The centennial year got us thinking about what it means to live in Utah. It also got us thinking about what the people of Utah look like.
We have a reputation for being blond and bland. But when you really stop to look at the faces around you, you see diversity - in color and also in expression.When you really stop to look, you see determination, pride, wrinkles, curiosity, amazement, amusement. . . . You'll see portraits as diverse as the state's geography. If you really look at the faces of Utah. *****
Junior Jones, West High school student, recently moved to Utah from Hawaii. Living in Utah brings him the unique opportunity to play football in the snow.
Being able to immerse yourself in so much beauty. Just the scale of the outdoor amenities . . .
- Brent White, 28, river guide, Leeds
Oh there are about 300 things. Fresh air. The diversity of the geography. Primarily Utah is about people, the great people, so hard-working, industrious . . .
- Bill Hickman, 57, businessman and state senator, St. George
I don't know what I'd do if I had to live some place else. I have so many nice friends here. I like the mountains, the trees . . .
- Ellen Koford, 76, grandmother, Brigham City
I don't really care for Salt Lake. Metropolitan life is very stressful. Seems like you have to get in the car and travel to get anywhere. But there is plenty of work . . .
- Barbara Vulgamore, 55, a member of the Nez Pierce tribe from Northern Idaho; she and her husband recently moved to Utah
Utah is just as good as anyplace in the United States. I am also used to the climate and the environment. It is also where my entire family and friends live . . .
- Raymond Hong, 71, retired, former owner of the Ding Ho cafe, Salt Lake City; born in China
It means I can see Lake Powell, Arches National Park and the Wasatch Mountains all in one day if I want to . . .
- Jeff Bigelow, 18, University of Utah student, Bountiful
And at those places we can snow ski, water ski, bike and maybe even get a tan . . .
- Dave Bigelow, 22, University of Utah student, Bountiful
I was born in Utah, in Mountain View Hospital. It's very quiet here. But it's growing a lot. There are a lot of nice people. I love living in Utah . . .
- Kimberly Rosenbaum, 10, fifth-grade student, Park Elementary, Spanish Fork
The most important thing about Utah is the people. They are the kind of people you like to live with and work with. I've been lucky enough to travel throughout the states, and I've never seen people more willing to give of themselves . . .
- Norma Matheson, 67, former first lady of Utah, Salt Lake City