Displaced

Never take anything for granted. You never know when it can be taken away from you. \nThat is the lesson IU music students Tyrone Hayes and Ebonee Davis take to heart after surviving Hurricane Katrina and having their worlds washed away.\nHayes and Davis evacuated New Orleans for what they thought would be a long weekend away from school while the storm passed. \nHayes packed five days worth of clothing, books for class, his diplomas, $90 in his pocket and headed to stay with family in Vidalia, La. Davis had only the clothes on her back and some important paperwork, as she sought shelter with her mother in a hotel in Baker, La.\n"We had a big homework project, so I thought I would do a little homework while I was away," Hayes said. \nBoth anticipated that they would be home by Tuesday of the following week and everything would be back to normal. But that day never came. \nThough Hayes and Davis were in different locations as they saw the news coverage of the "Crescent City" submerged under water, the reaction was the same. First there was shock, then some anger and finally the ability to move on. \nThey watched the media coverage of the disaster from afar. Like many members of the African American community, they were angered by the way black people were depicted in the media.\n"It was wrong how we were thought of as refugees in our own country," said Hayes. "I don't understand why Bush didn't do more to help the people of Louisiana and New Orleans."\nDavis was more upset by the amount of time the media and the government spent discussing the looting issues. \n"A lot of the things happening in the city after the hurricane were misinterpreted," she said. "When you have a newborn baby... and you have no means of providing them with food, water, diapers, what would you do? A lot of unfair judgment was passed in the media."\nYet through the shock and anger Hayes and Davis knew they had to move on, even though it would not be easy.\n"I started freaking out saying 'Why me?" Davis said. "Why did this have to happen? It was our last year before graduation." \nSo the second-year masters students and aspiring international opera singers were forced to leave the University of New Orleans, the only city and university they have ever known, to finish their schooling elsewhere. \nHayes was already familiar with the IU School of Music, because he was supposed to be enrolled here this fall, but was unable to attend due to financial problems.\nOnce music school officials heard their stories, finances were no longer a factor. Director of Music Admissions Anne Vaught helped get the ball running for them to come to IU. Before they knew it, they were on a plane headed to Indiana. \nJust two weeks after seeing news coverage of her neighborhood under water, Davis is sure that the apartment she once shared with her mother is now destroyed. \nBut thanks to donations from local furniture stores, community members and IU students, faculty and staff, Hayes and Davis now have a fully furnished apartment, new clothes and a refrigerator full of food. \n"We appreciate everything that people have done," she said. "The music department, office of admissions and the dean have been our guardian angels. There are no words to express how blessed we feel. IU, the Music School and the community have gone above and beyond to give us the help we need and more."\nYet, even though material possessions are gradually being replaced, there are still some sentimental items Hayes and Davis wish they had.\n"I just want the picture of my dad," said Hayes. "It's the only one I had. And since he died when I was five, I don't really have any memory of him."\nDavis wishes she would have recovered items like her journals, which she kept since she was seven years old, her diplomas and family pictures.\nWhile things were finally working out for them, they still cannot avoid thinking about those who were not as fortunate. Someday, they hope to return to New Orleans for closure. \nBut for now, they say Indiana has its own "southern flair" and they are happy to call it home. While the experience is still very surreal, both agree that Katrina has taught them a valuable lesson that no university could teach better.\n"Be grateful," Hayes said, "and live each day like it is your last"