Six-year-old James Hitchner looks back at his mom after seeing his new haircut in the mirror during the SoZo Kids Back to School Bash for underprivileged kids on August 10, 2024, at Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church in Silver Springs.
Hayley Steed and Lilly Liu, The Villages High School students, pose for pictures and celebrate after receiving their associate degrees on May 3, 2024 at Lake Sumter State College.
Steve Rockey, of Wildwood, vice president of the Sumter County Beekeeper Club, inspects a bee hive he recently removed from a home in The Villages on August 1, 2024, at his home in Wildwood.
David Jarvis, of the Village of Bonita, reaches for the wall after completing a lap of back stroke during The Villages Aquatic Swim Team (VAST) practice on June 27, 2024, at Mulberry Recreation.
Jeff Drummond, left, talks to Mike Rosenbaum as they come out of their rooms at the Davis Motel for some fresh air in the evening about four months after the East Palestine train derailment. They both live less than a mile from the derailment site and have been staying at the Davis Motel since.
Chance Foxworth, left, wipes his tears as Kayden Grey lays his head on his desk in their first grade class during their first day of school on Aug. 14, 2024, at Wildwood Elementary School.
Fifteen-year-old Aydn Evertt, from left, watches as sixteen-year-old AJ Tennell and eighteen-year-old SJ Young play basketball at the Sumter Community Action Partnership (CAP) summer night activity on July 11, 2024, at the Sumter Youth Center in Bushnell.
Justice, Britney’s five year old daughter, watches tv at her grandma’s house after getting home from kindergarten on a cold day in December, a few days before the two year anniversary of her mother's death.
Junior Abel Rivero, of The Villages High School, competes in the boys 200-yard freestyle during the meet against Tavares High School on Sept. 12, 2024, at The Villages High School.
Jami Wallace becomes emotional after the public health meeting with the EPA in East Palestine on Tuesday, June 20. She has been an active member in the community and advocating for their rights after the derailment, demanding the healthcare they deserve.
Marty Clements, left, and Kelly Lynch, both of the Village of Hawkins, dance to “Freedom” by Beyonce during the democratic golf cart parade in support of Vice President Kamala Harris on July 17, 2024, at Lake Sumter Landing.
Lily Keister, Kent State higher education master’s student, looks out the window in Pacifique Niyonzima’s living room. Pacifique invited us to his house for dinner on one of the last nights of the trip.
Fifteen-year-old Derick Diaz, a special needs rider and volunteer, takes a horse riding lesson with the horse, Theo, on Sept. 3, 2024, at Horses With a Mission in Groveland.
Sarah Schmidt laughs as Jordon, one of her students, throws her daughter off a rock into the pool in Kigali, Rwanda, on one of the off days after studying peace education.
Ten-year-old Dylan Emily holds up her hand in celebration after winning the kids watermelon eating contest at the Lady Lake Fourth of July event on Saturday, June 30, 2024, at the Guava Street Athletic Complex in Lady Lake.
A young girl looks up at her dog in the rural regions of Guaviare, Colombia, six years after the Colombian government signed a peace treaty to attempt to end a fifty year conflict.
Roger and Janet Walker stand in front of their home in East Palestine, Ohio, about four months after the Norfolk Southern train derailment disrupted their lives. Janet said she has had chemical burns on her lungs since the night of the derailment and is no longer able to stay in their home, which is located less than a mile from the derailment site.
Suzy Kyle, left, of the Village of Liberty Park, drives by Kim Shiley, of the Village of Marsh Bend, while she pumps her fist during the golf cart parade in support of Donald Trump on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Lake Sumter Landing.
Months after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the US EPA and Norfolk Southern contractors continue to clean up contaminated dirt, while regularly testing the air in town.
Kandace Jones, of Orlando, places a rose on her loved one’s, Master Detention Deputy Lynn Jones, memorial wreath at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Fallen Officer Memorial on May 7, 2024 outside the Lake County Courthouse.
Sue Toeroek, left, helps five-year-old Ellie Stimpson try on unicorn shoes while she volunteers with SoZo Kids during the Back to School Bash for underprivileged kids on August 10, 2024, at Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church in Silver Springs.
