ST. GEORGE — Students, staff and programs sparkled during Millcreek High School’s tour by national leaders of the Elks Association on Thursday.

“The Elks Lodge here and the national Elks organization helps us meet the needs of the students,” Troy Coil, vice principal for Millcreek High School, said. “They offer us donations, and they offer supplies. We have our food pantry and our nursery with all of the supplies that are in the nursery.”

Coil led the tour and said he was grateful that so many Elks – both local and from across the nation – could see firsthand how their donations make a difference.

“The Elks’ national representation is here today to get a chance to see the product of that partnership that they are a part of. So, we’re excited to have them here and be a part of our school and the success we have here at Millcreek High School,” Coil said.

The Utah Elks Association is hosting its spring meeting in St. George. The state’s Elks Association president, Jarad Wanlass, his wife Steffanee and dignitaries from many states attended the tour. Also, the Elks’ national president and chief executive officer of the fraternal organization, T. Keith Mills and his wife Amy Mills took the tour.

As Washington County School District’s alternative high school, Millcreek has about 200 students. The school also has a place for students to go when they need a time-out on campus. This separate building for the students is called the Beach House. The Beach House is so successful it is also a model for other schools. It is staffed by Alii Alo, who is also known as “Bear,” from the Team Raw, Juvenile Justice state program, whose motto is “to educate and motivate the ready and willing'”

“The students come out at lunch; they come out after school,” Coil said. “Bear (Alo) will run various programs and it is a resource for us. Students may be having an issue, and they get to come out for a minute and decompress. They work with Bear on whatever they need to. Bear gets the students in a proper mindset, and sends them back to the school.”

Also said the Beach House is for students to get away from negative thoughts and behaviors in class that keep them from being productive.

 “They come in here, and they’re able to get some tools to help them be more productive in class, calm down and settle their mind,” Alo said. “There are different tools the students can use. There is a boxing bag, chess and a musical therapy chair for them, too.”

The Team Raw program provides a safe place for students to learn tools to help ease things like anxiety or depression that keep them from being productive in class.

The program is also part of Juvenile Justice Services of Utah housed on the Millcreek campus. There is also a similar program at area junior high schools. But due to lack of funding, there isn’t enough personnel to place in every school in the Washington County School District. The program has three staff members for all the schools, he said.

“We do different on-site visits to the schools. I love coming here to Millcreek, and I love working with these guys – the staff is just so incredible,” Alo said.

In recent years, Millcreek has increased its graduation rates. Coil said the high school was hovering around a 60% graduation rate, one of the highest for alternative schools compared to 40-50% statewide. Then Millcreek staff set a goal of 90% graduation. Two years ago, they reached 92%, then in the last few years, graduation went down to 88%. But the graduation rate jumped up to 91% last year.

The Elks make reaching the graduation milestone extra special for the students.

“We make sure that every graduating senior at Millcreek has a graduation photo, cap and gown, and is treated to a graduation ceremony,” Bob Matteson, local Elks lodge public relations officer, said.

The Dixie Elks Lodge has contributed over $2.5 million to the surrounding community over its 79-year history, Matteson added.  

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