BATON ROUGE, La. – Annually, in conjunction with the Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) State Conference, KLB hosts the Everyday Hero Awards luncheon, recognizing individuals, groups, non-profits, and businesses going the extra mile to clean up and beautify Louisiana communities. The luncheon on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 12 – 2 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center, will feature Jennifer Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, as the keynote speaker, and Brian Melancon, Director of Tracking & Evaluation, Pennington Biomedical Research Center and a KLB Foundation board member, as the master of ceremonies. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and KLB Executive Director Susan Russell will recognize the winners with their awards.
The 2025 Everyday Heroes include:
- Staci Albritton Mitchell, Mayor of West Monroe (Alice Foster Award).
- Senior Agent Mason Castello (Litter Enforcement Award)
- Representative John Illg, Jr. (Special Leadership Award)
- Mayor Tom Arceneaux & Block by Block, City of Shreveport (Community Improvement Award)
- Infiniti of Baton Rouge (Clean Biz Leadership Award)
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Outstanding State Agency)
- Keep Calcasieu Beautiful (Outstanding Community Affiliate Award)
- Keep Xavier Beautiful (Outstanding University Affiliate Award)
- Emma Bourgeois, University of New Orleans (Collegiate Environmental Steward Award)
- Randy Delatte, Parish President of Livingston Parish (Leaders Against Litter Award)
- Linda Wicker (Let Louisiana Shine Volunteer Award)
- Armaan Basra (Rocksey’s Young Leadership Award)
“The Everyday Hero Award winners are proving one person, one business, or one community can make a lasting difference,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Their leadership and determination are helping build a cleaner, greener Louisiana, and their example challenges all of us to take greater pride in the places we call home. Let's all commit to follow their example and be Leaders Against Litter. Together we can leave Louisiana better than we found it.”
“Through their work, the 2025 Everyday Hero Award recipients demonstrate model citizenship,” said Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director. “They understand the importance and value of taking pride in their communities.”
Presenting the awards are the Lieutenant Governor, KLB staff, and KLBF Board Members Dawn Cantrell, Donna Curtis, Courtney Hornsby, Ivy Mathieu, and Carla Tate.
KLB will also honor the late First Lady Alice Foster who passed away earlier this year. She is remembered for her dedicated service to Louisiana and its people. She was deeply committed to community improvement through litter prevention and beautification, playing a crucial role in establishing KLB in 2000.
The KLB State Conference and the Everyday Hero Awards are made possible thanks to event sponsors: Osprey Initiative; Waste Management; Artmasters Screenprinting; Zehnder Communications; Beer Industry League of Louisiana; Hawthorn, Waymouth & Carroll; Louisiana Beverage Association; Miles Partnership; Roux Advertising; Carson Consulting; Evangeline Specialties; and Faux Pas Prints.
2025 Keep Louisiana Beautiful Everyday Hero Award recipient bios and images
About Keep Louisiana Beautiful
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is a state program under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism promoting personal, corporate, and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. KLB supports local communities through programs and resources for litter education, prevention, removal, enforcement, beautification, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives. KLB is affiliated with the national organization, Keep America Beautiful, and is supported by a robust statewide network of Community Affiliates and University Affiliates. Learn more at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.