King of Rock 'n' Roll

Earlier this school year I had an idea to teach a unit on "Rock 'n' Roll Through the Ages" for my 5th and 6th graders.  I decided I wanted to start with the King himself, Mr. Elvis Presley.  So in preparation, I researched everything I could find about him.  I read books, listened to his music, watched his concerts and movies, and prepared lesson plans.   And in the process, I became a BIG fan!  If I had been born 20 years earlier, I'm sure I would have been one of those crazy, screaming girls at his concerts.

Last week I started my unit, and spent the whole week talking and teaching about him.  It was so much fun!!  My students loved it, and I had a blast! I learned so many fascinating things about him that I never knew!  Here are some things you may not have known about Elvis...

*He had a twin brother named Jesse who died at birth.  He occasionally referred to his brother, saying things like, "I wish Jesse were here to see this!" and "Jesse would have loved this."

*His parents were so poor, they lived in a tiny two-room shack with no electricity or indoor plumbing.  Sometimes his mother wore rags on her feet instead of shoes.  Jesse was buried in an unmarked grave because his parents could not afford a burial plot or marker.

*He was very shy as a child, and even though he loved singing and playing his guitar, he refused to perform for anyone.

*His first recording he paid for himself as a gift for his mother.

*His "Jailhouse Rock" dance scene is considered to be the first ever music video.

*He was incredibly generous to friends and strangers alike.  He donated freely and often to charities and relief programs.  He did charity concerts that earned thousands of dollars for worthy causes.

*He was the world's first superstar.  He acted in 31 movies and had 107 top-ten hits. 

...and much, much more!  Last week one of my students mentioned that her uncle was an Elvis "superfan".  He collects everything he can get his hands on, has visited Graceland multiple times, likes to dress up like Elvis, and even named his son, "Presley"!  So I gave him a call and invited him to come speak to my classes.  He came this morning, and it was a hoot!  He looked and sounded just like Elvis...he even grew out his sideburns just for us!  It was outstanding.

What a tragedy that a talent that big was snuffed out so young.  Elvis was my age--only 42 years old--when he died.  Makes me sad.  I have a soft spot in my heart for him, I am forever a fan, and very soon Kent and I plan to travel to Memphis to take a tour of Graceland.  Can't wait!

Next up...the Beatles!!!

A Dozen Roses

I love that my husband brings me roses every February 14th!  With the basketball season in full swing, we rarely have time to celebrate, but he has never been too preoccupied to remember my roses!

It began the Valentines Day before we got married, and the tradition has continued, year after year. Wow, look at those young lovebirds! 
 

Primary Newsletter

One of my favorite responsibilities in my calling is writing the monthly newsletter.  At first it was a real challenge, but now I can whip it out in a flash!  I really enjoy gathering all the information, writing the presidency message, choosing fonts and borders, and selecting the perfect clip art to dress it up.  Here is my latest one for February.  It makes me happy!

Naptime

This picture makes me laugh so hard!  A few weeks ago Braden and his cross country team went to Los Angeles for a race called the "Footlocker".  He had a blast, and did great in the race, he even got a medal for finishing in the top 40.  That is pretty darn good considering there were over 600 runners! This picture surfaced a few days ago on facebook, and I haven't stopped laughing.  Braden is on the far left, fast asleep...or at least pretending to be.  That's my boy!  Haha!

Meet Coach Smith

In this year's Copper Hills Basketball program, there is a nice write-up on page 11 entitled, "Meet Coach Smith".  Ironically, it was written by a local sports writer by the name of Bruce Smith! (the same name as my late father-in-law.) It is a really nice article, and I wanted to include it here.

 

MEET COACH SMITH 

BY Bruce Smith

Basketball is in his genetic makeup and will always be a part of his life.

    If you're ever looking for Copper Hills coach Kent Smith, try the basketball court.  Basketball is in his DNA.  It started when he was growing up.  In fact, was the family business.  Not much has really changed, except the torch has been passed, and Smith has moved from suburban Chicago to the Salt Lake Valley.  

   "I was a gym rat as much as possible."  he recalled. "We had a basketball court at home, but we would also go to the (local outdoor) playground because we could play full-court.  We played in all kinds of weather."

     Smith is the son of a basketball legend.  Throughout Illinois and basketball-crazed Indiana, he attended hundreds of games, often watching his father coach high school and then junior college teams.  

     "For me, it was nothing to answer the phone and have (famous college coaches) Dean Smith, Lou Henson, or Rick Majerus on the line," Smith said.  "They would always be calling dad for one reason or another."

     Smith went on to play at Warren Township High, a huge school now with over 4500 students, where it must have been an accomplishment just to make the team.  

     "I was pretty good,"  Smith said, without going into many details.  

   He continued his education at a nearby college and then moved west to attend BYU.  While his playing career ended, his interest in basketball certainly did not.  In fact, it wasn't just with him.  Smith's siblings, which includes three boys and two girls, has its share of basketball coaches.  

     "There are three of us boys coaching basketball," he said.  "We just saw Dad's job and loved it."

     Smith still feels that way at Copper Hills, where he is in his eighth year at the school and fifth as head coach.  Smith said he sees the basketball potential here. The school opened in 1995 and boys basketball quickly enjoyed success, winning a region title in its third year and a state title in just its fifth season.  Smith, however, is looking for consistency.  Like his dad showed, that is how legendary programs are created.  

     "Everything is about making the state tournament," he said.  "During the preseason, you learn about your team and get ready.  You have to prepare for the pressure that is going to come in region and you try to put yourself in a position to make state."

     Two years ago, that is exactly what happened.  The Grizzlies went on a six-game winning streak near the end of the season.  They dominated opponents in that span, beating quality schools by an average of 23 points per game.  With school spirit also at a record high, Copper Hills reached the state semi-finals, where they lost to Davis 48-46.  

     "That is a game we could have won," he recalled.  "I don't know how we would have done against (eventual state champion) Alta, but we had our chances to beat Davis."

     That is the type of season he would like to recreate every year.

     "Start slow...you don't want to peak too early," he said.  "Then build it up.  When the boys see what they can accomplish as a team they start to believe in themselves, and you can accomplish a lot."

Salt Lake Tribune Article

Here is a link to a Salt Lake Tribune article, published the day before our brutal double overtime loss to West Jordan.  It was written by our good friend, Rich Winter. (I'll paste the article below just in case the link fails.)

Boys Basketball: Copper Hills Gutting It Out For Playoff Spot

By Rich Winter

Salt Lake Tribune

Published Feb 07, 2012

Winless in Region 3 and trailing by 10 at halftime of the Jan. 24 game at Jordan, Copper Hills boys basketball coach Kent Smith laid it all on the line.  Smith screamed, pounded the lockers and challenged his team’s toughness. Then he told the Grizzlies that if they didn’t come out and have a phenomenal second half, they would be sitting home at tournament time.

After having scored just 1 point in the first half, 6-foot-1 Tyler Lazenby heard Smith’s words loud and clear. Lazenby scored 23 points in the second half and Copper Hills claimed a 61-59 win. “There was a lot of pressure going into that game because we knew we had to win,” said Lazenby. “As a senior, I just felt I had to give everything I had.”

Smith sat back and watched as Lazenby dropped a 3-poiner, hit a couple of elbow jumpers, reached back for a spectacular tip-in and scored an off-balance layup.  Three nights later, Lazenby scored 14 and teammates Dylan Carter and Bryson Allen combined for 21 as the Grizzlies won a second Region 3 road game — 52-41 at Cottonwood.

“We’re pretty good when our guards hit enough outside shots and Bryson scores in the post,” said Smith. "Tyler is our wild card, and he has to be a creative scorer that makes the other team think about stopping one player.”

The Grizzlies’ 2-4 region record does not begin to tell the tale of this squad. Copper Hills led powerhouses West Jordan and Alta in the fourth quarter in early region games and had a 1-point loss to Brighton on Jan. 20. The close losses have Lazenby and his team a bit frustrated. “It was really hard to deal with having leads in the fourth quarter and just watch them slip away,” he said. “I think we just need to keep our intensity up, move the ball around and play defense the way we know we can.”

With Copper Hills and Jordan coming into the week tied with 2-4 region records, Friday’s rematch at Copper Hills suddenly becomes a gigantic game.  “Jordan is a really good squad, so I just hope our crowd is into it and gives us that extra incentive to play hard,” Lazenby said. 

Copper Hills hosts West Jordan on Tuesday before heading to Brighton next Friday.

Basketball, 2012

The basketball season is in full swing, and again I frequently find myself sitting in the bleachers of gyms scattered across the valley.  Braden is playing on two teams...Junior Jazz with a bunch of his cross country buddies, and church ball with the Young Men from our ward.  Stefanie is playing Junior Jazz with a 7th/8th grade team.  And of course, the Copper Hills Grizzlies, led by my own Coach Smith.  His team is killing me this year, they are currently 9-8, and many of their games have been down to the wire.  Last night they lost a big game in DOUBLE OVERTIME.  Oh, my heart.  I cannot express the anxiety.  How my husband kept his sanity and composure throughout those endless, unbearable minutes, I cannot fathom, because I, and many of the fans around me, were near nervous breakdown status. No high school gym has ever been so loud. Ugh!

Here is his 2011-2012 team and coaching staff...crossing fingers that they will qualify for the state tournament.