Cottonwood football suffers a setback this winter when one of its players has a stroke
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
Christian Gonzalez was celebrating his birthday party with some of his friends Feb. 22. These included Cottonwood High classmate Conner Beckstead and some members of Gonzalez’ family.
That’s when, according to Conner’s mother Rochelle Beckstead that Gonzalez suffered “a stroke and was LifeFlighted to Primary Children’s Hospital.”
Despite such devastating news, everyone including Christian’s own mother is staying #coltstrong during a difficult time for all members of the Cottonwood High family.
“Christian’s mom has been reaching out to coaches and players giving us updates,” said Cottonwood head football coach Tui Satuala, who just completed his first year leading the program. “I can’t imagine what she is going through. Hoping and praying for him.”
Many have been in this tight-knit community.
In the days following Gonzalez’ hospitalization, his friends, particularly some of his wrestling and football teammates, have kept the Cottonwood sophomore in good spirits.
In many cases, families for better or for worse tend to close ranks fast and only allow their own flesh and blood into a hospital room.
That circumstance often depends on the health of the individual in question, but one person that has kept things together when the Gonzalez family has overextended their own time and resources is Rochelle Beckstead, Conner’s mom.
Rochelle not only arranged some of the visits from fellow teammates and CHS students—she set up a GoFundMe that reached its $2,000 goal within days.
On March 7, Rochelle was able to report some good news on the GoFundMe page she set up.
“Thank you all again!! I will be presenting Christian’s family 1,758.50!! This is after the fees charged though go fund me!!,” she wrote. “I appreciate all of you!! Christian we
are so proud of you!”
To have that sort of relief after such a terrible ordeal must be a big help to the Gonzalez family that is doing all it can in an impossible situation.
The stroke suffered by Gonzalez marks the second serious injury suffered by a Utah high school football player over the past 12 months. Bear River student-athlete Cameron West played on both offensive and defensive lines and passed away on July 5, 2024 due to cardiac arrest.
Gonzalez, a 5-foot-7, 235-pound football player and wrestler in the heavyweight division for Cottonwood, played in similar positions to West.
The Cottonwood sophomore Gonzalez was a force according to Coach Satuala, appearing on the offensive line at guard, and played in two positions last year on the Colts’ D-line, getting action at both nose guard and defensive tackle.
One highlight came at the Colts’ game at Stansbury when Gonzalez shed his blocker, burst through the Stallions’ offensive line and brought down the ball carrier for a loss. The big play has already earned Gonzalez dozens of views on his Hudl page while several more plays from other games stand out.
On that note, everyone including Gonzalez himself is crossing their fingers for a return to what will be his junior year at The Wood.
Just recently, his mother offered some words of encouragement on the Colts’ football Instagram page. That could be the sign of more little victories to come for a young man who could deadlift 345 pounds and squat 315.
“Great news—Christian was able to stand up today, get into a wheelchair, and even use the bathroom on his own. Goal No. 1 accomplished! His strength and determination are incredible,” she wrote. “He’s feeling a little pressure in his head, so he’s resting now, but nothing is slowing him down. While his arm isn’t working yet, standing up is a huge step forward.” l
Sophomore Christian Gonzalez was partially paralyzed in late February from a stroke at his birthday party, but survived and is on a slow road to recovery. (Photo courtesy Tui Satuala)
What to know about visiting the E.R.
By Dr. Alex Drake
At CommonSpirit Health, our vision is a healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity. This extends to all the care we provide our patients, whether it be in our doctor’s offices, our clinics, or our hospitals.
We want your visit to our care sites to be as comfortable as possible, and we know that visiting the Emergency Department (ER) is difficult for any patient and their loved ones. I would like to share some information about what to expect in the ER, so that you can be as prepared as possible.
Our emergency caregivers are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to serve our community. We accept all patients – regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. A typical visit to the ER can take two-to-three hours, but please know that in the ER we must evaluate and treat our patients based on severity of their condition. This might mean longer wait times in the lobby or even after being placed in an exam room. However, this also means that if you’re having a life-threatening emergency, you will have the undivided attention of our doctors and nurses.
If you have mild-to-moderate symptoms – such as fever below 103 degrees without a rash, flu-like symptoms without shortness of breath, or sprains and strains – you may wish to consider calling your primary care provider or visiting an urgent care center, as these options may be faster and are often less expensive.
Symptoms or health issues that require immediate medical attention may include the following:
• Chest pain
• Sudden weakness or trouble talking
• Difficulty breathing
• Spinal injuries
• Severe head injury
• Major broken bones
• Major burns
• Sudden change in vision
• Heavy bleeding
• Large open wounds
You should never drive yourself to an ER if you are having severe chest pain, severe bleeding, if you feel like you might faint, or if your vision is impaired. When in doubt, please call 911 — what matters most is that you get to the emergency room quickly and safely. If you arrive by
ambulance, you will be triaged and we will determine the level of care required.
All emergency physicians at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals are board certified in Emergency Medicine and have trained for many years to help you in your emergency. The doctors also have specially trained midlevel providers who can also help. Your provider may order tests like X-rays, CT Scans, Ultrasounds, bloodwork, urinalysis, an electrocardiogram (EKG), or others, depending on your health problem.
After receiving test results, the doctor will discuss the findings and diagnosis with you. If needed, they will advise admission to the hospital. If your condition does not need admission, they will give you written instructions about treatment to be followed at home. This may include prescriptions, tips for home care, and any referrals needed for following up with either a primary care or specialized doctor. While we hope for the health and safety of those in our community, know that we are here if you need us. Our excellent doctors and nurses at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals are ready to provide high-quality, compassionate, and timely care.
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
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.
SPONSORED CONTENT
By Dr. Alex Drake Emergency Physician
CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital Jordan Valley West
South Salt Lake recognized as a JustServe city
Designation is given to cities making a commitment to volunteerism in their communities.
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
South Salt Lake has set some lofty goals: foster a community where every child has the opportunity to earn a college education, where residents have clean, safe neighborhoods and where families and individuals have the resources needed to succeed.
The city also knows that volunteers and programs are crucial to reaching its goals. Because of its dedication to building a supportive and inclusive community, SSL recently earned a designation from JustServe, an organization that matches volunteers with programs.
The JustServe City designation honors cities that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to volunteering and that have made a significant impact in their communities through these efforts. SSL is only the second city in Utah to earn the title, with South Jordan being the first.
“We are committed to giving everyone the opportunity to succeed and we know that we cannot do it alone,” said Promise SSL Deputy Director Edward Lopez. “Volunteerism is instrumental to us being able to work towards our promises. Volunteers help us expand our impact by supporting the work of Promise South Salt Lake and other city departments through events, arts programming, recreation activities, emergency management needs, maintaining and revitalizing public spaces, assisting with animal care and adoption, and more.”
Volunteers assist with Promise SSL programs including afterschool mentors, child care and tutoring. The city’s recreation department utilizes volunteers as coaches and referees during spring and summer sports leagues. SSL Animal Services uses volunteers at the shelter to spend time with the dogs and the city’s neighborhoods department has opportunities for planting trees, cleaning up parks and beautifying the area.
The SSL Arts Council uses dozens of volunteers to help organize and staff several city events including the popular Mural Fest and CraftoberFest, celebrating local music, food and art.
To receive the JustServe designation, SSL officials
had to create and display a city volunteerism proclamation, encourage unity and city values by supporting diverse groups in their service efforts and formally recognize individuals for community service.
The proclamation, signed by SSL Mayor Cherie Wood, states, “The City recognizes that the strength of our community lies in the collective support of one another, forming the foundation of a harmonious and thriving society.”
Paul Wood is a coordinating council JustServe specialist who worked with SSL leaders to help them get the designation. He said the level of volunteer engagement they received, and their dedication to creating community programs, raised the bar for other cities to follow.
“What sets them apart is their spirit of wanting to aid people in the community to progress in their lives,” Wood said. “The notion of volunteerism in a city becomes critically important for the existing climate. People are cooperating. People are working with each other and
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on projects, and they may be working next to someone they’ve never met before. There’s the opportunity to become acquainted with new people within the community and with people you know. South Salt Lake is a very diverse community.”
JustServe is an online platform created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was designed to help communities find program volunteers and to give people the opportunity to volunteer for causes they support.
The JustServe program has expanded to nearly 20 countries with more than 50 JustServe designated cities worldwide. For more information, visit JustServe.org.
“The proclamation that was filed by the mayor is one of the fundamental issues which sets them apart,” Wood said. “If you read through it, you understand the nature of their commitment to the residents of South Salt Lake and their desire, through volunteerism, to bring unity among the residents and raise the quality of life in South Salt Lake.” l
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South Salt Lake programs, like childcare and afterschool mentorships, are run with the help of dedicated volunteers. The city recently received the JustServe designation for its work with engaging volunteers in a variety of service opportunities. (Photo courtesy of SSL)
Thriving through community engagement in South Salt Lake
South Salt Lake City offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for residents to get involved in their community, from disaster preparedness and animal care to park maintenance and crime prevention.
By Bailey Chism
South Salt Lake is a city that thrives on neighborly support and engagement. Whether you’re passionate about helping the underserved, enhancing public spaces, or mentoring the next generation, there are a variety of opportunities to get involved with the city. Here are a few:
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that can occur in the city. The program will train you in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
The program is guided by FEMA and offers a nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on in times of crisis. According to their website, the South Salt Lake CERT program was developed out of their need for a well-trained civilian emergency workforce.
When emergencies happen, CERT members provide critical support to first responders and provide immediate assistance to victims. Members will also assist with nonemergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.
To become a CERT member, you’ll complete an online training and a handson practical training. Joseph Dane, SSL’s public outreach coordinator, said the Emergency Management Coordinator is working to keep this program interesting with new, optional training programs throughout the year.
South Salt Lake Animal Services
If you’re a lover of animals, volunteering at South Salt Lake Animal Services may
be the best spot for you. SSL Animal Services promotes responsible pet ownership through education and enforcement. It’s a no-kill shelter and they find good homes for the pets through adoption programs.
Shelters can be stressful places for animals. Volunteers can make a big difference in the lives of animals during their stay at the shelter. As a volunteer, you will do many different things, like playing with the animals, walking them, feeding them, cleaning up the pens and photographing the animals for the adoption website.
To be a volunteer, you will need to pass a background check and fill out a short application on their website.
SSL Animal Services is a popular volunteer organization, so while they hire as many as they can, not all volunteers will be accepted.
Friends of Fitts Park
South Salt Lake has several parks, dog parks, open spaces and trails for residents and visitors to explore. Friends of Fitts Park is a volunteer group interested in keeping Fitts Park clean and beautiful for residents and visitors.
Fitts Park holds several pavilions for community events, a children’s play area, a Zipline, exercise equipment, a community garden and more. Volunteers will help in a variety of ways, including planting trees and pollinator plants, pulling invasive weeds, protecting Mill Creek and Spring Creek, and helping at special events held at the park.
To get involved, you can visit the South Salt Lake Parks website.
Neighborhood Watch
South Salt Lake is home to thousands of residents and businesses, all of which are potential targets for crimes. Residents and business owners can help prevent these crimes with Business and Neighborhood Watch.
Their methods use concepts and strategies based on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. The CPTED approach outlines proper design and effective use of the environment which can lead to the reduction of crime and improvement in
the quality of life.
Neighborhood Watch is a great way to get to know your neighbors and take an active role in the safety and security of your neighborhood. Currently, there are several established Neighborhood Watch groups throughout the city. To find out more about the group in your neighborhood, or starting one, you can join the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on the first Thursday of each month. To find the link, you can visit the Neighborhood Watch page on the
South Salt Lake City website.
Volunteering in South Salt Lake City is not only fulfilling but also a great way to connect with others and strengthen the community. Whether you can spare a few hours a month or want to commit to regular service, there’s a place for everyone to contribute.
For additional information or to sign up to volunteer, email connect@sslc.gov or call 801-464-6757. l
Granite unified basketball teams foster friendship and fun on the court
High
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
For basketball enthusiasts, it’s an ideal setting. At any moment, two competitive games are taking place on one of three courts.
But these aren’t just any high school games.
These are unified basketball teams, where students with and without intellectual disabilities play side by side. This approach, based on the belief that practicing and playing together encourages friendship and understanding, is advocated by Boston Iacobazzi, the Special Olympics Utah college-growth coordinator for unified champion schools.
The program has gained significant popularity in recent years, now with more than 200 high school coed unified basketball teams. Districts like Granite have supported the creation of tournaments, giving students more opportunities to play.
Cottonwood High player Nico Steven Gagliarei Campos had just finished his game and was watching a match be -
tween Cyprus and Skyline high schools. On another courts, Taylorsville squared up against Olympus.
“I love playing basketball and spending time with my teammates,” he said. “I enjoy sharing the ball and giving high-fives. My teammates and I support each other, and we always show respect. Sportsmanship is about the game of basketball and connecting with everyone.”
The sophomore learned the game from his dad and uncle.
“I love the game so much that I practice for two or three hours every single day, even though our team practices 30 minutes every other day. I focus on dribbling, rebounding, boxing out opponents and shooting around,” he said. “I’m always ready for a game.”
His teammate, Cottonwood sophomore Kennedi Hazzard, values the relationships built through basketball.
“I love helping others and meeting new people,” she said. “Basketball feels like a family. You make so many friends, and it’s so much fun. You get to hang out with them all day.”
Granger head football coach Pete Smolin was in another gym, cheering for the players.
“Most of these students are in unified PE; that is an awesome class,” he
said. “We’ve been practicing basketball in the winter, soccer in the fall and track in the spring to prepare them for the unified sports seasons. brought six of my football players to join 22 unified kids on two teams. It’s a powerful experience to see people of all abilities working together.”
Through the unified model, Smolin believes everyone benefits, learning from one another.
“In our football program, we focus a lot on character and leadership development, and we also do a lot of community service, like this, about 100 hours every year. It helps develop the entire student-athlete,” he added.
Granger junior Ifo Pili, one of the football players, values his time on the court.
“This is a really great experience, and I’ve learned to have a lot of patience,” he said. “These guys are always upbeat, always have a smile on their faces. They have selfless joy, no matter the circumstances. We helped them learn the basic skills, but for them, it’s about enjoying the game and being part of a team that represents our school.”
Watching his school play Hunter High, Kearns High senior Mario Rivera admits he was initially hesitant about participating.
“At first, I was scared. I didn’t know how to help or teach these kids, or what to expect,” he said. “But once I came, I realized they’re just like me and everyone else. I just needed to talk to them and get
to know them. I’ve helped in our unified PE class and as a peer tutor, and I have joined them during lunch. I give them high-fives in the hallways. Unified sports is a perfect fit because I love sports and enjoy working with kids. Seeing them smile and become friends is the best.”
Kearns High’s Special Education teacher Natalie Nelson has witnessed the friendships which have blossomed through the unified PE class and sports programs.
“It’s been a meaningful experience for all the kids, both with and without special needs,” she said. “They’re learning how to interact with each other, and those friendships often extend outside the classroom, with kids socializing in the hallways or eating lunch together. For parents, it’s an incredible experience to watch their kids participate in sports for the first time. There’s so much pride when they hear the crowd cheering for their child. It’s brought friendships, teamwork, selfpride, skill development, acceptance—so many positive outcomes.”
For Kearns junior Noah Williams, the boost in confidence is clear.
“I’ve made 40 baskets,” he said. “I like winning.”
Unified teams from the Granite School District will competed in the regional tournament the week of March 10, with the state unified basketball tournament slated for March 26 at the Delta Center. l
Cottonwood takes the shot during the unified basketball game against Skyline High at Granite School District’s unified tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
EDUCATION SECTION
SheTech Day sparks creativity and curiosity into next-gen tech leaders
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Ninth-grader Julia Ashby, of Riverview Junior High in Murray, wanted to explore AI and ChatGPT while Hadley Miller, a Draper Park Middle School student, was looking into college chemical engineering programs. Callyn Mortensen, a ninth grader at Sunset Ridge Middle School in West Jordan, was discovering more about coding and freshman Chelsea Baker, from Brighton High in Cottonwood Heights, was investigating various technology-related careers at the event.
These students were among the 3,000 girls from ninth to 12th grade who attended SheTech Explorer Day, an event designed to introduce girls to the world of technology in a fun, engaging atmosphere. During the event, they had the opportunity to meet STEM role models and discover a wide array of opportunities in the field.
Throughout the morning, girls from high schools across the state participated in more than 40 workshops focused on topics such as programming, engineering, aerospace, robotics, product invention, entrepreneurship, biomedicine, digital marketing, web design and gaming.
In addition, they had the chance to experience the interactive TechZone, where local STEM companies and educational institutions provided opportunities to learn about internships, programs and industry experiences.
The day wrapped up with a collaborative small group exercise in which the girls worked together to brainstorm, innovate and pitch solutions in a TechChallenge, all while being guided by industry mentors.
Students learned about the event through fliers posted at schools, emails from counselors or by hearing from teachers in various classes ranging from interior design to computer science to manufacturing technology.
Hailey Derr, a ninth grader at Cottonwood High in Murray, wanted to explore
biomedical engineering careers, so she visited her career center and discovered the event was a good opportunity. She’s already planning to take medical terminology and medical math next year.
Reagan Fairchild, a ninth grader from Sunset Ridge, was learning “how they keep patients safe during surgery and other cool things in the medical field” as she explored the TechZone.
Sydney Birk from Draper Park Middle School had just finished astronaut training.
“I was clicking a button to spawn an object and grab it or flick it to a target; if I hit the target, it gave a score,” she said. “It was fun. I want to be an astronaut and this is better than online simulations.”
Rylee Blackwell from Hidden Valley Middle School in Bluffdale was trying out Alexa glasses.
“I like how you can hear music and nobody else can,” she said. “I was in my own little world while there’s so many people here. It was relaxing.”
Retired electrical engineer Shari Mann demonstrated how to use the Alexa glasses with built-in microphones, offering a hands-free experience.
“I'm really passionate about inspiring girls to go into engineering,” she said. “I like how excited the girls are to try on the Alexa glasses and not just learn how they work, but understand it.”
Mann’s father encouraged her to pursue engineering back when there were “just a handful of females studying engineering” at the University of Texas in the late 1980s. She has since programmed microchips and holds patents in the field.
“I always say, engineers invent the world, and we need all different kinds of people represented in inventing this world; it’s a great career and it’s been fun,” Mann said.
Sydney Birk from Draper Park Middle School took part of virtual reality astronaut training during SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
During SheTech Explorer Day, ninth-graders Julia Ashby, Lexie Nelson and Aubrey Clayton of Riverview Junior High in Murray experimented with InstaSnow. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
From seed to sale: Entrada’s botany program offers hands-on learning
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Every year, just around Mother’s Day, Entrada High School hosts a plant sale, offering a wide variety of plants “dirt cheap.”
Patrons can find packs of Roma, cheery, and large tomatoes, as well as sweet and hot peppers, often selling for just a few dollars. There are also herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, and others, along with geraniums and coleus.
These plants, and others sold at the event, provide valuable hands-on training for adult students working toward their high school diploma or GED, while also earning science and elective credits. The proceeds from the sale are reinvested into the program, buying supplies for the next year.
The botany-greenhouse program has been running this way since teacher Anita Leimbach and community education facilitator Cheri Prince took it over in 2014 after the previous instructor retired. While Prince now helps coordinate the sale, David Dau joined as the new instructor four years ago.
“These students learn how to be responsible,” Leimbach said. “One student could screw up hundreds of plants in 20 minutes if they don’t listen to directions. The sale from last year gives us the money to buy the soil and the pots for this year. So, they're all trading on last year's good students.”
In early March, the class was transplanting coleus into larger pots. Three teenage boys worked side by side.
Senior Sajjad Alsarifee, who hopes to grow a lawn in his yard, explained transplanting is important. His friend, junior Mohamed Hameed, said it helps the roots spread out.
Junior Khalid Khudair explained: “The roots are too smashed in together; when they germinate, you have to make sure they have space to live in. Being compact isn’t good.”
The boys came to Entrada for different reasons, none of which involved becoming botanists.
“I came because I wanted to get my credits finished faster and I can test out of classes,” Hameed said. “I’m getting science credit and it’s hands-on, which makes it more fun than some other classes. I like that we give back to the community when they buy the plants. It provides students more opportunities.”
Khudair, who had missed 1.5 months of class while on a vacation, was catching up on credits, while Alsarifee admitted he had skipped class his sophomore year.
“I always had something better
to do, like walk around,” he said. “I’ve made up a lot of credits here.”
Leimbach said her students come from a variety of backgrounds, including those who speak English as a second language, as well as students who are homeless or autistic.
“This is a rewarding class for many of our students. We’ve had students who excel in this who don't academically because it's hands-on; that's the difference. Everybody can do it, and some of these are smart kids. It just does my heart good to see these kids who have struggled to do so well. It’s the beauty of this program. They see progress and get to see projects completed. They come and see the plants remembering they may have transplanted them or made cuttings and now they’re in bloom,” she said, adding, “Some of them never even knew where a tomato came from.”
Typically, about 15 students attend the class twice a week for two hours. The course lasts about a month and counts toward the 24 credits Entrada students need for graduation. Currently, most of the 800 Entrada students are between the ages of 17 and 20.
“We have at least one botany class every session. Dave often will do it in the summer. Then come January, we offer two classes till May, which is more than we’ve had in the past. They always fill up,” she said.
Junior Jade Shafer-Pedersen has taken the class five times.
“I love this class,” she said. “It just gives me an outlet for creativity and it’s a personal connection between me and the plants. It just gives me a sense of peace in my school day, it's a nice safe space. I’m proud of these little guys for growing. I've learned so much from this class. I've only really grown house plants before and now, I’ll probably play with plants for the rest of my life. Anita and Dave are good teachers. They let us do our thing and then help us when we need it.”
When Shafer-Pedersen came to Entrada, she had “zero credits.”
“I never went to high school before. When the whole COVID virus happened, everyone went home from school, and I never went back. I never stepped foot in high school,” she said. “I never thought I would come back until I tried Entrada. I love it here. It’s so different.”
After finishing transplanting, Shafer-Pedersen and the others asked if they should remove the growth from the geraniums, deposit old soil and move the bags of new soil into the greenhouse.
“That's another thing I like,” Leimbach said. “They say, ‘Should I do this? They know what needs to be done and take that initiative. They care about the plants and the program.”
The program has blossomed over the years. It’s no longer just rows of plants in the greenhouse. In a portable classroom under lights, 4,000 plants are growing. By the time the sale comes around, there will be 2,400 tomatoes,
3,400 squash and cucumbers, and 2,000 peppers, in addition to geraniums, coleus, and house plants.
“When Dave was hired, he brought it to another level. He built the grow stations, and they germinate better there than the greenhouse because we could keep them a steady temperature. Then we bring them all over to the greenhouse. He’s also done hydroponics in the winter in the classroom, so the students are learning about that. Every year we learn to make it easier, so students can have a lot of success, and we get better results. He’s taken it to a more scientific level where I come from a gardener perspective,” she said.
Dau not only helps with the 10,000plus plants at Entrada, he has set up a 3,000-plant sale at nearby Jordan Valley, a school for students that have severe multiple disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, communication impairments, genetic disorders and syndromes, deaf–blindness and, for students who are extremely medically fragile.
He also runs a business from home, selling about 1,500 plants.
“Once we set the expectations for the class, everyone realizes the relevancy. They learn how to set up the greenhouse, how to plant with healthy soil, how to water correctly, how to work as a team. Anita helps them understand the importance of the plants and the process; I’m the mad scientist,” said Dau,
Junior Jade Shafer-Pedersen said working in Entrada’s greenhouse gives her an outlet for creativity and connection with the plants. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Entrada students Mohamed Hameed, Khalid Khudair and Sajjad Alsarifee water the plants after transplanting them. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
who has taken Utah State University’s master gardening class three times as “there’s always something new to learn.”
The former school principal said students get dirty in the self-sustaining program.
“They’re learning how to propagate plants, transplant them into pots, grow lettuce and kale in hydroponics using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, they’re learning that a controlled atmosphere and soil temperature has helped growth, so they’re learning the science behind it,” he said. “They’re understanding plants and what they need.”
He explained students gain confidence by realizing they can grow plants without killing them, that asking logical questions will get them answers, and that giving plants attention is key to their success.
“Growing plants is part art and part science. For many, this is outside their comfort zone so they’re learning to work in teams as they learn new skills and vocabulary, to take direction and work with others, to be resilient and to appreciate a job well done,” he said.
Working with some of his immigrant students has led Entrada to grow plants native to their homelands.
“Some of them are really excited they can grow plants in their apartments that are important to the foods of their culture,” Dau said.
This has also expanded the variety of produce grown. The program typically grows 36 varieties of tomatoes, six varieties of hot and sweet peppers, six annual herbs, six perennial herbs, and four types of basil.
Through the plant sale, Dau said the community doesn’t just come for “cheap plants.”
“It’s building a community for students. We aren’t a traditional high school where you rally around a sports game or a performing arts performance. We’re providing goodwill for the community and they’re providing support for our students.”
Continued from front page
Jenny Curtis, Jordan School District’s work-based learning assistant, said the opportunity is incredible for girls.
“It’s cool, just to see all of these industries here, providing support and information and bringing all of these wonderful, mostly ladies, in tech,” she said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for girls to see what's happening in the field.”
Eileen Kasteler, Brighton High’s workbased learning facilitator, has brought students to the event for years and appreciates the event’s accessibility.
“It’s astonishing that a professional event of this caliber is free to girls year after
Making Lucas smile
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Antelope Canyon Elementary third-grader Lucas Ellis has been dealing with leukemia since 2023, with treatments, hospitalizations and medications, but one of the hardest things about the experience for the happy and social kid has been missing school.
“He has always been a very social kid— he thrives in having those interactions with his friends,” his mom, Marcela Ellis said. “When he first was diagnosed, we did a lot of online classes, which were helpful, but we could see that his emotional well-being wasn't being taken care of as well as we wanted it to be.”
When Lucas’ illness relapsed in January, his teacher Megan Dotson stepped into action to create ways for Lucas to remain connected to her, his classmates and the classroom.
She made T-shirts with Lucas’ signature smile and blue glasses which all her students and those in Lucas’ two siblings’ classes, as well as staff members and parents wear each Friday (which Dotson calls Lucas Friday.)
Through a foundation called Monkey in My Chair, Dotson arranged for a lovable stuffed monkey to sit in Lucas’ seat when he is not able to come to class. Students tote the monkey with them to the library, lunch and PE class, and send Lucas pictures of his adventures to help him feel included.
“We love getting the pictures of George the Monkey playing in the parachutes, or going to recess or at lunch—he loves it,” Ellis said. “What he considers the fun, the ‘not school stuff,’ he doesn't get to be part of that, so getting the pictures of the monkey and the letters describing all those things— he loves it.”
Dotson said the monkey sitting in his chair has helped students not forget about Lucas.
“Putting him in our room, it honestly feels whole again,” she said.
Students also stay in communication with Lucas by sending notes to him through a class mailbox. Dotson said she always emphasizes kindness and inclusion in her class-
year,” she said. “I like how the student ambassadors greet new girls, making it personal and welcoming.”
Gretel Diederich, a junior at Alta High in Sandy, completed her first year on the SheTech student board.
“I like the program and wanted to keep it going, so I thought the best way was to be an ambassador and support it,” she said. “I like exploring the booths and love talking to all the people to learn about all the programs I don’t know about. I also really love the girls. I made friends two years ago, and I still talk to them when I see them here. It says a lot about the SheTech community and the people.”
room but the last few months have given her students opportunities to put those values into practice.
“I've watched the empathy in each of these little kids grow by a million and a half,” Dotson said. “They just talk about it all the time, how excited they are for Lucas Friday, or how they're going to grab an extra this or whatever at home to put in his mailbox, or things like that. And just watching them care for someone else has been really, really cool, and then come up with ideas of how we're going to, or what we're going to say, or what they'd like to do to show him love. I encourage that a lot in this room, but I have watched it grow tremendously in the last little bit.”
Dotson comes to Lucas’ home to work with him regularly. She also visits him when he is in the hospital. Lucas said all the support from his teacher and classmates feels “awesome.”
Ellis said the support has been incredible.
“It makes him feel like people are there,
She was joined by her sister, freshman Leslie, who appreciated the event's schedule of workshops, and Alta High junior Audrey Semler, who was enjoying engaging with industry experts and participants.
“I love the energy here; everyone is having fun and it’s easy to talk to everyone,” she said. “I learned about different organizations for internships and college programs and scholarships.”
Kaitlin White, a freshman from Brighton, was eager to explore the booths at the TechZone, where girls could try several interactive activities as well as sample a new Coca-Cola flavor to checking out a Cybertruck. They could even test angular
even if he can't see them and if he can't hang out with them, people are there for him,” she said. “It's made a huge impact on his well-being emotionally. We noticed that when he is in a good mood or in a good emotional state, he recovers from the chemo or the procedures a lot quicker than when he's sad or feeling a little bit depressed.”
She said it was such a relief when Dotson took the initiative to arrange the zoom calls and the plan for keeping Lucas up with his classwork.
“That was a huge burden that she lifted,” she said. “As a family, we were worrying about all these other things that we had to do—his medication, finding a donor—all of it—and to not have to worry about that was just incredible.”
At the end of February, Lucas received a school-wide superhero’s farewell as he left school to prepare for a bone marrow transplant, which will keep him out of school for at least a year.
momentum.
“I find STEM stuff interesting, and I want to learn what I can do in the future in a tech career,” she said. “I also want to be a sci fi author so this definitely helps with that.”
Near the area where robotic cars were being driven, Riverview Junior High ninthgrade students Lexie Nelson and Aubrey Clayton were experimenting with InstaSnow.
“There's so many more careers than I thought there would be here; it’s awesome,” Clayton said.
Nelson added: “It’s all fun; I love the women empowerment.”
Megan Dotson leads her student Lucas Ellis through a hero’s farewell given by his classmates as he leaves school to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. (Kraig Williams/JSD)
SSL to continue with ranked choice voting for 2025 elections
It will mark the third consecutive time the city has participated in the alternative voting method.
By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com
TheSouth Salt Lake City Council unanimously approved ranked choice voting for its 2025 elections.
After initially being presented with the idea in late 2018 for the city to consider its use, ranked choice has been South Salt Lake’s voting method the last two cycles, 2021 and 2023.
“We have been successful with those so we would like to do that again in 2025,” City Recorder Ariel Andrus explained during a February council meeting.
The city is required to provide written notice to the lieutenant governor and the Salt Lake County clerk by May 1 of the council’s majority vote in order to participate.
Andrus said the method has proven $1015K cheaper with no primary election held in the summer before the general election held in November. Cost for this year’s race is determined by how many cities participate. Midvale unanimously approved its participation in February as well.
Negative feedback was minimal in 2021 and 2023, according to Andrus, who from her assessment felt voters adapted well. In her memo to the mayor and council accompanying the resolution she added “candidates have generally expressed support for the system with a shortened campaign period, which in turn can be a cost savings to those candidates. Overall, the RCV process has been positive for the city.”
The council expressed no reservations with a unanimous vote.
“Ranked choice voting has been a pleasant surprise,” Councilmember Sharla Bynum said.
Elected seats up for grabs this year will be for Mayor, District 2, District 3 and a council at-large seat.
How ranked choice voting works:
1. Voter ranks candidates A, B and C for first, second and third place. Jane Doe ranks her votes in this order – C, A, B.
2. If no candidate reaches 51 percent then whoever is in third place would be eliminated. For example: candidate A is 40 percent, B is 35 and C is 25, then candidate C would be eliminated.
3. Since Jane Doe’s candidate C was eliminated, her vote would then go to A, her second choice.
4. This process would occur until a candidate reaches a majority.
Ranked choice voting works like this: instead of choosing one candidate as is currently done, you would instead rank them in first place, second place, and so on. If no candidate reaches 51%, a clear majority, then the candidate with the least votes is eliminated. Those who voted for the eliminated candidate would then see their votes assigned to their second choice. This continues until one someone has the majority.
Proponents of the method point to three primary benefits of the ranked choice system. First, a more informed resident as voters would need to be familiar with all candidates. Second, more civil campaigns since candidates would want to appeal to as many voters as possible. Third, the city would need to run only one election, jettisoning the primary election held in June. l
The South Salt Lake City Council, seen here in 2021, will have three seats up for grabs in addition to the mayoral seat. (File photo Bill Hardesty/City Journals)
ON THE MOVE
From Cradle to Career: How Promise SSL is Transforming Lives in South Salt Lake
Cherie Wood, Mayor
801-464-6757
mayor@sslc.gov
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Monday - Friday • 8 am to 5 pm
801-483-6000
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Public Meetings
For
Inspired by a visit to the Harlem Children’s Zone in 2010, we embarked on a mission to transform South Salt Lake through our own afterschool program. Our vision was to create a comprehensive “cradle-to-career” pipeline that focused on holistic community support, serving youth and families beyond the typical city services and physical infrastructure. This mission was fueled by the tragic loss of seven-year-old Nser Ner Moo, which highlighted the urgent need for a safe afterschool environment for our youth and to support families. At the time, all of our public schools were Title 1 and in turnaround status (identified as needing significant improvement due to low student performance data), so the timing couldn’t have been more critical to start our Promise South Salt Lake journey, which began with just a single site at a community center and elementary school.
Our initial funding strategy blended state, federal and philanthropic resources, leveraging grants and health service partnerships. Institutionalized as a city department in 2012, Promise SSL’s expansion continued where the need was greatest or where funds were available. Today, Promise SSL’s highquality programs serve over 2,000 K-12 students, offering meals, homework tutoring, and diverse enrichment activities. Promise SSL now operates 14 programs with over 30 full-time employees.
The success of Promise SSL since its inception in 2012 is in the numbers, and these statistics are only a few of the many remarkable ways these programs have influenced the lives of
our youth and their families, and how it continues to transform our community.
• All of our local public schools have pulled out of turnaround status and have made significant strides in improving student scores.
• Graduation rates for our refugee students have reached parity with their non-refugee peers, all pointing to our success in enhancing educational opportunities.
• Juvenile arrests during afterschool hours have decreased by 85%.
But what about our littlest residents? Building the cradle-tocareer pipeline has been a gradual, piece-by-piece endeavor, culminating just this year with the launch of the “Baby and You” program. Baby and You marks the fi nal piece of our vision, supporting new and expecting parents with a 9-week workshop focused on child development, confidence-building, and family engagement. The first cohort’s graduation, with 23 participants, emphasizes the importance of nurturing families as the foundation of strong communities. Our commitment to early childhood education and family support ensures every child can reach their full potential.
Now that we’ve gone broad from cradle to career, it’s time to go deep. As Promise SSL continues, our aim is to deepen our programs and enhance their impact, striving for a stronger South Salt Lake. I wish to convey to you that our dedication to sustaining and expanding Promise SSL remains unwavering, as we continue to create a healthier, opportunity-filled life for everyone in our community.
Mayor Cherie Wood
Understanding Municipal Government: Budgeting 101 CITY COUNCIL CORNER
Sharla Bynum, District 3
Creating and passing the city budget is a collaborative effort. Our process starts with collecting information from stake holders; department heads prioritize critical needs; City Council members share their vision and priorities; and residents are surveyed to identify personal and community needs. Mayor Wood then uses this feedback to create a tentative budget that is presented to the Council on or before the first regularly scheduled meeting in May. The Council accepts the tentative budget but has until June 22 to make changes and take final action. Long-term plans for infrastructure, staffing, public safety, public amenities, community events, and housing should be considered throughout the process.
Residents and business owners have opportunities to make additional comments concerning the budget by attending City Council meetings and speaking during the public comment portion or public hearings. If you can’t attend a meeting, contact your council member to share your feedback. Don’t miss your opportunity to participate, and let us represent you in this process.
Note: Opinions expressed here may not be representative of all Members of the City Council.
South Salt Lake Housing Manager
Here in South Salt Lake, we’ve got affordable housing on the mind. The City recently hired Steve Lyon as our new Senior RDA Project and Housing Manager. This role is designed to promote the development of affordable housing options in our city. Steve sees affordable home ownership as a cornerstone of building community and strong neighborhoods. He brings a wealth of experience to this position, having worked on community development projects across the country, and as a Salt Lake County native, is looking forward to building community closer to home. South Salt Lake has a unique potential for development due to our burgeoning downtown and historic single family bungalows, and Steve looks forward to realizing that potential through community partnerships and collaboration.
Short-term Rental Ordinance: Maintaining Community In SSL
On March 12, the South Salt Lake City Council unanimously approved an ordinance regulating the ownership and management of short-term rentals (STRs). Due to our central location in the Salt Lake Valley and our blossoming arts and culture scene, South Salt Lake is an in-demand location for STR services. While tourism is an important industry that breathes fresh energy and revenue into our City, a balance must be maintained so that it does not come at the expense of our limited single-family neighborhoods. This ordinance aims to strike that balance by enforcing all STRs to operate with a business license, limiting the amount of STRs per city block, and placing a requirement that all STR owners live in or near South Salt Lake. To read the full ordinance and learn more about business license requirements, visit sslc.gov.
Public Safety
SSL Welcomes New Justice Court Judge
Judge Mark Flores joins the bench at the new South Salt Lake Justice Court. While this position will be Judge Flores’ first appointment as a judge, throughout his legal career he has worked both sides of a courtroom as prosecution and legal defense. He has seen the difference that a good judge can make on people’s experience with the legal system, and has taken note of the qualities that he strives to emulate. To Judge Flores, a good judge is one who is patient and kind. They are respectful and thoughtful, even when delivering difficult sentences, and they are always fair. Judge Flores looks forward to the challenges of this job. He understands that the court system is an invaluable tool in addressing the mental health and homelessness crisis in our country, and looks forward to working within the collaborative framework that our Justice Court has established to address these issues in our community.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Message from SSLPD Chief Danielle Croyle
April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect and to renew our commitment to protecting our most vulnerable community members–our children. As Chief of the South Salt Lake Police Department, I want to emphasize that keeping children safe is a responsibility we all share. Child abuse and neglect are heartbreaking realities that affect far too many families, and their impact can last a lifetime. As a city, we are dedicated to working closely with families, schools, social services, and community organizations to identify, prevent, and stop child abuse in all forms. Our officers are trained to respond with compassion and urgency when children are at risk. We work hand-in-hand with Child Protective Services, the Children’s Justice Center, and other partners to ensure victims receive the support and protection they need. But we cannot do this work alone. We need the help of every community member to watch for signs of abuse such as unexplained injuries, sudden behavior changes, or fearfulness. Report concerns immediately. This month and every month, let’s stand together to protect our children and create a safe, nurturing environment for them to grow and thrive. If you suspect abuse, call the South Salt Lake Police Department at 801-412-3600, or the Utah Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-323-3237. Together, we can make a difference.
Are You Ready For Our Next Earthquake?
The Great Utah ShakeOut is an annual statewide earthquake drill, held on the third Thursday of April, where people across Utah practice earthquake safety by “Dropping, Covering, and Holding On” at work, school, or home. For resources and ideas about how you can participate, visit shakeout.org/utah.
Get Involved
South Salt Lake Public Safety Meetings
Civilian Review Board
Monday, April 7 at 6:30 pm
Monday, May 5 at 6:30 pm
Visit sslc.gov to learn more about the Civilian Review Board, or apply to be a member.
Neighborhood Watch
Thursday, April 3 at 7:00 pm
Neighborhood Watch meets virtually on the first Thursday of every month. Visit sslc.gov for the zoom link or more information. Please call 801-412-3600 with questions.
Community Connect
Wednesday, April 23 at 10:30 am
Join us at Dali Crepes to have a treat and connect with members of the SSLPD and South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Graphite
Colored
Drawing
South Salt Lake Pickleball Club
The Promise South Salt Lake Co-Op is proud to partner with Proxima Careers and the Utah CNA Training Center to provide high-quality Certi ed Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and certi cation programs.
Currently, 22 students are enrolled in the program and are on track to complete their certi cation in early April. We are excited to announce a second round of training and certi cation courses beginning April 15 and 16 at the Promise SSL Co-Op.
South Salt Lake is a City of Kindness. This message resounded loudly during the annual State of the City Ceremony on March 17. While there was much to celebrate over the last year, we have to acknowledge that many in our community are feeling the uncertainty of these turbulent times. While it’s important to celebrate our victories and innovation in providing city services, Mayor Wood pledged to continue focusing on stabilizing our neighborhoods for all residents, and ensure South Salt Lake is a place of safety; a community of solutions; a city of kindness. During the awards presentation, Mayor Wood presented 16 awards to recognize the people and businesses that embody the spirit of our City on the Move and display true dedication to South Salt Lake. See a few of the award winners below, and visit sslc.gov to watch a recording of the full address and read the bios of our 2025 award winners.
Employee of the Year
Promise SSL Partner of the Year
Legacy Family of the Year
Social Impact Champion
Youth Leaders of the Year
City of Kindness & One Kind Act a Day Partnership
Last November, Salt Lake County voters considered a $500 million public safety bond on their ballot. The funding was intended to expand the Metro Jail by adding more jail beds, and a smaller portion was for a Justice and Accountability Center – a facility for low-level offenders offering mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and job placement assistance. Despite the need for jail services, voters rejected the bond by roughly 52-48 percent.
For years, the county has anticipated this issue. To help offset the cost, several years ago, I led an effort to set aside $100 million dollars for jail expansion, but this reserve isn’t enough. Although the jail bond didn’t pass, the need for jail expansion remains.
The county council recently implemented a small sales tax--one penny for every $5 spent. One quarter goes to Salt Lake County for public safety, one quarter goes to cities for transportation, and half goes back to the state legislature for transportation projects.
For now, the county’s portion will fund the temporary re-opening of a pod at the Oxbow Jail, adding 248 jail beds over the next six months as well as fund deferred maintenance at Oxbow until we can eventually expand the Metro Jail.
Salt Lake County operates two jails, the Metro Jail and Oxbow. Both house inmates, but one has laundry facilities and the other
Public Safety is still top priority
Aimee Winder Newton
Salt Lake County Councilwoman|
District 3
has the kitchen that prepares meals for both. We are constantly transporting these services back and forth between the two which is costly and inefficient.
The bond was intended to help us permanently shut down Oxbow, an aging facility with significant deferred maintenance issues. For now, expanding Oxbow is a temporary solution with the goal to invest as little as possible until we pass a future jail bond to expand the Metro Jail.
Salt Lake County funds public safety services through our general fund, which totals approximately $600 million. Over 74% of that budget already goes toward public safety, covering jail operations, the sheriff’s office, prosecution, indigent defense, and related services. While we continually seek ways to be more efficient, our current revenue simply isn’t enough to expand the Metro jail and add jail beds. Something has to change.
I’m sharing this with you for two important reasons. First, I believe in transparency. Second, we should have done a better job educating the public on why the public safety bond was necessary. We’ve asked the mayor and sheriff to bring back a more cost-effective option for expanding the Metro Jai and it will likely be on the ballot in 2026.
This future bond, called a "General Ob-
ligation Bond," will save taxpayers money. It has much lower interest rates than other types of bonds and is kept separate from the county’s overall budget. While taxes would go up either way, passing this bond will cost taxpayers less in the long run.
When the time comes, I encourage you to take a closer look. Public safety remains our top priority, and we hope you’ll stand with us in addressing this urgent need.
HB65 expands firefighters’ access to cancer screenings
The bill increases the recognized cancers from four to 15 making it easier for firefighters to access healthcare benefits and compensation for their treatment.
By Becky Ginos
becky.g@thecityjournals.com
Firefighters risk their lives daily but that’s not the leading cause of death – it’s cancer. An important bill, HB65 Firefighter Cancer Amendments, that will provide medical support and access to cancer screenings and early detection was passed by the legislature March 5.
“This is enormous,” said South Davis Metro Fire Chief Greg Stewart. “There is exposure on every fire we go on. This bill makes screenings accessible for all departments with tracking and coverage by workers compensation. That’s huge.”
Firefighters are nine times more likely to die from cancer, he said. “As a department we’ve done cancer studies for 50 different types of cancer markers. That costs $650 a test. That was just a blood screening.”
Previously there were four cancers that were presumed to be work related, said Stewart. “This moves it to 15 types. That’s huge for our community. The whole point is early detection.”
Stewart said his department has been doing what they can to prevent exposure to toxins. “It’s our policy that everyone showers within an hour of a call to remove any decontami-
nates from the scene. We have air cleaners in the vehicles to get the toxins out of the air and we push for every firefighter to have a second set of (turnout) gear to wear while theirs is being cleaned.”
That’s what they’ve done locally as a department, he said. “But the bill gives the ability for widespread screening for cancer.”
“I’ve slept with my fire gear for my entire adult life it seems like,” said Marty Peterson with the Pension Membership Council – PFFU. “Recently I had a cancer screening. They scanned my body and found my bladder had a tumor in it. It was the size of two average thumbs put together inside my bladder. That’s how big my tumor was.”
Peterson said he benefited so much from early detection and cancer screening. “I’ve appreciated that opportunity and hope that opportunity is made available to every firefighter.”
“We’ve all had colleagues that have passed away from cancer,” said Lehi Fire Chief Jeremy Craft. “Not just one or two. It’s very prevalent in the fire service to lose a colleague or friend. For me personally I was recently diagnosed with two types of cancer through a testing process. I was passionate before, but this has really brought my passion to the forefront. For me it was caught early.”
“Utah’s firefighters put everything on the line to protect us, often at great personal risk,” said Gov. Spencer J. Cox. “With HB65, we’re making it clear that their health and safety matter just as much as the lives they work tirelessly to save. Expanding cancer screenings and medical support is the right thing to do for those who sacrifice so much for Utah.”
dangers don’t end with their shift ends, said bill sponsor, Rep. Casey Snider, a volunteer with the Paradise Fire Department. “Too often, that danger lingers in the form of deadly disease, taking the lives of those who have already sacrificed so much for their communities. They show up for us – we’re showing up for them.” l
Draper City Fire Chief Clint Smith hugs another firefighter at the Capitol during a press conference with the governor about HB65. (Photo courtesy of Utah Senate Facebook)
Colts gallop through Region 10 competition with an 11-1 record en route to the league title, but the things that caused issues during preseason resurfaced at the 4A state tournament.
By Brian Shaw b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
One year after a run to the state finals, the Cottonwood boys basketball team looked like it might cause trouble for opposing teams at the 4A state tournament.
But, the Colts started slow against unheralded Uintah at home during their 4A second round game Feb. 15, trailing by two points after one quarter, 17-15.
Cottonwood managed to tie the game 24-24 by halftime, but the Colts found themselves down five points after three quarters of play, 43-38. Part of that had to do with the Colts’ inability to knock down jumpers—they shot just 37% from the field for the game, and 5% from three.
For a team that advanced to the 4A championship game last year at UVU and had Layton Christian battling to avoid an upset, this kind of behavior was uncharacteristic— particularly when several key players were returning for their senior seasons, including the second and third leading scorers from last year in John Rosevear and Luke Park.
Now seniors, the Brighton High transfers Rosevear and Park were expected to carry this Colts team to a Region 10 title and beyond.
Job done there, but it was never easy for the Colts this season, and the game against Uintah was a microcosm of their struggles in preseason play, when they won one game at the Utah Autism Holiday Classic that was chock full of the same top schools Cottonwood thumped a year earlier.
That said, the Colts used a 19-6 fourth quarter run to gallop toward a 57-49 win over the Utes and move on to the 4A quarterfinals at SUU’s America First Events Center. Leading the way for the Colts was Luke Park, who
buried 16 points, dished 12 assists and had six rebounds to go with five steals in a memorable performance.
Fellow senior Bo Smith showed off his athleticism, snaring a team-high 11 rebounds against Uintah [with 13 points] and 6-foot-8 sophomore giant Luka Cecez drilled 12 points, had six rebounds and whacked a team-high three blocks away from the rim. Rosevear swished a quiet 11 points for a Colts squad that advanced to play a Dixie team that didn’t have far to travel for the quarters.
Cottonwood [17-9] did all it could to stave off a decided home-court advantage for the Flyers, who had just 40 miles of travel north to Cedar City. The Colts had an extra bus for all interested students for the 3-hour ride south, and dozens took advantage of that offer.
But that paled in comparison to the traveling party Dixie brought, and so the Flyers got out to a hot start in the first quarter, taking a 15-11 lead.
The proverbial home team from St. George would increase Cottonwood’s deficit to eight at 32-24 by the time the horn sounded for halftime.
For a Colts team that only dressed six players, they shot pretty well, all things considered, at 55%, helping narrow the Dixie advantage to just five, at 46-41 after three quarters of play. The problem for Cottonwood was that Dixie took better shots from a closer range, and was 58% from the field—72% inside the three-point arc.
That spelled the difference for Cottonwood, who watched its season end prematurely 64-57. The Colts were led by Cecez, who poured in 20 points and didn’t miss a shot. He ends the 2024-25 season with a school record 70 blocks.
For John Rosevear and Luke Park, Brighton transfers that came into the main gym at Cottonwood together two years ago, they’ll leave the court together knowing that they nearly set a few single-season school records.
Rosevear played his final game at The Wood and scored 17 points for a total of 248 this season, 66 shy of Chris Cox’ single-sea-
son mark last year.
Park had himself another stat-filler in his finale: 11 points, nine assists and three steals. He also seriously threatened Kirath Makhar’s single season school record 249 assists, coming within 19 of it. The duo will also see their names in the top 10 in several other categories, insomuch as single-season
school records are concerned.
Senior Bo Smith was unable to play in the 4A quarterfinal due to injury, but he’ll see his name mentioned in the school’s single-season top 10 record list in two categories: rebounds and blocks. Smith’s 144 total rebounds and 13 blocks puts the athletic senior firmly into those spots. l
Luke Park had a clutch performance in the Colts playoff victory over Uintah. (City Journals)
NEW AREA
Cottonwood boys hoops legend Kirath Makhar earns All-Region honors on his college team
Makhar, a sophomore guard at Treasure Valley Community College in Oregon, was named to the AllEast Region first team this month and plans play at a four-year school.
By Brian Shaw b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
ForKirath Makhar, there were some things he would’ve liked to do differently in his first two years at Treasure Valley Community College in Oregon.
“I played alright, could’ve played better … but can’t change it now,” said Makhar, who added that things changed once TVCC had a new coach to tip off his sophomore season. “I felt great about my role, [we had a] new coach; it was his first year, and he let me be me.”
Anyone familiar with Makhar’s game knows that when coaches let go of those reins, he’ll not only gallop to glory—he’ll bring the whole team along for the ride.
“I was starting and kind of did a bit of everything … scoring, play making and [contributing] a huge part on defense,” said Makhar.
That versatility, and the addition of new head coach Eric Holbrook, who played at Western Oregon University and most recently was an assistant at Dawson Community College in Montana, seemed to help Makhar.
“I fell in love with the game of basketball as a player and I have now fallen in love with teaching the game of basketball. My goal as a coach is what I call the ‘spider web effect.’ Because my coach impacted my life and turned my life around, I want to be able to keep that going,” said Holbrook in a media release at Dawson. “If I can impact a student-athletes’ life, I hope that when they get the chance to help someone, they will do the same. This all creates a large web of good people helping others who need it.”
The thing is, Makhar was already good at
helping people—he just needed the right coach to guide him on his way. The new TVCC coach has certainly done that for Makhar, who averaged 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals per game as a sophomore, earning All-East Region honors in the Northwest Athletic Conference, or NWAC.
Makhar also helped lead the Chukars to the conference tournament’s Elite 8—not an easy task when 32 schools make up the NWAC. TVCC completed the 2024-25 season with an 8-6 record in the East Region of the NWAC, good for third place, and were 13-15 overall.
Makhar was one of a handful of TVCC players that opted to return to the two-year school in the town of Ontario, Oregon, located about 40 miles west of Boise, for his sophomore year after averaging 19 minutes and 10 points per game as a freshman.
That is hard to believe, considering the young man was a legend and viral YouTube sensation at Cottonwood High, setting Utah’s internet on fire with dazzling ball-handling skills, as he contorted his body into the next jaw-dropping move that usually resulted in someone else getting most of the credit in the form of a two or three-point bucket.
But, the truth is that the truly great ones don’t think they’re really that great. As student-athletes, they put in so many hours at the gym that they often have to be kicked out by janitors.
The other truth is that players like Makhar are as vital to any team’s ecosystem as the bottles of water and Gatorade they must drink to replenish their bodies, hearts and minds after playing hard on both ends of the floor.
The Cottonwood legend is on track to graduate with his associate’s degree in the spring, setting the stage for his next step, which is still being formulated but will include a fouryear school.
“I’m trying to figure that out,” Makhar said. “I’ve had some [NAIA schools] reach out to me, but I’m for sure going to play at the fouryear level.” l
Kirath Makhar [No. 20 on far left] poses with his Treasure Valley Community College boys’ basketball teammates. (Treasure Valley Community College media release)
By Brian Shaw b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
For this Cottonwood Colts boys’ soccer team, the decision to turn toward a youth movement is the big news of the moment, according to head coach BryLee Harvest.
“I decided to be bold this season and take over 20 underclassmen (9 freshman and 11 sophomores),” Harvest said. “I understood the risk and growing pains it entailed, but I felt it was time to revitalize our program looking at the bigger picture for this school.”
That resulted in two losses to kick off the 2024-25 season—both narrow. First, the season opener at Highland Tuesday March 4 was a slugfest … in cleats.
“We were level the entire game against Highland and had many opportunities that we failed to convert (including a missed PK),” Harvest said. “It looked like we were going to overtime and we dropped two late goals in the last eight minutes of the game.”
After that, and just like clockwork, a visitor in white came.
“We follow the game up with an unfortunate cancellation of our Cyprus game
due to the snow and head straight into region play against Tooele,” said Harvest, lamenting the fact his team’s preseason would be just one game.
That cancellation pushed the Colts toward their next game, the Region 10 opener on March 10.
“Tooele vs Cottonwood has become one of the greatest rivalries in Region 10 in the four years we have been together, this past game is an early candidate for game of the year,” Harvest said. “One of those deficits included a two-goal rally in the last 20 minutes of the game that was sparked by Rogelio Hernandez’s hat trick.”
It was the Colts’ first hat trick since Dejen Abreha had one back on March 14, 2017.
“We lose 4-5 in a heartbreaking 9-goal thriller in double overtime just moments away from penalties,” Harvest said. “After rallying from not just one deficit but two separate deficits.
“Soccer is a unpredictable and somewhat cruel game at times. It is in part why we love and hate it at times,” said Harvest, who remained optimistic his boys would gel. “I know once we get the first one, I believe we will not ever look back.”
The next game had Cottonwood back on familiar turf for its home opener Thursday March 13 against Park City, helmed by a son of late US women’s soccer coach Tony DiCicco.
The Colts were trailing early, but Hernandez continued his goal-scoring tear, converting a penalty kick shortly thereaf -
ter to make it 1-1.
“I subbed Jimmy Alfani into the game with five minutes left in hopes of getting something late and he did exactly that,” Harvest said. “He pounced on a corner kick and scored his debut goal of the season to put us up 2-1 heading into halftime.”
Things looked good as the second half got underway, according to the Colts’ coach.
“We struck again early in the second half with a beautiful cross from Kabali Kangeta that was finished on a first-time volley from Hernandez to put us up 3-1,” Harvest said. “Things were looking great, but we decided for some reason to go on cruise control after that goal and made the game way more interesting than it had to be (especially in the last 10 minutes).”
Park City got a goal back with about eight minutes left, trimming Cottonwood’s lead to 3-2.
“We were defending for our lives but luckily time expired,” said Harvest, who’s playing an average of five freshmen in every game. “It was a great game, I was really disappointed with the lapse of focus from our team to conclude it … and it’s part of the growing pains with playing a younger squad.”
For this edition of Cottonwood boys soccer, several guys are standing out.
“Rogelio Hernandez is showing out early with five goals in three games so far. He is on fire right now,” Harvest said. “Additionally, Kabali Kangeta (forward) and Parker Evans (forward) have contributed two assists each in helping our team score seven goals in three games. Our freshmen Jancarlo Licona-Vera, Alfredo Cardenas and John Vaughan have shown tremendous poise and have started each game and played significant minutes for us. They are growing up right in front of our eyes! Jancarlo and Alfredo have played every possible minute for us also.”
There is still plenty of work to do at one end of the field, however.
“While we have an explosive offense right now, we are also giving up a lot of goals that we need to work on as the season progresses. We have given up nine goals in three games,” Harvest said. “A lot of poor mistakes and misjudgments replacing an entire defensive back line. We are definitely trying to figure things out back there, but there has been some promising progress.” l
The 2024-25 Cottonwood Colts boys soccer team (Photo courtesy BryLee Harvest)
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The newspeak and doublethink we endure each day can be a bit overwhelming, but I’ve found a way to get through the endless cycle of breaking news: denial.
but
staff at national parks. Measles is
Gaza is the new Riviera. The economy is crashing and it’s tax season when I pay thousands of dollars to the government so it can purchase Tesla Cybertrucks to send to Jupiter.
The newspeak and doublethink we endure each day can be a bit overwhelming, but I’ve found a way to get through the endless cycle of breaking news: denial.
Denial is a beautiful, hazy way to spend your day. Instead of crying through a CNBC report, denial allows you to drift on a cloud of puff pastry surrounded by cherry trifle and savory scones.
This specific form of denial is “The Great British Bake Off” and it saved me during March when I was knee-deep in tissues, cough syrup and tariff wars. There’s only so much idiocy one can endure while healing from pneumonia.
Unlike American reality shows that foster cruelty and conflict, GBBO features a dozen creative bakers who just want to make
Let them eat cake
the best Victoria sponge cake or sticky toffee pudding. The contestants are kind, positive and willing to offer a helping hand.
I love British television because everyone looks real. There are no plastic surgery junkies or steroid-addicted chefs, just regular people doing something they love. When the judges, Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith, make a criticism, it’s done with a British accent so it doesn’t sound so awful.
When Prue tuts and says, “This bake is a disaster,” she could easily be tucking a blanket around your shoulders and handing you a steaming cup of Earl Grey.
Instead of watching Elon Musk wield a chainsaw, I tune into GBBO which is filmed on the grounds of an English manor. Bunnies and squirrels scamper through grassy meadows like a Disney movie. There’s even a fanbase dedicated to identifying the different bird songs heard during the show.
The pastel-colored set, with its matching counters, ovens and fridges, distracts me from personnel cuts at federal agencies including
the CDC and FAA. GBBO hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding wander through the competition, amusing bakers with their British humor and offering pep talks to stressed cooks.
Each episode has a specific theme. There’s bread week or pastry week or biscuit week, and each chef creates a signature bake, completes a technical challenge and makes a jaw-dropping showstopper. It’s a heartwarming alternative to the 24/7 chaos of the Trump administration.
Who knew there were so many British bakery items? But I have to admit, there are things they make I would never eat, including black pudding and chorizo buns topped with mustard custard. Nope.
Instead of worrying about the breakdown of our country’s system of checks and balances, I worry about whether my favorite
baker can create a pie crust that doesn’t have a soggy bottom. The judges hate soggy bottoms. I’ve also learned to worry about fallen focaccia, overcooked tarts and croissant dough that’s not properly laminated. Even the mistakes feel cozy.
I’m impressed at how quickly chefs can whip up a batch of pistachio macarons, ginger tarts or spanakopita (a spinach and feta pie my husband would NEVER eat) with minimal tears or tantrums. It’s a reminder things can get done without fits of temper, vengeance or manipulation.
Denial is not a permanent solution but it’s a tool when messages from Big Brother and the Ministry of Truth get to be a bit much. Just turn on the TV and float away in a delicate orange buttercream or raspberry whipped cream. It’s some sweet positivity in a decidedly bitter time.
