JOHN BLUE DESERVES ACCOLADES FOR ESTABLISHING RECOGNITION OF TOP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Forty years ago, John Blue was president of the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau. He came up with a wonderful idea. He decided the best graduating seniors at Cape Central High School and Notre Dame High School -- the top 10 percent -- should be honored for their academic achievements.

That banquet, which began in 1960, continues today. Later, the banquet was named in Blue's honor.

Blue also was honored recently by the Phi Kappa Phi honor society with its Promotion of Excellence Award. The honor was for his involvement with the banquet and his many other contributions to the community and region. He was also recognized for his many years as managing editor of the Southeast Missourian newspaper where he advanced a number of community causes and improvements.

The organization observed that throughout Blue's years in the Rotary club, he has promoted academic excellence among hundreds, if not thousands, of local high school students. That certainly deserves an enthusiastic thank you and pat on the back.