CHRISTINE LEE ’17

This past Spring Break, Prepsters from all grades took a trip to New Orleans. Students, teachers, and parents traveled to the Big Easy and volunteered their time building houses for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina is considered the largest and third strongest hurricane ever recorded to land in the United States. Many people do not realize that the hurricane, which hit the region in 2005, still affects the people in New Orleans today. The storm affected and still affects over 15 million people in different ways. This includes evacuating from homes, rising gas prices, and the economy suffering. There are 705 people who are still missing as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The final death toll of victims was 1,836, more than half senior citizens.
In 2007, students from the Seattle area decided that they wanted to help families move back into their homes, and started the Shirts Across America program. Since then, 1,450 volunteers from schools around the Seattle area have helped rebuild more than 586 homes in the Gulf region during their spring and summer breaks.
Volunteers stayed at St. Jude community center and worked on various projects and houses around the New Orleans area. Students took part in jobs such as painting, mudding, and dry wall. Junior, Hanna Shiferaw, went on the trip this year. When asked what her favorite part of the trip was she stated that she enjoyed rebuilding the house because it inspired her. Shiferaw states, “The owner of the house, Miss Betty, inspired me the most because she was so thankful to have volunteers help rebuild her house. It made me want to continue helping her, because I know how appreciative she is.”
After working in the morning, volunteers explored the New Orleans culture experience. Tourist attractions such as Bourbon Street, the Mardi Gras museum, and the Whitney slavery plantation were among the sites. Among the volunteers, a favorite about the culture of the city was food. Po-Boys, jambalaya, and beignets were only some of the new foods Prepsters ate. Shiferaw claims the Po-boys were a favorite among the group.
In general, students who volunteered enjoyed their time in the new city and experienced unforgettable memories. Shiferaw plans to return to New Orleans next school year as a leader for the trip.