emergency assistance to help pay rent, emergency housing needs or transportation issues during an immediate crisis. The Army also provides hygiene kits and clothing or furniture vouchers.

“The most sought-after program we offer is our utility assistance program,” Combs said. “We have agreements with Salt Lake Water, Rocky Mountain Power and Dominion Energy and contract with them to help with utility assistance. There’s a wide variety of emergencies that people are facing. So we have an emergency fund that can step in and help somebody get back on their feet.”

The organization is also home to its Client Choice Food Pantry, operating Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m.

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

and Fridays from 2-4 p.m. Located at 438 S. 900 West, the food pantry is run like a grocery store where people can choose the items they need for their family.

On Thanksgiving Day, Salvation Army volunteers take over the county’s Meals on Wheels program, delivering nearly 1,000 meals to homebound residents.

“You’d be surprised at how fast that goes with the number of people that are there to help,” Combs said. “The clients call us to reserve a hot Thanksgiving meal. It’s really fantastic.”

During the holidays, the Army’s Angel Program and Golden Angel Program provide gifts to thousands of children and senior citizens. Through the programs, people can adopt a child or senior to help for the season.

In 2023, The Salvation Army had more than 26,000 food pantry visits, prepared 42,000 meals, assisted nearly 2,700 people with utility payments and helped more than 142,000 people across the state.

Funding for the program is paid for through partnerships, donations and the generosity of people who donate to the Army’s bell-ringers at Christmastime. Last year’s donations exceeded more than $2.2 million in Utah. There’s also a virtual kettle where people can donate online through Venmo, Apple or

Google Pay.

“Community volunteers are always welcome, especially during the holidays,” he said. “If people want to help ring the bell, which helps more than just at Christmas. It helps us do everything we do all year long. They can volunteer to ring the bell for two hours at a time. That goes a long way to help support our programs.”

Combs said The Salvation Army isn’t a cookie-cutter organization. It adapts and creates programs based on the needs of the resi-

dents it serves. All donations received, stay in the area they are given.

Volunteers are always needed to help at the food pantry, deliver meals, help with emergencies or work at the service center. For more information about services or volunteer opportunities, visit saltlakecity.salvationarmy.org.

“A lot of our programs, over the last few years, have taken a shift,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that our folks were making the impacts and filling the needs that were needed here in Salt Lake County.” l

Assistance for people experiencing homelessness is just one of many ways The Salvation Army in Salt Lake County helps residents needing help. (Stock photo)

Dunn engineers big turnaround for Murray football

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

Inthe past four seasons leading up to this year, the Murray football team had fallen on some rough times. From 2020 through 2023, Murray won a total of five games. The Spartans exceeded that number this season.

Murray finished the regular season Oct. 16 with a 58-20 blowout at home over Cottonwood, improving its record to 6-4 on the year. With the win, Murray finished with a 4-2 record in Region 10, good enough for third place. The team also earned a No. 14 seed in the Class 4A state tournament, which began Oct. 25, after our press deadline.

The Spartans hosted Snow Canyon in the first round. A victory over the No. 19 Snow Canyon team would send Murray to the second round to meet third-seeded Crimson Cliffs on the road Nov. 1

Coming off a 1-9 season, Murray hired Dalton Dunn as its new coach. It didn’t take Dunn long to make an impact. By game four, a 42-7 rout of Jordan on Sept. 6, the Spartans already had more wins than it had managed the previous year. After falling to Park City the next week, Murray then posted three consecutive convincing wins: 32-13 over Payson on Sept. 20, 45-7 at Hillcrest on Sept. 27 and 51-17 at Tooele on Oct. 4.

Not since 2019 when the team went 8-4 has Murray seen such success.

The Spartans had big moments on both sides of the ball. Offensively, several players contributed, but the big start was Sam Pehrson. The senior running back piled up 1,252 yards and 20 touchdowns on 216 carries. Pehrson had five games of at least 130 yards and turned heads with three games of rushing for more than 200 yards. He had 219 yards on the ground against Jordan, 202 at Hillcrest and 204 in the regular-season-ending win over Cottonwood. In the victory over Hillcrest, he scored five touchdowns. Through the regular season, Pehrson was third in the state in rushing touchdowns and 11th in the state (fifth in 4A) in rushing yards. He also caught 18 passes (third on the team) for 220 yards (also third on the team) and a touchdown.

Quarterback Alexander Bojorquez, a senior completed nearly 60% of his passes and threw for 1,339 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 159 yards on 48 carries. His favorite targets were Spencer Bushman and Evan Talbot. Bushman, a senior, led the team with 33 catches, totaling 342 yards and three touchdowns. Talbot, a junior had 30 catches for a team-best 566 yards, an impressive 18.9 yards-per-catch average. He also paced Murray with four receiving touchdowns. Junior Dax Jensen contributed 12 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Connor

Whitehead caught 11 balls for 123 yards and a score.

On defense, senior Joshua Zullo filled the stat sheet with a team-leading 81 tackles. He also added an interception. Junior defensive lineman Tyler Wightman and senior defensive lineman Jackson Ketchoyian led the way with six sacks. Easton Horman and Belal Mucktar had two interceptions apiece.

When Murray took on Snow Canyon in the state tournament, it was looking for its first postseason victory since defeating Skyline in the Class 5A first round in 2019. l

PLAY GOLF WITH CART

Joy in the air: Viewmont bubble run emphasizes ‘fun’ in fundraising

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

clean fun.

That’s how Viewmont Elementary students described their school’s bubble fun run which kicked off the school year.

“All the parents were blowing bubbles at you during the race,” sixth-grader Laykin Cheney said. “I liked it this year, running with my friends. It was a friendly run, not competitive.”

Fourth-grader Addison Chatterton said her dad yelled for her to run, while her sister dumped water on her.

“I couldn’t see much of anything with all the bubbles,” she said.

A confetti cannon started the run for each grade level to the tunes of a bagpiper. The runners began and ended by a tower of balloons. About 445 students and some teachers participated.

“It was crazy fun,” Addison said.

Principal Lia Smith was pleased with the day’s event.

“The energy was electric all day; they had so much fun,” she said. “It served as our big PTA fundraiser. The main two things are to fund our new art literacy program where parent volunteers come in once per month, and they have an artist of the month who students will learn about and learn that art technique. We’re doing it our way, because we don’t have an art teacher, we don’t have an art class, but we want the students to learn about art and to bring that into our classrooms.”

The other main contribution from the fundraiser is for their monthly eagle experiences.

Students can earn eagle tickets through positive behavior and then use those for experiences. For example, the school may have a magician or a pet day and they can use their tickets to be part of those experiences, she said.

Viewmont PTA President Taryn McDonough said those eagle experiences are scheduled monthly and offer a variety of experiences; from playing board games with high school students to learning about animation from a professional animator.

“The money also will go to all the PTA activities for the year that includes teacher support and student-supported activities like Red Ribbon Week, teacher appreciation and those kinds of activities,” she said.

Both McDonough and Smith appreciated the generosity of the community.

“We surpassed our goal; our goal was $10,000 and we ended up raising $11,200,” Smith said.

There were incentives to reach the amount, such as at $6,000, there was an impromptu schoolwide dance party in the hallways.

“We went outside of our classrooms and danced to the music. Eddie the Eagle came

around and we danced the conga,” Laykin said.

Addison added there also were disco balls sparkling and it was a fun way to end of the school day.

Students will celebrate reaching $9,000 in late October by cheering on faculty wearing inflatable costumes in a footrace.

Smith said she was grateful at the race for the parents who showed up, many with bubble-generating devices, and cheered the students at the start and finish.

“We wanted it to be a day of community and to get parents back involved in our school since it tailed off during COVID,” said the first-year principal. “We had at least 100 parents come help, participate, cheer on the kids.”

McDonough said this was the school’s first bubble run, changed from a traditional

fun run because in years past, the run got too competitive.

“We decided to switch it and do something fun,” she said. “I researched ideas and asked people, and the idea I ended up with was the bubble run. I told them at the beginning to enjoy it and if you want to run, come to the front. If you want to walk, go to the back, and they could do what they wanted with their friends, with parents using bubble machines and have that fun aspect. They loved it and we got positive feedback from parents.”

The temperature reached into the 90s that day, so students went around the Murray Mile, which was about 3/4-mile on school grounds.

“Afterward, the PTA gave the students water,” Smith said. “Most of them still had bubbles on them at the finish and were laughing, having fun.” l

Viewmont Elementary students race to the finish through a stream of bubbles. (Photo courtesy of Brandon Orton)

Viewmont’s bubble run excites elementary students while running to raise funds for their school. (Photo courtesy of Brandon Orton)

SALSA CONTEST

A big thank you to all our amazing contestants/chefs who brought the flavor to the Salsa Contest! From fresh ingredients to creative recipes, it was a day full of fun, flavor, and friendly competition!

5-7 PM

Murray City Recreation Murray City

murray.utah.gov murray.utah.gov

Recreation

THE PARK CENTER - GROUP FITNESS

Monday Classes

8am - Core and More

9am - Spinning

9am - Total Body Conditioning

9am - Aqua Fit - Deep Water

10am - Stretch

10:45am - Functional Strength

4:30pm - Yoga

6pm - Pop Pilates

6pm - Spinning

6pm - Aqua Fit - Shallow Water

Tuesday Classes

5:45am - Spinning

7:45am - Aqua Fit - Shallow Water

9am - Aqua Fit - Shallow Water

9am - Muscle Up

10am - High Fitness

6pm - Yoga

6:30pm - Aqua Fit - Deep Water

Wednesday Classes

5:45am - Total Body Conditioning

9am - Pop Pilates

9am - Aqua Fit - Deep Water

6pm - Aqua Fit - Shallow Water

6pm - TRX

Thursday Classes

5:45am - Spinning

7:45am - Aqua Fit - Shallow Water

9am - Aqua Fit - Shallow Water

9am - Yoga

10:45am - Functional Strength

6pm - Yoga

6:30pm - Aqua Fit - Deep Water

Friday Classes

5:45am - Total Body Conditioning

8am - Core

8am - Aqua Dance - Shallow Water

9am - Aqua Fit - Deep Water

9am - Pop Barre

Saturday Classes

7:15am - Spinning

7:15am - Pop Barre

8:30am - Yoga

9:30am - TRX

Sunday Classes

9:15am - Spinning

10:30am - Yoga

Indoor

Pool

Lazy River Bubble Couches

New Play Structure Waterslide

Zero depth entry to 3'6"

Lap Pool

Come visit our 8 lane 25 yard lap pool!

M URRAY S ENIOR R ECREATION C ENTER

10 East 6150 South, Murray, Utah 84107 801-264-2635

murray.utah.gov/140/Senior-Recreation-Center seniorrec@murray.utah.gov mcreg.com

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Closed Saturday and Sunday

Check our website for any changes in programs.

CHEF OMAR LIMON

Daily Lunch

Date: Tuesday through Friday

Time: 11:30 a.m. – noon

Cost: Cost is $5; prior registration not required

CLASSES

Ceramics

Date: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon

Cost: $1.50 each class plus cost of supplies

Grief Support

Date: Friday, Nov. 8 and 22

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free

Recycling in Utah

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 19

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free

If You Have a Dream

Date: Monday, Nov. 25

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free; Register now.

Vital Aging: Coping with Trauma

Date: Monday, Nov. 25

Line Dance Instruction

Date: Tuesdays

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $10 for the month; register now

Thursday Evening Social Dance

Live Music provided by Tony Summerhays

Date: Thursdays

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Cost: $5

FITNESS

Daily Fitness Classes – check our current newsletter for the schedule and fees.

We are having a special promo rate on our Seated Fitness classes for Nov. and Dec. For $5 per month, these classes are included:

Chair Xercise – Mondays

11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Seated Yoga – Tuesdays

10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Chair Fit – Wednesdays and Fridays

11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Nutrition: Making Healthy Changes Stick

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free

DANCE

Beginning Line Dance Instruction

Date: Tuesdays

Time: 1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Cost: $5 for the month; register now

HEALTH SERVICES

Haircuts

Date: Wednesdays

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Cost: $12; advance appointment required

CLUBS

Martial Arts

Date: Wednesdays

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Cost: $15 initial club fee; $10 per month

everyone to come and just have a good time at the theatre.”

Following that show will be “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” where quirky middle school students are competing to be a fictional spelling bee’s champion.

“This show is more modern, and the cast will get to portray younger characters. Since there are so many parts, it’s almost as every part is like a lead; it gives a lot of opportunity for people to be a lead on stage,” she said.

The show will be at 7 p.m., Feb. 20-22, 2025, and again, Feb. 24 in the school’s Little Theatre. There also will be a 1 p.m. matinee on Feb. 22.

At Murray High, the show will be directed by students, with Shaffer overseeing the production.

“The student directing team will audition the kids, they’ll design the set, they’ll decide on costumes, they’ll direct, and music direct, they’ll choreograph, and I will help them learn how to direct the show,” she said. “This is a great opportunity for them to try their hand at another part of theatre. A lot of the kids discover they like being backstage, so this just provides that opportunity to learn those skills.”

Following this show, students will compete with a one-act and individual events at region in March. State competition is in April.

In May, the thespians will perform “Puffs” or “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.” The 2015 play written by New York playwright Matt Cox is a parody of the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling, but from the perspective of the “Puffs,” Shaffer said.

“When I saw it performed by West Valley Arts a couple years ago, I could not stop

thinking about how much fun students would have with this show. The wizarding world has become part of our culture so it’s fun for them and again, it has a ton of parts, and that gives a lot of opportunity for our students,” she said.

The show will be at 7 p.m., May 7-10, 2025 and again, May 12 in the Little Theatre.

The season kicked off with competing in the 48th annual Utah Shakespeare High School Festival in Cedar City, where 14 students performed a scene from “Hamlet” and then individual students competed in three monologues and performed two scenes. The team took fifth place.

Eighteen Dance Company members joined the thespians, performing a piece based on “King Lear” and took first place.

In addition to the shows, the school’s 25-member improv team will host 6 p.m., Dec. 6 and March 7, 2025 improv nights in the Little Theatre.

They also will host the SLAAP Festival, where local high school teams will be coached and judged on their performance and then, together, they’ll put on a 7 p.m., May 16, 2025 evening performance. Tickets for all improv nights are $4.

The improv team captain is senior Jonas Stone and the 40-member drama club’s president is senior Izzy Mills, who helped decide this year’s theme: “Super!”

“The idea is that everybody is super, and everybody has something to offer,” Shaffer said. “Our drama club wanted to focus on celebrating everybody. I’m proud of them for that because it’s hard when you don’t get the part you want, but for them to say, ‘We want everybody in our program to know we think they’re super; they have superpowers to offer,’ is amazing.” l

4th Generation Murray City resident • Murray Female Business Owner

• Salt Lake Board of Realtors “Good Neighbor” Award Recipient

• Salt Lake Board of Realtors Top 500 Agents & Hall of Fame 5x Award Recipient

• Utah Business Magazine “30 Women to Watch” Award Recipient

• Founder of a Local Non-profit for Suicide Awareness

Fourteen members of Murray High’s Shakespeare team performs “Hamlet” as its ensemble piece this fall in Cedar City. (Photo courtesy of Murray High)

Salt

Lake County residents have long demonstrated a commitment to service, upholding the belief that collective action leads to meaningful change and stronger communities.

With hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the area, there are many options to donate time, money or expertise to a cause close to your heart. Take time this month to show gratitude for all you have by supporting one of these charities doing big things in the Salt Lake Valley.

Murray Children’s Pantry, 170 E. 5770 South, Murray

Providing food to any family in need, the Murray Children’s Pantry offers boxes of food to feed one person for two days, or family boxes. With the help of dedicated volunteers, the pantry creates thousands of meals every month and gives them to those who need help, no questions asked. Support this organization through monetary or food donations, or volunteer to help pack meal boxes. More information is available at murraychildrenspantry.org.

Wasatch Wanderers Animal Rescue

It’s not just cats and dogs being abandoned along the Wasatch Front. Rabbits, domestic ducks, turtles, lizards, chickens, guinea pigs and other animals are often dumped by their owners in the wild, where they don’t survive long. Wasatch Wanderers rescues these rejected pets and finds new homes where they can be part of a loving family. Get involved with this organization by adopting or fostering an animal, transporting rescued animals to rescue farms or donating money to their care. Visit WasatchWanderers.org for more information.

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Warrior Rising

Through strategic partnerships, Warrior Rising helps veterans become thriving business owners. Using a network of professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, the nonprofit created a remote learning platform that uses mentors, coaches, experts and grant money to provide vets the opportunity to build a successful life after they have served the country. Entrepreneurial volunteers are needed to teach skills and help vets through the business start-up process. Find more info at WarriorRising.org.

The Christmas Box International, 3660 S. West Temple

Open all year, The Christmas Box International is a short-term, emergency shelter helping children suffering from abuse, neglect, trafficking and homelessness. More than 14,000 children were served at the home last year and organizers are always looking for donations to help support

the programs offered including resource rooms and international projects. To honor the children they serve, The Christmas Box International only accepts new donations of clothing, books, toys and toiletries. Monetary donations are also accepted. Learn more at Thechristmasbox.org.

Encircle, 331 S. 600 East

Based on the premise that the LGBTQ+ community deserves to live free from discrimination, prejudice and violence, Encircle offers programs and therapy to strengthen LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Volunteers, monetary donations, fundraising, interns and community supporters are all needed to create a safe environment for these young people. With art and music nights, brunch and friendship circles, volunteers can find the most effective ways to donate their time and talents. Visit EncircleTogether.org for more information.

Fourth Street Clinic, 409 W. 400 South

With cold temperatures on the way, people experiencing homelessness will need extra support to stay safe. Fourth Street Clinic provides health care to a population that often doesn’t receive continual medical attention. The clinic accepts donations including travel-size hygiene items, tents, sleeping bags, tarps, gloves and hats, new underwear and warm socks. Monetary donations to Fourth Street Clinic are leveraged to create an additional in-kind donation dollar for every $1 raised. Learn more at FourthStreetClinic.org. l

Murray girls soccer wins thrilling playoff shootout; falls in second round

By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

As an athlete, coach, parent or fan, you experience a range of emotions participating in or watching sports. These emotions can change from game to game or even from moment to moment. High school sports are no exception, and the Murray girls soccer team knows all about the thrills of victory and the agony of defeat.

The Spartans went from feeling elation to feeling the frustration of a season-ending loss in the matter of five days.

Murray’s season ended Oct. 15 with a one-sided 5-0 loss at Mountain Crest in the second round of the Class 4A state tournament. The defeat left the Spartans below .500 for the season, finishing 8-9.

Going into the contest, the Spartans knew they had a big hill to climb.

Mountain Crest was the top seed in the tournament, while Murray was seeded 16th. Mountain Crest entered the contest with just one loss, a defeat at the hands of 6A foe Farmington back on Aug. 13. The Spartans fell behind 2-0 at halftime and couldn’t make up any ground in the second half. Mountain Crest tacked on three more goals to win convincingly.

It was a stark contrast from the game before.

In the first round on Oct. 10, Murray drew 17th-seeded Pine View in a home game. The evenly matched contest saw Murray storm out to an early 2-0 lead. However, Pine View scored twice in the second half and held the Spartans scoreless after the break. That sent the game into overtime where neither team scored. A shootout determines which team would have the right to

face Mountain Crest in the next round.

Murray dominated the penalty kicks, making four to Pine View’s one, sending the Spartans to round two. Murray’s first-half goals came from Preslee Stock and June Lever.

The Spartans placed third in Region 10, going 6-5-1 in league play. Murray outscored its region opponents 24-14 and posted five shutouts on the season. Three of Murray’s region losses were by a single point, and the other two were by two goals. The Spartans’ best offensive day came at Cottonwood on Sept. 25 with a 6-0 victory.

This season, Murray had 13 different players score at least one goal. Leading the balanced scoring effort was Stock, a junior forward, who had five goals on the season. Bailey Trujillo, only a freshman, had four goals and an assist this season. Two players—junior Elsie Demann and junior Bonnie Hendricksen—each had three goals. Junior Autumn Mead and freshman Lucy Vuyk each spent time in the net as the team’s goalies.

The Spartans will return several experienced players in 2025, including a host of sophomores and freshmen who had playing time on the varsity and junior varsity levels.

Murray will look to return to its winning ways next season. This year was the first time since 2014 that the team didn’t finish above .500 and the first time since 2013 that the Spartans had a below-.500 mark. The 2014 squad was 7-7, while Murray was 7-9 in 2013. l

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Murray’s Julie Groenning dribbles downfield in action earlier this season. Groenning, a foreign exchange student from Norway, helped the Spartans win eight games this season. (Photos courtesy of Jim McKenna.)

Students statewide visit 10th annual STEMfest

Photo by Julie Slama

of girls who attend Terra Linda Elementary in West Jordan were excited maneuvering robots for their first time at a robotics booth overseen by Beehive Science & Technology Academy and Jordan High students at the 10th Utah STEMFest. They were among the thousands of Utah fifth-grade through 10th-grade students who came to explore the STEM world around them. Sponsored by Utah STEM Action Center, about 120 businesses, colleges and universities and nonprofits offered handson learning during the two-day event at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, where students discovered more about STEM fields from the natural world of animals and avalanches to the technical world learning about hydraulics and synthetic diamonds. A West Valley City teacher who has brought her sixth-grade students every year said she appreciated giving them the opportunity to engage in fields they’re interested in while using their skills in reading, math and science — and hopefully, sparking a future career interest. l

Calvary Chapel hosts arts and crafts sale supporting Operation Christmas Child

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

Salt Lake City’s Calvary Chapel completed its annual arts, crafts and bake sale, a community-driven event aimed at supporting a global cause. The sale, on Oct. 19 and 20, featured locally made goods, with all proceeds going toward Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse that shares the spirit of Christmas with children in need around the world.

Calvary Salt Lake, located at 460 W. Century Drive, generated over $11,000 for the organization during the sale.

Operation Christmas Child focuses on filling shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene products, and toys, and aims to reach more than 11 million children this year. Each shoebox delivered represents a piece of hope and joy for children, along with the message of the Christmas season.

“This year’s goal is 2,000 shoeboxes which means we need $20,000 as there is a suggested donation of $10 per shoebox to cover the cost of shipping, outreach event materials and training local churches to share the gospel

in a child friendly manner,” said Alison Long, regional area coordinator for the Operation Christmas Child Southwest region. “Members of the church congregation will cover the remaining balance.”

For those who would like to participate but didn’t make it to the sale, there are various ways to get involved. Participants can pack their own shoeboxes and donate $10 online through the “Follow Your Box” program to track where their gift ends up. Those who prefer a simpler option can build a virtual shoebox by selecting gifts, adding a personal note, and sending it through the Samaritan’s Purse website. These virtual boxes are often sent to hard-to-reach regions, ensuring that even children in the most remote areas receive a special Christmas surprise.

Since its founding in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 198 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in over 170 countries and territories. For more information on how to participate or to build a shoebox online, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. l

Stanley Tumbler

This boy is one of more than 197,000 children in Suriname who have received a gift-filled shoebox. (Photo courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse)

Unveiling reality: The challenges and joys of raising special needs athletes

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Murray High parent Kim Domiguez used to watch other mothers taxi their kids from one practice to another.

Then, while her oldest, Braedon, was in high school, Special Olympics introduced unified sports and Murray High was one of the first Utah schools to jump on board.

Coed soccer and basketball were the first sports, now track and field, swimming and e-sports are options at the high school. The athletes with differing abilities are joined with partners, often peer tutors, to play alongside each other on the same team.

“It used to be that we came up with stuff to do on our own, but now with unified sports, we’re busy,” she said. “I can tell you from a special needs parent’s standpoint, I now understand what soccer moms go through. Unified sports definitely keeps kids involved.”

While Braedon has graduated, he is a constant face on the sidelines of four unified sports, cheering on his brother, Reilly, or more commonly called, Turbo. The high school junior nicknamed himself after the Dreamworks movie, “Turbo,” when he first saw the movie at age 6.

“The only person who he allows to call him Reilly is his brother,” his mother said.

While Domiguez may have an idea of what typical parents do to shuffle their kids and prepare them for competition, not many understand preparing a unified athlete to play.

At Murray, unified soccer and basketball athletes practice 90 minutes once per week.

“As parents, we get their bags ready and then, some of us help the teachers get their gear on, make sure their shoes are tied

and are ready for practice. Most of the kids complain about it, asking ‘why do we have to do it?’ It’s outside of their comfort zone. But once they get there, they love it,” she said.

Domiguez said few unified athletes

grew up playing the sport, so they’ve had to learn the skills. Her family also had her sons watch the Utah Royals on TV and YouTube to understand fundamentals.

“It’s been a work in progress. When we first started the program, most of our kids would just stand out on the field. They’ve learned how to kick the ball and where to kick it. Now they play defense. Lots of our kids love to be the goalkeeper because they realize they don’t have to run up and down the field, but then they had to learn how to stop the ball, how to pick it up and throw it. We had to start all over with basketball. At first, they’d stand on the court, put their hands up and somebody would dribble around them. It’s been with the help of the peers, with other teams, the coaches and all these reps, that our kids come to play,” she said.

Turbo doesn’t have hours of homework, but he does have a life skills class so his mother has him practice the skills at home.

“Sometimes he does well, sometimes I will need to redo it. He loves the vacuum, and he loves to shred. I know if I need something shredded or something vacuumed, it will get done very well. If I need a table wiped off, and I’ve explained it to him 1,000 times, I know I’m still going to have

to redo that,” she said.

The night before a game or a meet, it’s not early to bed for Turbo.

“He’s not a go-to-bed early kid. He’s a ‘I’ll go to bed when I am darn-well-ready kid.’ We say nine o’clock, take your melatonin and pajamas and he’s still up at midnight walking around. We try to keep the boys’ schedule the same without disruption. Each kid is different, but most special needs kids love their schedules, and they like it being always the same. I don’t tell him we have a soccer match the night before so he won’t get upset that he will be missing class and will have to make it up. From a special needs standpoint, getting ready and to the event can almost be as difficult as being in the event,” she said.

Turbo gets up at 5:30 a.m. before being at school two hours later “because he’s not in a hurry to do anything in his life. He could shower and then lay down a little, take his time at breakfast.”

On a game day morning, he used to be “on edge.”

“Turbo is a creature of habit. He likes things to be the same, but now he knows what to expect so it’s easier. He knows there’s going to be people there he knows. He’s going to have a chance to ride on the bus. It’s going to be a fun adventure,” his

Alongside partners, a Cottonwood unified athlete brings up the ball against Brighton High in the regional soccer game. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Murray High’s unified soccer plays celebrate the goal scored against Riverton High in a regional unified soccer tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

mother said.

Domiguez’ husband, Dean, offered his help to coach the team alongside special education teacher Jessie Agiriga and other educators who have guided the program from its inception.

“Turbo listens to Dean. He didn’t want to come today and we had to put in effort to get him here,” she said about an early fall tournament at Highland High. “Now, he’s all in.”

Still, when the regional tournament rolled around, and Turbo got frustrated, his dad explained, “Turbo’s ideal soccer game is not to play it, but to watch it on TV.”

The frustration came about from Turbo playing on a higher skill level team than he previously competed on as an underclassman. At the beginning of the season, every school tests students’ abilities and from there, it’s determined what unified division level of teams the school will have and where athletes will be placed.

“It’s not always sunshine and roses and he will let us know that. When he’s reaches the end of what he can handle, he needs some downtime,” his mother said. “What’s different about playing unified is everybody is so wonderful and gracious; they want everybody to score and do well. It’s fun to see the competitive nature of a lot of these kids come out, but then also their humanity side comes out even more. If there’s a kid who has shot at a basket six times in a row, you’ll find everybody rooting for the seventh, eighth and ninth attempts until he finally scores. Then we all cheer.”

Domiguez said that’s different than a typical sporting event.

“But don’t get me wrong; our kids still like to win. They know when they come in first or second. They understand our team didn’t win, we might not advance,” she said.

As an increasing number of Utah high schools now have unified programs, competition has stepped up. At the metro regional tournament, there were 55 area teams. Several schools, like Murray, have added additional teams.

Every year Murray’s unified athletes and their partners have qualified for state, even winning the championships multiple times. This year, both teams fell short of being in the championship games while three other area teams — West Jordan High, Alta High and Hunter High — all qualified and finished second in their divisions.

“There’s disappointment. They must face it just the same as any other kid. Sometimes they do well with that, other times they do not. When they don’t, we just talk through it. It’s a lot of the same dynamics and feelings as a typical kid losing, only our kids’ emotions might be a little bit more on the surface,” she said, then added, “Luckily for us, basketball rolls in right after and we’ve already started swimming.”

Her husband, a former Murray High swimmer and water polo player, also coach-

es unified swim. He’s able to spend time with the team as he has macular degeneration, so he retired from his desk job, and now, with Braedon and Braedon’s grandfather, does construction work for the family business.

Domiguez said both her sons, who were born premature, were diagnosed with autism before age 2 after doctors were monitoring their progress. They attended a preschool for students with autism before entering Viewmont Elementary. Braedon integrated into a kindergarten class while it wasn’t until second grade that Turbo fully integrated.

“His peers didn’t know he spoke until second grade. He was very quiet, and he was a runner. The kids were so helpful, if Turbo got up and ran out, a nice girl would go after him,” she said. “Every year, I’d go to their classes and talk to the kids about what autism is, or answer their questions, ‘why is Turbo acting the way he does? Or should I be afraid of him?’ We thought the best way to combat bullying was let the kids get to know us.”

Now some of those classmates are the ones who fill the bleachers at games or are the cheerleaders rallying for Turbo and the rest of the unified team.

“What’s been fun for the team is when we people are there to cheer for them; they

love the support,” she said.

That gift of acceptance and being part of the school is not lost as the Domiguez family returns their support, often going to soccer, softball, volleyball and basketball games to cheer on those players who have helped the unified teams. They even support their classmates in the school musicals and attended University of Utah women’s basketball games, after those players practiced with Murray’s unified team.

Domiguez, as the sole driver for the family, says it isn’t easy, as she herself often attends unified games in a wheelchair as she has “really bad arthritis. We’re a lot better than we look on paper, but we do live in a very different world than I think a lot of people. I used to be a type A personality. Now it’s ‘Let’s just see where the day takes us.’”

She knows she can’t leave her younger son without a “Turbo-sitter” as he has a track record of dumping out all the kitchen spices or emptying the fire extinguisher, but she is pleased he likes his classes such as video editing, ceramics, cooking and zoology. He also participates in Best Buddies program and has attended school dances.

“Turbo got himself a rainbow sequined suit for a Halloween dance. He asked one of his peer helpers to go with him, and she had the same suit. They wore matching rainbow

suits and had a lot of fun with it,” Domiguez said.

And those special moments, such as when Braedon scored a last-second shot to win a basketball game, are often relived.

“Everybody went nuts, running onto the court, screaming and dancing. And an hour or two later, we’re driving home, and the kids were still excited. Braedon still brings it up and they talk about how great it was,” Domiguez said. “Those are some of the moments that make us smile and make it so worthwhile.”

This year, Turbo had a memorable goal.

During the season, Murray High ate dinner with the Utah Royals’ unified team and the Spartans met their mascot and the Utah Royals players. Then the two unified teams scrimmaged on the America First field.

“We got our butt handed to us, but Turbo scored a goal, and that’s all that mattered,” his mother said. “When they score, that’s when they’re the happiest and the whole team jumped around, they high-fived each other, and even the Royals unified girls gave them high-fives. We got one goal. Oh, by golly, we celebrated the heck out of that goal.” l

Murray High junior Turbo Domiguez stands in goal ready to stop the ball in a regional unified soccer tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Cottonwood’s theatre season offers shows to educate, inspire and entertain

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Those patrons who plan to attend Cottonwood High’s fall musical on Wednesday, may want to keep in mind what the character Karen Smith says.

“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.”

That is what the member of the popular girls, nicknamed by others as “The Plastics,” tell the new girl, Cady, in the musical, “Mean Girls,” which will be performed by Cottonwood thespians. The show will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 23 on the school stage at 5715 S. 1300 East. Tickets will be available online through the school’s website, schools.graniteschools. org/cottonwoodhigh or at the door.

“I’m a fan of the script; Tina Fey wrote the book, the script, the show,” director Adam Wilkins said. “I need a good script for a show and this one is that. It’s funny, dramatic, relatable.”

He also appreciates the electric guitar and heavy drum music and that the chorus “gives a sense of belonging.”

The show kicks off Cottonwood’s theatre season, following their traditional Haunted Hallway where the community is encouraged to bring food items for the school’s pantry.

“That gives us a chance to connect with each other,” Wilkins said. “We coordinate with LIA’s (Latinos In Action) trunk-or-treat and all the performing arts students get involved brainstorming and designing their concept. It’s a fun event.”

In January 2025, the student-actors will put on their Broadway Revue and melodrama.

“It’s student-directed and seniors vote on it and select

students,” he said. “It’s become a beloved tradition here and it’s rewarding when students have this directing experience. They have a say in what they’re doing and love doing it. After the fall musical, this gives them a different learning experience that isn’t as intense.”

They also will attend the Utah Theatre Association drama conference in Logan; Wilkins has served on the UTA board the past 15 years.

“It provides theatre student a chance to see different colleges every year. This is our first time at Utah State (University) and they’ll get to see plays by USU or local students and attend workshops at USU. It’s something loved by theatre students since it’s all about theatre,” he said.

In March, the thespians will perform “Clue,” a farcemeets-murder show inspired by the classic board game.

“Once again, the script is a good script and that’s important in selecting a show,” Wilkins said. “I’m excited to do a comedy that is intriguing, witty and clever.”

In March, they will take to the stage with their one-act, “Ernest and the Pale Moon” for their region competition. State is in April.

“Not a lot of people do horror as it’s challenging as well as intriguing,” he said, adding that the play inspired by works of Edgar Allan Poe and Alfred Hitchcock is being directed by drama coach Madison Howell. “It’s something fun and different, something to perform to defend our region title.”

The Colts end the year with their May performance of “Hadestown.”

“The message, the choices made, the trust – it’s all part

of this classic Greek tragedy that we can tell in a modern setting. We’ll study the classic tale and understand how powerful and vital storytellers are. The script is powerful, and this gives them something they may not be exposed to, so they’ll be trying something new,” said Wilkins, who was one of 10 Granite School District Excel Educators last spring. “We have some timeless tales this season. Theatre is meant to educate, inspire and entertain and this season does just that.” l

Cottonwood actors, seen here last spring in their one-act show, “Triangle,” which helped to propel them to the region championship, will perform “Mean Girls” this November. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

UDOT installs radar-enabled crosswalk buttons at 250 intersections for safer pedestrian access

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

The Utah Department of Transportation installed radar-enabled crosswalk buttons at nearly 250 intersections across the state.

The department is among the first in the nation to implement widespread use of the accessible pedestrian signal (APS) technology at crosswalks, making the pedestrian experience safer, UDOT said.

APS technology reportedly utilizes action movements – like nodding or waving – or activation via an app to assist pedestrians. Once triggered, the APS alerts pedestrians through an audio feature with statements like “wait” or “walk sign is on.”

The app, PedApp, also provides pedestrians with live, supplemental information at crosswalks, such as the amount of walking time remaining or the street name and direction they’re heading, UDOT said. Sight-limited pedestrians can also enable a feature that helps locate the button.

Crosswalks with this type of technology can help people with varying disabilities safely, confidently and independently across the street, UDOT said.

“This new crosswalk technology benefits everyone by facilitating safe and independent movement through pedestrian networks regardless of age or ability,” said Mike Blanchette, UDOT traffic engineer. “The app and touchless buttons are key

components of an accessible, inclusive transportation system.”

UDOT has installed more than 1,000 of the buttons at nearly 250 intersections in Cedar City, Moab, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and Logan. UDOT encourages the public to participate in the installation process by flagging areas to prioritize.

“Citizens can submit an online form to notify UDOT of the need for APS technology at a crosswalk,” UDOT said. l

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Map of old, planned and installed crosswalk buttons across Salt Lake Valley. (Photo courtesy of UDOT website)

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner never gets easier. I always start with lofty culinary goals based on recipes from “The Pioneer Woman” that include truffles and capers but end up scraping scorched gravy into a dish and hoping the turkey won’t give anyone food poisoning.

Because of my poor cooking skills, I’m always looking for Thanksgiving hacks to make meal preparation more sunshine and less hurricane. I thought I’d share some tips I found to survive the food frenzy that is Thanksgiving.

Ask for help. Stop being a martyr. Don’t complain about having to do everything and then refuse any help. Give out assignments and not like “Can you bring one can of olives?” or “I need someone to pick up some napkins.” No. Ask someone to bring mashed potatoes or all the desserts or even the turkey. You don’t get a blue ribbon for Thanksgiving suffering.

Don’t make foods no one eats. Stop wasting time preparing “traditional” foods, even if it’s a recipe handed down from your quadruple-great grandmother. Especially if it’s handed down from your quadruple-great grandmother because there weren’t a lot of food options in the 1800s besides lima beans and fried hominy.

Use a mandoline to slice vegetables.

Hacking Thanksgiving

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

Not to be confused with a stringed instrument from the 19th century, the mandoline slices onions, celery and carrots quickly and easily. The guest who finds the tip of my index finger in the stuffing wins a prize!

Make only one batch of dinner rolls. Homemade rolls are always a hit but now you can use them as leverage. Your grandson wants a second, hot-buttered roll? He’d better start washing dishes. Bonus hack: Purchase pre-made bakery rolls. You won’t get docked Thanksgiving points. I promise.

Thaw the turkey in water. Not only will this leave you with a bucket full of disgusting waste water but then you can spill it all over the kitchen floor on Thanksgiving morning. Maybe don’t even cook a turkey. There are no Thanksgiving laws. Have chicken wings or spaghetti bolognese.

Spatchcock the turkey. If you insist

on roasted turkey, watch a three-hour video explaining how to spatchcock the bird, which involves removing the turkey’s backbone so it lies flat and cooks quickly. (Sidenote: Who spatchcocked Utah’s governor and legislators?)

One tip said, “Use tongs to stem kale” and none of those words make sense together.

Use a Thermos to keep gravy warm. Gravy is notoriously dreadful when served cold. Trust me, I know. Grab your sisterin-law’s gallon-sized Stanley cup to ensure there’s hot gravy for the mashed potatoes.

Use pre-made pie shells. People think pies need to be made from scratch to get that flakey, buttery crust. Baloney. Unless you’re a professional pie baker, do yourself a favor and buy frozen pie crusts. Right now. Even better, get delicious pies from the grocery store.

Celebrate Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. There’s nothing worse than working three days and trying to fit in Thanksgiving preparation. On Friday, it can be a celebratory meal after everyone’s done shopping online.

Create a fun playlist. Before Uncle Jim can cue up the Jan. 6 prisoners’ chorus singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” have a variety of tunes ready to go. Include ev-

erything from Bach to ZZ Top, to equally irritate every family member.

Give yourself a break. I’ve overcooked turkey, burned gravy, made inedible broccoli-cornbread stuffing, forgot the cranberry sauce, dropped a pumpkin pie and used Tupperware lids when I ran out of dinner plates. No one cares. If you’re being judged for the way Thanksgiving dinner turns out, it’s time to find a new family.