LEFT : Multi-colored lights on the trees along Main Street are offset by white lights outlining the buildings and the angel at First Christian Church , creating a colorful drive through downtown London each Christmas season .
BELOW : Jayna Alexander and Joyce Nicely were two participants in the 2023 Farmers Feast . Meat and vegetables are steamed together in large barrels , then served in a large trough . The event is a fundraiser to assist a local charity and a scholarship fund honoring a former Extension Office leader . A cake / dessert auction furthers the fundraising efforts . | Photos by Nita Johnson
rel County . For the first time ever , all of the Laurel County School District ’ s elementary schools were ranked in the “ blue ” category , which is the highest scoring level . Both North and South Laurel Middle and High Schools achieved the “ green ” level , which is the second highest performance level - and again , a first that all 4 schools earned that ranking in the same year . Sublimity Elementary made school , local and statewide attention by ranking as the top scoring elementary school in the state .
East Bernstadt Independent School also performed well , with both the elementary and the middle school earning the “ blue ” ranking , and is the first time that both schools have achieved that level in the same year . East Bernstadt also had two teachers selected as the “ Teacher of the Year ” by Campbellsville University ’ s Excellence in Teaching awards . In November , East Bernstadt Independent School was named a “ Family Friendly School ” from the Prichard Committee ’ s Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools . It is the first school in Laurel County to receive that honor .
2023 was also an outstanding year in sports . North Laurel High School sent both the girls and boys teams to the KHSAA state basketball tournaments in March , with NLHS Boys basketball star , Reed Sheppard , being named as 2023 Mr . Kentucky Basketball . Sheppard was also selected for the Mc- Donald ’ s All Star tournament and is already a standout player in his freshman year for the University of Kentucky men ’ s basketball team .
South Laurel Middle and High Schools also had a successful year , with several athletic teams achieving honors . The SLHS Cardinal Marching Band also qualified to participate in the KMEA State Championship and finished 4th .
The fine arts arena also got a boost in 2023 . Millstone Community Theatre Guild and Tri-County Mystery Meets both held multiple performances in 2023 . Millstone Community Theatre Guild was established in mid-2022 but continued its mission to provide fine arts education and performances with