It was Mardi Gras in their hearts at Allendale School

By Jami Maday - Register Staff Writer

Fifth-grader KeeLee Andrews of Slidell, La., is facing the fact that she will miss Mardi Gras in New Orleans for the first time since her birth.

But, that didn't mean her fellow classmates at Allendale Elementary School couldn't bring the Big Easy to the 12-year-old girl's eyes, and into her heart.

For almost a month, fifth-grade students in Jennifer Rhinehart's class worked to build miniature floats, elaborate Mardi Gras costumes and presentations on what makes up the celebration that continues to &#8220Go Marching In" after Mother Nature's fury on the Gulf Coast.

Students performed the celebration Tuesday afternoon in front of the school in the gymnasium. The event included KeeLee and fellow fifth-graders performing in a parade and throwing beaded necklaces to the audience.

The participating students also encompassed some of their French studies into making the theme, &#8220Laisser le bon temps roule´avec rang cinq!" In English, that means &#8220Let the good times roll with grade five!"

Rhinehart's students then returned to the classroom to have a Mardi Gras party, complete with jazz music and King Cake.

&#8220I appreciate it so much," KeeLee said.

Hurricane Katrina hit KeeLee's home, located approximately 25 miles north east of the Crescent City, leaving her house engulfed in flood waters.

&#8220My best friend's house floated away," she added.

With her elementary school also suffering flood damage, KeeLee had to continue her education at Allendale School while staying with her grandparents, Allendale residents Tom and Barbara Andrews. Her brother, Ethan, enrolled in Allendale's eighth-grade class and was also part of Tuesday's celebration.

Their parents, Steve and Kim Andrews, have temporarily made their Slidell home in a camper while trying to rebuild.

KeeLee began classes as an Allendale student on Sept. 12 with the normal jitters of meeting new classmates, but those students have turned into close friends - and their work on making a Mardi Gras proved their appreciation for the new kid in town.

&#8220I wanted to bring it (Mardi Gras) to her and make her feel at home," said classmate and good friend Madisyn Grounds.

The idea to make the celebration came when KeeLee told her teacher earlier this year that she will be missing Mardi Gras.

&#8220It was her idea in a round-about way," said Rhinehart.

Rhinehart urged classmates to make their own Mardi Gras by creating small decorative floats out of shoe boxes, but ideas - and decorations - kept growing. Along with creating much of their costumes, students, including KeeLee, obtained large boxes for floats and decorated them in beads, construction paper, feathers and stuffed animals. Even KeeLee's mother mailed decorations and Mardi Gras grub to the class.

&#8220I think they did a wonderful job," said Rhinehart. &#8220She (KeeLee) is missing home and her whole environment."

Tuesday's celebration was not only attended by Allendale students and faculty, but also by residents of the community. And those residents included her grandparents.

&#8220For what they did, it was great," said Tom, former teacher, coach and principal for Allendale Community Consolidated School District 17. &#8220I think it brings back some memories (for KeeLee). The school has been fabulous."

KeeLee and her brother plan to visit home during spring break, before moving back to Slidell for good when the school year ends. However, Tuesday seemed to have brought a little bit of Louisiana back to a girl who has suffered tragedy.

&#8220She's got a special place in my heart. I just wanted her to have a piece of home," Rhinehart said.