Miss-Lou residents who are teaching and inspiring the next generation of our community were recognized last week in various ways.

Before we prepare for the week ahead, let’s take a look back at some of the highlights:

-Patricia West has been helping students improve their ACT scores as the director of an academic program at Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. West also volunteers at Harvest Baptist Church in Ferriday on Saturdays in a similar program with the goal of helping students prepare for college and receive scholarships. We thank West for taking the time to work with area students.

-Francine Presley has served as Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church’s organist for more than 60 years and also serves as the director of the children’s choir. Presley has taught many children to play the piano and organ in her years of church service. Presley’s dedication to the church was recognized Sunday during a special service.

-Cathedral High School teacher Denise Thibodeaux is being recognized on the state and national level. She is one of five Mississippi finalists in science for the 2013 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Thibodeaux has taught a range of science classes at Cathedral since 2006 and says the real honor in teaching comes with seeing her students succeed. We thank Thibodeaux for her service to our community’s youth.

We know these are just a few of dozens and dozens of residents worthy of recognition for their work in our community. We thank each and every one of them for their work, and we wish everyone has a week filled with good news.