Community Reflections 2008 debuts in this edition of the Daily Dunklin Democrat. The focus of Community Reflections 2008 is "Beyond Hometown Roots."

Community Reflections 2008 is a community project that is made possible through the participation of the newspaper's readers and customers.

Among the highlights of Community Reflections 2008 are features of area natives who have graduated from area high schools and moved away to become successful in various vocations.

Inside Community Reflections 2008 readers will find features about Kennett High School [KHS] graduate Amanda Willis, who has moved to New York to become an assistant buyer for Macy's, about KHS graduate Dale Wright, who is now the Director of Development in the Office of Advancement at the Robert J. Trulaske College of Business within the University of Missouri, about Holcomb High School graduate Jeff Johnson, who is in the United States Army and who has served his country in Korea, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, as well as at various bases in the United States, and about journalist Sally Stapleton, whose work has taken her all over the world. There are 17 more features of area people who are experiencing success "Beyond Hometown Roots."

Kennett residents John and Carol Fisher have written the features in Community Reflections 2008. John and Carol have written books that are on the shelves of the Dunklin County Library, as well as libraries across the country. They are successful writers and the newspaper has been very fortunate to obtain their skills and contributions to Community Reflections 2008.

Also highlighted in Community Reflections 2008 will be Leaders of Tomorrow. The Leaders of Tomorrow are area high school students who have been selected by their respective schools who have demonstrated potential leadership qualities. Seniors will be featured from Delta C-7 High School, Holcomb High School, Kennett High School, Senath-Hornersville High School and Southland High School.

Readers of Community Reflections 2008 will also find stories about area businesses which have chosen to highlight their services and products for readers to learn about.

A significant part of Community Reflections 2008 will be the presentation of the Daily Dunklin Democrat's Community Service Award. The Daily Dunklin Democrat presents the Community Service Award to area residents who have been nominated by their peers for the outstanding service they have provided to area communities.

The newspaper trusts you'll find the features and business highlights very interesting reading. The newspaper also extends a sincere thanks for the many people who assisted in putting this edition together, from everyone on staff at the paper who worked to the customers and businesses who provided information about their businesses to the folks featured in the writings of the Fishers in "Beyond Hometown Roots."