Each Saturday, 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:

• ST. JOHN PARISH SCHOOL OFFICIALS, who did their research to find students who needed help in preparing for this week’s state tests and then developed and implemented a plan to help them succeed.

• BRANDI JEFFREY, sophomore standout on the ST. JAMES HIGH girl’s basketball team, on being named to the LOUISIANA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION CLASS 2A ALL-STATE TEAM.

• Player’s selected to L’Observateur’s 2009 All-Parish basketball teams. Named to the boys’ team was MVP CEDRIC JENKINS (Reserve Christian), DEMARCUS BERNARD (St. Charles), KELTH CAMERON (East St. John), ALTON JOSEPH (West St. John), MALCOM LAGO (East St. John) and CHRIS ROUSSELL (Reserve Christian).

Named to the girls’ team was MVP MECHEL’LE THOMAS (East St. John), BROOKE BECKER (St. Charles), DAYSHA BLOUNT (Reserve Christian), LAUREN DOYLE (Riverside), KLYA MORRIS (West St. John) and eighth-grader SHANTELL PABLO (West St. John).

• ST. JOHN THEATRE, on hosting the second annual SOUTHERN ARTS FEDERATION SHORT CIRCUIT FILM FESTIVAL tonight at 7 at the theatre.

• MECHEL’LE THOMAS, of East St. John’s Lady Cats, on being named to the LOUISIANA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION CLASS 5A ALL-STATE TEAM for the fourth straight year.

• ST. JOHN PARISH SCHOOLS SPELLING BEE WINNERS, on earning the right to advance to state.