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:

• Hailey Keller of Paulina, Catherine Monica of LaPlace and Chelsey Hymel of St. Charles. The three took first, second and third place, respectively, at the state Sugar Queen Pageant in New Iberia. As Sugar Queen, Keller will now attend other statewide pageants and will also be a part of the Washington D.C. Mardi Gras Celebration.

• Ellen Grant, a social worker at the St. John the Baptist Parish Alternative School in Reserve. Grant helped organize the etiquette restaurant as a way to teach proper manners and formal etiquette to students involved at the school.

• Michelle Nailor Octave, a St. James Parish resident who recently introduced the Girls Inspiring Girls program to the St. James School Board. Octave said the group targets adolescent girls, ages 9 to 14, and offers them a network through which they can learn life values and inspire others.

• Organizers for the 31st annual Alligator Festival in Luling for putting on another successful festival in St. Charles Parish. Crowds packed the festival grounds at the west bank bridge park under the Hale Boggs Bridge to indulge in music, food and carnival rides.