SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 9 ~ October 6th, 2025

Super Monday Message

This Monday I want to illustrate two important life principles. First, when you drive down I-15 to California you pass through a very dry area called Death Valley. The area is frequently called the hottest place on earth and has had recorded temperatures over 130 degrees. The area gets very little rain and has very few signs of life. 

However, in the spring of 2024 photographers rushed to Death Valley to take pictures of the wildflowers. Above average rain resulted in a stunning array of wildflower colors all across the valley floor and hills. Roadsides that typically reveal the most barren and dry landscape in the United States, were filled with a variety of colorful wildflowers. In the last 30 years, Death Valley has had three of what they call “Superblooms”, when above average rainfall causes an abundant outburst of wildflowers. A drive that most of the time looks like the pinnacle of desolation can become a vast landscape of color and life in very little time. 

In contrast to Death Valley, Southeast China gets lots of rain every year and is covered in green vegetation. One of the most well known plants in the region is bamboo. When someone decides to plant bamboo in an area they will see very little happen for up to two years. Bamboo plants will sleep while the root ball gathers nutrients and strength from continuous watering. Bamboo roots will then grow out horizontally underground for a long period. Then after watering the plant substantially for years, the bamboo can shoot up at a rate as much as 2 feet per day. Some species of bamboo trees can shoot up to over 150 feet tall. This growth pattern is called “sleep, creep, and leap”. 

The first important life lesson for us is that, like Death Valley, sometimes we have to put effort or time (Water) into less desirable places if we want to see change. Taking on tasks that are difficult and undesirable can lead to quick and awesome growth rarely seen. The seeds of potential are all over the Death Valley’s of the world, they just need some focused watering. 

Like the bamboo in the green and beautiful places of the world, sometimes we have to water for years before we see any progress at all. Despite the bamboo not showing much sign of growth for a long time, it still requires constant water. Some things require a lot of effort over a long time before we start seeing any results.

Put water in dry places, keep watering even when you don’t see results right away. Have the best week 9.

Super High Fives

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

• A super high five to BHI for great progress on the new elementary schools. The schools on schedule and on budget. The walls of the Circleville Elementary are climbing fast and the first loads of concrete for the foundation will arrive in Marysvale this week.  
• A super high five to the students participating in the Snow College technical education days. Snow College hosted students interested in the manufacturing and transportation industries this week. We appreciate our partnership with Snow College and we’re excited for the students that take advantage of the opportunities that partnership provides.
• Super high five to Jeri Sylvester for being willing to do some other duties as assigned. Jeri has willingly taken the assignment to paint some walls that were in need of attention. Jeri is Piute County School District's most tenured employee and she is still willing to help with whatever needs to be done. We appreciate her hard work and dedication to the school district.

Other Super Information

• Fall Sports Calendar 2025
  • Link to subscribe to PHS Sports Calendar
• 2025-2026 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule