May 2022 | Vol. 32 Iss. 05
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MURRAY HIGH CULINARY STUDENTS WIN STATE, TO COMPETE AT NATIONALS By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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rack of lamb with a pecan mint filling and root vegetable dumplings. It’s an entrée they’ve created more than 100 times, but five Murray High culinary students are making it again and again this week. Murray High was crowned Utah ProStart champions March 10, beating 20 teams statewide. It’s the second time the school’s chefs will compete at nationals; the last time was in 2014. ProStart is a two-year program for high school students that develops talent for the restaurant and food service industry. Students learn culinary techniques, management skills, communication, customer service skills, math, nutrition, and workplace and food safety procedures. The Utah Restaurant Association, which oversees Utah’s ProStart program, judge students on techniques from knife safety and creating a business plan to menu planning and the taste of the meal. Students prepared a three-course meal consisting of an appetizer, entrée and dessert in 60 minutes using only two burners and no electricity. Leading up to the national ProStart championships on May 6 through May 8, the team was tweaking their meal, where they will cook it yet again in front of national judges. In preparation, the students were evaluating each ingredient, each procedure in their menu: the lamb along with a pecan-crusted salmon appetizer Continued page 4 Murray High’s ProStart team is all smiles after competing at state, where they took first place and qualified for nationals. (Wendy Hildebrand/Murray High)
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Continued from front page and a steamed beet cake with rosemary pastry cream dessert. “We’re changing it because we need to add more green, more mint (in the rack of lamb filling),” ProStart team member and senior Ozzie Gutierrez said. “We usually sear in a pan, but now we’re torching it with a hand torch for a better color.” The group also is inviting professional chefs to teach techniques leading up to nationals and were looking at different plating for a better presentation. “We can’t really change our dishes because we’re submitting photos of them today,” teammate and junior Sierrah Mowder said on April 7. One thing they will change is double-checking their ingredient list. After practicing their menu the night before state and again at 6 a.m. the day of the contest, the team loaded their supplies in a trailer to compete at the Salt Palace. Once they arrived, the team realized they didn’t have flour, egg or lemon. “We improvised by splitting my flour and egg that I use to bread and then with not having the lemon, we have an orange we use for zest, and we just cut that and used that for citrus,” ProStart teammate and senior Miguel Mejia said. Gutierrez, who was preparing dumplings,
only was able to put three on the plate instead of the intended five. Yet team captain and junior Brooke Bodily pointed out, “We got a perfect score on them and we had right around five minutes left.” They completed their dishes in 54:35, only the fifth time they hit the hour mark or less, said Mowder, who as a manager, clocks the team. While they weren’t able to make their meal, their instructor KC Gray, said there wasn’t any finger-pointing or blaming one another for overlooking the missing ingredients. “These kids have been easily the best I’ve ever had as a team,” he said. “There has been very minimal drama. They bounce ideas off each other when there’s a problem. They work together, not separately. There’s always been the team input, not a single plate that it’s just one person — and that’s not usual. These kids—they have the potential of winning nationals.” Though they’re quick with a joke, the students also are equally fast with building up one another. For example, Mejia compliments his teammate, Angel Gonzalez, the team’s chef tournant, after teasing him. “He is willing to try something different. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t; he accepts that,” Mejia said. “He’s quick on his feet and is really strong in his skills and making our
Murray High’s ProStart team is on the clock, preparing a three-course meal on two burners at the state competition. (Wendy Hildebrand/Murray High)
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team work. If something goes wrong, he’s just like it’s ‘OK, we can fix it this way.’ He’s just quick to think, without panicking about it.” Gonzalez credits his teacher: “Before I didn’t really have any knowledge…of culinary and Chef (Gray) just opened up and I just learned from him.” Gray said that every student has improved this year as classes and competitions resumed in-person. “All these kids are really good and every single one of them has a strong suit,” he said, adding that skill as well as personality and work ethic led to the formation of the team. The students said they learned more than culinary skills while on the team. “It teaches you a lot of life lessons and it’s harsh, but it’s honest reality,” Mowder said. “Being a team, I’ve realized a couple things about myself that I need to work on, but I’ve learned so much from Chef (Gray) that I wouldn’t ever even think I’d learn in my lifetime. Having this opportunity has been the biggest thing for me.” Bodily said the team is dedicated. “You got to be committed; once you enter that door, all that matters is each other. We’re just focusing on pushing each other to be the best,” she said. Mejia agrees: “We all have respect for each other.” Even when they were first creating the menu last fall, they worked together from the theme to the flavoring. At one point, Gonzalez remembers standing in front of the pantry. “We decided to just get a whole bunch of seasonings and try them with different things,” he said. Mejia said with the salmon, they changed the ciders, then went back to maple and added ginger and garlic. The first thing the group decided on was the salmon appetizer, then the dessert, which Mowder said, “we had the idea, but we actually took the time to perfect it.” The main dish started as steak and spätzle, but “we decided steak was more common and
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we wanted to branch out,” Bodily said. Gutierrez said the spätzle was changed to dumplings, which could be shared with the appetizer and cut down for their time limit. He found a mint filling online they used as a base. They added parsley, parmesan with salt and pepper and experimented until they found a ratio they liked. While the group is excited to go to Washington, D.C.—none, including Gray, have been there before, and Gonzalez has never been on an airplane—and visit the monuments and The White House, they may have a different view than the typical visitor as they wish they could tour The White House kitchen and are looking forward to dining at a five-star Michelin restaurant. But their attention is on the competition, where they will wear new uniforms, including new aprons that are personalized with their names and school, and their customized Spartan shoes, created by Gutierrez, who has been doing it as a side business to school. While their competition is against 55 teams representing the states and armed force bases, Gray said the team is “competing against themselves, not against others. Their goal is to produce better or the same quality over and over. We’re not throwing a ball from one team to another and tackling. Yeah, we’re competing against the others, but all those teams are just as good as these kids. What’s beautiful is that it’s a showcase of skill, a showcase of what the industry can be, and honestly, the potential of the future.” The teammates said they will be ready to compete as they were for the state competition. “We stayed focus and didn’t feel nervous at all. We just believed in ourselves,” Mejia said. Gray agreed: “When they walked in there at state, they walked in with pride in what they were doing. I’ve never had a team do that.” While they were excited and celebrated their state championship, Mejia remembers also having another thought: “When I heard we won state, I thought, ‘good’ because it was a fun experience and I wanted to do it again.” l
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Murray City Journal
Math teacher Randy Bodily set to retire after 44 years
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fter 44 years teaching at Riverview Jr. High, math teacher Randy Bodily is ready to retire, but his influence will live on. Seven of his former students are now his fellow coworkers. Brenna Brown, who teaches English at Riverview, says he’s one of the main reasons she decided to become a teacher. “I feel like I still can't call him by his first name. He’s still ‘Mr. Bodily’ to me,” said Brown, who enjoyed having Bodily as a teacher because he treated his students with respect and trusted them to get their work done independently. During his years teaching junior high, Bodily has not always made such a dignified impression on his students. Before there was ever carpet in his classroom, there was a hardwood floor, there was an unstable chair, and there was a loud class. “I said ‘quiet’ and no one was paying attention,” Bodily recalled. “I thought I would get their attention so I got up on the chair and yelled, and the chair slid out from under me and I fell to the ground.” Looking back, Bodily laughs telling the story. It wasn’t so funny then. “I’d gotten the class to stop talking but then I needed to get them to stop laughing.” Brown remembers a different thing
By Victoria Wetzel | v.wetzel@mycityjournals.com from Bodily’s time teaching: his My Little Pony collection. It started with a student who gave him a My Little Pony figurine with a math equation written on it. After that, students gifted the math teacher more and more figurines until he had a collection of My Little Pony dolls. “It was just part of having him as a teacher,” Brown said. “It was just another one of his little quirks.” While Brown is sad to see Bodily retire, she feels he deserves to close this chapter so he can enjoy something else, to just enjoy being himself. When asked what he enjoyed about teaching, Bodily didn’t hesitate to say that it was because of the students. He said he enjoyed the interactions with the students and that, as a teacher, he hoped that what he was doing was making an impact on someone. “I suppose what we teach them is less important than how we teach them,” Bodily said. “They probably don't remember what they learned in the first term six months later, but they do remember a word of encouragement.” But the main reason Bodily kept coming back year after year to RJHS is because of his previous students, not necessarily his current ones.
This year marks the 44th year of teaching at Riverview Junior High for Randy Bodily, as well as the last. (Photo credit Alexa Sheid)
As a teacher, Bodily said you have no idea how you impact your students. You could impact many people and not know it. But every now and again he gets an email from a previous student he had years ago,
about how they still remember you. Or about how you made such an impact on them and who they are as a person. “That's what’s kept me coming back, is things like that,” Bodily said. l
GRASP provides support for people who have lost loved ones to substance misuse
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atara Martin’s younger brother was supposed to celebrate his birthday. But instead of a party, Martin ended up planning his funeral. In November 2020, Dalen Nyberg died 18 days before his 26th birthday from an accidental drug overdose. The grief was overwhelming, made even worse by the way she felt stigmatized in her community. “He was not a bad person. He got lost and eventually the addiction took over,” Martin said. “I call it ‘disenfranchised grief.’ When someone dies of an overdose, people don’t know how to respond to you. You feel very much alone.” She looked online for support groups for people who’ve lost family members through substance-related overdoses, but there weren’t many options. While communicating with the medical examiner, Martin saw a link to GRASP on his website and found a new community. Grief Recovery After Substance Passing has chapters all over the United States and Canada, but there wasn’t one in Utah. Martin reached out to the national headquarters and was given permission to start a GRASP chapter in Murray in summer 2021. “I didn’t know what I was looking for or that I was even looking for something,” Mar-
MurrayJournal .com
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com tin said. “GRASP was a solace for me. The people there are going through the same experience. You’re not going through it alone.” Tamara Olt, M.D., is GRASP’s national executive director, based in Illinois. When her son Josh died of an overdose in 2012 at the age of 16, she was shattered. Finding a GRASP chapter was a lifeline, providing a safe place to heal and connect with other families suffering through the same type of loss. “The first year or two is horrific,” Olt said. “You’re just in a daze and a fog, trying to figure out what happened. But don’t let anyone tell you how to grieve. I had to let go of the ‘Why?’ and the ‘What if?’ and forgive myself.” Olt, Martin, and many GRASP members, now advocate for fentanyl testing strips, clean syringe exchange programs, safe using sites, and the decriminalization of drug crimes, hoping for mental health counseling instead of jail time or prison. Martin said Naloxone kits (to help reverse an overdose) are free at most public libraries in Salt Lake County, but said most people experiencing an overdose need two doses to be revived. GRASP’s national Facebook page has nearly 10,000 followers, and the number
grows every day as more families lose loved ones to substance misuse. “One in five people know someone who’s passed away from a substance-related death. This group says they’re not alone,” Martin said. “There are lots of people who’ve had this same experience. Find a group like this one and start going as soon as possible. It makes you feel better and it helps heal you.” The location of GRASP meetings is kept private until a person can verify they’ve lost a loved one through a substance-related death, whether it’s alcohol, street drugs or prescriptions. At the in-person, monthly meetings, people can share their grief, their anger, their feelings of shame, blame and loss, and their love for family members who have passed away. Contact Martin at gslgraspchapter@ gmail.com for more information about the Greater Salt Lake Chapter of GRASP. There is no charge to attend the group but preregistration is required. “Drug use is heavily stigmatized,” Olt said. “So not everyone is helpful and supportive when you lose a family member because of an overdose. It’s so important to learn that you’re not alone, that this terrible thing has happened to other people.”l
Dalen Nyberg died in 2020 from an accidental drug overdose. His sister started the first chapter of GRASP in Utah, to help loved ones process loss and grief. (Photo courtesy of Katara Martin)
May 2022 | Page 5
SheTech encourages females to enter STEM field, bring diversity, fill jobs By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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tah Gov. Spencer Cox isn’t shying away from the numbers nor his goals when it comes to closing the gender gap in women working in the STEM field. “We want to close the gap when it comes to STEM careers,” Cox said. “We would love to get to 50% and we’re working hard. There is a huge gap in not every part of STEM, but in most parts of STEM.” Cox has been a long-time supporter of the annual SheTech Explorer Day, now in its eighth year. The STEM career exploration day brought in about 2,000 high school girls from 150 high schools and attracts 1,000 mentors and volunteers from 250 tech companies to teach hands-on workshops in programming, engineering, aerospace, robotics, product invention and entrepreneurship, biomedicine, digital marketing, ecommerce, gaming, esports, virtual reality and more fields. “The world is changing right now, every single career, every single industry in the world is being influenced by technology,” he told participants. “The connection to tech is so important and there’s a huge gap in STEM more than anywhere else. We desperately need more women in STEM for lots of reasons. We have the best economy in the nation. There are only four states in the country that have more jobs now than they did before the Coronavirus pandemic started two years ago. In the state of Utah, our unemployment right now is 1.9%. That’s the lowest in our state’s history…but with that, it also means right now we have thousands of jobs available that are going unfilled; there are really good jobs and most of those are in STEM-related fields.” Cox said the need to fill those is real for “people who see the world differently in these jobs. We don’t need a whole bunch of guys in these jobs; we need creativity. I hope you bring that creativity to whatever it is you want to do.” Cydni Tetro, president and one of the founders of Women Tech Council, said that the SheTech Explorer Day was created to help target young women to enter the STEM pipeline. “We need the diversity,” Tetro said. “We have 4,000 open tech jobs. We need (women in) them in every field—computer science project managers, UX designers, data scientists, all of them.” The goal of SheTech to show girls technology in a fun atmosphere while meeting STEM role models to learn about opportunities in the fields. The high schoolers have access to internships, college pathway information and other opportunities. Hillcrest High ninth-grader Angelinne Guiterrez was exploring the TechZone, which showcased aerospace programs, technology in soft drink distribution, museum and aquarium careers and working in local
Page 6 | May 2022
Gov. Spencer Cox, who has been a strong supporter of SheTech through the years, gave the opening address to about 2,000 high school girls this year. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
and worldwide software companies. “I was really interested in how math probability works,” she said after learning more about it at an exhibit. Her friend, sophomore Samantha Erickson, felt weightlessness while trying out a bicycle gyroscope. “The force of it was moving me in that direction, which was really cool to experience,” she said. “I’ve checked out every science—biology, aerospace, physics. Marine biology interests me.” Hillcrest sophomore Elena Parker was investigating future job opportunities, including working at a museum. “I love being surrounded by history and making exhibits would be really cool,” said Parker, who would like to work at a museum through college before creating her own cartoon series. “My dream is to inspire people to find their passion.” Cottonwood High sophomore Keian Flake was checking out exhibits in her first SheTech visit. “This is all very cool; I’ve seen everything from computer science to robots,” said
A high school student tries out feeling weightlessness during the SheTech Explorer Day, which resumed being in-person after going virtual during the pandemic. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Murray City Journal
800 local high school seniors to graduate By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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bout 800 Cottonwood and Murray high school seniors will turn their tassels at commencement exercises this spring. At 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 1, about 400 seniors will be joined by their families and friends for graduation. The exercise is a ticketed event; seniors will be allotted eight tickets. The ceremony will be held in Cottonwood’s auditorium, 5715 S. 1300 East, Murray. The ceremony, which will include Granite School District board members Julie Jackson, Nicole McDermott, and Clarke Nelson along with retiring Principal Terri Roylance and other administrators, will also feature performances by the school band, orchestra and Madrigals. The theme, chosen by the senior class officers, is from NBA great Kobe Bryant: “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.” Preceding the ceremony, soon-to-be graduates will parade through local junior highs and elementary schools on May 31 where younger students will cheer for them. That evening will be the annual senior sunset, where seniors will meet one last time on the football field and open the letters that they wrote to themselves at the beginning of the school year during senior sunrise. Cottonwood High’s Grad Night 2022
the future architect designer. Jordan High juniors Kat Marshall and Alicia Appleton learned about technology in video game development and 3D modeling. Both may pursue a career in forensic science. Alta High freshman Nariska Clement, who wants to be a mechanical engineer, was looking at some robotics and CAD opportunities while her friend Mariam Ilaha Mujadidi was learning more about coding as she may want to enter the IT field as a software engineer. American Preparatory Academy students Camille Liebsch and Natalia Gutrierrez were coding Ozobots. “This is a real opportunity to learn a lot of cool things in tech and to make the world better,” Liebsch said. “It gives women a chance to step it up.” Gutrierrez said that the atmosphere was inviting. “It’s a safe space where everyone is supporting the learning that is going on here,” she said. Business leaders also prospered from the interaction with the girls. “At Oracle, we’re the world’s largest database management compa-
MurrayJournal .com
party is from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Wednesday, June 1 at All Star Bowling in West Valley City. Murray High will hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 2 at Zions Bank Stadium, 14787 Academy Parkway, Herriman. It is the first time the school has hosted its commencement exercises at this location; the stadium will accommodate more families and friends. The program consists of a couple of musical numbers from the school acapella choir and speeches by valedictorian Sage Williams and salutatorian Relena Pattison. The theme is “Find your Fire.” Principal Scott Wihongi will present the graduates to Superintendent Jennifer Covington and Murray Board of Education President Jaren Cooper for acceptance. The tassel ceremony, at the conclusion of the exercises, will led by the senior class president Abby Niwa. Thirty-dollar tickets will be sold beforehand to the all-night Murray High graduation party to be held from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Thursday, June 2 at the school; or tickets will be $35 at the door. The evening includes a hypnotist, magician, cash cube, photo booth, karaoke, character artists, games, food and prizes. l
ny and we have women in our leadership so empowering girls in STEM education is important,” said Catherine Hammond, fusion cloud ERP customer support manager. Caroline Lamph, director of product management at Entrata property management software, said that it’s important to get girls in the predominantly male-oriented tech industry. “We need the diversity of women in technology,” she said. “It makes us holistic. We want more opportunities for women so we’re actively looking to find more women leaders.” Maple Mountain senior Victoria Parrotti is one of about 30 girls who make up the SheTech student board which helped plan the event. “I like seeing other women who have similar interests as I do,” she said. “This is an important day. We’re making female connections and are finding opportunities through SheTech.” At the end of the day, the high school students participated with adult visionaries and mentors in a 45-minute Tech Challenge where they ideate, solve and pitch solutions.l
Murray High seniors are ready to throw their mortarboards upon graduating like their former classmates did in 2021. (Dana Adams/Murray High)
Two students checked out the controls on a Utah Valley University plane at SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
May 2022 | Page 7
Murray volleyball official, boys approved for sanctioning in 2023-24 By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com
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epresentatives of the Utah Boys Volleyball Association had sat in meetings with the Utah High School Activities Association before—over the past four years in a formal fashion. So, when the UHSAA board again put the sanctioning of boys volleyball to a vote, the UBVA members braced themselves. They had been here before, and had walked out disappointed every time. Yet, on this day, March 24, 2022, it would finally be the outcome they had wanted when their organization was formed in 2015. After decades of boys playing the sport in Utah, boys volleyball is official, and with a 10-4 vote, will now be a UHSAA-sanctioned sport beginning in the 2023-24 school year, joining the ranks with 25 other states nationwide. “We had a lot more hope and momentum this time, but it was so surreal to sit there and hear it announced. We were just in shock,” said UBVA co-founder Jill Davis. This latest attempt at sanctioning laid 10,000 signatures in front of the UHSAA board along with written support from local politicians, including Norm Thurston of the Utah House of Representatives, who was in attendance at the meeting, to BYU athletic director, Tom Holmoe, BYU men’s volleyball coach Shawn Olmstead and USA national men’s volleyball coach John Speraw. UHSAA assistant director Jan Whittaker said, “The UHSAA is excited to be sanctioning boys’ volleyball for the 2023-24 schools year. This will allow many boys who have not been competing in a sport for their school the opportunity to be part of the high school sports experience. They will be able to benefit from the positive impact that high school athletics has on students.” “There’s a lot of excitement around boys volleyball right now,” said Cheree Larson, Murray High boys volleyball director. “Having a club has been such a positive experience and the sanctioning should hopefully help our young program continually build.” Davis said, “It’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment and it was an honor to be in the seat. A lot of people told us it wouldn’t happen, but our grassroots efforts and the community support made this happen. This is a victory for everybody, especially the boys and their families.” Davis, of South Jordan, has helped spearhead the UBVA’s effort the past few years to get the sport sanctioned. Her sons, Parker and Price, were part of a Bingham High boys volleyball program who three-peated in state titles from 2017 to 2019. She, UBVA co-founder Warren Van Schalkwyk and Duke Mossman, who coaches at Wasatch High, formed a collaborative effort of continually gathering statistics and surveying coaches statewide to keep up with the growing interest and participation in the sport. What they found was:
Page 8 | May 2022
• Boys volleyball is one of the fastest growing sport in high schools across the nation. • Boys volleyball is one of the largest club sports in Utah. In 2015, the state had 24 club teams; last fall, that number was up to 56. • In 2019, 81 high school teams represented 56 schools in Utah. This year, 122 high school teams are playing from 64 schools with more than 1,500 boys competing. • More than half of those 64 high school teams had such a demand in numbers that coaches had to cut players at tryouts due to popularity of the sport and lack of facilities. • Most of the 5A and 6A schools have full teams with the 3A and 4A classifications having a more mixed representation and the more rural schools in 1A and 2A coming in with the lowest participation rates. • 53% of the boys volleyball programs pay for gym rentals from their schools in order to play and practice. • 90% of participants statewide just play boys volleyball and are not multi-sport athletes. “The push that Jill stayed on to make was really key,” Corner Canyon High boys volleyball director Dan Penrod said. “Over this long process, there have always been a few parents that wanted to get the sanctioning ball rolling, but when their boys were finished playing, the momentum died down. Jill staying on after her boys graduated was everything in making sure this happened.” Whittaker noted how the Emerging Sports Program that the UHSAA formed three years ago played a key role in the sanctioning of boys volleyball. “That program was created to grow meaningful participation opportunities for student-athletes, particularly for female student-athletes, in sports and activities,” she said. “A sport can be considered for sanctioning after it meets a certain threshold of participating of our students in member schools. Boys participating in volleyball has steadily grown over the past few years.” Whittaker said once boys volleyball had met initial criteria for sanctioning consideration the UHSAA Board of Trustees looked at several factors in the ultimate decision-making process including: • The impact on Title IX compliance • The percentage of member schools that facilitate interscholastic competition in the emerging sport • Participation in community-sponsored leagues for the sport • Whether other state high school athletic associations sponsor or sanction competition in the sport • University, college and junior college opportunities for participation after high school • Whether the sport is a lifetime sport or activity, easily accessed in later life, that con-
The Murray High boys volleyball club is in its first year as a program with hopes of growing, particularly in light of the sport being sanctioned by the UHSAA for the 2023-24 season. (Photos courtesy Cheree Larson)
tributes to public health or fitness • Whether the NFHS or other recognized governing body publishes rules for interscholastic competition in the sport • Assistance available for growing the sport from national governing bodies, in-state coaches association and/or in-state officials associations • Significant obstacles to growing the sport, such as lack of facilities, expensive equipment, risk of injury, lack of experienced coaches and officials • The opportunity for student-athletes to participate equally from all socio-economic backgrounds • Whether sanctioning the sport will divert participants from and weaken an existing sanctioned or emerging sport • Whether there is significant competition for student-athletes to participate in this sport outside of school • The length of time the sport has been an emerging sport • The burden on member schools, districts and on the UHSAA of sanctioning the emerging sport • Utah Division of Risk Management concerns and input “This is not a check off list, but are items that were discussed prior to making the decision to sanction boys volleyball,” Whittaker said, adding that each school and district will “make the determination whether they will sponsor a sport that UHSAA sanctions.” Davis said that the sanctioning of boys volleyball is a “win-win.” “This legitimizes it for the boys and creates stability and consistency across the board under a fabulous um-
brella. Scholarships are secondary,” she said. “Plus, county rec leagues can still function for those who were cut from their high school teams as well as those who just want to play.” Davis, the former director of Bingham boys volleyball teams, has been gearing up to step away from UBVA since 2020 when her son graduated but “needed to stay in the game” to see the sanctioning process through. “Personally, to be able to serve these boys has been a thrill, and it’s an even bigger thrill to betting Utah on the map with boys volleyball,” she said. “I’ll forever be a part of the sport, but this ‘cherry on the top’ is so exciting for these kids and a great way to go out for me.” Murray High’s first-year boys volleyball club had 22 players try out and, due to 6 a.m. practices at The Park Center, that number dropped to 14. So, the Spartans field one team that plays at the JV level as parents of players—including head coach Cheryl Jones—try to grow the program. “It’s such a cool opportunity to see these boys that just want to be involved in a sport,” Larson said. “We’re really hoping that we can keep building this program.” The UBVA will continue to host the state boys volleyball tournament for the next two seasons as budgets, schedules and regional alignments are put in place for the 2024 spring season when UHSAA will take the reins. For more information on the UBVA, visit www. ubva.info or email ubva.info@gmail.com. The addition of boys volleyball will come just after Salt Lake City hosts the high school boys volleyball national championships in summer 2023. l
Murray City Journal
Have you seen this tree? If so, call the Beaver Hotline
“H
ave you seen this along the Jordan River? ¿Ha visto esto al lado del Río Jordan,” asks a chalk-drawn parody of a wanted poster, with arrows pointing to a whittled, carved-out tree trunk. These wanted posters aren’t meant to apprehend a fugitive, and the suspect at large is not going to face criminal charges. Instead, biologists with Tracy Aviary’s Birds and Beavers program are asking trail users along the Jordan River to help collect data that will be used to make connections between beaver activity and bird habitats. If a trail user spots a nibbled, chewed, or chomped tree, known as beaver gnawing traces, they are asked to take a photo, note the location and text it to the aptly-named Beaver Hotline. Trail users can find examples of gnawing traces on the Birds and Beavers website, along with an interactive map pinpointing beaver activity. Birds and Beavers is a bilingual community science project that launched in April 2021 and is headquartered at Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center. “Some families who live close to or along the river speak Spanish, and we want to be an inclusive project that motivates residents to go outside and walk the trails and look for beaver activity,” says Frances Ngo, the lead conservation outreach biologist on the project. Cities like West Valley City, with an approximate 38% Latino population, inhabit a large stretch along the Jordan River. According to experts, Latino communities in urban areas are often underserved when it comes to environmental education and outreach. Ngo hopes Birds and Beavers will encourage all residents to participate in outdoor activities and wildlife preservation. The trail user photo project and resulting data is part of the three phases of the program that include identifying beaver activity, monitoring beaver activity, and educating the public and government agencies with the findings. To date, trail users have submitted photos of beaver gnawing traces from as far south as Spanish Fork to just above West 2300 North Street in North Salt Lake City. “We are primarily interested in how beaver activity interplays with bird habitat,” Ngo said. “Beavers are a native species prevalent along the Jordan River. They are known as ecosystem engineers because they can alter habitats by creating lush ponds, generating deadfall that attracts bugs, which in turn attracts birds, and facilitating the return of other species to an ecosystem.” Over 200 species of birds, including migratory birds, call the Jordan River home. Protecting trees or leaving fallen trees in certain areas is important for resident birds as they provide places to hunt and nest and insects to eat. Ngo and her colleagues are using the Beaver Hotline photos to assess
MurrayJournal .com
By Deb Hafner | d.hafner@mycityjournals.com which trees need to be protected or monitored. Beavers eat tree bark and the softer growing tissue under the bark, called cambium, and they prefer soft-wooded trees like native cottonwoods. A beaver can gnaw the entire circumference of a tree, called girdling, leaving an hour-glass shaped trunk with visible teeth marks. Once a tree has been girdled, it is in danger of dying because it cannot get the nutrients it needs through its narrowed trunk. Some larger cottonwoods need to be protected from too much beaver munching, so Ngo and her colleagues and volunteers have been wrapping endangered trees with chicken wire to encourage the beavers to feast on other species of trees, like the invasive Russian olive tree. Ngo hopes to install motion-activated cameras in the future to continue monitoring beaver activity and to specifically see how long beavers dine at each tree before moving on to a new one. This data will inform city and county management efforts so they don’t remove dead trees and debris, called snags, too soon. “If we see perching, nesting or decomposers occupying areas, we don’t want to see the removal of snags,” Ngo said, adding, “Flickers, for example, create nests in dead trees, and if we remove those dead trees, we remove potential bird habitats.” One sunny morning in early April, Ngo, with binoculars hanging around her neck, and Millcreek District 1 Councilmember Silvia Catten, set off from the General Holm parking onto the Jordan River Trail to look for new beaver activity. Almost immediately, Ngo spotted a muskrat lounging on a log in the river. American coots, a duck-like bird that is not a duck, paddled down the river in pursuit of aquatic vegetation. “Did you hear that?” asked Ngo, excitedly. “That is an American kingfisher.” In a few more steps, Catten spotted teardrop shapes hanging from branches high in a cottonwood tree. “Those are oriole nests,” informed Ngo, “they build new ones every year.” Excitedly, the pair continued south on the trail. “I bet most people don’t know about the myriad species of birds that live on or around the river, or that there is a population of beavers right through the middle of the valley,” said Catten. Catten, who is also a vice chair on the Jordan River Commission, has taken an interest in the conservation and protection of the Jordan River “as a place for wildlife, open space, recreation and beauty in our urban landscape.” Millcreek, 16 other cities and two counties are members of the Jordan River Commission, which helps fund conservation, planning, education, and recreational efforts around and on the river. A partial grant from the Jordan River Commission is helping to support the Birds and Beavers
Frances Ngo, a biologist with Tracy Aviary, shows Millcreek District 1 Councilmember Silvia Catten what to look for when searching for beaver-chewed trees along the Jordan River. (Deb Hafner/City Journals)
program. “Millcreek is planning to complete a trail—a loop—on the east side of the water that connects to the existing Jordan River Trail,” Catten said, adding that “while a lot of the work for Millcreek’s portion was completed last year, we are awaiting funding to finish the loop access to our portion. We’re hopeful it will be complete within the next few years.” Ngo said that as part of the education phase of the program, they will offer guided and self-guided beaver tours and install interpretative signage along the trails. Catten and Ngo headed south where the meandering trail led them to a small meadow, in the middle of which stood a large cottonwood tree with recent beaver chew marks. To the left was another dined-upon tree, and to the right an abandoned dinner spot. Across the river were more trees with beaver gnawing traces. While Millcreek touches a small portion of the Jordan River, cities with larger portions of the river have led conservation efforts, and according to Catten, “When we became a city we wanted to follow suit and be good stewards, too. We have a relatively small portion of the river and we are so lucky to have bordering municipalities that
manage their portion of the river so well, like Murray. Our portion has benefited from that for sure. Our goal is to be a vested partner with the agencies, like the Jordan River Commission, who take prudent care to plan for the conservation of the river as a whole. It’s our job to help as we can, even if it’s just for our tiny portion.” As for the Birds and Beavers program, Catten believes “the knowledge gained from programs like this one does have a wider reach as I see it—the trees, plants, and weed management plans affect the wildlife, so as far as what might guide future plans for conservation, understanding the broader ecosystem is always helpful.” Ngo and Catten took a photo of the beaver gnawing trace they discovered and sent it to the Beaver Hotline for Ngo to plot on the map. If you see beaver activity along the Jordan River, take a photo and text it to the Beaver Hotline at 801-381-6349. You can visit the Jordan River Nature Center at 1125 W. 3300 South at the James Madison Oxbow Park. The Birds and Beavers website can be found at www.tracyaviaryconservation.org/ birdsbeavers.l
May 2022 | Page 9
Local Preston Marshall’s science project brings water usage in focus By Peri Kinder | peri.k@mycityjournals.com
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ompeting against hundreds of young scientists, Preston Marshall took home a third-place finish at the state-level science fair held at the University of Utah in April. The 11-year-old Taylorsville resident attends sixth grade at Viewmont Elementary. His project, Grow a Better Garden with Less Water in a Drought, is intended to draw attention to water use. “I did it because there’s a drought in Utah and I wanted to see what variable would come out on top in the experiment,” Preston said. “Scientists want to solve problems. I was interested in reducing water consumption.” His experiment involved growing radish plants under different conditions: using organic fertilizer, watering with banana peel water, growing in a mini greenhouse, and using no outside influence. Preston hypothesized the fertilizer would produce the biggest plants but was surprised when the greenhouse plants outgrew all other experiments. “Anything that traps moisture gives the best results, according to my data,” Preston said. His journey to the state science fair started with books he studied to learn “science-y words and processes.” He won the Viewmont Elementary Science Fair before moving
through the district level and on to state where he competed against 200 fifth and sixth graders in the Elementary division. “My whole family came. When they announced it, we were all excited,” he said. “I like learning. You can never learn everything. There’s always more to learn. That’s what science is, you’re always discovering new things.” As a fan of science, Preston enjoys reading “Astrophysics for Kids” and listening to astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. While he hasn’t narrowed down a future career path, he’s interested in becoming a scientist, or maybe an attorney or judge. “I’m good at arguing and good at winning arguments,” he said. “I want to join the debate club if they have it in seventh grade.” Preston’s mom, Jenalee Marshall, was influenced by her son’s project. His findings made her rethink how to take care of a vegetable garden by lowering water consumption, utilizing empty milk jugs as a greenhouse around plants, and using potassium to enrich the soil. Preston shared his recipe for banana peel water, which leaches potassium from the peels. He said potassium is an easy and inexpensive fertilizer that uses food waste. “I put a banana peel in water overnight in
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Preston Marshall placed third at the state-level science fair at the University of Utah. His plant sciences project depicted how to grow a better garden. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Nordstrom)
a sealed glass jar to give the plant potassium and make the plant healthy. I then threw away the peel to use just the banana water.” “From a functional standpoint, these are things we can use to practice sustainable
gardening and extend the growing season,” Marshall said. “We talk in our household. We are very open about scientific questions. I’m helping my children have an open mind about truth and finding truth for themselves.” l
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Murray City Journal
Cottonwood students ‘Rock The Street, Wall Street’ when it comes to finances By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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n the financial sector, women make up only 2.5% of hedge fund managers or 9% of mutual fund managers. It could be because by age nine in the United States, girls lose interest in math. Those statistics and more, is why “Rock The Street, Wall Street” was launched. The financial and investment literacy program is designed to spark the interest of a diverse population of high school girls to enter careers in finance, said “Rock The Street, Wall Street” teacher Amy Johnson, who also is Grandeur Peak Advisors’ senior manager of client relations. “As a firm, we have enjoyed having perspectives from a diverse group of employees and yet we find it very difficult to hire women; in the finance industry, women are underrepresented,” she said. “We have an initiative to reach out at the college level and engage more women and provide educational opportunities so that more people are aware of the financial industry.” With the support of her company and with the newly recognized Salt Lake chapter of 100 Women in Finance, Johnson got the support to offer the “Rock The Street, Wall Street” program to high school students. She knew Cottonwood High offered the Academy of Finance, gained support from administration, counseling and teacher Jen Riches and together, they began offering 10 one-hour sessions to a small group of girls after school. Senior Georgia Barrus was one of the girls who participated. “My dad always says it’s important to know where your money is coming from, to learn how to take care of it, to understand it, but I didn’t have time in my schedule to take any in-depth financial lit classes,” she said. “I thought, this is a great resource for me, to go and get a little bit of knowledge, especially since I’ll be going to college. I realized I didn’t know much about investing in stocks or much of the financial world, and felt it was important that I learn about my finances.” Even though Barrus plans to be an elementary school teacher, Johnson said she will need to understand the State of Utah’s pension plan and how they invest money for retirement. Similarly, other girls in the program will need to learn about finances as one wants to start her own business, and another wants to make a profit from thrifting. “We talked about savings, investments and budgeting. Through the program, they made connections with other females in the financial profession,” Johnson said.
MurrayJournal .com
In high school, you’re making economic decisions all the time about where you spend your energy and how you divide up your time to do your homework and all your activities. Those skills are the same that come into play whether I should buy stock in Amazon or Tesla. Amy Johnson
The first five weeks last fall, the students had skills training, role playing, case studies, learned basic investment and personal finance concepts. They went from learning what a stock and bond is to understanding a case study and determined the fixed costs versus variable costs and the discretionary costs in a budget. During the course, students followed a sample portfolio of Amazon, Google, Lululemon, Airbnb and Netflix and watched what’s happened to their stocks weekly. “We looked at the stock market so it wasn’t intimidating; they could ask questions and learn what they’re looking at. I hope they will continue to have the curiosity to ask questions and the belief that they are capable of understanding and participating. I think most women discount themselves mentally from being eligible as understanding investing and that’s just false. There are plenty of professional working women who make budget financial related decisions all the time about how they spend their time, where they invest their earnings and savings, they have to pick their 401(k) and their company plan. Even in your own personal life, you should invest and participate. Women save a lot of money, but they don’t invest it,” she said. Johnson related that to the teens’ friendships, activities and homework. “In high school, you’re making economic decisions all the time about where you spend your energy and how you divide up your time to do your homework and all your activities. Those skills are the same that come into play whether I should buy
In a small group discussion, “Rock The Street, Wall Street” girls prepare for their personal financial futures after learning about the financial world. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
stock in Amazon or Tesla,” she said. After those five weeks of hands-on learning, the group had an all-day onsite visit to Grandeur Peak Advisors, a micro to mid-cap global equities investment firm. After a tour, the students met with the team and asked questions like, “How does a trade get from one company to another?” and “What does buying power mean?” They met with female professionals and learned their stories, Johnson said. Barrus said it was there that she began to feel more comfortable in understanding the financial world. “In the fall, I was hesitant because I felt like I didn’t know as much as the others here. But then I just stared learning to ask questions. When we visited Amy’s work, it was such a fun day to learn what they do and until then, I’ve honestly never thought that I would go into career within financial layers, but now I feel I could definitely have a good start,” she said. During the five weeks this spring, the students had mentoring sessions and learned how to prepare resumes, create LinkedIn profiles and practiced interview skills and pitches. Riches gave an example of her personal pitch, then encouraged students to “own your greatness. It’s hard not to feel cocky, but you need to let your confidence shine through.” Riches said that “Rock The Street,
Wall Street” allowed students to become fully invested in their personal growth and in understanding the financial world. “They’ve learned how to build their resume, invest in themselves, learn about finances and advocate for themselves. It’s been fun to see the growth and interact in a small group; we’re reaching a different group of people than we do in a traditional class,” she said. Barrus said that because of this program, she is now able to have a conversation about the stock market and has started a budget for herself for college. “I know how to read a stock; I can tell what’s happening with it and what to expect. I’m able to talk to my dad about stocks and investing,” she said. “After doing a budget assignment, I’m not just looking as a teenager does with money for fast food, clothes and not really planning ahead or thinking about a house budget, with rent, bills and phone bills. That hadn’t even crossed my mind before, but with my mom, I’ve created a budget to save up for my dorm, meal plans, and other things I’m realizing I’ll need. What I know will really stick with me is learning to advocate for myself. Teachers don’t get paid as much as they should, and I will need to use my voice and skills I’ve learned here.” l
May 2022 | Page 11
Ball in: First state unified basketball tournament provides inclusion, belonging in high schools By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
A JUNE 2021 EVENTS
2022
EVENING SERIES
EVENING Season Tickets: $49 Adult,SERIES $45 Senior, $29 Child Amphitheater Parking: Amphitheater Parking:495495East East5300 5300South South Ticket Information: 801-264-2614 www.murray.utah.gov Ticket Info: 801-264-2614 or orwww.murray.utah.gov
June 3 .......................... The Sound of Music, Movie Sing-Along June 44 ................................. Les Miserables, Sing-Along June .......................................................... Murray Movie Symphony Pops June 5 ................................................... Murray Concert Band June 16-18, 20, 23-24 ......... Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical June 17-19, 21-23 ........................ Disney's The Little Mermaid June 25 .............................................................. Murray Concert Band June 26 ...................................................... Murray Symphony
LUNCH L U N C H CONCERT C O N C E R T SSERIES ERIES Tuesday at Noon in Murray Park Pavilion #5, FREE
* Tuesday at Noon in Murray Winterwood, Park PavilionHeart #5, FREE June 7 ....................................................... & Soul June 14 1 -................................ BD Howes ...................................................... Acoustic June Rumor Has It, Classic Rock/Country June 8 - Vaudeville Nouveau ................................... 50's - 80's June 21 ........................................ The Will Baxter Band, Soul/R&B June 15 - Wasatch Jazz Syndicate ........................ Jazz Quartet June Vibes/Jazz June 28 22 -...................................................................... Riding Gravity ..............................Zenith, Surf & Rockability
LLIBRARY I B R A R Y SUMMER S U M M E R SHORTS SHORTS *Wednesday Wednesdayatat11p.m. PM inin Murray MurrayPark ParkPavilion Pavilion#5, #5,FREE FREE June 8 ...................................................... Magic Mont, Magic Show June 2 ............................................. Magic Show, Paul Brewer June 15 9 ........................................... & Tails AnimalShow Show June .............................................. MadScales Science, Science June 16 ................................................................ Mad Science June 22 .................... Spiderman/Black Widow, Meet & Greet June 23 .......................................... DJ Juggling & Magic Show June 29 ............................... Miss Murray, The Gift of Movement June 30 ......................................... Woody & Jessie, Characters
CCHILDREN H I L D R E N MATINEE M A T I N E E SERIES SERIES *Thursday Thursdayatat22p.m. p.m.ininMurray MurrayPark ParkPavilion Pavilion#5, #5,FREE FREE June 2 ............................. Two Shields, Native American Dance June 93 -.............................................................. Just Jumpin' .............................................. Jump Rope June Noa Polynesia, Dance June 10 - Spiderman ...................................... Karate & Photos June 16 ................................. The Puppet Players, Puppet Show June 17 - Ballet Folkorico .................................... Las Americas June Viva Mexico Ballet, June 24 24 ................................................... - Ballet Center Utah, Inc .......................... BalletDance Dance June 30 ......................................... Ballet Center Utah, Inc., Ballet
F A M I L Y NIGHT N I G H T SERIES S ERI ES FAMILY
Bring Whole Family Young The 2nd the Monday of every month at 7and p.m.,Old! FREE The 2nd Monday of every month at 7 p.m., FREE Murray Senior Recreation Center (10Murray E 6150 Senior S – 1/2 Recreation block west Center of State) (#10 E 6150 S – 1/2 block west of State) June 13 ......................... The Flashback Brothers, Classic Rock June 14 – Pick'ee Out the Stingers .................. Bluegrass Music
STOP IN FOR STORIES S TEvery O P Tues/Wed/Thurs I N F O R atS11:15 T Oa.m.R IinE S
Murray Park White Gazebo, FREE * Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday at 11 a.m. Murray City Library sponsored outdoor story time full of in Murray Park White Gazebo, FREE books, songs and action rhymes for kids ages 2-7 and Murray City Library sponsored Storytelling their families. Bring your blanket or lawn chair.
Location mayfunding changesupport from This program*has received residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts & This program has received funding support from Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Utah residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts and Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, Utah Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts and Museums, and Humanities, NationalEndowment Endowment Arts. Museums and & National forforthethe Arts.
Page 12 | May 2022
t the first unified basketball state tournament, Murray High brought home fourth-place ribbons in the player development division and eighth-place ribbons in the competitive league. But it meant more than that. It was an opportunity for inclusion, partnership and belonging, said First Lady Abby Cox, who supports unified sports through her Show Up initiative. “Every student has a chance to be included and every student gets the chance to compete,” she said at the opening ceremony of the state unified basketball tournament where 32 teams played against— and sometimes, played together—for a chance to represent their team and school for a ribbon or medal. On the court, both at region and at state, Murray High partner athletes could be seen pulling down rebounds and handing off the ball not only to their players to make a basket, but also to their opponents. Murray’s players would lead in the round of applause after a shot was made, for either team. “We have a good group of students that are involved in the Best Buddies program and as peer tutors who work as mentors in some of the special education classes,” said Murray High coach Brady Smith, who added some individual students in PE classes also volunteered to be involved as partner athletes. That was the camaraderie and spirit of the tournament, which included athletes from 25 high schools running through a gauntlet of Utah Jazz and Weber State cheer squads and professional teams’ mascots, all there to support unified sports. It is the first high school state tournament, said Unified Champion Schools manager Courtnie Worthen, since during pre-COVID-19 years, the tournament was held for community teams vying for the state title. The 2020 tournament, which was planned to be a statewide event, was canceled because of the pandemic, and last year, regional competitions were held to reduce the numbers and possible spread of the pandemic. Worthen said after the statewide soccer tournament last fall, which was held at Rio Tinto stadium and had the support of Real Salt Lake, interest in unified sports grew. “A lot of it was thanks to the First Lady’s initiative, Show Up,” she said. “More schools started to see what unified sports could be and wanted to be a part of it, so we saw a lot of growth. This was an incredible event.” That included eight of the nine high
Murray High’s competitive unified basketball team, seen here, took second place at region to qualify for state, where they took eighth place. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
schools in Davis School District competing as well as Jordan Education Foundation pledging to support 10 new teams. Wasatch High’s team will even represent Utah at the national Special Olympics games. Since Worthen began overseeing unified sports four years ago, the competition has doubled from 22 to 50 teams involved in soccer, basketball and track. “A coach told me that this whole week they have seen inclusion, that their students have made friends with unified partners and even students who weren’t participating. They talk to each other and the students on the unified team feel like they’re a part of the school for the first time,” she said. It’s not just high schools. Worthen said that by the end of the school year, unified sports activities will have quadrupled in the past year, bringing participation up to 160 elementary and secondary schools. In May, unified golf will be introduced at the middle school level. Unified sports also gained the community’s support. The basketball tournament, which was supported by the Utah Jazz, had four sections; two developmental and two competitive divisions. The winners of each division were invited to be recognized at the Utah Jazz game April 6, where a highlight reel of the tournament was shown. However, the focus at the tournament was on basketball. A maximum of two
partners or peer students could be on the floor with its athletes, or special needs players; the rest of the team regularly rotating in and cheering for both teams on the sidelines. Several schools had banners and families and friends cheering. This year, there was enough interest in unified basketball that Murray had two teams, one in the developmental division and another in the competitive. “We’ve had a really good turnout,” Smith said. “It’s a program where there is interest. There was a need 10 years ago and there just wasn’t something there for students to participate in. It’s been neat, especially for this small Murray community, as we have done well. The kids coming up through the junior high, have players who have told them about it and are excited about it. It’s been a positive experience.” They worked on fundamentals from dribbling and passing to how to play team offense and defense. Through the sport, they also learned how to face challenges, communicate, display good sportsmanship and have a social activity with their peers. Their hard work paid off. At the region tournament, both teams took second place. “They did well; I’m proud of them,” Smith said. “Our players and partners have learned a lot, they enjoyed it and each other, and had a lot of fun.” l
Murray City Journal
Longview student-actors journey through circle of life By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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n the musical, “Disney’s The Lion King, Kids,” about 50 Longview third- through sixth-grade student-actors took the stage mid-March, sharing the adventures of a young lion and his friends living in the African savannah. It was a show where the savannah came to life on the school stage with Simba, Rafiki and other characters as they journeyed from Pride Rock to the jungle, singing memorable songs such as “The Circle of Life,” “I Just Can't Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” Teacher and director Jai-Dee Riches said it’s been a fun show to direct. “I think the music is really fun and the storyline is an easy one for kids to get excited about and an easy one to cast because you don’t necessarily have to have boys’ and girls’ roles; you can cast anybody,” she said. During the school assembly, several classmates were mouthing the words and moving to the music as they, too, were familiar with “The Lion King.” “The principal chose it because it’s our 60th anniversary of our school and we chose a new mascot, the lion, last year. We’ve gone through several mascots; we were the lynx, but she said that is a solitary animal and we needed something that unifies us so the kids voted on it. This is a celebration of our new mascot for our school’s anniversary,” Riches said. Auditions for the 45-minute show were held in December, then rehearsals started after winter break. Certain groups of cast members in a scene rehearsed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school at 7:50 a.m. “That’s bright and early for elementary school kids;
they were so great and dedicated and came to work on a scene at a time,” she said, adding on Wednesdays, the whole cast stayed after school for two hours. “That’s when we all do our singing and dancing.” While many of the costumes were basic colors with added animal print layers, students created staves or African animal heads for stick animals. Murray resident Raylene Jones sewed several of the more elaborate costumes, using some of the funding provided by Murray City Cultural Arts department’s $1,000 contribution that also paid for the right to use the musical. Riches, who has directed six school district musicals, is a firm believer in the arts. “It teaches them so many things. I have quite a few kids who said, ‘I just want to be on the stage crew.’ Then, right before the audition, I talked them into auditioning and all of them, even my shy ones…said they would do it again. Their parents have been surprised at how excited they are and a growth in them that they wouldn’t have had if they didn’t have this experience. I think they realize it’s OK to do things that are a bit scary and to challenge yourself and that you’ll be rewarded when you take that risk,” she said. “They’ve learned to rely on each other and to work together to support each other. It’s been good to see kids who don’t necessarily interact otherwise become friends.” Riches also said being in theater has reached some students who have responded enthusiastically and have been engaged. “A lot of them haven’t had the experience of going to theaters, especially during COVID. Two years in a kid’s life
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Longview Elementary students brought the savannah to life in its production of “The Lion King, Kids.” (Julie Slama/City Journals)
is a long time, so they may be opening their eyes to something they can enjoy whether they’re involved as actors or whether they go as supporters and just enjoy it,” she said. “It’s been fun to watch that happen and have their eyes open to it. I have always loved theater and was involved in theater. When I look back on my school days and being involved in those, they’re fond memories and it was something that sparked an interest for my whole life. I’m happy that I can share that with these kids and hopefully it’s something that will bring them joy and confidence, something that they’ll appreciate continuing to do in their lives.” l
applications open for
Free orthodontic Treatment! for one lucky winner
Since we opened our doors in 2008, we have been overwhelmed with the support we have received from our community. It has truly been a joy to work and get to know our patients and their families. To show our gratitude and to share the love, we want to give back and gift free orthodontic care to someone whose life could be changed for the better with a beautiful smile. If you know someone who is deserving or you are that special someone, apply or nominate today! No purchase necessary. Winner will receive orthodontic treatment - no cash value. Contestants must be resident of Utah or Wyoming, between the ages of 8 and 80 years old and winner will be selected by Silcox Orthodontics based on personal, subjective information and will be selected July 1, 2022. Winner will be responsible for travel to and from appointments.
MurrayJournal .com
May 2022 | Page 13
Murray High Academic Olympiad team snags third place in quiz bowl By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
urray High’s top students have earned their moment to shine. In a recent competition going head-tohead against the brightest teams from 22 other high schools in northern Utah, Murray High won third place in the Battle of Olympus quiz bowl. “We haven’t ever finished in the top three,” team’s adviser Brady Smith said. “It was pretty exciting to be in the top group.” Northern Utah Curriculum Consortium has hosted the Academic Olympiad for 35 years. “These are students who take their academics seriously,” he said. “There are questions in geography, world history, U.S. history, U.S. government, physics, chemistry, biology, literature, trigonometry, differential calculus, statistics—about everything. The questions are from a combination of the highest level classes we offer in high school as well as some college-level questions with a whole bunch of different kinds of story problems. There are some difficult questions for sure.” In front of spectators and the other students competing, Murray High’s team of nine students rotated to the microphone to answer the questions posed to them. Some of the questions were meant for individuals
while others were for the team. “It can be a little overwhelming to have about 220 kids who are all getting high 30s on their ACTs and you’re going up against them to compete. It’s a whole different realm,” Smith said. In addition to the quiz bowl, each student took individual tests in core subjects. Brady said that questions are submitted from several school districts along with Utah State University. “During the day, there was camaraderie and competition, much like the same interaction that you’d find at a sporting event,” he said. “My favorite thing is some of those conversations that those kids have on different subjects. They really have high-level conversations. Then, after the tests, these kids who have close to perfect scores on the ACT are saying how difficult these tests are; they’re like national caliber tests.” Murray students formed their team in December. “We looked to our brightest students based on test scores as well as academic rigor to classes,” Smith said. “Then, we gave them a study guide and they studied on their own before we got them together a couple times after school to review as a team.” Their studying and practice were
Murray High’s Academic Olympiad team answered questions from world history to differential calculus to take third place in the Battle of Olympus quiz bowl. (Brady Smith/Murray High)
awarded with individual medals and a wooden plaque that will be displayed in a school trophy case. Afterward, Smith said the team—Zachary Burnham, Sophie Child, Mason Marchant, Relena Pattison, Clayton Stoddard,
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Cameron Stout, Jameson Thackeray, Sage Williams and Benjamin Woodbury—began to text their families, including siblings of four team members who had competed in previous years, to virtually join in the celebration. l
Movies! Crafts! Fun! SS
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A D AY PA
With special workshops for VR, drones, special effects, video game design, and more!
Tumbleweeds is a mini festival experience with films, activities, and workshops for kids of all ages.
PASSES ARE ON SALE NOW!
TUMBLEWEEDSKIDS.ORG
Day passes for $6 include access to daily films on a first come, first served basis, Clubhouse activities, and free UTA transit to the festival. Special workshops are $10. More info at TumbleweedsKids.org.
MAY 20-29 ONLINE FESTIVAL Tumbleweeds Film Festival is a program of Utah Film Center.
Page 14 | May 2022
Murray City Journal
May 2022 FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS
Mayor’s Message
MAYOR’S OFFICE
Grant Elementary . . . . . . 801-264-7416
“Try a Little Kindness”
mayor@murray.utah.gov 801-264-2600 5025 S. State Street Murray, Utah 84107
Heritage Center (Senior Programming) . . 801-264-2635 Hillcrest Jr. High . . . . . . . 801-264-7442 Horizon Elementary . . . . 801-264-7420 Liberty Elementary . . . . . 801-264-7424 Longview Elementary. . . 801-264-7428 Ken Price Ball Park . . . . . 801-262-8282 Miss Murray Pageant (Leesa Lloyd) . . . . . . . . . . 801-446-9233 McMillan Elementary. . . 801-264-7430 Murray Area Chamber of Commerce.. . . . . . . . . . 801-263-2632 Murray Arts Advisory Board (Lori Edmunds) . . . . . . . . 801-264-2614 Murray Boys & Girls Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-268-1335 Murray City Cemetery . . . 801-264-2637 Murray Community Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-264-7414 Murray High School . . . . 801-264-7460 Murray Museum . . . . . . . 801-264-2589 Murray Parks and Recreation Office . . . . . . . 801-264-2614 Murray Parkway Golf Course . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-262-4653 Murray Park Aquatics Pool . . . . . . . . . 801 290-4190 Mick Riley Golf Course (SL County). . . . . . . . . . . . 801-266-8185 Parkside Elementary . . . . 801-264-7434 Riverview Jr. High . . . . . . 801-264-7446 Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation . . . . . . . . 801-468-2560 Salt Lake County Ice Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-270-7280 The Park Center . . . . . . . . 801-284-4200 Viewmont Elementary . . 801-264-7438
We have been through a lot in the past two years. The masks, the lockdowns, the shots, the protests of shots, the Zoom meetings, the cancelled classes and concerts and activities, etc. It’s been a lot. In addition to the stresses of the global pandemic, we endured a contentious national election and the invasion of a sovereign nation! So many things have happened that shocked us into numbness. Though we have tried to “fight the good fight” and “keep our chins held high” this may have taken a toll on our civility, especially toward each other. Social media has provided a platform for haters to leave anonymous threats, insults, criticisms and tirades. Have you had moments where you were frustrated about something that you wouldn’t have even noticed a few years ago? Have you yelled at your neighbor for being noisy or parking in front of your house? Is that unusual behavior for you? Not everything has been bad. I don’t mean to say that. But I do remember a time when we were all a bit kinder. Back in 1982, I was a teller for Deseret First Credit Union. It was 5:30 pm on a Friday. There were still members in line. I got the last member. It was a lady who emptied a bag full of coins. It looked like there was at least $50.00 in change spread out all over the counter. Remember back then we didn’t have coin counters. We were the coin counters! I was just about ready to say, “it’s kind of late and this is going to take a while”. I wanted to say, “really”??? Something told me to pause, so I did and about 10-15 seconds later this lady put her hands over her eyes and said something I’ll never forget. “I’d rather have my son back”. She started crying. I assured her everything was alright and started counting the coin. As I counted the coins, she recounted her story of her five-year-old son. The coins belonged to him. He had fallen asleep in their orchard and was run over by her husband on the family tractor and passed away. My heart sunk! As I continued to count and do my best to give her some kind of comfort, I’ll always be grateful that I hesitated for a moment and listened. I was a 22-yearold kid whose life changed forever on that spring day of 1982. Here is an example of how an act of kindness and respect changed a life. It comes from Murray Police Chief Craig Burnett. “I remember an incident that happened while another officer and myself were eating lunch at Fashion Place Mall. A young man (in his 30’s and therefore younger than the two of us) approached our table. He called the other officer by name and proceeded
Brett A. Hales -Mayor
to thank him. He said that when he was a teenager and struggling with many issues, he had encountered the officer I was eating with. He explained that the officer had spent time with him and talked about his issues and offered help. The young man said that because of the patience and time this officer took to speak with him, he had started to change his life. He was able to leave a bad set of life choices behind, finish high school and begin a career. He thanked the officer for helping him so long ago and left. After, I asked who the young man was, and the response was ‘I have no idea!’. We don’t always know what kind of an impact kindness and respect can have on people.” Maybe it’s time to take a breather. Literally inhale and exhale thoughtfully. Clear our minds then start to fill it with thoughts, positive thoughts. This has been weighing heavy on my mind recently as evidenced by my posts on social media. I wrote “Kindness begins with you and me” and “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” I’m working on being better. I’d love to have some company in that quest. Care to join me?
THE PARK CENTER HOURS
MEMORIAL WEEKEND
Monday - Friday
5:30am - 9pm Saturday, May 28
Saturday
7am - 5pm
Monday, May 30
9am - 2pm
No Kidzone or Fitness Classes
Sunday Closed Sundays beginning May
THE PARK CENTER 202 E. MURRAY PARK AVE. PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE 296 E. MURRAY PARK AVE.
7am-5pm 8am-4pm
MCREG.COM MURRAY.UTAH.GOV
MAY 2022 MURRAY SENIOR RECREATION CENTER DANCE
10 East 6150 South, Murray, Utah 84107 801-264-2635
LINE DANCE: BEGINNING Date: Tuesdays Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Cost: $10 for the month of May; register now
seniorrec@murray.utah.gov murray.utah.gov/140Senior-Recreation-Center mcreg.com
EXERCISE
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday Check our website for any changes in programs.
DAILY LUNCH by CHEF OMAR LIMON Date: Tuesday through Friday Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Cost: $4; prior registration not required
DAILY LUNCH BY CHEF OMAR LIMON
Date: Tuesday through Friday Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Cost: Cost is $4; prior registration not required
SPECIAL EVENTS FAMILY CONCERT SERIES Date: Monday, May 9 – Mixed Nuts Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Cost: Free; no appointment needed open to all ages and doors open at 6:00 p.m. JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETITION Date: Monday, May 23 Time: 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Cost: $5; register now through Friday, May 20 NATIONAL SENIOR HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY Date: Wednesday, May 25 Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
CLASSES CERAMICS Date: Tuesday and Thursday Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon Cost: $1.50 each class plus cost of supplies GRIEF SUPPORT Date: Friday, May 13 Friday, May 27 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: Free; Register now VITAL AGING: SECRET TO WELLNESS Date: Tuesday, May 17 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Cost: Free; register now SERVING UP KNOWLEDGE LECTURE SERIES: Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General Date: Thursday, May 19 Time: 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Cost: Free; register now CLIMBING THE PEAKS: MT. EVEREST Date: Tuesday, May 24 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: Free; register now AARP SMART DRIVING CLASS Date: Tuesday, May 31 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Cost: $20 AARP Members otherwise $25 (payable day of class); register now Space is limited to 12 participants. NUTRITION: SUPER FOODS Date: Tuesday, Jun. 7 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: Free; register now
ARTS WEDNESDAY PAINTING WITH JEANETTE MORRIS Date: Wednesday, May 4 through Wednesday, Jun. 22 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Cost: $40; register now Note: Jeanette is an experienced teacher and paints in both watercolors and oils; she has some experience with pastels and acrylics.
THE MURRAY SENIOR RECREATION CENTER
DAILY EXERCISE CLASSES – check our current newsletter for the schedule University of Utah Students – Overall Fitness and Personal Training Date: Tuesdays and Fridays (Overall Fitness) Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cost: Free; register now NOTE: Personal Training appointments are available based on student schedules, call the Center for training availability and appointments.
PROGRAMS THURSDAY EVENING SOCIAL DANCE Live Music provided by Tony Summerhays Date: Thursdays Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Cost: $5 HAND AND FOOT Date: Mondays Time: 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: Free MEXICAN TRAIN DOMINOS GAME Date: Thursdays Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: Free
HEALTH SERVICES HAIRCUTS Date: Friday, May 6 Friday, May 13 Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon Cost: $9; advance appointment required BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC by Harmony Home Health Date: Thursday, May 12 Time: 10:30 a.m. – noon Cost: Free; no appointment necessary MASSAGE THERAPY Date: Thursdays Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $20 for half-hour or $40 for hour; advance appointment required
TRIPS WENDOVER Date: Thursday, May 12 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cost: $22; register now
10 East 6150 South (West of State Street) • 801-264-2635
Resident on Display Original artwork by Murray resident artists are displayed in the central display case at City Hall. Ruth Johnson will be showcasing her artwork April through May.
C ULTURAL A RTS
TICKETS Individual tickets and Season Passes will be available for Evening Series performances at the Murray Parks & Recreation Office (296 E Murray Park Ave), at the Senior Recreation Center (10 E 6150 S), or online through RegTix (murraycity.smashpass.com) SEASON PASS: $55.00 Per Pass Season Pass DOES NOT include Toast, One Voice Children’s Choir, & Close To You performances. Individual tickets will need to be purchased. Full schedule and Season Pass information are located at: murray.utah.gov/853/Arts-in-the-Park
STOP IN FOR STORIES & FUN MURRAY LIBRARY EVENTS
Murray soccer top 10 in 5A coming down the stretch Photos by Travis Barton Left: Dallin Mabey’s talent is crucial for the Spartans in the final third with his skills creating multiple chances a game for Murray. Right: Senior Jonah Garcia has experienced it all with the Spartans. From a pre-pandemic freshman season to playing the replacement Graduation Cup as a sophomore to being a lethal attacker as an upperclassman. Garcia had four goals and five assists at press time. Bottom: Junior Jakob Mismash holds off the Skyline forward to win the ball. Mismash is one half of a center-back partnership with fellow junior Colton Boyd that patiently builds possession out of the back.
MurrayJournal .com
May 2022 | Page 19
ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM
to Honor Military Veterans for Their Service to Our Country. Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10:00 am.
At Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy
Alex Smith speaks at Murray High Sixteen-year NFL and former Utah All-American quarterback Alex Smith recently spoke at the inaugural Voice Utah event at Murray High. He shared his journey about playing in the NFL, including overcoming a life-changing injury and the physical and mental toll it took on him. With the help of Center for the Intrepid, a military rehabilitation center, he was able to recover from a spiral compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula and win the 2020 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year before he retired one year later. “It felt like it was a personal conversation with an incredible human that really inspired all who attended that no matter what your situation you have to make that decision to keep moving forward, which I think is a great message with what all people have had to endure in the last few years,” said Murray High WorkBased Learning Coordinator Brady Smith who will take over as the school’s athletic director next year. (Julie Slama/City Journals, photo courtesy of Brady Smith/Murray High)
WHERE THERE IS GRIEF, THERE IS GREAT LOVE Grief is an individual journey with a path as unique as each one of us. To offer support and hope, we provide various Grief Support Services for those who are mourning a recent or past loss.
The featured speaker is Congressman Chris Stewart. Program will include: Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet and Refreshments Courtesy of Cedarwood at Sandy. OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. Page 20 | May 2022
Call or go to Jenkins-Soffe.com and click on Resources then Grief & Healing.
MURRAY 4760 S State Street
801.266.0222
SOUTH JORDAN 1007 W South Jordan Pkwy
801.254.1928
Murray City Journal
Twin Peaks’ Kindervillage offers fun learning environment for young learners By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
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few steps up behind Twin Peaks Elementary’s stage sits Kindervillage, a dramatic play city with a home, a grocery store, a pizza shop, a veterinary clinic and a place to build houses. At times, it’s a quiet space, but for 20 minutes twice per week, Kindervillage is buzzing as a classroom of kindergartners can be found busily building a brick wall, serving a pizza or buying groceries. While it may just look like good old-fashioned playtime to some, the village was carefully designed by kindergarten teacher Stephanie Proud. It began last fall when the State Board of Education helped to fulfill her Donors Choose grant for plastic food items since she didn’t have many for her grocery store station in her classroom. “I thought that was awesome and when I set it up, I realized that only four or five kids could play at a time since the area in my classroom was small and so they’re missing the opportunity to be with all their peers,” Proud said. Equipped with evidence that dramatic play helps students learn, she talked to her principal, Rebecca Spence, who immediately agreed to help identify an enlarged area. One month later, in late February, Kindervillage opened behind the stage curtain. Proud had a second Donors Choose grant funded with more dramatic play stations plus several others bought or donated items for the kindergartners. “I love it, they love it and they have so much fun,” she said. “I found that my English learners are a lot less inhibited and communicated more when they are playing and not sitting in desks. I’m seeing a lot of language growth. Most English language learners connect objects and actions to words. For example, someone may hold a pineapple and say, ‘I love pineapple.’ It sinks in and they associate the words. It just means more. Or if they’re setting the table, they’ll ask someone to get plates or what do they want on their pizza. They’re able to make these connections and they’re helping one another learn,” she said. In Proud’s classroom, there are six native languages: German, Portuguese, Hindi, Spanish, Russian, and English. That’s not atypical as Spence estimates there are more than 10 languages spoken amongst the 230 students who attend Twin Peaks. Proud said even when the kindergartners return to the classrooms, their discussions reflect back to Kindervillage. “We have lots of discussion and they’ll say, ‘remember when we played at the vet station, and we measured them’ or ‘that’s what a vet does’ or ‘we got that at the grocery store.’ There’s been a lot of carry over,” she said, noting that students
MurrayJournal .com
are also understanding these occupations, which ties into kindergarten curriculum. In addition to vocabulary, students also are learning social skills. “They’ll say, ‘how kind of you to warm up my food;’ they’re learning how to treat others how they want to be treated,” Proud said. “They’re also learning how to work together while playing, whether it’s giving a pet a shot, making a pizza or building a wall. They’re learning problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills when someone isn’t sharing or learning how to take turns.” Kindergartner Chloe McNamara said she’s learned that. “Playing in the house and store with my friends are so much fun, but sometimes, I want to do something and someone else is doing it,” she said. “We have to be patient until it’s our turn and that’s when I usually go to the pizza shop because it’s fun too.” Her classmate Abigail Gonzalez likes playing in the pizza shop and with the animals at the vet. “It’s fun with my friends,” she said. “I’m learning all about everything.” Kindergartner Ahad Khan is learning about a possible occupation. “I’m making a house,” he said as he moved cardboard boxes covered in brick wrapping paper. “I want to build houses when I’m older.” Proud plans to rotate future stations to include perhaps a post office, a cookie shop, a flower shop and other community places. “I want to incorporate more writing skills where the students can write notes to be delivered at school, or a waiter can fill out the menu or a veterinarian can write down medical records,” she said. “My favorite part is just watching these students lose their inhibitions. I’ve had a bunch of pretty shy kids in my class, and it takes a lot for them to raise their hand and ask a question or to get up in front of the class. But here, there’s no one in the corner; they’re all actively engaged. “They aren’t worried if they don’t know the word because often, they’ll learn it right then. There’s so much they’re expected to learn in kindergarten, and this gives them mounds of growth while they’re moving around versus just sitting at a desk with a pencil. It’s been great.” Kindergartner Maxi Garcia agrees: “Sometimes, I like building and sometimes, I’m at the vet taking care of animals. Dramatic play is about pretending. I pretend to buy things in the market, or I pretend to eat pizza with my friends with a toy pizza. It’s fun and the best part of kindergarten.” l
Twin Peaks kindergartners make and serve pizza at their new Kindervillage, designed to teach them to develop their language and practice social skills. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR LOVED ONE'S CREMATED REMAINS IN 5, 10, OR 50 YEARS?
June 11, 2022 Larkin Sunset Gardens June 18, 2022 Larkin Sunset Lawn PRE-REGISTER HERE
A COMPLIMENTARY CREMATED REMAINS PLACEMENT May 2022 | Page 21
Cottonwood baseball still adjusting to long road trips in new region
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Jaxon Pfeil [13 RBI] are also contributing their part for Cottonwood [9-6], who still has nine games remaining. The sophomore Stinson may be young but he has also become the team’s top slugger, having belted three homers for Cottonwood. He also leads the team with five doubles. Sophomore Hayden Hudman has a sparkling 3-0 record on the mound for the Colts, who have shown two-thirds of the way into the season that they have depth and balance across the lineup. Cottonwood has also trotted out eight players to pitch in games this season, of which five have had two or more completed games. The Colts, who despite the five losses were still ranked No. 5 in the first RPI rankings released on April 1 that seed teams for the upcoming 5A state tournament in May, finish out the regular season with two-game home-and-away series with new Region 7 foes Tooele, Stansbury and Payson in that order. Cottonwood will then wrap up 2022 with a two-game home-and-away series with familiar foe and crosstown rival Hillcrest, sandwiched by a non-league home game versus Farmington. l
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Third baseman Parker Burk gets on base against Corner Canyon in preseason. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
Murray Rotary Club Monthly Service Update
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ike all of the other Cottonwood High School teams, the Colts baseball team is still getting used to the travel they have to do week in and week out in the new Region 7, four games into league play. At 9-6 overall [2-2 Region 7] the Colts are beginning to show signs of putting it all together. In the preseason the focus appeared to be on manufacturing runs to win games; now the Colts bats are beginning to get that usual snap, crackle and pop people are accustomed to hearing. Sophomore Keaton Stinson has come out of nowhere to step up for the Colts and has been on a tear of late. Since region play has started the 5-foot-11 Stinson is hitting towering home runs including a tape measure solo slam at Cedar Valley in a 16-6 win April 7. He then smashed another solo dinger at Uintah after a three-hour bus ride on April 14. By all accounts, the sophomore Stinson appears to enjoy going on long road trips. He’s also pretty good on the mound, having picked up two victories for Cottonwood as well. His Colts teammates are also picking up the slack and are getting good run production from senior Parker Burk, who leads the team in RBI with 16. Juniors Cameron Nielson [15 RBI] and
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
FARMERS MARKET AT MURRAY PARK
Join us at one of our monthly service projects or one of our Club of Murray Utah twice a month meetings.
Upcoming Murray Rotary Meetings and Projects:
May 2 — Josh Brower, manager of the Sam’s Club at 6525 S. State Street, speaks to Murray Rotary.
May 8 – We feed people experiencing homelessness at Fill the Pot downtown on Mother’s Day.
May 16 – Mayor Brett Hales speaks to Murray Rotary. You are invited. Please email President Kyle Winther to arrange to attend, kyle.winther@hotmail.com.
Fridays & Saturdays 8 am - 1 pm Jul 29-Oct 29 Murray Park utahfarmbureau.org/food
SNAP/EBT Cards Accepted!
May 23 – Murray High School Meritorious Teacher and Top 10 Students and Parents luncheon.
July 4 — Pancake Breakfast in Murray Park for Murray Fun Days
Schools in poor rural communities in Panama lack educational materials and internet. Working with the Playa Coronado Rotary Club we are providing RACHEL (Remote Area Community Hotspots for Education and Learning) and Chromebook tablets. These 500 GB Rachel servers acting as hotspots are loaded with the Panama school curriculum and incredibly more. This month under the direction of Murray Rotarian Wynn Tate, we are visiting these schools and having fun in Panama. There are 28 of us from Murray and 9 from Bountiful… Rotarians, families, and friends.
“Fun with a purpose” is our motto. Go to MurrayRotaryUtah.com Page 22 | May 2022
Murray City Journal
Having swept rival Hillcrest, Cottonwood soccer is off to its hottest start in years
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ottonwood is in a new region. Its boys soccer team has a new head coach in Brylee Harvest. By all accounts you would expect the Colts to be struggling as they adjust to their new life in Region 7, traveling anywhere from 50 to 200 miles at a time for away matches. But, according to Harvest, the struggles that the Colts had winning games earlier in the preseason have now transformed the boys into a team that people in the surrounding areas will remember for a long time, a turning point that began with Cottonwood’s first home game in its very short Region 7 history on March 25. “We ended up beating Hillcrest 1-0 in a game that will be talked about within our program for many years,” said Harvest. “The fashion of the win couldn't have been more dramatic, the goal was scored from a free kick near half field with one minute remaining in our region home opener.” Harvest added that it has been a long time since the Colts have won within the friendly confines of their natural grass field that is tucked between Cottonwood’s softball field and baseball stadium. “It marked the first home win in four years, the first defensive shutout in five years, and the boys deserved every bit of that result,” said Harvest. The historic victory over crosstown rivals Hillcrest came after a disappointing region opener for the Colts at Stansbury on March 18, one that broke the players’ hearts in a late game-winner and a 1-0 loss. But that the Colts did not fall apart after such a difficult loss and then bounced back immediately the following week was a testament to the team, who then reached another milestone after the big win over Hillcrest, said Harvest. “To follow up on the Hillcrest game, our team showed great focus and poise to record another defensive shutout and beat Cedar Valley 1-0,” said the first-year coach. “The win streak marked the first one since the 2017 season.” Going into the month of April, these Colts were riding high in the saddle at 2-1 in their new region. But, as things are sometimes wont to do, the good times don’t always last, and they didn’t for Cottonwood, said Harvest as his team experienced some ups and downs. “We then came up short in a close game against Tooele 3-2 [on April 1], but we were able to rebound in a 3-0 win against Payson [April 6] positioning ourselves as high as third in a tough balanced region,” said Harvest, who acknowledged that his team has been undergoing some growing pains. “We lost an absolute heartbreak of a game in Vernal against Uintah on penalties [on April 8], then had to make the painful three-hour ride back home,” said Harvest,
MurrayJournal .com
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com whose team had a 5-8 record overall, with all five of their wins coming in region play. “In the following game, the heartbreak continued with a 2-1 loss to the top team in our region (Stansbury, April 15) in double overtime.” But the Colts grabbed their fourth win of the region campaign and the year in the following game at rival Hillcrest, a quick bus ride across Interstate 215 in which Cottonwood scored the first two goals of the game in the first half and held on for a 2-1 victory. Five games remain for the Colts, all in region play. The sweep of rival Hillcrest was big and so too have the four victories been for Cottonwood. But for coach Harvest, his team will only control what they can control going forward. They have a potent offense with juniors Ulises Alvarado and Riyan Bakrim having scored three goals apiece to lead Cottonwood. “Heading into the second half of the season, our focus has been to finish region play strong and to prepare ourselves for the state tournament,” said Harvest, whose team has had seven players score at least one goal or more this year for a total of 14 goals. “Seeding in the state tournament is not of concern for me, as we have contin-
Ulises Alvarado is pacing the Colts attack this year as the Colts are enjoying its best season in years. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
uously shown that we can compete against anyone in the state. “I strongly believe that being involved in so many close games this year will pay great dividends for us in the playoffs,” Harvest said. “This 2022 team has been in-
volved in an abundance of one-score games (nine to be exact), four overtimes, and one penalty shootout. Making sure our team is healthy heading into the tournament is the biggest priority for me.”l
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Murray battling in tough Region 6 Photos by Travis Barton Top Left: Kyler Nielsen, who also played quarterback for the Spartan football team, knocks a fly ball to the wall in left-center to drive in a run during a 3-2 win over Park City at home. Top Right: Whether through big hitting performances or timely defense, like this play from shortstop Trevor Dale, Murray won nine of its first 15 games. Middle Left: Junior Aiden Tipping and the Spartans close out the season the first two weeks of May with series against Skyline and Brighton. Middle Center: Second baseman Jamison Vigil and the Spartans were 4-5 in region at press time with three series to go in the season. Bottom: Sophomores Easton Floyd (13) and Jacob Reece celebrate Floyd scoring a run. The Spartans were 10-5 (5-4 in region) at press time in a grueling region that features other top 5A teams in Park City, Olympus and Skyline.
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Murray City Journal
Your Murray “Good Neighbor” Real Estate Resource Passionate about giving back to our community!
Attendees at the 2019 SHINE Gala helped raise money for The Children’s Center of Utah. The annual fundraiser helps pay for comprehensive mental health treatment for children up to 6 years old. (Photos courtesy of Sparkle Photography)
The Children’s Center of Utah recognizes Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
E
ach year on May 7, Children's Mental Health Awareness Day brings recognition to the value of a child’s mental health. But The Children's Center of Utah will highlight the importance of children’s mental health all month long. “Our organization is inviting the whole community to become involved,” said Rebecca Dutson, The Children's Center of Utah president and CEO. “On our website, people can find a whole lot of ideas they can be engaged in or their business can be engaged with. The more we talk about it, the less there will be a stigma.” The Center is asking businesses to give a portion of proceeds to The Children's Center of Utah during May and invites everyone to promote its mission on social media platforms. Yard signs are available to put outside a home or business, promoting awareness for children’s mental health. Anyone interested can contact Joni Clark at jclark@tccutah.org to reserve a sign. Or visit childrenscenterutah.org/awareness for more ideas on how to become an ambassador for mental health and raise money for the cause. “The best thing we can all do is start talking more openly about not just our own mental health but mental health in the family,” Dutson said. “There is so much support. One of the promises we make to our community is that we do not turn anyone away for inability to pay.” Supporters are also invited to attend The Children's Center of Utah’s SHINE Gala on Friday, June 3, at the Gallivan Center Plaza. The gala will be in-person, the first time in two years, and there is lots of interest from long-term supporters.
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The SHINE Gala, which started more than 20 years ago, features a social hour, silent and live auctions, entertainment and a buffet dinner. In the past, the event has raised more than $500,000 to help pay for children’s mental health services. Registration is available on The Children's Center of Utah website. “We’re shining a light on the importance of early childhood mental health and comprehensive mental health care for children,” Dutson said. “Every child and every child’s needs are unique. We encourage families who have concerns about their child to reach out and start a conversation.” COVID shone a light on mental health issues. Children were heavily impacted by their parents’ stress, the change of schedules and isolation from friends and family during the pandemic. “[The pandemic] allowed for more conversations about mental health. We just want to continue to build on that,” Dutson said. “The relationships that children have with their caregivers and parents are so important. It’s usually those adults that realize there might be a concern. When we talk about mental health it can change the trajectory of a child’s life.” The Children's Center of Utah works with children from infants through 6 years of age. Its mission is to bring a heightened awareness to the issue of children’s mental health. For more than 50 years, the organization has used evidence-based treatments, helping more than 1,800 children each year to increase resilience and develop healthy emotional well-being.l
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Murray City Journal
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Spartans hold the edge for region title in final weeks of season Photos by Travis Barton Left: Mary Beesley comes in for relief to pitch the Spartans to the win at Brighton. The Spartans held an important two-game lead over Skyline heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. Top Middle: Freshman Tylee Sundquist lays down a bunt during the Spartans hectic 22-13 win over Brighton. Bottom Middle: Mary Beesley rounds third for an inside-the-park home run. Murray was undefeated at press time in region. Right: Paige Winterhalder belts the ball deep into right-center.
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Murray City Journal
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Salt Lake County uses federal ARPA dollars for affordable housing, water conservation and workforce development
believe one of the most important roles for an elected official is acting as a steward of your taxpayer dollars. Residents entrust us to judiciously use funds to perform essential functions for the community, and as such residents expect that every dollar spent by the government will be carefully scrutinized. I used these principles to cast my vote for the allocation of federal ARPA dollars, which included funding for affordable housing, water conservation, and workforce development. Included are some details about each of these projects. These funds do not come from property or sales taxes. They are funds given to counties from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocated by the federal government. These funds are meant to support COVID-19 response efforts, replace lost public sector revenue, support immediate economic stabilization, and address systemic public health and economic challenges. They cannot be used to pay down debt, lower taxes or give refunds back to taxpayers. We know affordable housing is a huge issue. In 2021 rental costs increased by 12 percent and homeownership costs increased by 28 percent. Low to moderate household incomes have experienced significant supply and cost barriers to access safe and affordable housing. We know there is a far greater cost to society if
Aimee Winder Newton
Salt Lake County Council | District 3
youth end up homeless because their families can’t afford a place to live. Homelessness disrupts educational opportunities and puts them at higher risk of ending up in jail or utilizing government welfare services. This would end up costing taxpayers more than an upfront investment. Stability is key to helping young people succeed. The Salt Lake County Council allocated $20 million dollars to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This trust fund will leverage state and local government funding to preserve, construct, and assist 1,200 units of safe, affordable housing in Salt Lake County. Utah is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years and water conservation is a top concern. The Salt Lake County Council allocated $2.1 million ARPA dollars to Integrated Water Conservation & Land Use Municipal Partner-
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ships. Salt Lake County will partner with cities to implement approved water conservation plans. The Salt Lake County Council invested $10 million dollars to implement the Workforce Inclusion and Successful Employment (WISE) program. This program is designed to identify effective solutions that empower lower income communities to get education, skills and training needed to engage in the workforce. It is the goal of the program that by 2026, a net tax impact will be shown by comparing WISE
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Q&A Business Spotlight Desert Star has another rip-roaring musical mash-up ready to make you laugh your abs off with the show “Hunk-cules: I’m Too Sexy For My Toga.” The laughs will keep going with this musical melodrama for the whole family. Written by Beth Bruner and directed by Todd Michael Thompson, the story opens with our hero Hercules battling a fiendish lion which wins him the hand of the princess Meg. But the King wants someone else to marry his daughter, so they give Hercules three supposedly impossible tasks. Much to their chagrin, Hercules begins to breeze through them so they send Prince Diaredes to foil Hercules and steal the girl. Jump in your chariot and ride on down to Desert Star to find out if love prevails. “Hunk-cules: I’m Too Sexy For My Toga” runs April 21 through June 4. The evening also includes one of Desert Star’s comical musical olios, following the show. The “Mountain Music Olio” features the backwoods, mountain music to bring out the granola inside, mixed with Desert Star’s signature comedy. Food is available from an á la carte menu and is served at your table. There is
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H
e might not have a parrot or an eye patch, but my dad has found more buried treasure than any pirate. Inside his mild-mannered dad costume lurks the heart of Captain Jack Sparrow, ready to tackle any adventure with dashing flair and comic grace. On a blustery day in April, he took a pickaxe and hammer to help his great-grandkids find fossilized shells and pieces of quartz on the side of a mountain near his home in central Utah. He was excited about every discovery, and everywhere he looked, he saw treasure. He pointed to the west and said, “That mountain is full of blue agate.” He pointed down and leaned in to whisper, “We’re standing on the biggest gold mine in the state.” He pointed east to where dinosaur bones hide in the hills and pointed south to Native American sites where he’s examined petroglyphs and rock paintings. I’ve explored with Dad many times, usually only finding spiders, cacti and the occasional rattlesnake. He can stick his hand in a hole in a rock and pull out gemstones, old coins and a jackalope skull. Dad’s always had a sense of adventure. If he could make a living exploring
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
ghost towns and spelunking in caves for lost treasure, à la Indiana Jones, he’d be the happiest man on earth. With his keen, scientific mind, he built model airplanes and assembled rockets that exploded in midair, not always on purpose. He’d ignite a mini cannon on the Fourth of July that freaked out the neighbors, cracked a basement window and set off car alarms. We’d run inside and hide like the Feds were after us. They probably were. For him, life has been one big treasure hunt. He often takes his metal detector to parks and always shows up when a road is being dug or a house demolished. You never know what he’ll find; sometimes a rare penny, sometimes radioactive marbles. He once discovered a class ring and
used his Hercule Poirot-level detective skills to return it to the family of the man who’d lost it decades earlier. Even with his work, he stood on the leading edge of discovery. In the ’60s, he helped build the first communications system for Air Force One. Later, he created cameras that flew on the space shuttle, were installed in telescopes and helped aerial refueling tankers. A camera he designed took the first pictures of the Titanic at the bottom of the ocean. Never one to pass up a good conspiracy theory, Dad talks about his close encounters with UFOs, ghosts, the Illuminati and home teachers. He also plays the accordion, although how can you tell if someone does that well? He’s a master woodworker, making toys, banjos, ukuleles and violins that he donates to teens. He cuts and polishes the stones he finds to make necklaces, and he’s been known to set a trap or two for Santa Claus. He’d frighten us with scary stories before bedtime, stories he insisted were true, which made it worse. If Dad had the chance to take a rocketship to the moon, he’d already be packed. He’d love to fly in a fighter jet
or visit the space station. He’d gladly sail the Seven Seas under the Jolly Roger and swashbuckle through hidden caves looking for gold doubloons and diamonds the size of cantaloupes. But through all of his adventures, misadventures, escapades, quests, deeds and feats of reckless abandon, Dad knows the biggest treasure is the one in his own backyard.
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