Have you wondered what it might be like to be Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz?” What would it be like to be here when she was going through that tornado with her trusty sidekick, Toto? Well, people who live along the coast of Florida can tell you, but not in a Hollywood movie way. Although a hurricane that made landfall over 2000 miles away may seem to have nothing to do with our CHS community, Mytam Nguyen, Lana Lampsa, and Shawn Ogles can all tell you the truth that these people who are currently living through this hurricane are nothing short of horror.
Mytam Nguyen, a junior at Chandler High School, has family members who live in the Big Bend region near Perry, Florida. She visits her family yearly, and it’s always been a worry when visiting her family. Her family doesn’t get to live in peace, so they won’t have to worry if, at any moment, a tree can collapse through their house and destroy everything they love. “They can’t leave their house without the worry that something bad will happen to it.” Mytam and her family were worried about their lives when Hurricane Helene was active.
Lana Lampsa, a Freshman in College at Ole Miss, has a house in Perry, Florida, that she and her family visit every year. She has been to Florida countless times, and in all the times she has been there, her family has never worried that something terrible will happen to their house while they are gone. Lana lives primarily in Wisconsin, but she and her family, along with their dog, frequently visit Florida to visit family and to check in on their house. “When we heard about hurricane Helene, our hearts sank not just because our house was there but for the people that have to go through the horror that the hurricane is bringing.” Lana and her family hope they will be able to help the people living in Florida who are going through this disaster.
Shawn Ogles, a Chandler High alumnus, lived in Florida from when he was 5 years old to when he was 10. He spent years living there with his mom, dad, and five other siblings. A very distinct memory he had of when he was young was when he overheard his mother and father talking. “I remember their tone not being what it usually was. They were talking about the possibility of a hurricane heading towards where we lived, and I remember them having an extreme tone of sadness.” He remembers his parents being concerned about how they could get their six kids to a place of safety if the hurricane did come toward them. Shawn feels deeply for the parents who fear making sure their kids have a safe place over their heads.
Hurricane Helene is a disastrous event that is people’s reality.
You can go to FindHelp.org to help people get connected to resources that are in desperate need. This hurricane has ruined so many lives and we all need to do whatever we can to pitch in and help.
