Big news today! Evening swimming lessons are now available. We heard from so many of you after our regular sessions filled up that we decided to open up two evening sessions of lessons. Register today. Spots will fill up fast. All classes available.
https://northshoreaquaticcenter.sportsiteslabs.com/player#Root1e291c55b-32cc-b10f-2e90-ea422f5ed8e90
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Utah Board of Juvenile Justice to Honor 20 Students at Youth Anti-Violence Awards Luncheon
SALT LAKE CITY (April 24, 2019) - In August of 2018, Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued a letter encouraging seventh and eighth grade students across the state to write about their ideas to change the culture of youth violence. Since then, over 2,200 students participated in classroom discussions and over 900 students submitted their ideas to the “Do the Write Thing Challenge.”
On Friday, April 26, 2019, the Utah Board of Juvenile Justice (UBJJ) will announce two national finalists and honor 20 Utah middle school students for their written anti-violence entries to Utah’s nineteenth annual “Do the Write Thing Challenge.” The awards luncheon will be held at the Salt Lake County Viridian Event Center (8030 S. 1825 W.).
Judge James R. Michie, Jr. of the Third District Juvenile Court will be the keynote speaker at the event.
Utah’s two national finalists will be recognized by the National Campaign to Stop Violence at the “Do the Write Thing” National Recognition Ceremony in Washington, D.C. this July. They will meet with Utah’s members of Congress to discuss the problem of youth violence and attend a reception hosted by the Ambassador to the United States for the State of Kuwait. A book containing the students’ writings will be placed in the Library of Congress.
Notes:
Contact Lenhart Brown at 801.538.1031 to RSVP to the recognition luncheon.
"We are all sailors on our own journey. Some of us may briskly glide across the water, yelling “land-ho” before you can snap a finger. Others may struggle, the ocean retaliating with brutal force. It is our obligation to help those in need. Be compassionate enough to throw someone who is struggling a life preserver.” ~ Utah’s 2019 Do the Write Thing Challenge finalist.
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Author’s Story Of Mental Illness
Seeks To Remove Stigma, Restore Hope
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the U.S. since 1949. Seventy years later, statistics show mental illness – in many forms – is more prevalent than ever.
Nearly one in five U.S. adults – 46.6 million – live with a mental illness, and estimates suggest about half do not receive professional care. Suicide rates in the U.S. have increased 25 percent since the turn of the century, and world-wide, depression accounts for more disability than any other disease in the world.
Mental health professionals say these numbers are a wake-up call, and that stigmas associated with mental disorders prevent many from seeking treatment. Sonja Wasden, (www.animpossiblelife.com), co-author with her daughter of the book An Impossible Life, says her harrowing but uplifting story of living with her mental disorders is proof that treatment can bring hope and a stable life.
“We need to talk openly about mental disorders so we can destigmatize them,” Wasden says. “We all must make the most relentless attempt we can to normalize mental health issues, so that people can come forward knowing they will be understood and shown compassion.
“I want them to believe they can create a life worth living, despite the pain.”
From the outside, Wasden was living an idyllic suburban life with her husband and three children when, at 35, she was involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital by her husband and father.
“To everyone who knew me outside of my family, I was living the perfect life,” Wasden says. “I dressed to the 9’s, I was married to the CEO of a hospital, I went to all the civic and charity events, and I had a beautiful home and great kids.”
Wasden didn’t think she belonged in a psychiatric hospital despite evidence to the contrary. For example, she hid steak knives throughout her home so she could cut the bottom of her feet, something she says she did when her emotional pain was so great that she needed physical pain to override it.
Upon being admitted to the hospital, Wasden remembers vividly, “I wanted to run, but my feet were glued to the floor. Surely it was a nightmare from which I would wake, and I pleaded to my husband to take me home.
“They told me, ‘Mrs. Wasden, we’re going to help you get well.’ I yelled, ‘But I’m not sick! Why won’t anyone believe me?’ But looking into my husband’s eyes, the realization hit me: the hospital visit was him running out of ways to make things better.”
Wasden got better, and while there were bumps in the road through 26 years of treatment, she says Ketamine and Dialectical Behavior Therapy helped her through her struggles. It’s been a remarkable journey through depression, mania, an eating disorder and suicidal thoughts.
“My father died from suicide, and I have attempted suicide,” Wasden says. “I’ve been in psychiatric hospitals twice, and I know five people who have committed suicide.”
Wasden’s inspiring story includes the profound impact her mental illness had on her family, yet how ultimately – through love, acceptance and treatment – it didn’t stop her from being a devoted wife and mother.
“You can be married and raise a family being mentally ill,” she says. “I have created a life worth living despite my struggles. There is hope.”
About Sonja Wasden
Sonja Wasden, co-author with her daughter Rachael Siddoway of the book An Impossible Life (www.animpossiblelife.com), graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. She is married and has three children.
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Author Kay Bolin shares true story of a Pilgrim goose and his search for love
LOVELAND, Ohio – A true story of a beautiful white wild Pilgrim goose and his search for love is told in Kay Bolin’s debut publication, “Luce the Goose: Searching for Love” (published by AuthorHouse).
The story begins with Luce staring at his own reflection in Bolin’s black car. For days, every time Bolin looked out the window, Luce was back — just staring at his own reflection. The question that took her some time to answer was, “Did he just look at himself or did he think his reflection was another goose that could be his friend?”
As days passed by, Luce found a way to communicate to Bolin, and she found a way to understand him. It is a story that shows how the dedication of a goose, trying to communicate to humans, also reminds people to display love and kindness, as the opportunity is everywhere.
The images in the book help capture some of the most memorable moments of Luce’s quest for love. But for Bolin, the real amazement is the lesson that Luce conveyed — that difficult communication is never an excuse to not share kindness and love. “Nature is full of surprises,” says Bolin. “It was a goose that reminded us, when we involve ourselves in nature it can be a true learning experience!”
“Luce the Goose: Searching for Love”
By Kay Bolin
Softcover | 8.5x8.5 in | 26 pages | ISBN 9781546279143
E-Book | 26 pages | ISBN 9781546279150
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Kay Bolin was elected the 2018 Loveland, Ohio, Valentine Lady and part of her responsibility was to visit community schools (pre-K through third grade classes) and speak about Valentine’s Day and love. Bolin decided that would be a great time to share the true story of Luce the Goose and the lessons learned from Luce with the classes (approximately 1,200 children plus their teachers). The story and lesson mesmerized the students and their teachers. The response is what inspired Bolin to write the children’s book, “Luce the Goose: Searching for Love.”
