Content about Social Issues

Samantha Braithwaite, daughter of Russell and Beth Braithwaite, was chosen as this year’s Foreign Language Sterling Scholar! 

Recently, the Dots and Doodles Preschool has open their doors to a second location, 185 North Commerical Street, in Morgan City.

Several months ago, for his Eagle Scout project, Carson Rupe sent out a flyer to the Mountain Green community, to collect toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and drugstore eye glasses for Haiti.  Some of these items were dropped off at his house, and he picked up others.  All in all, he gathered three big boxes full of dental floss, toothpaste and toothbrushes for a dental team (part of the Haiti Healthcare Initiative) to give to patients.  Part of the HHI project was to teach Haitians how to brush and floss, since the rate of dental problems is so high. For his Eagle project, Carson also gathered a number of reading glasses, and enough cash contributions to purchase over 60 more pairs of reading glasses.

The following is data from a national level regarding Bullying:  15-20% of all students are victimized by bullies at some point in their career; almost one in three are involved in bullying, either as a bully or victim; 10% of students are afraid during much of the school day; 160,000 children miss school every day in the USA for fear of being bullied; and about 20% of students have reported being victimized by online bullying. The following is information according to what I call the National Definition of Bullying that includes the following elements: stronger against a more vulnerable child; intentional and happens more than once; serious in nature; in short bullying is a one-sided unfair match that happens more than once and has attendant physical, emotional or psychological harm.   

The fascinating journey of Jerry and Barbara Betournay began years ago in our neighboring state of Idaho. Jerry Betournay was born in Boise, Idaho. He later moved to Billings, Montana and then on to Salt Lake City to finish out high school. He always looked back with fondness on time spent on his uncle’s farm and the sweet fresh air which would eventually lead him and Barbara to Morgan. Barbara was born in Northern Minnesota. When she was 5 years old her family moved to Mesa, Arizona. It was there she met Jerry one Thanksgiving day. Jerry was in the service and had come home to celebrate Thanksgiving.  

The Chamber of Commerce has been working extremely hard for the past year in getting an Economic Development plan in place to best assist businesses in Morgan.

The Community Development Corporation of Utah are offering a Home Repair Assistance program from the Utah Division of Housing & Community Development. This program is available to people who live in the Morgan County and has a yearly household income at or below 80% from the federal income guidelines. 

Serving on the School Board is a privilege and an honor.  I believe it would be beneficial to share a few things about School Board governance that may affect the way the community interacts with the Board and the Administration.

Roots Hair Salon will celebrate their grand re-opening on Sat. Oct. 29, 2011. 

Roots was started three years ago by long time Morgan resident, Janica Ricettes.

Morgan County has a new member of the school board, Jodi Hipwell.  Hipwell is a native of Ogden.  After her marriage to her husband, Carl, they spent seventeen years in the Southeast United States in Arkansas and South and North Carolina.  Hipwell, who has four children, volunteered in schools in each community where  they lived.  “I have seen some of the best schools in the country and I have seen some of the worst schools in the country,” says Hipwell.  She continues, “That gives me a little bit of insight into different types of school systems.”  Her two youngest children both attend Morgan High School presently.

Rock Springs, WY - Keli Jo Hardy-Shook, 50, passed away July 23, 2011 at the Salt Lake City Regional Medical Center. She died from a sudden illness. Keli was born April 22, 1961 in Ogden, Utah to Val Dean and Carol Lee Hardy. She was a graduate of the Morgan High School class of 1979 and soon after met the love of her life, Dale Shook. Her and Dale wed on August 2, 1980 and moved to Wyoming following Dale’s work. Their daughter was born in 1984 where they became “three together forever”. They lived in Lyman and Evanston and later moved to Rock Springs where Keli worked various jobs until she earned her Associates Degree from Western Wyoming Community College. With that degree she began her career in office management and administrative assistance. These jobs included working at the local college, hospital, Schlumberger, and most recently IPS. Keli was a hard worker and valued her jobs and the people she worked with. During her time off she loved to be in the comfort of her home with her husband and her three Airedale Terriers. She loved her dogs as if they were her children. Keli was involved with the local Humane Society and helped any and all Airedales get rescued even if that meant she transported them to their new home across state lines. Keli also enjoyed camping and spending time with her family and friends.

Nationally, high school sports are still increasing in the number of participants that plays yearly.  It has increased every year for the past 16 years with 2010-11 being the most ever.  That trend is also prevalent at Morgan high School.  If sports are so important, one has to ask the question why?   Is it because people value the sports or is it what the sports program can teach our youth?  It seems to be the social, emotional and intellectual satisfaction that is gained by the participants.  The true purpose of high school sports is to serve the complete educational needs of all students.  The preeminent purpose is to harness discipline – desire – and commitment of all individuals involved.  Another lesson that cannot be over looked is that responsibility comes with the privilege of playing.  Morgan High School now offers 20 sports and activities sponsored by Utah High School Activities Association.  As administrators we know there are other benefits that come to students who participate that include having higher GPAs, better attendance, lower dropout rate, and fewer discipline issues.   At Morgan High School our goal is to employ people that are double goal coaches, which not only coach the sport but teach life lessons as well.  In the world of high school sports emotions can and often run high.  Our coaches are encouraged to teach, practice, and model good sportsmanship.