The Uintah School Board recognized several students and staff members during its regular work session and business meeting held on May 15 at the district office in Naples. Video recordings of both meetings are available on the district’s YouTube channel.
The board celebrated district Students of the Month from various schools, including Kieran Richens, Ethan Arnold, Vanessa Aparicio Ocampo, Nolan Papez, Kai Gingell, Navy Smuin, Colton Horrocks, Devri Morphy, Landon Hatch, Easton Durrant, and Kyler Massey. Groups honored included Uintah High FCCLA chapter members who qualified for Nationals; the Uintah High School Student Council for earning its third consecutive Gold Council of Excellence Award from the National Association of Student Councils; FFA Food Science, Soils/Land Evaluation, and Poultry Evaluation teams who qualified for Nationals; DECA chapter students who won their second consecutive Chapter of the Year Award at state competition; Caleb Harrison for winning Best Supporting Actor at the Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards; Discovery Elementary head custodian Aubrey McCarrel for being named Outstanding Support Professional by the Utah School Employees Association (USEA); school board member Robin McClellan for receiving USEA’s Honorary Award; and Dr. Laura Foley for her volunteer service leading local school support groups.
Upcoming events include Uintah High’s third annual May Art Show in the UHS Fishbowl on May 18-19 with free admission to all community members. The UHS Choir will perform its Spring Concert on May 19 in the auditorium featuring a full performance of “Calling All Dawns” by Christopher Tin with all choirs and a full orchestra. The art show will also be open before this concert.
Davis Elementary was selected as the 2026 Read Live School of the Year due to notable improvements in student reading fluency using Read Naturally’s literacy program. The Uintah High Choir program received top Superior ratings at a recent state festival with over seventy students participating. Counselors Trever Birchell from Eagle View Elementary and Mindy Deets from Ashley Valley Education Center were recognized by state organizations as Counselor of the Month in their respective categories.
Birchell is known for his commitment to supporting Eagle View students through leadership programs and mentoring initiatives. “Trever always goes the extra mile to walk beside any student he sets goals with to make sure they have the support and confidence they need to achieve,” Eagle View Principal Chris Jones said. “And then he celebrates each win so students internalize that their efforts make all the difference in becoming a better person.” Deets has worked eighteen years serving alternative education programs across grade levels while building positive relationships with students needing additional support structures. “Mindy is a miracle worker with some of the most fragile students in Uintah County School District,” AVEC Principal Andy McKea said. “She is this person because she has a solid understanding of psychological safety, being a caring adult, and holding students accountable to education expectations.”
Uintah High Track & Field athletes are competing at this weekend’s 4A State Championships hosted at Brigham Young University’s outdoor complex in Provo.
