Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/93284
Latin Tornado Relief Efforts in Joplin Latin students and faculty returned to Joplin, MO., for a second time in October to help with ongoing tornado relief efforts. A group of 24 upper school students and two faculty members traveled by bus to the area devastated by the May 22 twister and spent two days working with AmeriCorps on continuing cleanup efforts. In July, a smaller group, including one parent, spent four days clearing debris in the six-mile area flattened by the tornado. "AmeriCorps was very appreciative that we wanted to come back," said Tim Cronister, Latin's director of Student Life. "Although conditions are better, they still need a lot of help, and the number of on-the-ground volunteers has been declining since the summer." While there were a few minor injuries reported, including nails through boots and a fractured finger, the experience was very meaningful for the students who participated, some of them for the second time. Alejandro Lopez Black '12, who was dragged out of bed by his mother early on a Saturday morning in July to make the first trip to Joplin, became a leading voice in urging Cronister to return in the fall. "There is no doubt that this has been my most powerful service experience," Alejandro explained. "When we first got to Joplin, the devastation was incredible. Where there used to be a Walmart, there was nothing. Where there used to be houses, there was nothing. Where there used to be a school, there was only an empty shell. It was amazing to see how in a couple of minutes people could go from having so much to having nothing." After working alongside Joplin's residents and hearing their stories, Alejandro felt compelled to go back. "I came away feeling that although we had helped some, we hadn't done enough, and I wanted to do more." According to Cronister, a number of faculty and students felt the same way, and he hopes to continue to foster the relationships Latin has made in Joplin. A third trip is planned to the area during Project Week in March. l "I came away feeling that although we had helped some, we hadn't done enough, and I wanted to do more." – Alejandro Lopez Black '12 Latin students and faculty at work in Joplin. Latin School of Chicago 15