Moonridge Academy
Murray, UT

A surprise radio interview and musical performance was the last thing six young students expected when they enrolled at the all-girl Moonridge Academy in Cedar City, Utah.

And being invited back to the station was an even bigger surprise.

"That broadcast experience actually caught us by surprise," said Tawny Davis, the new director at the 16-bed facility. "We were taking the girls through the radio station at Southern Utah University as part of our program to explore vocational opportunities. The radio host spotted us and invited the girls to talk on the air, and even invited them to sing!"

Davis said the station hosts were so impressed with the girls' abilities that they invited them to return later in January to perform some of their own music.

"One of our students has already written a song just for the occasion," Davis said. "Another plays guitar, and they're all practicing to make it perfect. The other girls are joining in. It's been a delight."

One Moonridge girl commented, "I love that Moonridge and the girls here really support my music dreams, I can't wait to have more people hear me on the radio - maybe I can record a CD too!"

Davis said Moonridge encourages creativity as a means of expression and healing from traumatic life events. "We cater to young girls, ages 11-14, and offer a fully accredited program to keep them on track with their school work. Our program is fortunate to have skilled drama, art and music teachers with years of teaching expertise, to help the girls find those creative outlets."

The drama coach, Mr. Johnson, instructs the students in improvisation, acting, public speaking, and more. They perform skits, speak, produce musicals, paint, sculpt and write. Those with musical ability or desire are allowed to receive private music instruction from outside teachers. Every other month the students do a performance for Parent Weekends.

"They learn to use their creativity and independence within the structure of our program so it enhances their school work and therapeutic progress," Davis said. "In fact, one of our young students came up with the idea to start a school newspaper that she writes and edits. She calls it the 'Full Moon Tribune'!"

Davis said the freedoms to be expressive help the girls explore their emotions, discover relationships, and build confidence.

"We are very clinically intensive and can work with young girls with high levels of trauma," Davis said. "Some of our girls failed at other schools but thrive here. The difference is the warm, home-like feeling at Moonridge, a low four-to-one student-staff ratio, and our incredible equestrian program."

When the students are not in their regular classes, they have access to horses they ride and care for. The equestrian program is under the tutelage of a working horse ranch not far from the academy.

With 20 acres to roam in a beautiful mountainous setting, Davis said Moonridge Academy quickly becomes a home away from home for the students, "a safe place where young lives are repaired."

"We employ sand tray therapy and other tools," Davis said, "to help the girls back up their lives a little bit and experience some of their missed childhoods. It's been extremely effective, but we didn't expect a radio show!"

The next radio performance is scheduled in late January. "We don't know that our girls will become regulars on the radio, but this experience has inspired the other girls to start thinking what they could do, too."

Moonridge Academy part of the CERTS organization, was founded in 2004 as a residential treatment center exclusively for pre-teens (ages 11-12) or emotionally younger teens (ages 13-14) that need the clinical intensity of an RTC but also the opportunity to be in a more age appropriate environment. Moonridge offers a clinical intervention, fully accredited education with age-appropriate class work blended with equestrian and other activities. The school and dormitory are combined in a home-like ranch style building on 20 acres of beautiful foothills just outside of Cedar City, Utah. Girls ages 11-14 are immersed in life-affirming activities that build a set of coping skills to last a lifetime.

Moonridge Academy provides specialized and unique learning and healing experiences for girls involved in high risk behaviors or emotional difficulties. These behaviors might include self mutilation (often "cutting"), eating disorders, anger and defiance, sexually acting out, or drug or alcohol abuse. In other instances, a girl may not yet have begun these activities, but because of depression or anxiety/self-esteem issues, is at very high risk to do so. Moonridge Academy's child-focused, family-centered, and principle-driven approach to teaching children allows a safe environment to rekindle confidence, life purpose, and a love of learning in students that frequently struggle with in traditional academic settings.

Learn more at www.moonridgeacademy.com. Or contact Executive Director, Tawny Davis, at (435)586-9585 and tawnyjdavis@gmail.com