MOUNT ALOYSIUS STUDENTS AND STAFF MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN NEW ORLEANS

Mount Aloysius College sent a group of 26 students and staff members on a service trip to New Orleans, LA to help with the ongoing rebuilding effort after the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Isaac. This is one of several service trips that the Campus Ministry department at the college holds each year.

Five members of the group were from the athletic department: Ashley Skowronek and JJ Craig from the women’s bowling team, Laura Trude and Megan Ruddock from the women’s volleyball team and the head women’s volleyball coach and Assistant Athletic Director Brianna Baker. Some of the projects they worked on were planting trees in the wetlands, gardening at a community garden and helping at a horse rescue ranch.

"One thing that really struck me about New Orleans was their sense of community," commented Craig.  "Coming from up north, we look at areas like the Lower 9th Ward or St. Bernard Parish and we want to know who got hit hardest, but they don't see it that way. To them it's all New Orleans and they're all in it together. It really inspired me to be a better teammate and focus on what we can accomplish together.”

“It was a life changing experience," added Ruddock, "and I’m thankful I got the opportunity to serve the people of New Orleans.”