2022 Year in review for Morgan County Schools

Two-thousand-twenty-two started with an unexpected snow day. After returning to school only a few days, the district called for a two-hour delay on Friday, Jan. 7. Once it became clear that the roads were too icy for the busses to transport students safely to school, a rare snow day was called for Morgan School district. Morgan Elementary’s PTO sponsored their yearly Inspiration Contest. Fifty-two students brought projects that revolved around the year’s theme, “What it Means to me to be a Hero.” Mountain Green Musical Theatre Students performed a play on the Mountain at the school titled “Back to the Summer.” Mothers and sons from Morgan Elementary School had a night out together, playing games and enjoying ice cream at Sonapooloza. Students from Morgan High school choirs had the opportunity to sing in Honor Choir at Abravanel Hall. Big Budda from Fox 13 visited the high school presenting an assembly telling students they matter. He was accompanied by Sione Havali. After the spirit squad performed a showcase for family and friends, they secured the title of region 3A camps, placing first in all seven categories they performed. Just over a week later the spirit squad was escorted into Morgan by the firetruck procession like all MHS State Champions are! Another region title was clinched by the MHS team to wrap up January.

MHS Spirit Squad traveled to Florida to compete in nationals in February. Four Ovation! Choir vocal soloists Ella Stevenson, Laura Beattie, Tyler Hancock, and Brickman Walker; and a women’s trio of three Millennial girls: Aly Spagnuolo, Jane Poll, and Kasha Carpenter all placed at the state Solo and Ensemble Festival. Morgan wrestling decisively won the Division B Divisional Tournament by over 40 points, totaling 310 points, just ahead of the state wrestling meet. MHS senior Tenley Jones made history for the Trojans by winning the first-ever girls' individual state title. Will Korth and Drew Korth along with Rylee Creasey took the podium at state wrestling. The high school and both middle schools celebrated HOPE week with plenty of activities and an assembly. Girls’ basketball wrapped up their season by placing third in state. After months of before-school rehearsals Mountain Green Elementary performed “Disney’s Jungle Book.” MGMS eighth graders had the opportunity to learn more about Careers in Technology Education (CTE), with the eighth graders traveling to the high school to check out CTE classes held there and seventh graders visited Ogden-Weber Technical College (OTECH) to explore opportunities provided there. The girls at MES joined their dads in the annual Daddy Daughter dance while MHS held a Masquerade Ball.

While Dr. Suess month kicks off at the end of February, a bulk of the celebration happens in March. Overall, students recorded reading 250,000 hours, for grades first through fourth, while Kindergarten recorded how many books they read. MES third graders held their yearly Wax Museum. After reading a biography, students build a tri-fold report board and get to dress up like the person they studied. The fourth graders at MES held their traditional Utah History Fair, including a musical program with songs featuring the history of the joining of the railroad at Promontory Point and the Indian tribes that settled in Utah, and the second grade performed their Friendship program. The principal at MES announced he would be taking a new position at the MSD as the district's new Human Resource and Student Services Director. MGMS PE teachers, John Hamilton and Ramona Martin hosted a teacher/student volleyball game. The Musical Theatre group, from MGMS, performed a musical titled, “Montana Jones and the Gymnasium of Doom,” Sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students formed teams and played against the teachers and staff.

War of the Classes was won by none other than the seniors. MHS performed to sold-out audiences with the comical play “You Can’t Take it With You.”  The Jazz band at MHS held their annual dance for the community and also performed very well at regional Solo and Ensemble with several earning superiors. After placing second in the region, MHS Debate team headed for state.

April is a busy time for MHS as they held their SBO and class officer elections. The Choirs and band traveled at separate times to San Diego for their choir tours. Sterling Scholars from MHS went to their regional competition with Maryn Thackery and Olivia Rees winning first place in their categories. The cheerleading and Dance Teams held tryouts to pick the new Spirit Squad for the fall. Additionally, the Theatre Department held auditions for “Newsies” which will be performed in the spring of 2023. Prom was held for the students at MHS with seniors celebrating their high school years coming to a close with Senior Cotilion. The combined choir at MMS had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem on the ice at a Grizzlies hockey game. MGMS performed “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” to sold-out crowds nearly every night. To close out April, Science Olympiad won their state competition. Third graders at MES performed the much loved, “We are Amazing Program.” The school board announced Michelle Morrell as the new principal at MMS with Adam Christensen as assistant principal, and Destiny Field was announced as the new principal at MES

May didn’t slow down even with school coming to an end. Teachers were celebrated and honored during Teacher Appreciation week. MHS theatre won best choreography for “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” at the Utah High School Musical Theater Awards edging out the two schools who have passed it back and forth for years. They also hosted their annual Spoonies and showcase for friends and family. High school students celebrated school coming to a close with the Last Chance Dance. One hundred forty-one scholarships were given to seniors by colleges and universities with over $138,000 in local scholarships given out at Scholarship Night. MHS track teams finish second at 3A State 5 Individual Titles and One Relay Championship. MGMS celebrated RAK week, doing Random acts of kindness throughout the week. The fifth graders at MGMS performed their “Great American” a program showcasing what they have been learning all year in American history. MMS performed the ever-favorite talent show while saying goodbye to retiring Principal Ren Hoopes. Sixth graders from both middle schools launched rockets. Fourth graders at MGES had a Greek Day to culminate their Greek Mythology unit. To finish up their Mountain Man unit, they had a field trip to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum in Morgan. MES Kindergartners continued with the long-running POPS party. Finally, it was time for the last week of school which was a field with field trips to Warrior Rizen, Boondocks, Rush, games in the park, and field day. One hundred seventy-five seniors graduated from seminary. Finally, the day seniors had anticipated for thirteen years was upon them. Graduation returned to the Dee Event center after two years of being held at the high school. That night seniors were able to attend Operation Graduation at RUSH fun plex in Syracuse.  

School activities didn’t stop for some students once the final bell rang. Two students from the high school attended Skills USA in June. Wyatt Carpenter and his senior teammate took fourth place in the national competition.

In July the MHS cheerleaders joined hundreds of other cheerleaders lining the streets of Kaysville for the funeral procession of Maci Hill, a fellow cheerleader who passed away in a parade accident on the fourth of July.

While the SBOS and class officers attended leadership conferences and the cheerleaders and the spirit squad attended camps, the cardboard club continued meeting at Riverside Park to play board games during the summer months.

As students, teachers and staff began to get ready to head back to school, MES and MGES secured their schools with a buzz in systems. Air purifiers were purchased for every classroom in the district. This year several teachers moved positions with many new teachers being hired. Ten new teachers were hired at MHS along with Luke Thomas, who had been the instructional coach the previous year and was moved into the position of assistant principal. Five new teachers were hired at MMS, five new teachers at MES with several shuffling to teach a different grade, seven new teachers at MGMS and MGES hiring two new teachers. Nathan Costa, moved from MHS counselor to Instructional Coach at the high school, Dana Wilde went to part-time teaching and part-time instructional coach at MMS, Ramona Martin went from teaching PE to Instructional Coach at MGMS and Amy Frandsen went from teaching second grade at MES to Instructional Coach at MGES. Natalie Anderton was hired as the new high school counselor and Jennifer Gardner went from full-time SPED teacher to part-time teacher and part-time counselor at MGMS. MES held its first safety fair, inviting families to school to learn about safety from Morgan Fire/ EMS, UHP, the health department and many more. School started for all five schools in the district on Wednesday, Aug. 24 with early release all week.

Rush week for the high school clubs was held the first week of September. Football, volleyball, girls soccer, cross country and mountain biking started off their seasons looking strong. National Honor Society inducted its new members. The volleyball team once again held their traditional Sherry Wright Pink Night honoring members of the community who are bravely battling cancer along with those who have succumbed to cancer. Girls Tennis won 3A region beating Grantsville, Ogden, South Summit, Ben Lomond and St. Joseph’s to take first overall.  The HOPE Squads participated in the NUHope Suicide Awareness Walk. Students made posters of support for those who have been touched by suicide, as well as walked alongside them. MES celebrated one of their favorite events when grandparents were invited to lunch at the school for Grandparents Day.

October became very busy for MHS with Homecoming Week. Kicking off with the parade, movie night, street painting, and powder puff, with Trojans winning the football game and topping the week off with the Homecoming dance. Girls Tennis came out victorious with sisters Ryann and Sydney Jensen taking first in first doubles and Lucy Tripp and Brylee Adams taking first in second doubles. MMS hosted its third annual STEAM Night, with hundreds of students’ families helping the school raise thousands for school activities. MMS formed a new chapter of FBLA. The Volleyball team claimed the region title for the 30th consecutive time, in addition, reclaiming the state title after placing second place in the three previous years. Senior Payson Norman took first place in state Mountain Bike. Both middle schools celebrated Red Ribbon Week, helping students pledge to stay drug-free.

November veterans visit the schools and MMS holds assembly while MHS served breakfast to veterans. The art club held a successful sale. The Theatre Department solved the mystery of who done it by performing Agatha Christy’s “Mouse Trap” to six sold-out audiences.  MHS held its first Harvest dance. MHS cross country found success in California as several team members competed in the Champs Sports Cross Country Championship. The trojan football team had a fairytale ending, winning the 3A state title. Sterling Scholars were announced on the school level and they will prepare to compete at region in April 2023. MMS eighth graders had a field trip to HAFB and fifth graders were able to attend JA City. MGMS eighth graders did a scavenger hunt at SLC and Clark Planetarium.  Newsies auditions

All the schools started December with their Christmas fundraisers. At MHS different clubs take donations and raising money for different causes. MMS did their Coin Wars raising over $4,500 to help a local family. MGMS collected items to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. MHS Cheerleaders took first place in the Winter Classic.  The Spirit Squad competed in the Winter Classic and the UCA Competition. MES welcomed the Grinch to have breakfast with families on a Saturday morning. MHS Art club painted inside windows to give the high school a festive look. Bands, Choirs and Orchestra from the middle schools and the high school held holiday/winter concerts. MMS Kindness Club and FBLA Club thanked the post office with a giant thank you sign placed outside the post office. MHS held its ever-popular Wish Box Assembly and concluded the year with a winter formal. Both middle schools ended the 2022 school year with a dance for the upper grades. MGMS held its first talent show for fifth and sixth graders, while MMS fifth graders held their own celebrations. Fourth graders piled onto hay wagons to go caroling around town then joined the entire school for their school-wide sing-along. Schools released early Dec. 22 thus drawing the 2022 school year to a close.