What does Mississippi mean to you?: A (vaguely rhyming) poem compiled from quotes of members of the UHS Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Trip 2019

A slice of heaven, (Mark Foley)
a week of harmony. (Khamari Tuell)
[It] mean[s] so much to me (Katie Thies)
has me open so emotionally (Khamari Tuell)

Look at all these happy hearts (Taryn Smith)
infected with the Blues, (Jib Weisman)
absolutely exhausted, but also warm, (Katie Thies)
the pure joy of youth. (Ian Hall)

The dorm felt like home. (Khamari Tuell)
We love each other unconditionally. (Ashley Cho)
I really felt connected to everyone, (Rachel Gatewood)
I feel like they deserve everything (Molly Sweeney)

Being around people took down some layers, (Grace Yepez-Connors)
you get to know your friends in a whole different way. (Laura Koritz)
You know it's not because of a facade, (Katie Thies)
[that kind of connection] can't be taken away. (Sophie Rasmus)

I’m so thankful that I was able to go on this trip. (Courtney Fouke)
It opened my eyes to what a meaningful connection really feels like. (Yab Demisie)
[It showed me] how much of an impact our actions can have (Yab Demisie)
[and it] taught me a lot about life. (Stav Kramer)

It’s always the highlight of the year, (Dave Dutton)
an unforgettable experience. (Tillie Pines)
Building and connecting with the people of the Delta, (Tillie Pines)
you’re actually making a difference. (Alex Poulosky)

[It’s] the reciprocal dynamic of blessings and gratitude, (Laura Koritz)
the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. (Olivia Rosenstein)
I value it even more now that I’m back, (Ashley Cho)
how do I bring a bit of this [feeling] back with me? (Laura Koritz)

I got to experience the human spirit (Jib Weisman)
[and] enjoy the life surrounding me. (Ian Hall)
[It's] one of the few times I felt truly alive, (Lukas Heinricher)
everyone had so much spirit it was sad to leave. (Rachel Gatewood)

Nah man, live in the moment. (Olivia Rosenstein)
You have to be who you truly are at the core. (Grace Yepez-Connors)
It was so much connection, so much growth, (Lukas Heinricher)
it’s made me want to do more (Francisca Kabu)

Mississippi made me a better person, (Ali Hentges)
it's cheesy, but it's true. (Zoe LaVigne)
[The trip] is about finding what you want in life (Rachel Gatewood)
and what is true to you. (Joelle Busby)

We made the magic, (Khamari Tuell)
It’s hard to explain. (Megan Paluska)
I have a happy heart. (Ana Wegner)
No longer do I feel restrained. (Ian Hall)

I wish I was back [in Mississippi], (Lukas Heinricher)
giving more than [I] take. (Jib Weisman)
You don't forget it easily, (Katie Thies)
most of us are still there, 
we're just farther away. (Lukas Heinricher)
 

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Zoe LaVigne

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