Judge Memorial prepares for school's second century

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Derek P. Jensen

SALT LAKE CITY — In the dawn of its second century, Judge Memorial Catholic High School is setting milestones that position the school for a second 100 years of excellence in education. The 2021-22 achievements extend across the academic, social, physical and spiritual — the four focal points of Judge’s commitment to Cura Personalis, or “care for the whole person.”

Academic

Despite the pressures of the pandemic, Judge students earned a 2021 ACT composite score of 26.1 – the school’s highest in decades – that is five-and-a-half points higher than the 20.6 state average and nearly six points higher than the 20.3 national average.

Social

Not long after the school year launched, Judge Memorial was selected as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School, regarded as the nation’s most prestigious academic recognition and symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

The distinction positions Judge as Utah’s only four-time Blue Ribbon winner and the only high school in the state to earn the honor more than once. Since the National Blue Ribbon Schools program was created in 1982, Judge also claimed the recognition in 1984, 1989 and 1998.

“Thank you all a million times for the powerful voices that you create in my children,” Judge parent Robin Harmston recently wrote faculty. “I can never express how grateful I am for the time and passion that you put in and for being at Judge.”  

Physical

It’s not often that a student-athlete has the ability to elevate the entire program. Girls basketball standout Teya Sidberry has done just that.

On Jan. 22, Sidberry scored 56 points, setting a state record for the most points any female player has ever scored in a single game. She is poised to become Utah’s all-time leading scorer – not just for 3A but across all classifications and for both girls and boys basketball. Averaging 33.6 points per game, Sidberry has 2,170 points and counting. The record, established between 1990-94, is 2,384.  

Playing small forward for Judge, Sidberry is also on track to eclipse 1,000 rebounds, which will make her second all time in the state in rebounding for girls and boys.

“She’s such an incredible kid and I just love her willingness to be better,” says Head Coach Josh Pike. “When she came in she said she wanted to leave the program better than she found it. She has definitely done that.”

Sidberry has signed a letter of intent to play Division 1 basketball next fall at the University of Utah.

Spiritual

Intentional about embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, Judge has taken big steps this year to address social justice. A new Diversity Committee was founded to advocate for marginalized communities. And newly formed Latinx and Female Alliance Clubs joined the ranks of the school’s Allies Club and Black Student Union.

In January, students from some of those groups created a Social Justice Assembly to engage the student body in conversations about racial profiling, stereotypes, white privilege and living as a minority.

In the spirit of Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti (We are all brothers and sisters), Judge is determined to ensure every student has a safe space to be seen, heard, respected and understood.

Derek P. Jensen is director of communications at Judge Memorial Catholic High School.