Each Wednesday, 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:

• Garyville resident Aleigha Shay Martin, who recently earned a spot on the New Orleans Hornets’ junior dance team known as the Stingers. Martin is a fifth-grader at St. Joan of Arc and is a dancer at Aimee’s Dance Academy in LaPlace. Martin was one of 20 children to make the team out of 100 who auditioned.

• St. James residents Lexie Breaux, Asenath Francis and Sarah Lambert, who recently earned college scholarships from Motiva Enterprises. Breaux, Francis and Lambert are the daughters of employees at the Motiva Convent refinery and were among 13 students chosen nationwide to receive the scholarship. The girls were awarded $2,500 per year for up to four academic years.

• Representatives from Marathon Petroleum’s Garyville refinery, who spent time recently donating school bags and school supplies to students at East St. John Elementary and Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet. Each school was presented with 90 school bags and a host of supplies for the school year.

• St. John Parish native Jamar Pierre, who recently came to the St. John Council on Aging to provide art lessons for seniors in the area. Pierre helped residents paint fleur de lis images on canvas.