News Releases

USM Students Spend Alternative Spring Break in Mississippi

March 30, 2007

A group of University of Southern Maine students are spending their spring break helping Habitat for Humanity replace destroyed housing in Bay St. Louis, Miss., a municipality still reeling from the effects of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.  The students left on Saturday, March 24, and will return Saturday, March 31, to USM’s Gorham campus.

Residence Director Gail Minichiello, who is accompanying the group, explained that the students chose Bay St. Louis from among Habitat for Humanity Gulf Coast destinations because it received much less attention in the media.  Hurricane Katrina destroyed about 80 percent of Bay St. Louis homes and businesses.

The group flew into New Orleans to spend a day sightseeing, after which they moved into bunkhouses at the Lagniappe Presbyterian Church where they will sleep and eat meals for the week.

Students raised money all this academic year to cover their traveling expenses through a variety of group fundraisers, including bake sales, and online silent auctions. USM’s Student Senate also donated money to finance the trip, and some students privately raised funds.

Editor’s note: Students from Maine who are on the trip are listed below in alphabetical order by hometown:

Gorham:
Gail Minichiello is the USM resident director accompanying the students. She is also a graduate student.

Kittery:
Monique M. Barber, daughter of Lori E. Barber and Steven Lauckner, is a sociology major in her senior year. She is a 2002 graduate of Noble High School.

North Yarmouth:
Clayton Conrad, a biology major in his senior year, is the son of Marlin and Kathleen Conrad. He is a 2001 graduate of Greely High School.

Saco:
Barbara Petit is a history major in her senior year. Daughter of David and Mary Petit, she is a 2003 graduate of Thornton Academy.

Sanford:
Katherine Cyr, daughter of Normand and Majella Cyr, is a media studies major in her senior year. She is a 2003 graduate of Sanford High School.

Sidney:
Christie Benton is a 2006 graduate of Messalonskee High School. She is the daughter of Mary Shaw and Jack Benton, and is currently in her freshman year as a History major.

Turner:
Melissa Sheets is a Leavitt Area High School graduate. She is an Art History major in her sophomore year.

Unity:
Katherine (Katie) Hughes, daughter of Roland and Verna Hughes is a social work major in her sophomore year. She is a 2005 graduate of Mt. View High School.

Winslow:
Rachel Gagnon, daughter of Henry and Susan Gagnon, is a 2004 graduate of Winslow High School. She is a communication major in her junior year.

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