Sandy Journal February 2019

February 2019 | Vol. 19 Iss. 02

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PRIZE PATROL SURPRISES SANDY WOMAN FLOR RUIZ WITH $25,000 By Heather Lawrence | heather.lawrence@mycityjournals.com

Wilfredo and Flor Ruiz stand outside the daycare in Sandy where Ruiz works. Ruiz was just informed by presenter Howie Guja she had won $25,000 from Publishers Clearing House. (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

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hristmas came a couple weeks early for Flor Ruiz of Sandy and her husband Wilfredo; Flor was awarded $25,000 by Publishers Clearing House (PCH) Prize Patrol on Dec. 6. Flor entered the prize drawing online every day for the last year. She has won smaller amounts before, $10 checks, but this was her first time receiving a prize on this scale. “It’s amazing! I’m happy, happy, happy!” Flor said when Howie Guja of the Prize Patrol surprised her at work and handed her a huge novelty check. Guja, who flew out from New York to award the prize, organized a Prize Patrol meeting with media at Absolutely Flowers in Sandy. After picking up some flowers and balloons, the team headed to Flor’s home in Sandy. When Wilfredo answered the door, he said she was at work. “She’ll be home maybe in one hour,” said Wilfredo. Unable to wait, Wilfredo joined the Prize Patrol and led them to the Sandy daycare where Flor works. When Wilfredo brought her outside to the parking lot, Guja stepped out from behind a car to tell her she’d won.

Publishers Clearing House Presenter Howie Guja takes a selfie with Wilfredo and Flor Ruiz after they are awarded a $25,000 prize. (Heather Lawrence/City Journals)

Brandishing the novelty check, flowers and balloons, Guja said, “I’m looking for Flor — are you Flor? Do you have any idea what this might be about?” Flor, who is originally from Venezuela, needed a little help from her husband, who translated into Spanish some of the questions and her responses.Though she was soft-spoken, her happiness was obvious. “I have three kids and four grandchildren. Maybe it’s time for a nice family vacation,” said Flor, when Guja asked what she would do with the money. Guja, who is based at Publishers Clearing House in Jericho, New York, said this is the best part of his job. He flies out several times a month to destinations all over the country to award prizes. “A lot of people don’t believe that this is real, but it’s real,” Guja said. Despite the good fortune of Flor and many other winners across the country, there are scams out there that will take your money, not reward you. The Publishers Clearing House blog gives three warning signs to guard against be-

ing taken advantage of. The warning signs are worth a read for those who play. The first warning is that you get a friend request on social media from PCH. They will never do that. The second is that you are asked to pay a fee in order to claim a prize, which is another red flag. The third warning is that you are informed you have won a big prize in any way other than in person. Though smaller checks ($10) go out in the mail, “the best way to award a big prize in in person, and we go out of our way to do it. We love nothing more than to see the winner’s reaction. We never alert big winners in advance and we always keep it a big surprise,” wrote Debbie K. of the PCH team on the blog. Flor was surprised she had won, but her smile was ear to ear. After signing some legal documents and giving Ruiz the real check, Guja leaned over to shake her hand one last time. “I’m happy for you and glad you won. You seem like very nice, deserving people,” Guja said. l

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Sandy City Journal

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February 2019 | Page 3

Free lunch program to continue during federal government shutdown

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C ITY OURNAL The Sandy City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Sandy. For information about distribution please email circulation@mycityjournals. com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. For subscriptions please contact: circulation@mycityjournals.com 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.

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Canyons School District students, like more than 23 percent at Alta View Elementary in Sandy, will continue to be served free or reduced-price lunch during the federal government shutdown. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Canyons School District students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches will continue to be served — even if the federal government shutdown continues several more weeks. Canyons spokesman Jeff Haney said the USDA will continue its operations for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program into March. In the Canyons School District, that means about 7,850 students, or 21.5 percent, qualify for free lunches. Some 1,248 students, or 3.54 percent, qualify for reduced-price lunches. It’s the Canyon School District’s intention to maintain the meal program uninterrupted, even with the partial shutdown, and will continue serving breakfasts and lunches, Haney said. He added there is not a set limit to the amount the district will pay to provide those meals. District employees have been directed not to question students about meal payment as well, he said. “First and foremost, increasing student achievement is at the heart of all we do in the Canyons School District,” Haney said. “In fact, it’s one of our guiding tenets,

and we place great importance on the many ways we can inspire students to even more achievement. One of those ways is to make sure we’re providing nutritious meals, both breakfast and lunch, to students. Simply put, students can’t learn if they are hungry. In the Canyons School District, if a student wants a meal, they can get one, regardless of their ability to pay at that moment. We’ll work out the details later with their parents or guardians.” Haney said the income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price school meals are based on annual income. While there is no exclusion on households with furloughed employees applying for benefits during a government shutdown, school food authorities should manage the application process in a manner which reflects their unique circumstance, meaning households may not have information on the duration of the furlough or its ultimate impact on household income. The district also will receive reimbursements for all U.S. Department of Education grants, including IDEA, Title I, Title IIA and Title III, until September, he added.l

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February 2019 | Page 5

Valentine’s Day ideas By Michelynne McGuire | m.mcguire@mycityjournals.com

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ere are some ideas and places around the valley for a Valentine’s date and some budget savvy ideas for Valentines. Romantic: Does your honey have to work on Valentine’s Day? That’s not romantic…but perhaps doing one sweet deed a day is the best way to make it up to your honey. Help them feel extra appreciated with one sweet gesture a day leading up to Feb. 14. Outdoorsy: Don’t let cold temperatures stop you from celebrating Valentine’s in the great outdoors. Dress warmly and try these ideas: Ice Skating: Gallivan Center, Ice Rink Hotline: (801) 535-6117. For more details check out their website: www.thegallivancenter.com. Skiing: Some ski resorts offer retreats, spa specials and romantic dinners for Valentine’s Day. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time. This website: www.skiutah. com helps you navigate different resort websites for information. Ice Castles: Journey to Midway and walk hand-in-hand around magnificent illuminated ice formations. www.icecastles.com Giving back: The hopeful animals at local animal shelters could use some love too. The Sandy Animal Services Department doesn’t need volunteers, but they do allow good willed people to visit and give the animals attention in their pet/play room during normal business hours. Sandy Animal Services Department is located at 8751 S. 700 West in Sandy. (801) 352-4450 Indoorsy: If you and your love opt out of crowds this year…perhaps make a fun recipe together, cookies, cupcakes, or whatever your fancy…and then paint or draw one another to the best of your artistic abilities. Check out Painting with a Twist and Color Me Mine for some indoor painting activities for a date. Singles/miscellaneous: Sumo Wrestling! Yes, you can rent a sumo suit with some friends from Canyon Party Rental, LLC (801) 836-7700. For more information their website is: www.canyonpartyrental.com For seniors: “Draper’s best kept secret.” That’s according to Draper Senior Center’s office specialist Lisa Campbell. The senior center offers an array of fun things for seniors to do and socialize. And it is free for seniors aged 60+ and free for spouses under 60 if they are married to a member who is at least 60. It’s open to seniors living in all areas. There is a workout facility, classes offered and even a café serving generous portions at good prices. Their Valentine’s Day event, a ballroom dance Valentine’s party, will take place on Feb. 13 at 10:30 a.m. Come join in the dance and fun and celebrate “love day” with good music provided by the ballroom dance class and enjoy light refreshments. And on Feb. 14 at 11:30 a.m. Valentine’s entertainment will be provided by the

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non-profit organization Heart and Soul. Fancy foodies and desserts: If you’re a foodie and you plan to splurge on your sweetie by deciding to indulge and tantalize your taste buds in ambiance, La Caille, a French restaurant in Sandy, is having a Valentine’s seven-course dinner for $150 per person, reservations required. They are located at 9565 Wasatch Blvd. in Sandy. (801) 942-1751 And www.opentable.com is a simplified way to find a Utah Valentine’s Day restaurant with open reservations. If you don’t want to deal with crowds, Dairy Queen is having Cupid’s Cake, made from their traditional ice cream cake, perfect for sharing and it comes in the shape of a heart, a sweet treat for your sweetie that you can take home. Family: If you’re not already in touch with your inner child, perhaps taking the family to bounce around on trampolines together will heighten your awareness. Airborne Trampoline Park is an amusement center in Draper. Their website states, “Wall-to-wall trampolines attract jumpers of all ages to this complex with air dodge ball and foam pits.” They are located at 12674 Pony Express Rd. in Draper. (801) 601-8125 And if you’re not in Draper there is another called Get Air Salt Lake in Murray at 5546 Van Winkle. Teens and adult, budget friendly: The Draper Library is offering on Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m. a tasting of chocolate and creating. You will get the chance to test your palate with chocolate sampling and create your own seasonal craft to go with. This is through the Draper Makers, they have a seasonal creation time to learn new techniques, the supplies are

provided while quantities last. Registration preferred. The Draper Library is at 1136 E. Pioneer Rd. (12400 S.) Draper and is across from the TRAX station. (801) 943-4636 Developmentally Appropriate: “All Ability Activity Very Fun Valentines,” Friday, February 1 at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Crafts and activities are designed for adults and teens with disabilities. “We have a great time, it’s the highlight of my month,” said Sarah Brinkerhoff, manager at the Draper Library. Registration is required. www. thecountylibrary.org The Draper Library is located at 1136 E. Pioneer Rd. (12400 S.) in Draper and is across the street from the TRAX station. (801) 943-4636 Kid friendly, family/friends and free: Valentine crafting, bring the kiddies to make a sweet penguin magnet, on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 1-4 p.m. You may drop in between those hours to make a magnet for Valentine’s Day. The crafting will take place in the children’s area; everything will be available to put together a magnet, while supplies last. Feb. 11, 7- 8 p.m. Family Draper Makers, no registration required, supplies provided while quantities last. Make homemade Valentines and spend quality time with family while creating seasonal crafts. Draper Library is located at 1136 E. Pioneer Rd. (12400 S.) in Draper and is across the street from the TRAX station. (801) 943-4636 Whatever you plan to do, here’s one easy tip for fostering love and appreciation: During your time together, take a break from checking cell phones and focus on one another. Valentine’s Day is truly a day to be loving first and foremost to others and yourself. l

Abbey the Cavapoo poses with a homemade Valentine’s Day card wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day. (Michelynne McGuire/City Journals)

Sandy City Journal

World-renowned Irish violinist featured at Irish dance concert By Heather Lawrence | heather.lawrence@mycityjournals.com

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he Scariff School of Irish Dance celebrated a night of Celtic dance on Dec. 14 in Draper. The school, which has branches in Sandy, North Salt Lake, Logan, Lehi and Daybreak, is directed by Stephen Scariff. The evening showcased Irish dancers of all ages, and featured Scariff’s friend Máiréad Nesbitt on violin. Nesbitt, whose first name is pronounced like “parade” with an “m,” is best known from her time as a violinist with the group Celtic Woman. She came over from Ireland for the performance and accompanied several of the dances on her violin. “Mr. Scariff is one of my very best friends, and we worked in the Lord of the Dance show together,” said Nesbitt during a meet-and-greet session after the show. How Scariff ended up in Utah “is a long story.” “My brother taught here for seven years, and then he left to go back to Ireland and I took over the school,” Scariff said. The performance, “A Celtic Winter’s Night,” featured a full program with dancers of all ages. The dancers were mostly female, but there were several men and young men as well, including Dallen Smith. Smith is one of four dancers from the school who will compete in the 2019 World Championship Qualifiers in April. Stacy Lynch has been dancing with the Scariff School for 13 years, and sometimes gets a funny reaction when she tells people what she does. “They usually say, ‘Wait, you do that?’ Irish dancing isn’t super popular in Utah. But if you know the world and you compete, you know a lot of the dancers in other states,” Lynch said.

Irish violinist Máiréad Nesbitt is best known for her work with Celtic Woman. She accompanied many of the dances during the Scariff School’s performance. (Photo Courtesy Richard Lynch/www.richimagesutah.com)

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Lynch’s favorite dance of the night was “Distant Thunder,” which is performed a capella. “I love that number. It’s from the show ‘Riverdance.’ It showcases the power and variety of Irish dance when we use the hard shoes and make our own rhythms. When you don’t have the music you have to try harder to be all together,” Lynch said. Lynch attends rehearsals three times a week, learning new dances and polishing some of the staple performance numbers. “One thing I like about Irish dance is that it continues on. In other disciplines dancers may peak at age 20. We have dancers at our school who are 6 all the way to people in their 50s,” said Lynch. Nesbitt, who also played for the school’s 2017 holiday performance and is booked for 2019, was gracious about joining the school for the evening’s performance. “It was my honor to be here in Utah with the students of Scariff School. This is my second time here, and I absolutely love coming here. It’s getting to be a tradition now for me,” Nesbitt said. “I love all the kids and of course my best friend Stephen,” Nesbitt continued. “We all know he’s an amazing dancer, he’s an incredible dancer. But he’s also an incredible teacher. It’s really my honor to be here.” The school also advertised the classes offered during their 2019 season to those in attendance. With its ties to the professional Irish dance world and the opportunity to dance with one of the most recognized violinists in the world, Scariff School may be one of the best-kept secrets in Utah for those who love Irish culture. l

Left to Right: Abby Whitchurch, Sarah Bromley, Lexi Farnsworth, Elle Deschenes, Mia Leonelli, Anna Hatch and Emma McFee of the Scariff School perform during the holiday concert. (Photo Courtesy Richard Lynch/ www.richimagesutah.com)

February 2019 | Page 7

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Page 8 | February 2019

GENERAL DENTIST Dr. Russell G. Lewis Dr. Jason R. Lewis Dr. Nate C. Lewis Dr. Lloyd K. Liu Dr. Robert M. Lucero Dr. Daniel L. Masson Dr. Russell G. Lewis Dr. Jason R. Lewis Dr. Nate C. Lewis Dr. Devin T. Matsumori Dr. Mat L. Noorda Dr. Barney T. Olsen Dr. Robert W. Owens Dr. Randell B. Packer Dr. Richard G. Parker Dr. Gregory D. Perkins Dr. Gregory J. Randall Dr. Kent M. Seal

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Sandy City Journal

State representatives from Sandy area share 2019 goals By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

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Above: Newly elected state senator Kathleen Riebe addresses Sandy residents during a “legislative breakfast.” (Justin Adams/ City Journals)

Bastiaan Coebergh, Attorney Left: Newly elected state senator Kirk Cullimore addresses Sandy residents during a “legislative breakfast.” (Justin Adams/ City Journals)

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total of eight Utah house representatives and senators joined a handful of Sandy City residents on the morning of Jan. 5 to discuss their legislative goals and priorities for the upcoming session. It was the first such “legislative breakfast” Sandy city has held, according to Deputy Mayor Evelyn Everton. Money Newly elected Senator for District 9 Kirk Cullimore neatly summarized what dominates most of the legislature’s discussion. “What I’m learning about as a new legislator is that there are a lot of issues you talk about on the campaign trail, lots of things that people are concerned about. But when you get down to the nitty-gritty, it’s really all about money.” At the end of fiscal year 2018, the Utah legislature reported a surplus of $265 million. “The last time we had that kind of surplus in the state of Utah was right before the economic downturn,” said Sen. Dan McCay, who represents Senate District 11. Because of this, McCay said the legislature will most likely seek to spend the money on one-time purchases rather than committing it toward ongoing costs, like a permanent teacher raise. Examples of one-time purchases include improvements to infrastructure or improvements to school security, as suggested by District 8 Senator Kathleen Riebe. The legislature might also take a look at tax policy, said Rep. Robert Spendlove, who represents District 49. As he explained, most of the Utah state government’s functions are

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funded by sales tax. (Property tax primarily goes to municipal government and income tax exclusively goes toward education.) The problem, according to Spendlove, is that sales tax revenue is not growing much in Utah. “Our income from sales tax isn’t going down but the growth is diminishing every year. The reason that’s happening is the nature of our economy is changing,” he said. As the economy shifts from goods to services, which aren’t all taxed, the sales tax revenue decreases. One possible solution Spendlove suggested was to start applying sales tax to services as well, while also lowering the sales tax rate. Or, the state could leave things as they are as a way to limit the size of the state government. Following up on ballot initiatives Many of the Sandy residents in attendance had questions and concerns about how the legislature is implementing the policies which voters approved by referendum in the past election, such as legalization of medical marijuana and the expansion of Medicaid. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore sought feedback from the audience on how the Medicaid expansion should be funded in the years to come. According to him, the tax increase laid out in the referendum won’t be enough to cover the projected cost of expanding Medicaid after the first few years. “Do we raise taxes (more)? Do we cap (enrollment)? Do we cut services elsewhere?” he asked the audience.

As for medical marijuana legalization, Spendlove noted that Utah is hardly the first state legislature to modify such a referendum. In fact, he said “in every single state that has passed medicinal or recreational marijuana initiatives, the legislature has had to go in and make adjustments.” “Someone said we ‘gutted’ medical marijuana. We didn’t. It will still be available,” echoed Representative Steve Eliason. Domestic violence Two of the legislators in attendance said they are working on bills related to domestic violence. Spendlove’s bill would require individuals who are placed under a restraining order to have a GPS device attached to their vehicle. The device could alert both the courts and the person being protected if the restraining order is breached. Such a law, he said, could have helped to prevent the murder of Memorez Rackley, a young Sandy mother who in 2017 was killed by a former romantic partner as she was walking her son home from school. “That was something that hit really close to home for me,” said Spendlove, who noted that he lives very close to where the murder took place. Meanwhile, Rep. Andrew Stoddard of House District 44 is using his professional experience as a Murray city prosecutor to write a bill that would both expand the definition of domestic violence and make it easier to hold perpetrators responsible.l

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Sandy City Journal

THE SANDY CLUB

“A Safe Place for Boys and Girls”

Member of the Month

Congratulations to our January Member of the Month, Mareli Gonzalez! Mareli is 10 years old and attends Sandy Elementary, where her favorite subject is Science. When Mareli grows up she wants to become a doctor. What Mareli likes most about herself is her eyes. When asked why she thought she was voted Member of the Month she replied, “Because I am always on task.” Mareli has been a member for 1 year; in that time, she has learned that she will always be safe here. Mareli likes to participate in activities here at The Sandy Club. If Mareli had one wish she says she would want to go visit her grandma. Congratulations once again Mareli. We are so proud of you!!

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February 2019 | Page 11

Principals put the ‘fun’ in fundraisers By Julie Slama | Julie@mycityjournals.com

Edgemont Elementary Principal Cathy Schino danced with silly string as a reward for her students. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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iss a pig? Become a human ice cream sundae? Camp on the roof? If it motivates students, count most elementary school principals in. And count in the students. “The kids were really excited, cheering, clapping, squealing louder than the pig,” said Draper Elementary Principal Christy Waddell, who dressed as a farmer and kissed a pig Nov. 9 to celebrate her school raising $26,000 at their annual fun run. “It wasn’t that bad. I’d say less gross and not as slobbery as kissing a dog.” Waddell, who said she’s taken a pie in the face and has been a human ice cream sundae, said this was her favorite: “It didn’t get as messy.” She’s a believer that “doing something different and unusual” motivates students. She said her custodian even has helped out by dressing up as a fairy to inspire students. “We don’t have students earn junk. We prefer to do things that will get them excited. And most students respond. We had more students return envelopes with donations so they could see me kiss a pig,” she said, adding that she ran some with the students during the fun run. Waddell isn’t alone. This year, Woodstock Principal Brenda Zimmerman, in Murray, also kissed a pig as a reward for her students when they raised $11,700, surpassing last year’s mark by $4,000. The money will be used for structured physical educa-

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tion equipment, safety equipment, field trips, books and for other programs. “It was warm, gross and wet, but he’s so cute,” she said afterward. “I’ll do about anything to make them smile and laugh. Kissing a pig totally worked for them to bring in more money.” Paraeducator and PTA member Kay Forbush said it’s part the idea and part the person involved that makes it successful. “It’s different and the kids are having fun,” she said. “The kids love animals and the principal hams it up for this and it’s a winning combination for them.” PTA member Robyn Ivins said Zimmerman has sung karaoke in front of the school to inspire students, and former principal Yvonne Pearson played the part of a superhero who was locked up in her office unless students met a reading goal, she’s walked the plank, and even had honey poured on her head before adding Honey Nut Cheerios to inspire students. “They’re willing to have fun and it sets the mood of the school so the students are more willing to become involved,” she said. Two years ago, Liberty Elementary Principal Jill Burnside and members of her staff in Murray School District allowed students to turn them into ice cream sundaes, complete with syrup, sprinkles and whipping cream after a successful fun run fundraiser. Last spring, students raised more than $15,000 to make the school have a 1:1 ratio

of Chromebooks and technology. Their additional motivation? Watching faculty and staff in a food fight. “It was fun to watch all the teachers grab food and throw it,” said now third-grader Samantha Boss. “It got us wanting to do well to see that the teachers would do a real silly thing for us.” Often PTA presidents and members are involved in either the motivation idea or in taking part. At Edgemont Elementary in Sandy, the top incentive for the fun run was to take silly string to Principal Cathy Schino, said Jeannine Cardenaz, who is the fundraising chair along with Katherine Wojnowski. “We wanted something fun and unique, but not mean,” Cardenaz said. “Everyone loves silly string so it was perfect. It definitely helps when we tell students that the principal is willing to do something fun. They get excited and really motivated.” Schino took the silly string in stride, even dancing around after being decorated with it. “It’s very fun, soft, gooey and slippery, which made it fun to dance,” she said Nov. 5. Sandy’s Park Lane Principal Justin Jeffery used his Texas background to ride a mechanical bull to celebrate his students reaching $18,000, which in addition to supporting several PTA activities, also will go to support teachers with supplies to reduce the amount of out-of-pocket costs they incur, he said. “Riding a bull for them is a fun celebration of their achievement, but it’s also an interactive opportunity for them to see me and faculty do something to honor them,” he said, adding that he has been duct-taped to a wall, slept on a roof, had his hair temporarily dyed and taken a pie in the face. “I stopped doing the pie when one girl said ‘even though you said it’s OK, I don’t want to pie you.’ We want it to be fun for them without being humiliating or unsafe.” However, what might not work at one school works for another. Elk Meadows Principal Aaron Ichimura, in South Jordan, allowed students to throw pies, the sixth annual motivator, after the students raised more than $20,000. “He’s the best principal,” PTA President Dara Evans said. “He’s so engaged and the kids love him. He is motivated to make each of them feel special, even singing happy birthday to them on his ukulele.” Evans said there are several incentive levels for students, but the whipping cream pies are entertaining and don’t cost much money, so they don’t “eat up the profit.” Another inexpensive reward for students is sleeping on the roof, which Ridgecrest Principal Julie Winfree and PTA President Marci Cardon did at the Cottonwood Heights school this fall. “I talked to other principals who have

done it and got the idea of sending down a bucket so students could write notes to us,” she said. “We read those by flashlight that night and they were the cutest notes. The kids had such a great time doing that. We even ordered pizza and when it was delivered, it was sent up in the bucket.” Ridgecrest students raised about $30,000 from their fun run that paid for a new sound system, helping the school get to 1:1 on technology in addition to helping pay for field trips, class parties and before- and after-school programs. “I think they were excited that we were sleeping on their roof,” Winfree said. “If a principal is more willing to do something, then they’re more willing to do their part.” At Alta View Elementary in Sandy, Principal Scott Jameson allowed students to create him into an ice cream sundae and he had fun with it, wearing a mask, snorkel and flippers. Alta View parent Christa Nielsen appreciates the effort. “It shows kids that principals are involved in the schools and want to help them be successful,” she said. “They want them to be motivated.” Second-grader Brooklyn McRae was excited. “I was so excited for him,” she said. “He got really messy with lots of confetti and whipping cream and the red syrup.” Jameson said he didn’t mind. “I’m up for anything crazy because I really believe it helps a ton,” he said. Jameson is true to his word. In the past, students have painted his car, ridden a unicycle dressed as a clown, been slimed, been duct-taped to a wall, eaten bugs and taken a pie to his face. “It’s all pretty good, and it helps get the majority of students reading, learning, or doing well at their fundraisers,” he said. “And that’s what we’re here for, helping students be successful.” l

Alta View Principal Scott Jameson says he will do about anything to motivate his students, including becoming an ice cream sundae. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Sandy City Journal

How a special friendship changed two Alta Hawks seniors’ lives By Jennifer Gardiner | j.gardiner@mycityjournals.com

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t has been a long three years for Alta High School senior Hanna Duncan. She has eagerly awaited the chance to be in the school’s Dancing with the Hawks competition. By the time the opportunity came, this teen didn’t just get her wish, she also helped change the life of her best friend in the process. Hanna, 17, is a member of the Alta ballroom team, and has had a special friendship with fellow senior Bennett Davis, 17, since their sophomore year. One that turned out to be life-changing for both of them. “I was in the special needs seminary class when I met Bennett and he changed my life,” Hanna said. “His sweet words and funny sayings taught me a lot that year.” It didn’t take long before the two became best friends. Hanna said on the first day of her junior year her teacher announced that she still needed a tutor for a student in a foods class. “I immediately thought of Bennett and raised my hand to see which student it was,” Hanna said. “It was Bennett! I was so excited to work with him. I loved cooking with him and laughing together when he would try foods he didn’t like so much, and helping him make a cookbook of all his favorites from the year.” Julie Duncan, Hanna’s mom, said after the foods class, they took yoga together and

had a lot of fun and laughed a lot trying all the different poses. “I think one of the things that stands out to me as I look back and reflect on Hanna’s time in high school, it can be such a roller coaster of emotions,” Julie Duncan said. “There can be drama and ups and downs for a lot of the high school students and as Hanna went through some of these hard times, one of the things that got her through was her relationship with Bennett.” Julie Duncan said the relationship was always constant, never really changing, and happy. “When things were hard, either a class she had to take or a situation at school, she always looked forward to seeing Bennett and being his peer tutor,” Julie Duncan said. “I think their friendship has been such a huge blessing to her and her high school career.” Hanna said she has been waiting for the opportunity to perform during the competition that is only held once a year. It has the feel of “Dancing with the Stars” and gives dancers a chance to perform, and compete, in front of their friends and family. “I have been wanting to do this with him for three years but he needed to be a senior,” Hanna said. “We picked the song ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ for our Foxtrot because of his love of airplanes and anything in the sky; I’m so

grateful for this sweet friend of mine.” After two months of practice, the two stepped onto the stage in their sophisticated jazz-style attire, their bright smiles and the support of the entire audience. The judges were especially fond of the two and loved their performance. The pair received one of the highest scores of the night. “I just thought this was so cute. You have the greatest smile, I just love that,” said one of the judges. “You just looked like you were enjoying yourselves so much out there.“ The two also got another chance to perform during the Alta High School Christmas assembly held a few days later. The two explained how their friendship has blossomed over the years, and how much it means to both of them. For Bennett, however, it is apparent how much he admires his best friend and cherishes their relationship. “I have known Hanna since my sophomore year,” Bennett said. “Not as a freshman, cause I didn’t know her at the time. I am glad to have her as my ballroom partner.” When asked about how he thought the performance went, Bennett replied with a huge smile, “She looks so cute,” Bennett said. “And she is a good dancer to me and my little princess.” l

Bennett and Hanna after the performance. (Photo courtesy Shana Davis)

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February 2019 | Page 13

Students welcome kindness campaigns in schools By Julie Slama | Julie@mycityjournals.com

Edgemont Elementary held its Look for the Good campaign to help students become positive and express gratitude. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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hen identical twins Lucy and Ellis Herring created the video “Rise Up” as sixth-graders last year, little did they know their entire student body in middle school would be watching it. The video inspires students to “rise up” above bullies and negativity and to show kindness. “It is just amazing and impactful,” PTSA adviser Julia Simmons said. “The students in the video had different demeaning labels on their arms. The message was so powerful. Even as an adult, I feel at times there are labels on my arms, as other adults can be unkind or make me feel insignificant.” That video helped kick off a yearlong school theme, “Rise Up.” “We wanted to bring positivity to our school and awareness that oftentimes, people feel alone and need to feel connected,” Simmons said, adding that student leaders welcomed students to school, giving them high-fives. Simmons said oftentimes those who aren’t included can struggle with anxiety, depression, drugs or other issues. “I see the world changing with the internet and social media. There’s a lot more bullying on sites than we realize and students are connecting to those on their phones, not to each other. Often, if people are depressed, anxious or nervous, they’ll pull out their phones and isolate themselves more. We need them to connect in the present, to become a friend, to talk to people in a conversation, not on Snapchat,” she said.

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South Jordan Middle is one of several schools that is introducing kindness campaigns at its school to welcome, connect and include students so they don’t feel isolated or anxious, which experts say can lead to destructive behaviors. However, South Jordan Middle didn’t stop with just watching the video. Students set personal goals by completing the sentence, “I will rise up by.” Simmons said the notes then were posted to spell out “Rise Up.” “We had students write that they will rise up by being kinder, by stopping bullying, by eating fruits and vegetables and more,” she said. That week, as throughout the year, students completed bingo cards that tied into the year-round theme as well as monthly focuses. In February, the focus was set to be Kindness Week. “It’s something we’ve done the past few years instead of Valentine’s week,” student body adviser Annelise Baggett said. “It’s after winter break, when there are few breaks in school and it’s not an exciting time and the weather is dark. Then right in the middle of it, kids are showing that people care and they can get through it all together. Kids can struggle with self-worth, especially this time of year, and in middle school when they are questioning who they are and want to be. Instead of going to social media for validation, Kindness Week connects them and helps form friendships.” Baggett said student leaders are motivated to connect with others through lunchtime

activities, service projects and mini-lessons that are given to their homerooms. The activities include students posting notes in the hall of kind acts their peers are doing. “It delivers a big message when friends are noticing kindness at school, in the community in our homes,” she said. “Our big focus will be to connect with others and get them involved. We tell students the more you share your talent and help out others, the more validated you are and better you feel.” At nearby Bingham High, the largest student club is one where everyone is welcome: the Golden Gate Club. It first began as a club where all students felt accepted and welcomed and now is expanding to other schools in the area as well as the nation. “Our theme is to ‘make someone’s day, every day,’ whether it’s smiling and saying hi or doing a simple act of kindness. It’s become a turning point for so many kids’ lives,” said school hall monitor Jo Ward, who helped start the Golden Gate Club two years ago. “It’s not an anti-bullying or anti-gang club, but a pro-social club that helps kids be included and accepted, which is what kids want.” Ward said that with a large school, students can be “lost in the cracks, so we don’t want them to feel alone.” Student members receive daily text messages, eat together at lunch and make sure everyone has someone to attend after-school activities with as well as help with school events. “We want everyone to feel like their family and other kids have their back. We see the difference — everyone watching out for

one another. It’s changing the culture of our school,” she said. West Hills Middle in West Jordan added aspects of the club into its existing Be the Change program. “We’ve incorporated Golden Gate’s pledge and principles suited for middle school students as well as the practice to reach out and befriend another into the Be the Change program,” assistant principal Mike Hughes said, adding that last year they also incorporate five-minute mini-lessons into their curriculum. “Middle school and high school students want to belong, and with the support of their peers, it will help them determine success for their rest of their life and give them a positive outlook.” In the Daybreak community, Daybreak Elementary students also are taking part in a yearlong kindness push. Fresh off of being awarded a $500 Stand for Children grant for the national Middle School Kindness Challenge last spring, students are continuing to give positive messages of kindness throughout the school, said Wendy Babcock, who heads the school’s faculty kindness committee. “We need to teach kindness, and if we start with the young ones, they can teach the rest of us,” she said. “Schools need to teach it now. There are so many pressures that this generation has with technology that didn’t exist, so now we’re needing to teach them how to connect and show they care about each other, which they don’t get on Snapchat or texting. Students may be bullied, feel sad

Sandy City Journal

or isolated and those feelings can lead to further acting out or anxiety and mental health issues. Kids need to learn and practice how to play and make friends away from technology, and they need to learn kindness.” Daybreak began with Start with Hello, a weeklong program that addresses those concerns. Parents of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting victims introduced the program: “Social isolation is a growing epidemic in the United States and within our schools. In fact, one study reports that chronic loneliness increases our risk of an early death by 14 percent. Furthermore, young people who are isolated can become victims of bullying, violence, and/or depression. As a result, many pull further away from society, struggle with learning and social development and/or choose to hurt themselves or others. Start with Hello teaches students the skills they need to reach out to and include those who may be dealing with chronic social isolation and create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school.” The concept of the program teaches students that when they see someone alone, they can reach out and help simply by saying hello. “We had students invite others to recess, play on the playground and sit by new people at lunch. There was great effort to start new friendships,” Babcock said. “It also has helped as new kids move into the school; they’re making sure they are included and aren’t standing around.” In the late fall, the student council created challenges and posted them on flyers around the school. The Choose Kind challenge allowed students to tear them off and initiate the step of being kind and building a sense of community, she said. That then went into the next phase of the kindness campaign, where students identified each other performing random kind acts and wrote them on paper light bulbs. Then, students posted those on a paper tree in each grade level’s pod, allowing students to “light

our school with kindness.” “The faculty and staff spontaneously started writing down those they saw of each and started a light bulb chain around the office that then spread into all these trees full of lights. Identifying kindness really made a difference for our entire school,” she said. Currently, Daybreak students are performing 100 acts of kindness and promoting the phrase “when you see something, say something” into one of positivity and kindness. They also plan to take part in the same kindness challenge this spring. In White City, Bell View Elementary school psychologist intern Danielle Rigby introduced Start with Hello week in the fall since she was new to the school and trying to meet all the students. She used ice-breaker games and incorporated the campaign into their structured recess program. “We talked about being kind, being a friend and had students pledge they would say hello or make new friends,” she said. “Students would stop in the hallway, introduce themselves and use key words at recess and lunch. Seeing their kindness was really impactful.” The students also wore green, the program’s color, to show their support of being kind. As a reminder of their pledge, this spring Rigby plans to distribute green silicone bracelets that say, “Start with Hello.” She also is looking into getting the school a buddy bench, where students can invite those sitting on it to play at recess. “All schools need to have a kindness program,” Rigby said. “Initially, this all started from school shootings, but now kids need it. People are more inclined to internalize everything as it’s not as easy to look up around them or step out from themselves to show empathy. But this is teaching students the first step to show kindness when they see someone alone. We need this kind of positive uplifting.” At nearby Edgemont Elementary, students, faculty and staff all took part in

Bell View Elementary students display messages and pictures of kindness and hope during their Start with Hello week. (Photo courtesy of Bell View Elementary)

what was expected to be a 10-day Look for the Good campaign, but with sticky notes of compliments filling bulletin boards, they remained up for months. The national campaign was created by kids for kids and was led by the school’s student council. “The program teaches that everyone can respect one another and answer the question ‘what makes me grateful?’” Principal Cathy Schino said. “It’s an important question because it opens up your heart and shifts your thinking to others. It tells us to avoid that crabby voice inside that tells us we aren’t good enough.” Students also took turns standing on circles that asked, “What makes you grateful?” to share with others how someone made an impact on their lives and how they can help make a difference. “This gives them extra confidence to share, say something positive and be thankful,” first-grade teacher Joyce Acosta said. A first-grader in her class, Kody Brinkeroff, spoke up at the kick-off assembly that he felt safe and was grateful “because there are no bullies that do mean things to anyone at our school.” They also passed along cards that said “you matter” and shared the microphone at morning meetings talking about the positivity in their lives. Schino likes the shift in attitude to focus on gratitude. “If you look for the bad, we can always find it, but when we look for the good, and retrain ourselves to do that, then we can find that and lift ourselves up and give students the tools to lift up others.” Student council adviser LuAnn Hill said it helps to create a more caring environment. “It makes school a better place to be, with students showing kindness and expressing their gratitude,” she said. Last spring, after the Parkland, Florida shootings, Butler Middle School students wanted to show they cared, more than take Edgemont Elementary held its Look for the Good campaign to help students become positive and express part in the one-day protest, school librarian gratitude. (Julie Slama/City Journals) Jennifer VanHaaften said.

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After seeing a Facebook post about doing 17 acts of kindness, Butler students jumped on board to pledge to build a positive sense of community at the Cottonwood Heights school. Then, they participated in random acts of kindness. “We saw a group of girls post uplifting notes on the lockers of 900-plus students. Kids introduced themselves to new friends and sat together at lunch. They were giving smiles and high-fives. Middle school can be a hard time for some students and our students brought a positive light to our school,” VanHaaften said last spring. At nearby Union Middle School in Sandy, the kindness effort began by a student who realized positivity was needed, said Principal Kelly Tauteoli. “She got it going, just by putting sticky notes on lockers,” she said. That evolved into the school’s third annual Kindness Week during March 25–29. In the past, students have posted compliments about each other on the windows, provided service, said hello to others in the hallways and around school and continued with the sticky note campaign. “I think it’s life skills that schools learn through academics, but students also are members of the community and they need to understand we all have differences and need to work through conflicts and learn life skills that create a safer, welcoming environment that is kind,” Tauteoli said. Alta High Principal Brian McGill agrees. “We need to have a climate where students feel a connection with one another and the school with kindness, caring and compassion,” he said. Both the annual Kindness Week and the introduction the past few years of the Hope Squad and Link Crew have helped to make the Hawk community more welcoming, McGill said. “We’ve worked hard to create a positive culture where students find support and look out for each other.” l

February 2019 | Page 15

High school students learn gratitude, lend hand to community organizations By Julie Slama | Julie@mycityjournals.com

Alta High students supported Draper Park kindergartner William Burton in his wish to go to Hawaii as their winter fundraiser with Make-a-Wish Foundation. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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shy 5-year-old boy sat on his mother’s lap upon a throne, the center of attention of 2,300 Alta High School students. Draper Park kindergartner William Burton, who was diagnosed with leukemia one year ago in January, already has undergone monthly treatments that have included steroids and chemotherapy. He was the face of Alta High’s effort to grant wishes to children at the Make-a-Wish Foundation. High school students across the Salt Lake Valley reached out to community organizations this winter season to bring them joy and help, and at the same time, became grateful for what they have. William, the youngest child of Chris and Julie Burton, both who graduated from Alta, likes to play goalie in soccer and loves being buried in the sand. His wish is to go to Hawaii where he hopes to see sea turtles and dolphins. “This is a life-changer for him, for all of us,” Burton said. “There are so many people who are reaching out, giving us support. It definitely lightens our spirits.” At the final assembly, which carried a Hawaiian theme, and students as well as Will’s family were taught a hula dance, Alta students learned the first high school to ever reach out to Make-a-Wish was theirs. “We love helping Make-a-Wish,” senior class vice president Braque Bunkall said. “We love children; they are so kind, sweet and loving. Will makes this more relatable for us so we can see the impact we’re making.” Bunkall said that through a variety of activities, from pingpong and spike ball tournaments to selling hot chocolate and perform-

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ing odd jobs, students have helped donate funds earmarked for Make-a-Wish. As of press deadline, students raised $20,000, enough money to not only support Will, but also the wishes of four other children, with two more events to be held, said Principal Brian McGill. Nearby Jordan High reached out to help the Utah Refugee Center, as did students at Brighton High in Cottonwood Heights. Jordan High senior and student body officer over spirit Jeddy Bennett said they wanted to help answer a need. “We saw there was a need to help these people who have a lot less,” he said. “The Utah Refugee Center says there are 65,000 refugees in Utah and we have some at Jordan. They are humble about their situation and appreciate everything. We realize we have a lot more than they do.” To help raise funds for them, Bennett took part in several activities that were offered, from spike ball to Smash Brothers tournaments or donating money to watch a holiday movie. Students also performed odd jobs, which was new this year, to raise funds through service. Many students shoveled snow from driveways, washed windows, wrapped presents, helped with organizing a book about family history, cleaned and did whatever chores to “show students care about those around them and want to be helpful.” Bennett felt the generosity of the community when he took a neighbor’s car to the carwash and found a sizeable donation for the effort. “I was very surprised when I received a $100 bill, but then there was another one folded inside. My mouth dropped to the

floor,” he said. There were “dash for cash” activities, where students could earn a free hour-long lunch if they raised $1,000 in 20 minutes, which they were able to do a couple times. Jordan students also challenged — and lost — to the faculty in a basketball game. “We didn’t let them win,” Bennett said. “People would pay to change the course of the game, so someone could make a donation and we couldn’t play defense, or no student government players could play.” That game alone raised $3,500 of the $15,238 the students donated, the most the school has raised in at least the past seven years, according to senior Gwen Christopherson, who is the student body vice president of service. “This is amazing for us,” she said. “I am so proud. We have students who aren’t as well off as some schools, but they were giving what they could.” Christopherson said $12,000 was given to the refugees, and with the remainder, student body officers, along with Latinos-in-Action, purchased food for Midvale students, who may not have much during the winter break. “It was cool to see that through this fundraiser, we had more kids become involved and come together because they wanted to help. We learned to be grateful for what we have,” she said. Brighton High students not only raised funds, but also decided to provide needed items for refugees, said junior Grace Bunker, who said the junior class brought soap and razors for the hygiene kits. “We exceeded our goal,” she said, add-

ing that through her church, she has done activities to welcome refugees. “It was a good cause because we have a lot of refugees in Utah.” Brighton students made 320 hygiene kits and gave more than 3,000 extra supplies and more than $9,000 to the Utah Refugee Center. In addition, student leaders would give service to various community groups to celebrate the student body serving the refugees. The service ranged from helping adults with disabilities and providing socks to the homeless to caroling or playing bingo at a senior center to helping with the Burrito Project and at the Utah Food Bank. “We wanted to not only make a difference, but to make a connection to our community,” said senior and student body vice president Kaitlyn Newitt. “We really feel that by providing service, as well as money and items, it is a more satisfying contribution to our community.” Utah Refugee Center volunteer Katie Graham thanked the students, saying their personal connection made the difference. “We’re thrilled at their participation with the refugees and our community,” she said. “They were able to deliver and bring the kits and support them at a Christmas event. They understood their need and helped to answer it.” Principal Tom Sherwood said he appreciated students being involved in the community. “It’s important that their focus becomes more community-minded and learn to give back at an early age,” he said. “They did a great job of becoming proactive and coming

Sandy City Journal

together to impact the local community.” Murray High students reached out to several organizations through the coordinating efforts of the student leaders. Working together with Latinos-in-Action, Gay/Straight Alliance and cheerleaders, student government leaders involved students in several service activities, including writing letters to Utah and California firefighters, organizing and holding a party for children at the Boys and Girls Club in Murray and teaming up with the shop students to create blocks to donate to Primary Children’s Hospital, said student body officer adviser Jessica Garrett. A year-long project, under the direction of Murray High’s Peer Leadership Team (PLT), has been to include all clubs and groups on campus to raise money for Utah Health and Human Rights. Through schoolwide efforts, thus far, they have raised $685, including working together with the soccer team to hold a bake sale that made $200, said PLT adviser Kim Parkinson. Nearby Cottonwood High students raised $6,500 to support the Salt Lake Valley Emergency Fund (SLVEF), a nonprofit organization that works with victims of violent crimes and domestic violence. “We did this by having a winter charity assembly where different talents performed, we auctioned off dates with our SBOs and cutting locks of hair from a student who has grown out his hair for over a year,” said adviser Amy Thomas. The winter charity assembly included performances from the dance company, jazz musicians, vocal duets, a solo bagpipe performance, Latinos-in-Action dancers and a male drill team. Students also donated decorated trees

that were purchased during the school’s musical and at the scrimmage basketball game, and a competition was held where donations were collected during the students’ first-period class. Thomas said the local organization was chosen because it educated students about what the organization is and how it benefits the community. “We like the money raised by our students to have in impact on people of our community,” she said. “(When) the director spoke to the students at the assembly and I think a lot of them really had their eyes opened as to what was going on. We also had a former victim of sexual abuse speak to the students and relate her experience with trauma and the lack of support she had while going through it. The SLVEF could have been a huge help to her and her family had it been around during her abuse.” In Midvale, Hillcrest High students raised more than $19,000, their highest ever, for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, an illness that has affected some students and faculty members and their families. One of those is teacher and coach Natalie Moss, who was diagnosed days after she was born, said student body activities officer Tammie Tan. “She gave us a presentation and told us the life expectancy for someone with CF is about 38 years old,” Tan said. “Here she is wanting to do so much with her life and having goals. It really touched us. It made us aware if we have the opportunity to help someone and donate to a good cause, we should be grateful we are able to do it.” Tan, who participated in the dodgeball tournament and ate dog food to help raise money, said many students got involved in this year’s activities after learning about the disease and how it had impacted their school community. Her classmate and student body treasurer Sydney Larsen said the all-day assembly started with raising $400 in the first hour and built upon each hour until it ended with $1,000. Students took part in activities from eating pies to licking peanut butter off of plexiglass. The annual favorite was donating money to save or shave classmates’ hair, said Larsen, who participated in the eat or wear mustard and mayonnaise activity. “We did these things to help raise and appreciate every dollar,” she said. Other activities included Hillcrest Idol; an auction where several businesses supported their efforts, donating items such as nail salon coupons, sunglasses and chocolate; and the drill team versus dance company basketball game where students could pay to change the outcome of the game. “At one point the drill team was playing on their knees and the SBOs subbed in for them. We broke so many basketball rules, but it was possibly the best fun I’ve had at HillBingham High School students brought in food items crest,” Larsen said. “Even while having fun, and then assembled snack kits for the Jordan Education Foundation’s principals’ pantries. (Photo courte- we were able to instill a connection with our community and to work together for a comsy of Bingham High)

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mon goal, to give to a cause.” In South Jordan, Bingham High students raised money through their annual holiday fundraiser, True Blue, for the Starlight Foster Program, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Jordan Education Foundation (JEF), which helped to benefit principals’ pantries. “We chose to work with these groups because they are all local and right here in our community,” student body officer of service Ashlee Webb said. “True Blue is all about coming together as a school and a student body to do things that are bigger than us for the good of others.” Students raised the donations through door-to-door service nicknamed squad jobs, admission charged to their talent show, Mr. True Blue pageant, pay-to-play improv show, Zumbathon and True Blue dance tickets, as well as various activities held at lunch time. True Blue T-shirt sale proceeds also were earmarked to benefit their causes, she said. Webb said students wanted to help the Starlight Foster Program that works with local foster children and families to ensure safe family connections, as well as Make-AWish, where they helped a 3-year-old boy, who lives in South Jordan. “Because of everyone’s hard work, we were able to grant his wish of going to the theme parks in Florida,” Webb said. Students all pitched in to bring in a specific list of food items to go into weekend and snack kits for the principals’ pantries, she said, adding that Bingham was able to make more than 5,000 snack kits. “There is a principal’s pantry in every school in the district. It is a place where students can go who may not know where their next meal is coming from,” Webb said. “As a student body, with the help of the JEF, we were able to assemble over $21,000 worth of kits for the pantries on our school-wide Day of Service, held on Dec. 21. We also raised over $53,000 in physical monetary donations and 6,050 service hours as a school.” Corner Canyon High School students didn’t set a monetary goal this winter season to help others with the Tyler Robinson Foundation, said student body president Luke Warnock. “We just wanted people to give,” he said. “We know at Corner Canyon many of us live in a wealthy community, so we wanted to encourage students to give of ourselves what we can give, if it’s time or $3 or things, to benefit those who need help.” Money was collected from activities such as the students’ ugly sweater dance and a pingpong tournament, as well as raising money through performing odd jobs in the community, he said. Senior and student body audo/visual officer Julia Tolk said students raked leaves, did dishes, watched children and hauled boxes to the trash during the busiest month of the year for many people. “It was so hard to fit it in our schedules

at this time of year, but so worth it,” she said. “It ended up being fun and rewarding.” There also was a yard sale in the commons and student leaders auctioned off tickets to Utah Jazz games and to the Imagine Dragons concert. Instead of one huge goal for students to reach as a reward for earning a certain amount of money, Tolk said they had several levels they could achieve, such as raise $15,000 to watch a movie in the commons, $30,000 to have the teachers switch spots teaching or $60,000 to get a school pet fish. “People were excited to get a fish and name it,” Tolk said. The money then would be donated to the Tyler Robinson Foundation, a foundation set up by a Brighton High parents in honor of their son who died of cancer, to help support pediatric cancer patients and their families. Principal Darrell Jensen said it has been two years in a row the school has donated to the Tyler Robinson Foundation. “They can see the value in it, how they are able to touch their lives,” he said. “It brings this close to home.” Not until the final assembly were the students made aware of their progress: $77,562.08, surpassing last year’s efforts of $63,000. “People were crying, feeling good they helped so much,” Tolk said. “It was just amazing.” Adults also pitched in this holiday season. For example, at Canyons School District, employees and others donated about $10,000 through a silent auction and donation drive benefitting students and families residing at The Road Home homeless shelter in Midvale. The money will be used to provide students with services and supports that aren’t covered by federal funding. Murray Board of Education member Glo Merrill was contacted by adults who lived in Draper who wanted to donate to students. They were joined by a neighborhood in Murray, Walden Hills, that decided not to give neighbor gifts this year, but instead bring warmth and joy to children, she said about the grassroots effort. “I thought that was nice and suggested they bring coats, thinking we may get about 10 to help children at Parkside, one of our Title I schools,” Merrill said. “We ended up with 110 coats. It was more than I ever imagined.” Merrill said that with the help of Murray Fire Department, the coats as well as some clothing and boots, were from children’s sizes to size adult extra large. Not only did Merrill and others help sort and distribute them at Parkside, but they also decided to share with women and children at The Road Home. “You cannot imagine how much a coat can help these children. One little girl put one on and said, ‘I look beautiful. I’m a princess,’” she said. “It’s remarkable how people in the (Salt Lake) Valley and our city are willing to come together to help give. It made me so happy.” l

February 2019 | Page 17

Alta High changing Sandy neighborhood skyline By Julie Slama | Julie@mycityjournals.com

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Construction already is under way on Alta High’s new performing arts center, which is being added to the 40-year-old school. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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y this time next year, Alta High’s stand-alone performing arts center should be completed. The 1,400-seat auditorium, being built on the northwest corner of the 27-acre campus, already has exterior walls in progress that rise above the height of the current 40-year-old school. “The construction crew is doing the stage area now and by summer, they’ll be working on the interior,” Principal Brian McGill said, adding that the exterior will be red and gray with a glass facade. “The inside will have a dark gray composite and will look like a nest. We’re already nicknaming it the ‘Hawks Nest.’” Alta High is undergoing an approximate $49 million expansion that includes the performing arts center, which McGill fondly refers to as a “crown jewel.” Canyons School District Business Manager and Chief Financial Officer Leon Wilcox said drywall, framing, plumbing, mechanical and electrical are expected this spring on the auditorium, the most expensive portion of the construction project. “The auditorium alone costs about $30 million,” he said, adding that crews are making good progress and it is on schedule. Construction is made possible with the voters’ 2017 approval of the $283 million bond, which also will include new school buildings at Hillcrest High, Brighton High, Union Middle, Midvalley and Peruvian Park elementaries, a new West Draper Elementary, a new White City elementary as well as classroom and lunchroom additions at Corner Canyon High. The construction also includes a fieldhouse north of the football stadium. The fieldhouse, which crews already broke ground on, will serve most sports, drill team, marching band and physical education classes, McGill said. The facility will have a second-level gallery with windows facing the football field so patrons can support the Hawks in the warmth as well as have restrooms closer to the stadium and an indoor concession stand.

“It’s an A-frame warehouse look, with turf and netting around the perimeter in the interior. It should be done by late summer,” he said. There will be changes with the interior of the school, which start mid-year next school year, Wilcox said. He said the bid process was to get under way in February 2019. “We won’t begin the interior until winter 2020, after the auditorium is done in the performing arts center,” he said. The current auditorium, which only seats 730 students of the 2,300 enrolled at the school, will be altered to become a smaller venue for theater productions, McGill said. Several offices and classrooms will be relocated, including the main office being moved next to the main entrance, the ceiling in the commons area being raised 35 feet, a green room will be added for video broadcast, and windows will be added for more natural light. A security entrance will guide visitors to the main office before they can gain access to the hallways. “It has all been well planned so students won’t see a disruption to classes this school year,” McGill said. “Most of the community is witnessing the biggest physical changes this year, but students may be impacted more next year with the changes in the commons and interior.” McGill said that with the northwest parking lot demolished, spaces were added to the west lot. The buses now drop off and pick up on the north side of the campus. “In reality, we will gain more parking once construction is completed. In the meantime, there is street parking, where allowed, and we made arrangements with the Church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) on 11100 South to use their parking lot, especially for events,” he said. “These changes — a full-blown fieldhouse and stadium concessions, a black box theater and a crown jewel performing arts center — will give our students the greatest opportunities. Being an alum of Alta, the community deserves this transition from the two-story brick school built to serve students in the 1970s.” l

Sandy City Journal

“Giving to her made me feel clean”

Motivational speaker tells Alta students they can be happy—by giving things away By Julie Slama | Julie@mycityjournals.com

Life coach and motivational speaker Todd Sylvester tells students, “Everything you think you need, you already have it.” (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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odd Sylvester stood in front of Alta High’s students and admitted, “There was a time I didn’t want to be alive.” That captured the attention of slouching teens right before the winter break, which Alta High Principal Brian McGill had hoped for when he brought in the Brighton High graduate turned life coach and motivational speaker to share his story of discovery to lead an inspired life. “When I was in seventh grade, I looked funny and thought I’d never have a girlfriend,” Sylvester said. “I felt like people always were talking behind my back and that negative voice kept increasing.” Although he had hopes of playing professional basketball, Sylvester fell into the wrong crowd and tried marijuana. “I was told it would help and I fell in love with it,” he said. Fast forward to high school where Sylvester did make the Brighton High team, leading the stat board in every category two of his three years. “I was an alcoholic, a drug addict and had suicidal thoughts, but I was still playing ball. I was known as a partier and that was my validation. A week after the season, I had a full-ride scholarship to play basketball and go to college,” he said.

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However, halfway into the summer practices, the college coach told him he was pathetic and had “walk-ons that want the scholarship and to play more than you.” “Here I was, having shot baskets for two hours every day since sixth grade and I had my scholarship stripped away. The thought of suicide became more so. A friend reached out and that helped me reset my course. Never underestimate the power of a friend,” Sylvester told the students. Fast forward again to his return to Sandy, where he was driving past a lemonade stand on Newcastle Drive. “I saw a seventh-grade girl selling lemonade on a sunny Saturday,” he said. “I stopped and decided to give her the change I had in my car. I had her hold out her hands and I gave her nine scoops of change. She ran in the house and was crying so hard. It really hit me. Before I didn’t care about anything but me. The drugs had cheated and manipulated me. I felt like I finally had made a difference in someone’s life. The next Saturday, I returned and the next Saturday and every Saturday for two and one-half months. Giving to her made me feel clean and that I was helping someone,” he said. That was 29 years ago and he said those actions became a life-changer for him.

“I learned then that there is nothing wrong with you and everything you think you need, you already have it,” Sylvester said. “And if you want to be happy, give it away. Even if you are sad or depressed, you get back happiness when you give it to someone else. It’s so simple, but many of us don’t get it.” Sylvester said he reaches out to students from his alma mater to high schools around the Salt Lake Valley and even to students in detention and in the prison. “Nobody has told them that the greatest truth is that there is nothing wrong with you. I’ve seen 70 youth in orange jumpsuits in tears with that realization. Everything they need, they already have,” he said. Sylvester said he hopes his message changes the culture and students can stop listening to their own negativity and seeing problems being so big. That realization, he said, may help students realize they are OK. “As a coach, I’m doing what my friend, Rich Saunders, did for me — reaching out at a critical time to help them realize it’s not insurmountable,” he said, adding that Saunders is “blown away” that Sylvester made his career out of the help he gave as a friend. And the girl — Lindy Davis — selling lemonade? She first bought a trampoline with

his handfuls of change and now is his publicist for his speaking engagements, reminding him how helping someone can make an impact, he said. And basketball? He plays “cutthroat with my son and son-in-law and shoot around in the side yard,” but he never played organized ball after he red-shirted at Dixie State College. “I would not have known what I know today if it hadn’t been for the coach who cut me or for the friend who reached out. It turned my life around and I hope I can get that message to students today,” he said. Junior Rachel Medina said his talk motivated her to connect more with others through kindness. “It’s an important time to be selfless and have the human connectiveness,” she said. “I want to remind them to be happy and focus on what he said.” Classmate Elizabeth Bachman said that by being positive and joyous, it may make a positive impact on the Alta community. “Just by showing people you love them or saying hi may just make someone’s day in a way you don’t know,” she said. l

February 2019 | Page 19

Sandy City Council veteran won’t be seeking reelection

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A map of the four districts in Sandy. District 4 will see a new council member next year; incumbent Chris McCandless will not seek reelection. (Map courtesy Sandy City)

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ongtime Sandy City Councilman Chris McCandless announced he will not be seeking reelection this year. McCandless announced his decision during the Sandy City Council’s Jan. 8 meeting. “It has been a privilege to serve with and for the city, but on December 31, 2019 that will be my last day serving Sandy City as a city councilman. I will not seek reelection,” he read from a prepared statement he delivered at the podium. McCandless, who has been on the city council for over a decade, said he chose to make the announcement early in the year so “those who might be interested in running for the District 4 seat have enough time to consider, plan and execute a dignified, informative and issue-oriented campaign.” The soon-to-be-open seat represents Sandy’s fourth district, which comprises the southeast section of the city and is by far the largest district in terms of land area. A full map of the city’s district boundaries can be found at sandy.utah.gov. Residents within the fourth district will have several months to consider a

run for the vacated seat. According to the utah.gov elections page, the declaration of candidacy period for the 2019 municipal elections runs from June 2–7. McCandless shared two reasons for his decision to not seek reelection. First, he said he wants to use his last remaining “viable working years” focusing on other areas. Secondly, he pointed to a culture of contentiousness that he said has formed within the Sandy City Council within the last two years. “Often the negative statements have been personal, rather than issue oriented, and in many cases, uninformed or categorically false,” McCandless said. “Such negative statements become a small rock in the ‘backpack’ of every elected official that he or she gets to carry — 24/7.” He also drew a parallel to rising incivility at the national level and urged “a return to civility and respect.” The Sandy Journal will highlight Councilman McCandless’ accomplishments while in office later this year. l

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Page 20 | February 2019

Sandy City Journal

Elementary students explore future career possibilities By Julie Slama | Julie@mycityjournals.com

At East Sandy Elementary, students listen to The Home Depot Assistant Manager Pan Ylincheta as part of their Career Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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hile students learned what a realtor or a geologist does, they also were learning the underlying message about getting good grades and upon high school graduation, being college and career ready, said a Canyons School District coordinator. “Career Day is a hit for every elementary in our district,” Careet and Technical Education (CTE) District Coordinator Patti Larken said. “They learn about key people in our community for emergencies, communication or those who make an impact and they may not even realize it. At the same time, they’re discovering what these people need to know to be successful and that their learning began in school.” Both East Sandy and Granite elementaries held their Career Day Dec. 7, each featuring about 20 speakers, many of them parents, who outlined what they do, who they help and what they needed to learn to enter their profession. “We have parents speak for about 15

minutes at four classrooms,” Work-Based Learning Aide Pat Wetzel said at East Sandy Elementary. “They speak on different careers from a rocket motor aircraft manufacturer to an orthodontist to a professional ballet teacher. It gives students a great feel for career exploration.” The Home Depot Assistant Manager Pan Ylincheta told students how she ended up in her career. “Life has a funny way to get you into your career which you don’t always plan,” she said. While she wanted to teach first grade, college wasn’t an affordable option, so instead she got her business management technical degree and worked for Smith’s for 15 years before switching to The Home Depot. “I learned it’s important to communicate to employees so your speaking and writing skills are critical,” she said. “I use math when I forecast upcoming sales and use a spreadsheet for our $63 million in products. I also

need to stay current with technology. With this mini-phone, I can communicate with stores from Mexico to Canada, can look how much inventory we have, which stores have it and know which employees are sick. I can do pretty much anything except make the president dance.” Ryan Barnes, who is the director for Food Ops with Associated Foods, said that having an understanding of world geography, cuisine and supply-and-demand help with his career in knowing which produce grows where and when and how to ship them. “I use math in knowing how to buy it and track how long it can be on a store shelf before going bad,” said the father of an East Sandy kindergartner, third-grader and fifth-grader. “I have to read a lot to stay on top of current trends and to further my education. With my job, I am able to learn from everyone, build relationships and engage in cuisine from all over the world.” Fifth-grade teacher Anne Hansen appreciated her speakers tying their careers to their education. “It shows how the skills they’re learning are meaningful and important in their careers,” she said. “And it’s special for those kids who have parents come in and be part of their learning. The kids just light up.” Teacher Ann Butler plans to have her students write about the careers they learned about and what job they may want with a plan outlining how they will get ready for it. “It’s important to see what careers are available and what they can do if they stay in school and prepare for it,” she said. At Granite, Jessica Davidson talked to At Granite Elementary, fashion consultant Reachel Bagley showed students how to determine which colors students about pre-mature infants, showing look best for their skin color to develop their own signature style as part of their Career Day. (Julie Slama/ tiny pacifiers and a mold of their tiny hands. City Journals) She explained how they help the babies

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breathe with a breathing tube. Third-grade teacher Adriana Velazquez, who planned to have students write about their goals and how they were going to reach them, appreciated how the speakers shared aspects of their careers. “They discussed with them the sensitivity of their jobs, but also how they liked it and their passions,” she said. “They told them how they prepared so they were college and career ready.” Third-grader Jack Locher appreciated learning from Shawn Berger about his electric bike operation. “He taught us a lot about bikes, the engine, wearing helmets, the tools he needed and owning a business,” he said. “He doesn’t have to drive to work, but he is able to make his passion what he does.” Occupational therapist Marcia Jacobs said she uses many resources in her job, from food to equipment, to help her patients. For example, she said hot tamale candies with their strong flavor helps to calm people down while gummy sours’ taste wakes up people so they’re able to concentrate. For people who have difficulty concentrating and seem to hear even the ticking of a clock, she suggests headphones to tune out distractions and noises. Movement also helps people concentrate, as Jacobs had some second-graders try various activities. “It’s a fun profession,” she said about helping many pre-school through middle school students at a charter school. “I’m able to help motivate students or help them in class. The career reaches out to those in skilled nursing facilities, post-surgical patients or athletes with sports injuries. I use math, science, English and art, as the career is both artistic as well as scientific. I love I get to be creative to make it work, but I also understand how it works.” Fashion consultant Reachel Bagley showed students and even teacher Lisa Hekking how to determine which colors look best for their skin color to develop their own signature style. “I loved coming in to steer people into building their own unique career,” Bagley said, adding that she studied marketing, but developed her career while being a stay-athome mother. “It’s fun to try to know what looks and makes you project your best self.” Hekking said she hopes her students listened for them to take their dream and work hard to learn about it and what they need to be successful. “Many careers we learned about need a college degree or vocational training,” she said. “Students learned they will need education throughout their lives.” Park Lane, Crescent, Brookwood, Willow Canyon and Sandy elementaries held Career Days in the fall. Other Sandy elementaries will invite career speakers this spring. l

February 2019 | Page 21

Granite Elementary: Winner in national reading challenge By Julie Slama | Julie@mycityjournals.com

Granite second-graders read with the online Epic! reading program, which is how they won a national reading challenge. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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he totals are in — and Granite Elementary second-graders are celebrating their success. Students in Tiffany Smith’s class read a total of 3,745 books in five days, becoming one of 10 classes across the country to be named a grand prize winners in Epic!’s Fall into Reading Challenge, that was held this past fall. Across the nation, classrooms read a total of 8.5 million books, surpassing the goal of 8 million in five days, said Delores Richardson, a spokeswoman for Epic! “It was fun to know that we won and had an Epic! party,” second-grader Brielle Bagley said. “We got sunglasses, doughnuts, pencils and got to read some more. I really like reading.” Smith introduced the Epic! program, which is free to teachers, to encourage her students to read more.

Page 22 | February 2019

“It’s harder to find enough books in my library to interest students,” she said, although she does have them read actual tangible books in addition to the online program. “Epic! provides students more choices. There’s something that every child has an interest in.” She said that through the online program, students can find a text to read, complete a comprehension survey and review the book with a thumbs up or thumbs down. “I am able to track how many books they read and how long it takes them to read it as well as how well they understand what they’re reading,” she said. Through her teaching, Smith said she talks about a topic, such as frogs, and then students can read about frogs and their life cycles on their reading level, to tie into the instruction. There also is audio support so students can listen to the books in addition to

reading them. Second-grader Zoey Henderson appreciates the program. “I like having the books read to you, especially the animal ones,” she said. Classmate Titus Mohr said he reads a range of books. “I read a lot of the easier, shorter picture books, but I also like the chapter books about the American Revolution,” the second-grader said about his favorite subject. “Being able to pick what I’m interested in keeps me motivated to read more.” With students already fans of the Epic! program, Smith was excited to introduce the national reading challenge that was held in early October. “They thought it was so cool and were so excited. Even when they weren’t reading, we had conversations about books, they were motivated by their peers and we were able

to look at the leaderboard to see how many more books they needed to stay on the leaderboard. Every bit of it was engaging for these 7 year olds,” she said. In addition to their classroom party where they ate doughnuts and drank apple cider while wearing sunglasses, Epic! also awarded winning students a classroom certificate as well as free six-month home subscriptions so they could continue reading online. Epic!, which was founded in 2014, has 87 percent of U.S. elementary schools or more than 5 million students using the program, with access to more than 25,000 books and videos. “There’s an important value in reading,” Smith said. “Just like piano, soccer and one million things they have going on in their busy lives, they need to be spending at least 20 minutes reading.” l

Sandy City Journal

Three-point specialist leads Jordan offense By Ron Bevan | r.bevan@mycityjournals.com

Jordan’s Emily Moss drives the baseline in a recent girls basketball game. Moss, a junior, is the leading scorer for the Beetdiggers. (Ron Bevan/City Journals)

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momentary lapse of defense is all Jordan’s Emily Moss needs to drive a dagger into the opposing team’s heart. One flick of the wrist and Moss, a junior, will most likely be burying a three-pointer from distance. “She is an all-around player,” Jordan girls basketball coach Tallon Robertson said. “But it is her shooting that makes her stand out. She has such great form and control of the ball.” Moss leads Jordan with 29 three-pointers through the first 15 games of the season, a huge mark when you consider the next closest Beetdigger is Sara Niumeitolu with five baskets from distance “We have a lot of players that can score, but Moss is the most consistent,” Robertson said. “We always look for her to get open when we need some quick points.” Jordan’s 2018–19 edition of girls basketball is led by four seniors, two that are starters and two that come off the bench and contribute. The seniors are Niumeitolu, Diera Walton, Melinda Mafile’o and Natalie Lewis. Walton is considered the defensive specialist for Jordan, but is also a top scorer. Walton is second only to Moss in total points, averaging over seven points per game. “Walton is very impressive on the defensive side,” Robertson said. “I always assign her to guard the other team’s best player because she can lock them down.” Also in the starting lineup is Niumeitolu, one of the Beetdiggers’ guards. But just because she is on the perimeter doesn’t mean she doesn’t like to mix it up inside. “She leads our team in rebounds even though she is a guard,” Robertson said. Niumeitolu is also emerging as a leader for the team. Although Mafile’o doesn’t start, Robert-

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son uses her for times when the team needs a boost. “Mafile’o is a smart player, but full of energy,” Robertson said. “We look to her when we need some extra energy. She hustles like crazy on both ends of the court.” Lewis also comes off the bench and provides needed minutes on both ends of the court. “Lewis is a solid defender and a very

good rebounder,” Robertson said. Jordan has two sophomores who have earned starting positions on the team. May Afoa and Karlei Monson have both cracked the starting five despite their young age. Afoa handles the center position for Jordan, providing some height and rebounding inside. “Afoa leads the team in blocked shots,” Robertson said. “More importantly, she does a lot of talking on the court, especially on defense. She is alerting the rest of the team to what may be happening that they haven’t seen.” Robertson considers Monson his most consistent player. “She handles the ball well and can dribble through any press the opposition throws at us,” he said. The Beetdiggers have set a lofty goal for this season. Although Jordan hasn’t made it to the state playoffs in 10 years, Jordan is eyeing a trip to the playoffs as its reward for working hard. But in a region that includes Timpview, Alta, Brighton and Corner Canyon, reaching the state playoffs is a daunting task for the Beetdiggers. Alta has been a state champion in the last 10 years, and Timpview made it to the championship game last season, losing to East. “We are a very athletic team, and fun to watch,” Robertson said. l

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Sarah Niumeitolu makes a no look pass for Jordan. Niumeitolu, one of four seniors on this year’s team, leads the team in rebounding. (Ron Bevan/City Journals)

February 2019 | Page 23

Six seniors lead Alta girls basketball By Ron Bevan | r.bevan@mycityjournals.com

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hey might not have the height of other teams, but one thing Alta c`an bank on is experience in its girls basketball program. “There are a lot of seniors, more than most programs would keep,” Alta coach Elizabeth Gustafson said. “But they have been through the program and every year they have gotten better and better and better.” Alta starts three seniors along with two juniors. It’s by no accident the three starting seniors have been with the program since they were freshmen. They are Ally Braithwaite, Eden Broederlow and Sydney Williams. Broederlow established herself as a scorer last season. As a junior, Broederlow was the third-leading scorer behind two seniors, knocking in 152 points. She was also the second highest rebounder with 115 boards. But while she only put in one three-pointer as a junior, Broederlow improved her range and has knocked down nine from beyond the arc midway through her senior year. She is second in scoring this season. “Broederlow is a quiet leader on the court,” Gustafson said. But she exemplifies what everyone needs from a leader. She brings the hard work, the hustle and the tenacity that we need.” Braithwaite plays the inside game for Alta as the center. Although she might not

be the tallest Hawk on the team, she brings strength and agility that is needed in the position. “The strengths she brings is her abilities on both the high and low post,” Gustafson said. “She is one of our top rebounders and is third on the team in scoring. She also sets very strong screens to get other players open.” Williams has the ability to play from the guard position to the power forward slot. She is devastating from distance, and barely trails Broederlow in three-pointers. But it may be away from the stats that Williams contributes the most to the team. “She plans all of our social stuff for the players,” Gustafson said. “She plans all the team dinners and activities and things we do to keep a cohesive unit as a team. She makes sure the secret sister stuff goes on.” In fact, when the team was recently planning the night the seniors would be honored before the game, it was Williams who suggested bringing flowers for the seniors on the opposing team. Kyla Anderson also began her career at Alta as a freshman. Although she isn’t part of the starting rotation, she does provide important minutes in every game. “Anderson has a huge amount of hustle. She gives us everything she has no mat-

ter how long she is on the floor, even if it is just 30 seconds or a minute,” Gustafson said. “There is a presence known when Anderson is on the floor.” Danny Bryson, a senior who comes off the bench, came into the program as a sophomore with no experience on the basketball court. But her hustle and attitude earned her a varsity position this season. “She had to learn the game while playing for us as a sophomore and junior,” Gustafson said. “But she did well enough as a junior that we decided to keep her. And sure enough against Cottonwood she knocks down a three and gets a layup and was just killing it. Bryson is also the comic relief on our team. When people are tense, she is the one that breaks the ice.” Rounding out the senior class is Lauren Knight, who is the newest member of the team, having moved into the Alta area and joined the team this season. She brings the height the team lacks this season. “Knight is certainly the tallest player we have had in years,” Gustafson said. “She has a great hook shot.” l Senior center Ally Braithwaite drives the basket during a recent Alta basketball game. (Ron Bevan/ City Journals)

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Alta’s Morgan Brown Selected as Athletic Director of the Year By Ron Bevan | r.bevan@mycityjournals.com

Alta athletic director Morgan Brown was named athletic director of the year by the Utah High School Activities Association. Brown has been the athletic director at Alta for 18 years, and taught at the school for 30. (Ron Bevan/City Journals)

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ou will see him at nearly every athletic event happening with an Alta High School team. Never part of the action, but always with a hand in what is occurring on the field, the court, the track. He isn’t listed in any of the statistics. For those just watching the event, he is a ghost. But you would notice if Morgan Brown wasn’t doing what he does daily for Alta. Without him, the buses wouldn’t be driving the teams to the next event. Without him, students couldn’t sign up to participate. “It all comes down to that I love teenagers and I love working with them,” Brown said of his duties as athletic director. “They are good kids, and they keep me young. It is truly a privilege to be able to work with them.” Brown, the athletic director at Alta High School, was recently honored for his years of hard work for the Hawks, being named the Athletic Director of the Year by the Utah High School Athletics Association (UHSAA). “When we are selecting our yearly awards, we look at a lot of things,” Rob Cuff, executive director for the UHSAA said. “We look at longevity, quality of work and how the person is respected by their peers. Brown rates very high in all of those areas. Brown has been the athletic director at Alta for 18 years. Throughout that time he has taken his role to heart. He doesn’t care if it is a freshman game or a varsity game. He doesn’t care of it is a boys or girls team playing. He doesn’t care if it is football or

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tennis. He shows up to see how the students are doing and how Alta is being represented. “He is one of the guys that is working in the trenches and works very hard. He is not only an advocate for the student athlete, but also the coaches and staff,” Cuff said. “His humility is what shines through about him. He is always approachable. He also makes it a point to do the right thing at the right time, and sometimes that isn’t the easiest way but the hardest way. He still does it.” “He is here for all the games and loves what he does,” added Alta Principal Brian McGill. “He is very passionate about serving the kids and the school in his capacity.” Being an athletic director wasn’t on Brown’s radar when he first came to Alta. He was just trying to get closer to home. He had begun his teaching and coaching careers at Woods Cross High School in Bountiful. “I was at Woods Cross for five years,” Brown said. “I was coaching football and track. I thought I was living out my dream.” When he did apply to transfer to Alta, he was instead assigned to teach at Oquirhh Hills Middle School. As the school year got closer and football practices began, Brown found himself off the field for the first time in years. “I was not doing anything and two-aday practices had begun for football,” Brown said. “It was strange as I was always involved with the football program by then.” But his disappointment didn’t last long. Before the school year even started Brown

got a call to join the football coaching staff at Alta, and was also offered a teaching spot. “I never did end up at Oquirhh Hills,” Brown said. Brown spent 15 years on the football coaching staff, and also coached the Hawks’ track team the same number of years. Under his tutelage, Alta won a state track championship in 1993. Brown’s love for athletics began when he was a young man. He represented Lehi High School as a student athlete, competing in football, basketball and track. He was selected first team All-State for football as a senior and also was a state champion in track. Brown graduated from Utah State University in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education.

“He was my P.E. teacher when I was a junior in 1989,” McGill said. “It is kind of fun to work in my capacity as a principal with a former teacher of mine.” When a need for a new athletic director came about in 2000, it was almost a no-brainer to give the job to Brown. He has been at it for 18 years now, coordinating all the coaches’ needs and travel schedules along with making sure students are eligible to compete. He is even the one to turn in academic AllState honors for student athletes. But being the athletic director is only part of the story surrounding Brown at Alta. He is also the supervisor of the driver’s education program, responsible for safely putting hundreds of students behind the wheel and on the road. He also teaches courses during the school day. To accomplish all this, Brown is sometimes at the school at 5 a.m. to take students out on the road before school starts. Sometimes he doesn’t leave until 9 p.m. the same day, staying until the final whistle is blown in the game that night. Sometimes when two teams are playing at the same time, Brown will attend the first half at one of them, then drive to where the other team is playing to see its finale. “Not only does he teach driver’s ed, but he also tutors students in math,” McGill said. “He also schedules any and all events that happen at the school, not just athletics. He is a jack of all trades, and very valuable to Alta as well as the community of Sandy. He has been here so long and given so much to the kids. He has invested 30-plus years to this community. How many people can say that?” Brown plans on at least two more years at Alta, then he will begin to decide when it will be time for him to retire. “In this day and age with coaches coming and going at a rapid pace, being an athletic director for 18 years and working at the same school for 30 years is an achievement in and of itself,” Cuff said. “Stability, community, hard work and integrity is the legacy Brown will leave when he finally retires from Alta.” l

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Women freeride and unite at ski resort By Amy Green | a.green@mycityjournals.com as confident in snowboarding), that there is a community — that we are very welcoming; that you can reach out and go to events like this and be comfortable and accepted.” When it comes to getting more involved in sports like snowboarding, Montgomery related, “It always seems kind of intimidating, especially as a female (you’re constantly second guessing yourself). You just need to find a group that you can ride with, and there re-

ally are other girls to shred with. Go out and get involved.” She recommended visiting a local ski shop for info, and paying attention to upcoming events. It was a day of sweet gnar-pow, and even sweeter intentions put into action by Backcountry.com. One can follow on Facebook to watch for more events at www.facebook. com/Backcountry. l

Backcountry.com’s van parked near Brighton Resort’s Milly Express lift marked the place for women to gather for snowboarding, food and free gear demos.

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ackcountry.com hosted a Women’s Ride Day at Brighton Resort on Jan. 10. It was open to women of any skill level who registered. It was a day of snowboarding, complimentary barbecue, adventure films and a chance to ride top-of-the-line winter gear. Dinner and drinks were “on the house” for ladies who met at Milly Express lift for the meetup. Backcountry.com is an online retailer that was formed by two guys in a Park City garage with a business dream. Since 1996, they sell specialty gear and clothing for a wide range of outdoor mountain sports. To start the 2019 year with style and ambition, Backcountry partnered with the Women’s Leadership Coalition to sponsor this relaxing day. It was for gathering women to shred up some sweet “gnar-pow” together (that’s old school for “gnarly powder man!”). Though after this event, gnar-pow is obviously a gender non-specific term. The point of the event was to inspire women who want to hit the slopes, to meet other women and try out the latest gear. Doing this can help women network and feel empowered in a male dominated sport. Marga Franklin, visual merchandising manager for Backcountry explained, “Our goal is to get people out there on the snow… sharing with other people who might be intimidated, but want to try. We have all the gear so they can come out.” Burton and Nitro were there to offer free snowboard demos and the newest bindings. Brighton chefs served the ladies a hearty dinner of barbecued pork sandwiches and more. It was a tasty meal to replenish energy for taking more runs into the night. What’s not to enjoy, when there is good female company, food and snowboarding films starring talent-

Page 26 | February 2019

ed women? Myllissa Pinchem attended. “I love how inviting everything has been. Coming out here today, everybody has been so welcoming. I’m a beginner and everyone was super Women enjoy talking together and with professional snowboarder Nirvana Ortanez (middle in blue) before the nice letting us demo the boards. Having the Women’s Ride Day dinner. opportunity like this and having other women that share the same passion is really awesome,” she said. Backcountry recognizes that women can benefit by meeting together in an adventure setting. The attendees agreed that women doing sports together is important. When businesses give back by promoting core passions, with women celebrated as a part of it, it sends a positive message. It is a message (for women who already love the outdoors) to feel equal in sports. It’s also a message to encourage women who are on the fence about trying new things. Nirvana Ortanez, a professional snowboarder, was there. “Look up events like this and just come. It’s the best way to get intimidation out of the way. We take time out of our schedules and travels to be here at these events, to really encourage women who might be intimidated,” she said. Ortanez has been highlighted in TransWorld Snowboarding as a woman with some serious commitment and skill. Women are also popping out of the woodwork, with talent for filming and photography in snowboarding. Gill Montgomery, a freelance photographer, knew about the event because she shoots professional snowboarders and lives in the area. “Whenever there is a female event, I’m all about it,” Montgomery said. “It’s great because there are so many girls in the industry that never really get together. Events like this show girls, even younger girls (and girls not

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Sandy City Journal

Local volleyball club sponsoring Olympic dream By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Former 5A MVP Melissa Fuchs Powell is now a professional beach volleyball player and has her sights set on the 2028 Olympics. (Photo courtesy Melissa Fuchs Powell)

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ative Utahn Melissa Fuchs Powell’s journey from prep All-American to collegiate indoor and beach volleyball player is simply continuing. As a professional beach volleyball player, the 24-year-old now has her sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. And despite just playing with one partner in the sport, it will take a village to get her there. Local volleyball Club GSL is helping to sponsor Powell in her pursuit. “I’m a dreamer, I chase my dreams and I have received some help to do that and I sense that in Melissa,” Club GSL owner Warren Van Schalkwyk said. “She is a great competitor and, like many top-tier athletes, she has all the skill sets in a great volleyball player. But, the thing you immediately notice about Melissa is her competitiveness and drive. She goes after it to make things happen and she doesn’t sit back and hope for it to. I’m absolutely willing to support that drive.” Powell is the daughter of former Brazilian professional volleyball players Ray and Val Fuchs and has been living and breathing volleyball her whole life. Even though she felt she was much better at basketball growing up, she knew she had more support in volleyball. “It’s like a culture for us – in Brazil it’s soccer or volleyball,” Powell said. “Watching my siblings play really helped me develop an understanding for the game until I gained my own love for it. It’s not who I am, but it’s a reflection of who I am.” The 2012 5A MVP who led Pleasant Grove High School to the state title followed her brother Phillip, who played at BYU, and her sister Becca, who played at Utah and Weber State, with her own talents into the collegiate ranks. She began at Central Michigan for one year before playing at Houston

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Baptist to be closer to where her family had relocated. It was there that she started playing beach volleyball as well as indoor and she played both over the next three seasons. “Ever since I was young, everyone said my style was more of a beach volleyball player,” Powell said. “As I tried it, I realized that I really, really liked playing beach. I started getting pretty good at it and the more I played, the more I knew that I could pursue it professionally if I wanted to.” Following her four years of indoor eligibility – and now married to BYU football player Riggs Powell who she met in Houston – she returned to play her final season of beach volleyball in the spring of 2018 at the University of Utah. In her first professional beach volleyball tournament in Austin, Texas in May 2018, she and partner Jessica Wooten finished 45th. She has since played with two other partners – Victoria Dennis and Allison Spurrier – and has risen in the rankings to her current standing – 133rd – with a goal to break into the top 30. This past fall, Powell tried out for the P1440 tour, founded by three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings, and received a spot which provided her free training throughout the four-month pro-league series. “That has really helped jumpstart my career where I could start getting recognized more around the beach volleyball community,” Powell said. “It’s important to get more exposure as I try to move up.” Van Schalkwyk said he simply noticed Powell’s Instagram page recently and realized her name seemed familiar as she had been one of the top players in the state. As he saw her goal of being an Olympian, he

decided to reach out to her and see how he could help. “Our mission at Club GSL is to be a support for every individual and help them achieve their personal goals in volleyball,” he said. “I knew what Melissa was going after fit within that mission statement.” Powell trains with Van Schalkwyk and Mike Daniel who help find high level athletes to play with her. “One of the things I noticed with Melissa’s videos is that she’s often alone,” Van Schalkwyk said. “I asked her about that and she said it is difficult to find people to practice with and that is where we are trying to help in addition to sponsoring some of her gear and providing her some money monthly for tournaments.” Van Schalkwyk credited Powell for her drive to go after success in a sport that favors those who can play on the beach year-round. “It’s very brave for a girl from Utah – where we only have two and a half months of beach weather – to even have the courage to break into this sport,” said Van Schalkwyk. The 5’11” player realizes the odds she’s up against and isn’t backing down. “I’ve always been doubted,” she said. “Volleyball has taught me to not give up when things get hard so I plan to keep training and keep pushing and keep moving towards my goals. It’s always worth it to go after what you dream of and I want to help inspire others to know that too.” Powell said she is grateful for the support she receives and also noted her husband’s “100 percent backing” in helping her follow her dreams. The reality for a professional beach volleyball player is that money is needed for travel, tournaments, gym memberships, gear and apparel and she is continu-

ally seeking all the help she can get. “I’m having a ton of fun,” Powell said. “We get to go to beaches all around the world and I can continue to play volleyball. Playing beach is very easy on your joints so you can play it for longer.” Powell is scheduled to compete in India, Brazil and Thailand over the new few months, the next leg on her Olympic journey. l

Former 5A MVP Melissa Fuchs Powell is now a professional beach volleyball player and has her sights set on the 2028 Olympics. (Photo courtesy Melissa Fuchs Powell)

February 2019 | Page 27

You were just in a car accident, now what? relatively easy. But if there are major injuries or questions about the safety of the car, leave it where it is, even if its blocking traffic. 5. Increase your visibility. Turn on your hazard lights and set out your attention items from the emergency kit—flares, orange cones, reflective triangles, etc. One accident should not lead to another. Take precaution to ensure other drivers on the road remain safe. 6. Stay calm. It is very easy to lose your temper in this situation, it’s human nature. Keeping your cool will keep the situation from getting worse. If it wasn’t your fault, it’s easy to want to let your emotions loose on the other driver. This will cloud your judgment and may lead to something that does not help the situation. You still need to exchange information. 7. Exchange insurance information. This is imperative. If you are to file a claim on your car, you will need the other driver’s information. Most likely, after an accident you are feeling jumpy or stressed. It means when you try to write down their information your handwriting will look like ancient hieroglyphics and, unless you are a cryptographer, will be unable to read it later. We live in the 21st century, take a photo of their information There are some important things to do if you’ve been in an accident. (Pixabay) and take photos of the damage done to both to your phone. We’re typically frustrated or cars. nless you’re one of the few anomalies frazzled after an accident and not inclined to in the world, we’ve all been in an acci- rational thinking. Being prepared limits the dent. We’ve experienced that sickening feel- possibility of forgetfulness. 2. Take a deep breath. Accidents are ing when your car makes unwanted contact traumatic experiences. Taking a breath will with another vehicle. We’re frustrated and shift focus from what just happened to what disheartened. While we may want to crawl into a hole, needs to be done next. 3. Get a status check on everyone in we can’t. There are things to do and we’ve the car. Check with each passenger to see if given you 10 to be aware of (in no particular they are OK. Have someone call 911 immeorder). 1. Have an emergency kit in your car. diately if someone is injured or unresponsive. 4. Move to a safe location. Most insurWhile this step comes before the accident ocance companies recommend relocating the curs, it’s essential to be prepared. Whatever you kit entails, make sure it has a first-aid kit, vehicle to the sidewalk or shoulder of the flashlight, reflective triangles and a small (and road as soon as possible after the accident. If simple) camera in case there’s been damage the damage to the car is minor, this should be

8. Don’t admit guilt. Every insurance company will tell you to do this. Even if you are at fault and it was you to blame. This could drive your premium up or even lead to you being sued. Let the police and insurance companies determine this. 9. Call the police. While some minor accidents don’t require a report to be filed, it’s up to the discretion of the drivers in the accident to call the police. Law enforcement can take statements, get information on injuries and property damage. Be sure to ask for a copy of the accident report. If there is a dispute, the officer will be an important testimony. 10. See a doctor. Depending on the injuries suffered or not, it is easy to skip this. A large financial situation has just happened with the car accident, you don’t want another one by seeing the doctor and jacking up your health costs. It’s important to consider it, or possibly speak with one. Adrenaline can be pumping after the accident and one might not notice the amount of whiplash to your neck. Symptoms can take 24 hours to appear. The warning signs include neck pain, stiffness, loss of motion in the neck, headaches, fatigue, dizziness and pain in the shoulders or upper back. It can be better to be safe than sorry.

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Behind the Grind(er)

E

by

CASSIE GOFF

ver wonder what the best bang for your buck is at the coffee shop? Let’s take a journey through my years working as a barista at local and corporate coffee shops. As a customer, you have all sorts of options to get your caffeine fix: drip coffee, espresso drinks, teas, iced blended drinks, cold brews, etc. Let’s focus on drip coffee. Drip is a coffee shop’s equivalent to what you make at home in your coffee pot, just on an industrial scale. We’ll grind the beans, measure out the correct amount, throw that in a filter, make sure the brewer is set to pour the correct amount of water, and hit a “brew” button. If you’re looking for something simple, drip coffee is the best deal at any coffee shop. Depending on the size, and if you’re going to use your own cup, drip coffee is priced anywhere from $2 to $4. Or, if you plan to hang out, most shops will offer “to stay” refills for a reduced price. However, most of us don’t want to get plain drip coffee when we visit a coffee shop. Usually, we desire something fancier, something with espresso. The options for espresso drinks are vast: doppios, lattes, flavored lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, cortados, macchiatos, mochas, flat whites, dirty chai lattes, blended drinks and signature drinks. Instead of detailing every one of those, I suggest focusing on the most important factor for making your important morning decision:

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the ratio of the amount of espresso to the amount of product. Depending on your taste buds, some drinks might suit your wallet better than others. For example, the espresso quantity in a latte and a mocha are equivalent, but there can be as much as a $1 difference between the drinks. For chocolate lovers out there, it’s worth it to get the mocha. But for customers focused primarily on caffeine, a latte would be the way to go. For espresso drinks, one of the main considerations is size. If there are three size options for a single drink, it’s important to ask how many shots are going in each size. At a popular corporate coffee shop, there are three size options for espresso drinks — the equivalent of a small, medium and large. Here’s the big secret: there’s generally the same amount of espresso in a medium and a large. The difference comes down to the other products: milk, flavoring, water, concentrate, tea. Anytime I visit a coffee shop, I always order the equivalent of a medium, because there are more espresso shots than a small, but less product to dilute the espresso (and add more calories) than a large. Subbing is a secret trick. Many coffee shops will charge 50 to 75 cents for extra shots, additional flavorings, or a milk substitution. If you order something like a vanilla hazelnut latte with coconut milk and an extra shot, you’ve just added $2 to your

drink price. Instead, you might want to find a drink on the menu that already has coconut milk (check the specialty drinks) and sub out whatever flavor that drink has for your desired flavor. Sometimes, it’s worth pricing out where your favorite drink would be cheaper if you subbed products, and where it would be cheaper just to ask for the additional flavor. Last, but not least, please tip your baristas. I know that seems contradictory. You say, “Wait, we are going to save a few extra cents on a drink just to spend more money by tipping?” Yes, but hear me out. Even if the baristas won’t admit it, or even when they are trying hard to be objective toward customers, they’ll remember who tips well. If you tip your baristas, they’ll make sure to treat your drink with a little extra love.

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Sandy City Journal

Life and Laughter—Cold Snap

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n the lovely, winter song, a family travels over the river and through the woods to visit grandma. It sounds idyllic, with everyone bundled in fur robes as a happy, prancing horse carries them through snow drifts. I call bull-shenanigans. Winter travel is never that picturesque. My winter driving dread usually starts around 5 a.m. when the snowplow drops its blade outside my bedroom window. First, I want to murder the snowplow driver. Second, I want to burrow in the blankets and not get out of bed until Easter weekend. I don’t know if there’s one inch of snow or three feet, but I know stupid drivers will hit the streets soon, causing mishaps and mayhem. Once I’m ready for work, I jump in my car where the faux leather seats have frozen over like a glacial lake and the steering wheel is now made of solid iceberg. I shiver uncontrollably as I crank the heater up and run through my wide vocabulary of cold-weather swear words. Jack Frost isn’t nipping at my nose; he’s chomping my entire face. Utah drivers are always encouraged to drive smart and read up on winter safety tips. Of course, no one does that, so freeways turn into demolition derbies on ice. Some advice includes: • Never mix radial tires with other tires (because those radial tires are anti-social as hell). • Keep the gas tank at least half full. (Hahahaha!) • Steer where you want to go. (This seems like a trick suggestion.)

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• Have blankets in your car. (I always carry at least seven blankets. Even in the summer.) • Don’t try to walk if you’re stranded. (I don’t try to walk when I’m not stranded.) • Tie a bright cloth to the antenna so help can find you. (Antenna? What are you driving? A 1975 Impala?) • Steer into a skid. (That’s usually what gets me in trouble in the first place.) • Have snacks available. (I did an inventory in my car and found 17 half-full bottles of water, 35 pounds of graham cracker crumbs, 14 brown apple slices, a half-eaten taco and 143 chicken nuggets. And a long-lost Snickers bar, which I ate immediately.) • Don’t be stupid. (I guess this tip was for the driver next to me, wearing his ball cap backward, trying to wipe the snow off his windshield by slapping his shirt across the glass.) But it’s not just car travel that gets messed up in the winter. Flying becomes a nightmare straight from Hotel Antarctica. If you travel by plane, there’s a good chance your flights will be cancelled due to bad

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weather. But first, you have to pass the TSA agent, who’s as smug as Vladimir Putin in a crocodile-wrestling competition. He insists I take off all my layers of clothing, including but not limited to, two cardigans, a vest, a parka, a couple of blankets, four scarves and a coat. Once past security, if a blizzard stops air traffic, you’ll be staying in the airport because no airline gives a small bag-o-peanuts about your comfort. You’ll end up sleeping across four chairs with armrests, trying hard not to kick the person snoring next to you. Even if it’s your husband. After boarding, I look at the snow through the tiny oval windows, watching workers deice the plane. That always inspires confidence. (As a side note: are there still air marshals on flights? I wish they’d identify themselves so I could have them arrest the parents of the child who kept throwing pretzels in my hair.) We’ve come a long way from hors-drawn sleighs, but it would still be very thoughtful of grandma if she lived somewhere warm. l

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February 2019 | Page 31

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