West Jordan Journal | April 2026

Parents receive surprising advice from anxiety expert

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Think you are helping your anxious child? You may be doing just the opposite.

Parents looking for advice to help their anxious children received some surprising advice from Licensed Clinical Psychologist Kristy Ludwig, Ph.D., Ed. M. in her presentation “Navigating Anxiety: What Truly Helps Students Thrive” — stop accommodating and stop with all the breathing exercises.

“Everything about a parent is designed to protect and rescue and save your child, which is why it’s really tricky when you have a child that’s really anxious, because all the parenting feelings inside of you that are very, very understandable, make you want to do these things,” Ludwig said. “Unfortunately, it’s not always the most helpful thing.”

She explained that anxious kids use avoidance behaviors to stay out of situations in which they feel uncomfortable feelings of stress, fear, embarrassment and anxiety, and that it is often the parents and teachers that en-

able these patterns of behavior when they’re just trying to help.

“We want to empower kids to be able to do things that are uncomfortable and hard, and when we help them to avoid things that make them anxious, we are actually doing the opposite of that and we’re sending the message that they can’t do it, or that we don’t think they can,” Ludwig said.

Ludwig’s solution is for parents to change their responses and behaviors to high support, low accommodation to convey their confidence that their child is able to handle hard things. That means less rescuing, helping and protecting anxious children.

April Cole, parent of an anxious elementary school student, was surprised when she heard protecting a child from uncomfortable situations actually makes their anxiety worse. After the presentation, she said she plans to make some changes in her behavior and parenting approach. “I’m thinking about how I can change how I react to my child and how I

Continued on page 8

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COMMON GROUND

Immigrants are not the enemy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peri Kinder Common Ground

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Publisher:

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

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

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

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

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

We hope that you have enjoyed the first Common Ground.

— Bryan Scott

WEST JORDAN TEAM

The West Jordan Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout West Jordan. The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2026 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.

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Copper Rock offers great golf and vacation opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

can help him,” she said.

Ludwig told parents that feeling anxiety is not going to hurt their child, and that the goal is not to get rid of all the anxiety. What they need, she said, is exposure therapy, which actually reduces anxiety over time. She reasoned that when kids are exposed to a situation more often, and the thing they were worried about happening doesn’t actually happen, eventually their positive experiences win over the worried thoughts and the situation stops triggering their anxious feelings.

Another shocking piece of advice Ludwig gave parents is to be extremely careful when deciding to set up educational accommodations for their child. The problem, Ludgwig said, is oftentimes an accommodation allows avoidance. She insists kids still need to go to class, participate and do the work.

Copper Hills High School Counselor Shannon Felt said when she was a teacher, it was surprising how often students didn’t actually need the accommodations they’d been given when she encouraged them to first try the task independently. “It just gave them that confidence of ‘I think you can do it,’” she said.

Accommodations for anxiety, Ludwig said, should be temporary, appropriate and individualized.

“If a child has ADHD, extended time would be very helpful, but if a child is anxious, extended time is only going to give them

more time to worry,” Ludwig said. “If an accommodation is going to be in place for anxiety, it should never remove all of the anxiety. It could turn the volume down, but it should never make it so the student is entirely comfortable.”

The accommodations information was especially interesting to April Rudd, a K-6 special education teacher who helps create IEPs and 504 accommodations for her students. After attending Ludwig’s presentation, she said she will be more thoughtful about the accommodations she recommends for students. The presentation also gave her some good tips and helpful responses she can use for her students-and herself-- when anxiety is present.

Rudd sometimes experiences social anxiety and listening to Ludwig talk about avoidance behaviors causing increased anxiety sparked some self-realizations. “The exposure part was really huge for me,” Rudd said.

Some of the parents in attendance were confused when Ludwig cautioned them against focusing too much on breathing exercises, journaling and other common strategies used to get rid of anxious feelings.

“These are fine as grounding tools — breathing, I support it, it’s a great thing to do,” Ludwig said. “But the reality is, we aren’t going to be able to just relax our way out of anxiety. I don’t actually want a child to be ‘not anxious.’ I want them to learn that they can feel anxious and do the thing again.”

Ludwig has trained Jordan District em-

Act FAST,

Wployees in her methods of support, validation and encouraging self-confidence. Copper Hills High School counselors allow students to use the school Wellness Room as a place to calm down but they limit their time and encourage them to get back to class soon. Ludwig explained the student needs to be back in class so that they get that exposure and realize they actually can make it through their class.

“I do think it’s reasonable to validate — ‘Yes, that is hard, and I’m sorry that that is harder for you than other kids, but that shouldn’t be an excuse,’” Ludwig said.

Parents were encouraged to team-up with

Save a Life: Why Stroke Awareness

their child’s school counselors instead of fighting them. “School counselors are amazing,” Ludwig said. “They know these things. They want to help. They have great research.”

Ludwig’s presentation, held March 4, was arranged by the CHHS counseling department, an example of the types of resources they provide for parents. CHHS counselor Amber Horrocks said it was a successful parent night. “I wish we had more people come because it’s such a huge issue and important message, but the few people who did come, it really mattered to them,” she said. l

is Everyone’s Business (No, Seriously, Everyone’s!)

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

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

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

This is why recognizing the warning signs is

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

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

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

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

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

“Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke,” emphasizes Dr. Rebecca Reiser, a neurologist at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley. “The quicker a patient receives specialized medical attention, the higher their chances of a full recovery. Don’t second-guess or wait for symptoms

to worsen. Call 911 immediately.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Small and Tall Ball adds special sensory-friendly dance experience

The first sensory dance experience had theme featuring music from “Wicked.”

By Linda Steele l.steele@mycityjournals.com

The Small and Tall Ball is a standing tradition in the West Jordan community. This year event planners decided to add a special sensory-friendly dance experience for those who may become overstimulated by the bright lights and loud music, but who still want to participate in the event. West Jordan wants to include everybody to bring the community together and create strong unity in West Jordan. “I have multiple neighbors and family members who get over-stimulated, so they are unable to participate in events like these. We wanted to give them the opportunity and space where they feel comfortable and enjoy events,” Sheri Miller said, event coordinator for West Jordan. Miller came up with the idea of the sensory friendly dance experience a year ago, and it has been a success. This event will happen every February.

“We want our sensory-friendly neighbors to know they are not alone and give them opportunities to connect with others who may be in their same shoes,” Miller said.

West Jordan is creating a safe space at

the Small and Tall Ball so everybody can enjoy and the needs of the whole community can be met. With a few small changes they were able to create a fun, safe space and build a lasting memory for community, friends and family. A special session of the dance was held prior to the main event, with no flashing lights, softer volume of music and overall less stimulation. “Knowing that we were able to impact just one family with this event and create a lasting memory is what we do,”

Ashley Dupler said, events manager for West Jordan.

The theme of this year’s Small and Tall Ball was “Dancing Through Life,” inspired by the movie and musical “Wicked.” Those who attended were encouraged to wear green and pink and encountered a night filled with magic. There were crafts, treats, dancing and a character performance. Adults and children were welcome to attend this fun-filled, magical event. Having the sensory friendly dance experience was a “good way to see how we can implement this for other events we do. It’s good to revisit the way we do events to make sure that we are including everyone,”

Marie Magers said, communications manager for West Jordan.

You can check out what’s going on in West Jordan by going to www.westjordan. utah.gov. l

Nurture what’s next.

Women’s health care for every stage of you.

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

Find care near you at mountain.commonspirit.org.

EDUCATION SECTION

A publication covering local education around the Salt Lake Valley

Teaching more than music

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I learned the lesson that I needed to

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elementary chess students use winning strategies at state tournament

By Julie Slama

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

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

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

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

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

Beckham finished with six victories to claim the title. His points also helped Ridgecrest place third in the team stand-

ings behind Waterford School of Sandy and American Preparatory Academy Draper 2.

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

That understated reaction is typical, his mother said.

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

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

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

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

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

GOT TEEN DRIVERS?

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

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

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

Many Ridgecrest players competed for the first time.

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

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

“Some of these kids didn’t even know how the pieces moved when we started,”

he said. “To see them go to the state tournament and win a game, that was huge.”

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

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

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

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

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

4/08/26 Wednesday @ 12 PM Larkin Mortuary: 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City

4/2/25 9:00 am @ Jim’s Family Restaurant (9236 Village Shop Dr, Sandy, 84070)

4/22/26 Wednesday @ 9 AM

This Community Job Fair will provide JOB SEEKERS with a unique opportunity to connect with employers and explore job openings across a variety of industries

This event is open to the community and there is no cost to participate. Whether you’re looking for an immediate position or looking to explore future career potential, we invite you to join us! Attendees are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resumes, dress professionally, and come prepared to network and talk with employers.

Jim’s Family Restaurant: 9236 Village Shop Dr, Sandy, UT 84070

4/3/25 9:00 am @ Jim’s Family Restaurant (9236 Village Shop Dr, Sandy, 84070)

4/23/26 Thursday @ 9 AM

Jim’s Family Restaurant: 9236 Village Shop Dr, Sandy, UT 84070

4/10/25 12:00 pm @ Larkin Mortuary SLC (260 E South Temple, SLC, 84111)

Aimee Winder Newton bidding adieu to the Salt Lake County Council at the end of this year

Longtime elected official isn’t sure what’s next politically, as Taylorsville officials express regret in her council departure.

By Carl Fauver c.fauver@mycityjournals.com

Inthese pages over the past few years, we’ve told you the story about Aimee Winder Newton coaxing Meredith Harker to run for her then-vacant Taylorsville City Council seat. Harker is now in her ninth successful year in the post.

We’ve also told you about the “boot camp training” Winder Newton has offered a handful of times, in her own home, to teach Utah women about the ins and outs of seeking elected office in our state. Harker is among the course “graduates.”

You’ve read about the critical role Winder Newton played decades ago in the incorporation movement that first created Taylorsville City.

In short, Taylorsville residents know Aimee Winder Newton. And many of them – including third-term Mayor Kristie Overson – are a bit sad, and a little anxious, about Winder Newton’s decision to not seek reelection to her Salt Lake County Council position.

“First off, good for her in making that decision for herself,” Overson said. “But I am very sorry to see her leave the county council. It will be tough for Taylorsville, because Aimee has been such a wonderful

advocate for us. She has been such a voice of reason on the council. We’ll be watching carefully to see who runs for that seat. And, whoever wins it, we will work to make sure that person is well-versed in Taylorsville issues. The adjustment will be a challenge. But mostly, we will miss Aimee.”

Taylorsville City Councilwoman Meredith Harker agrees.

“Aimee has been amazing as our county council representative,” Harker said. “She listens to all sides of an argument, but also sticks to her principles. She does her due diligence before making up her mind. She’s kind and compassionate. And I would not be on the Taylorsville City Council without Aimee’s encouragement. It’s all her fault I’m here!”

Winder Newton is now in her 13th year on the Salt Lake County Council. She was the first female Republican elected to it. Four years later, in 2018, she was the first female ever elected by her colleagues to be its chair. She chaired again in 2023, and was chosen again this year to chair the council.

There are now five Republicans and four Democrats serving on the Salt Lake County Council.

“We are the most evenly-split partisan body across the entire state of Utah,” Winder Newton said. “But in general, the county council does not split along party lines. We don’t have a lot of partisan issues. I have always felt it was important to show Salt Lake County residents how the two parties can work together to resolve issues. I wish Con-

Aimee Winder Newton will not run for reelection to the Salt Lake County Council, making this her final year representing Taylorsville on it. (Photo courtesy Aimee Winder Newton)

gress could see this. We enjoy robust debate and disagreement; but in the end we respect one another.”

Winder Newton’s County Council District 3 actually includes at least portions of several cities, including: Midvale, Murray, Taylorsville, West Jordan, South Salt Lake and West Valley City. In the county council’s announcement of Winder Newton’s chairmanship, she is quoted saying, “Criminal justice reform will be my

Coffee and Chai opens its doors in West

A new coffee cafe with a Pakistani feel and taste has opened in West Jordan, with a ceremony complete with a camel as a guest.

By Tom Haraldsen

t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

It isn’t every day that the ribbon-cutting for a new business includes a camel as a guest. Owners of the new Coffee and Chai cafe in West Jordan wanted their grand opening to be memorable, and Merlin the camel helped welcome guests on Feb. 14.

For Adnan and Natalie Afridi, their new cafe is a dream come true, something they’ve thought about many times in the past, particularly over the last two years.

“We’ve spent a lot of time traveling,” Natalie Afridi said. “My husband is from Pakistan, and just being there–the simplicity of tea time and bonding over a simple cup of chai. He remembers that so well.”

“This was something we jokingly talked about forever ago,” Adnan Afridi said. “The last year is where it really came to fruition. My mom just passed away in May from cancer, so we did this in part in remembrance of her. Chai was what I drank growing up my whole life. So I thought, ‘how can I still keep a piece of my mom alive?’ She’s always in our heart, but we wanted to share what she had with everyone else.”

The Afridis wished to build a community gathering place,

Adnan and Natalie Afridi joined with family and members of Chamber West for the ribbon-cutting at Coffee and Chai in West Jordan on Feb. 14. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)

where friends could sit and visit, or business owners could hold a meeting or work on their laptops. Natalie Afridi said that their sons play competition basketball and they traveled with them to several different cities and states.

“We’d sometimes find coffee places that were heavily influenced by Arab culture, that were unique and open late and had a great feel to them,” she said. “Utah didn’t have a single thing like that, so we wondered how we could incorporate that into our world here in Utah. We came up with a true vision of how we wanted it to look and how we could

top priority this year and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this important work forward.”

A 1992 Taylorsville High School graduate, Winder Newton has been married 32 years, has four children and one grandchild.

“I love living in Taylorsville and am thrilled by all the great things the city has accomplished since incorporating (in 1996),” she added. “And we could not have a better mayor. I’ve worked with (Mayor) Kristie (Overson) on many things. Our city is in very good hands.”

Winder Newton is continuing in her 30-hours-per-week post as a senior advisor to Gov. Spencer Cox. She is also director of the Utah Office of Families, where she champions social media legislation, home visiting programs for vulnerable families and many other policies to strengthen Utah families so children enjoy more success.

As for her political future, Winder Newton isn’t sure right now. In 2020, she ran for Utah governor in a campaign year that was turned upside down by coronavirus. Cox was elected to his first term that fall.

“I haven’t considered any future runs,” Winder Newton concluded. “Right now, I’m focused on having an effective final year on the Salt Lake County Council. We have some heavy lifts on several issues this year. Before I leave office, I want to make sure we have a very good, cooperative culture on the council. It has been such an honor to serve as I care passionately about Salt Lake County.” l

Jordan

bring people together, and now we have one.”

Coffee and Chai, located at 1286 W. 9000 South in West Jordan, offers a wide variety of drink and food options, including cheesecakes, fruits, waffles, savory breakfast sandwiches, macarons and croissants. Gluten free items will be added soon. They call it a fusion of being raised in America with deep Pakistani roots. And as Adnan Afridi said, the cafe centers around chai.

“Every time I sit down and take that first sip, it takes me back to my mom,” he said. “Our recipe has been passed down through our family and we’re carrying on her recipe, honoring her legacy and sharing a piece of our family with the community, one cup at a time.”

“All of our drinks and foods are super fresh,” Natalie Afridi said. “We serve black tea and milk–no powder, with a mixture of spices.”

Merlin the camel came to Coffee and Chai from his home at Ivie Acres Farm in Grantsville, an amazing petting zoo. He delighted crowds with his appearance, posing for lots of photos and allowing many children to gently pet him. Guests who joined with board members of Chamber West Chamber of Commerce for the opening were impressed with the bright decor and spaciousness of the cafe. It added a nice ambiance to the opening.

Coffee and Chai is open every day from 7 a.m. to midnight. You can learn more on their website at coffeeandchaico.com. l

Life-saving care helps patient attend birth of his son

CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital in West Jordan helped Sergio Corona, recovering from a heart attack, witness the birth.

By Linda Steele l.steele@mycityjournals.com

It was July 3.

Life seemed normal for Sergio and Elda Corona, who were anticipating a birthday party for their 4-year-old daughter and expecting their baby who was due in November.

Sergio was working in an indoor remodeling shop when he had a severe asthma attack. His brother and co-worker quickly took him to Holy Cross Hospital in West Jordan. The assistant manager, Todd Dent of the emergency department, and the emergency nurse Travis Andersen, were heading home after their shift ended. They saw Sergio’s brother barreling his car into the emergency bay. Dent and Andersen ran to the car and could see Sergio was in respiratory arrest. They immediately got him onto a stretcher and started CPR while they wheeled him to the emergency room.

Elda was at the store, gathering last minute items for her daughter's birthday party when she got a call from Sergio's brother. By the time Elda got to the hospital Sergio was being transferred to the ICU and suffering a heart attack.

Sergio spent the next three months in a coma.

When he came out of the coma he

began physical and occupational therapy, strengthening enough to be transferred to the rehab unit.

It was October and Elda, determined to have her husband present at the birth, changed doctors so she could deliver at Jordan Valley so Sergio could be there.

The day when Elda would be induced saw other women go into active labor, delaying the birth. So she decided to go downstairs where family and friends were visiting with her husband.

While Sergio went to check his meds, Elda returned to the labor and delivery floor. She started pushing, worried Sergio wouldn’t make it in time, when he entered the room in a wheelchair.

He was able to witness the birth of his baby boy Sergio Jr. on Nov. 17, 2025. Sergio described the moment as “amazing.”

Sergio is now in California with his sister-in-law recovering.

There was a time when Elda thought Sergio would never come out of his coma. But she persisted, keeping him connected to life support after seeing his eyes flutter open of his finger move.

“I’m not going to do anything until his last heartbeat. Once his heart starts failing and he beats his last heartbeat then let it be where God will be,” Elda said.

Sergio is continuing to recover from his brain injury, which was caused by lack of oxygen and his heart attack. Sergio said he is grateful to the team that saved his life and helped him be part of the most important moment: the birth of his son. l

SVS expands, recognized by governor’s office

The West Jordan-headquartered nonprofit grows in visibility with the statewide recognition as it reaches other counties.

By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com

South Valley Services announced in February its organization has been formally recognized by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity for dedication to highlighting the crucial role women play in Utah’s workforce and for promoting women-specific and family-friendly policies that strengthen the state’s economy and quality of life.

Members of the SVS team attended the 100 Companies Championing Women event this past month, celebrating organizations across the state that are helping build a more inclusive, supportive and equitable workforce environment for women and families.

“This recognition reflects the heart of our mission,” said Lindsey Boyer, executive director, in a press release. “When women are supported, families are stronger, communities are healthier, and our economy is more resilient. We’re honored to

stand alongside other organizations working to make Utah a place where women and families can truly thrive.”

The nonprofit, headquartered in West Jordan, helps individuals impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence.

SVS has long prioritized survivor-centered, family-focused services that remove barriers to safety, stability and opportunity, it states in the press release. Through advocacy, direct services, education and community partnerships, the organization works to ensure women and families have access to the resources and support systems they need to build safe, stable and empowered futures.

According to the press release, the recognition by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity underscores the importance of policies and practices that support women in the workforce, promote family stability and contribute to Utah’s robust economy and high quality of life.

“We’re proud to be part of a collective effort that strengthens not just individual lives, but entire communities,” Boyer added. “This award reinforces our commitment to advancing equity, opportunity and safety for all.”

This comes shortly after the organization expanded from its Salt Lake County location to Carbon and Emery counties in

addition to its Tooele location. The additional sanctuaries aim to strengthen Utah’s statewide network of protection, especially in rural communities where access can be limited.

“Growing our support to rural Utahns in the state; it’s about ensuring more survivors are met with compassion, respect and meaningful support when they reach out,” Boyer said. l

Nonprofit helps parents navigate special education

The IEP Student Center offers guidance and resources.

By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com

a child’s education can be daunting. That’s made even more difficult when a child needs special education services. Parents often feel overwhelmed by the volume of red tape to get their child the help they need.

Students with special needs or disabilities are eligible for an Individualized Education Program that outlines support and instructions that a team of parents, professionals and educators follow to help children thrive. The plan sets goals, strategies and performance markers to help ensure students can succeed at school.

But what happens when the IEP blueprint isn’t followed? What if there’s a failure of services or a breakdown in communication? That’s when the IEP Student Center can make a difference.

Mark Adamson is an IEP attorney with a unique perspective. As someone who has autism and ADHD, he can see the situation through the child’s eyes to help find creative solutions.

“I’d say probably as many as 60% of my clientele have autism, ADHD or both,” he said. “It’s fascinating for me to be able to explain to parents what’s going on in their kids’ brains, and I can be a positive role model for them.”

Adamson helped establish the IEP Student Center in South Jordan (1682 W. Reunion Ave., Suite 4B), a nonprofit founded by attorneys, educators and parents to foster advocacy for children with special needs or disabilities.

The center provides representation, helps with conflict resolution, supports the rights of parents and students, and maintains accountability for schools to abide by IEP plans.

Adamson, a West Jordan resident, earned his law degree at the University of La Verne and worked with the Disability Rights Legal Center in Los Angeles. He said when a child’s education isn’t going the way it should, there are several options to advocate for students.

Most often, he is contacted when a child is expelled or suspended. If the behavior that got the student in trouble is a manifestation of their disability, Adamson starts a conversation with school officials to walk through the child’s IEP to make sure all issues are being addressed correctly. Often, he finds teachers are overworked, schools are underfunded and parents are ashamed.

“If you’re constantly getting called to the school, maybe your kid is hitting other kids, maybe your kid’s the bully, a parent ends up feeling like it’s a judgment on them,” Adamson said. “I try to strip that embarrassment away and not talk about the situation like it’s a moral judgment.”

He said IEP students are often considered less intelligent than mainstream kids, but his experience has proven that to be false. Adamson points to his own success as an attorney and to Ana Victoria Espino, who, in 2024, became the first person with Down syndrome to graduate with a law degree.

“So guess who’s in college now?” Adamson asked. “A bunch of people that were never going to be in college before because their moms didn’t take no for an answer. They were creative about every single thing that they could come up with, and now we have those kids that are graduating from college, and they’re going to law schools,

An Individualized Education Program is intended to support students with special needs or disabilities, but if there’s a failure in service, the IEP Student Center can provide resources to parents. (Adobe Stock)

they’re going to med schools.”

Adamson said the State of Utah is required to assess every student under the age of 20 to determine if they have special needs or a disability, and they’re required to educate them. It’s his job, and the job of the IEP Student Center, to make sure that’s happening.

To further help parents, Adamson is starting a podcast called “Ask an IEP Lawyer Show,” which should be launched this spring. For more information, visit IepStudentCenter.org. l

ACT prep course provides all the answers

Students learn effect strategies for raising their test scores.

By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Last month, thousands of local high school juniors took the ACT, a standardized test which will impact their college admissions and scholarship qualifications. The students had spent a lot of time, and in some cases money, to prepare for the test. Despite the immense pressure to perform well, those who had taken an ACT Prep Class, like the one offered at Copper Hills High School, were confident and prepared — they had a semester-worth of knowledge, practice and strategies.

“This class had taught me a lot of valuable knowledge about the test that I had not even taken into consideration at the beginning,” a student said. “It has made me 10 times more confident going into taking this test.”

Confidence and familiarity make a difference in test performance, CHHS ACT prep teacher Jennifer Heckman said. When they’ve taken the practice test multiple times, students have a feel for the timing, the transitions and the downtime.

“Next week I am taking the ACT again and I do not feel unprepared or nervous for it,” a student said. “I have been using Mrs. Heckman’s study strategies for the past few weeks and they have been really helping me feel confident.”

Another student admitted, “If I had not taken this class, I most likely would have put off studying for a very long time, but this class was a way for me to study the different subjects and learn more overall about the ACT test going into it.”

Heckman, who typically teaches math classes, became ACT certified to teach the English, reading and science topics found on the test. She is grateful her administrator allows her to attend ACT training sessions and conferences to learn about the test and to bring back various strategies and tools for her students. Strategies help them with wise time management, recognizing patterns, efficiency tips and utilizing down time, among others.

“Before I took this class, I had no idea of what to expect from the test and how to deal with it,” a student said. “The class has helped me understand the ways I can solve, the tricks of the test and how they are just patterns that you need to see and catch up on. I have taken a lot of tests and saw a lot of tricks to see the patterns of the test. Many of the questions were patterns and I couldn’t have seen them if it weren’t for the ACT prep class.”

Students tried various strategies in class to figure out which ones worked best for them during the test.

“The most helpful for me was her math strategies,” another student said. “They helped me keep my cool on the test as well as feel more sure about my answers. They especially helped me determine how to make more accurate educated guesses on the test.”

The class also provides opportunities for students to learn from their mistakes.

“When creating this class, I wanted to make sure kids were not only learning content, but also analyzing why they were getting it wrong and how maybe next time they can recognize to go down the correct path,” Heckman said. “Throughout the course, as we are studying, we’ll take practice tests, and then we’re able to compare their score from the last time they took it and create goals and strategies on how to meet that goal.”

She also breaks down the scores, what they mean and tips for raising scores. With this information, students have been able to consistently increase their score each time.

“I was able to see my improvements after comparing the practice tests from the beginning of the class to the end of the class,” a student said.

Heckman said her students have an average increase of 4.3 points between tests but some see even bigger increases. One student started the class with a Pre-ACT score of 20. She took the test three times during the class, her score jumping each time, reaching a 34 (out of 36 possible) on the final attempt.

Another student shared their experience. “I first took my ACT in December and though my overall score did not increase majorly, my individual scores improved drastically. I moved up around 8 points alone on just my science score.”

Heckman created the class last year after she had noticed a steady drop in the number of students taking her advanced placement and concurrent enrollment math courses, which have a minimum ACT score prerequisite. Since universities stopped factoring the ACT scores into admission requirements during the pandemic, students haven’t been taking the test as seriously the last several years, Heckman said. However, her ACT prep class has changed the trend at CHHS — interest in the class quadrupled this year.

“What I love about what I’m doing is that the word is spreading throughout our school that we’re finding that you have more teachers now really intentionally incorporating the ACTs into their curriculum all year instead of just right before the test,” Heckman said.

A new version of the ACT test, called

the Enhanced ACT, was released last year. This version is shorter, with fewer questions and less time allowed per section, but it gives students more time per question. “They realized that they were able to shorten the test and still get the same quality of data,” Heckman said.

She said the instructions have better descriptions and the scoring is a little different, too. The ACT test was first introduced in 1959. It has been updated only a few times — a massive revision in 1989, an update to the reading section in 2014 and a scoring update in 2015. l

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The Kindest Kid in the World is right here in West Jordan

Can recognizing and celebrating kindness reduce school violence?

By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

An 11-year-old named Brentlee was officially recognized as The Kindest Kid in the World on Feb. 27. Those who know her say kindness is just a part of who she is.

“She is just the kindest, sweetest, so genuine, amazing, smart, sweet, little girl,” her fifth grade teacher Carolyn Videtich said. “She definitely influences other kids, and she’s always looking on the positive side of things.”

Brentlee’s family feels lucky to have such a kind-natured kid in their home. “Every day before she leaves for school she always says, ‘I’ll remember, kindness begins with me,’” Brentlee’s Gammie, who lives with the family, said. “If you feel bad, she’s the one that makes you the little card, or [asks] ‘Do you need a hug?’ She’s just always kind to everyone.”

Gammie, also known as Pam, said Brentlee focuses on kindness as a coping mechanism. “We both have really high anxiety, and so doing something kind usually makes you feel better and tones down that

anxiety,” she said. When they focus their attention on uplifting others with a compliment, gift or offer of help, it takes their minds off anxious thoughts.

Brentlee said she loves to do kind things for others and believes kindness is “the strongest force in the world.”

“I think being kind is very important because some people need a light whenever they’re in a dark room — it’s just the feeling of having someone who cares is very important to everybody,” Brentlee said. “I think that being kind shows other people how important they are.”

Brentlee was announced as the Kindest Kid in the World during an assembly at Falcon Ridge Elementary where she attends fifth grade. She was nominated for the award by her principal Aaron Ichimura, who is new to the school this year. He said that Brentlee, who helps with morning announcements as part of the student council, was patient and helpful the first time he did the announcements.

“Right off the bat, from the first time that I met Brentlee, I was very impressed with how kind she was to me,” Ichimura said. “I did some investigating and talking to teachers who’ve been here a lot longer than I have and they attested to the same fact that she has been very kind to everyone that she comes into contact with.”

The assembly kicked off a Kindness Challenge at Falcon Ridge Elementary which challenged students to do 5,000 acts of kindness in five days.

“We did our best with our goal,” Ichimura said. “And I like how students are pointing out acts of kindness they see, thanks to the assembly that reminded us of that.”

The Kindest Kid in the World award and assembly was created by Jessie Hansen as a school violence prevention capstone project for her Ph.D. in social work.

“As I’ve read all the books about school shooters, and in my own research, I’ve discovered it’s part of their identity,” she said. “They identify as someone that either needs justice or revenge or fame or whatever. It’s part of who they are. And so I thought, we’ve got to help children identify themselves and say, ‘I choose to be a kind person,’ not just ‘I am kind.’ ‘I am a kind person.’”

Hansen reaches out to school principals to encourage them to nominate one of their students as the Kindest Kid in the World and then celebrates them in a school-wide assembly. Her message of contagious kindness is targeted to elementary school-aged kids whose brains are flexible and who are in the process of forming their identities.

An experienced professional speaker, Hansen shared her own story of being both a victim of bullying and a bully to others and how her junior high school principal helped her choose kindness instead. Once

a student has been recognized as a Kindest Kid in the World, they are encouraged to be role models of kindness in their school and community.

“I know there could be a kid in this school right now that is, for whatever reason, on that track to be violent,” Hansen said. “But seeing Brentlee, maybe they could just say, ‘Well, she chooses to be kind, so maybe I can choose to be kind.’”

Impressed with the impact of the assembly, Ichimura has invited Hansen to come back every year to celebrate more kind Falcon Ridge Elementary School students. Hansen expressed hope this will encourage the students to focus on kindness, but not just for the recognition.

“Brentlee did not choose to be kind because she thought she was going to get an award,” Hansen told students. “It’s who she is.”

Hansen created her program just over a year ago as Kindest Kid in America and has since expanded it to Kindest Kid in the World, having recognized more than 43 kind kids in 27 states and two other countries. Hansen will be in Africa this month and in England and Japan later this year to spread the Kindest Kid message.

Brentlee was one of a few students in

the Salt Lake area who were recognized last month. Minky Couture sponsored the local assemblies, covering the costs to the schools and donating Minky blankets as rewards.

Each Kindest Kid in the World also receives a book written about them and their acts of kindness. Brentlee’s book highlights the ways she cares for others and strives to bring sunshine into their lives. A copy of

the book is given to the Kindest Kid and another is donated to the school library. All of the books in the Kindest Kids series are available online at Barnes&Noble and Amazon. Some of the Kindest Kid stories are also made into video shorts for the Kindest Kid in the World YouTube channel. For information about nominating a kind kid or requesting an assembly, go to kindestkidintheworld.org. l

By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com

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

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

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

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

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

Across the gym, there were similar stories of growth and joy.

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

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

Conner looks up to NBA legend Michael Jordan.

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

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

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

Kassidy adds: “I’ve learned how much fun

A shot at belonging

you can have together and just being friends with them.”

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

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

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

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

ty to spend concentrated quality time with our special education students, to feel more comfortable around them and to embrace them more willingly,” he said. “It also gives them a higher level of gratitude and appreciation for the abilities that they have and for the talents to compete in unified basketball.”

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

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

Veazie also is appreciative of West Jordan

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

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

County Council proposal expands childcare access without taxpayer subsidies

More daycare spots available without using tax dollars? That’s what the Salt Lake County Council voted unanimously to support last month when Councilmember Laurie Stringham and I brought forward a proposal to explore a new approach to childcare.

Last December, the council voted to close four county-run daycare centers as part of efforts to reduce the proposed property tax increase put forward by Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. An extensive report highlighted the significant subsidy the county had been providing to a relatively small number of families. Taxpayers were contributing between $6,000 and $10,000 per child each year, covering roughly half of the tuition costs for 271 children enrolled in county-run programs.

Aimee Winder Newton

Salt Lake County Councilmember

District 3

Families across Salt Lake County are facing rising childcare costs and limited availability, making it difficult for many parents to remain in the workforce. Access to reliable childcare is not just a family issue — it is also an economic issue that affects employers and communities across the county.

access to affordable space, families gain additional childcare options, and taxpayers are protected from ongoing subsidies.

The report and audit findings also made it clear that while the county performs many important services well, operating childcare centers was not one of them. In addition to financial concerns, the program had operational challenges that raised questions about whether the county should be directly running childcare programs in the first place. Even if the program had worked perfectly, it would have been impossible for the county to provide daycare services to every family who might want them.

At the same time, the need for childcare in our community continues to grow.

Many residents who contacted me said they support helping families who are struggling financially afford childcare. That’s a reasonable and compassionate position. However, the county program had no income qualifications, meaning families earning above the median household income were also receiving subsidies funded by taxpayers — including those living on fixed or lower incomes.

As Stringham and I looked for alternatives, we began exploring whether the county could help expand childcare access without directly operating the programs or increasing taxes.

Our proposal is simple: allow nonprofit childcare providers to lease existing county childcare spaces and operate their own programs. These organizations would raise their own funding, hire their own staff, and manage their own operations. In return, they would receive discounted rent in exchange for prioritizing care for low-income and vulnerable families. The rent payments would cover the county’s operations and maintenance costs for the space, ensuring that taxpayers are not subsidizing the programs.

This type of partnership could create a win-win solution. Nonprofit providers gain

The council unanimously approved our legislative intent, and our Parks and Recreation Department will now evaluate childcare spaces at the Magna, Kearns, and Northwest Recreation Centers to determine which facilities may be viable for leasing to childcare providers. We are also working with the Granite School District to explore a similar arrangement for the childcare space in Millcreek.

Councilmember Stringham and I recognize that this approach will not solve the childcare shortage overnight, but it represents a practical step forward. By working with community partners, Salt Lake County can help expand childcare availability while respecting the taxpayers who make these public facilities possible.

Families deserve more childcare options, and taxpayers deserve responsible stewardship of public funds. With creative partnerships and thoughtful planning, we can pursue both goals at the same time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The view from the sidelines

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

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

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

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

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

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

between innings to explain baseball defense.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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