Student athletes from six Jordan District high schools were honored at the 2026 Deseret News High School Sports Awards at The Grand America Hotel. Herriman High’s Jackson Spencer was named the Male Athlete of the Year for the state, adding to a crowded trophy case that included state championships in Cross Country and Track & Field, along with being named the 2025-2026 boys cross country national Gatorade Player of the Year. 

Each of Utah’s 25 sanctioned sports was awarded a most outstanding athlete, as well as male and female honors. In total, 20 Jordan School District athletes were honored with Jackson Spencer, JT Rigby (Mountain Ridge boys lacrosse), and Maggie Hamblin (Riverton girls softball) being named the top athletes in their sport. A full list of all JSD honorees is below. 

Bingham

• Faleupoluoalii JJ Faiivae – Boys Volleyball Ultimate 6
• Luke West – Boys Basketball Dream 5 starters
• Jaylee Peck – Drill Team Most Outstanding Athletes
• Jayma Grimm – Competitive Cheer Most Outstanding Athletes
• Davis Aubrey – Boys Tennis Most Outstanding Athletes
• Kamryn Newman – Girls Tennis Most Outstanding Athletes

Copper Hills

• Camila Palafox – Girls Soccer Best 11 Forward
• Elise Southworth – Girls Lacrosse Best 12 Defensive Midfielder
• Kennedy Jennings – Softball Elite Starting 9

Herriman

• Jackson Spencer – Male Athlete of the Year, Mr. Cross-County, Boys Cross-Country and Boys Track Most Outstanding Athletes
• Paige Anae – Girls Golf Most Outstanding Athletes
• Aspyn Hawes – Softball Elite Starting 9

Mountain Ridge

• JT Rigby – Mr. Lacrosse, Lacrosse Best 11 Attacker
• Ethan Brown – Boys’ Swimming Most Outstanding Athletes
• Cooper Goff – Baseball Elite Starting 9

Riverton 

• Jackson Erickson – Boys Golf Most Outstanding Athletes
• Sienna Jenson – Girls Soccer Best 11 Defender
• Maggie Bird – Girls Lacrosse Best 12 Middie
• Paisley Young – Girls Lacrosse Best 12 Middie
• Maggie Hamblin – Ms. Softball, Elite Starting 9

West Jordan

• Lily Henderson – Girls Lacrosse Best 12 Middie

Work has begun this summer on extensive renovations to the 45-year-old West Jordan High School building. The project is scheduled for completion in November 2029.

Upgrades will include increased natural lighting, improved ADA accessibility, new flooring, collaborative learning spaces, a new dance studio, a weight room, and a gym.

The Jordan Board of Education approved the remodel, which is expected to save district taxpayers more than $100 million compared with the cost of a full rebuild.

Thank you to everyone working hard on this project. We look forward to seeing the finished result.

The talented students enrolled in the JATC barbering, hair design, and nail tech programs are open for business this summer. Make an appointment or stop by for a haircut, color, manicure, or pedicure.

Appointments can be made by calling 801-412-1300 or by dropping in at the JATC South campus, 12723 Park Ave., Riverton.

Students are providing services from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday through July 2.

FatCats Theaters in Bluffdale was the site of a celebration of a year of hard work for high school students enrolled in video programs throughout Jordan School District. Students showcased their films and videos on the big screen during the JSD Video Showcase. For nine exceptionally talented students, there was also a plot twist at the end of the event as they were surprised with “Rising Artist” scholarships from the New York Film Academy. Each of the nine scholarships provides $20,000 a year in tuition assistance to students who attend NYFA at their Los Angeles or New York campus.

A standing ovation to Jack Bowler (Copper Hills), McKay Bowler (Copper Hills), Rowan Burgess (Riverton), Lauren Crane (Riverton), Ethan Edwards (Copper Hills), Ella Goebel (Riverton), Jackson Jenkins (Riverton), Tanner Maruji (Riverton), and Isaiah Rasmussen (Copper Hills) for this amazing achievement.

Congratulations to Bingham High School’s Travis Lucero, who has been selected as one of 50 finalists nationwide for the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The award is in its 10th year and was established by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt to advance excellent, skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools.

Mr. Lucero was nominated for the amazing work he has done teaching welding and collision repair to Bingham students for more than 20 years. He is now in the running for one of 25 prizes totaling $2 million, which Harbor Freight will award in Fall 2026.