Brynn Carnesecca | American Fork Citizen

In the next few weeks, Dallin Lesher will graduate from Salem Hills High School. Lucky for him, Dallin doesn’t need to worry about rent, tuition or books. He has earned over $1.2 million in scholarships throughout his time in high school.

Dallin’s scholarship journey was partially influenced by his sister, Hannah Lesher, but mostly came from his sense of drive and commitment to higher education. Born in American Fork, Dallin’s achievement means big things for his future.

“I just started looking outside of the state and seeing what these places have that I would want. I didn’t stay strictly in Utah or around Utah, but looked around the whole country and applied everywhere,” Dallin said.

Most of his scholarships are merit scholarships given to him in recognition of his high GPA, course load and extracurricular activities. Out of all the scholarships offered, Dallin’s two largest scholarships came from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Preparatory Program (NPP) scholarship at Norwich University in Vermont and a scholarship given to high-achieving scholars.

The NPP scholarship is given to students with a special interest in the military. Through the funds, students are enrolled in a five-year program that prepares them for the military and a career afterwards.

“I will finish my college, then owe four years in the military. After that, I can choose to stay in the military or go elsewhere,” Dallin explained.

The scholarships Dallin has accepted cover tuition, room and board, food and a bit extra on the side. Thanks to these funds, Dallin won’t have to worry about how to afford college.

“This means that I can start living my life sooner. I don’t have to worry about finding a job immediately,” Dallin said. “When I get out of the military, I can get a job and start working. Everything I earn can go towards what I want for the future. It gives me so many more opportunities.”

For Dallin’s mom, Emily, the scholarships are a great comfort.

“It’s a huge weight off our shoulders and a sigh of relief to have their college paid for and to have a path forward for the next decade,” Emily shared.

For anyone interested in getting scholarships either in or outside of Utah, Dallin encourages them to go for it.

“Apply for everything. It might be really tedious, but who else is going to give you a million dollars for free?” Dallin laughed. “If they give [the scholarship] to you, then you have an opportunity. It doesn’t mean you have to take it, but at least it’s on the table.”

After his time in college and in the military, Dallin hopes to give back to the youth in the community.

“I want to be a high school teacher. I love the relationships I’ve been able to have with my teachers. I know that a good teacher can make an incredible difference,” Dallin expressed. “ I’ve had personal experiences with that, and I want to be able to help people like me potentially get a million dollars in scholarships.”

Dallin plans to attend Norwich after graduating this May. On top of academics, he also has the chance to continue being a competitive swimmer in college.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

As Alpine School District prepares to split into three new districts in the fall of 2027, families living along the boundaries have faced questions about whether they will be able to remain in schools that will then be outside their district.

On April 23, the Aspen Peaks and Timpanogos school districts sent a letter to approximately 250 families whose children live within the Timpanogos School District boundaries, but currently attend schools located in Aspen Peaks School District. More than half of those students attend Deerfield Elementary in Cedar Hills.

The letter tells families they have the choice to transition to a school within the Timpanogos boundaries, or choose to stay in the Aspen Peaks school their student currently attends.

Deerfield students living in Pleasant Grove will, in the future, be boundaried in Manilla Elementary. PG students in Barratt Elementary in American Fork will be transitioned into the Mount Mahogany Elementary boundaries. Junior high and high school students living in Pleasant Grove will now all be slated to attend Pleasant Grove Junior High and High Schools.

“You are welcome in Timpanogos School District. We are excited to serve you in the Timpanogos District schools and we will help your students thrive,” the letter says. It continues, “You can choose to remain in Aspen Peaks School District. APSD is willing to partner with you to help support this transition.”

“Parents will essentially be able to choose their schools, irrespective of district boundaries. Current Utah law protects these rights,” said Aspen Peaks’ named Chief of Staff Rich Stowell. He said the two new districts are expected to adopt Alpine District’s current process for managing those requests. “We will keep parents informed as we develop procedures,” he said.

Aspen Peaks School Board member Amber Bonner, who represents the area that includes Deerfield Elementary, said, “I’ve had a lot of families reach out to me with questions about what will happen to their students. We just wanted to put out the letter showing we’re working with the Timpanogos District to make sure they feel supported wherever they choose to have their children attend school.”

Transportation will play a big role in the support of families, whether they move to new schools or stay in their current school placement. Both districts will provide bus service for qualifying neighborhoods. APSD will provide bus service until the end of the 2032-2033 school year, to support students currently enrolled and bused in APSD schools who choose to stay until they age out of their enrollment.

District leaders say the goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible for students and families. “We know this issue is a concern for parents of students at the affected schools,” said Aspen Peaks Superintendent Joel Perkins. “Transitions that affect a student’s schooling can be challenging for families, and we want to provide options to help students and families manage those transitions.”

In February, Alpine School District invited parents and staff from affected schools to provide feedback. TSD held its own community meetings. Following those meetings, Superintendent Perkins and Timpanogos Superintendent Jaren Jensen worked with their school boards to create the current plan, which received consensus support from both boards.

Students attending Dry Creek Elementary in Lehi, but living in Saratoga Springs, will face similar issues on the west side of the APSD. Aspen Peaks is also working with the Lake Mountain District and Alpine School District on a plan to support those students.

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

The American Fork High School Marching Band recently named four new drum majors for the upcoming season. Alyson Beardall, Kamalu Willing, Zachary Warner, and Micah Rajaratnam were honored during the band’s annual Step Off Meeting. Last year’s drum majors ended their service by passing their plumes to Beardall, Willing, Warner and Rajaratnam.

Following this recognition, Beardall, a 4th-year member of the marching band, reflects on her journey. Before becoming a drum major, she played sousaphone, inspired by her mother, who also held the same role in high school. To Beardall, being a drum major means leading with character, being responsible, and showing respect to people. She looks forward to watching new band members improve, adding, “I think it’s going to be so much fun.”

Similarly, saxophonist Willing recalled feeling “shocked” to be named drum major. Willing, who will be a senior, said he wanted to follow in his friends’ footsteps as drum majors. He looks forward to growing with and befriending the other drum majors. Feeling special to be inaugurated by a former drum major, he shared, “It just felt really cool.”

AFHS Marching Band Director Orien Landis said he is most impressed by the new drum majors’ teamwork and collaboration.

Warner, transitioning from his role as a percussionist in the front ensemble, also shared his excitement at being named drum major. “Seeing the drum majors made me want to be like them.”

As band members look ahead, trumpet player Micah Rajaratnam, entering his junior year this Fall, expressed excitement at following in his two older brothers’ footsteps. He aims to “set a new standard for greater success.”

Moving from individual goals to broader band ambitions, this year the band will continue to focus on culture. The band leadership met and set specific goals to make rehearsals more effective by maximizing practice time. Landis said they will accomplish that by focusing on the small but challenging details. He hopes this will lead to more productive rehearsals. With that goal for the season, Landis says he’ll be happy with any outcome.

Complementing this focus on growth, Percussion Director Dana Slabaugh called this year’s percussion auditions the strongest the band has ever had in his 15 years at AFHS. He praised the strong players throughout the section, saying, “They’re going to be very strong.”

Reflecting the group’s optimism, Warner shared, “This season is going to be special, and I think everybody’s going to enjoy it. I’m excited to see how we grow as a band and how good we can get this show.”

At the Step Off Meeting, students and parents were given a sneak peek at this year’s show theme, inspired by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet “Swan Lake.” The performance will feature music from “Swan Lake” and swan props to capture the ballet’s essence. Building on this excitement, the marching band hopes to advance to the final round this year at Grand Nationals in Indianapolis.

With aspirations set, both Beardall and Slabaugh are looking forward to performing alongside some of the nation’s best bands and returning to Grand Nats, an opportunity AFHS only gets when traveling to Indianapolis.

Echoing these ambitions, Willing said, “We have a good chance at making finals again and possibly improving on last year. It will take more work.”

Rajaratnam added, “We’re going to do things this year that have never been done before,” emphasizing the group’s determination to break new ground.

Concluding the season, Landis said, “Helping students become better people and teaching them to value quality time means we’ve had a successful season.”

Brynn Carnesecca | American Fork Citizen

American Fork High School’s award-winning band collaborated with Utah’s Cars and Coffee chapter to hold a barbecue competition to raise money for their yearly activities. The event, coined the Caveman Cookoff, brought the city together in a new way.

The band has over 300 ninth through 12th grade students and numerous regional and national accolades. The event took place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at AFHS. People from all over the city and beyond gathered on the field and in the parking lots to support the band. The idea to bring the various activities together came from band director Orien Landis.

“We’ve been doing [the band barbecue] for a few years since COVID as a way to do something outside,” Landis explained. “It’s slowly developed over the years into what it is now. It’s really organically grown over time.

In one corner of the parking lot, hundreds of supercars and their owners were parked for people to come see, free of charge. Lamborghinis, Ferraris and other supercars sat out front of the high school with doors open.

“My little brother plays in the marching band,” shared Coffee and Cars representative Alex Thang. “I’ve been a big part of the car community. My mom said ‘Let’s try to combine two worlds at once.’”

For those who had no tie to the marching band, the supercars were a huge draw. Local organizations, including Club Paddock and Fast Lane Drive, made a special appearance to bring the community together while supporting the school’s band.

AFHS’s own band played jazz tunes on the grass for everyone to enjoy. Vendors lined the field as well with various foods to keep everyone satisfied. In the far corner, a rib cook-off invited visitors to come and taste test. For $8, visitors could get a ticket and be an official judge.

“Our daughter is a sophomore in the marching band. When she first came in as a freshman, as her parents, we wanted to help out wherever we could,” said Miram Benson from Uncle Jesse’s Barbecue. “We wanted to contribute and make it a great event.”

With various audiences being drawn to the school, the event was a smash hit with the community.

“Truthfully, I didn’t expect this many supercars to show up,” Jeevz Dusara from Cars and Coffee laughed. “I’ve never seen this many supercars at an event. We’ve been doing Cars and Coffee for the last six years. It’s been pretty awesome that a lot of cool car groups came together. It’s really cool to bring that to a high school event.”

All funds raised from the event will go towards the marching band attending the Grand National Marching Band competition in Indianapolis.

“The band just has certain needs. We have to truck two loads worth of semi items to Indianapolis, rent buses, buy plane tickets, and things like that,” Landis explained. “Everything that we’re doing here is going to go to the band program to make sure that the students have what they need.”

Community members of all ages attended the event.

“It’s a community feel. As soon as you step into the band program, no matter if you’re a student or parent, you feel included and united. It’s such a cool feeling,” Benson expressed.

For more information on the band, visit http://www.americanforkband.com.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

The Aspen Peaks School District Board of Education members have embarked on a “Gratitude & Listening Tour” of the district to meet with teachers and residents to express appreciation, share thoughts and ideas, and answer questions.

The outreach effort includes several open-house style events at district schools throughout April and May. District leaders say the sessions are not formal presentations, but rather opportunities for discussion.

“This isn’t a formal presentation or a defense of past decisions; it’s an open engagement session where you can help us identify what to change and what to maintain,” APSD posted on social media.

Each stop on tour features multiple stations where attendees can interact with board members and district leadership. Visitors are invited to scan QR codes to provide feedback, share what they appreciate about their current schools, and offer ideas for the district’s future. Participants can also pick up an Aspen Peaks Community Builder sticker, meet administrators, and contribute a “Legacy Letter” to a time capsule planned for the district’s 2027 grand opening.

The open houses run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The remaining stops on the tour will be at:
● Timberline Middle School on Thursday, April 23
● Mountain Ridge Junior High on Tuesday, April 28
● American Fork Junior High on Tuesday, May 5
● Viewpoint Middle School on Thursday, May 7

Residents, parents, teachers and students are encouraged to attend any of the sessions to share feedback and help build what leaders describe as “the next generation of excellence” for the new district.

Aspen Peaks board member Jeanne-Marie Burrows said the first stops on the tour have already provided meaningful conversations with educators and community members.

“The two stops of the Gratitude & Listening Tour that we have had so far have been a great experience for us to truly listen to our communities,” Burrows said. “A group of staff members attended our first stop at Willowcreek and shared their questions and fears. At Lehi Junior, I spoke with a kindergarten teacher from a school that is decreasing in size and listened to her worries about losing amazing teachers because of the decrease.”

Burrows said she was able to bring administrators into the conversation to help address concerns on the spot. The teacher later followed up with an email expressing appreciation for the opportunity to be heard.

“This tour gives us the time to not only have our communities give us feedback for the future, but also to connect with them and answer questions now,” Burrows said. “We want our teachers, staff, students, parents and community members to be involved with the creation of our district. We also want them to feel appreciated and heard right now.”

STAFF WRITER | American Fork Citizen

About 200 students with special needs from across Alpine School District will step into a night designed just for them this week, as Lehi High School hosts the district’s annual Special Schools Prom.

Set for Friday, April 17, from 7 to 9 p.m., this year’s event carries the theme “Prom in the Enchanted Forest,” transforming the school into a space where students can celebrate, connect and take center stage.

The prom brings together students from four district programs: ATEC, ATEC-West, Dan Peterson School and Horizon. These programs serve students with disabilities ranging from preschool through early adulthood, offering support in education, independent living and employment skills.

Students themselves play an active role in planning and preparing for the event, with organizational responsibilities rotating among the participating schools each year.

For many, the evening represents more than a traditional dance.

“The Special Schools Prom is more than just a dance; it’s a night where every student, regardless of their challenges, gets to step into the spotlight and feel truly celebrated,” said Ryan Hemming, principal at Dan Peterson School. “Seeing our community come together to create this inclusive environment reminds us why we do this work—to ensure every student knows they belong.”

The event also offers students the opportunity to attend with dates, enjoy music and immerse themselves in a themed environment tailored to create a memorable experience.

Members of the media are invited to attend, with district staff and students available for interviews throughout the evening.

Madelyn Wilson | American Fork Citizen

This fall in Utah, a vision years in the making becomes reality: the state’s first Waldorf-inspired high school opens its doors, fulfilling a longtime dream for a dedicated community of students, teachers, and parents.

Azure Fields Charter High School in West Provo focuses on practical, hands-on learning to prepare students for both college and life beyond. It is a tuition-free public charter school authorized by the Utah State Charter School Board. For educator and executive director Carol Gregory, this marks the achievement of a two-decade goal.

“This high school started for me about 20 years ago with the idea to offer practical training for both college and life,” Gregory said. “When I found the Utah Waldorf Community five years ago, I knew I had found the right model, and the community needed a high school that matched their vision.”

The Waldorf education model has inspired parents and teachers worldwide since 1919. For years, K-6 and K-8 schools in Utah, as well as many homeschool communities, have followed it. Many parents hope for a high school option that embraces the same model.

Career and technical education courses are central at Azure Fields, preparing students for any post-graduation path. The school also focuses on arts-integrated learning and offers a work-study program.

“Students will have workstations on campus to learn how to clock in and out, track hours, receive job safety training, build resumes, and interview for upper-classmen jobs in offices, tutoring labs, or as teacher assistants,” Gregory said.

Waldorf education focuses not only on practical life skills but also on the student’s existence as a spiritual being and how that connects them to their environment.

“This model sees students as divine beings whom educators nurture through life experiences and developmental understanding,” Gregory said. “They spend time in nature learning to live in harmony with it and gain farm-to-table skills in handwork and bio-dynamic gardening, seeing themselves as part of a dynamic world community.”

The administration, led by Gregory as executive director, is packed with educators who bring over 50 years of combined experience in education, many of those years in Waldorf settings. The school’s board features both seasoned educators and involved parents, combining many years of experience with an assurance that the needs of the families are being met.

Although located in Provo, the school aims to serve families across Utah and Salt Lake Counties, with some students coming from as far as Holladay. The school will offer discounted yearly UTA passes so students can use public transportation, and a school bus will shuttle students from the Orem FrontRunner Station for the final 15-minute trip to campus.

Azure Fields opens to ninth- and tenth-grade students on Aug. 18. Registration is open for those grades, and 125 ninth-graders will be admitted each year. Faculty positions are open, with listings posted on the school’s website.

The school will be located at 2121 N. 550 W. in Provo. For more details about Azure Fields Charter High School, including student and faculty applications, visit azurefields.org.

Gregory, together with her administrative and board teams, eagerly anticipates welcoming the inaugural classes this August and remains confident in these students’ potential.

Summing up the school’s vision, Gregory said, “In the Waldorf world, we say the content ‘lives in them,’ which goes way beyond memorizing facts and procedures to pass a test and prepares students to face the challenges of an ever-changing world.”

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

Three students from American Fork High School are among this year’s award winners at the 54th Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show, currently on display at the Springville Museum of Art. McKinley Clements, Evie Cardon, and Claire Elggren earned prestigious statewide recognition for their artwork in the highest level of competition for high school artists in Utah.

Clements received a Third Congressional District Honorable Mention for her oil-on-canvas painting “Untitled (Southwest).” Cardon earned the Artist Nosh Award for her colored pencil piece “My Freckles,” while Elggren was selected for the highly competitive JKR Academy Award for her oil-on-board painting “Enlightenment.” Each honor places the students among Utah’s top emerging young artists.

This year’s show includes 352 artworks chosen from 1,073 submissions, representing 109 Utah high schools, and showcasing exceptional student talent in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography and mixed media. With no set theme, the exhibition highlights each artist’s unique voice and creative vision.

“There’s nothing else like this for high school artists in Utah,” said Jacquelynn Sokol of the Springville Museum of Art. “This is the highest level of recognition they can receive at the state level.”

“This really is the Utah state championship of art,” Sokol continued. “We’re really proud of these students. So often, it’s athletes who get highlighted. We love being able to show that the arts have champions too.”

Roughly 50 student artists receive awards each year, with more than $30,000 in cash prizes and scholarships distributed through a combination of juried selections and special recognitions sponsored by organizations, artists and government offices. Jurors select the main award winners, while outside groups and sponsors, including the Utah Senate and individual congressional offices, present additional honors.

Congressional awards, like the one received by Clements, are selected by each congressional office and recognize outstanding student artists from within their districts. While the top artwork from each district is chosen for display at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., honorable mention recipients are also formally recognized and awarded for their work.

The Artist Nosh Award, presented to Cardon, is selected by a collective of professional artists and highlights exceptional technique, originality and personal expression. Sokol said awards like these help students understand the real-world value of their creativity.

Elggren’s JKR Academy Award is one of the most competitive honors given at the show. The award is selected by renowned Utah artist J. Kirk Richards and includes a scholarship opportunity to attend his artist academy. Only two students statewide receive the award each year.

This year, all award-winning students were invited to the Utah State Capitol, where they were recognized by legislators from their home districts during a special ceremony. Photos and videos from the event were shared by the museum and state leaders on social media.

For Sokol, however, the most powerful impact of the All-State Art Show goes beyond prizes.

“Most of these students won’t go on to be full-time professional artists,” she said, “but this show is a huge confidence booster. It gives them proof that they can make something, put it out into the world, and that it has value to someone else. That confidence carries into whatever career path they choose.”

She added that one of her favorite moments each year has nothing to do with the artwork itself. “I’ve never seen such proud parents,” Sokol said. “Watching families see their students celebrated like this is incredible.”

The 54th Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show runs through March 20 on the main floor of the Springville Museum of Art. Admission is free, allowing the public to view the work of American Fork’s award-winning students alongside the best high school art from all over Utah.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

Aspen Peaks School District announced a group of new hires on Wednesday, March 11 as they try to fill out the administrative positions needed to successfully run the new district.

The newly announced cabinet includes several key leadership roles designed to guide the district’s academic, operational and strategic direction. Doug Webb will serve as Associate Superintendent and Chief of Schools, while Eric Woodhouse has been named Associate Superintendent and Chief Learning Officer. Cami Harper will oversee human resources as Chief Talent Officer, and Dr. Rich Stowell will take on the role of Chief of Staff and Strategic Engagement.

Additional appointments include Kevin Henshaw as Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools, Brady Rowley as Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools and Kari Shirk as Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning. Paul Lewis will lead technology efforts as Executive Director of Technology, and Sam Rencher will serve as Executive Director of Elementary Schools and Curriculum.

At the March 12 board meeting, the board unanimously approved another significant hire. Bea Twede was appointed as the district’s Business Administrator. Twede, who is currently serving as Alpine School District’s Budget Director and Assistant Business Administrator, brings a strong background in both private industry and education finance.

Board member Diane Knight praised the selection, noting the importance of both technical expertise and public communication skills.

“We have hit another out-of-the-park home run with Bea Twede,” Knight said. “Everyone I spoke to holds Bea Twede in the highest regard. We wanted someone who was skilled at their job and could interface with the public and explain complicated finance issues. We have found all of that and more.”

Knight clarified that while the school board is responsible for hiring the superintendent and business administrator, the superintendent selects cabinet members. Cabinet candidates were interviewed and hired by Superintendent Joel Perkins.

Aspen Peaks board member Jeanne-Marie Burrows described the week as a pivotal moment in building the district’s leadership foundation.

“It’s been an incredible week,” Burrows said. “Our cabinet positions of the admin team were announced yesterday and at tonight’s board meeting we hired our first Business Administrator. These men and women are incredible. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have them help create Aspen Peaks School District.”

In addition to building out its leadership team, the Aspen Peaks Board of Education unanimously voted to launch a district-wide boundary study aimed at evaluating and potentially adjusting school boundaries to better reflect current community needs.

“This is an important step in making sure we start our district providing the best education for all of our students,” Burrows said.

Community members and board representatives emphasized that many existing school boundaries may no longer align with current population patterns.

“A lot of the schools in Aspen Peaks have been around for a long time and the community around the schools have changed a lot,” said Amber Bonner. “Do the boundaries make sense, or were they just added on as things are built?”

Information about the boundary study is available on the Aspen Peaks School District website, alpineschools.org/o/aspen-peaks-district/, under the heading Boundary Presentation.

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

Nineteen soon-to-be graduates from American Fork High School will be traveling abroad this summer. The American Exchange Program (A.E.P.) gives high school students the opportunity to visit parts of the country for free while being hosted by families across the nation for a week-long experience.

Students and AFHS staff gathered at Kneaders Bakery & Cafe in Pleasant Grove to open their assignments. Principal Peter Glahn addressed the students before they opened their destinations. “This program is about people. I want you to remember that. I think you are all going to fabulous locations. I can guarantee you, you will love the people you encounter on this journey.”

Students were assigned to different states, including New York, Massachusetts, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arkansas, Texas, Virginia, Minnesota, Oregon, California, Washington, and even Hawaii.

Vanessa Gaisford’s son experienced A.E.P. Last year. She said he has lifelong friends from that one week. “Even on his way to college, he met up with a friend in Wyoming whom he had gone to New York with last year.”

This year, Vanessa’s daughter Maddie is participating. “I know Maddie is going to have the same experience. She is going to meet people her age from different areas in the United States, and she’s going to love them, and they’re going to be great friends. I’m really excited for her to go to Hawaii.”

“I think it’s awesome to be able to get to meet a bunch of different people from a bunch of different places, and I think it’ll help me see a different culture than what I’m used to in Utah,” shared Maddie.
She is so excited to go to Hawaii, calling it a “dream vacation.” Maddie has never been to Hawaii.

Senior Ava McBride is headed back east. “I have never been to New York. I’ve always wanted to go. It’s such a cool place. I’m excited to get to know the people there, see what New York is like, and how they live. I love traveling to places and getting to know the people and culture.”

Kirsten Cluff had an older child who went to Paris, Texas, years ago. She has also hosted two students here in American Fork. This year, her senior is also heading to Texas, but to a different city than her older sibling. “They get to meet kids from all different cultures and backgrounds and get into their actual lives, where they live and see what they do.”

Liberty Harrison is heading to North Carolina. She said it sounds magical, and she is excited. “It just felt like such an awesome thing to do in such a wonderful way to feel united with the country and with people from my own school. It does bring people together in such a special way that can’t be replicated.”

Rachel Wells helps with the program at A.F.H.S. While participating in the A.E.P., her daughter went to Kilgore, Texas. “She had the opportunity to do all kinds of different things. She went to different churches and experienced how they worship. She also got to brand cattle. She shot guns and got to experience the whole culture of Texas.”

Wells said the experience prepared her daughter to interact with people and cultures of different kinds. “The program is all about bringing connection across our country. When you spend time with people, you learn to love them. It doesn’t matter if you have differences in opinions or lifestyles. You just learn to love each other. It’s amazing what can happen in one week.”

This is AFHS Principal Peter Glahn’s 4th year participating in the program. “It’s important for every kid to have an out-of-the-bubble experience. We think because we live in Utah County, we are the only ones living in the bubble, but as they surveyed kids around the country, every student felt like they were living in a bubble,” shared Glahn.

He says the experience is for kids to go out, meet people from different places, and realize they have more similarities than differences. “Their similarities are strong enough to overcome those differences. It’s a pretty special experience. They remain close to the people that they met.”

When the death of Charlie Kirk happened in Utah, Glahn said kids reached out to AFHS students from different parts of the country to check to make sure they were okay and to let them know they were thinking about them. “These are kids who have different political beliefs, but they know each other as humans now.”

Glahn loves the day when the students find out where they get to go. His favorite part of the experience is when it’s host week for AFHS. He said when locals host, they rediscover their own hometown while showing other students the Beehive State. “All the kids who come here are just awed by the scenery, the mountains, and the red rocks.” Glahn still keeps in touch with his host students. He met up with one of them on a trip to New England and got a tour of Harvard from another one of his exchange students. “They give us news of their lives. We stay connected,” stated Glahn.

A.E.P. Is funded by private donors who see the value of having the country come together through the program. If you have a student who will be a senior next year and would be interested in participating, you may find more information at Americanexchangeproject.org. If you would like to host a student, you may contact Cole Perry, Assistant Principal at AFHS, via email at [email protected]