Top photos of the year

A look back on 2014 through the Fulton Sun's favorite images

December 30, 2014 at 11:58 p.m. | Updated December 30, 2014 at 11:58 p.m.

"Super" Sam Santhuff's mother, Cassie Santhuff, places Sam's 13-and-a-half foot long strand of beads around his neck Friday, March 7 at St. Louis Children's Hospital among family and friends after he received what was believed to be his final chemotherapy treatment. The beads carry different meanings, each representing a moment in Sam's battle to beat cancer. At the time, Sam's necklace contained eight glassy beads which symbolized eight times Sam displayed an act of courage. The young boy, 5 when this photo was taken, relapsed shortly after being deemed cancer free in March and continued his fight to "kick cancer's butt," as he said time and time again. Throughout his 13-month journey, Sam became an inspiration and real-life hero to those in Callaway County and beyond. He passed away in September, but his family and supporters continue to keep his dream of helping children facing illness going with the Super Sam Foundation. To learn more, go to Facebook and search "SuperSam's Heroes."
"Super" Sam Santhuff's mother, Cassie Santhuff, places Sam's 13-and-a-half foot long strand of beads around his neck Friday, March 7 at St. Louis Children's Hospital among family and friends after he received what was believed to be his final chemotherapy treatment. The beads carry different meanings, each representing a moment in Sam's battle to beat cancer. At the time, Sam's necklace contained eight glassy beads which symbolized eight times Sam displayed an act of courage. The young boy, 5 when this photo was taken, relapsed shortly after being deemed cancer free in March and continued his fight to "kick cancer's butt," as he said time and time again. Throughout his 13-month journey, Sam became an inspiration and real-life hero to those in Callaway County and beyond. He passed away in September, but his family and supporters continue to keep his dream of helping children facing illness going with the Super Sam Foundation. To learn more, go to Facebook and search "SuperSam's Heroes."

Before the new year begins tomorrow, the Fulton Sun reflected on 2014 and the best photos from the year.

Our favorite photo from 2014 was one of "Super" Sam Santhuff - a 6-year-old Fulton boy who inspired Callaway County and beyond throughout his 13-month battle against cancer. Santhuff passed away in September, but he continues to serve as a real-life hero for many. His family and supporters have also established an organization in his honor - Super Sam Foundation - that will serve children facing life-altering illnesses.

The top photo for 2014 shows Sam's mother, Cassie Santhuff, placing a string of beads around Sam in March on what was believed to be his final day of chemotherapy. Each bead represented a moment in Sam's journey, and the strand measured to more than 13 feet. It contained eight glassy beads at the time. Glassy beads symbolize a moment Sam displayed an act of courage.

Sam's faith and relationship with God helped him through his fight. The back of "Super" Sam shirts adorn his favorite Bible verse, Philippines 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

"He's walked blindly by faith," Cassie Santhuff said in March.

For more on the Sam and the Super Sam Foundation, click here.

To view the photo of Sam and more of our favorites from 2014, click on the slideshow below.