December 27, 2019

Photos of the Year

Photojournalists at the Southeast Missourian share their best news and features images of 2019. Head to semoball.com for our best sports images of the year.

Southeast Missourian photography staff

Donna Sinclair smiles while dancing with her husband, Rick, during the final day of Homecomers Saturday, July 27, 2019, in Uptown Jackson.

Carrie Walker has her picture taken by Justin Dambach, both from Jackson and now living in Cape Girardeau, next to a picture of Marvel Comics character Captain America on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, on High Street in Jackson. On Saturday, former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, co-creator of the character Wolverine and Jackson native Roy Thomas met with fans at the Cape Girardeau County History Center in Jackson.

Principal Lance McClard talks with first-grader Jacob Tucker during a classroom visit Friday, March 15, 2019, at North Elementary School in Jackson.

Murray Sullivan works on a boxing exercise during the Parkinson's program at the Christian Boxing Academy Friday, March 22, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Robert Duckworth, 102, poses for a portrait at the Missouri Veterans Home on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. Duckworth served in the United States Army from 1945-1946. "The most important lesson [I learned] was try to treat everybody like humans instead of fighting them," Duckworth said.

Anna Ricci portrays the role of Jasmine from Disney's "Aladdin" Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

A cast member is silhouetted before going on during opening night of the spring musical production of "Hello Dolly" at Notre Dame Regional High School Thursday, April 4, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Third grader Jaymaia Ivory pies Charity Owens in the face at Clippard Elementary School on Friday, April 5, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. Students earned votes for which teacher(s) would get pied in the face when they brought in donations to raise money for their end-of-the-year play day that is free to students. Through students and other donations, the school raised $550 toward their play day activities.

Scott City sophomore Ethan Pratt sports an American flag vest while dancing during Scott City's prom Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Deerfield Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

Allie Cook of Cape Girardeau, 4, attempts to catch the ball while working on her tee-ball skills with her twin sister, Abbie Cook, and grandparents, Steve and Easy Stilson of Cape Girardeau, on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau. Easy said the twins will have their first tee-ball league practice Wednesday.

Leigh Ragsdale, principal of Jefferson Elementary School, gets a hand massage from first grade students Jonathan Garcia, 6, left, and Bre Walker, 7, right, during the trade show Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at Jefferson Elementary in Cape Girardeau. The trade show was one phase of an ongoing pilot project surrounding Jefferson Elementary's project-based learning style. Through this learning style, the first graders learn money skills, social studies and other communication skills with reflections and persuasive essays. "A really cool part of it, too, is that the kids have been meeting all [of] their learning targets through the project," Kelley Branch said. The students learned about goods and services, which is why they offered massages; as well as, learned about wants and needs.

Harlem Globetrotters' "Sky" (28) reaches for the ball in an attempt to dunk against the Washington Generals during their matchup at the Show Me Center Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Emily Medlock puts socks on her son, Phoenix Young, 2, before taking him outside to play at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Phoenix Young, 2, laughs as he receives goodnight kisses from his "Mimi" Missy Medlock at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Emily Medlock receives a kiss from her son, Phoenix Young, 2, at the conclusion of the Cape Central High School Class of 2019 Commencement on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

Pamela Woodrow, of Advance, kisses her husband's headstone at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield on Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Bloomfield, Missouri. "I always have to kiss him before I leave," Pamela said.

The Scott County All-Stars put their hands together before the start of the championship game of the 2019 Kelso 11U Showdown on Sunday, June 2, 2019, in Kelso. The team defeated the SEMO Cardinals 5-2. "Just trying to make kids better. That's all we're trying to do," head coach Matt Asher said. "Winning obviously makes everything a little bit better, but we're just trying to do things right."

Gracie Salazar, 2, of Cape Girardeau, holds a worm during a Youth Catch & Release fishing event Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau. "This is the first time my two's been fishing," Gracie's mother Lacy Salazar said. "First time they caught a fish." The event was hosted by Cape Girardeau Parks & Recreation and the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

Illinois National Guard member Michael Sheppard helps other Guard members build up existing sandbag barriers to hold back floodwaters Monday, June 10, 2019, along Brookwood Drive in East Cape Girardeau, Illinois.

Chase Groshong of Troy, Missouri, and Madison Mingione of Perryville, Missouri, left, react to the St. Louis Blues claiming the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins 4-1 in Game 7 on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, while watching the event at Dogwood Social House in Cape Girardeau. This was the first time the St. Louis Blues claimed the Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Caretaker Josh Hepler is seen in the kitchen near an air-conditioning unit, dehumidifier and antique wood stove Thursday, June 13, 2019, at the Glenn House in Cape Girardeau.

Arleen Tipsword, who at age 90 believes herself to be the oldest member of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, takes a brick as a souvenir from the remains of the church Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri. "It's heartbreaking," Tipsword said of the building that was destroyed in a fire during Friday afternoon's storm. "I met my husband here in this church." She believes it was 1978 when she first attended the church where she would marry her husband in 1985. "I mean this is most wonderful church family that we can depend on," she said.

A student leaps into a hug with Jefferson Elementary principal Leigh Ragsdale in the hallway between classes Friday, Jan 18. 2019, at the school in Cape Girardeau. 

Jimini Smoot, center, laughs while fishing with Jeremiah Twiggs, left, Malachi Smoot, background, and Warren Eanes, far right, on a lake Thursday, June 27, 2019, near the Castor River in Bollinger County. The boys are members of the Honorable Young Men Club, a mentorship program started by former Southeast Missouri State University football players that partners with the Cape Girardeau school district to provide at-risk students with guidance and positive role models. The club camping trip was in part intended to help foster an appreciation for nature in the boys, some of whom hadn't been camping before.

Cindy Laymon, right, and her son Jesse Laymon-Sheffer, both of East Cape Girardeau, Illinois, walk back to the community from their parked vehicle Tuesday, July 9, 2019, through a flooded portion of Illinois Route 146 between the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge and the edge of East Cape Girardeau. The mother and son have been parking a vehicle at the edge of floodwaters to travel to work in Cape Girardeau. "We have come to work every day so it's at least two trips [through the water]," Cindy said of their routine for most days.

Willow Rieger, 6, yells "children don't belong in cages!" to a passing vehicle while demonstrating with dozens of other protesters Friday, July 12, 2019, at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau. The demonstration was held to denounce controversial U.S. immigration policy as well as subpar conditions in migrant detention centers which have become a cultural flashpoint in recent weeks.

Dawson Jackson,15, center, backflips over his friend, Matthew Sturm, 16, as another friend, Christopher Mellon, 13, waches on the courthouse lawn during Homecomers Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in Uptown Jackson. The boys said they taught themselves how to do backflips, back handsprings and other acrobatics in their backyards over the past 5 years as a hobby. "It just looked cool," Jackson said.

Actors from left, Kaitlyn Mulcahy, Molly Jacobs, Makenna Wessel, Carlie Jacobs and Eva Kilburn get tangled up while practicing dance moves before a USO-themed performance put on by Between the Scenes studio during Homecomers Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in Uptown Jackson.

Illinois National Guard corporal Alyssa Artola, far left, crouches to inspect a group of frogs gathered atop a pile of sandbags as Illinois National Guard specialist Albert Cook, front right, attempts to remove a bag from the pile Sunday, July 28, 2019, in East Cape Girardeau, Illinois. "Well over 250,000 sandbags" were used in Alexander County in the East Cape Girardeau and McClure areas, according to Chris Pulley, coordinator of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's Region 11 in Marion.

Motorists cross over the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge on Monday, July 29, 2019, in East Cape Girardeau, Illinois. Seep water in Alexander County, Illinois, resulted in the closure of routes 3 and 146 between East Cape Girardeau and McClure, Illinois, for 36 days, from June 21 until July 26.

Water bounces off the face of Cape Central lineman Landon Pearson as he drinks from the hose during a summer workout Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau.

Briton Purl, 7, hangs from a tire swing in his front yard while his friend, Kaiden Thompson, 6, climbs above him Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Front three classmates from left: Robin Harbison of Cape Girardeau, Colette Banda of Jackson and Cristina Welker of Jackson take part in a riverfront yoga class while the American Queen is docked Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, along the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau.

TJ Merriman, 3, gets a fist-bump from St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Alex Reyes during the Cardinals Caravan event Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. 

Robert Laird, 10, closes his eyes while attempting to maintain his balance in the waters of the Mississippi River on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau. Joined by his 6-year-old friend Anthony Benson, Laird and Benson swam in the river during an afternoon rainstorm while his mother watched over the two.

Children play underneath a section of bleachers before the start of the the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, in Sikeston, Missouri. 

John-Ross Williams, 6, left, and Rylan Ryan, 7, both of Sikeston, Missouri, stand with the rest of the crowd for the playing of the national anthem at the start of opening night of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, in Sikeston.

Sikeston resident Mike McReynolds carries his 18-month-old granddaughter Rebekah Deane near the calf-roping chutes during the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, in Sikeston, Missouri. 

A racer runs his lawnmower across the finish line during a heat race on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at the Patton Saddle Club in Patton, Missouri. Many racers in the top tier swear that with about $10,000 in aftermarket modifications and a competent driver, a lawnmower can do highway speeds on the track. Wayne Goodwin, septuagenarian member of the Old Farts Racing Team, said that even though the only prize is a $7 plaque, racers pour money and time into their vehicles and risk serious bodily harm to win. "Because there's just nothin' like it," Goodwin said. "I'll never quit."

Tylan Mack, 4, sits at the concessions area with his father, Tyrone, after swimming Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at Cape Splash in Cape Girardeau.

Karter Casasola, 5, left, tries to fish from a rock while Ian Smollen, 9, kisses his bicep while playing with family on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, at Amidon Memorial Conservation Area near Fredericktown.

Notre Dame Regional High School former principal Brother David Anthony Migliorino, OSF, gazes upward while hugging Notre Dame alumnus and Mississippi River Radio operations manager Mike Renick during a send-off ceremony Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019, at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau. After more than 20 years as Notre Dame's principal, Migliorino marked his last day at the school Aug. 18 and began a new assignment -- principal of Saint Anthony's High School in South Huntington, New York.

Surrounded by the belongings her family was able to save from the flooding, Tracey Franklin reflects on memories of her son who drowned in the floodwaters, Robbin Christopher Franklin, as she poses for a portrait in her living room Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in McClure, Illinois.

Monday was 16 years since the birth of Madison Robinson; Tuesday was her funeral. Robinson died after being shot Aug. 24 on the front porch of her Cape Girardeau home. Scores turned out for Robinson's visitation and funeral Sept. 3, 2019, at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri. "I'll have people remember this day, today, that a 15-year-old girl is dead in our community," Robinson's cousin Alex Gilbert said. "If you want to remember her, remember her as somebody that shouldn't have died because of the gun violence." Pictured from left: Sunnyboy Mims, 7, and Randi Jones, 9, cousins of Robinson; and Misty Robinson, aunt of Madison, mourn with Martez Johnson (Madison's aunt who raised her), with head bowed, during Madison's services.

Elijah Baker, 15, of Birch Tree, Missouri, plays guitar while performing with his mother and siblings at the Bootheel Bluegrass Festival on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at the Bavarian Halle in Fruitland. 

Madison Robinson's stepmother Sheila Craig places a hand on Madison's casket next to Summar Haggerty, Craig's sister, shortly after the casket was loaded to be taken to the cemetery for burial Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri.

Raymond Ziegert adjusts the order of pool balls in a rack before beginning a game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, at M & J's pool hall and buy-and-sell in Marble Hill, Missouri. The venue has also been rumored to feature karaoke from time to time.

After running into a transparent funhouse wall, 3-year-old Lillian Prasun of Cape Girardeau continues in her attempts to navigate the mirror maze with her mother Hannah Wiggs on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, during the SEMO District Fair at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

A helper is silhouetted through an American flag while assisting in assembling the Avenue of Flags for Patriot Day on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at Cape Girardeau County Park North in Cape Girardeau.

Marcus Pair, 12, picks up his Real skateboard deck as Elliot Allen, 12, left, catches his balance while skating Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in a parking lot outside of Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau. "You used to be able to see [the brand name]," Pair said with a laugh while describing his worn-in skateboard.

Congregants from Methodist churches throughout the country gather for the 200th anniversary of Old McKendree Chapel on Sept. 22, 2019, at Old McKendree Chapel in Jackson.

A group of Cardinal's guardsmen engage in combat during a dress rehearsal of "The Three Musketeers" on Sept. 23, 2019, at Southeast Missouri State University's Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau.

The family of the late Marcus Dixon Jr. of Sikeston from left: cousin Johnnyla Jones, 8; cousin Bryce Brown, 3; cousin Destiny Brown, 11; cousin Ajaevia Mitchell, 12; stepson Naquavion Allen, 9; and son Kayden Dixon, 2; place signs, used in a "Stop the Violence" march earlier in the day, at a memorial for Dixon on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Sikeston, Missouri. The memorial is a few feet from the site on the street where Marcus's mother, Laurie Mitchell, said she found him dead after being shot seven times on the night of Feb. 18.

Jeremy Green, left, helps bag a catfish caught by Lanie Mills, 2, bottom right, as she crouches next to her brother, Ryley Mills, 3, during the third annual Fishing Rodeo hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 51 on Sept. 29, 2019, at Cape County Park North in Cape Girardeau. The 6.49 pound catfish was the largest catch of the event.

Bill Martin of Sikeston, Missouri, works to lift netting covering of Norton grapes Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. Winery co-owner Rob Bullock said the nets are to keep the birds away. Without the nets, he said birds will consume 500 pounds of grapes a day or more.

Tyler Myers of Cape Girardeau pays a visit to the edge of the Mississippi River as ice flows downstream Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Yellowjackets are seen on a Norton grape during picking Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. Winery co-owner Rob Bullock said when picking grapes they have to tolerate things like sunburns and bug bites. He said you have to want the wine more than the yellowjackets want the grapes.

Clockwise from left, Amya Patterson, 5, Justis Howell, 10, and Deandre Abraham, 2, bounce A'shon Howell, 3, below center, on a trampoline Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Lindsay Adams of Cape Girardeau gets covered in coloring during a group color toss at the Saint Francis Foundation's first Color Dash on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. Race coordinator Ashley Gentry said funds raised from the race go to the Dig for Life program which provides free screenings for the top four cancers in the area including lung, prostate, colon and breast. The dash consisted of a 5K race and a walking event.

A temporary tattoo depicting the Chaffee Red Devil (the local high school mascot) is seen on the forehead of Jazmine Sadler during Chaffee German Days on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at Frisco Park in Chaffee.

It's 2 a.m. To make it to his 4 a.m. shift at Hardee's, Nathan Stearns starts early, stepping quietly from his parents' porch onto the sidewalk to begin his morning routine: a 3.1-mile run across the border into Illinois and back. He cues up a YouTube video of a fighter he admires, one from Missouri, who talks about discipline and victory as Stearns shadowboxes under the streetlight to limber up in the quiet October chill. Just a few more weeks to go before his professional debut. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019.

Running crew head Isaah Williams awaits a cue while operating lights behind the set during a dress rehearsal of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, at the Richard D. Kinder Performance Hall in Cape Girardeau.

The music of Kirby Ray's band, Emaciation, he admitted, can at times be polarizing, considering its harshness, loudness and elaborate showmanship, but they try to incorporate riffs that might appeal to fans of more mainstream rock. I don't care about limits or boundaries on what people say our genre is," he said. "We create what we want." Local rock radio DJ Kirby Ray, left, performs with his metal band Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at a shed owned by Ray's friend, Kev Steger in Cape Girardeau. Also pictured is drummer Dustin Farrar.

Santa Claus, portrayed by Donnie LeGrand, bites into a Christmas cookie during a house call on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, in Scott City, Missouri. 

Smoke billows out of a grain silo as firefighters deploy a ladder truck to contain a working fire Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, at Midwest Grain and Barge in Scott City, Missouri. It was the second fire at the location in two weeks.

C.B. Forck of Forck's Lite Designs & Guttering adds a branch to a 30-foot Christmas tree Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in the courtyard of Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. Old Town Cape hosted its inaugural downtown Christmas tree lighting ceremony Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m., followed by complimentary beverages and snacks and holiday pictures.

Jecala Amos claps and encourages cousins Josie Oslund, 2, left, and Nora Oslund, 4, right, during her Monday morning "baby hop" class Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, at Dance City in Cape Girardeau.

Ginger Jaco, business office manager for the Monticello House in Jackson, works to untangle two snowflakes before the start of the 28th annual Parade of Lights on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

From left, siblings Sydney, Ayden, Irelynd and Sophey Bush collect candy during the 28th annual Parade of Lights on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Kyle Fields plays an electric guitar and sends remotely amplified notes ringing throughout South High Street while walking alongside the Jackson Audio & Music Supply float during the city's Christmas parade on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Jackson.

David Allstun of Jackson, dressed as Mr. Incredible, and Shehan Perera of Cape Girardeau fill their plates during a "Super Heroes Have a Heart for Children" lunch Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, at the Drury Plaza Hotel Conference Center in Cape Girardeau. Mary Burton, executive director of the Community Counseling Center Foundation, said proceeds from the event benefit the center's children's services. Burton said the event, in its second year, raised about $30,000 last year. The organization is hoping to raise $35,000 this year, she said.

Joda Grace Bess, 7, of Cape Girardeau, receives a kiss from her father David Bess while dancing during the 11th annual Father Daughter Dance on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. "It's always a really good time," David said about the dance which he has previously attended with his daughter. The event, with "The Wizard of Oz" as its theme, featured food, music, dancing and wands for participants.

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Photojournalists at the Southeast Missourian share their best news and features images of 2019. Head to semoball.com for our best sports images of the year.

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