A recent donation from Aaron’s Rent-to-Own in Vernal is expected to help the Uintah Schools Foundation put more violins in the hands of Uintah School District music students.
Aaron’s general manager Spencer Weaver was inspired to support the foundation with a $500 donation after learning that Uintah Middle School teachers had begun using a 3D printer to make violins. Weaver saw one of the violins in use during a middle school concert on Feb. 24. To read more about the 3D printed violins, visit www.uintahschoolsfoundation.org/press-release.
Central Cove Waitlist Opens
The waitlist for 2025-2026 enrollment at Central Cove Preschool is open. First offers of enrollment will be sent by email starting on April 4 and will continue until all spots are filled.
To be eligible, children must:
live in Uintah County,
be at least 3 years old by Sept. 1, and
not turn 5 years old before Sept. 1.
Families can apply by completing the waitlist application. Tuition financial assistance may be available based on income. For questions or more information, call Ryshann Searle at Central Cove at 435-781-3125.
UHS Band Concert
The Uintah High Band and Orchestra will hold their Region Concert on Tuesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. in the UHS auditorium. Admission is FREE. The concert will be streamed live on the Uintah Bands Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person.
Celebrations
Three Uintah High Technology Student Association leaders recently returned victorious from their state conference in Provo. Lois Lyman, Tommy Cruz IV, and Elspeth Montague took 2nd place with their entry in Board Game Design, culminating months of hard work. Cruz also placed 1st in the grueling 3-hour CAD-Engineering session.
"It was a fantastic showing," Uintah High teacher Joseph Woodard said. "Way to represent our school so well!"
Uintah High FFA also had a solid showing at the state convention last week. Abbie Olsen, Sydney Anderson, and Kenna Dudley placed first in the FFA Agriscience Fair, qualifying them compete at the National FAA Convention in October. Lillian Strasburg placed 2nd at the state convention in extemporaneous speaking.
The Uintah High Choir program attended their Region Chamber Choir and Region Solo & Ensemble Festivals on Wednesday. The groups or individuals who earned superior ratings are: Polyphony (chamber choir); SoVoce – Emily Swonger, Felicity Goodrich, Esther Swonger, Lauren McKee, Kylie Caldwell, Benson Baumgarten, Lucas Merryweather, Luke Nielson, Owen Carbine, Isaac Carbine, Isaac Ray, and Joseph Hardin (ensemble); Kylie Caldwell and Irelyn Greco (duet); Alexie Judd and Taylee Wells (duet); Lauren McKee, Isaac Ray, and Emily Swonger (trio); Joseph Hardin, Alamon Goodrich, Isaac Ray, Felicity Goodrich, and Irelyn Greco (ensemble); and soloists Kara Lalliss; Lauren McKee; Sydney Huber; Kylie Caldwell; and Adaline Pettit for her vocal and piano solos.
The groups or individuals who earned excellent ratings are: Miriam Pena, Jenavive George, Janessa Cordova, Echo Tanner, Alamon Goodrich, Parker Strasburg, David Semadeni, Samuel Ray, and Joseph Hardin (ensemble); Esther Swonger and Emily Swonger (duet); Lucas Merryweather, Owen Carbine, and Isaac Carbine (trio); Janessa Cordova, Brooklyn Blankenagel, Zoey Brokaw, Elyse Morgan, Rachel McCormick, Maci Munford, Rosalee Hayes, Madalyn Sellers, and Jayda Ramsey (ensemble);
SoVoce; the duo of Kylie Caldwell and Irelyn Greco; the duo of Alexie Judd and Taylee Wells; the trio of Lauren McKee, Isaac Ray and Emily Swonger; the ensemble of Joseph Hardin, Alamon Goodrich, Isaac Ray, Felicity Goodrich and Irelyn Greco; and soloists Kara Lalliss and Lauren McKee all qualified for the State Festival.
Finally, congratulations to the winners of the annual Mr. Uintah and Miss Uintah bodybuilding competition, which was held Wednesday night at UHS. Josh Scow won the title of Mr. Uintah and received the inaugural Jon Snyder Award. Paisley Bell won the title of Miss Uintah. Daniel Logan and Riata Bell placed 2nd in the competition, and Jordan Martinsen and Madyson Olsen placed 3rd. Prestynn Duncan won the People’s Choice Award and Zac Thompson won the inaugural Curg Belcher Award.
Teacher of the Year/Employee of the Year
Schools and departments around the district have selected their Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year.
The teachers of the year from our schools are: MarKay Anderson (Ashley Elementary); Tristan Kinsey (Davis Elementary); Amy Rasmussen (Discovery Elementary); Heather Grosland (Eagle View Elementary); Alyse Hayes (Lapoint Elementary); Jeannene Dozier (Maeser Elementary); Kedric Coonis (Uintah Middle School); Kristy Fulton (Vernal Middle School); and Tessa Zufelt (Uintah High). Mark Slaugh was chosen as the Professional of the Year for Central Cove Preschool.
The classified employees of the year from our schools and departments are: Ryshann Searle (Central Cove); Lonni Young (Ashley Elementary); Demri Girot (Davis Elementary); Jessica Anderson (Discovery Elementary); Shannon Uasila’a (Eagle View Elementary); Amber Allred (Lapoint Elementary); Daisy Angus (Maeser Elementary); Gayle Whitmire (Uintah Middle School); Bridgett McBride (Vernal Middle School); Lesha Hacking (Uintah High); Brody Carlton (Maintenance); and Cynthia Shiner (Transportation).
Congratulations to these outstanding individuals! The district will announce its Teacher of Year and Classified Employee of the Year on April 3.
Weekend Events
The Uintah High Track and Field Team is competing at the Pine View High Invitational today in St. George. The meet got underway at 1 p.m.
The Uintah High Boys Tennis Team is also in St. George playing in the St. George Invitational this weekend. The Utes lost their first match of the invitational earlier today, falling 0-5 to the defending 6A state champion Lone Peak High Knights. They were scheduled to play Springville this afternoon and Lehi this evening. Saturday’s matches will be based on the results of today’s matches.
Uintah High Baseball is in Farmington, New Mexico, for the Scorpion Invitational at Farmington High School. The Utes lost to the host team last night in a close game. Earlier today they beat Kirtland Central High 11-1. Uintah is scheduled to play its final game of the tournament tomorrow at 1 p.m. against the Bloomfield High Bobcats. The game will be streamed live on www.desertsportslive.com.
Good luck to all our student-athletes and GO UTES!