Members of the Skyridge High School Polynesian Club had only three months to prepare for the annual Polynesian dance, music and visual arts competition, “Who Got Roots?” but they channeled their ancestors and learned more about their culture alongside other Polynesian high school students in Utah.
“I wanted to unify our Polynesian group and help us be active at school and in the community, serving and representing ourselves well,” explained Malia Niumatalolo, president of the Polynesian Club at Skyridge High School.
Malia learned about “Who Got Roots?” in February 2021 when the other high school clubs had already been preparing for six months. “I felt more connected to my culture competing at ‘Who Got Roots?’ Our ancestors made so many sacrifices and told their stories through dances,” she said. Once a school commits to the competition, they draw a “wild card” Polynesian/Pacific Island to represent in the dance category, plus two other islands of their cho
John Wallwork will be the new principal at SHS in the fall.
The Alpine School District has selected John Wallwork as the new principal at Skyridge High School. At the end of this school year, Principal Dr. Joel Perkins will assume responsibilities in administration at the District.
Wallwork has spent 20 years in education as a teacher, assistant principal, and the last eight years as principal of Chiawana High School in Pasco, Washington.
Wallwork was born in Auckland, New Zealand. His parents are of Samoan descent. His parents divorced, and he lived with his grandparents in Samoa before moving with his mother to Hawaii. After several years in Hawaii, he moved with his mother to Shelton, Washington, where he attended elementary, junior high and high school.
Utah choir students petition to allow in-person festivals
Utah choir students petition to allow in-person festivals
and last updated 2021-02-05 00:02:19-05
SALT LAKE CITY â I lo-ove to sing! belted out three Skyridge High seniors Thursday afternoon, to matching piano notes. They repeated the phrase, in higher and higher pitches each time. I lo-ove to sing! I lo-ove to sing!
Not only do Ethan Freestone, Sophi Cueller and Raine Martinez love to sing, they also love to perform live. There s a magic when you sit there in the room and you re performing for other students, and you put your entire heart and soul out there, Ethan said.