SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 2 ~ August 18th, 2025

Super Monday Message

Earlier this year a movie was released telling the story of Utah’s first Olympic medalist. The movie, Raising The Bar, tells the story of Alma Richards. Richards was a farm boy from Parowan Utah who took home the gold medal from the 1912 summer olympics in the high jump. The true story in the movie is certainly motivating, after watching it my 9 year old son broke our broom high jumping onto every cushion in the house. 

Anytime I watch a “based on a true story” movie, I have to go do some reading to find out how much the director deviated from the truth. In reading historical accounts and records of Alma Richards I found the movie to be mostly accurate, but I also found an Alma Richards story that I thought was nearly as inspiring as the build up to his gold medal jump.

After Alma won the gold medal, the silver medalist, Hans Liesche from Germany, kissed Alma on the cheek and congratulated him. Alma was impressed with the sportsmanship of his competitor. Just a few years later, Alma Richards was an American soldier fighting with the United States of America in World War I. Hans Liesche was also a soldier, but fighting with Germany. Alma prayed he would not see Hans during that time and he didn’t. Later, Alma really wanted to make contact with Hans. It wasn’t until many years after Hans had finished additional service in World War II that they finally made contact.

Alma took a very humble approach in his first letter stating that he believed Hans was the better jumper and should have won the gold in 1912. Hans reassured Alma in his return letter stating, “Having heard what you said about me, I was very deeply touched…but the best high jumper on that particular day in Stockholm was not Hans Liesche or Horine but certainly Alma Richards”. Through their exchanged letters Alma learned that Hans’s home had been destroyed during the war and that Hans had lost many of his athletic awards including his olympic silver medal. Translators and others aware of their correspondence got involved and arrangements were made to make a duplicate of the 1912 silver medal. Hans received it with tears of joy.

World War I had prevented Hans and Alma from meeting again in 1916 as the Olympics were canceled due to the war. Both men were still in prime physical condition and it would have been a great competition. They both went on to win numerous track and field awards, but would never meet in person again. Alma eventually settled down as a high school science teacher. 

From the first translated letter, a bond was formed. Alma and Hans would exchange letters until Alma passed away in 1963. Hans and his wife faithfully continued correspondence with Alma's widow until Hans passed away in 1979.

We have many opportunities to build, maintain, and renew friendships. It was very difficult for Alma to find out if Hans was alive and find an address to write to him. It took many years. Today we can make contact with nearly anyone in the world without such significant communication barriers. Yet, our society has never been so lonely. According to the National Health Resources and Services Administration, “friendships reduce the risk of mortality or developing certain diseases and can speed recovery in those who fall ill.” When you are a friend to someone who is lonely, you are not just doing a good deed, you are literally physically healing them.

Let’s make good friends and be good friends. Have the best week 2.

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you.

• A super high five to the Piute High School student body for putting down the sod for the new softball field. It was a beautiful morning and parents would have been proud to see how hard and fast their kids worked.
• A super high five to Lisa Allen and Leeann Smith for helping to promote and answer questions about the Waterford Upstart program. We have great participation and it helps our kindergarten students start well prepared. 
• Super high five to our Utah Peak Academy staff for putting together welcome back to school kits for our online students. It has required a lot of coordination and summer time. We’re grateful for their efforts.

Other Super Information

• Fall Sports Calendar 2025
  • Link to subscribe to PHS Sports Calendar
• Welcome Back Youtube Video
• 2025-2026 School District Calendar
• USBE Parent Portal

Super Weekly Schedule