HISTORIC PLAQUE TO BE PLACED IN WEST JORDAN VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, HONORING 250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Donated by the Utah State Society
Daughters of the American Revolution, a new marker will be placed in the West Jordan Veterans Memorial Park entitled “America 250 Patriot Plaque.” It was unanimously accepted and approved by the city council on July 31.
“This plaque commemorates the milestone 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States of America and the patriots who through their contributions to the cause, achieved American independence with principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity,” read the description submitted by the Utah DAR.
Plans describe the plaque as sized at 24-inch by 24-inch, made from bronze and “designed for hundreds of years of use.” It is completed and stored in Springville until the unscheduled installation.
Since the organization donating the plaque is a nonprofit, Mayor Dirk Burton said the installation will happen soon after securing a stone—he’s hoping in time for Constitution Day on Sept. 17.
“Veterans Memorial Park is an ideal spot for it,” he said.
Burton said it’s the best location due to the already existing memorial and future memorial plans, and the easy public access, surrounded by the future arts center, the senior center, the library and various city buildings.
“The plaque location we’ve chosen will be in our Memorial Gardens… on the east side of the gardens,” Corey Fralick said, West Jordan’s public services director. “Right as you enter, it’ll be one of the first things you see.”
It will be placed between two trees, with a bench on either side, on a stone similar to the one already placed in Boise, Idaho.
“It honors our history, educates the public and instills pride in our community,” Fralick said.
Locals expressed excitement for the new plaque, calling it a “fantastic thing” and said that it will “bring our thoughts back to the people who sacrificed everything so we could have what we have today.”
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The Military Services Monument found at West Jordan’s Veterans Memorial Park will be the location of a new 250 Patriot Plaque. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
West Jordan resident Chris McConnehey said he looks forward to using the plaque to teach his five boys about the country’s history.
“Our boys are very curious, they question everything,” McConnehey said. He hopes the plaque will open the door for conversations with his kids about their heritage and roots.
“I think as a parent it will make it a little bit easier for me to have some of those conversations with my kids and they’ll be the ones asking me the questions rather than me having to try to push it on them,” he said.
Leslie Gates of the Salt Lake Valley chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and West Jordan resident called it “a point of patriotic pride” and plans to bring her grandchildren and youth she teaches in her church.
The city council’s ties to veterans and the country’s roots run deep. Several spoke of their approval and excitement to see the plaque in the park.
Councilmember Kelvin Green is a veteran of nearly 40 years, Councilmember Pamela Bloom grew up on a military base with her father and grandfather being enlisted and Councilmember Bob Bedore’s father served in the military for nearly 40 years.
“Wars are fought on ideas and ideals, but often the idea is you’re fighting for your home,” Bedore said. “I think [the American Revolution] was an incident where they were literally fighting for a home, knowing that there would be no place to go if they didn’t.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have this [plaque] here so we can have the field trips, we can have the discussions and we can have people know about something that really mattered.” l
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America 250 Patriot Plaque dedication in Boise, Idaho by the Idaho State Society Daughters of the American Revolution. (Photo courtesy Daughters of the American Revolution)
Mayor Dirk Burton gestures to the place in the park where the future plaque will be. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
America 250 Patriot Plaque dedication in Boise, Idaho by the Idaho State Society Daughters of the American Revolution. (Photo courtesy Daughters of the American Revolution)
‘Get to the River’ and join in the festivities—month-long scavenger hunt to be hosted by West Jordan
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Getto the River Festival is an annual event featuring “river-focused celebrations and conservation activities” during September. West Jordan is joining in by hosting a 30-day photo scavenger hunt with prizes.
The Jordan River has 46 miles of trails to explore, 200 species of bird to see and 51 miles of river and parkway highlighting the “amazing slice of nature through the most urbanized and populated region of Utah’s Wasatch Front,” per the Jordan River Commission.
“Thousands of people each year turn out to celebrate the many wonderful things the river has to offer, as well as volunteer to help clean up and restore the river to make it a destination for all to enjoy for generations to come.”
Events will focus on educating attendees about the trail and river and conservation, creating community and celebrating another year.
Ashley Dupler, West Jordan’s events manager, said the photo scavenger hunt will allow participants to “show off the river’s beauty.”
“The scavenger hunt, as part of the Get to the River event, is one of our favorites because it really shows off the river’s beauty,” Dupler said. “It’s more than just a waterfront—it’s a living piece of our history and a sanctuary for local wildlife.”
Participation is free for the hunt and anyone can take pictures along the Jordan River Trail in West Jordan and submit them by scanning the QR codes found along the route, filling out a form found on West Jordan’s Jordan River Scavenger Hunt webpage or emailing them to events@westjordan.utah.gov. Make sure to submit them before the end of the month to qualify.
“What I love most is that it runs for a whole month, not just a single night,” said Sheri Miller, West Jordan events assistant. “It gives everyone the chance to get out and enjoy it whenever it fits into their busy lives.”
The city has already posted the picture prompts online which include:
● A bug
● A fun-shaped rock
● A colorful leaf
● Giving someone a high-five
● A furry friend
● Grass
● A stick
● A trail sign
● The mountains
● Something yellow
● Ring the bell by Layer’s bedding (Gardner Village)
● Visit the Water tower (Gardner Village)
● Snag a free piece of salt water taffy at the Chocolate Covered Wagon (Gardner Village)
Winners for the scavenger hunt will be chosen randomly at the end of the month and be contacted in mid-October. Three prizes will be awarded, including a hammock, a Carhartt lunch cooler and a camping chair to enjoy the great outdoors even more.
Happy hunting!
More events will be happening along the river throughout the month, including community walking and biking, trail service and cleanup projects, tree planting, nature workshops, bird watching and more. Find the full calendar of events online at https://jordanrivercommission.gov/get-to-the-river-festival/. l
New Copper Hills golf coach excited to build program
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Anewfall sports season has brought some new coaches to various schools, including to Copper Hills. The Grizzlies welcome Jack Lambert to lead the boys golf team.
Lambert inherits a team that faces some tough tasks this season. The Grizzlies compete in Region 2 against defending Class 6A champion and state power Corner Canyon as well as Herriman and Bingham, both of whom finished in the top 11 in state a year ago.
In 2023, two Grizzlies placed at the state championships. One of those players, senior Tate Allred, is back this season to lead Copper Hills. Lambert is fortunate to have Allred, who is the most talented, seasoned player on the squad.
“[Allred] brings years of experience and the ability to manage his golf game in a way that few can,” Lambert said. “He is a senior and one of our captains, and we hope he uses his leadership to elevate the team.”
As he enters his first year at the helm of the Copper Hills team, Lambert is aiming to develop a competitive group of boys who have a positive mindset and a desire to succeed. He wants the boys to enjoy playing and accomplish their goals.
“One of the things that we’re looking to do is build a good culture and a program where kids want to compete and be dedicated to the sport,” he said. “Two of the main goals that we’re trying to accomplish is making golf a competitive sport. We want our boys to feel like they can compete at any moment. The second goal is for every boy to improve throughout the season.”
Lambert said he won’t define success by where the team places at tournaments and matches but rather by the players’ development and progress.
“A successful season to me would look like a group of dedicated players that are hungry to improve,” he said. “If they have gained
that desire, we had a successful season.”
Any coach wants to have skilled players who can compete with and challenge opponents. But as Lambert can attest, it’s arguably more important to have a group of players who work hard, who are coachable and who strive to be their best on and off the field (or course) of play.
“We have great kids; our group of guys are some of the best kids I’ve met,” Lambert said. “They conduct themselves the right way.”
The boys golf season is long, which can be mentally taxing on the players. Matches and tournaments begin in early August, and the state tournament isn’t until Oct. 14 and 15.
Golf also requires focus, concentration and resilience, as any golfer is bound to run into difficulties here and there. Lambert hopes that more practice time will help the Grizzlies be at their best—physically and mentally.
“One of the biggest challenges that we
face is fighting through adversity,” he said. “Golf is an imperfect sport, and we really have to manage our emotions to keep the level head needed to perform well. This will be a season-long endeavor and something that we will try to achieve through having rigorous practice.”
In the first few weeks of the 2024 season, Lambert was pleased with the effort his players have shown and how they have responded to him as the program’s new coach. He wants not only to help them get better as golfers but develop into great young men.
Lambert is also grateful for the positive mindset the boys have each day. He’s eager to see that translate on the course during matches.
“The thing I’ve enjoyed most about coaching this group is the energy that the boys have,” he said. “There’s a lot of desire to get better and that’s all we can ask for.” l
A relay paddler from a previous year’s race at the “Get to the River Festival” floats down by the Jordan River Parkway. (Courtesy of Get to the River Festival)
Westside CultureFest draws thousands of art lovers, music fans and car enthusiasts
The Utah Arts Alliance and Salt Lake County Arts & Culture division recently took over the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center next to Taylorsville City Hall for a two-night celebration. The organizations hosted their second annual Westside CultureFest—a free gathering that featured a variety of activities for art lovers of all ages.
The Aug. 9 and 10 event included art, entertainment, cultural performances and a wide variety of food from different food trucks.
Lakota Nation indigenous hip-hop music artist Stella Standingbear—a former Taylorsville High School student—was the featured performer on night one of the event. Then, the second night included a lowrider custom car exhibit.
“Arts & Culture is proud to partner with Utah Arts Alliance to present the Westside CultureFest at (the County-operated) Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center,” said Matt Castillo, division director for Salt Lake County Arts & Culture. “The festival is a cultural fusion of westside artists and performers celebrating their rich heritage through contemporary art forms and performances.”
The festival featured many different performances, an artist marketplace, food trucks, art activities for kids and interactive art for older guests. Organizers say the relatively new event provides “a fun, exciting opportunity to strengthen community bonds and bridge diverse cultures by showcasing emerging, historically-underserved artists to a wide audience.”
“Our mission is to unleash the arts’ transformative power in our community,” stated Utah Arts Alliance Executive Director Derek Dyer. “The Westside CultureFest reflects our vision of a world where the arts flourish and inspire meaningful community connections. Our attendance at the first annual event, a year ago, was about 2,000 people. This year, the numbers are still coming in, but I think it was probably double that.”
And, Dyer adds, there wasn’t a seat to be
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
had when Standingbear took the arts center main stage Friday night.
“I was there, and it looked like standing room only to me,” he added. “Stella was awesome—really amazing— she did such a good job. Afterward, she signed autographs and posed for pictures for two hours, during a meetand-greet. I’m not sure how long ago she attended Taylorsville High, but she told me she’s been performing for about 10 years now.”
Standingbear is a rapidly rising musical performer who enjoyed two historic wins at the 2023 Indigenous Hip-Hop Awards: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and Music Video of the Year. Her fans say “Stella’s unique blend of melodic alt-rap has captured the hearts of listeners worldwide. Her catalog is a rich tapestry, offering a versatile array of musical experiences.”
Standingbear’s debut single, “Home Runs,” became a TikTok sensation and reached No. 1 on a prestigious indigenous music countdown hosted by SiriusXM. Standingbear has shared the stage with many respected artists like Kirko Bangz, Montana of 300, Futuristic, KYLE and Bizzy Bone. She has also been featured in Teen Vogue, solidifying her presence in mainstream media.
The Utah Arts Alliance was established in 2003 to boost all different types of artistic endeavors. The nonprofit’s Marketing and Communication Manager is Quinn Winter.
“Westside CultureFest was created a year ago to provide better access and exposure for artistic endeavors on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley,” she said. “This is part of our core value to uplift all artists. We did not specifically require CultureFest artists to be from the westside but we did prioritize them during the selection process. We also focused our event advertising on westside communities like Taylorsville, West Jordan and West Valley City.”
The Utah Arts Alliance also operates radio station KUAA 99.9 FM, which is described on its website as “a low-powered FM community radio station, broadcasting at 99.9 FM and
streaming around the world. We pride ourselves on specializing in musical, cultural, linguistic and artistic diversity.”
As the Westside CultureFest continues
to grow, the Utah Arts Alliance and Salt Lake County Arts & Culture are already promising a third annual, returning to the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center next summer. l
Performers from a group called Cirque du Salt Lake were part of the second annual Westside CultureFest. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
Arts and crafts of all kinds were on sale during the Westside CultureFest. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
An arts and crafts room at the Westside CultureFest gave kids the chance to create something special to take home. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
Jordan District takes on social media giants in national lawsuit
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Jordan School District Board of Education’s priorities are student safety, wellness and student learning, said Board President Tracy Miller, which is why Jordan District is involved in a lawsuit against social media giants Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok.
“We see firsthand in our schools the impact of the mental health crisis among our youth,” Miller said. “Scientific data shows that social media damages the health and wellness of children and disrupts learning. We have the responsibility to do all we can do to stop the negative impact.”
Jordan School District was recently named one of twelve “bellwether” plaintiffs in a national multidistrict lawsuit claiming negligence and public nuisance on the part of the social media companies.
At a July press conference, board members reported Jordan District has invested millions of dollars in student mental health supports including staffing a district wellness department and hiring full time mental health counselors for every school.
“Jordan School District has devoted substantial resources to addressing students and curating mental health and to combat learning disruptions,” Miller said. “We are honored to be chosen as one of the lead plaintiffs, and are hopeful that this lawsuit will help us recoup some of our costs, and more importantly, change the way social media companies operate so our students are protected.”
The suit claims social media companies have failed to adequately warn users about the harm their products cause, noting that the psychologically manipulative techniques used to attract and retain the attention of users are addictive, especially to children and teens’ developing brains.
Other harms to youth cited in the suit include physical and mental harm by encouraging destructive behavior, promoting negative appearance and social comparisons, and—because of ineffective parental controls, age-verification measures and privacy protections—contributing to the sexual exploitation and endangerment of children.
The idea that social media and the internet are harmful to young people is a sentiment shared by many, including the U.S. Senate, which recently passed legislation to protect children’s privacy online, and Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who issued a mental health advisory last year.
“We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis—one that we must urgently address,” Murthy said in his May 2023 statement.
When the lawsuit goes to trial, most likely near the end of this year, Jordan District may be asked to testify. Jordan District em-
ployees are gathering evidence in preparation.
JSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey became emotional when speaking about social media’s effect on students.
“You see on an individual basis how their lives are negatively impacted—not just their living—but their ability to interact with others and have a productive day of school is dramatically negatively impacted by social media,” Godfrey said.
JSD Board Member Bryce Dunford personally witnessed his teenage son’s grades, personality, self-image and world view devastated by an addiction to social media.
“Logan was not prepared to be sucked into the social media world that was waiting for him, nor were his mother and I aware of what was happening on the other end to suck him in,” Dunford said. “It became an obsession. It became an addiction. And we kind of lost him.”
Getting likes, comments and shares on social media consumed Logan’s thoughts and his time for years.
“It was incredibly fulfilling, yet also not very genuine,” Logan said.
As a high school sophomore, he finally made the difficult decision to delete his social media apps for the sake of his mental health.
“I began to feel really uncomfortable and awkward and kind of unsafe in my own skin throughout all situations of my life,” he said. “And I thought that it was really important to somehow find a way to disconnect, and the easiest way to do that was going off social media.”
Dunford said in the absence of social
media, his son became himself again.
“The student we knew in those early years came back— not just his grades, but his whole personality, his life, his image of himself, his happiness,” Dunford said. Logan graduated from Bingham High School in June, with top grades and the prestigious Pick and Shovel Award. But he still feels a craving for the way crafting a popular post on social media made him feel.
“But I recognize in the fact that I do still feel that way, should I get back on, I would be sucked right back into that toxic mentality that I had in the first place, and I would be super depressed again and super anxious all the time,” he said.
Columbia Elementary PTA President Sharol Stapley believes the lawsuit is a good step toward protecting children, but believes parents are ultimately responsible to safeguard their children. She sets screen time and content limits for her children and believes delaying exposure to the perils of social media will give her kids time to develop a healthy self-image.
“I want my kids to know who they are before they venture into a world that's going to tell them everything opposite to what they know about themselves,” Stapley said.
Stapley believes schools can support students and their families by providing digital safety education and resources.
This spring, Columbia Elementary’s PTA sponsored a Ready Tech Go family night, presented by AT&T, to educate families about the effects of excessive screen time and to provide parents with kid-safe websites and internet safety resources. l
At a July 29 press conference, Jordan School District Board of Education President Tracy Miller announces the district’s involvement in a multidistrict lawsuit against social media giants. (Jet Burnham/ City Journals)
8600 South bridge delayed due to crack
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
The bridge extending above Mountain View Corridor on 8600 South has been delayed a second time due to cracks in a support column found during the final inspection.
West Jordan City announced the incident in August, calling the hairline cracks “barely noticeable to the naked eye.” But for the community’s safety, the opening of the bridge was delayed until the structural integrity of the structure could be corrected.
“We understand this delay is disappointing to those looking forward to utilizing this new bridge,” read West Jordan’s public notice. “We remain committed to opening the bridge as soon as possible, with safety as our highest priority.”
The bridge—owned by The Utah Department of Transportation—has been highly anticipated by the community as it’s expected to greatly improve the east-to-west flow in the city, which has been a growing concern.
“I know that those on the West side were excited for that bridge so their kids can go to school,” said Councilmember Chad Lamb during a council meeting. “Hopefully it’s done sooner rather than later.”
West Jordan’s public information officer, Marie Magers, said the bridge was orig-
inally scheduled for completion in late May, but unspecified delays pushed the date out to the end of the summer. When the crack was found, it was delayed again.
Mayor Dirk Burton said during a city council meeting he hopes the bridge will be completed by the end of the year or in early 2025, although Magers said the exact timeline is still unknown.
Magers said bridge remediation conducted by the engineering company will begin in the fall, allowing them to know more about the situation and give a better timeline.
The release said it will remain safe to drive on Mountain View Corridor under the bridge during the construction and remediation process, which will include testing and a comprehensive review of the bridge by an unnamed third-party engineering firm, under the direction of UDOT.
No additional cost or financial impact is expected for the city because of the bridge’s delay.
Updates will be posted to the bridge’s construction page at www.8600southbridge. com/, where residents can sign up for updates. l
Seasons Chorale takes flight as it prepares for its holiday concert
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Ben Chapman compares conducting a choir to flying a plane. As a licensed pilot, he must interpret all the data coming in from the plane’s instruments while communicating with air control, reading maps and navigating the aircraft to a safe landing.
“Conducting is the same level of intellectual stimulation as flying,” Chapman said. “You have to comprehend everything about the music. You have to understand what’s going on in the brass section, what’s going on in the strings, what’s going on with the choir, what’s going on with the percussion and the woodwinds, and process all of that. You have the sort of mental creation in your mind of what this needs to become, and then you’re coaching this group and guiding this group to make that a reality.”
And just like flying, when the choir and orchestra come together, everything soars.
Chapman took over as conductor of Seasons Chorale, a 150-voice performing group and full orchestra in South Jordan, when the founder and former conductor, Marlene Stanley, stepped down in 2023. She passed the baton to Chapman who is known for conducting “Lamb of God,” the musical portrayal of the final days of Jesus Christ’s life.
Season Chorale is recognized for its Sounds of the Season Christmas concert that will be held at Bingham High School (2160 S. Jordan Parkway) on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The holiday concert benefits local family shelters and the Make-a-Wish organization.
“One of my big tasks earlier this year was to do the programming for the 2024 concert,” Chapman said. “It’s all put together. I’m very, very excited about it. One of the things I love about this community group is we get to perform a whole range of Christmas musical styles. So we’ve got everything from sacred to secular to jazz to gospel and everything in between.”
No auditions are necessary, for those inter-
ested in performing with the group, and all are welcome. Rehearsals are held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church building at 1540 W. 10400 South on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Additionally, performers in Seasons Chorale have opportunities to explore music through touring and educational workshops. Award-winning composer and conductor Mark Hayes invited the group to participate in a residency in New York City this past spring. The choir also collaborated with the Choral Arts Society for the Days of '47 pops concert and will tour London in the summer of 2025.
“This is a great opportunity to come and sing, but also come and learn,” Chapman said. “One of the things I’m excited about, and hopefully contribute to the community here, is I have a lot of background to help people who want to improve their singing ability. This is a great opportunity to do that because you essentially get free instruction.”
Seasons Chorale, which has been around for about 20 years, is formed under SoJo Choral Arts, an organization dedicated to supporting local music artists. McKell Scanlan serves as SoJo Choral Arts executive director and said groups like Seasons Chorale offer big benefits to the community.
“We found it’s really powerful for people to be a part of the music community and decide where they want to make a difference,” Scanlan said. “The magic of it is really that nobody has to show up because it’s their employer, because it’s their job, because it’s their church calling, none of that. It’s just community and making a difference.”
For information about Seasons Chorale or SoJo Choral Arts, visit sojochoralarts.org.
“Music is its own language,” Scanlan said. “It crosses socio-economic lines. It’s a human connector. It’s a powerful force to bring people together who want to make music, to create music. We always insist that it’s something that we give back to the community.” l
Completion of the bridge at 8600 South over Mountain View Corridor was delayed due to a hairline crack. (Photo courtesy West Jordan City)
Conductor Ben Chapman will lead Seasons Chorale during its holiday concert in December. Community members are invited to participate in rehearsals and performances. (Photo courtesy SoJo Choral Arts)
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Stroke from Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley Stroke Team
By Dr. Rebecca Reiser
e know how important it is for patients and their families to find a hospital and a care team that you can trust - especially when emergencies, like stroke, happen. That’s why our team at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley is so incredibly proud to be a certified primary stroke center with thrombectomy capability. Recently, our stroke care team was recognized by the American Heart Association and received their Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus Award with Stroke Honor Roll and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. This award means our facility met or exceeded the national recommendations for stroke care for our patients and it highlights our hard-working, talented stroke care team for providing excellent patient stroke care! To start, we work closely with our EMS partners to help them recognize patient stroke symptoms while they are out in the field. They are trained to let us know when they are on their way to our hospital so we can be ready for stroke patients before they even arrive. Our team is then able to evaluate each patient quickly and thoroughly to determine the best course of treatment. We have medications to help break up blood clots in the brain and a team of highly
trained vascular neurosurgeons who can remove a blood clot from the brain, also known as a thrombectomy. An important note - Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley is the only hospital on the west side of the valley that has the capability of performing these state-of-the-art thrombectomies!
So, what are the signs and symptoms of stroke that you should be aware of? The easiest way to remember what to look out for is through the acronym, BEFAST:
● Balance changes
● Eye or vision changes
● Facial droop
● Arm weakness
● Speech difficulty
● Time
reduces disability among stroke survivors by 4%! That’s because about 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke until blood flow is restored. It is important that if you see someone showing the signs or symptoms of stroke outlined above, call for help immediately.
When you or your loved ones come to Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley for stroke care, you can expect state-of-theart stroke treatment and compassionate, healing care fueled by humankindness. From the teams in the ER to the stroke care teams to the physical, occupational and speech therapists that help care for patients throughout their rehab journey, and to the neurologists that assist in care decisions from the start, you are in good hands at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley!
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.
It is important to recognize the above signs and symptoms because time matters! Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, but it is the leading cause of long-term disability. Studies show that every 15 minutes saved when a patient is experiencing stroke symptoms,
Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
When things go wrong,
SPONSORED CONTENT
Dr. Rebecca Reiser Neurologist and Stroke Director CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital
Confident Grizzlies looking tough in girls soccer
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
There are lots of games left to play, but early indications are positive for the Copper Hills girls soccer team.
The Grizzlies are coming off a 14-4 season in which they placed second in a competitive Region 2. Multiple key players are back in 2024, so optimism is high around the program. And judging by how the team performed in the non-region portion of the season, Copper Hills could be a factor not only in the Region 2 race but in the state tournament, too.
The Grizzlies started the season with a stellar 6-1 record, posting four shutouts along the way. The only loss was a 3-0 setback in the season opener. It wasn’t as though the slate of games was a breeze, either. Head coach Justin Hendrix intentionally built a challenging schedule to prepare his team for region play.
“Last season was very successful,” Hendrix said. “This year, we are looking to build off that momentum and prove it wasn't just a onetime thing. We increased the level of competition in our preseason schedule and have some very difficult region opponents as well. But I am excited about the team and the challenges we are going to face.”
Hendrix said experience is perhaps the best strength of the team. Most of last season’s starters came back in 2024, and it has shown on
the field so far. Not only are the individual players experienced, but they are accustomed to playing together. This has produced a cohesive unit and fostered a strong team culture and atmosphere. Hendrix also said the girls are eager to compete in Region 2 and advance in state.
“The girls understand how we want them to play, and they are used to playing with one another,” Hendrix said. “I think they are hungry for success. We got a taste of it last year, and they want to keep it going.”
As far as season goals, Hendrix hasn’t talked about wins or where the team places in region or in the state tournament. Instead, he has a different philosophy on what a successful season looks like.
“I don't really worry about wins and losses,” he said. “That's not what defines success for me. I want to see how they compete, how they handle adversity, how they respond to challenges. I love watching their confidence grow as they learn they can do hard things, as they grow closer as teammates.”
Despite how well the Grizzlies have played in the early going, the team has dealt with a rash of injuries. Copper Hills used a different lineup in every game because of these injuries. Hendrix said as many as eight players have been out of action at one time. Avoiding
further injury issues will be critical if the Grizzlies hope to be a factor in Class 6A. Another facet of the game Hendrix wants the team to improve on is how well the players respond to adversity. He said this was something the girls struggled with a year ago.
“This year, I want them to focus on how they respond after making a mistake,” he said. “Don't worry about the mistake itself; we can't get it back, it's done. I want them focused on how they respond. Instead of looking down, embarrassed or disappointed, I want them to look up the next opportunity to make a play. I want them to see their teammates, who have their back. We'll make mistakes; to be successful, we need to learn to move forward quickly and focus on the next play.”
Fortunately for Hendrix, he has plenty of talented, seasoned players to turn to.
Other valuable contributors include senior defenders Claire Mahew and Sayri Benavides, junior striker Josie Montejano, junior forward Anna Hendrix, senior forward Sena Bell, sophomore midfielder Jasmine Cruz, junior midfielder Aerith Gomez and senior goalkeeper Miya Begay.
Through seven games, the 6-1 Grizzlies outscored their opponents 24-6. This included an impressive Region 2-opening 6-1 win over Salt Lake Academy. During this span, Palafox led the team with six goals. Torres had five goals, and Bell chipped in three. Anna Hendrix paced the Grizzlies with six assists through the first seven contests.
Justin Hendrix feels good about where Copper Hills is. Though he knows the team needs to make some improvements, he loves the effort and mental toughness his girls have shown.
Several seniors lead the Grizzlies. Some proven—as well as up-and-coming—underclassmen contribute, too. Senior center backs Emmy Crowley and Val Ruiz anchor the defense. Ruiz is a team captain and was All-Region last season. Crowley was First Team All-Region and Honorable Mention All-State a year ago. Midfielder Sydney Torres is back for her senior year after making First Team All-Region and Second Team All-State in 2023. Hendrix said she is “very skilled and fast—a playmaker” and that she is “a threat anytime she has the ball at her feet.”
The forward position is in good shape, with sophomore Camila Palafox and senior Brenna Arauozo. Palafox made Second Team All-State and First Team All-Region last season, while Arauozo was Honorable Mention All-State and First Team All-Region. Second Team All-State goalie Aspen Fraser, a senior, is also back.
“[Palafox] is a dynamic playmaker,” Hendrix said. “She has great vision and a high soccer IQ. [Arauozo] gives us relentless effort and is an elite finisher. She puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.”
“They work hard, they're hungry for success,” he said. “They've been through some tough seasons in the past and have their share of doubters. I think this group will continue to prove people wrong. I love the attitude of this team. We have a lot of hard workers who are just willing to compete and battle for each other.”
The Grizzlies face all six region foes two times during the regular season. The final scheduled game is Oct. 3 at Riverton. The Class 6A state tournament begins Oct. 10. Hendrix is enjoying his job teaching and mentoring Copper Hills’ players. This is his second year with the team, but he has coached many of the players for several years in club ball.
“We've been through a lot together,” he said. “They've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the program helping us become more competitive and respected. I really enjoy watching them grow and accomplish their goals. This is an impressive group, and I am fortunate to coach this team. Honestly, I love watching them play.” l
Copper Hills’ Sena Bell (in green) controls the ball in a game earlier this season. Bell is one of the team’s top scorers in what has been a successful season so far. (Photo courtesy Justin Hendrix.)
Newcomers looking to strengthen young West Jordan cross country team
Regardless of the sport, coaches love having experienced upperclassmen leading the way. But this doesn’t mean younger players have to take a backseat when it comes to importance and roles on the team.
At West Jordan, the girls cross country team is young, but many of those youthful athletes will be among the top runners on the squad.
“This is an interesting season for me,” head coach Taylor Hatch said. “With it being my ninth cross country season here at West Jordan, I would say we are at a rebuilding year on the girls’ side. We lost a lot of senior girls, but we have gained a lot of ninth graders and sophomores. So just building up their mileage and teaching them how to push to their limits has been the main focus.”
Moving up from the junior varsity squad on the girls’ side, junior Sadie Kevan and Abby DeMass are the team’s leaders. The fastest girl on the team is Sadie Adams. Hatch said despite being a young team, the Lady Jags are confident and eager to prove themselves.
However, the boys team has much more experience. The core of the team is made up of 11th and 12th graders. Only one of the top seven runners from the 2023 group graduated.
“The boys, on the other hand, are the opposite,” Hatch said. “We have a very strong squad of juniors and seniors. So I expect them to really close that gap between our 1–7 guy and fight for a region title.”
Many returning athletes are strengthening the boys team this season. Tyndale Curtis is the fastest runner on the boys squad. However, over the summer, Devin Butterfield developed and improved his time to become another threat for the
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Jaguars.
Hatch said his goal is always to win region and make it to the state meet. The Jaguars will once again be in Class 5A’s Region 4, the same place the team competed in last season. To reach their goals, the Jaguars need to keep a focused, consistent effort. Individual runners will need to get better throughout the year, Hatch said.
“What needs to happen for this season to be a success would just be seeing these athletes individually improve from last year—hitting the goals they have set,” he said. “I think if this happens, our team overall will be better, and that is when winning certain races will happen.”
Early on, Hatch was encouraged by the boys’ and girls’ performances.
“The season is very promising,” he said. “A lot of younger kids from last year have really improved and are going to make some of those varsity athletes have to fight for their spot.”
Hatch loves the devotion his athletes have shown, particularly how hard they worked during the summer. Perhaps more importantly, he said the Jaguar cross country athletes conduct themselves well and are easy to coach.
“What I have enjoyed this summer is how dedicated a lot of these kids have been, really making an effort to hit the mileage they are expected to hit,” he said. “They also are very nice to everyone and make an effort for others to feel included. They are just a really good group of kids.” l
The West Jordan boys cross country team brought back most of last year’s top runners. The team has its sights set on a Region 4 championship. (Photo courtesy Taylor Hatch)
West Jordan football eager to compete for region title, enjoy success at state
It has been a quarter of a century since the West Jordan football team won a region title. Head coach Ronald Halbert wants to change that, and he is confident that he has the squad to break that dubious streak.
Coming off a 6-6 record, the Jaguars have a strong core of returning players. The team doesn’t lack leadership or talent, either. It’s no wonder then that Halbert is bullish on this group’s chances.
“One of our goals this year is to win a region championship since it hasn't been done here since 1999,” he said. “We feel that, with the returning players we have and the new additions, this goal is well within our reach. Our expectation is that we will win more than one playoff game and make a deep run in the 5A playoffs and improve our 6-6 record from last year.”
Specifically, Halbert wants to get to the state quarterfinals. He also would like to see his players not only get better on the field but develop away from the game of football.
Halbert selected seven captains this season. Six of them are seniors: linebacker/ defensive end Keaton Lewis, quarterback Riley Warner, offensive lineman/nose guard Bobo Bradley, tight end/defensive lineman Piuna Talanoa, running back/strong safety Quinton Tulau and fullback/strong safety/ linebacker Nick Bryant. The seventh captain is fullback/linebacker Scooby Tulau, who got the rare distinction of being chosen as a captain as a freshman. He’s a player to keep an eye on this season and beyond.
“[Scooby Tulau] brings a relentless motor,” Halbert said. “His knowledge of the game is not normal for a ninth grader.”
There are several other key returning players on offense for West Jordan, including junior guard Paula Havea, senior wide receiver Nia Ioapo, senior wide receiver Julius Mulitalo, senior wide receiver Gio Polnaco, senior running back Niko Jones and junior Cody Johnson. On defense, returning starters, in addition to the captains, are senior defensive back Ian Matau, junior strong safety Porter Creasy, junior strong safety Cody Johnson, senior cornerback Aydon Dean, junior linebacker L.A. Moala and senior nose guard Opeti Naulu.
Some newcomers should bolster the Jaguars this season as well.
Halbert has good things to say about junior wide receiver/free safety Anthony Fale, junior tackle/defensive end Bishop Lolohea, junior wide receiver Julian Valnzuela, senior tackle Epeli Kaufusi and junior wide receiver/cornerback Jayden Giles, whom Halbert said “plays great man coverage as a cornerback” and “is a very good tackle and isn’t afraid to mix it up with bigger players.”
The West Jordan Jaguars opened their 2024 season Aug. 16 with a disappointing 21-9 loss to Woods Cross. It took the Jaguars until there was 5:20 left in the game to cross
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
the goal line and score a touchdown. Warner had 187 yards passing in defeat but struggled with a 43% completion rate. Mulitalo led all players with seven catches for 65 yards. The Jaguars also rushed for 172 yards. Halbert acknowledged it wasn’t his team’s best effort, but he is confident the players will bounce back. He also pointed out that week one’s opponent was no slouch and could be a factor in the 5A race.
“We didn't look great against Woods Cross, but they are a much-improved team and will win a bunch of games this year,” he said. “Our kids have worked very hard this offseason, and we as coaches expect very good things out of this year. Our senior leadership has been very good this year, and the team is responding to them.”
The Jaguars were the preseason pick to win Region 4, so Halbert’s objective to capture the league crown is hardly a stretch. However, with these expectations come challenges. Halbert and his players know that other teams, particularly fellow Region 4 foes, will give West Jordan their best shot.
“There is a target on our backs,” Halbert said.
An injury bug is another issue that West Jordan hopes to overcome. The Jaguars suffered many injuries in 2023, so Halbert is crossing his fingers that the team will enjoy better health this time around. Minimizing the number of players out of action will enhance West Jordan’s chances to win games and claim the league crown, he said.
“We had several injuries last year that took a toll on our team,” he said. “We hope to not have as many this coming season and be somewhat healthy and playing our best football when we reach the playoffs. If we take every game seriously and just continue to get better and better each and every game, we should be able to overcome these challenges.”
Winning games and advancing in the state tournament are gratifying goals to set and achieve. Still, Halbert loves seeing the players grow, get along and progress together. This is a collection of players he loves coaching and associating with.
“This group has been a fun group to be around,” he said. “It has been great to see them come together with the same goals in mind. I really enjoy coaching these guys and look forward to a long-lasting relationship with all of them.” l
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Game two pitted West Jordan against Highland in an Aug. 23 home game. The Jaguars hosted Alta Aug. 30. The first Region 4 contest will be Sept. 19 at Granger. The regular season wraps up Oct. 18 at home against Taylorsville. Other region opponents are Hunter (Sept. 26), Cyprus (Oct. 3) and Kearns (Oct. 10).
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Rebuilt Copper Hills cross country team hoping to make strides this season
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
With some key losses of top runners from the 2023 group, the Copper Hills cross country team has some big challenges ahead of it this season.
Head coach Garth Rushforth is interested to see how his athletes respond. He is also urging everyone on the team to work toward improving their times.
“Copper Hills cross country is in a rebuilding year, as we graduated five of our seven top girls and four of our top boys,” Rushforth said. “We are hoping to develop the talent we have coming back and get our young talent to improve over this season.”
Under Rushforth, the Grizzlies always have the same main goal: to qualify as many runners as possible for the state meet. That event will take place Oct. 30 at Sugar House Park. Until then, Copper Hills will compete in several meets and invitationals, giving the Grizzlies the chance to shave seconds off their times and get better individually and as a team.
Another goal that Rushforth prioritizes is making sure everyone who joins the program gets better throughout the season.
“We need to continue to work hard this season and improve so that we can make the state meet,” he said.
With heavy losses from last season’s graduated athletes affecting the experience and talent on the team, Rushforth does have some standout runners. On the boys team, captain Corbin Riser leads by example and is great at encouraging the other athletes. Lucy Lundberg is the top runner on the girls team. She, along with Riser, have “been building morale and unity on the team and are helping [their teammates] improve.”
Other contributors are senior Carter Stam, junior Matthew Lord, senior Evelyn Marler and senior Abigail Logan. They serve as captains alongside Riser and Lundberg. Junior Temana Munanui has also been impressive in the early going this season.
While Copper Hills may lack in numbers and seasoned experience, its athletes are committed and have had good attitudes. Rushforth said the team members understand the challenges they face but are working hard to accomplish the goals they have set.
“Our athletes have good leadership and know they need to work hard in order to meet the goals they have set for this season,” he said. “We are very young, and that can be good sometimes.”
The Grizzlies are young, with many athletes on the team coming from the sophomore and freshman classes. Rushforth has emphasized the need to develop these underclassmen faster than usual so they
can be ready to run on the varsity level.
“They must learn the strategies of running a good race and the ability to be mentally tough,” he said.
The early stages of the season have included some ups and downs. Though many athletes are progressing well, Rushforth said everyone needs to get faster. Still, he has liked what he has seen out of his top runners as well as some emerging young athletes.
“I have been very impressed with how [Lundberg] has been running and in the development of junior Annabelle Leek,” he said. “I have also been impressed with the strong showing by [Marler] and [Logan]. There are several boys that have been showing hard work and improvement as they develop this season. They include senior Benjamin Salazar, senior Kade Danielson, sophomore Jonah Steele and sophomore Lucas Foulger.”
Win or lose, the Grizzlies enjoy the sport of cross country. Rushforth appreciates and admires the mindset the athletes have displayed.
“I have enjoyed the positive attitude this group has shown so far and the enjoyment and fun they have as a team,” he said. l
Senior Corbin Riser is one of the top runners on the Copper Hills cross country team. (Photo courtesy Garth Rushforth)
Pickleball player paddles her way to all 50 states
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Lorraine Rupper played pickleball in 33 states in just 19 days this summer to finally complete her goal to play a game of pickleball in all 50 states. The 59-year-old endured bad traffic and parking challenges, heavy rain and flooded roads, excessive heat and closed courts, and long drives and fast food, but said the biggest challenge was finding people to play with.
“I definitely wanted to quit a few times when I couldn't find people to play with,” she said. “I had to wait and wait and wait or decide if I should go to another part of the town or go to another town in the same state to play. In Vermont, I definitely wanted to quit! If home had been an hour away, I would have quit. But being 2,000+ miles away from home, I had to make it work.”
After trying a few pickleball courts in one Vermont town and not finding a game, she drove to another town. When she finally found a group of players there, they had just finished three hours of playing and didn’t want to play one more. She tried at other courts, until eventually, she caught a break while waiting around the high school courts.
“All of a sudden, I saw someone bringing out a pickleball net,” she said. “So I went over there to help put up the net and they're like, ‘Are you Karen?’ I'm like, ‘No, but I can be.’”
Rupper ended up playing with Karen and her group and finally checked Vermont off her list.
Sometimes she was just so happy to finally find someone to play with, she would give away a pair of custom-made earrings from her Etsy shop, Pickleball Love as a
thank-you.
When she had difficulty finding someone to play with in West Virginia, she drove another 60 miles to try her luck at another court.
“I felt like a stalker, waiting for people to show up, and nobody's showing up, and nobody's showing up,” she said.
Finally, she approached a group of people in the park, but they’d never played pickleball before. However, when she told them about her goal, one of them agreed to play with her.
After a quick tutorial, they played a game and snapped a selfie together. Rupper was so grateful, she gifted the man with pickleball paddles and also earrings for his wife (who’d run his errands so he could stay and play.)
Pickleball players are rated by skill level 1.0–5.0. The most welcoming players, Rupper said, were beginner or intermediate level.
“Most of the great 4.0 or 5.0 players, they keep to themselves, and they don't let a stranger off the street come and play with them,” she said. “You want to get your game better, and so to do that, you want to play with people who are your level or higher, if you can.”
Rupper is an advanced player with a 5.0 rating, but she didn’t always tell people that at first.
“I don't go, ‘Hey, I'm almost pro, people, you want me on your team!’” she said. “Once in a while, I’d say, ‘Hey, you know, I don't suck’ and sometimes they look at you skeptically, because this was all pretty ran-
dom.”
In Providence, Rhode Island, one of a group of four volunteered to sit out a game to let her play, even though the others were reluctant to let her join in.
“One of the guys looked at me with this look ‘Really, you're gonna barge in here?’” she said. “I played, and then the guy says, ‘You can be my partner next time, okay?’ He was really happy, because I didn't suck, and I was good.”
Most of the time, Rupper could convince people to let her join a game, but in Maine she was rudely turned away from a pickleball club during the hottest part of the day, and when she finally found two people to play with at an outdoor court, they refused to have their picture taken with her, which is how she was documenting her goal.
“Maine is a disappointment,” she said. “The pickleball community is, in general, very welcoming and wonderful. That was not the case in Maine. I felt like I was riffraff or something. I just felt like dirt, the way I was treated.”
In contrast, the players in Alabama and Louisiana were the friendliest; they invited her to lunch after their game.
When she isn’t playing pickleball, Rupper is a counselor at West Hills Middle School, where she encourages students and staff members to play pickleball to improve their physical and mental health.
“When you're feeling down or it's been a rough day, I think anybody can go out and play pickleball and feel better, because exercise is one of the things that helps your body and helps your mind,” she said. “It can take
your mind off your troubles, because you're out there, you're just on the court, you're hitting a ball back and forth, and you're having fun, you're moving, you're getting your steps and so I think that can help a lot.”
The map documenting her 50 games of pickleball is displayed on Rupper’s office wall, where she hopes it inspires her students.
“This could be a way for students to see that lofty goals can be reached with lots of grit," she said. l
Lorraine Rupper’s map shows the people she played pickleball with in all 50 states in the last 5 years. (Photo courtesy Lorraine Rupper.)
Lorraine Rupper documents a pickleball game played in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo courtesy Lorraine Rupper.)
South Fargo, North Dakota Lorraine Rupper has played pickleball in all 50 states in the last 5 years. (Photo courtesy Lorraine Rupper.)
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Brand new kindergarten teacher Alexa Byrd has a twinkle in her eye when she talks about beginning her teaching career. The sparkle comes from her excitement, her enthusiastic personality and from her glittery prosthetic eye. Byrd lost her eye to cancer at age 15, and it was a teacher—who gave her a box of fun and colorful eye patches—who helped her appreciate her own uniqueness and improve her attitude about school.
“So now I wear sparkly fun eyes, and so I get to be that for other kids, and I get to teach them their differences are what makes them special,” Byrd said. “I'm so excited I get to start their love of learning, and it makes me so excited to help them at an early age realize how fun school can be and make them feel special and that they can do anything in their lives.”
Jordan School District administrators share Byrd’s enthusiasm for the new school year because, for the first time in 10 years, they are beginning the school year with nearly every single position filled.
“The headline for a long time—or the narrative people wanted to push out—was this big teacher shortage,” JSD Communications Director Sandy Riesgraf said. “That pendulum has swung way the other way, and we're excited about it.”
This year, secondary teaching positions had an average of 22.8 applicants, elementary teaching positions had an average of 40.3 applicants and special education teaching positions had an average of 13.2 applicants. Majestic Elementary Arts Academy Principal Marianne Johansen had twice as many applicants for each position than previous years, with one position receiving 52 applications. Because there were so many qualified applicants,
New teachers excited for 2024-25 school year
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
she had to use “high bar, robust filters” to whittle down the candidates.
“We just started looking at who was the best fit for the school in general, and we even went down to the students in the classes and said, ‘Who do we think has the skills that would best fit this group of kids?’” she said. “I'm really excited about the people that we hired. I think they're the best fit for our school. I think we're going to have a great year.”
Johansen said the high number of applicants for each job opening occurred because there has been less teacher turnover. Jordan District hired 400 new teachers this year, about 50 fewer than last year.
“I think the fact that people are staying is a testament to the successful supports that I think particularly Jordan provides for their teachers,” Johansen said.
Culture, wage, mental health resources and innovative use of technology and AI are some of the things that new teachers said drew them to Jordan District. Byrd, who will be teaching at Columbia Elementary, appreciates the district’s culture of continual learning and support.
“I have an awesome principal, I have an awesome team, so I have nothing to worry about as long as I believe in myself, and I know there's a support team behind me,” she said. “I just love the atmosphere and they want to be here to help me. They know it's hard and they're not throwing me out into the sharks.”
Mariah Tolman, a first year special education teacher at the new Juniper Elementary, said she was impressed by the support she received even before she was hired.
“When I was deciding to take this job, they reached out because I was a brand
new teacher at a brand new school in SpEd, and I was like, ‘I don't know if I should do this,’” Tolman said. “And then I had so many people reach out with supports. They said, ‘We're going to set you up with this
and this and this, here's the person you can contact for this, and you're not alone, we're going to come out and help you.’ And that was really one of the reasons why I was like, ‘Okay, I can do this.’” l
Principal Marianne Johansen gives her new teachers special treatment— a crown, a sash and a ride into new teacher training on the school mascot. (Doug Flagler/JSD)
New teachers are welcomed to Jordan District new teacher training Friday Aug. 9, with an enthusiastic greeting from high school cheerleaders, mascots, drumline percussionists, administrators and local mayors. (Doug Flagler/JSD)
West Jordan Youth Council’s newest members take oath of office for 2024-25 term
On Aug. 27, 15 new council members took the oath of office for the West Jordan Youth Council at city hall for the 2024 to 2025 term.
Participants swore to “support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Utah and the laws and ordinances of the City of West Jordan” and to “discharge the duties of [their] office with fidelity.”
All council members—both previous and new—are West Jordan residents, in grades nine through 12 and went through an application process before joining the council.
West Jordan rolled out the Youth Council program in 2023 which other nearby cities have modeled, following a year or two of paper and prep work, Councilmember Kelvin Green said. The budget for the council is minimal and allocated from the city budget.
At the end of the term in May 2025, members will report to the West Jordan City Council.
Green, Councilmember Bob Bedore and city policy analyst, Warren Hallmark are advisors for the program.
"The mission of the WJYC is to ignite civic engagement among our city’s youth, provide them with an understanding of municipal government, and help prepare them to make
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
a positive impact on their community,” Hallmark told the City Journal.
West Jordan Youth Council for the 2024 to 2025 term as of the swearing-in are: Josephine Zumbrunnen, Keaton Peery, Lucy Lundberg, Charlotte Lundberg, Brooklyn Cannon, Taylor Patton, McKinley Merrihew, Madelyn Brunner, Mia Muñoz, Ariana Hernandez, Nathan Allen, Julia Tipton, Claire Lundberg, Ariel Ayala, and Adilene Ayala.
The members come from mostly Copper Hills High School but also includes students from West Jordan High School, West Hills Middle School, American Preparatory Academy, Sunset Ridge Middle School and the Utah Military Academy.
A myriad of skills and experiences can be found among the bunch, ranging from student body officers, gamers, athletes, volunteers, and DECA members, all wanting to make a difference in their city by building community and creating a place for all youth in West Jordan.
“Our goal is not only to get people involved but to help people—we just want to be a better world,” Taylor, from Copper Hills High School said. “As a youth council, we're just trying to have diversity and commitment to our city.”
Some, like Josephine, also said they’re interested in learning more about how city gov-
ernment and its different entities function.
“I feel like it’s a very valuable thing to know how a city is run and… know the people that are running your city,” said Josephine, from West Jordan High School serving her second term on the WJYC. “I don't necessarily want to get into politics but I just think it's very important to learn about it and understand it.”
“We look forward to boosting awareness of the program's existence and promoting youth involvement at the municipal level,”
Hallmark said.
Hallmark said this year’s group grew from the previous year’s nine members.
“It's worth noting that the program is maxed at 20,” Hallmark said. “So if there is further interest in joining throughout the school year, we'd welcome that until we hit capacity.”
Any youth interested can apply at www. westjordan.utah.gov/youth-council. l
At a West Jordan City Council meeting on Aug. 27, new youth council members take an oath of office to the country and the city before officially starting their term. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Budgeting should be considered an art form. It’s part theater (acting like you can afford groceries), part digital interpretation (online shopping for best prices), part graffiti (throwing mustard at the wall when you receive a surprise doctor’s bill) and all illusion (where did the money go?).
My paycheck stretches like it’s on a taffy-pulling machine, folding over and over itself, almost to the point of transparency. When did the basic costs of living become a luxury?
While grocery shopping, my husband can’t stop comparing prices from 60 years ago. “When I was a young boy,” he said. “I could buy a loaf of bread for a nickel.”
“Were you Oliver Twist?” I asked. He ignored me and walked down the dairy aisle, ranting about the cost of eggs.
At the check stand, several items rang up for more than what was labeled on the shelf. I asked the unenthused cashier, “Did you raise prices while I was in line?”
He shrugged and continued packaging my groceries, smashing bananas, eggs and bread with my magnum of wine. Just kidding. You can’t buy wine at grocery stores in Utah.
Driving to work becomes a nail-biting thriller as I gauge how much gas is left and if it will last until the end of the month. I was filling up my car the other day and the
Show me the money
gas pump showed the person before me had purchased $5 worth of gas. I hope that 1.6 gallons is enough to get him to the bank he needs to rob.
Even my chai tea latte from Starbucks has incrementally increased from $4 to nearly $6. That’s bonkers. I don’t mind paying a bit more so employees make a livable wage, but last year, Starbucks’ net revenue was $30 billion.
Then I learned the new Starbucks CEO was given a $75 million stock award, a $1.6 million salary and a $10 million signing bonus. The only signing bonus I ever received was when I got a free pen for starting a savings account when I was 8.
Corporate profits have hit all-time highs. And those rising prices are never going to drop because then how can the Starbucks CEO afford $1,500 sneakers for his Pomeranian without squeezing the life out of consumers?
My husband said, “Then don’t go to
Starbucks.”
“Shut up,” I replied. Housing costs are outrageous. Going to dinner and a movie requires a home equity line of credit. Tax increases nickel-and-dime us to death. Did you know Utah is one of only a few states that tax social security benefits? Thanks, Utah Legislators! It’s not like I want to purchase Prada paper clips or Balenciaga bookmarks. I don’t need a Rolls-Royce or a personal library, complete with a rolling ladder and a fireplace. (Okay. I actually need that). I just want to afford a night out, maybe a weekend getaway or an annual massage without sell-
ing blood plasma.
My grandparents grew up during the Depression. Decades later, they still saved drawers full of tin foil and rubber bands in case we ever needed a defense against mind control or had to make emergency bouncy balls. Maybe I can learn from their frugal behaviors.
So, we tighten our belts, pinch pennies, clip coupons and say, “We’re right on budget this month.” The moment those words leave our lips, the garbage disposal explodes, the fence blows over or the basement floods. Budgeting might not be an art form, but it’s definitely a comedy.
