Bingham cheerleaders bring home the school’s first state title in that sport
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
After a silver medal last year, cheer claimed gold while the drill team earned runner up.
It didn’t come without a hiccup. The Miners finished second in their dance routine that accounted for about 30% of the overall score. But, Bingham bounced back in the cheer and show categories, taking first place in both to win the All-Girl 6A state title, their first ever as a program.
“The excitement was wild after show was announced,” said head coach Amber Thomas. “The athletes were trembling with excitement and happiness. It was pure joy.”
Only a sanctioned sport in Utah since 2023, the Miners fell short the past two years in competitive cheer, finishing second last year.
But, a masterful showing at the National Championships in February last year that resulted in a national title at Walt Disney World Orlando had folks around South Jordan thinking this Miners cheer team might have what it takes to defeat Corner Canyon, the rival that won both 6A state titles in 2023 and 2024.
“That was the first 6A championship for Bingham since the sanctioning of cheer. We were so grateful to be able to represent the 6A all girl teams,” Thomas said. “We had a lot of community support and authentic love from the other 6A teams.”
The Bingham Miners cheerleaders hoist the school’s first ever state title in the sport. (Matthew
Ladies Take the Lead with Experience, Passion and Purpose at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals
“Ido this work for my father, for families like ours, and ultimately, for the glory of God,” said Martha Boutsikakis Gamble, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Holy Cross Hospital - West Valley and registered nurse for over 20 years.
For many, a career in healthcare is more of a calling - a decision made that was shaped by past experiences with loved ones, or even personal health scares of their own. This type of desire to care for others and passion to pursue a career in healthcare rings especially true for the ladies who are taking the lead at our CommonSpirit Health Holy Cross Hospitals in West Jordan and West Valley City.
Martha was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents from Crete, Greece. While her parents spoke conversational English, her role as the eldest child often involved translating for them in settings where language wasn’t necessarily the barrier but rather, cultural understanding wasthis included translating at her dad’s appointments with his dietitian.
“When I was only about 11 or 12 years old, my father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes,” said Martha. “It quickly became clear during his appointments that the meal recommendations we were receiving didn’t align with the food we grew up eating, nor did they consider the cultural context of our meals.”
In an attempt to adapt to the dietitian’s recommendations, the meals Martha and her family ate were repetitive… for nearly a decade.
“These early experiences fostered in me a calling—not only to serve but to advocate for
communities like mine, where language and culture can create unseen barriers to quality healthcare,” said Martha.
For Christine McSweeney, President of Holy Cross Hospitals - Jordan Valley and West Valley, her path to healthcare leadership began as a passion to explore the science behind nutrition and how to properly fuel our bodies.
“I’m a science nerd at heart,” said Christine. “I get excited about seeing people and myself thrive and improve through proper nutrition and care”
Christine’s career began at Banner Health in Arizona where she was a clinical dietitian. Over the course of 20 years, Christine climbed the ranks to eventually serve as Chief Operating Officer of a large academic center in downtown Phoenix before she joined the CommonSpirit Health leadership team five years ago, stepping into her current President role in 2023.
“My experience here in Utah has been like no other. It is full of neighbors helping neighbors, strong family values, amazing outdoor beauty and a true haven for healthy lifestyles. This way of living and thinking really brings me back to my roots as a dietitian” said Christine. “In addition, it certainly doesn’t hurt that the people we have working for CommonSpirit in the Greater Salt Lake market are loyal, dedicated and lean into our mission with their values first!”
Katie Flores, CNO at Holy Cross HospitalMountain Point and Interim CNO at Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley, kicked off her healthcare
career in 2001 as a registered nurse - initially caring for patients at the bedside in Med/Surg and in the Emergency Department.
Over the years, Katie transitioned into leadership roles and has been serving as CNO for the last 10 years. A passionate caregiver, Katie’s background actually started with a dream to work in broadcast media… but that quickly changed.
“I realized early on that broadcast wasn’t the right fit for me - I felt a lack of connection and fulfillment so I pursued a career that would allow me to make a meaningful impact on others,” said Katie. “After going through some personal life experiences that led me to seek healthcare myself, I decided to make a change. I went back to school to pursue a career in healthcare—one that I could feel passionate about every day and truly connect with on a deeper level.”
Though different backgrounds and experiences fuel this leadership team’s passion to do what they do every day, Christine shared that the common thread between them all is, “This team of women lead with strength, confidence, curiosity, determination and heart…. it is present in everything we do and apparent in the quality of care our hospitals provide. I cannot wait to see all we continue to accomplish, together.”
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Learn more about the services, care providers and missiondriven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
To get there, however, the Miners had to first finish in the top four at the 2025 Northern Divisionals. They competed with five other 6A schools on Jan. 11 and captured first in all the events. Bingham won the Sideline /Timeout Dance category, defeating Davis and Herriman. In Sideline/Timeout Cheer, they also took first, defeating Davis and Farmington.
The Miners cheerleaders then made it a clean sweep in the Show category, taking home first place over Davis and Herriman.
For their efforts at the Northern Divisionals, the Miners were able to take home a banner that is only handed out to the firstplace winners of that competition.
For Coach Thomas, she was appreciative of the South Jordan community for their support not only at State, but also to help her girls get to the National Championships in Orlando earlier this year.
“Everyone came together to congratulate the Bingham athletes. We cannot thank the Bingham community enough for their love and support,” said Coach Thomas. “State is definitely the most stressful competition of the season.
The stakes are high, and it really means a lot to the athletes, their families, and the school. They were the magic that we needed that night. Miner Magic was alive in the arena that night!”
For the Bingham Minerettes, competing in drill team is just part of the battle even when you fall short of a title.
“What a special State day!!! We truly put everything we had out there and felt so much love!! We wanted to fill the arena with our energy, fight, passion and pride … We are insanely proud of what we did and how we did it,” said Bingham head coach Erica Cox in part.
Showing character and having great sportsmanship in the face of adversity is a part of the program at Bingham if you’re fortunate enough to be selected for the Minerettes drill team that has won just about every trophy imaginable—including four straight state titles from 2020 to 2023.
“Congrats to every single drill team on their season this year!!” Cox said. “We are very grateful to be finishing in the top 2 of the talented 6A division!!”
Many of the coaches of the schools that the Minerettes just competed against responded—including the team Bingham just lost to, the Farmington Nixerelles. “Congratulations, your team is always fire,” the Farmington head coach said.
Coaches from Davis and Herriman High also responded to Cox, offering their congratulations for a job well done at state and throughout the season. “Congratulations, your teams are always amazing,” the Davis High coach said.
“Congratulations! What an incredible season,” added Thomas. l
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Drill team finishes runner up for state title
The 2024-25 Bingham Miners cheerleaders. (Matthew A. Smith/heycameraguy.com)
Continued from front page
Break the silence during Self-Injury Awareness Month
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
I
n March, the observance of Self-Injury Awareness Month offers compassion and understanding to the reality of nonsuicidal self-harm. By breaking the silence and challenging stigmas, open conversations can encourage those struggling with mental health issues to reach out for help.
Kristie Lemmon founded the DBT. Network of Utah (9289 S. Redwood Road), using Dialectical Behavior Therapy to help people manage strong emotions. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner with more than 25 years of experience working with clients, Lemmon is dedicated to creating a more empathetic world so those suffering can find a path to healing.
“They self-harm because they’re in pain and it’s a way that they manage their pain,” she said. “They don’t have the skills to manage the emotional pain that they’re feeling and oftentimes they’ll do that because it helps to manage the pain physiologically. Dialectical behavior therapy is effective in helping to reduce self-injury in adults and in adolescents. We see it as a symptom of the problem, not the problem.”
Lemmon said the biggest misconception about self-injury is that it’s an attention-seeking tool. For some people who hurt themselves deliberately, it can offer temporary relief from mental agony. Others might use the practice as punishment for themselves or to prove they can tolerate physical pain.
Nonsuicidal self-injury includes cutting, burning, hitting, scratching or rubbing that leaves tissue damage to the body. It can be hard to diagnose because the person engaging in self-harm often keeps it a secret from those
around them.
Prolonged self-injury can lead to disfigurement, scarring, infection and a mental health decline. While nonsuicidal self-harm isn’t intended to die by suicide, the risk of suicide increases with longterm self-injury.
“Our goal is to figure out the reason why, see where the skill’s deficit is and to help clients learn better skills to manage the stress and manage emotions and to communicate more effectively their pain,”
Lemmon said. “They just don’t know another way to cope and it can become almost addictive in nature because of the cycle of the endorphins that get released when they self-harm.”
Treatment at the DBT Network of Utah consists of individual therapy and skills classes as people learn to manage distress in ways that do not
incur bodily harm. Lemmon encourages family members not to shame their loved ones inflicting self-harm and not to be judgmental about it.
By getting people into therapy, healing can begin. Learning new behaviors, identifying triggers and building safe and trusted relationships can bring a focus on the selfharm’s root cause. While self-injury is typically seen in adults and teens, Lemmon is beginning to see patients in elementary school.
“Treatment is possible, and [self-harm] is something that people can stop doing,” she said. “I think sometimes people feel like they’re in a really vicious cycle with it and they start to feel hopeless, but it’s not hopeless.”
NeuroHealth in South Jordan (10437 S. Temple Drive, Suite 200) offers a different
type of treatment to help those struggling with mental health issues. Clinic Manager Sophia Martial said coordinators at NeuroHealth are available to discuss options and treatments provided including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
“Self-harm is often used as a coping mechanism to try and alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety,” Martial said. “Struggling with selfharm can be an extremely isolating experience. If you are struggling with self-injury, you are not alone and there are people available to help you. Reach out to trusted family and friends for support.”
Visit DBTNetwork of Utah.net or NeuroHealthUtah. com for more information about treatment for self-injury.
Planning
She takes pride in serving her clients and providing them a pleasant present and a peaceful future. Rebekah’s fun personality and commitment to her clients, make an often dreary experience “a-heck-of-a-lot-of-fun”!
By drawing attention to self-harm during Self-Injury Awareness Month, practitioners encourage people to reach out for help and learn new coping skills to create a better life. (Canva Stock)
Learning Chinese: A celebration of culture, community and connection
Jordan School District students embrace Chinese New Year traditions and build community as they learn Chinese and culture.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Herriman High senior Bonnie Chow was born in Hong Kong, but she grew up participating in Jordan School District’s Chinese dual immersion language program.
“Schools here have so much freedom,” she said. “Back in Hong Kong, students work until 11 p.m. and we start in the morning around 7. It’s all about studying, with no fairs or fun events like here.”
Chow was referring to the school district’s 4th annual Chinese New Year Celebration, held at Mountain Creek Middle School. The event was not only for students in the DLI program but also welcomed the community.
Chow and Herriman High junior Lizzy Thorup hosted a booth showcasing various New Year traditions.
The celebration featured around 45 booths created by secondary students from both Herriman and Bingham high schools and Mountain Creek Middle School. These booths allowed patrons to learn about traditional customs, while teachers emphasized the projects helped students dive deeper into these practices in preparation for the Chinese Advanced Placement exam.
“We created a cultural presentation about the custom of giving red envelopes with money inside for children, having spring couplets put around the door, the new year house-cleaning tradition,” Thorup said.
However, Chow admitted she didn’t take part in the cleaning custom.
“I’m too lazy,” she said.
Eastlake fifth-grade DLI student Sawyer Christensen was at a booth trying the Chinese yo-yos.
“I like learning a new language and culture,” he said. “It’s fun to celebrate the traditions of Chinese New Year. My favorite is making lanterns; I made them in third and fourth grades.”
Eastlake librarian Piper Wise, who has supported the DLI program since her child participated, noted the unique opportunities the program offers.
“Without it, I would never have known so much about another culture; it brings us together as a community,” Wise explained. “It’s amazing to see teachers from different schools collaborate to make these celebrations happen. In the past, high school and elementary teachers didn’t interact much, but now they do, and that connection is so valuable.”
Herriman High Chinese teacher Kimberly Chen-Pace said the event also serves as an inspiration for younger students while showcasing the achievements of older students.
“We aim to show the beauty of Chinese language and the culture,” she said. “We do this so people can see the whole picture of the Chinese dual language program from first grade all the way to 12th grade and then even beyond in college. It’s a chance to see how much progress our students have made and celebrate their hard work.”
The event attracted about 1,200 attendees who explored the booths, sampled the cuisine from food trucks and enjoyed student performances, including dragon and lion dances, ribbon dance, songs and an award-winning short film created by Herriman High students.
Mountain Creek Middle Chinese teacher Michael Lu expressed pride in both the booth presentations and stage performances.
“Our students have worked hard for years, and they did an amazing job here,” Lu said. “It’s great that so many students get a chance to shine on stage.”
Lu credited the support of families, administration and the community for the event’s and program’s success.
“It’s great to have this party for the community to celebrate not only just Chinese New Year, but also to recognize our students’ success and celebrate our program,” said the native of China. “It’s a way we can offer all students and the community an authentic Chinese New Year celebration.”
Jordan District Superintendent Anthony Godfrey emphasized the value of cultural understanding.
“With our dual language immersion students, it’s not only about the language, but also about culture,” he said. “When you learn another language and you learn about another culture, at the root of that is an emphasis on empathy, on understanding things from someone else’s perspective. Empathy is a key element of who we are as human beings, and learning that as a student while you explore other cultures in another language really helps you examine yourself, your own culture and your own language in ways that would not otherwise be possible. We’re thrilled about the dual language immersion programs we have in Jordan and the incredible opportunities they provide for students. These festivals are part of that, and it helps their Chinese.”
Then, he added, with a smile: “My Chinese is very, very limited, but my enthusiasm for students learning Chinese is very high.”l
Herriman High senior Bonnie Chow and junior Lizzy Thorup took part in the Jordan School District Chinese New Year celebration. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Dances, songs, crafts and other activities were shared during Jordan School District’s Chinese New Year celebration. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Building a Strong Adoption Bond with Dogtopia’s ‘You Can Adopt’ Initiative
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Dogtopia is more than just a doggy daycare and spa, it’s a community of dog lovers.
Holladay resident Jane Dower wasn’t sure if she would be able to adopt a dog, but after three visits to Dogtopia decided to take her new furry friend Moana home with her.
All in all, said Myhriah Young, Dogtopia’s area marketing manager for all Utah locations, Dogtopia is happy to help in any way it can with the smooth transition for both adopted pets and owners to get to know each other, which she said means that making sure “it’s going to be a right fit” for both the animal and owner is essential. That’s why they’re partnering with local shelters in March to help with adoption.
Dower has had Moana for nearly three months now which Dogtopia refers to as the 3-3-3 method to give dogs the “best start” with their new families: three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the routine and three months to feel at home.
3 DAYS TO DECOMPRESS
The first three days allow the newly adopted pet to get to know their new home and family. Introducing them slowly
to different parts of the house and family members can aid in a smooth transition.
3
WEEKS TO LEARN ROUTINE
Whatever the new routine is, school, work or whatever it may look like, will be learned in the first three weeks after adoption.
Young said while the routine might not be perfect, “the more predictable, the better.”
“Whether you use the name they had before, or you decide on a new name, using that name can be a very excellent bonding experience,” she said.
“You're giving them a new name, a new identity and it just allows them to understand that they're yours.”
She said this is when their personality starts to come out as they feel more comfortable, even leading to “not-so-great behaviors.” Young suggests using a doggy daycare facility to help with this transition if that’s the case. This continues into the first three months.
3 MONTHS TO FEEL AT HOME
Three months in and owners start to learn quirks and preferences from their adopted friend. Since dogs are pack animals, they also start to feel more comfortable when they realize that you as the owner can protect them.
“They learn about you, which is a big deal,” she said. “It starts to build, you know, trust, even silly things like they can sleep on their back.”
“The whole reason we're doing this is we really just want people to feel like they can adopt,” Young said. “We need to remember just like in raising kids, it's the same with dogs, especially adopted dogs. It takes a village and these dogs need a home, and they need a place. Not only did [Jane] adopt an amazing dog who is now part of her life, she opened up a space for another dog to be adopted.”
When you need emergency care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. You never know the level of care you’ll need when an emergency happens and choosing the right ER can make all the difference. And a hospital ER comes with the confidence of additional services right on-site.
Find emergency care close to you at mountain.commonspirit.org.
Aspen fifth-graders swap parties for service in heartfelt Valentine’s Day project
Aspen Elementary students spread love by packing 200 meals for Road Home shelter.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Dozens of Aspen Elementary fifth-grade students were relieved when school wasn’t canceled because of the forecasted Valentine’s Day storm. Despite their grade opting out of classroom Valentine’s Day parties, they were eager to be in school.
“We wanted to help give people who don’t have food a meal,” said fifth-grader Meika Phung. “It’s Valentine’s Day; we wanted to show kindness and give people a lunch and some snacks.”
Meika brought individually wrapped Nutter Butters, Oreos and other snacks. Other students contributed Ramen cups, muffins, apples, juice and more.
The 116 fifth graders lined up behind five tables full of food and packed 200 sack lunches for The Road Home family shelter. All the donations came from the students’ families.
Fifth-grade teacher Rachel Nevin appreciated the opportunity for her students to serve others.
“Many of them are privileged and have their basic needs met, so they’re learning the kids we’re helping might not know what they’ll eat that night,” she said.
Both students and parents were excited to support the project.
“These kids are showing love through giving to the community instead of buying treats for a party and they’re
Leaders
in
the
excited to do that,” said fifth-grade teacher Mikayla Miller.
Given the positive response, Miller said the fifth-grade team may organize more service projects in the future.
“Our kids are really eager to do more, and it’s good we’re instilling the idea of helping others and doing more, not just doing for ourselves; it gives them something to think about within their hearts today,” she said.
The idea to forgo classroom parties in favor of service came from parent Mindy Bush.
“I hope they learn to help, serve and be kind to everyone,” she said. “Some kids don’t have much opportunity to serve and giving back changes something in your heart—it feels good to help others.”
Through the years, Bush has rolled out service projects in all five of her kids’ classrooms on Valentine’s Day at both Aspen and Bastian elementaries. These projects have ranged from making fleece heart-shaped pillow kits for Primary Children’s Hospital patients to Valentine’s Day cards for seniors.
This is the second time she has organized bagged meals for The Road Home, after seeing their need on their website.
“When these kids were in third grade, I showed them a short video to explain why they were doing this,” Bush said. “After watching it, they were excited to make lunches for kids in need. Many of these kids were in third grade back then, and they remember the project. They were excited to do it again. Even my twins were like, ‘Please don’t let it be a snow day. We want to do our service project.’”
Originally, the fifth graders planned to make 100 sack lunches, but with the overwhelming response in donations,
Treatment
the number doubled. A few items were left over, and Bush, who works in the school cafeteria, said they will be donated to the 40 weekend food packs the school assembles for students in need.
Fifth-grader Jase Glassman understands not everyone is as fortunate as he is to have guaranteed meals.
“We’re helping out some other kids who can’t wake up to having a guaranteed breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said. “I’m glad we’re doing this rather than having a party because I am helping other kids. We don’t know them, but it doesn’t matter. We’re helping people who need our help and that’s good.”l
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Aspen fifth-grade students opted out of their classroom Valentine’s Day parties to pack up sack lunches for The Road Home shelter.
(Julie Slama/City Journals)
Imagine being told to keep playing video games
Steven Martin, had a father that truly understood his children’s fixation with video games.
By Laura Crapo l.crapo@mycityjournals.com
South Jordan resident, Steven Martin, had a father that truly understood his children’s fixation with video games.
His dad had a deep understanding of the games because he was one of the first to know how much video games would develop and be successful. The Martin children were likely the very first children to play videogames on a television as it was tested on them before it was ever released to the public. He did this because he thought kids would be most interested in it and thus were the best target market.
“What few people know is that my father, Gerald G. Martin, or as he preferred to be called Jerry, is arguably responsible for starting the videogame industry,” son Steven Martin said. “As Jerry was our father and as he involved his children in the Odyssey project, we were personally involved in helping to create the online game revolution. Equally as important we were the original test market for the Odyssey game and had a prototype unit that he brought home in order to observe first hand our reaction to the game console. It was tested on us before it was ever released to the public. ”
The Odyssey was released to the public in September 1972. There were a few marketing gaffes including one that led consumers to believe the machine was only usable with Magnavox televisions. The Magnavox Odyssey had great importance in the development of the video gaming industry. The Magnavox Odyssey is recognized as the world’s first
video game console. German-born Ralph Baer was considered father of all video games or the Pioneer of Gaming. Baer and Martin developed a working relationship and mutual respect.
“It was an enthusiastic VP of marketing at Magnavox, Gerry Martin, who first understood the machine’s potential. But it took Martin until 1971 to convince a boardroom of corporate managers that TV games were the next big thing,” Baer said. “Martin’s persistence, backed by a solid product, paid off when the Magnavox suits agreed to move forward with the production of the Odyssey model 1TL200.”
Baer specifically mentions and credits Jerry Martin as the individual responsible for recognizing the potential of video games and bringing them to the market for the public to enjoy. The article also credits the Magnavox Odyssey as the world’s first video game console. On an interesting side note, Magnavox patented the idea or process of playing games on an electronic screen and later collected royalties for this patent from all major subsequent producers of games played on an electronic screen, including Atari.
“When they were demonstrating and selling the Odyssey game at the mall in Fort Wayne, his eyes, his smile, his body language was all so genuine,” said Martin’s daughter Jeanie in a letter before she passed. “The opposite of how he was characteristically. He was expressing and conveying a huge pride.”l
What few people know is that my father, Gerald G. Martin, or as he preferred to be called Jerry, is arguably responsible for starting the videogame industry,” son Steven Martin said. (Photo courtesy Steven Martin)
Small but mighty community
A small charter school community strengthens one of their families in their darkest moment.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
The Hawthorn Academy family has rallied around third grade teacher Maggie Licea and her 10-year-old son Jaxen Christensen, a Hawthorn student who is terminally ill.
“It’s a small community, but we’re mighty, that’s for sure,” Hawthorn Academy teacher Alisha George said.
Hawthorn Academy, a free public charter school, has 1,400 students between the two campuses. Colleagues and families from both the West Jordan and South Jordan campuses have donated money, gift cards and meals to the family. To enable Licea and her husband to spend their remaining time with their son at home, teachers have helped facilitate substitute teachers and donated their PTO days to supplement Licea’s FMLA time off.
“We’ve had people help—from people that are really close to her at school to people who just know her in passing and just know her by her name—I mean, she’s still one of us, and we just want her to feel completely surrounded with support while she goes through something so unimaginable,” George said.
In late January, George and her two sisters Autumn Brown and Amber Walker who also teach at Hawthorn Academy, organized a community fundraiser to benefit the Licea-Christensen family.
“It started out as just kind of a yard sale/bake sale, and then it just kind of took off,” George said. “We had people reaching out from all walks of life—just so many people rallied around to offer things and donate things. It was the most amazing outreach I’ve ever been a part of.”
There were Nintendo switches, and brand new TVs donated. The school custodian donated a moped. Dominoes and Massage Envy donated gift cards. Brennen Woodward with Blue Gecko Apparel printed T-shirts with Jaxen’s favorite animal, a squirrel, which has become a symbol of support among his friends and family. People sold baked goods, jewelry, new and used household items with all proceeds going to the family.
“Seeing everybody’s tiny little bit that they could turn into something so big and amazing was just awesome,” Hawthorn Academy staff member Halley Miranda said. “Because when you confront something so huge, seeing all those little, tiny bits of help that each individual could provide add up to something equally huge was really amazing.”
The event raised $14,300 for the family.
“The fundraiser eased our minds and made it possible for us both to be at home with him the last months of his life,” Licea said.
Through Make-A-Wish Foundation and a leukemia foundation, the Licea-Christensen family has traveled to Disneyland and Hawaii in the last few months.
“They’re just doing everything to make sure that he can have some family experiences and check some things off his bucket list while he’s still feeling good enough to travel,” George said.
George said being able to help her friend has helped her process the situation.
“I needed to throw myself into something so that I wouldn’t spiral with questions and doubts and struggles
of why something like this has to happen,” she said. “So it was just awesome to kind of separate ourselves a little bit from it and focus on how we could help ease any burden. Even though we can’t fix anything for them, we can try to help them feel loved and supported and ease some of the financial burden.”
George was proud of the Hawthorn community for rallying to support one of their own. The school community has supported Jax and his two siblings, who all have attended Hawthorn, during Jax’s initial illness, treatments, remission, surgeries and more treatments.
Licea is grateful for everyone’s support.
“To see the community rally around our family during one of the hardest times of our lives made us emotional,” Licea said. “It’s such a bittersweet feeling. Bittersweet because we are losing our child, but we are at the same time grateful for how many humans have shown us love and support. We are a mess, but with the community behind us, we are able to not feel alone in this nightmare.” l
The yard sale/bake sale fundraiser organized by Hawthorn Academy teachers raised $14,300 for their colleague and her family. (Photo courtesy of Alisha George)
Hawthorn Academy student Jaxen Christensen and his family have received an outpouring of support from the school community. (Photo courtesy of Alisha George)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
3/13/25 Thursday @ 12 PM
Larkin Sunset Lawn: 2350 E 1300 S, SLC, 84108
3/18/25 Tuesday @ 12 PM & 6 PM
The Chateau at Le Jardin: 1910 E Dimple Dell Rd, Sandy
3/26/25 Wednesday @ 12 PM
Elysium Legal: 1802 W South Jordan Pkwy, South Jordan
3/27/25 Wednesday @ 12 PM
Elysium Legal: 1802 W South Jordan Pkwy, South Jordan
Unified basketball provides pathway for athletes of all abilities
Local inclusive basketball tournament emphasizes compassion, competition and community.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
After a parade of student-athletes from Canyons, Jordan and Murray school districts, first lady Abby Cox took center court.
“I’m so excited for all the work you’ve put in to be here that each one of you here is making a difference in each other’s lives,” she said. “Anybody who is experiencing unified sports is experiencing something that is powerful, that is changing our lives. It’s changing our communities and changing our schools. It’s changing the world because we truly see each other as human beings. When we truly look at each other with eyes of another human and understand each other’s hearts, we do change the world. You’re going to change everything. You’re going to make the world better because of who you are, because of the friendships you’re making right now.”
However, Cox wasn’t speaking to just any high school athletes.
These were players on unified basketball teams, where students with and without intellectual disabilities play side by side. The program, which has seen tremendous growth, now boasts more than 200 high school co-ed unified basketball teams. School districts have supported the growth of tournaments, expanding opportunities for students to compete.
This tournament, which featured two competitive games taking place on one of three courts, was held at Corner Canyon High in Draper.
Sophomore Isaac Reed played point
guard for Herriman High’s team. He played unified basketball for Mountain Creek Middle School last year.
“There are more people here watching us in high school than in middle school,” he said. “I love basketball. I enjoy passing because it helps my team and gives everyone a chance to score. It’s important to show respect after the game by saying ‘good game.’”
His dad, Dub, was on the sidelines, cheering on Isaac and his teammates.
“When I was in high school in the ‘90s, there were no programs like this,” he said. “They put these kids in a classroom in the corner of the school and we never saw them. Now they’re part of everything and it’s the way it should be. These kids are just as competitive and this means the world to them to be able to be seen and heard.”
Isaac, who had a stroke at birth and didn’t get diagnosed until he was 6 months old, is enamored with basketball, watching and recording every NBA game and memorizing stats.
“He watches every NBA game and memorizes the stats,” his dad said. “These unified programs have given him and other kids a sense of community. His peer tutors give him high-fives in the hallways. At a special needs football game, when Isaac scored a touchdown, the Herriman football team gathered around to congratulate him. That kindness means the world to him and to all these kids.”
The core of unified sports is simple: training and playing together fosters friendships and understanding, said Boston Iacobazzi, Special Olympics Utah’s college-growth coordinator for unified champion schools.
Brighton sophomore Adelaide Hoffman was on another court, getting ready to play.
“Jared (Denslow, special education
teacher) taught me how to play basketball,” she said. “I’m excited; this is my first time playing.”
Devin Ambrossi, a junior and peer tutor at Brighton, said unified sports are meaningful.
“Unified sports is great because everyone gets a chance to participate and it’s a safe space for everyone,” he said. “It’s where people can be themselves and learn new things. I’ve learned a lot about patience and kindness, and it’s made me a better person.”
Many players also credit their special education teachers and peers for teaching them the game of basketball.
West Jordan senior Spencer Nielsen attributes his skills to his coach’s instruction, but he also praises one of his teammates.
“Robert is the best player on our team,” he said. “The best part is just being on the team with all my friends.”
Senior Riley Warner plays alongside Nielsen and other players on West Jordan’s team.
“I like to help out and make everyone be included,” he said. “It’s important to treat everyone fairly. I’m blessed with opportunities so I want to give back. It’s great to see my teammates excited and pushing themselves. They’re competitive, and I know we’ll do well—hopefully win a state championship.”
Herriman High sophomore Kayla Grant also wants to play for a state title.
“I learned to play basketball on the team and it’s fun to dribble and pass to my friends,” she said. “And I love to see my friends who are playing on other teams.”
Herriman High’s Issac Reed jumps to defend a pass by Brighton’s Mitch Burt during the Canyons-Jordan-Murray school districts’ unified tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Alta senior Joaquin Munoz also appreciates forming friendships through the program.
“We have a lot of fun and it makes me happy seeing them happy,” he said. “It’s great we’re getting to make new friends on teams from a lot of different schools.”
Even though Munoz plays hockey and is on the dance team, he also played unified soccer in the fall as did Alta sophomore Riley Dover.
“I like playing unified sports because
I’m exercising and it’s healthy,” he said.
“The best part is being with my team.”
Mountain Ridge junior Colton Richards was making friends on his team and on opposing teams.
“I love my coach and my team,” he said. “We’re all having fun, making new friends from other schools and playing basketball together.”
Corner Canyon High senior Jordan Barlow appreciated the opportunity to play on his school’s team.
“I didn’t get to play on a team before this one; I used to just play at my house,” he said. “This team is fun because we include everyone. I like to pass the ball.”
His coach, Kelsie Wilson, praised Barlow’s team spirit.
“He passes it so everyone on the team has an opportunity to make a shot,” she said.
Corner Canyon junior Jackson “Blondie” Kennedy, who said he isn’t a basketball player himself, values the in-
clusivity of the team.
“I’m learning alongside them,” said the peer tutor. “We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to play. We pass, we shoot, do a lot of fundamentals, but we’re here to make everyone feel welcome, cheer everyone and have a good time.”
Bingham High Principal Rodney Shaw appreciates the impact of unified sports on his students.
“We want all our students to feel connected to the school, and being part of a team is a great way to do that,” he said. “Unified sports have grown so much. For these kids, the emphasis is not about winning or losing; it’s about belonging and being part of the community. The wins and losses are fun, but these kids want to be here, be on the team and participate.”
This inclusive approach has fostered stronger bonds between students at his school.
“These kids are socializing with other students, eating lunch together, attending activities and coming to basketball games,” Shaw explained. “They get tons of support from the student body.”
Unified teams from the three school districts will compete in the regional tournament the week of March 10, with the state unified basketball tournament set for March 26 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. l
Depression, Anxiety,
Bingham High gives Brighton High high-fives after their game at the Canyons-Jordan-Murray school districts’ unified tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Aspen Elementary’s Community Night links families with resources
Aspen Elementary’s Community Night brings families and organizations together fostering connection and support
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Fifth-grader Liam Strong was eager to return to school one January evening for Aspen Elementary’s Community Night. He couldn’t wait to see his teacher, Mikayla Miller, who was helping pass out cookies.
“We came to learn more about our community and discovered that live events happen each month,” said Amber, Liam’s mother, as her second-grade daughter, Aria, explored one of the 45 booths offering fun activities and community resources.
The community fair was founded four years ago by Miller and her colleagues.
“Every year we come together to celebrate our community for the night with the fun and excitement of the event, but that doesn’t take away from what we work for all year long,” she said. “It adds to it and continues to build on the success that we have seen as we have grown for the past four years.”
Miller expressed gratitude for the strong support from parents, students, teachers, and community members who embrace the school’s theme, “All Belong, All Learn, All Succeed.”
“This collective commitment fosters an inclusive environment where every student, regardless of background or ability, feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Our community’s dedication ensures that learning is not just an individual journey, but a shared experience that uplifts everyone,” she said. “Together, we are building a foundation for success that is rooted in collaboration, understanding, and mutual respect.”
The event featured booths from organizations such as Kid Strong, Utah Parent Center, South Valley Services, Live Daybreak, South Jordan Police, credit unions, gyms, health care providers, and several services and programs from the Jordan School District. At the Jordan Education Foundation’s booth, kids could choose a toy, along with personal hygiene items and even a pair of tennis shoes.
“When I see everyone gathered in the school, it just warms my heart,” Miller said.
Alexis Tanner, a parent of three Aspen students, appreciates seeing how the agencies and resources benefit the community. She said the event has expanded to include more booths each year.
“It’s wonderful to see the involvement supporting school families,” she said. “The teachers here are amazing; they genuinely care about the kids and help them learn. We’ve been here for three years, and I know the school sends meal packages home with kids who may have a challenging home life, ensuring they get meals over the weekend. They also get free school lunch, and there are extra socks and clothing available in the office for kids who need them. The school really loves the community.”
Tanner was near the SafeUT booth, an app offering real-time crisis chat and intervention for students, parents, and educators.
“I tell people about SafeUT, explaining how they can download the app for crisis support from a licensed coun-
selor in Utah,” said SafeUT outreach coordinator Robert Spencer. “They can also send a tip if they’re worried about someone who might need help.”
In the commons, Utah Community Action, a non-profit organization, was informing families about programs for power and gas assistance, budget counseling, and conservation education.
“We assist with utilities and teach people how to conserve energy,” said Anne Tuakiaipimahu, an outreach specialist. “People who qualify can save an average of $550
on their heating costs.”
Since Oct. 1, 2024, more than 6,000 Salt Lake County homeowners and renters have applied this winter.
“It’s an income-based program,” said her colleague, case worker Alma Tllechea. “Most people are 150 percent below poverty levels. It’s a great program that many in our community can benefit from.”
Jordan District Superintendent Anthony Godfrey commended Aspen Elementary’s Community Night.
“Connecting to our community is important, and no-
During Aspen Elementary’s Community Night, kids of all ages had fun coloring a banner. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
body does it better than Aspen Elementary,” he said. “They bring all kinds of resources together and make it an inviting atmosphere where kids want to be, so they can make sure that families are aware of the resources that are available to support them. It’s really an effort to reach out to families and not just wait for them to come
to the school. The way we are most effective as educators is when we connect in a meaningful way with parents, and this is one example of how our schools are doing that in new and creative ways.” l
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Student and parents get information and questions answered at Jordan School District’s digital teaching and learning booth, which was part of Aspen Elementary’s Community Night. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Bingham boys hoops still chipped away despite the loss of its leading scorer
Without the services of junior guard Luke West since late December, it’s been hard for a Bingham Miners team that won the Las Vegas Tarkanian Classic to succeed, but they made it work.
By Brian Shaw b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
Atthe time the Bingham Miners won the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas a little more than a month ago, things were looking up for them.
It was a good thing for the Miners, considering there was an early exit at the last state tournament.
Since that Vegas tournament, however, the team has been without the services of leading scorer Luke West.
And, Bingham [16-6, 6-3 Region 2] has had a seesaw region campaign in its last 10 games.
The good news is that the Miners are figuring out how to play without West. Senior guard Brayden Ericson has emerged as an option after spending most of the preseason in a secondary role.
Ericson’s 17 points were a team-high in helping the Miners win at Mountain Ridge 71-68 in overtime Tuesday Feb. 11, extending Bingham’s win streak to two, several days after it registered a comprehensive 73-55 thumping of Copper Hills on Friday Feb. 7.
On Tuesday Feb. 4, Ericson dumped in 21 points on three triples, another team-high, and nearly willed the Miners to victory at a two-loss Herriman squad, but Bingham fell in OT by the score of 69-65.
That’s been the story of the regular season for the Miners; they swept the season series with rivals Riverton and Copper Hills but couldn’t find a way to defeat Herriman. On the flip side, Bingham split games against Mountain Ridge and defeated Corner Canyon with one game left to play on Valentine’s Day against the Chargers.
With that win against Corner Canyon on Friday Feb. 14, the Miners would still finish second in Region 2 at 7-3, giving them a shot of momentum and a three-game winning streak going into the 6A state tournament.
Ericson hasn’t done all the work by himself, though.
Despite the loss of Luke West, Bingham is good enough on paper to win more than half of its games in region play. Junior guard Parker Snedaker has done his level best to fill the void left in the absence of West and averages about 12 points per game, having played in all 22 games for the Miners.
Senior guard Jason Peterson is averaging 10 points per game and a team-high two assists—another area the Miners are filling in. Senior wing Ayden Larsen is scoring the ball as well at a nine point per game clip, and junior center Lucas Neidig is averaging eight points, five rebounds and one assist.
All told, Bingham has eight guys who average at least one assist per game, and have another six guys ranging from Denzel Peoples, Dawson Allen and Jace Bagley who average four, three and two points per contest, all the way down the roster to three more guys in Owen Simpson, Cade Langford and Jake Mabey who each average one point.
The Miners also have other young men such as Derek and Brady Peterson and Trevor Pack who rarely play but provide sparks off the bench when they do. Several other guys like Logan Goncalves, Dawson Gilbert and Owen Bagley are capable of coming in and giving a minute or two as well.
When there are upward of 18 guys who can come in and
provide energy at any given moment, it’s no wonder the Miners have found ways to succeed without Luke West.
Editor’s note: After press deadline, the Miners earned the No. 5 seed for the state tournament where they reached the quarterfinals before falling to region foe Corner Canyon. l
Junior Denzel Peoples goes to drive past his defender. (Photo by Pat McDonald)
Eight Bingham girls basketball teammates are honored on Senior Night
The Miners fell but tied for second in Region 2.
By Brian Shaw b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
Onsenior night, Addy Horsley walked into The Pit for the final time along with seven of her Bingham High teammates.
Whether or not Horsley will go down as one of Bingham’s greats is a topic up for debate considering the Miners have won several state titles over the past five years. But Horsley, the Mountain Ridge transfer wearing No. 5, is certainly one of the more memorable this decade.
Horsley, who came to BHS along with her older sister, will head into the upcoming 6A state tournament with plenty to prove to herself, her Bingham teammates and the community.
No pressure there, but it is clear that Horsley has embraced the school and culture now, and in turn her Miner teammates have embraced her, having named Horsley a team captain for her efforts.
In a way, it would only be fitting if Horsley were playing against her old school, Mountain Ridge, in her final home game at Bingham, a showdown between two of Region 2’s best. That’s exactly what she got on Tuesday Feb. 11 in a game that wouldn’t be decided until the fourth quarter.
Trailing 12-10 after one, Bingham [16-7, 6-3 Region 2] had few answers for the Sentinels down low despite utilizing a switching zone that collapsed to the ball-side defender. Timely threes got Bingham back the lead in the second quarter, however. Senior Lena Casperson worked hard inside for several buckets, and junior Stacia Peoples capped off the first half with a layup to head into the locker room up 28-24.
The Miners had a chance to go up seven right out of halftime. A corner three attempt by senior Raylynn Richardson bounced out, and a Horsley jumper was the only basket for the Miners over the first three minutes of the second half, as Bingham led by one at 30-29. Too much height and length bothered Bingham all night, but Casperson refused to go down without a fight, battling for a putback to give the Miners back the lead at 32-31 with 4:22 to play in the third.
Sophomore Evy Roberts tacked on a jumper to give Bingham back the advantage at 34-33 in a third quarter that saw eight lead changes. Roberts then drilled a triple that put the Miners up four, but the visitors answered, giving Bingham a slim 37-36 lead after three.
From there, the Miners went cold while the Sentinels went on a 10-0 run, grabbed a lead it wouldn’t relinquish and handed Bingham a 58-49 loss. Casperson led the way with 12 for Bingham, while Horsley and senior Iman Finau each had nine. Roberts and Richardson had seven and Peoples five.
On the season, Horsley is now averaging
Richardson, four.
showdown at Corner Canyon, this night was all about Bingham’s eight seniors that are graduating. They are Brie Blanchard, Lena Casper
15 points per contest and Casperson 10. Evy Roberts is at eight points per game, Peoples is at six and
Emaline Roberts. Bingham entered as the No. 5 seed in the 6A state tournament (after press deadline). l
Brie Blanchard was one of eight seniors to play their last game for Bingham. (City Journals)
Herriman High School offers unique and engaging classes that appeal to a wide range of interests.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Students launched paper rockets down the hall with the physics teacher, petted a pair of rabbits used in animal science classes, watched a pottery demonstration by ceramics students and tried writing a blackout poem at the invitation of a creative writing teacher. The activities were all part of Herriman High School’s first ever Herriman Highlights Open House to showcase the variety of classes available to students.
“It’s not just reading choices on a paper,” HHS teacher Erin Day said. “You see what they actually do in Woods and can tour the woodshop and see what this class would be like. They can see them doing these chemistry experiments, and be like, ‘Oh, that would kind of be a fun class to take, we’re going to do that kind of stuff.’”
Held the first night of parent teacher conferences, the open house allowed teachers to promote their classes and answer questions.
Samantha Foote drummed up interest
There’s a class for that
for her sci-fi/fantasy literature class and her mythology class with promises of a D&D one-shot and mummy excavations.
“It’s been really fun to be like, ‘Yes, there’s a class that does D&D—you just have to tell your counselor that you want to take it,’” she said.
Those walking through the science hall were drawn into the chemistry lab by colored flames, sparks and other impressive lab experiments which AP chemistry student Parker Goodman said the class does every week.
He encouraged his peers to take AP chemistry.
“It opens so many more doors into college and career opportunities, especially if you pass the AP test, you get a big head start into college, which is nice,” Goodman said.
Throughout the three and a half hour event, students in cheer, drill, Dance Company, orchestra/band, choir and theater performed for attendees to generate interest in their programs.
Day said it was helpful for students to meet the teachers, see the classrooms and participate in activities to get an idea of what a class would be like before they register for it.
A student who was considering taking a woods class next year said it was helpful to tour the woodshop. “I just got to see all
the projects they get to do and I talked to the teacher and they were really nice,” she said.
Another student, a junior, said if she hadn’t come to the open house, she wouldn’t have learned about all the class options available to earn a language arts credit her senior year.
Day said many students are missing
out on taking many of the skills-based and extracurricular classes offered at Herriman because they are taking online classes or work/home release.
HHS registrar Kelli Bland said of 2,516 students currently enrolled, 461 have at least one period of home release and 324 have education or work release. A total of 436 students are taking at least one online course. That equals at a minimum 1,221 periods each day in which a student could be in school but is not.
Day said it is a growing trend for students to not come to school full time their senior year.
“A lot of seniors go into senior year with that 1.5 credit that they’re needing, and then they are just like, ‘I’m going to take five periods of work release or home release,’” Day said. “It has become a really big thing recently with students so they’re not getting any kind of credit because they don’t necessarily need it.”
At the beginning of second semester, Day said she had about 10 seniors just drop her class to go online. She is concerned that not only are these students missing out on educational opportunities, but they are missing developmental experiences, life skills practice and social interactions. She believes they are at increased risk for poor mental health from isolation and more time spent on their phones and video games.
Stella Smuin said she’s one of the very few seniors she knows who has a full class schedule. She has used her senior year to explore her interests.
“It’s my last year to take less expensive classes, so I might as well just give everything I wanted to try a good shot,” she said. “I mostly focused on academic classes earlier in high school, so I wanted to try out art in high school because I love it.”
She has taken AP drawing, AP art, jew-
A group of Herriman High musicians promote the band and orchestra programs. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
elry 1&2, drawing, ceramics and print making 1&2. She has also loved the discussions in her AP government class this year.
HHS class offerings appeal to a variety of interests including athletics, social studies, languages and writing. Students can learn job skills for medical or computer careers, and practical skills such as sewing and auto maintenance. Next year HHS will be the first to offer a screenprinting class and a college level ceramics course.
Day believes college credit classes are the most underutilized resource available to high school students.
“You can do a semester of college for $60 at Herriman High that would cost you $5,000 tuition at the U, so, why aren’t we taking advantage of these?” she said.
The open house was held during parent teacher conferences which has experienced a decline in attendance for the last few years. Because it’s easy for parents to monitor their student’s grades and to email teachers, Day said they no longer rely on conferences to know what’s going on with their student.
Day said she wished more parents had come to the open house but she was thrilled with the number of students who attended.
“We had a million more people than would have been here for parent teacher conferences, so it was hugely successful,” she said.
Students were incentivized to attend. Those who filled out a stamp card proving they spoke to teachers from a variety of departments were entered into a drawing for prom tickets, school parking spots, gift cards and school merch. Those students will also have the opportunity to register for next year’s classes a day earlier than the rest of the student body.l
Samantha Foote draws prospective students into her mythology and sci-fi/fantasy classes with promises of D&D games and mummy excavations. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
Lexi Cluff and Parker Goodman show off chemistry experiments. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
Isabella Blanco and Elizabeth Rawlings demonstrate pottery-making. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
Culinary students give those attending the open house a taste of what they learn in the culinary program at Herriman High School. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
We often talk about infamous warriors like Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, and justice OG Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but so many women have left their mark on this world without acclaim, awards or national days.
President Trump’s executive order mandates a pause on federal events promoting diversity, including Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month and Holocaust Remembrance Day. But I’m not a federal employee and refuse to follow his directive. Happy Women’s History Month!
Throughout the ages, women are described as the gentler sex, the homemakers and the caretakers. And, yes, women are given those roles. But women are also fierce queens, savage muses, legendary goddesses and wild forces of nature.
We often talk about infamous warriors like Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony and Supreme Court Justice (and original-gangster) Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but so many women have left their mark on this world without acclaim, awards or national days.
Women like Mrs. Strange who made storytime at the Murray Library a magical experience. Her rendition of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” was an Oscar-worthy perfor-
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Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
A Woman’s Work
mance. When the biggest billy goat knocked the mean, ugly troll off the bridge, we all cheered in triumph.
Or women like Frankie Whipple, my long-suffering, patient, eternally-frustrated piano teacher. She listened to my musical scales, arpeggios and recital pieces without visibly wincing. Usually. The only annoyance she displayed was when I didn’t do my music theory lesson for five years straight.
Mrs. Lambert taught my second grade class at Viewmont Elementary. Under her guidance, I went from reading to show off to reading for pleasure. She taught me poetry, art and a life-lesson about friendship. Plus, she wore hip,‘70s polyester pantsuits that looked amazing.
Grandma Brickey was a fearless powerhouse. She loved her grandkids without judgement and let us eat all her chocolate raisin cake. Widowed for decades, she had many boyfriends but refused to give up her independence. She was a dancing queen, a
vivacious flirt and a woman who lived life on her own terms.
When I was 12-years-old, a neighbor lady trusted me to watch her children all summer. Thanks to her, I quickly learned I was a terrible babysitter and should probably never have children.
Women like Ms. Pettis, my ninth-grade English teacher at Riverview Junior High, taught me that even when I thought my life was over, I was valuable to her. She showed up at my home every week to make sure I stayed on top of my assignments and she encouraged my writing. She is a hero.
My Aunt Judy created a safe place for 8-year-old me when I ran away from home because Mom was censoring the books I read. She didn’t think “Jaws” was an acceptable summer read for a third-grader but Aunt Judy let me stay the night until I calmed down. Then I read “Jaws” in secret.
Renee Smith was my dance instructor for eight years. She taught me tap, jazz and ballet, and encouraged me to try out for “The Nutcracker”. But because I wasn’t actually coordinated, I never landed a part. She always believed I would. At least she said she did.
Mom was an unrivaled teacher, encouraging me to read (except “Jaws”), write poetry, make music, dance, ride bikes, play basketball and try new things. It wasn’t her
fault I didn’t see her value until I became a mom.
My daughters, my granddaughters, my sisters, my nieces, my cousins, my aunts, my grandmothers, my friends, my colleagues, my teachers: all these women have made me what I am today. Yes, it’s their fault.
Even when the president (and Google) removes Women’s History Month from the calendar, women will do what we’ve always done: help other women to be powerful, to find their voice, to live their passion, to stand up for what’s right, to lead and to shine brighter than ever. Don’t mistake our gentle demeanor for passivity.
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