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West Valley City • You wouldn't think, after 31 years, that Sandra Ahlquist would have much spring left in her step. But spend a few minutes with the longtime owner/teacher/principal of Aunt Sands' Preschool, and it quickly becomes clear she's as lively as ever.
Surrounded by 4-year-olds, the 64-year-old educator sings, dances, laughs and cracks jokes as the children rehearse for the annual end-of-year play Ahlquist produces.
"She doesn't get tired," said Meadow Thomsen, a former student who now sends her children to Aunt Sands' Preschool. "We haven't figured that out yet."
Ahlquist, known affectionately as Aunt Sands, has operated a preschool out of her West Valley City basement since 1980. Ahlquist started the preschool so she could work from home and be near her special-needs daughter, Shellise.
This year, she has 100 3- and 4-year-old students and a waiting list of prospective students a mile long. The next opening is in 2014.
"You have them in the womb, and you call and put their name on the list," said Amy Solberg, another former student whose children now attend the preschool. "I think, because of what I learned from her, there was no doubt that my kids would be here."
Ahlquist was honored last week by West Valley City with the Essential Piece Award, which is given a few times a year to key contributors in West Valley City.
"She's touched the lives of thousands of young people, and a lot of these young people end up staying in our community," said West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder. "It's important that people get off to the right start."
Ahlquist's philosophy is simple.
"Eventually every kid is going to learn how to read," she said, "but if they learn to be kind to each other, that is what's important."
When she started the preschool, children were different, Ahlquist said. They used to be thrilled to receive a cookie and punch if it was offered. These days, it's not good enough. They want a different cookie or someone else's punch. Ahlquist "demands" that kids be obedient, grateful and thoughtful of others.
"Our philosophy is, there are other people in the world besides yourself, and you should put them first," she said.
While growing good little humans is the top priority, Ahlquist doesn't ignore academics. Her students complete worksheets each day, and are learning letters and numbers.
"You'll never find anyone who gives more than Sandra — ever," Solberg said. "With what she gives her daughter, with what she gives her grandchildren, with what she gives these kids. She's a giver all the way."
Throughout the years, not much has changed at Aunt Sands' Preschool.
"I've got my original chairs and my original people," Ahlquist said, noting helpers Echo Thomsen and Luane Jensen have been with her since the start. "We're all old, but we're OK."
Ahlquist stays in touch with many of her students. She loves to receive graduation announcements, and she has many second-generation students.
Solberg met her husband, Chad, when the two attended Aunt Sands' Preschool. They portrayed Goldilocks and Baby Bear in the annual play.
"One time, she said over the pulpit in sacrament meeting that I was sleeping in his bed, and that he's been sleeping with me ever since," Solberg said with a laugh.
Each year, Ahlquist rents Orchard Elementary for the program. For many parents, it's the highlight of the year.
"She can pull things out of kids that you cannot imagine," said Thomsen, who called Ahlquist a "spitfire."
"Years ago we had a little Down syndrome boy, and his parents wouldn't believe he was going to say boo on the program. He stood there and sang with the rest of the kids, and his parents were just in shock. Flabbergasted. They cried that he had participated."
Ahlquist has no plans to retire. She has nieces and nephews who want their kids to attend the preschool. Trouble is, some of them haven't even been conceived yet. Her advice to the would-be parents? "Hurry up."