2008 Woodie Awards
Natives look beyond Katrina
New Orleanians reflect on destruction, consider future of the Big Easy
Adam Tutor
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Trinity Life
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On Aug. 29, 2005, the city of New Orleans was torn asunder by Category Five Hurricane Katrina.
Following the two year anniversary of this tragic natural disaster, Trinity students from New Orleans reflect on what they have been through and their hopes for the future.
"You don't really realize what you have until you lose it, and we nearly lost our city," said Sophomore Andrew Martinez, a native of New Orleans.
Martinez said that from this near loss, many people gained pride in their city.
"They almost lost it, but they have it now, and there is a chance to regain it, rebuild it," Martinez said.
According to Martinez, there is no way he would leave the town, even if the government gave him and his family compensation for the damage.
"I would much rather them take that money and make New Orleans safer, build those levees they were talking about," Martinez said. "I'm worried that the money will just end up in some politician's freezer."
Martinez said that two years ago, when he returned from New Orleans after the storm hit, his home looked very empty and sad.
But despite this scene, he remained strong in his appreciation of New Orleans.
"It's just sort of the feeling of being there," Martinez said. "It's hard to put into words… I can't explain it, it just feels like home."
According to Martinez, people are slowly but surely coming back, cleaning up, and bringing life back into the city.
"This definitely gives me hope," Martinez said. "The right people are coming back."
Sophomore Mary Walker Baus also made the decision to return to New Orleans.
"I am up for rebuilding because I don't want to see New Orleans change," Baus said. "There is no place in the universe like New Orleans."
Baus said that although she loves Trinity, she takes every opportunity she can to return to New Orleans, often bringing friends.
"It has such a laidback feeling, growing up there. I felt like I had a lot more independence," Baus said.
Baus said that New Orleans' society is much more old-fashioned and family-oriented than the rest of the county.
Following the two year anniversary of this tragic natural disaster, Trinity students from New Orleans reflect on what they have been through and their hopes for the future.
"You don't really realize what you have until you lose it, and we nearly lost our city," said Sophomore Andrew Martinez, a native of New Orleans.
Martinez said that from this near loss, many people gained pride in their city.
"They almost lost it, but they have it now, and there is a chance to regain it, rebuild it," Martinez said.
According to Martinez, there is no way he would leave the town, even if the government gave him and his family compensation for the damage.
"I would much rather them take that money and make New Orleans safer, build those levees they were talking about," Martinez said. "I'm worried that the money will just end up in some politician's freezer."
Martinez said that two years ago, when he returned from New Orleans after the storm hit, his home looked very empty and sad.
But despite this scene, he remained strong in his appreciation of New Orleans.
"It's just sort of the feeling of being there," Martinez said. "It's hard to put into words… I can't explain it, it just feels like home."
According to Martinez, people are slowly but surely coming back, cleaning up, and bringing life back into the city.
"This definitely gives me hope," Martinez said. "The right people are coming back."
Sophomore Mary Walker Baus also made the decision to return to New Orleans.
"I am up for rebuilding because I don't want to see New Orleans change," Baus said. "There is no place in the universe like New Orleans."
Baus said that although she loves Trinity, she takes every opportunity she can to return to New Orleans, often bringing friends.
"It has such a laidback feeling, growing up there. I felt like I had a lot more independence," Baus said.
Baus said that New Orleans' society is much more old-fashioned and family-oriented than the rest of the county.
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