Sandy City Journal | April 2026

See Inside... Special Section

Highlighting local education aspects around the valley Page 11

Big cheers from little Hawks

Alta basketball got big roars, and returned the favor

Sandy issues bonds to buy the Arbor Plaza office building

By Giovanni Radtke | g.radtke@mycityjournals.com

The $8.3 million in bonds will also be used to renovate the city council chambers.

Sandy City lawmakers finalized the terms of a series of bonds totaling $8.3 million in late February. The city-issued securities will help fund the purchase of the Arbor Plaza office building and renovations to the council chambers.

The Arbor Plaza, located within the City Hall courtyard, was bought to help meet the growing need for office space for city employees. The three departments with the largest deficits in space are the police, parks and recreation and the arts guild.

Dan Nelson, Sandy’s Real Property manager, told the council that city officials have ruled out putting a police station in the Arbor building.

“We just want to make sure whatever we put in there is consistent with the look and feel of the other tenants,” Nelson said at a meeting on Feb. 10. “... That’s the reason why we concluded pretty early on, and we’ve had some

feedback from leasing agents who said it’s probably not a good idea to put police in there.”

The plan is to house offices for the recreation side of parks and rec employees on the Arbor building’s first floor, alongside the Sandy’s Redevelopment Agency, and to put a community events center for the Arts Guild on the second floor. A currently unoccupied second-floor suite will also be used as a shared conference room.

Sandy needs an additional 29,702 square feet of office space to accommodate city staff. The Arbor building will help address that workspace deficit with its 13,884 square feet of vacant space.

Sandy’s governing body deliberated for over a month on acquiring the Arbor building. On Jan. 20, the council approved the negotiating parameters for the bonds on a 6-1 vote and, on Feb. 17, finalized proceeding with the purchase of the office block by a 4-2 margin.

The purchase price of the office building is $12 million. Sandy’s Redevelopment

Continued on page 9 Planned update for City

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.

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

The Sandy Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Sandy.

The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner.

© 2026 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.

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Copper Rock offers great golf and vacation opportunities

Arrivingat 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

Hale Centre Theatre opens new Beehive Stage

By Tom Haraldsen t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

It was 41 years ago when Nathan and Ruth Hale opened their first theatre-in-the-round performance center in South Salt Lake. It was in a space converted from an old lingerie factory and had 220 seats. The Hales, along with their children and grandchildren, fostered the growth of the theatre from that early beginning into a legacy today.

Weeks ago, the curtain was raised on the new Hale Centre Theatre Beehive Stage at the Mountain America Performing Arts Center in Sandy. It’s the third performance space in the Hale Centre complex, where productions now provide for a capacity of over 1,600 seats each night. And along with the theatre’s budding education program, it’s part of a dream come true for founders Mark and Sally Dietlein and the family that continues Nathan and Ruth’s legacy.

“My mother, Sally, has wanted this place to honor the amount of work that has to be done by everyone involved,” said Quinn Dietlein, vice president and executive director for Hale Centre Theatre. “There are a lot of people coming in here and making their living with the arts, and this new stage expands on our ability to do that.”

He said more than 250 work at the theatre on a regular basis, and coupled with part-time paid performers, Hale had over 1,000 W-2s to send out in 2025.

“We’re bringing in 10 productions here this year, so we are in constant rehearsals,” he said. “This new addition, including the Bee-

hive, adds space for our education programs, and we’re able to share those rehearsal and education spaces more efficiently.”

The Beehive Stage differs from the two other venues—the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage and the Young Living Centre Stage, in two main ways. First, the Beehive has a smaller capacity of 300 seats, and second, its traditional design of “direct” viewing across a wider stage allows for more intimate productions. Centre Stage offers theatre-in-round-productions and Jewel Box seating is more amphitheater style.

“This theatre changes everything for us,” said David Smith, the director of education and resident director for HCT. “It especially

gives our kids a venue to perform showcases. We have our fully-produced youth shows that finally have a home. It’s nice and wide, and when we cast shows with 40 kids, it allows all of their faces to be seen.”

The Beehive has a state-of-the-art lighting and LED production system and literally offers a great view of the stage from any seat in the house.

“The technology in this theatre allows us to do really cool stuff with the LED, to change settings quickly and allows the focus to be on our youth on stage and in the background,” Smith said.

“Those rehearsal stages are a huge bene-

fit to our directors and actors,” Dietlein said. “All being together is a huge plus. Since we are in essence a theatre factory, to have a place where everyone feels comfortable, safe and at home is tremendous.”

Patrons of Hale Centre Theatre who have season passes can attend any of the productions in any of the three theatres. The Beehive name was chosen not only as homage to the state of Utah icon, or the decor on the walls of the theatre, but also as symbolic of the constant movement of those who helped build the addition over two years and the actors, directors, crews and support staff who “are busy as bees six days a week,” Dietlein said. “Everything here is in constant motion, just like a beehive.”

The first production on the Beehive Stage is “Hallmark’d,” an original romantic comedy that Dietlein and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Michael D. Fox cowrote, with Dietlein and family writing the music. It plays through June 6 and many performances at least into March are already sold out.

“The mission of the theatre is to enrich lives with world class performance,” Dietlein said. “The theatre has always been about quality of life, about escapism and to be entertained. Everyone who comes in these doors enters at a different stage in their lives—some are happy, some are saddened with challenges—and the productions become a sanctuary for them. How they feel when the shows end is important to whatever they take home.”

More info on the theatre’s productions can be found at hct.org. l

Mammoth open doors to public at new practice facility

By Tom Haraldsen t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

Evenas players on the Utah Mammoth began to reconvene back in Utah after the break for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the public got its first up and close and personal look at the team’s new practice facility in Sandy.

The Utah Mammoth Ice Center, as it will be called, was built connected to the South Towne Mall. It held a grand opening Run of Show on Feb. 20-22 that showcased the new facility that began construction in September 2024 on the south side of the mall, the area that once housed a Macy’s department store and several other smaller retail stores. The Smith Entertainment Group purchased the mall and began construction of the facility that includes two ice rinks, locker room, weight room, medical facility and other amenities. SEG also has plans to build an adjacent facility that will be the practice site for the Utah Jazz, also owned by Smith Entertainment Group.

“Our hope is that this will be a gathering place for hockey, figure skating and future Mammoth players as well,” said Chris Arm-

strong, president of hockey operations for the Mammoth. “We hope that at its core, this building will be a place where people can just drop by and enjoy being on the ice, or watch a game of hockey. We hope that this will be a place, on a daily basis, where the community can come together to enjoy positivity, and laughter and celebration. If we can do that, then our mission has been accomplished.”

Activities over the three-day opening included public skating, adult and youth hockey clinics, sled practice, an alumni game between the University of Utah and BYU, and Utah Amateur Hockey League games. The Mammoth players also had a brief open-to-the-public practice session as the weekend drew to a close.

Kids were particularly entertained when Tusky, the team’s mascot, conducted a puck drop with you on Feb. 20 on the north rink. Later that day, the Utah High School Girls Hockey League held a jamboree on the ice. The public was also treated to free Mammoth water bottles, and many visited Tusky’s Corner which offered quick snacks and meals, including sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, pretzel bites, coffee, hot chocolate and fountain drinks.

The center will be open for public skating

a

on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for 90-minute sessions, depending on availability. Cost is $12 per session, plus $3 for skate rental, and registration is required at www.mammothicecenter.com/public-skate. There will also be a

Learn to Skate program on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings starting March 16. It’s a seven- week program. The Mammoth Ice Center is located at 10450 S. State St. in Sandy. l

Agency will make a cash contribution to cover the remaining cost for the building, according to Brian Kelley, Sandy’s finance director. The city will pay the $7.3 million in bond obligations using rent from the leased office suites at Arbor Plaza.

Some members of the public and Sandy elected officials shared concerns about relying on tenant revenue to pay for the bond.

Draper resident Steve Van Maren told the council in January that the city was taking on significant risk because the Arbor building might lose tenants over time.

“That’s a big risk to me,” Van Maren said virtually on Zoom. “It wouldn’t be as big a risk if the city had a policy of collecting rent from every tenant in their buildings … but if you just move in there and don’t charge the city for it, you are putting a lot of risk of loss of tenants.”

Councilmember at-large Brooke D’Sousa shared some of those concerns, stating that tenant revenue was the only reason she was “remotely entertaining” the idea of acquiring the office building.

“In order for me to end up on a yes and not pull this plug, then I need guarantees in some way from the administration that the council will be involved … with the administration [in determining] what tenants go in there, and how much they stay occupied at all times until that bond is paid off,” the councilmember said.

D’Sousa would later add an amendment to the financial agreement requiring the council-led RDA board’s approval for any decision to relocate city staff or departments to the Arbor Plaza.

Other Sandy lawmakers, however, were happy that the payment strategy would not require any money from the city’s general fund.

“I think it’s a smart approach for our taxpayers,” Councilmember Marci Houseman said during the Feb. 10 council meeting. “This is wise [because] it’s covered by tenants … I think it does provide a lot of flexibility.”

Despite approving the payment approach, Houseman ultimately voted against purchasing the building. Councilmember Kris Nicholl joined her in dissenting on the acquisition of the Arbor Plaza.

City Council chambers renovations

About $1 million of the revenue generated from the public bonds will go toward renovating the city council chambers. Sandy lawmakers also set aside roughly $356,000 to fund the renovations in the 2026 city budget.

The lawmakers decided to tack on a bond to cover the funding gap for renovating the chambers during a council meeting in January. But not all councilmembers were on board with adding more debt.

“I’m really uncomfortable with that,” said Councilmember at-large Cyndi Sharkey. “Not only are we almost there, but we

don’t have to do it right away, and we can add some money into [the renovations] too. And there will be revenue that comes in through the lease that will produce some additional cash flow for that as well. So I’d rather make up the deficit there.”

Once the chambers are under renovation, council meetings will likely be held in the RDA’s office in City Hall, once it is vacated. The Scope Clinic, an on-site health center for city staff, will also move into the Arbor building, freeing up space for the council, Nelson said.

Public Utilities offices in City Hall will temporarily relocate to the department’s main warehouse at 150 East to provide more space for the police department. The city plans to build an office building in front of the utilities warehouse to accommodate the move, but a construction timeline remains undetermined.

Payments on Sandy’s bonds will last until 2046. After interest, the bonds will cost the city $13,970,444.64, according to the debt schedule prepared by Sandy’s public finance advisors. l

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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 | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

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 Sandy 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.

“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 be-

tween 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 El-

ementary 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 was huge.”

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.

Eastmont middle schoolers make strategic moves to claim Canyons District chess championship.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Itmay be the only competition which silence fills the room once it begins. Aside from the occasional click of a clock, a quiet intensity settled over the gymnasium at Eastmont Middle as students across the District squared off in the Canyons School District middle school chess tournament. With eight boards per team and trophies on the line, every move carried weight and strategy that would determine the championship.

Still the day was more than scores.

At Albion Middle, coach Lacee Larson is building her program on consistency and sportsmanship.

“It’s about fun first and foremost,” she said. “We want students to come join the fun and learn good sportsmanship. They’re good about shaking hands and nobody gloats when they win. Everybody’s a good winner. They’re great kids.”

Albion players started practicing at the beginning of the school year and play every week. Although the team had a smaller turnout this year and competed with seven boards instead of eight, strong leadership led the group.

“Our first grader has won in every tournament in middle school so he wants to have a streak and is working hard at that,” Larson said. “Our team is a mix of experience; some kids come knowing their stuff and others come in and are learning as they go.”

Indian Hills Middle School players felt both the pressure and joy of the competition.

Sixth-grader Jacob Hamilton joined the team for the opportunity to play.

“I wanted to play chess more, but nobody in my family ever wanted to, so I joined chess club,” he said. “It’s fun and now I get to play more often.”

Where every move matters

Teammate seventh-grader Dysen Painter found himself competing at a higher level than expected at the tournament.

“It’s kind of difficult for me because I’m the second alternate, but I’m playing the second table because our second player didn’t show,” he said. “I’ve won one game and lost another so far, but I feel pretty good about it.”

Dysen learned chess from his father, but he hadn’t played a lot until recently.

“I want to beat my dad three times in a row. I’ve only beat him once because he’s a good player, but most of my skill I’ve learned comes from him,” he said.

Seventh-grader Thiago Jara Mateo, who won board 7, likes chess for the skill and strategy.

“Unlike most board games, it’s not about luck and it’s more about skill,” he

said. “I like figuring out how I can get better. I often attack and leave pieces open, hanging. That’s mostly why I lose, and I need to get better at that.”

Coach Adam Martinez is in his fourth year coaching Indian Hills, guided a team that entered the tournament as a two-time defending District champion.

“I’d love to take a lot of the credit, but players are dedicated to the game,” he said. “They’re the ones who make all the difference. I’m just a pretty good cheerleader.”

Martinez prepares his team with an abridged round robin school tournament.

“They’re ranked accordingly so you can figure out how to place them on the boards,” he said. “We practice as we play, too.”

That preparation includes using chess clocks, following “touch move” rules and adhering to guidelines against sideline

coaching.

When the matches concluded, teams scores were tallied, with eight possible points per round: one point per win, half point for a draw and zero for a loss.

In the end, Eastmont prevented Indian Hills from claiming a third straight title by capturing the District title with 41 points. Mount Jordan Middle followed with 38.5 points for second place while Midvale Middle took third with 35 points.

Individually, Albion’s Stephen Lindsay and Draper Park Middle’s Sam Chen tied on board 1; Midvale’s Yuun Kim and Mt. Jordan’s Noah Whitting tied on board 2; Mt. Jordan’s Arthur Despain won board 3; Eastmont’s Kevin Bretz took board 4; Midvale’s Will McKenna won board 5; Indian Hills’ Alex Zollinger took board 6 and Eastmont’s Kimball Bettinson won board 8. l

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Sandy lawmakers see community safety, city’s fiscal health as top priorities

Other priorities include economic development, infrastructure and quality of life for Sandy residents.

By Giovanni Radtke g.radtke@mycityjournals.com

Community safety and fiscal health rank the highest in the Sandy City Council’s priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Sandy’s elected officials adopted their five budget priorities for the 2026-27 financial year at a council meeting March 3. The priorities will inform how the council allocates government revenue and which initiatives receive funding.

“It is the mayor’s role to define the budget, but any time we can signal things that we are thinking of is helpful, and we can obviously discuss that when we adopt the budget that we feel is best aligned with our priorities,” Councilmember Marci Houseman said in February.

While public safety and fiscal health were the highest priorities, the city council also listed economic development, infrastructure and quality of life among its prime concerns.

This is the second time Sandy lawmakers have developed budget priorities. Last year, community safety ranked third among the city’s priorities, but now it ranks as the city’s primary concern.

“When we think of public safety, we usually think of our first and second respond-

ers, our police and fire departments,” Councilmember at-large Brooke D’Sousa said at a budget workshop on Jan. 27. “But public safety we are talking about … not just keeping us safe from bad guys, but the infrastructure, what kind of safety improvements we can make to our existing infrastructure, or if we are building some of these active transportation modes or expanding sidewalks.”

Prioritizing public safety comes after a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run accident in January.

Forty-year-old Joshua Perry was crossing a busy four-way stop at 11000 South and 1000 East when he was struck by a woman allegedly driving drunk. Sandy residents delivered a petition to the city council at a Jan. 20 meeting, demanding immediate safety improvements at the intersection. In response, the city installed a stop sign with flashing lights less than two weeks after the fatal crash.

“Right now, we are battling some concerns from the community around that specific intersection,” Houseman said. “So the fact that we have been so responsive to that and acting swiftly, I think, is just another example of how committed we are to this, and overall, residents feel safe in our community.”

Fiscal health, which consists of a balanced budget, robust reserves and “intelligent investment,” is Sandy lawmakers’ second-highest priority.

“By definition, an intelligent investment

is an investment in our people,” Houseman said. “We don’t make and structure core services or programs happen without employees that are satisfied.”

While the council desires to maintain well-trained, satisfied staff, the city faces the challenge of an aging workforce, said Shane Pace, Sandy’s chief administrative officer.

“We have a lot of employees nearing retirement,” Pace said at the budget seminar. “What makes that difficult is that we need to keep the people who are working directly un-

derneath them at the city. We can’t be losing those people so that they’re there and could replace these people who are going to retire.”

Competitive wages, Pace added, will play a key role in the transition.

“Compensation is so important, and being competitive in our compensation is so important,” he said. “We need to be able to have those employees there as the tail end of the baby boomers continue to retire. It’s important for us to replace them with high-quality employees.”l

Science is buzzing at Beehive Academy’s STEMfest

Families explored bubbling experiments, robotics and student inventions during the 14th annual free community event.

By Julie Slama

j.slama@mycityjournals.com

For 14 years, Beehive Science and Technology Academy turns science into a hands-on playground for students, families and curious visitors. At this year’s annual Utah STEMFest, the tradition continued, filling the event with experiments, demonstrations and student projects designed to make science engaging and accessible.

From swirling fire tornados to clouds forming inside bottles, STEMFest gave attendees a chance to see concepts come to life. One student showed floating dry erase drawings that appeared to drift through water while another showed how bubbles could bounce. Outside the Mountain America Exposition Center, a solstice party allowed participants to explore the skies.

Many of the 900 exhibits came from students, with more than 800 from Beehive Academy.

At one exhibit, Beehive eighth-grader Aliham Akhmedov demonstrated a working hydraulic hand made of more than 230 parts. Tubes, syringes and connected components allowed the mechanical fingers to bend and grasp objects using water pressure.

“I was always fascinated with robotics as a kid and I liked to see robots, like Transformers moves, so when I saw this project, I thought it would be great to demonstrate how hydraulic power works,” he said.

The project took three days to build.

“It was tedious to create it, but I pushed through and did it,” Aliham said. “I like the concept of STEM and being able to use robotics and science to create things and operate things like this.”

The hand works using scientific principles, he explained to a family who stopped by.

“One thing a lot of people learn, and I even learned, liquid cannot be compressed so it resorts to creating pressure and pressure is what is used to move the fingers,” he said. “Hydraulic systems are used in industries like construction, mechanics, mining, robotics and heavy machinery with larger things like excavators, elevators and car lifts.”

Aliham spent time researching the science behind it.

“I looked into how does hydraulic power work? Why does it work? What is the concept? What is the method? How can my fingers use water to make this hand move? As I learned that, it really fascinated me because how could you use water to power this?” he said.

The event piqued the interest of younger visitors, include 4-year-old Reese and his 7-year-old sister Tempe, who were joined by their mother, Kira Blain.

“I like my kids are engaged and interested in science,” she said as they were especially fascinated by experiments with bubbles and dry ice. “We do experiments at home and they’re interested in doing more activities. Science helps them understand the world and themselves.”

Since the STEMFest began, it has grown significantly, said Beehive Science and Technology Academy Principal Hanifi Oguz. This year’s event, sponsored by the U.S.

Navy, included 30 college and industry exhibits and more robotics and engineering demonstrations.

While the public sees the demonstrations, Oguz said the work behind student presentations takes months.

“What you see here is the end product,” he said. “All year, they have been working, exploring, researching, doing demonstrations and presenting, understanding the technology aspects of it,” he said. “Now, coming here to present to the public is the capstone. For many kids, putting them in this culture, you will see in the future, they’ll go further. This is fun being involved and once they taste that, it leads to more.” l

Sandy City Council scraps merit pay for elected officials

The new law is meant to build public trust in the council and mayor.

By Giovanni Radtke g.radtke@mycityjournals.com

Sandy’s elected officials can no longer receive merit pay, but vehicle and phone allowances will remain in place.

That is what the city council decided on Feb. 10 after a pair of lengthy, sometimes contentious meetings. The proposal to remove allowances ran into legal concerns and criticism that it would make it more difficult for the mayor to carry out their job.

The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Kris Nicholl, is meant to provide continuity between elections and build public confidence in elected officials.

“It would also put us in alignment with our budget policy statements, improve transparency, and give express ability to the council to set election officials’ compensation packages and pay,” Nicholl said when introducing the law at a council meeting on Jan. 20.

Councilmember Marci Houseman said she is in favor of excluding the mayor and city lawmakers from merit pay because it is meant as an incentive for employees, not elected officials.

“We are the governing body, and so things

relative to recruitment and retention don’t apply to us,” Houseman said. “Our recruitment is: we’re choosing to run for office [and] our retention is: do voters re-elect us?”

Councilmember at-large Brooke D’Sousa added that merit pay isn’t appropriate since elected officials cannot be fired, so it doesn’t work as an incentive to do a good job. The councilmember also questioned whether vehicle and phone allowances should be allowed for any government employee.

“I feel like those are old practices that had a place when things were different, if you had to use your phone and you had to pay extra for minutes … that made sense, and that doesn’t exist anymore,” D’Sousa said.

But removing allowances received pushback from other elected officials.

“You talk about a car allowance like it’s a perk,” Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski said. “... First of all, you are putting up your personal vehicle, you’re putting up your personal insurance, your liability. And the city has studied this issue in the past and found that it’s a lot cheaper to do that than provide a city vehicle, than to provide even mileage reimbursement.”

Councilmember at-large Aaron Dekeyzer also opposed removing the mayor’s phone and vehicle allowances.

“I think it’s a tool that … the mayor uses to do the job effectively, and I understand councilmember Nicholl’s reasons

like continuity, promoting public trust and transparency, but I think … stripping these allowances doesn’t build trust or align anything better with our budget statements,” Dekeyzer said at the Feb. 10 meeting. “The way I see it, this creates more confusion, and it makes it harder for the mayor to do their job effectively.”

Zoltanski later noted that state law prohibits municipalities from forcing personnel to pay for business expenses out of pocket without reimbursement.

Everyone gets a shot

Unified basketball in Canyons School District is redefining competition, showing when students of all abilities can share the ball, everyone scores a sense of belonging.

By Julie Slama

j.slama@mycityjournals.com

On a recent morning, the sounds echoing through Jordan High’s gyms were more than squeaking sneakers and bouncing basketballs. Laughter echoed on the court, teammates gave high-fives of encouragement and the crowd cheered in support.

Unified basketball, which brings together students with differing abilities on the same team, is redefining what competition looks like in Canyons School District middle schools. For many, the scoreboard matters less than the smiles and the points achieved are in confidence and connection.

Midvale Middle’s Jackson Fisher was excited to play in his first tournament.

“I’m excited; this is pretty cool,” the sixth grader said. “I played basketball a few times in elementary school, but our team has been preparing for a while now. I’ve learned to dribble as I’m moving on the court and I’ve gotten good at it. My teammates, they’re helping me get better.”

That same sense of teamwork was echoed by Butler Middle’s Ronaldo Venegs, who likes the camaraderie and skills he’s developing.

“I learned how to play at school, and I’ve made friends doing it,” the sixth grader said. “I like to pass and make a lot of goals, like (NBA star) LeBron James does.”

While unified athletes gain confidence and experience, their peer partners learn alongside them.

Eastmont seventh-grader Ammon Lee joined the team after a teacher encouraged him and discovered the spirit of the program.

“I’m having a blast,” Ammon said. “I love helping people and I’m OK not having the ball the whole time. I like playing with them because it’s fun and not super competitive. We pass the ball, we share. It’s more focused on being a team and playing a sport. Even though we’re trying to win, we focus more on trying and that helps us enjoy it all more.”

Midvale Middle eighth-grader Mayzie Call said the unified basketball helped her see beyond the hardwood.

“I love the diversity of it; I like how I can make a difference,” she said. “People are different and sometimes, people don’t understand that. We’re all different in our own ways, but we’re also alike. I’ve learned to accept people for who they are and that helps

Utah’s administrative code requires state agencies to reimburse individuals’ out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred while performing official government duties. Councilmember Nicholl suggested passing the measure regardless. But other city lawmakers did not want to roll the dice on challenging state code.

Elected leaders will also remain eligible for cost-of-living adjustments, retirement and health insurance benefits.

The rule banning merit pay and other bonuses passed on a 7-0 vote. l

me learn to accept other things as well.”

Middle school unified basketball has grown in recent years and is now played in 25 Utah schools.

Special Olympics Utah Unified Champion School’s College-growth Coordinator Boston Iacobazzi said it comes from a shift in the culture.

“Our culture and our schools are becoming more inclusive,” he said. “Ultimately, we want to see meaningful friendships and a sense of belonging.”

“It’s awesome playing as a team and learning more about each other,” he said. “We talk and practice and see what we’re good at and what we’re not good at and focus on what we can do to get better.”

Alex said what stands out most to him is the spirit of unified sports.

“I like the fact that no one is a loser because we’re all winners in our hearts,” he said. l

Eastmont eighth-grader Alex Gusgaves, who has played ball with his older brother and cousin, said being part of a team is core to unified basketball.

Learning the lawmakers’ world

Altara students visit the state Capitol, meet legislators and learn about bills and the process of becoming laws.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

About100 Altara Elementary fifth-grade students can name the marble lions stationed outside the entrances of the state Capitol or share some state historic facts about the Pony Express or the Golden Spike that are illustrated in Capitol paintings and murals. Students even know about the base isolation system under the Capitol designed so the building can withstand a 7.3-magnitude earthquake.

The field trip for the four fifth-grade classes included exploring the Capitol complex with guides from Canyons School District’s external relations staff and former Canyons Board of Education President Nancy Tingey. They showed students the Capitol’s grand architecture and its historic statues.

“The Capitol was pretty cool,” fifth-grader Evelina Pettersson said. “It’s symmetrical and there are really big marble pillars.”

The tour included stops in the House and Senate galleries, the historic Utah Supreme Court chamber and the ornate State Reception Room, also known as the Gold Room.

Canyons External Relations Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards was one of Altara’s guides.

“We love when our students come to the Capitol,” she said. “On the tours of the Capitol, we discuss the locally sourced materials from Utah used to make the Capitol: granite on the exterior from Little Cottonwood Canyon, oolite on

the interior from Sanpete County; copper on the roof of the rotunda from Bingham Canyon. During the 45-day legislative session, Canyons Legislative delegation love a visit with students. The legislators are great to take their time to show students the house or the senate.”

Students said Sen. Kathleen Riebe and Rep. Tracy Miller shared with them about their roles in government as well as introduced them to some of the bills under consideration.

“Senator Reibe asked us if we knew who the governor was and who our senator was, and it was her,” Evelina said.

Fifth-grader Gregory Bromiley learned the representatives serve for two years while senators are elected for four years. Classmate Lani Casson chipped in there are 75 representatives in the house and 29 in the senate.

It was the bills which had them realizing the job legislators do.

“They were talking about a bill for people who are less fortunate and are under 6 years old so they can get health care,” Evelina said. “It sounded like a good bill because for the less fortunate families, it’s harder to get the care they need.”

Another bill discussed affordable housing options.

“They talked about a bill to reduce tax for new homeowners,” Gregory said.

Lani said the idea made sense to her.

“Not everyone can afford a home and sometimes, people who can’t afford a home have to live on the streets so this would make it easier for them to have a safe place,” she said.

Gregory agreed: “It makes sense they don’t pay as much in tax so they can have affordable housing.”

Teacher Kathy Smith said the visit helps students connect their classroom lessons to the real world and understand

Utah Sen. Kathleen Riebe welcomed Altara Elementary fifth-grade students to the state Capitol. (Photo courtesy of Susan Edwards)

the importance of civic engagement. After seeing the seat of state government, she hopes students remember their role as residents.

“They could write or talk to their representative,” Smith said, adding she hopes when they’re older, they will register to vote and stay active in their communities.

Students were planning to write thank-you notes to their tour guides and lawmakers.

Evelina, who recently moved to Utah, said this was her first introduction to Utah government.

“I had zero clue about the Capitol and government,” she said. “I didn’t even know we had a building and now, I have an understanding of it. It’s pretty cool.”l

Students helping students, one haircut at a time

CTEC cosmetology students gained handson experience giving free haircuts for Sandy Elementary and Midvale Elementary students, who gave them big smiles in return.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

M

ore than two dozen Sandy Elementary students left with fresh haircuts and smiles recently, thanks to a service project led by Canyons Technical Education Center cosmetology students.

Seniors in the program volunteered to provide free haircuts for Sandy Elementary and Midvale Elementary students during parent-teacher conferences. The event gave families a convenient service while allowing older students to gain real-world experience working with clients.

“It’s a service project to help kids get a nice, fresh haircut that’s free,” said CTEC instructor Marci Melendez. “We do it for our students too, because they’re in training and it gives them a good experience.”

Seven cosmetology students came to each elementary school, giving them the opportunity to work with younger clients, something that isn’t common at CTEC.

Cutting children’s hair presents different challenges from adult haircuts.

“Kids are wiggly, so that can be hard. The reason why I bring my seniors is because it doesn’t take them as long to do the haircuts,” said the instructor with 28 years of experience.

Most cuts took about 30 minutes, depending on the style.

“Some parents bring photos of hairstyles they want, but others allow the kids to have a creative leeway,” she said. “A lot

can go into it, but we can do basic haircuts here and if they want more than that, we offer them coupons to come to our school.”

The project is especially meaningful to Melendez since she attended Sandy Elementary as a child.

“I came here so it’s really fun for me to come here and see everything again,” she said.

The program has offered services at Sandy Elementary for two years and now has expanded to include Midvale Elementary.

“We’re trying to branch out and help the community any way we can,” she said.

Cosmetology students said the opportunity provided them with valuable hands-on practice.

“We’re getting better at kids’ cuts since we don’t get them often,” said Alta High senior Tyler Lantis. “We get more older men’s haircuts or women’s colors at CTEC.”

Despite the challenge to keep the younger students still while cutting hair, senior Sadie Nigbur said her favorite part was doing it for the kids.

“They watch all these adults get their hair done so it’s a special thing for them to come,” she said.

Hillcrest High senior Addy Simper added: “We’re hoping they’ll be more confident and happier with the haircut. Most of them are excited to show their friends at school tomorrow.”

Sandy Elementary families have welcomed the addition to the services — including health, clothing, food and more provided by the school, said Isa Connelly, Sandy’s community school facilitator.

Connelly said the idea started two years ago when her daughter, Sunny Whitman, then a CTEC cosmetology student, gave a haircut to a child at the school who needed one. That led to another session where she offered them to any students.

“We had a line out the door with 40 students waiting,” Connelly said. “That’s when we realized this is a need in the community. We bring the haircuts here because going to CTEC is an issue with transportation.”

Parent Brittney Grell said the experience for her first-grade daughter Gwen was positive.

“She wanted bangs and she’s getting a bob,” Grell said. “It’s free and convenient and it’s a great for her first haircut.”

Third-grader Sage Burgard also was excited to get a new hairstyle.

“I want to match my best friend’s hair length, and I like getting something new done to my hair; it makes me happy,” Sage said. “Haircuts are important so my hair won’t be like Rapunzel’s.” l

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Lone Peak students ring in Lunar New Year with cultural traditions

The annual celebration with colors, music and stories continues to build community with all students.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Lone Peak Elementary’s halls didn’t echo with the usual hum of math lessons and spelling tests in February. Instead, they shimmered in red and gold, pulsed with festive music and swirled with a dragon dance. The school’s annual Chinese New Year celebration ushered in the Year of the Horse with crafts, performances and traditions that many students look forward to all year.

Early in the month, select grade levels performed on stage at the Corner Canyon-hosted Lunar New Year celebration. A few days later, the Chinese dragon was weaving its way past students sitting in hallways at the elementary school. It all led up to Lone Peak’s assembly, which featured both fifth graders performing a shadow puppet show and a performance of traditional Chinese yo-yo tricks by Su Mama Chinese Club from Taiwan.

Principal Shad DeMill said the annual celebration leaves a lasting impression.

During the assembly’s yo-yo performance, the presenter talked about hours of dedication and practice.

“Even experts make mistakes, so she said they have to keep trying,” he said. “She tried to relate that to the kids and every day at school. I thought it was a good takeaway message for kids.”

Following the assembly, students participated firsthand, learning the dragon dance, trying calligraphy, and Chinese painting using chopsticks and painting a horse for the zodiac year. Older students also tried the Chinese yo-yos.

For Lone Peak’s Topher Hill, the decorations alone sparked excitement.

“I like the decorations,” Topher said. “There are so many creative ways to celebrate the Year of the Horse. It’s fun.”

Beyond the shimmering lanterns and colorful painted horses, the third grader appreciates the uniqueness of learning Chinese.

“I like studying Chinese because you don’t use letters. You use strokes and that makes it interesting,” Topher said.

In first-grade teacher Mika Xu’s classroom, every activity includes meaning.

She teaches students red banners are traditional decorations meant to bring good

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fortune and drive away the mythical Nian monster. She also has a colorful poster displaying the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac so students understand the year of the horse.

“I want them to learn the culture behind the Chinese language, like the color red means good fortune,” she said. “I want them to know the traditional Chinese clothes, which is different than the modern style. I want them to know about the dragon, the legend of the Nian, the zodiac and all the culture behind them. I want them to know the significance of Chinese New Year means reunion. It’s about the family connection and bonding; we love our families and friends. It’s the time of the year when we gather with our families.”

Students in her classroom also experience the culture. Xu gives every student a red envelope with Chinese currency inside.

“It’s real money, like the equivalent of $1, then I give them a lollipop because in China, we had red candies for good fortune and to grow healthy. Many kids keep their red envelopes in special places,” she said.

Students also create paper lanterns, traditionally hung outside homes for protection from Nian, and they sing Chinese songs together.

“The music is vibrant and festive, which brings the feeling of the festival to the classroom,” Xu said.

Parent volunteer Pia Englund, who has both a preschooler and a dual immersion third grader, helps to ensure students have a rich experience.

“I hope they learn there are different

ways to celebrate a new year,” she said. “I think the Lunar New Year is rich in culture and it exposes them to a different experience. It’s beautiful and so fun. Plus, learning a new language opens other parts of the brain so they can experience another way of learning in other subjects.”

For Barbora Nelson, a parent in her fifth year volunteering with the event, the excitement never fades for her children — a fifth grader and twin second graders with a kindergartner who will be in the program next year.

“They’re always excited for this celebration, and it’s different every year,” she said. “Chinese is different from English and the language I know (Czech). I love being bilingual, and I love they can be as well.”

First-grader Indie Tomlinson loved participating in the festival.

“I like celebrating with all the crafts,” she said. “It’s fun learning the language.”

Sarah Erwin, who has led or co-led the event for 12 years, credits the school community for the celebration.

“The amazing parents we have at our school, they always rally and really care about our programs,” she said. “The other great highlight is watching how much the students care.”

DeMill agrees: “Kids love this every year; they love experiencing a culture. It helps bring and build community with all our students, even those who are not part of the dual immersion program. It brings kids together and they enjoy getting to understand people.” l

Jordan

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Jordan High FIRST Tech robotics team recently visited Woodstock Elementary in Murray during the school’s literacy night to demonstrate the robot they designed and built, giving younger students a hands-on look at robotics and engineering. Junior Ethan Smith said the visit was meant to spark elementary students’ curiosity. “We’re here

to show them the cool things we’ve learned and built to inspire them and keep their interest going in school. We learned the school wanted a robotics team to demonstrate and it’s a good opportunity for us to give outreach and service.” Junior Umar Sarfraz, who does coding, hardware and software, explained the team not only built the robot themselves, but continually improves it for competition.

“We’ve modified it so it could better compete; those adjustments, make it work better for the FIRST Tech challenge this year.” Freshman Abby Bercerril, who heads up coding and mechanics, demonstrated their 18-inch cubed shaped robot shooting baskets. “The kids think it’s pretty cool — and it is a lot of fun.” l

‘Something There’ at Mt. Jordan’s ‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’

More

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Atale as old as time is coming to the Mount Jordan stage this April with middle schoolers bringing the beloved musical “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” to life.

With high-energy musical numbers, an iconic ballroom dance and the emotional transformation of characters with a dash of adventure, the show gives middle school performers a chance to sing, dance, act and build friendships while learning how a full theater production comes together.

“I hope they gain how theater works from audition to final set take down,” said Melissa Quinones, show music director and producer. “My goal is giving students more opportunity and they’re gaining an experience they don’t experience in class. They also make friends across grade levels and that builds community and that is something that’s important.”

Performances will take place at 7 p.m., April 23 and 24 and at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., April 25 at the school’s auditorium, 9351 S. Mountaineer Lane (220 East). Tickets are $5-7 and available online through the school’s website: mountjordan.canyonsdistrict.org. Patrons are encouraged to bring nonperishable items to donate to the school’s pantry as part of the cast and crew’s service project.

There are 110 students in the cast as well as 15 students who serve on the technical crew under volunteer Colby Maughan. They run lights and sound and help de-

sign sets, props and costumes. The production also works with Sandy Arts Guild to borrow items from its warehouse.

Volunteer Cassie Smith said the classic story was chosen in part because it offers many opportunities for student-performers.

“We picked ‘Beauty and the Beast’ because it has a lot of lead characters and in a middle school production, I wanted to give as many kids an opportunity to have a part,” Smith said. “This show has a lot of people who have lines or sing, which I liked.”

Auditions were held in November, with the cast announced before Thanksgiving break. Smith said the process is designed to be welcoming to students who may be trying theater for the first time. Students auditioned in groups, singing and dancing.

“We want everybody to have the experience of audition, but in a low-stakes way,” she said, saying traditionally everyone is accepted.

Once casting was complete, rehearsals began with music in December. Then choreography was added.

“Singing and dancing is hard for middle schoolers,” Quinones said. “Once they start the dancing, sometimes they forget to sing.”

Seventh-grader Kaisley Orr said the musical is one of the highlights of her school year.

“I decided to be part of the play because you meet a lot of people and make a lot of friends there; it’s like one big family,” Kaisley said.

After being a cheerleader in “Beetlejuice Jr.” last year, Kaisley is part of the ensemble this year.

“I’m in the back and act like a villager talking and

walking around while the main roles are singing,” she said. “I’m also part of the scene about Gaston where we get to sing and dance.”

Kaisley said she can use her dance background on that energetic number that includes props.

“We have mug-like things and dance with those. We put them in the air, we slam them on tables and we’re going to have barrels to slam them on those, too,” she said.

Although Kaisley felt nervous last year performing, she said experience helped boost her confidence.

“I was a little nervous last year because it was my first time doing anything like that,” she said. “Now that I’ve done it, it’s not scary, but it’s more fun and our parents, the whole school and community get to see how hard we worked this year. I’m excited for it. I’m 100% ready.” l

Little fans give Hawks big cheers

Fourth-grade basketball players rallied behind Alta High’s team and the Hawks return the favor caught in a video which sparked a viral sensation.

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Agroupof fourth graders from Crescent Elementary became some of the most loyal fans of the Alta High School boys basketball team this season — and when their support caught the attention of the Hawks, the high school players returned the favor.

The story, captured in a video and posted to social media, quickly went viral. Shared by the account galpractical, the clip spread on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, where it drew more than 8,000 comments and 92,000 reshares as viewers celebrated the moment between the young players and the high school team.

It started organically as the young Bantam team began showing up throughout the season.

“These little guys were coming to all the games and following our guys,” said Alta High head coach Travis Ohrn. “At first, they sat with their parents, but as the season went on, they created their own little student section and created posters and started doing cheers and rallied behind our team.”

After cheering loudly, they’d stick around after the game to interact with the players. On senior night, they met the team.

“After our last home game, we always put the tables out and pass our team pictures to all the young kids who come to get autographs,” he said.

But the support continued into the postseason.

The Bantam team followed Alta into the state tourna-

ment, attending playoff wins against Hillcrest High in Midvale and Timpview High in Provo.

After the second-round victory, the Crecent Cubs invited Ohrn to their game on Saturday. He took the request to the team, who rallied to go support the youngsters.

With the roles reversed and Alta players in the stands, they cheered on the Bantam team. Again, the moment captured on the viral video that resonated with thousands of viewers.

For Ohrn, the experience highlighted the influence high school athletes have in their communities.

“They don’t realize the impact they have on young kids,” he said. “That’s a big thing we emphasize here. Basketball is

just a tiny little thing in life and they can have a huge impact on younger kids who look up to them. I want every kid in this community to grow up wanting to play for Alta, to be a part of our school, our community, and take pride in doing that.”

Alta’s season ended in the quarterfinals of the state tournament where the Hawks fell to Bountiful High, 58-44.

“We had a lot of adversity and battled through injuries and ups and downs,” Ohrn said. “To be able to get where we did, making it back up to the University of Utah in the state tournament, is a big accomplishment. I’m super proud of our guys for fighting through that and making it up there. I’m appreciative of all our fans and want to give a shoutout to those young players who cheered us on.” l

Rotary Club of Sandy

WEEKLY MEETINGS: Wednesdays at 12:15 pm

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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.

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.”

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

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

THE SANDY CLUB

“A Safe Place for Boys and Girls” Members of the Month

Congratulations to our March Members of the Month Benjamin Jimenez, Dean Rasul, & Estella Morlan!

Benjamin is 11 years old: he wants to become a doctor when he grows up, he has been attending the Sandy Club for almost 3 years, in that time he has learned to be nicer to other people and not fight in soccer.

Dean is 8 years old: he wants to become a rich man when he grows up, he has been attending for 3 years, in that time he has learned how to be kind.

Estella is 7 years old: she wants to become a teacher, she has been attending for 2 years, and in that time, she has learned kindness. Congratulations once again, we are so proud of you all!

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