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.

Because this is a salute to members of the community of the entire River Parishes, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• The hundreds of St. John the Baptist Parish residents who turned out last Saturday to pick up trash during the fourth annual Clean Sweep. The initiative to keep the region litter free seems to be working as many who came out reported seeing less litter than in previous

years.

• Students in the East St. John High School Visually Talented Arts Program for embracing their inner artist and putting it on display. The students showed off their works Wednesday night at the high school’s annual art show.

• The Wetland Watchers Program of St. Charles Parish for their continued efforts to raise awareness of conservation in the region. The group held its annual celebration at the recently opened Wetland Watchers Park in Norco.

• The St. Charles Catholic High School softball team for earning a trip to Sulphur for the state softball tournament with a win over the Sterlington Panthers last week. The Comets will now face either Sacred Heart-Ville Platte or district rival John Curtis in the tournament this weekend.