熟女少妇College of Education students help Louisiana residents impacted by recent hurricane
Contact: Camille Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擬embers of Mississippi State鈥檚 Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program are reaching out to help the thousands affected by the recent Hurricane Delta, as well as Hurricane Laura, which made landfall on the Louisiana Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm in August.
Hurricane Laura impacted over 1.5 million people and is estimated to have caused between $4 billion and $12 billion in damage. Early estimates show that Hurricane Delta has caused an additional $2 billion in damages.
The METP students are collecting toiletries, cleaning and school supplies. Annice Jenkins, program manager for the METP scholarship program, said the group is focusing on helping residents of Lake Charles, Louisiana. These residents also need diapers, wipes and other baby supplies. METP will continue collecting donations through October. Anyone who wants to donate items may drop them off at the METP office at 75 Morgan Avenue on MSU鈥檚 campus during regular business hours.
Jenkins explained that METP scholars annually perform community service.
Associate Dean Teresa Jayroe of MSU鈥檚 College of Education realized the effects of Hurricane Laura offered METP students a chance to provide assistance to those impacted and encouraged Jenkins to pursue the opportunity. The effort was already underway in response to Hurricane Laura鈥檚 impact before Hurricane Delta caused even more devastation to the area.
Jenkins then connected with local Pastor Joe Horan of Starkville Community Church, who helped connect the METP group to contacts in Lake Charles.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been researching ways the students could volunteer this year, and all of them have been really eager to help the city of Lake Charles,鈥 Jenkins said.听
Senior secondary education major and METP student Emily Hudgens of Madison said that while she鈥檚 never had to experience a hurricane, she鈥檚 seen the devastating effects through family members on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
鈥淢y family on the coast experienced Hurricane Katrina, and I remember them being hit really hard. With natural disasters, you can plan everything, but you can never be fully prepared,鈥 Hudgens said. 鈥淐ollecting donations for Lake Charles was a no-brainer for me.鈥
Hudgens said that since enrolling in MSU鈥檚 teacher education program, she loves the 熟女少妇education community and the college鈥檚 emphasis on servant learning.
鈥淗elping others is a really big deal to METP and the College of Education,鈥 Hudgens said. 鈥淛ust knowing that we can give what we have to help others is one of the pillars of our college, and that鈥檚 what I really like about it.鈥
Sophomore METP student Ethan Morris of Pelahatchie agreed.
鈥淢y rationale is that I鈥檝e been blessed beyond measure with METP, and they help me out with anything,鈥 said Morris, a secondary education major. 鈥淚鈥檓 doing great with what they have given and blessed me with, but there are people that aren鈥檛 doing so well out in the world, and there鈥檚 no reason why I shouldn鈥檛 help them.鈥
Jenkins has been in contact with South Beauregard Upper Elementary, a school in a district where 97% of the schools sustained damage.
鈥淢ost of the school had to be gutted due to flooding and mold. They had to clean everything out, which means they really need everything from teacher supplies to supplies for the students,鈥 Jenkins said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e filled several boxes and are working to fill more.鈥
Established in 1903, MSU鈥檚 College of Education is home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit .
熟女少妇is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.听