Name: Michelle LaCross

From: Grand Rapids, Mich.

To: Grantsville

There are two things that must be considered before moving to a new place. The first thing to consider is what benefits the city can provide, and the second is what the city needs. The LaCross family was looking for a city that could provide a graduate school and a city that needed a teacher.

Michelle LaCross, 24, and her husband, Ted, 25, moved from Grand Rapids, Mich., to Grantsville Aug. 10.

"The Tooele County School District came to Michigan, to find teachers because they needed so many," LaCross said.

LaCross accepted the position of integrated science teacher for all seventh-grade students in Tooele Junior High.

After the couple heard about the job openings, they decided to look at the colleges close to Grantsville.

"My husband needs two years of college to finish his master's degree in geology, and the University of Utah has a wonderful program," she said. "His degree is incredibly specific, and he needed a good school."

The LaCross family has adjusted well in the little time they have lived in the community.

"Grantsville feels like a real community," she said. "Everyone here is incredibly friendly."

Both Michelle and Ted lived in Michigan their whole lives before coming to Grantsville. Most of their family members still live in Michigan.

LaCross also misses the trees.

"There were trees all over in the city, so the difference takes some getting used to," she said.

compiled by Jessica Durrant

If you're a newcomer or know of a newcomer who'd like to share the story of why they moved to Tooele County, please contact Sarah Miley at (435) 882-0050 or via e-mail at swest@tooeletranscript.com.