More than three decades ago, Beaufort County Hospital began hosting its holiday Lights of Love celebration.

That tradition continues this Christmas season as the facility, now Vidant Beaufort Hospital, marks the 32nd year of the festivities.

There’s a new tree of lights, deemed necessary when a hospital expansion brought about the removal of the older tree. But most of the components remain in place, including the ever-popular holiday art exhibit featuring works by school students from throughout Beaufort County.

Dozens of art pieces line a ground-floor corridor, providing a bit of holiday joy to the hospital and bringing smiles from patients, staff and visitors who pause to admire the paintings.

Madilynn Moore, a second-grade student attending Chocowinity Primary School, received the “best in show” award. In addition, the top three artists in each grade level were recognized and are as follows:

Kindergarten — Terrance Jackson, Chocowinity Primary, first; Ella Nelson, Northeast Elementary, second; Nasir Cobb, Eastern Elementary, third;

First grade — Adrian Dudley, Washington Montessori, first; Zhakarra Bailey, Chocowinity

Primary, second; Lilly Suggs, S.W. Snowden Elementary, third;

Second grade — Yasmin Ramirez, J.C. Tayloe Elementary, first; Elyn Buck, Chocowinity Primary, second; Mallory Robinson, Bath Elementary, third;

Third grade — Zeke Blackmon, Washington Montessori, first; Haylee Caudill, Bath Elementary, second; Harrison Hopkins, Northeast Elementary, third;

Fourth grade — Lesly Resendiz, John Small Elementary, first; Graham Wynne, Bath Elementary, second; Kenberly Adams, S.W. Snowden Elementary, third;

Fifth grade — Alyssa Whitted, Bath Elementary, first; Kiley Jackson, Northeast Elementary, second; Melanie Lopez, John Small Elementary, third.