Utah Olympic Park in Park City hosted the inaugural meeting of a new advisory committee charged with building an Olympics-themed education program for classrooms across the state.

The Utah 2034 Education Committee, a 16-member body announced Aug. 4 by the organizing committee for the 2034 Winter Games, met July 29 at the Park City venue where athletes will compete in 2034. Its mission: use the lead-up to the Games to strengthen student literacy, boost school attendance and track measurable outcomes statewide through a classroom education program integrating Olympic and Paralympic values.

Amy Garff, president of Ken Garff Philanthropies, chairs the committee. Former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Syd Dickson serves as vice chair. Olympic figure skating gold medalist Nathan Chen, a Salt Lake City native who won two golds at the 2022 Beijing Games, fills an athlete role.

"A key vision point for Utah 2034 is to elevate communities," said Utah 2034 President and Executive Chair Fraser Bullock. "Our Utah 2034 Education Committee brings together a diverse group of leaders who can guide us in impacting youth through classroom programs across the entire state, serving as a model for others to showcase the power of education and sport."

At the July 29 meeting, committee members discussed strategic priorities with Olympians, Paralympians and school district superintendents, according to the organizing committee. Utah 2034 CEO Brad Wilson, who also sits on the committee, said the gathering showed educators united around a common mission.

The roster spans education, business, nonprofit and sport. Members include State Board of Education Superintendent Molly Hart, Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner Geoff Landward, and Nibley Elementary teacher Alisa Olsen from Cache County School District. Doug Bowser, former president of Nintendo of America, and Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation, round out the private-sector contingent.

Ken Garff for Good, the Garff family's education nonprofit, will lead development of the classroom tools. The organization already operates in all 41 Utah school districts, reaching more than 365 high schools and 16,000 elementary classrooms, and has connected students to more than $100 million in scholarships since its founding in 2004, according to the Salt Lake Chamber.

The Garff Foundation is also a founding captain of Utah 2034's Podium34 fundraising program, which has raised $250 million toward a $300 million goal. A pilot program bringing Olympics-themed content into classrooms is expected to launch this fall, the Deseret News reported Aug. 4.

The 2034 Olympic Winter Games are scheduled for Feb. 10–26, 2034, with Paralympic events March 10–19, 2034, in Utah.