One of the great things about working for a community newspaper is getting the chance to routinely tell the positive stories that make an area special.

Don’t get me wrong, plenty of negative news takes place and, we at L’OBSERVATEUR, will make sure to keep the community informed when serious crimes and important trials are taking place in the River Region.

All too often though, the perception is negative news dominates the media. While that may be the case with large, metro newspapers and regional television stations that only dip into the River Parishes for salacious headlines, it is not the approach we take.

We are made up of a staff that lives and works in the River Parishes. This is our home, and it is important we point out the positives with the enthusiasm such stories deserve.

Starting today and continuing with each Saturday edition moving forward, we are running a LOOKS BRIGHT feature, spotlighting positive pursuits of our youth, whether it be academic, community or athletic in nature.

If you haven’t read today’s feature on Young Marines Kenyatte Cannon, Da’Shawn August and Kenjatte Cannon, I urge you to take a look at it.

Kenyatte and Kenjatte are 15, and Da’Shawn is 16.

I had the pleasure of meeting the teenagers Wednesday morning, when they came by the newspaper’s office, joined by Brian Bertrand, unit commander for St. John Parish Young Marines.

The encouraging part of the process and what gives me so much hope for the trio’s development into adulthood was the composed and professional way they each handled the interview process.

As we all sat in the conference room, Kenyatte, Kenjatte and Da’Shawn were thoughtful and open with their answers, never once looking to Bertrand for help.

For his part, Bertrand didn’t steer the conversation. In fact he didn’t say his first word until I was done interviewing the Young Marines and looked to him for some background on the program.

As Bertrand later told me, he’s seen Kenyatte, Kenjatte and Da’Shawn mature in front of him, adding when they work on a project, he never has to check on them to make sure they stay on task. He listed self-motivation and discipline as some of their best traits.

The three incoming juniors at East St. John High School personify “The Future Looks Bright” motto of our new feature. The best part of each of their stories is their stated desire to return to the program after college or career to serve as an instructor.

“I’m considering a military future, but I’m also considering college,” Kenyatte said.

“I definitely want to come back and be an instructor (with Young Marines), because I want to give other kids the great experience I had.”

In speaking with Bertrand this week, he stressed Young Marines is not a military recruiting tool, but a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school, promoting development and community service.

Kenyatte, Kenjatte and Da’Shawn are wonderful representatives of Young Marines and perfect members of our young community to feature with the launch of our new LOOKS BRIGHT feature.

To learn more about Young Marines, log onto stjohnyoungmarines.com, and to read more about positive news involving youth in the River Parishes, check out next week’s LOOKS BRIGHT feature in the Aug. 9 L’OBSERVATEUR.

Stephen Hemelt is general manager and editor of L’OBSERVATEUR. He can be reached at 985-652-9545 or stephen.hemelt@lobservateur.com.