It was a day to empower female student athletes throughout the state of Utah. Bingham High School Athletic Director Andee Bouwhuis was a driving force behind the first annual “Womens’ Day in Sports,” which was sponsored by the Utah Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (UIAAA) and the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA). About 150 female athletes from more than a dozen school districts around the state participated. The girls, all sophomores and juniors, were inspired by speakers who encouraged them to raise the bar in leadership and be ambassadors for women in sports and sports professions.

The girls learned about proper nutrition to fuel the body as an athlete and positive body image. They heard from a sports psychologist and a gold medal Olympian in water polo.

It was an amazing event and we are grateful to everyone who helped in planning and making it such an impactful day for girls in sports.

She is a talented young student who found inspiration from her gym coach at Golden Fields Elementary School. Now, Naomi Ramba is being recognized for her talents.

Naomi entered a video essay contest called “Because of An Educator” in a State PTA competition. Naomi’s video was selected as the first-place winner at the State level for her entry called “Who Inspired Me.” In the video Naomi talked about how her gym coach, Summer McNeely, was an inspiration, changing Naomi’s mind about working hard, staying active, and coming to school.

Jordan School District Board of Education members, along with Superintendent Anthony Godfrey and others recently recognized Naomi Ramba for her accomplishment. She also received a $500.00 cash prize and a plaque from the Utah State PTA.

Congratulations, Naomi Ramba. Keep up the great work!

They shine bright each and every day, but during the school’s annual talent show, students and staff at South Valley were shining brighter than ever. The theme of this show was Rihanna’s “Shine Bright Like a Diamond,” and the day started with student body officers singing the theme song.

Student art was on display and many genres of music were represented such as pop, country and rock. Several students also used South Valleys Ben-Q smartboard to demonstrate their drawing abilities, their singing, and hidden abilities-like being able to name countries on a world map.

DJ Max kept the party going as usual, supplying the music to accompany all the showcased talents. The South Valley cheerleading squad performed a routine and halfway through the show, school staff surprised students with a flash mob, lip syncing to their favorite 90’s boy band, Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Away.”

It was an amazing day for students and staff to shine bright like diamonds. Thanks to our student body, staff, and parents for cheering everyone on in their amazing display of talents.

It was a split-second decision on the part of a driver that could have cost multiple young lives. A driver ignored a school bus stop arm which was activated, racing by just as elementary school students were about to cross the street, at a school bus stop. It was a tragedy averted by a quick-thinking school bus driver, Joey Skelton, who saw the car coming and immediately signaled to the students they had to stop.

Cari Minnesota, a grandmother who witnessed the entire incident with her grandchild as they were about to cross the street spoke to the media with an emotional message on Friday. Ms. Minnesota was joined by Stacy Johnson, a parent, whose child was there at the time of the incident. Both women say the bus driver saved lives that day and students who were taught to follow the rules helped to keep themselves safe as well. Some of the students at the bus stop that day gave Joey Skelton a card thanking him for looking out for students, life savers for saving their lives, and some fun school bus driver socks.

Jordan School District Director of Transportation, Paul Bergera, also spoke to reporters telling them that each year there are more than 100,000 school bus stop arm violations in the State of Utah. Everyone who spoke said they worry that if more isn’t done to stop the stop arm violations, lives will be lost.

Thank you to our community partners who were there to support safety around school buses:

• Local Law Enforcement
• Zero Fatalities
• UDOT
• Utah Association of Pupil Transportation

It was a night of song, dance, simply delicious food, games, and family fun. Herriman High School hosted a huge Chinese New Year Celebration involving Dual Language Immersion (DLI) students from elementary, middle, and high schools, along with Chinese college-level students from Utah State, the University of Utah, and BYU. There were interactive cultural exhibits and displays offering a chance for everyone to see what students on all levels are learning in Chinese DLI.

Students performed on stage, giving attendees a chance to become immersed in Chinese culture as they all celebrated the “Year of the Dragon.”