On the front row, Joella Weekly, 6, Kirksey Heard, 7, and Elijah Turner, 7, sing at the Heritage Academy Elementary School Christmas program in Columbus Dec. 14. Joella is the daughter of Patrick and Ashley Weekly. Kirksey's parents are Richard and Katie Heard. Elijah is the son of Mike and Lea Turner of Amory. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Ryleigh Ward, 3, explains a few things to Santa (Sidney Runnels) and Miz Claus (Edwina Williams) at Mississippi University for Women's Festival of Trees Dec. 5. "My elf, Jolly, and me wrote you a note. I want 'Hello, Kitty,' and the boys at school are being mean," said Ryleigh, the daughter of Jeremy Ward and Cassady Bovee. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Singing Christmas carols in MSU's Chapel of Memories Dec. 15 are, in front, Rima Musser, with Lee Ware and Charles Weatherly in the background. At right are MSU seniors Kayla Mattox and Jamie Wilburn of Mantachie. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Abigail Musser, 17, center, plays violin with her father, Fred Musser on trumpet, and sister, Mississippi State freshman Shanika Musser on clarinet, during Carols in the Chapel at the Chapel of Memories on the MSU campus Dec. 15. Abigail's and Shanika's mother is Rima Musser of Starkville. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Evie Shannon, 5, places canned goods wrapped in white at the altar during the White Christmas Pageant at First United Methodist Church in Columbus Dec. 17. Evie is the daughter of Brittany Morgan. Photo by: Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff

Conner Beard, 4, gives Santa (Jim Sutherland) a fist bump at MTV Church in Columbus Dec. 10, after asking for a PJ Mask Headquarters. Conner's parents are Josh Beard and Jessica Stewart. Photo by: Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff

Levi Pugh, 3, decorates a gingerbread house at his friend's home in Columbus Dec. 10. Levi is the son of Ian Pugh and Bryndi Kelso. Photo by: Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff

Cook Elementary students, from left, J.T. Straughter, Maximus White, Kaley Weems and Mickiyah Williams beam after receiving new books for their own home libraries from My Book of Lowndes County volunteers Debbie Swartz, far left, and Jo Shumake, at right, earlier this month. Photo by: Courtesy photo

Four-year-olds Harris Griffin and Abigail Hall lead friends from Main Street Christian School down the Seventh Street North sidewalk to deliver Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to First Baptist Church in November. Harris is the son of Josh and Meredith Griffin. Abigail's parents are Justin and Elizabeth Ann Hall. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Kate Ross Miller, 2, ties a bow on the presents at her home in New Hope Wednesday evening. Her parents are Robert and Jeanie Miller. Photo by: Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff

Garrett Whitehurst, center, notes the finer points of John Wilson's attire at the Starkville Young Professionals Tacky Christmas Sweater party Dec. 14 at Central Station Grill. Wilson's wife, Tiffany Wilson, listens in. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Lila Lamm, 6, shows off her dog "Cuddles" during the Stuffed Animal Slumber Party drop-off at the Starkville Public Library Dec. 13. At left is Lila's 4-year-old sister, Caroline, and Children's Librarian Christina Jurusik. The girls' parents are Mitch and Trish Lamm of Starkville. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff