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DC Community Supports Scholars’ Community Service Following Service Trip to New Orleans

Amidst the summer party season, Higher Achievement is proud to say that they are just as socially endowed – and for good reason. This past week, President’s Council member and mentor Chris Geier, along with board member and fellow mentor Andrew Bateman, hosted a fundraiser whose proceeds will go to sponsoring Higher Achievement’s next service learning trip. 

In April, 6 scholars, 2 chaperones and 1 Higher Achievement staffer (Katherine Roboff, Ward 1 Center Director) ventured to New Orleans to assist in the relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina. This was Higher Achievement’s first major community service initiative. In preparation for this philanthropic trip, scholars were required to study Louisiana’s history, assess the impact that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had on the affected cities, and reflect on what it would take to be an effective part of the recovery efforts.

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana taught our scholars about the food packing and distribution industry. Packing over 25,200 pounds of food, the Higher Achievement team was able to feed more than 20,000 people. The combination of this accomplishment, and the tours of the still-devastated areas in New Orleans, left the scholars touched. In the words of Ward 1 scholar Jaden McNeil, these scholars now know that, “We can make a difference.”