OT: Britney Spears Brings Smiles to Girls of Katrina

A Day of Shopping, Great Food and Forgetting About Katrina
Feb. 28, 2006 — - The students of St. Catherine of Siena School in
Metairie, La., have been through a lot together -- especially after
Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.

Gooserider...

So, was there no damage in her hometown of Kentwood? The residents there are
not happy with Britney's ignoring of her own.

Lindsay Hernandez, 14, lived with 21 relatives and friends after her home
was destroyed. See-Sha James Hayes, 17, lost her dog and her home, and is
still living apart from her parents. Maycie Melerine, 13, misses her lost
pictures after everything she owned was lost to the floodwaters. Auntrell
Prosper, 17, still has Beyonce posters on her bedroom walls in her
devastated home, but she and her family live in a trailer.

The girls sat down for breakfast with City Councilman Jay Batt to discuss
the effects of Katrina, but were in for a surprise when they were joined
by Louisiana native, pop star and new mom Britney Spears. She stunned the
girls when she told them she was taking them shopping "to pick out some
really good outfits."

The surprises didn't stop there. Their next stop was Emeril Lagasse's
signature restaurant. There, the girls enjoyed a traditional Cajun meal of
red beans and rice, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese.

In between bites and girl talk, the group discussed the serious
ramifications of the storm.

"We came back to Baton Rouge and there was no room. We had to go to a
shelter," Auntrell said.

The girls were in for one last surprise, fleur-de-lis pins -- the symbol
of New Orleans -- on blue ribbons. The pins represent rebirth, a reminder
of a few happy hours amid the specter of Hurricane Katrina.

"It was awesome. I will never forget it," Lindsay said.

The Gatorettes
Spears also surprised the school's dance troupe, the Gatorettes.

After the storm, the dance team was spread all over the country. Now the
Gatorettes are back together and ready to practice.

"Coming to dance, it's a relaxing time to have fun instead of worrying
about other things from the hurricane," said Emily Lococo, 12.

The troupe's teacher, Courtney Gervais, said dancing was a way for them to
forget their troubles.

"Some of the girls on the team don't have a home to go home to," she said.
"So, this is their escape."

"I think when we come back to dancing it's getting away from everything,"
said Rachel Prange, 13. "You can just come here instead of going home and
dealing with all the confusion."

Spears brought them gift bags with CDs, DVDs and shoes sent by Capezio.

"They dance so great. They're awesome," Spears said, after watching the
girls rehearse.

The girls could hardly believe they were performing for one of the most
famous pop stars in the business. One declared that meeting the singer was
the "bestest" part of her whole life.