Editor's note: The combined editorial boards of The Exponent Telegram devote Saturday's editorial to recognizing positive efforts from people throughout our readership area. We call this feature "Hats Off." To nominate a person or group for recognition, contact John Miller (626-1473), Bob Stealey (626-1438) or James Logue (626-1031).

We salute:

n Area Army Reservists from the 363rd Military Police Co. in Grafton, Detachment 1/1st Platoon in Jane Lew and Pittsburgh's Detachment 2/2nd Platoon, who departed home Thursday on a homeland security mission.

n The West Virginia State Police, Doddridge and Ritchie counties, which are working together to provide better emergency services to those counties. The State Police is allowing the counties to use a part of its new building to house the counties' joint 911 facility. This is saving taxpayers money, while also speeding up the 911 center's ability to operate.

n The Harrison County Garden Club and the Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library, which have teamed up to sponsor a display of collectibles and heritage items from eight nations. The display at the library features collectibles from Croatia, Slovakia, Poland, Belgium, Syria, Greece, Russia and Hispanic nations.

n Bridgeport Middle School, which won the county cheerleading championship, as well as second-place Gore and third-place Washington Irving. All three squads, as well as competitors Lumberport, South Harrison and Salem, deserve recognition for a job well done.

n Organizers and participants of Clarksburg's annual Christmas parade, which drew large crowds to the downtown area Monday night.

n Norwood Elementary, which has developed a special tutoring program to take advantage of time available to teachers and students after students are dismissed but before they are picked up by school buses. Dubbed the "2:15 program," because that's when students are dismissed, it allows students to get more one-on-one attention from teachers and tutors as they work on homework and extra assignments.