Composite image. Mattalynn Mason is the Bank of Utah Photo Contest Winner, Date and Location Not Specified | Photos courtesy of the Bank of Utah, St. George News
NS. GEORGE – Winning the Bank of Utah 2021 My Utah Photo Contest is a sweet token victory for Mattalynn Mason, who lives in St. George. Her stunning photo of Buckskin Gulch is Mason’s one-day, 20-mile journey through scenic Slot Canyon that commemorates her first year of being cancer-free since treatment.
“After beating cancer in 2020, I couldn’t wait to get out and hike Buckskin. It’s one of the longest slot canyons in the world and, for me, the most beautiful, ”said Mason. She works as a dental hygienist and freelance photographer.
“After opening the email from the Bank of Utah, I freaked out and my husband came in and said, ‘What’s wrong?’ It was so amazing to win, but it meant even more to me that I won with this photo as it captures a milestone in my life, ”she said.
After her long hike, Mason’s photo shows her peering through the shaded, red, rock-lined slit into an area of glistening sunlight. She remembers reflecting on her challenges and gratitude to the community that gathered around her when they heard that she had cancer.
“As they say, ‘It takes a community,’ and I firmly believe in it. I had so much support from everyone around me. I drew strength from all of them, ”said Mason. “People would tell me you are so strong. And I am strong, and that is clear to me now, but I have fed on the strength of everyone around me. “
Mattalynn Mason is the winner of the Bank of Utah 2021 My Utah Photo Contest with this selfie in Buckskin Gulch, Utah, date not given | Photo courtesy Bank of Utah, St. George News
For those struggling with a cancer journey or trying to support loved ones who have cancer, it is hard to know what to say. Mason advises others to be there, support them, take it day in and day out, and help them get through this.
The second place photo, which shows a view of Capitol Reef, was taken by Rachel Ross of Salt Lake City. She received $ 300 for her work. Marc Vatsend from West Valley was awarded third place for $ 200 for his photo with a different perspective of Capitol Reef. These and other photos submitted to the My Utah contest may appear in other Bank of Utah advertisements in the coming months, including a 2022 wall calendar.
According to Megan Kenley, communications marketing specialist at the Bank of Utah, the “My Utah” photo competition is taking place for the second time. “We asked people what Utah means to them. We pride ourselves on being a community bank, so we wanted to feature local photographers, ”she said.
This year there were more submissions and a larger selection of photos. “We have been incredibly impressed with the images that our customers and friends have submitted,” said Douglas L. DeFries, President and CEO of Bank of Utah. “It is our privilege to share these beautiful photos taken by talented people in communities in our state. We plan to make this an annual tradition. “
The public can see electronic billboards with the winning photo along Corridor I-15 from Ogden to St. George. To see the photos submitted, visit this website and visit Bank of Utah on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The competition runs from July to September each year. To follow Mason, go to their website.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.
Stephanie DeGraw joined the St. George News team in October 2021.
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