Nine teachers, administrators, support staff, community partners, and volunteers were honored on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 with Apex Awards, the most prestigious recognition in Canyons School District. 

The highest honor of the Canyons Board of Education’s Apex Awards program  — the Legacy Award — was posthumously given to Mont L. Millerberg, a longtime members of the Board who passed away in February.  His family, including his wife, Kris, who was appointed to serve the remainder of his term on the Board of Education after his unexpected death, accepted the award on his behalf.  The Legacy Award is considered CSD’s lifetime achievement award. 

“Mont would always say, and we’ve heard him coin this many times, ‘The magic is in the classroom,’” said Canyons Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins. “He would always ground us and remind us that above all else, every decision that we make should be focused on what happens in the classroom. That’s our true mission.”

Millerberg, a member of the inaugural Board who returned to the school board in 2016 and then was re-elected again in 2020, was one of the most-tenured public officials in CSD history.  Millerberg’s commitment to his constituents was apparent in the fact that nearly every Midvale-area school has been rebuilt or renovated in the past 14 years. In fact, during his time on the Board, CSD invested $270 million, or roughly 35 percent, of its bond money on improvements for Midvale-area schools.

The 15th annual ceremony, held this year at the new Union Middle, also featured performances by the nationally recognized Corner Canyon cheer squad, the reigning 4A state champions Hillcrest Drill, the cast and jazz band of Jordan High’s upcoming production of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and the lead actors of Brighton High’s “Matilda.”

The Apex Award for Teacher of the Year was given to Alta High math teacher, Kevin Clyde. Clyde was Canyons District’s representative in the state teacher of the year selection process and his students unabashedly say he’s their favorite teacher, even in the rigorous subject. 

Copperview Elementary Principal Colleen Smith received the Apex Award for School Administrator of the Year.  Smith is lauded for her tireless dedication to turning around the achievement levels of students at the Title I school. 

The Apex Award for District Administrator of the Year was awarded to Cindy Hanson, the now-retired Middle School Director in the School Performance Department.  In addition to leading CSD’s eight middle schools, Hanson was linchpin in CSD’s effort to gain districtwide accreditation.

The Apex Award for Elected Official of the Year was presented to Dr. Molly Hart, a former CSD principals who now serves as a member of the Utah State Board of Education.  During her tenure on the state board, an unprecedented number of education-related bills have been proposed during legislative sessions, politically driven culture wars have influenced public discourse about schools, and Utah public schools were faced with the fallout from the legislature’s vote to start the state’s first voucher program.

The Apex Award winner for Education Support Professional of the Year was presented to Sara Cook, Assistant Facility Manager at Brighton High School.  This head custodian is heralded not just for her work ethic but her leadership style.  Many custodians who have worked under her supervision earn spots as head custodians at other schools. 

CSD’s lead school nurse Jen Gerrard is the winner of the Apex Award for Student Support Services Professional of the Year. Beyond the success of CSD’s vaccination program. Gerrard is a key player in the District’s launch of a pilot telehealth program, which uses technology to connect students with a healthcare provider without having to leave school for the day.

The year’s Apex Award winner for Volunteer of the Year, Jessica Davies, began volunteering with Canyons to spend more time with her children. Now, her children have moved on to another school, but she remains dedicated to working with students at Alta View Elementary.

The Apex Award for Community Partner of the Year was given to the South Valley Chamber of Commerce. The South Valley Chamber has had a long-standing practice of building relationships with students as they learn and grow into future business leaders.