Clayton AhQuin Jr. - Program Director

Clayton Jr. along side his father Clayton Sr. have developed a way in helping teens through Love, Honor and Respect. Clayton Jr. has worked with the State of Utah in creating the "Clear the Air"" campaign, which is a no-smoking and no-tobacco project. He has been involved in the development of young men in various programs for the past 15 years. Mr. AhQuin has a great ability to reach a wide variety of boys in the program through a great love of his, which is music. Teaching the guitar, playing the piano, and giving vocal instruction on his free time with many of the boys is a time he looks forward to. Clayton has been married for 15 years to his beautiful wife Julee. He is the very proud father of 5 beautiful children, which to him is where true happiness lies.

Clayton AhQuin Sr. - Activities Director

Clay's fun loving personality and affinity for hard work compliment his strong belief that there is a time for work and a time for play. Clay has planned many fun activities -- hiking, boating, wake boarding, swimming, sports, sightseeing, etc. -- as well as educational activities such as working out at the gym, visiting local businesses, touring historic sites, and building a rock wall. Clay believes in strengthening the body as well as the mind while life skills lessons are being taught. Clay's true passion comes through spending time with his 7 kids (4 boys, 3 girls), 17 grandkids and the love of his life, Irene... ALOHA!

Peter Stuercke - Assistant Director

Peter Stuercke, a native of Utah, was raised in the neighboring city of St. George. He met his wife Amber while attending Dixie State College. They were married in 2004. Having worked with troubled teens for several years, Peter is a welcomed addition to the Liahona family. Since joining the company in 2005, he has been able to interact with the youth in many capacities. He has acted as a case manager, staff supervisor and the director of case management, and now as the Assistant program Director. Peter takes great pride in his work at Liahona Academy. He takes personal interest in each student and works very hard to help them accomplish their goals. Peter brings a sense of humor along with structure that facilitates an environment where the students desire to make those changes needed to lead healthy, happy lives.

Dr. T. Brent Price Ph.D., LCSW - Therapist

Dr. Price has worked at Liahona Academy for the past 4 years. He received his masters’ degree in social work from the University of Utah. He received his Ph.D. in clinical social work from the University of Denver. He attended Smith College to study family systems theory. Dr. Price has worked with adolescents and their families for most of his career. He has worked in the field of mental health with adolescents with addictions, youth corrections, with families who struggle with acting out children, divorce, loss and grieving. Dr. Price has treated a broad range of issues with adolescents and their parents. Dr. Price is licensed in the state of Utah as a Clinical Social Worker and as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Dr. Norm Thibault - Therapist

Norm graduated cum laude with his BS in Family and Human Development (FHD) in 1994. He went directly into his Master's program in FHD and Marriage and Family Therapy and graduated in 1998. He completed his PhD in psychology in 2006. Norm has worked in Residential Treatment for over ten years; in addition, he owns a private practice in nearby St. George. Norm has been invited to lecture to audiences in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Texas, Georgia and Michigan. Norm was featured nationally on the Fox News Channel in 2005, lecturing on the subject of adolescent treatment centers. Norm was appointed by Utah Governor Mike Leavitt as the Marriage and Family Therapist representative on the State of Utah Rural Mental Health Financial Assistance Board from 2001 until 2003 and has been a member of the utah Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Board of Directors since 2004. He is a Clinical Member and an Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Norm is married to the former Megan Anderson and has three children.

Brad Christiansen - Head Schoolmaster

Brad Christensen is the headmaster at Liahona Academy. He has a Bachelors Degree in Education from Memphis State University, a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from BYU, and is currently working on a doctorate at UNLV. He was a classroom teacher, educational consultant, and college football coach. He has been a public and private school administrator for over a decade. In 2004, Brad was named the Assistant Principal of the Year for the state of Utah. He holds educational administration, gifted and talented, and English as a second language certificates.

He has presented educational workshops in 33 states, including training at the National Science Teachers Association National Conference, DePaul University, the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals Conference, and others. He is a state board member of the Utah Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, a Rotarian, a District Boy Scout Leader, and was the Washington County School District liaison for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Brad also spent time in Taiwan and speaks Mandarin Chinese.

Julie Sanders - Teacher

Julie Sanders was raised in Overgaard, Arizona. She met her husband in Hurricane, Utah. She has three children. Julie has a bachelors degree in accounting. At Liahona Academy Julie is a great asset for the students due to her multiple skills in Mathematics, Chemistry, History and Science. Julie has been with Liahona Academy for over two years. She enjoys working with the students on a daily basis. Some of Julie's favorite past times are painting, cooking, traveling and four wheeling.

Ruth Jeppson - Teacher

Ruth Jeppson has worked at Liahona for two years. Ruth also works part-time for the local school district running the computer lab and assisting the library. At Liahona Academy, Ruth teaches science, History, Electives and the thematic, monthly project. Ruth enjoys seeing the students progress throughout the year. Ruth and her husband have four daughters and two grandchildren. Ruth enjoys reading and scrapbooking. With her family she also likes boating, hiking and ice-fishing.

Lynne Williams - Teacher

Lynne Williams has been with Liahona Academy for two years. Lynne has four daughters and two sons, all of whom are out on their own now. Over the years Lynne has developed a lot of patience and she tries to help each student learn and achieve. Lynne especially enjoys working one on one. Lynne's favorite subjects to teach are History and Science. Lynne graduated from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah with a B.S. degree in Education and a minor in Reading.

Lisa Anderson - Teacher

Lisa Anderson has been at Liahona Academy for three years. Lisa graduated from BYU with a B.S. in Education and an emphasis in Psychology. Lisa worked in the public school system in Salt Lake City, Utah and Phoenix, Arizona. At Liahona Academy Mrs. Anderson teaches English, Writing, and History. Lisa Enjoys eating chocolate and riding ATV's with her husband and two children.

Parker Haslam - Director of Case Management

Parker Haslam is one of our Case Managers here at Liahona Academy. Parker is 25 years old, growing up in Salt Lake City and Hurricane High School. Parker married the perfect woman for him in 2005 and began schooling to pursue a degree in criminal justice. Parker has been working with troubled youth for five years and enjoys what he does. He draws upon many experiences gained while serving two years in a third world country as a missionary. He acquired several problem solving skills and an ability to use Spanish as a fluid second language. Parker looks forward to life's challenges and embraces the moral satisfaction that follows any victory over such obstacles.

Adam VanValkenburg - Staff Supervisor

Adam has been with Liahona for 5 months. He has 3 years experience working with youth and enjoys the atmosphere of Liahona. He currently is completing a bachelors of science at the Southern Utah University and plans on applying to Dental School after graduating. Adam enjoys sports and played football, basketball and soccer in high school and some college. Adam also has a two year old daughter and loves spending time with her. Adam enjoys the fulfillment that comes with working with youth and hopes to be a positive roll model for the students at Liahona.

Andy Dunlop - Staff Supervisor

Andy Dunlop is one of Liahona Academy's supervisors. Andy was born in Littleton, Colorado. Andy is the oldest child of four. Andy graduated from Thunder Ridge High School, he played for their golf, basketball and baseball teams. Andy then went on to Utah Valley State College where he played golf for them for one year, Then he moved to St. George, Utah to attend Dixie State College on a golf scholarship. Andy is married with three little girls. In his spare time, which he said was a thought more than reality.. he loves playing golf, baseball and time with his family. Andy helps the students by showing them leadership skills.

Sue Reynolds - Office Manager

Sue has been with Liahona Academy since the beginning. As the office manager maintaining updated files and accurate paperwork for processing procedures on every child enrolled in Liahona Academy is one of her primary duties. Having worked for other treatment centers in the industry, Sue comes equipped with experience and understanding with the tools needed to help the students and fellow staff. Sue is happily married with three great children and two grandchildren. In college Sue studied Psychology, Art and Geology. Sue enjoys hiking, helping animals and spending time with her grandchildren, which are her highlights. Sue enjoys the opportunity working at Liahona Academy and truly enjoys seeing the progress that each student builds on a daily basis which makes this a special part of her life. "A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way."