From hundreds of hands helping to pick up trash to a long-overdue recognition of the sacrifices made by veterans, last week gave the Miss-Lou many reasons for which to be proud. Let’s take a few moments to look at some of the highlights:

-Local residents joined first Lady of Mississippi Deborah Bryant and Natchez Mayor Butch Brown on the Mississippi River bluff Saturday to kickoff the Great American Cleanup for the state of Mississippi. With the help of Keep Mississippi Beautiful and local community organizations, volunteers spent the morning cleaning up trash along St. Catherine Street, planting roses at the soon-to-be-dedicated Tricentennial Park and sprucing up the city’s Welcome to Natchez signs. Thanks to volunteers who help keep Natchez and the entire state beautiful.

-Local Vietnam Veterans gathered at the Natchez National Cemetery Saturday for a commemoration ceremony honoring their service to the country 50 years later. During the ceremony organized by Point Man International Ministries, local soldiers choked up as they received their commemoration pins and discussed their feelings about coming home, some facing ridicule instead of praise. May Saturday serve as a reminder of the sacrifices these and all veterans have made to keep our country free.

-Congratulations to Cliff Temple Baptist Church for celebrating 60 years of mission and ministry to the Kingston area. What started as meetings in local fields has turned into a vibrant church community dedicated to serving the Lord.

-Vidalia Junior High School student Deondrais Boxley knows that the best way to reach a goal is one step at a time. Boxley recently reached one of his big goals — being named one of the Concordia Parish School District’s students of the year. Boxley now has his sights on being the class valedictorian and becoming a world-class oncologist. If his recent success is any indication, we have no doubt he is on his way.

As we begin another week, let’s always be on the lookout for the best and brightest in our community.