A rose to the Caledonia High band, which for the first time in 33 years, has received all superior ratings from the Mississippi High School Activities Association. All superior ratings include the top score of in four categories: drum major, color guard, percussion and band. Band director Shelby Wilbanks credits the students and community support for the distinction, but Wilbanks’ contributions should not go unrecognized. In the five years he has served as band director, the band has almost doubled in size — from 48 members in 2017 to 90 members this year. The band held its final performance of the year on Saturday in Fulton, culminating five months of hard work. At a time when many schools across the country have reduced funding for music education, CHS should be an inspiration to those who believe music education is an important element of a well-rounded education. We applaud Wilbanks, the band members and supporters for this impressive achievement. 

A rose to Heritage Academy and George Hazard Jr., director of the Hazard Lecture Series, which will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Elementary School student activity building. The series began in 1992 and was established by the family of the late George Hazard Sr.

His son, George Hazard Jr. said after two years of live streamed programs, the event will return in person. The series is continuing its original theme of exploration with three subcategories: the voyage of the mind, the voyage from the past and the voyage of the artist. This year’s theme will focus on the artist as Starkville native Mattie Codling, director of collections and exhibitions at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs, speaks about the great Southern artist and museum namesake. Although born in New Orleans (1903), Anderson is most closely associated with the Mississippi Gulf Coast and its scenery, which served as the focus of Anderson’s prolific body of work, now recognized world-wide. We applaud the choice as a great opportunity for our community to learn about Anderson, our state’s most renowned artist.

A rose to organizers of the Golden Triangle’s Christmas parades. Although these parades are still a month-and-a-half away, organizers are hard at work in putting the plans together. These parades don’t just happen, after all. It takes months of planning. This year, Starkville’s parade will be the first to roll, set for Monday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. with the theme “Christmas Movie Magic.”  It will mark the city’s 50th Christmas parade. Beginning on Dec. 3, parade lovers can take in parades on three consecutive days. Caledonia will hold an evening parade on Dec. 3, followed by the Columbus Christmas Parade, which rolls at 3 p.m. the following day with the theme “Christmas Around the World.” West Point closes the local parades on the next day, an evening parade with the theme “A Cowboy Christmas.” When we think of Christmas celebrations, we often focus on our family and closest friends. These parades allow our communities to celebrate the Christmas season together. They’ve proven to be well-attended, fun and festive events. We thank all those who are now working behind the scenes to make these parades the success we know they will be.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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