Bingham High students excel at Technology Student Association competition

Bingham High juniors Corbin Midgley and Anthony Nowling recently took a first place in the state Technology Student Association competition by creating a new website for their high school.

Jaren Barlocker and Damon Hernandez also participated in the website's development.  Corbin entered the TSA competition as part of a fundamental web class requirements. He chose to enter not only in the skills section of the competition solo but also with a team because he liked the idea of working on a team level. Every team member had a special area they worked on for the competition. Corbin was the team leader.

Corbin, who has always been interested in website development, got his start from a suggestion from a friend. "I was referred to the (web fundamental class) and ended up liking it, so well that I stuck with it," he said. He signed up for the next class level the following semester.

"This design was kind of different from things I've done," Corbin said. "We were building a website from scratch, so we got to use our own ideas and do what we wanted to do." "Web browser compatibility was one of the main reasons for our win," he said.
Corbin runs several sites for Bingham High including the band website and the football website.
The winning site will be used by the high school for calendar use.


However, the completed website that won the award at the state level will not be what Corbin and his team enter in the national competition. This is due to a change being made to the template that was suggested by the judges.

The template that was used on the current site is a bit dark and the new template will be much lighter. According to teacher Melinda Mansouri, a lot of adults think a lighter template is more appealing.
"The judges said they wanted it lighter and more colorful and that it was a little hard to read," Corbin said.
The students all received a ribbon for winning at state. The national competition will be held June 21 to 22 in Dallas, Texas.

By Alisha Tondro for The South Valley Journal

Published in April 2011 in Riverton, Utah



From left: Jaren Barlocker, Corbin Midgley,

Damon Hernandez and Anthony Nowling



http://www.southvalleyjournal.com/pages/full_story/?id=6340&type=Articles&numitems=1&startitem=0&showimages=1

Tree City USA helps by planting trees at local elementary schools

Arbor Day was originally founded in Nebraska by Sterling J. Morton in 1872. Herriman City is keeping this tradition alive by planting trees annually at various elementaries in the city. By doing this, the city is maintaining its status as Tree City USA.

Ty Nielsen, Herriman City arborist, has been working with several elementaries in Herriman to plant trees every Arbor Day. This year there were four schools involved: Silver Crest Elementary, Herriman Elementary, Butterfield Elementary and Providence Hall Elementary.

Each of these schools received a Redbud tree to plant on the school property.

As part of the Arbor Day celebration, Silver Crest Elementary students participated in two contests. Each of the winners of the first, an essay contest, was awarded a small redbud tree to plant at home.

The other contest was a poster contest which Carson Shaffer, a third grader, won. His poster took first place in the state competition.

Carson was honored at a special ceremony at Red Butte Garden on April 29. His poster was hung at the garden along with other posters from winners around the state. Each participant in the contest was presented with a tree to take home.

Silver Crest Elementary has been participating in the Herriman City tradition for the past two years. Herriman Elementary has been participating for three years, Butterfield for five years, and Providence Hall for two years.

As part of the presentation of the tree, Nielsen gave a slide presentation to the students. He taught the students the importance of having trees as well as what trees really do. Trees create shade, food and oxygen. He explained to the students that it takes 25 trees to make one ton of paper.

Nielsen also donated a copy of the book "I Can Name 50 Trees Today" to each school.

Nielsen was able to get the students and the teachers involved in the presentation.

"Each year they get a new kind of tree," he said. "Last year they got an oak. There are about 40 different types of trees in Herriman. We're trying to diversify with a new tree each year."

At Silver Crest, the student council was able to help plant the tree. Nielsen had already dug the hole, but let the students help him bury the tree roots.

"It's cold, but still fun," Sage Obray, one of the student council members, said. Sage was also one of the essay winners and was able to take home her own redbud tree to plant. Each year the trees are purchased by the city.

"It's part of the requirements of becoming Tree City USA to plant trees every year," Nielsen said. Nielsen is proud to be able to share the importance of Arbor Day with students every year.



By Alisha Tondro for The South Valley Journal

Published in April 2011 in Riverton, Utah



The student council at Silver Crest elementary helped Ty Nielson,
Herriman City Arborist, to plant a redbud tree at their school.
Students include: Zach Edgington, Emma Peterson, Jaden Berthoud,
Aliya Samowitz, Samantha Samowitz, Ryker Eggenberger, Wyatt
Crosland, Jayden Sorensen, Camille Leiter, London Rindlisbacher, Caden
Bailey, Matthew Larsen, Conner Lee, Georgya Brewster,
Saige Obray, and Adisyn Dutson

http://www.southvalleyjournal.com/pages/full_story/?id=6339&type=Articles&numitems=1&startitem=0&showimages=1

Bluffdale Elementary invites mayor to judge congressional hearing

A fifth grade class at Bluffdale Elementary has spent the last four months learning about the U.S. Constitution. These students were part of a program implemented at the elementary called "We the People."
In 2009, Miss Melanie Fisher, the fifth grade teacher, received a grant to attend James Madison University in Virginia to learn more about the program. Part of the grant included instructions on implementing the "We the People" program in her classroom.
As part of this program, on April 19, the students had a simulated congressional hearing. During the hearing, the students presented and expressed their knowledge about the Constitution, the country's history and the government. The students were judged by a panel of three judges.
These judges included Bluffdale City Mayor Derk Timothy, Principal Ken Westwood and Rep. LaVar Christensen. "By involving these particular judges, it was a phenomenal experience for the students," Fisher said. Fisher said that her students have been diligently studying and preparing for the hearing since January.
"I know that civic education is important in our schools, and I am trying to implement this program in my classroom," she said.

Students participating were asked to dress their best and encouraged to memorize their speeches to help with their presentations.

Fisher also thanked the many volunteers who had helped inside the class room during the past few months.

The primary goal of "We the People" is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary and secondary students. The instructional part of the program is meant to enhance student understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. At the same time, students discover the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The culminating activity of the program is the simulated congressional hearing. The students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles to the judges. They also have opportunities to evaluate and defend their positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.

"I like doing the program and I hope to do it again next year," Fisher said. "It always depends on how receptive the students are. This year they've been great. I love to see them learn and be able to really show what they've learned."
"I think that if we didn't have this education like this, it would really affect our future," Callie Howell, one of the students, said.
"I feel like being more involved in the government now from what I've learned," Addisen Jensen, another student, said.
Many students agreed that the congressional hearing was fun. "They're proud of themselves to see what they've learned," Fisher said.

Melanie Fisher's fifth grade students participated in a four-month
Constitution program. These students include Jordan Lambert,
Addisen Jensen, Isabel Page, Logan Brasier, Nickolas Sweet, Dallin
Ivie, Gracie Enniss, Hunter Rushton, Bayli Mannek, Whitney Roach,
Avery Clark, Maylee Warr, Katelyn Loosli, Rene' Van der Watt, Ethan
Roberts, Sterling Gaillard, Conner Hughes, Emily Christensen,
McKay Mower, Kynlee Bingham, Kendra Carter, Jace Hazelgren,
Jakob Carver, Megan Naylor, Braden Jessop, and Callie Howell.

By Alisha Tondro for The South Valley Journal

Published in April 2011 in Riverton, Utah

http://www.southvalleyjournal.com/pages/full_story/?id=6338&type=Articles&numitems=1&startitem=0&showimages=1

South Hills Middle entertains audiences with play about Frankenstein

Frankenstein earned a new role at South Hills Middle School on April 14. Portrayed in an hour long play titled "Frank" the title role played partially by Ian Bryant, was illustrated as a frustrated young man attempting to make friends after finding out that he had been "homemade" by his father Dr. Stein.
The play ran for just one evening with two performances. As there are two Theater 2 classes, each class had an opportunity to perform the lead roles as well as the extra roles.
"There are only 16 title roles, so each class used the other to fill in the extra spots," Linda Moon, the drama teacher, said.
Moon has been working with the students since the beginning of the semester in January on the play. Participation was required from each of the students.
"Ms. Moon works wonders with these kids," Janette Milano, South Hills principal, said.
Before each performance, Moon took a small amount of time to speak to the audience about true theater etiquette. "It's not like the movies where you can get up whenever you want," Moon said. She continued by stating that the students had put a lot of effort into the performance and she encouraged everyone to remain in their seats till the end of the performance.
Many of the students were very excited about the performance. There were many girls who ended up playing the male parts in the story. Brianne Allred, who played the role of Lester, was commended by a fellow student for "making a great guy."
"I have a part in everything and it makes it fun," Malone Smith, a Theater 2 student, said.
"The play is a culminating experience of what the students have learned during the semester and worth lots and lots of points toward the student's grade," Moon said to her students before the play started.
The play was well received by the audience and earned a standing ovation by the end of the second performance.

By Alisha Tondro for The South Valley Journal

Published in April 2011 in Riverton, Utah

http://www.southvalleyjournal.com/pages/full_story/?id=6337&type=Articles&numitems=1&startitem=0&showimages=1

South Jordan Middle School teacher honored by chamber of commerce

In an event honoring teachers in the Jordan School District, the South Jordan City Chamber of Commerce presented Teacher of the Year awards at a luncheon on April 27. Cindy Gumeson a math teacher at South Jordan Middle School was one of those who were honored.

Gumeson was nominated by Shawn McLeod, an assistant principal at South Jordan Middle School. "She was nominated because of all the great things she brings to the school like her credentials and the way she interacts with the students," McLeod said.

The middle school runs a lunch program where some of the teachers take their lunch hour to help students who are struggling. Gumeson is one of the teachers who regularly help during this hour.

Each recipient received a special trophy and a gift basket of goodies.

"[Gumeson] does a lot for the school," Caleb Olsen, South Jordan Middle School social studies department chair, said. Olsen and McLeod said that Gumeson will do anything asked of her and that she is very helpful when things need to get done.

Gumeson teaches Algebra 1, Algebra 1A, and Pre-Algebra at the middle school. She has been working for South Jordan Middle School for the past 18 years.
"I feel very honored to receive this recognition," Gumeson said.

By Alisha Tondro for The South Valley Journal

Published in April 2011 in Riverton, Utah

http://www.southvalleyjournal.com/pages/full_story/?id=6336&type=Articles&numitems=1&startitem=0&showimages=1

Jaywalking near Herriman High has parents concerned

During a recent South Jordan City Council meeting, a local resident brought up concerns with crossing issues near Herriman High School.
"The corner of 11800 South 6000 West is a dangerous place for students to be crossing," Shanna Bird, a resident of Sunstone Village said. The Sunstone development is the neighborhood directly north of the high school.
"I feel we have a legitimate safety concern, not just for (high school) students who cross the road at 11800 South but also for the younger kids who cross there," Bird said.
Bird will have a student attending the high school next year and does not want to worry about his safety while crossing the busy road.
When Bird took her concern to the school board, she was told that it was a city issue, so she took it to the city. Not only did she get South Jordan involved, but because 11800 South is the boundary between the two cities, she also approached Herriman officials.
During the council meeting, several solutions were suggested. Bird suggested putting in a crosswalk where the students are crossing.
"What we really wanted was a mid-block crossing but both city engineers didn't seem to want that," Bird said.
When the high school was built, the city put a signal button with a crosswalk light at the intersection on 5600 West and 11800 South but Bird said the crosswalk is far away from where high school students want to cross.
Several of the students have taken to jaywalking in the area as a shortcut to and from school. But because the speed limit is 50 mph eastbound where they cross, Bird worries about their safety. The westbound speed limit westbound is already at 35 mph.
"We're worried -- they're kids. No matter how many times you tell them not to do it, it's going to happen," Bird said.
In February, the South Jordan Council authorized a speed study to determine if the area warrants an actual school zone crossing.
"Due to the dividing factor of the road, we thought that the issue may be slightly problematic in solving," John Geilmann, South Jordan city manager said.
Herriman crews have started putting up slower speed limit signs as well as school crossing signs. These signs are currently covered as Herriman has to wait for South Jordan to put up signs on its side of the street.
"The intent is for drivers to be more interested and more aware of their surroundings in this area," Gordon Haight, Herriman City community development director, said.

By Alisha Tondro for The South Valley Journal

Published in April 2011 in Riverton, Utah

http://www.southvalleyjournal.com/pages/full_story/?id=6326&type=Articles&numitems=1&startitem=0&showimages=1

Shooting, raffle prizes and free hot chocolate in Bluffdale

The Bluffdale Lions Club will be hosting a turkey shoot on Saturday, May 7. The shoot will start at 10 a.m. and go till dusk. It will be held at approximately 16700 South Camp Williams Road. There will be signs leading to and designating the location of the shoot.
During the event, there will be a raffle with prizes given away every hour. Most of the prizes will have an outdoor theme to them. The prizes range from outdoor chairs to a grill and the grand prize will be a shotgun. Each raffle ticket will be $1.
"Sometimes people think we actually shoot turkeys, but the turkey is really just the prize," Brad Peterson, Bluffdale Lion's Club president, said. The contestants will actually be shooting clay pigeons.
Each round will cost $5 and the contestants will be shooting against four other people. The winner of each round will get to choose either a turkey or a ham to take home.
There will be vendors with food as well as free hot chocolate for those who are interested.
"All ages are welcome and we will be there come rain or shine, so hopefully it won't be too wet," Peterson said.

By Alisha Tondro for The South Valley Journal

Published in April 2011 in Riverton, Utah

http://www.southvalleyjournal.com/pages/full_story/?id=6322&type=Articles&numitems=1&startitem=0&showimages=1