She is a two-time Utah State Champion female wrestler, a five-time All-American, and placed in the top six at three national wrestling competitions. Now, Copper Hills High senior Anya Hatch can add World Wrestling top-ten champ to her list of accomplishments. To make her story even more incredible, Anya joined the sport of female wrestling just shy of two years ago.

Anya’s father, Jay Hatch said his daughter represented her native country of Tonga in the World Wrestling Championships, which were held in Rome at the end of July. She made history as the first female Tongan to wrestle at the world event. Anya placed 10^th in her weight class, a truly amazing accomplishment.

Now, Anya is back home in Utah preparing for the upcoming wrestling season with about 23 teammates at Copper Hills High School.

Congratulations, Anya. We are proud of your accomplishments and wish you much success in the future!

Last week, Mountain Creek Middle School students showed their school spirit by spelling out the school initials with their bodies. Drone pilot Jason Yeaman took the photos, and the school’s choir and the band helped the students form the letters.

What a unique and fun way to get your whole school involved in an event. Keep up the great work, Mountain Creek Middle.

South Hills Middle School Tiger Squad students are doing all they can to spread the message about suicide prevention awareness. Recently, they joined members of the community participating in the “Out of the Darkness Walk” sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

This was the second year for the Tiger Squad to be involved in the “Out of the Darkness Walk,” and students say they were amazed at the amount of community support they witnessed.

The Tiger Squad is made up of 26 students who are nominated for their ability to reach out, befriend, and help students at South Hills Middle. The school relies on these amazing ambassadors to help look for students who are struggling and then refer them to the counseling center or a trusted adult for support.

Keep up the important work, Tiger Squad. We are proud of the difference you make in young lives.

It was a real-life lesson about the history of the American Flag and what to do when the flag is worn and no longer a fitting emblem for display. Westvale Elementary School students gathered on Wednesday with West Jordan Police officers, some members of the military and community for a solemn and dignified flag retirement ceremony. Students, faculty, staff and those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance and students sang a patriotic song while waving small flags. Once the old flag was retired, a new flag was raised to fly at Westvale Elementary.

Thanks, Westvale Elementary for a beautiful ceremony and showing great respect to the American flag.