During Bingham High's 117 years, many traditions have been established. Some have passed by the wayside and have been forgotten, some have changed and developed, and others have grown strong and endured. Nevertheless, traditions play an important part at Bingham High School in linking students to their past and giving them perspective for the future. Among the most enduring are these Bingham traditions:
A miner in the early days of Bingham Canyon who struck it rich was said to have hit "pay dirt." Those miners would take a mule, shovel, pick, and dynamite along with a drill bit and double jack (sledge hammer), and work hundreds of hours drilling, blasting, and shoveling. With the combination of hard work and a little bit of luck, a miner might find a rich vein of gold, silver, or copper ore. This was dirt that paid him money and called "pay dirt."
Since striking pay dirt symbolizes a successful miner, the Pay Dirt Club was organized in 1976 to honor successful Bingham graduates. Each year new members are chosen by an alumni committee and formally inducted into the Pay Dirt Club during Homecoming Week. Inductees include doctors, teachers, generals, a former U.S. Treasurer, professional athletes, and prominent business men and women. The pictures of these Miner graduates, which line the main hall of Bingham High, constantly serve as examples of success to current Miners.
2025 Pay Dirt Club Inductee:
On September 16, 2025, Star Lotulelei (Class of 2007) was inducted into the Bingham High School Pay Dirt Club. Star was an outstanding defensive lineman for the Bingham Football team, leading the Miners to their first State Football Championship in 60 years. Star registered 72 tackles and seven sacks as a senior. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Star was listed as the No. 3 overall prospect from Utah.
Star enrolled at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, and played defensive line for the Badgers. Snow College reached the 2008 NJCAA National Championship Game, but lost 37–30 in double-overtime to Butler Community College.
In 2010, Star transferred to the University of Utah, where he would become an All-Pac-12 Conference performer, be named First-team All-American, and win the Morris Trophy as the league's best defensive lineman.
In 2013, Star was selected in the first round of the NFL draft, 14th overall by the Carolina Panthers. He was named to the All-Rookie teams by the PFWA, ESPN, ProFootballFocus, and SB Nation, finishing 4th in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Star played 4 more years for the Carolina Panthers and 3 years for the Buffalo Bills, choosing to retire due to the COVID-19 virus.
Star currently lives in Bluffdale, Utah and frequently helps out with the Bingham Football team.
Pay Dirt Club Past Winners:
- 2022: BILL ALLINSON (1963) Born in Bingham Canyon. Riverton City Council, Riverton Fire Department, creator of the Bingham and Riverton youth baseball leagues, oversaw all transportation for the 2002 Olympics.
- 2022: LEESA LLOYD (1977) Dancer, dance teacher for 37 years. Provided more than 40 years of community service: Riverton Arts Board, Arts Council, and Riverton Museum.
- 2022: BRYCE DUNFORD (1987) Bingham Student Body President (86–87), religious educator, podcaster, president of the Jordan Board of Education. Has had (and will have) at least one child at Bingham High School every year from 2007 until 2033 (10 children).
- 2019: GARY AND DEANNE BILLS CURTIS (1963 & 1965) Miner (Gary). High school administrative assistant in the Jordan School District (Deanne).
- 2018: CLAY BUTTERFIELD (1967) Educator at Bingham High, rancher and farmer.
- 2017: JAMES MARGETTS (1985) Educator, college dean, and musician.
- 2017: ROBIN PILCHER (1970) Firefighter, paramedic and first responder.
- 2016: DAVID L. GOURLEY (1970) Educator, school administrator, principal of Taylorsville High School, and Granite School District assistant superintendent.
- 2016: REBECCA CHAVEZ HOUCK (1978) Journalist, non-profit organization administrator, civic leader, community activist, politician, and member of the Utah State House of Representatives.
- 2015: CLAUDIA PARRY ANDERSON (1965) Inventor, international businesswoman, Mayor of Bluffdale City, civic leader, and founder of educational foundation and school to teach deaf children to talk.
- 2015: JOEL SATO (1974) Educator, coach and athletic director at Bingham High School, Utah Coach of the Year, and member of the National High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.
- 2014: CRAIG BURTON (1969) Businessman, real estate developer, civic leader and mission president.
- 2014: CARMEN FREEMAN (1972) Accountant, Jordan School District Board member, Mayor of Herriman City and civic leader.
- 2013: ROBYN HILL BERGSTROM (1973) Educator, professor of communications, and dean of the College Business and Communication at BYU-Idaho.
- 2013: JACK MANNION (1955) Educator, coach, and administrator in the Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada School district and civic leader.
- 2012: SHERMAN MARGETTS (1971) Businessman, civic leader, and mission president.
- 2011: JUNE HOLMES GARRITY (1946) Journalist, writer, designer and editor of corporate news magazines including Kennecott’s Kennescope.
- 2011: GARY L. HATCH (1982) Educator and administrator, professor of English at BYU, chief reader of national AP English test, director of BYU Honors Program, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education.
- 2010: MICHAEL BELL (1972) Lawyer, military officer, mission president, and assistant attorney general of Utah.
- 2009: MARILYN RICHARDS (1968) Educator and administrator, principal of South Jordan Middle and Jordan High Schools and Jordan School District School Board member.
- 2009: JOHN SALTAS (1972) Journalist, founder, editor and publisher of Salt Lake City Weekly newspaper.
- 2008: RANDY BRINKERHOFF (1964) Businessman, city councilman and school board member.
- 2008: REID TATEOKA (1972) Lawyer, civic leader, and mission president.
- 2007: MARK KOURIS (1979) Lawyer and judge, Utah State Court judge, assistant attorney general, assistant federal defender, and deputy district attorney.
- 2007: ROBERT COWDELL (1948) Miner and electrician, Kennecott Copper electrical supervisor, city councilman, and extensive community service.
- 2007: THOMAS BROWN (1948) Educator, professor of French and Italian at BYU, chairman of Honors Program, and author of numerous textbooks.
- 2006: GEORGE LENDARIS (1970) Doctor and physical therapist, pioneer in sports medicine.
- 2006: JAMES PRIGMORE (1961) Musician and composer of more than 500 compositions, and musical director of the Pioneer Memorial Theater.
- 2005: WAYNE RAY (1946) Social worker, YMCA work, wrote a health and fitness column for Portland’s Oregonian Newspaper and dubbed Portland’s “Father of Fitness.”
- 2005: RICHARD "DICK" PETERSON (1942) Educator, science teacher, and Utah State Office of Education administrator.
- 2004: SCOTT CRUMP (1970) Educator, Bingham High history teacher, 2004 Utah Teacher of the Year, historian, and author.
- 2004: GEORGE DIMAS (1947) Social worker, originator of Hughes Act of 1970, which recognized alcoholism as a disease.
- 2003: VICTOR ROBLEZ (1946) Structural engineer, principal partner of major structural engineering firm, involved in design of many major buildings in Utah and across the nation.
- 2003: HARRY PAPPASIDERIS (1958) Electrical engineer and businessman, launched a number of revolutionary printing products while working at Xerox.
- 2002: DENISE PARKER (1992) Athlete, bronze medalist in Women’s Archery at the 1988 Olympic games in Korea and a silver medalist at the 1992 Olympic games in Spain.
- 2002: GREG NEWBOLD (1985) Artist, illustrator, nationally acclaimed graphic artist.
- 2001: NED MILLER (1950) Businessman, CEO of long-term health care facilities in California.
- 2001: NORBERT MARTINEZ (1958) Businessman, originator and owner of Mama Maria’s Mexican food products.
- 2000: JOAN BEARD THOMPSON (1952) Lawyer and judge, one of first women to be a U.S. Federal Administrative Court judge.
- 2000: ANTHONY “TONY” J. MONTOYA (1940) Social worker, promoted causes for senior citizens, authored Hands Across New York, worked with groups concerned with service for the aged.
- 1999: NORMA NICHOLS (1928) Extensive community service, served on Primary General Board for the LDS Church, originator of the CTR (Choose the Right) ring, helped found BHS Alumni Foundation.
- 1999: TOM JAMES (1956) Businessman, President of Asset Deployment, Inc. of Southern California.
- 1998: DENNY SIMKINS CARLISLE (1952) Educator and administrator, principal of Bingham High (1986-1994).
- 1998: LINDA LONG SANDSTROM (1960) Educator and administrator, principal of Alta and Hillcrest High Schools.
- 1997: JOHN GORIS (1956) Civil engineer, U.S. Bureau of Mines researcher, selected US Mines Federal Engineer of the Year.
- 1997: D. TOM LOVAT (1957) Educator, coach, professional football coach for the Green Bay Packers.
- 1996: DON GUST (1950) Educator, coach and athletic director at Hillcrest High, professional baseball scout.
- 1996: GEORGE ADDY (1944) Educator, BYU history professor, author.
- 1995: RICHARD DOTSON (1960) Educator, college professor at Southern Utah State University, 1993-1994 Professor of the Year.
- 1995: JOHN ANDERSEN (1942) Industrial engineer, journalist for US Mining Co. and Varian Associates.
- 1994: GORDON RUSSELL LOVELESS (1942) Businessman and mechanical engineer, executive vice president, chairman, and managing director of Chicago Bridge & Iron.
- 1994: ANN PACHINA SLATTERY (1946) Athlete, nationally acclaimed bowler.
- 1993: NANETTE SANTISTEVAN NOBLE (1952) Educator, first female Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Jordan School District.
- 1992: CLEO GROVES RILEY (1942) Educator, Wyoming Teacher of the Year.
- 1991: BRENT OVERSON (1968) Politician, Utah State Senator, Chief Assessor of Salt Lake County, Salt Lake County Commissioner.
- 1991: GRANT PULLAN (1953) Educator, Assistant Superintendent of Jordan School District.
- 1990: MARION DUNN (1941) Journalist, renowned sportswriter for local newspapers, and president of the National Football Writers of America.
- 1990: J. CAL CRUMP (1947) Educator, coach, counselor, and vocational coordinator for Bingham High.
- 1990: OLE HERVILLA (1928) Businessman, owner and operator of the Little River (California) Inn.
- 1989: DR. WILLIAM DALE CRUMP (1949) Doctor of Dentistry, school board member, service with civic organizations, author.
- 1989: ALTA MILLER (1922) Educator and administrator, vice-president of the National Association of Child Educators.
- 1988: ELLEN VIDALAKIS FURGIS (1944) Businesswoman, extensive civic involvement, and service.
- 1988: DR. JOHN KNUDSEN (1947) Doctor of Dentistry, extensive work with civic organizations, and community service.
- 1987: DELMAR SCHICK (1944) Educator and administrator, teacher and coach at Bingham High, principal of Hillcrest High.
- 1987: DR. NED BROWN (1949) Social worker, earned PhD in social work, co-founded a drug and alcohol rehabilitation hospital.
- 1986: JIMMY BROWN (1944) Businessman, founder and co-owner of Stevens and Brown Sports stores, served on the National Sporting Goods Board of Directors.
- 1986: FARLEY GERBER (1978) Athlete, won the NCAA National Steeple Chase Championship.
- 1985: WILLIAM R. BOREN (1947) Educator, superintendent of Weber County School District, Utah State Office of Education administrator.
- 1985: FRED ROBERTS (1978) Athlete, professional basketball player for the NBA.
- 1984: DR. RUSSELL SUMNICHT (1934) Dentist, commanding officer of military dental clinics, president of International Men’s Clubs.
- 1984: KENNETH SHULSEN (1960) State corrections administrator, warden of the Utah State Prison System.
- 1983: GENERAL JOHN L. MATTHEWS (1950) Educator and military officer, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, teacher, and principal.
- 1983: BRUCE HARDY (1974) Athlete, professional football player for the Miami Dolphins.
- 1982: NICHOLAS VIDALAKIS (1946) Businessman, owner and operator of the Family Center Malls.
- 1981: HAROLD CHESLER (1929) Businessman, manager of the Princess Theater in Bingham, owner of Salt Lake Theatre Candy Distribution Company.
- 1981: PEARL MILNER WAGSTAFF (1960) Creative artist, dance instructor, and educator.
- 1980: VIRGINIA HARRIS McDONALD (1934) Educator, Bingham High dance teacher, and Minerette advisor.
- 1980: MITCHELL MELICH (1929) Lawyer and politician, Utah State Senator, Republican candidate for governor of Utah in 1964, and solicitor in the US Department of Interior.
- 1979: DENNIS NICHOLS (1963) Health care provider, acclaimed organist, and pianist.
- 1978: THEROS “TED” SPEROS (1934) Businessman, manager and owner of Lamb’s Café in Salt Lake.
- 1978: GEORGE SLUGA (1960) Educator, history teacher and basketball coach at Bingham High.
- 1977: IVOR PICKERING (1935) Mining executive, Vice President of Kennecott Copper.
- 1977: DR. PETER PITCHOS (1931) Law enforcement, Sheriff of Los Angeles County, California.
- 1976: IVY BAKER PRIEST (1924) Treasurer of the United States.
- 1976: DR. ANDREW CONTRATTO (1925) Medical doctor, heart specialist in Massachusetts.
- 1976: COLONEL AVERY MASTERS (1933) Military colonel, served at the United States Pentagon.
- 1976: DR. LENORE RICHARDS (1935) Medical doctor, one of Utah’s first female surgeons.
Since 1937, Candlelight has been Bingham High’s cherished musical gift to the community — a three-night celebration of the Christmas season presented by choir, orchestra, and band. The tradition was started by Joel P. Jensen, Bingham's music teacher at the time. The three nights are filled with endless, joyful music that begin the holiday season for students. The audience loves listening to the choir sing, and hearing the band and orchestra play. It certainly brings in the holiday spirit during the Christmas season.
The present site was then selected, situated above the old Bingham and Garfield Railroad line on the north side of the canyon's mouth.
Years later two digits were added to the right of the 'B' to represent the graduation year of the senior class. Each subsequent year it became a tradition not only to whitewash the 'B,' but also to change the numbers to the graduation year of the current senior class.
As the world's largest open pit copper mine continued to expand, it became more and more dangerous for students to climb the mountain and whitewash the 'B.' The class of 2017 was given permission to whitewash the 'B,' but were asked to move all the stones that made up the graduating class year and add them to the 'B.'
The students are shown various miners’ lights, including a Sticking Tommy (a candle in a metal holder that can be stuck into the side of a tunnel) and a carbide light, and told that an essential element of an underground miner’s success was a reliable source of light. As miners labored hundreds of feet underground in dark and sometimes damp conditions, light helped them discover possible dangers. A flickering light warned the miners of a lack of fresh oxygen. A light could prevent falls down deep shafts, spot unsafe rocks, or even help miners discover the mother lode.
Seven blue candles standing aside seven white candles on the stage table are then lit, one for each current student body officer. They represent the lights of all the students at Bingham High that have been shining throughout the year as well as the lights and traditions of all the Bingham Miners who came before them. Historically candle light has been used to represent some new truth or tradition one has learned or come to appreciate, and now it is time for the current student body officers who have represented everyone throughout the past year to pass on their lights to next year’s officers who will then become the custodians of the school’s traditions for the upcoming year.
Reminiscent of these bonfires in Bingham’s early years, a tradition was started at the new school in South Jordan of burning a large wire block 'B.' It is burned twice a year at the Homecoming Pep Rally in the fall and at graduation or the yearbook stomp at the end of the year. The 1980 Coppertonian described the typical Homecoming burning of the 'B':
The 2000 Coppertonian added:
In 1981, soon after he was appointed principal of Bingham High, Bob Day (1980-1986) decided he wanted to do more to recognize student achievement. He felt that recognition was needed for non-athletic students whose achievements went unnoticed. An avid pin collector himself, one day while looking through a school award catalog, he picked out a pin he thought students might like. He ordered about three dozen pins that first year and called students down to his office to congratulate them and then award them a pin. Faculty members also received pins for outstanding accomplishments.
By the time Tom Hicks (1998-2005) finished his tenure as principal, the pinning ceremony included a meeting (usually in the Alumni Conference Room), some type of treat, a talk by the principal about Bingham traditions, a Bingham handshake, and the recipient saying, "Thank you," then, "It’s a great day to be a Miner." (The two-handed handshake symbolized how a Miner would handle a pick and shovel and also that these tools were work tools that represent a solid work ethic. In addition, it represented the fact that Miners were expected to get involved and do their best.) Pins at this time were designed by the student body officers soon after they took office in the spring and custom made during the summer. Around 2,500 pins were awarded each year and once gone they would never be replicated in exactly the same way. Principal Hicks outlined the evolution of the ceremony: