Jonny Peay poses for a portrait outside of his family’s home in Orem on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Peay was born with Down syndrome, and recently graduated from the two-year Aggies Elevated program at Utah State University and additionally took some part-time classes at Utah Valley University. While in college Peay formed the Jonny and Friends Foundation, which raises money for scholarships to help those with intellectual disabilities who can’t afford school programs or to attend universities.
School's back in session, but obviously, it just doesn't feel the same.
I would typically characterize August as an exciting month, where anticipation for the first day of classes seems to forebode another academic year of meaningful trials and tribulations leading to personal growth and fulfillment. However this year, I felt a tone of anxiety everywhere. So many questions filled the air: Will students be safe participating in in-person classes? How will digital and remote learning play into the mix, especially at the collegiate level, and just as pressingly, how will it affect the quality of students' education? Should there be mask mandates, and if so, in what circumstances? For every question, there were many more answers, and even more varying opinions. I felt myself caught up in the anxiety of it all as I tried to keep myself feeling consistent in yet another month that was anything but consistent.
High school sports are back! It feels surreal to be photographing such a staple of my job while it feels like we're living in a very different world, but sports have a very everlasting quality to them that gives me solace and a decent dose of normalcy. This time of year through the fall is often my favorite time (in terms of assignments) working for the newspaper, and it does feel heartwarming to see students back in school as well as Friday night lights once again shinning bright. However, it all just still feels so off, and it seems certain that that feeling won't be going anywhere for a good chunk of time.
Fortunately for me, I had the opportunity to spend a weekend camping with close friends from college in Moab during August to break up the month. The heat and hiking proved to be unbelievably draining, but in an invigorating and cleansing way, and the company of my good friends made for several memories I hope to hold onto for some time.
Kassidy Pettingill dances with her grandfather Merrill Wells as The National Parks perform during Utah Valley University’s 2020 drive-in commencement ceremony held on the university’s campus in Orem on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Pettingill graduated with a B.S. in exercise science and outdoor recreation management. Commencement ceremonies, typically held in May, were postponed until August due to COVID-19.
Stephanie Grant, left, and Tiffany Barker, both of Lehi, talk with each other before the Rally for Liberty held at Orem City Center Park on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. The event was held to protest against government mask mandates.
Ammon Bundy, who led the 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, talks with attendees after the Rally for Liberty held at Orem City Center Park on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. “We are entering the greatest battle to defend individual rights that has ever been waged before,” said Bundy, when he spoke during the event held against government mask mandates. “If we lose this battle, then we and our children will be plunged into the depths of darkness for many generations. This darkness will be more severe than ever before.”
Ron Holgreen, of Highland, prepares to put his kayak away while a water quality advisory is posted at Highland Glen Park in Highland on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. The Utah County Health Department issued a temporary water quality advisory for the park’s pond after state water quality experts found high levels of waterborne pathogens in the pond.
Rozelle Hastwell, of the children’s “edutainment” project Mimi’s Playtime, poses for a portrait with Gabi-Roo, played by her daughter, Lorelei Hansen, at her family’s home in Springville on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. The project, an album featuring 10 original songs, is meant to inspire children and parents to learn about the world around them together.
A third-grade student watches and listens to a digital assembly in Madie Treanor’s class at East Meadows Elementary School in Spanish Fork during the first day of school for the Nebo School District on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.
A student exits the lobby at Mountain View High School in Orem while a statue of a bear sports a face mask after the first day of school for the Alpine School District on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.
Health care worker Shelby Smith stores a used swab in a bin after administering a coronavirus test at a COVID-19 testing site outside of Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.
Piano teacher LuAnn Loughton poses for a portrait at her home in Pleasant Grove on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. Loughton explained she has been giving piano lessons for 45 years, and also has a degree in music education with a focus on piano from Brigham Young University.
Kayakers paddle southbound on the Jordan River in Lehi on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall organizes canned food as she and other officials from Salt Lake County and Utah County governments work at Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. Leaders of Salt Lake City, West Valley City and Salt Lake County volunteered at the food bank after losing to Provo, Orem and Utah County in a 2020 Census competition that pitted the two counties against each other to see who could get the largest increase in percentage of turnout from the last census.
Graduate Shayla Northcott is helped out of a truck by fellow graduate and her husband Matt Northcott during the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ drive-thru convocation before Utah Valley University’s 2020 drive-in commencement ceremony held on the university’s campus in Orem on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Shayla graduated with a B.S. in family science with a minor in autism studies and Matt graduated with a B.S. in technology management. The two met at UVU in 2016, and currently have a child on the way.
Utah Valley University president Astrid Tuminez cheers for graduates as vehicles process during the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ drive-thru convocation before UVU’s 2020 drive-in commencement ceremony held on the university’s campus in Orem on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.
Timpview wide receiver and safety Raider Damuni poses for a portrait at Timpview High School in Provo on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. A senior, Damuni plans to attend Brigham Young University and play football for the Cougars after graduating from high school and serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Timpview defensive back Vave Adolpho (7) breaks up a pass intended for Lone Peak tight end Luke Tucker (20) during the season opener between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Lone Peak Knights held at Timpview High School in Provo on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020.
Lone Peak running back Siale Tahi (6) celebrates his touchdown during the season opener between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Lone Peak Knights held at Timpview High School in Provo on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020.
Maple Mountain running back Quinlin Jackson (22) runs the ball upfield during a game between the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles and the Timpanogos Timberwolves held at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020.
Mountain View senior Lucas Schmidt cheers with other students as the Bruins serve the ball during the season opener between the Mountain View Bruins and the American Fork Cavemen held at Mountain View High School in Orem on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020.
Mountain View middle blocker Julia Cavalcanti (7) celebrates a point with her teammates during the season opener between the Mountain View Bruins and the American Fork Cavemen held at Mountain View High School in Orem on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020.
Maple Mountain wide receiver Kyson Hall (1) falls to the ground with the ball in his hands, but can’t keep control of it as he lands for an incomplete pass during a game between the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles and the Timpanogos Timberwolves held at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020.