Celebrate the start of summer fun at Canyons District Night with Real Salt Lake.

On Saturday, June 1, just days after diplomas have been handed to the Class of 2024 for Alta, Brighton, Corner Canyon, Diamond Ridge, Hillcrest and Jordan high schools, the hometown Major League Soccer team is hosting a end-of-the-school-year celebration for CSD families.

Discount tickets are now available for the 7:30 p.m. game against Austin FC. The event is Real Salt Lake’s way of congratulating the academic, artistic, and athletic achievements of CSD students throughout the school year. 

Tickets as low as $20 can be purchased online. The reduced cost is available to the Canyons District community so more families can come cheer for Canyons’ Teachers of the Year, who will be celebrated on the field during half-time. 

Immediately following the 45th minutes of the game, the 48 Teachers of the Year from Canyons District schools and programs will be escorted to the middle of the field at Rio Tinto Stadium to be cheered by the thousands in the stadium. 

Alta High’s Kevin Clyde is Canyons District’s 2024 Teacher of the Year and Canyons’ nominee in the Utah Teacher of the Year selection process.  The mathematics educator received a $1,000 cash prize from the Canyons Education Foundation, plus gifts and prizes worth some $500.

CSD’s top middle school teacher is Eastmont Middle physical education educator Stephanie Davis and Canyons’ top elementary school teacher is Park Lane’s Jamie McDonald. Both Davis and McDonald received $500 cash from the Canyons Education Foundation in addition to the $500 in gifts and prizes. 

Each of CSD’s Teachers of the Year also were given complimentary tickets for themselves and a guest, courtesy of Real Salt Lake in appreciation of their service to students and the larger community.

The start-of-summer event with the MLS team is a cherished tradition in Canyons.  

“As a Real Salt Lake fan, getting to go onto the field during halftime was so exhilarating,” says Emalee Brown, the CTE coordinator at the Canyons Technical Education Center who was Albion Middle’s Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 school year.  “I never dreamed I would have had the chance to go onto the field.” 

Brown became a big Real Salt Lake fan after moving to Draper to teach in Canyons District. She said it was a “rush to hear all he fans cheer for me and the other teachers” who were gathered on the field.

“It was nice to feel recognized by others outside of the District,” she said. “Teachers always support teachers. However, in this instance, we were supported by a lot more that those that are in the daily grind with us. I got chills and could not stop smiling.” 

Brown encourages the community, especially families whose students whose teachers are 2024  Teachers of the Year, to come to the game on June 1.

“You get to be a part of recognizing the hard work of your teachers in a public setting. Go and cheer for them all,” she said. “It is a great opportunity to support Canyons District, but to also show Real Salt Lake some appreciation for their partnership with us here in CSD.”