Local High School Highlight

american fork high school You could argue that the last three years of high school have been more disruptive for the Class of 2022 than any class in our school’s 119 year history. Pundits around the world use phrases and words like learning loss, mental illness, learning gap, and apathy when describing young people today. As principal of American Fork High School, I have had a front row seat to watch how difficult these past two years have been for our youth. School closures, social strife, sickness, loss, loneliness, political polarization, have been just as exhausting to teenagers as it has to adults. I have also been witness to incredible resilience among our youth. So many of us thought that kids had gone through too much and so we tried to shield them from any kind of challenge. We quickly saw that we were doing a disservice to them. What they really needed was connection. When young people feel meaningfully connected to people or a goal, they can accomplish anything. This year, our goal at American Fork was to not only connect with students, but create a space for them to connect with each other, and to help connect them to the curriculum. This year has been full of making these human connections. Our students have bonded over challenging academic classes, demanding athletic teams, theatrical and musical performances and competitive club competitions. We’ve also done a lot of activities that we used to think were extra but now we realize are essential…like dances. Human connection has happened in little ways all year and was felt in a big way when our boys basketball team completed their Cinderella run, winning state, in front of a huge crowd at the Marriott Center. We are excited to gather there again for graduation and recognize how we bounced back. It’s all about combining hard work with human connections. This is what we call school. This is how our kids heal and grow. If it’s not hard, there’s no growth, but connection helps with the hard. We at AFHS are proud to be in the business of connection. We are proud to support kids in doing hard things. We are proud to be Cavemen.

Peter Glahn Principal

polaris high school During the 2021-2022 school year, Polaris West High School (American Fork) and Polaris High School (Orem) merged into one central location in American Fork. Our new building provides a learning environment that considers the various physical, emotional, and academic needs of our students so they can experience success. Although considered an alternative high school, as part of Alpine School District, graduates of Polaris receive an accredited High School Diploma. Similar to more traditional high schools, we provide bus transportation for students throughout the district, in person instruction, and lunch. At Polaris, we provide resources that consider the reality that each student is an important individual. We specialize in helping students recover credit deficiencies by providing academic support through small class sizes and expert teachers. In addition, our wellness room, “The Zen Den”, provides a space where students utilize various tools to regulate their emotions. Our Closet and Pantry are stocked with donations from a wide variety of donors throughout the community that provide clothing and food resources free of charge to our students. We have found that by supporting our students by removing some of the barriers that have prevented many of them from achieving academic success in the past, our students develop into lifelong learners. With these supports, our seniors have become leaders both in school and throughout the community. Last year, we had 52 students graduate early, many of whom seek post-secondary educational opportunities in the community like MTECH. This year we are on track to see similar results. Our graduation rate continues to improve year over year. We are so proud of our students, especially our seniors, who are resilient and dedicated.

Kori Thomas

Principal

lone peak high school The students at Lone Peak High School have been blessed to have had a great school year this year! The year has brought some challenges, no doubt, but our students and staff have weathered each proverbial storm very well. With the school year winding down in the next few weeks, we are beginning to set our sights towards the next school year - a year we look forward to with hope and excitement as we try to put the stresses and challenges of education during a pandemic further in the rearview mirror. As we reflect on the year, we ask, “What have we learned from our experiences this year?” First, we have learned that connection to others and to the school matters, and that we need even more and more connections as we seek improved attendance, continued participation in activities, and meaningful relationships on campus. Our clubs, teams, and performing groups have seen great success this year as students have worked hard together to chase their goals and dreams. It has been incredible to fill our classes, halls, gyms, auditorium, and stadium with students at full capacity. Second, we have had confirmed to us the importance and impact that a qualified, caring, and capable faculty has in the lives of students. We celebrate the efforts of our teachers and staff who have worked so hard to provide meaningful learning experiences for our students. The adults working on behalf of Lone Peak students are incredible! Our students benefit daily from the influence of amazing teachers, coaches, and support staff. Third, we have learned that things often change without our choosing, and that we need to be “flexible, yet focused” in our pursuit of excellence. There are many things that act as challenges, barriers, or impediments in our quest to live out our mission. Though that is true, there are likewise so many opportunities, growth experiences, and positive interactions and relationships that move us forward towards a reality of endless possibilities for our students. We have learned that a healthy level of optimism and hard work, coupled with a growth mindset helps push us through these demanding times. As the sun sets on the school year of 2021-2022 and will soon rise on the school year of 2022-2023, our Knights are eager and ready for the opportunities that await and stand ready to charge on into the fight.

Todd Dawson

Principal American heritage American Heritage School’s mission is to serve parents worldwide in developing the hearts, minds, and bodies of students to realize their divine potential. Our teachers are people who strive toward the character and culture of Christ, and that is fundamental to why they are able to connect with and influence our students so effectively. Providing more students access to these types of teachers is why we are opening a new campus in downtown Salt Lake City this fall. Located next to the Conference Center, the school will be home to 200 K–9 students. It’s also why we are launching an entirely new learning experience platform for students across the world. LiftED is distance learning that surrounds students with live, loving teachers and remote and local classmates who cheer each other on. Students need teachers who work side-by-side with parents to help students know who they truly are, who help them to recognize their magnificent potential to bless and inspire others. To learn more about our three campuses (American Fork, Salt Lake, and online), head to AmericanHeritageSchool.org. As a representative example of these powerful teachers, Coach Paora Winitana was just awarded the 2022 UHSAA 2A Gold Star Coach of the Year award from a pool of about 250 coaches across all sports from the 30 Class 2A schools. According to the UHSAA, the award is intended to help schools promote sportsmanship by celebrating and recognizing coaches who demonstrate a consistent track record of “inspiring students and [of] being a positive role model.” While Coach Winitana strives to instill Christian character in his boys and girls basketball teams, he also has a regular pattern of reaching out to students not on his teams and helping them to feel seen and valued. It’s providing a student who has never played on a team with circumstances that allowed him to make three 3-pointers in a spring basketball league game. It’s giving a student with a heart condition the opportunity to join the team as a videographer and truly integrating that student into the team—into the locker room, on the team bus, at games. Coach Winitana is an example of why American Heritage School is so intent on spreading its unique blend of spirit and scholarship to as many families and students as possible. When committed teachers are expected and encouraged to reach the whole child—heart, mind, and body—truly remarkable transformation occurs.

Shawn Rose

Secondary Principal

Why should I join the American Fork Chamber?

“We have loved being a part of the American Fork Chamber. They do a fantastic job finding business and community involvement opportunities. Our membership with the Chamber has helped our business grow and has enabled us to be a bigger part of the local community.”

“The American Fork Chamber has helped us secure multiple large grants and make many meaningful connections that have helped our business.”

Hyrum Oaks, Founder Utah Valley Marathon

“The American Fork Chamber of Commerce is awesome! They jumped right in and helped us get involved in the community. They are extra helpful, patient, and willing to help with anything we need. They offer great advice and direction for us as new business owners.”

Jeff McFadden, Owner Wallaby’s

“The American Fork Chamber is the best networking organization that we are a part of! We can tell that the leadership and other members truly care about our business and our success. All of the Chamber meetings and Chamber run community events have been a delight to participate in! Thanks for being awesome!”

“As a community, we are fortunate to have a strong chamber that supports our businesses and brings our community together. They create opportunities for our business community to connect, discuss relevant issues, and interact with our respective City leadership. We are proud to be sponsors and support the American Fork Chamber of Commerce and Lone Peak Business Alliance.”

Allison Newman, Owner

Cowboy Donuts

“We love being involved with the American Fork Chamber of Commerce. They provide tremendous value in helping us build relationships between our business and city that we operate in and the surrounding cities that we serve.”

Dr. Taylor Dietz, Owner Renegade Chiropractic Terry Grant, President & CEO Altabank Mike Smith, Executive Manager Doug Smith Autoplex

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