Principal: Skylar Kendell Assistant Principals: Marc Welch & Courtney Hicken
Principal: Skylar Kendell Assistant Principals: Marc Welch & Courtney Hicken
May 2026
FIRST PLACE
Congratulations to our talented student for securing 1st Place with their insightful poem, "Two Hundred and Fifty"! This piece beautifully captures the sweeping arc of American history, marking the 50-year milestones that have shaped the nation from its revolutionary beginnings to the modern digital age. Through rhythmic verses and vivid historical snapshots—from the "Era of Good Feelings" to the roar of the Jazz Age—the poem offers a moving tribute to the progress and resilience of a quarter-millennium. We are incredibly proud of this creative achievement and the deep historical appreciation it represents.
Congratulations to all the students recognized at our year-end awards assembly! We proudly celebrated our high-achievers with a 3.8+ GPA all year, our departmental Outstanding Subject winners, and two Outstanding Students from the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. We also honored our highest 9th-grade achievers, including the recipients of the Earl B. Cragun Award and our Scorpion Scholars who maintained a flawless 4.0 GPA for all three years. Way to go, Scorpions!
These junior high artists are absolutely crushing it! 🎨 From serene, atmospheric landscape paintings that masterfully capture light and reflection to these incredibly clever, hand-sculpted Tic-Tac-Toe boards, the level of creativity in this classroom is off the charts. It’s so inspiring to see them blending technical skills—like color blending and 3D modeling—with their own unique interests, whether it's a peaceful koi pond or a vibrant nod to gaming culture. These students aren't just learning the fundamentals; they’re turning everyday objects and tiny canvases into total masterpieces! ✨🖌️
Celebrating
MAY the 4th &
Teacher/Staff Appreciation
Candy Cart, Soda Bar, Teachers Lunch, Cookies and Fill the fridge by the PTSA!!
LIAs Chalk Art="Our teachers are CHALK-full of greatness!"
"Utah State hosted Sand Ridge Juior High students. The insights into your degree programs and the tour of the campus were invaluable. You’ve definitely sparked some 'Aggie Pride' in our group, and we appreciate you helping our students visualize their future careers."
This collection of work explores the intersection of vibrant color and natural forms, moving between the structured world of still-life sculpture and the fluid, dreamlike realm of landscape painting. By utilizing bold contrasts—from the warm, golden hues of a desert sunset to the deep, celestial blues of a starry night—each piece seeks to capture a specific atmospheric mood. Whether through the tactile, three-dimensional presence of paper-mâché or the ethereal silhouettes of a mountain range, the art serves as a visual storyteller, inviting the viewer to find balance between the tangible world and the imagination.
This series of work serves as a technical and creative exploration of color theory, using the color wheel as a foundational map for visual storytelling. By experimenting with complementary pairs—like the striking energy between warm oranges and deep blues—and analogous schemes that create a sense of harmony, each piece demonstrates how color relationships dictate the mood of a composition. These exercises move beyond simple identification, showing how deliberate color choices can add depth to a landscape or bring a stylized character to life. Ultimately, this collection highlights the power of the palette to guide the viewer’s eye and evoke specific emotional responses through intentional design.
April 2026
April Scorpion of the Month
1st Place-Color Media
Elena Pyper
3rd Place-Sculpture
J Hart
Honorable Mention-Color Media
Lily Sammon
ART
This collection captures a fun, high-energy journey through the world of mixed media and imaginative design. From a "Peacock-fly" to a "Jackalope-style" rabbit, the work shows a talent for mashing up different animals to create totally original creatures. These drawings are paired with awesome 3D projects—like "Pop Art" snacks and accessories—that turn everyday objects into cool sculptures. Whether it’s the glowing colors of the mini-landscapes or the sharp details of the scratchboard sea turtle, this portfolio is all about experimenting with new tools and letting a wild imagination take the lead!
Leveling Up Our Friendship! 🍄⭐
Our Life Skills class and their amazing Peer Tutors had a "super" day at the theater! We headed out to see the Mario Movie, and it was a total power-up for everyone involved.
From practicing money skills at the concession stand to navigating the theater, our students showed off their real-world "pro-gamer" moves. A huge thank you to our Peer Tutors for being the best Luigis to our Marios. We definitely saved the Mushroom Kingdom today!
Library
March 2026
March Scorpion of the Month
Getting ready for Spring Break with a SECRET Staff Spirit Week!
The LIA Culture Check...If you aren't here, you’re missing out on:
🥘 The Potluck: Where "bringing a side dish" becomes a competitive sport.
🎤 LIA Yearly Conference: Big ideas, bigger energy, and the ultimate team glow-up.
🍦 Ice Cream Fundraiser: Sprinkles, scoops, and making a difference.
We don’t just check boxes; we make memories. Come join the chaos!
Sand Ridge Junior High Join Community that Cares
82% that DON'T VAPE!!
Piecing it all together! 🧩 Students explored the 7 Elements of Art through these creative quilt designs. To honor the tradition of quilting as a family craft, each artist featured a personal family story at the heart of their work. 🏠✨
We are so proud of our very own Principal, Skylar Kendell, for representing Sand Ridge Junior High during his recent presentation at the March, Weber School District Board Meeting! Starting at the 35:10 mark, he highlights the incredible growth of our students and the innovative programs making our unique initiatives that are bringing our school to the next level. It's a Great Day to be a Scoprion! 🦂It’s one thing to know we’re doing great things, but it’s another to share that "Scorpion Pride" with the wider community. Check out the link here to see why it’s a great day to be at Sand Ridge!
Library
February 2026
February Scorpion of the Month
HOPE WEEK Valentine's Day Dance
HOPE WEEK
Dress Like a Teacher/Student
Art Work from our amazing students is an exploration of versatility, spanning from the structured layers of 3D paper sculpture to the fluid storytelling of illustration. I am driven by a curiosity for different textures—whether it’s the rugged feel of 'cave art' or the clean precision of a paper-cut landscape—always seeking to find the balance between fine detail and bold color.
Recent Art work explores the balance between structured precision and abstract emotion. From the mathematical repetition of tessellations to the free-flowing energy of color-blocked abstractions, I enjoy seeing how simple lines and shapes can evolve into complex visual stories. Whether I'm focusing on the technical challenge of shading a sphere or the creative freedom of an abstract landscape, my goal is to keep the viewer’s eye moving across the page
Sand Ridge Girls Basketball
Students learned about Amplitude and its Relationship with Energy in Science class.
Library
January 2026
"Our LifeSkills Hot Cocoa Fundraiser was a total success, and we’ve officially unlocked a Bowling & Pizza Party at Sparetime! 🎳🍕 Get ready to trade the cocoa mugs for bowling shoes—we’re hitting the lanes!"
Rosca, Hot Cocoa, and a hidden surprise! ☕️🥖 We had a blast learning about the history of the Rosca de Reyes today. Congratulations to our winners for for finding the babyies 🎊 #SpanishClassFamily
Our Life Skills superstars turned the school into a treasure map, hunting for hidden clues is the ultimate way to master real-world navigation! From the cafeteria to the gym, we conquered every challenge with teamwork and some seriously impressive detective skills.
CAREER DAY
Our recent Career Day was a dynamic experience tailored to help every student envision their future. The 8th graders spent the day giving back, participating in a meaningful service project while exploring the impactful world of non-profit organizations and various professional paths. Meanwhile, our 7th graders gained real-world perspective by job-shadowing adults in the community, getting a firsthand look at the daily rhythms of the workplace. To prepare for their big transition, the 9th graders headed over to the high school for an immersive tour, where they learned about the specialized elective classes and career-focused tracks available to them next year. It was an inspiring day of growth, community service, and forward-thinking preparation for all our students.
Our ART CLASSES are the BEST.....From 2D banners to 3D worlds! Spent some time lately pushing the limits of what a little cardboard and paint can do. There’s something so satisfying about turning flat scraps into iconic spots like the Mystery Shack and Bikini Bottom.
The Build: 100% recycled cardboard miniatures.
The Vibe: A mix of street art style and childhood nostalgia.
Favorite Detail: The textured shingles on the cabin or the "sand" on the beach house.
Cave Art
FBLA Northern Regional Event. We had a factory tour of Storm Bowling and then went to Box Elder Middle School for competition. We had a great turn out and winners.
Sand Ridge BOYS Basketball
Behind every highlight reel dunk and clutch three-pointer is a brotherhood that goes deeper than the game. This season has been defined by the way these guys pick each other up after a tough play and celebrate each other's success more than their own. Whether it’s a grueling practice or a high-stakes rivalry game, they move as one unit with one goal in mind. It’s more than just basketball; it’s about building a legacy together that lasts long after the final whistle blows.
Library
December 2025
Scorpions of the Month
Watch out! We've got a whole new crew of extra sharp students!🦂 Please join us in celebrating our incredible Students of the Month! They embody what it means to be an SRJH Scorpion—smart, dedicated, and ready to tackle any challenge. Congrats!
HOPE SQUAD Christmas Gift Exchange
Sand Ridge Lifeskills Class held a delicious fundraiser with hot coooa and goodies to make their upcoming field trip a reality!
Next month, the students are planning to go bowling, a fantastic opportunity to practice the social and organizational skills they learn in class. To cover the costs of this exciting trip, they hosted a special sale just for our amazing Sand Ridge staff! cocoas and treats! They exceeded the goal they set due to all the amazing support!!
What an incredible season for our National Academic League team! While the playoffs weren't in the cards for us this year, we want to give a massive shoutout to everyone who participated.
We might not be taking home the championship trophy, but the knowledge we gained, the riddles we solved, and the strong bonds we formed are truly priceless!
Huge thanks to all the players for your dedication, quick thinking, and willingness to dive into every subject from history to calculus.
Thank you to our amazing coaches and everyone who came out to support us!
We had so much fun testing our minds and competing with some truly talented teams. We're already looking forward to next season and coming back stronger!
The Girls Volleyball team has completed their 2025 season. Although the team did not qualify for the regional playoffs, the season was marked by significant growth, memorable moments, and a consistent display of camaraderie and sportsmanship.
The players dedicated countless hours to improving their skills and fostering a fun, supportive team environment. We commend all the athletes for their hard work, positive attitudes, and commitment to the program.
Thank you to everyone who supported the team this year. We look forward to seeing what the team accomplishes in the next season!
We had an inspiring day at the Women of the Workplace (WOW) conference, hosted by Warrior Business Academy and Weber School District CTE! Our 7th-grade girls from Weber School District spent the day at Weber State University exploring diverse career paths and hearing from successful women across a variety of job industries.
Inspiration: The girls were energized by real-world stories from women leaders.
Exploration: They discovered new career opportunities they might not have considered before.
Empowerment: It's never too early to start planning for a successful future!
Thank you to all the presenters and organizers for making this event so impactful for the next generation of women leaders!
What a night for school spirit and positive vibes! The Sand Ridge and Roy Jr. Hope Squads teamed up to sponsor an epic girls' volleyball showdown, but the real winner was the positive, hopeful school climate they created!
The competition on the court was fierce, but the real highlights happened between the sets. Forget timeouts—we had "challenge time"! The Hope Squads orchestrated hilarious, high-energy challenges that dragged our Administrators onto the court and got the crowd roaring alongside the students. Seeing Admin show off their competitive (and sometimes clumsy!) sides was exactly the boost of fun and unity everyone needed!
This event wasn't just about digs and kills; it was a powerful demonstration of what happens when we intentionally choose hope, teamwork, and laughter. By turning a great game into a community celebration, the Hope Squads successfully amplified their core purpose: proving that when we work and play together, we can build a climate where every student feels seen, supported, and hopeful!
Huge shoutout to everyone who participated and showed up to make this night a massive success for school pride and positivity! Keep that hope alive!
Our clay art project is finally done! We had so much fun making these custom tic-tac-toe sets. Check out all the different themes—from space waffles to colorful checkers and little crab tokens! Which one would you play first? #ClayArt #TicTacToe #DIYGames #ArtProject #Handmade
What an incredible day of exploration for our 9th-grade students! We took a deep dive into the exciting world of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with a fantastic tour of OTECH.Our students didn't just walk through the programs—they got their hands dirty! They experienced five diverse and high-demand fields:
📐 Design & Drafting: Seeing how concepts go from idea to blueprint.
💇 Cosmetology: Learning techniques and the science behind beauty and wellness.
🔩 Machining: Watching precision engineering in action and operating equipment.
🩺 Medical: Exploring healthcare careers and practicing basic medical skills.
💻 Computer Repair: Diagnosing hardware and troubleshooting tech issues.
The highlight was definitely the hands-on activities in almost every program, giving students a real taste of what it's like to work in these specialized fields. Thank you to the dedicated instructors at OTECH for inspiring our students to start thinking about their pathway to success! #OTECH #CTE #CareerReady #FutureLeaders #9thGrade
Check out the progress on our tiny village project! We're channeling our inner architects and sustainability gurus, transforming everyday materials into miniature dream homes. This isn't just crafting; it's creating a whole new little world, one recycled bit at a time! We're so proud of how everyone is embracing the recycled and natural materials theme—proving that one person's scrap cardboard or painted rock is another's perfect miniature building supply. Keep up the amazing work! This village is going to be the most charming, sustainable spot on the block!
🎉 WE DID IT! WE WON $500! 🎉
A huge thank you and congratulations to all our amazing students and families who showed up to Neptune Skating during Fall Break!
Thanks to your incredible attendance, our school had the most skaters and has been awarded a $500 prize from Neptune Skating!
Shout out to Neptune Skating for this fantastic opportunity! We appreciate your support to education! 💙⛸️
#SchoolSpirit #NeptuneSkating #FallBreakWin #ThankYou
Library
November 2025
Sand Ridge Junior High Honors Our Heroes with the Veterans Wall!
We are so proud to unveil the Sand Ridge Junior High Veterans Wall, a heartfelt project brought to life by our amazing PTSA! 🎖️ Today and every day, we honor the brave men and women who have served and protected our freedoms. Thank you to every veteran in our community for your sacrifice and dedication. It's truly inspiring to see our students and staff contributing to this powerful display. Stop by and take a moment to reflect on the incredible service represented here.
Scorpions of the Month
A huge shout-out to our Scorpions of the Month! 🦂 You've all stung the competition with your hard work, great attitudes, and dedication. Keep setting the bar high, Sand Ridge Junior High! We're so proud!
Calling all English Class Super Readers! 📚✨
The Reading Nook Cafe's Book Tasting event! That's right, we're serving up a delicious menu of books for you to sample. Think of it like a buffet, but for your brain! You'll get to "taste" different genres, authors, and stories to find your next literary obsession.
What's on the menu?
Appetizers: Short excerpts and intriguing opening lines that will grab your attention!
Main Courses: A peek into the heart of different books, from thrilling adventures to heartwarming tales.
Desserts: Discover authors and series you might want to devour whole!
We've got everything you need to become a book connoisseur, including your own "Book Tasting" menu and "Must Reads" bookmark to keep track of your favorites. Just look at these awesome books waiting for you!
Check out the incredible work our artists have been creating! We're so proud of the talent and imagination on display.
These mixed-media pieces use bold colors and dark backgrounds to create a fantastic "neon sign" effect! Words and images like "ANGEL," "DREAM," "BOO," a ghost face, and more really pop with vibrant chalk pastels.
Our students really brought these sculptures to life with unique shapes and bright, energetic paint jobs! A cool black cat, coyote, snake, hippo goose and turtle.
Fantastic art of disco balls, expertly held up by some of our talented students! Great job to all the artists! Keep up the amazing work!
Library
Community
October 2025
Scorpions of the Month
S-uperb C-haracter O-utstanding R-espect P-erseverance I-ncredible O-utcome N-ow! These students are the definition of a Sand Ridge Scorpion! Congratulations to all of our amazing Students of the Month! Give them a huge round of applause! 👏
Our amazing LIA group has been busy making a difference in the community! This month, they were everywhere: showing awesome team spirit by helping to serve drinks at our Community Night, getting active and having a blast playing soccer, learning some dancing and lending a huge hand by putting together essential substitute teacher packets for our school. Talk about service and hustle! We're so proud of our LIA members for their energy and commitment to our school and community!
The hard work paid off! Students in our English class successfully completed their intensive Pizza Book Project, demonstrating their deep understanding of plot, character, and theme through creative and insightful final assignments. To recognize their dedication and academic achievement, we held a fantastic pizza party! This celebration wasn't just about the food; it was about honoring the critical thinking and creativity students poured into their reading and writing.
What an incredible season for Sand Ridge Junior High Boys Volleyball! 🎉
From the first serve to the final match, this team brought amazing hustle, heart, and energy to the court every single day. We're so proud of the grit and determination you showed in every rally! 🏐
More than anything, this season was about the laughs, the team spirit, the high-fives, and seeing some serious improvement in everyone's game. You didn't just play volleyball; you truly became a great team!
Thank you to all the players for a season packed with positive vibes and unforgettable memories! We look forward to seeing you spike and soar next year!
What a ride! The Sand Ridge Junior High Softball season has officially come to a close, and wow, what a blast it was! 🎉
This season was all about the hustle, the laughs on the bus, the cheering from the dugout (even for an infield pop-up!), and becoming a super-tight team. 🥎
Every single player brought incredible positive energy and gave it their absolute all. We saw some serious effort and improvement from day one to the final game. But most importantly, we made a whole lot of great memories together!
Thank you to all the players for an unforgettable, fun-filled season! We can't wait to see what you all accomplish next year!
Chalkboard Critters: The scratchboard-style drawings are fantastic! Look at the incredible texture on the raccoon and that super-fluffy cat! We also love the cool patterns on the whale shark and the fierce, deep-sea vibe of the anglerfish!
Creative Landscapes: And how cool is this split-scene project showing the beautiful contrast between a daytime and nighttime mountain landscape! The detail on those layers and colors is awesome.
It's clear that creativity is thriving in our classrooms! Great work, artists! Keep creating! ✨
We celebrated all of our October birthdays with a fun and tasty treat: Apple Nachos! 🍎🍏
This spread is piled high with sliced apples and all the fixings—from caramel and chocolate chips to sprinkles and nuts—making for a delicious and healthy-ish way to celebrate!
A big Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating this month! 🎉
The Leaders in Action (LIA) students have been hard at work, embodying the spirit of community service and leadership by volunteering at the recent Trunk-or-Treat event and taking the lead in preparing for our upcoming Halloween Stomp! Their dedication is truly making this a memorable holiday season for all.
The faculty at Sand Ridge Junir High definitely aced their costume assignment this year! From magical professors and mythical creatures to... well, whatever that one staff member is 🤣, it's clear our teachers are more than just book smart—they're frightfully fun!
Library
Community
September 2025
"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud," ~Maya Angelou
Latinos in Action 2025 class Cultural Food day
The students were tasked with bringing food from their individual backgrounds to share with the class. We had food from Mexico, Uruguay, Guatemala, Philippines, USA, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and more! What a great way to celebrate differences together !
Mustache Day!!
Opening Assembly
Sand Ridge Cheerleaders are awesome! They did a great job at cheer camp this summer! They earned the Team Unity Award and all their stunts hit during their performance! They are having a blast performing at the opening assembly and cheering at the games. They are looking forward to a great year
We LOVE what our new Art Teacher is doing! His enthusiasm is infectious, and the students are creating masterpieces.
He says: "I am proud of and blown away by their work." We couldn't agree more!
Who doesn't love POPCORN?! We celebrated our September birthdays with a build-your-own popcorn bar for the staff! Happy Birthday to all our September babies!
Library
Community & PTSA
August 2025
1st Day SRJH Family Pictures
Mr Stevenson's class used marble run to represent processes and how to think outside of the box to create a system that is durable and efficient. Students were tasked with moving a marble from the top to the bottom in under 8 seconds using all the pieces.
✨ Updating the look and making Sand Ridge Shine! ✨
Check out the brand-new window perf we added to our North doors—bold, fresh, and full of SRJH pride! 💛🤎
ONE TOWN • ONE TEAM • ONE DREAM
#WeAreOne #SRJH #SandRidgePride #OneRoyCone