In the early 1980s, ninth-grader David Garcia and eighth-grader Stacey Oliver would spend afternoons together after school. As friends, he played the piano while she sang. Over time, their bond grew, and they shared secret kisses behind the bushes near the bike racks outside the gym.

As the school year ended and Garcia prepared to attend Murray High, he wrote in Oliver’s yearbook, “Have a terrific summer. I’m sure going to miss you next year.” That “next year” turned into many, as Oliver moved to West Valley City and attended a different high school. They went their separate ways and started families of their own—until they reunited 17 years ago.

“We found each other and it was like nothing had changed,” Garcia said. “Our relationship just picked up and continued.”

Ten years ago, shortly after his junior high girlfriend began working at Riverview as a paraprofessional, they got married.

The Garcias were among many alumni who gathered recently at Riverview Junior High to witness the beginning of a new chapter. 

On April 25, ground was broken on a modern school which will replace the current building, which has served the community for 61 years. The $90-million project is part of a $125-million voter-approved bond, with the remaining funds going toward an expansion at Murray High. Both projects are expected to be completed by fall 2027.

Despite the excitement for what’s ahead, the ceremony sparked memories for many former students and staff.

“This building has served generations of students with pride and dedication,” Murray School District Superintendent Jennifer Covington said. “It’s more than brick and mortar—it’s been a home for learning, friendship, growth and countless memories.”

She thanked faculty and students for making the most of every inch of the aging school—from its creaky lockers to its timeworn classrooms. The building will remain in use until the new school is completed on the same campus grounds.

The Garcias recalled some of their favorite teachers, like math teacher Randy Bodily—“strict, but good,” Garcia said. 

Stacey Garcia added, “I was scared not to do my homework for him.” 

Years later, when she returned to help in Bodily’s classroom as a paraprofessional on staff, he joked with students, saying, “If you don’t learn it the first time, you have to come back and learn it again.” 

When Bodily retired, he gave her a math textbook she had once used—the same one which was checked out to her and her now husband in consecutive years.

They also remembered teacher Margaret Pettis who ignited students to find their passion for art, science teacher Steve Mehner—known for snapping a paddle on desks to wake sleepy students—and PE teacher Bill Siebenberg, who shared stories of his brother drumming for the 70’s rock band Supertramp.

They recalled playing softball against faculty as ninth graders, running miles around the baseball diamonds for PE and students riding bikes on the dirt mounds of a now-vanished BMX track.

Another classmate, Doug Kinney—now renowned conductor Doug Kinney Frost—introduced the young couple. He directed a ninth-grade horror film project where Garcia played a zombie, rising from tunnels under the stage to emerge from a library closet. Kinney also led the school’s ninth-grade musical, with Garcia in the cast.

After school, Garcia and Oliver lingered in choir hallway long after the teacher had left. 

“The custodian would find us and tell us to go home,” Garcia said. “So, we’d move outside—then he’d find us there, too. We had some good memories here. It was awesome, but when the roof leaks and there are electrical patches on top of patches, it’s time to say good-bye.”

Earl Kauffman, who has served 21 of his 23 years in the Murray School District at Riverview, is hopeful for what’s next. 

“Relationships started here, families began here,” he said. “And now that’s going to come to an end and a whole new group of kids are going to create new traditions, new stories and in 60, 70 years, they are going to talk about those things. I’m excited for that.” 

Murray Board of Education member Kelly Taeoalii addressed the crowd before breaking ground on the new school, “Looking out at you, Murray, I see a community that chooses hope. Your support for the bond to build this new Riverview Junior High wasn’t just about a building; it was a choice to invest in our students’ future. This new building represents…our community saying to our future generations: ‘we believe in you, and we are investing in your potential.’”

Convington echoed the sentiment: “We’re creating a space where curiosity will thrive, creativity will shine and students will have room to grow—not just up, but out into the world.”

Then, she added: “Let the building begin—and let the future begin with it.” λ