EachWednesday, L’Observateur recognizes individuals and businesses in the River Parishes that have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work and play.

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:

 • St. John the Baptist school system employees Carolyn Young, Jo Ann Byers and Teckla Holder, who were recently named support staff employees of the year at a recent school board meeting. Young is a paraprofessional at Garyville/ Mt. Ary Magnet, Byers is the cafeteria manager at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary and Holder is a paraprofessional at East St. John High School.

• Riverside Academy Students Heather Cancienne, Martin Avalos and Susan Landry, who recently brought home awards from the State Literary Rally in Baton Rouge. Cancienne placed fourth in physics, Avalos placed third in Spanish I, and Landry placed second in family and consumer science.

• River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace, where the staff recently celebrated the facility’s 30th anniversary with a community celebration on the hospital grounds.