Trumbull SHU Student Co-leads Trip to Damaged Miss. Town

Hammering Away the Effects of Hurricane Katrina: Sacred Heart University students and staff continued to lend a hand to the Gulf Coast damaged by 2005's Hurricane Katrina, sending a seventh delegation to Lucedale, Miss., this past January, according to an SHU press release.

"The group of 20 students and five faculty and staff, spent a week volunteering for the ongoing efforts to rebuild. Led by juniors Javier Vidal of Ossining, N.Y., and Michael Wright of Trumbull, the group worked tirelessly throughout the week, teaming with the George County Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Both Vidal and Wright were participants on the trip in 2011 and graciously filled the spots as delegation leaders this year. Wright found it essential to continue bringing SHU students to areas of Mississippi in desperate need," according to the press release.
  
“Knowing that people don’t have a home and are living in unacceptable conditions makes it all the more meaningful that we can make a difference. As a student leader, it’s also nice to see everyone’s personal growth from the beginning of the trip to the end,” Wright said.

"During their weeklong stay, the group spent their time working in a warehouse acquired by the affiliate. The group cleared out the warehouse, built walls and an office. They also assembled worktables, which allowed the warehouse to become a fabrication plant where walls for Habitat homes can be built and sent out," the release states.

Both Vidal and Wright agreed that going to Mississippi is more than a spring break trip. "On the Mississippi trip, we immerse ourselves fully in the community and try to listen to as many stories as we can. It is important to advocate that people are still homeless there, and there is still complete devastation,” Vidal said.

Accompanying the 20 University students was Michael Giarratano, co-director of the 5th year Internship Program in the Isabelle Farrington College of Education, the Rev. Jerry Ryle, director of Campus Ministry; Margaret Casey of the Office of Volunteer Programs, Steven Wrinkle, network engineer for Information Technology and Brad Hotchkiss, carpenter and friend of the University. 
 
Students raised $11,500 in donations to pay for the trip.

Judge and State Rep. Tony Hwang: Hwang, R-Trumbull, recently served as a judge in the 74^th annual CT American Legion Constitutional Oratorical Contest hosted by military veterans.

"The event was particularly impressive due to the excellent presentations by high school students throughout CT, and Fairfield was well represented by Ervis Vukaj, senior, Fairfield Warde HS, who finished in 3^rd place," Hwang said.

"This competition serves to remind us of the continued commitment of our military veterans, who have sacrificed and served our country to ensure that the values espoused in the Constitution are maintained and protected. This contest also represents a proving ground for Connecticut’s future leaders to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation for the US Constitution," the press release states.