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 St. John Parish 4-H Club for a successful first annual livestock show on the grounds of St. Peter School in Reserve. Students of various ages competed in the program and presented swine they had been tending over several months.

• Students of Sibley’s Taekwondo Academy of LaPlace, who recently held a “Break-a-thon” fundraiser to benefit St. Jude Hospital. The students showed off their martial arts skills by breaking boards in various ways.

• Garyville firefighter Shaine Hymel, who was named Firefighter of the Year at the volunteer fire department’s annual banquet. Hymel is a recent graduate of the LSU Fire and Emergency Training Institute in Baton Rouge and has various firefighter certifications.

•LaPlace resident Nicole Tregre, an avid runner who recently qualified to run the Boston Marathon in April. Tregre qualified for the race after completing the Memphis St. Jude Marathon with a time of 3 hours and 16 minutes.