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“It doesn’t last forever. It’s such a fun time. Obviously, you’re never gonna get these years back, so you just enjoy it.”

As excited as he is to attend American University and pursue a career in law, Brighton High senior and AP Capstone Diploma candidate Ben Balent has been getting nostalgic with the end of the 2022-23 school year approaching.

“It’s almost a little sad. I was talking to my mom about this. You know when you die how your life’s supposed to flash before your eyes? Yeah, I’m getting that same thing with graduation,” Balent said. “As a senior, I’m walking around the school and getting all of these flashbacks.”

Some flashbacks go back to when he was a freshman and sophomore in the old Brighton High, when he played soccer for the Bengals, fun friendships, late-night homework sessions, and even the pandemic that gave students a unique experience.

Balent’s family moved to Utah from Texas when he was a baby. They liked Utah so much they stayed.

Balent recalls being a freshman, almost idolizing seniors on the soccer team who’d just won a state championship. “I looked at these people as just like big Greek gods, just ginormous and I was tiny.” Three quick years later, he’s now the senior (though he still doesn’t feel like he’s as big as his seniors were). Time flies.

With an eye to the future, Balent took a challenging course load to prepare for the rigors of college and his career as a lawyer. His approach: Better to get used to the grind earlier than later.

“Probably the best thing that high school did was just really start me on that grind mentality,” he said. “I had this mindset that I would finish whatever I was working on — whatever homework I needed to get done — every single day,” he said. “I don’t care if it took me to like three in the morning.”

Speaking of all-nighters, Senior Sunrise is a memory he cherishes. Per tradition, Brighton seniors gather the night before, sleep on bean bags on the football field and eat breakfast together after sunrise.

“I still had to go to school Friday and it was just the worst day of my life,” he said, laughing. “But it was so fun because you had all the seniors I’ve known for four or five years all together for one last night.”

Balent didn’t make the soccer team his junior year, but he turned that into a positive by delving into tough classes and devoting extracurricular time to the Bengal’s Model United Nations program, which has long been ranked as the best in the country. He qualified for the national competition the past two years.

While working to achieve an AP Capstone Diploma, an honor earned by only a fraction of graduates, Balent took a whopping six AP classes. He even earned his Eagle Scout award.

His advice to younger high school students?

“Just enjoy it,” Balent said. “It really does fly by so fast and (soon) you’re gonna be reflecting on this stuff. Enjoy it. It doesn’t last forever. It’s such a fun time. College is very different. Obviously, you’re never gonna get these years back, so you just enjoy it.”

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Board Meeting Schedule

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Education for Canyons School District will hold a regular study session and public business meeting at the Canyons District Office building, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, UT each month unless otherwise posted. The Board may determine to conduct some business during a study session. All business meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. unless changed by the Board and appropriately posted for the public.

Please note that ALL DATES, TIMES and LOCATIONS listed on this scheduled are TENTATIVE and are subject to change at any time.  Please check this schedule often to be informed of any changes.

Unless otherwise specified, all meetings in the schedule below will take place as the Canyons District Office located at 9361 S. 300 E. in Sandy, Utah.

District Leaders

Dr. Rick Robins

Superintendent

Dr. Rick L. Robins is the superintendent of Canyons School District. Dr. Robins, who was selected by the Canyons Board of Education after a national search, brings 24 years of experience as an educator to his role as the chief executive officer of Utah’s fifth-largest school district. Prior to joining Canyons, Dr. Robins, who earned an Ed.D. from the University of Las Vegas, for six years was Superintendent of the Juab School District, based in Nephi, Utah. While there, Dr. Robins, who also was the Juab High School Principal from 2009-2013, helped oversee efforts to improve the district’s graduation rate to 97 percent, a double-digit increase over a 10-year period. Other innovations he led in Juab included a partnership with Arizona State University for blended-learning opportunities; the launch of a districtwide competency-based personalized learning model driven by a 1:1 technology initiative and standards-based reporting system; and the construction of the STEM-focused West Campus Innovations Center, funded largely through private and corporate sponsorships. Dr. Robins began his career as a history teacher at Copper Hills High in the Jordan School District and has worked as an assistant principal and principal in the Alpine, Nebo and Juab school districts. He was the 2012 Utah High School Principal of the Year for the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals, and in 2014 earned the Lexington Institute Superintendent Fellowship Award presented to innovative superintendents across the country. Dr. Robins was starting quarterback for the football team at Southern Utah University Thunderbirds from 1991-1995, and in 2013 was inducted into SUU’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He has four children and one grandchild.

Leon Wilcox

Business Administrator and CFO

Leon Wilcox is a seasoned professional with 20 years of governmental accounting experience, with an emphasis on financial reporting, budgeting, and auditing. As Canyons District’ Director of Accounting from 2009-2013, Wilcox was intricately involved with the 2009 division of $1.5 billion in assets of the former Jordan School District, and was responsible for establishing Canyons’ original and subsequent budgets. Wilcox, a certified public accountant who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Utah State University, also has worked nine years in the Granite School District and six years in the State Auditor’s Office.

Supervises:  Accounting and Budget Services, Facilities and Maintenance, Insurance, New Construction Budget, Nutrition Services, Purchasing, Payroll

Dr. Robert M. Dowdle

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and School Performance

Robert Dowdle has a Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah, and more than 31 years of experience as a teacher and educational leader. He began his career at Mount Jordan Middle School, where he taught Earth Science, English and Social Studies. He later taught Advanced Placement Economics, U.S. History and World History at Bingham High School, and served as Principal of Jordan High School and Assistant Principal for Alta High School and Brighton High School. Dowdle has served in the District office for 11 years as Assistant Superintendent. This role has included various leadership responsibilities, including Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Dowdle currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and School Performance.

Lucie Chamberlain

Alta View Elementary

If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added:  “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!

Specialty Schools

High Schools

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Canyons School District is committed to making this website compliant with the ADA. At this time, we recognize that not all areas of this website may be ADA compliant. We are currently in the process of redesigning and creating new website content to be compliant with the W3C Level Two guidelines. If you are experiencing issues with this website, please contact us here communications@canyonsdistrict.org

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