Seattle Prep is a proud partner of Shirts Across America (SAA), a service immersion program that helps rebuild houses that were destroyed as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Seattle Prep offers three trips: one during spring break and two at the beginning of summer. The spring break trip, will be led by junior Reighn Delora.
Delora first served on the trip in 2023 and wanted to return this year as a leader. “I wanted to serve as a leader this year because I had a great experience last year and I wanted to continue to serve back those who have lost their homes,” Delora said.
The team first flew to Atlanta, Georgia, where they bus to Montgomery, Alabama for the first half of the trip. In Montgomery, the focus was learning about the segregated past of our country and educating students on the lives of civil rights activists. The group visited the Legacy Museum, where they learn about enslavement and various abolitionists. The Legacy Museum includes movie theaters which concentrate on different focuses, including the justice system and lynching.
Next, the group attended the Rosa Parks Museum. At the museum, there is a bus simulation which progresses through the events of Rosa Park’s life through videos displayed on the wall.
After four days in Alabama, they took the bus to New Orleans, Louisiana, where the service is completed. The group worked on building a new house and tearing down old houses. In the evening, the group toured attractions around New Orleans and took in the rich culture of the city.
Reflecting on her experience, Delora said “It was a lot of hands-on stuff, we got the opportunity to speak with a range of people who were wrongfully incarcerated.”
Delora said, “I wanted to make a difference through those people and continue to do so by participating a second time.”
Additionally, Delora met a wide range of people who had lost their homes in the hurricane and shared their emotional tragedies with the group, which helped her to feel more connected to and passionate about the service she was doing.
Prep’s teachings are in alignment with SAA since Prep students are taught to be “people for and with others” which is central to SAA’s mission. Finally, Prep promotes the graduate at graduation value of being “committed to justice” which is exactly what Delora, and the hundreds of other students who have served on Shirts Across America embody.
“SAA is a great organization because it brings a lot of people together who actually care,” said Delora.
