Riverton City Journal | April 2026

7-year-old rodeo star

Riverton High theatre to premiere the London musical Page 8

Barrell racer started riding when she was 4 Page 15

Skateboarder proves it’s never too late to ride

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

His catchphrase is, “So much concrete, so little time.”

Every time Dan Hughes gets on a skateboard, he’s 17 again. Although he’s now 62, the Riverton resident is still shredding, visiting skate parks all over North America.

He discovered his first board on Christmas morning when he was 11. His uncle had made it in wood shop, complete with wooden wheels. Hughes was obsessed; the rest of his gifts were forgotten.

He built a skateboard ramp in the backyard of his Oregon home, using a piece of plywood nailed to a sawhorse. It kept him skating for hours.

“I learned I needed to reinforce things a little bit better. Skateboarding taught me carpentry because I wanted to build ramps, but I didn’t want to build flat ramps. I wanted to build curved ones,” Hughes said. “I started skating almost every day, and it grew from there because skateboarding is the thing. You don’t need a team to get together, you just grab your board and go.”

When his family took a trip to Disneyland in the late ’70s, Hughes skipped the rides. He’d heard about new skate park areas being built in California and wanted to try as many as he could. It was his first time skating a bowl. He was intimidated but tried anyway, and crashed hard. Other skaters gave him advice and soon he was getting the hang of it.

Hughes has skated on more than 1,400 parks in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, visiting nearly 300 in the last year alone. His website at NorthwestSkater.com lists all the skate parks he’s visited, complete with photos and commentary.

He said three fundamental aspects

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“We actually went back a few years later,” June Hughes said. “So we’ve been there twice. That was quite an experience. All the unique features make it one of his special favorites. But he has other favorites, too. There’s a company called Evergreen and they have been building a lot of skate parks that are a lot of fun.”

Hughes is still dropping into a bowl in his 60s, learning new tricks, connecting with younger skaters and inspiring a new generation to get out of the house and onto a board.

of a park determine its quality: smoothness, spacing and details in construction. Hughes now serves on a committee to design the new skate park in Riverton.

“Typically, if it’s not built by someone who’s a skateboarder, then you end up with design elements that don’t really make sense,” Hughes said. “I am a part of the skateboarding community, so it really does matter to me if skate parks are built correctly.”

Hughes met his wife, June, online

and moved to Utah in 2009 to be near her.

She showed an interest in learning how to skateboard and Hughes was more than happy to teach her. They spent a lot of time in flat parking lots, helping her understand the fundamentals of how to turn, balance and maneuver.

On their honeymoon to the Cayman Islands, they visited the Black Pearl Skate Park, one of the largest outdoor, concrete parks in the world. For Hughes, it was a dream come true.

“A skate park in the community serves a group of kids that are underserved by anything else, and that, to me, is valuable in the sense that you give a kid an activity outside, away from the computer,” he said. “They’ll find a community within that skate park that encourages them as they learn. Skateboarding is a huge learning tool. It teaches you patience and determination.”

After several injuries, he layers on the padding, including a full-face mask, but he intends to ride as long as he can, sharing the joy he first felt as a young boy in Oregon. l

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COMMON GROUND

Immigrants are not the enemy

Common Ground will be a column of rotating viewpoints that highlight specific feelings across the political spectrum, and it will always end with possible ways to come together.

While the 2025 FIFA Peace Prize winner bombs Iran and talks about invading Cuba, the Utah Legislature is fighting its own battles against immigrants and refugees.

Legislators introduced several zero-tolerance immigration bills addressing issues ranging from public education and driving privileges to the right to receive food from local pantries.

If these bills had passed, women, infants and children would have been barred from receiving vaccinations and treatment for communicable diseases. It seems the pro-measles group would also like to welcome back polio, meningitis and maybe a bit of scurvy, just for fun.

I keep saying, “We’re better than this,” but certain legislators (you know who you are) keep making that statement false.

These lawmakers say providing services to immigrants is a drain on taxpayers. There’s just one problem: immigrants pay taxes, too. They pay gas, income, sales and property tax. In fact, immigrants contribute more than $200 million to the state. Why shouldn’t they have access to public schools when they help fund them?

As a kind human, I want my tax dollars to assist those in need. I want families to have food and housing, basic human requirements everyone deserves. I’d much rather have my tax dollars go to immigrants than to pay legal fees fighting Prop 4.

Peri Kinder Common Ground

This year, a bill was introduced to add a 2% tax on international money transfers for those without approved IDs. That might not sound like much, but it could be the difference between sending money for rent or having grandma evicted. Immigrants often wire money to their families in other countries for food, medicine or housing, things our lawmakers obviously take for granted.

Immigrant driving privileges were also on the chopping block. Not only would the bill have revoked those cards, it also required police to contact ICE to turn in an undocumented person involved in a traffic accident.

Utah issues around 35,000 driving privilege cards each year. They allow people to have car insurance, drive to school or work, and navigate the two hazards of Utah roads: terrible drivers and whatever UDOT is tearing up this week.

Undocumented college-bound students were also targeted after a lawmaker introduced legislation to strip them of the right to access lower in-state tuition. Many of these students are on the path to citizenship. Don’t we want an educated populace? My guess is no.

All these initiatives seem to be based on selfishness. If we were really putting Utah first, wouldn’t we ensure that the people who lived here were healthy, fed, educated and safe?

Until recently, Utah leaders lauded the state’s programs designed to help immigrants and refugees learn English, get career training and become productive members of society. Now, the perfect immigrant is someone who doesn’t want education or food and who never sends money to grandpa for a new roof.

Immigrants are our neighbors, coworkers and friends. They deserve the right to dignity and respect. I’d love to see any lawmaker work as hard as the immigrants I know.

Luckily, these bills didn’t pass. But in this political climate, they will probably rise again. Like a case of measles in St. George.

Common Ground: Sometimes, those on the left act like we should open the borders and let the world flow through, while those on the right can’t build walls high enough. What if we all implore Congress to create sustainable immigration policies? Instead of punishing people who want to work and contribute, we need an immigration structure that makes sense. And thanks to the state legislators who voted down the harmful bills presented this year. We can do better. l

From the Publisher:

Thirty-five years ago the City Journals (South Valley Journal) were created with a vision to stay local and bring the community together. Thirteen years ago when I took over as publisher the name changed. but the vision did not. Today that vision is still true; we want the Journals to be hyperlocal and we want to bring the community together.

Over the last few years, as our nation continues to divide between the right and left, it has become harder and harder to feel like we are bringing our community together. If we write on something that is political, one side will be mad at us, and worse of all we may lose them as readers. This does not feel like we are bringing a community together.

This has left our editorial team in a tough position. Do we write on issues and upset our readers, or do we not write on the issues and move forward blind to the issues that are dividing our community.

Our solution: Common Ground. A monthly opinion column that will cover issues that we feel are dividing our communities. Each month one of two writers will present an opinion column, one that leans right and one that leans left.

This month Peri Kinder wrote about state legislation concerning immigration-related topics.

We hope that you have enjoyed the first Common Ground.

— Bryan Scott

RIVERTON TEAM

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Act FAST, Save a Life: Why Stroke Awareness is Everyone’s Business (No, Seriously, Everyone’s!)

When you hear the word “stroke,” what image comes to mind? For many, it’s an elderly relative, perhaps a grandfather, suddenly incapacitated. But local neurologists are clear: that outdated image is a dangerous myth. Strokes can strike anyone, at any age, and often without warning, making awareness and rapid response absolutely critical.

“The idea that strokes are an ‘old person’s disease’ is incredibly harmful,” says Dr. Mohammad Shoari, a neurologist at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley, Salt Lake and Mountain Point. “We are seeing strokes in younger adults, even teenagers, with increasing frequency. Lifestyle factors, genetics, and even certain medical conditions can put anyone at risk. This isn’t just about grandpas anymore; it’s about protecting our entire community.”

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, either by a clot (ischemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). When brain cells are deprived of oxygen, they begin to die, leading to potential long-term disability or even death. The good news? Many strokes are treatable, but time is brain.

This is why recognizing the warning signs is

paramount. Healthcare professionals use the acronym F.A.S.T. to help people remember:

SAFFace Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?

Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

TTime to call 911: If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 immediately. Note the time when symptoms first appeared.

“Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke,” emphasizes Dr. Rebecca Reiser, a neurologist at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley.

“The quicker a patient receives specialized medical attention, the higher their chances of a full recovery. Don’t second-guess or wait for symptoms

Nurture what’s next.

to worsen. Call 911 immediately.”

Our hospitals are equipped with advanced treatments to combat stroke. For ischemic strokes, our team can administer clot-busting medications like TNK (tenecteplase) if the patient arrives within a critical time window. Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley also offers thrombectomy, a procedure where a specialized device is used to physically remove large blood clots from the brain.

“Beyond immediate intervention, our comprehensive stroke centers focus on post-stroke care, including rehabilitation services that are crucial for regaining function and improving quality of life,” adds Dr. Reiser. “Our multidisciplinary teams work tirelessly to help patients navigate their recovery journey.”

From emergency response to rehabilitation, our community has vital resources. But the first line of defense is you. By understanding that stroke doesn’t discriminate by age and by remembering F.A.S.T., you can be the hero who helps save a life – perhaps even your own.

For more information or to find a provider visit mountain.commonspirit.org

Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.

At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.

Women go through many changes in their lives. And we believe every milestone matters. Our health care experts can help you face your next phase with confidence – because each chapter deserves to be celebrated.

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Copper Rock offers great golf and vacation opportunities

Arriving at Copper Rock, you might be torn as to what to do first. There’s the world-class golf course, voted best in Southern Utah for five straight years, with its lush fairways and greens weaving through the stunning red rocks.

There’s the beauty of the Hurricane Valley, with trails beckoning hikers or nature lovers anxious to watch a sunrise or sunset. And there’s the amazing resort itself, with a clubhouse grill, pools, golf pro shop and close proximity to Zion National Park.

With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s become one of Southern Utah’s most desirable addresses for golfers and vacationers and part of a master-planned development that has redefined luxury living in the region.

In addition to amazing real estate options, Copper Rock is a source for luxury vacation rentals that are perfect for families or large groups offering short-term rentals, but also aim to build long-term relationships with those we serve by maintaining constant support before, during and after your stay. And in May, we will once again host the LPGA Epson Tour Copper Rock Championship, welcoming top rising stars in women’s professional golf. That event will be held May 14-16. It fills a hope that developers dreamt about—that Copper Rock would be more than just a golf course—it would be a destination.

“When we broke ground on Copper Rock nearly two decades ago, we carried with us a bold vision: to build a worldclass golf course in Southern Utah—a course that could not only showcase the beauty of our desert landscape but also stand proudly alongside some of the best in the country,” said Darcy Horman, director of operations at Copper Rock. “We imagined a destination for connection and shared experiences for our community and guests from around the world.”

Opened in 2020, Copper Rock has already established itself as a premier golf and resort community. What was once a vast expanse of farmland has now been thoughtfully transformed into a vibrant, 1,000-acre resort community centered around that award-winning 18-hole championship course. The 7,227-yard layout winds across natural sand dunes and native sagebrush, offering a challenging and exhilarating round of golf. The design integrates seamlessly with the rugged Copper Rock, and the surrounding area seals the deal.

“Everything about this course from start to finish was excellent,” one golfer wrote. “Service was great, tee box and fairway conditions were excellent, pure greens, interesting hole layouts with some challenging but fun blind shots and water hazards here and there, and landscape views that can’t be beat. I’ve played multiple top rated golf courses in Southern Utah and this one was my favorite by a long shot.”

Another wrote, “I enjoyed everything about the day. Pro shop staff were very helpful and worked with our threesome to alleviate a previous scheduling snafu. We were escorted to the practice facility and I have to say the practice facility was top

notch…putting green, chipping green and an excellent driving range. The course itself was in excellent condition. All aspects of course management were superior. The views on the course were just amazing.”

Just minutes from downtown Hurricane and less than 30 minutes from St. George, residents enjoy quick access to shopping, dining and healthcare, as well as Southern Utah’s endless outdoor recreation options. Those include boating and fishing at Sand Hollow Reservoir and mountain biking on the Gooseberry Mesa trails that are all within easy reach. And once you’ve returned to Copper Rock, you can enjoy golf lessons, a grill and pro shop, an online store and private spas.

“It’s a place where our community can come together,” Horman said. “A place that continues to grow and give back while showcasing the unique beauty and spirit of Southern Utah to the world.”

Freelance writer Michael Zuccarello who specializes in Utah sports businesses recalled his visit to the resort in an article published before last year’s Epson event.

“Evening falls on the 11th fairway at Copper Rock Golf Course, and the summer heat is making its peace with a soft evening breeze. Bullfrogs croak in the distance. The fading sunlight beams golden off the sandstone cliffs, backlighting the residences lining the right side of the fairway, while just left of the 11th green, the sun is about to plunge below the Pine Valley Mountains.

“This is what I see as I chip in my flip flops, trying to hold a quick green that demands a pre-meditated landing spot and the kind of precision execution that can be challenging for this 15-handicapper. It’s after 9 p.m. now, and my wife, “Callaway,” and I have a 7:20 a.m. tee time, but I want to finish with three close ones before I walk back through the neighborhood to the gleaming glass house on Torrey Pines Road, a place barely three years old with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool table, and a private pool and spa.”

He said walking past modern, angular homes with huge glass windows, each home seemed to appeal to different groups for their next stay-and-play vacation.

“One home has a water slide, another a bowling alley, and still others have putting greens and basketball courts,” he wrote. “Every last one of them has a private pool. Copper Rock, truth be told, is as much a vision today as it is a living golf community.”

He said Copper Rock is “the place you and your golf friends come to play a course the pros play, with tee boxes as flat and smooth as pool tables, pristine fairways that reward accurate drives with generous rolls, and greens that roll true and fast. I have it on good authority that you can play your way out of the desert sand and sagebrush that line the fairways, just punishment indeed but not round-killing.”

“We’re really excited that the locals once again voted Copper Rock the best golf course in Southern Utah,” said Penny

James-Garcia, Copper Rock’s event coordinator. “Copper Rock was built to be a championship course, and golfers find it both highly challenging and highly playable.”

As Copper Rock continues to grow and evolve, the vision for the community includes expanded resort offerings, walking trails and enhanced hospitality experiences—all designed to elevate the lifestyle of every resident and guest. Whether you’re drawn by the championship golf, the stunning views, or the potential of owning in one of Utah’s most exciting new communities, Copper Rock is more than a place to live—it’s a place to thrive.

“We’re certainly excited about all our future amenities and developments,” Horman said, “but we understand the importance of realistic expectations. We’re lasered in on what makes Copper Rock special. At this moment, it’s a chance to stay in a beautifully equipped modern home and play at a premier championship golf course.”

Copper Rock is located at 1567 West Copper Rock Parkway in Hurricane, Utah. For tee times, vacation rentals, homesites, and stay and plays, visit copperrock.com. For more information on the Epson Tour stop in Southern Utah including tickets, go to copperrockchampionship.com. l

Premier theater students to premiere hit London musicals

Audiences will fall in love with the play’s beautiful score and story.

By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Riverton High School Music/Dance/ Theatre class students have the honor to premiere the musical “The Clockmaker’s Daughter” for American audiences. Because the show has been playing exclusively in England, even theater-enthusiasts are unfamiliar with the show, so MDT class teacher and show director Clin Eaton and some of the lead actors tried to explain what audience members can expect.

“It is a beautiful show, and I’m so excited to be able to bring it to life,” Cece Heiner said. “It’s cute, but it’s sad.”

“[It’s a] fairy tale mix of ‘Edward Scissorhands’ meets ‘Wicked’ meets ‘Frankenstein’ with a splash of ‘The Secret Garden,’” Eaton said.

“The story is really sweet, and you really feel for these characters,” Carter Reid said.

It’s “highly emotional” with “love and also despair, but then hope and then sadness and grief,” Andrew Chapman said.

“It’s like a mix of ‘Pinocchio’ and ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’” Apollo Pearson said. “It’s just a whole mix of all these different stories and that’s what I love about it, just being able to tell all these different stories in one new story that I’ve never seen and no one in Utah has ever seen.”

Eaton is surprised the show hasn’t been performed in Utah yet, because it is a family friendly story with beautiful music and a timeless message. He’s thrilled his

High School drama students rehearse a musical number for their upcoming premier production of “The

(Jet Burnham/City Journals)

students get to experience being part of a production premiere. “It’s fun for students because there is something special about being one of the first people to create a role on stage,” he said.

Chapman, who plays the clockmaker, said it takes a lot of work to develop a character without the influence of other character portrayals.

“It means more of it is up to me and I can just be more creative about it, putting myself in the character’s shoes and how I would feel seeing things from the character’s perspective,” he said. “I’m constructing the character in my brain, and so when I need to I can just access and pull out certain memories that I associate with that character in ways that I felt, so that I kind of know what the character would be feeling so I can just put myself in those shoes.”

His character has a complex emotional range — part tragic hero, villain and comic element. “There’s one song that I sing where I have to show, like, five different emotions in the four minutes of the song,” Chapman said.

Although there will be local professional actors and directors coming to see the show, Chapman said there is an advan-

Riverton High School drama students rehearse a musical number for their upcoming premier production of “The Clockmaker’s Daughter.” (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

tage to being the first production. “They’ve never seen the show before, and so it’s a little bit of pressure but I think it’ll also be fun, because there’s nothing they can compare it to. They don’t have a baseline,” he said.

The students, who had to demonstrate exceptional singing, acting and dancing skills to be admitted into the MDT class, are most excited about the show’s music, even though it is challenging. “It is pushing students vocally into handling difficult harmonies, accents and some very high notes for our soloists, tenors and sopranos,” Eaton said. However, he said throughout the months of rehearsals, the students haven’t tired of singing the songs.

“The music is gorgeous, and it gives me chills,” Heiner, who plays the titular role, said. “I’m excited for people to hear it for the first time because I remember when I heard it for the first time, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is beautiful.’”

Because there are no music tracks available for the show yet, a quintet of live musicians will accompany the singers on stage. It includes three Riverton High School teachers: Chris Jessee (Percussion and Jazz band director), Drew Holland (Band co-director), Daniel Clegg (choir director), as well as Eaton’s daughter Amelia Eaton, and Kemish Estrada, who played onstage for RHS’s production of “Hadestown: Teen Edition” last year.

Eaton said the show is a familiar tale of distrust of those who are different.

“This show teaches the performers and the audience that when you let fear rule and make decisions for you that, most of the time, the outcome is far worse than you anticipated it to be,” he said.

Heiner said that her character has to learn to take risks. “It’s about taking chances and not sticking to the status quo, being able to make your own story and not letting others around you dictate what you do with your life,” she said. l

It’s like a mix of ‘Pinocchio’ and ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast. It’s just a whole mix of all these different stories and that’s what I love about it , just being able to tell all these different stories in one new story that I’ve never seen and no one in Utah has ever seen.

— Apollo Pearson

The Hope Walk brings awareness to suicide prevention

Riverton residents showed up to support those who are struggling.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals..com

Jeremiah and Katy Hansen lost their child, Carolyn, to suicide in 2023. Known as “Care” to family and friends, she graduated from Riverton High in 2020 and was pursuing a nursing career. Even with all her success, she battled mental illness. Her family said every day Care survived was a victory.

“She was an amazing CNA, a world traveler and a humanitarian. She was just an awesome person,” Katy Hansen said. “She struggled a lot with mental health. We lost her at age 21.”

The Hansens, along with their younger daughter Carmen, attended the Riverton Hope Walk on Feb. 28 to shine a light on suicide prevention and awareness. The annual event brings together Riverton High students, city leaders and community partners to show support for those who struggle with mental health and suicidal ideation.

Riverton High’s Hope Squad held a series of school events during the week leading up to the walk, which started at the high school and concluded at Spirit Corner (12600 S. Redwood Road). Bethany Snow is the school’s Hope Squad president. She relates to those dealing with mental health issues

always worth it.

“We’re all here because people matter. We’re all here because we’re trying to make a difference,” Seth said. “I’ve been able to see people in their struggles, and I’ve seen them not only continue to live, but continue to thrive. There’s a new light to them that wasn’t there before, once they saw that people cared about them.”

The RHS Hope Squad meets often with trained professionals to learn how to identify signs of distress and to reach out to offer help. The intention is to reduce stigma around mental health issues and change the school’s culture to be one of kindness and inclusivity.

Since Care’s death, the Hansens have started the Care Forever Foundation, honoring her life and legacy, and supporting the causes she believed in. For more information, visit Care-Forever.com.

and hopes the activities help students feel less alone.

“Hope Squad is really important to me because I’ve been there and mental health really matters,” she said. “I know it sounds cliché, but it gets better. There’s always someone who wants to help you. You’re not alone.”

RHS Student Body President Seth

Christensen said if there’s one thing about Riverton, it’s that people show up for each other. He appreciated the hundreds of people who came to participate in the Hope Walk.

Seth said he’s had several friends who have dealt with suicidal ideation and he’s encouraged them to talk to someone. He said choosing to live isn’t easy, but it’s

“We address all kinds of things, like suicide awareness and intervention, but also humanitarian work,” Jeremiah Hansen said. “We want to carry on her legacy. She traveled to more than 20 countries before she turned 20. I even went to Uganda with her on a humanitarian trip.”

For those struggling with mental health or suicidal ideation, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides counselors to deal with life’s challenges. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. All conversations are free and confidential. l

EDUCATION SECTION

A publication covering local education around the Salt Lake Valley

Teaching more than music

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

National Federation of High Schools honors RaNae Dalgleish for four decades of shaping students hearts through harmonies.

When RaNae Dalgleish was 4 years old, her mother placed a violin in her small hands the last one her father had worked on before he died.

“This is yours,” her mother told her. Dalgleish remembers looking at it and saying, “This is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

In that moment, she knew music would always be part of her life.

Dalgleish’s father had been a violin maker, trained by German luthier Peter Prier, who first worked under her grandfather, a longtime band teacher in Provo who also opened Pearce Music Company.

Music was part of her upbringing. Her mother would accompany Dalgleish on piano during her early violin recitals and her grandfather would play for her,

symphonies and string quartets on his downstairs stereo system for hours.

“He introduced me to the world of classical music,” she said. “He was so knowledgeable and he had such a passion for it.”

Dalgleish’s introduction to music became a lifetime passion which she has shared with students for four decades. Recently, the National Federation of High Schools named Dalgleish as region seven’s Performing Arts Educator Award recipient of the year for her 40 years of dedication to music education.

The nomination itself came as a surprise. Former Canyons School District performing arts specialist Sheree Jorgensen submitted her name in November 2025 and it was in early February that Dalgleish learned she won the award, which as of press deadline, was yet to be presented to her.

“I was excited, humbled, honored and surprised,” she said. “I appreciate Sheree for noticing my work through the

years and thinking about nominating me for this award. It means a lot.”

After earning her degree in instrumental music education on full scholarship at the University of Utah, Dalgleish’s career began teaching elementary students string instruments. She then progressed to teach high school choir and eventually, nearly two decades at Hillcrest High directing orchestras and choirs.

Dalgleish directs highly esteemed ensembles, mentors teachers and organizes districtwide events. She is the musical director for many of Hillcrest’s award-winning musicals and has served on the Utah Music Educators Association. She has performed with the Utah Tabernacle Choir, the Salt Lake Symphony, the Salt Lake Vocal Artists and Salt Lake Symphonic Choir.

For Dalgleish, the heart of teaching was shaped early in her career. During her first year teaching at her alma mater, Olympus High, her student choir president was killed when, as a pedestrian, he was struck by a car.

“I learned the lesson that I needed to

For more than 40 years, Hillcrest High’s RaNae Dalgleish has shared her passion of music with students and recently was recognized with the National Federation of High Schools’ Performing Arts Educator Award. (Photo courtesy of RaNae Dalgleish)

love my kids more than I need to love music,” Dalgleish said. “They needed love and they needed music.”

That experience changed her priorities, which still guides her today. Festivals and ratings matter less than connection.

“I want them to understand music as a way to touch hearts that words can’t,” Dalgleish said. “Music is a service that you can help people to heal and to go through hard times. It helps to brighten spirits, to lift hearts that are heavy.”

She chooses repertoire with care, tailoring pieces to the students in her classes. Through COVID, through loss of family and through other circumstances, she chooses music with a message for her students to embrace and share.

“Every year, I need to know my students so I can make music meaningful for them,” Dalgleish said.

One beloved tradition is ending concerts with “Peace be with You,” an arrangement passed down through Hillcrest High choir directors Leo Dean to Brian Bentley and to Dalgleish. Alumni return to sing it in the final concert of each year, filling the stage alongside current students, creating a community through music and love she has helped build.

Music has given Dalgleish many opportunities beyond the school stage. From her first school bus trip to Vancouver, B.C. as a high school senior to performances across Europe and Asia, she has seen how music connects people. She shares that experience with her students, giving them opportunities to tour across the country, including singing in Nashville this spring. Through it all, Dalgleish still keeps that little girl’s sense of awe. The violin was her first love. Teaching became her life’s work. And whether conducting a choir or repairing a student’s bow, she continues to share the gift first placed in her hands, imparting music is an act of love.

“I love giving opportunity to my students and hearing them create music that speaks to the heart,” Dalgleish said.

Elementary chess students use winning strategies at state tournament

By Julie Slama

Third grader captures his fourth state title with strategy, problem solving.

Thinking about his moves ahead of everyone else and humble enough not to brag, Ridgecrest third-grader Beckham Rawle quietly claimed his fourth state title at the Utah State Elementary Chess Championship.

Beckham captured his fourth consecutive state title, adding another trophy to his growing collection, however this year’s victory came with a challenge. After five rounds in the third-grade division, he and another girl both swept all their games, resulting in a tie break.

His mother, Rachel Rawle, was busy selling chess-themed T-shirts nearby and didn’t even realize the deciding match had ended.

“I didn’t know how he came out after the tie break,” she said. “He didn’t even come tell me, but he just started playing with his friends. Somebody else told me he won.”

Beckham finished with six victories to claim the title. His points also helped Ridgecrest place third in the team standings behind Waterford School of San-

dy and American Preparatory Academy Draper 2.

“I’m happy,” he said about his fourth straight title.

That understated reaction is typical, his mother said.

“He’s super chill,” she said. “He has the same even kneel if he doesn’t win.”

Beckham’s chess journey began in kindergarten, when he set his sights on defeating his father, Jason, who coaches the Ridgecrest chess club. By first grade, Beckham was consistently beating his first teacher across the board.

His mother, who is the team’s chess manager, said Beckham studies the game, concentrating and problem-solving to figure out strategies. Beckham likes testing himself and prepares for his matches.

“He’s patient and likes the challenge,” she said.

While Beckham enjoys chess, he balances his time with sports — soccer and basketball — and is a Chinese dual immersion student. He also is competing in the upcoming regional spelling bee. With money he has won at tournaments, he purchased Xbox controllers.

was huge.”

“We like he has a balance,” Rawle said. “At tournaments, we are more of the mindset that they’re already playing so much chess, their brain needs a break. So, in between games, we let them play with their friends, often it’s Minecraft, or four-player mini games they play with other kids.”

Beckham plays in several weekend tournaments — mostly in the open sections since his rating is so high — and is planning to compete in the Power Chess state tournament this spring and the Vegas International Chess Festival in June.

Chess is a family game. His brother, second-grader Max, finished third in his division at state while sister, kindergartner Poppy, placed fourth in her first tournament behind teammate Mickey Labrum.

Many Ridgecrest players competed for the first time.

“A lot of them, it was their first time competing at state and they did well,” Rawle said. “We had eight of our 12 kids get trophies. We want them to know, win or lose, you’re there to have fun, a good experience and trying your best is an accomplishment. We’re super proud of our kids.”

That was the sentiment of Granite Elementary coach Jacob Jensen, who said many of his 25 players were new to the game only months ago.

“Some of these kids didn’t even know how the pieces moved when we started,” he said. “To see them go to the state tournament and win a game, that

Granite’s standout performer was his daughter, first-grader Sophia, who finished third in the first-grade division. She won five of her six matches to help Granite place 11th in team standings. She also recently competed in the girls’ state chess championships.

“She likes the mental challenge, the mental stimulation,” Jensen said. “She’s this tiny first grader and you see her as this cute little girl, but then she’s an assassin on the chessboard. She comes in and destroys you.”

The school recently held its own chess tournament and has started up again with weekly chess meetings, with some new members.

“We had such a good success, it’s cool to see the kids in their progression over the course of a few months,” he said. “They’re learning the principles of chess. They’re learning how to apply them, and then they’re actually brave enough and willing enough to go there and compete at the state level.”

Top area schools’ placements: First Waterford, Sandy; Second APA Draper 2; Third Ridgecrest, Cottonwood Heights; Fourth Sunrise, Sandy; Fifth Brookwood, Sandy; Sixth Peruvian Park, Sandy; Ninth APA Draper 1; 11th Granite, Sandy; 15th North Star Academy, Bluffdale; 18th Channing Hall, Draper; 26th Quail Hollow, Sandy; 29th Draper; 39th Herriman; and 51st Bella Vista, Cottonwood Heights.

Bell-to-bell school cell phone ban passes in Utah legislature

By Lizzie Walje | l.walje@mycityjournals.com

SB 69 will ban cell phone use during school hours including lunch and in-between classes.

Utah public schools will more than likely enforce a bell-to-bell cell phone ban when students return to class at the end of this coming summer. The bill in question, Senate Bill 69, which calls for a complete cell phone ban during school hours, most recently passed the vote in the Utah legislature. SB 69 now goes to Gov. Spencer J. Cox, who will ultimately decide if it is to become law. For years now, Cox has expressed his desire to ban the usage of cell phones in schools. Cox was also an early vocal supporter of SB 69, meaning it’s almost all but guaranteed that he will sign off on the bill once it crosses his desk.

SB 69, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (R-South Jordan) further expands upon a 2025 bill, Senate Bill 178, that was eventually signed into law. SB 178 banned the usage of cell phones during school hours, however, it did have one caveat; students could still use phones during downtime like in-between classes or during lunch. SB 69 takes an even firmer stance, completely forbidding the usage of cell phones during the school day, including times when students are not in the classroom.

While the bill does require all public schools to implement the bell-to-bell ban, how schools choose to enforce the ban, will be determined by their Local Education Agency (LEA). LEAs will be given the freedom to establish their own guiding parameters and policy, so long as they uphold the requirements laid out in SB 69. Should an LEA choose not to set their own policy, devices will not be permitted from bell-to-bell by default.

When SB 69 was first introduced, those who opposed it, largely residents and parents, expressed concerns over children not having access to their phones during emergency situations. However, the bill does allow for exceptions where students will be permitted to use their phones during threats or emergencies, to access the SafeUT crisis line, as part of accommodations outlined in a student’s IEP or Section 504 plan, or for medical necessity.

“Utah leads by putting students first, and this is the next step,” said Emily Bell McCormick, president of The Policy Project, a Utah nonprofit organization that defines itself as a “nonpartisan organization that acts as a policy accelerator to do real good for real people.” McCormick continued, “Bell-to-bell policies aren’t about restriction—they’re about creating learning environments built for focus,

connection and success. We see calmer classrooms, stronger engagement and more meaningful learning when distractions are limited.”

To that point, a handful of Utah schools have already implemented their own versions of a bell-to-bell ban, among them, Granite School District’s Granger High School. A change that school officials report has yielded overwhelmingly positive outcomes. Luke Allen, the Associate Director of Communications for Granite School District, reported that student fights at Granger have decreased by 50% following their cell phone ban. He also mentioned that failure rates have dramatically improved.

“The first year of that policy at Granger High School, if you compare the student failure rate to the four years leading up to that, [Granger] had their lowest rates of those five years.” Allen said. “So, they had their lowest failure rates in five years, the first year they had that policy.”

Snow Canyon Middle School in St. George is another institution that enforced a ban on devices, a policy that they began enforcing at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic school year. While staff and teachers initially worried their students would push back strongly on such a ban, they were pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

“The students reacted far more willingly than we ever anticipated. There was very, very little parent resistance. We feel that creating a space where students are no longer distracted is one of the greatest gifts we have given them. We just wish we had done it years earlier,” said a staff member at Snow Canyon.

Cell phone bans are starting to take root at the national level. According to several national news outlets, as of early 2026, 26 states have now imposed complete bell-to-bell cell phone bans in K-12 schools. Among them are Florida, Alabama, Georgia, New York and Virginia. Additionally, it’s reported that 25 states have put in place some level of cell phone restrictions or guidelines to be observed during school hours.

As more schools report successful outcomes from outright cell phone bans, it is anticipated that other states will soon follow suit and put in effect their own bell-to-bell bans. If you’re wondering how these bans are managing to be enforced during school hours, one company in particular has found a way to make such a prospect easily streamlined — Yondr pouches.

Yondr pouches are not the only magnetic locking cell phone pouch on the market, however, they’ve certainly emerged as the most widespread and

Senate Bill 69, which bans the usage of cellphones completely during school hours, has passed in the Utah legislature and now faces final decision from Gov. Spencer J. Cox. (Pew Research Center)

well-known option available. As a matter of fact, Granger is among the schools currently utilizing Yondr’s technology. Many educators, administrators and staff like Yondr pouches, because they restrict students from using their cell phones, but still allow for the phone to remain on the

student’s person.

As previously mentioned, Yondr pouches are controlled by magnetic locking technology. At the end of the school day hours, students can unlock their phones at various locking bases, which are usually strategically placed at exit points throughout the school. While Yondr pouches do prevent the usage of phones during school hours, they don’t block signals, meaning cell phones can still be used in case of emergency.

Yondr pouches, while incredibly effective, are still considered relatively expensive. This has caused concerns for certain districts and schools in Utah who feel they’re already being stretched thin financially due to budget cuts and insufficient funding. In response to this concern, Sen. Fillmore explained that schools will not need to use Yondr patches specifically, so long as their rules, whatever they are, reflect and enforce the totality of the bell-to-bell ban.

Now that the Utah general legislative session has concluded, and SB 29 has cleared Utah’s legislation, per Utah state law, Gov. Cox has 20 days to decide on the bill. If after those 20 days Cox has still not signed or vetoed the bill, it will, by default, automatically become law.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Olivia Dibble is shocked at how fast the year has flown by since she was first crowned Miss Riverton 2025. As she hands over her title at the end of March, Dibble hopes she leaves the city in a better place.

The Riverton High grad said her love for the city reflects a lifelong dedication to its people and community. She is honored to have been chosen to represent Riverton over the last year.

“I’ve loved this city and getting to know people and all the things that I’m so passionate about,” Dibble said. “I’ve been building up for this position my whole life, without even knowing it, and I think that has helped me a lot throughout my reign.”

Dibble said serving with the Miss Riverton Royalty attendants, Loren DeGraaff and Jane Rutherford, made her year even better. They spent the summer riding in 14 parades and attended numerous city events to support the community.

Through her platform, The Language of Music, Dibble was able to co-direct and help choreograph the city’s production of “The Little Mermaid.” She’s also learned how to create music programs and plat-

Riverton 2025

She said preparation for the Miss Utah event has helped her develop confidence, poise and the ability to hold conversations with people from all types of backgrounds. Dibble believes serving as Miss Riverton has helped her grow over the last year in ways she never considered. Riverton Mayor Tish Buroker said Dibble’s impact on the community has been immense.

“She has been such a positive ray of sunshine, and she has come to every event and come to events she didn’t even need to come to,” Buroker said. “She and her royalty get along so well. She’s marvelous. I’ve really enjoyed following her this past year.”

As the role of Miss Riverton is given to a new young woman, Dibble advises her to embrace the journey, craziness and all, and appreciate the role by being the best representative for the city.

forms that are more sustainable in achieving her goals, and how to make them more effective.

“It was the kids who were kind of quieter, that when I showed them what they could do and how they were evolving and how they were doing the steps correctly, it impacted them so much,” she said. “I think

that is how my focus has changed, focusing on how I can start with the little things and then expand it from there.”

The next few months will be busy as Dibble prepares for the Miss Utah Competition in June and gets ready to start at Salt Lake Community College’s music production program in the fall.

“It changes you and transforms you,” Dibble said. “It’s peeling back the layers to make you a better person. Let things happen and focus on all the amazing things happening in the moment. There are things that are stressful, and there are things to do, but there are so many amazing things happening. Have so much fun with your attendants, because that was one of my favorite parts of this whole thing. It’s just a wonderful time.” l

One of Riverton’s youngest hits the rodeo circuit.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Stevie Rentmeister had a dream. She wrote it on her vision board, she put in the work and she dedicated herself to making her goal a reality. And it paid off.

At 7 years old, Stevie won the All Around Champion Girls Saddle for her age group at the Limitless Rodeo Productions Holiday Series. The daughter of Riverton residents Jamie and Steven Rentmeister also won her first belt buckle in the goat ribbon pull at that same event.

She started riding with her grandfather when she was 4 years old and fell in love with horses. Stevie entered her first rodeo at 6, competing in barrel racing and pole bending, speed events that test the horse and rider’s agility.

“Sometimes you get nervous, but after you’re done, you feel like it was amazing,” Stevie said. “I like how the people are cheering for you. It can be just the funnest experience you’ve ever done.”

Stevie comes from a long line of riders. Her parents both ride. Her father competed in rodeo while he attended Bingham

Meet the 7-year-old rodeo star

High and after he graduated. Steven Rentmeister stayed involved with the industry, making a lot of friends. He said the rodeo circuit is a close-knit group of people who care for each other. At the same time, he said it’s much different watching his daughter compete.

“It’s incredible, but very nerve-racking at times,” he said. “The horse is ready to run and you turn her loose. It’s on her at that point. When she goes out there and makes a credible run, it is rewarding to see all the practice and the dedication that she puts into it pay off.”

Steven Rentmeister said lessons learned in rodeo include building good relationships and learning how to cheer on competitors. It also pushes a rider to have good sportsmanship.

“You are becoming friends with all your competitors, but in the same sense, you’re helping each other,” he said. “You want to beat them, but you want to cheer for them to see them be successful as well.”

As a second grader in the Spanish Dual Immersion program at Summit Academy in Bluffdale, Stevie also enjoys playing with her three puppies, two rabbits, a goat and her horse, Sarge. She practices riding and roping three times a week, plus works on her goat-tying skills to prepare

for her next competition.

Her dad hopes she sticks with rodeo but wants her to take it at her own pace. He’d also like her to pursue breakaway roping, a timed event where the rider ropes a calf.

“I hope she continues to move forward with it because I’d like to see her maybe get a scholarship so she can pursue rodeo in college,” Steven Rentmeister said. “She can rodeo in high school and hopefully it’s something that she wants to do.”

At 7, college is far off, but Stevie hopes to continue competing in rodeos, winning new events and getting better at what she loves. But now she has to make a new vision board.

“I just love the experience. It’s so much fun,” she said. “I just love animals. They keep you busy, they play with you and they’re just cute. They really do love you.” l

Riverton resident Stevie Rentmeister wins the All Around Champion Girls Saddle for her rodeo riding. (Photo courtesy Rentmeister family)

For Jordan School District middle school student-athletes, unified basketball offers confidence, competition and connection.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Whenthe halftime buzzer sounded, Georgie Harding didn’t hesitate. He sprinted from the court to the stands, grinning as he celebrated his first basket of the game with his dad, Jesse. For the South Jordan Middle student, the moment was about more than 2 points. It was about belonging.

Georgie was competing in his first tournament. As a student with Down syndrome, he plays on a team that pairs athletes of differing abilities with peer partners, competing together against nine other Jordan School District middle schools as well as Timberline Middle School in Alpine School District. This year’s tournament featured 27 teams, an increase from 12 teams three years ago.

“He’s excited to be a part of a team,” his father Jesse Harding said. “Growing up in an orphanage in Bulgaria, he didn’t have a lot of opportunities, especially to work together with kids with special needs and mainstream kids, so he’s just been so excited for this. He’s come a long way.”

Georgie arrived in Utah in July 2025. Since then, he has been learning English, adjusting to a supportive classroom, developing friendships and building social skills, all while learning the game of basketball.

“He’s learning English and adapting pretty well, but he still has a ways to go. In Bulgaria, special needs people are tucked away as people think they shouldn’t be out in public. We got a lot of dirty looks when we picked him up. It was pretty shocking. But it was awesome when we got into the states. Those dirty looks turned into smiles and now, he’s all in to trying to do all these things,” Harding said, adding “Nice shot,

A shot at belonging

buddy” when his son came over to him. Across the gym, there were similar stories of growth and joy.

West Jordan Middle eighth-grader Conner Rosenthal learned to play basketball from his older brother and practiced for the tournament.

“I like shooting and winning best; I’ve shot a bunch,” he said. “It’s fun playing with my friends.”

Conner looks up to NBA legend Michael Jordan.

“He’s cool; I want to be like him,” he said.

Two ninth-grade classroom peer tutors, Hailey Litchfield and Kassidy Woolley, played alongside him, embracing the unified sports’ spirit.

“This is about the kids and making sure they have fun,” Hailey said. “I’ve learned it’s not all about winning, but about having a positive attitude.”

Kassidy adds: “I’ve learned how much fun you can have together and just being friends with them.”

Mountain Creek eighth-grader Julian Zavaleta competed from a wheelchair, adapting his game as he gained experience.

“It’s hard to shoot, but I’m still getting used to it,” he said. “I play a lot of basketball. My friend Max taught me how to throw the ball, pass the ball and shoot. I like shooting and winning best. I started playing with my friends and today, I’ve made friends with players from other schools.”

Mountain Creek ninth-grader and peer tutor Harrison Kenney said the experience has been eye-opening.

“It makes me be more grateful for what I have and more grateful I can do all these things with them,” he said. “We’ve learned even if something is hard, you should keep trying. You may fail a lot of times, like you shoot and not score, but we need to keep trying. They can get upset when they don’t make a basket, but when they get a shot in, they’re so happy and that makes me happy.”

Bryan Veazie, who oversees the district’s unified sports program, said high

school students who serve as officials and scorekeepers also are building that connection and understanding.

“I love having our high school athletes volunteer their service to participate as officials and score keepers; it gives them an opportunity to spend concentrated quality time with our special education students, to feel more comfortable around them and to embrace them more willingly,” he said. “It also gives them a higher level of gratitude and appreciation for the abilities that they have and for the talents to compete in unified basketball.”

Veazie said the growth in unified athletics reflects the program’s success.

“Throughout the Jordan School District, the unified sports program continues to grow, and we’ve added West Hills Middle School (in West Jordan) this school year, who, for the first year, has a support classroom in their school,” he said. “What this tells me is it’s a success. The schools are enjoying the opportunity, the teachers look forward to providing the experience and it’s becoming more known and more popular with the students, both our unified athletes and our unified partners.”

Veazie also is appreciative of West Jordan High for hosting the tournament, which with its growth, has required more planning, but the reward is clear.

“Having the opportunity to work with the people I work with and having the opportunity to provide these experiences we’re able to provide to middle school students as a way of promoting unity and belonging and purpose is one of the most rewarding parts of my position,” he said. “It envelops a spirit of love and gratitude and desire to support and desire to serve.”

For South Jordan Middle eighth-grader Hayden Kirby, it comes down to having opportunity.

“Playing unified basketball is fun with my friends,” he expressed with help of South Jordan Middle instructional assistant Easton Watts. “I’ve made four baskets and the best part is when people cheer for me.”l

Pickleball, splash pad, 20-foot-tall playground coming to Riverton’s new park

Bordering Herriman located just south of 13400 South and east of Mountain View Corridor, the unnamed park is expected to be a big draw for families.

By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com

The 13400 South corridor has witnessed a lot of change over the past eight years.

With the arrival of Mountain View Village, the area heralded new additions regularly. Now the other side of the street will see a 10-acre park built.

As part of the Edge Homes development, they have teamed up with Big T Recreation to design a park that will include eight pickleball courts, soccer fields, playground, splash pad, shaded picnic tables and an almost mile-long trail.

“We have come up with a playground and splash pad combo that we feel is very impactful for the community, that will drive families there,” Big T Recreation’s Dane Egan told the council in February. “It will be low maintenance, and it will be

something that is a beacon for families to spend time.”

The playground, Egan said, will be anchored by a sky tower that is 20 feet tall at its highest point. It will have chimes to ring at the top as well as panels, mirrors and sensory things to interact with throughout.

There will also be a variety of swings as well as a zoom track (mini zip line). The ground part will be poured-in-place rub-

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ber surfacing with a color design which Egan described as the “Cadillac of playground surfacing.” The playground is rated for ages 5-12 but Egan said it will still be friendly to all ages.

Across the sidewalk from the playground will be a 60-foot in diameter splash pad with ground sprays. Egan said they’ve worked with Riverton City previously on other splash pads.

In response to a question from Mayor Tish Buroker, Egan said the playground in general should last about 20 years.

Councilmember Andy Pierucci was especially pleased with these two features.

“I’m really excited to see the splash pad and playground and how those will operate together because I think that’ll be a great draw for families in the area,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of residents that want to see more splash pads in the city.”

In terms of water usage, Egan responded to another question explaining that if the whole pad was running at the same time, which rarely happens, it would be about 150 gallons per minute.

The pickleball courts are expected to have fencing, lighting and benches and will be located on the north end near the playground where there will be 25 parking stalls.

An asphalt trail is also planned, expected to be almost a mile long and which will connect to Herriman’s trail system.

Brandon Watson, a civil engineer with Edge Homes, told the council months of planning has gone into this project with collaboration between them, multiple city departments and the city’s parks committee. l

No voices needed to fill conversation

ASL students were able to not only practice the language at a mock restaurant, but provided deaf community members a chance to order food in their own language.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

The lunch rush at Bingham High looked familiar at first glance — students moving between tables while others ate pizza. But one major difference was it was quiet. Instead of talking with their voices, hands moved quickly, faces were expressive and eye contact was constant as American Sign Language filled the room, creating a fully immersive ASL restaurant experience created by Bingham High’s ASL program.

The event was designed by Tiff Dodge to give students a real-world experience to use the language they’re learning.

“I believe language is learned authentically,” she said. “So, to use a language, you need to have a purpose for it. I try to make all my activities authentic and lifelike.”

With the support of then retiring principal Rodney Shaw, Dodge transformed the space into a functioning restaurant. About 130 students participated with roles assigned by skills level. ASL 3 students were servers while ASL 1 and 2 students were customers.

she said.

For deaf attendees, the experience was meaningful in ways hearing participants may not have immediately recognized.

may never interact with a deaf person.”

Dodge translated for Midvale ASL resident Rachel Enggas.

“There’s a lot of different activities going on within the deaf community, and the students can be involved,” he said. “There’s a lot of history they can learn about.”

While ASL 1 and 2 students practiced greetings, ordering the food, asking questions and learning how to pay, ASL 3 students had to be ready to provide any information asked without advanced knowledge, Dodge said.

“ASL 3 students had to be able to say, ‘what would you like? Do you want rolls? What side would you like?’ and answer questions from the guests,” she said.

At the tables were not only ASL students, school and district administrators, but several deaf community members from across the Salt Lake Valley, whose involvement Dodge said was essential.

“I can’t do anything without the support of the deaf community; they’re key role players,”

Laurie Moyers, a Holladay ASL resident, shared through Dodge: “For me, it was fun because I don’t have this experience in everyday life. I go to a restaurant, and I typically have to awkwardly interact or write or gesture, but here I could sign in my native language.”

Dean Christensen, a Midvale resident who signed to Dodge, said natural communication changes everything.

“We don’t expect perfect communication as deaf individuals, but this was nice compared to getting out the phone and typing an order or writing it on paper,” he said. “Human exchange is better than technology.”

Dodge also translated for Cherie Hodson, a Riverton ASL resident, who said this opportunity allowed students to have interaction.

“It’s a great experience for them because it exposes them to how strong this community is,” she said. “If we weren’t here, maybe they

Students also felt the impact. ASL 3 senior Vienna Copier was a server.

“I had fun doing it and it was nice to converse with deaf people,” she said. “And I got to teach other students some signs they didn’t know.”

Community members added they intentionally challenged students with unexpected questions to push the use of authentic language.

Derrick Lopez, a Taylorsville ASL resident, who spoke through Dodge, said he asked students questions: “What are you here for? Are you on a date? What are we celebrating tonight? It caught him off guard and for a moment, he was frozen because it wasn’t expected.”

Christensen added: “I like to throw curve balls at students because they haven’t rehearsed for those. It’s real live authentic use of the language.”

Dodge hopes the experience leaves a lasting impression.

“Learning language in general is important and using it, you learn more about the people and cultures,” she said. “By training your brain in more than one language, you perceive the world in a broader sense.”l

Chinese culture connects Jordan School District community

With more than 20 cultural activities and 10 live performances, the annual celebration gave students a chance to shine beyond the classroom.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Thehum of spinning string; the smoky, musky smell of wet ink; the vibrations of ancient Chinese music were some of the sights and smells of Jordan School District’s 5th annual Chinese New Year celebration as hundreds of community members filled Herriman High’s foyer and auditorium.

The celebration featured more than 20 cultural activities and 10 performances in an hour-long showcase that included student-produced short films and traditional lion and dragon dances. Students of all ages demonstrated language fluency, music and dance.

“We work hard every day at school,” Mountain Creek Middle Chinese teacher Michael Lu said. “We created this event to have a platform for our students to shine, to use what they learn in the real world and to give back to the community because we get so much support from them. Everyone is welcome here, no matter if they speak Chinese or not; we make this inclusive to everyone.”

Nearby, the Chinese yo-yo, also known

as the Diabolo, whirled to life as Mountain Creek ninth-grader John Gundersen and his twin Eli demonstrated their skills for the event that brought together students from Eastlake Elementary, Mountain Creek Middle and Herriman High.

John showed participants how the two hourglass-shaped cups, which are connected by an axle, could be spun and tossed on a string attached to two sticks.

“I learned to do this partly in class and I did a Chinese yo-yo camp over the summer,” he said. “I learned a lot of different tricks.”

While teaching others how to do it, John remembered being reluctant to pursue Chinese in elementary school.

“My parents forced me to do it in first grade,” he said. “I really wanted to quit in third grade. I hated it. I didn’t understand its significance, and I didn’t want to learn another language because it’s hard. I was behind so I was frustrated. In fourth grade, I started catching up to other students and now, it’s fun. I’m glad I stayed with it. My goal is to get fluent in it. I will do Chinese in high school and probably some after.”

Learning about the culture is one of John’s favorite parts of the dual immersion program.

“Before I was in middle school, I didn’t understand the concept of culture, how other countries are different from America since I have never been to another continent. Now,

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I can appreciate how this event brings it together,” he said.

Eastlake sixth-grader Lola Grunander was checking out the activities before helping teach participants how to use chopsticks.

“I do Chinese so I can learn more about China,” she said. “As I’m going around, I’m getting to speak Chinese to others. It’s fun being here with my friends doing everything.”

Lola was inspired to enroll in dual immersion by family members.

“Two of my cousins do it and my brother does it so I thought it would be fun if we all knew Chinese so we could talk to each other,” she said. “Writing and speaking are my favorite parts, but sometimes we learn science and history. It’s fun to learn different things in Chinese.”

Mountain Ridge and Riverton also hosted a Cultural Arts Festival at Riverton High in March. Organized by the two schools’ Chinese Club, the night featured a language competition and talent show.

Herriman High parent Michelle Gibney appreciated this opportunity for her daughter.

“It’s great that students are exposed to different languages and cultures,” she said. “My daughter loves her Chinese classes and this is a good way to share what they’ve been learning.”

Volunteer Piper Wise, who worked alongside volunteers Shirley Lim and Nancy Dresser, said the event continues to grow. After being at

Mountain Creek last year, the celebration was hosted by the Mustangs at Herriman High – in time for the Year of the Horse — to better accommodate the crowd.

“The best thing about this is the community,” Wise said. “It makes me happy that all these siblings and kids grow up together in these classes learning about the culture. It’s like a giant family reunion.”

Tom Haraldsen contributed to this article.l

Herriman High’s Jackson Spencer named Gatorade National player of the year

Herriman High runner presented with the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year Award

By Tom Haraldsen t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

It started as an early morning workout, a cold wintry run in a brisk southerly wind for Herriman High senior Jackson Spencer. It wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle, having blazed his way across the record books for the Mustangs for several seasons. But this run ended a bit differently on that Wednesday, Feb. 18.

As Spencer walked into the locker room, he was cheered by family, friends, the media and by Olympic distance runner Grant Fisher who was there to present Jackson with the 2025-26 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year Award. Considered the top national honor for high school sports, it’s part of Gatorade’s long standing tradition of awarding excellence in sport, academics and community.

“It was pretty much a surprise to me,” Spencer said after receiving the trophy.

Two-time Olympic medalist Grant Fisher presented the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year Award to Herriman High senior Jackson Spencer on Feb. 18. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)

“Coach told us that we had to go back in because the district was getting mad at us for skipping classes while we ran. So we had to show up at 7:30 that morning to get the run in. Once we got back from that blizzard, he said we had to go to the locker room to finish filling out forms to run in New Balance nationals. So I walked in here, and, surprise!”

The Gatorade Player of the Year awards have an elite history. Past winners have included Peyton Manning, Paige Bueckers, Cooper Flagg and Sydney McLaughlin-Lev-

rone. BYU freshman cross country star Jane Hedengren, who destroyed all competitors when she competed for Timpview High School, won the female award last year.

It’s the third time that Fisher, winner of two bronze medals at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris, has been to Utah to present Gatorade national awards.

“I moved here in 2023, and what I observed is that you have fantastic high school programs and great college programs,” he said. “You have really good infrastructure

for professionals, and you get into an environment where everybody is achieving great things and working hard, and that becomes the norm here in Utah.”

Fisher, who now lives in Park City, said the cross country program at Herriman High “is fantastic, and it has been for several years. There’s five schools in Utah that are national caliber, and it’s been fun to be a new person coming in from outside and observing this.”

Spencer praised his coaches and teammates at Herriman, including head coach Doug Soles. The Mustangs won the Nike Cross Nationals in 2023 and have been ranked first or near the top nationally in the years since.

“It’s been awesome to run with so many great guys the past three years,” he said. “They’ve been fantastic teammates and I’ve been propelled by all of these guys. They’ve kept me grounded and helped me.”

As for Gatorade, which both runners said they love to drink, Spencer’s favorite is Glacier Cherry, while Fisher prefers Glacier Freeze. Among those who gathered for the trophy presentation were coaches and runners from Brigham Young University, the program that Spencer will be joining this coming fall. l

Rayansh Mishra is a spelling bee champ

The fifth grader spelled “Beauceron” to win the title.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

“Ithink this is the best day of my life,” said Rayansh Mishra, winner of the 2026 Wasatch Front Regional Spelling Bee. The fifth grader from Woodstock Elementary in Murray beat out 98 other students to earn the title. He will travel to Washington, D.C., in May to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

After finishing in the top 12 in last year’s event, Rayansh said the Scripps Word Club app helped him prepare for this year’s bee.

“It has tests to see how good you actually are with the words,” he said. “You don’t have to think, ‘Am I good at these words?’ You know.”

Nearly 70 schools participated in this year’s Wasatch Front Regional Spelling Bee (formerly the Greater Northern Utah Spelling Bee), featuring students through eighth grade. All students took a written test before moving on to the stage rounds, which narrowed the finalists to 23 spellers.

After nearly 24 rounds, Rayansh spelled the winning word, “Beauceron,” which earned him the title and a trip to the nation’s capital. The City Journals will cover his expenses and the parent who will travel with him. Beauceron, by the way, is a dog breed name that originates from the Beauce region of northern-central France.

Rayansh Mishra (right), a fifth grader from Woodstock Elementary, won the 2026 Wasatch Front Regional Spelling Bee and will compete at the national event in May. He’s shown here with his parents, Rohita and Santi Mishra. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

The second-place winner was Advik Dehran from American Preparatory Academy in Draper, with Ayansh Sahu from Beehive STEM Academy taking third place. This event has been sponsored by the City Journals for

the last 13 years. Owner and publisher Bryan Scott said the spelling bee’s necessity is rooted in core literacy.

“You have the governor and all of the politicians talking about social media and the impact on literacy and our school systems,” he said. “Whether it’s spelling or whether it’s reading the Journal, you need spelling for everything. Success with AI comes down to your ability to prompt, and spelling is part of that, so I don’t see us leaving spelling behind anytime soon.”

Rayansh is the son of Rohita and Santi Mishra. He said he’s a bit intimidated by the idea of competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, especially since he’ll have to study many more words.

“The vocabulary questions are scary,” Rayansh said. “You just have to study a lot, to the point where you think you know it.”

Last year’s winner of the Wasatch Front Regional Spelling Bee was 13-year-old Roshan Kaushik, who ended up making it to the semifinals, where he finished in 36th place.

“Sending someone to D.C. is fun, but the gratification for me is getting to see these kids have fun here, to get up on this stage and have their parents proud of them,” Scott said. “We don’t spend a lot of time celebrating academics. If you take a look at the few things that we still do, like the Sterling Scholars and the valedictorians, that’s pretty far and few in between. It’s important to me that we celebrate these kids here on stage and give them a chance to shine.”

To follow Rayansh’s national spelling bee journey, visit SpellingBee.com. l

Ifthere’s one thing that makes you question your life choices, it’s sitting at a child’s outdoor soccer game in April.

Clutching Stanley mugs filled with coffee, whisky, or both, parents and grandparents sit on wobbly camp chairs, huddled under musty blankets while trying not to be too conspicuous about checking the time.

The idea is sound: help kids understand the concepts of a sport and learn teamwork. In reality, it’s about which kid brought the best treats or if we’re going to catch pneumonia and die before the game ends.

Utah’s spring is a weather roulette that can have you freezing at 9 a.m. and sweltering by noon. The cold wind, constant trickle of rain and glacial temperatures give way to heat stroke and sunburn before halftime.

My four daughters played softball every spring for what felt like 75 consecutive years. Each year, we’d bundle up in coats, gloves, scarves and earmuffs to watch them play. We shoved handwarmers into pockets and told them to “Think warm thoughts.”

It was often torture. Not only do you watch your child strikeout, but strikeout in 45-degree weather. They’d hold the bat with frozen hands, waiting for the impact to snap their fingers off at the knuckles.

Now, my grandkids enjoy soccer, which is played no matter the weather, and everything is mud. The only thing running faster than my granddaughter is my nose. Except

The view from the sidelines

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

when it’s treat time, then the whole team finds a burst of adrenaline to snatch up granola bars and Capri Suns. Don’t even think about bringing oranges or bananas. Who are you? Someone who hates kids?

Each spring, hope wears shin guards and batting helmets. It’s a fresh start, a chance to learn skills and an opportunity for new coaches to lower their expectations.

You can spot a new coach by their optimism. They come prepared with drills, practice schedules and intricate plays, but by the end of the season, they’re just happy to have players who can identify a soccer ball and run in the right direction.

They also have to deal with parents. There’s always that person who believes their child is the next Lionel Messi or Aaron Judge. They memorize the rule book and counter every official’s call. “Blue! Were you the lookout on the Titanic?” or “Hey, Ref! Are we keeping you awake?”

They scream at their child to “Run!” for 45 minutes straight and call their 6-year-old over

between innings to explain baseball defense.

Yet, even in drizzly, cold weather, spring sports thrive. There’s just something about watching a child finally hit the ball off a tee or score their first goal. We see coaches kindly redirect a player’s attention from doing cartwheels to protecting third base.

When your granddaughter makes a great pass, she looks to the sidelines to see if you saw it happen. You did.

Although we complain about the mud, the temperature, the uncomfortable seating and wonder if the other team altered the birth certificate of their star player, there’s something inherently human about watching young people navigate sportsmanship.

It’s not about winning. It’s about showing up for the kids you love. You watch them fall on their faces, sometimes literally, and get back up. You watch them strike out, kick the ball in the wrong goal or drop an easy fly ball, and wince along with them.

If there’s one thing that makes you question your life choices, it shouldn’t be watching a child you love run past you with a big grin on their face. Even wrapped in quilts, chugging espresso, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Peri Kinder is an award-winning columnist and journalist who has written for The City Journals since 2004. She can be reached at peri.k@thecityjournals.com