Congratulations to Herriman High School’s Jessica Smiley, Isla Homer, and Livia Hanson for winning big at the DECA 2026 International Career Development Conference. The trio of sophomores took home first place in Business Services Operations Research at the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
The students partnered with Utah’s Department of Corrections and Department of Government Operations to research the viability of converting the Utah State Correctional Facility to solar power with a state-of-the-art storage system using converted EV batteries from the state’s fleet. The team worked with experts from around the state to research the viability of the concept, prepare a realistic budget, and develop a proposal for training incarcerated persons as solar technicians to assist with both installation and system maintenance. The project not only got the attention of DECA, but the state of Utah also made all three students interns, and will include the project in the state’s annual report.
Great work, Jessica, Isla, Livia, and Herriman High teacher Rickee Stewart, on an impressive project!








What was supposed to be a pretty typical, but much anticipated end of school year field day for students at South Jordan Elementary School turned into something much, much bigger. Fourteen Olympic and Paralympic athletes surprised students by showing up to take part in the field day fun… all of them fresh off competing in the recent Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

