At times, nature has provided and helped mankind, but it also can be one of the most uncontrolled, destructive forces humans face. There are multiple lessons to be learned from how to recover from the destruction caused by nature.
During Thanksgiving break, I visited my mom’s childhood home in one of the areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy. As I walked down Rockaway Beach, N.Y., the broken protective beach walls, the torn apart homes and the flipped cars demonstrated Sandy’s immense strength.
Quickly, residents of Belle Harbor began rebuilding their neighborhood. With some federal help, these people started the cleanup process early. They shoveled debris, emptied flooded basements, provided food and helped those who could not help themselves. I saw a group of neighbors helping fix an older woman’s flooded basement. By using their local resources the residents of Belle Harbor rebuilt their neighborhood so they could continue living in it.
One of the key organizers of rebuilding was Occupy Sandy, originating from the Occupy Wall Street organization infamous for protesting against the wealthy 1 percent, and representing the other 99 percent. They developed a web of supporters and resources, including a Tent City that housed legal aid and insurance aid, food, supplies and much more.
Instead of giving off a feeling of despair, the Tent City demonstrated the unity of the Belle Harbor community. Although Belle Harbor is in a completely different circumstance than St. Louis Park, our community consistently helps those in need like Jack Jablonski, Andrew Dudley’s family and senior Adrian Vela-Garay. This ability to unify for a cause can make a difference in peoples’ lives.
While at the Tent City, I experienced the can-do energy of the community and recognized several important lessons. At some point, we all need to take responsibility for our communities and help each other. For example, an effort to increase recycling in the school has led to the new water bottle filler by the boys’ locker room in the B1 hallway.
Determination is necessary to achieve a goal whether as a community or as an individual.
This mindset will prepare us for a world where being independent and resourceful is important to be successful. Students who learn to use all resources available will be better prepared for college. In the end, it is better to begin the process earlier than to wait until help comes.

What’s the point?

-Take initiative of opportunities
-Maintain determination to achieve a goal
-A community works better when unified