Here’s another round of applause for individuals and organizations doing great things in the community.

The Wildcats have proved their worth against the state of Georgia, now they’ll see how they stack up against one of the best in the west. Tuesday, Valdosta announced it was invited to play in the 2016 GEICO State Champions Bowl Series on Dec. 23 in The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, against the Arizona Interscholastic Association Class 6A state champion Chandler Wolves. Due to school board policy, the Valdosta Board of Education must vote to officially approve the trip when they meet tonight at 7 p.m., but the Wildcat coaching staff asked the seniors Monday if they wanted to extend their season another game, to which they unanimously voted yes.

With eight years of experience as Echols County coroner, Alan Leonard is moving up to his biggest public office yet: District Director for the Georgia Coroners Association. As director of GCA District 5, Leonard will oversee coroners in 31 counties in southwest Georgia, including Lowndes County. GCA members elected Leonard to the position at the end of November, and he said he’s honored by the decision. Leonard is one of only five district directors in the state.

Langdale Honda showcased its new location Monday by hosting the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours. During the event partners, Pope Langdale and Brad Cobb and Chief Financial Officer David Plummer spoke briefly about the new location and the journey it took to build it. When the owners first went to the city about building the new store, the dealership faced issues with proper zoning and fears that an eyesore would be built, Langdale said. The owners made a promise to the city leaders if they let them build on Norman Drive they would not disappoint the city, he said. “I feel like we kept our promise.” For Plummer what made the new location possible were the commitments Langdale, Cobb and General Manager Tom Kelly have made to the customers, employees and to Langdale Honda’s supplier, American Honda Motor Company. “While what you see is pretty … what you see behind it is the commitment that makes it work,” Plummer said.

Christmas Eve may belong to Santa Claus but, for nearly a quarter of a century, the third Saturday of December has belonged to the Outback Riders. On Saturday, Dec. 17, the Outback Riders plan to lead an estimated 2,000-2,500 motorcycles from Lake Park to Valdosta, carrying thousands of Christmas toys for Lowndes County’s boys and girls in need, said Don Brotherton, a longtime Outback Riders Toy Run organizer. The Outback Riders started the Toy Ride in 1993, when an estimated 50-60 motorcycles participated. By 1994, more than 200 bikers participated in the Toy Ride. In more recent years, with clear skies, the Toy Ride has attracted the expected 2,000-2,500 motorcycles.

Approximately 1,400 students said farewell to Valdosta State University at the 222nd commencement ceremonies last week. Graduation ceremonies were held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9, 10, at VSU. Ceremonies Friday recognized students in VSU’s graduate school and in the nursing school. Saturday ceremonies honored Air Force ROTC Detachment 172 and undergraduates. At Saturday evening’s ceremony for the undergraduates, Amanda Kozak Miliner served as guest speaker. Miliner graduated manga cum laude from VSU in 2006 and was crowned Miss Georgia the same year. She became second-runner up in the 2007 Miss America pageant and was named Miss Georgia USA, making her the first Georgian to hold both Miss America and Miss USA titles.