lily dozier

Cooper County Fire Captain Nathan Brandes, left, and Lieutenant Jeff Jackson, top right, stand in the grain bin of a combine and work with firefighter David Schmidt to put out the fire in the bin on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Wooldridge, Mo. A fire that started in this combine on Saturday burned over 3,000 acres of land. The fire razed 23 buildings, or approximately half of Wooldridge, a small village that sits along the Missouri River. “We have smaller natural cover fires, but normally we don’t have to deal with sustained winds like this,” Brandes said. He said they would probably have another few days working in Wooldridge if the wind did not calm down.

From left, Blue Springs South students Lilly Nutter, Hayden Robertson, Colby Garcia and Alex Saddler laugh between competition on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 at Lewis & Clark Middle School in Jefferson City, Mo. Nutter said she was feeling “fantastic” about the event.

Lizzie Kalinka sits in her family's pew on Friday, May 6, 2022, at the church she attended growing up in Dalton, Mo. The church closed in 2019 due to a flood, but Lizzie bought it and is hoping to fix it up by August so the community can continue using it.

My brother sleds toward my dad on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2023 at a snow park on Livingston Mountain in Washington. My family tries to go sledding once a year when my brother and I are both home for the holidays.

A group of girls choose hats to wear during a tea party on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at Barb Kalberloh’s home in Jefferson City, Mo. Kalberloh said she has purchased the hats over the course of years for the tea parties she hosts. Her tea parties act as fundraisers for different organizations she supports.

Sixth grader Jeremiah James lets a snake slither through his hair on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at Jefferson Middle School in Columbia, Mo. "My mom's gonna make me take a shower when I get home. She hates snakes," Jeremiah said.

Peoples’ Defense founder Roy Lovelady gazes into a mirror on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at 360 Star Styling Studio in Columbia, Mo. Lovelady was an activist leader with Peoples’ Defense during the 2020 protests. In 2021, he ran for city council, tying with the incumbent. Months later, he won the follow up election.

My brother, Tanner, left, and my dad take a break from dirt biking for a portrait near Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. They've been trying to get me on a bike for years, but I'm still too afraid to join.

The Missouri Swim & Dive team participates in a bonding activity on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022 at Rock Bridge State Park in Columbia, Mo. The bonding event takes place every year. The team is divided into groups, which then participate in six stations to learn how to work together.

From left, Jackie Sample, Dawn Plank, Adrian Plank and Dylan Plank embrace after Adrian won the State Representative District 47 race with 52% of the vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at The Roof in Columbia, Mo. Four of the five Democratic candidates who ran for Boone County’s state House seats won their races. “This is insane to me,” said Dawn, who is Adrian’s wife. “We are over the moon right now.”

Rock Bridge sophomore Zack Steding helps freshman cheerleader Natalie Hayes adjust her medical boot on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo. Hayes, who needs six weeks off of cheer for her foot, said "it's horrible" being injured.