Amy - Characters

A little place called New Orleans; where the

Best of

Characters come out when least expected.

Down in the markets, on the streets,

Everywhere you would least expect it.

For these such people we are

Given the title "Southern

Hospitality."

It's not something you can

Just learn. It’s a way of life, a special

Kind of people who are bonded together and have

Lived together through the thick and thin, hurricanes,

May floods, and much worse. The best people in

New

Orleans would never desert their home without

Putting up

Quite the fight.

Relocate? We'd tell the haters we would rather

Swim home

Than give up our home.

Until that time again, we

Voluntarily put up all the hassle of evacuation

Which makes us all into the unique

X-static people that the rest of the world should

Zealously long to be. 

Amy, age 16

Hannah - Nighttime in NOLA

Down in New Orleans there’s a party every night.
Whether it’s Monday or Friday people are out on the town seeing the sights.
The restaurants are filled and the clubs are packed,
From uptown to downtown music is heard and that’s a fact.
The weekends are when the festivals start,
The bands and the food are off the charts.
Jazz and jambalaya fill the air,
It seems as though no one has any cares.

Hannah, age 17

Courtney - Nightime in NOLA

New Orleans has a special energy that truly comes alive at night time. The people, the food, and the fun change from day to night and become completely new. In other places, apart from New Orleans, night time might be a time to rest, where the city stops to go to sleep. But in New Orleans, the real party and fun starts when the sun goes down. The city is never quiet and there is never a lapse in laughter, music, or happiness. The party never stops in our city. Every night is a celebration, and there is never a reason not to be in a good mood. It is said that New York is the city that never sleeps, but I think this is also true of New Orleans. The city comes alive at night and this is what I love most about it. Everything in New Orleans changes when the day turns to night, and it all becomes more fun. The streets are filled with crazy people at all hours of the night. There is always something to do between the music, the festivals, the food, and the nightlife. Night time in New Orleans is so unique and special, and it is unlike any other place in the world.

Courtney, age 17

Lillie - Nighttime in NOLA

New Orleans nighttime smells like stagnant water and cigarettes.
It has the gritty feel of aged plastic beads, hanging on the trees,
the ones that never fall.
The light never fully recoils, leaving sanguinity in the sky, but despair is in the soil.
Those who crawl come out, multiplying hastily, and blood is drawn.
The ones that never stand again.
The New Orleans night,
it isn’t concrete and streetlights.
It is the fight,
the build,
 the battle,
 and then the recovery.
It is New Orleans past mourning,
and after the darkness


- Lillie, age 16

Matty - Characters...

*Formatting inspired by E.E. Cummings*

The best character I ever saw in New Orleans
A story of confusion

He was a bearded man, dreadlocks flapping in the wind.

On a bike
       Missing one handlebar
And a seat cushion

Cradling a broken vacuum cleaner in his arms,
       Snuggling the dead machine to his face and into his tattered clothes

Whistling a song  (it was easy considering he had just the right amount of teeth…3)

            Yes, this man was the best character
                            I ever saw.



Matty, age 16

Lizzie - Nighttime in NOLA

There are two different sides to New Orleans at night

It can be peaceful, and it can be chaotic

Sitting on the porch, when the humidity has finally left the air,

Or partying in the French Quarter, having the time of your life

Listening to the locusts singing their daily evening song,

Or listening to the buzz of busy people, and the local street performers

Smelling the smells of nature,

Or smelling the smells of alcohol, and cheap, plastic beads

Relaxing, refreshing, a great way to end the long day,

Or exciting, invigorating, it’s only the beginning of a fun, eventful evening

Whether you’re rocking serenely in your rocking chair,

Or partying like there’s no tomorrow

There’s never a dull moment in New Orleans

Lizzie, age 16

Brittany - Nighttime in NOLA

In many places, nighttime is quiet and peaceful, when everyone heads
inside to sleep for the night. Night time in New Orleans is very
different from other places. It is usually not peaceful, it is actually
very alive. Many people might compare it to other big cities during the
night, when it can sometimes relate, it has some unique qualities.  It
is never empty, always full of people. It is also full of people talking
and music playing in the distance.  If near the river, a person can
sometimes hear the horns and noise from the several boats traveling it.
Also in New Orleans, if you travel just right out of downtown, a person
can hear the chirps from crickets and sounds of the night. New Orleans
has a diverse nightlife, from nature sounds, to sounds created from
people going about in their night.


Brittany, age 16

Courtney - Nighttime in New Orleans

Wake up, brush teeth, get ready
Stumble into my drawer to find that
Familiar purple, green, and gold
Striped Perlis Polo
That i wear every year

Slip on my jeans, still stained
From the mud of last nights parade,
Too tired to notice that I have worn
Them once already

I look at my clock, it is 5
In the afternoon
How could I have slept this late?
I forget, it is Mardi Gras

Running down the driveway
To hop in my car, stressed
Because Bacchus starts in
Exactly 30 minutes

It is 5:55, I finally arrive
At the apartment
With five minutes to spare
Not a soul in sight,
I look out the window
To see everyone standing on the
Neutral ground,
Excitement and anticipation
Fill the air as the tip
Of the first float rounds
The corner

I run down the steps, hoping not to fall
I sprint across the street
Greeting everyone with open arms and a warm smile
They turn around to see me tired and out of breath
I know I am in New Orleans

Nighttime, the parade is over, people stumbling
People screaming, and people celebrating
This means nothing to New Orleanians
Nighttime is our favorite
When everyone comes out to
Trashy streets, filled with broken cups and beads
The party has just begun
Police on every corner
Even they are celebrating Mardi Gras
Familiar faces surround you
As you walk through the crowd
Seeing someone new
Every corner you turn

Eventually streets start to clear
But the celebration is not over
It starts again tomorrow
Mardi Gras, Nighttime
Both unique to New Orleans


Courtney, age 16

Ruthie - Nighttime in New Orleans

walking with Mom before dawn

bikes, joggers, dogs

step counters, sweat bands, mp3s

sub.urb.ia

Mom points at the sky

and through the smog you can see the stars

like the ones down.town

reflected in the slight glimmer of crystal

on a dancer’s tutu

purple matching the sky

above the tourists with babies and beer

the video cameras and the cellphones

that go flash flash flash

like

Christ.mas in the

Oaks

where mystical creatures rear their heads

from lakes, the snakes, the basilisksssss

or alligators, these swamp monsters

are snapping at the angels

swinging from trees

like beads

at

mar.di gras

the orange light from the floats

warming cold fingers

that reach for the last glittering

shoe

but new orleans is not like cinderella

we do not need the other shoe

content instead to hobble on past midnight

the city of dreams does not

need sleep

Ruthie, age 16

Torre - Mardi Gras Night

Mardi Gras Night

A time of preparation

Full of music and food

That fills the crowded streets

Parents, children, and friends gather here

For what only comes once a year

As the sun goes down

People’s spirits rise

As a king and queen enter the streets

With their court following close behind

Beads flying

People dancing and laughing

Joy and lightheartedness plaguing the air

New Orleans holds a mystery

With masks and people coming from far and wide

To all enjoy the culture of New Orleans

And find out what Mardi Gras means to them

Is it the floats that go flying by?

Or the purple, green, and gold?

More than anything

For those of us who are New Orleanians

This nighttime during Mardi Gras

Means something most won’t understand

It is a time for strangers and friends alike

To gather and enjoy each other’s company

And prepare for forty days of lent

Torre, age 16

Grace - Nighttime in New Orleans

During the day, New Orleans is special and unique.  But at night time, New Orleans comes alive.  At night time the crazy parties, the drunken New Orleanians, and the loud music comes to life.  Nighttime in New Orleans is a special time because the city lights up and becomes crazy and fun.  During Mardi Gras, the parades during the day are fun, but don’t even compare to the night time craziness.  New Orleans is so alive, and that is what I love most about it.  My favorite thing to do is have fun, and New Orleans is the most fun place in the world, especially at night time.  At night time, the French quarter lights up and the people are happy, and the music is so fun and interesting to listen to.  Night time in New Orleans is more special than night time in any other place.  I love New Orleans at night because it has a special and unique way of making me happy.


Grace, age 16

Katie - The NOCCA

The characters of New Orleans as seen from a chaotic carpool ride to NOCCA

Rush Rush Rush

“Y’all are so slow! Everyday we are always waiting for you!”

Rush Rush Rush

“Did you bring pizza?”

Rush Rush Rush

“Brooke, hold my bags.”

Rush Rush Rush

“Katie, I never understand how you get a leotard on so fast.”

Rush Rush Rush

“Oh no there is traffic on Claiborne.”

Rush Rush Rush

“Wait, I forgot to print my homework.”

Rush Rush Rush

“I think I am going to start to give those people on the side of the road cliff bars.”

Rush Rush Rush

“What time is it it?”

Rush Rush Rush

“We are going to get there right at 1:15.”

Rush Rush Rush

“Great, I lost my socks.”

Rush Rush Rush

“Why is there a jungle gym made out of trash on the side of the road?”

Rush Rush Rush

“Taylor Swift and I will be best friends, and I am going to date her brother.”

Rush Rush Rush

“Was that a lady with a boa constrictor on her back?”

Rush Rush Rush

“Why was that girl wearing a pink, feather hat?”

Rush Rush Rush

 “NO! We are behind a horse and buggy!”

Rush Rush Rush

“Look at how many people are waiting at Port of Call?”

Rush Rush Rush

“HA! That emo guy just tripped.”

Rush Rush Rush

 “I think that we have hit every red light on Esplanade.”

Rush Rush Rush

“Why are there so many people running in the middle of the day?”

Rush Rush Rush

“We are almost there.”

Rush Rush Rush

“I think this is the hipster part of town.”

Rush Rush Rush

“Move your head, I have to get my book bag.”

Rush Rush Rush

“ We just made it girls. Have a good day!”

Rush Rush Rush

Katie, age 16 

Brooke - Nighttime in New Orleans

Nights in white satin

Do not stand up to nights in white linen

Shrouded the unwelcome blanket

Of heavy humid black

Velvet air

“Laissier

Pockets of music permeate the veil

Crickets scream to keep up

Slurs of tongues dominate

Vibration of a collective sound

Language nature and art one tangible force

Throbbing through skulls

les

Shadows partner with dancers

Wiggling on the road

In the spotlight of the street lamps

Trees saturated with plastic guests

House the projection beneath their feet

bon

The monsters crawl and squirm

In the corners of the child’s mind

Protected by sandy hair and the NOPD

I’mscaredofthedark.Ihadanaccident,Pleasedon’tbemadatmedaddy.

Shrieking and stickiness

This is your mom’s job

What in God’s name is the time?

God’s day follows this evening

Temps

Down the street

Suspended twenty feet in the air

Eye level with Robert E. Lee

In the circle surrounded by steel

a woman frets

Knows she has work that must be completed

Crutch crunch cruch in her cubicle

When the sky is flooded with silver

And the hints of the painful morning

Rouler”

But for the hours of the dark

She is safe

These are the hours of

Procrastination Productivity Celebration

Like the crickets, the party goers, the parents

She is a creature of the night

Brooke, age 16

Holly - Creature of the Night

When the sun dies, the city grows brighter.

New Orleans becomes a different world.

Creatures of the night come alive.

Festivities begin.

Cab cars scurry.

Intoxicated laughter fills the air.

Music escalades for all to hear.

NOPD squad car sirens accompany jazz musicians

Full of music

Full of laughter

New Orleans is a creature of the night.

Holly, age 16

Madison - I am New Orleans

A New Orleans Birth

Amniotic fluid- the EmergenC of babies

                   

            A good roux, fried chicken, red beans, beignets

Music is supposed to up the intelligence of an unborn child

Does the trumpeter on the corner of Royal and Dumaine count?

His toothy grin merited a tip from my mother

Noises envelop my tiny, trembling body

             

            Push harder

            

            Throw me something, Mistah

Oohs Aaahs

                  

            She is beautiful.

                  

            The king’s float is coming.

My world is black and white

             

            Yet I see three colors, a beaded strand of purple, green and gold gently placed around my neck

My wails cease- I know I am home

- Madison, age 17

Diamond - I am New Orleans

“I am New Orleans”

You know growing up as a young child

I never understood what it meant to be

From New Orleans,,

I mean I knew it was

Something different, historical, traditional, & unique

About this place,

But Oh as time passed..

Sitting around waiting for that

Time of the year

It was something

That filled you with great cheer

Super Sunday, Yellow Pocahontas, Lady Buckjumpers

Come on nah tell me you not from

New Orleans

Fat Tuesday 8:00 a.m. best believe it

Was Zulu bout to roll

I mean I am New Orleans

From eating Red Beans and Rice on a

Monday and at the end of the

Week fried seafood

I am a true New Orleanian

Sitting on the River Front watching the fireworks on New Years

Walking down the streets of Canal, and

Around that Superdome home of

Your New Orleans Saints

Tell me you know what New Orleans is

There’s a lot about this city people don’t know or fail to realize

I am New Orleans by the way I

Walk and the way I talk

I am proud to be a New Orleanian

New Orleans has shaped me

To realize that

Everywhere and everyone is different

We don’t do the same things

But we enjoy and still remain

But one thing I will always

Remember is here

In New Orleans

We are a family

And I am proud to say I am a true New Orleanian

- Diamond

Claire - I am New Orleans

While in New York City during Mardi Gras break, I visited the sacred heart school.  A pattern of questions were repeatedly asked: “What’s Mardi Gras?”  “What are parades?” “You get a week off for that?”  I am New Orleans.

While on a carnival cruise, I began to notice how much flavor the food was lacking on the ship.  I wondered where all of the spicy food, and good tasting appetizers had gone.  I am New Orleans. 

I come home from school one day and find a big sack of purple, green and gold bandanas with a crown on them.  I immediately realized that this big black bag was not in fact trash, but the objects that my dad would be throwing off a moving vehicle down St. Charles Avenue in a few weeks.  I am New Orleans.

The other day when I was walking down Magazine Street and I heard jazz music, I didn’t think it was bizarre.  I am New Orleans.

Whether it's food full of flavor or Mardi Gras parades, New Orleans is home to all of these unique and spectacular attributes which makes us new Orleans.   I am New Orleans.

- Claire, age 17  

Jasmine - I am New Orleans

“I am New Orleans”

I am the ambiance of New Orleans

The beignets, the street cars,

The boats, the Mardi Gras Madness,

The art, the street mimes,

The legends, the soul,

The music, the food,

The history,

The place where jazz was born,

The French market,

The character of the city and the fact that it’s surrounded by water,

 The games in the superdome,

Cheering for the saints, the spooky swamps,

The ghosts around the town,

The charming people you cannot match anywhere,

I am New Orleans,

The city that is not like no other

- Jasmine, age 16

Nia - I am New Orleans

I am New Orleans…

I am the streetcar – NOT the trolley – that rolls down that grand old avenue.

You know, the one called St. Charles - the avenue that is home to everything from grand old mansions to dingy little hole-in-the-wall shops.  

I am New Orleans…

I am the child who knew how to pronounce Tchoupitoulas before I could read.

I am the girl who stands in the same “family spot” on the “neutral ground” – NOT the median – every year to watch the royalty of Mardi Gras parade by to the light of second-lining flambeau carriers.

I am the young woman who knows how to respond when someone asks

“How’s ya Mama and ‘em?”

I am New Orleans…

I am Catholic schools - all girls and all boys - separate but still somehow connected.

I am New Orleans…

I am snowballs – NOT snow cones – on a hot summer day.

I am po-boys – DRESSED – from the corner store.

I am fried shrimp, boiled shrimp, stuffed shrimp, shrimp etouffee.

I am crawfish – NOT crayfish – wrapped in newspaper and ready to eat.

I am New Orleans…

I am the French Quarter’s beautiful mix of people and places. 

I am Café DuMonde, Café Au Lait, and Café Maspero.

I am beignets – NOT doughnuts – served with hot chocolate at a table that has not been cleared.

I am New Orleans…

I am Jazz Fest – music, food, and culture – rain or shine.

I am New Orleans…

I am second line parades and brass bands that roll through the streets to celebrate life and death.

I am a Who Dat – a Saints fan - and a proud member of the “Who Dat Nation.”

I am New Orleans…

I am a witness to crime and pain; a victim of broken levees and flood waters.

I am New Orleans…

I am a dreamer, a rebuilder, a SURVIVOR. 

I am New Orleans…

I am a product of its variety and its diversity!

I am this great city.

It has shaped me and made me who I am.

I am New Orleans…

The waters of the Mighty Mississippi flow through my veins.

The sounds Jazz and Blues are my lullabies.

I am New Orleans.

Nia, age 16

Melissa - I am New Orleans

I am New Orleans;

I am that New Orleans soul,

That bass turned down low

Playing that Old Time Rock and Roll

I am dancing with you

I am New Orleans

I am that rhythm

That 12-bar blues

I am Mr. Johnny R. Cash

I am Crosby

I am New Orleans

I am Stills

I am Nash

I am a magnoila tree, playing a guitar of steel

I am muggy weather, muddy waters

I am porch steps and neighborhood daughters

I am New Orleans

What kill others makes me stronger

“I ain’t no millionaire’s son.”

“I ain’t no fortunate one.”

Don’t need to tell me what to do

Don’t have to prove myself to you

I am New Orleans

I am New Orleans

I don’t need to wear no shoes

I am morning coffee

Channel 6 news

I am Mr. Drew Christopher Brees

I am New Orleans

Black and gold fleur de lis

Sippin’ lemon iced tea

“Let it be, oh, let it be.”

I am cracked pavement

On these city streets

I am New Orleans

Esplanade to Magazine

I am dead, gratefully

Can’t stop this voodoo queen

Rolling in them Georgia peaches

I am New Orleans

I am New Orleans

I am a banjo-picking

Fingerlickin’ good

Popeye’s chicken,

Mashed potatoes,

biscuit eating

Hindu-Christian

Mardi Gras queen,

I am New Orleans. 

Melissa, age 16