#PROUDNEIGHBORMOMENT

My neighbor, Ann Valentine, was recently inducted into the
Utah Tennis Hall of Fame.
She is also in the national Tennis Hall of Fame!

1999 Hall of Fame Inductee

On her journey from being a coal miner's daughter in Sykesville, PA to becoming BYU Associate Women's Athletic Director, Ann Valentine has incorporated life's lessons to bring out the best in herself and in the sports and athletes she loves. Tonight we honor her as a coach, as an athlete, as an administrator, and one of the best friends BYU Athletics will ever have.

From an early age, Ann's three brothers provided her the teammates and opponents necessary to kindle her athletic interests. Those early years provided Ann her first lessons in athletic innovation and facilities management, as she and her siblings invented their own sports on the Catholic church's playground and folded chairs for the school janitor in exchange for playing time on the basketball court. Ann also acquired a love for tennis playing on a local doctor's farm-side clay court.

She earned a bachelor's degree in physical education at Pennsylvania's Slippery Rock College (1955), followed by a master's degree at Penn State (1961) and post graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania (1962). While earning her bachelor's degree she competed on the tennis, volleyball, field hockey, and basketball teams, losing only one tennis match in the entire four years.

Valentine brought her talents to BYU in 1969 when she became the women's tennis coach and ushered in a whole new era for both BYU and the nation. Ann literally changing the format of collegiate tennis by creating new national championship formats and conducting national tournaments that are now the mainstays of national collegiate competition. Over a legendary, 27-year coaching career, she won 71 percent of her matches and accumulated the 427 match victories that made her the second-winningest Division I coach in NCAA tennis history.

Twelve times she was named conference Coach of the Year. Four-times she was the Wilson/ITA Central Region Coach of the Year. And in 1996 she received the Rolex Meritorious Service Award. Her teams won 15 conference championships; over 23 years, 19 of her teams were ranked in the top 20 and 11 in the top 10. Ann coached 17 All-American athletes who won a total of 31 All-America awards.

In 1995 she stepped down as women's tennis coach to become Associate Director of Women's Athletics and more fully promote the progress and success of the BYU women's program. Valentine's administrative insight has helped produce the funds, the facilities, and the organization necessary for the success of BYU's existing teams and the addition of women's soccer and softball.

Ann has also been a winner in the classroom. She's earned the title of Associate Professor and has been voted by her students as the "Outstanding Faculty Member" for excellence in teaching, service, and leadership.

Personally and professionally Ann Valentine is an individual whose lifestyle turns coal into diamonds. She has lifted and she has learned; she has taught and she has loved, changing for the better all who have called her "coach," "colleague," "professor," or "friend" at BYU.

Sydney Fulford Conner with Ann Valentine and 11 others.

14 hrs · 

This incredible woman, Ann Valentine, changed my life when I was 17 years old. She offered me a full scholarship to BYU to play tennis, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity and the lifelong friendships I have made because of her and her assistant, Keith Nielson, who saw me play at the National 18 Indoors. She is by far the best college coach ever--her grasp of both singles and doubles strategy is unmatched. I was present when she was inducted to the ITCA Hall Of Fame, but unfortunately wasn't present tonight when she was inducted into the Utah Tennis Hall of Fame. I just couldn't be prouder
and wish all of my Facebook friends could also know what a wonderful woman, friend and coach she is. Congratulations Ann Valentine!

SAN JACINTO OVERTURE . . . A COMPOSER'S PERSPECTIVE

By Dominique RoyemFebruary 15, 20172016-2017 Season, Concert

Jodie Jenson’s San Jacinto Overture will have it’s world premier on the Texas, Our Texas concert. She has taken some time to let us in on the story behind her work.

Jodie Madsen Jensen was a FABULOUS student!  Soooo smart, and talented!

I am not a native of Texas, so composing a piece that celebrates Texas proved to be quite a history lesson for me. If I were to get this right, I would need to understand the rich history that shaped this great state. As I composed, I immersed myself in the world of the Texas Revolution, and came away inspired with what became the San Jacinto Overture.

Let’s set the stage for the Battle of San Jacinto. Mexican president, Santa Anna regarded himself as “the Napoleon of the West”. He had just taken the Alamo and ordered the massacre of 350 unarmed Texan prisoners at Goliad. Texas had sustained heavy losses, and the revolution was failing.  But the heroic resistance at the Alamo became a symbol of hope and a rallying point for the revolution.

And this is where the San Jacinto Overture begins to tell the story.

Sam Houston was in command of the troops that set up camp at San Jacinto on April 20th, 1836.  He was cool and calculating in his approach to the impending battle, but his men were anxious to fight. Two brief skirmishes broke out, but both armies retreated to their camps to strengthen their fortifications for battle. Tension hung thick in the humid air. As Houston’s army prepared for this definitive battle, I imagine that some spoke with deep emotion about their fair wives, their families, and all that they stood to lose if they didn’t defeat Santa Anna then and there.

As the morning of April 21^st wore into afternoon, Santa Anna showed his ultimate arrogance by letting his army rest without posting sentries. His opponents didn’t even merit a patrol while he slept (and, some historians believe, spent time with his mistress).  He didn’t realize that the battle was already at his doorstep until it was too late. Houston’s men had crawled through the tall grass and taken a guerrilla approach to combat Santa Anna’s Napoleonic tactics. Tomahawks and swords flashed in the blinding afternoon sun, and the Mexican army couldn’t fight effectively out of formation. The Texans’ battle cry, “Remember the Alamo!  Remember Goliad!” gave them a surge of strength, and their 900 overpowered Santa Anna’s 1200 in only 18 minutes. These men were not driven by command, but by a thirst for freedom from tyranny.

In the San Jacinto Overture, you will hear the story of this battle played out, with the echoing church bells of the Alamo and Goliad, the brief battle sequence that dissolves into a stalling chord progression to show the tension as the Texan army awaited their commander’s orders.  You will hear the heart-wrenching melodies of their thoughts of home and family, and the arrogant castanet snap which embodies Santa Anna’s view of himself and his opponent. Finally, when the primary melody returns, it is combined with multiple frenzied counter-melodies and heavy, cannon-like percussion to represent the chaos of the battle, leading to an epic overture finale as Texas emerged victorious and independent.

CALLED TO SERVE

I have known Don Beckstrand since 1984!

WOW!

He taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades at 

Alpine Elementary.

He was on my team for several years,

and, my most favorite team:

Calvan, Paul, and Don.

He was also an assistant principal

for awhile.

(He used to have to call for substitutes...bleh!)

Don married Marlene in 1988.

I knew her brother Glen, and sister, Carren, 

from high school.

Glen was one year older, Carren was

one year younger.

Marlene also taught school.

She was at Sego Lily, then Snow Springs.

Marlene was a trooper!

She was very ill for years . . . and still was a teacher.

During this time, Don would take Marlene to

the ER many nights, and then come and teach all day.

He was also a bishop.

Marlene had to finally quit teaching.

She passed away at the end of the

2011-2012 school year.

Don dated/was lined up with many ladies, 

including my classroom aide and a former teammate.

Some said he was the most eligible bachelor around!

Thank heavens, none of them worked out!!!

Don met Paige

and they were perfect!

They were married in April of 2015.

She has two daughters.

One who is married, and lives in Texas.

One who is an angel from above.

Don has always wanted to serve another mission.

And now, he will.
(First mission . . . Japan, age 19)

Don & Paige were called to serve in the

Indianapolis Indiana mission

working with seminaries and institutes.

PERFECT!

My former student, Katelyn Simmons,

just returned from serving there.
(Steve Cleveland, former BYU basketball coach,
was the previous mission president there!)

I hope he gets to work at Purdue.

Maureen's daughter, Melanie, attends school there.

He also taught her.  

(non member)

Morgan Ruesch is in Layfette, Indiana.

Entering MTC August 7.

Serving for 12 months.

YUP. ANOTHER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR LONE PEAK

I'm not sure how many state championships
Lone Peak has won this year.
I know of golf, marching band,girls
volleyball, and now, Boy's Swimming!
(2nd in football)
AND THEY DOMINATED!!!
They basically just had to show up 
for the second day!

Photos by Daily Herald

ENGAGED

I TAUGHT SCHOOL WITH HEIDI PARK MY ENTIRE 33 YEARS!

SHE RETIRED THE SAME YEAR.

SHE ALSO TAUGHT 2 YEARS BEFORE I CAME.

THE MONTH BEFORE I STARTED TEACHING, SHE

MARRIED STEVE PARK.

THEY HAD 2 BOYS . . . COLBY & CREIGHTON.

HEIDI & STEVE DIVORCE AROUND 30 YEARS AGO.

HEIDI RAISED HER 2 BOYS AS A SINGLE MOM.

SHE ALSO TAUGHT SCHOOL, SERVED IN THE CHURCH,

AND BUILT HER HOME.

LAST AUGUST, SHE MET KORDELL NORTON ON

LDS SINGLES (DOT COM)

HE  HAS BEEN DIVORCED FOR 2 YEARS, AND

IS THE FATHER OF 6 CHILDREN.

HE IS A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER.

KORDELL ASKED HEIDI TO MARRY HIM

AT THE AQUARIUM.

(NOTICE THE DIVER BEHIND THEM HOLDING

UP THE SIGN!)

THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED THE

BEGINNING OF APRIL!

I ADULTED TODAY

VALENTINE'S DAY

I MISS VALENTINE'S DAY

IN THE CLASSROOM!

I loved everything about it!

It was a simple little holiday in the

middle of winter.  

I would do the party myself.

We would play "Valentine Bingo."

Play the "Candy Bar Game."

Then, I gave each kid a Hershey Bar as their valentine.

WIN!

I had extras for my nieces and nephews.

WIN!  WIN!

 Peeking in at the 6th grade dance.

 Our desks were in a square to accommodate our

Valentine folders. 

I got smarter over the years.

We used to put the hearts on the front of their desks.

(Hence, the square.)

They could pass out valentines whenever they

brought them.

Most kids would sneak the treats inside the folder!

The last few years, we spent the first part of our

party passing out valentines.

Passing out the valentines that sat

on top of desk.

The square made it so easy to pass them out!

I usually got quite a haul!

The big red heart was the folders we made.

Mom taught me how to make them.

The Sage Hills kiddos
(minus Carter, who made his in class)

had to create their own Valentine holder.

Addie and Jaycie's unicorns were adorable!

Check out Preston's!

Golden State Warriors basketball court!

Camry made a guitar.

This year was uneventful.

I got mom beautiful flowers.

Heidi brought me and mom a little plant.

I went to Costco and bought me some

"Rice Rollers" and my gum.

That was it.  The End.

Got a chuckle out of this:

FEELING LUCKY

I MISS MY DOGS!

(We had many cats, but not the same

as a dog)

Since I can remember, we

have had dogs!

PAL

JESSIE

TUFFY

CHARLIE

ROGER

PUP-PUP

KING

They were all my companions and protectors.

With helping Jaycie this year with homework,

I've been able to get my doggie love.

This is Lucky.

Ashley and family's dog.

He likes me . . . or probably

just my nails!

ON THE JOB TRAINING

Secretary of Education.

Betsy DeVos.

Not a fan with educators.

WHY???

No experience with public education!

Not even going to a public school

as a child!!!

She's a billionaire, married to

the founder of Amway.

First time in history that the

vice president had to vote to break a

50-50 tie for a cabinet member confirmation.

(Not happy with my 2 senators that

received thousands of mail from

their constituents against her, 

and they still voted for her!)

And now . . . she's the

"Top Principal!"

#notmysecretaryofeducation

But, she is.

ERIC

What better way to end National School Counseling Week than to share news of a CSD counselor 

receiving some much-deserved recognition. Hillcrest High Counselor Eric Murdock has been named

 "School Counseling Educator of the Year" by the Utah Association of Career and Technical Educators' 

Guidance Division.
"[Eric] is a leader in creating options for a diverse group of students," reads his nomination form.

Hillcrest is home to advanced learner programs and boasts some of the state's top performing arts programs.

 It also has a homeless shelter in its boundaries and a good proportion of its students are from

 low-income families. Eric works tirelessly with all students and their families to forge individualized

 paths to graduation. He serves on CSD's Credit Recovery Committee, which identifies students who

 are at-risk for not graduating and helps them make-up lost credits. He also provides 

counseling at Entrada, Canyon District's Adult High School. 

Congratulations, Eric! #nscw17 #wearecanyons

Eric Murdock was in my fourth class in 1983-1984.

He was such a great kid!

I also had a lot of interaction with him when he

worked for his dad, my doctor . . . Joe Murdock.

He was always going to school, and said he wanted to

be a counselor in an elementary school.

I also taught his sisters, Leanne and Laura.

#ProudMissMitchellMoment

SEMPER FI

FORMER STUDENT, RYAN KOSKI, GRADUATED FROM

MARINE BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO, AND IS NOW

A FULL-FLEDGED MARINE!

HE GRADUATED FROM LONE PEAK IN 2016.

I  ALSO TAUGHT HIS SISTER, KIRSTEN.

SEMPER FI!

LOOKY WHO'S A NEW PRINCIPAL!

Alpine School District #alpineschools

21 hrs · 

Please join with the Board of Education and Cabinet in congratulating the following administrators on their new assignment beginning July 1, 2017:

David Mower - Director of Research and Evaluation
Doug Webb - Principal of Lehi High
David Smith - Principal of Mountain View High
Scott Sumner - Principal of Lone Peak High
Courtney Johnson - Assistant Principal of Westlake High for 2017-18, and beginning the 2018-19 school year, principal of the new high school in Eagle Mountain
Jarom Becar - Principal of Frontier Middle
Aaron Barth - Principal of Willowcreek Middle
Diane Wanamaker - Principal of Oak Canyon Junior High
Pete Swiderski - Principal of Sego Lily Elementary
Paul Finlayson - Principal of Manila Elementary***

​Additional administrative assignments will be made in the near future.

The year Paul taught 5th grade!

Condita, Alene, Paul, Me

Paul married Cortney Mitchell Christensen . . . another

wonderful match, made by me!
(3 for 3!  Time to retire my matchmaking skills
so I stay at 100%!)

At my last day of my teaching career, May 30, 2013.

Retirement open house with Paul, Cortney, and Cooper.
May 5, 2014

Paul's last day at Alpine Elementary.
All in 4th grade . . . except that one magical year in 5th grade!
(Paul student taught in 3rd grade with Marie Patrick)

TSA at Deerfield

Assistant Principal at Traverse Mountain

Next stop . . . Principal at Manila Elementary!