Herriman City Journal | February 2026

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Sworn in

Elected officials take oath of office

Page 11

Herriman

‘Hadestown’

Herriman High to perform popular show

Page 15

Herriman’s Sherrie Ohrn turns the page on public office, leaving an example of overcoming challenges

By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com

Opting not to seek reelection last November, former City Councilwoman Sherrie Ohrn reflects on finding solutions and tackling curveballs.

Sherrie

Ohrn knows all about bucking trends and standing out in positive ways. A member of the city council for two terms, Ohrn provided an invaluable and unique perspective on issues impacting residents in a field generally dominated by men.

In the U.S., only about 32.4% of municipal officers are women. Ohrn was the only woman on the city council for nearly six of her eight years, but her legacy is much more than just a statistic.

A Herriman resident for over 20 years, Ohrn and her family were drawn here by the friendly people and a sense of belonging. “We just felt led to Herriman,” she said. “We loved the community feeling here.” Though the town she originally knew has changed dramatically over the decades, it still feels like home.

The city’s rapid and steady growth is what prompted Ohrn to run for the city council in 2017. “When we first moved into our home, we were surrounded by open fields and very few homes,” she said. “When development started on the property adjacent to us, I was extremely frustrated with the process and felt that it would be better to be involved in solutions than sit around and complain about problems.”

Ohrn’s father also played a pivotal role in the decision to take a more active role in her community. “My dad was a key influencer in my decision to run and a great source of guidance while I was serving,” she said. The wild ride begins

Ohrn started the first of two terms of office in 2018 and hit the ground running. She

was promptly faced with some of the most significant obstacles that Herriman has experienced since its incorporation in 1999.

“There were a lot of challenges when I started serving,” she said. “The city was suffering from growing pains. We were growing much faster than our staffing was able to manage. We made some difficult staffing decisions and budgetary decisions that have put us in a strong position moving forward.”

Ohrn quickly learned that in local government, once a fire is out, another one will spring up in its place. A steady barrage of complex concerns kept Ohrn, the mayor, fellow council members and other city personnel on their toes. “There were issues at every meeting while I was on the council,” she said.

During her tenure, Ohrn experienced Herriman’s explosive growth firsthand. Many residents shared her disenchantment with rapidly shifting conditions and prospects. She and her colleagues routinely walked a tightrope as they dealt with multiple development agreements, striving to balance prospective benefits and needs of current and future residents with infrastructure considerations and developer goals.

“I have been extremely blessed to work with Sherrie Ohrn. She is steadfast in her beliefs and is a staunch advocate for property rights and personal accountability,” Assistant City Manager Wendy Thomas said. “She always asked hard questions, making sure that she fully understood the situation to make an informed decision.”

Dealing with the unthinkable and ending a nearly decade-long relationship

Just a few months into her first term, she and the rest of the city and state tried to make sense of the suicide of a Herriman High student, the seventh suicide at the school in less than a year. Ohrn joined other

Continued on Page 4

ference,” Anderson said. “It’s been important to me to see how connected Sherrie is to our Herriman community and how she has represented her district.”

Ohrn is most proud of her role in the creation of Herriman’s own police force. “[It was the] best decision in my eight years on the council,” she said.

Saying goodbye

Last year, Orhn decided she was ready to close this chapter of her life.

“Many thanks to Sherrie for her great example, dedicated service, and true care and concern for Herriman,” Anderson said.

“[Sherrie] Ohrn is one of those dedicated individuals who was laser focused on making sure the city always did its best for our residents,” City Manager Nathan Cherpeski said. “I always knew [she] would push to make sure any policy, program or initiative we undertook was a benefit for our community.”

“She is so thoughtful and kind, always putting family first and making sure to check in on staff,” Thomas said. “I’ll miss having her at City Hall but know she will remain involved and active in Herriman.”

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city personnel in organizing public forums and community events to encourage the discussion of mental health challenges, increase awareness of available resources and erase the stigma of suicide.

Later in 2018, the city council voted to end its nine-year dependence on Salt Lake County for law enforcement services, and Herriman Animal Services was established under the new Herriman Police Department in 2019.

The following year started with a bang when COVID hit, upending the entire globe while necessitating innovation and creativity to perform even the most basic functions at national, state and city levels. The ride continues

Though subsequent years weren’t quite

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as unprecedented as the first few, Ohrn continued to work through numerous challenges, consistently fighting to improve the city sustainably. “[There were] management changes, the athletic complex property exchange, the Olympia annexation, Target, Trader Joe’s and so many other businesses,” she said. “I wouldn’t know how to list them all!”

The mother of four and stepmother of three also worked closely with the Herriman Youth Council. “Watching the way the Youth Council looks up to her has been one of my favorite things,” Mayor Lorin Palmer said.

“They respect, admire and genuinely listen to her. That kind of influence is rare, and it says everything about who she is.”

“I’ve especially loved seeing her patriotism and love of our country, and the way she has shared this with the Herriman Youth Council,” Councilwoman Terrah Ander-

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son said. Currently the only woman on the city council, Anderson was appointed last summer when former Councilman Steven Shields stepped down.

Ohrn credits Herriman City Councilman Jared Henderson with helping her navigate the often thorny landscape of public office. “Councilman Henderson was a great mentor to me,” she said.

“Sherrie is simply an incredible person,” Henderson said. “Honest, hardworking, and a great partner for me in taking on the big challenges we faced the last eight years together. She has made a huge difference for us all in her time serving the residents of Herriman. We all owe her a debt of gratitude.”

In turn, Anderson is grateful for Ohrn’s guidance. “Lots of people have ideas but don’t do anything about them. I loved seeing her example of hard work to truly make a dif-

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The former council woman plans to continue serving her family and community however she can. She now enjoys additional time spent with her husband and their nine grandchildren. “I love to do anything outside, especially if it includes riding our horses or herding cows,” she said.

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime serving with Sherrie,” Palmer said. “She didn’t just help guide Herriman through decisions at the moment; she helped set it on a better path for years to come… Sherrie represented Herriman and her district with class and dignity in every situation, even the tough ones. Herriman is better because of her.”

“People—being able to work with them to resolve issues and develop solutions was my favorite part of serving,” she said. “It was a great honor to serve the residents of our community. I am truly thankful to them for the privilege.” l

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Starting and running a successful business Part 1: Building a solid foundation

Thinking about launching a business? Two local businesswomen discuss getting off on the right foot and avoiding common mistakes.

By Elisa Eames e.eames@mycityjournals.com

In2010, Barack Obama said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our communities.”

Around 70% of U.S. jobs are provided by small businesses, yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that between 20% and 24% of new businesses fail within their first year. After five years, about half have closed, and after 10, nearly two-thirds are history.

However, the independence, personal fulfillment, flexibility, community impact and potential financial rewards of owning a business still persuade over 5 million U.S. entrepreneurs to take the plunge each year.

Though starting and running a company can be daunting, applying a few relatively simple fundamentals can help set you up for success. Founders and owners of Salt Lakebased Backyard Bookkeeper, Backyard Payroll and SPC Strategies, locals Julie DeLong and Alex Mic-Podar tackle tough questions affecting entrepreneurs today.

Specializing in bookkeeping system customization and clean up, DeLong has written several articles for Forbes Magazine and Intuit and was an adjunct bookkeeping professor for the University of Utah.

Mic-Podar has started a total of seven businesses and provides business coaching, executive coaching and consulting services. She is a board member with multiple nonprofits and was a 2023 recipient of the Utah 40 Over 40 award, which recognizes women over the age of 40 for professional success and business contributions.

This is the first in a four-part article series about how to start and grow your own business.

Ask yourself what would make things easier for people. Who is it hard to get an appointment with? What problem can I solve? Or what problem needs solving, even if it’s not you that solves it? Maybe you put some people together who know how to do what you want.

Q: What is the most important thing to know for current and prospective business owners? What are the first steps?

Mic-Podar: Number one: start by creating a limited liability company. If someone sues you, they can come for all your assets. But with an LLC, they can only take what the LLC has, not your personal belongings. So protect yourself from the beginning.

But don’t let the legal hoops get in the way of starting. It doesn’t have to be complicated. People think it takes a lot of money to start a business. It doesn’t.

If you aren’t sure of your business name, just register an LLC named after yourself or something else familiar—you can add business names later as doing business as, which will function as legal aliases for your existing entity.

Number two: we’re bookkeepers, so we’re going to tell you to track your expenses from the very beginning. Whether you use a spreadsheet or something like QuickBooks doesn’t really matter starting out, but when you start making over $1,000 a month, seriously consider moving to adequate software.

Number three: think about the future of your finances. Educate yourself about why numbers matter. Numbers tell a story. This is the pitfall of any business within five years: when they start making money, they start spending more, but they’re not thinking about how much money they really have in the bank account.

Number four: this is the most important

point—just start!

Q: What are some tips for creating a unique business idea that meets a market need?

DeLong: It has to be something you know enough about to be competent. It sits at the intersection of market need, interest and ability. It needs to be something you’re interested in and that you are physically capable of doing.

If you’re missing one of those ingredients, you’re doomed to fail because you’re either working in an arena where you don’t have enough experience, you aren’t personally invested or you’re providing a service nobody wants.

Know what you’re interested in, what you think you could be good at, and then start looking for areas in the marketplace where there might be a demand for it.

Mic-Podar: A simple way to describe it is just to look around you at the world and ask yourself, “What’s missing?” Look for opportunities where the right business idea could come and make something more efficient or fill a need that no one has filled yet.

Q: How do you determine if there’s a demand for something?

DeLong: There’s research available, but sometimes it’s just hearsay. Talk to people around you. I will periodically hear about industries where service providers are a hot commodity. For example, I learned a few years ago that airplane mechanics are apparently hard to come by. There aren’t enough of them.

Mic-Podar: Think about what is missing and be the solution. If, for example, you think your mechanic is lacking and you know you can do better, identify how you can do better. What is the mechanic truly missing to be better? By identifying missing elements, you discover businesses you could start. Maybe you don’t even start a mechanic business. Maybe you start a consulting business that focuses on mechanics.

Q: What are some strategies for recognizing my skills and interests?

DeLong: I once took an office management position and it included some accounting. I learned on the job and discovered I really liked it. One of the most important skills you can cultivate is the ability to learn, and if you’re constantly learning and constantly looking for things to learn, then you’ll eventually find something you really like.

There’s not necessarily going to be one answer. There will ultimately be multiple things you could do that would be worthwhile and could be profitable. You could end up doing multiple things like Alex.

Q: What are some guidelines for choosing a business name?

DeLong: You want something memorable, unique, catchy and that nobody else has used.

Mic-Podar: If you want to be found on Google, it’s important that your name has to do with your URL and that your name includes something about what you do. This is a keyword and helps with search engine op-

timization. If you are a consulting business, make sure your name has something to do with consulting. Or if you’re an e-commerce business, your name should say something about your product.

Q: Why should I choose an LLC? What about other business entities?

DeLong: A lot of people will set up partnerships, especially husband and wife partnerships. But any structure other than a single-member LLC will require its own separate tax return that is due a month earlier than your regular tax return on March 15, not April 15. The very simplest, cheapest, and easiest choice you can make is an LLC with one owner.

Even if you add a spouse to that LLC, it’s a partnership, and you need more complex bookkeeping. It needs to have its own tax return, whereas a single-member LLC is just a Schedule C on your personal return. Very easy.

If you need a partnership, even if it’s with a spouse, have a lawyer draw up a partnership agreement. You can try to do it yourself, but it’s bound to create problems.

I know two friends who owned their business 50/50. They created a contract, signed it, and everything. But there were big omissions and inevitably, disagreements. So in the end, even though it was a great idea and a great product, the business self-destructed, and they were left with nothing. Corporations come with special rules, extra paperwork, extra returns and extra tax forms. So if you want anything that’s more complex, consult a certified public accountant beforehand.

It doesn’t matter how great the business idea is or how thorough you think you’ve been with your own contract. You don’t know what you don’t know.

Q: How do I officially register my business with the government? How do I get an EIN from the IRS?

DeLong: You create your business entity at the state level. You can create an LLC online. It’s really easy in Utah and is less than $100. Go to corporations.utah.gov. The annual renewal is around $20. This creates a separate legal entity under the state of Utah, so it won’t be you earning the money—it will

Tracking all business expenses and income from the very beginning helps give you a clear picture of your finances. (Image courtesy Pixabay)

be the business.

If you have a physical location, you also need a business license. And, of course, depending on the industry, there may or may not be industry licenses you have to obtain.

An employer identification number is simply a tax ID number that identifies your business as a separate taxable entity to the IRS. All of the business’s revenue will be associated with the EIN. You can also set up the EIN online on the IRS website. It is free and easy to do.

Mic-Podar: But if you have the means, consult with a lawyer to make sure you are doing it correctly. There are many law offices that offer this service.

Q: Should I open a physical store location or stay online?

DeLong: It depends on the kind of business. Do you need a place that receives people in person? If so, you need a storefront or home office. Again, if you have a physical storefront or if customers come to your home, you need a business license. Always check with local authorities.

Even if you need a storefront, you don’t have to sign a five-year commercial lease. Especially if you’re brand new, avoid commercial leases because they lock you in. Unless you file bankruptcy, a lot of times you have to pay the entire value of all five years of monthly payments, even if you go under and aren’t using the space anymore.

Don’t make that kind of financial commitment unless you really have to or you are very sure you have the income to support it.

A lot of places do month-to-month leases. There are co-working spaces. Or find someone who does have a commercial lease and see if they’ve got an empty office. Get creative.

Plenty of businesses don’t require a storefront, and there are a lot of creative solutions out there. If you’re in the e-commerce business, for example, some people can do fulfillment for you. You don’t have to rent your own warehouse and do your own packaging.

If you’re working from home for an online business, you do not need a city license.

Q: How do I create a marketing plan and develop my brand?

Mic-Podar: A brand comes with time and will evolve, so don’t focus too much on that yet. Also, don’t focus too much on marketing because it includes so many aspects: branding, colors, your website, employee uniforms etc. These days, you can go to ChatGPT and say, ‘this is what I’m selling. Create me a logo.’ You don’t need lots of software.

When you start, focus on your product or service and who your buyer is. Make a plan around your buyers. Sometimes people feel like they need large budgets for marketing, but you don’t. In today’s world, you have social media. You can create content and showcase it easily. There is so much free marketing.

When we started our business, we had

no money for marketing, so I focused on free resources. Instead of buying ad space on a platform, I focused on who my clients were and how I could reach them. I looked for ads seeking bookkeepers and W2 employees and called them. That was my marketing strategy. I cold-called and asked if they’d consider outsourcing. One out of 10 said they’d be interested.

You can sign up on Wix to create a website. They’ll give you a URL, and AI will create it for you. ChatGPT will write the code, and you just copy and paste it. Or you can sign up for Google Sites if you don’t know how to make a website. It’s free.

DeLong: Plenty of businesses don’t even bother with a website. They just have a Facebook page.

Mic-Podar: The main point is don’t quit your full-time job tomorrow; start a business on the side, regardless if that is e-commerce or business to business. See where it takes you.

Then when you see the potential and you have cash flow, slowly step away from your full-time job and spend more time on your business. This is very important— spend time growing your business. Invest your time in it. Your time will be the most valuable asset your business has.

I know plenty of millionaires who have a full-time job and have hundreds of businesses on the side. There is no wrong way of doing things. Just get it going. l

Herriman resident pens the second book in her children’s series

“The Heart Break” is a picture book that celebrates love.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Poe Avondet has a talent for writing, humor and finding ways to engage kids in colorful storytelling. The Herriman resident wrote the children’s book “The Heart Break,” which tells the story of Cupid trying to find his own true love.

Released in January, it’s the second book in The Break Series, a set of colorful picture books based on “humor, imagination and a touch of magic.”

“It all starts with humor and fun,” Avondet said. “There’s a lot of chaos and silly things, but it always ends with a really fun lesson. Love takes its own time and be yourself.”

Avondet grew up in West Valley, graduated from Hunter High School and wrote two adult romantic thrillers (“Breathing Black” and “White Lies”) before turning to children’s books. She’s lived in Herriman since 2005 with her husband and three kids.

Although she worked with a different illustrator for her first picture book, “The Dad Break,” Avondet partnered with Sandra Attema-Welte, an artist from the Netherlands, for “The Heart Break” and who will also illustrate the next several books in the series.

Published in 2022 and inspired by a family joke, “The Dad Break” is about a dad who is taking too long in the bathroom. The next book in The Break Series, “The Witch Break,” will be published this fall, with “The Lucky Break” scheduled to come out next year. Avondet hopes to create at least eight books for the series.

“I just naturally fell into children’s books and I love it so much,” she said. “It’s a fun place to write. I like going to schools

and I really like writing funny things that can bring families and kids together. If I made you laugh at the end of reading my book, or if the kid asks to read it again and again as their bedtime story, I think that’s the ultimate goal.”

Avondet enjoys the tongue-twisty humor of Dr. Seuss and the read-aloud rhyming that younger children enjoy, so she incorporates those devices into her stories. She’s always enjoyed creative writing and poetry and found writing to be therapeutic. She often visits schools to discuss writing while encouraging students to discover their own stories.

“It just starts with an idea,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be perfect, but everyone’s got a story to tell. I love showing kids that they can use any idea that they can come up with. They have a voice and they can write that into a story.”

Avondet has embraced independent publishing and the freedom it brings to authors who can control their own stories and manage their careers. She said it would be nice to secure a deal with a publishing company, but self-publishing has opened many doors for her.

“It’s kind of like the gatekeepers are gone,” she said. “You think of how many amazing books are out there, but if they don’t get a lucky break, they’ll never see the light of day. It’s so cool that now you can create it yourself and how you want to tell the story.”

To learn more about Avondet and her books, visit authorpoeavondet.com. l

Herriman boys basketball hanging tough in brutally difficult Region 2

In a challenging Region 2, the Herriman boys basketball team knows it is up against tough opponents each night. The Mustangs were 2-3 through their first five league games.

By Josh McFadden

The talent level in Utah high school boys basketball is nothing to scoff at. The Herriman Mustangs know this all too well; they see it virtually every game.

Herriman competes in a stacked Region 2, which features the top-ranked team in the state, Westlake, along with difficult tests in Mountain Ridge and Bingham. Riverton is no slouch either.

A formidable test the Mustangs often see is a disparity in size on the court. Region 2 features teams that boast length and physical players. The Mustangs, meanwhile, don’t have the tallest lineup on the court, so head coach Doug Meacham preaches mental toughness and playing smart.

“The biggest challenge will be guarding bigger and longer defenders, and handling the physicality of some teams,” he said. “What can your players do to confront and overcome those? Be mentally ready to fight mentally and compete physically. Also, we need to use our IQ to combat other teams that might be bigger or stronger.”

Herriman was 6-5 in non-region play. Meacham didn’t shy away from a hard schedule. Herriman participated in two tournaments, including the pre-Christmas Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada, which boasted teams from all across the

country. Herriman went 2-2 in the tournament, defeating an opponent from Nevada and one from California, while falling to a foe from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and one from Nevada.

Heading into the region schedule, Meacham was pleased with the players’ attitudes and efforts.

“We have had a productive pre-season and have gotten better overall since the summer,” he said. “Our guys are showing up every day and wanting to get better.”

Region play saw the Mustangs open up with a 3-2 record through Jan. 19.

Herriman doubled up Cedar Valley in the region opener on Dec. 30, winning easily by the count of 82-41. After falling at home to Bingham on Jan. 2, 77-59, and then losing at Mountain Ridge by the score of 70-57 on Jan. 6, the Mustangs took down Riverton on the road, 58-43 on Jan. 9, and then cruised past Copper Hills at home on Jan. 13, 70-58.

Meacham hopes his team can continue to be effective from three-point range and do a better job of defending opponents. Through 16 games, the 9-7 Mustangs had made 133 shots from behind the three-point line, good enough for 8.3 per game. Leading the way in three-pointers for Herriman at this stage was freshman Xavier Mulford with 35. Senior Carlo Mulford was right behind with 20 three-pointers. The duo of Carlo and Xavier paced the team through 16 games in scoring with 18.3 points and 11.4 points per game, respectively.

“Our team’s strength is our ability to shoot the three-pointer,” Meacham said. “We have a group of guys that can make shots. I’m hoping we can keep learning to trust

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Mayor, three council members officially begin terms

Four elected officials took their oath of office at the beginning of the year.

By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Herriman City kicked off 2026 with its oath of office ceremony swearing in four of the five elected officials.

Mayor Lorin Palmer and District 2 City Councilmember Teddy Hodges began their second terms. District 3 Councilmember Matt Basham wins his election, taking over from outgoing member Sherrie Ohrn who served two terms. District 4 Councilmember Terrah Anderson begins what will be a two-year term, having won her election unopposed. Anderson was selected in May 2025 to replace Steven Shields, who moved out of the city. By winning the election in November, Anderson will serve out the rest of the term to 2028.

The ceremony, which saw Judge Lisa Garner swear in each elected official one at a time, saw each official take their oath and share some words.

Teddy Hodges

Hodges delivered a statement that sounded awfully familiar to any history buffs. The second-term council member did a spin on Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg address, substituting Herriman-centric words within the famous speech. It served as a natural analogy of Herriman’s current growth to America’s early years.

He highlighted his 16 years in the city, identifying Herriman as an “exceptional place to raise a family” and a “community defined by mountain ridges, wide open spaces and the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors.”

Matt Basham

“It’s an honor and a responsibility to stand before you today,” Basham said to

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each other and trust our player movement and ball movement on offense and then be committed to team defense.”

Meacham loves having the Mulford brothers lead the team. Both have been productive at both ends of the court and create difficult matchups for opponents.

“Both of these guys have put in a lot of time to earn the right to have some big games,” Meacham said. “They are our main ball handlers or point guards. Their job is to facilitate and put pressure on the opposing

in the community. Her involvement grew exponentially joining the dais council members and is happy she could have a “running start” and “get her feet wet” over the past year as she’s gotten to know more residents, the inner workings of municipal government and developed more skillsets.

“Happy to be able to have these opportunities to learn and grow in our city… it’s been a little bit of a whirlwind and I’ve enjoyed it,” she said.

Lorin Palmer

The second-term mayor noted the growth of the swearing-in ceremony itself. He said four years ago when he, Hodges and Ohrn were sworn in, only about 20 people were present. The 2026 ceremony saw a full council chambers.

“We’ve come a long ways,” he said.

Along with expressing his gratitude to family, residents, volunteers and city staff, Palmer noted his desire as a public servant to find a way to make a difference. He hoped everyone had felt that effort over the past four years.

begin his remarks.

He thanked residents, friends and family in his speech, especially noting the outgoing Ohrn. “Those are going to be some hard footsteps to follow.”

Basham also thanked Heather Garcia, who he defeated in the election and acknowledged her continuing service to the city on the planning commission.

His gratitude continued to the city staff who he noted are what make Herriman a “fantastic place. I cannot express to you guys how fantastic our city staff is, they are the best in the business and we are lucky to have you.”

Part of why Herriman stands as an important place to the newly elected council member, he said, was his family all live in Herriman, notably his parents.

Calls from angry residents aren’t what scare the part-time sports referee, he said.

“I’m nervous about the call I would get from my mom.”

Terrah Anderson

Anderson came to Herriman 17 years ago she said, with two toddlers in tow. Her family has grown with two more kids while the first two now stand as a senior in high school and sophomore in college.

Likewise, she said, the community has grown, and she looks forward to community engagement and long-range planning as the city readies itself for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Anderson came to the council from the planning commission, having previously had the desire to “get more involved”

“I’m deeply grateful and humbled by the trust the community has placed in me to serve a second term as your mayor,” Palmer said, later adding his reelection is a “responsibility I carry with gratitude, determination and a relentless desire to serve.”

Looking back over the past four years, Palmer highlighted the city’s strengthened financial position, the investment in infrastructure, expanded parks, enhanced public safety and new businesses.

“These aren’t just accomplishments,” he told the crowd. “They are proof that when a community works together, with teamwork, thoughtful planning and a shared vision, we can build something that lasts.”

But the work is far from finished, he said. He listed responsible growth, maintaining city services, strengthening public safety, improving transportation and ensuring Herriman remains welcoming as areas of focus.

“I believe deeply in this city.” l

team’s defense, creating shots for themselves and others.”

Other key contributors this season have been Stone Tia, a junior guard-forward who is scoring just over 10 points a game, along with senior guard-forward Cy Arnell, who averages 6.6 points per game and leads Herriman with 6.1 rebounds an outing.

Many big games await Herriman, but Meacham is confident that his team can compete and finish strong. The team has improved throughout the year, and Meacham’s biggest hope is that the Mustangs are at their best once the postseason state tournament begins.

“Our goals are to be playing our best basketball in February and have a chance to compete in the state tournament,” he said.

To continue on a good trajectory to be a factor in the playoffs, Meacham said the Mustangs need to do a better job of communicating on the court and trust one another more. Nothing will come easy for Herriman down the stretch as it seeks to finish among the top teams in Region and Class 6A. The Mustangs face every Region 2 foe twice. The regular season wraps up Feb. 13 at home with Westlake in a game that could go a long way in determining Herriman’s state tournament seeding. l

Inclusion takes center stage at inaugural state unified dance competition

Local high school dancers made history earning top medals while promoting inclusion and showcasing talent.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

In the first state high school unified dance competition, three area schools swept the event.

Copper Hills High School won the unified dance team competition, with Highland High and Murray High in second and third places, respectively. Several students from each of the schools placed in solo and duet categories.

Unified dance is a program that brings together students of all abilities together to promote inclusion, friendship and teamwork with an emphasis on movement and joy. The Special Olympics Utah competition was held in December at Highland High and featured a variety of dance styles and creative interpretations.

Students performed their routines on stage before receiving feedback from a panel of judges, including three who recently competed and won gold medals at the Special Olympics World Games. Much of the

feedback was positive and encouraging with comments such as “keep smiling and showing you’re having fun,” “you owned that stage,” “great techniques” and “good energy and choreography.”

Many of the performances included costumes and props. Murray High dancers wore bright colors while Copper Hills performers sported matching shirts that said, “Inclusion is Cool.” Props included everything from watering cans to leis, adding creativity and personality to the routines.

Some students choreographed and practiced dances independently or together as an afterschool club. At Copper Hills, teacher Anna Bay has instructed adaptive dance for three years.

“We have so many good kids who love to dance, so we wanted to give them more of a dance experience than what they could get in our mainstream classes,” she said. “With so many interested, we were able to open up a class just for the special ed kids. We have 20 special ed students in the class, plus 20 peer tutors. Then, we have aides who help.”

Bay said the benefits of unified dance go beyond learning choreography and dance technique.

“They’re learning social skills, how to be part of a team and about friendship. They’re

listening and following directions, but we do it in a dance way, so it’s all by having fun. I teach them a lot of the same things I do in my ballroom classes from stretching to line danc-

es. We’ve been working on learning choreography, which we were able to perform today,” she said. “They have so much fun and I love their genuine smiles.” l

14 ways to love others this Valentine’s Day

By Holly Curby hello@hollycurby.com

Loveisn’t just a feeling reserved for Valentine’s Day—it’s a daily choice that shapes our relationships, our health, and even the world around us. Sometimes the best reminders of everyday love come from simple gestures—like what one local Chick-fil-A guest does faithfully every month.

At a Chick-fil-A restaurant in our community, team members have grown accustomed to more than warm greetings from one particular customer. This guest arrives carrying gift bags—one for every team member who has a birthday that month. Rain or shine, they show up with small, thoughtful gifts that send a clear message: You matter. You’re seen. You’re appreciated.

Team members say the gesture brightens the month and boosts morale. A simple birthday gift becomes a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be complicated. Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” These monthly gifts reflect that spirit—a small act that makes a big impression.

Research also shows that expressing love and kindness has measurable benefits.

- Feel happier and less stressed: Showing connection boosts oxytocin by up to 12% during supportive interactions, according to University of California research. Higher oxytocin lowers cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, and increases daily life satisfaction.

- Build stronger relationships: The Gottman Institute found that regularly expressing appreciation maintains a ratio of five positive interactions for every negative one. This helps build emotional safety and trust.

- Grow personally: Encouragement from friends and loved ones makes people more motivated and resilient. Research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows those with regular emotional support are more than twice as likely to complete a difficult task.

- Spread kindness: A study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that one considerate act often inspires additional acts, creating a ripple effect that touches people far beyond the original act.

- Boost health and longevity: People with strong relationships have lower blood pressure, stronger immune systems, and live longer, according to the 85-year Harvard Study of Adult Development.

That makes love a practical daily practice. Whether at home, at work, or while running

errands, we each have opportunities to make someone feel valued. Here are simple ways to bring more love into everyday life:

1. Practice active listening: Put down the phone and be fully present.

2. Offer your attention: Presence communicates, “You matter.”

3. Express gratitude: A sincere “thank you” or note of appreciation goes a long way.

4. Offer emotional support: Sometimes love looks like simply sitting with someone.

5. Show patience and grace: Understanding helps relationships grow.

6. Let go and forgive: Healing matters more than holding onto hurt.

7. Support someone’s dreams: Celebrate steps of courage.

8. Create safe spaces: People open up where they feel accepted.

9. Practice self-compassion: Loving yourself strengthens your ability to love others.

10. Lead with empathy: Try seeing the world from another’s perspective.

11. Celebrate joy: Rejoice with others in big and small victories.

12. Offer simple acts of kindness: Open a door, help someone, or serve without expecting anything back.

13. Pray for others: Quietly lifting someone up is an act of love.

14. Learn their love language: Words, time, service, gifts or touch—speak what matters to them.

In a world that often feels hurried or divided, love has never been more essential. It isn’t defined by grand gestures but by noticing who needs encouragement, choosing compassion over criticism, and making time for connection. The Chick-fil-A birthday tradition is a perfect example: meaningful love often looks like small, consistent, intentional kindness.

Maya Angelou captured this truth beautifully: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This week, choose two ways from the list above to intentionally show love. Notice the impact—for you and the person you reach out to. You may find that one small act becomes the very encouragement someone needed.

For more inspiration or to dive deeper, tune into Holly’s Highlights podcast, Season 6, Episode 4, and consider joining the 30-Day Show Love Challenge at www.HollyCurby. com to “be the change we wish to see in the world” (Mahatma Gandhi)—one intentional act at a time. l

A new take on winter break

Salt Lake Academy offered an optional session during its extended winter break: here’s how it went.

By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

School absence rates are high in December, with holiday traveling, out-of-state sports competitions and cold and flu season, causing teachers to avoid any new instruction they’ll end up having to reteach. Cue the holiday crafts, movies and class parties.

To address the problem, Salt Lake Academy, a Herriman charter school, tackled it head-on by extending winter break from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

“We had tracked attendance for a couple years between Thanksgiving and the winter break, and that attendance was historically low, about 70% at the high school,” K-8 campus Principal Becky Hogan said.

John Hancock, principal at the high school campus, said the feedback from parents and students has been overwhelmingly positive.

“A parent commented their student had back-to-back soccer tournaments throughout December, and that the break provided them time and space to compete without playing catch-up for school,” he said.

An optional intersession was offered to students K-12 for three weeks in December and with fewer restrictions and an open-ended curriculum, teachers made it worthwhile for students.

The high school campus held classes focused on catching up and getting ahead academically such as ACT test prep, credit recovery remediation and elective credits. Athletes also got extra hours of sports practice and conditioning. About 100 students took advantage of the classes, many more than administrators expected.

“The benefit I’ve heard from a student was that they are happy they don’t have to worry about a course they were going to have to remediate,” Hancock said.

The elementary school intersession provided classes for differentiated needs, whether it was needing to be retaught or to have more academic challenge.

“The art of the sell was, if you need remediation, we’re going to meet you where you’re at,” Hogan said. “So if you’re a second grader but you need first grade reading, we’re going to give you first grade reading for three weeks and really make some gains. Those kids got three weeks of intense instruction.”

Students performing above grade level joined classes with older students who are their intellectual peers. And multilingual students got three weeks of targeted language progress and completed testing that would normally take them out of class. Hogan said, academically, the intersession helped all students be better prepared for state testing scheduled at the end of January.

But after a morning of academic rigor, afternoons were dedicated to fun, interactive, interest-based, handson learning activities. Weeklong elective options included classes on watercoloring, card making, choir and mindfulness. In Fun with Cardboard, students created 3D art and engineered building projects. In another class, students researched animals, created a March Madness bracket and had class discussions about which animals would win each match-up.

“It’s such a fun way, and it’s so memorable for the kids to do this,” Hogan said. “They don’t even know that they’re learning all these really cool facts about animals, and it was just a really clever way to do some fun stuff.”

Hogan said it reminded her of her elementary school experience.

“Education had space for all these different hands-on projects when we were kids, and now it’s very data driven and high stakes testing driven, so these three weeks allowed us to step outside of that and still learn and make it really fun,” Hogan said.

Elective classes were chosen and taught by staff members and community volunteers. Teachers chose one week to teach and two weeks for a break. The schedule adjustment was worked into their contract by starting the academic year in early August. Part time aides and employees were given an option to work two weeks of the intersession to earn extra hours.

“Every teacher got a passion project, something that they really love but don’t always get to squeeze into a day,” Hogan said.

A behavior aid staff member taught the Fun with Cardboard class, and had an opportunity to interact with new students and strengthen relationships with those she already knew.

Special Education teacher Naena Bland, who is a pro football player slated for the flag football Olympic tryouts, taught an athletic movement class with her husband (who does it professionally). They had kids doing agility training, running speed ladders, pivoting and jumping like professional athletes.

“It’s really cool that she’s our SpEd teacher and she never gets an opportunity to do that, but she’s a pro level athlete, and so then she gets to do this passion project,” Hogan said.

Students signed up for one, two or three weeks of classes. Those who didn’t attend were given optional enrichment packets and encouraged to use online reading and math programs during their break. Faculty followed up with these families and students were incentivised to complete the work, but there was no consequence if families opted to take the free time for a family vacation, or to just simplify their December schedule.

Very few middle school students participated in intersession classes because it is a busy time for soccer players. Many traveled for tournaments and for youth soccer scouting and recruiting events.

SLA board member Darrell Robinson said the flexibility to implement this kind of scheduling experiment is one of the benefits of a charter school. He was impressed with how well it worked to meet the varying needs of families.

“There’s a win-win, because if you want the break, take the break, and if you want to bring them in, or if you want to take part of the break, you can bring them in — I mean, who can complain about this?” he said. l

‘Strive to see how the world could be, in spite of the way that it is.’

Orpheus, in ‘Hadestown’

This year’s theater theme encourages students to make a positive impact in the world.

By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

While preparing for their fall production of “SpongeBob the Musical,” winter production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” and spring production of “Hadestown,” Herriman High School theater staff and students found inspiration from a line from “Hadestown” — “Strive to see how the world could be, in spite of the way that it is.”

“That line just really spoke to me in general, but also with the world — the world’s crazy, lots of stuff’s going on, and I feel like it resonates in many ways to many people in a very real and current way at the moment,” HHS drama instructor KayCee DeYoung said.

Prominently posted at the front of the theater classroom, the quote became the theater theme of the year, a daily reminder to students to show up for each other and to be brave in the face of challenges. “I’ll refer to it just kind of whenever that inspiration strikes…if I feel like it applies to a situation or a lesson,” DeYoung said.

Junior Sam Burt said the theme has been relevant when rehearsing shows and in real life. “With the chaos of now, I think that it would be helpful for anyone to apply it to everything,” he said.

Sophomore Jaxen Harvey sees the theme as a call to help others. “It doesn’t cost you anything to bring light to the world, right? It really doesn’t,” he said. “So if you’re able to—do it. If you see a need—fill it.”

Working on “Spongebob the Musical,” this fall, junior Lucy Tanner recognized that Spongebob was living by the theme in the way he stuck by his friends in the face of impending doom.

“It really reminded me that I have to stay close with my friends and my family to feel better about the state of the world,” she said.

HHS drama students are currently rehearsing “The Diary of Anne Frank,” the true story of a Jewish girl whose family and several others lived in hiding during World War II. It is based on Anne’s diary which her father discovered after her death.

“It’s just so powerful to me, because this story is real, but if she hadn’t left it behind, we wouldn’t have that story,” DeYoung said. “If her father hadn’t found it, and hadn’t made the choice to publish what was in it, we wouldn’t have this story. We’d have other stories, but we wouldn’t

have this one. And so that’s just another powerful theme to me, an idea of how important it is for us to tell our stories and share our stories, because we don’t necessarily always know who’s going to need them or what impact they might have.”

Students said the play, a reminder to not repeat the mistakes of the recent past, is sad but also inspiring.

Burt said the story is a reminder to not take his privileged life for granted.

“It’s really important to remember that these are just normal people that went through something so hard that they had to find any life they could in hiding,” he said. “They had to figure out how to live with this dread over them.”

Harvey said of Anne Frank, “She was a regular teenage girl and she didn’t let this big, scary thing affect her and how she lived her life. If you really look at the story, she’s just doing what any of us would have done, but on a whole different scale. It definitely took a lot of strength for her to just live the way she did.”

Harvey can relate to Anne’s experience more than most teens his age, because it takes a lot of strength to live the way he does; he is a regular teenage boy who lost his vision a year ago, but he hasn’t let that affect how he lives his life.

“Yes, I went blind, but I can still act, I can still do the things I love, I can still live my life,” he said. “So that’s how I stay positive--just one step at a time.”

His limited vision sometimes makes it difficult for him to help others, but he has found joy and purpose volunteering once a week with kids with special needs, who remind him to keep everything in perspective.

“There are kids who can’t speak, and are in wheelchairs, and can barely stand by themselves, but they always have a smile on their face,” he said. “They’re always willing to give you this big hug or come talk to you if they can. And so every day I try to be like that — just, yes, the world sucks, but why does that need to stop me from smiling?”

DeYoung is proud of the students in the cast and crew for their dedication, creativity, hard work and willingness to take on challenging responsibilities to get the shows ready.

“Year after year, day after day, I’m just always amazed at the capacity of my students, of the intelligence of my students, what challenges they’re able to take on and what creativity they have and the work that they’re willing to put in,” she said.

“The Diary of Anne Frank” will be performed Feb. 25, 26, 27, 28 at 7 p.m. and at 1 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 28 at Herriman High School. The play will be performed without sound amplification in an intimate black box theatre built on the main stage with leveled

seating for 150-200 audience members.

“Hadestown” will be performed April 30, May 1, 2 at 7 p.m. and at 1 p.m. on Saturday May 2.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students/seniors/military, and can be purchased online at herrimantheatre.com or at the door, as available. l

New report suggests

half

of Utah’s young students are unable to read at proper grade level

While the study can’t pinpoint a singular cause, it does stress the importance of students meeting age-appropriate standards as a means to ensure future success and economic prosperity.

By Lizzie Walje l.walje@mycityjournals.com

Anewreport is spelling out an alarming reality for Utah’s youngest residents, as it indicates that half of them are unable to read at their corresponding grade level. This reality is not isolated to a few districts or schools within the state. Rather, the report shows glaring deficiencies at a statewide level.

The report was published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, shortly after the beginning of the 2026 calendar year. It details some troubling information, revealing that a large percentage of K-3 students in Utah have failed to meet appropriate grade-level expectations. Per Utah’s state policy, a student is considered to have satisfied grade-level expectations if they meet or exceed a score of 405 on the end of year benchmark reading assessment. The study’s data showcases that just 50.3% of third graders are achieving appropriate proficiency.

Utah is seemingly not alone in this issue, and it’s not just young children who are currently affected. In September 2025, The Harvard Gazette reported that reading scores for high school seniors, released by the Nation’s Report Card, had fallen to their lowest level since 1992. It was the first year that high school seniors had taken the nationwide test since the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing a disturbing divide between the nation’s highest and lowest achieving students.

While some may argue this is a sensible conclusion given the challenges that plagued teachers and students during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, research suggests that scores have been steadily declining, predating the pandemic.

According to Martin West, an academic dean and a professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the deputy director of the Program on Education Policy and Governance at the Harvard Kennedy School, “American students’ literacy skills peaked in roughly the middle of the last decade and have fallen significantly since that time.”

When asked about why West believes this is happening, he could not offer a singular answer, as usually these types of issues are multifaceted and can occur due to a range of differing and intersecting factors. He did however say that “I don’t think we

have smoking gun evidence that the rise of screen-based childhood is a direct contributor to the literacy trends that we’re seeing. But I’m willing to put it very high on my list of potential suspects.”

In Utah, Andrea Thomas Brandley, the lead author of the Gardner Policy Institute’s report, explained why it’s so important that students meet the necessary benchmarks of literacy, especially when it concerns third graders in particular. “We look at third grade specifically as like a pivot point,” she said. “Prior to third grade, students are spending a lot of their time learning to read, and then after third grade, they’re doing a lot of reading to learn.”

While K-3 literacy issues have permeated schools and districts at the statewide level, there are a few interesting outliers. Notably, Salt Lake City School District is one of 17 districts that failed to reach proficiency in 50% of its students. Only one district in the state, Park City School District, was able to reach 70% proficiency, reporting 70.1% in 2025.

Other statistics further complicate the issue, with the study reporting that only 18% of third-grade students with limited English-language proficiency and 35.2% of economically disadvantaged students met grade-level expectations. Furthermore, reading proficiency varies widely, with English-language learners, students with disabilities, and Hispanic/Latino students also performing lower, on average, than their peers.

Literacy, or lack thereof, has very real

consequences that can impact a student’s life well into adulthood. Strong early literacy skills are proven to be foundational for future academic success and achievement, higher graduation rates, better employment prospects, and overall health and civic engagement. The study also emphasizes that early experiences are important. Of which, they cite language exposure, shared reading, and high-quality early learning environments as critical for a child’s readiness to read.

“Research indicates that nearly all children can learn to read with systematic, evidence-based instruction and targeted support,” a summarization of the study released by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute said.

In spite of the dire news expressed by the data, there were a few silver linings. Among them, some indication of advancement, with kindergarten proficiency actually improving, jumping to 53.3% in 2025 from 37.7% in 2021. The state also vows that they intend to respond aggressively to the issue with policy changes. Utah’s Early Literacy Outcomes Improvement Act (SB 127, 2022) aims to address these challenges by setting a statewide goal of 70% third-grade reading proficiency by 2027 and strengthening supports.

While policy design is important, the study’s summary affirmed, the study also highlighted the need for policy to be consistent and well implemented overtime. Policy should also be integrated to align with current curriculum and aided by teacher support. Furthermore, it is beneficial for the

issue to be recognized within the student as early as possible, with targeted interventions performed to help promote improvement.

One state in the union has shown marked improvement in elevating their literacy and reading rates is Mississippi. Ironically, Mississippi consistently ranks poorly when it comes to overall education outcomes. However, they’ve seemingly been able to target their own literacy issues successfully.

In 2013, fourth-grade students in Mississippi were ranking 49th overall in reading scores but had impressively managed to climb to ninth overall in 2024 thanks to what the Gardner report claimed was a “multi-year, coordinated approach and the state’s emphasis on implementation quality, rather than any individual reform acting alone.” The report specifically points to Mississippi as a point of reference for Utah to closely follow.

As for Brandley’s specific thoughts regarding how to improve the literacy issue, much like West, she acknowledges there is no one size fits all solution. However, she does believe in the importance of addressing these issues holistically.

“Particularly, when kids are 0-5 [years of age]. It’s the most rapid brain development we experience in our lives. While we don’t know the cause necessarily, I do think this is a critical time to make sure that students are exposed to language and books and conversations and storytelling with caregivers. That helps build a foundation for them to be ready more formally when they enter school.” l

Mountain Ridge boys basketball not backing down in tough league

The Mountain Ridge boys basketball team went 11-5 through its first 16 games. The team has high hopes for a postseason run.

By Josh McFadden

Onething’s for sure about the Mountain Ridge boys basketball team: the Sentinels will be battle-tested by season’s end.

The Sentinels faced some strong foes this past November and December in non-region play, where they built an 8-2 record. Mountain Ridge’s only three non-region defeats were at Crimson Cliffs on Nov. 22, at Viewmont on Dec. 9 by the count of 66-56 and at Farmington on Dec. 19, 76-68. Five of the team’s eight wins during this stage were by double digits.

Finding the basket wasn’t difficult for the most part during the early going. Head coach Andre Ashton said his team can shoot well, and he expects that to continue now that region play is in full swing.

“I think one thing this team does really well is shoot the basketball,” Ashton said. “It’s definitely one of the strengths and something we need to continue doing moving forward in the season.”

Through 16 games, Mountain Ridge was 11-5 overall. At this point, four Sentinel players were averaging in double figures in points, with one more player—senior guard Carter Price—at 9.8 points per game. The leader in this category is junior guard Dylan Hatton, with an average of 14.8 points a contest. Senior guard Isaac Langston scores 11.9 points each game, while sophomore guard Jordan Horsely and junior forward Spencer Dow are at 11.3 points and 11.1 points a contest, respectively. Horsley hit 40 three-pointers in the first 16 games to pace the Sentinels. Dow’s 7.6 rebounds a game led the team. Hatton dishes out 4.9 assists a game, topping the squad.

The offense has been productive, but Ashton is looking for more efficient, effective defense and rebounding. He is using practice time to work on these aspects. Ashton knows that defeating the top teams in Region 2 and being successful in the upcoming state tournament will only happen if Mountain Ridge can improve in these areas.

“We’re hoping to continue to improve on defending and rebounding,” he said. “At the end of the day, that’s really what matters most, especially once you get into region and play. Our success for this year will depend on how well we can defend and rebound against teams.”

The long boys basketball season heats up once region play begins. As of Jan. 19, the Sentinels were 3-2 in league action. Region 2 isn’t for the faint of heat. The region includes Westlake, which, at our press deadline, was a perfect 16-0. The Sentinels

put up a valiant fight at Westlake falling 80-65 when the teams first met on Jan. 16.

Mountain Ridge defeated Bingham, 75-65 on Dec. 30 to open region play and also took down Herriman (70-57 on Jan. 6) and Copper Hills (87-75 on Jan. 9). The Sentinels also fell at home to Riverton on Jan. 2 by the count of 59-57.

What matters most, Ashton said, is that the Sentinels are at their best once the postseason begins.

“Our goals for this season is just to continue to grow and become better basketball players and teammates,” he said. “We want to be playing our best basketball heading into early January and hopefully late February.”

Mountain Ridge doesn’t rely on just one player or even a few members of the team. Ashton said for the team to achieve its goals, every player in the program needs to do his part and fill an important role.

“For us to be successful, we need to just have everyone contributing and doing what they need to do to get the job done,” he said.

The Sentinels have used an eight-man rotation, so several players contribute every game. Ashton said Mountain Ridge enjoys a good mix of seniors and underclassmen who are equally valuable to the team’s success. He said Langston, Horsley, Price and senior Keaton Richardson “have all had huge impacts on our game so far this season.”

Ashton loves what Hatton and Dow have brought to the team this season.

“[Dow] is our anchor down there in the middle and is a heck of a defender and rebounder, and an offensive threat,” Ashton said. “Dylan so far has been our leading scorer and general on the floor.”

Sophomores Jordan Horsley and Boston Gertsch and making their presence known. Jordan Horsley started last season,

while Gertsch is becoming more and more of a key player for Mountain Ridge.

As a first-year coach, Ashton has had some ups and downs at Mountain Ridge.

But he said he loves the players and appreciates how everyone in the program treats one another and enjoys being a Sentinel.

“It’s been really fun coaching this

group,” Ashton said. “It’s my first year, so it’s brought challenges, but it’s also brought us together in a way. There were moments when the kids were just as happy for the coaching staff as they were for themselves. It’s just been a really fun group who seems to like each other—all the way from the coaching staff to the players.” l

High-tech lab inspires high engagement

Students get their hands on rare tools during project-based learning field trips.

By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

TheJordan Innovation Lab housed at Juniper Elementary in Herriman is full of 3D printers, cutting machines, digital cameras, 3D pens and piles of cardboard and craft supplies. It is currently available to Jordan School District’s fourth, fifth and sixth graders for one of three project-based field trips: 3D printing, stop motion animation or engineering.

“The skills they take away from here — just like the problem solving and creativity — are invaluable,” JSD digital specialist Traci Rindlisbach said. “Any kid who comes in here is going through the design principles of engineering.”

JSD digital specialists collaborate with teachers to plan curriculum-based learning activities that allow students to show what they’ve learned in a whole new way, using equipment they don’t usually have access to.

The lab has 14 3D printers, some basic and easy to use and some that can handle more advanced multicolor prints. Students love to create a design on the computer and then watch it get printed with plastic filament to become a solid object. Students often print objects related to something they are learn-

ing. One teacher had students design and 3D print something to include in a diorama of an ecosystem. Another class designed and printed models of Native American shelters they’d been learning about.

Stop motion filming is a popular field trip. Students have used the technique to create animations showing what they know about fractions, the Pioneer Trail and planetary orbits. Students use the lab’s craft supplies to create objects to manipulate as they take 300-400 still shots to create a four second video.

A row of ChompSaws and a pile of cardboard greeted a class on an engineering field trip. After a quick tutorial of how to use the equipment, students designed and built solar ovens. With creativity and trial and error, they figured out how to make hinges and interlocking pieces which were quickly and safely cut using the ChompSaws.

Lab supervisor Tori Hadley said both teachers and students are excited to use the lab.

“The kids want to learn and they want to do hands-on,” Hadley said.

Through a grant from the Jordan Education Foundation, fourth, fifth and sixth grade teachers can get a free bus for field trips to the lab. For teachers of other grades, the lab holds a weekly Teacher Tinker Time to allow all teachers to explore the lab’s equipment and brainstorm ideas for using lab resources.

“It’s just a way to get people here and trying things,” digital specialist Kel-

li Cannon said. “They’ll come in because they just want to see what this is all about. They can make something and then take it back to their class, because we know if the teachers get skills, then they can share it with their classroom, even if they can’t bring their kids here.”

Foothills Elementary teacher Amy Peterson attended a Tinker Time to explore the tools. She had already scheduled a field trip for her students to 3D print fish which they could use to identify the animal’s anatomy and adaptations. But then lab specialists showed her how students could make a time lapse video of the life cycle of a fish while they waited for the 3D prints to be done.

“I didn’t even know that was an option,” Peterson said. “So it was nice to be able to talk to them about the standard and find out we could do something that I have no capability and no technology to be able to do. I have no idea how to make that work, but they do, so I’m pretty excited about that.”

Her field trip to the lab is scheduled for March.

“It’s exciting to be able to have the kids try something new and find a new way to apply their learning outside of the classroom, but also using some technology that I think is going to really get them excited about it,” she said.

When there isn’t a field trip scheduled, Juniper Elementary students have access to the one-of-a-kind lab which was made possible by community partners Utah

Jazz, Utah Mammoth and America First Credit Union.

“It’s actually really fun because you get to learn how to use things that you’ve never tried before,” a student said.

Two students recently had an idea to create a maze for remote controlled Spheros and used the space and equipment in the lab to build it. The school also has a 3D printing club, in which students work together on projects such as creating centerpieces for a Jordan District banquet.

Employees cultivate a nonperfectionist atmosphere in the lab where mistakes are expected. They are quick to show students the drawer full of their failed prints.

“We fail all the time,” Rindlisbach said. “But we’re still here and it’s because we failed and we kept going and we learned from our failures. So we just show them that we mess up all the time. That is something I think kids don’t necessarily always have— the opportunity to mess up and try again.”

Cannon said students get excited about the potential of 3D-printing movie props, tablet cases or things they can sell, but others think bigger, like designing light-weight 3D-printed objects for a space station or printing prosthetic limbs. Lab employees talk with students about careers that use the skills they learn in the lab and encourage them--especially the girls, who are underrepresented in STEM fields-- to take advantage of the many CTE and STEM courses offered in middle and high school. l

Mountain Ridge girls wrestling keeping it rolling

The defending state champion in girls wrestling, Mountain Ridge is once again primed for a strong finish.

By Josh McFadden

In Region 2 girls wrestling, the Mountain Ridge Sentinels have stood tall above the competition.

This season is shaping up to be another stellar campaign from the squad.

Mountain Ridge entered this season as the two-time defending Region 2 champs, beating out some talented teams to win the crown. Even more importantly, the Sentinels captured the Class 6A state title a year ago, scoring 221 points to second-place Westlake’s 187 points. The Sentinels had skilled, experienced wrestlers across the board—and this season has been more of the same.

Head coach Brandon Birch said this season’s team is once again loaded with capable performers at every weight class. He loves the team camaraderie and family-like atmosphere in the program. Seniors and non-seniors alike have been excellent examples of hard work and dedication. He also said his wrestlers are humble and eager to learn and improve.

“We have a lot of depth this year, as well as leadership, not only from our seniors, but with some of our underclassmen as well,” Birch said. “We also have a lot of drive this year to learn and grow. We have a very teachable team, and it’s showing so far on the mat.”

Birch said continuing to build team chemistry and improving technique are points

of emphasis for the Sentinels. Birch and his assistants are working hard to develop younger, less experienced wrestlers.

There is no shortage of talented, experienced wrestlers on the Mountain Ridge squad.

Arguably the top performer is 145-pounder Olivia Merino, a senior. She won a state title a year ago and was runner-up as a sophomore. Merino was sixth at state as a young freshman. Back for her junior year after a successful sophomore campaign is 125-pounder Faith Bowen, who was second in 6A last season. Senior Naidelyn Lucio Coronado has been a big part of the program, and she has been a standout wrestler this season. She was third in the state tournament each of the past two seasons and should be a top contender in February’s state tournament.

Another senior, 105-pounder Brooklyn Eagar, could be one to watch at state this season. She was third overall last season after placing fifth as a sophomore. Two of her junior teammates, Amelia Jekins (135 pounds) and Bella Birch (235) have plenty of matches under their belts. Jenkins was third in 6A a season ago and was sixth at state as a freshman. Birch was a fourth-place finisher as a freshman in 2024. Meanwhile, sophomore 170-pounder Abbi Tasini has high hopes after taking fifth a year ago. An intriguing addition to this year’s team has been 140-pound wrestler Evalyn Lenahan, who moved to Herriman from Arizona last year.

A big reason why Mountain Ridge is so difficult to beat is the sheer numbers the team boasts. As if the main group of state contenders isn’t enough, the Sentinels have other wrestlers who can add to the team’s point

total. Sophomore Kayda Rowberrry (125), senior Kiara Tanaka (115), senior Sophia Gwynn (120), senior Jazmyn Simmons (155), sophomore Maya Strong (140) and senior Dylynn Wayman (140) all qualified for state in 2025 and, as Birch puts it, “are ready to make waves this year.”

Birch has preached preparation, hard work and positive attitudes as his squad goes up against stellar opponents.

“There are a lot of great teams and competition this year,” Birch said. “It’s going to be fun but challenging. Our biggest challenges will be to make sure we are physically and mentally ready as we take the mat against the great competition we have in the state.”

With all the success the Sentinels have had, Birch said the team objectives are simple: be the best.

“Our goal is to repeat as Region 2 champs, division champs and state champs,” he said.

Mountain Ridge is a favorite to claim the top prize in 6A when the state tournament is held Feb. 11 and 12. But competing for anoth-

Don’t ignore signs of the

of Utahns deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Formany people in Utah, the “winter blues” show up as exhaustion, a lack of motivation and low energy. While the dark nights and cold days can make anyone irritable, if symptoms of weariness or sadness last more than two weeks, it could be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

While the national SAD rate is around 5%, it’s estimated that 10% of Utahns experience SAD each year. Environmental factors like the annual inversion, limited sunlight and disrupted circadian rhythms contribute to an overall emotional slump.

Dr. Jason Hunziker, Division Chief of Adult Psychiatry at the University of Utah, said SAD is a type of depression affected by low light exposure that can heavily impact the way people function. It can show up as low motivation, a higher intake of carbohydrates, excessive sleeping or just feeling off.

“People get up in the morning and it’s

dark; they come home from work and it’s dark, and it affects them,” Hunziker said. “It begins to interfere. You’re getting to work late, you’re not keeping up at work and you’re not getting to school. Your relationships are starting to become fragile, and there are more arguments or isolation. You start to feel hopeless.”

While brief periods of sadness are common, SAD symptoms lasting two weeks or more should be considered serious, and it might be time to talk with a professional, especially if the depression includes thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation.

Hunziker said one of the best ways to combat SAD is through movement, outside if possible. Moving the body releases endorphins that provide a sense of well-being and it can take the mind off worry or stress.

“One of the biggest things people forget to do in the winter is move,” he said. “Go out for a walk, go to the gym, run on the treadmill at home, just make sure you’re trying to do something. It’s best if you’re outside because the cold air and the sunlight, all of those things we need are outside.”

Light therapy is another effective way to treat SAD symptoms. Whether you take a

er title is no simple task. Birch said not only do the Sentinels need to be focused and committed, but they need to stay healthy during the stretch run of the regular season heading into the postseason. The demanding season, which includes daily practices, can take a toll on the body and mind.

“As always, we need to be diligent in practice and work hard, putting the effort in to achieve our goals,” Birch said. “Avoiding injuries and wrestling together as a team are critical as well.”

Birch also praised his staff, noting that the team’s success wouldn’t be possible without the support he gets from the assistant coaches— Zan Elder, Jon Eagar, Jim Birch, Paul Hulet, Ryan Lenahan, Logan Eagar and Miyo Strong—and the teaching they provide to the wrestlers.

“They are very talented coaches who do a great job with our team,” Birch said. “This team is a fun group with lots of personality. They combine that with grit and the desire to get better, and this is a fun group to coach.” l

winter blues

20-minute dog walk or sit in front of a light therapy lamp, the benefits will pay off in the long run.

Healthy eating plays a big role in how people feel in the colder months. Winter meals and snacks often contain carb-heavy comfort foods but the more fresh produce that can be incorporated into a diet, the bigger the reward. Staying connected to loved ones is another way to improve mental health.

“We isolate in the wintertime but we need to make sure we’re meeting with family and friends, and reaching out to them all the time,” Hunziker said. “There are so many ways that we can help when things start to go the wrong direction. Let’s not let it get too far down the road before we do something.”

For people prone to SAD some pre-winter planning may help. Create an autumn toolkit to help avoid the deep depression associated with the disorder. Set up a therapy appointment in early September and plan on filling anti-depressant medication in early fall, so it has time to work.

Having things to look forward to can help alleviate SAD symptoms. Schedule fun events for the winter or plan a weekend getaway.

Walking outside is a top recommendation for alleviating symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Taking a proactive approach to seasonal depression can help those who struggle with mental health in the winter. (Adobe stock)

For those who need crisis help, key resources include the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number and the SafeUT App, an app that allows students to call a licensed counselor for free, at any time of the day or night.

“If you don’t know where to start, start with your primary care doctor and let them know what’s happening,” Hunziker said. “Make sure you’re moving, make sure you’re getting light, make sure we’re taking care of our bodies and keeping our connections. Don’t ignore that stuff.” l

Business leaders forum discusses challenges with government regulations

Leaders gather to discuss the overregulation of their businesses during a forum sponsored by the Intermountain Business Alliance.

By Tom Haraldsen t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

Aside from the need for financial support and strength, there may be no larger challenge for businesses than government rules and regulations. That was the message shared by and with participants in the Utah Regulatory Reform Listen and Learn Forum held on Dec. 17 at the Salt Mine Productive Workspace in Sandy.

The forum was the third in a series of such meetings planned by the Intermountain Business Alliance, designed to bring Utah business leaders together to discuss real-world barriers and develop practical reforms to strengthen Utah’s economic competitiveness.

“The most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help you,’” said Trent Staggs, outgoing mayor of Riverton and now the U.S. Small Business Administration advocate for Region 8. “The cost of regulation in this country is staggering. The National As-

sociation of Manufacturing says it believes regulation alone is costing businesses $3 trillion a year. That’s almost 15% of our GNP.”

One example he pointed to is Form 941, the quarterly reports businesses are required to file with the IRS. Shifting that to an annual report, he said, could result in a $90 billion savings for businesses.

As mayor, and now in his role with the SBA, Staggs is advocating for less regulation and more common sense when it comes to the rules of the road in business. A strong advocate for President Trump, he praised Trump’s Executive Order 14192, which says that for any new regulation an agency wants to implement, it has to eliminate 10 others already on the books. He stated that another executive order from Trump charges all agency heads to look at current rules and identify those they feel might be unconstitutional.

“Just this summer, the National Small Business Association asked all businesses across the country what the most painful resource of regulations was, and they stated the federal government by far,” Staggs said. “Rules that come from these federal agencies are by people not elected to their offices. Congress to a large degree, I believe, has abdicated much of its responsibility by delegating the rulemaking authority to these unelected bureaucrats. The net result of this overregulation is it keeps you from making

profits and hiring people. Deregulation will help the economy.”

Speakers at breakout sessions during the forum covered a wide range of areas where regulations have large impacts. Those include agriculture and agri-business, construction and infrastructure, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing and mining, technology, banking and finance, and health care and insurance.

Corinna Harris, president of the Intermountain Business Alliance, said its goal is to “ensure businesses stay in business, by driving meaningful regulatory reform and removing barriers to growth at every level of government.”

“We are holding two more forums in the next week, on Jan. 9 in Eagle Mountain and on Jan. 12 in Nephi,” she said. “We’re also publishing a newsletter with comments and suggestions shared at these forums.”

She wants to see a united effort by local business owners and government leaders to make meaningful changes in regulatory practices.

Staggs told attendees the list of most wanted issues concerning business owners can be found on the SBA website at advocacy.sba.gov. Harris said more information about the alliance, or suggestions for changes, can be sent to her at charris@intermountainbusinessalliance.com. l

County sheriff’s office honors America’s 250th anniversary with flag ceremony

As part of a nationwide and global observance, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office proudly welcomed a special flag during its stop in Utah as part of Flag Sojourn 250.

As part of a nationwide and global observance, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office welcomed a special flag Jan. 7 during its stop in Utah as part of Flag Sojourn 250—a historic journey designed to unite Americans while honoring the nation’s past, present and future.

The Flag Sojourn 250 initiative, commemorating the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary, is carrying this American flag to every U.S. state and territory, as well as all 26 overseas U.S. military cemeteries. The journey is meant to pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for the nation while celebrating the principles of liberty, resilience and unity that define America.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office held a special flag ceremony in January to honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of the country. (Photos courtesy

lowed by a moment of silence and ceremonial music. Attendees also joined together in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The ceremony featured the presentation and raising of the flag by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, fol-

“This shared journey honors our history, remembers our heroes, and looks ahead with hope,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera. “The Stars and Stripes represent far more than a symbol—they embody the sacrifices made in defense of freedom and the ideals that bind us together as one nation.”

The event concluded with the Honor Guard lowering and refolding the flag, marking the end of a meaningful stop on its journey. The flag next traveled to Colorado.

Flag Sojourn 250 is a national unity initiative led by the National Flag Foundation (NFF) in partnership with America250’s America Waves program, an epic tribute campaign honoring the American flag. l

Local officer helps launch peer-led support group for first responders

The Watch will offer drop-in, peerled sessions intended to support first responders from across Salt Lake County.

By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

Anewpeer-led support group aimed at first responders across Salt Lake County will begin meeting in Murray later this month, offering a confidential, non-clinical space for participants to talk with others who understand the unique pressures of the job.

The group, called The Watch, was founded by Murray City Police Officer Benjamin Gregoire, who said the idea grew out of both personal experience and conversations with colleagues across agencies.

A critical incident he experienced in the line of duty last year, Gregoire said, became a turning point and underscored for him how limited accessible, peer-based wellness resources are for first responders in Salt Lake County.

Gregoire said that beyond formal peer support teams, there are few places where first responders can speak openly with others who share similar experiences. He also observed that first responder culture often operates in silos.

“Police tend to stay with police, fire with fire, dispatch with dispatch—even though we often carry very similar stressors and trauma,” he said. “The Watch grew out of a desire to create a shared space that breaks down those barriers.”

Unlike traditional mental health programs, The Watch is intentionally peer-led and non-clinical. Gregoire emphasized that the group is not designed to replace professional care.

“There are no clinicians, no diagnoses, no notes, and no treatment plans,” he said. “It’s a space grounded in shared lived experience. While professional mental health care is critically important—and encouraged—The Watch is designed to complement those resources, not replace them.”

Sessions are structured to be low-pressure and accessible. Meetings will last one hour and are drop-in, meaning participants can attend as their schedules allow. At the start of each session, guidelines are reviewed to establish expectations and safety. From there, discussion is participant-led.

“If there’s a lull, a simple prompt— such as ‘What brought you here today?’— may be offered,” Gregoire said. “But there is never any pressure to speak. First-time attendees can expect a low-pressure environment where listening is just as welcome as sharing.”

Confidentiality is a central principle of the group. Gregoire said participants verbally agree to keep what is shared within the group confidential and that rank does not factor into the space.

“Rank does not exist within the space—everyone is equal,” he said. “If administrators attend, they are held to the same standards as everyone else.” He added that the confidentiality protections outlined in Utah’s peer support statute apply and are communicated at each meeting.

Murray City has played a supporting role by approving the group, providing meeting space, administrative assistance, and help with outreach and marketing. Gregoire stressed, however, that The Watch remains independent.

“It is not a Murray City Police Department program, nor does it report back to any department,” he said. “Murray is hosting and endorsing the effort, but the group itself remains peer-driven and separate from departmental operations.”

Gregoire hopes the group will help address lingering stigma around seeking help, particularly for those who may feel overlooked.

“Dispatch and corrections professionals, in particular, are often overlooked in wellness conversations despite facing significant cumulative stress,” he said. “The Watch aims to create a starting point—normalizing peer support and making it easier for people to show up without fear or judgment.”

The first meeting is scheduled for Jan. 14, and while no sessions have yet been held, Gregoire said early interest has been strong. “We’ve already received strong informal interest from a wide range of agen-

cies and disciplines,” he said. Looking ahead, Gregoire said success would mean broader cultural change. “Success, to me, would look like peer support becoming more normalized within first responder culture and administrations taking wellness more seriously as a core respon-

sibility—not an afterthought,” he said. He added that he hopes similar groups will eventually form in other counties, noting that “Davis County Sheriff’s Office is beginning something along those lines, which suggests this is a need being felt beyond just Murray or Salt Lake County.” l

Salt Lake County leads on criminal justice reform bringing a national lens to local solutions

Salt Lake County is responsible for many of the region’s core public safety functions, including jail operations and serving as the behavioral health authority. About 74% of the county’s general fund budget is dedicated to public safety. As the government agency responsible for these essential countywide services, we regularly evaluate our systems to ensure delivery of better outcomes for people, public safety and taxpayers.

That responsibility is what led Salt Lake County to partner with Judge Steve Leifman and The Leifman Group, nationally recognized leaders in behavioral health and criminal justice reform. In Miami-Dade County, Florida, Judge Leifman’s work helped establish one of the nation’s most successful diversion models, the “Miami Model.” The model redirects individuals with serious mental illness from jail into treatment and recovery. That approach led to dramatic reductions in arrests and recidivism, a significant drop in the jail population—saving millions of taxpayer dollars while improving public safety and enhancing lives throughout Miami-Dade County.

Over several months last fall, Salt

Aimee Winder Newton

Salt Lake County Councilmember

District 3

Lake County convened more than 100 leaders from across the state and region— including state leaders, city officials, courts, law enforcement, service providers, advocates and philanthropy— to learn from the Miami Model and identify ways to implement the model here at home.

This engagement builds on years of work already underway. In 2023, Salt Lake County partnered with the State of Utah and Salt Lake City to advance the Coordinated Homeless Services Plan. In 2024, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson launched the County’s first five-year Human Services, Homelessness and Criminal Justice Reform Action Plan, prioritizing early intervention, service coordination and accountability across systems. We’ve

also partnered with Salt Lake City on the planning and implementation of their Public Safety Plan. These efforts reflect a shared understanding that fragmented systems lead to repeated crises—costly for families, communities and taxpayers.

The data drives the need for action. Today, the Salt Lake County jail functions as Utah’s largest mental health provider. Roughly 34% of people leaving the jail exit directly into homelessness. Jail is among the most expensive—and least effective— way to address untreated mental illness and substance use disorders. Diverting individuals with serious mental illness from repeated, low-level incarceration into structured treatment and supervision is not about leniency; it is about accountability, public safety and using public dollars wisely.

Salt Lake County recognizes that simply replicating another community’s model is not what’s needed. Instead, the county is applying proven principles through a local lens—recognizing our specific responsibilities, what our population needs and what will work here. What has emerged clearly is the strength already present here: committed service providers, engaged public safety partners and a

shared willingness to align around practices that work. The Leifman Group’s recommendations focus on better coordination, improved crisis response and using shared data to guide decisions and track what’s actually working.

This work is also about leadership. Because Salt Lake County bears such a large share of public safety costs, we have a strong incentive to lead system improvement. Communities are safer when fewer people cycle through jail and our criminal justice system. Additionally, families are more stable, and taxpayer dollars can be reinvested into solutions that prevent crises before they escalate and that create lasting positive change.

At its core, Salt Lake County’s criminal justice reform work reflects a simple truth: when systems function better, outcomes improve for individuals and for the community as a whole. By leading with data, coordination and evidence-based solutions, Salt Lake County is working to improve public safety, support families in crisis, hold systems and individuals accountable, and ensure public dollars are used effectively for the benefit of the entire community.

TheFirst Amendment now comes with footnotes. Instead of promising not to abridge the freedom of speech, government officials are quietly redlining your opinions like a ruthless book editor holding a grudge.

The erosion of our First Amendment rights should wake you up like a five-alarm fire.

Banned Media. Reporters have been barred from the White House, kicked out of the Pentagon and have lost access to the press secretary’s office. A Washington Post reporter had her house searched by the FBI, relabeling journalists from “democracy watchdogs” to “people of interest.”

The president threatens the media licenses of organizations that don’t paint him in a flattering light. He’s sued networks for billions, ordered shows to be canceled and got Jimmy Kimmel fired. When millions of people canceled Disney and HULU, Kimmel was put back on the air, so I guess free speech can now be bundled with your subscription.

Banned Words. This melting pot we call America has outlawed diversity, equity and inclusion. That’s like taking the heart out of the Tin Man or the soul out of Hozier.

The Head Start early childhood programs were told to remove a list of 200 words in grant applications or the Death Star would blow up their facilities. Words like “belong,” “disability,” and “mental health” will get funding denied, so now applicants have to do an interpre-

Don’t be left speechless

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

tative dance, acting out “equality” or “diverse.” Government leaders go ballistic if we use pronouns or call a trans person by their chosen name, yet expect the entire country to salute the nonsensical renaming of the Gulf of America or the Trump-Kennedy Center. It costs nothing to respect someone’s pronouns, but rebranding the Department of War will cost taxpayers more than $1 billion.

Banned Books. Having a library card is now an act of defiance. Utah loves a good book ban because nothing prepares kids for real life more than hiding information that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Utah already ranks at the bottom of education funding, but yes, let’s make our kids dumber by discouraging them from learning critical thinking skills or empathy. Reading as exploration is forbidden. Curiosity becomes taboo.

But if kids want to read a book, they’ll find a way to read it. A ban adds extra enticement, like putting chocolate sprinkles on an ice cream

sundae. We’re all for letting 18 year olds carry a rifle into McDonald’s, but heaven forbid they read “The Hate U Give,” which talks about a teen affected by gun violence.

Banned criticism. The First Amendment gives us the right to criticize anyone, even the president. You can slap bumper stickers on your VW, write columns or even burn the flag.

However, professors are being fired for political beliefs, protestors are tear-gassed and shot, and university funding is cut unless courses fall in line with this administration’s doctrine. Freedom of speech is now an extreme sport.

Here’s what’s not free speech: incitement, threats, defamation, obscenity and perjury. The president has threatened talk show hosts, slan-

dered Democratic leaders and there’s strong evidence he’s perjured himself several times.

He is also protected under the First Amendment, but the president walks a Sharpie-thin line between free speech and hateful rhetoric. TrumpActionTracker.info documented 264 actions (as of Jan. 16) taken by the president and his administration during the last year to control information or spread propaganda. He’s all for free speech, as long as it’s only his.

History shows that free speech is as durable as steel, with the propensity to outlast those who violate it. The First Amendment doesn’t promise pleasant agreement but a safe space for necessary debate. Freedom of speech is not silent, and we shouldn’t be either.