Trip Pictures

Additional pictures of the trip may be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickbennett/

If you click on the set to the right "Livonia Senior Trip . . " You'll see thumbnails of all the pictures and thumbnails of the set.

This page will be updated periodically as I work through and sort the pictures that I took. Additional images of the students will be available at a later date through the school. - Dick Bennett

I've added some photos that I wasn't able to while on the trip. These are the different groups who worked together. These were taken on Sunday, at the first area that they planted the Cypress trees in. - Dick Bennett

Final Thoughts

We made it back to Livonia High a little before 3 pm, nearly 30 hours after we left New Orleans. We had good, experienced drivers who got us home safely. Aside from some ice in Tennessee, the snow in Kentucky, and a lack of heat inn Bus #1, we arrived safe and sound. What a great surprise to be escorted by the Livonia Fire Department and welcomed by the many parents.

The ride down was memorable. We arrived early Sunday morning, but we were awake by 6:30 and left for St. Bernard County to begin planting cypress seedlings. We all were tired, so we ended the day early and went back to the cabins. Monday we divided into two groups; one going to the Lower 9th Ward to assist Robert Green with some work on his new house, the other continuing to plant seedlings and meet students from a local school. Tuesday the teams reversed their roles and we all took a break in the afternoon with a trip to the zoo and a walk in a small portion of the French Quarter after dinner. Wednesday we took the day off to make a visit to the USS Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, then to Fort Gaines that was attacked and taken over during the Civil War and then for some, a swim in the Gulf, and a dinner at a buffet in the area. Half a day of work on Thursday, then a busy afternoon at the Imax theater, the Aquarium, Insectarium or shopping in the French Quarter and a great dinner and dancing on the paddle wheel Natchez. We met many different people and learned of the courage and determination of the people of New Orleans.

Throughout the week the students assisted with the cooking and the cleaning at the cabins as well as the volunteering for the residents of New Orleans and surrounding area. Throughout there were few complaints and no major problems.

The staff of National Relief Network, Brent, Taylor, Kelsey and CEO Scott Harding were always supportive and went out of their way to make the week a fun, learning experience, all the while making sure the focus was on why we were there.

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, even with the complications of the travel. The experience was educational, rewarding and very enjoyable. the students were hard working, generous and friendly. It was a pleasure to work with them this past week. - Dick Bennett

Hi Everyone,
This is Karen Bennett. Just an update that we are currently about 140 miles south of Louisville. The weather is snowy, not icy. We stopped for dinner and it is now 9:45 Eastern time and we are just about ready to pull out. We are monitoring the weather and will pull off if we feel it is dangerous. Right now, visibility is fine, and is snowing at a rate of about an inch per hour. We left at 8:00 a.m. to try and beat the ice, so we were able to do that, but the snow is another issue. Please know that we will keep our students safe before worrying about getting in on time.

Thanks,
Karen

The Final Day

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Thursday dawned with the first clouds we've see all week, though the sun was in and out all day. A standard breakfast and on the road again to the Mississippi levee where we did some final Cypress plantings and short met up with other students from Chalmette High School. Then it was off to the city to see the Imax presentation; "Hurricane on the Bayou" that gave us a further understanding of the importance of the Cypress trees in the ecosystem to assist in slowing down the storm surge of a violent hurricane. A visit to the Aquarium and a visit to the Insectarium or a walk through the French Quarter led us to the dinner cruise on the Nachez paddle wheel boat. I couple of doors eating dinner and then dancing to the sounds of the Dukes of Dixieland were a wonderful end to the week.

Given the news of an impending storm in our path back home led the decision to cancel all planned activities for Friday and leave as soon as possible in the morning. We left our home for the week just before 8 am.

As of 5:00 est Friday we are in northern Alabama. - Dick Bennett

Trip summary

This senior trip experience was very different from what I had expected. I personally had somewhat low expectations due to the work aspect of the trip, though the whole experience proved to be much different. The work was actually enjoyable at times, and allowed me to interact with students who I was barely on a first name basis with. Also, working with students from local high schools was rare opportunity. This cultural aspect of it I felt could have had more time dedicated to it, as walking the french quarter shopping was one of the more enjoyable parts, though seemed to go by much too quickly. Regardless, the trip was a very unique and enjoyable experience which I know will last a lifetime. On top of this, I was fortunately able to make some new friendships over the course of this trip.

-Kyle Otto

In the beginning iI was dreading this senior trip to be honest. No one I talked to was going nothing planned sounded fun, and the thought or working on my senior trip just seemed like a joke to me. Now after being here for this week and doing all I i did I can say my early thoughts were very wrong. Throughout the week people that have never talked in school or any other place are now talking. People I honestly thought would be stuck up and mean are opening up and come to find out they are very nice. The work we did will impact a lot of people I know this for a fact, I helped mow and weed-whack this little old ladies lawn and just the joy in her smile could of brought a smile to anyones face. While the work we did was rewarding i think the best part of it was just being around one and other. Lets face it, if this trip never happened most of us would pass each other in the hall like no one was there at all. I know the point of this trip was to put us around people we are not normally with. At first this sounded just ridiculous to me but now I see it actually worked. People are talking with people they never talked with or even thought about talking to before and too see how being around each other for only one week can make us open up and be comfortable around people we once thought we would never talk to is great. Personally I had a great trip although certain times were very aggravating all in all the trip was rewarding for me. I will always have these memories and I hope the friendships i made here will actually carry on to when we had back to school. You can say oh it was dumb work sucked blah blah blah but in the long run. it was rewarding and me probably being one of the people most against going on this senior trip in the beginning can say i will most likely be one of the happiest i went along.i know i didn't say al I had to say but generally I know everyone is glad they came and are happy they got the chance to talk to people they never talked to before. Its funny we have been together in school for years but some people dont know others even exists. After this trip i know that will be different and I'm happy for that I will never forget sitting on the back of the boat going down the river looking at the city it was the most relaxing time ever. Thank you to everyone that made this possible.

Sincerely

Cody Stidfole

Homeward Bound!

So amazing can't even begin to describe this experience here. Everything from the places we went to the people we met, it's all something I believe none of the Livonia senior class will ever forget. Most people think that coming down here and volunteering was a waste of our time and money, but to me it was all worth it. I met kids from a local high school today on our last day of planting cypress trees to help restore the wetlands. The girls I talked to were so welcoming and it's refreshing to know that you can be a complete stranger to these people, but they welcome you with arms wide open and don't seem to judge you. We also met a man named Robert Green while down in the lower ninth ward helping with houses. Out of all the people I've met, Robert probably touched me the most. The things he told me about the hurricane and the levee breaking were mind blowing, my jaw dropped to know how courageous these people were, and how strong they all were to survive through that at keep up hope. What got me the most about this trip was the people being so thankful for the little things we've done. I will always remember this past Tuesday the 26th when Robert was leaving the bus and told us that everyone around appreciates what we have done, and in his eyes we have made a bigger impact than Brad Pit and donating his money to the make it right foundation that helps builds houses for Katrina victims. It just gets to me when something so small could mean so much to so many people. It really touches me to know that even though these people may not remember our names, they'll remember what we did. I know for a fact I'll remember this trip for the rest of my life, as well as all the people I've come across down here. It truly was an amazing experience. :)

Samantha McCollister

The Last Day

Hello Everyone:)

We just arrived back to the camp from the beautiful Natchez boat cruise. I enjoyed an amazing buffet filled with catfish, pork, noodles, potatoes and salad. After dinner I went outside on the decks of the boat and took in the amazing skyline of the city and the beautiful weather. In the beginning of the trip it started out rocky for everyone. For me I was easily stressed out from being stuck on a bus for 36 hours and getting around 2 hours of sleep before our first full day of work. But once the trip got rolling things started panning out. Everyday was an eye opening experience for me. I have never really gone away from my family for this far for this long, so it makes me realize how fortunate I am because some people down here don't even have family anymore. Today we saw a documentary called "Hurricanes on the Bayou." It was so touching I teared up during it. Its crazy to think that we all planted over 5,000 cypress trees and how it is going to save the wetlands. Everyday when we drive by people I catch someone starring and taking notice of what we are doing. Sometimes we get waves and huge smiles from people! Makes me smile and that touches me as well. Some people may think we are crazy for spending $750 for this trip. But in the end after looking at every single event we have done, every laugh, and every joke that was made makes it well worth the money. I couldn't of asked for a better group to go on this journey with. This trip will forever stay with me along with the memories. I can not wait to get home and make a difference for my town and start planning my trip for later in the years to see the progression of the lower ninth ward and all of our cypress trees:) Well now I have to finish packing, get a shower and get rested up for the long bus ride home! Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Samantha McNinch

Senior Fun

Melissa Emerson: Last night it was my group's turn to make dinner. Mr Wayne, the man who is in charge of where we were planting trees and works at LSU in the Forestry division, made jambalaya for us. We also had salad, goulash, fresh baked French bread and fresh juice. All this was after a long day. To start the our day I went to work in a field next to a levee that was 9 miles long to plant more Cypress trees.We were all dirty and all Seniors found out there was NO SHOWERS to go to before we went to the zoo. I had a blast working with my group !! Here is one thing you have to remember, you can only be a senior once! I am so glad I came.!!