Bryson McQuivey looks around at his teammates as they break at the end of a football practice held by the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. Despite a senior year defined by a global health crisis and an unexpected cancer diagnosis, 17-year-old Maple Mountain quarterback Bryson McQuivey managed to keep a smile on his face. Read the full story here: provodh.com/owi7n.
Today's my last day at the Daily Herald. What a surreal statement, to me.
I've spent the better part of four and a half years working at this newspaper, and I feel very fortunate to be able to part ways on my own terms, and good terms at that. I knew I'd leave the paper, get another job or something at some point, but this really being the end leaves an odd feeling in my stomach regardless.
I won't drag on with my words in this post too much (I've already reminisced plenty on Facebook, especially), but I really can't say enough about how working at the Daily Herald and photographing the massively-wide range of assignments that I did has been an absolute blessing. I've met countless people on those assignments, and learned so much from the spectrum of life I've been able to witness from behind my lens. So many moments I'll never forget – I'd recount a few, but I have a feeling a few would quickly turn into a massive list, and I'd still leave people/moments out and feel bad.
I moved to Utah shortly after graduating college at the age of 23, and I am now 27. I had no idea just how formative those four-ish years would be, and I am frankly 100% content with how I spent those years. I've jumped into so many different roles and projects while at the Herald, and I feel confident with the photographic and managerial skills I've cultivated there. It may not be the biggest span of time, but to look at who I was when I started here and who I am today, I've experienced so much growth and learned so much about newspapers/photography and myself. I've learned what I do well, and what needs some work, and I look forward to starting to fine-tuning both my work and personal life in 2021.
Where do I go from here? I plan on staying put here in Utah for the foreseeable future, so I'm glad I'll get to keep living in a place that's truly become a home to me. I also plan to keep a photo blog running in my future endeavors, but it'll likely be a quarterly or bi-annual blog, depending on just how much content I'm creating going forward. I'll share more about my future plans tomorrow, but for now, I'd like to reflect on the wild ride I've had at the Daily Herald.
Update: I've decided to go freelance!
I'll be continuing this blog in some fashion (likely on a quarterly or semi-annual basis)
depending on how often I produce work going forward. I'll post a link to that blog whenever it's created here, but for that and the most up-to-date and divers collection of my work,
check out my new portfolio website here: isaachalephoto.com
Bryson McQuivey shaves the head of his teammate Jordan Parks as his family and friends shave the heads of several of Bryson’s other teammates to show support for his fight against cancer during a quarterly awards assembly held Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork. Somewhere along his journey, a “Bryson Strong” Facebook group, and wristbands, hoodies, shirts and other items bearing hashtag #BrysonStrong began to unite Spanish Fork and its surrounding communities to help him however they could. “To see that all these people rally around and help has been just a huge astronomical help in the whole thing,” said Bryson’s father Chris McQuivey. “We had GoFundMe that got $8,800 in a matter of 15 to 20 minutes.”
Bryson McQuivey listens to a video as he jokes around with his teammates during a football practice held by the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. When McQuivey was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in August, he realized his cancer treatments would take a toll on nearly every aspect of his life. “That’s when things started to come into reality, when the doctor said 18 months of treatments,” McQuivey said. “That’s when it started to be like, ‘OK, football is not an option, school is going to be really rough.’” His diagnosis made him even closer to his teammates and friends, who became a vital support system for the high schooler.
Bryson McQuivey prays with his teammates before 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. Through his faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, McQuivey did his best to set a good example for others, according to his family. “He dug down deep and he turned toward his savior,” his mother Marci said. “When you look at him the year before, and you look at him when he passed, and he just changed from boy to man in a year.”
Maple Mountain senior defensive back Jaryd Pendleton (11) watches a play unfold as he sports a cancer ribbon and sticker commemorating Bryson McQuivey 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. McQuivey’s diagnosis made him even closer to his teammates and friends, who became a vital support system for the high schooler.
Maple Mountain seniors Emi Rocha and Levi Ferrell ride along the Spanish Fork River Trail as part of a bike-a-thon fundraiser started by Maple Mountain High School’s student council to raise money for Bryson McQuivey at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Spanish Fork. Fundraisers, community events, his high school’s spirit week, and many other events were held to help bolster McQuivey and his family. Knowing McQuivey wouldn’t play during his senior year, his teammates took turns wearing his number 15 jersey at each and every game to show in some small way he was still on the field. Bryson’s mother Marci added, “You don’t know how to take it all in, and you don’t know how to thank everybody.”
Bryson McQuivey rests before his radiation therapy at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. McQuivey stayed on his chemotherapy regimen throughout the summer and things stayed looking hopeful. At the beginning of August and near the start of his senior year, Bryson began to have pain in his knee. “That’s when they found the tumor in his knee,” said Marci. With that discovery, his mother Marci explained that McQuivey’s odds of survival dropped to virtually zero, and that his cancer had become resistant to chemotherapy.
Bryson McQuivey makes his way out of the hospital after his radiation therapy at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. “Nobody had ever survived a relapse,” his mother Marci said. “It’s tough to tell your 17-year-old child that basically they weren’t supposed to make it and that the doctors weren’t going to save him.”
A balloon held by senior running back Quinlin Jackson bears a message as it floats in the breeze before a balloon release held at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork, on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, to honor Bryson McQuivey following his death the day prior. Surrounded by his family at his Spanish Fork home, two days before Thanksgiving, McQuivey died after receiving a blessing from his parents. “I took my hands off his head. He was gone,” said McQuivey’s father, Chris.
Family and friends of Bryson McQuivey release balloons on the 15-yard line to honor Bryson, who died the day prior, at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork, on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. Memories of Bryson were shared before the balloon release. Bryson’s family shared a wish he had upon all those that helped lift him up through the struggles in his life: “Thank you for loving me, now go share that love with others.”
Orem running back Joe Smith poses for a portrait at Orem High School on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Orem. A senior, Smith has been chosen as the Daily Herald’s 2020 All-Valley Football Player of the Year.
Jonathan and Anika Meyers, left, and Kyle and Tali Vorkink sing Christmas carols for attendees as they portray angels during a live nativity sponsored by the Orem Sharon LDS Stake and held at 425 E. 600 South in Orem on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020.
Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith loads a box of food into a family’s vehicle at the Tabitha's Way North County Food Pantry in American Fork on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. Because of Tabitha’s Way Food Pantries in American Fork and Spanish Fork, hundreds of Utah County families will be able to enjoy Christmas dinners, even though they cannot afford it right now. These Christmas meals were given out to those in need on Monday, with a little help from local elected officials.
Adrian Rodriguez and Annette Alvizo, both of American Fork, joke with one another as they and their dogs walk around holiday trees at Art Dye Park in American Fork on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020.
Tim Smith, of Provo, his daughter Hannah and son McKay check addresses on bags containing gifts before delivering them to families as part of the United Way of Utah County's Sub for Santa program Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo.
Nate Prescott, an economic development specialist for Orem City, poses with a utility box wrapped in his vinyl artwork at the intersection of 800 South and 400 East in Orem on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020.
Lt. Tom Hodgson poses for a portrait outside of the Utah County Sheriff's Office in Spanish Fork on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. Hodgson helped start Shop With a Cop in Utah County, and this year celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first event.
Traffic flows past the Lehi Roller Mills on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.
Spencer Durrell gives a customer their drinks during a soft opening for the Dutch Bros. Coffee location along University Avenue in Provo on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. Durrell is a part of the MOB, or master of baristas, which is a group of skilled Dutch Bros. Coffee employees that help train new employees when new locations open.
Jason Taylor, founder and owner of TaylorMade Lawn, poses for a portrait outside of his home in American Fork on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. Many people spend hours working in their yards during the warm seasons of the year, but one American Fork man has spent months in his quest for a perfect lawn. While doing so, Jason Taylor learned life lessons, started a business and used what he has learned to serve others.
Maple Mountain High School senior Jaxon Corona, left, helps sophomore Ashley Ferrell weigh a turkey as students and their teachers prepare turkeys to be processed at the school’s animal lab in Spanish Fork on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. The Utah State Junior Turkey Program aims to give kids the experience and life skills that comes with raising an animal from start to finish in a relatively short amount of time, without needing to spend a lot of money or requiring sophisticated equipment. Read more from this Monday Close-Up here: provodh.com/mbej5
November was nuts.
Most obviously, a presidential election was held in what's been a remarkably turbulent year for politics. Besides ballot headliners, loads of state and county issues were also posed to residents of Utah County and Utahns in general. The before, during, and after of the election was a wild time in and of itself, but high school fall sports and the following player of the year portraits, continual COVID coverage (including a statewide mask mandate and resulting reactions), developments concerning two different photo stories I was working on, and an influx of freelance work all also crammed itself into November.
Regarding the two photo stories, one garnered some fun experiences in reporting and photographing it. The Monday before Thanksgiving, my photo essay profiling the Utah State Junior Turkey Program ran in the paper (for more details on it, click the link in the photo caption above). From what I choose to do Monday Close-Ups on, I think it's safe that people can assume I especially enjoy photographing on farms and in the countryside. While working on this project I learned the general ins and outs of raising a Thanksgiving turkey from egg to table, including what goes on inside the poultry plant where the program's turkeys are processed. Having never been to a plant where livestock were slaughtered and packaged, getting to see the entire process firsthand was an education and left me with a more thorough understanding of what it means to be a meat consumer. The other photo story was one that I've been working on for most of this year, and it had a heartbreaking turn. More on that to come in my December photo blog post.
November also marks the start of "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" (as singer Andy Williams would say). Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season and soon begins the last month before a new year. As always, December feels like a mad dash to close out the year before starting anew in January, and I am certain this December will be no exception.
Timpview fullback Ammon Key (17) is tackled in the end zone for a touchdown by Orem defensive end Jaycob Amodo Tolua-Olah (17) after Key made a deep catch and run during the 5A state championship game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Timpview Thunderbirds held at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.
Todd Low, left, director of the Wolverine Racing Team and a Utah Valley University automotive professor, and Jeff Holm, a professional in residence with UVU’s Department of Transportation Technologies, pose for a portrait with an in-progress 1952 Buick Roadmaster at UVU in Orem on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. The two, along with a group of UVU students, are rebuilding the vehicle with a goal of getting it able to reach 200 mph.
The side of an in-progress 1952 Buick Roadmaster awaits further work at Utah Valley University in Orem on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020.
U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams takes part in an online interview during an Election Night gathering held at Pat’s Barbecue in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. Incumbent McAdams conceded to Republican Burgess Owens on Nov. 16 after Owens had received 177,170 votes, 47.50%, while McAdams had received 175,031 votes, 46.93%, a difference of 2,139 votes.
Tasha and Ty Coy, both of Orem, fill out their ballots in their car at a polling place held at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ church in Lehi on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
Poll worker Marshall Bezzant directs voters at a polling place held at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ church in Lehi on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
Cole Wright dons his hood as he sports a Donald Trump mask while supporters of President Trump gather for a Trump train vehicle parade in the parking lot of Smith's Food and Drug in Lehi on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
American Fork forward Addie Gardner kicks the ball as she poses for a portrait at American Fork High School on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. A senior, Gardner has been chosen as the Daily Herald’s 2020 All-Valley Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
Lone Peak outside hitter Lauren Jardine spikes the ball as she poses for a portrait at Lone Peak High School in Highland on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2020. A senior, Jardine has been chosen as the Daily Herald’s 2020 All-Valley Volleyball Player of the Year.
Volunteer DJ O’Connor, with Micron, prepares to carry computer components to a student’s family as part of a donation program for Alpine School District students organized by Mountainland Technical College, Micron and Computers for Kids held at MTECH’s Lehi campus on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.
Protesters hold signs as they chant during a protest held outside of Gov. Gary Herbert’s home in Orem on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. The anti-mask protest was held in light of the governor’s new COVID-19 restrictions and state of emergency he issued on Sunday night.
Mayble Jones, of Provo, holds a flag and sign as she chants with other protesters during a protest held outside of Gov. Gary Herbert’s home in Orem on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. The governor’s new COVID-19 restrictions included a statewide face mask mandate.
Teri McCabe, a candidate for Provo City School Board District 5, poses for a portrait outside of her home in Provo on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. McCabe beat out incumbent Julie Rash by a margin of 171 votes.
Timpview fullback Ammon Key (17) makes a deep catch and eventually runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the 5A state championship game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Timpview Thunderbirds held at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.
Lone Peak quarterback Jonah Heimuli (15) falls back to pass during the 6A state championship game between the Lone Peak Knights and the Corner Canyon Chargers held at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.
Maple Mountain quarterback Tyler Nelson (4) celebrates his touchdown as he crosses into the end zone during a game in the quarterfinals of the 5A state tournament between the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles and the Alta Hawks held at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.
Orem defensive end Preston Puni (54) downs Maple Mountain quarterback Alii Gene Ho-Ching (10) during a game in the semifinals of the 5A state tournament between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles held at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020.
Jim and Annalee Gause, of Santaquin, enjoy a meal during the final day of business for Leslie's Family Tree in Santaquin on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. The restaurant had been a community staple of Santaquin for 36 years.
FFA advisor Yadira Fregozo removes the innards of a turkey as turkeys are processed at the 4-H and FFA Poultry Plant in Bothwell on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. The Utah State Junior Turkey Program usually yields about 2,800 to 3,300 turkeys, varying in weights, starting at about 14 pounds and going to more than 30 pounds.
Building liaison and church organist Dave Lewis decorates the sanctuary of the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ for the Christmas season on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Fundraising is underway to help in preserving, updating and improving the 98-year-old church’s facilities.
Maple Mountain wide receiver Aedan Seiuli (7) stiff-arms Orem free safety Kolton Brown (14) during a game in the semifinals of the 5A state tournament between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles held at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020.
Timpview head coach Andy Stokes embraces running back Targhee Lambson (7) after the Thunderbirds were defeated by the Orem Golden Tigers in the 5A state championship game at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.
Orem cornerback Brayden Theurer (11) and defensive back Kade Brown (28) embrace after defeating the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles in the semifinals of the 5A state tournament held at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020.
Ice artisan Desiree Rasmussen harvests icicles as the Ice Castles begin to take shape at Homestead Resort in Midway on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020.
Pleasant Grove wide receiver Isaac Vaha (35) is consoled by Bingham cornerback Erik Humphries (27) after the Vikings were defeated 24-21 by the Bingham Miners on a field goal as time ran out in the second round of the 6A state tournament between the Pleasant Grove Vikings and the Bingham Miners held at Pleasant Grove High School on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
At the end of each month when I sit down to create my monthly blog posts, a sense of whiplash seems to set in as I review another four weeks of work. Looking back at October, it's no surprise I feel that way now especially.
Each month has it's own craziness to conquer, and I always seem to be running around more and more as time goes on to get photos for the wide variety of stories we publish in the Daily Herald. Frankly, it's hard to realize "how I did' any given month until I put together this blog. I'm so used to photographing an assignment, submitting photos and pivoting to the next assignment that I don't really get to take a good look at my photos until after the fact.
Throughout October I found myself with three assignments per day almost every day that I worked, often occurring in vastly different parts of the county at different times that aren't usually conducive to one another. Thus is the challenge of a newspaper photojournalist, but that challenge seems to always be changing and getting harder. For one, personally I felt a bit like Frankenstein as I rushed between assignments – I've had pretty severe runner's knee for several months now, and a pain in my lower back has begun to really flare up in the last month or two. Which, if you, say, have to run six-ish miles up hilly terrain several times to cover a state cross country meet, that doesn't sit well with my body's increasingly creaky composure. I certainly love what I do, but my body doesn't always agree the day after and that's becoming more and more apparent as time goes on – I'm getting "older"!
One external challenge for myself and the rest of the Daily Herald's newsroom was losing our editor-in-chief this past month. Wanting to leave but leave us in good hands, our now former editor-in-chief gave over a month's notice at the start of this month to ensure he could help us sail through big upcoming things (like the presidential election), but corporate had other ideas and outed him two days after he gave his notice. It's uncertain when the EIC position will be filled. Without an editor-in-chief, our current managing editor is now acting essentially as our editor-in-chief, leaving me, more or less, as the second-in-command in terms of being the glue between all the paper's departments. This change has only increased the frequency and depth at which I fulfill management duties for my job(s) – I call myself the photo editor and chief photographer, and I am both of those things nearly 100% of the time anymore. The challenge has been tough considering all the other things going on in the world, the news industry and local happenings (state high school sports, COVID, election, and so on). However, though I feel utterly spent at the end of this month, it's a satisfying feeling to look back at a month that's often one of my favorite of the year, and this one was no different.
Joe McCormick, pastor of Calvary Mountain View Church, poses for a portrait in front of a billboard displayed in the parking lot of the church in American Fork on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. For those living along the Wasatch Front, no matter what denomination, they know that it’s time for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ semi-annual General Conference the first weekend in October. Does that matter to other denominations? Not much, according to Pastor Joe McCormick.
Regional aquatics manager Chris Crockett untangles a fish from a gill net while members of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources record data from a sampling of fish from the reservoir at Deer Creek State Park west of Wallsburg on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. The purpose of this process was to survey fish populations in Deer Creek Reservoir, a popular fishing spot for anglers in Wasatch and Utah counties.
Wildlife recreation specialist Mike Packer fillets a fish while members of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources record data from a sampling of fish from the reservoir at Deer Creek State Park west of Wallsburg on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Meat from the fish was donated to local food banks.
A fish untangled from a gill net awaits to be measured, weighed and filleted while members of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources record data from a sampling of fish from the reservoir at Deer Creek State Park west of Wallsburg on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.
Matt Bowman pets his dog Bandit as he and other inmates prepare to walk their dogs as part of the “A New Leash on Life” program offered through the Jail Industries Program at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. The program pairs up at-risk dogs with inmates of the Utah County Jail for training and socialization.
A banner promoting face masks hangs from a walking bridge on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Students are required to wear masks on campus, socially distance in classes and complete COVID-19 educational courses before taking classes.
A promotional sticker is posted at the Provo Intermodal Center while people exit a UVX bus on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. The sticker, created from artwork by San Francisco artist fnnch, is part of a face mask campaign introduced by the Utah Transit Authority.
Orem running back Joe Smith (9) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during a game in the second round of the 5A state tournament between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Provo Bulldogs held at Orem High School on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
Orem running back Joe Smith (9) breaks free from a Provo defender to run the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during a game in the second round of the 5A state tournament between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Provo Bulldogs held at Orem High School on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
Lone Peak outside hitter Kelsie Valgardson (15) holds a face mask as she huddles with her teammates while they all listen to head coach Reed Carlson speak during a timeout in a game between the Lone Peak Knights and the Pleasant Grove Vikings held at Lone Peak High School in Highland on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020.
Lehi wide receiver Grady Gonzalez (7) completes a catch during a game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Lehi Pioneers held at Orem High School on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020.
From right, Alejandra Londono, seating and wheelchair coordinator, Matt Lowell, director of the seating and positioning department, and Gary Carvey, wheelchair technician, help create a custom costume inspired by Power Rangers for Skylar Skuza, 12, of Springville, at Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. Skuza, shown seated talking with marketing and communication specialist Deserae Dorton, has spina bifida.
Visitors run out of an area after receiving a scare during the opening night of Insanity Point at Cornbelly's in Lehi on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Like haunted houses around the state and country, Insanity Point is changing the format of its haunts to adhere to state COVID-19 guidelines and allow for its doors to stay open for people to get their annual Halloween fright fix.
The children of the Young family, from right, Raiden, 3, Lux, 5, and Seidon, 1, react as their mother Stacy drives the family through the Canyon Road Haunt in Pleasant Grove on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. The haunt is created by the Nicol family, and is located at 4416 N. Canyon Rd.
Maria and Duane Winden pose for a portrait in front of their home in Provo on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. The outside and inside of their home was featured in the recent Hallmark movie “Christmas Tree Lane.” During production, their home was transformed into a Christmas-themed winter wonderland, complete with fake snow covering their yard.
Fifth-grader Lucy Davis, 11, right, and sixth-grader Liliah Dutton, 11, walk through Harry Potter-themed decorations at the end of the school day at Rock Canyon Elementary School in Provo on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.
Runners make their way down a hill during the 6A boys race of the UHSAA State Cross Country Championships held at Soldier Hollow in Midway on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020.
Payson’s Spencer Bennett makes his way down a hill beside Salem Hills’ Lane Lindstrom during the 5A boys race of the UHSAA State Cross Country Championships held at Soldier Hollow in Midway on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020.
American Fork’s Nathan Jaster crosses the finish line in first place with a time of 16:09.8 during the 6A boys race of the UHSAA State Cross Country Championships held at Soldier Hollow in Midway on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020.
Lone Peak midfielder Skyler Matthews, center, heads the ball while midfielder Camryn Jorgensen, left, forward Elle Young (2) and Fremont defender Jamie Elliott (6) all seek to do the same during a game in the quarterfinals of the 6A state tournament between the Lone Peak Knights and the Fremont Silverwolves held at Lone Peak High School in Highland on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020.
Pleasant Grove lineman Kort Wilkenson (75) reacts with his teammates after the Vikings were defeated 24-21 by the Bingham Miners on a last-second field goal in the second round of the 6A state tournament between the Pleasant Grove Vikings and the Bingham Miners held at Pleasant Grove High School on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
Wildfire smoke lingers in the air while living trees and those burned by wildfires stand intermixed as seen from the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway in southern Utah County on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. Despite regularly appearing on lists of cities with the worst air pollution in the country, Provo’s air quality is improving over the long run. That’s according to a new study that found air pollution in the Provo-Orem metropolitan area, as well as in other parts of Utah, has declined in the past decade “as a result of the Clean Air Act and modern pollution control technologies.”
Brigham Young University senior Stephen Clawson poses for a portrait within an exhibit of his abstract artwork in the Harris Fine Arts Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Clawson is studying to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Gail Halvorsen, also know as the "Candy Bomber," poses for a portrait at his son’s home in Midway, Utah, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. Halvorsen was born on Sunday, October 10, 1920, and is celebrating his 100th birthday on Saturday. Halvorsen earned his nickname by air-dropping candy to kids during the Berlin Airlift after World War II from 1948 to 1949.
