As we look forward to a month filled with festival fun, let us take a look at some of the week’s good news:

• The Natchez-Adams School District’s newest board member is ready to start changing things at the district. Reneé Wall is a product of the Natchez public schools and, like her parents, is a strong advocate for public school education. She returned to the area in 2009 and soon after started working to improve the lives of area students. One idea she had was to start a mentorship program in the school district, a program that never happened, but one Wall now wants to reconsider. Thanks to Wall for offering her service and ideas to help improve education for the area.

• Thanks to local tourism groups, many local attractions are taking a serious look at telling a more complete story of Natchez. Jeremy Houston, owner of Miss-Lou Heritage Group and Tours and Jarita Frazier-King with the Natchez Heritage School of Cooking recently partnered with the owners of Choctaw Hall and Clermont Bluff Bed and Breakfast to include the stories of African Americans during the tours of local antebellum houses around town. David Garner, co-owner of Choctaw, said it is in the interest of the area’s tourism efforts to embrace programs that unify the history of antebellum houses and the history of slavery. Thanks to all who strive to tell the complete story of the area.

• In an effort to help local children, the YMCA is offering free afterschool programs for teens at Margaret Martin Gym. The free program offers homework assistance, tutoring and life skill development. The program focuses on teaching communication and jobs skills and includes shadowing local professionals who can show teens what is necessary to succeed after school. Thanks to the YMCA for helping improve the lives of local students.

Let us remember thank those who continue to make our community great.