Seven members of the newly formed Panopis School Board took the oath of office at an inaugural ceremony, pledging to focus on learning and long-term stewardship for students, educators and families in Pleasant Grove, Linden, Orem and Vineyard.

Michelle Sorensen, one of the newly sworn members, thanked the public for attending and framed the board’s work as a long-term effort. “The things that we do might not be seen until we get to July 2027,” she said, using a gardening metaphor to describe the unseen work that precedes visible results. Sorensen also invited attendees to an inaugural board meeting at 5:00 p.m. later that day.

An unnamed speaker who addressed the ceremony described the board’s purpose in educational terms, saying the group must “create a system that celebrates and fosters and promotes learning” and called learning “life giving.” Guy Fugel, who introduced the board members, noted his prior service on a school board and as mayor of Pleasant Grove and identified the seven seats and communities they represent.

Those introduced included Jen Lyman (seat 2), David Smith (seat 3), Ada Wilson (seat 4), Michelle Sorensen (seat 5), Grace Rex (seat 6) and Sterling Hilton (seat 7). Fugel explained that seats 1–3 are three-year terms and seats 4–7 are five-year terms.

Judge Reid S. Parkin administered the oath and urged members to perform their duties within the framework of law. “The constitution, the laws of our state are not suggestions,” he told the new board, stressing impartiality and fidelity to public education. The board recited the oath together and signed their oaths afterward.

The ceremony concluded with a note about the board’s collective experience and an invitation to refreshments; the members planned to take photographs before convening the inaugural board meeting to begin district business.