Last week was a great one in the Miss-Lou as residents came out to support a wonderful cause, while several of the area’s volunteers and students were highlighted for their service.

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

• More than 150 residents gathered on the Natchez Bluff to participate in the annual Great Strides 5K walk, which raises awareness and funds for the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis. The disorder impacts the lungs and digestive system of nearly 30,000 Americans in the U.S., including several local residents who participated in the event. We thank those who attended and applaud those with the disorder striving to raise awareness to finding a cure.

• Weeks before any hot-air balloons reach the skies, volunteers begin lending a hand to make sure the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race goes off without a hitch. Ralph Vicero and Adrian Bernotti are two of those volunteers who have helped sell balloon race T-shirts at the Historic Natchez Foundation the last four years. HNF officials say volunteers such as Vicero and Bernotti help the organization focus on other parts of producing the race. We thank these two volunteers and all the others who help make this event such an impact for our area.

• David Davis was named student of the month for Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus. Davis was recognized for his various contributions to student life at the college, which include being an active member of Co-Lin’s N-Sights, film club and SOAR (Students Obtaining Academic Rewards) program. We congratulate Davis for all his accomplishments.

Let’s continue doing great things in our community in the week ahead.