You could say it was going way above and beyond the call of duty for West Jordan High School Resource Officer Austin Larsen and it is a day one student will never forget.

When Officer Larsen learned 10^th grader Aiden Hulet’s beloved bike was damaged beyond repair in an accident with a vehicle while Aiden was bicycling to school, Officer Larsen knew he had to do something. Thankful Aiden was not seriously injured in the accident, but still needing safe transportation to school, Officer Larsen went to work looking for a new, reliable, safe bike for Aiden to ride. Thanks to the support of fellow officers at the West Jordan Police Department, the search was a success.

To everyone’s delight, Officer Larsen surprised Aiden with the gift of a new mountain bike and a brand- new helmet. It is now weeks later, and Aiden is still smiling! He is grateful for the new bike allowing him to travel back and forth to the school he loves, and grateful for the true friend he has in school Resource Officer Austin Larsen.

Thank you to everyone at the West Jordan Police Department for helping to keep kids like Aiden safe and making a difference in the lives of students we serve every single day.

He is a principal with an on-going purpose to surprise his students and staff, and make learning fun. But this time it was Foothills Elementary School Principal Abe Yospe himself who was the recipient of a big surprise.

After some serious planning, teachers and staff at Foothills pulled off a pretty fun prank carried out by none other than a local bagpipe player. Everyone pitched in and hired the bagpipe player to show up and be a musical shadow of Mr. Yospe, following him wherever he went throughout the school for one full hour…a full hour of bagpipe playing for the principal.

The prank was not only a way to celebrate the end of the school year, but a way to thank Principal Yospe for all he does to make learning fun throughout the year.

She is a super kind student who goes out of her way to embrace and support others in her school. This week 9^th grader Brooklyn Gatzemeier, who is also a peer tutor in the special education program at Mountain Creek, received a surprise honor and recognition.

Jordan School District Safety Coordinator Matt Alvernaz presented Brooklyn with a JSD challenge coin. It is a coin reserved for those who have gone above and beyond for others, showing compassion and a sense of caring. The coin acknowledges Brooklyn’s achievement as a peer tutor, always ready and willing to lend support in taking care of others.

Following a long-standing tradition, Mr. Alvernaz presented the challenge coin to Brooklyn with a special handshake. In addition, to show the school’s appreciation for Brooklyn’s acts of kindness, Principal Mike Glenn gave her a certificate, a pair of the highly sought after Mountain Creek Moose socks and one of the school’s plush Moose mascots.

Congratulations, Brooklyn Gatzemeier! Keep spreading kindness and use your challenge coin to challenge others to spread kindness as well.

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Jordan Education Foundation “Outstanding Education Support Professionals.” They were honored at the Board of Education meeting for their hard work, kindness, and always going above and beyond supporting students, staff, parents, and patrons in Jordan School District.

Congratulations to the following:

• Bryan Pursell, Transportation
• Kris Wishart, Purchasing
• Laurel Bigler, Herriman High School
• Luanne Sullivan, South Valley School
• Natalie Terry, Oquirrh Hills Middle School
• Jeff Welch, Elk Meadows Elementary School
• Dan Parko, Information Systems
• Allison Kunz, Joel P. Jensen Middle School
• Susi Liong, South Jordan Middle School
• Michelle Emmons, Oak Leaf Elementary School
• Carolyn Crow, Preschool/CDC

There were firm handshakes, polite and cordial introductions, and fabulous conversations all around at the Mountain Shadows Leadership Academy banquet dinner. The dinner was held to celebrate some really amazing students and their successful journey through the school’s Leadership Academy.

Dinner guests were assigned to sit with one student and rate the student on skills like restaurant etiquette, carrying on conversations, active listening, and eye contact. The guests were able to see first-hand how students have honed their leadership skills throughout the school year. They are hoping those skills will make a positive impact on their school and community.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the Leadership Academy and banquet dinner. The students demonstrated excellence in their etiquette skills!