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. James High School girls basketball team, which has made it to the girls Top 28 tournament for the first time in school history. The Wildcats were defeated in the quarterfinals round during the last two seasons.

• Area IHOP restaurants, which offered free pancakes yesterday as a part of National Pancake Day. The special was meant to encourage patrons to make donations for the benefit of Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.

• Raj Pannu, who is in the process of resurrecting the neighborhood watch program in the Belle Terre section of LaPlace. The local businesswoman is president of the Belle Terre Civic Association.

• Sean Thomas, Aubrey Stewart and Corey Samuel Jr., who were named St. John the Baptist Parish students of the year for the 2010-11 school year. Each was chosen from a pool of students of the year from every public school in the parish to represent his grade level at the regional competition.