There is a creature.
Its name is seldom used
and is only whispered in the darkest of alley ways.
This small group
is fabled to live among us,
in New Orleans…
But once a year,
They get the hell out of Dodge
and cannot be sighted for at least a week.
Many believe that they migrate,
so that they can feed.
These creatures that I am talking about
are
PEOPLE FROM NEW ORLEANS WHO HATE MARDI GRAS!
*gasp*
It is said that they are adept at navigating the alpine slopes of Vail, Colorado,
and that many of them visit the “wonderful world of Mickey” acquiring strange hats that may be a
symbol to other like minded creatures that they are indeed, one of them.
This formidable beast is a danger to our life and our liberty here in New Orleans.
Now I hope you join me in the fight to raise awareness,
and that this infectious state of mind be squashed before it spreads.
Aid me in this fight.
Vive le Carnaval!
Maeve, age 17
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Torre - Mardi Gras
The joy that comes with screaming for valueless coins andplastic beads
The excitement of running down St. Charles littered withplastic cups
While strangers from every end of the country
Come in their obvious tourist attire
To profess their love for the Big Easy and even you
To a New Orleanian, this is nothing out of the norm
As we have found a time
Year after year
To make sure the good times keep on rolling
Through ignorance
Through trials of injustice and crime
Through it all
We have found a reason to celebrate
Laissez les bons temps roulez
Torre, age 17
Liza - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans
Where I was born
Listenin’ to the marching band blow their horn
Now Mardi Gras’ over, it’s time to morn
No more beads, my heart is torn
Too many king cakes my stomach is worn
Next year will be even better, so I’ve sworn
Liza, age 16
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Ashley - Mardi Gras
When everyone screams “Throw me something Mister!”
And is thrilled by the thought of catching beads, stuffed animals, or even better…
A SHOE!
Just to throw them away the next day.
When everyone walks around in the same striped shirt with the little crawfish,
When it’s impossible to find an available streetcar,
When everyone eats a diet of king cake and gumbo,
When Cajun music fills the air,
When the whole city comes together,
You know it’s Mardi Gras time in New Orleans
Ashley, age 17
And is thrilled by the thought of catching beads, stuffed animals, or even better…
A SHOE!
Just to throw them away the next day.
When everyone walks around in the same striped shirt with the little crawfish,
When it’s impossible to find an available streetcar,
When everyone eats a diet of king cake and gumbo,
When Cajun music fills the air,
When the whole city comes together,
You know it’s Mardi Gras time in New Orleans
Ashley, age 17
Holly - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans,
Mardi Gras means something different than what it means to the rest of the country.
Yes, it is a time of celebration and gluttony,
but it is also a time when the city stops what it is doing,
and comes together.
Down in New Orleans,
Mardi Gras is a time when families put on the most ridiculous of costumes
whether they're dressed as Swiss cheese slices, red solo cups, or super heroes,
and head out to their traditional Mardi Gras spots.
It is only down in New Orleans that you can hold a conversation
about the pros and cons of catching the parades on
Amelia, Marengo, or Milan.
Down in New Orleans,
Mardi Gras is a time when you can walk down the streetcar tracks
and have overly zealous locals throw beads at you
from the streetcar window or dance in the street with a stranger
as if you have known them your entire life.
Only in New Orleans
Will you find yourself in a brawl with strangers of all ages for
Plastic beads, parade cups, or coveted doubloons.
To those who have never experienced it,
Mardi Gras might seem ridiculous due to the
outrageous costumes, excessive eating, and dancing,
but Mardi Gras sums up what the city is all about.
It is about coming together and celebrating what we all have in common.
It is about enjoying our culture,
and it is about letting the good times roll.
Holly, age 17
Mardi Gras means something different than what it means to the rest of the country.
Yes, it is a time of celebration and gluttony,
but it is also a time when the city stops what it is doing,
and comes together.
Down in New Orleans,
Mardi Gras is a time when families put on the most ridiculous of costumes
whether they're dressed as Swiss cheese slices, red solo cups, or super heroes,
and head out to their traditional Mardi Gras spots.
It is only down in New Orleans that you can hold a conversation
about the pros and cons of catching the parades on
Amelia, Marengo, or Milan.
Down in New Orleans,
Mardi Gras is a time when you can walk down the streetcar tracks
and have overly zealous locals throw beads at you
from the streetcar window or dance in the street with a stranger
as if you have known them your entire life.
Only in New Orleans
Will you find yourself in a brawl with strangers of all ages for
Plastic beads, parade cups, or coveted doubloons.
To those who have never experienced it,
Mardi Gras might seem ridiculous due to the
outrageous costumes, excessive eating, and dancing,
but Mardi Gras sums up what the city is all about.
It is about coming together and celebrating what we all have in common.
It is about enjoying our culture,
and it is about letting the good times roll.
Holly, age 17
Brittany - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans,
We don’t walk our alligators on the sidewalks, we contain it to our back yard
We don’t wear beads as regular jewelry, unless it is Mardi Gras season
We don’t all live in “the city”, there is Uptown, Metairie, the west bank, Kenner, Harahan
We don’t pronounce it Nawlins, its New Orleans
We don’t hear jazz music everywhere we go, in fact its mostly only on weekends outside of a bar
We don’t actually believe purple, green and gold look good together, but it's convincing during Mardi
Gras.
Down in New Orleans, were unique, were not able to be duplicated, were truly New Orleans
Brittany, age 17
We don’t walk our alligators on the sidewalks, we contain it to our back yard
We don’t wear beads as regular jewelry, unless it is Mardi Gras season
We don’t all live in “the city”, there is Uptown, Metairie, the west bank, Kenner, Harahan
We don’t pronounce it Nawlins, its New Orleans
We don’t hear jazz music everywhere we go, in fact its mostly only on weekends outside of a bar
We don’t actually believe purple, green and gold look good together, but it's convincing during Mardi
Gras.
Down in New Orleans, were unique, were not able to be duplicated, were truly New Orleans
Brittany, age 17
Julia - Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is a time when everyone and everything in the city changes
a time when...
-it is not looked down upon to stuff your face with Popeyes and king
cake all day
-it is acceptable to wear short shorts with boots because of the
constant changing weather
-it is not creepy for the old man next to you to be talking to you
because you both have the common interest of catching beads
-you don't really care what you look like, because "its going to be
dark, right?"
-there is an excuse to be loud and rude because of all the craziness
around
-you see people you know you won't see until next Mardi Gras
-you collect enough beads around your neck that it's hard to breathe
-you meet people you know you will never see again
And when all of the craziness is over, you drive by the same spot you
stood at for days and wonder if that is actually the spot, because
everything and everyone in the city has already changed again
Julia, age 15
a time when...
-it is not looked down upon to stuff your face with Popeyes and king
cake all day
-it is acceptable to wear short shorts with boots because of the
constant changing weather
-it is not creepy for the old man next to you to be talking to you
because you both have the common interest of catching beads
-you don't really care what you look like, because "its going to be
dark, right?"
-there is an excuse to be loud and rude because of all the craziness
around
-you see people you know you won't see until next Mardi Gras
-you collect enough beads around your neck that it's hard to breathe
-you meet people you know you will never see again
And when all of the craziness is over, you drive by the same spot you
stood at for days and wonder if that is actually the spot, because
everything and everyone in the city has already changed again
Julia, age 15
Grace - Mardi Gras
It is the joy and spirit that lighten the streets of New Orleans.
The blaring music from Superior Grill that makes everyone dance,
Bands with a variety instruments cover the pavement as they create cheerful music,
The rumbling of tractors that pull the flimsy floats for miles,
And lastly, children and adults scream for useless and plastic beads that in reality mean nothing
However, these are the sounds that “laissez les bon temps roulez.”
Grace, age 17
The blaring music from Superior Grill that makes everyone dance,
Bands with a variety instruments cover the pavement as they create cheerful music,
The rumbling of tractors that pull the flimsy floats for miles,
And lastly, children and adults scream for useless and plastic beads that in reality mean nothing
However, these are the sounds that “laissez les bon temps roulez.”
Grace, age 17
Elizabeth - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans, our lives are consumed by food
At breakfast, we think about what we are eating for lunch
At lunch, we think about what we are eating for dinner
And at dinner, we think about what we are eating the next day and about all the food we ate that day
Down in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is the best week of the year
It is the one time where acting ridiculous isn’t considered weird
Seeing all the floats
Shouting and fighting for plastic beads
Taking pictures with people dressed in ridiculous costumes
The city truly comes together during this time of year
Down in New Orleans, there is never a dull moment
There is constantly something to do
The music is only part of what makes this city so great
There isn’t a city like it anywhere else
The feeling of community is indescribable
The city’s spirit on the day of a Saint’s game cannot be contained
The music, the food, the history is all unique to the city
Down in New Orleans, everyone loves their city and is proud to call it home
Elizabeth, age 16
At breakfast, we think about what we are eating for lunch
At lunch, we think about what we are eating for dinner
And at dinner, we think about what we are eating the next day and about all the food we ate that day
Down in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is the best week of the year
It is the one time where acting ridiculous isn’t considered weird
Seeing all the floats
Shouting and fighting for plastic beads
Taking pictures with people dressed in ridiculous costumes
The city truly comes together during this time of year
Down in New Orleans, there is never a dull moment
There is constantly something to do
The music is only part of what makes this city so great
There isn’t a city like it anywhere else
The feeling of community is indescribable
The city’s spirit on the day of a Saint’s game cannot be contained
The music, the food, the history is all unique to the city
Down in New Orleans, everyone loves their city and is proud to call it home
Elizabeth, age 16
Anonymous - Mardi Gras
The trees and the beads
The parades with the masquerades
The fun while on the run
Down in new Orleans you can find
The atmosphere which is one of a kind
Maridas gras is the best
It beats all the rest
Anonymous, age 16
The parades with the masquerades
The fun while on the run
Down in new Orleans you can find
The atmosphere which is one of a kind
Maridas gras is the best
It beats all the rest
Anonymous, age 16
Ashley - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans…
Begging strangers in masks to throw plastic beads at your face
Diving to the ground for doubloons
Covering your neck in purple, green and gold beads
Giving kids decorated spears
Praising strangers dressed as kings and queens
Wearing tacky clothes
Eating your weight in fried chicken from Popeye’s
Celebrating when you get the baby in a piece of cake
Dancing with strangers to the beat of the drums
is the norm.
It is Mardi Gras Madness, what else do you expect?
Ashley, age 16
Begging strangers in masks to throw plastic beads at your face
Diving to the ground for doubloons
Covering your neck in purple, green and gold beads
Giving kids decorated spears
Praising strangers dressed as kings and queens
Wearing tacky clothes
Eating your weight in fried chicken from Popeye’s
Celebrating when you get the baby in a piece of cake
Dancing with strangers to the beat of the drums
is the norm.
It is Mardi Gras Madness, what else do you expect?
Ashley, age 16
Estelle - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans is what all the northerners say
Down in New Orleans where the bob cats sway
Down in New Orleans is where the jazz band plays
Down in New Orleans where the carriage horses neigh
Down in New Orleans is where you come to eat a beignet
Down in New Orleans is where the tourists stray
Down in New Orleans is where the college kids go “cray”
Down in New Orleans is the place to stay
Estelle, age 16
Lucy - Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras…
You see some funky outfits during Mardi Gras,
Especially from college students from out of town,
Those inexperienced first-timers…
Neon clothing, tutus and extravagant hats blind me from what I really want
Beads.
Just about every costume or clothing imaginable is worn during Mardi Gras
And used against me in order to drag my eyes away from the object I am trying to view,
The floats.
Bodies painted metallic gold, Mardi Gras body suits, and people wearing barely anything,
Are all, in truth, dressed wrong,
But, most importantly, they are distractions.
And if you think these outrageous costumes only come out during these five nights…
Just wait for Mardi Gras day.
Lucy, age 17
You see some funky outfits during Mardi Gras,
Especially from college students from out of town,
Those inexperienced first-timers…
Neon clothing, tutus and extravagant hats blind me from what I really want
Beads.
Just about every costume or clothing imaginable is worn during Mardi Gras
And used against me in order to drag my eyes away from the object I am trying to view,
The floats.
Bodies painted metallic gold, Mardi Gras body suits, and people wearing barely anything,
Are all, in truth, dressed wrong,
But, most importantly, they are distractions.
And if you think these outrageous costumes only come out during these five nights…
Just wait for Mardi Gras day.
Lucy, age 17
Haley - Mardi Gras
MARDI GRAS IN A NUTSHELL
Wake up.
Get dressed.
Rush to day parades.
Walk around aimlessly in the streets searching for familiar faces.
Stop to watch the floats passing by.
Scream “Throw me something, mister!” until your throat is sore.
Take a break to go eat.
The sun starts going down, and you go back out.
Walk towards all of your friends.
Run up to people you haven’t seen in a while.
Meet people that you feel as if you’ve known for a lifetime.
Stay out until you can’t take it anymore.
Go home and talk about everything that happened that night.
Sleep.
Wake up.
Repeat until Mardi Gras day.
Haley, age 15
Wake up.
Get dressed.
Rush to day parades.
Walk around aimlessly in the streets searching for familiar faces.
Stop to watch the floats passing by.
Scream “Throw me something, mister!” until your throat is sore.
Take a break to go eat.
The sun starts going down, and you go back out.
Walk towards all of your friends.
Run up to people you haven’t seen in a while.
Meet people that you feel as if you’ve known for a lifetime.
Stay out until you can’t take it anymore.
Go home and talk about everything that happened that night.
Sleep.
Wake up.
Repeat until Mardi Gras day.
Haley, age 15
Annie - Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Down in New Orleans
Mardi Gras down in New Orleans
There’s laughter and cheering
The screaming of ‘Throw me something mister’
People dancing, and singing
Running to catch floats that have your family riding on them
Mardi Gras Indians dancing through the streets
Friends coming over at all times of the day or night
That is a Mardi Gras Down in New Orleans
There is no better place or celebration better than that
Annie, age 16
Mardi Gras down in New Orleans
There’s laughter and cheering
The screaming of ‘Throw me something mister’
People dancing, and singing
Running to catch floats that have your family riding on them
Mardi Gras Indians dancing through the streets
Friends coming over at all times of the day or night
That is a Mardi Gras Down in New Orleans
There is no better place or celebration better than that
Annie, age 16
Catie - Mardi Gras
There is such a sense of community down in New Orleans
Being with most of your friends on the streets of your Home city during parades is so much fun
Knowing almost everyone that you see walking around gives you a feeling of family and importance
There is a melancholy feeling of not watching too much of the parades when in high school, but instead, visiting with friends
When you do finally watch some of the parade, it brings back memories, and reminds you of the excitement and joy Mardi Gras really brings
The strong bands' wholehearted sound defines Mardi Gras, while making people smile and dance
Masks are all around along with crazy costumes
Spirited people wearing beads around their neck up to their chin displays a good time on the route
Having soccer everyday preparing for state, brings you back to reality and soon the Holiday is over, leaving people with just memories to talk about
Catie, 15
Being with most of your friends on the streets of your Home city during parades is so much fun
Knowing almost everyone that you see walking around gives you a feeling of family and importance
There is a melancholy feeling of not watching too much of the parades when in high school, but instead, visiting with friends
When you do finally watch some of the parade, it brings back memories, and reminds you of the excitement and joy Mardi Gras really brings
The strong bands' wholehearted sound defines Mardi Gras, while making people smile and dance
Masks are all around along with crazy costumes
Spirited people wearing beads around their neck up to their chin displays a good time on the route
Having soccer everyday preparing for state, brings you back to reality and soon the Holiday is over, leaving people with just memories to talk about
Catie, 15
Mikaela - Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras:
Indians come out and fill our eyes with color
As we watch them march down our streets in the many multi-colors
Little children reach up and scream “throw me something!”
As those on floats throw every little thing
Beads in the trees remain
As we try and refrain from going insane back at school
Of the three week party we will never feel ashamed
Because at the end of the day this is our city
New Orleans knows how to party
We let the good times roll
Mikaela, age 15
Indians come out and fill our eyes with color
As we watch them march down our streets in the many multi-colors
Little children reach up and scream “throw me something!”
As those on floats throw every little thing
Beads in the trees remain
As we try and refrain from going insane back at school
Of the three week party we will never feel ashamed
Because at the end of the day this is our city
New Orleans knows how to party
We let the good times roll
Mikaela, age 15
Francie - Mardi Gras
Arriving to school,
Purple, green and gold everywhere.
Teachers trying to teach,
But no one seems to care.
Ten minutes left,
And no one can sit still.
The bell rings,
And everyone runs.
Fried chicken and macaroni,
The highlight of the month.
The sound of our favorite band
Starts to fill the air.
They fill the front courtyard
As the whole school is as happier than ever.
This is just a glimpse of Mardi Gras at Sacred Heart.
Francie, age 17
Taylor - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans
Good smells rise
and lift across the skies
as we sink below sea level
six feet above where the devil lies
Down in New Orleans
We celebrate
where you’re welcome to eat, drink and pray
in the jambalaya jumble before Fat Tuesday
when the marching bands rumble
and the flambeaux men sway
and ancient oaks lean in toast to hurricanes now gone away
where friendly smiles are shared
and rain stains glass
Down in New Orleans
At a Super Sunday Second Line
you can buckjump out of your mind
party till the sun shines and
pass a real good time
down in New Orleans
embrace yourself
into the taste of this town and
Lose yourself until your soul is found
Down in New Orleans
Taylor, age 16
Good smells rise
and lift across the skies
as we sink below sea level
six feet above where the devil lies
Down in New Orleans
We celebrate
where you’re welcome to eat, drink and pray
in the jambalaya jumble before Fat Tuesday
when the marching bands rumble
and the flambeaux men sway
and ancient oaks lean in toast to hurricanes now gone away
where friendly smiles are shared
and rain stains glass
Down in New Orleans
At a Super Sunday Second Line
you can buckjump out of your mind
party till the sun shines and
pass a real good time
down in New Orleans
embrace yourself
into the taste of this town and
Lose yourself until your soul is found
Down in New Orleans
Taylor, age 16
Camille - Mardi Gras
The Time of Your Life Could Be the End
A jab of the elbow here and there, a little shove to the old lady. Everyone has been through the fight.
I first discovered “The Fight” when I had to wrestle with a thirty-something year old woman who seriously wanted some beads. My friend Simone rode in the Zulu parade and man, did she have some things ready to hand down to me and Meredith. Be prepared to hear the horror of this day, Meredith almost lost her life. As the float approached, Simone got all our bags of beads and catches ready. As she lowered it down, among the regular commotion, this unknown lady threw herself in front of us. She was going for our catches! After that, everything happened in slow motion. Meredith and the woman struggled over the bags. Back and forth, both sides were not giving up. Then, the contents flew up in the air as the bag split open in two. We were almost pushed under the float and crushed to death.
I am grateful that we survived to tell the tale.
Even the French don’t venture to such lengths on their famous, Mardi Gras. My recent exchange student came for this past Mardi Gras. Her dad came with her and had the time of his life, as people do down in New Orleans. He told us stories of his late night on the town. He had gone up to the concierge and simply put it, “I just want to dance.” He just wanted to dance after all. He was directed to a night club on Frenchman Street, ironically where he met “the love of his life.” He was kidding when he said this. The lady was his age and he told us that his wife had never said such things to him. She told him, and this is not a joke, that he was “so beautiful.” And they danced the night away. He told us he returned to his hotel room at 2 a.m. the first night, then went a little crazy and stayed out until 4 a.m. the next day.
Camille, age 17
A jab of the elbow here and there, a little shove to the old lady. Everyone has been through the fight.
I first discovered “The Fight” when I had to wrestle with a thirty-something year old woman who seriously wanted some beads. My friend Simone rode in the Zulu parade and man, did she have some things ready to hand down to me and Meredith. Be prepared to hear the horror of this day, Meredith almost lost her life. As the float approached, Simone got all our bags of beads and catches ready. As she lowered it down, among the regular commotion, this unknown lady threw herself in front of us. She was going for our catches! After that, everything happened in slow motion. Meredith and the woman struggled over the bags. Back and forth, both sides were not giving up. Then, the contents flew up in the air as the bag split open in two. We were almost pushed under the float and crushed to death.
I am grateful that we survived to tell the tale.
Even the French don’t venture to such lengths on their famous, Mardi Gras. My recent exchange student came for this past Mardi Gras. Her dad came with her and had the time of his life, as people do down in New Orleans. He told us stories of his late night on the town. He had gone up to the concierge and simply put it, “I just want to dance.” He just wanted to dance after all. He was directed to a night club on Frenchman Street, ironically where he met “the love of his life.” He was kidding when he said this. The lady was his age and he told us that his wife had never said such things to him. She told him, and this is not a joke, that he was “so beautiful.” And they danced the night away. He told us he returned to his hotel room at 2 a.m. the first night, then went a little crazy and stayed out until 4 a.m. the next day.
Camille, age 17
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Kaley - Mardi Gras
"Hey Mister!"
People get crazy, and party more than ever
Everyone partying with people they have never seen
A real excuse to stay up into the morning for a multiple days in a row
People acting in odd ways with people they have never seen nor they will ever see again
"Throw Me Something!"
People throwing away their money for no reason what so ever to random people that they have never
seen before
People fighting for things that will never matter, and that will most probably be thrown away during the
next few days
Thoughts running through the minds of the people on the floats, while seeing all the random people
yelling at you
"I Want Something Good, not Just Beads!"
How do those people on the float feel to be on the float and get yelled at by drunk people?
What do the tourists think when witnessing this odd spectacle?
What would a New Orleanian's life be like without Mardi Gras?
Kaley, age 15
People get crazy, and party more than ever
Everyone partying with people they have never seen
A real excuse to stay up into the morning for a multiple days in a row
People acting in odd ways with people they have never seen nor they will ever see again
"Throw Me Something!"
People throwing away their money for no reason what so ever to random people that they have never
seen before
People fighting for things that will never matter, and that will most probably be thrown away during the
next few days
Thoughts running through the minds of the people on the floats, while seeing all the random people
yelling at you
"I Want Something Good, not Just Beads!"
How do those people on the float feel to be on the float and get yelled at by drunk people?
What do the tourists think when witnessing this odd spectacle?
What would a New Orleanian's life be like without Mardi Gras?
Kaley, age 15
Chelsea - Mardi Gras
The Essence of Mardi Gras
King Cake is a Mardi Gras Staple.
The Outside world does not understand.
No, it is not an over-sized cinnamon bun.
It is the start of a magical season.
In this season, an entire city comes together.
They all share in the revelry of carnival.
From the smallest krew to the largest
The streets are filled with people.
They wave there hands and chant
“Throw me something mister”
Hoping the riders will throw beads their way.
The Kings and the Queens wave at there subjects
The elaborate costumes stopping people in their tracks
All this together
Is the essence of Mardi Gras
The Carnival Season
King Cake is a Mardi Gras Staple.
The Outside world does not understand.
No, it is not an over-sized cinnamon bun.
It is the start of a magical season.
In this season, an entire city comes together.
They all share in the revelry of carnival.
From the smallest krew to the largest
The streets are filled with people.
They wave there hands and chant
“Throw me something mister”
Hoping the riders will throw beads their way.
The Kings and the Queens wave at there subjects
The elaborate costumes stopping people in their tracks
All this together
Is the essence of Mardi Gras
The Carnival Season
Chelsea, age 15
Ciara - Down in New Orleans...
Mardi Gras Down In New Orleans
People gather around
Everyone comes together
You make your best friend for the day
Knowing you’ll never meet again
People yelling for their beads
Bands playing to the beat
Joy just floating in the air
Floats passing by
no one is shy
People come from everywhere
It’s a time we all share
Ciara, age 17
People gather around
Everyone comes together
You make your best friend for the day
Knowing you’ll never meet again
People yelling for their beads
Bands playing to the beat
Joy just floating in the air
Floats passing by
no one is shy
People come from everywhere
It’s a time we all share
Ciara, age 17
Courtney - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans
chilly weather, good spirits
great food, shiny beads
colorful floats, shouting people
all describe the time of the year
that all New Orleanians
anticipate daily
until it actually comes
fat tuesday, mardi gras
whatever one calls it
the meaning is the same
a week of pure joy and
fun for every person
in the city
Courtney, age 17
chilly weather, good spirits
great food, shiny beads
colorful floats, shouting people
all describe the time of the year
that all New Orleanians
anticipate daily
until it actually comes
fat tuesday, mardi gras
whatever one calls it
the meaning is the same
a week of pure joy and
fun for every person
in the city
Courtney, age 17
Friday, February 10, 2012
Emily - Mardi Gras
Today, today
The trumpets scream
And the people march
To a beating drum
There are men with flames
And precious, shining things
Strewn about
Muddied on the filthy ground
These are wild times, they say
Because the people invade the streets
So that none may leave the city
And their cries resound
And to the republic for which it stands
All hail, King of Carnival
And there are many flags
Some Fleur de Lis
Some tri-color: purple, green, and gold
And amidst the madness is you,
Like a little Dauphin, lost
In the tides of frenzied onlookers
You mount your scaffold
And you watch the people march
And a masked man looks at you straight in the eye
You raise your hands, praying to God
Hoping to grasp the tiny fortune
Which now passes fleetingly right above you
And then the strike
The sharp pain in your head
The feeling of a million beads
Making impact with your little skull
And as the tears well up in your eyes, you watch them fall to the ground
They remove your body from the scaffold
And over the shoulder of your mother
You see a young reveler
Holding your little, shining, purple bag
You extend your arm
Wrap a tiny fist around the bag
And in a wavering voice, mutter a thank you
Mardi Gras:
It’s the best of times
And it’s the worst of times
Emily, age 15
The trumpets scream
And the people march
To a beating drum
There are men with flames
And precious, shining things
Strewn about
Muddied on the filthy ground
These are wild times, they say
Because the people invade the streets
So that none may leave the city
And their cries resound
And to the republic for which it stands
All hail, King of Carnival
And there are many flags
Some Fleur de Lis
Some tri-color: purple, green, and gold
And amidst the madness is you,
Like a little Dauphin, lost
In the tides of frenzied onlookers
You mount your scaffold
And you watch the people march
And a masked man looks at you straight in the eye
You raise your hands, praying to God
Hoping to grasp the tiny fortune
Which now passes fleetingly right above you
And then the strike
The sharp pain in your head
The feeling of a million beads
Making impact with your little skull
And as the tears well up in your eyes, you watch them fall to the ground
They remove your body from the scaffold
And over the shoulder of your mother
You see a young reveler
Holding your little, shining, purple bag
You extend your arm
Wrap a tiny fist around the bag
And in a wavering voice, mutter a thank you
Mardi Gras:
It’s the best of times
And it’s the worst of times
Emily, age 15
Brittany - Down in New Orleans...
NOLA Truth
My
family and I evacuated Florida during Katrina. When we arrived, it was
cold, dark and raining outside, and I had no friends. Sitting in my
hotel room, I turned on the TV, hoping Spongebob would be there to make
me laugh. Instead, a came across something disturbing and alarming. A
news reporter informed me that “God is punishing New Orleans for their
corruptions such as partying, and supporting of criminals.” I was a
fourth grader who had just learned that I was a member of a corrupt
community. All of New Orleans, including me, a naïve eleven-year-old,
was at fault. We deserved God’s punishment; I felt guilty. When Katrina
was over, I returned to my religion class at Sacred Heart and questioned
the news reporter’s statement. My teacher told me “down in New Orleans,
we ignore stupid stereotypes.” WHO DAT
Brittany, age 16
Meredith - Mardi Gras
Why do people…Pull hair, Punch, Push, Shove, Shout, Spill
Just for beads
There is an abundant
amount of plastic, replaceable, cheap beads.
So why do people fight over them
or even worse, almost
get run over by a huge float
Tourists come for Mardi Gras to experience New Orleans
They spend five dollars at Claire’s for 1 bead
Or assume that all girls flash for beads
But the reality is they are just beads. Meredith, age 17
Lillie - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans, winter isn’t an actuality.
Clouds bound down heavily and humidity proliferates.
Temperatures remain around New England spring while spirits rise and fall.
Down in New Orleans, sea levels are inconsequential.
Storms are what re-energize and charge the static energy that this city runs on.
Oaks produce the fresh shade of which air-conditions dream.
Down in New Orleans, directions go south to the river swiveling around north.
Cracks and potholes are in the streets, not on the streets.
Lillie, age 17
Clouds bound down heavily and humidity proliferates.
Temperatures remain around New England spring while spirits rise and fall.
Down in New Orleans, sea levels are inconsequential.
Storms are what re-energize and charge the static energy that this city runs on.
Oaks produce the fresh shade of which air-conditions dream.
Down in New Orleans, directions go south to the river swiveling around north.
Cracks and potholes are in the streets, not on the streets.
Lillie, age 17
Ruthie - Down in New Orleans...
No matter where they live,
always ask a friend to visit you
"down here."
How's Houma?
I like New Orleans,
not gonna lie.
You gotta come down
and visit at least once.
Oh, you live in Miami?
That's nice.
You should come down here
sometime.
Venezuela? Sounds cool.
You gotta come to New Orleans.
We have good food
down here.
We don't realize,
that we aren't that far south.
Ruthie, age 17
Megann - Mardi Gras
We wear our short shorts in January, our scarves we wear in july,
the weather here gets switched around, but not one snowflake on the ground
not one snowflake on the ground
im walking in new orleans with the sunshine on my hair
flip flops on my feet, traces of chill gone from the air
but something different besides our dress
and evergreen trees and sidewalks snow-less
sets us apart from any other country, state, or town
you can see it in the glimmer of the Rex king's crown
men in dresses, red black or gold
masses on the parade ground, young middle or old
we look, we sound, we feel separate
we are our own, a massive color palette
but every once in a big blue moon
the changes come and we all swoon
above ground graves all covered in snow
beautiful, austere, and strange, we know
never forget and never regret the fact we are all raised to know
it's deep within our hearts, our souls, our minds, our genes
dreams do come true in new orleans
Megann, age 17
Anonymous - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans, we all wait for that special day
when Fat Tuesday comes our way.
Down in New Orleans, we all scream and shout
“Throw me something mister!” as the floats roll about.
Down in New Orleans, little girls sit in their ladders
and pray that one day they will be queen of the ball.
Down in New Orleans, the marching bands start to play.
Down in New Orleans, where the king of Bacchus reigns,
but the women of Muses with their high heeled shoes are really who’s boss.
Down in New Orleans, it's purple, green, and gold.
Down in New Orleans, never forget to
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
Anonymous, age 15
when Fat Tuesday comes our way.
Down in New Orleans, we all scream and shout
“Throw me something mister!” as the floats roll about.
Down in New Orleans, little girls sit in their ladders
and pray that one day they will be queen of the ball.
Down in New Orleans, the marching bands start to play.
Down in New Orleans, where the king of Bacchus reigns,
but the women of Muses with their high heeled shoes are really who’s boss.
Down in New Orleans, it's purple, green, and gold.
Down in New Orleans, never forget to
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
Anonymous, age 15
Jade - Down in New Orleans...
Down in New Orleans is all about fun
We don't get in fights, we just love one another as one
Problems do arise and we all stick together
Just like one happy family, in it, together forever
We've been through a lot, just as a city alone
From being flooded to the oil spill, but we never leave one another alone
We're a big ole family, down in New Orleans
Jade, age 15
We don't get in fights, we just love one another as one
Problems do arise and we all stick together
Just like one happy family, in it, together forever
We've been through a lot, just as a city alone
From being flooded to the oil spill, but we never leave one another alone
We're a big ole family, down in New Orleans
Jade, age 15
Jackie - Down in New Orleans...
“Down in New Orleans” in the deep, deep south
where those say yall
with the deep thick Cajun accent
is only stereotype of southerners.
It is the yall that we do say .
Down in New Orleans
We are in the streets
Watching the magical floats strolling down
The streets in New Orleans.
Even if it may rain,
Down in New Orleans,
We find the way to party in any type of situation.
Jackie, age 16
where those say yall
with the deep thick Cajun accent
is only stereotype of southerners.
It is the yall that we do say .
Down in New Orleans
We are in the streets
Watching the magical floats strolling down
The streets in New Orleans.
Even if it may rain,
Down in New Orleans,
We find the way to party in any type of situation.
Jackie, age 16
Anna Marie - Mardi Gras
What is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is the time when people run down the streets cheering “Carnival Time.”
Whether it’s morning or night seems perfectly fine.
All through the day and all through the night,
There is not a single empty street corner in sight.
People all around dancing, cheering, and singing,
If you’re not from New Orleans you don’t know what you’re missing.
“Carnival Time” and “Throw Me Something Mister” are common sayings,
If you come this year, I know you’ll be staying.
Or at least come back around this time next year,
To catch some beads and share that Mardi Gras cheer!
Anna Marie, age 16
Mardi Gras is the time when people run down the streets cheering “Carnival Time.”
Whether it’s morning or night seems perfectly fine.
All through the day and all through the night,
There is not a single empty street corner in sight.
People all around dancing, cheering, and singing,
If you’re not from New Orleans you don’t know what you’re missing.
“Carnival Time” and “Throw Me Something Mister” are common sayings,
If you come this year, I know you’ll be staying.
Or at least come back around this time next year,
To catch some beads and share that Mardi Gras cheer!
Anna Marie, age 16
Anonymous - Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is something one must experience for them selves.
It cannot be described in words but only through occurrences of the fabulous time
of the year. For New Orleans, it is everything. All of the city’s spirit is
combined into one huge, great feeling of ferment. Nothing gets better than the
Mardi Gras season in New Orleans.
Anonymous, age 16
Anonymous, age 16
Leira - Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
When Tuesdays are Fat
And Cakes are Tri-Colored
The Food and the Family
The Friends and their Mothers,
All Gather to Eat to Dance to Play
All in the Honor of Mardis Gras Day.
Catch the Most Beads
Snatch the Most Toys
Be Selfish for Once
And Share all your Joy!
Attend all Parades
For Tradition or Fun
Set up a Party
Invite Everyone!
When Old Friends meet New Friends
Or Ex-Friends make Ammends
Bring them Together so you can Say
Let’s all have Fun on this Mardis Gras Day!
By Leira, Age 17
When Tuesdays are Fat
And Cakes are Tri-Colored
The Food and the Family
The Friends and their Mothers,
All Gather to Eat to Dance to Play
All in the Honor of Mardis Gras Day.
Catch the Most Beads
Snatch the Most Toys
Be Selfish for Once
And Share all your Joy!
Attend all Parades
For Tradition or Fun
Set up a Party
Invite Everyone!
When Old Friends meet New Friends
Or Ex-Friends make Ammends
Bring them Together so you can Say
Let’s all have Fun on this Mardis Gras Day!
By Leira, Age 17
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Julia - NOLA Myths
No, I don't live in the swamp
but I live a couple blocks away from it
No, I don't drive a muddy, old truck
but my cousin does
No, I don't have a pet alligator
but my neighbors do
No, I don't go hunting every weekend
but my uncle does
No, I don't have a hick accent
but I have realatives who do
No, I don't constantly party
but I have freinds who do
No, my home was not destroyed by the storm
but many were
No, not everyone owns a gun
but my friends nanny does
No, not everyone is a killer
but I have a neighbor who is on the WANTED list
Myths aren't entirely false
but that doesn't mean they are fully true either.
Julia, age 16
but I live a couple blocks away from it
No, I don't drive a muddy, old truck
but my cousin does
No, I don't have a pet alligator
but my neighbors do
No, I don't go hunting every weekend
but my uncle does
No, I don't have a hick accent
but I have realatives who do
No, I don't constantly party
but I have freinds who do
No, my home was not destroyed by the storm
but many were
No, not everyone owns a gun
but my friends nanny does
No, not everyone is a killer
but I have a neighbor who is on the WANTED list
Myths aren't entirely false
but that doesn't mean they are fully true either.
Julia, age 16
Sarah - NOLA Myths
No out-of-stater will ever truly understand New Orleans
No, it is not “just” the city with a horrible crime rate,
Nor is it is” just” the city that got destroyed by Hurricane
Katrina
But, it is the city that never has a dull moment
It is the city with non-stop commotion-
Mardi Gras, Balls, the Saints.
And yes, the schools in the city of New Orleans schools DO
get a full week off “just” for Mardi
Gras
Sarah, age 16