Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

The newly formed Aspen Peaks School District (APSD) held its first official board meeting on Nov. 25 in Lehi’s Broadbent Community Room immediately after being sworn in to office. Family members, incoming administrators and community leaders filled the chambers to witness the historic moment.

The evening marked a major milestone in the transition away from the Alpine School District (ASD) and the launch of three new, locally governed districts. It was also Mayor Johnson’s final meeting as chair of the interlocal board overseeing the transition.

“Tonight is an important night,” Johnson said as he opened the proceedings. “This is my last interlocal meeting, and I’m excited to turn this over to another group. We didn’t have all the answers, but we worked things out, and the split has gone a lot smoother than we ever anticipated,” Johnson said. “Bringing things closer to local control is important, and I believe all three new districts will find greater success because of this.”

As part of the Aspen Peaks Board’s first agenda, ASD honored Lehi Mayor Mark Johnson for his leadership and collaboration during the district-split process.

ASD Interim Superintendent Rob Smith surprised Johnson with the Alpine School District Influencer Award, noting that the honor has been given only eight times and never before to someone outside the ASD organization.

“Mayor Johnson has had tremendous influence, not just in Alpine School District but on me personally,” Smith said. “We want to thank him for his leadership, his friendship and the service he has given our communities.”

Mayor Johnson told the Lehi Free Press, “I am greatly appreciative of this award, but it was not simply mine to receive. This award belongs to everyone who was engaged in the very difficult discussions and decisions that have happened over the last couple of years. It was not easy for any involved but, in the end, and with much fortitude, the right decisions were made. We were all ‘Influencers’. This award is for many.”

The new board’s first official action was selecting a leadership team. After nominations from fellow board members, Diane Knight was elected board president and Amber Bonner was elected vice president.

The board voted unanimously to adopt Aspen Peaks School District as the district’s permanent name. Members noted that community feedback gathered earlier this year heavily favored “Peaks” and “Aspen,” and several spoke about the symbolism of aspen groves as individual trees connected by a shared root system.

The board then adopted its first policy, Community Comments, as Policy 1001, and opened the floor for public input.

A steady stream of parents, teachers and local officials offered congratulations and expressed concerns about overcrowding, boundary studies and the need to prioritize construction of new schools.

Rebecca Langley, a teacher at North Point Elementary, urged the board to move quickly.
“We are overcrowded. We’d love the boundary study to be continued and for Cold Creek Elementary to be built as soon as possible,” she said.

State Board of Education member Cindy Davis also addressed the group, offering support both as a parent and policymaker. “I support you and I’m happy we’re moving forward,” she said. “I look forward to partnering with you for the great students and teachers of this district.”
Several speakers encouraged the new board to build strong relationships with teachers, with cities, and with their communities as they navigate the challenges of forming a district from the ground up.

The board approved its 2025-26 meeting schedule, with meetings held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 6 p.m. at the ASD Boardroom, with adjusted dates in January and April due to conflicts.

Board members then voted to immediately open the search for a superintendent and appointed the Utah School Boards Association to assist with the hiring process.
The meeting concluded with applause and photos, marking a new era of school governance for families in Lehi, American Fork, Highland and surrounding communities.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

Taking a significant step in public education in Utah County, the newly elected Aspen Peaks School District board took the oath of office Tuesday, Nov 25, in the Lehi City Council Chambers. The swearing-in marked the official beginning of a multi-year transition that will shift operations from Alpine School District to three newly created districts.

Aspen Peaks, covering the central portion of the former Alpine School District boundaries, is one of three new districts approved by voters. Newly elected members of the Lake Mountain and Timpanogos districts were also sworn in Tuesday during ceremonies held separately in Orem and Saratoga Springs. It represented the first time in state history that three full school boards were sworn in on the same day.

Seven board members were sworn in to represent the newly formed Aspen Peaks School District: Diane Knight, Seat 1 (5-year term); Steve Sparti, Seat 2 (3-year term); Nicki Brammer, Seat 3 (5-year term); Amber Bonner, Seat 4 (5-year term); Jason Hart, Seat 5 (3-year term); Jeanne-Marie Burrows, Seat 6 (3-year term); Jason Theler, Seat 7 (5-year term).

The interlocal board made up of Aspen Peaks area Mayors and City Council members presided over the swearing-in. The oath of office was administered by Utah Judge John J. Nielsen, recently appointed to the Utah Supreme Court.

Following the swearing-in, the new Aspen Peaks school board held its first meeting. The first order of business was to elect a board president and vice president.

Diane Knight was elected Aspen Peaks’ first president and Amber Bonner was elected as the board’s vice president.

“I am thrilled to work with our new board and be part of making the Aspen Peaks School District into something truly extraordinary,” Knight told the Lehi Free Press.

The board also voted unanimously to approve Aspen Peaks School District as the official name of the new school district.

“I especially like the aspen metaphor. I like how aspen trees are connected underground and are the same community, but above ground they all look different and have different needs,” said board member Amber Bonner.

Jeanne-Marie Burrows told the American Fork Citizen, “I’m excited and optimistic about the start of our new district. Over the past couple of weeks I have had opportunities to get to know the other board members better and feel like we have a great combination of talents which will benefit our new district. I am most excited about getting into our schools to meet students and teachers and learning from them. As we hire a superintendent and create the vision of our district, I would love for our communities to be a part of the process. We have an opportunity to create something truly special for our students now and for the future.”

Board member Jason Theler told the American Fork Citizen, “I am genuinely excited for the opportunity to collaborate with my fellow board members on behalf of the students, parents, and employees in our Aspen Peaks school community. I’m equally humbled (and yes, a little anxious) by the immense responsibility that comes with the role. I think this healthy nervousness is a sign of my desire for us to get this right by setting both a strong foundation and a positive trajectory for our new district.”

With the oath complete, the board now begins the complex work of shaping a new district from the ground up. Over the coming months, Aspen Peaks board members will meet with Alpine School District officials to determine how resources, facilitiesTaking a significant step in public education in Utah County, the newly elected Aspen Peaks School District board took the oath of office Tuesday, Nov 25, in the Lehi City Council Chambers. The swearing-in marked the official beginning of a multi-year transition that will shift operations from Alpine School District to three newly created districts.

Aspen Peaks, covering the central portion of the former Alpine School District boundaries, is one of three new districts approved by voters. Newly elected members of the Lake Mountain and Timpanogos districts were also sworn in Tuesday during ceremonies held separately in Orem and Saratoga Springs. It represented the first time in state history that three full school boards were sworn in on the same day.

Seven board members were sworn in to represent the newly formed Aspen Peaks School District: Diane Knight, Seat 1 (5-year term); Steve Sparti, Seat 2 (3-year term); Nicki Brammer, Seat 3 (5-year term); Amber Bonner, Seat 4 (5-year term); Jason Hart, Seat 5 (3-year term); Jeanne-Marie Burrows, Seat 6 (3-year term); Jason Theler, Seat 7 (5-year term).

The interlocal board made up of Aspen Peaks area Mayors and City Council members presided over the swearing-in. The oath of office was administered by Utah Judge John J. Nielsen, recently appointed to the Utah Supreme Court.

Following the swearing-in, the new Aspen Peaks school board held its first meeting. The first order of business was to elect a board president and vice president.

Diane Knight was elected Aspen Peaks’ first president and Amber Bonner was elected as the board’s vice president.

“I am thrilled to work with our new board and be part of making the Aspen Peaks School District into something truly extraordinary,” Knight told the American Fork Citizen.

The board also voted unanimously to approve Aspen Peaks School District as the official name of the new school district.

“I especially like the aspen metaphor. I like how aspen trees are connected underground and are the same community, but above ground they all look different and have different needs,” said board member Amber Bonner.

Jeanne-Marie Burrows said, “I’m excited and optimistic about the start of our new district. Over the past couple of weeks I have had opportunities to get to know the other board members better and feel like we have a great combination of talents which will benefit our new district. I am most excited about getting into our schools to meet students and teachers and learning from them. As we hire a superintendent and create the vision of our district, I would love for our communities to be a part of the process. We have an opportunity to create something truly special for our students now and for the future.”

Board member Jason Theler told the American Fork Citizen, “I am genuinely excited for the opportunity to collaborate with my fellow board members on behalf of the students, parents, and employees in our Aspen Peaks school community. I’m equally humbled (and yes, a little anxious) by the immense responsibility that comes with the role. I think this healthy nervousness is a sign of my desire for us to get this right by setting both a strong foundation and a positive trajectory for our new district.”

With the oath complete, the board now begins the complex work of shaping a new district from the ground up. Over the coming months, Aspen Peaks board members will meet with Alpine School District officials to determine how resources, facilities, staff, and programs will be divided. The transition is expected to unfold gradually, with the new district assuming full responsibility, including budgeting, staffing, and curriculum decisions, by July 2027., staff, and programs will be divided. The transition is expected to unfold gradually, with the new district assuming full responsibility, including budgeting, staffing, and curriculum decisions, by July 2027.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

Top junior high and middle school choir students in the Alpine School District had the opportunity to hone their skills under a guest conductor during the annual Honor Choir Fest on Nov. 19. After an all-day training experience, the group presented a concert at Timberline Middle School in Alpine that evening.

This year’s guest conductor was Emily Duncan, the director of choral arts at Lehi High School. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in vocal performance from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Music Education from Arizona State University.

According to her official biography, Duncan has performed in theaters all across Utah, including Hale Centre Theatre, HCTO, West Valley Performing Arts Center, SCERA and the Lehi Arts Center. She has been teaching for nearly a decade.

“Working with the district junior high honor choir was a highlight of my career,” Duncan said. “These students were selected by their teachers because of their skills, talent and dedication to music and singing.

“Working with an entire choir of students who were so well prepared to make beautiful music was thrilling. I so enjoyed their energy, their personality and their drive to make our concert interesting, fun, and memorable. I will never forget that experience,” Duncan said.

The combined chamber and concert choirs from Cedar Valley High School opened the concert with three numbers as special guests.

The Honor Choir followed with four numbers practiced that day under the direction of Duncan with Jill Ensign as the accompanist.

The first piece was “When Dreams Take Flight,” a gospel-style concert work by Rollo Dilworth based on a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar about the strength of dreams.

Next the students performed the traditional spiritual “I’m On My Way” using an arrangement by Anthony Trecek-King.

The boys then stepped into the spotlight with an energetic rendition of “Heave Away Me Jollies,” a traditional sea shanty from the island of Newfoundland, Canada arranged by Jill Gallina.

The choir closed out their performance with a moving rendition of “Ad Astra” (To the Stars) by Jacob Naverud. It was an inspirational program showcasing remarkable musicianship, especially considering that the concert had been prepared just that day.

Students from 11 schools participated in the program. They included American Fork Junior High under director Matthew Thornton, Mountain Ridge Junior High under director Rebekah Lindsley, Lehi Junior High under director Jill Smith and Viewpoint Middle School under director Alan Larson.

The other schools participating included Canyon View, Orem, Lake Mountain, Lakeridge, Sage Canyon, Vista Heights and Timberline.

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

After twelve seasons, Erin Tetro is hanging up his helmet as the American Fork High School Mountain Bike coach. Tetro started the team with the idea of coaching his son, who never actually raced but became a soccer star instead.

“I remember wondering how Tetro could be so deeply committed even without having a child on the team. The answer is simple: this team is his family. Tetro cares for every rider individually while also nurturing the team as a whole, creating an environment where athletes feel seen, valued and part of something truly meaningful. He’s built a space where riders can challenge themselves, be vulnerable and grow, not just as athletes but as people,” shared Weston Lunsford. He served as assistant coach with Tetro for ten seasons.

One of those athletes is Logan Eccles, who shared, “Coach Tetro has been one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful I got the chance to race under him. He’s been there through all the ups and downs, and I’m thankful he was part of my entire career — and all the great memories that came with it.”

Garrett Rogers remembers his experience on the team, “Mountain biking taught me grit both on and off the bike. This team has literally changed my life.”

“Being on a bike is where I can clear my head and be at peace with the world,” stated Tetro, who found his love of mountain biking as a kid when he moved to Springville from California. The Tetros home backed up against the mountains, where he enjoyed biking the horse trails.

Tetro said he started the Mountain Biking team at AFHS after seeing a help-wanted flier at a local bike shop for the Pleasant Grove High School MTB team. Tetro then learned that AFHS didn’t have their own team of bikers. Over the past 12 years, he has grown the program to include 200 students from grades seven through 12.

The team has seen great success over the years, finishing third at state championships for two consecutive years with three individual bikers earning state titles. In the last season, 85 AFHS Mountain Bikers qualified to compete at the state level.

Tetro says one of his favorite things to see is the progress a kid makes on their bike, with some bikers coming in with really minimal skills. “To see them really take to it and get really good on their bike … that’s a really cool progression to see.”

“He wanted every athlete, regardless of background, skill level or confidence to feel welcome, valued and seen. And because of that, I’ve watched this team transform hundreds of lives,” said Lunsford.

Tetro will never forget one new team member from years ago who didn’t know how to ride a bike but joined anyway. He took time to teach her how to ride a bike one-on-one. Tetro said she completed every single race throughout her high school career.

Tetro says kids on the MTB Team find their tribe. “That’s my favorite thing, to see kids find a place where they actually belong and make friends,” remarked Tetro.

“I’ve seen kids join without direction or belief in themselves and leave with purpose, confidence and lifelong friendships. I’ve seen already-confident athletes grow in ways they never expected to grow. The growth that happens here isn’t just athletic — it’s personal. Everyone wins, both on and off the bike,” shared Lunsford.

“For Erin, this was never just about racing bikes. It was about creating something unique, something lasting — a place where riders, parents, coaches and volunteers could come together and feel part of something bigger. A family,” added Lunsford.

AFHS Principal Peter Glahn noted that the mountain bike team’s culture is one of kindness, support, grit, family and friendship. Glahn writes, “That culture and structure have all been set up by Coach Tetro. He has found incredible people to work alongside him, and I believe the team will be able to maintain their positive momentum long after he has gone, though he will be sorely missed.”

“Once Erin got this thing off the ground, he was all in. From that point forward, he gave everything — his time, his energy, his mind and his heart — to building not just a team, but a culture,” shared Weston Lunsford at the 12th annual year-end AFHS Mountain Bike banquet.

Tanner Burr learned from that culture, “Coach Tetro taught me how to smile no matter what, and that attitude matters more than the result. I’ll carry that lesson through every part of my life. It helped that every time I crossed the finish line, he was there smiling, too.”

Although she graduated years ago, Eve Wilson also remembers biking on the team. “I’m so grateful for AF MTB. It’s truly something that changed my life and taught me how to push through hard things, have fun and believe in myself. Coach Tetro believes in the kids on the MTB team, and he believed in me as a little freshman who had no idea what I was doing. He and the other coaches, ride leaders and riders have created an environment where there is so much growth to be experienced and so much joy to be felt, and I miss it every day.”

Displayed at the end-of-season banquet were jerseys from every season. “To some, these might just look like fabric. But to us, they represent so much more. Each jersey represents the lives that were changed that year — the lessons learned, the friendships formed, the confidence built,” said Lunsford. “They represent hundreds of athletes who became better people because of what this program gave them and, in turn, the families and future generations who will be shaped by the ripple effect of that growth.”

At the banquet, Tetro was presented with a personalized 2026 race jersey, sentimental in its use of the design from the team’s first season. “Erin, this jersey represents the thousandsof lives you’ve impacted over the years. Whether you wear it on a ride or frame it on your wall, we hope that when you see it, memories of these years and the people you’ve influenced come flooding back,” concluded Lunsford.

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

Five local secondary school orchestras collaborated for the first-ever combined night of Halloween Music. Timberline Middle School, Mountain Ridge Junior High, Lone Peak High School, and American Fork High School and Junior High all participated in the “spook-tacular” event. Hundreds of musicians performed under the direction of conductors from their respective schools: Shauna Smith (AFJH/AFHS), William Vernon (LPHS/MRJH) and Amanda Riley (TMS).

This summer, Vernon, Riley and Smith collaborated to form a small group. Together, they discussed ways to encourage students and families to commit to a six-year program in Strings and Orchestra. Smith shared, “I mentioned that AFHS organizes a ‘Band Bash’ that brings together all levels for a single concert. We thought hosting a similar event could showcase the strength of the Strings and Orchestra program within the AF cluster community.”

“The purpose of the concert was for students to realize that our orchestra program is really an incredible six-year journey. To see the progress from picking up the instrument for the first time in 7th grade all the way to 12th grade, making great music and great friendships along the way.” Vernon continued, “I wanted the Jr. High students to see that there was a fantastic group of kids and fun musical experiences waiting for them as they transition into 10th grade.”

“I came up with the ‘Monster Concert’ theme, and we decided that we’d center it on Halloween music. It was a fun concept, so we started to look through music that each of us had in our libraries that might work for the concert. Each of the teachers prepared their own students and took on some of the responsibilities for the concert,” added Smith.

AFHS hosted the event, inviting students from their advanced orchestra classes at each middle school, junior high and high school. The three conductors divided up the songs they would direct, the attire the kids would wear, and how they would rehearse with their own schools, then came together.

“Each school had different colored T-shirts, and my favorite part was seeing the students all mixed up in the concert making new friends,” added Vernon.

Music included scary titles such as “Zombie Tango”, “Creepy Classics”, and “The Evil Eye and Hideous Heart” based on The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. The hit of the evening was the grand finale performance of “Monster Mash.” Vernon narrated the piece, and spectators joined in singing the chorus.

“I had great help with my students and parents in the setup and take-down of over 300 chairs and stands for the students to use,” shared Smith. Parents also distributed programs and assisted with all aspects of the evening. AFHS staff helped set up the audio system and bleachers and opened other areas for students and attendees to use.

“So many of the kids came up to me and the other directors afterwards and were thrilled that they had the opportunity to play fun music in a fun concert at a fun venue.  They loved that it was not as formal as most Orchestra settings, and it gave the audience and the performers a different viewpoint on how strings are played in all kinds of music,” shared Smith. “I think many of those who attended saw how this type of event brings communities together through a fun, energetic and creative way. This event gave a new perspective on Orchestra music.”

“I’m grateful to have colleagues like Shauna and Amanda, who I can look up to as people who build successful orchestra programs, but who are also great people who create unforgettable experiences for their students,” concluded Vernon.

Smith encourages parents to give their children opportunities in music. “It is the way to create beauty, culture, lasting friendships and discipline. Students who participate in music at any level learn the value of it and how it is essential in our lives. Music permeates every aspect of life. … I am glad that I can show students its value and hope they learn to love the qualities it brings as much as I do.”

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

Caroline Knadler, principal at Barratt Elementary, and teacher Sherilyn Rawlings from American Fork Junior High were honored for their exceptional service at a special Utah State gala with Governor Spencer Cox and his wife, Abby. The event was hosted by the Deseret News along with Show Up for Teachers, Success in Education, and the Robert H. and Katharine B. Garff Foundation. Educators were honored at the gala dinner and presented with a glass trophy, a laptop and a gift card.

Caroline Knadler

“It was a very pleasant surprise,” shared Knadler of the nomination. She learned via email on the last day of school in May that she had been nominated. She was recognized for her community-building, her passion for school spirit and her efforts to make everyone proud of Barratt Elementary.

Knadler was nominated by Leslie Lyon, one of Barratt’s first-grade teachers. “It means a lot to me that one of the teachers I work closely with thought of me and took the time to nominate me. I am passionate about doing what I can to take care of our teachers; their success means our students are successful,” she added.

In the nomination Lyon wrote of Knadler’s “force for positivity in her life.” The expression touched Knadler. “I strive each and every day to approach life, specifically my responsibilities as a principal, to be positive and focused on the future. So it means a lot that it is noticed by others. It felt beyond amazing to read what was written about me.”
Knadler always wanted to be a teacher and then a principal. While in AP U.S. History in high school, she began thinking about attending law school. Her teacher encouraged her to still follow her dreams of education. He told her she could do it all, but in this order: “teach, be a principal, and then go to law school.” Knadler followed her teacher’s advice and accomplished all three.

Knadler received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education and later her Master of Education in educational leadership from Brigham Young University. She then earned her juris doctorate from the California School of Law.

She taught at Legacy Elementary before assisting principals at Cedar Ridge and Deerfield Elementaries. She was later hired as the principal at Deerfield, where she spent six years, and is now in her fifth year as principal at Barratt Elementary.

A few years after achieving her goal of becoming a principal, Knadler began to think it might be time to go to law school. Her parents encouraged her to consider a doctorate or a law degree, and she ultimately did as her teacher had encouraged her way back in high school.
During her time at law school, Knadler would share this love of learning with her students: “I wanted them to know that I value education so much that I was still in school myself.”

Knadler knows the names of all her students, including hundreds, if not thousands, of children in our area. “My entire educational career has been in and around this wonderful community of American Fork. I think this is such an amazing town and love how supportive all the citizens are of their schools,” wrote Knadler.

Sherilyn Rawlings

“Mrs. Rawlings is an incredible junior high math teacher. And I think pretty much everything in that last sentence requires some sort of superhuman. Yet somehow, she loves it and sparks curiosity about math.” These were just a few words a parent at American Fork Junior High used to describe Sherilyn Rawlings in her nomination.

Rawlings, who is in her eighth year of teaching math at AFJH, said she was “honored and super touched by someone taking the time to tell someone that they did a good job.”

Rawlings attended Pleasant Grove High School and graduated from BYU. She taught at Grove Crest and Lindon Elementaries and even owned her own preschool before being hired as a part-time math teacher at AFJH.

“I have a passion for public education. I love the kids; they are the favorite part of my job. I don’t need fame and fortune, that’s not why I do my job. I do it because I love the kids. I love how I feel and the difference I can make,” she shared.

Rawlings was honored to be nominated, but also remembered her fellow colleagues who aren’t always acknowledged for their selfless service. “I feel like a lot of educators fly under the radar where they don’t get the recognition they deserve.”

The parent who nominated Rawlings shared how Rawlings attended one of her daughter’s violin concerts. “I’m in a place in my life where I can offer support outside of the classroom,” said Rawlings of her efforts to support her students’ extracurricular activities.

The nomination continued, “In talking with her one time, she mentioned that she tries to support the students individually because, she said, ‘If they feel loved personally, there’s nothing they won’t do for you academically!’ At lunch and after school, hers is the room you go to when you feel you have nowhere to go. She’s the teacher who signs every yearbook with something personal. She’s the teacher that all the students go back and visit every year. She is invited to her students’ orchestra concerts, band concerts, and community plays, and she GOES to them. In short, she’s the kind of teacher who embodies ‘SHOWING UP’ for her students.”

Rawlings said she really likes teaching junior high because that age group is still so moldable and pliable. She recognizes that the students actually rise when someone believes in them.
Her nomination added, “Rawlings sparks curiosity and intellect — and somehow gets junior high kids who aren’t excited about pretty much anything to be excited about math (of all things!).”

Her nomination concluded, “Mrs. Rawlings goes above and beyond what any teacher would have to do, what any good teacher would naturally do, and is that once-in-a-lifetime teacher who not only teaches math, but teaches every child that they are loved and worth loving. The results are nothing short of extraordinary; students feel the support in their growth and achievement in every aspect of their lives. As a result, they become the exceptional kids that she’s made them feel they are.”

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

October is National Principals Month, a time to acknowledge and thank educational leaders for their invaluable work in our students’ lives. Two well-known and beloved leaders in our community are American Fork Junior High School Principal Kirk Johnson and American Fork High School Principal Peter Glahn.

Kirk Johnson

“Our parents and families are so supportive of what we do at the school, and we have amazing students,” shared AFJH Principal Kirk Johnson. Raised in Redlands, California, Johnson graduated from BYU and was hired for his first teaching job in West Valley City, UT. He was originally hired to teach French at AFJH, which opened the door for him to serve as an assistant principal and later as the school’s principal.

Johnson noted that a previous principal encouraged him to pursue school administration while he was considering a master’s degree, which set him on the path to his current role.

Johnson is happy to be married to a great woman who is from American Fork. The Johnsons have five boys and one girl who have all grown up here in American Fork. Their oldest is serving a mission in Japan, and their youngest is in fifth grade. “I love watching them grow, struggle, succeed, and learn. I love watching and supporting their choir concerts, marching band competitions, swim meets, football, soccer, basketball, and baseball games,” shared Johnson of their family culture. “We strive to keep our focus on our faith, family, and fun.”

“My favorite thing about being the principal is the opportunity to help so many students and staff. I also love being a part of the community where I live.” Since Johnson also resides in the area, AFJH students and parents often run into him outside of school hours. He leads students and supports parents who are his close neighbors and friends.

“Something unique about working at AFJH is the noise level in the commons before school and during lunch. The students bring so much energy. I also never get tired of telling students to keep their hands to themselves.”

A memorable moment for Johnson was having his head shaved at an assembly after students raised money to help a peer. “I was happy to feel the cool breeze of winter on a bald head,” he shared.

While Johnson has many years left in education, he hopes to stay close to home for work. “I hope to make it to retirement someday, and Hawaii is my bucket list destination,” concluded Johnson.

Peter Glahn

“Working with young people at this stage of their lives is a joy and never boring. It’s gratifying to be a small part of their growth,” wrote AFHS Principal Peter Glahn.

Glahn calls himself an ‘army brat,’ moving around for the first 10 years of his life; his family eventually settled in Orem, UT. “I consider myself a Utahn through and through,” shared Glahn.

Glahn is married with three children, two daughters and a son. He and his wife love traveling with their kids and recently returned from a trip to New England. Glahn’s wife also works in the public-school sector. She is a special education teacher and Cross Country and Track Coach at Orem High School, where their youngest daughter is a sophomore. Their oldest daughter attends UVU, and their son is a high school senior at Mountain View High School.

When asked about the AFHS culture, Glahn replied, “AFHS is full of really funny and interesting adults who care about creating a great atmosphere for kids, and that makes work not feel so much like work.”

One of Glahn’s favorite activities at AFHS is the monthly karaoke during flex time (time given to students during the school day, when they can either catch up on missing assignments or have free time with friends if they are doing well academically).

“I love athletics and the arts and seeing so many students’ hard work come to fruition, and there have been so many triumphant moments that I will always cherish,” shared Glahn. “That being said, it’s the little things, like notes of gratitude, that really keep me going. This has been my favorite job ever.”

“Everyone has something good to say about American Fork High School, and it spans generations. I feel a sense of pride to be associated with this school,” concluded Glahn.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

Chronic absenteeism is a growing concern throughout Utah, and Alpine School District is stepping up efforts to help students and families overcome barriers to consistent school attendance.

Utah recently launched the Every Day Counts initiative, a statewide campaign to reduce chronic absenteeism. Cassy Saxton serves as an ambassador for the program, working with the Utah State Board of Education. She is the director of prevention and family and community engagement for Alpine School District (ASD).

According to the Utah State Board of Education, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year, just two days per month. While the number may seem small, the impact is significant.

“Missing 10 percent of school adds up quickly,” said Saxton. “When students are absent, they miss instruction, fall behind academically, and it can even affect their ability to qualify for graduation.”

Like many districts, ASD saw absenteeism spike during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the district’s chronic absenteeism rate was 14 percent. That number jumped to 24 percent in 2022 before improving to 21.8 percent in 2023 and 21.7 percent in 2024.

“So much of that increase came from schools being closed and the anxiety students felt about returning,” Saxton said. “But we’re going in the right direction, and we’re going to keep working on that.”

“The state is asking all districts to come on board,” Saxton said. “We’re recommitting to making every day count. Working together as a whole state is important because chronic absenteeism is a growing problem.”

Alpine has made attendance a family-centered focus. Saxton’s department oversees both prevention and family engagement, which she says allows the district to look at the whole picture of a student’s needs.

“We’re not just trying to connect with students, we’re trying to connect with entire families,” she explained. “If we can strengthen support at home, that student will want to be in school.”

The district employs advocates and liaisons who work directly with families to remove barriers that might keep children from class. These supports include 14 food pantries to ensure students are ready to learn with full stomachs, as well as partnerships to provide bus passes, clothing drives, and assistance with immunizations.

“First, we take a look at all of those barriers—housing, food, transportation, clothing—and then we try to remove them,” Saxton said.

Training is another key strategy. Administrators and social workers are taught how to communicate effectively with parents, develop attendance plans, and document outreach efforts. “It’s about engaging with families ahead of time,” Saxton said. “Often, administrators, counselors, and advocates already know these families and can work together to support them.”

State law guides attendance policies for unexcused absences. After three unexcused absences with academic decline, ASD schools begin parent meetings and send letters home. After ten unexcused absences in secondary school, the case may be referred to court. At twenty absences per year, families meet with mediators to create attendance plans, with options for short-term therapy and support services.

Though some students and parents have reported that schools are using the threat of failing grades to encourage attendance, there is no single districtwide or statewide limit on how many days a secondary school student can miss before failing a class. Saxton suggests parents contact school administrators if they have questions about individual school and class policies.

“We always take a positive approach,” Saxton said. “We talk with families about how missing school impacts learning and their ability to stay on top of their work.”

Alpine also offers credit recovery programs as early as ninth grade. “It’s not just about making up credits,” Saxton explained. “Students feel stress when they fall behind, and we want to remove that weight so they can focus on moving forward.”

The district surveys families through its “culture, connection, and climate” survey to better understand what’s keeping students from attending. Flexible schedules, hybrid options, and online learning also help meet individual needs.

Saxton emphasized that parents should view attendance as directly tied to long-term success. “Success in school is success in life,” she said. “Student learning is about more than academics—it’s about building character, critical thinking skills, and preparing to be life-ready.”

She added that missing school affects more than grades. “We’re seeing a culture of accepting school avoidance, and we want to educate parents and students about how important it is to feel connected and build relationships at school,” Saxton said.

In the end, ASD’s message is simple: every day really does count. “When parents understand that even two days a month makes a difference, we can work together to make sure students aren’t just college-ready, but life-ready,” Saxton said.

Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen

September 10, 2025, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

Local recipients from Lehi and American Fork are:

American Fork High School:  Brookhart, Kian C., Otis, Henry K.

Lehi High School: Stay, Coriel

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by about 300 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

The National Merit® Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The program does not measure the quality or effectiveness of education within a school, system, or state.

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2026. Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis.

By: Elizabeth Spencer

American Fork Citizen

Monday evening, the American Fork High School Marching Band will host its annual family show. The night allows students to show their friends and family what they have been working on for months in preparation for the upcoming competition season.

“Every year, I wonder how we will ever be able to top this year’s show… And every year, we have another amazing show! We have a very talented design team,” said AFHS Band Administrative Assistant Allison Dean.

This year’s band show theme is “Cruisin’ the Fork.” The band hopes to take spectators back to the 1950s — the days of “Happy Days,” The Fonz, muscle cars and Elvis. The band is outfitted in checkered flags and jumpsuits resembling the iconic car scene from the movie “Grease.” The color guard sports a teeny bopperlook with bandanas around their necks. Seven classic car hoods and old-fashioned gas pumps are showcased on the field during the performance.

“The genesis of the idea came on our drive to our state championship about a year ago. We wanted to create a thematic show that would reference something unique to Utah or American Fork. After getting a good laugh about potentially doing a Swig/Crumbl show, we opted for the ’50s theme,” said band director Orien Landis. “Bold neon colors surround the iconic look of the olden days. We are very excited to bring it to life and share it with our community and the nation.”

Spectators will hear music reminiscent of the 1950s. The band will share a variety of songs, including Billy Joel’s “For the Longest Time,” Elvis’ “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock,” Sara Bareilles’ “She Used to Be Mine,” Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and Vaclav Nelhybel’s “Symphonic Movement.”

“The amazing thing about this show is that even though it is slightly over eight minutes, because it is just so entertaining, it feels like it is over in the blink of an eye. The students are early in the season, but they are performing it really well at this point, and it makes me excited to see just how good it can be in a few months,” Landis said.

His favorite section of the routine is the ballad. “We are doing a Sara Bareilles song that features senior saxophonist Evan Larsen, senior French horn player Rebeca Hollenbach, and sophomore trumpet player Benny Hollenbach. These students show great maturity in performing this delicate but powerful arrangement. Normally, it takes a few months of playing it before it really starts to move me, and on the first run, I had goosebumps and became emotional. I called our music arranger, Steve Vento, and told him he hit a home run when he arranged that song the way he did. Not to mention just how spectacular the soloists are.”

When asked how he felt the band would do during their competition season, Landis replied, “Obviously, we would love to win competitions, but rather than focusing on winning, we put great effort into evaluating what our best is and how we can achieve that mark.”

The band will share its show across the state for the next two months. In October, they head to Disneyland for Halloween, where they will compete the following day in the Bands of America Competition at Etiwanda High School.

“The students this year seem to be very hungry to figure out what our max potential is and are working hard to realize that potential. If that effort continues and we try our best throughout the season, your success usually lines up with where you want it to be,” Landis said.

The community is invited to see the band’s big debut on Monday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. on the football field. The event is free.