MISS RIVERTON 2024 ENCOURAGES
BODY POSITIVITY AND CONFIDENCE
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Kylie
Hallett has distinct memories of watching the Riverton Days parade as a child, seeing the Miss Riverton royalty on the float and realizing the girls didn’t look like her. As a plus-sized girl, she didn’t see pageant queens that represented a full-figured beauty ideal.
That all changed when Hallett, 20, was named Miss Riverton 2024 on June 1. The Riverton High grad ran on the platform “More Than Your Dress Size: Inspiring Inclusivity Through Body Positivity.”
“I wanted to compete because no one should have to feel like that. I’m so excited that I get to be someone for little girls to look up to,” Hallett said. “You don’t have to look a certain way to compete in a pageant, you don’t have to look a certain way to be Miss Riverton.”
Six young women competed for the title at the newly opened Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center (12830 S. Redwood Road). Along with Hallett, Rose Cannon, Chrystia Lance, Belle Snow, Anna Jeffery and Jane Rutherford competed to represent Riverton City. Contestants were judged on a private interview, talent, health and fitness, evening gown and onstage conversation.
As a classically-trained singer, Hallett performed “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from “Phantom of the Opera.” She has a background in theater, which she said helped her overcome nervous tension during the pageant.
“A lifetime of being in theater, being on stage, prepped me for the experience. Even if you don’t have the confidence, you have to fake it, and then it appears as though you do.”
Kylie Hallett did some “ugly crying” when she was crowned Miss Riverton 2024 by the outgoing Miss Riverton Haylee Lamb. (City Journals)
As the new Miss Riverton, Hallett received a $2,000 scholarship to help with her studies in criminal justice at Utah Valley University. Her initial plan was to go through the actor training program at the University of Utah, but she felt it was time to make a change. She’s now considering enrollment in the police academy.
Before the pageant began, the contestants talked backstage and agreed that any of them could win the Miss Riverton title. Hallett said the sisterhood and kindness between the women was supportive, inclusive and rare for such a competition. Hallett was shocked when her name was announced as the new Miss Riverton.
“I had convinced myself that I wasn’t going to win, so now I have a lot of pictures of me ugly crying on stage,” she said. “There has never been a plus-size winner of Miss Riverton before, which is obviously why I wanted to compete, why I wanted to win.”
Hallett looks forward to bringing her body-confidence platform to girls in elementary and middle school. By creating a mentorship program with high school and college students who may not fit society’s conventional beauty standard, she hopes to encourage girls to love themselves for who they are, not what size they wear.
“Every kid should have someone to look up to and think, ‘this person looks like me and they’re successful,’” she said. “I want to start a social media movement using #morethanmydresssize with people posting what makes them feel more than their dress size. Maybe it’s their hairstyle or their tattoo or their talents. It’s the little things that can start a movement.”
Hallett will serve with Cannon and Rutherford as the Miss Riverton Royalty for the next year. Cannon, 19, (first attendant) is a graduate of Entrada High School and currently studies at Salt Lake Community College. She was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Rutherford, 18, (second attendant) a graduate of Juan Diego High School, won a $500 scholarship.
“I’m really looking forward to spending time with Rose and Jane,” Hallett said. “There’s such a sense of sisterhood with everybody who competed, this sisterhood where there’s support and love with all these women.”
To schedule an appearance with Miss Riverton, contact her at missriverton@outlook.com. l
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Miss Riverton 2024 Kylie Hallett (center) was crowned on June 1 at the Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center. Rose Cannon (left) will serve as first attendant and Jane Rutherford (right) as second attendant. (City Journals)
Riverton’s new city manager loves the community and his position
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
Riverton has welcomed a new city manager.
Kevin Hicks, who has served in the city for six years as Administrative Services Director, began his new post in April. A native of West Jordan, he worked for that city as well as Salt Lake County before coming to Riverton in 2008.
“My parents moved there in ‘74 back when West Jordan was a tiny little town, and I was born a few years after they moved there and lived there for my entire life, lived in the same house until I graduated from high school,” he said. “My parents then moved to a different house, also in West Jordan, and then I went on an LDS church mission to Costa Rica, and then when I got home from a mission, I kind of fit right in the direction of my career choices.”
His first job after his mission was working at Shopko, but decided “I do not want to work retail for my life. And my mom actually said, ‘Hey, why don’t you go work for a bank? They can help pay for your school, and they have really good hours.’”
So he went into an old First Security Bank and got a job there. While working at the bank he got to know the city treasurer of West Jordan who pointed him toward city government.
“I’d always kind of thought about city government, and that it would be fun to learn
about what city government does,” he said. “So they had an opening at West Jordan City back in 2001 just as a cashier. My friend told me, ‘Hey, if you’re interested, come on over and apply.’” He did and got the job.
Hicks worked for West Jordan for about seven years doing cashiering, and then moved to utility billing and then out to public works over the fleet. He then left West Jordan to work for Salt Lake County and the treasurer’s office for a year and a half.
“It was a long year and a half,” he recalled. “That’s where it gave me the knowledge that I prefer local, city government and not county government, like the big bureaucracy of county government. And then I actually came here to Riverton. So I’ve been at Riverton just shy of 16 years.”
He loves working for Riverton.
“I mean, I plan on making this my career. I will be here till I retire. I’ve made that commitment to the council, and they are committed to help me see that through.”
He particularly loves how city officials formulate plans for the community.
“The city puts out a survey every couple of years. The residents submit them and then we take the vision of what the residents say and we turn it into our strategic plan,” he said.
“And that vision is what the council, with
the help of the residents, put on and then as staff, we make sure we carry that out and see that vision into the future. And that’s something I’ve always been impressed about Riverton City–their focus for the future, whether it be the elected officials or staff, or there’s a lot of people that truly do care about Riverton and want to make Riverton the crown jewel of
the valley.”
The Riverton Town Days celebration, held around the Fourth of July and including a popular rodeo, attracts tens of thousands of attendees.
“So by the time you add the rodeo, it’s that amazing sense of community. I feel my job is to just help continue that momentum going forward.”
He says that for him, the community faces one important challenge.
“I believe we have so many great longtime employees, but as we start seeing some of them retire, we’ve got to make sure we do a good job of carrying that institutional knowledge from them to the newer employees as they come in, so that we don’t lose that and that history. Because I think the history of Riverton has that historical sense of community, and a lot of it is thanks to the employees. And we’ve got to make sure that we do a good job of carrying that forward to the next generation of employees.”
He and his wife of 23 years have three children–a 17-year-old son and 15-year-old twin sons. They live in Eagle Mountain with their horses and a small farm with chickens, turkeys, dogs and cats. And they love to travel. His goal is to have visited all 50 states before the “kids are out of the house. We’re close.” l
New Riverton City manager Kevin Hicks has always aspired to be in local government and plans to stay with the city until his retirement.(City Journals)
Bluffdale’s annual Old West Days returns beginning of August
Photos by City Journals
Aug. 9 – Children’s Entrepreneur Market, a farmer’s market run by youth ages 5-17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A Movie in the Park then begins at 8 p.m. with both events at Bluffdale City Park.
Bluffdale’s Old West Days kick off Aug. 1 with a production of “Newsies!” presented by Bluffdale Arts. The show runs Aug. 1-3, 5 at 7 p.m. (with a Saturday 1 p.m. matinee) at Hidden Valley Middle School. Tickets go on sale July 1.
Other events include:
Aug. 6 – Concert in the Park and Food Truck Tuesday starting at 5 p.m. at Day Ranch Park.
Aug. 7 – Youth Nite from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bluffdale City Park.
Aug. 8 – Senior Dinner (5 p.m.) and Old West Vintage Car and Motorcycle Show, hosted by the Bluffdale Lions Club, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Bluffdale City Park. Tickets go on sale July 8.
Aug. 10 – Parade starts at 10 a.m. on 15000 South at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building and heading east on 2200 West. It will proceed north on 2200 West through the roundabout and past City Hall. It will turn west into the City Park in front of Station #91. Parade will continue through the park and exit at the main entrance to the park. Games, hoedowns, food and performances will then follow the rest of the day, culminating in a concert with Crazy Coyote and fireworks. l
Riverton city budget: No tax increase, sales tax slowing, bocce ball
By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
The Riverton City Council unanimously approved its upcoming budget in June without controversy as no property tax increase was proposed.
While there is no tax increase, city officials are tightening the city coffers a little bit. Over the last 10 years the city’s sales tax revenue has increased over 230% allowing the city in recent years to avoid raising property taxes on its residents. The city’s revenue growth, spurred by developments like Mountain View Village, has started to slow down.
City Manager Kevin Hicks explained to the council during budget discussions they were averaging almost 10% increase in sales tax year over year. Historically, he said, they looked at trends and what economists were predicting such as during the pandemic. “They were predicting doom and gloom for sales tax and we had banner years,” he said. Those revenues saw extra growth during the pandemic as residents worked on home projects and online shopping.
“We don’t have big car lots or tourism dollars coming in,” he told the council, adding those banner years gave the city’s sales tax a large boost.
Plus, Councilmember Troy McDougal added, they were “blessed” with extra funds and grants during Covid such as the ARPA federal funding. Those helped fill gaps from the past, he said.
Looking at trends now Hicks said the sales tax “is not going down, it’s just slowing” pushing them to take a “much more conservative approach this year” as they anticipate closer to a 2% increase rather than 10%.
McDougal said their “big growers” like Costco and Mountain View Village landed well giving the city those revenue boosts, but going forward will have a more realistic sales tax.
“I commend the council, we have done a great job…aggressively used funds to get our debt paid down,” he said. “We have to start living within our income a little more. I don’t see much areas to have a huge explosion in sales tax again within our city boundaries. We’re fine, just something to consider moving forward.”
A couple items were added to the budget after council discussion in May: youth council scholarships, renewing the city’s membership with the Utah League of Cities and Towns and funding for a bocce ball court.
Councilmember Andy Pierucci proposed using $25,000 from the capital improvement fund to build a bocce ball court, a sport where each team or player earns points by throwing small balls close to the pallino, or the white, smaller target ball.
Pierucci first saw it at the Special Olympics Bocce Ball tournament held at Oquirrh Hills Middle School in April.
“It seemed like a really cool experience for the kids and it was eye opening how accessible it was for so many people,” he said. The estimates he received for concrete barriers, court, trees, benches and path were just shy of $25K.
The rest of the council was supportive except for McDougal who was concerned about adding it into the budget so late in the process and that money could complete other unfinished projects.
“I prefer to hold off until we have more information on our overall park structure and our ability to finance them long term,” he said.
Pierucci agreed, but felt they needed to remain flexible, since bocce ball wasn’t on their radar until late April, when opportunities can still fit within their strategic plan goals like improving the amenities of Riverton parks.
The council did approve a fee increase for sanitation in an effort to make the fund more self-sustaining increasing the monthly household amount from $10 to $13 and an extra recycling tote fee be increased from $4 to $5.
Mayor Trent Staggs noted the significance of no tax increase while other cities have done so both last year and this year. Taylorsville, South Salt Lake and Murray will all see slight increases proposed this year and have public hearings in August.
The three upcoming projects he highlighted in his June Mayor’s Message were:
Culinary water – The Green Well, a reverse osmosis plant, will provide half the city with water equal to or great than the quality of water from Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, according to Staggs. He wrote this would save taxpayers $1 million in water purchases and keep culinary water rates low for the foreseeable future.
Secondary water – this project will complete the secondary water meters on all residential properties within city boundaries which should enhance and improve filtration and pressurization, the mayor said. He added this was a priority they heard from residents.
Welby Canal Trail and Bridge – Another priority identified by residents. The bridge will cross 13400 South at approximately 4200 West. l
Bocce ball includes throwing small balls at a smaller white ball known as a pallino. (Public Domain Media)
A bocce ball court was added to the budget this year after councilmembers saw the Special Olympics tournament held at Oquirrh Hills Middle School in April. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Riverton reverts to restricting campaign signs to private property
By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
Though the primaries are finished, campaign season is here until November and with that season comes campaign signs.
Where those signs are allowed was up for debate by the Riverton City Council in late May. The council voted 3-2 to restrict campaign signs to private property, banning them from park strips in front of government property.
Riverton’s city code limits political signage to private property only, but state code—enacted after the city code—allows signage on certain spots of public property, superseding Riverton’s ordinance. But in 2017, the city council voted to allow signage on park strips during campaign season.
City staff asked council to reaffirm that position in a resolution after public works requested clear guidelines when mowing and watering those park strips. Leaving them alone means potential dead spots in the grass and excessive grass growth underneath signs, explained City Attorney Ryan Carter, or public works would be tasked with removing the signs and then replacing them afterwards.
Carter said at the time, the thought was these signs go up everywhere anyway
and it’s hard to legitimately enforce without being accused of favoritism.
With the council effectively turned over since then, and the upcoming campaign season here, a resolution was put forth for further guidance.
Councilmember Troy McDougal preferred no signs on park strips, feeling
that if you run for office, signs should be placed on private property where homeowners can take responsibility.
“Signage on city property tends to be forgotten,” he said.
Councilmember Andy Pierucci felt limiting sign placement could overstep on free speech.
“We need to be really careful as a city infringing upon people’s constitutionally protected right of speech,” he said, adding that while the city has the power to designate time and place, using that power “to limit free speech should be used incredibly narrowly.”
He argued the benefit of allowing candidates to communicate their messages outweighs possible issues of limiting signage to private property.
Councilmembers Tish Buroker and Spencer Haymond agreed with McDougal. Having residents put up signs holds more meaning.
“I do think it is a better practice to have permission from where you’re putting a sign,” Buroker said.
She said there is value in the respect for private property.
“If we say you can’t do it and everybody follows the same rules, it’s a better look for our city and makes for a fairer campaign.”
Pierucci agreed having signs in front yards is “much more impactful” from his experience running campaigns for candidates around the state. “I just don’t think reducing that outweighs the constitutionally protected free speech.” l
Campaign signs won’t be allowed on park strips in front of government property like Riverton City Hall.
Portrait of a Graduate: Jordan School District identifies the characteristics of the ide al student
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
When seventh-grader Rykien Evans’ wheelchair got stuck in the grassy terrain during Copper Mountain Middle School’s traditional Running of the Colts, his friend Nate Wegwitz picked him up and carried him. Other students moved the empty wheelchair to the paved path and the friends finished the 1-mile race together.
“At times I walked with him, at times I picked him up—we wanted to finish the race,” Nate said.
Spectators were impressed with the empathy, resilience, responsibility, creativity and collaborative problem solving exhibited by the boys. Nate said sportsmanship, teamwork and having fun are emphasized in PE classes. Rykien said Copper Mountain Middle also incentivizes students to perform and report acts of kindness during an annual Kindness Week.
“The school heavily encourages us to be kind and to include everybody, and they obviously do a good job, because it’s working,” Rykien said, who has many friends.
The exemplary character and abilities these students exhibited are the characteristics Jordan District wants their graduates to have when they venture out into the world. Creative problem solvers, engaged citizens, empathetic communicators, resilient learners, responsible teammates and curious thinkers are the characteristics identified in Jordan School District’s new Portrait of a Graduate and 5-year strategic plan for preparing students for post-high school success.
These characteristics were selected based on feedback from students, parents, educators, community members and business and religious leaders.
Education Elements, hired by Jordan District to collect public comments, conducted various focus groups and analyzed data from 20,763 survey responses. Many of the comments were about equitable access to learning opportunities, student and staff wellness, effective communication and the need for collaboration skills.
“Education Elements said we got a lot of really good feedback, and it is overwhelmingly positive,” JSD Administrator of Teaching & Learning Carolyn Gough said. “They said they’ve never seen a district receive this much positive feedback.”
Committees of board members, educators, parents and students used the feedback to develop the Portrait of a Graduate and strategic plan.
“It was really a privilege to be able to take time to think about every single comment that came in and to place it on real people,” JSD Board Member Niki George
dent,” she said. “There are resources available to every student to leave JSD feeling prepared for a successful future where they can contribute to our society. I want students to know that their school is a safe place to explore options and feel like they have access to people that know how to guide them through that process.”
The 5-year strategic plan was based on the five pillars of high quality instruction, culture of belonging, opportunities for all learners, effective communication and student and staff wellness. It will be the lens the board and school administrators will use to evaluate and make logistical and fiscal decisions, Gough said.
“It provides a great vision, an overarching goal and expectations based on very specific community feedback,” she said. “It helps narrow some of the competing voices, ideologies and curricula—all the things that are out there trying to take principals’ and teachers’ time.”
said. “We got into small groups and talked about different topics, and every group that I was in, I heard personal stories from each of them, and it really helped me to remember the ‘why’ of what we do and the effort that we make.”
Gough said the board’s decision to create a Portrait of a Graduate document reflects their understanding of the need to align education with current technology and workforce environments.
“Portrait of a Graduate really hearkens to the fact that we’re in the 21st cen-
tury,” Gough said. “We’ve moved beyond just giving factual information to students and we’re moving more towards the skillbased attributes that students are going to need when they enter into the business world, colleges or a trade.”
Committee member and PTA Region 6 Administrator Jessica Navarro said the document addresses all types of students and options.
“There isn’t one cookie-cutter model of a ‘quality education’ and a four-year university isn’t the best fit for every stu-
Administrators and teachers will receive training over the summer to learn to implement systems that help students develop the skills identified in the new documents.
Navarro said seeing the way the community and educators worked together to create the document and plan makes her hopeful for the future of Jordan School District.
“I see this document impacting my children’s future by establishing a great foundation where all of the people involved in their education can be aligned on the goals and priorities that we felt were the most important,” she said. l
Portrait of a Graduate Characteristics
Curious Thinkers Creative Problem Solvers Engaged Citizens Empathetic Communicators Resilient Lifelong Learners Responsible Teammates
High Quality Instruction Culture of Belonging Opportunities for All Learners Student & Staff Wellness
Communication Pillars
Nate Wegwitz gives his friend Rykien Evans a lift during Copper Mountain Middle School’s traditional Running of the Colts. (Photo courtesy Jordan School District)
Jordan School District’s Portrait of a Graduate. (JSD.org)
Eighteen-year-old Chelsah Thomas designed and painted colorful murals at six elementary schools with input and help from administrators and students.
“The reason I wanted to include kids in the process, and do larger projects for the school, is so it’s more than just pretty art on the wall,” she said. “I want kids to have an appreciation for their school, because I feel like when they love where they’re at and they appreciate where they’re at, they want to do better. It makes the school a better place and makes them a better person. And, obviously, the things I’m putting up on the wall are good values, so I’m hoping at least the values will sink in.”
Her first mural was created for Copper Canyon Elementary, where her grandma Patty Bowen is the principal.
“She asked me if there was something that I wanted, and I said, ‘Well, we have started this year with a new theme about kindness, and I would really love something that focuses on kindness, something bright, something colorful,” Bowen said.
Together, they came up with a design of the word ‘kindness’ with various colors and patterns in the letters which student council members helped paint on the gym wall.
“I just hoped it would be a strong reinforcer every day that that is an attribute that we all need to be cultivating,” Bowen said.
Bowen spread the word to her colleagues and Thomas has since completed murals at three other schools in the West/ South Jordan area—Oquirrh Elementary, Columbia Elementary and Monte Vista Elementary—and at two schools in Colorado.
“Anything that will make our school look like a more inviting, fun place sounds like a great idea to me,” Columbia Elementary Principal Keith Klein said. “We had sterile white walls, and now we’ve got a neat red, white and blue message.”
The mural at Columbia Elementary School is a colorful reminder of the year’s theme “Make a Difference” and encourages students to “be grateful” and to “keep Columbia clean.”
“I had a group of sixth graders help me paint it, and I tried to talk with them a little bit about what that meant,” Thomas said.
Oquirrh Elementary Principal Jennifer Ludlow had Thomas paint the mural in the gym where all students would see it.
“We liked the idea of having a mural that was personal for the school, that goes with our Mountain Man theme, but also emphasizes one of the core values that we are teaching our students,” Ludlow said. “We want kindness to be an integral part
Murals with morals are full of ‘value’
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
of our school culture. When she presented the idea of Kindness Moves Mountains, we knew that was perfect for our school.”
Ludlow said many parents use it as a backdrop when taking pictures of their students at school.
Each project took a lot of time and effort, especially since Thomas normally works in sculpture.
“She came in multiple weekends to make it the way that she wanted it to be,” Klein said. “She put in a ton of time. I just want to express a big thank you to her. It’s just a neat thing that she did and I’m very appreciative.”
Thomas began painting murals in local schools to beef up her portfolio when she was named Herriman High School’s 2023 Visual Arts Sterling Scholar. She continued to paint murals for the next year and a half.
“I’m waiting to go to college until after my [church] mission and I don’t like the idea of a gap year, that made me really sad to think about,” she said. “So I wanted to fill it with stuff that was meaningful and that would help me, not just with portfolios or clout, but just, like, as a person. I just wanted to fill my year with service.”
The mural at Monte Vista Elementary will be her last for a while; Thomas leaves on her mission later this month. l
Students help fill in a mural created by Chelsah Thomas for Oquirrh Elementary School. (Photo courtesy Chelsah Thomas)
A mural Chelsah Thomas created for an elementary school. (Photo courtesy of Chelsah Thomas)
A mural Chelsah Thomas created for an elementary school. (Photo courtesy Chelsah Thomas)
Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley honored for commitment to patient safety
By Christine McSweeney
Each and every day, our incredible physicians and nurses work relentlessly to uphold our values of excellence, innovation and compassion. Central to this effort is our unyielding commitment to the safety of our patients.
That is why we are honored at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley to receive recognition from The Leapfrog Group with an “A” grade for Hospital Safety in Spring 2024. Leapfrog is a national nonprofit watchdog that assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
Our recognition of an “A” grade at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley belongs to our exceptional physicians and care teams who constantly strive to improve our care and protect patients from preventable harm. We are grateful for the dedication of all our caregivers to the safety of our patients and ensuring they are protected at every stage of their care journey.
“Everyone who works at these Mountain Region hospitals should be proud of this ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It takes complete dedication of everyone at every level, and an ironclad commitment to putting patients first. It is our patients who illuminate not just our common spirit, but our shared mission to improve health, advance social justice, and make known the healing presence of God. We are proud to serve all in our communities, and nothing is more important than the safety of every person who comes through our doors. Together, we will achieve our vision of a healthier future for all.
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As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
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Jordan Valley
Local students celebrate ancestors’ legacies with award-winning essays
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Eliza Melvina Richardson hid thousands of dollars in a bucket filled with nails, horseshoes and old iron, hiding it from people who had threatened harm. She also hid two pistols under her dress as they left their familiar Nauvoo home, crossed the Mississippi River and protected the family’s assets from those raiding the pioneers. She did this at age 17 while helping five children from her husband’s previous marriage before having 15 kids of her own.
This story of her ancestor is what South Jordan Elementary fourth-grader Hannah Irion learned and wrote about for the Jordan River chapter’s Sons of Utah Pioneers’ 250-word essay contest.
“I emailed my great-grandma and learned about Eliza,” Hannah said. “Her story is inspiring. She crossed the Mississippi and traveled much of the trail with the children without her husband. I’m so glad I got to learn about her and her bravery. I hope I can be like her and overcome anything.”
Hannah won the pioneer ancestor writing contest and received a $50 cash award. Her classmates Finn Midgley and Lohi A’Alona placed second and third, respectively, and were awarded $25 and $15.
Guy Moore, chairman of the Sons of Utah Pioneers’ essay and scholarship committee, said the intent is for students to research and learn about their pioneer heritage and write an essay about one of the pioneers or about someone who has contributed to society in the sense of being a modern-day pioneer.
Those elementary winners, along with their parents and the three $1,000 scholarships winners, Riverton High seniors Austin Segelke, Hunter Gledhill and Luke Horner, were honored at a recent banquet at the Gale Center. Gledhill provided the evening’s entertainment on the piano.
The high school seniors’ essays focused on their pioneer ideals of faith in God, loyalty to church, country and family, courage in adversity, service to others and hard work. In addition to the essays, grade-point average, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and financial need weighed in on the decision, Moore said.
“We are very impressed with the quality of youth we have with us; their parents and the schools are doing a great job with their education and character,” Moore said.
He said many of the elementary students’ essays have stuck with him the past couple years. He recalls reading one about Henry Ford as a modern-day pioneer to last year’s winner, Bree McCleary, writing about how her great-, great, great-grandfather prayed for new shoes on his pioneer journey and happened to find some that were just the right size in a patch of grass.
“In judging the applicants, we are impressed with stories that touch our hearts,” he said.
Finn’s essay was about his fourthgreat grandmother, Susanah Stone, who came to America for freedom of religion; she had joined the Church of England. During her journey, her boyfriend died, she was cold, hungry and tired, but she persevered to Salt Lake City where she met and marries Thomas Lloyd.
He wrote “their sacrifices because of their religious beliefs help with my religious beliefs.”
“They had a lot of trials they overcame with faith by being brave and determined,” Finn said. “It’s taught me that we’ll all face challenges and if we work hard and have faith, we’ll succeed.”
Lohi shares her middle name with her ancestor, Elsie Berthelson, who was brave, honest and disciplined and one of 18 siblings.
“I’ve been told that I’m a lot like her by being kind and outgoing,” she said. “I’ve learned to try hard and to be brave from her.”
Lohi said Elsie traveled three months from Denmark to Utah when she was 14 years old. She provided a home for her children with honesty, discipline and hard work — as well as plenty of food.
“The smell of bread, pies, sweet soup and chicken soup with Danish dumplings was always there,” she wrote, adding that her relatives’ recipes have been shared to more than 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “Elsie was known for
hosting many family parties and get-togethers.”
The fourth-graders’ teacher, Carrie Wardell, appreciates the essay contest both because it ties into her class curriculum learning about Utah history as well as because it provides them the opportunity to connect with their relatives.
“This empowers them to learn how our ancestors connect with us today,” she said. “Many left a legacy for their family and by learning it, it brings them closer to their family. By having this opportunity to write them, it preserves their stories for future generations.” l
South Jordan Elementary fourth-grade Sons of Utah Pioneers’ essay winners, Lohi A’Alona, Finn Midgley and Hannah Irion, pose with their awards along with their parents, teacher, administrators and Guy Moore, chairman of the contest. (Karrie Wardell/South Jordan Elementary)
South Jordan Elementary fourth-grader Hannah Irion reads her essay about her pioneer ancestor at Jordan River chapter’s Sons of Utah Pioneers’ banquet where she was the winner of the fourth-grade essay contest. (Karrie Wardell/South Jordan Elementary)
RIVERTON REVIEW
Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government
Things Worth Fighting For
By Mayor Trent Staggs
America’s exceptionalism derives not from its vast natural resources or the intellect of its people; for other nations are blessed as well with wealth and a people who excel at any measurable merit.
The unique miracle of the United States of America is exhibited in its founding on the principles of individual liberty, self-government, private property rights, and on the idea that all men are created equal under the law.
for freedom and the principles that would unleash human flourishing.
President Ronald Reagan once remarked how blessed we are “with the opportunity to stand for something – for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to.”
All of us are the beneficiaries of our Founding Fathers’ brave actions, and now we are heirs to the responsibility to continue fighting for liberty. This is done primarily through consistent examples in our homes and in collective efforts across America’s neighborhoods.
“All of us are the beneficiaries of our Founding Fathers’ brave actions, and now we are heirs to the responsibility to continue fighting for liberty.”
This July we celebrate the men and women who demonstrated the resolve to fight
We first learn to acquire an abiding love of freedom in observing at an early age the examples of loved ones participating in local elections, serving in our country’s armed
forces, or simply looking out for a neighbor in need. I see this in many Riverton families when they teach the next generation that freedom and individual responsibility come hand in hand. It has been said that all of history’s great changes started at the dinner table.
The special kind of courage needed to preserve liberty is developed through community events like Riverton City’s Town Days where the patriotic spirit takes root. In towns like Riverton, Americans young and old come together to renew our devotion to protecting the liberty of our fellow citizens.
The future fortunes of our nation are tied up in our individual efforts to fight for freedom; ensuring all are treated fairly, rewarded for an honest day’s work, and exhibiting charity to our neighbors.
May God continue to bless Riverton City and our country with a people determined to preserve our liberty through small and large ways each and every day.
Riverton City’s Town Days is a place where the patriotic spirit takes root.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Trent Staggs - Mayor
Andy Pierucci - District 1
Troy McDougal - District 2
Tawnee McCay - District 3
Tish Buroker - District 4
COUNCILMEMBER MESSAGE
Riverton Reveals America’s Strength
By Councilmember Andy Pierucci
July is a wonderful month to reflect upon the principles our country and our state were founded on. In-
in the family dinner conversations taking place in houses, apartments, mobile homes, and anywhere else a family lives. Conversations where everyday issues are discussed, and the moral fabric of our society is continually developed layer by layer.
CITY COUNCIL July 16, 7 p.m.
PLANNING COMMISSION July, 11 & 25, 6:30 p.m.
Spencer Haymond - District 5 CONTACT US rivertonutah.gov 801-254-0704
Report a problem at rivertonutah.gov/report UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS
dependence Day and Pioneer Day are set aside for us to celebrate the ideals that built America and Utah, as well as reflect on how to live up to these principles more fully. As the nation watches the embarrassing failures of Congress and the White House to find meaningful solutions to so many pressing issues over the last few months, we are regularly reminded that we cannot look to Washington for the change our country desperately needs. Washington is broken, but America is still strong.
“America’s strength is found in the home. It is manifested in the couples who embark on the journey of marriage and welcome new babies into this world, despite facing economic headwinds.”
America’s strength is found in the home. It is manifested in the couples who embark on the journey of marriage and welcome new babies into this world, despite facing economic headwinds. It can be heard
Our strength as a country is also seen in communities across the U.S. Places like Riverton, where locally elected public servants tackle the issues people really care about. The City Council once again adopted a balanced budget, because we understand how difficult living within a budget can be for a family with small children or a senior citizen on a fixed income. Every dollar counts in your household, and we ensure we do the same at city hall. In Riverton, we build roads to connect people rather than allow partisan gridlock to shut down our city. We prioritize funding our police department rather than jeopardize public safety by choking off resources to critical programs. Instead of allowing petty partisan conflicts to get in the way of necessary services, as local leaders we work with neighboring cities, the county, and the state, ensuring
Riverton’s strength has always been in our families and in our local community.
access to life essential clean water and reliable energy by investing in critical infrastructure.
As we celebrate America’s Independence Day and Utah’s Pioneer Day, it is important to remember, despite the rhetoric we see on T.V. and the dysfunction Washington D.C. projects, America is still strong. America’s strength was never in D.C., and it will never be in D.C. It has always been in our families and in our local communities. It is in places like Riverton.
Happy Independence Day and Happy Pioneer Day Riverton!
Firework debris can be a major pollutant for our streams and rivers.
As you celebrate Independence Day and Pioneer Day in July, remember to sweep firework debris from roads, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways. We recommend placing debris from fireworks in a bucket of water before disposal.
PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE
Riverton Police Excited to Celebrate 4th of July
By Chief Shane Taylor
The Riverton Police Department is excited to celebrate the 4th of July with the Riverton community.
The Riverton Town Days are known for exhilarating fun events, including parades, carnivals, fireworks, and many other attractions, not allowing unfortunate events to transpire. We, the Riverton Police Department, rely on all of you, our valued community members, to play a crucial role in preventing vehicle break-ins and burglaries. This can be done by not leaving firearms or high-dollar items in plain view and ensuring all vehicles are locked while you are enjoying the festivities.
We kindly ask everyone to keep a watchful eye on their children during the parade and other events to ensure public safety. If you notice anything unusual or suspicious, please don’t hesitate to report it. You can approach the nearest officer or call the non-emergency VECC dispatch number, 801-8404000, for immediate assistance. Your prompt reporting can help us maintain a safe environment for everyone.
The night of the fireworks draws thousands of spectators, and we look forward to this fun evening. We want you to feel confident in your safety, so we assure you that several officers will be present in the park and surrounding areas. We have decided to manage pedestrians and vehicles to free flow naturally instead of providing traffic control at the end of the night, which sometimes causes delays. So, we all need to be considerate and respectful to each other, not
only on this day but every day.
As the Riverton Police Department, our primary goal is to enhance the quality of life in our community. We are more than just a law enforcement agency; we are your dedicated partners in safety. Our commitment to data-driven strategies ensures the safety and security of the Riverton community, with your peace of mind as our top priority. We are here to support you and ensure that you have an enjoyable time this year at the Riverton Town Days.
Riverton Public Safety Night
Wednesday, August 7, 6-8 p.m. | Riverton City Park
Bring the family and come learn more about the Riverton Police Department and Unified Fire Authority. There will be activities, demonstrations, and lots of fun! Free and open to all.
Lawn Watering Guide
The Utah Division of Water Resources publishes a weekly guide for how often lawn should be watered, based on weather conditions that week. Riverton residents are encouraged to follow the lawn watering guide on a weekly basis.
conservewater.utah.gov/ weekly-lawn-watering-guide
RivertonTown Days draws thousands of excited spectators and we look forward to this fun evening.
UPCOMING EVENTS RIVERTON
EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT IN AUGUST • FOOD TRUCKS • CONCERTS • VENDORS • MOVIES •
Friday Fun Nights in Riverton are a blast! With several events all happening at beautiful Riverton City Park, bring the family for a casual night out. Food trucks, summer market and vendors from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Entertainment begins around 6 p.m. and the outdoor movie begins at dusk. There are also three playgrounds and a splash pad at the park.
August 2 Great Salt Lake Yacht Club
August 9 Wildwood
August 16 Goodnight Richard
August 23 Steven Bosco
Public Safety Night Register: Flag Football
Registration for Flag Football ends on August 1. Children in 1st-6th Grade are eligible to participate. Register online rivertonutah.gov/recreation
• League Begins Tuesday, September 3
The Riverton Police Department and Unified Fire Authority have a great family night with food, games and fun planned at Public Safety Night!
• Wednesday, August 7, 6-8 p.m., Riverton City Park
Utah Watercolor Society Exhibition Register: Fall Classic Pickleball Tournament
Come see some of the best watercolor paintings you’ve ever seen at the Utah Watercolor Society Exhibition. Learn more at rivertonutah.gov/exhibits.
• Exhibit opens July 31 Old Dome Meeting Hall
The Fall Classic Pickleball Tournament features a pool bracket, various divisions and players from all over Utah. Register at rivertonutah.gov/pickleball
• September 20-21 Riverton City Park
Jordan School District’s Sports Day: Celebration of camaraderie and competition
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
About300 students from 16 elementary schools took part in Sports Day, an event for students with disabilities that has been a tradition in Jordan School District for more than 30 years.
Students competed in a sprint, a softball throw and a standing long jump against other students of similar abilities. A ¼-mile cross country race was an option for students as well, said adaptive PE teacher Nancy Merrick, who has been coordinating the event for 29 years.
“They do their best, but we emphasize the fun and not winning,” she said. “It’s a day out where they show their parents what they can do. A lot of parents don’t get to see their kids compete like some of the gen(eral) ed(ucation) parents do, so this is nice for the students to have the opportunity as well as their parents, who can watch them compete.”
Many of the skills the student-athletes demonstrate are learned and practiced in their adaptive PE classes, which Merrick teaches.
“We work on locomotor skills like throwing, jumping, hopping and those skills during regular class time. We try to keep the kids active all through the year, showing them different things. We teach them these skills so they can go out with all the kids at recess,” she said. “Sports Day is something that kids look forward to at the end of the year.”
New this year at Sports Day was the addition of partners, or peer students, to help the student-athletes; it follows the Special Olympics unified sports model, where in middle and high school as well as college, athletes and partners play together on unified sports teams.
Many of the schools’ students supported their peers who were competing by having a clap-out as they boarded the bus for the event as well as share their successes on school announcements or have bulletin board displays.
Sports Day was moved from its longtime host, Herriman High, to Riverton High, because of scheduling issues and it was held on a Thursday, to allow more time for teams to enjoy lunch afterward at the high school. l
New to Jordan School District’s Sports Day was students helping and competing against their peers with disabilities at the events. (Photo courtesy Abigail Slama-Catron)
LARKIN MORTUARY HONORS
Larkin Mortuary is one of the most respected funeral homes in the Salt Lake Valley. Its pioneer founder, George William Larkin, arrived in Utah in 1863, having emigrated from Cambridge, England. He started the Larkin tradition of arranging funerals in 1885. Today, with seven generations of history serving Utah families, four mortuaries, cremation facilities and two cemeteries, Larkin Mortuary remains locally family owned and managed.
Larkin’s vertically integrated services also provide a premier floral shop, monument, urn and vault manufacturing facilities, along with beautiful memorial meeting and luncheon facilities. Multilingual staff honor and facilitate important traditions of many cultures.
LOCAL FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
Taking Care of your Family’s Needs every step of the way
Boys lacrosse season ends at Riverton with quarterfinals loss
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
In high school sports, most teams will end the season with a loss. This often leads to disappointment or heartbreak. But as the Riverton boys lacrosse team can attest, you can find a silver lining when the season ends before you wanted it to.
Plenty of positive stuck out this season for the Silverwolves, who advanced to the state quarterfinals in the Class 6A tournament. There, Riverton played valiantly against the state’s other Silverwolves, the ones from Fremont. Riverton fell to the No. 2-seeed Fremont squad in a close 8-7 game on May 18.
The matchup between Silverwolves bookended the season for Riverton who faced Fremont in the season opener back on March 9. However, that game was a blowout, an easy 16-2 rout in favor of Fremont. In the quarterfinals, more than two months later, Riverton was much more competitive, almost pulling the big upset.
Riverton ended its season with a 9-8 record. It was also third in Region 2 with a mark of 6-4 in league play, a game behind Bingham. Riverton didn’t have to play in the first round and then had a big test in round two at American Fork, which was seeded seventh. This matchup proved to be a thrilling one with Riverton prevailing in overtime 5-4 on May 16. Kyson Russell had the game-winning goal for the Silverwolves, one of two he had on the day. Bryson Dupaix also had two goals in the win. Jaxen Rengers and Jonas Riddle had four and three caused turnovers, respectively.
Though it was a bit of an up-and-down season for Riverton, there were some memorable highlights. The team put together a fourgame winning streak from March 20 through April 11. In three of those four wins, Riverton scored at least 11 goals. Riverton held Herriman to just four goals in the fourth game of that winning streak.
The Silverwolves also enjoyed some sweet revenge in the regular-season finale against Mountain Ridge on May 2. Earlier in the year, Mountain Ridge crushed Riverton 10-2 on April 16. In the rematch, Riverton turned the tables with a 12-5 victory.
In addition, Riverton swept both Copper Hills and Herriman during the season in region play. Riverton defeated Copper Hills 15-4 on March 21 and 16-4 on April 23. The Silverwolves had closer games with Herriman, winning 7-4 on April 11 at home, followed by a 6-3 triumph on the road on April 30 in the secondto-last regular season contest.
The 2025 campaign will feature a mix of returning starters with experience and newcomers. Some players who had minor roles this past season will also be counted on to do more. The 2024 roster listed 13 underclassmen who now have the chance to come back and be a big part of the program in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Riverton said goodbye to 11 seniors who contributed to the team this past season and previously. Head coach Todd Russell wrapped up his second season at the helm. He has compiled a 16-21 record so far. l
Jaxen Rengers was a defensive force for the Silverwolves this past season. (Photo courtesy Todd Russell)
Silverwolves return to the top of 6A softball with title
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
For the third time in four seasons, the Riverton softball team was the best in Class 6A.
Riverton captured the state 6A crown this past season after winning titles in 2021 and 2022. Last season, the Silverwolves lost to eventual champion Bingham in the semifinals. The 2024 Riverton edition was dominant, and it got revenge on Bingham by defeating the Miners to win the 6A championship.
Heading into the finals on May 23, both Riverton and Bingham had gone through the tournament unscathed to reach the best of three championship series.
The matchup lived up to its billing, and the Silverwolves had to overcome an early hole to prevail as the champions.
In game one Bingham escaped with a 3-1 win. Riverton scored in the first inning but couldn’t generate any runs afterward. Sanchez had a good day on the mound in a losing effort, retiring five batters. But Bingham pitched and fielded well, holding Riverton to four hits on the day.
With their backs against the wall, the Silverwolves regrouped.
In game two, May 24, the Silverwolves unleashed their familiar offensive potency, scoring 15 runs and getting 15 hits in a decisive 15-5 victory. Riverton had four runs in the fourth inning and six more in the fifth, at which point it had done enough damage to end the game via the mercy rule. Braylee Shields, Camryn O’Farrell, Lily Heitz and Jaydan Bushman hit doubles, with Heitz bringing in three runs. A quartet of Silverwolves— Shields, Peyton Sanchez, O’Farrell and Maggie Hamblin—ended up with two RBI each.
Later in the day on May 24, the third game of the series would decide which team would earn the state crown. Riverton wasn’t going to be denied, as the Silverwolves cemented themselves as the premier softball program in 6A.
Riverton took home a 12-3 victory to win the title, with all 12 runs coming in the final three innings. The Silverwolves had five runs in the fifth inning, four more in the sixth and three in the seventh. Shields made one of the day’s biggest plays with a home run. Brook Tacke hit a double and had three RBI, as did Shields.
“When we officially clinched the state title by getting the last out of game three, that moment was honestly indescribable,” head coach Whitley Haimin said. “I was overwhelmed with so many emotions, it didn’t even feel like real life. It was a moment that you dream of and not many accomplish. I was mostly just so proud of our amazing team and grateful for the opportunity to share that moment with our players, coaches, families and supporters.”
In 32 games this season, the Silverwolves lost just five times and outscored opponents 11-4. Riverton captured the Region 2 title, too, finishing with an unblemished 10-0 mark,
three games in front of second-place Herriman.
The Silverwolves cruised to the championship round with some impressive wins in the state tournament.
Riverton, seeded No. 1, breed past American Fork in two games in the best-of-three super regionals May 16 and 17. Game one went Riverton’s way in a 15-0 blowout that only needed to go three innings. The Silverwolves compiled 12 runs in the opening inning alone.
The Silverwolves also had 15 hits to just one for American Fork. Heitz was the winning pitcher and showcased her talents from the plate too. She hit two home runs and drove in three more. Shields, Paige Mayfield, Hamblin and Bushman also hit home runs in a rapid offensive onslaught that showcased the Silverwolves’ power. Bushman and Shields also had three RBI, while O’Farrell hit a triple.
Game two was much the same.
Riverton scored nine runs in the opening inning and was up 13-3 after three innings. Four more runs came in the fourth inning in a 17-4 triumph. Heitz had five strikeouts and two RBI. No one had home runs this time around, though Hamblin hit two triples. Tessa Hogue had four RBI, while O’Farrell had three RBI and a double. Tacke hit two doubles.
Riverton took down region foe Mountain Ridge in bracket play on May 21, prevailing 7-4. The winning pitcher in this contest was the sophomore Sanchez. She struck out six batters and had a good game from the plate, hitting a home run and driving in a run. Tacke, Heitz and Hamblin also hit home runs in the
win. Heitz also hit a double and had three RBI.
Two more wins followed in bracket play, as the Silverwolves marched to the finals.
The Silverwolves continued their strong efforts with a 14-4 blowout over a good Davis team on May 21. The game only needed to go five innings before the Silverwolves scored enough for the mercy rule to apply. Riverton had 14 hits to Davis’ five, with three players hitting home runs. Tacke hit another one (along with a double), while Hogue and Bushman contributed homers too. Shields hit a double, and Baylee Martinez had two RBI.
On May 22, Riverton had another five-inning rout bv defeating Pleasant Grove 16-5. Seven of the Silverwolves’ runs came in the first inning, with three more coming in the second. Bushman was the offensive star, as the freshman sensation hit two home runs. Tacke, Shields and Hamblin also hit homers, while Hogue recorded a triple. Shields also had a double, as did Sanchez, who was also the winning pitcher.
This win set up Riverton’s title-clinching best-of-three series win over Bingham. To say the least, the Silverwolves were impressive in the state tournament.
“We did phenomenal in so many aspects,” Haimin said. “The energy our team brought each day was unmatched. I feel like overall, we had great focus and we were also able to play loose and with freedom. All 21 girls contributed, and as coaches, we couldn’t be prouder. Offensively, we shined. We didn’t have just a few standouts; our entire offensive lineup one through nine contributed in big
ways throughout the postseason. Our team is so stacked, we also had players come off the bench and succeed, which was awesome to see.”
In Riverton’s eight playoff games, its batting average was .490. It also averaged more than 12 runs a game and had 102 hits and 19 home runs.
There’s no reason to believe Riverton won’t be a favorite to win it all in 2025 and once again claim state supremacy.
First-year coach Whitley Haimin will be back for year two with a large complement of talent and experience at her disposal. Key players from this past season’s squad such as Heitz and Shields have graduated. However, productive players such as Sanchez, O’Farrell, Hamblin, Martinez, Tacke and Bushman, among others, will be back next season.
“The bar has been set, and we’ll continue to shoot for the stars,” Haimin said. “Our main goals: region champs, state champs, enjoy the process.”
Reflecting on the memorable season, Haimin is grateful for the support her team has gotten from parents, the school and the Riverton community.
“These kids are a product of their environment and are being raised by great parents and adults at home,” she said. “Our school and admin have been so supportive all year long. Riverton softball has such a unique and special community. We appreciate everyone that has helped us along the way. Our Pack Runs Deep. Go Wolves!” l
Riverton softball celebrates its third 6A title in four seasons. (Photo courtesy Whitley Haimin)
How to talk with people from celebrity interviewer
By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com
Fromgraduations and weddings to vacations and family reunions, summer is filled with opportunities and obligations for conversations. Regardless of being an introvert or an extrovert many of us can struggle with the similar thought of “I don’t know what to say.” Well, I had the opportunity to sit down with nationally recognized movie critic and Emmy winner for Outstanding Achievement in interviewing programming, Tony Toscano. He shared three tips on how to talk with people.
1) Do your homework. When possible, learn about the people you’ll be talking to so that you have questions you can ask them or even something to discuss that you have in common.
2) Read the room. People give both verbal and nonverbal cues as to if they are wanting to engage in conversation. Where are their toes pointed? That’s the direction of their attention. Are they providing short or long answers? The length will provide some insight as to their buyin to the conversation and/or its timeframe.
3) Keep the conversation spontaneous. Don’t worry about what you are going to say next, but genuinely listen to what the person is saying and let the conversation develop. This allows the conversation to naturally flow as a result.
Toscano challenges to “see conversations
as a game…you have 10 minutes to find out everything you need to know about the person before moving on to the next stop” (or another person with whom you’ll converse). Still not convinced you’ll know what to say? Toscano shared two tools to use.
1) Build trust. This is a skill of Toscano’s where he puts people at ease in conversations by letting the person he’s talking to know that they can trust him. This trust provides a comfort level that paves a way for the person to feel safe to share more in-depth as well as answer questions being asked.
2) Read. From carpentry to horticulture, sea monsters and UFOs, Toscano shares that “reading helps you find common ground.” Whether it’s talking to family, friends, business colleagues or clients, or simply making small talk at a party or with a stranger in line at the grocery store—Toscano emphasizes, “common ground is the most important thing you’ve got to establish.”
Some basic questions to routinely use in finding that common ground may include asking their favorite restaurant, what they enjoy doing, or even where did they buy their shoes. However, Toscano cautions not to interrupt people nor come up with quick answers or responses. “Everybody wants to get their point across,” Toscano said, “but it's better if you lis-
ten and then establish your point.”
As for tips or tricks for being memorable?
“Be the person that makes somebody laugh,” Toscano advises, “but overall ensure to have a good rapport.”
Want to learn more about how to talk to people? Or simply interested to learn who To-
scano’s favorite and least favorite celebrities are to interview? Check out Holly’s Highlights podcast Season 3 Episode 12 wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, I Heart Radio and at www.HollyCurby. com. l
EMPOWERING OUR HEROES
Movie critic and Emmy winner Tony Toscano. (Photo courtesy Tony Toscano)
City Journals’ Julie Slama awarded esteemed Josephine Zimmerman award for inclusivity journalism, five other writers recognized
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
During the 2024 Utah Chapter of the Society Professional Journalists awards ceremony on Thursday at the University of Utah, journalists from across the state were honored for exceptional journalism.
Among the finalists were six City Journals’ writers, one of which received the esteemed Josephine Zimmerman Pioneer in Journalism Award.
Education writer Julie Slama received the Josephine Zimmerman Pioneer Award for her inclusivity coverage of community members with special needs over the course of several years.
The Josephine Zimmerman Award is presented by the SPJ to journalists who have broken ground in journalism for a particular group or in a particular area. It’s named after longtime government reporter Josephine Zimmerman, who received the award in 2006 and retired from the Provo Daily Herald at age 80, per her obituary in the Deseret News.
Like Zimmerman, Slama’s advocacy for those in the community has been impactful and her writing has inspired mainstream media coverage.
Slama has written for the City Journals for nearly 20 years. But for the past five years, she’s written at least 125 articles on the topic of inclusivity for those with special needs, 30 of which were written in 2023 and submitted for the Josephine Zimmerman Pioneer in Journalism Award.
Editor of the City Journals Travis Barton said Slama is “working from the frontlines breaking ground on those who have fought to advance science, improve understanding and provide opportunities for those with special needs.”
“Whether it’s covering the growth of unified sports in high schools or young adults trying to raise awareness and comprehension for those with special needs, Ms. Slama covered the special needs community from every angle she could,” Barton wrote in his nomination of Slama.
“Thank you to SPJ for this award and for considering community news as a recipient for this award, because often community news is overlooked,” Slama said at the event when she received the award.
Slama called community reporting “the heart of journalism.”
“It's more than just ink on paper,” she said. “It's a labor of love crafted by dedicated journalists who are passionate about telling our community stories. It's a platform for bringing people together to share opinions, discuss local issues and build a sense of community through resident stories and their accomplishments.”
In addition to her coverage of unified sports in Utah high schools, she’s written riveting stories on a prom organized to further inclusion of those with special needs, a sophomore with Asperger's syndrome asking legislators to sign a pro-inclusion pledge, and a junior with spina bifida creating art to spark inclusion.
In one particular article Slama wrote about Copper Hills’ celebration of a national banner honoring inclusion in basketball, she quoted Utah First Lady Abby Cox.
“You are making sure that everybody has a place of love and belonging,” Cox told students at the event. “You are starting an inclusion revolution. Everyone needs a friend and you’re making sure that we’re creating those friendships.”
Slama’s writing has made her a part of that “inclusion revolution” and led to her recognition at the SPJ awards ceremony.
At the ceremony, she gave the credit for her success to all those that were the true “heroes” behind the award.
“I'm deeply grateful to those unified students and their families, they've opened their hearts and they trusted me to tell their stories,” Slama said. “I've watched many of them excel, and they're truly the heroes behind this award.”
She was also recognized for six other awards that night, alongside six fellow writers of the City Journals including Peri Kinder who won first and second in the humor and lifestyle column category, Ella Joy Olsen who won first place in the environmental category, Genevieve Vahl who won an honorable mention for solutions journalism and third for arts and entertainment, Jet Burnham who won third in the Division B series, and Collette Hayes who placed second in the military category.
A total of 15 awards were won by journalists of the City Journals. l
City Journals’ writers (from left to right) Ella Joy Olsen, Collette Hayes and Julie Slama were honored at the 2024 Society of Professional Journalists Utah Chapter Award Ceremony on June 27. (Courtesy Elizabeth Sweat)
Mountain Ridge baseball follows strong regular season with deep playoff run
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
During the regular season, the Mountain Ridge baseball team came up just short of winning a region title. The same thing happened during the Class 6A state tournament.
The Sentinels put together a successful season, even if a championship eluded them.
Mountain Ridge went 23-9 on the year. No one in 6A earned more wins than the Sentinels this past season, and only four teams in the entire state amassed more victories. Mountain Ridge was a game behind Riverton in the Region 2 standings, as the Sentinels went 11-4 in league play. During the regular season, Mountain Ridge defeated Riverton twice in three matchups.
The state tournament was filled with surprise, as a No. 5 seed (Lehi) defeated a No. 10 seed (Corner Canyon) for the title. Mountain Ridge was just one win away from reaching the finals.
The Sentinels got to the semifinals and upended fellow region foe Corner Canyon 3-1 on May 22. It was the fourth in as many tries for Mountain Ridge over Corner Canyon, as it had defeated the Chargers in all three regular-season matchups. In the playoff win, Mountain Ridge had eight hits and allowed just two, with pitcher Dylan Singleton striking out four batters. Edwards also hit a double and a triple. However, the win in the tournament was the first loss in the postseason for the Chargers in the double-elimination tournament, so a second game between the two rivals took place May 23.
Unfortunately for the Sentinels, they couldn’t make it five in a row over Corner Canyon.
Corner Canyon scored seven runs in the opening inning, and the Sentinels couldn’t recover. Still, the Sentinels made a furious rally in the bottom of the seventh after Corner Canyon had built a 10-4 advantage. Mountain Ridge scored four runs and got close to making the comeback. Ultimately, it fell short, leaving the Sentinels with a season-ending 10-8 loss. Mountain Ridge had 10 hits but gave up 13 and committed five errors. Leo Bacciocco hit a triple and drove in two runs. Ethan Iacono and Juan Gonzalez each hit doubles. Remington Edwards had two RBI.
The tough loss was a difficult one to take, but it didn’t diminish the team’s accomplishments.
Mountain Ridge opened the tournament with a pair of wins in the super regionals over Region 3’s Lone Peak. Win No. 1 came May 16 by the count of 2-1. In the hard-fought victory, the Sentinels got a big day from Iacono, who hit a home run. Edwards and Bacciocco each hit doubles. The following day, Mountain Ridge had a lot more breathing room, blowing out Lone Peak 11-1. The Sentinels outhit the Knights
14-4. Seven of Mountain Ridge’s runs came in the sixth inning. Pitcher Anderson Decker was fantastic, striking out 10 batters. Meanwhile, Stockton Fowlks impressed with two home runs, a double and three RBI. Edwards hit a home run and brought in three runs. Juan Gonzalez and Bacciocco hit doubles.
A setback on May 20 put the Sentinels up against the ropes.
Mountain Ridge fell to Region 1 foe Fremont, the sixth seed in the tournament, 8-4. Mountain Ridge got behind 6-2 after three innings and couldn’t catch up. Luke Nelson, Austin Ellis and Bacciocco each hit doubles. Gonzalez had two RBI.
Mountain Ridge stayed alive and advanced by defeating Davis on May 21 by the count of 6-5. The Sentinels got off to a good start by scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. However, Davis kept things close with three runs of its own. It was a back-and-forth battle after that, but the Sentinels held on. Fowlks and Cooper Goff each had two RBI.
To advance to the semifinals, Mountain Ridge got revenge on Fremont on May 22.
In a loser-goes-home matchup, the Sentinels prevailed with their season on the line by the score of 10-0. They outhit the Silverwolves 8-4 and committed no errors. The game was close through the top of the fifth inning, with Mountain Ridge up just 2-0. But in the bottom of the fifth, the Sentinels had six runs to put the contest away. Deck-
er was the winning pitcher, striking out nine batters in the process. Ellis had two RBI, and Fowlks hit a double and drove in a run.
That victory got the Sentinels to their matchup with Corner Canyon.
The Sentinels have reason for optimism in 2025. Several key players will come back, making Mountain Ridge an early contender in the race for state supremacy. Head coach Brock Whitney, who has a 71-48 mark in his five years with the school, will welcome back productive players and leaders such as Fowlks, Bacciocco, Iacono and Goff. Of course, Mountain Ridge lost some talent, too, with Ellis, Edwards, Decker and Gonzalez, among others, graduating. Still, the Sentinels only lost seven seniors from the 2024 squad.
As usual, Region 2 should be tough again next season, with fellow league foes Riverton, Corner Canyon and Bingham always posing formidable tasks.
The 2024 squad went down as one of the most explosive in the state, with the Sentinels scoring 264 on the season, the most in Class 6A and eighth-most in the state this past spring. The team had 13 games this season in which it had at least 10 runs as well as 18 games with at least eight runs. The pitching and fielding were no slouch either. Mountain Ridge allowed 134 runs in 32 games, an average of just 4.2 an outing. l
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No one in 6A earned more wins than the Sentinels this past season, and only four teams in the entire state amassed more victories. (City Journals)
Top 5 splash pads in Salt Lake County
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Splash pads are a summertime staple with water jets, sprays and fountains helping kids of all ages beat the heat. As cities look to create sustainable, family-friendly activities, splash pads continue to grow in popularity, transforming public spaces into vibrant interactive centers.
While Salt Lake County has many splash pads, these five parks stand out for creativity and size.
Wardle Fields Regional Park, 14148 S. 2700 West, Bluffdale
With myriad water features, Wardle Fields splash pad is perfect for warm summer days. A wading river runs through most of the area and the waterfall offers a cool spot from the heat. Sprayers, misters, fountains and shallow pools provide playful options. Bring shade tents to create a sun-free zone. Water at the splash pad is filtered to water the adjacent park. Open Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day.
Magna Regional Park, 4042 S. 7200 West, Magna
This award-winning 62-acre park in Magna features an inclusive splash pad for people of all ages and abilities. The waterfalls are a popular attraction, as are the misting vents, musical toys and large rocks that spray water. The splash pad covers a wide area and features
unique fountains for all-day play. Open Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day.
Heritage Splash Pad, 10828 S. Redwood Road, South Jordan
Incorporating 17 different water spray features, the splash pad at Heritage Park turns 1-year-old this year. Highlighted by an old-fashioned water tower, a wading creek, small waterfalls and numerous interactive spaces, including a shaded area for small children, the splash pad is a destination spot for families this summer. The park utilizes a recirculation system to reduce water consumption. Open Monday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sandy Splash Pad at Amphitheater Park, 1245 E. 9400 South, Sandy
Featuring seven unique waterfalls, the Sandy City splash pad offers an interactive water experience for families seeking relief from the summer heat. Water from the falls flows through the splash pad area to create a fast-moving, shallow river, while sprayers, fountains and misters add fun elements for kids and parents alike. With large grassy areas, ample shade and beautiful views of the Wasatch Mountains, this splash pad is a great place to spend a day. Open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Smith Fields Splash Pad, 150 E. 13400 South, Draper
Using an interactive river, spray nozzles and fountains, the Smith Fields Splash Pad provides hours of water fun in a shady venue. A “water weave” design cascades water down the steps at the park with arching, vertical and bubbling sprays to keep everything cool. Dumping buckets, spray cannons and spin soakers create
fun opportunities for water play while shade sails provide relief from the sun. The splash pad is operated with limited hours, to reduce water usage. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Aug. 31. l
Several splash pads in the county offer fun, wet, cool summer relief. (Stock photo)
Summer Off Socials: Gen Zers encouraged to ditch social media
Is social media really social? That’s the question two students at Brigham Young University asked themselves before coming up with a plan.
Macy Dial had been on social media for a decade—half her life—before she decided she was done with it. Looking back on that decade, she saw how social media “fundamentally altered” her brain.
“Anything beautiful or precious in life became an opportunity for a photo op,” she wrote. “I began to think in Instagram captions.”
Dial said her push from social media came after reading a book called “4,000 Weeks” by Oliver Burkeman, a book about how we use our time. Dial said she realized how much time she was wasting on social media and decided it was time to make a change.
Fellow BYU student Kristen Hansen also felt put-off by the social media she’d grown up with. So, they teamed up to encourage Gen Zers to get off social apps and experience the shock for themselves.
“But the more research we did, the more we realized, like, just what a big piece of the puzzle digital wellness was, and how much social media and excessive technology use was impacting, like the mental health of
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
Gen Z and just young people in society at large,” Dial said.
They call the movement “Summer Off Socials”—participants will ditch at least one social media app and replace it with in-person connections. To help push participants in the right direction, Summer Off Socials will
send out weekly texts with challenges, like going for a 30-minute phoneless walk, calling a long-distance friend or meeting someone new. The initiative launched June 1 and already has approximately 500 participants. According to reports, the average Gen Zers typically spend up to seven hours on
screens every day. Dozens of efforts have been made to curb screen time through usage tracking apps, time limit settings and even a 3D-printed brick that temporarily removes apps from your phone.
Hansen and Dial aren’t necessarily expecting participants to swear off social media forever, but they do hope people become more thoughtful about their digital choices.
There are obviously some drawbacks to living off social media. You may not stay with current trends or slang, and some small businesses only post updates on social media. Plus, you’ll definitely miss out on some life updates.
“There’s definitely a cost to being out of touch in this way,” Dial wrote. “Without social media, I feel like I’ve lost a certain cultural cachet. I’ve missed life updates from friends. I miss the creative and funny content.”
Dial said the pros to leaving social media far outweighed the cons, including her newfound peace of mind and the amount of time she now has.
Maybe someday there will be a mass exodus off social media, but for now, Dial and Hansen are encouraging people to take a break. l
Gen Zers are challenged to delete one social media app for the summer. (Bailey Chism/City Journals)
With exit doors blowing off, landing gear falling on neighborhoods, wings ripping apart and engine covers shooting into the skies, you’d think airlines would be handing out free puppies and hundred-dollar bills, trying to convince people to support air travel. You’d be wrong.
Instead of lowering ticket prices (in your dreams), dropping baggage fees (you’re bonkers) or making flights more comfortable (ROFL), airlines double down on lazy, expensive service.
Even when Southwest Airlines (whose motto is “Sit Down and Shut Up”) was fined $140 million for leaving thousands of holiday passengers stranded, the industry knows we will travel. And we’ll pay any price. If airlines have open seats, and the flight takes off in a week, instead of offering reduced prices, ticket costs rise. Once, after we purchased airline tickets, we got an alert that prices had jumped $1,000 per ticket. That’s bananas!
Recently, my husband and I flew Hawaiian Airlines for the first time. With its slogan, “Well, you could just drive to Honolulu,” we didn’t expect great service, and we weren’t disappointed.
We settled into our six-hour flight with its panic-inducing, claustrophobic seating, only to find movie screens weren’t provided. However, we could download the airline’s
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
Fight or Flight
app to watch movies on our phones, as long as it was downloaded an hour before boarding. So, as soon as time travel is invented, I can go back, download the app and have access to movies for our flight.
We left early in the morning and breakfast sandwiches were offered to passengers with normal digestive systems. If your body treats gluten like poison, you get to starve or purchase a box of gluten-free crackers and hummus. I’ve learned to pack snacks because, like the United Airlines motto states, “Suck it up. We’re not your mom.”
As we flew through the skies, we played games like, “Is it turbulence or did we just lose the landing gear?” and “Annoy Fellow Passengers.” I think I won that when I reclined my seat from 90 degrees to 95 degrees. The woman behind me sighed like a passive-aggressive parent who was not mad, just extremely disappointed.
On the way home from the Big Island of Hawaii, we ended up running through the
Honolulu airport because our connecting flight was late. We dashed to our terminal, which is not the best way to end a vacation, especially after eating your weight in kalua pork and fish tacos.
Net profits for the airline industry are set to hit more than $30 billion this year. Even Boeing (“Safety is Our 15th Priority”) knows it can install faulty parts, disregard safety inspections and hunt down whistleblowers because people will always want to fly.
Boeing stock is dropping faster than its Max 737s but the company doesn’t seem concerned. Even when people bounce off the ceilings due to cockpit issues or have to make an emergency landing in Denver because a passenger is stuck in the bathroom,
Boeing knows people will fork over handfuls of cash to travel.
Passengers expect delays, cancellations and lackadaisical assistance. Any other industry would hire a fancy PR team to encourage people to use its services but the airline industry doesn’t give a flying fig about its image.
Even with its rock-bottom reputation, the airline industry has us over a barrel. With wheels ricocheting off the runway, engines catching fire and toilet waste flooding the cabin, passengers continue to pay increasing costs for the “luxury” of travel. And, like the Delta slogan states, “We Really Don’t Care.”
