thrive
Our Thrive Program is about all the things that make life meaningful. The classes, clubs and activities in the Thrive Program provide students with new experiences and new relationships. Students develop individual talents, find personal fulfillment, and prepare socially and emotionally to integrate into community life.
Elise Alford
Thrive Program Manager x
Elise Alford Thrive Manager Elise Alford is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. She has been practicing since 2019 and has a background in inpatient and outpatient mental health services. She also has a masters of business administration with an emphasis in healthcare management. She has experience overseeing multiple hospital-based programs. Elise volunteered at Scenic View in her undergraduate studies and has excitedly joined the team officially shortly after her graduate studies. She was drawn to Scenic View because of the school's impressive ability to provide individualized care to students. Elise is an advocate for accessibility and inclusion within recreation and services. She strongly believes in focusing on the needs of the one and designing programming to eliminate barriers and empower students. She practices recreational therapy because of its ability to challenge and grow people in new engaging ways. Elise enjoys watching anime, playing dungeons and dragons, paddle boarding, and playing pickleball in her free time. |
Caitlin White
Thrive Skills Specialist x
Caitlin White Thrive Skills Specialist Caitlin White came to Scenic View with a deep love of teaching and a desire to empower students to reach for their dreams. She believes that all students have a touch of greatness within them, and the potential to make a real difference in their homes and communities. Her teaching motto is: “I can do hard things.” Caitlin has professional experience in acting, writing, and commercial arts, as well as experience teaching and tutoring individuals with different abilities. Caitlin received an associate’s degree of science at Snow College and is currently a senior at Brigham Young University working towards her degree. |
Jessica Furner, TRS, CTRS
Rec Therapist PRN x
Jessica Furner, TRS, CTRS Rec Therapist PRN Jessica graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation and Management. Jessica discovered her passion for treatment while working as a mentor for teenage boys on the Autism Spectrum. Jessica volunteered with several different populations throughout her education but eventually found her way back to ASD during her internship where she worked with teenage girls on the Autism Spectrum. ScenicView Academy is the perfect place for her to continue to grow as a professional while having the opportunity to serve others. Jessica loves using leisure activities to help individuals discover who they are and improve their quality of life. She tries to practice this frequently in her own life and enjoys many different activities. Jessica loves going for walks with her baby, watching movies and eating chocolate ice cream with her husband, or finding some peace of mind basking in the sun on a paddleboard in the lake. |
Kenzie Ward
Rec Therapist x
Kenzie Ward Rec Therapist Kensington (Kenzie) Ward is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She graduated from Brigham Young University - Idaho with a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 2022. She has volunteer experience working with a variety of populations ranging from children with developmental and learning disabilities to older adults in long-term care. Kenzie was drawn to Scenic View Academy because she was impressed with the organization's mission, and felt it aligned with her personal principles including empowerment and "remembering the one." In her free time, Kenzie loves to sneak away to her hometown in San Diego where she can go to the beach, or stay at home to bake cookies, play various instruments, or read books on the couch - snuggled up with her dog. |
Kyra Schmutz
Rec Therapist x
Kyra Schmutz Service Coordinator Kyra Schmutz is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. She got her bachelor's degree in recreational therapy from the University of Utah. She has experience working with individuals with autism and other learning differences. She chose to work for ScenicView because of its focus on empowerment, autonomy, and independence. She believes that everyone deserves to have someone who believes in them and supports them. Kyra loves using leisure and recreation to teach important life skills. In her free time she loves playing the guitar, hiking, and exercising. |
Melissa Garcia
Thrive Skills Specialist x
Melissa Garcia Thrive Skills Specialist Melissa graduated with her degree in Exercise and Wellness from Brigham Young University in August of 2020. She loves to learn and so decided to continue her education and is currently working on her Master's degree in Rehabilitative Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Melissa received her Personal Training Certification from the American College of Sports Medicine and has worked as a personal trainer in various capacities for about a year. She chose to work at ScenicView because she loves to help people achieve their fitness goals and help them reach their potential and ScenicView is a perfect place to do that. She grew up in Oregon and loves spending time in the outdoors hiking, camping or playing on the water. She also loves any kind of sport, especially soccer. Melissa's goal in life is to try to help as many people as possible live happier and healthier. |
Michael Farnsworth
Thrive Skills Specialist x
Michael Farnsworth Thrive Skills Specialist Mike Farnsworth has a Bachelors of Social Work from Utah Valley University. Not only has he been working with the autism population since 2018, but he had an extensive history spanning more than a decade of working with people from other vulnerable populations. Mike has spent most of his adult life working for or volunteering with various non profit organizations throughout the state of Utah. Mike is a PEERS for Young Adults Certified Provider and a PEERS Telehealth Certified Provider. Mike also has over fifteen years of training and experience in the field of music, specifically with the instruments of guitar, drums, and bass guitar. He also has over ten years worth of experience with audio production and digital music recording. Mike chose to work at ScenicView because it is a place that has afforded him the opportunity to utilize both his passion for music and his passion for serving less supported populations within our community. |
Spencer Burke
Thrive Skills Specialist x
Spencer Burke Thrive Skills Specialist Spencer has a passion for teaching and loves all things music. He has had the opportunity to embrace his passions by studying the piano, organ, cello, bass, violin, and voice, as well as teaching private piano and voice lessons for several years. Throughout his musical career, Spencer has competed in multiple state-wide vocal and piano competitions within the state of Utah and has received superior ratings in each competition. He is currently attending Brigham Young University working towards a BM in Music Education with a K-12 Choral Emphasis. Spencer Believes that music is an art of both healing and empowerment, and, as we share it with others, we can change the world "one note at a time." In his spare time, Spencer loves watching Harry Potter and trying new flavors of ice cream. |
