Each Wednesday, L’Observateur will recognize 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 that 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 EDUCATORS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, who spent the final day before students returned to classes after the Christmas holidays conducting and attending professional development workshops. Many of the workshops dealt with improving communication strategies between educators, administrators, parents and students.

• EAST ST. JOHN HIGH SCHOOL, which recently unveiled a banner in its gymnasium renaming the space “Coach Troy C. Giordano Memorial Gym.” At the ceremony, which was postponed from an earlier date, the school presented the the sons of Giordano, who was killed last year in an automobile accident, with plaques commemorating their father. Giordano was the winningest coach in River Parishes history.

• ELOUISE DUHE, who is studying at the St. John Adult Education Center in Garyville for her GED. The 67-year-old great-grandmother said while getting her diploma is a personal goal of hers, it is just as fulfilling to be a positive role model to the younger students in the class. Duhe plans to take the GED test in February.

• THE RIVER REGION ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL, which recently handed out over 30 grants to various organizations throughout the River Parishes. The money they awarded will go toward funding cultural events, from theater productions to cultural presentations to musical performances, in the coming year.