The Nocona High School cheerleaders competed at National Cheerleader Association contest last week and took seventh place and earning a bid to Nationals on Jan. 23-25 in Dallas. The bid is based on their scores at the contest and their camp competition results said Rebecca Wilson, squad coordinator. . They competed in a division against 5A and 6A schools, and they held their own. The squad right now will focus on University Interscholastic League competition on Jan. 16 in Fort Worth. This was their first year for NCA. Members are: (Back) Emma Sentell-Gomez, Dellah Wright, Jessie Howard, Charity Claxton, Tinley Cable, Lexi Romine, Kaylie Rico and Kaeley Delafuente. (Front) Emory Cauhen, Braci Brown and Ashlyn Brown. (courtesy photo)

Santa Claus arrived in style for the Forestburg Community Christmas events on Saturday night that included a lighted parade. There were activities all day including a chili cookoff and gingerbread house building contest. (Courtesy photo)

Volunteers helped the Bowie Amity Club lay more than 700 live evergreen Christmas wreaths on the graves of all the veterans in Elmwood Cemetery. This was the fifth year for the Amity Club to host Wreaths Across America, a nationwide program supported by their local communities through sponsorships.

A special wreath was laid to represent each branch of the United States military and were placed by volunteers from the community. John M. McCoy of Bowie, veteran of the United States Army was the guest speaker and shared his experiences. (Top photo)