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Dec. 2023 | Vol. 19 Iss. 12

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TRAGIC ACCIDENTS ALONG FORT UNION BOULEVARD INSPIRE ACTION BY CITY COUNCIL By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

s a spike in pedestrian/vehicle accidents continues to impact communities throughout the state of Utah, residents have been encouraging their city leaders to take immediate and long-term action to make the city streets safer for all modes of transportation. Three tragic back-to-back vehicle/pedestrian accidents all occurring along Fort Union Boulevard. in October has turned the conversation around lowering road speeds within the Cottonwood Heights to one of the main East/West corridors. The City Council voiced consensus to implement safety measures along the boulevard as quickly as possible. “The public is now saying ‘it is dangerous on Fort Union Boulevard probably 1014 hours out of every day’ and they want to see immediate change,” said Councilmember Ellen Birrell. “Design of a road is how you really control speed,” Public Works Director Matt Shipp reminded the council. “Fort Union Boulevard. is a wide-open road so it lends itself to fast driving.” Shipp encouraged the council to complete a traffic study before changing any major element of a major boulevard as it would need to be weighed against additional aspects of the road such as traffic volumes, location, spacing of driveways, intersections along the road, bicycle and pe-

destrian activity, site distances, parking, and design speed amid other factors. “I am highly recommending that the council direct staff to do that speed study and bring that information back to you so you can make that informed decision based on engineering studies,” Shipp said. Besides his recommendation, Shipp referred to Chapter 11.16: Speed Limits of the Cottonwood Heights City Municipal Code which details that traffic studies should be completed before changing speed limits along any road. In addition, Utah’s State Code outlines rules on speed limits along roads. Lastly, Shipp made mention that the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), a Federal Highway Administration document that specifies standards for roadways, requires preliminary traffic studies as well. “If we do bring down the speed limits, which I’m not advocating for or disagreeing with, you need to look at everything along that stretch that you’d be changing,” Shipp said. In the meantime, City Manager Tim Tingey reminded the council that they were Continued page 10 “The City Council, staff and myself have been devastated by these three tragic accidents,” wrote Mayor Mike Weichers on Oct. 20. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)

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Brighton’s students of Shakespeare find sweet success By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

n “Julius Caesar,” William Shakespeare penned, “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” He suggests that people’s future is not determine by fate or destiny, but rather by their own actions. The actions and hard work of many student-thespians became apparent during the 47th annual Shakespeare Competition, hosted by the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University, as many students received awards and scholarships. A first was three Canyons School District high schools sweeping the Oxford division in four of the five categories, including sweepstakes with Hillcrest taking first; Brighton, second; and Corner Canyon, third. “This is the first major success in over a decade for Brighton at this competition,” Brighton High theatre director Makayla Conner said. “The team was dedicated and hardworking; every rehearsal was productive. It allowed for them to grow the scenes to the point where they needed for the competition.” She said that now post-pandemic, several team members had been to the competition for the past several years, so they understood the dedication and hard work that was needed. “They understand what the competition is like, and they were able to help the other teammates understand what they needed to do,” she said. The sweep was especially sweet for Conner as she was a student of Hillcrest High’s director, Josh Long, then she student taught under Corner Canyon’s theatre director, Phaidra Atkinson. “It was very exciting; everyone was rooting for each other,” she said. “There were about 15 schools in our division so

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that’s a pretty good showing for Canyons.” One thing Canyons schools did was try to support each other during the competition. “It was really cool; it was a camaraderie feeling which usually at competitions, you don’t get, but for this one, everyone was very united all weekend,” Conner said. “Alta High kids wrote notes for the performers. After watching each performance, they would give them these little notes saying, ‘you did really well.’ Hillcrest kids made videos of funny skits about the plays and put them on their Instagram page and tagged all the schools. Brighton kids made good luck posters for each of the Canyons schools and put some fun puns in those to wish them good luck. Some of them were so funny, I couldn’t stop laughing.” Other placements include in ensemble, Corner Canyon took first; Hillcrest, second; and Brighton, third. In duo/trio scenes, first place went to Hillcrest’s Nayantara Nair, Ellie Spilker and Riley Thompson while Alta’s Jaycey Bennion and Addi Scarborough took second. Hillcrest’s Auston Beals, Lucas Fife and Gideon Kirby, took fourth. In monologue, Hillcrest’s Gabe Williams, Anna Fetzer and Munshe Tanjani took first, second and fifth, respectively, and Brighton’s Grace Brown took third. Williams and Nair both received the Ray Jones $1,000 Scholarship award; Spilker and Thompson, won the Barbara Barrett $500 award and Brighton’s Jaxton Brenner was awarded the $1,000 Larry Lott Acting Award. Hillcrest also had winners in the tech Olympics competition, including first place overall. Individual winners include Fischer Coleman, lighting; Elsie Slabbert,

Brighton High’s Shakespeare team took second place overall in Cedar City at the 47th annual Utah Shakespeare Festival. (Bella Koza/Brighton High)

make-up; Cameron Sorenson, rigging; Tyler Strong, stage management. Harrison Treat earned second place in set construction and Coleman and Wesley Arbon were tech portfolio runners-up. In dance and choreography, Brighton’s Alisa Allen, Zoe Milner and Isabelle Foote won third place in duo/trio scenes. Allen choreographed the piece inspired by “King Lear.” All 5 seniors — Allen, Milner, Alaina Burr, Sammie Falcon and Brooke Larson — who elected to participate in a dance scholarship audition received more than $40,000 combined from

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numerous colleges. In dance and choreography, Corner Canyon took second place in ensemble; and in music, second place in troubadour and third place in minstrel. In the Cambridge division, Jordan High’s Parker Bettinson took second place in the monologue while in the music competition, Jordan High won first in minstrel, third in madrigals and overall, second in sweepstakes Nearby Juan Diego Catholic High, in Draper, took third place in the Westminster division ensemble. l

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Community invited to support Brighton High as they raise funds for local Make-a-Wish child By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

righton High students are hoping to help grant wishes to Make-aWish Utah children this holiday season and they’re inviting the community to support their efforts. The first full week of December, Brighton High is holding “Wish Week” in hopes of supporting a wish for a local 5-year-old girl, Lilly, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. “We’re hoping that the community will come and be interested in buying silent auction baskets and also attending the various restaurant nights that we have,” student body president Luke Barlow said. “We also encourage them to come to the student-faculty basketball game where the baskets will be on display and during half-time, we’ll introduce Lilly.” Barlow said Lilly is full of life. “She’s super outgoing, always curious. loves to talk to people and make friends,” he said. “She likes unicorns and princesses. She hasn’t decided on her wish yet, but she’s thinking of being a princess for a day. She mentioned she wants lots of playdough and she’s also interested in Disney World, but she’s yet to fully decide.” Lilly is just one of the youth that Brighton students hope to support in granting a wish with their goal of raising $40,000. “Make-a-Wish says wishes average $4,000 to $6,000. If we meet our goal, they’ll be able to grant anywhere from six to 10 kids,” he said, adding that the funds will stay to help local children. Barlow said he chose the Makea-Wish foundation for the school’s annual fundraiser since “a lot of people have connections with it and Make-a-Wish has positively impacted a lot of people.” His own cousin had cancer and “Make-a-Wish was a big part for her as she was growing up, dealing with cancer.” His cousin asked for gymnastics equipment and still uses it today as she is “stronger than ever.” He said the Foundation didn’t overlook her siblings as they had a fun scavenger hunt day. “It’s just cool to see the difference they make in people’s lives,” he said. Brighton’s Wish Week begins Monday, Dec. 4 with a portion of the proceeds from purchases at Café Rio Mexican Grill at the 6973 S. 1300

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R E A D Y Brighton High students are raising funds to grant the wish of Lilly, a five-year-old who was diagnosed with leukemia, as they fundraise for Make-a-Wish Utah. (Photo courtesy of Makea-Wish Utah)

East location from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. will be given to the fundraiser. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, there will be more than 80 gift baskets on display at Brighton High School during the student vs. teacher basketball game that begins at 7 p.m. The auction will be online with the link available from the school’s website: bhs.canyonsdistrict.org. There also will be a donation link if the community wishes just to contribute. “Each student government member is in charge of contacting three businesses to get three baskets,” he said, adding there are 28 student government members. “Then we’ll put together the baskets and have a business class help us come up with titles and descriptions for each of the baskets.” All day on Wednesday, Dec. 6, a percentage of proceeds from purchases made at Swig at the 2065 Fort Union Blvd. location will go toward Brighton’s fundraiser Between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers at the 890 East Fort Union

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Blvd. location also will give a portion of its proceeds from purchases made. Brighton students will be raising funds for three weeks as a contest between their third period classes. The class that gets the highest percentage of contributions will receive a pizza and doughnut party “I like watching the students rally to support these kids,” Barlow said. “This year, it’s Lilly, but we’ve done it the past two years and several other years. We’ve had a girl named Aspen and everyone knew Haley at our school. Our school community has come out to support them and it’s made a big difference for them and for their families.” In addition to helping Make-aWish, the six Brighton student body leaders have led monthly service projects, such as cleaning up the school grounds, helping a trunkor-treat at an adult autism center and helping give clothing and items for humanitarian aid in Zimbabwe. They’re planning to help at the Utah Food Bank soon. l

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Brighton alumna finds home on U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

ormer Brighton High girls soccer head coach Brett Rosen wasn’t surprised to learn about the success of his former goalkeeper, Payton DeGraw. DeGraw is a goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team. “Payton has always been a fierce competitor,” he said. “She never let being deaf be an obstacle. As a goalkeeper, she always found a way to communicate with her teammates and was able to lead and uplift each of them. She is fearless on the field. I am proud of her.” The four-year Brighton star was a member of the national team that in October defeated Turkey 3-0 to win the third Women’s World Deaf Football (soccer) Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the semifinal, the team beat England, 10-1. The team won all its games, with Poland and Turkey being their toughest opponents, she said. “In Malaysia, we had a strong and good bond,” said DeGraw, who wore No. 21 since her usual No. 1 jersey was being worn by another Utahn, Taegan Frandsen of Centerville. “We all were happy to be there and play together. We all had a mutual understanding and played hard in our games to win the gold medal.” Beforehand, she went to the last training camp, which was in July in Illinois. “We have camps in different states (as) we are from all over the country. We try to have at least three to four camps a year to keep the bonding and practice going for the World Deaf Football Cup and Deafympics,” DeGraw said. “(This) was the last chance for everyone to prove their worth to be on the team for the World Deaf Football Cup. I worked hard and put effort into my skills and training to prove my ability to be on the team. I was very determined to make the team for Malaysia.” A few weeks later, she learned she earned a spot on the national team roster. DeGraw said on the national team, most players use ASL and gestures on the field. “There is a spectrum of deaf people,” she said. “Some have the devices. Others don’t use devices and sign fully. We find creative ways to communicate with each other. We all have that bond no one else would understand because we come from similar backgrounds as deaf (and) hard-of-hearing people.” Her first national camp was in Michigan in 2018, the year before she graduated with an advanced diploma from Brighton. “When I received the invitation email, my heart dropped. I was so excited. My mom was the first person I told. I was so nervous because I didn’t know the team and coaches at all. I had no idea what I should expect,” DeGraw said. As she grew up in a hearing world, this was DeGraw’s first experience playing with all deaf or hard-of-hearing players. “I was born profoundly deaf. On the

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As a youngster, Payton DeGraw played forward, often leading her team in goals. (Photo courtesy of Payton DeGraw)

field, I would sometimes not know where my teammates were because normally hearing players would know by screaming where they were. I had to look up and see where my teammates are. I had to look quickly and then make a play. It was something I had to work on for years, more of a muscle memory to look up and figure out where my teammates were,” she said. DeGraw and her mom learned about the national deaf team from Sophie Post, of Murray, who also is a member of the team, and her mother. “There are no levels of teams, all ages can try to play for the team. We’ve had from the youngest, 13 years old, to the oldest, 45 years old,” DeGraw said. While practicing, the women who use hearing devices take them off. “They do so to get used (to playing) with no devices because the tournaments ban wearing them on the field,” she said. DeGraw, who grew up using cued speech — a manual method of certain movements that visually shows sounds — learned not all her teammates were familiar with it so she relied on the little American Sign Language she had learned at that point. “The Michigan camp ended up one of the most memorable trips of my life,” she said. “I was able to talk to everyone because the team

In her time at Brighton High, goalkeeper Payton DeGraw, seen here in a game against Hillcrest High, had a shutout during her sophomore season. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

understood the struggles of missing out on conversations and barriers as a deaf/hard-ofhearing person. Playing on the field was different than playing with a hearing team. As a goalkeeper, I wouldn’t be able to yell at them because they have their backs on me. I had to take every opportunity they looked at me and

say what I needed to tell them.” DeGraw began playing soccer as a four year old when her mom put her in American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in Cottonwood Heights. She switched to play for Blue Knights club in elementary school and remembered choosing which team when two

Cottonwood Heights City Journal

Former Brighton High keeper Payton DeGraw shares the advice with younger soccer players: “Play the game with all your heart and just have fun. Hard work will reward you enormously.” (Julie Slama/City Journals)

coaches asked her to play for their teams. “I was a little nervous about picking which team. I wanted to try a new team and environment. I chose (coach) Paul Gleeson and his team,” she said, adding that they won second place in the state cup in the premier 1 division. “I loved the coach and teammates there. I played for the Blue Knights until I graduated from high school.” She also said coaches Gleeson and John Mitcham were the first coaches who directly had conversations with her and “didn’t treat me any differently than other girls.” At first, she played forward on the pitch. “I liked how it gave me adrenaline while I was playing. I was one of the best scorers,” DeGraw said, but when she didn’t feel challenged, she switched to goalkeeper. DeGraw joined a keeper challenge war where goalies tried to score on and defend against each other; she won second place. “Afterward, I got serious and trained more for the position. I went to many camps for keepers and one-on-one training with coaches to hone my skills as a goalkeeper. Being a goalkeeper, I have a responsibility, and everyone expects me not to make any mistakes,” DeGraw said. For most keepers, penalty kicks are the hardest part. “As a deaf person, I already understand body language. I read players’ body language and movement. It is very easy for me to see they are going to try to trick me. I remain calm and read their body movements. It gives me a high when I prevent a PK. I see big smiles on my teammates and celebration on the sidelines. It makes all of the pressure and hard work worth it,” she said. At Brighton, DeGraw learned there were different expectations than what she was ac-

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Brighton High graduate Payton DeGraw and the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team won gold at the Women’s World Deaf Football (soccer) Championship this October in Malaysia. (Photo courtesy of @joymarshallmedia)

customed to with Blue Knights. “Some of my club teammates went to the same high school and they helped the transition easier,” she said, remembering that she also had Blue Knights teammates playing on opposing teams. “It was fun to go against them.” DeGraw had a shut-out during her sophomore year and during her freshman and sophomore years, they won Canyons School District’s playoffs. On the field, DeGraw, wearing her goalkeeper gloves, had to learn ways to communicate with her hearing. “During high school seasons, I had an interpreter come to practice. At Blue Knights, there were a couple of girls who knew ASL, and they would tell me what coaches say. I had hearing aids growing up; however, those devices always gave me fatigue after a long day of talking,” she said, also saying she would tire from “feeling vibrations in my hearing aids. I stopped using them during high school.” In school, DeGraw communicated through an interpreter. “I had a cued speech interpreter from the Utah School for Deaf and Blind. I had access to understand what my teachers and classmates were saying. I was able to share answers and thoughts in classrooms,” she said, adding at times, some students and teachers felt awkward having a deaf student and/or interpreter. “I had a few teachers talk to me in third person. They had to learn how to talk to me with

an interpreter.” DeGraw had planned to work after high school until Gallaudet University head soccer coach Liza Offreda reached out to her during 11th grade. “The coach showed me around (the Washington, D.C. campus) and explained things about their soccer and academic programs,” she said. “I was able to talk with some people with basic ASL I knew. I felt like the campus was home. I knew I had to come here for soccer and academics.” DeGraw received an academic scholarship to Gallaudet. “I was ready to grow and leave home. Gallaudet was able to give me that and I seized the opportunity,” she said. “I wanted to understand myself better as a deaf person. I grew up in a dominantly English and hearing environment. Gallaudet could give me a sense that hearing universities couldn’t give—my deaf community and culture. I developed a sense of identity as a deaf person and had a community that understood my experiences.” DeGraw said at Gallaudet nearly everyone signed including students, teachers, coaches and staff. It was her first daily environment where she had “two-way communication without needing an interpreter.” On the field, she had success as well. In her freshman year, she broke a 2004 record in a game for the highest saves (25). She was a three-time scholar-athlete and a 2021 All-United East first team honoree. On Hal-

loween 2022, she ended her collegiate career with a 12-save performance, finishing her career with 350 saves and a .812-save percentage in 34 games played. She had one shutout and 31 starts. Before DeGraw graduated in international studies this past spring, she persuaded her sister to attend Gallaudet. Currently, DeGraw is in a gap year, traveling in Australia before she begins working with the international deaf community. “My goal is to make a strong network with the deaf communities around the world because I’ve always wanted to support them and see them thrive,” she said. Looking back on her years of soccer, DeGraw realized, “The best part about soccer is the many friendships and memories it gave me. Winning or losing didn’t matter to me; I wanted to play my hardest and just have fun with my teammates.” Now, she her eyes set to the Deafympics in Japan in 2025 as well as to encourage others in her sport. “Play the game with all your heart and just have fun,” DeGraw said. “Get to know all your teammates and develop a good relationship with them. Whatever obstacles and barriers you may face, work hard to overcome them. Just know that when you overcome them, you come back stronger and wiser. Hard work will reward you enormously.” l

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Cottonwood Heights City Journal

Former NBA coach hosting local basketball camp By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

tah native Barry Hecker, who coached in the NBA for more than two decades, continues to teach the game of basketball to young players. During the winter break, he will host a camp for boys and girls in third through ninth grades on Dec. 27-29 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Sandy Recreation Center, located at 440 E. 8680 South. “These camps are all about the basic fundamentals of basketball,” Hecker said. “We focus on quality fundamental instruction, we work hard with a lot of discipline and structure and we have a lot of fun. When these kids walk out of there, they know they’ve been taught and improved.” The cost of the camp is $65. Registrations are open online by visiting www. sandy.utah.gov/registration and clicking on “Basketball Camp – Barry Hecker” under Quick Links. The veteran coach, who lives in Murray, said the values he has learned from his basketball coaching journey—beginning at Maryland’s Oxon Hill High School and spanning through Salt Lake Community College and stints with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies—are invaluable. He loves nothing more than being able to

share those principles of hard work, teamwork, unselfishness and persistence, along with the physical skills of the game itself, with others. “I don’t care who I coach or when I coach,” Hecker said, who has worked with current Jazz players Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, said. “I simply enjoy teaching the game. It’s great to see a smile on someone’s face as they experience success. If you help somebody, you’ll be somebody.” Hecker has conducted clinics all over the world for more than 40 years, including many since his retirement from coaching in the NBA. He said he particularly enjoys working with the youth. “If you teach skills, that leads to confidence and that confidence can allow anyone to do anything they want,” he said. “I have more fun with young kids than with the pros. In the NBA, you have guys who are making millions and they don’t listen. These kids are making nothing and they’ll listen to you.”l

Former NBA coach Barry Hecker, who has been teaching the game of basketball for more than 40 years, will host a winter camp for young players. (Photo courtesy Barry Hecker)

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Cottonwood Heights announces installation of flashing pedestrian light in area of fatal auto-pedestrian. (Photo courtesy of Arielle Harrison/KUTV).

Continued from front page taking additional immediate steps to improve safety along the Fort Union Boulevard corridor. City staff members were currently working to expedite the process of getting an additional HAWK signal installed along the corridor. Police Chief Robby Russo also mentioned that not one of the three referenced accidents which originally sparked this conversation involved speeding. “Sixty percent of my DUIs are not alcohol-related anymore. They are Fentanyl and opiates. Oh! And methamphetamine,” Russo said. “You spent an awful lot of money on some traffic enforcement issues to handle a lot of these issues.” Birrell quickly responded to Russo as she didn’t want to negate the necessity of lowering speeds even if the recent accidents were not directly caused by speeding. “There is plenty of data out there that this is an urban street and it should be marked at a much lower speed limit,” Birrell said. “People driving 40 mph cannot come to an abrupt stop for the many things that go on in the Fort Union Boulevard area.” “If you lower that speed to 30 mph, I’ll

Page 10 | Dec. 2023

enforce the speed. But we should understand what that does. We will know if that’s what the road calls for when we have the numbers,” Russo said. Shipp recommended Fort Union Boulevard to be studied through a timeline of at least two months with speed trailers, emphasizing that data should only be collected when roads are dry and clear in order to collect accurate data. Traffic study data collected during snow storms could skew the data. “We want to be looking for what speed the majority of people are comfortable driving,” Shipp said. Depending on which sections of the corridor the council would like to study, Shipp estimated a cost between $10,000 and $15,000. “I would personally advocate for studying the whole stretch of Fort Union Boulevard,” said Matthew Holton. After deliberation, the city council decided that they would like the traffic study area to be West of Mountview Park area and up to 2700 East. Shipp, Tingey, and city staff will work to get a bid on a traffic study out as quickly as possible with the hopes that the study can begin before the snow hits. l

Cottonwood Heights City Journal

Navigating Grief and the Holidays

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By Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW The holiday season is nearly upon us. This is the time of year when grieving people often feel dread and sorrow about the very events and traditions that formerly brought happiness. As every grieving person handles loss in their own way, each one of us observes holidays in our own way in time of bereavement. There simply is no one right way to experience the holidays. Some find meaning in following cherished traditions, and others benefit from avoiding traditions because their associations are now tinged with loss. Some people find great comfort in being with other people, others prefer solitude to camaraderie. For all of us, how we gather is as important as gathering at all. Plan ahead for the holidays: The first step in planning is to listen to yourself….what will help you most at this time? You may have strong memories and powerful feelings. Accept this as normal, but prepare for it. Anticipate the pleasures and the stresses of events, and select those you want to participate in. If you expect to be lonely, arrange supportive companionship. If you can’t bear the thought of connecting with the entire extended family, let the family know of your needs. Be creative and accept support by using distance technology. Accommodate your plans to your new limits: Most grieving people have significantly lowered physical stamina and emotional reserve. Perhaps you can’t get every decoration out this year. Accept these limits as temporary, and good enough for this year. Choose to put your energy into the things that matter most to you. Accept that the holidays will be different this year: The holidays are often filled with unrealistic expectations that may overwhelm you. You may need to revisit your goals and find a balance between continuity and change. Many people find a special comfort in establishing a new holiday tradition that honors the memory of the person who died.

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Dec. 2023 | Page 11

Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant set to be completely reconstructed within three years By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

ave you ever wondered about the history and infrastructure of the water treatment plants in both of the canyons surrounding the city of Cottonwood Heights? Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy General Manager Annalee Munsey and Assistant Manager (and Engineering Manager) Wayne Winsor attended the Cottonwood Heights City Council meeting on Nov. 7 to share details of their history, infrastructure and future. The Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy was originally established in 1935. It was the local sponsor for the Provo River Project which built the Deer Creek Reservoir and Dam. Those previous efforts helped to build the Salt Lake Aqueduct in 1951. (Now, the Salt Lake Aqueduct is made up from a 69inch insider diameter and 84-inch outside diameter of reinforced concrete pipe.) “Back in the day, they would put chlorine into the water in Deer Creek Dam and that’s what got delivered to the public,” Winsor said. When the federal government came out with a new drinking water plan, the Little Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant was con-

“Here’s a more interesting look at what the site looked like when the plant was put into service in the 1950s,” Assistant Manager Winsor said. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Winsor/ Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy)

structed. Now, the Little Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant currently filters about 150

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million gallons of water per day. In addition, there is a 10-million-gallon reservoir in the Enchanted Hills area. Winsor reported that reservoir is primarily used for fire storage water to service the Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, and Salt Lake City area. Currently, the Metropolitan Water District has seven members on their Board of Trustees – five appointed by Salt Lake City Council and two appointed by Sandy City Council. Looking into the future, the Metropolitan Water District has begun to plan and construct their Cottonwood Connections project. “With our recent master plan and system improvement studies, improvements need to be made for seismic response and capacity,” Munsey said. The Metropolitan Water District analyzed updating or re-constructing the Big

Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant. It was ultimately concluded that the plant needed to be completely replaced. Winsor reported that it will be completely torn down and rebuilt over an estimated timeline of about three years. The pipeline along Wasatch Boulevard crosses the fault lines four to five different times. In the 1960s, Winsor reported that construction of the infrastructure did not include any rebar across the concrete slabs so they need to get into the pipeline to construct a steel pipe with a polyurethane lining for protection against seismic activity. “If mother nature shakes that pipeline, it will crack, and it won’t hold water. It’s susceptible to an earthquake,” Winsor said. The Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant currently has an annual supply of around 24,3000 acre-feet of water, which is the rough annual indoor water supply for about 110,000 people (or about 25% of their service area). Taking out the Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant for three years for reconstruction would completely drain the water reserves throughout the service infrastructure. In recognizing this potential issue, and the need for a new pipeline, the Metropolitan Water District decided to put these two projects together. “The public wins here. We are able to conserve water and we will have a pipeline we can use for the future,” Winsor said. Since the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has plans to resurface Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, the Metropolitan Water District has to be done with their construction east of Wasatch Boulevard by June 2024. For more information about ongoing construction projects for the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy, residents can sign up for their email subscription list and/or visit their project website at: www.cottonwoodsconnection.com. l

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Mixed recycling pilot program proved successful in Canyons School District schools By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

ast year, then Hillcrest High School senior Sofia Moeinvaziri picked up the school’s paper recycling to place it in a recycling dumpster in the school’s parking lot. “I’d take a cardboard box and then sort out the cans and any plastic because it wasn’t part of paper recycling,” Moeinvaziri said. “I knew there had to be a way to recycle that material at school.” Unknowingly, her classmate, Abigail Slama-Catron, separately had signatures of students, faculty and staff and parents who have children at a Canyons School District school who wanted to introduce more recycling options. She was advocating that cause with District officials. The two now graduates both belonged to Hillcrest High’s Earth Club. Moeinvaziri and others led the efforts in school composting. Slama-Catron had led the club to pledge to improve the environment through the Adopt-a-Highway program. Both were championing for mixed recycling for the 34,000 students and 2,000 employees in the District. “It’s a need in any community and especially people in my age group are wanting to recycle and help improve our environment, but some people don’t know how or there’s not an avenue to do so,” Slama-Catron said. “I wanted to make that happen.” Once the friends learned they both were working for the same goal, they united. The result was a successful pilot program at three Canyons School District schools — Hillcrest High, Midvale Middle and Midvalley Elementary — which now opens the doors for the district to introduce mixed recycling in all of its buildings. But it was an effort that stretched their entire senior year. With advice from Chris Eppler, who then was the school district’s energy engineer, Slama-Catron reached out to see the interest of school principals. She also met with Canyons School District Business Administrator and CFO Leon Wilcox and then Canyons Board of Education member Steve Wrigley, who supported the effort. “Abigail came to me after talking to Chris and she had quite a few schools that were interested, but I wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be more work for our custodial staff to be out there sorting garbage and recycling,” Wilcox said. “I wanted to be green and efficient, but I didn’t know if it would be a savings for our district and wanted to learn that.” After getting commitments from the three schools to introduce mixed recycling and finding student leaders or clubs to take responsibility for emptying the bins around the school, the district placed mixed recycling dumpsters in those school parking lots. The impact was almost immediate, the

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Former Hillcrest High School student Abigail Slama-Catron advocated for mixed recycling in Canyons School District schools. (Julie Slama/City Journals) Abigail Slama-Catron and Sofia Moeinvaziri, seen here at Hillcrest High, implemented a pilot program of mixed recycling in three Canyons School District schools last year. (Lyndee McKay/Hillcrest High School)

girls said. Moeinvaziri and Slama-Catron monitored the usage of recycling in the dumpsters, documenting its usage with photos. “At Hillcrest, it was placed outside of the wood and robotics shops, so they used it quite a bit. It works well, especially in high schools because we have vending machines, and a lot of students would put their plastic and energy drink cans in there,” said Moenvaziri, who started looking into a contract with the mixed recycling company. Slama-Catron said the pilot program got a slow start at Midvale Middle because the mixed recycling dumpster was misplaced, but at Midvalley it was an instant success. “Midvalley had to change their bin to be picked up once a week instead of every other week because of how much it was being filled. It was surprising; I knew that there was a need, but I didn’t realize how fast that would be shown to me,” she said, adding that Hillcrest’s dumpster was “full every single time I looked. It was great to see that people cared and wanted to recycle.” During the school year, Eppler retired, but the girls continued their effort. “People were willing to even meet with us, and we were really pushing it forward. They liked our initiative and were willing to listen to us,” Moeinvaziri said. “I learned a lot about convincing people to listen to your cause. I learned

promoting environmental sustainability isn’t enough to convince someone to support your program. You have to know the financial aspect of it because at the end of the day, for a lot of school districts, it does come down to money, and they are monitoring that budget closely. If it’s cheaper for them to just have paper recycling, then they’re just going to go that route. There was one school district that stopped recycling completely because of the financial cost that comes with it.” She said the district covered the funds for the pilot program. “We calculated exactly how much it would cost and we found that there would be fewer trips to the landfill because students would put their plastic and aluminum in the mixed recycling rather than the trash. Plus, the landfill is farther away than where the mixed recycling was being dumped. We pointed out that it’s not only great for the environment, but it would be a financial saving to the district because less plastic and metal were being put in the trash. We convinced them and they said that they’ll move forward with it,” said Moenvaziri, who is studying engineering and hopes to continue to compete in public policy debate about environmental sustainability in college. Canyons Director of Facility Services Matt Wolford said the girls answered their questions of finding the balance between fiscal responsibility and being environmentally sustainable. “Some of our schools were already recycling paper and that cost actually came out of our custodial budget, and these ladies found a point of contact at each school to oversee the recycling in the schools to get emptied into the recycling bin outside the school,” he said. “We

have recycling pickup once a week at 43 CSD (Canyons School District) locations for the ‘23’24 school year.” Slama-Catron, who now is studying environmental policy and working at her college’s sustainability center, created a video and posted it on Instagram to help educate students about the recycling program. “The video was entertaining while also being educational about mixed recycling in any of the schools. It has Hillcrest’s student body president in it, so students knew who she was as a person of authority as well as just having a more high school approach to recycling. It was designed to be fun, but the purpose was for them to gain knowledge about the recycling program and what could go in those bins,” she said. Slama-Catron used the project toward her Girl Scout Gold Award, which she received in November. “I have the passion for this project, because it’s something I care about. If I can be a force for change to positively affect the earth, then I’m willing to do that. I wanted to see mixed recycling happen and I knew I could do that,” she said. Information about the project, she calls, “Recycle remix” can be found recycleremix. weebly.com, which serves as a model for other schools and districts to follow. “Mixed recycling is a positive step to improving our environment and people are willing to if they’re given the opportunity,” Slama-Catron said. “Now, there is a drastic decrease of stuff on the ground at schools as people put their plastic water bottles and aluminum cans into the recycling bin. It’s making our world healthier.” l

Dec. 2023 | Page 13

Food pantries face high demand and low inventory By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

he number of children living in poverty in the U.S. has more than doubled in the past year and a half, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It issued a release in September saying 12.4% of youth under 18 are living below the poverty line. That’s up from 5.2% in 2021 and totals over 9 million children. Inflation overall, added to the expiration of the Child Tax Credit program that Congress instituted during the pandemic, has added to the economic challenges families are facing, including here along the Wasatch Front. It’s estimated that in Utah, one of every 11 residents will go to bed hungry tonight. So many are turning to local food pantries for help—and that’s a problem. Food pantries are seeing lower inventories and fewer donations. With the holidays approaching, pantry leaders are alarmed. “Our needs are extreme,” said Rebekah Anderson, executive director of the Bountiful Community Food Pantry. “Every single day, we have at least one new family come in who we haven’t served before. Two weeks ago, we served over 100 families in one day—the most in a single day since I’ve been here.” She said most of the pantry’s clients are not destitute—many come from families

where both parents are employed or have second jobs. “Every day Davis County residents are finding their paychecks aren’t going as far as in the past,” she said. “They still need help to feed their families.” At the Open Doors pantry in Layton, executive director Jason Wilde tells a similar story. “For the first nine months of this year, we’ve seen a 40% increase in the numbers of families we’ve served,” he said. “At least half of those are families that have never come into the pantry before. At the same time, our donations have dropped by about 10%. So there’s a great inequity between needs and our ability to meet them.” The Murray Children’s Pantry serves clients from throughout Salt Lake County. Jim Brass, president of the pantry board, says donations have dwindled throughout the summer, as they traditionally do, and he’s hopeful the upcoming holidays will put “people in a more giving mood.” As with Bountiful and Layton, clients have increased in numbers the past few months. “We’re hearing the biggest challenge is rent—the costs of housing,” he said. “We’ve seen our client base grow by 30% to 40% some weeks. We have put together what we

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call family boxes—enough to feed a family of four for a week—and demand for those has steadily grown. There are new families coming in for the first time every week.” Anderson said the Bountiful Pantry is blessed to have over 200 volunteers who help with food organization and distribution. She said one of those volunteers came back into work after being off for about a week and said “she couldn’t believe how empty our warehouse looked…in just a few days.” And she’s concerned that with November and December holidays just around the corner, when the demand usually doubles or triples, her inventory continues to drop. In Bountiful, Anderson’s crew is being extra careful with distribution. “We’re not rationing food, but we are taking steps to make sure we reduce waste,” she said. “We can extend the shelf life of canned vegetables, for example. The USDA provides a shelf life guide because many products are still good past their published expiration dates. That said, we still offer clients many healthy, fresh perishable food items as well. Our number one focus is always on our clients.” So how can the public help out pantries? One way is through food drives at schools or through churches or community groups. The

Farmington High National Honors Society is planning a food drive from Nov. 6-10 for the Bountiful Pantry. Anderson said she’ll provide either barrels or large wire containers to gather food. Bountiful also received a $5,000 donation from the Bridge Community Church in Centerville, which held a golf tournament as a fundraiser for the pantry. “We’re so grateful to both Farmington High and the Bridge Community Church for doing these,” Anderson said. “It helps take stress off of the pantry.” Bountiful Pantry’s annual Sub for Santa program—which can assign clients to be Santas for families in need of help—is taking registrations through Nov. 18. Low-income families are vetted, and last year more than 4,000 children received gifts. Brass said the Murray pantry is working for the third year with the Frank Cordova Foundation to provide Thanksgiving dinners for families. The foundation provides turkeys, and the pantry provides the rest of the fixings. Those wishing to make donations and help out should reach out to the pantries on their websites. Each director says the needs are continuing to grow every day. l

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Cottonwood Heights City Journal

Free services for youth a bright spot in tight budget year for Salt Lake County

t the end of October, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson presented the 2024 annual budget to the County Council and the public. Council will consider the proposed budget during a series of hearings, before voting on the final budget on Dec. 5. Salt Lake County has a proposed budget of nearly $2 billion dollars and details can be found in a 650 page PDF document available online. The short of it? It’s a belt tightening kind of year, but there are a few bright spots. “You’re already aware there has been a slowdown in tax revenue this year. It’s no secret that the economy is stretched thin by inflation and the cost of goods. Salt Lake County residents must manage their households with less purchasing power per dollar, and so must we. And unlike the federal budget, the county balances its budget each year,” said Wilson during the address. Salt Lake County is among only a handful of counties that has a Triple-A bond rating and is rated as one of the most fiscally responsible counties in the nation, and Wilson aims to keep it that way, while continuing to provide existing, quality services to county residents. Services provided by the county are numerous, ranging from libraries and recreation centers, to mental health services and services for aging adults. It is also responsible for criminal justice, which includes behavioral health, jails and prosecution. Within the budget are the services provided by the County Health Department from expected things like screenings and

By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com immunizations, to more obscure services like noise pollution, noxious weed control, tobacco prevention, bee inspection and water quality. The county also provides culture and arts opportunities via venues like the Eccles Theater and the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center and through various localized programs. Belt tightening measures Tax revenue for 2023 increased by about 2%, but the increase was absorbed by rising costs. Healthcare premiums increased by 10% for county employees and inflation increased general costs of operation for existing county services. Additionally, much of the Covid-19 relief funding which padded the county budget has expired. To tighten the belt, the mayor proposed a targeted hiring freeze of vacant open positions that have remained unfilled for six months or more. Also, the county has already denied 90% of requests for general funding increases by divisions and departments, while allowing the county to continue to fulfill contractual obligations and existing programs. Additionally, the county hopes to reduce travel expenses by county employees by half, resulting in a savings of approximately a million dollars. Bright spots for county employees and county youth County employees: “I’ll be honest, the amount I’m recommending for employee compensation is far less than I’d like,” said Wilson, while proposing a 2.75% salary increase for employees and sworn officers. Wilson also proposed a round of

one-time tiered employee recognition pay. Though there was a significant increase in healthcare costs for the county, none of the increase will be passed on to employees, and employees with a high deductible plan will continue to pay nothing for monthly premiums. County Recreation Centers: The mayor proposed opening rec centers to all kids in Salt Lake County, free of charge, via a new program called My County Recs Pass. Currently the annual rate for an All-County recreation center pass for youth (ages 3-17) is $135, with slightly lower rates for one-center options. For families with tight budgets, this optional expense is something they cannot easily afford. The My County Recs Pass program proposal is projected to cost $2.3 million annually. This cost represents the personnel and operational costs in addition to the reduction in revenue from youth pass sales. Costs will be covered using TRCC funding, an existing tax set aside by the county to support cultural and economic growth within its boundaries. “We are also expecting some new revenues from adult passes for parents and increased sign-ups for programs,” said Robin Chalhoub, Director of Community

Services for Salt Lake County. “We did not add that [increased revenue] to the proposal and we are excited to see how it increases.” County Library late fees: Wilson also proposed eliminating County Library late fees for children. This program was piloted during the summer of 2023, based on the concern that late fees are a barrier to lower income families coming to the library to borrow books and other learning materials, and was a success. The proposed County Library’s 2024 budget contains $115,000 from the Library Fund to replace the potential lost revenue from fees collected. “We are implementing these programs to remove barriers for Salt Lake County children and teens to libraries and recreation centers. We know that by having access to these services, our youth will have improved socio-emotional and physical health,” Chalhoub said. “The overall community benefits from the promotion of well-being, safety, and social cohesion. Additionally, health disparities, inequities, and long-term costs associated with healthcare and juvenile delinquency are potentially reduced.” l

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Dec. 2023 | Page 15

Cottonwood High opens new teen center to provide resources to all students By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

t only took a couple months to turn two classrooms at Cottonwood High School into a teen center complete with a kitchen, study rooms, showers and laundry facilities — and parent volunteer Robyn Ivins couldn’t be more pleased. “We had a vision for what this would look like and Granite School District supported it,” said Ivins, the longtime Cottonwood High pantry volunteer who was involved during every step of the five-month construction project. “We want to meet the physiological needs of our students. If you’re going to educate the whole child, it’s more than just food. When kids didn’t have clean clothes and they didn’t have a way to shower, we knew we needed to help. This organically grew into ‘let’s meet more needs of our kids.’” Cottonwood High’s teen center was slated to open in November once a director was hired. Access to the center is available through the school as well as a separate outside entrance. There is food in the school pantry adjacent to the teen center and counseling services and resources are available. “There’s a ‘chill pass.’ This is a place if they need a break, but it’s not like they can leave class and hang out here to sluff. It’s a place where they can get a snack, do their laundry, have access to administration, mental health help, learn about resources, get whatever they need to be successful in class,” Ivins said. Facilities for students have increased in recent years. Nearby Hillcrest High in Canyons School District added services for students when the school underwent a recent rebuilding. Several high schools in Davis School District have teen centers and recently, Herriman High opened a teen center. Several other schools – elementary through high school – have created wellness rooms for students and faculty.

School social worker Alisa Webb said there has been a growing need for students in all communities to have access to teen centers in recent years. “Definitely since COVID, we’ve seen a rise in students with needs,” she said. “It’s true especially with housing this past year because that’s when the protections ran out.” According to U.S. News & World Report, Cottonwood High has a minority enrollment greater than 53%. Webb said part of the school’s population counts for refugees and newcomers to the country and more than 40 native languages are spoken. “The beauty of Cottonwood is the diversity,” she said. “It also comes with some challenges. We’re trying to answer some of those with the new teen center. I love that students have access right here to do laundry or take a shower. Over the years we’ve had students who had been staying in their cars or haven’t been able to wash their clothes for a long time. Just to have the resources for them to be successful at the school is amazing.” In addition to shower and laundry facilities, Webb, who provides counseling for students, said 46 students of about 1,500 at Cottonwood have been identified as not having a permanent home. “Those are the ones I know of; there’s probably more than that,” she said. “Initially, they’ve been identified through the McKinney-Vento (Homeless Assistance Act) questionnaire that asks, ‘Are you staying at a house with another person or family due to loss of housing and economic hardship or similar reasons? Are you living in a motel, shelter, temporary housing or living in a car?’ I have all of the above. Then, some pop up through the year either coming in on their own or someone else refers them. We don’t have a place for them to sleep at the school, but I do connect them to resources. Now, our new teen center will help

Cottonwood High volunteer Robyn Ivins advocated for the school’s new teen center which provides students resources for laundry, shower, studying, food and counseling. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

The laundry room, with free detergent, is available to students to wash clothes and they can study in an adjacent room. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Two restrooms with showers are available for student use in the new Cottonwood High teen center. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Page 16 | Dec. 2023

me provide resources to our students as well.” The resources at the teen center are available for anyone, the same as the school pantry, which serves about 150 students per week. Cottonwood High’s pantry opened in January 2017 when there was a realization that students were too hungry to focus on their homework during an after-school tutoring program. Cottonwood has more than 50% of the student body who qualify for free or reduced lunch. “There is no stigma with our pantry,” Ivins said. “Everybody comes. Anybody comes. Whether they just need a pencil or a granola bar or kids who can’t afford to buy things, our pantry is open to all; there’s no qualifier. The teen center is a place for everybody. It’s not a place for a homeless kid. It’s not a place for

a disadvantaged kid. It is a place for anybody who needs something that we offer here to be welcomed.” Ivins said having facilities available to all students helps with their education. “I love the food pantry and this teen center,” she said. “These Cottonwood kids are near and dear to my heart; there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them. This is leveling the playing field so every kid can be in school. I want every kid to have what my kids have; I want every kid to have access to physiological and educational needs, emotional support, physical support. We’ve made that happen and it has taken an army of the most incredible people, but we have this magical place. It’s like Disneyland for me.” l

Cottonwood Heights City Journal

Brighton girls wrestling showing promise By Jerry S. Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com

rior to 2021, if a female student athlete wanted to participate in the high sport of wrestling, she would simply join the “wrestling” team. There was no stipulation about who could join wrestling and who couldn’t. It was a coed sport—there were no boys wrestling teams nor were there girls wrestling teams. All participants were to be treated equally. Enid Ennis, who was a Utah Sports Hall of Fame coach at Brighton 50 years ago, made it her mission to expand the availability of high school sports to female athletes. She coached state championship gymnastics teams at Brighton as well as softball and volleyball. “Girls were relegated to participate in just a few sports—a fraction of what their fellow male students were able to,” recalls Ennis. In a recent tour of the new Brighton High School, Ennis inspected her trophies that still line the gym’s display cases. She was gratified to see that her early work has paid off with girls sports nearly approaching the number of boys sports available. Girls lacrosse, rugby, soccer and now wrestling have recently been added as club and UHSAA sanctioned high sports. UHSAA officially sanctioned girls wrestling as an official sport starting in the 20202021 season. COVID cast a pale on the first season, but it has become the fastest growing high school sport in Utah. That growth in Utah matches the trend in other states that included girls wrestling years ago. Brighton reached deep this year to give the up-and-coming sport a female wrestling coach unmatched in 5A sports, Coach Joidee Gappmayer. Of “Coach Joidee” Principal Tom Sherwood, who made the appointment, said “she has a passion for wrestling and for celebrating student athletes. She is skilled, dedicated and highly organized.” Joidee has been involved in wrestling ever since she was in high school. After getting married to a wrestler, she knew she would become much more involved when her two sons began wrestling 10 years ago. She has been coaching wrestling since 2013 and involved with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Unified BJJ since 2016. She was assistant coach for the Brighton boys wrestling program 2022-2023. She will be assisted this year by Coach Christine Yee, an esteemed English teacher at Brighton, and Coach Gavyn Gappmayer, a Brighton fourtime state wrestler. “We have four returning wrestlers, and two returning state qualifiers. Along with our incoming freshman wrestlers and other new faces, we are excited to watch our girls program grow this season!” Joidee Gappmayer said. She has set it as a team goal to have each girl qualify for state. The boys and girls wrestling teams have attracted so many student athletes that an auxiliary mat has been set up in the field house for practices. Mei Mei Engebretsen, a dedicated soph-

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COMPETITION SCHEDULE: November 21-22 Turkey Brawl November 29 Dual @ Riverton November 30 Dual @ East December 1-2 Skyhawk Showdown December 8-9 Corner Canyon Duals December 14 Home Dual – Skyline December 15-16 Christmas Clash January 4 Home Dual – West January 5-6 Best of the West January 11 Dual @ Alta January 12-13 Redhawks Rumble January 16 Home Dual – Herriman January 18 Home Dual – Highland January 24 Home Dual – Hillcrest “Battle of the Ax” January 25 Dual @ Olympus Jan 31 – Feb 1 5A Divisionals February 12 JV State February 14-15 5A UHSAA State Championship

Elise Lewis, Mei Mei Engebretsen and Lydia Lewis ready for the season. (Photo L1quid Photography)

team since it became a sanctioned sport. She has grown immensely from her first win as a sophomore—after which Coach Yee recalls “we both cried tears of joy.” She is a strong team leader who is eager to help her teammates improve. “It is a hard sport, but very worthwhile,” Lewis said. At the 5A state meet last season, she pushed herself to learn from every match even

as she struggled with an elbow injury. She has been a Brighton wrestling fan since her brother Malcom wrestled for the boys team. “I know she stresses about what she can do to be a good leader and help everyone. She has high expectations for herself, too. I know she’s hungry to get on the podium and place this year in the state tournament,” Yee said. l

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Coach Joidee Gappmayer takes the reigns of the girls wrestling team. (Photo L1quid Photography)

omore wrestler, was inspired to join wrestling by her father and her hero Heaven Fitch who in 2020 became the first girl wrestler to take state—as the only girl in North Carolina in a male dominated sport. “She proved to me that a girl can excel in this sport,” Ingebretsen said. Junior Adrina Tavita is recovering from ACL surgery this summer. She came to wrestling just to strengthen her body and technique for rugby and excelled at the sport placing at state. Tavita has quick feet and strong resolve to be cleared from the surgery and to compete again at the highest level. Senior Lydia Lewis has been with the

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Dec. 2023 | Page 17

Brighton elite athletes sign for the next level By Jerry S Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com

righton athletics produces another crop of college-bound student athletes as five signed the letters of intent in November. “While we will have two more signing days later in February and May, this early group of college commits speaks volumes about the opportunities and athletic programs at Brighton” said Brighton Athletic Director Garrett Wilson. JT Anderson commits Haverford College to play lacrosse. Mason Fray commits to Westminster University to play lacrosse. Lundyn VanderToolen commits to Utah State University to compete in gymnastics. Tate Hales commits to Utah Valley University to play lacrosse. Braxton Biesinger commits to College of Southern Idaho to play baseball. “Never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking about,” VanderToolen said. “My journey had its ups and downs but it was my journey. Looking back I see God’s hand in all of it. I am going to the perfect school for me. They appreciate my journey, believe in me and see my true value and potential. They love me for me. I’m so blessed.” VanderToolen was also recruited by Georgia, Ohio State, Washington, Univ.

Lundyn VanderToolen chose Utah State over other schools like Georgia, Ohio State and BYU. (Photo courtesy Utah State Photography)

of Illinois, Utah State, SUU, BYU, ASU among others. In 2017 she was nominated for International Gymnast Magazine JO Gymnast of the Year. Hundreds of aspiring gymnasts were nominated, but VanderToolen won this honor. She has competed at the National Championship for three years. l

Early season college signing day at Brighton. From left to right: JT Anderson, Mason Fray, Lundyn VanderToolen, Tate Hales, Braxton Biesinger. (Photo Jan Moncur)

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Page 18 | Dec. 2023

Cottonwood Heights City Journal

The City Journals is recognized for its pay equity and women-friendly practices By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

he City Journals has been named as one of the 100 Companies Championing Women. The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Cox-Henderson Administration and the Utah Women & Leadership Project created the initiative in 2022, as part of the Inspire InUtah program, to recognize businesses that offer family-friendly policies and women-specific practices that advance women as managers and leaders. Listed in the 2024 cohort of 100 Companies Championing Women, The City Journals joins other organizations like Davis Technical College, Women of the World, Bennett Communications and Saprea. The City Journals publishes 18 community newspapers each month, along with the weekly Davis Journal. It also creates the Value Pages coupon magazine. “Women are imperative to our business at the Journals,” said Bryan Scott, City Journals owner and publisher. “Women make up the majority of our readership. Women make up the majority of our employees, particularly our writers. And if most homes are like mine, most of our shopping decisions are made by women, which makes it important to our advertisers.” State leaders believe when businesses unite in their mission to champion women, it creates a force that can reshape the corporate landscape, and change the lives of women as it paves the way for equality and empowerment. While Utah continues to rank as the worst state for women’s equality, the gover-

City Journals staff members include (from left) Brialee Nelson, Kayla Palmer, Elizabeth Sweat, Bryan Scott, Rachael Roberts and Mieka Sawatzki. They join Alderman Properties Managing Partner Trish Alderman (third from right), at the Chamber West Fall Conference. The City Journals was recently named as a 100 Companies Championing Women organization. (City Journals)

nor’s office and Inspire InUtah hopes to create a business community where women are supported, whether that’s through pay equity and childcare support, or professional development and leadership programs. Elizabeth Sweat, people leader at The City Journals, said the company has focused on women-friendly practices, including pay equity for all female employees. “We are transparent about our pay,” Sweat said. “We have the same pay for all of our beat writer contractors based on their length of service and we pay our commissioned sales reps the same, based on the

amount they sell. Women and men are paid the exact same for the exact position.” The City Journals also implements recruitment strategies, focused on increasing the number of women employees, with flexible work schedules that accommodate workfrom-home situations. “Some were hesitant to say they had school drop-off or such, but I let them know that we love working moms,” she said. “Prior to COVID, we had a program called Project Homemaker where we specifically targeted stay-at-home parents. They were appointment setters that worked approxi-

mately 12 hours a week based on their children’s school schedules. That is a program that we hope to bring back soon.” The Women’s Evolution group at The City Journals used to meet in person every month, but with so many remote workers, Sweat sends out a calendar of community and business events that women can choose to attend. The calendar also includes community resources geared toward women. Female employees are encouraged to find a Women in Business group based on their personal interests and schedules, although they are not required to attend because many have limited time for networking. The City Journals supports women in leadership positions. Currently, the sales manager is a woman, as is one of the three community newspaper editors. Full-time employees include nine women and seven men. “It became very evident to me a few years ago that the success of our company will be dependent on our ability to have women work for us,” Scott said. “Our journey started with our staff making sure we were building a company where women would be comfortable working. We still have a long road to go, but I think this award demonstrates the strides that we have made.” The 2024 cohort of 100 Companies Championing Women joins the inaugural 2023 group that includes organizations like Clearfield City, Cotopaxi, Goldman Sachs and the Women’s Leadership Institute. For more information, visit InUtah.org. l

SLCO highlights from 2023 - improved trails, mental health resources, and fiscal responsibility

s 2023 closes, I am thrilled to share some remarkable accomplishments that highlight the progress and success that Salt Lake County has experienced over the past year. From the pristine trails, the compassionate care for our furry friends, and an emphasis on mental health resources, Salt Lake County has truly shone in its commitment to excellence. One of the standout achievements is the recent inauguration of the Butterfield Canyon Trail at the Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, Rio Tinto Kennecott, and the Bureau of Land Management, we cut the ribbon on this expansive trail on August 31, 2023. This trail, spanning 14 miles, showcases our dedication to outdoor recreation, and welcomes hikers, equestrians, trail runners, and mountain bikers alike. When it comes to animal welfare, we take immense pride in Animal Services

CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com

Aimee Winder Newton

Salt Lake County Councilwoman| District 3

achieving a decade of no-kill status. We stand as the first capital area to reach this milestone, and one of the pioneers nationwide. Additionally, Animal Services has been recognized as the best in the state for the 15th time, showcasing our ongoing dedication to the well-being of our community's animals. The Huntsman Mental Health Institute’s Receiving Center bridge program is now open, thanks to funding from Salt Lake County. This expansion increases access

for mental health needs in our community, providing crucial support and resources for those who need it most. This location will provide service until the new mental health crisis center opens in 2025. Our Salt Lake County Library has gained national recognition from the National Association of Counties, honoring the outstanding services and resources it provides to our residents. This acknowledgment reinforces the importance of education, literacy, and community engagement. Let's not forget the heartwarming success of the Meals on Wheels program, delivering nourishment and companionship to those in need. By the end of the year Salt Lake County will have delivered more than 375,000 meals. This invaluable service supports all members of our community who may be vulnerable or isolated. Addressing the pressing issue of jail services, we acknowledge the need for expansion. As we grow and evolve, it is essen-

tial to ensure the safety and well-being of our community members. In terms of fiscal responsibility, Salt Lake County has balanced its budget while maintaining a AAA bond rating. This achievement reflects our commitment to sound financial management, ensuring stability and security for our community. Our convention centers, the Salt Palace Convention Center and the MACU Expo Center, have hosted a multitude of successful events, attracting visitors and revenue to our community. These venues continue to be vital components of our local economy and end up saving taxpayer dollars as we generate sales tax revenue from out-of-town guests. As we think about all these great things we've done, let's remember how strong and connected Salt Lake County is. We are lucky to live in this beautiful, vibrant place! l

Dec. 2023 | Page 19

Bella Vista STEAM Fridays sparks imagination, critical thinking and creativity By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

indergartner Evelyn Robinson was folding her 6-inch by 6-inch bright orange paper over and over, trying to master turning it into an origami cat face. She had already made an origami dog. “Folding the paper is the best thing,” she said. “Folding the paper is the hardest thing too.” She and her classmates were learning the skill from first-grade teacher Laura Rasmussen as part of Bella Vista’s STEAM Fridays, where each week, students’ imaginations spark exploration and creativity as they learn engineering and design principles. With the help of first-grade aide Alisha Betenson, kindergartners not only were exploring the arts aspect of STEAM as they reviewed their shapes, folding triangles to make a paper cat, but they also were getting hands-on experience in the engineering process while being creative. “They’re learning when it may not be folded right the first time, to look at it and see where they might be able to fold it differently and to try again,” she said. “This is inspiring creativity as well. Last Friday, we let them take a piece of paper and asked them to show us what they could create.” Each week, students look forward to learning and experiencing more in their STEAM rotations. As a class, they rotate each week to a teacher who is instructing them on a STEAM subject for five weeks. After five weeks, they rotate to another teacher and will continue to explore subjects with teachers for most of the school year. “My own daughter woke up and was excited to go to her rotation to learn how about laws of motion,” Betenson said. The idea behind STEAM Fridays is to teach that curriculum to all students, said first-year principal, Angi Holden. “The previous principal (Eric Gardner) and faculty last year looked at student achievement scores and saw science was an area they wanted to put some focus toward, and they really liked the idea of STEAM Fridays,” she said. “We connected our instruction to the science standards, and teachers are tweaking lessons to deliver instruction as we go. We want all our students to have a good foundation.” With funding provided by the school community council and a strategic STEAM plan in place, Holden took the position to roll out the program as well as provide enriching STEAM opportunities afterschool to students. “Our goal is focusing on STEAM so we can develop our students to be 21st-century digital learners and be prepared for the workforce beyond academics,” Holden said, adding that a schoolwide STEAM night is being planned for February. “We’re wanting to become a STEM-designated school from the state, and hope this focus is something students and parents will be excited about and will choose Bella Vista as their school.” With about 220 students at Bella Vista, students will get lots of hands-on opportunities and instruction from faculty, she said. As a graduate of Granger High and Utah State University, Holden came to the school with a background and experience in special education, English-language arts and instructional coaching at the school district level. “I’ve learned developing relationships with the staff, the students, the parents, the community is key,” she said. “I love this community and want to provide equity for students. That’s what I love about STEAM. Our world is based in science and technology. By incorporating STEAM into our teaching, we’re equalizing the playing field in skills that are a great balance with their education.” During STEAM Friday, students in another classroom

Page 20 | Dec. 2023

Fourth-graders Malia Stanworth, Roselyn Tayborn and London Perry explore snap circuits during a Bella Vista STEAM Friday rotation. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

were learning about animal adaptation. “I like that the students are getting exposure to an array of subjects from different teachers and that as a teacher, I’m able to create a really good lesson on a subject,” fifth-grade teacher Kim Aposhian said. Third-grade teacher Wendie Nielson set up a magnetic lab in her classroom. “They’re learning about magnetic attraction, magnetic repulsion, how to move how to get something to move down the track, how to engineer it so it can move faster,” she said, adding the students also incorporate literacy as they read books about magnets. “It’s fun for them to be engaged in the subject and for faculty, it’s great to interact and teach students beyond your classroom. It really builds community.” Fifth-graders Eli McNamer and Elise Brady had just finished their second magnetism rotation. “We had magnets and different items like paperclips, and we could test what attracts and doesn’t,” Eli said. “I like you actually get to try things and do experiments.” Elise said before they tested the magnetism, they made predictions. “It’s fun because once we understand the concept, we get to determine what we’re doing and see it for ourselves, not having someone help you do it a certain way,” she said. In another classroom, students were learning about snap circuits. Fourth-grade teacher Lauren Robinson said that through learning about circuits, students will have the opportunity to make their own Harry Potter wands and understand how they work. It’s a project she’s had in her files for

years and through STEAM Fridays, she was able to develop it into her curriculum. “It’s exciting to do something different; it breathes life into school,” she said. “I’ve always liked STEM myself, so it was nice to have that freedom to choose what I wanted to teach. I like this because we talk a lot about the engineering design process — designing a solution to a problem and then creating a prototype. Sometimes when we built it, it doesn’t work. So, they’re using lots of problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they try again. It’s teaching perseverance.” Students were learning about circuits on the computer virtually before experimenting hands-on. “It’s really fun to try out different things on Fridays,” said fourth-grader Roselyn Tayborn as she looked at a computer simulation. “I really like using the computer to test the battery and wires.” She was partnered with her classmates, London Perry and Malia Stanworth, as they tried firsthand to build circuits. “I like learning new things; I haven’t learned about circuits before,” London said. Malia, who either wants to pursue a career in chemistry or in a beauty salon, said she has appreciated doing fun science activities on Fridays. “I’m learning by doing and I like that,” she said. “In a different classroom, we made solar ovens then, we tried them by heating up s’mores — and it worked. That’s the best part – figuring out how to make something and having it work.” l

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Dec. 2023 | Page 21

A Labor of Love in Salt Lake County By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

t’s been 50 years since a group of parents got together to create a program where adults with disabilities could live in a traditional setting and experience being part of a community. Project TURN is now TURN Community Services and its mission is to turn dreams into reality. Two-time Best of State winner, TURN offers day programs, residential living, summer camps, supported employment and art programs to participants from 11 to 80 years old. It also provides Christmas gifts to 200 people with disabilities through its Labor of Love project. “We provide Christmas for people with disabilities and we open that up to the community,” said Alyssa DeHart, TURN director of development and communication. “People are able to submit names and profiles of people who would like help…It’s entirely funded by donations and volunteers who shop, wrap and then deliver the presents as well.” The Labor of Love project has been going on for at least 30 years, helping hundreds of people with disabilities enjoy a fun holiday. Volunteers in the community deliver gifts to each one of the TURN offices in the state, from Ogden to St. George. The gifts are then distributed to some of Utah’s most vulnerable residents. “We have volunteers that come year after year, some have participated for more than 20 years, and they bring more friends and extended family members each year because they find it so rewarding to help these people who often have no family members left to help with their basic needs and holiday celebrations,” said Cynthia Proctor, Labor of Love director. “They know they are extending critical help to this overlooked and underserved part of the community whose

needs are very real, extensive, and still often invisible.” For information about volunteering with the Labor of Love project, contact DeHart at alyssadehart@turncommunityservices.org. The drop-off location in Salt Lake County is at 423 W. 800 South. Along with the Labor of Love project, TURN provides support for individuals with disabilities by providing individualized care in a residential setting. Support includes health care, socialization, financial management, transportation, leisure activities and community events. TURN’s art centers help people express themselves through the power of creativity with art classes, dance lessons and music education. The classes offer a chance for participants to build skills, explore the world, enhance self-expression and tap into their own artistic talents. Several artists in the program have submitted art for various fairs and contests. A popular program at the nonprofit is employment services which helps individuals with disabilities, ages 14 and up, to find work in their community. Counselors take time to meet with each person to determine their skills, interests and abilities and then help them find a job that matches their preferences, allowing them to develop independence. “Our mission statement is turning dreams into reality and that helps us focus and maintain our ideals of serving people,” DeHart said. “Sometimes we focus on sustaining life but enhancing life is really what we want to do. We want each individual to be able to have dignity and hopes and dreams and discover new abilities.” l

TURN Community Services volunteers shop, wrap and deliver Christmas gifts to more than 200 people with disabilities throughout the state. (Photo courtesy of TURN)

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Christmas Unwrapped

t was the Christmas season as I Peri Kinder wandered the aisles at Gibson’s Discount Center with a $5 bill Life and Laughter crumpled in my pocket. It was 1975 and parents didn’t care if their 7-year-old wandered alone through a store. I’d earned money to buy my parents Christmas gifts and I had to find the perfect presents. I imagined mom’s surprise when she unwrapped a brand new purse that wasn’t filled with broken crayons, Cheerios and used tissues. I pictured dad’s excitement as he opened the model airplane he would assemble at the kitchen table. I would be an example of humility as they raved about my thoughtfulness. Dad agreed to drive me to Gibson’s and we climbed into our blue Ford Pinto. Once there, I told him he couldn’t follow me, that I wanted the presents to be a surprise. He hung out at the soda fountain drinking root beer so I could shop with privacy. It didn’t take long to realize my $5 wouldn’t cover the cost of a purse or a model airplane. My heart sank as I walked the aisles. Everything was so expensive. Maybe mom wanted an oven mitt or a wooden spoon. Perhaps dad would like a small bottle of model glue. Then I saw it. A pint-sized, cut-glass pitcher that gleamed under the store’s fluorescent lighting. It looked so elegant. It wasn’t big enough to mix a half-gallon of Kool-Aid but I didn’t think mom would care. She would cherish it for all eternity. And it was only $3.

That left a present for dad. Walking past the drugstore aisle, I saw a mini-size bottle of Brut aftershave for less than $2. Mission accomplished. I wrapped the presents and placed them under the tree, right up front. On Christmas Eve, I had the holiday insomnia where you try to sleep but you hear jingle bells and ho-ho-hos and prancing reindeer on the roof. Finally, it was morning and I dashed down the stairs. I don’t remember what I got for Christmas that year. Probably a Madame Alexander doll, a Nancy Drew book and a journal with a heart-shaped lock. What I do remember is being so excited for my parents to open their presents. Mom unwrapped her gift first. I watched with the giddy excitement of a child who knows she nailed the perfect present. She opened her glass pitcher and held it up for everyone to see. It sparkled in the tree’s lights. Dad was so grateful for his little bottle of Brut that he never used it. The tiny green bottle sat on the bathroom shelf for at least a decade. I asked him once why he didn’t use it. Didn’t he like it? “I love it!” he said. “But if I use it, it will be gone and then I won’t have it anymore.” I get it, dad. I feel the same way about the expensive bottle of tequila in my office. Mom filled the pitcher with her homemade syrup we poured on pancakes, waffles and French toast. She used

it for all my childhood. My grandkids ate pancakes with syrup poured from that pitcher. I think she even took it with her when she moved to North Carolina. It takes so little to make a child feel loved. It’s sometimes hard to use the gifts kids give you for the holidays, but they’re always watching. Wear the macaroni necklace. Use the syrup pitcher. Put on the reindeer earrings. Your child will never forget.l

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