Issuu

November 2020 | Vol. 20 Iss. 11

FREE LATINO COMMUNITY MUST FEEL A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP, SAYS LIVING COLOR AWARD WINNER By Alison Brimley | a.brimley@mycityjournals.com

usiness leaders from across the state were honored at this year’s Living Color Gala, held Oct. 1 at the Grand America Hotel. The awards were given in several categories to honor “the best individuals, teams, organizations, and companies who are working to foster inclusive initiatives throughout the state.” One of this year’s honorees was West Jordan’s Carlos Alejandro Moreno. Moreno, a native of Venezuela, was given a Distinguished Leader award for his work with the cities of West Jordan, Taylorsville and Riverton, helping them to create “a different kind of diversity committee,” Moreno said. “Diversity committees help the minority community to understand American system, government, how to run cities and how to get involved in the community.” The urgent need for this kind of effort is perhaps best represented by an experience Moreno himself had years ago when he was a resident of Taylorsville. He returned to his home one evening to find his neighbors, a husband and wife, crying outside their home. They looked “desperate,” Moreno remembers. “I asked my wife what was going on,” he said. “She said their kid was missing, and they didn’t want to call the police because they were undocumented.” Moreno immediately went to speak to them and convinced them to call anyway. Soon, police were able to locate the child. This kind of “disconnection” between the Latino community and public servants meant to help them is a major problem, said Moreno. “The majority [of police officers] are wonderful people and love the community,” he said.

Carlos Moreno said he “never expected” to be honored for his work encouraging Utah Latinos to become more involved in their communities. (Photo courtesy Carlos Alejandro Moreno.)

“This is their job. When people don’t have trust in the police, that is bad for the community and for democracy. That is bad for the future.” Ultimately, it comes down to a sense of “ownership”

over their country, which Moreno said some of his fellow Latino immigrants do not have. “This country is my home even if I was born in Venezuela,” he said. “You have to have a sense of ownership.” Continued page 5

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Toil and trouble won’t stop WitchFest By Alison Brimley | a.brimley@mycityjournals.com

ardner Village’s annual WitchFest celebrated its 20th anniversary this year in true 2020 style: with masks required, attendance limited and signs posted reminding visitors to keep “a broomstick’s length apart.” Marketing Director Marcia Johns has been with Gardner Village almost 25 years and sat in the original meeting in 2000 when the event, then called “Witches’ Night Out,” was born. “It was my task to pull it off,” Johns said. Throughout the years, Johns and others have continued to meet around that same table, adding new elements to the event, which has become a favorite Halloween tradition for many in the West Jordan area. For the 20th anniversary, Johns said many special elements were planned but ultimately couldn’t be pulled off in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. “We can’t do our traditional parade,” she said. “We’re encouraging no dancing around the stage. We don’t have our entertainment stages going.” The “Six Hags” play area will not take place this year because it’s so “high-touch.” The prize drawings will operate using a touchless system. Shopping and the Cackling Cantina restaurant will be open, though with allowances made for social distancing. “We weighed modifications that we hope will help people relax and enjoy themselves but at the same time stay safe,” Johns said. Gardner Village has been careful to operate in accordance with current health guidelines. “As far as outside venues, you can have up to 6,000 people at an outside event,” Johns said. This isn’t a problem for WitchFest, which never draws that many people at one time. What posed a bigger challenge were the Witchapalooza Dinner Theater, Breakfast with a Witch and Cackling Cantina, which are held inside. Placement of tables inside the restaurants has been adjusted as staff determines

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said. “They love a whimsical, friendly Halloween experience rather than a gory Halloween experience.” For six weeks in the spring, Gardner Village, like many businesses, was shut down altogether, affecting the livelihoods of hundreds. Because of the frequently changing case numbers and health guidelines, event officials held off on selling tickets to this fall’s ticketed events until Sept. 1. Johns has been pleased with the sales, despite the unusual conditions. “With the current state of the world, I’m just happy we are able to do anything this year,” Johns said. “It’s a way for people to escape, to not have to think about watching the news or being on social media.” Johns also expressed appreciation for all who continue to support Gardner Village, which has been in business for 40 years and employs more than 200 people in the West Jordan area. “A local business is heartbeat of America,” she said. l The Cackling Cantina serves fast-serve a la carte meals throughout WitchFest at Gardner Village. Restaurants will operate with reduced capacity at WitchFest this year. (Photo courtesy of Marcia Johns.)

how to make the events as safe as possible. “Used to be able to sell 28 tables for each,” Johns said. Now, because the tables are spaced 6 feet apart, they’re only able to sell 13 tables, making for a reduction of more than 50%. “All ticketed events have sold out,” Johns said. But because each restaurant only serves at 50% capacity, “revenue really goes down.” As for the non-ticketed events, it’s impossible to say at this point how overall attendance is impacted by COVID-19, because admissions are not counted. “As far as daily attendance, we’ve seen an uptick in traffic,” Johns said. But they won’t get hard numbers until after the event concludes. Because their lot isn’t striped and chaos reigns when visitors park their own cars, a professional park-

ing crew is commissioned to park cars in the Gardner Village lot. When the parking company makes its reports, they’ll be able to show how attendance compares to previous years. To commemorate WitchFest’s 20th anniversary, a social media campaign invited visitors what they love about the event. Johns has sorted through many emails from attendees and hundreds of photos taken by families over the last 20 years. One woman sent a series of photos she’d taken of her children every year at the same location during WitchFest. WitchFest has also carved out a space for itself as a popular outing for women celebrating a girls’ night out. The appearance of emcee “Lucinda the Witch” has “Customers are telling me they love the been one of WitchFest’s constants over its twenty-year traditions they create with their family,” Johns existence. (Photo courtesy of Marcia Johns)

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Continued from front page As a political asylee, Moreno has a strong passion for human rights. Aside from his work with diversity committees, Moreno is a father of three and husband to a “beautiful Venezuelan woman.” He also works for the Libre Initiative, an organization he said encourages the Latino community to get involved, as well as supporting the free market and discouraging socialism. “The U.S. is a beautiful and powerful country,” he said. “It’s a blessing being here. My concern is [the relationship] between the Latino community and leaders. They don’t know who their mayor, city council member or governor are. That disconnection is really bad for the community.” On Sept. 30, West Jordan’s city council approved the creation of a diversity commission thanks to influence from Moreno. “After I talked to the mayor, he was so friendly and decided to start this committee,” Moreno said. “The city has to get more involved in all the committees and in the diversity committee.” In his recommendation that the ordinance be approved, Mayor Dirk Burton said, “I look forward to a committee that can help us further invest in the principles of inclusion, tolerance and respect for all.” Earlier this year, Living Color accepted nominations for the awards. Then six

local chambers of commerce (the Black Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the SLC Pacific Island Business Alliance, the Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals Salt Lake City) worked together to select the winners. The gala, hosted by Utah Business Magazine, was “a great opportunity to see what all the leaders think and say about diversity,” Moreno said. The evening featured live entertainment, a cash bar, appetizers and three-course meal. “It’s incredible to see all the companies and people in the community that you don’t know about,” Moreno said. “And they are doing great, wonderful things for the rest of the community. This gala is a great idea because it shows the people’s work.” Being recognized for his work means a lot to Moreno. “Everything you do for the community is invisible,” he said. “Nobody sees what you do because that’s the way that leaders do things. Having this award is an honor because I never expected this. It’s a beautiful way to have somebody tell you that you are on the right path.” l

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November 2020 | Page 5

West Jordan resident honored by alma mater for service, impact to the community, world By Julie Slama|j.slama@mycityjournals.com

tradition at halftime of the Hillcrest High homecoming game continued this year, although it felt a little different feel than when it started last year. The recently formed Hillcrest High Alumni Association honored two outstanding alumni—Christy Baker Ward and Nicholas Cockrell—in front of what normally was anticipated to be a packed crowd at the school’s football game. Instead, attendance was limited in response to COVID-19, and Cockrell opted not to attend the ceremony in light of the pandemic. “We thought with the construction of the new school and the game, it would be a good time to build upon nostalgia, form the alumni association, and honor outstanding alumni,” said Hillcrest High Alumni Association President Craig Conder, who graduated in 1978. “We anticipated an overflow in the stands and in the new field house, but with COVID, it let all the air out of the balloon.” However, the Sept. 11 ceremony went on, recognizing Baker Ward, class of 1994, with the distinguished alumni award. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, Baker Ward taught herself how to sew on her mother-in-law’s sewing machine, then made her own scarf to cover her head to wear while going through chemotherapy. Two years after her diagnosis, Baker Ward decided to create the scarves for others who were undergoing treatments in all 50 states. One year later, she sent the last scarves to the final five states—and also reached survivors in Canada and Australia—three years to the day from her original diagnosis. To date, Baker Ward will still sew and send some scarves to those who request them. “What I do is offer hope,” she said. “I was doing it anonymously and having fun sewing.” Baker Ward said the project involved others from donations of fabric to making contacts across the United States to deliver to those who needed the scarves. Her original idea was to make 17 chemo scarves, one to

Page 6 | November 2020

represent each of her 17 chemo treatments, but then she had a dream to reach more people who are scared or overwhelmed as they go through treatments. “Literally so many people wanted to be a part of CK (her first and middle initials) scarves. I wanted to have a connection; it just adds to the person who is receiving it—by adding connection, I also think it helps me, but it also helps the person who lives in that community,” Baker Ward said, adding that often it was like a Flat Stanley approach, with photographs of the scarves’ trek from her West Jordan basement to the communities they were sent, which she blogged along with her cancer journey. “I like the way I did it. I get to be their cheerleader.” She also started a Midvale chapter of the nonprofit organization Lifting Hearts, a women’s breast cancer survivor group. She was the volunteer director for more than one year, until the organizers decided to just offer online help. “Cancer taught me that life is no life unless you love and serve others who are dealing with the same hard times,” Baker Ward said. The game announcer also outlined many of Cockrell’s accomplishments as the distinguished young alumni award-winner. He graduated from Hillcrest with a 4.0 GPA in 2015 with his international baccalaureate diploma. While at Hillcrest, he developed a love of activism and civic engagement and has carried that with him through his college days at the University of Utah and now, into his career. He celebrated social change through participating in theater and filmmaking, winning several awards from the Canyons Film Festival as well as from the National History Day competition with his documentaries. Cockrell graduated this past spring with three majors: history, political science and international studies. He also minored in theater and campaign management. While in college, he also became more involved in the community through the Utah Division of State Histo-

ry and with the ACLU as well as served as an intern with the state legislature, the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C., and the British Parliament. “I was very lucky that Hillcrest gave me the opportunity to find what I loved early—those things being history and also political science,” he said. “I developed a deep love of that while I was still in high school and went into college thinking those would (Left) Christy Baker Ward, class of 1994, received the distinguished be the two things I studied. I alumni crystal at the homecoming game from Hillcrest High Alumni continued to love it, and it never Association President Craig Conder. (Julie Slama/City Journals) faded. I got to do different types (Right) Nicholas Cockrell, class of 2105, was named Hillcrest’s disof research and different kinds of tinguished young alumni award-winner for his involvement in the work that I had never gotten to, so community. (Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Cockrell) it always felt fresh.” Hillcrest and from other faculty advisers.” Cockrell has gone on to tie Conder said both of the award recipihis interests into working as a multimedia contractor for the ACLU of Utah, a campaign ents were nominated based on their work in manager for a Utah House of Representatives the community and impact they’ve made on in his hometown of Draper and a communi- others. The alumni association, which its formacation specialist for the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, where he helps people stay connected to tion was announced at the groundbreaking of the new school in 2018, also awards scholtheir faith during COVID-19. “I do a number of different things profes- arships. This year, four scholarships were sionally,” he said. “They all seem sort of dis- awarded at $1,600 to help the graduates attend connected at first, but really it all feels like a college. In addition to donations, the associacommunity-based job that I get to do with peo- tion sells sections of the old gymnasium floor ple that I not only agree with but care about to raise scholarship funds. The group also has been photographing what they are doing. The thing that drives me, though, is making sure I can work on issues or and videotaping the construction on the Midpurpose that I care about. I think I’ll be in this vale campus and sharing that with its followpublic sector or nonprofit sphere for the rest of ers on social media. “It’s a different school than when I was my life, I’m guessing, because I enjoy it and there in the 1970s,” Conder said. “I can see a there’s a lot of good to be done.” Cockrell is thankful for his years as a lot of good things happening, and I think we Husky and plans to remain active in the Hill- can do a lot of good. And through getting involved and by offering these scholarships, we crest High community. “Hillcrest was such a good community can help change people’s lives.” Hillcrest High Alumni Association seeks for me,” he said. “I became so much of who I am while I was there. I found out what I loved; additional members. To join or to learn more I made friendships that I still lean on to this about the association, visit its webpage at day. It’s my community; I want to make sure https://hillcrestalumni.org. l other students have the opportunities I had because I had so much support from teachers at

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Teacher of the Year solves the problem of dreaded math classes By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

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eventh grade students at Ascent Academy are designing their dream apartment, but not for an interior design class. It is a math assignment. Math teacher Bethany Crowley prefers to teach math with group work, projects, math games and multimedia instead of notes and worksheets. “I’m very much into ‘let’s actually use this’ and ‘this is where this kind of math is going to lead to in the future,’” Crowley said. “It’s not about being a human calculator; it’s about understanding how to develop the equations, understanding how to solve the problem and how to approach it, rather than cranking out the multiplication and division.” As students design and furnish their dream apartment, they learn concepts of scale factor, ratios, proportion relationships and unit rate. Crowley has been inspired by education innovators such as Dan Meyer to create math problems that require students to use critical thinking to solve real world problems. She uses multimedia and discussions to let students figure out the question as well as how to figure out the answer. “It gets the kids really engaged, and it’s tangible; it’s obvious how we use this in real life and how math can predict the world,” Crowley said. Students respond well to her teaching style. “If you walk into her math class, you will see a smile and feel nothing but positive vibes,” SPED teacher Eric Slemboski said. “She takes math, which can be an unpleasant subject for many students, and makes it exciting. She has so much passion and energy when she teaches; she makes math fun and exciting for her students.” Sara Tucker, Crowley’s administrator last year, was impressed with her engaging and hands-on approach to help students “find the joy in math.” “She shares her love of math in a contagious way, making it so anyone who comes in will find a bit of the joy she has for math, too,” Tucker said. “With so much anxiety shared about math, she quells the fears and builds the confidence in the learners she is able to work with. She is a math rockstar!” Crowley’s style of math instruction, inspired in part by Jo Boaler’s concept of math mindsets, also instills in her students a growth mindset. “I love teaching them how to do hard things like math,” Crowley said. “Problem-solving skills are going to be hardwired into their brain, and that will help them no matter what career they choose.” Crowley didn’t plan to be a math teacher; she studied chemical engineering. However, when she gave a presentation on math education for one of her college classes, she

Just five years into her career, Bethany Crowley is awarded Teacher of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Bethany Crowley.)

became excited about the new direction of math instruction and decided to teach instead. Crowley believes her engineering background gives her an edge as a math teacher. “I love math,” she said. “I just love the problem-solving aspect, which is what got me into engineering in the first place. My engineering degree gave me such a perspective of how the governing math equations describe everything in the world around us. It was just clear to me how powerful math is, and I just want to teach my kids that.” Crowley’s passion for mathematics and unique style has caught the attention of students, colleagues, administrators and members of the Utah State Board of Education, who selected Crowley as one of the top six finalists for this year’s Teacher of the Year award. “I nominated Bethany because she is a shining example of a dedicated teacher,” Tucker said. “She is innovative and works to ensure that there is depth and complexity with her lessons and activities. Bethany creates an environment of trust and caring that is imperative when it comes to math and with junior high students.” “Mrs. Crowley is the definition of a Teacher of the Year,” said Crystal Thomas, current vice principal at Ascent Academy. “She is energetic, creative and finds ways to make the core curriculum come to life. She does not accept the attitude that people don’t have a ‘math brain.’ She meets people where they are and gives them the courage to elevate themselves. All students deserve to have a teacher like Mrs. Crowley. She makes the impossible [like math], possible. Students leave her class with more confidence and a desire to be better people.” Thomas’s own daughter was in Crowley’s class, and when she struggled, she got

West Jordan City Journal

Future of the West Jordan economy By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com

est Jordan has been referred to as a “bedroom community”; most of the city’s land is filled with residential areas and less commercial. The job of Chris Pengra, the new economic director at West Jordan City, is to bring more businesses to the city, big and small. When a city can increase its property and sales tax income by building the economy, the extra money can alleviate some financial burden otherwise falls on residents. “One of my goals is to work to ensure the right types of industrial businesses come to West Jordan to deliver the greatest value to the community and to the state,” Pengra said. “I intend to work on bringing new investments into older areas of the city,” How does an economic director bring businesses to a city? “We look for ways to make their decision to locate in our community a little bit easier,” Pengra said. “Whether by offering hands on assistance navigating our development process or connecting a business owner with a lender, the aim is always the same. We want to make West Jordan the easiest place in the state to do business.” Incentives are available in some instances, but they represent less than 1% of the work we do. More often, the work we do is to address more practical needs.” ChamberWest serves the businesses in West Jordan. President Barbara Riddle said working with the city is important to her chamber. “We are excited that West Jordan has hired a new economic development director,” Riddle said. “We work with them on any issues that our businesses may have.” There have been many increases in the water rates, and ChamberWest was the key link between the businesses and city government. “We believe fully that our businesses are comfortable in paying their fair share but

some extra tutoring after school. “After the tutoring session, I asked my daughter how it went,” said Thomas. “She looked at me, beaming with pride, and said, ‘Mrs. Crowley said I was smart.’ This was the first time any teacher had taken the time to tell her that, and it changed her. Math became something that she could do.” Stacey MacLeod-Warner, behavior specialist at Ascent Academy, said Crowley truly respects her students and is dedicated to helping them be successful. Crowley gives the same support to colleagues. “She is the ‘go-to’ teacher when it comes to tech questions, and she never turns away anybody who needs help,” Slemboski said. “She is also the first one to volunteer

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WJ Economic director: Chris Pengra filled the position of West Jordan economic director that has been vacant for over a year. (photo/West Jordan city)

certainly have budgeting issues, planning issues,” Riddle said. “It was an opportunity to sit down and just dialogue on why the city needed to change rates and for the city to hear from businesses as to the impact and suggestions that they have.” West Jordan Chamber, the former official chamber for West Jordan city, also intends to work with Pengra to benefit city businesses. Heather McGlothlin, the president and CEO of the chamber said, “I have met with the new director of economic development, and he has shared that he is working on his 90-day plan. Because of this “waiting period,” we have not made any firm decisions yet about how we plan to work together; however, we have made a commitment to do whatever we can to support the economic development of our city.” l

when other teachers need help. She is a great colleague and very easy to work with.” Thomas expects great things from Crowley. “When there’s a problem, she doesn’t sit around and admire it; she analyzes and comes up with a solution,” Thomas said. “She is a leader of innovation and can often be found researching the latest technology, program or system to improve our school.” Crowley, who has been teaching for only five years, was thrilled to be named Teacher of the Year so early in her career. “This nomination validates what I’m already doing, and it motivates me to be better and to keep doing what I’m doing,” Crowley said. l

November 2020 | Page 9

Stuart Palmer is a former police officer who is training to be a licensed clinical social worker and hopes to help other officers through counseling and hippotherapy. (photo/Erin Dixon)

West Jordan horse therapy to help police officers with mental health needs By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com

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early one in four police officers have thoughts of suicide at some point in their life.” “More police die by suicide than in the line of duty. In 2017 there were an estimated 140 law enforcement suicides.” “Compared to the general population, law enforcement report much higher rates of depression, PTSD, burnout and other anxiety related mental health conditions.” (courtesy/ https://nami.org/advocacy/crisis-intervention/law-enforcement NAMI) West Jordan Police Chief Ken Wallentine confirmed that mental health is a neglected issue in law enforcement. “Early in my career, there was a lot of social pressure,” he said. “If you were having a hard time dealing with the trauma of the work, we were essentially taught to cowboy/ cowgirl up and move on.” Readers of the news for the past few months have been inundated with pleas for police reform and education that will prevent officer inflicted crimes. Wallentine asks for a moment of pause. “Police are mostly very mentally healthy folks, but they live in a different world,” he said. “Have you ever seen a dead body other than in a funeral home or someone who died in their sleep? During an average officer’s career, the officer will personally witness 188 critical incidents where their life is in peril, another person is killed or significantly injured by violence, a child is killed, the carnage of a major accident and similar events.” What happens after officers witness traumatic events? Mostly nothing. “There’s very rarely time to chill, or decompress,”

Wallentine said. “They take whatever they’re exposed to and swallow it and it accumulates there. We hope they have a coping mechanism to let that off. The ideal would be to have the opportunity to process, but that’s just not reality. There’s another call waiting.” Stuart Palmer, former police officer and future licensed clinical social worker said, “We can do so much better at taking care of ourselves, each other and our families, as cops and as administrators.” Palmer works with Mac Butler and Robert Lindquist, both LCSWs, at Unbridled Hope, a hippotherapy center in West Jordan. Butler and Lindquist have been supporting mental health clients for years and are beginning to offer their services specifically to police officers. Sometimes an officer doesn’t get time to cope with the traumatic situation and may carry his or her thoughts and actions from work to home. Home life may be calmer, but the officer can continue to feel those escalated responses and take them out on whoever they spend time with. With horses, the clients learn how to communicate without aggression. A horse is large enough and smart enough to push back but gentle enough to develop a relationship with. Some of the therapy involves using “pressure,” or light to hard pushes used to train the horses and signal what is wanted. Unbridled Hope rescues abused horses and pairs their rehabilitation with therapy for human clients. They teach a client to train a horse, which can be frustrating and disheartening. The goal between a client and a horse

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is to foster a relationship that shows that relationships can be won through gentle persuasion, not always brute force. “At some point, I want to give my clients the most difficult thing they can handle,” Butler said. “It’s not easy [to work with a horse], and there’s a lot of failure in that.” When the clients are unable to persuade a horse to move like they want and are unsuccessful, it will feel like failure. That’s the goal. “It’s that frustration. It’s disappointment. It’s about building a relationship,” Butler said. Unbridled Hope and Wallentine have the same goal: have ready and able mental health care for law enforcement. “My hope is to eventually obtain funding to provide each officer with an annual mental wellness check,” he said. “We wouldn’t go more than a year without a physical checkup with our physician. Yet we know with certainty that we require officers to frequently suffer mental health injuries, and we let them go 20 years—an entire career, sometimes—without acknowledging the injury and the possibility of successfully treating the injury.” Unbridled Hope is looking to partner with law enforcement groups to provide mental health services. “Right now, we’ve approached the Fraternal Order of Police,” Lindquist said. “They cover four to six, sessions.”

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Wj police mental health1: Stuart Palmer is a former police officer who is training to be a licensed clinical social worker and hopes to help other officers through counseling and hippotherapy. (photo/Erin Dixon)

When asked if six sessions are enough, Lindquist said, “Hell no.” Wallentine thinks the solution comes from the cities the law enforcement serves. “Last year, the only thing I asked for was a piece that would provide a mental health check and medical exam as well as access

be sick. If you don’t take the time to be well, sooner or later you’re going to be forced to be sick.” l

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November 2020 | Page 11

No words (or signs) can express the impact of ASL teacher By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

opper Hills High School American Sign Language teacher Rae Boren was named a runner-up for this year’s Utah Board of Education Teacher of the Year award. “Mrs. Boren is an amazing teacher because she loves to teach, she loves what she is teaching and she loves the people that she teaches,” ASL student Alexander Jones said. “Because of the subject she teaches and the way that she teaches, where she puts her whole heart and soul into everything she does, she opens herself up to the class and makes us feel comfortable. She really is just one of the best teachers I’ve ever had.” Boren’s passion and enthusiasm have endeared her to students and colleagues for 21 years. “I think what makes her such a great teacher is her passion for the subject she’s teaching is genuine,” Laura Ruiz, a former student said. “She really wants to see her students succeed.” Boren’s passion has helped ASL flourish in popularity as a world language class elective—and not just at CHHS. Beginning in 2006, Boren supported ASL students at schools with low enrollment and no certified/ endorsed ASL teacher by broadcasting her classes.

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“I was able to help keep those programs going, plant seeds of interest and ensure students who wanted to learn ASL could,” Boren said. “The number of schools that now offer ASL—the legitimacy, recognition and acceptance has come so far. I think I was in the right place at the right time, and I’ve been grateful to play a small part in the pioneering efforts of growth.” Two of Boren’s former students are now ASL teachers at local high schools. Tawny Bowman said she enjoyed Boren’s classes because “she was engaging, loved the curriculum she was teaching and kept the content new and relevant.” Bowman now teaches ASL classes at Herriman High School. “Mrs. Boren has always been very influential in my life since high school,” Bowman said. “I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today without her or her influence in my life. She has become a very dear friend and colleague.” Though she never took Boren’s class, Meagan Benson got to know her through ASL Club activities. After graduation, she returned to CHHS to student teach with Boren and is now an ASL teacher at West Jordan High School. “The thing that makes Rae a good teacher

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is her ability to see the potential and motivation within people,” Benson said. “She makes teaching look so fun and easy. Every single day I was in her room for student teaching, she gave 110% of herself to her students. I never saw Rae have a bad teaching day.” CHHS 2015 graduate Laura Ruiz took three years of ASL classes from Boren. “It was her passion that just came across and spilled over,” Ruiz said. “She just had such a passion; you couldn’t help but also feel that same excitement.” Boren’s classes inspired Ruiz to become a certified sign language interpreter. “She doesn’t just teach from her knowledge, but she reaches out to the community and native signers to bring that into the classroom,” Ruiz said. “From the beginning, she started getting us involved in the community, and I think all that exposure just ended up making me fall in love with this community and language.” Alexander Jones, whose mother is deaf, took Boren’s classes to improve his ASL skills. “My relationship with my mom has been really strengthened in many ways by taking ASL class,” he said. “When she asks what I do in my day, I am able to tell her the new things that we learn, and she is able to understand and grow with me in ASL.” Felicia Jones said her son’s confidence in communicating has increased.

gether,” she said. Kaylee Funk, who signed up for Boren’s classes because her sister Brynlee had had such a good experience, said Boren’s class is always the first one she schedules each year at registration. She said during distance learning this spring, Boren was a teacher who worked hard to stay connected with students. And this fall, Boren has adapted her interactive teaching style to be engaging despite the limitations of current safety measures. Boren strives to build authentic relationships with her students so they feel safe, cared for and successful. “She’s a very genuine person, and she really tries to reach all her students and make personal connections with everyone,” Kaylee said. “She really likes to tell us, “See a need, fill a need,” so if you see something that needs to be done or a person that needs help, you should reach out to them and try to help them.” Students are drawn to Boren for her passion and her supportive and uplifting nature. “Rae is the type of teacher that has all of the students in her room for academic makeup time and after school,” Benson said. “Kids feel and recognize Rae’s energy, compassion and her understanding heart.” Her popularity and fun-loving nature earned Boren an invitation to participate in the CHHS ballroom team’s “Dancing with the Stars” show this October. She and dance “We are able to sign together more flu- partner Tyler McGee wowed audiences with ently, and his interpreting skills have really a cha-cha. improved as we now go to more activities to“I was the oldest contestant by a long

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Superintendent Anthony Godfrey congratulates ASL teacher Rae Boren as a Teacher of the Year runner-up. (Photo courtesy of Jordan School District.)

way, and with Tyler’s help, I was able to stick a backflip—in heels no less!” she said. “Even though I’m still so sore and it feels like I have some ribs stuck in my liver, I would totally do it again.” When she’s not dancing or teaching ASL classes, Boren heads the world languages department at CHHS and is a mentor and instructional coach for provisional teachers. Previously, she was an adviser for student government. She is also involved in several professional associations for teaching foreign language.

Ultimately, Boren just loves to be able to make a difference. “I truly believe that a teacher’s impact can last years, sometimes even a lifetime,” she said. “I just think you can’t measure the impact of a teacher; it’s too great. So, I’m really grateful to be in a profession that I know I can have a lasting impact. I know that and I’ve seen it happen. I’m literally making a difference, and I think that there’s something intrinsically so fulfilling about.” l

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November 2020 | Page 13

CHHS expands writing center to new subjects, new formats, new schools By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

he Writing Center at Copper Hills High School has expanded its services beyond writing tutoring, beyond a physical room and beyond the school. “We're trying to diversify from being just a writing center to a learning lab as well to offer peer tutoring in as many content areas as we can see,” center director Andrea Hinojosa said. “We have a diverse set of tutors to do that. We're really trying to create an individualized service.” At the Writing Center and Learning Lab, students can get help in any subject— in person or virtually. Student tutors with varying academic experience provide specialized tutoring for every subject and in several languages. “We have a tutor for really anything,” said senior Jose Arturo Rodriguez-Lira. “What makes us really good is that everybody has their own passion so it all contributes to making this a good environment for everybody.” The center is student-led. As lead tutor, Rodriguez-Lira ensures the 20 tutors are trained and organized. Senior Tazia Mcaffee schedules in-person and virtual appointments, matching students with tutors who can meet their needs. Student tutors volunteer their time

working with their peers. “It's so cool to see them get the skills that will help them move on,” sped teacher Vickey Codella said. “It makes them feel really confident and good to know something that they can teach somebody else.” Hinojosa said student tutors have taken ownership to make the center successful. When the center opened this year in a new, more visible and accessible location just inside the media center, tutors suggested adding a charging station and speaker to the room. Several teachers pooled their Jordan Education Foundation grant money to purchase those items along with yoga ball chairs and a small refrigerator. “We're really excited to finally be in a permanent home where we can make it our space,” said Hinojosa, who wants to create a coffee-shop vibe where kids want to hang out. While adaptations required by COVID this year have changed the way the center functions, it has actually been for the better, said Hinojosa. To meet the needs of online students, students in quarantine and social distancing requirements, the center is scheduling more virtual sessions. That experience has accelerated the expansion of peer tutoring sessions to other schools.

“We're able to open it up to other schools in the district and pilot our services beyond Copper Hills,” Hinojosa said. “I don't know that we would have figured that out or thought about that without this current situation.” Advanced Placement teachers at nearby high schools have expressed interest in sending students to access CHHS’ writing center services. Kelsie Berrett, who teaches at Mountain Ridge High, said it is a struggle to give students the individualized support they need in writing intensive courses such as her AP U.S. history class. “I'm really grateful that I can give my students this opportunity to get more oneon-one attention to improve their writing, which will benefit them for the AP test and beyond,” she said. “This is an opportunity for us to work across schools to help support our students district-wide, and I'm really grateful to the teachers at Copper Hills that made this possible.” “It is our hope that, as we explore opportunities like this, we can meet our ultimate objective of helping the other high schools in our district establish and operate their own writing centers based on the model we have created,” Hinojosa said. “We are

still the only public high school writing center in the state of Utah.” Writing centers are common in the East but rare here in the West. Having the only one in the state has brought attention to CHHS from the Secondary School Writing Center Association. “We are the innovators; we're the ones they are watching to see that we can pave the way for these other schools to get going,” said Steve Haslam, a language arts teacher who has been involved in the writing center from the beginning. The Writing Center and Learning Lab is named in memory of Michelle Szetela, who studied at the Purdue writing center and worked for years to finally establish a writing center at CHHS in 2019. Szetela died suddenly in March of 2019, just six days after being diagnosed with cancer. “She was an expert in writing centers, and she had studied writing centers nationally, so she was bringing all of the expertise and the awareness to our program,” language arts teacher Amanda Tibbitts said. “So, it really is her program that we're continuing in her honor.” l

DIANE LEWIS IS ENDORSED BY POLICE OFFICERS & FIREFIGHTERS Keeping Our Community Safe Many sacrifices are made daily in order to protect our community. When you are in need, you call first responders. Diane will be a trusted advocate making sure to fight for their well-being and working conditions. Our first responders are on the frontlines fighting for our loved ones with limited resources. Diane will listen and trust their guidance to keep our community healthy. DIANELEWISCAMPAIGN.COM

Page 14 | November 2020

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NOVEMBER 2020

G O OD NE IG HBOR

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THE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL The way we live our lives has changed in the year 2020. Coronavirus has not only impacted our lives; it’s impacted our livelihoods. Some small-business owners have been hit harder than anyone thought imaginable. While the health and safety of our residents have always been top of mind, it’s hard to ignore the issues and losses that have been thrown at our small and local businesses. The City of West Jordan is home to more than 150 restaurants, many are locally owned and unique to our wonderful city. A survey from the Utah Restaurant Association shows many Utah restaurants have had a particularly difficult time during the pandemic. A few have closed their doors and remain closed because operating their dining rooms at 50% simply won’t pay their bills, and the thought of taking out a loan during such an uncertain time is risky. The city administration, with support of the council, is working with our local restaurants to find governmentassistance programs, such as smallbusiness grants and the state’s ‘Shop in Utah’ program for restaurants who have experienced losses. WestJordanJournal .com

One of the businesses that has benefited from the ‘Shop in Utah’ grant is Mystique in Gardner Village. Mystique offers a fivecourse meal and a magic-show. Dine-in is the only option at this restaurant, but they have been careful to implement Health-department approved safety measures, including a modified dining room, increased distance between tables, mask wearing when not eating, and expanding into an adjacent space at Gardner Village to make physical distancing easier. Because dine-in options have been limited and sometimes temporarily eliminated, restaurants have had to become innovative, forced to think outside the box. West Jordan restaurants are focusing on take-out, drive-thru, and delivery alternatives. While many of our restaurants still offer dine in, nearly all have added a take-out option. Fortunately, here in West Jordan, your support is helping our restaurants weather this unexpected storm. Ordering take-out is a great way for West Jordan residents to enjoy the amazing food our local restaurants

have to offer. What may seem like a simple task—ordering dinner for your family—is a great way to support our local restaurants. In this month’s newspaper you will find a collection of coupons available to every household. We encourage our residents to use these coupons to try out a new restaurant, or revisit one of your favorites. In this newspaper, you will also find a restaurant directory, a one-stop shop for ordering options from our local eateries. Please join all of us at the City of West Jordan in supporting our restaurants during the month of November, and beyond. It’s not just the businesses we will be helping to support, but also the people. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our families. Let’s eat local!

November 2020 | Page 15

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Caysen Wright earns 6A state medalist honors By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

orner Canyon High golfer Caysen Wright received a text from head coach Derek Fox a year ago prior to a tournament that the then-junior saved and has used as motivation ever since. “You can be the best player in the state if you want to be,” was the message from Fox. Message received. The senior dropped nearly eight shots off his scoring average through this season, and he emerged as the state’s best in 6A after two rounds of 69 at the state tournament at Soldier Hollow Oct. 5–6. Wright edged Layton’s Tysen Diaz and Lone Peak’s Brandon Ashworth by one stroke. “Caysen played so steady and just kept taking one shot at a time,” Fox said. “He worked his butt off and was well prepared with a great game plan that he kept trusting. He simply went out to play golf and wanted his competitors to look at his score. It was pretty awesome and a nice proud coach moment.” The son of Brett Wright of South Jordan and Jennilyn Wright of West Jordan said he felt going in that he had a “decent chance to do well” even after being four shots off the lead after the first day. “I just wanted to play free,” he said. “I felt like I was close to the lead the second

day, but I kept telling myself to pretend that I was two or three shots back. I found out later that even when I thought I was still behind, I was actually tied for the lead. I still can’t believe I won! It’s crazy!” On the final day, Wright overcame a bogey on the second hole to birdie the third and hole a 40-footer for eagle at No. 4. After a “needed bogey” at 15, according to the senior, he “pounded” his drive at the 16th hole to within 15 feet of the pin, which he holed for another eagle. “After I buried two par putts to finish my round, my teammates told me that I was tied for the lead,” Wright said. “I couldn’t believe it and then I had the most stressful hour waiting for the others to finish playing. I was preparing to go to a playoff, but when it was all said and done, I had won and my teammates started freaking out and tackling me.” Wright’s finish along with a tie for 15th place from junior Jackson Mauss helped the Chargers take third overall at state, 22 shots back of champion Lone Peak. Also competing at state for Corner Canyon was Maddox Vincent and Zach Labrum, who tied for 30th place, Harrison Dana who placed in a tie for 39th and Coda Anderson who tied for 64th. “I’m so proud of these guys,” Fox said. “We seemed a bit nervous the first day and

everyone seemed to settle in the second day.” Also on the CCHS golf team this year were Academic All-State recipient Jacob Branca along with fellow seniors Tanner Boyle, Samuel Goold and Jake Kartchner; juniors Jantzen Anderson, Jaxon Barlow, Caleb Beardall and Jack Sexton; sophomores McKray Briggs, Gavin Dosch, Alex Edwards, Jake Harker and Joshua Sampson; and freshmen Wilson Broadbent, Jackson Gale, Crew Kartchner, Davis King, Saxton Mcknight, Alexander Neeley, McKay Neyman and Hayden Trujillo. Wright has been playing golf for more than seven years and spends hours on the course each day. “I became really obsessed with the satisfaction of hitting a good shot and the creativity you could have in golf from shot to shot,” he said. The senior has played with Corner Canyon’s program for the past two seasons after moving from Texas his sophomore year. He earned All-State honors last season as the Chargers’ top golfer, placing in a tie for seventh place at the 6A tournament at Meadowbrook. At state this year, Wright worked through several challenges including coming in with a lack of confidence in his putting. “Coach [Jordan] Bloxham took a silver

sharpie and made a line on my Spider Tour putter. If he doesn’t put that line on there, I don’t win state,” Wright said, giving credit to that change for being able to hole two putts from over 40 feet on the final day, among other key par putts. Wright also battled through medication struggles with his ADHD, an unsettled stomach from Mexican food the night before the final round, changing balls throughout his last 18 holes, dealing with a drone flying overhead on the 18th tee and nearly not using his trusted orange monkey head golf cover—made by his grandma Jodi—as he began second-guessing himself about trying to “not be too flashy.” He credits Fox, Bloxham, current BYU golfer Kelton Hirsch, his Grandpa “Pops” Smith and his CCHS teammates for their genuine support and influence on his golf game. “I’ve been grinding the physical part out, but I felt like I finally turned a page with the mental aspect of the game because of some great mentors,” Wright said. “I’ve focused on self-belief talk, meditation, positive affirmation and setting goals shot by shot in taking my game to a different level.” Wright is looking to play golf in college with his sights ultimately set on the PGA tour.

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a lot of generous people volunteer, donate here and there. We have a flour company donate some flour and so it keeps going.” STEP 2 STEP 2 STEP 2 STEPSTEP 2 All school districts and charters in Utah 2 Separate convalescent plasma STEP 2 Separate STEPconvalescent 2 Separate convalescent plasma plasma have been given permission by the USDA FamSeparate convalescent plasma Separate convalescent plasma into its components Separate Separate convalescent convalescent plasma plasma into its into components its components ily and Nutrition Service to waive lunch fees for intointo its components its components all students, whether they qualify for reduced or intoPlasma its into components itsis similar components donation to giving blood, except the blood is cycled through a Plasma donation Plasma is similar donation to giving is similar blood, toofgiving except blood, the blood except is cycled the blood through isthe cycled a through a special machine that some the plasma before returning blood free lunch normally. Plasma Plasma donation is similar topulls giving blood, except theout blood is cycled through a donation is similar to giving blood, except the blood is cycled through a special machine that machine pulls some that of pulls the plasma some ofout the before plasma returning out before thereturning blood blood a cellsspecial back the body. there, we can use special technology to separate Plasma Plasma isto similar donation to giving isFrom similar blood, to giving except blood, the blood except is the cycled blood through isthe cycled athethrough special donation machine that pulls some of the plasma out before returning the blood special machine that pulls some of the plasma out before returning blood “This is welcome news for the communicells back to cells the body. back From to the there, body. we From can there, use special we can technology use special to technology separate to separate theto plasma into different components, one of which is the antibodies that can special machine special pulls some that of pulls the some plasma ofcan out the before plasma returning out before the returning blood the blood cells back tomachine the body. From there, use special technology to separate cells back thethat body. From there, we canwe use special technology to separate ties we serve,” Canyons School District’s Nuthe plasma into the different plasma into components, different components, one of which one is the of antibodies which is the that antibodies can that can defeat the virus. Plasma donation is use aofwell-established process with years cells back toplasma cells the body. back From the body. there, From we can there, special weofcan use special to technology separate separate the intoto different components, one which the antibodies thatto can the plasma into different components, one which istechnology the is antibodies thatmany can defeat theofvirus. defeat Plasma the regarding virus. donation Plasma is a donation well-established is a well-established process with process many years with many years trition Services Director Sebasthian Varas said. knowledge safety for the donors. the plasma into the plasma different into components, different components, one of which one is the of which antibodies is the that antibodies can that can defeat thePlasma virus. Plasma donation is a well-established process with many defeat the virus. donation is a well-established process with many yearsyears ofdefeat knowledge of regarding knowledge safety regarding for the safety donors. for is the donors. “We have families who may not qualify for free the virus. defeat Plasma theregarding virus. donation Plasma a donation well-established a well-established process withprocess many years with many years of knowledge safety for the donors. of knowledge regarding safety foristhe donors. of knowledge of regarding knowledge safety regarding for the safety donors. for the donors. or reduced-price lunch but have been financially hurt by the pandemic. This will hopefully STEP 3 bring them some peace of mind and take at STEP STEP 3 3 3into a medicine to Convert STEP 3 STEP least one worry off their shoulders.” STEPConvert 3 Convert STEP 3 into a amedicine a medicine A West Jordan employee donated treat patients Convert Convert into ainto medicine into medicine toto toto Convert Convert into ainto medicine a medicine to to treat patients $15,000 from his own salary back into the treat patients treat patients treat patients We can purify and concentrate the antibodies collected from donated plasma city budget to support other employees who treat patients treat patients Your local Grifols plasma Donor Center is NOW accepting to develop a special medicine for still sick with COVID-19 or possibly We can and concentrate thethose antibodies collected from donated plasma plasma Wepurify can purify and concentrate the antibodies collected from donated We can purifythose We andcan concentrate purify and the concentrate antibodies the collected antibodies from collected donated from plasma donated have plasma offered exceptional service during the protect who have not been infected. With this medicine, doctors will to develop a special medicine for those still sickstill with COVID-19 or possibly to develop a special medicine for those sick with COVID-19 or possibly We canhave purify We and concentrate purify concentrate thethose antibodies the collected antibodies from collected donated from plasma donated plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19. to develop a consistent special tocan develop medicine aand special for medicine still sick for those with COVID-19 still sick with or possibly COVID-19 or possibly pandemic. a and precise dosing of the antibodies that can fight COVID-19 protect those those who have not been infected. With this medicine, doctors doctors will protect who have not been infected. With this medicine, will to develop atospecial develop medicine a not special for medicine those still for sick those with still COVID-19 sick with or COVID-19 possibly ordoctors possiblywill protect protect who have those who been have infected. been With infected. thisserve medicine, With this doctors medicine, will tothose possibly help them get back tonot life faster or as a temporary defense “I feel strongly that we need to make have a consistent and precise dosing of the antibodies that canthat fight COVID-19 have a consistent and precise dosing of the antibodies can fight COVID-19 protect those who have those not who been have infected. not infected. this medicine, With this doctors medicine, will doctors haveCOVID-19, auntil consistent haveand a precise dosing and precise of been theWith antibodies dosing of the that antibodies can fight that COVID-19 can fight will COVID-19 aprotect vaccine isconsistent developed. If you don't have your plasma donations are still to possibly help them get back to life faster or serve as a temporary defense to possibly help them get back to life of faster or serve as that a temporary defense sure we are telling our employees thank you have a consistent have a and consistent precise and dosing precise of the dosing antibodies the that antibodies can fight COVID-19 can fight COVID-19 to possibly help to them possibly help backthem to life get faster backortoserve life faster as a temporary or serve asdefense a temporary defense until auntil vaccine is get developed. a vaccine is them developed. for these kinds of actions and reinforcing needed to treat ais to multitude of illnesses. to possibly help to until possibly get help back get life faster back to orlife serve faster as aortemporary serve as adefense temporary defense until a patients vaccine isthem developed. a with vaccine developed. until a vaccine until is a developed. vaccine is developed. their kindness and extra efforts. To that end, I asked the Mayor to transfer $15,000 to the employee recognition line item [in the 2020New donors visit www.grifolsplasma.com to 2021 city budget],” said Korban Lee, West This medicine is the This This isis the the find a Grifols Donation center near Thismedicine medicine Thismedicine medicine theisis the you. Jordan chief administrative officer (CAO). This medicine This medicine is the is the Such examples of kindness included a West Jordan police officer who organized and Tomore find out donating in our COVID-19 Convalescent For infomore visit -about WWW.GRIFOLSPLASMA.COM/EN/ENDCV19 purchased a small birthday celebration with Program call (866) 363-2819. his own money for a young girl involved in For For info more visit - -WWW.GRIFOLSPLASMA.COM/EN/ENDCV19 visit - WWW.GRIFOLSPLASMA.COM/EN/ENDCV19 Formore more For info more visitinfo info WWW.GRIFOLSPLASMA.COM/EN/ENDCV19 visit - WWW.GRIFOLSPLASMA.COM/EN/ENDCV19 visitinfo - WWW.GRIFOLSPLASMA.COM/EN/ENDCV19 visit - WWW.GRIFOLSPLASMA.COM/EN/ENDCV19 |info PFor agemore 20For Nmore ovember 2020 EXPIRES 11/30/2020

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a recent crime. “After a recent horrific tragedy...the mother mentioned in passing that a 7-yearold in the family was having a birthday in a couple of days. Our patrol officer quietly took note. This officer teamed up with one of our support staff and a detective to organize a surprise birthday party (from 6 feet away) for the little girl. They delivered gifts, pizza and a visit from a K9 officer with no fanfare and without telling the Chief or their supervisor,” Lee said. Hispanic Star is a branch of the organization We Are All Human that seeks to support all Hispanics across the country. Edgar Carreon, Utah hub leader for Hispanic Star, described the organization’s efforts. “The purpose of the Hispanic Star is to create a platform that highlights and share stories of contributions Hispanics make to society. It is also a platform for Hispanics of all backgrounds to come together to bring about positive acts of kindness in our community,” Carreon said. After receiving almost 200,000 personal care items (soaps, hair products, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent) Hispanic Star sent out a call to anyone in the area who needed basic supplies. They organized five locations in the Salt Lake valley to distribute 2,000 kits during the summer. Telemundo, Univision and radio stations broadcasted the events, inviting anyone who had been adversely impacted by the pandemic to come get kits full of necessities. All the supplies were gone within an hour. Not long after the death of George Floyd and the surge of protests calling for defunding of police departments, the Midvale precinct of Unified Police received fortification rather than opposition. Boxes of doughnuts, stacks of cookies and bouquets of flowers arrived at their office. Precinct Chief Randy Thomas said, “We’ve never had so many doughnuts delivered in my entire life. I can’t eat another doughnut.” l

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Jaguars beat quarantine and opponents this season By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

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Mailei and Mckenna Meyers line up to defend Hunter’s serve in the Jaguars’ big Region 2 victory, 3-0. (Greg James/City Journals)

uarantined not once but twice, the West Jordan girls volleyball club is still on track to be a top-ranked team headed into the state tournament. “We were playing well in the beginning then we got quarantined,” Jaguar volleyball coach Paulasi Matavao said. “That slowed us down a little bit.” The Jaguars canceled their game against Riverton early in the season, and then two weeks later were forced to postpone three region matches. “It has been really difficult,” Matavao said. “It is hard on the girls; they love to play, so it has been tough. It seems like we started out, had to stop and start all over again.” Two players on the girls volleyball squad tested positive for the Coronavirus, and the entire team and school were forced to postpone all activities. Despite the disruption in the season, the Jaguars have achieved a stellar record. At the press deadline, they are undefeated in the Utah High School Activities Association’s Region 2. “We have several girls that play club volleyball together, so they know each other pretty well,” Matavao said. “They work out together, so that has been helpful for us to bounce back quickly.” A strong and consistent start has elevated the Jaguars in the rating performance index used by the UHSAA to seed teams for the state tournament. They have been ranked as high as seventh. Last season, they finished eighth overall with a 22-7 record. Matavao encourages his team members to play as much they can. “We have some kids that have potential at the next level,” Matavao said. “I encourage them to play year-round. The club helps them get those extra touches.”

Sophomore Lani Matavao leads the team with nearly eight assists per set. Junior Mailei Myers has 27 blocks in their first eight games, and senior MJ Vanisi is averaging over two kills per set. “These girls are very competitive,” Matavao said. “That is the first thing I notice as a coach. They click very well. They all make each other better by pushing each other in practice. The effort is far better than we have ever had.” Matavao is in his fourth season as the girls head coach. The Jaguars are the defending Region 2 champions, and last season they beat Roy in the first round of the state tournament before losing to Corner Canyon in the second. “The culture has really changed,” Matavao said. “We have preached to them that hard work pays off. We have wanted the girls to compete for positions and work to beat out the next girl. We are seeing the results. Our junior high program has really helped too. The kids are playing at a young age. They come through our program.” West Jordan and fellow westside schools Copper Hills, Granger and Hunter have seen improvement in the squads that past three seasons. Copper Hills finished second overall last year; Hunter is 9-2 this season. “I think girls are just playing more,” Matavao said. “I see girls from these westside schools at club tournaments. That scene has really helped. Our girls just have a friendship and they like each other. They are special and have been playing together for quite a few years. They like each other; they are special.” The high school state tournament is scheduled to begin Nov. 3. This season, the finals will be held at Salt Lake Community College Nov. 6 l

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irls wrestlers around the state are zeroed in on winning the first-ever Utah High School Activities Association-sanctioned state championship. Copper Hills senior Alyssa Pace could take on and beat most of the boys in her wrestling weight class, so when girls wrestling became an official sport there was some disappointment, but the excitement of starting a new team and teaching others about a sport she loves has made it all worth it. “I have wrestled since I was in seventh grade,” Alyssa said. “It is fun to push me. I like drilling and working hard. I think wrestling has been a confidence booster. It has become a part of me. It is fun to be part of the wrestling family.” Alyssa has been on the boys varsity team at Copper Hills for two years. This season, the UHSAA sanctioned girls wrestling. In competition, girls will no longer compete against the boys. Female athletes that wish to participate will need to join their school’s girls team. Copper Hills has hired a girls head coach, longtime boys assistant coach Scott Pace (Alyssa’s father). In its first preseason practices, the team had had as many as 15 girls participate, but coaches are expecting around 40 girls. “It has been really good,” Scott said. “The girls like seeing there is an opportunity for them. Our mindset is that we want to take this by storm and build our little dynasty.” In the past, there has always been a stigma with girls wrestling. Athletes have wanted to try the sport but were afraid to join because it was male-dominated. “Now that it is all girls they are jumping at the opportunity,” Melissa Pace, Alyssa’s mother said. “A few years ago, boys would forfeit because they did not want to lose to a girl or beat a girl, but we know there will be growing pains.” Schools in the Grizzly’s region have committed to having teams, but some have not seen numbers to justify hiring coaches. In each school, the team may be structured slightly differently. Copper Hills plans on running the girls team completely separate from the boys. Training and practices will be held at different times, and they have separate tournaments. “I want to help build the name and the team for girls wrestling at Copper Hills,” Alyssa said. “I want to share my love of wrestling with the girls that are coming into the team. I want this sport to be more competitive in the future. Our entire family is part of this team. I tell girls to try it out. It will be worth it.” Copper Hills has several girls that have experience. Alyssa, her sister Brooklyn and their younger sister Maquelle have been nominated as girls wrestlers of the year in their age groups.

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Jasmine Herrera (pictured with her parents at the 2018 senior night) was one of the first girls to wrestle for the Grizzlies. She is an assistant coach on the new girl’s team. (Greg James/City Journals)

Brooklyn is a freshman, wrestling on the Copper Hills team. She has been ranked as high as third nationally in her weight class. Alyssa is ranked third in the state by wrestleutah.com “I expect them both to have great seasons,” Scott said. “We have spent time wrestling around the country. My girls are excited to help teach these girls about a sport that they absolutely love—building a team and family and sharing it with the girls. We are excited about it. At first, I was a little against it; I did not think that girls were supposed to wrestle, but I have realized how much they love it. They can do hard things. The same values that help boys can help these girls in this sport.” The girls wrestling will be different “Girls are more flexible,” Scott said. “We have seen gymnasts and cheerleaders that can bend a lot differently. That makes the sport a little different than on the boys’ side. I think being sanctioned will only help both sports grow in popularity. I consider myself to be a big cheerleader for these girls.” l

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November 2020 | Page 23

Kids make history with COVID Memory Project By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

hat was daily life like for kids living through the last global pandemic? We don’t really know. “There are very few written accounts of the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic; we have pictures, but very few accounts of how people handled their regular lives,” Copper Hills High history teacher Lorna Murray said. “We are not going to make that mistake again. Personal accounts are essential for understanding not only the past, but also the present when the past gets repeated, such as this pandemic. Hopefully, a pandemic is a oncein-a-lifetime experience. We must leave a better record behind us than what we got in 1918.” Murray assigned her history students last spring and again this fall to share their personal experiences of living through this COVID-19 pandemic with The Utah Division of State History. Historical Collections Curator Lisa Barr is heading up a collection of primary source accounts from K-12 students. Young people are invited to share their pandemic experience—how it has affected their school, family, extracurricular activities and lifestyle. Kids can answer a questionnaire or submit journal entries, artwork or photographs which will all become part of a permanent collection in the state archives. “We have access and ability to collect

this info in a way they couldn’t 100 years ago,” Barr said. “Technology has so much to do with the way we’re navigating the pandemic and kids are very savvy to that.” Barr said the responses, which have come from children and teens across the state, have varied widely and are representative of how the pandemic is affecting them differently. The mood of the entries has varied, from the shock of changes in spring to the “new normal” by autumn. Some express frustration, others optimism. A 12 year old wrote:“We’ve had to wear masks now. And we have had a ton of deaths. I didn’t leave my house to do anything except go on a walk or bike ride with my family. It was weird being home so much.” A 14 year old wrote: “I have many negative impacts from the pandemic, but I think that the biggest impacts on me are isolation from friends and extended family members, as well as cancellation of sports, clubs, and school. I could go on and on but I think that it is safe to say that the pandemic is one of the worst and best things I have experienced.” Common themes in submissions so far have been students missing teachers, friends and family and missing out on end-of-theyear school activities and family traditions. One child shared: “Before the pandemic I would play baseball every Friday, Saturday

One submission included a picture of local chalk art. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Barr)

or Sunday. And if I got lucky, all three days in a row...I still play baseball, but only with my parents. We go to empty parks and stay at least six feet away from people and it’s still fun...My family and I would go to a Dodgers game once a year, it’s kinda like a tradition but this will be the first year in a long time we won’t be able to go.” A 12 year old wrote: “During quarantine my grandparents would do drive-by visits.

We also did some door drop-off surprises for my cousins. We did lots of Facetime and texting. Once we were free to get out of our houses, we did a lot of activities together. I missed seeing my grandparents and cousins.” Students have also shared how they’re discovering things about themselves they wouldn’t have known—like learning better online or strengthening family relationships. “I have been learning how to cook more complex meals...and I’ve been getting more into art recently,” said one child. A teenager wrote: “I have recently started learning how to play the ukulele again. I have also learned some new tricks on the trampoline. I think that I have gotten better with house chores.” Another wrote: “I’ve been a better person then I could’ve been. I’ve learned to get along with my little brothers. I’ve also had lots of time to spend with my big brother and we talked a lot. I enjoyed being with my family.” Barr said this project gets kids excited about history. “A lot of time, in order to get history to matter for people, you have to make it personal and so this is a great opportunity to do that,” Barr said. Joy Anderson, who teaches U.S. history at Oquirrh Hills Middle School, agrees.

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West Jordan City Journal

“It is always beneficial to have a perspective that students can truly relate to,” Anderson said. “If they see something from someone their own age, they always pay more attention to it than an adult’s perspective.” Anderson, who also assigned her students to submit entries for the collection, said her students will someday be answering these questions for their children or grandchildren for their history class. She said it is almost impossible to find primary sources from a young person’s perspective for her class content so a collection of this kind will be helpful for future teachers. So, in 100 years, students will be able to study this entry written by a 13 year old in the early months of the pandemic: “We have to be by each other all the time. My older sister and I try to hide in our rooms as much as we can. I also try to go outside and swing alone. I play a lot of video games or watch TV….People don’t visit each other anymore in my neighborhood. It has affected our state because we can’t go to school or church so a lot of people just stay home all day.” Some entries provided advice to future generations facing a pandemic: “It changes your life. You realize all the blessings you have and are thankful for your health. I believe it’s a great thing that happened to slow us down in life.” “I would want future generations to know that something like this truly changes your life! To experience something like this, well, it is really tough. It’s not easy. But, I do think maybe this will shape my future in a good way. So, never give up!” “Sure we have to wear a mask but it does not mask who we are or how we act. Some people exaggerate corona just a little bit, just a little...If people like me look on the bright side and see things from a different point of view, we realize that we are ok. We still get to do fun things and we can still learn things like normal.” Barr said they will collect submissions as long as the pandemic continues. The submissions will be digitized and stored as part of a special collections archive which will be available for public research or, possibly, a public special exhibit in the future. l

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November 2020 | Page 25

Thanksgiving culinary traditions and adaptions in 2020 By Katy Whittingham | k.whittingham@mycityjournals.com

Violet Gorman of Sandy waits to help prepare Thanksgiving dinner in 2019. (Katy Whittingham/ City Journals)

raditions of Thanksgiving, in terms of celebrations and foods served, has usually varied across cultures and regions in the U.S., and includes modern twists and trends. Utah is known for some unique holiday dishes that are both embraced as favorites and rejected by locals and newcomers alike with an either “love them or hate them” mentality. Levi Meyers, originally from Salt Lake and now living in Kanab, said he remembers two staple dishes at the Thanksgiving table when he was growing up — funeral potatoes and cottage cheese Jell-O, but he has not elected to continue the tradition of serving or eating either as an adult. His partner, Christelle DelPrete, also of Kanab and originally from Rhode Island, said that they don’t “really celebrate Thanksgiving,” but if invited to a Thanksgiving meal she brings her own contribution. “As a vegan, I try to find a vegan pumpkin pie recipe online. Vegan crust is tough. I've yet to make one I'd recommend, but the filling is generally

easy and tasty,” she said. Funeral potatoes generally consist of grated potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese, butter, cream of chicken soup and frosted flakes. They are so much of a staple of culture here that according to a Thanksgiving Utah.com article some local restaurants have adapted their own “foodie” versions. The name seems to derive from what one would expect, the dish being served at funerals and sent to grieving families, particularly within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints community. Cottage cheese Jell-O recipes vary, but most consist of lime Jell-O, cottage cheese, Miracle Whip, pineapple and pecans, while other fruits and nuts may be substituted or added. Starr Wahlen of Cottonwood Heights, originally from New York State, said she makes cottage cheese Jell-O “sometimes,” but prefers another local favorite, sweet potato and marshmallow casserole, “but without the marshmallows.” Another local and distinctive

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Apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies prepared for Thanksgiving 2019 in a household in Sandy. (Katy Whittingham/City Journals)

Thanksgiving and winter holiday beverage is root beer and eggnog, which is somewhat comparable to a root beer float, but with a nutmeg flavor and overall spicier taste. Several recipes can be found online on sites like allrecipes.com with some replacing ginger beer or cola for the root beer. Of course, Thanksgiving isn’t all about the food and drinks and is

known for a time to gather together. Dixie-Jo Loveless of Eden said one tradition they have tried to uphold every year is “inviting those who have no one near.” With social distancing, travel restrictions, and group gatherings limited in numbers, there certainly will be more Zoom and FaceTime Thanksgiving celebrations this year, but overall we all hopefully

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West Jordan City Journal

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A fruit turkey prepared for Thanksgiving 2019 in a vegetarian household in Sandy. (Katy Whittingham/City Journals)

can find reasons to celebrate and be grateful. Wahlen said she is most grateful this year, “For my family, friends, and especially my kids and

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Life

Laughter AND

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Well, 2020 finally broke me. I’m overwhelmed, worried about COVID, stressed about the election, climate change, immigration and poverty, and disillusioned to learn Ellen DeGeneres is an actress. It feels like someone shook Pandora’s Box 2.0 like a maraca, releasing sadness, greed and hubris. I started this column dozens of times, but it feels like my funny is numb. I’d begin writing but devolve into an angry rant where I’m pounding the keyboard like a furious Elton John. I’ve gone feral. During yoga, I asked my students for advice on how to find my funny. They suggested sharing recipes for Doomsday Survival beverages like Meltdown Mimosas and Disaster Daquiris. I’m afraid if I start researching drinks, I’d sober up around Groundhog Day. (If there is a Groundhog Day in 2021.) I’m run through a gamut of feelings, enough emotions to create a second or third generation of Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs. I start each day with Hangry then work my way through Weepy, Lonely, Screamy, Worry, Panic and Gloomy. My husband never knows which Peri he’ll bump into when we pass in the hall. It makes everyday discussions a bit wobbly. Hubbie: What sounds good for dinner? Me: We’re on a spinning planet, slowly moving toward the sun where we’ll be consumed like a fly in a bug zapper. Hubbie: So . . . enchiladas? Americans are resilient, right? We’ve been through tough times, right? We’ll come together and make the best decisions for our country . . . oh, who am I kidding? I started screaming at the moon every night like some kind of demon weredog. I’m sure my neighbors are terrified. (Sidenote: I hope someone who’s been living in a bunker since Y2K finally emerged this year to see if it’s safe to come out. Joke’s on them.) My meditation practice has become a slow descent into madness. But then. I zoom in close and watch my grandkids teach a disinterested dog to roll over. I see myriad kindnesses in my life like chocolate, warm blankets and Disaster Daquiris. I zoom out and witness this beautiful world with its billions of people just doing the best they can. Compassion is abundant. I talk to the trees (literally). I smell pumpkin spice (everywhere). I hike through gorgeous canyons, watching leaves release their grip on branches and freefall to the ground. The stillness settles my thoughts.

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I don’t know if you’ll read this before or after the election. I don’t know if we’re facing martial law, a presidential coup or (finally) an alien invasion. But I know optimism feels better than despair. We can continue to Catastrophe Scroll though vile social media posts, created by friendless trolls with no sense of humor and a serious case of ringworm, or we can turn off our phones and relearn what “community” means. One day soon, we’ll have to acknowledge the friendships we’ve lost, the unnecessary arguments we waged and the times we refused to back down. It will be a political hangover of epic proportions, especially if you’ve been drinking Calamity Cosmopolitans. Those who follow my social media platforms know where I stand politically, and it’s easy to look at the rage in the world and point fingers at The Other Side. I can stop the blame game, but I won’t stop calling for equality, justice and inclusion in places it doesn’t exist. We must remember that Hope remained in Pandora’s Box. It’s our job to nurture it.

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Generosity and kindness thrive during tough times By Erin Dixon | e.dixon@mycityjournals.com

mall glimmers 0of kindness illuminate dark times. Around the United States, zoos offer free viewing from their animal cams, celebrities read children’s stories for a cause, and children’s book authors offer drawing lessons for house-bound families. Closer to home, generosity gets personal. With locations in Sugar House, South Jordan and Taylorsville, Schmidt’s Pastry Cottage began offering free loaves of bread after Gov. Gary Herbert quarantined the state. Since then they have baked and donated 90,000 loaves. Owner Steve Borg said, “It’s been a lot of work but it’s opened up our hearts. We’ve had a lot of generous people volunteer, donate here and there. We have a flour company donate some flour and so it keeps going.” All school districts and charters in Utah have been given permission by the USDA Family and Nutrition Service to waive lunch fees for all students, whether they qualify for reduced or free lunch normally. “This is welcome news for the communities we serve,” Canyons School District’s Nutrition Services Director Sebasthian Varas said. “We have families who may not qualify for free or reduced-price lunch but have been financially hurt by the pandemic. This will hopefully bring them some peace of mind and take at least one worry off their shoulders.” A West Jordan employee donated $15,000 from his own salary back into the city budget to support other employees who have offered exceptional service during the pandemic. “I feel strongly that we need to make sure we are telling our employees thank you for these kinds of actions and reinforcing their kindness and extra efforts. To that end, I asked

the Mayor to transfer $15,000 to the employee recognition line item [in the 2020-2021 city budget],” said Korban Lee, West Jordan chief administrative officer (CAO). Such examples of kindness included a West Jordan police officer who organized and purchased a small birthday celebration with his own money for a young girl involved in a recent crime. “After a recent horrific tragedy...the mother mentioned in passing that a 7-year-old in the family was having a birthday in a couple of days. Our patrol officer quietly took note. This officer teamed up with one of our support staff and a detective to organize a surprise birthday party (from 6 feet away) for the little girl. They delivered gifts, pizza and a visit from a K9 officer with no fanfare and without telling the Chief or their supervisor,” Lee said. Hispanic Star is a branch of the organization We Are All Human that seeks to support all Hispanics across the country. Edgar Carreon, Utah hub leader for Hispanic Star, described the organization’s efforts. “The purpose of the Hispanic Star is to create a platform that highlights and share stories of contributions Hispanics make to society. It is also a platform for Hispanics of all backgrounds to come together to bring about positive acts of kindness in our community,” Carreon said. After receiving almost 200,000 personal care items (soaps, hair products, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent) Hispanic Star sent out a call to anyone in the area who needed basic supplies. They organized five locations in the Salt Lake valley to distribute 2,000 kits during the summer. Telemundo, Univision and radio stations broadcasted the

Steve and Lucy Borg have given away 90,000 loaves of French bread since March to anyone who walks into Schmidt’s Pastry Cottage. (Photo courtesy Schmidt’s Pastry Cottage)

events, inviting anyone who had been adversely impacted by the pandemic to come get kits full of necessities. All the supplies were gone within an hour. Not long after the death of George Floyd and the surge of protests calling for defunding of police departments, the Midvale precinct of Unified Police received fortification rather than opposition. Boxes of doughnuts, stacks of cookies and bouquets of flowers arrived at their office. Precinct Chief Randy Thomas said, “We’ve never had so many doughnuts delivered in my entire life. I can’t eat another doughnut.” l

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West Jordan City Journal

Vote-by-mail in Salt Lake County works

Aimee Winder Newton Salt Lake County Council | District 3

WestJordanJournal .com

Voting by mail has been one of the hot topics of this election season. National headlines have questioned both the security and the process. Salt Lake County voters should not be concerned, as our county has had years of experience in voting by mail, and our Salt Lake County Clerk has been running successful, secure, and reliable voteby-mail elections since 2013. As a Salt Lake County voter, you can be sure that your vote will be counted. In fact, Utah was ranked second in the nation for protecting voter privacy and data. The Salt Lake County Clerk mailed ballots on October 13th to all active registered voters in the county. Your ballot should have arrived in your mailbox that same week. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before November 2nd (the day before Election Day) to be counted. Besides having a postage-paid envelope to return your ballot, Salt Lake County has offered 21 secure drop boxes throughout Salt Lake County where ballots can be returned. The locations are listed on the ballot instructions in-

cluded in ballot packets, and can be found at got-vote.org. Ballots can also be returned to the county clerk’s office or to a vote center. If you aren’t returning your ballot by mail, it must be dropped off at one of the above locations before 8 p.m. on Election Day. A limited number of vote centers will be open on Election Day, but with all social distancing guidelines and precautions around the pandemic, voters are encouraged to use the vote-by-mail system to avoid potential lines and long waits. The vote centers are to accommodate those who did not receive a ballot in the mail. Some people may not realize how ballots are processed and counted. When the ballots arrive at the clerk’s office to be processed, the first step is a signature match. This is done electronically by a state-of-the-art machine designed just for this purpose. Ballots with signatures that don’t match what the clerk has on file are “challenged” and the voter is contacted to confirm their identity. Once they’ve verified the voter’s identity, the signature and the

ballot are then separated to protect the voter’s privacy and the ballot goes into another machine to be counted. After the clerk tabulates all the votes, the results are then certified by the Board of Canvassers, comprised of the Salt Lake County Council Members. The official results are then sent to the State Elections Office. In Salt Lake County we have cameras filming all rooms where ballots are held. There must be at least two people in an area when ballots are handled. Salt Lake County has been complimented by elections attorneys around the country for our secure process. In Utah, you can track your ballot’s progress at vote. utah.gov to make sure it is counted. I’m sure I’m not the only one who can’t wait for the election season to end, but at least we know that here in Salt Lake County voters can rest assured that their ballots will be counted, that the process is secure, and that their privacy is protected.

November 2020 | Page 33

Want to keep Utah’s museums open? Visit or donate By Mariden Williams | m.williams@mycityjournals.com

ccording to a July survey by the American Alliance of Museums, some 16% of museums across the United States are in danger of closing their doors due to the financial strain of the pandemic. Even those that aren’t in immediate danger of closing are still under immense financial pressure. Utah’s museums are, sadly, no exception. The Hogle Zoo, the Living Planet Aquarium, the Tracy Aviary, Utah’s numerous dinosaur museums—all of them are under a lot of strain, and if they’re to stay open, need the public’s support. While most museums do have endowments and financial reserves to fall back on, they’re not big enough to keep them going for very long, and closures earlier in the year have already eaten up almost all of that cushion. Funding is particularly important, and tight, in facilities with live animals. Places like the Natural History Museum of Utah have the option of closing up completely for a while: the dinosaur bones won’t get any deader if no employees come in for weeks at a time. But zoos don’t have that option. The animals need to be fed and cared for whether visitors are coming in or not, and that makes funding disappear even faster. The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, the Tracy Aviary, and the Hogle Zoo all closed for around 50 days from mid-March to midMay—the high season for most zoos—and all three are still reeling from the impact. “The Hogle Zoo has taken a major hit, there’s no doubt. We were closed for 50 days during a time of year that is critical to the financial health of the zoo. Spring is when we fill our coffers to help keep us afloat during the fall and winter when attendance declines,” said Erica Hansen, the Hogle Zoo’s public relations manager. A lot more was lost than just ticket revenue. Spring is also a key time for many zoos’ fundraising events, most of which had to be canceled or moved online. “We had to cancel our conservation fundraising garden party, and our education fundraiser, which raises money for camp scholarships and free nature programs,” said Patricia Dark, the Tracy Aviary’s marketing director. “Additionally, we had dozens of weddings booked that had to be canceled. All in all we lost about $500,000.” Keeping zoos open is important, and not just because they’re fun to visit. Zoos are crucial for wildlife conservation, both locally and abroad, and they sponsor a lot of habitat protection and breeding programs for endangered animals. The Living Planet Aquarium farms coral and uses it to bolster struggling and dying coral reefs, which are vital to marine life. The Tracy Aviary hosts and breeds several species that are extinct in the wild, such as the Guam kingfisher. Zoos are the only chance we have at introducing such species back into their native ecosystems. “We engage over 100 community science

Page 34 | November 2020

The Living Planet Aquarium’s timed ticketing system ensures that the building never gets too crowded for social distancing. (Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)

Besides the fish and sharks, many other animals also make their home at the aquarium, including penguins, otters and even wild cats. (Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)

volunteers each year in local and state-wide projects that help conserve birds and their habitats. Our work helps many species—from rosy-finches, owls, and hummingbirds in Utah to macaws, pelicans, and plovers in Central

America,” said Dark. To keep doing the important work, zoos need every bit of money they can get, according to Loveland Living Planet Aquarium CEO Brent Andersen. “It costs over $2 million a

year just to care for all of the animals—that includes food, veterinary care, staffing, habitat maintenance, etc. The closure happening right before spring break, our busiest two months of the year, has had a tremendous negative impact on funding,” Andersen said. “The reopening has relieved some of that pressure,” but not all of it. To make things even harder, all three zoos are currently operating at limited capacity—in the aquarium’s case, this is by design, as they have been forced to limit ticket sales in order to enforce social distancing requirements in their mostly-indoor buildings. “We’ve created a timed ticketing system. This online reservation system allows guests to reserve a specific day and time for their visit. This system ensures that there is always enough room for guests to make physical distancing possible,” Andersen said. It’s a system that helps keep everyone safe, but it also means they’re seeing 40% less attendance than they have in prior years, which makes things hard. “Fewer guests means less revenue, while the cost of caring for the animals and running the facility remains.” At the mostly outdoor Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary, tickets are being sold as normal, but visitors still seem to be hesitant to return in the numbers they used to. According to Dark, the Tracy Aviary is only seeing 40% of its usual amount of visitors. The story at the Hogle Zoo is similar, even though staff are doing everything they can to make sure that visiting the

West Jordan City Journal

zoo is as safe as possible. “We were among the first three zoos in the country to reopen and our team worked tirelessly to make that happen,” Hansen said of Hogle Zoo. “We have hours for high-risk and elderly on Monday mornings, 8 to 10 a.m. Masks are required indoors and strongly encouraged outside, we have numerous hand sanitizer stations throughout zoo grounds, distance markers and lots of reminders for guests to take caution. We’ve had a few vocal parties on the great mask debate of 2020, but otherwise, most guests seem to be enjoying their time and are happy to have a safe place to stretch their legs.” With this decrease in visitor revenue, there’s a fair amount of worry as to what will happen should a winter resurgence of the virus trigger a second wave of closures. Will the museums be able to survive it? “Boy, we sure hope so,” Hansen said. “That could be tough for us, and we’re currently counting on revenue and attendance during our popular BooLights and ZooLights events to help us out.” At BooLights and ZooLights, which occur around Halloween and Christmas respectively, the Hogle Zoo grounds are bedecked in hundreds of colorful holiday-themed lights. Both events are good family fun, and have been well attended in the past. Unfortunately, they also take place in fall and winter, which is when epidemiologists say a resurgence of the virus is likely. Government aid is also a possibility. “Depending on the length of any closure, we would be seeking federal and local funding like those that were allocated through Congress in April,” Andersen said of the aquarium. This would also be an option for Utah’s other zoos. Representatives from all the state’s museums and zoos said the public can help them to stay open. People can make a difference, through visiting them and simply donating. “We need visitors now more than ever. Or we at least need your support. There are many ways to donate,” Hansen said. Many museums, including the Hogle Zoo, are currently holding silent auctions, with prize packages donated by community businesses. Some even open after regular hours on fundraiser nights: the aviary is holding $30 socially-distanced outdoor movie nights throughout September, which gives people an opportunity to explore when the sun is less intense and nocturnal birds are active. Buying annual memberships to your favorite museums functions as a donation as well as a pass to visit them often. And, of course, there’s always the tried-and-true simple cash donation, which can be made through most any museum’s main website. Donations really do make a difference for museums. It sure made a difference for the Natural History Museum of Utah, whose curators were, earlier this summer, worried whether it could survive the year. But after their Fund the Future drive in June yielded nearly triple their original goal, their future is secured. With the public’s help, that same security can be given to other favorite museums. l

Keeping the brain happy By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

s more of us are working and learning from home, it’s important to keep in mind how our brains stay happy and efficient. Years of psychology research (traced back to the late 1700s) has shown us that our brains do well in states: the particular mode or condition that the brain is in at a specific time. Whether we are learning or working from home, it’s important to keep the locations in which our brains are active separate from the spaces in which they aren’t. State-dependent memory has been defined as the phenomenon in which the retrieval of a memory is most effective when an individual is in the same state of consciousness as when the memory was formed. Psychologists have determined that state-dependent learning can help or hinder our brains while learning new things, emphasizing where and how we learn new information is important. Further, recalling that information is easier if our brains are in the same location with similar stimuli. A common recommended study habit related to state-dependent learning is to study in the same room where a test will occur (Godden, Baddeley, Goldstein, etc.). One recommendation I commonly share to explain state-dependent learning concerns smell. I’m sure we have all been surprised by a memory experience related to that sense. These experiences are commonly retold as: I smelled a food my family used to make when I was little and remembered a moment from my childhood. While we still aren’t completely sure why smell has such a strong relation to memory (Chen, Proust, Herz, etc.), we can utilize this knowledge for our own learning. Do you remember scented pens (pens that exude different smells, commonly fruity, depending on the color of the ink)? Before the current age of technology, students were recommended to use a different pen for each class, so the subject-specific smell would help the brain recall information specific to that class or subject and further help learning. (Sniffin’ Sticks research by Tekeli, Larsson, Rumeau, Besides the fish and sharks, many other animals also make their home at the aquarium, including penguins, Liu, Besser, etc.) otters and even wild cats. (Loveland Living Planet Aquarium) Outside of learning, our brains typically like separations of states. As phones, and

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other screens, have become more and more prevalent, researchers (Hawse, Chang, Duffy, Aeshbach, etc.) discovered that the brain activity associated with being on a screen was not conducive for relaxation or sleep. Now, the National Sleep Foundation recommends putting screens away for at least an hour before going to bed. The simple idea of separating brain states can be applied to broader areas of our lives. A common recommendation is to separate work and relaxation states. This means don’t work from your bed (Hammerness, Moore, Miller, etc.). If possible, separate your workspace from your sleep space, at the very least. If possible, I always recommend setting some sort of work or office space outside of the room that you sleep in. Before the pandemic, as I was trying to incorporate this idea of brain states more into my life, I set a rule for myself that I would not work at home (unless absolutely necessary). A few weeks into it, I noticed that once I entered my designated workspace, my brain turned on and got focused faster and easier. I didn’t have to convince myself to get to work. Now with the pandemic, embodying brain states has been more difficult. I spent some time a few months back setting up a workspace in my home. It’s as far away from my relaxation space as possible, and it’s near a window (natural light is also important for our brain and circadian rhythms). State-dependent memory does not only apply to location and space, but to the state of the body and brain as well. States may include variables like being under an influence, (Hoine, Bremer, and Stern), intensity and type of mood or emotion (Reus, Post, and Weingartner), and pain (Pearce, Isherwood, Hrouda, and Radulovic, Jelena, Lee, Royce), among others. Whether we are learning or working from home, state separation is important. In keeping our workspace strictly for work, and our relaxation space saved for relaxation, our brains become happier and healthier. l

November 2020 | Page 35

A PROVEN ADVOCATE for the Community and VOICE FOR YOU As a police officer, the welfare of our residents is Sam’s #1 Priority. AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, SAM WILL FIGHT FOR: • Increased and Smarter Investment in Education • Responsible Growth through Improved Planning & Transparency • Real Improvements to Air and Water Quality • Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare and Prescriptions

ENDORSED BY:

• Jordan Education Association • Utah Fraternal Order of Police • Salt Lake County Democratic Black Caucus • Utah AFL-CIO • Operating Engineers Local #3 • Labor and Public Employee Democratic Caucus of Salt Lake County • Jen Atwood, Board Member –Jordan School District

385-202-0238

sam@vote4samwinkler.com Twitter @SamuelUtah Facebook & Instagram @SamWinkler4UTHouse42

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November 2020 | Vol. 20 Iss. 11

FREE LATINO COMMUNITY MUST FEEL A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP, SAYS LIVING COLOR AWARD WINNER By Alison Brimley | a.brimley@mycityjournals.com

Carlos Moreno said he “never expected” to be honored for his work encouraging Utah Latinos to become more involved in their communities. (Photo courtesy Carlos Alejandro Moreno.)

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