The K-Named Class At Davidson Elementary

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Before I get into my first column of 2026, I have a holdover 2025 Christmas-related shout-out that I didn’t quite have time to squeeze in until now. I’d like to give a public round of applause to DES third grade teacher Ms. Smith who teaches – in one class, mind you – students named Khyliee, Kailey, Kasen, Kaizie, Kyson and Kinsley.

I noticed this striking phenomenon last month when reading the Herald’s annual publication of DES students’ Santa Claus letters. That’s a lot of K-named kids in one class! What administrator did this to poor Ms. Smith? Was it a dare to assign her that many K children? Was it by request or revenge? What happened to all the other letters of the alphabet the year these kids were born? Did they run off?

Either way, I know Ms. Smith stays tongue-tied and the K-kids are all cute as can be — even though I worry they might feel empowered by their sheer numbers and form a gang of cute-named mini-people. I bet I can predict the winner of a class poll for “Favorite Letter of the Alphabet”.

It’s a new year and I hope everyone is having a happy one so far! I hate that I missed the great New Year’s Eve Crappie Drop in Pocket Park down on Main Street. I know it was cold but a good time, nonetheless. I had planned to attend and report about it in this column but I rang in the New Year two states away and asleep-ish, I think. I barely remember.

I’ve been in a hospital room in Georgia since December 29th helping my dad get a handle on this absolutely vicious flu strain going around. Thankfully, I’m pretty sure we’re going to bust jail this week as he finally had his “turn the corner” day that happens in recovery. So, for me, the best part of 2026 has already happened! My dad made it! Nothing will beat that for the rest of the year.

But a few days before that future became so clear, I jumped up and down in celebration at my dad’s hospital bedside while we watched a fuzzy-screened 2012-model TV show the Ole Miss kicker land a game-winning field goal. It doesn’t get much better than an alive parent in combination with the Ole Miss Rebels winning the Sugar Bowl on the first day of the year! I’ll stay thankful for a long time for that well-timed reason to cheer and celebrate with my dad.

I hope everyone has picked a New Year’s resolution! I’m a big fan of New Year’s resolutions even though I fail at them. I enjoy the exercise of trying something new (which, coincidentally, is often a literal exercise) and eventually calling it quits. One or two of my New Year’s resolutions over time have stuck, though, and been life changing. Others, not so much. I’ve finally given up on my annual Do-Some-Yoga-Every-Day resolution. It’s too boring as I’m not cut out for that level of chill.

If you’re looking for a resolution then consider joining the daily around-town walkers of Water Valley! It’s a great walking town, full of opportunities to wave at people. If your New Year’s resolution is to “wave more” or “say ‘Good morning!’ more” then walking the streets of Water Valley is for you!