Kari Bennett – Hillcrest High School

Feb 15, 2012, 5:08 PM | Updated: Jan 31, 2024, 11:55 am

I would like to nominate my wife, Kari Bennett, for her tireless efforts to bring the out the best in her High School and College jewelry students. Because of Kari, Hillcrest High School has one the premier silversmithing programs in the state; a program which Kari has built and maintained entirely on her own over the past 14 years, adding equipment and materials a little at a time each year as her small budget permits, and sometimes paying for things herself.

Jewelry is a very labor-intensive subject to teach; helping students with solving the many technique and design problems is difficult in the short time allotted (and I know, because I substituted for her for several weeks while she was on maternity leave with our 3rd child, and her classes really keep you running!) Her classes are popular, with class sizes often over 30 students, and so Kari must bring projects, papers, and quizzes home on her own time to grade them. This she does because she takes pride in her student accomplishments and truly beams when she can show me a well-made pair of earrings, pendant, or ring from one of her students. In recent years, Kari and her students have produced enough quality work in silver to run a sale a couple of times a year to support the arts program at Hillcrest.

Her students have won multiple awards in local and state art competitions, and leave her wonderful notes about how much they love her class and appreciate her help with their projects. Her reputation as a great jewelry teacher who really knows her field, and cares about her students has newly developed into an opportunity to teach silversmithing at Salt Lake Community College, where interest in jewelry design and creation is growing by leaps and bounds.

Kari is so giving, even taking on community education classes on her few spare evenings for local church groups, that I would love to see her receive the praise she so richly deserves.

Thank you,

Court Bennett

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the br...

Nick Perry

Baltimore bridge collapse puts the highly specialized role of ship’s pilot under the spotlight

The highly specialized role — in which a pilot temporarily takes control of a ship from its regular captain — is coming under the spotlight this week.

7 hours ago

Shopping carts are parked outside a Home Depot in Philadelphia...

MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer

Home Depot buying supplier to professional contractors in a deal valued at about $18.25 billion

Home Depot will buy SRS Distribution, a materials provider for professionals, in a deal valued at approximately $18.25 billion.

8 hours ago

Killer Mike poses in the press room with three trophies he won at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Recent Grammy winners highlight Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup

Hip hop star Michael Render, known by his stage name Killer Mike, fresh off of three Grammy Award wins last month, is one of several musical artists set to headline this year's Ogden Twilight Concert Series.

9 hours ago

"Burn Book," by longtime Silicon Valley reporter Kara Swisher is seen, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Sa...

Jeff Caplan

Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Telling tales about tech bros

Kara Swisher’s new book paints an ugly picture of Silicon Valley.

11 hours ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

11 hours ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Kari Bennett – Hillcrest High School