Sunset Ridge students got a look into the future as the school hosted its Career and Technical Student Organization Fair. Student ambassadors from more than a dozen Jordan Academy for Technology & Careers programs visited the school to teach students about the wide range of opportunities available through JATC in high school. Programs represented at the career fair included everything from auto collision to dental assisting, digital media, and biotechnology, giving students plenty of options as they look forward to continuing their education.
Taking Center Stage with a Former JSD Employee Turned BYU Dance Professor
Supercast Episode 370
She went from being an educator in Jordan School District, teaching everything from hip hop and classic, to contemporary and jazz dance to being an Associate Professor of Dance at BYU.
On this episode of the Supercast, we meet up with Kori Wakamatsu. Hear how she is now preparing the next generation of dance teachers, like student teacher Grace Bjerregaard, to take center stage and why Kori says dance is so important in the busy lives we lead.
- Episode info & audio transcription for Episode 370: Taking Center Stage with a Former JSD Employee Turned BYU Dance Professor
- Previous episodes can be found at supercast.jordandistrict.org
Bluffdale Elementary Students Blast Off to Planet Kindergarten
Students at Bluffdale Elementary became the latest recruits preparing for a mission to Planet Kindergarten. The Planet Kindergarten initiative challenges kindergarteners to learn all the letters and their sounds by November 1, setting them up for early reading success.
At Bluffdale, the administration got into the space theme and dressed as an astronaut and Earth. Together with the students, they read the book Planet Kindergarten and encouraged the students to reach for the stars and collect special trading cards and pins as they demonstrate their mastery of letters and sounds.
Jordan District Students Shine at 2026 Shakespeare Competition
The Utah Shakespeare Festival hosted its 50th annual Shakespeare Competition. Students from around the country, including Jordan School District high schools, visited Southern Utah University to participate in acting, dance, music, and technical theater events at the largest scholastic Shakespeare competition in North America.
Riverton finished second overall in the Buckingham Division for the largest schools and placed in the Top 10 in all submitted acting and dance scenes. Herriman finished second place overall in the music sweepstakes, which encourages students to explore the music of the Renaissance. Mountain Ridge and Riverton had several students finish first in Tech Olympic categories, which showcase students working behind-the-scenes in sound, lighting, scenery, make-up, and costumes.
Great job to all the students and teams who represented Jordan District, with special congratulations to the following winners:
Overall
- Riverton 2nd place – Buckingham Division Sweepstakes
Tech Olympics
- Mountain Ridge – 3rd overall
- Araceli Ibarra – Mountain Ridge (1st Place Makeup)
- Karissa Bailey – Mountain Ridge (1st Place Lighting)
- Adin Nielsen – Riverton (1st Place Construction)
- Layla Anderson – Riverton (1st Place Costumes)
- Landon Wells – Riverton (1st Place Rigging)
Acting & Dance
- Carlos Boscan – Riverton (3rd Place Monologue)
- Brock Harris – Riverton (4th Place Monologue)
- Trenton Lundberg, Cade Huizingh, Colin Haslam – Riverton (3rd Place Scene)
- Macbeth Acting Ensemble – Riverton (Top 5 Finish)
- Riverton Dance Ensemble – (Selected to perform at Judge’s Dance Showcase)
Music
- Overall – Herriman (2nd Place)
- Troubadour (1–5 participants) – Herriman (2nd Place)
- Minstrel (6–10 participants) – Herriman (2nd Place)
- Canzonetta (6–16 participants) – Herriman (3rd Place)
- Madrigal (17+ participants) – Herriman (1st Place)
Foothills Elementary Brings Community Together for Stargazing During the Mid-Autumn Festival
Foothills Elementary School students and staff welcomed hundreds of community members to the Star Gaze and Mid-Autumn Festival Night. The event combined Chinese culture, science, and student projects for a fun evening of learning and showcasing student achievement. Students performed and participated in storytelling, interactive cultural stations, and showcased classroom projects.
The evening was hosted in partnership with the Salt Lake Astronomical Society, whose members provided telescopes, giving attendees a chance to see the moon, planets, and stars up close. Many families stayed well beyond the scheduled end of the event to continue exploring the night sky.
Organizers credited the event’s success to the community showing up and volunteering. They gave a special thank you to the Chinatown Supermarket and other community partners for helping make the evening a memorable celebration of culture, science, and community.
