A Katrina Class Story: Class Reunion

French professor Beth Poe celebrates the graduation of students who were in her French class after Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by Paul Burch-Celentano)

“I don't give student parties; I haven't for years,” says Beth Poe, professor of French at Tulane University. Maybe so, but on Wednesday (May 13), Poe opened her home to a group of students she first met during a class she taught more than three years ago.

The students, all of whom will be graduating on Saturday (May 16), were then first-year students returning to Tulane after their “Katrina semester.” Poe was dealing with the daunting challenges of gutting her flooded house while living out of a cramped trailer in her backyard.

In this slideshow, the teacher and her students describe the bond of friendship that formed during the course of the semester.

Red beans, red wine and the warm glow from a setting sun set the tone for an evening of remembering good times, hard times and the French class that brought them together.

The story was produced and photographed by New Wave team members Nick Marinello and Ryan Rivet.

Click here to view the presentation