Project Location/Destination: Out of town - Acadiana & New Orleans, Louisiana
Faculty Leaders: Bridget Hennessy & Nicholas Baer
Dates: Sunday, March 12 - Friday, March 17 (Please note project begins on Sunday, March 12)
Cost: $2305
Special Considerations:
See below.
Objective
This project will introduce and connect students to the distinct Cajun and Creole culture of South Louisiana; the week’s activities will center around the region’s food, music, history and environs.
Description
Louisiana is a Southern state known for its distinct culture and southern charm, but what exactly is so unique about this region, and why is it worth experiencing? As coastal wetland erosion and hurricanes continue to put the state of Louisiana at risk, this project will help students understand exactly how much cultural richness is at stake. From its literature to its food, its history to its marshes, its parade routes to its libraries, Louisiana is like no other place in America.
During this project, students will explore various areas of South Louisiana – the small towns that makeup “Acadiana” and the state’s biggest city, New Orleans – in an effort to understand why Louisiana matters. Students will participate in hands-on cooking, writing and dancing workshops, and they will meet a cast of Cajun and Creole characters who call Louisiana home. Students will explore a traditional cajun village, participate in a crawfish boil, learn about the one-of-a-kind jazz funeral tradition, and walk the streets of impressionist artist Edgar Degas and playwright Tennessee Williams. The group will tour the diverse waterways of the bayou, meet with local authors, scholars and filmmakers, and move and groove to Louisiana’s best Zydeco and jazz.
Student Requirements and Expectations
Students will be provided with a reading packet that includes historical background, documents, and articles, in addition to short stories, poems, and novel excerpts from several Louisiana writers. Students will be assigned readings ahead of time and be expected to lead daily salon discussions on specific topics.
Our group will mostly likely be staying in large houses and students will be sharing rooms and, in most cases, beds as well.
A large portion of Louisiana cuisine contains seafood, shellfish, and meat; students with allergies or who are vegetarian/vegan should be aware. Specifically, avoiding certain foods might be an option, but it will be difficult to avoid airborne exposure to shellfish.
About the Faculty
Ms. Hennessy is an upper school history teacher and the ninth and tenth grade dean of students. She had led a variety of Project Week trips to locations ranging from Jordan to Tanzania and West Texas to Southern California. Ms. Hennessy lived in New Orleans for 10 years and is excited to share the traditions and culture of this unique region.
Mr. Baer is an upper school theater teacher and the 11th and 12th grade dean of students. Mr. Baer has led many Project Week trips, both domestic and international, including a previous trip to New Orleans (with Ms. Hennessy!), as well as trips to South Africa, India, Cuba and Ireland.
Special Considerations
Accommodation considerations - Students will be expected to sleep in shared accommodations.,
COVID related information - Some venues may require proof of COVID vaccination or negative test. Students are encouraged to travel with this information and provide it, if required. Please contact the project leaders or School Nurse with any questions or concerns.
Food limitations and allergies - Students with food allergies and food sensitivities should understand that there may be times that food options will be limited. In addition, there may be cross contamination risk of allergens, as there will be times where outside food vendors will prepare our meals. Please contact the project leaders or Nurse Jill Yacu with any questions or concerns.
Scheduling (Out-of-Town) - This project will have time commitment outside of the M-F (8-4) typical school week. Please note that there is an expectation that students are able to attend the whole time the project is running.
Supervision during the day - Students might be unsupervised for short periods of time during the course of the day.
Supervision while sleeping - Students might be unsupervised for extended periods of time during sleeping hours (hotel, hostels, etc.).
Transportation considerations: Latin faculty - Students will be transported by Latin School faculty chaperones drivers.