Churchill Jr. High School has officially entered its sixth decade in operation. To celebrate this major milestone, the school threw a groovy 60’s themed event, where students, faculty, alumni, families and community members were invited to enjoy an evening full of memorabilia, food, fun and music.

Granite School District, of which Churchill is a part of, has changed significantly over the years. Like many districts, it has endured its fair share of closures, renovations and boundary shifts. Through all of these changes, Churchill has persevered, serving thousands of students over the course of its tenure.

Churchill turned their soccer field into a party zone with games, food trucks, live music and more. (Granite School District) 

Churchill first opened its doors in 1965, a year that was defined by counterculture movements, civil rights protests and the Vietnam War. For many of Churchill’s oldest alumni, it’s almost impossible to reconcile. 

“In some ways it feels like just yesterday and in others, well, I can hardly believe it,” said Steve Allen, a Churchill alum, who attended the school in the late ’60s following its opening. “What gets me is looking at it now, seeing its age. We were some of the first students to ever learn here and, at the time, it was brand new. I remember feeling so special, so excited to be in this brand-new place. And here it is 60 years later, not so new anymore.”

Allen grew up in the Olympus Cove neighborhood, where Churchill Jr. High is located at 3450 E. Oakview Drive. Perched above Wasatch Boulevard and Interstate 215, Churchill offers sweeping views of the Salt Lake Valley. Its soccer field was the perfect backdrop for its 60-year celebration. 

To kick off the festivities, Churchill dug into its archives, producing all sorts of memorabilia from yearbooks to class jackets. Alumni and students took to the cafeteria where they looked through yearbooks, sharing memories of decades passed. Photographs were on display, organized by decade, highlighting the many achievements of Churchill and its students.

Attendees were treated to a walk down memory lane thanks to lots of archived photos, yearbooks and memorabilia. (Granite School District) 

With the school motto of “Learners today; leaders tomorrow” Churchill’s values are anchored in a tradition of achievement. Through the decades Churchill has sought to prepare its students for success. Some notable achievements have come in the form of high rankings in sports, top competition placements in band and orchestra, and various recognitions at the faculty level.

“Students that attend here are highly motivated and involved from everything such as being Olympic hopefuls to participating in local music and dance ensembles to being recognized for their community service,” the school says per its mission statement.

The evening’s main event played out with a party on the school’s soccer field. Attendees were treated to food trucks, games, family-friendly fun, and live musical performances from past and present students, showcasing generations of Churchill Jr. High School talent. 

The event concluded as the sun set. 

“Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate 60 years of Churchill Jr. High!” stated Granite School District’s Facebook page. “From food trucks and live performances to flipping through decades of yearbooks, it was a night full of memories, laughter and community spirit.”