Coming off the stage clutching a shiny trophy and a check for $700, Louann Dykes found herself surrounded by 40 little people and their parents.

&#8220She’s a hero tonight,” said Greg Barwick, father of two girls, Raylee, 8, and Shelby, 6, who comprised one of 13 choirs and individuals who took home a portion of $5,000 in prize money Friday night in the Second Annual V105.5 Christmas Caroling Contest, organized by the radio station and sponsored by Vicksburg Factory Outlets.

Dykes, who has been a music teacher at Redwood Elementary for 12 years, led the Young Singers, a group of children ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade, to a first-place finish in the Elementary School Choirs division. The prize money the group won will help pay for a much-needed sound system for Redwood.

Though everyone walked off the stage to whoops of cheers and their heads held high, it was still a night to celebrate for the Dykes’ red-shirted carolers.

&#8220We came in second place last year,” said Raylee with a beaming smile.

&#8220They’re great to work with. It makes all the practices on Thursday worth it,” Dykes said.

The voices of the Young Singers won their first-place prize with a spirited two-part harmony that began with &#8220Carol of the Angels” and wrapped up with &#8220Reindeer Rattle & Roll.”

Taking second place in the division was the third-grade choir at Bowmar Elementary, who warmed up for their rendition of &#8220Christmas Time Is Here” with a little Tai-Chi.

&#8220It helps them with concentration and breathing,” said director Joanne Ryan, who learned the relaxation technique in Asia while working with the U.S. Department of Defense.

In the High School and Adult Choirs division, the Word of Faith Christian Center’s Voices of Praise wowed the 200 or so in attendance in Warren Central High School auditorium with a rousing version of &#8220He is Still the Christ of Christmas,” one that the group of 20 finished off with a call-and-response that brought people to their feet.

Friday night’s finals wrapped up a contest that featured more than 50 soloists and groups of singers who signed up.

&#8220We’re just impressed with the talent we have this year, everyone from the school kids to the adults,” said Liz Porter, marketing director for the outlet center.

Mark Jones of V105.5, who started the contest here and modeled it after similar contests when he operated a station in Alexandria, La., said his hopes for growing the event lay simply in &#8220just getting the public to come out and see it.”

&#8220We keep it free because it brings people together,” Jones said.

Contestants competed in six divisions – Elementary School Choirs, Middle School Choirs, High School and Adult Choirs, Middle School Soloist and Small Groups, High School Soloist and Small Groups and Adult Soloist and Small Groups.

Judging this year’s contest were Barry Graham, communications director for the city of Vicksburg, the Rev. Michael Nation of The Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal, and Linda Gibbs of the Mississippi Music Educators Association.

THE WINNERS.

Division 1: Elementary School Choirs