(Courtesy photo) Author Jaron Walker is in 9th grade at Kanab High School. Some of his hobbies include high jump for track and making clay and glass art.
KANAB — When my family moved from Washington to Utah last summer, I left all the things I loved. The green trees, my friends, and the rain.
But as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, moving to Utah made me feel like I was connecting with my people. The first thing I saw when I made it to Kanab was the church buildings. This made me realize that I was in the right place and I belonged.
This is what I love about America: The freedom to practice my religion and being able to believe in what I believe. There are a lot of people who are LDS in Kanab; being surrounded by other people who share the same beliefs has helped me so much. Whenever I’m having a hard time, I always have youth leaders and ward members reach out with text messages. They make sure I always know I have a safe place to turn.
In Washington, church friends lived far away. In Kanab, my neighbors are my ward members. The Mormon pioneer history here is so cool, and everyone in the ward welcomed me right away.
My first time in Kanab was when I was little; my family would go on long road trips and stay here with my grandma for a month every summer.
My favorite thing about Kanab and Utah is the people. They are incredibly warm, friendly, and supportive, always inviting me to hang out and making sure I feel included. And I did not have many friends at school in Washington, but since I’ve been in Kanab living with my dad, my life has felt like an answered prayer. I have made a lot of good friends and have a lot of caring family members who live here.
Moving to Kanab has been a journey of healing and recovery for me. Leaving my old life behind allowed me to improve. Being here with my dad has been such a blessing and has given me the space to breathe and build my confidence. Instead of me feeling alone, the support from my family and friends has helped me improve and live a healthier life.
When I arrived here, I realized that this is where I need to be. Day after day, I get to live close to family and the best state parks like Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. I loved walking on the huge hills of bright orange-pink sand and feeling the wind in my face. I got to experience the activity of sand surfing with some friends from church, and I was not disappointed. That fine red sand got all over my shoes, car, and my floor mats, but I didn’t care because I loved it so much. I love the way the sunset hits the cliffs and makes them look like they are on fire. I love the smell of sagebrush, the sand, and all of Kanab.
Every time I step outside onto the red dirt, I see that God loves me and that good things take time. Every Sunday, I walk into church and see the friends, neighbors, and family that remind me that this is where I’m meant to be.
Note to readers • This contest was produced by The Salt Lake Tribune, Spy Hop and Amplify Utah. It was supported through a grant from the American Journalism Project.