I wanted to do the New Orleans spring break project because I wanted to make a difference somewhere other than my community. Throughout my last two years in high school I have done community service in New York, but I want to benefit somewhere else. The main thing I look forward to doing in this project is hopefully finding a Katrina victim and watch them smile at the act we are doing for their neighborhood. It’s easy to only do things for yourself, but it’s harder to do things for others.
Somara, 11th-grade
I chose to participate in this program because I felt like it would be a great experience for me. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because many schools don’t have the opportunity to go to New Orleans and help out. It is an honor for me to be able to go. I really look forward to meeting survivors of the hurricane and helping them out.
Eileen, 11th-grade
I signed up for this project because I was not familiar with what is happening now in New Orleans. I knew that this opportunity would probably not come again so I decided to just go for it and take a chance in being a part of this beautiful experience of leaving New York and helping others somewhere else. To be honest, I look forward to everything we will experience. I look forward to making a difference over there, even if I change someone's life in a small way it will mean the world to me.
Lisa, 12th-grade
I chose to participate in this project because I would like to make a difference to our surroundings and in New Orleans. I think it’s important to help our community so that it will be a better place to live in. There are many areas to improve in our world, and the little things we do can make a difference. What I look forward to learn from this experience is what is happening in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and how are they improving the city. I would also like to learn about New Orleans culture.
Lyane, 11th-grade
I will be participating in the Alternative Spring Break project to help out the people of New Orleans. I partly joined the project to be able to travel more, but after learning more about the struggles the people there faced after this tragedy hit I truly just want to help. Like Gandhi, I believe you have to be the change you want to see in the world. I also believe that there is a lot I can learn from New Orleans, and I'm excited to learn about the culture and its history. I truly can't wait to get going already.
Shelly, 11th-grade
This will be my first time going to New Orleans. I actually joined this project to go to a new place that I have never visited before and help rebuild from the damage that was done. I am always willing to help someone when they are in need. If I know I can help someone, I might as well use what I have to help as much as possible. I would also like to open my eyes to the real world and know that natural disasters are real and cause a lot of damage – not only physically but emotionally, too.
Regina, 11th-grade
I am interested in participating in the New Orleans spring break project because I knew about Hurricane Katrina and how it devastated New Orleans and the people who live there. I want to help the people who went through such a terrible moment since I've been through something similar. I think this trip is the perfect opportunity because instead of donating money I will actually be traveling to New Orleans to help out physically and hopefully emotionally.
Ricardo, 12th-grade
I enjoy helping people, and I believe this project will be a very exciting experience. I also feel that I should have a part in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina because I know I would want people to help me if I was in that situation. The only way to fix a community is to get everyone involved and help by doing their part. I look forward to doing what I can for New Orleans and finding out exactly how everyone was impacted by Katrina. I also want to travel to see how other people live.
Katherine, 11th-grade
I joined the New Orleans project because I heard about how we were going there to make a difference. After Hurricane Katrina, I knew that New Orleans was left devastated with many homeless and hopeless people. I know that by going there and helping build homes for them it will make a huge difference because that means that one more homeless family can smile again. Although I will be helping out the New Orleans community I will also benefit from it because it will be a whole new learning experience.
Justin, 11th-grade
My name is Justin, and I’m a junior. I originally joined the New Orleans spring break project to try something new. I wanted to learn about different cultures outside of the Bronx. I also wanted to do a community service project I never did before. Doing this project is different from what I’m used to. I don’t know how much of a difference twelve people can make but making one person better pays off in the end.
John, 12th-grade
I never really had an opportunity to help others so when I learned about the New Orleans project, I really wanted to go. New Orleans has gone through a dramatic change ever since Hurricane Katrina so taking time out of my life would make me feel better, knowing that I helped someone. Although it may be little help, it is worth it. Change has to start somewhere. Some things I am looking forward to are traveling with friends to help others and trying something new.
Leanna, 11th-grade
I want to give back to my community. I am looking forward to experiencing new things in different environments. This is all new to me, but I'm willing to try anything to give back. Hopefully, I can learn something on the way.
- Project Coordinators
Melissa Giroux
This is my first year leading in the Alternative Spring Break project, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I am inspired by the motivation and thoughtfulness of the students participating in the project. The best way to learn is by experiencing new cultures, meeting new people, and doing hands-on work, and this project will give our students a chance to immerse themselves in a new, broad range of ideas. I look forward to exploring with our group and comparing the Bronx and NOLA for myself.
Maritza Montilla
This will be my second year leading the Alternative Spring Break project. I believe there is a lot to be learned from New Orleans. It is a city that has undergone tremendous changes in the face of what seemed to be long odds. I also see the parallels to the Bronx, and I look forward to exploring the differences and similarities.
Brendan Lowe
I am very happy to be leading the Alternative Spring Break project again this year. The students' sense of wonderment and passion for new experiences motivates me to work harder on this project and arrange the best possible project. I am particularly pleased with our renewed focus on the Bronx this year - the more students and staff know the community where we live and work, the better we can contrast urban environments and then come home to continue the service.