News of a tornado tearing through Hattiesburg started last week off with us counting our blessings and praying for those affected by the storms.

Now that the skies have cleared — even if it won’t last long — let’s review a few of the highlights of last week.

-Four area high school seniors were recognized Monday by the Daughters of the American Revolution as good citizens of the year. The students were chosen by their peers as exemplifying characteristics such as leadership, good citizenship, community service, dependability and patriotism. We congratulate Cathedral senior Dakota Vaughan, Trinity senior Murphy Aldridge, Natchez High senior Joy Cameron and ACCS senior William Ladner.

-Love was in the air Thursday as the question, “Will you be my mine?” surely echoed throughout the area on Valentine’s Day. A holiday gala and live auction hosted by the Natchez Festival of Music at the Bailey House helped raise funds, while vo-calist Lynn Beach Smith and pianist Sam Bruton provided the lovebirds with a romantic soundtrack for the evening.

-Vidalia High School senior Erin Fuller only needed three words — caring, godly and positive — to describe herself during her final interview at the Miss Vidalia pageant. Fuller won the coveted title and hopes to continue being a role model for young people in the community.

-The Natchez Business and Civic League hosted its annual banquet Friday and awarded several awards to dedicated members of the community. Among those receiving awards were Michael Barfield, who was awarded the G.F. West Man of the Year Award, and Sharon Bradford, who was awarded the Alice Felix Woman of the Year Award. We congratulate the man and woman of the year and all those who received recognition at the banquet.

-Nineteen Natchez residents received much-needed grant funding by two local banks and the City of Natchez from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas this week to help with home repairs. We’re glad to see banks and the city giving back to the community to help residents keep a roof over their heads.

Lets hope the forecasted heavy rain and storms throughout the week won’t dampen our spirits.