Education

Mask mandate lifted in local schools on Navajo Reservation

By David Boyle News Director On May 5, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed an Executive Order to amend the public health order that made wearing a mask mandatory in enclosed areas and in public on the Navajo Nation. While the mask mandate had been lifted earlier in January 2023, exceptions...

Elk Petroleum partners with Whitehorse High

By David Boyle News Director A local company is working with Whitehorse High School to provide opportunities for youth in the Montezuma Creek area. Elk Petroleum operates the greater Aneth oil field. The oil field in the southeast portion of Utah and the northern portion of the Navajo Nation has...

Utah State University Blanding presents degrees and certificates to 134 graduates

Utah State University Blanding is proud to have celebrated its class of 2023 on Friday, April 28. The class of 2023 consists of 134 individuals earning 52 associate, 18 bachelor’s, three master’s degrees and 83 certificates. “It is truly an exciting occasion to be here with you today—to celebrate...

Monticello native is valedictorian, graduation speaker at Southern Utah University

Aspen English, a student from Monticello, is graduating this week at the top of her class from Southern Utah University (SUU). In addition to being the valedictorian of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, she is one of three student speakers at the SUU Commencement Ceremony on Friday,...

Monticello Drama finishes 2nd at 1A Utah State Drama

The Monticello High School drama department recently finished second at the 1A Utah State Drama Meet with their one-act production of Mayfair Lady. The play was presented to the public in Monticello on April 3 and 5. Members of the cast include: (front row, left to right) Tyson Wheeler, Coral...

School District addesses record privacy issues

In the digital age, schools, and educational institutions collect and store vast amounts of sensitive personal information about students. This data includes names, addresses, birthdates, Social Security numbers, grades, test scores, disciplinary records, and more. As technology continues to...

San Juan School Board moves ahead on planning for new Blanding Elementary School, discusses confidentialty issues, and upholds termination

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan School board approved plans for capital projects, discussed a letter from administration ,and upheld a ruling regarding the termination of employment of a teacher at their latest meeting. During their April 5 meeting, members of the board...

Easton Young - Monticello High Skilled and Technology Science

Annual Sterling Scholar Awards

Local students were honored at the 43rd Annual Southeastern Utah Sterling Scholar competition on March 27 at Grand County High School. Easton Young, from Monticello High School, was awarded the Sterling Scholar in the Skilled and Technical Science Education category. Nine students from San Juan...

Update on San Juan School District capital project plans

by Tyrel Pemberton, Business Administrator Operating a School District that geographically spans more than 7,800 square miles and has 12 different schools in seven different communities, has its unique challenges. One of those challenges is managing capital projects across the district and making...

Luke Jeppesen (center), an eighth grade student from Blanding, is the winner of the regional spelling bee and now moves on to the national competition. Second place is Cali Heaton of Price and third is Jaivery Pitchforth of Ferron. Courtsy photo

Student from ARL Middle School wins the “caboodle” at district Spelling Bee

On March 9 at Grand County High School in Moab, students from throughout the region participated in the Southeast Education Service Center regional spelling bee. All the contestants prepared for this year’s Bee by studying thousands of words, hoping to take top honors at the Region Bee. The top...