White River Academy Troubled Teen Boarding School - using positive peer pressure to help teens.

Justin Nielson joins our team of professionals with 12 years experience in working with troubled teens and their families.

Kris Cary: Academic Director
Kris has been involved with at-risk youth for over 12 years. He began his teaching career at a group home for adjudicated males in Mona, Utah. He then moved to Spanish Fork Junior High School where he worked with all male students in a self-contained classroom. Following his five years at the junior high he moved to Landmark High School which is located in Spanish Fork, Utah.

He is currently serving there as the Special Education Department Head and teacher in charge of their night school program. Upon completion of his thesis he will earn his master’s degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Alternative Education. Kris and his wife Cydney are the proud parents of three beautiful children. They reside in Santaquin, Utah.

Gary Andersen: Therapist & Parent Liaison
Although not born in Delta, Gary has essentially lived in Delta most of his life. Both parent and grandparents have always lived here and Delta is home.

Gary is a 1987 graduate of Delta High School. Gary attended one year of college at Snow College before serving a two year LDS Mission. Following missionary service Gary attended Weber State University earning his bachelors degree in Elementary Education. One year after earning his BS, he pursued a Masters Degree in Psychology from Utah State University.

For the past 8-10 years, Gary’s employment and education, and internships have intermingled with the long-term goal of conducting clinical family counseling services in rural Utah. In March of 2005 Gary completed his internship as well as the national examinations necessary to secure independent licensure and begin private practice.

Gary has over 10 years of counseling and social work experience. Previous experience includes working with employment and guidance counseling and assisting clients living in long term poverty. For the past three years Gary has worked specifically with youth treatment programs as well as providing Employee Assistance Program services to individuals and families.

Gary lives in Delta with his wife Stacy. Stacy has for 15 years worked as an employment counselor for the Department of Workforce service. She has in most ways supported Gary through his graduate education and work experiences. They have three children. Gary loves the lifestyle of living in Delta. He enjoys camping and jeeping in the surrounding areas.

Gerardo Santos: Trainer/Group Living Supervisor
Gerardo Santos is the Assistant Director of White River Academy. He has been working at WRA since February 2004. He began working with at risk youth in the summer of 2001 to see if he enjoyed the challenge of helping kids turn their life around. Before this he earned an associate’s degree in Philosophy from College of The Desert; and is currently still working on his bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from Brigham Young University. When asked what his favorite part of working at WRA is, he replied, “Seeing the change in a young man’s life when he really starts making positive choices and realizes how truly happy he can be”.

Before working with youth Gerardo owned a Landscape Design and maintenance business. Also, he has worked as a job coach for mentally challenged adults and as a one on one aide to autistic children. It’s safe to say that he’s made it a career working with those that have it just a little tougher out there, whether by design or by choice. Some of his interests include: Photography, philosophy, and history (ancient).

Laurel Jones: Teacher
Laurel was born in Arizona but was raised in Utah . She has been living in Delta, Utah now for 20 years. She went to a private college, Northland Baptist Bible College, in Northern Wisconsin in a little town called Dunbar. Her degree is Secondary Mathematics with a minor in music.

She has taught two years in a private Christian school from which she graduated, and she has tutored several people. Math is her passion.

Kevin Black: Physical Facilities Manager
Kevin was born in Texas, while his father was in the Army, then moved to Utah after living on the west coast for a short time. He met his wife, Sandy, at school and has been married to her for 31 years, raising 2 children in that time. After 2 years in college at UTC in Slat Lake City, he and Sandy moved to California. There Kevin attended JATC: a four year electrical apprenticeship, graduating in 1984.

Since then Kevin both worked for and ran large scale construction projects on the West coast until finally moving back to Utah in 1996. He currently manages all the physical facilities for White River Academy.

Brandon Jorgenson: Group Living Supervisor
Tanisha Jorgenson: Office Manager
Brandon and Tanisha Jorgenson: Night Staff Brandon was raised in Delta, Utah for most of his childhood. Tanisha grew up in Payson, Utah. They were married in June 2006 and moved to Delta in November 2006.They have a child Justin who is nine years old and in fourth grade. They enjoy the outdoors: camping, fishing and hunting.

Joshua Poulson: Emergency First Responder/ Consultant
Josh a native of Delta, began working with Special Olympics Florida in 1999 as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Pasco County School District. Josh trained at Johnson and Wales University in Orlando Florida, Beginning in their High School Junior Program and later specialized training as a Banquet Chef and in Food Safety Management. He was employed by Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, where he enjoyed a season as a Banquet Chef.

Leaving the food service industry behind and returning to Utah in 2003. He attended Salt Lake Community College and began working with CCSS, as a Direct Support Provider, and Supported Employment Specialist. His duties included placement, training, and integration of Special Needs Individuals into the general work environment. While working with CCSS, Josh began working with the State of Utah as a Job Connection Specialist. Josh is and active member of the community, and enjoys serving others. He also speaks fluent Spanish. Working at WRA Josh has been able to use his unique experiences to help provide great supportive services to the Students.