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.
Karen Gonzales
Thrive Program Manager x
Karen Gonzales Thrive Manager Karen graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors in Therapeutic Recreation and Management and a Minor in Music in 2019. She has had the opportunity to work with many populations since graduating, including addiction recovery, skilled nursing facilities, acute behavioral health, and residential treatment for teenagers. Karen has always found great joy in serving and helping others, and to empower others to find their own strength, confidence, and growth. Karen was drawn to ScenicView Academy through their dedicated client-centered programming, and their focus to "remember the one". She believes in giving every person the chance to Thrive, and is determined to create and develop programming that will empower each person to accomplish that goal. In Karen's spare time, she can be found spending time in her community choir, rock climbing, hiking/backpacking, and hanging out with her husband and puppy. |
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. |
Isabelle Proctor
Rec Therapist x
Isabelle Proctor Rec Therapist Isabelle graduated with a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from Brigham Young University - Idaho in 2023 and is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. She has experience working with children and young adults with developmental disabilities as well as older adults with memory impairment. She was drawn to ScenicView because she was impressed with the wide range of services and resources for the students. Isabelle believes that everyone has the ability to achieve their goals and loves helping them feel empowered to do that. She also believe in the power of recreation to improve every aspect of our lives and is passionate about sharing that with others. In her free time, Isabelle likes to exercise. She especially likes zumba, yoga, and running. She also love reading, embroidery, and making delicious gluten free treats. |
Josh Palmer
Thrive Skills Specialist x
Josh Palmer Thrive Skills Specialist Josh Palmer is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and private instructor from Enoch, Utah. He received his BA in Commercial Music from Brigham Young University in 2019 and is a current Music Therapy student at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. He has more than fifteen years of performing experience and has performed in Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. Josh has an insatiable desire to share his love of music, which led him to ScenicView Academy. He believes that music can bring positivity and excitement into anybody's life, and he wants to help each student discover what music can do for them. With perfect pitch and over a decade of music arranging experience, Josh can help students learn to sing and play their favorite songs, as well as learn new instruments and start writing their own songs. When he isn't teaching, Josh is busy writing lyrics, producing beats, and filming music videos with his impressive collection of detailed sock puppets. He also enjoys spending time with his two ball pythons Raymond and Mary Lou. |
Kenzie Ward
Rec Therapist x
Kenzie Ward Rec Therapist Kensington (Kenzie) Ward Sumek is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, who gets to lead classes, one-on-ones, and groups with a focus on Social Skills. She graduated from BYU-I with a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 2022, and began working at ScenicView Academy at the beginning of 2023. 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 ScenicView Academy because she recognized (and still loves) the unique, positive feeling on campus. She was impressed with the organization's mission, feeling as though it aligns with her personal principles including empowerment and "remembering the one." She is of the firm belief that she has the best, most rewarding job at ScenicView, and therefore probably in the whole world. In her free time, Kenzie loves to sneak away with her husband to their hometown in San Diego where they can visit with family, enjoy the always-perfect weather, and go to the beach. When she can't get away to the coast, she can be found at home baking cookies, playing (or teaching) various instruments, or reading books on the couch - snuggled up with her dog, Fitzgerald. |
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 bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Wellness from Brigham Young University in August of 2020 and completed a master's degree in Health Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in April 2022. She is a certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine as well as a certified Nutrition Coach through the National Academy for Sports Medicine. Melissa chose to work at ScenicView because she loves to help people achieve their health and fitness goals and reach their potential and ScenicView is a perfect place to do that. Melissa grew up in Oregon and loves spending time outdoors hiking, camping, or playing on the water. She spends a lot of her spare time going on runs around Provo and watching soccer with her husband. |