Students at Sharon Academy Heading to New Orleans
By Ella Hayslett

A group of 16 students from the Sharon Academy (TSA) will fly out of the Burlington airport this Saturday, April 12, heading to New Orleans on a student-organized service trip.

The students have been planning the trip for four months. The idea started back in October, when Debra South, a resident of New Orleans, came to share her story with TSA students. She stayed with her friends, Doug and Judy Moore, who worked with her earlier. Judy is the founder of The Sharon Academy and a strong believer in community service.

South told the students about the inspiring work she was doing to try to help her fellow community members in New Orleans, and shared how she was taught as a child to always help others. Although she had many personal struggles, including being disabled, a cancer survivor, and mother of two, in 2001 she and her friends opened a food bank for people in need. The organization was named Just the Right Attitude.

In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, there were suddenly more than 1.3 million citizens who were homeless and in need of food. South’s organization began serving as many people as possible, and continues to serve them as the city works to recover from the damage. In 2007, Just the Right Attitude provided over 252,000 families with groceries, distributed 4.187 million pounds of food, and served over 127,000 hot meals.

South’s story not only moved TSA students, but motivated them to organize a trip to help her.

Ninth grader Olive Gudisman said she "first became inspired to go to New Orleans by hearing Debra speak, because the crisis felt so distant, but hearing a victim speak to us made it real. I feel as though it’s my duty to go down and help."

Ian Pattison, another TSA freshman said, "I’d rather go to New Orleans and help victims of a hurricane than rake leaves in Vermont. It’s a worthwhile way to do community service."

Days after South had come to speak at the Sharon Academy, ninth and tenth graders began dreaming up a service trip that would take place during their April break. The students began meeting every Tuesday at lunch to start planning the trip. The group worked on fundraising, finding housing, and transportation. The 16 ninth and tenth graders, two teachers, and one parent plan to stay at the Annunciation Mission in Broadmoor Neighborhood. The mission is set up specifically for people coming to volunteer in New Orleans. As part of staying with the mission, the group will also help rebuild and renovate houses. The mission will cost each student $20 a night and includes daily meals.

In addition to time spent finding housing, the students have worked hard to fundraise for the large amount of money needed to make the trip happen. At home soccer games, the group had bake sales and offered drinks. Candy canes were sold at Christmas, carnations at Valentine’s Day, along with free trade organic coffee and TSA sweatpants. The group’s biggest fundraiser was a rummage sale at the end of January, which raised over $350. Each family will pay for costs not covered.

"These kids are inspiring," said teacher Charlie McMeekin. "Their energy and belief in their ability and obligation to change the world makes me proud to work with them."

As the group boards the plane on their way to New Orleans, they will try to remember what South told them, "Remember, you can overcome any obstacle with just the right attitude."

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