Hi, I'm Kristina Parthum. I'm a freshman this year at Winona and I heard about this class my first semester because I had Tamara for a different class. My reasons for wanting to go on this trip are very important to me. Yes I wanted to help others and yes I thought it would be an incredible experience that I may never get again, but one of the biggest reasons that I went to New Orleans is my family ties to this unique city. My grandmother was from New Orleans and in her opinion it is the best city in the world. My grandmother died several years ago, but I went to New Orleans in part for her memory. I know it is something she would have wanted and this knowledge made my experience even better. As far as the trip itself, it was indescribable. I can say at the age of 19 that this will be one of the most memorable experiences in my life. The courage and determination of the people we helped gives me nothing but admiration for the people of New Orleans. It also keeps me grateful for everything I have and helps me not to lose sight of what is important in life.