Each Wednesday, L’Observateur recognizes individuals and businesses in the River Parishes who have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.

We believe an integral part of a community’s wellbeing is an attitude and arena where people who do good things … who work to improve life for others … who try to make a difference … are recognized and saluted.

This week we salute:

• Reserve native Renee Lapeyrolerie, who was recently name executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party.

Lapeyrolerie has worked on numerous political campaigns both locally and nationally and is the granddaughter of Frank Lapeyrolerie, who was a local political force in his own right in the mid-20th century.

• Mitchell Hicks, Jerome Devare, Melanie Story, Louis Adams and Dwight Johnson, who recently represented Louisiana at the National Special Olympics in Nebraska.

The five local athletes all took home gold medals.

• Natalie Tatje, the LaPlace resident who was recently honored by her alma mater, Cabrini High School of New Orleans, as the Alumna of the Year for 2010.

• The veterans of the River Parishes, who were recently honored by a visit from Gov. Bobby Jindal, who handed out more than 500 medals in a ceremony Thursday.