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:

• Marie Brown-Mercadel, who will be taking over as the Chief Administrative Officer in St. John Parish next week. Brown-Mercadel has worked with Parish President Natalie Robottom before and has also had to rescue organizations from turmoil, so her presence should be a positive one for the parish.

• The sophomores at West St. John High School, who had a busy day Thursday. Many of the members of the class had to present final projects for both their entrepreneurship and English classes, but they did not let the pressure get to them as most delivered well-considered projects worthy of students well beyond their years.

• The New Life Thrift Store, which reopened its doors on May 8 after being closed for renovations. The new space allows for a more extensive inventory, which will aid the organization from a fiscal perspective in its primary objective of rescuing area women from abusive situations.

• Courtney Western, the St. Charles Catholic senior who was named St. John’s Parish’s Most Valuable Player in Saturday’s edition of L’Observateur. Western helped lead the Comets softball team to a state runner-up title this season.