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 Entergy Charitable Foundation, which recently awarded South Central Louisiana Technical College-River Parishes Campus a $25,000 grant. Besides coming at a time when budget cuts are stretching higher education institutions to their limits, the money will help fund a program aimed at keeping the college on the cutting edge of “green technology.”

• The East St. John High School boys basketball team, which finished district play undefeated and clinched the District 6-5A title. The team is the first boys basketball team in school history to be undefeated in district play.

• Stephen P. Flynn and daughter Megan E. Flynn, who will reign over this year’s Krewe du Monde parade in LaPlace as king and queen. The pair will be officially presented at the 32nd Krewe du Monde Ball on Saturday, March 5.

• Wallace native Rachel Clark, who overcame a life-threatening accident at the age of 3. Clark beat the odds and is about to begin training for a career in medicine at Morehouse College.