SANDY SIXTH GRADER GIVES BACK AT FESTIVAL OF TREES
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
To watch Ruby Thackeray today, while she swims or plays soccer, practices the violin or just enjoys writing, you’d never know the medical challenges this young lady has endured. She’s an 11-year-old sixth-grade student at Albion Middle School in Sandy, but when she was just 3 years old, her parents Ali and Mark wondered if she’d make it to her fifth birthday.
Today, she’s helping celebrate the annual Festival of Trees as the patient champion for 2024. Her story is one of hope and gratitude, and now of giving back to Primary’s.
“We took her to the doctor because there was a little spot at the bottom of her neck,” Ali recalled. That turned out to be cancer which spread into her lungs. One tumor was pressing on her heart, and her family was considering hospice care.
About that time, the doctors at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital began using a new technology called rapid whole genome sequencing (rWGS). They used it with Ruby and were able to identify a larger therapy for Ruby’s cancer. Over the next few months, the tumors in Ruby’s lungs began to shrink by 90%.
“Her treatment was largely outpatient,” Ali said. “We had tried other immunotherapy that didn’t work, but this new one did. It was in the beginning very intense-she had to be at the hospital to take it, but it was just a pill. So luckily, it was something she could eventually take every day at home.” And she’s never had to have chemotherapy.
Ruby’s challenges didn’t end there.
She’s had to deal with things that aren’t associated with cancer. She has broken a toe, she fractured her heel, but she never had to be hospitalized.
“I had a heart ablation in March and another one in September,” Ruby said, which involves a minimally invasive surgical procedure for irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias.
“She had problems with a bunch of leaks in her heart from time to time,” Ali said, “so they knew about it from when she was in the NICU. Her heart has always been monitored and they thought she’d grow out of it, but it came back when she was 8 or 9, and her heart rate would triple due to SCT, supraventricular tachycardia. She had an ablation to try to fix it in March, and it has a 95% success rate. But she's a special 5%, so she had another one done just in September.”
As this year’s Festival of Trees approaches, she has been thinking back on her experiences at the hospital and the way she’s been treated.
“It’s been really good,” she said. “I love all the blankets they give us, and when I go in for checkups, they give me more blankets, which is nice. And I love all the crafts we get to do there. And because of my experience there, I actually want to be a child life specialist when I grow up.”
In addition to serving meals at the Ronald McDonald Family Room, she and her family will decorate a tree for the Festival that runs Dec. 4-7 at Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. All funds raised at the festival support the hospital to provide care
for children in need, and help Intermountain Health’s Primary Promise program. As the patient champion, she’s also gone to a Las Vegas Raiders game, and become the “12th player” for a pregame event at a Real Salt Lake game.
“We’re not sure how we’re going to decorate the tree yet,” Ali said. “Whenever Ruby hears about other cancer kiddos at Primary’s, it helps her to realize how blessed she is to be healthy, but it also can sometimes make her
heart heavy. I mean, she's only 11, but she knows multiple kids who have passed away. For her to be able to create a tree in honor of these kids who don't get to come home, or who don't have a miracle phase one trial drug to try, is something she is very grateful for. Ruby would love to kind of help these kids, and would like the tree to represent them. For them to know we love you and we see you. So that's what we're thinking right now.”
With her mother Ali, Ruby made several visits to what she called “The Pirate Ship” at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. (Photo courtesy of the Thackeray family and Intermountain Health)
Alta boys basketball once again has lofty goals
For many schools, losing multiple starters from the previous year’s team would mean the new season would be a rebuilding one. But not for Alta boys basketball.
The Hawks enter the 2024-25 campaign with some new faces and without the services of All-State caliber players from seasons past. Still, Alta head coach Travis Ohrn is optimistic about his team’s chances and isn’t shying away from setting high standards. He has helped build a strong program, so don’t expect the Hawks to fall out of contention anytime soon.
“We have very high expectations for this team and our program,” Ohrn said. “We have built a culture of winning at Alta, and this team will continue to build on that. The expectations will always be the same here at Alta. We want to play on big stages and compete in big games. Our goals are focused on doing the little things and the results take care of themselves.”
Alta has finished 24-4 overall the past two seasons. Last season, the Hawks made it to the Class 5A state championship game before falling to region rival Olympus. Two seasons ago, the Hawks won the title.
Ohrn has some big shoes to replace from his two title-game teams. Gone are Jaxon Johnson, Carter Doleac and Ace Reiser, the three leading scorers from last year’s squad. However, Ohrn is confident that he has some returning contributors who can carry the load. Leading the Hawks will be junior point guard Dash Reiser, senior shooting guard Luke Roberts, senior power forward Matt Mckae, junior shooting guard Zak Paepke, senior shooting guard Jaxon Langford, senior shooting guard Boston Gray and junior shooting guard Colin Hansen. Last season, Dash Reiser was fourth on the team in scoring with 9.4 points per game. He also averaged three assists and one steal per game.
Even though most of Alta’s starters and contributors this season will be players who have had limited court time in varsity games,
SANDY TEAM
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By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
they were all around for the last two title games. Ohrn said this gives them an advantage, as they know what it takes to play at a high level. The younger, less experienced players are eager to prove themselves.
“All of our guys were part of state tournament runs the last two years,” Ohrn said. “They have experienced success on a big stage. They are hungry to compete and represent Alta. They know the pressure that comes with building on previous years success. Our alumni have laid the foundation, and this year’s team will build on that foundation.”
In offseason workouts and in practices leading up to the start of the season, Ohrn has been impressed with the players’ abilities. He said the Hawks should do well on the defensive end and play a team-oriented brand of basketball.
“This team is very unselfish and cares about winning,” he said. “We have a lot of
guys that will contribute this year, and they care about each other and the team’s success. They have very good chemistry on the court and understand how to play together. They are very connected defensively and will be another great defensive team.”
Having reached two state title games in a row and having compiled a combined record of 48-8 the past two seasons, Alta has every opponent’s attention. Ohrn and his players know they will get each team’s best effort. To be successful and carry on Alta tradition, Ohrn said the players need to be ready to give it their all each day. He’s working hard to create an effective offense and put a product on the court that will emulate the accomplishments the Hawks have had recently.
“This team just needs to do what they do and compete every day,” he said. “I have no doubt our school and community will be proud of what this team accomplishes this year. Our
expectations never change, and this group will meet those expectations and be very successful. We are focusing on one day at a time. We want to enjoy the process a little more this year. With this group, we are focusing more on offensive efficiency and getting our guys in spots to be successful.”
Alta has a challenging, intriguing schedule.
The Hawks opened the season Nov. 22 with a home game with Fremont. On Nov. 25, Alta has a tough game at Class 6A foe Lone Peak. From Dec. 18 through Dec. 21, Alta will have four games in the prestigious Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hawks will see out-of-state teams in the tournament, which often includes nationally ranked foes.
Nonregion action ends with a Dec. 28 home contest with Taylorsville. Alta then tips off Region 6 games with a contest at home against East on Jan. 3, 2025. Alta faces Olympus twice during the regular season, Jan. 17, 2025, on the road and Feb. 7, 2025, at home. The two teams split the regular-season series last year before the Titans beat the Hawks for the state title. Alta’s final regular-season contest will be Feb. 11, 2025, at home against Brighton.
Ohrn is eager to tip off the season and see how this group of players can pick up where the team left off. He speaks highly of the players not only of their on-the-court potential but of what they do away from the game.
“We have a great group of guys that buy into being student-athletes at Alta,” Ohrn said. “They are involved in the school and great students. They care about people. They are fun to be around, and as coaches we love coming to practice every day. This group competes at a high level but finds the joy in the process of being successful. We can’t wait for this season to start and for this team to leave their legacy at Alta.” l
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The 2024-25 Alta boys basketball team is looking forward to making another run in the state tournament. This year’s team has some new faces ready to compete. (Photo courtesy of Travis Ohrn)
from front page
Last year, the Festival of Trees raised over $3.4 million for Primary’s. Now in its 54th year, it will feature more than 550 decorated trees; hundreds of nativities, gingerbread houses and quilts, scones, live music and dance performances, and 5,000 pounds of locally made Festival of Trees fudge in 51 flavors. All items were handcrafted and do-
Thenated by thousands of volunteers from Utah and neighboring states. Many are made in honor of friends and family who are or have been patients at Primary Children’s Hospital. There will also be a silent auction for trees, wreaths, quilts and other items held on the website FestivalofTreesUtah.org on Dec. 3 through 9 p.m. and on Dec. 4. Tickets for the festival itself are available on the website as well. l
Salvation Army Angel Tree helps thousands of children each year
Salvation Army and KUTV 2News have partnered for the 32nd year to provide gifts for children and older adults through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Since its inception in Salt Lake in 1992, the Angel Tree has helped hundreds of thousands of Utah residents.
Salvation Army Lt. Kate Combs said the program has been successful thanks to numerous donors and generous people who provide gifts and cash donations so children in the state can have a joyful Christmas.
“We really tailor it to each individual child so the parents get the opportunity to ask for the specifics for that child,” Combs said. “We also try to provide an outfit and shoes and a coat, as well as the toy items.”
To help a child or older adult for the holiday, people can visit Smith’s Marketplace and Cyprus Credit Union locations throughout Salt Lake County and select a tag from the Angel Tree. The tag has a list of items donors can purchase which they then return to the Angel Tree location.
Angel tags represent children from 0-12 years of age and older adults living in residential care facilities. The Salvation Army hopes to help nearly 3,000 children this year and around 1,300 older adults.
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
“People can pick whichever tag they prefer and it’s a cool thing that sometimes they’re drawn to a particular name because
it’s the name of a family member,” Combs said. “Or maybe they have an 8-year-old girl and they want to let her pick something
for someone her age. Maybe a grandparent chooses a child because they have the same interests as their grandchild. Sometimes they choose a senior that’s the same age as their parents.”
People can pick up an Angel Tree tag through Friday, Dec. 13, giving volunteers time to shop and put gifts together for each child. Donated gifts must be new and unwrapped. Monetary donations are also accepted. For more information, visit saltlakecity.salvationarmy.org.
Additionally, the KUTV Holiday Pops Concert scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. will contribute all ticket proceeds to the Salvation Army Angel Tree. The concert, hosted by Sterling Poulson, will be held at Cottonwood High School in Murray (5715 S. 1300 East) and feature the West Valley Symphony of Utah, the Alta High School Madrigals and the Choral Arts Society of Utah. Tickets are available at Eventbrite. com.
“Every time you see a tag, that’s a genuine child,” Combs said. “If you’re still seeing tags in December that means that child doesn’t have items gifted to them. We don’t want any child to go without this Christmas.” l
Continued
Ruby Thackeray is a happy, healthy student at Albion Middle School in Sandy. (Photo courtesy of the Thackeray family and Intermountain Health)
Volunteers help set up and decorate trees for the Festival of Trees that will run Dec. 4-7 at the Mountain America Expo Center. (Photo courtesy of the Thackeray family and Intermountain Health)
Experience the wonder of Wonka’s everlasting magic on Park Lane’s stage this holiday season
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Park Lane Elementary students are paying homage to the 60th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
About 75 fourth- and fifth-graders make up the cast and crew of “Willy Wonka Kids,” a production based on the book that features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket exploring the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka.
The 45-minute show will be at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10-12 in the school’s multipurpose room, 9955 Eastdell Drive. The community is welcome to attend the free production.
Many readers of the book know the five children who each find a “golden ticket” in a candy bar will get the chance to meet the candymaker and have the rare opportunity to tour his factory. Through songs, dances and props, the classic story will come alive to the Sandy audiences.
“It’s going to be a great show, and the props are pretty impressive,” Principal Justin Jeffery. “Doing a play as a school is wonderful for a number of reasons. It builds community among the school and our neighborhood but also teaches students so many skills. For example, students learn diction and fundamentals of drama. Students also learn how to work together with others and gain important social skills and habits. They build confidence and a joy for performing with the arts. I believe opportunities like this help set our students up for further opportunities in the future.”
Teaching those skills, amongst others, is director Camilla Duncan, the school’s Beverley Taylor Sorenson drama teacher.
“This gives opportunity for a lot of kids to try something new,” she said. “Many of these kids have never performed in this way before, including my Willy Wonka. His family was shocked that he will be playing this part because he’s never sang like this before, but he’s doing a great job. This helps kids learn a new skill, whether it’s dancing, memorizing lines or learning how to work the sound and lighting board. It builds kids’ confidence to perform.”
The story also indirectly teaches them leadership skills, such as being innovative and following their vision, while they learn through the production how to be able to work with others, she said, adding much of what they learn translates to the classroom.
“Reading fluency is a big thing we talk about with theater; it helps them to read fluently and be able to present themselves well in front of people. They learn to be able to collaborate and work as a team and they’re part of something bigger than themselves. The stage tech kids are learning programming with the light board for all the different scenes,” said Duncan, who also has directed Park Lane’s “Annie Kids,” Seussical Kids,” “Aladdin Kids” and edited students singing and danc-
ing in a musical video of “Frozen Kids,” because the production was scheduled during the school’s shutdown for COVID-19.
She directs a musical every other year at Park Lane. During the off years she teaches improvisation games, pantomime scenes and puppet performances and students perform those at the school’s Night of the Arts showcase.
“I also do readers’ theatre with the kids when I’m not teaching my whole class and that’s a fun thing. I have each group for three weeks, we work a script together, they make costumes, and then we perform it for another class,” Duncan said.
Students have been rehearsing for the Wonka musical for a little more than an hour every other week for the past three months. The group started with learning the music and dances then moved into blocking. After putting it together, the technical elements were added.
“We have a great cast, and the crew members are dedicated kids running the lights and sound and moving all the scenery,” she said, adding appreciation for the help she gets from other faculty, including teacher Gioconda Velez, who helped to choreograph the show, and her student teacher, Savannah Fillerup, who worked with the stage crew.
Duncan teams up with the Elk Meadows Elementary theater teacher, Spencer Duncan, her husband.
“We’ve been very lucky to be able to
build on the props we’re using from Elk Meadows, but then our kids are just adding more set decoration. We collaborate with our school’s visual art teacher (Carolyn Shepherd), who’s doing lots of projects with the kids to decorate the gym for the show,” she said.
It will be “pure imagination” — and to further pull the audience into Willy Wonka’s world, a patron each night will be the lucky winner of a “golden ticket.” Those winners will be awarded with a supply of candy, made possible with a $250 donation from Scheels.
“It’s fun to involve our audience and share the excitement of winning a ‘golden ticket,’” she said.
While many of the adults are familiar with the book and 1970s movie starring Gene Wilder, the current generation better knows this year’s prequel, “Wonka,” with Timothee Chalamet.
“It’s a good movie and you can learn from it, but it’s not the same plot at all. Some of the kids were a little confused about the play and why it wasn’t about establishing the chocolate shop,” she said about the 22-year-old Willy Wonka who teaches empathy, humility, patience and resilience. “I’d recommend the book to those who haven’t read it.”
Duncan read the book while growing up.
“I loved the book. I loved the movie. It has lots of opportunities for big candy decorations, which is fun. The kids love making all the visuals for the show. There are some great songs, and it has a good moral — don’t be a
nasty, bratty child, don’t be greedy,” she said. “I like the fizzy-lifting drinking room. It’s one of my favorite scenes because there’s so much going on; we got the bubble machines going with all the little balls going. We got the blue ball on the trampoline and a fan going. It’s fun and exciting. It’s very magical.”
That magic is comparable to one of Wonka’s gobstoppers – everlasting. l
Park Lane fourth-grader Hayden Combe, who plays an Oompa Loompa and a Candy Man kid in the school’s upcoming musical, “Willy Wonka Kids,” won the contest for the logo design, which is being used for the playbill and cast T-shirt. (Camilla Duncan/Park Lane Elementary)
Park Lane students rehearse the finale of their upcoming show featuring Maddox Low as Charlie Bucket and Christian Jensen as Willy Wonka. (Camilla Duncan/Park Lane Elementary)
Unsung heroes: Canyons District celebrates professionals’ impact on students
Passion, creativity, innovation, dedication.
Those are some of the words used to describe Canyons School District’s 2024 Apex awards recipients, who have devoted their lives to make a positive impact on local school children.
They each accepted a crystal award and the appreciation of the Canyons Board of Education and the school district administration.
Amongst the recipients was former school board vice president Mont Millerberg, who died unexpectedly in February; he was posthumously awarded the Legacy Award.
His wife, who has been serving in his board position since April, accepted the honor with other family members.
“He would’ve been so humbled by this recognition,” Kris Millerberg said in a written statement. “It truly means a lot to our family to see his commitment to education remembered in this way.”
Mont Millerberg was born and raised in Midvale, attending Midvale Elementary, Midvale Middle and Hillcrest High. He worked as a sweeper at the old Union Elementary. His parents owned a floral shop on Main Street and he and his wife raised their six children in the town.
“Midvale meant so much to him, and it always guided his efforts to improve the schools. He wanted to ensure the schools in Midvale had the resources to thrive,” she said. “He truly believed in ‘the magic of the classroom’ and often reminded us that every decision should support what happens there.”
Alta High’s Kevin Clyde was honored as the APEX teacher of the year.
As a math teacher, he purposedly took out desks of his classroom, trading them for wall-to-wall white boards so students would engage with the math problems and wouldn’t be afraid to wipe it out when they make a mistake.
“When they do ask me questions, some are returned with other questions,” Clyde said. “I’m trying to get students to think. They’re learning advocacy, asking for what they need. The students have developed a relationship with somebody who they trust.
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
That’s a big thing in life. You don’t always know what to do, but if you have people around you, you can ask for help.”
In return, many of them have written him notes of thanks.
“I’ve kept every one,” Clyde said. “It reminds me what I do matters. I love what I do.”
Copperview Elementary Principal Colleen Smith and retired Canyons Director of Middle Schools Cindy Hanson were named APEX administrators of the year.
Smith is credited for not only working to bring Copperview out of turnaround status, but for building a culture where everyone has value and believes in their potential to succeed.
Hanson, who continues to work as a school improvement consultant, is credited for providing crucial guidance during the pandemic and helped lead the way to Canyons receiving districtwide accreditation.
This year’s educational support professional Apex winner is Brighton High’s custodial crew chief, Sara Cook, who has served
school communities for 29 years; she credits her team with their commitment in wanting to see the school look its best.
2024 Apex recipient for student support services professional of the year is the District’s school nursing program coordinator Jen Gerrard, who not only helps students with providing vision exams, administering insulin to diabetic students, and rendering first aid, but she has been a vital part in Canyons’ launch of a pilot telehealth program, which connects students with a healthcare provider without having to leave school.
Apex volunteer of the year Jessica Davies is a familiar face at Alta View Elementary, providing positivity and enthusiasm to the school culture, said school principal Scott Jameson.
“She has volunteered, spent hours recruiting other volunteers and has made our school a community, a family and a place where it’s wonderful to teach, a place where it’s wonderful to learn,” he said.
Relationships and community are key facets of the student programs and mission of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce, which was named 2024 Apex Award for Community Partner of the Year.
“It’s important for businesses to support education,” Chamber President and CEO Jay Francis said. “It’s important for students to be able to have opportunities to rub shoulders with businesses and business leaders.”
Former principal of Mt. Jordan and Albion middle schools Molly Hart, who now oversees Summit Academy schools, serves on the state school board and was honored as Apex elected official of the year.
“I wanted to be on the state board so that principals and teachers didn’t have to navigate the issues and manage the paperwork over being with parents and being with students,” she said. “I want, still to this day, to make a difference in the daily work that teachers and principals do in Utah.” l
Apex volunteer of the year Jessica Davies, who has been a familiar face at Alta View Elementary from encouraging other parents to help with activities to snapping photos of all the events happening at the school, was congratulated by Supt. Rick Robins at the awards ceremony. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
The Millerberg family graciously accepted Canyons School District’s Apex Legacy Award that was presented posthumously to former school board vice president Mont Millerberg. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Accounting jobs flourish in Utah, what’s driving the growth?
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Utah’s jobs in the accounting industry are anticipated to grow 33% before 2032 compared to a national average of 4% for each state, according to Forbes.
Four other cities in the country including Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Tucson, Little Rock and Tulsa made the top five list.
The Forbes report noted Salt Lake City, known for being the “crossroads of the west,” has the nation’s largest number of industrial banks to go along with its burgeoning tech industry and being a winter sports destination. It highlighted the state’s economic growth according to data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis which reported a gross domestic product increase of 340% from 2003 to 2023.
Christopher Scott, a financial reporting state accountant for Utah and Sandy resident, said it’s not a surprise to him that Salt Lake City made the top of the list because of the focus on industry, educational opportunities and job opening outlook in the state.
Growth and industry in the state
“Utah has always been able to build up industry and attract businesses,” Scott said. “It’s just a lot more businesses, a lot more people coming here, and it’s just creating more opportunities, especially in accounting—these big organizations and businesses need accountants.”
Scott noted that the constant growth and expansion happening in Utah is leading to “a wider need for accountants in Utah, especially right now.” This growing demand for accountants makes Utah an attractive place
Scott recently earned his Master of Professional Accounting with an emphasis in forensic accounting from Colorado State University Global online. His first job was at Salt Lake County as an accountant. He said that resources not only at the university but from the county and state, including financial help, allowed him to work and continue his accounting education online.
“I would say CSU has definitely been the biggest help as far as getting me through getting those certifications, like, what would be the best route to get them, maintain them, and pay for them,” Scott said.
In addition to online schools, schools like Brigham Young University, the University of Utah and Utah State in the state offer competitive programs for the accounting field.
Growth in open positions
The Department of Workforce Services anticipates a large job surge in the field of accountants and auditors in Utah, at a rate “faster than average employment growth with a high volume of annual job openings.” The department determines that statewide about 1,810 annual positions will be open for accountants, the majority of
for the accounting profession.
Utah is also home to the branches of the four larg est accounting firms in the country, per Forbes, including Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young (EY) and KPMG. Education opportunities for accountants
Local fifth graders pay tribute to vets SWEETEN THEIR HOLIDAYS WITH FESTIVE FRENCH MACARONS!
Sandy resident Christopher Scott (middle) gained his accounting degree from CSU. (Courtesy of Christopher Scott)
From sea to shining sea. Sunrise fifth graders performed a program filled with patriotic music in honor of veterans on Nov. 8. The students also paid tribute to the heroes with the singing of each military branch song in their program, which has been a long tradition at the Sandy elementary school. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
From ballots to backstage: Sandy Youth Council gains insight into election process with behind-the-scenes tour
Atrip to the Salt Lake County Elections
Office the day after presidential voting was an eye opener to Will Buckley, a Sandy Youth Council second-year member and co-chair of the group’s policy committee.
“It was interesting seeing how impactful each of the votes were because they counted,” Buckley said. “They counted every single vote.”
It was Buckley’s first year to vote and he said being able to see every vote go through the office cemented his desire to vote in college and throughout his life.
He and about 10 other youth council members, including Vitalia Sun and Aurora Clare, were led on a tour of the facility by Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman to see how ballots are counted, verified and secured.
“It was so wonderful to meet with the Sandy Youth Council and show them (and their families) Salt Lake County’s Ballot Processing Center,” Chapman said. “They had thoughtful questions which I was glad to answer to ensure they have a better understanding of election administration in Utah.”
“It is incredible to meet a group of teens that are already focused on public service, I know we will see great things from them in years to come,” Chapman said.
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
For youth councilmember Vitalia her understanding and appreciation of the process, especially the manpower it takes to count ballots, grew during the tour.
“I was expecting there to be very few people working in the facility and it basically just being computers and robots counting the ballots,” Vitalia said. “However, to my surprise, there were so many people there, from counting
ballots, to sitting at the computer and verifying ballots, to helping sort the different ballots, to just cutting signatures out of ballots.”
While people were working the stations, she also mentioned the many safeguards ensuring the correctness of the voting count.
Vitalia met pairs of workers called adjudicators who “sit together with their partner at a computer and view the ballots the computer that
counts them was unable to interpret.”
“Then they would proceed to mark who they think the voter was trying to vote for and move onto the next ballot,” she said. “And the fun part is the screens of their computers is broadcasted on big monitors so other people, and us, were able to watch their decisions live.”
She said visiting the facility gave her “a greater appreciation of the work that goes into this whole process of electing leaders for our people and an appreciation for the fact that there are so many safeguards in place to ensure every vote is counted accurately.”
Aurora noted visiting the facility opened her eyes to the work that goes into the election process by people “who do not receive credit for the work they do.”
“There were so many people working hard to make sure the election results were accurate and came out in a timely manner,” she said.
Youth council advisor, Elizabeth Theriault noted in a post on the Sandy City Council’s Facebook page “it isn’t every day you get to see firsthand the official process of counting ballots after a presidential election.”
“Thank you to Salt Lake County Election Division for giving our Sandy Youth Council an amazing and educational tour of the Election Office,” Theriault wrote in the post. l
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Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman (left) gave the Sandy Youth Council a tour of Salt Lake County’s Election Office on Nov. 7. (Courtesy of Sandy Youth Council)
Jordan swim team small in numbers, big on effort
The Jordan swim team may not have the numbers that other schools have, but that won’t stop the Beetdiggers from competing. Jordan returns four swimmers who placed at state a year ago and others who hope to qualify for the big event in February.
The Beetdiggers enter the season with 14 swimmers— seven on the boys team and seven on the girls team. Jordan is coming off a fourth-place finish at the Class 4A state meet on the boys’ side a season ago. Jordan has to replace standout swimmer Robert Barton, who graduated last school year. Barton was the 4A winner in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100 butterfly. He was also on the Beetdiggers’ state-winning 200 medley relay team.
Despite having a small team, head coach Richard Barnes has some talented swimmers at his disposal.
Back this season is Tyson Hirschi, a junior who participated in the state meet last season. He was part of the team’s 200 freestyle relay group that placed third and the 400 freestyle relay team that placed 12th. Sophomore Thomas Griffith is another swimmer to keep an eye on for Jordan. He qualified for state last season as a freshman, swimming the 100 backstroke. Hirschi is a team captain along with sophomore Jack Nigbur.
As for the girls team, seniors Samantha Callahan and Niya Glover qualified for state last season. Callahan raced in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly a season ago. Glover was in the 500 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke last season. Both swimmers are team captains in 2024-25.
Barnes is confident that these four will each reach the state meet once again. He said a few others may record fast enough times to join Hirschi, Griffith, Callahan and Glover at
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
pionship meets.”Barnes loves his team’s effort and enjoys seeing the swimmers get better and faster. The Beetdiggers faces challenges because they don’t have the numbers that other teams boast.
“We have competed with bigger teams,” he said. “it’s difficult because we don’t have the depth.”
Barnes said Jordan comprises three types of swimmers: athletes who have been swimming for years, are fast and do well in competition; mid-tier swimmers who have been swimming competitively for a year or two; and brand-new swimmers. With all types of swimmers, Barnes loves seeing the boys and girls develop and record personal best times. “One of the most rewarding parts of coaching is seeing the swimmers get faster and faster,” he said. “We’re focusing on individual improvement and stroke technique. We’re helping kids improve.”
Swimming is a unique sport because it’s individual, but each individual swimmer’s times contribute to the team’s total. Jordan might have some swimmers place first, but the Beetdiggers don’t have the numbers to then have swimmers finish second, third and fourth to add points. Still, Barnes loves see newcomers learn and grow, and he enjoys watching his more experienced swimmers continue to excel. Jordan even gets athletes from other sports to join the squad.
state this February.
“We want to have as many as possible qualify for state,” he said. “We want to qualify our relay teams. We want our kids to swim their fastest times at [region and state] cham-
To qualify for state, swimmers have to be among the top-32 finishers in any given event. Swimmers can only participate in two individual events at the state meet. The swimmers’ times are recorded throughout the season from every meet, making every meet critical.
The Class 4A state swim meet will take place Feb. 7 and 8, 2025, at Brigham Young University. l
Jordan’s Samantha Callaham and Niya Glover are top two returning girls on the Jordan swim team. Both qualified for state last season and are set to do the same this season. (Photo courtesy of Richard Barnes)
Holly’s Highlights: Traditions important during holiday season
By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com
With the holiday season upon us, many of us reflect on cherished traditions and memories that Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other celebrations bring. We embark on a heartwarming journey, exploring the magic of the season, the importance of keeping traditions alive and meaningful, and the spirit of giving that defines the season.
Traditions serve as a thread that weaves our family history, connecting us to our past, present and future.
Frank Sonnenberg, author of “Follow Your Conscience: Make a Difference in Your Life and the Lives of Others,” shares “traditions represent a critical piece of our culture.” Frank claims, “they help form the structure and foundation of our families and our society, and they basically remind us that we’re part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and who we are likely to become tomorrow.”
An article in UNC Health Talk suggests the following benefits of traditions:
For those across the globe who celebrate Christmas, unique traditions add a special touch to the holiday season. From Finland’s hidden almond in porridge tradition to the amusing potato gifts for naughty kids in the Netherlands, these traditions add a layer of cultural richness. These diverse customs, no matter how unusual they may seem, reinforce the universal message of love, joy, and togetherness that the holiday season embodies.
family nearby in our celebrations to creating new traditions while still honoring the old ones, we can strive to ensure that the magic of the holidays remains alive, regardless of life’s changes.
2) Traditions provide a sense of purpose. Dr. Nadia Charguia, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the UNC School of Medicine, believes that when we “lean into things that are familiar and reliable, then anxiety, worry and stress just tend to melt away.”
3) Traditions encourage connection and community.
The magic of the holiday season isn’t limited to just our personal experiences.
1) Traditions help ground us. Dr. Schiller, a UNC Health clinical psychologist, says, “Traditions specifically bring up positive emotions associated with memories from our childhood, past times that were meaningful, or loved ones who are no longer with us.”
The festive season is also a time for giving and reflecting on our societal roles. One way to do this is through meaningful gifts. In the spirit of giving, we also explore the importance of community engagement and service, emphasizing that the holiday season is not just about receiving, but also about giving back to our communities.
However, as life evolves, so do our traditions. Children grow up and start their own families, and our loved ones may no longer be with us. These changes can leave us wondering how to keep our traditions alive and meaningful. We can look to practical tips and inspiring ideas on how to adapt and evolve our family rituals during these transitions. From finding ways to include those who don’t have
Whether it’s through inherited family traditions, unique global cultural customs, community acts of service, religious practices, teaching principles, or just a way to have fun - the spirit of the holidays reminds us of the bonds that connect us. As we navigate through life’s transitions, these traditions serve as a beacon, guiding us toward a sense of belonging and continuity. As we cherish and adapt our holiday customs, we create a legacy of love and joy that will continue to shine brightly for generations to come.
In the end, it’s not so much the tradition itself that needs to be perfectly executed, but the time spent with those we hold dear. As author Tanya Dalton said, “Traditions aren’t about adding more to your busy schedule. They’re about filling your time intentionally.” May the traditions we create and implement today be the memories our loved ones cherish and even pass on in the future. Let’s celebrate our traditions and embrace the joys of the season. l
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Stetson Green decorates a gingerbread house as part of his family’s Christmas tradition. (Photo courtesy of Holly Curby)
Brighton football earns trip to Rice-Eccles Stadium for semifinals
In the midsummer heat of August, the Brighton football team outlined its goals for the season. Those included two goals: regain the Region 6 championship and earn the right to play in the postseason “on the turf” at Rice-Eccles Stadium by being a final-four team.
It was a wet, cold October night to close the regular season in 2023 when Brighton lost the region championship on the West Panthers field. It would have been Brighton’s fourth region championship in a row. The odds of regaining the championship were long given that in August, when the goal was set, Brighton was predicted to take fourth in region behind West, Olympus and East.
Undaunted, the Bengals embarked upon a near perfect season. With 22 seniors on the roster, the team outscored opponents 312 to 82 through the regular season with four shutouts. The only chink in the armor came in a September shutout on Olympus’ home field when the Titans held Brighton sophomore quarterback Rice Palepoi scoreless and Brighton suffered a 13-0 loss. More adversity followed as Palepoi had a season-ending injury and then two games later second-string senior quarterback Alex Degroot is likewise counted out for the season just before the final game of the season the rematch between West and Brighton for the Region 6 championship.
This year, the championship game against undefeated West would be fought on a warm October night in the comfort of Brighton’s Freestone Field. Brighton tapped JV QB sophomore Preston Ferran to step up for the offense. With an injury-riddled offense, head coach Casey Sutera had to put the region championship on the defense. “We knew our defense was going to hold strong, it’s kind of been the strength of our team and we just had to kind of hang tight on that and just trust that they were going to keep getting stops,” Sutera said.
That defensive strategy held the reigning region champion offense scoreless. West’s defense scored the only West points on a first quarter pick-six interception. That was followed by what would become the game saving blocked extra point by Beau LaFleur who played offense, defense and special teams. Brighton moved RB Mason Haertel to the QB position and for the next 32 offense plays, Brighton shunned the pass in favor of Haertel’s strength - running.
“I just did the best I can do. I just tried to go out there and be confident, don’t scare anyone, put the team on my shoulders and keep running the rock,” Haertel said. He broke away late in the second quarter for a 71-yard touchdown sprint. Senior Thomas Sorenson kicked the extra point which was the last score of the game - Brighton hit its region championship goal with a defensive 7-6 win.
By Jerry S. Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com
The “road to Rice-Eccles” was equally fraught with obstacles, adversity and long odds. The Bengals got more time to intgrate their third-string JV quarterback in the first rounds of the 5A state playoffs only to be matched up with nemesis Olympus in the quarterfinals--the final step before the prom-
ise of playing in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The defense strategy that won the West championship game turned out to be ill fated. Haertel was back at QB with 40 scoreless runs. The Titans held a 14-0 lead with a mere eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. It appeared that the sole loss of the 10-1
season wouldn’t be avenged. The Brighton coaching staff made the critical decision to abandon the run game, insert third-string QB Ferran and try an air attack. “We were just trying to beat them up physically the whole game, and then when they got up 14, we were like screw it, let’s go score, so we just came out throwing,” Ferran said.
The motivated Bengals scored 17 unanswered points in the final eight minutes to win the game 17-14. Ferran came alive throwing to Slade Taylor for 46 yards of pass yardage and Sam Storr for 25 pass gains before handing it off to LaFleur for a rushing touchdown for the first Brighton score with 6:27 left in the game. LaFleur moved to defense and helped hold Olympus to a critical three-and-out and out series. Ferran was then given the opportunity to complete the unlikely comeback with a seven-point deficit and four minutes. This time his target was senior wide receiver Cash Gay who fielded three catches for 51 yards. Haertel punched in his 18th touchdown this season to seal the comeback. “That’s a great job by a sophomore quarterback that we put in a position to have to go win the game and do it when they knew we were going to have to throw. Like, that’s a big time effort by him,” Sutera said.
The crowd stunned, the game seemed destined for an overtime conclusion. Yet the football changed possession five more times in the last 3:32 minutes. The climax of the highlight-rich game came with 6.2 seconds left in the game and the Bengals setting up for a 36-yard field goal by Sorenson. He had missed a 32-yard attempt in the first quarter. With the trip to the semifinals at Rice-Eccles on the line, Sorenson kicked a line drive that hit the upright and fell scoreless. However, Olympus was called for an offsides penalty which gave Sorenson another shot--this time from the 31-yard line. “I’m just thinking I got it, I’ve got it now, and so I just go back up there, keep my head down, follow through. I didn’t even see if it went in, just perfectly through and turnover,” Sorenson said.
“Our team this whole year, just resilient, toughness, adversity, like every single time they answer, and I’m just really proud of them. Can’t believe it man. Crazy. Then our Thomas Sorenson drills a kick. He’s been struggling. Drills the kick to win the game. Surreal,” Sutera said.
On Nov. 15, for the first time in 10 years, Brighton was back on the turf of Rice-Eccles Stadium to compete as a 5A final-four team. Brighton fell to Bountiful but not before senior standout Haertel scored his 19th season touchdown and solidified his place as 5A football’s most prolific scorer for 2024. And the team notched 11 wins - the most team wins since the 2004 team 20 years ago. l
Mason Haertel sprints 71 yards for touchdown versus West . (Photo Fortodayphotography David Mayfield)
Miles Jensen fumble recovery at Rice-Eccles Stadium. (Photo Fortodayphotography David Mayfield)
Glacier Hills Elementary’s family night blends fun with learning concepts
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
It may have looked like a game night with 20 small groups doing activities, but there was a goal to Glacier Hills’ recent family night.
“It was our family night where parents learned first-hand about the goals behind the AVID college preparedness system,” Principal Julie Winfree said. “We incorporate WICOR intentionally into everything we do so together with students, so we ran the families through all these activities based on it.”
AVID or the Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a national college readiness program that has been around for more than 40 years. It’s been in Utah for 14 years and in seven school districts.
The program is designed to hold all students to high expectations by using the learning model, WICOR, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading, she said.
“It’s a learning model that engages students so they’re more empowered in their learning,” Winfree said. “The idea is in every lesson we incorporate each part of WICOR; that’s going to help kids hold on to their knowledge better.”
During the evening, each activity intentionally was built around a different focus – such as writing and organization were included when the groups created and presented a poster that included their team name, cheer and symbol, said school achievement coach Jeni Wariner.
“We had groups cheer after they presented their poster; it was super fun,” she said.
Winfree appreciated how the groups worked together as a teams.
“I loved that the parents were a part of it, but they didn’t take over or do any part of it and that a teacher was there just for support,” she said.
Wariner said there were activities for each letter in WICOR. Some were challenging, but fun and engaging.
“With our collaboration activity, we used bandanas. Each person took the corner, and they had an upside-down cup with a ball placed on top. The ball had to stay on the top of the cup as they moved from one side of the gym to the other,” she said.
Another favorite activity was a 10-minute word scramble called, “Word Storm,” fondly referring to Blizzard, the school’s Yeti mascot. It was the reading focus of WICOR.
“We had a bunch of letters, and they had to come up with as many words as they could as a team in a set time limit. Some of them came up with 70 words. It was wild, but everybody had so much fun,” she said.
Winfree said the goal was to get families to understand what AVID is and expose them to WICOR.
“We wanted them to know what WICOR looks like in an AVID classroom,” she said.
The night was organized by Jay Riddell, who oversees AVID throughout Canyons School District. Currently, AVID is in Jordan High, Eastmont and Mt. Jordan middle schools, and Sandy and Glacier Hills elementaries.
Glacier Hills began the AVID program last year.
“We were creating Glacier Hills from two schools – Bell View and Edgemont –and they had very different cultures and different focuses – and as we were figuring out how to bring these two schools together, and where we were to start, this became apparent that it was the answer,” Winfree said. “AVID gave us a new language for both groups to form one community and it pulled in everything that our district already did. It wasn’t something new. It’s a system for organizing it and presenting it in a new way.”
Winfree said with every reading and math lesson, teachers incorporate the WICOR strategies.
“The rigor of AVID is important for these kids. It’s especially important to those bubble kids, those who haven’t had a family member who’s been to college. So one of the things we’re doing is providing every child with a binder for organization. It starts simple in kindergartners, but it builds so by the time they’re going to Eastmont or Mt. Jordan, they know how to organize and can use that skill. We’re also using our collaboration spaces in every lesson, so they’re learning how to talk to each other and how to engage with each other,” she said.
Warner continued: “If we can get them feeling comfortable sharing their ideas and knowing how to have that academic discourse with each other now, that’s going to carry through the middle school and high school. It’s some of these WICOR strategies we’re teaching intentionally so they will be more prepared for academic success.”
That intent is carried into other activities.
As part of the school’s recent college and career week, Glacier Hills held an assembly, and scheduled Asst. Superintendent McKay Robinson and a Jordan High AVID student to talk about college and college readiness, Winfree said.
“Our fifth graders will go on a field trip to go see one of Utah’s universities this spring, it’s part of our initiative. We’ve also started getting parents to talk about college and had a parent night to talk about college scholarships and Utah’s 529 savings plan,” she said.
Winfree said teachers are excited about AVID; it’s a total commitment by the staff.
“An awesome piece is we get to take teachers to a training, which isn’t common at the elementary level,” she said. “We’ve taken a cohort each year and this coming summer will be the rest of our staff of 90. It’s fun, because it’s a good bonding opportunity, but also it has a leadership aspect. Each teacher attended a different session so afterward, they shared what they learned with other faculty and became the ‘expert’ for that on our staff. That empowered our teachers and helped our whole faculty be able to incorporate those AVID strategies.”
Winfree said when she introduced AVID to the Glacier Hills faculty, a few members balked, resisting implementing the new approach; after training, they fully believed this would improve their instruction for students.
“By the time they had those two critical days of training, they could tell you what AVID strategy they were working on, and how they were going to implement WICOR in their lessons. We had planning time there, which was helpful, so they worked on ‘how I’m trying this,’ and talked to others about what worked. We’ve been able to reach back to the instructors and they get back to us immediately with resources and ideas. It’s been a supportive community focused on student learning. Our kids are benefiting from AVID with more intentional instruction.”
Winfree said because of the success of Canyons’ five AVID schools, the school district is talking about incorporating some AVID strategies districtwide. She is planning on hosting additional family nights.
“The goal was to get families to understand what AVID is and expose them to WICOR so parents better understand it,” Winfree said about the 150 community members who participated at the event. “It was a successful night, seeing some of the students lead out the activities, teaching their parents these strategies. I loved it. It was amazing.” l
During Glacier Hills’ AVID night, families work together to complete different activities. (Julie Winfree/ Glacier Hills)
Public comment period open on UDOT’s Big Cottonwood traffic mitigation proposal
By Genevieve Vahl | g.vahl@mycityjournals.com
From Nov. 13 to Dec. 13, there is a public comment period open for the Big Cottonwood Canyon SR-190, Fort Union to Brighton UDOT proposal creating tolling and enhanced bus service to address wintertime traffic congestion. While concurrently conducting an environmental study to evaluate the impact of said proposal.
“UDOT is asking for public input on the preliminary purpose and need of the project, observations or concerns associated with existing traffic conditions, and the community and natural environment resources that should be evaluated in the study,” the Study Overview reads.
The environmental study will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requiring that federal agencies assess the environmental impact of their proposed action. Big Cottonwood Canyon’s traffic mitigation proposal and environmental study comes just a year after Little Cottonwood Canyon’s synonymous project started facing lawsuits for the dramatic oversight in the environmental impacts spelled out in the study versus the community’s accountability of what the proposal could actually do to the landscape, surrounding environments and what the community actually wants.
To begin traffic mitigation up Big Cottonwood Canyon, specifically during the peak winter months, the Utah Department of Transportation is proposing a five-pronged approach: creating a mobility hub, enhancing bus service, improving existing bus stops, building resort bus depot stops and introducing tolling. UDOT is conducting the environmental study to evaluate the impact of these proposed facets.
The mobility hub will sit at the base of the gravel pit on Wasatch Boulevard. Eleven acres from the mine will become a centralized lot and parking structure.
“The study is looking at building a mobility hub which is a central location where riders can transfer from their personal vehicles to an enhanced bus service,” their Study Overview said.
A large problem with the current situation is that people already have to drive out of their way most of the time to get to the park and rides, and when they do get there, they run the risk of there being no parking spots available. Or the bus ghosts them because it is full. These were the most common problems heard at the public comment meeting held in person at Butler Elementary School in Cottonwood Heights on Nov. 13.
UDOT says their enhanced bus service would provide buses from the mobility hub every 5-10 minutes during peak winter months. While improving road conditions and existing mid-canyon bus stops for improved bus operations at Cardiff Fork, Spruces and Silver Fork trailheads. With hopes to better ADA accessibility at those stops. The resort bus stops proposed would be 5,000- to 7,000-square-foot enclosed waiting areas at Brighton and Solitude.
The tolling booths will be erected just before Solitude Entry 1 in order. According to officials with UDOT at the in-person public comment meeting, they recognize they do not want toll more public facing trailheads when “90% of eastbound traffic traveled to Solitude Entry 1 or above,” UDOT’s Study Overview material states. Not tolling the more general public for
hiking or other recreation. Targeting the tolling at those using the canyon the most in the winter: resort goers. The toll would be fluctuating and not all the time, depending on the demand.
The environmental study will evaluate the impact these proposed facets will have on the canyon and surrounding areas and watersheds. With over three million visitors a year to the Cottonwood Canyons, the projected population growth and tourism Utah is experiencing projects that travel times by 2050, with no action taken, will increase from 30 minutes downhill in the afternoon to over 49 minutes. In the mornings in 2050 with no action, they are projecting the morning queue length to reach 8,000 feet from the entrance of Big Cottonwood Canyon down Wasatch Boulevard essentially back to the highway. Increasing from 7,225 vehicles per day to 8,750. The road can only handle 1,0001,200 vehicles per hour per direction, which are markers already often reached at current peakhour traffic volumes, according to UDOT’s Study Overview.
One public comment left anonymously on a sticky note proposed running a road that is dedicated to buses from the mobility hub straight to the mouth of the canyon along the eastern edge of Wasatch Boulevard, buses never having to enter and exit on that main road. Another suggested having electric signs at the mobility hub like at the TRAX and FrontRunner stations, counting down the time for the next departure.
This project is a product of the Utah State Legislature Senate Bill 2 in 2023 that “directs UDOT to use certain legislature-allocated funds to provide enhanced bus service, tolling, a mo-
bility hub, and resort bus stops for Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.”
According to officials of the consulting team working with UDOT, the project is at least three years out. Currently, the project is in the scoping phase through the winter of 2024 finalizing the study’s purpose and need, the proposed tolling and transit concept with hearings and public comment period concurrently. The next phase, the Environmental Study, will go from winter 2024 to fall 2025 where action alternatives will be refined and analyzing the environmental impact. They will prepare the environmental document during this time with public hearings as well as another public comment period. The final decision to come winter 2025 will respond to public comments and revise the environmental analysis to issue a decision document. Then will begin the building of the infrastructure, if all goes well, of all said proposed factors of the five pronged approach.
This all to hopefully curb single passenger vehicle numbers up the canyon and to promote carpooling and public transportation use to mitigate the increasingly problematic traffic up Big Cottonwood Canyon during peak winter months.
Whether you think these methods are suitable to the needs of the Wasatch Front, or you have your own ideas to add, expound on, critique of these proposals, leave a public comment. How you as the community sees this project, its benefits and shortcomings. Identify issues and environmental oversights to the study and proposal and submit feedback so UDOT can make community informed decisions. Public comments are the way for the community to have a say in how our infrastructure serves us. The comment period is open until Dec. 13. Leave your comment at udotinput.utah.gov/bccstudy. l
Phases of the environmental study laid out by UDOT. (Genevieve Vahl/City Journals)
Overlooking the gravel pit at the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon where the proposed mobility hub will take up 11 acres with a parking lot and structure for people to transfer from personal vehicle to the enhanced bus service up and down the canyon. (Genevieve Vahl/City Journals)
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To the moon and back: Glacier Hills awarded sapling that traveled to outer space
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
In 1990, a Douglas fir seed was collected from the Siuslaw National Forest in Oregon’s coastal mountain range.
Little did it know that it would travel to the moon and back and be planted as a sapling at Glacier Hills Elementary in Sandy.
“It was part of the return of NASA’s moon trees program,” said Aurielle Jennings, Glacier Hills’ STEM teacher. “They brought the program back in 2022 and that’s when this tree’s seed was sent to space. NASA is doing this to encourage space exploration and to encourage teaching about space in the STEM activities.”
Glacier Hills was selected as a recipient of one of 2,000 seeds from five variety of trees based on the application Jennings filed in September 2023 after she learned about the opportunity from school Playworks coach, Kristen Goaslind.
“I created a proposal explaining why we should be selected, what we can do and how we will help the community learn about it, and band our community together to take care of this one tree,” she said. “It took multiple months to get all the information we needed for the moon tree and how we will take care of it and get everyone involved in planning for it.”
The tree arrived in a black plastic tube with its roots planted in soil.
“Our amazing custodian Stephanie Faddis took care of it, making sure she followed all the directions in a booklet that was sent with it. She prepared it for the kids to plant it and then, the kids worked with the district arborist to plant it,” Jennings said.
About a dozen students who had already turned in paperwork for the school’s upcoming science fair were asked to help plant the tree on Oct. 28. A plaque identifying the tree and its 270,000-mile flight from Earth on the Orion spacecraft was placed near the sapling.
But those students won’t be the only ones who will take care of the moon tree.
“I plan on encouraging all the kids to observe it. I plan to have students measure the tree’s height and width on a regular basis, so we can measure its growth. I want them to
track how much water it gets and make some observations about it. We’re having a contest to name the tree so our kids are going to get to vote to decide on its name,” she said, adding she plans to keep a scrapbook about the tree.
She already shared with students the background about the Moon tree program, started when NASA astronaut Stuart Roosa, the command module pilot for the Apollo 14 mission and a former U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services smoke jumper, carried tree seeds into lunar orbit in 1971.
Those Apollo 14 Moon Trees were germinated and grown into seedlings under the watch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services and eventually disseminated around the world, with a large number distributed as part of the nation’s bicentennial.
Utah received two seedlings — one which was planted by the state capitol, which was uprooted during the 1999 tornado and a second planted in Lone Peak Conservation Center, which Jennings said is infected.
“I talked to them how it’s important for
four weeks in space before returning to Earth.
“They went to lots of different schools and educational facilities,” Jennings said since NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services to fly them aboard Artemis I as part of a national STEM engagement and conservation education initiative. “I had to prove we were a school and we would be a good moon tree custodian. Our school is in the middle of our community, and we share with them what’s going on and encourage that bonding with our neighbors.”
By being stewards to the tree, students learn STEM is more than computers and technology, she said.
us to continue the moon tree legacy,” she said.
These “new generation” of Moon Tree seeds traveled into lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft. The 1,000 seeds spent about
“A lot of kids are like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to do STEM’ because they only picture certain things with STEM,” Jennings said. “They don’t picture working with trees. I have kids who want to work with space, but they don’t want to be an astronaut, so this is a good way for me to show the kids that you don’t have to be an astronaut to work with space. You can work with trees and still work with space. Our moon tree allows our students to make observations and learn from it, which may motivate them to do more in STEM.” l
Glacier Hills students helped to plant the “moon tree” on their school grounds.
(Aurielle Jennings/Glacier Hills)
Glacier Hills students will become stewards to a Douglas fir that traveled 270,000 miles from Earth. (Aurielle Jennings/Glacier Hills)
Navigating Grief and the Holidays
By Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW
The holiday season is nearly upon us. This is the time of year when grieving people often feel dread and sorrow about the very events and traditions that formerly brought happiness.
As every grieving person handles loss in their own way, each one of us observes holidays in our own way in time of bereavement. There simply is no one right way to experience the holidays. Some nd meaning in following cherished traditions, and others bene t from avoiding traditions because their associations are now tinged with loss. Some people nd great comfort in being with other people, others prefer solitude to camaraderie. For all of us, how we gather is as important as gathering at all.
Plan ahead for the holidays: The rst step in planning is to listen to yourself….what will help you most at this time? You may have strong memories and powerful feelings. Accept this as normal, but prepare for it. Anticipate the pleasures and the stresses of events, and select those you want to participate in. If you expect to be lonely, arrange supportive companionship. If you can’t bear the thought of connecting with the entire extended family, let the family know of your needs. Be creative and accept support by using distance technology.
Accommodate your plans to your new limits: Most grieving people have signi cantly lowered physical stamina and emotional reserve. Perhaps you can’t get every decoration out this year. Accept these limits as temporary, and good enough for this year. Choose to put your energy into the things that matter most to you.
Accept that the holidays will be di erent this year: The holidays are often lled with unrealistic expectations that may overwhelm you. You may need to revisit your goals and nd a balance between continuity and change. Many people nd a special comfort in establishing a new holiday tradition that honors the memory of the person who died.
Recognize that other family members or friends may have struggles, too: Look for opportunities to discuss your feelings and wishes with others who may also be grieving for your family member. Try to respect their choices, if they are di erent from yours. You all may need to make compromises.
If the holidays have always been hard for you: Use this transition in your life to try something completely new…an untraditional-tradition. Perhaps you have never taken the occasion create a new experience on your own. As challenging as loss can be, it can bring momentum to grow and to try something new.
For all of us, whether the holidays are a time of personal signi cance or not, it can be a season in which we re ect on what we do cherish as we journey through grief.
Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW is an Associate Professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing and the Director of Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program. Caring Connections is a not-for-pro t program that o ers clinician-facilitated grief support groups in Utah.
Congratulations to our November Members of the Month: Keyara Costa, Cesar Palermo Andrade & Aolani Rodriguez! Keyara is 10 years old: she wants to become a veterinarian when she grows up, she has been attending the Sandy Club for 4 months, & in that time she has learned how to learn as a team. Cesar is 9 years old: he wants to become a chef, he has been attending for 2 years, & in that time he has learned how to have fun. Aolani is 6 years old: she wants to become a doctor, she has been attending for 2 years, & in that time, she has learned how to be nice.
Congratulations once again, we are so proud of you all!
Comcast’s initiatives have a broad impact across Utah
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Comcast has contributed more than $5.2 million in cash and in-kind contributions to nearly 100 nonprofit partners in Utah, over the last three years. Organizations like Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, the Alpine School District Foundation, Neighborhood House and United Way have all benefited from Comcast’s giving initiatives.
Project Up is a $1 billion program dedicated to closing the digital divide while connecting more people to the internet and creating opportunities for the next generation. Project UP supports nonprofit organizations that offer digital skills training, helping learners of all ages and skill levels to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
“With the support of Comcast, youth in our programs were able to get hands-on experience with advanced computers, guided exposure to the internet and new technologies, and about 3D modeling and other lessons that introduce youth to technology uses in many careers,” said Haylee Mathews, Boys & Girls Clubs of Salt Lake STEM Director. “The surprise of the 280 laptop computers to club members has been great for our youth to use as they learn about a variety of technology-related fields. Comcast has helped foster a culture and desire among our youth to learn more and pursue technology-related fields.”
Along with empowering communities, Comcast is helping to build a more equitable workforce by providing tech training and mentorship to underserved communities. Through partnerships with organizations like Per Scholas and CodePath, more people are mastering digital literacy.
Comcast also created more than 1,250 Lift Zones across the country, offering free WiFi access in community centers and recreation facilities. With nearly 40 Lift Zones in Utah, underserved families and neighborhoods can participate in accessing digital opportunities. Additionally, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program provides in-home broadband access for qualifying households.
Lily is an immigrant from Taiwan, assisted by the United Way of Utah County, one of Comcast’s partners. Adjusting to life in America has been challenging particularly when it comes to understanding technology. As an older woman, she said the learning curve was steep and she often felt overwhelmed in class.
“Then, during one of our sessions, I entered an old address from my childhood in Taiwan,” Lily said. “As the screen displayed the familiar streets and landmarks of my youth, tears welled up in my eyes. It had been so
long since I had seen the place where I spent my carefree days playing. It was a deeply moving experience, allowing technology to transport me back in time and mend a piece of my heart.”
Comcast’s corporate giving plays a crucial role in helping local nonprofits fulfill their missions. It also invests in future entrepreneurs through Comcast RISE, supporting the growth of 13,500 small businesses by providing monetary, marketing and technology grants to help entrepreneurs on their road to success.
By collaborating with community partners, Comcast has fostered digital literacy and work readiness skills, giving people across Utah access to the tools they need to navigate a digital world.
“Neighborhood House families live in areas that are digital deserts and many of our families do not have access to computers for their children,” said Neighborhood House Executive Director Jennifer Nuttall. “In this age of technology, that puts our school-age kids at a disadvantage, but Comcast has stepped in to provide laptops and connectivity, ensuring that all kids have the technology they need to succeed in school and beyond. This has been enormously impactful.”
Comcast is committed to addressing the digital di -
vide with forward-thinking programs and technology. It aims to continue building Utah’s tech landscape through valuable partnerships, initiatives and digital support.
“Our commitment at Comcast to bridging the digital divide is evident through forward-thinking programs and innovative technology that empower communities across Utah,” said Deneiva Knight, External Affairs Director, Comcast Mountain West Region. “By partnering with nearly 100 nonprofit organizations and contributing over $5.2 million in cash and in-kind support over the past three years, we are dedicated to nurturing Utah’s tech ecosystem.
“Through initiatives like Project UP, a $1 billion program designed to connect more people to the internet and equip them with essential digital skills, we are laying the groundwork for a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age.”
For more information, visit Corporate.comcast.com. l
Comcast supports nonprofits in the state including Neighborhood House, United Way and the Boys & Girls Clubs. Photo courtesy of Comcast
PANDAN WAFFLE when you mention the Millcreek Journal!
Angels from the realms of glory (better have their papers)
Near the twinkling Christmas trees, pine-scented candles and brightly-wrapped packages, most homes in Utah display a Nativity scene. It might be made with Star Wars characters or garden gnomes, but it usually includes wise men, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and an angel hovering near Baby Jesus. If you have children, the crèche could also include stuffed dinosaurs and a Barbie.
It’s a peaceful tribute to the beginning of Jesus’s mission, right before the dastardly King Herod (threatened by the prophesied birth of a new king) proclaimed that every male child under 2 must be put to death. (I’ll bet he was a blast at holiday parties.)
Being warned by an angel, Mary and Joseph fled with toddler Jesus to Egypt where they lived for several years.
But what if the story had been different? What if the Holy Family arrived on Egypt’s border, where someone had built a big wall? What if the Egyptian border czar said, “Nah. We don’t like refugees. They ruin our economy. Go back where you came from.”?
The New Testament would be a lot shorter.
Utah has more than 300,000 refugees and immigrants living in the state; almost 9% of the population. Maybe we could
Peri Kinder
Life and Laughter
consider this percentage of immigrants a tithe offering where we dedicate ourselves to treating them with love and respect, and not actively try to evict them from the inn.
Refugees are survivors of wars, often fleeing for their lives, leaving everything behind, exactly like Jesus’s family. Immigrants want safety for their families and dream of American opportunities. Didn’t we learn in church we’re all children of God? Maybe I misunderstood.
Utah is a shining example of how to assist these populations. There are programs to help refugees get jobs, learn English, finish school and raise their families. Many immigrants own businesses, pay taxes and contribute to our healthy economy.
But a large faction of the United States agrees mass deportation is a great idea. We can have a country without immigrants or we can have a strong economy. We can’t have both.
Unfortunately, brotherly love doesn’t fit today’s immigration narrative which is that refugees are ruining the country. Words like “diversity” and “inclusion” have become MAGA kryptonite. Have we forgotten Jesus taught that loving each other was one of the greatest commandments? Was there a disclaimer I missed that excluded people who weren’t born in America?
If Jesus was here, he’d be flipping tables and fashioning cords into a whip. He would call us hypocrites for not showing compassion to those who are suffering. Instead, we offer harsh judgment, condemnation and close our communities to shelters. Who are we?
There’s a story of a family who was very hungry. The grandmother took a big cooking pot into the front yard, placed it over a fire, filled it with water and plunked a stone into the pot.
Neighbors asked what she was making. “Stone soup,” she replied. Soon, everyone wanted to add something to the soup. One person brought carrots, another brought chicken. Someone added pasta. Yet another brought spices and salt. In no time at all, they had a big pot of soup to share.
In many ways, society is breaking. Rules and common sense seem arbitrary.
People want to pick ingredients out of this huge melting pot of America, this pot of soup, as it were, and toss them away. Immigrants add flavor to our communities. They add variety and culture and spice. If you take out all the ingredients, you’re left with a pot of hot water and a heart of stone. l
