In Utah, 2018 had its share of sorrow from funerals for a fallen soldier, firefighter and police officer to the loss of a Latter-day Saint prophet and a benevolent businessman.

But there were also bright moments of humanity, touches of triumph and instances of sheer beauty. This state is unlike any other and throughout this year, the photographers at The Salt Lake Tribune took great care to bring you stories that illuminate what it means to be a Utahn.

The body of Utah firefighter Matt Burchett returns to Utah on Aug. 15 after he died fighting a wildfire in California.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Sophie Aste waits to perform at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-Finals at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Feb. 17.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Jaeden Thackin, 9, dives into the “giant neon fruit bowl” at the Hall of Breakfast on June 11.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Dancers in the third annual Hispanic Heritage Parade and Street Festival in Salt Lake City on Sept. 22.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

The Rev. France A. Davis celebrates his 44th anniversary as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church on April 22. Davis, who arrived in Salt Lake City in 1974 with his wife Willene Davis, has built the African-American congregation to more than 700 members.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Tuttilli Ballet Folklorico dancers Abish Judd, left, applies makeup on her daughter Kali Judd, 10, while Mayleen Murillo, 14, and Stephanie Robles, 12, practice their dancing at the Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Centennial Park in West Valley City on May 5.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

USA’s Abby Ringquist competes in the Ladies’ Normal Hill Individual at the Alpensia Ski Jumping during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 12.
CHRIS DETRICK | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

A worker installs an illuminated moon on a frozen river in Gangneung during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 19.
CHRIS DETRICK | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
USA’s Kiley McKinnon competes during the Ladies’ Aerials Qualification at Phoenix Park during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 15.
CHRIS DETRICK | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
USA’s Patricia Mangan crashes while competing in the Ladies’ Giant Slalom at Yongpyong Alpine Centre during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 15.
CHRIS DETRICK | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Shaun White looks up at the halfpipe after winning gold on his run during the men’s halfpipe finals at Phoenix Snow Park during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Wednesday on Feb. 14.
CHRIS DETRICK | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Park City’s Jaelin Kauf hugs her step-father Squeak Melehes after competing the Ladies’ Moguls Final at Phoenix Park during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 11.
CHRIS DETRICK | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Andrea Reynolds, who had a double mastectomy in 2013, shows the artistry of Fallen Angel Tattoos founder and owner Terrina Francis on April 20. Francis tattooed leaves and branches over Reynolds’ reconstructive surgery scars in 2014.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Anita Hill speaks at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Sept. 26.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Zoey Smith cuts the hair of AndrŽ Amsini, 1, as his mom Hawa Tambana, of the Congo, helps keep him still on Aug. 18. Kids got free haircuts at at Redwood Elementary in West Valley City as part of a back-to-school event to serve a student population that lives at or below the poverty level.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Bonnie Foerster, 74, who is legally blind and a double amputee, shed tears of joy Aug. 21. Foerster got her wish to marry her common-law partner of 50 years, Beverly Grossaint, who died on May 27.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Corazon Espinosa, left, hugs her sister Celeste Galbreath after arriving from Australia, via Los Angeles, on March 1. Espinosa had been trying to legally immigrate to the U.S. for 40 years.
SCOTT SOMMERDORF | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

“It can help us out in those tight situations,” said R.J. Spencer on March 13 about the new food pantry at David Gourley Elementary School in Kearns, where 80 percent of the 646 students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Grandchildren release balloons at the graveside service for Jon Huntsman Sr. at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park & Mortuary in Salt Lake City on Feb. 10.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Mark Huntsman walks with his mother, Karen, at the funeral services for Jon M. Huntsman, Sr., in Salt Lake City on Feb. 10.
SCOTT SOMMERDORF | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Pallbearers at the graveside service for Jon Huntsman Sr. at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park & Mortuary in Salt Lake City on Feb. 10.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

An ice fisherman uses a hand powered auger to drill through the ice at Echo Reservoir in Summit County on Jan. 30.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Nora and Hope, the Hogle Zoo’s polar bears, swim after a cool treat made of frozen apricots pineapple and fish oil on July 6.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Sienna Pickard, 22, from Salt Lake City, walks a slackline between two peaks at the mouth of Rock Canyon in Provo on May 29.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Orem’s Puka Nacua celebrates with his teammates after a win against Dixie in the 4A high school championship game at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Nov. 16. Nacua clutched the state record for touchdowns with 26 in a season.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Ashima Shiraishi makes her move on the wall during USA Climbing’s Bouldering Open National Championships at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on Feb. 3.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
The No. 4 Utah gymnasts host No. 20 Georgia in the final regular season meet at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on March 16.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Jonathan Hall, 9, keeps an eye on the game and his glove ready in hopes of catching a ball during the Raptors game at Lindquist Field in Ogden on July 26.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

A duck joins the game during the first half of an MLS soccer match on Sept. 1 in Sandy at Rio Tinto Stadium.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Tour of Utah fans and enthusiasts cheer cyclists along Kamas’ Main Street during Stage 6 Aug. 12.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and Boston Celtics forward Guerschon Yabusele (30) play basketball at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on March 28.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Brigham Young University’s bench celebrates a foul as BYU hosts Utah State University in Provo on Dec. 5.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) during player introductions in Salt Lake City on Nov. 9.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Utah State University Aggies celebrate their win after defeating Brigham Young University, 45-20, in Provo on Oct. 5.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Copper Hills High School’s Breaunna Gillen in the Salt Lake Tribune studio on April 10.
STEVE GRIFFIN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Elizabeth Romrell, wife of South Salt Lake police officer David Romrell, gets a hug before her husband’s funeral at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Dec. 5.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Members of the University of Utah track team hold each other during a vigil for teammate Lauren McCluskey on Oct 24. McCluskey was killed on campus earlier that week.
JEREMY HARMON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Hundreds of police officers attend funeral services for fellow officer David Romrell, who was killed after being struck by a car, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy on Dec. 5.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Composer and director Kerry Moore leads the Granite School District Choir in a rendition of “Born To Be a Soldier,” during funeral services for Maj. Brent Taylor at Weber State UniversityÕs Dee Event Center in Ogden Nov. 17. Taylor, the mayor of North Ogden, died Nov. 3 while serving in Afghanistan.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Armed Forces veterans fold a gigantic American flag during a ceremony honoring Maj. Brent Taylor on Nov. 11. Veterans, family members of active and retired military and patriotic supporters celebrated Veteran’s Day at the Barker Park amphitheater in North Ogden with a memorial for Taylor, who was who was killed while deployed to Afghanistan.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Jennie Taylor places a rose on the casket of her husband, Maj. Brent Taylor, after the graveside services at Ben Lomond Cemetery in North Ogden on Nov. 17.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Honor Guard at the funeral services for Draper Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Aug. 20. Burchett died during a deployment to fight the Mendocino Complex Fire in California when a tree fell on him.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Honor Guard at the funeral services for Draper Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Aug. 20. Burchett died during a deployment to fight the Mendocino Complex Fire in California when a tree fell on him.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
The gear of Draper Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett in Provo on Aug. 20. Burchett died during a deployment to fight the Mendocino Complex Fire in California when a tree fell on him.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Gina Zipp and Monica Brinkerhoff, sisters of Matthew Burchett, speak at his funeral service at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Aug. 20. Burchett died during a deployment to fight the Mendocino Complex Fire in California when a tree fell on him.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Funeral services for Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett were held at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Aug. 20. Burchett died during a deployment to fight the Mendocino Complex Fire in California when a tree fell on him.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

West High School 7th grader Sadie Nelson-Stippich, 12, holds a sign that asks, “Am I next,” after students walked out of classes in Salt Lake City on March 14. Students in Utah and around the country planned the large-scale coordinated demonstrations to protest gun violence and memorialize victims of last month’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Participants at the March for Our Lives SLC rally at the Utah Capitol on March 24.
CHRIS DETRICK | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Helicopters and tankers fight the Dollar Ridge Fire at Strawberry Reservoir on July 6.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
A plane dropping retardant on the Dollar Ridge Fire is dwarfed by smoke in Duchesne County on July 3.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Smoke rises from the Tollgate Canyon Fire near Wanship on July 30.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Spencer Hall tries to fix a reel while fishing with his wife Katie and son Jonas at Strawberry Reservoir on Sept. 15. Behind them the sky was filled with smoke from the Pole Creek Fire.
JEREMY HARMON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Joann and Brent Yorga look on from Fruitland as their home in Serenity Ridge appears to be consumed by the Dollar Ridge Fire in Duchesne County on July 3.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Evacuated homeowners watch a firefighting helicopter refilled in Herriman. A 50-acre wildfire in Rose Canyon threatened about a half-dozen homes on Sept. 12.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

The Coal Hollow Fire continues to grow as it burns along Highway 6 in Utah County on Aug. 9.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

The sun sets over a hazy Salt Lake City on Aug. 6.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Reflections at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City during the state’s legislative session on Jan. 30.
TRENT NELSON | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Jennifer Averado, from San Francisco, performs aerial acrobatics from the Rainbow Bridge at Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada on Aug. 31.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Brian Merrill from Reno, Nevada, and Larry Merket, and Nora Merket, 6, from Syracuse enjoy the warm weather as they wade in the Great Salt Lake at Antelope Island State Park on Sept. 11.
RICK EGAN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

University of Utah students join Ben Bromley, professor of astronomy and physics, on the roof of the South Physics Observatory on Jan. 31 to see the first Òsuper blue blood moonÓ eclipse in 150 years. But he sky was too cloudy to see the eclipse.
AL HARTMANN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

A light strip on the Bonneville Salt Flats lit the way to Aid Station 14, the last checkpoint before the finish line at the Salt Flats 100 Endurance Run on May 5.
SCOTT SOMMERDORF | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Salt Lake City International Airport’s first phase construction of the $3.6 billion project hit the halfway mark around Aug. 1.
LEAH HOGSTEN | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
A tapestry of freshly fallen snow is reflected in the windows of the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City on Dec. 26.
FRANCISCO KJOLSETH | THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

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