PJ Hills has returned to school with his mind in a completely different place after losing everything in Hurricane Isaac.
The president of the Nu Omega Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and senior math major is adapting to life at school while dreadful thoughts of a flooded home cloud his mind. The Kenner native moved into his mother and grandmother’s house in LaPlace when he started Southeastern. He and his family decided to ride out Hurricane Isaac, as did many of his neighbors.
“The morning the storm hit, everybody was up, outside and alert. There were people hanging out in their garages,” Hills said. “Nobody expected [the water] to be so high. We weren’t told to leave beforehand.”
According to Hills, the water came into his house so fast they only had about fifteen or twenty minutes to pack their belongings.
“Trucks were driving up the street, people trying to get out, and then the water would start rushing toward the house. Some water would actually come in the house. We would try to sweep it out, and my mom and I thought it was coming into the house because of the cars passing by,” Hills said. “We were in awe that the water came in so fast. We realized it wasn’t from the cars passing.”
By mid-day, the water in his house was at his mid-thigh. Outside however, it was waist deep. Hills finally made contact with a relative, but by the time his uncle had arrived to help, Hills spotted a rescue boat being driven by St. John the Baptist Sherriff’s office. At this point, Hills, his grandmother and mother were on their way to a relative’s home where there was power and dry land, having to leave all of their belongings behind.
Since the storm, coping with the stress has been difficult, but not impossible. Thanks to the help of his fraternity brothers and family, Hills has had a strong support system to get him through this tough time.
“Honestly, it was hard to cope. I didn’t have any peace of mind. Thankfully, my brothers have helped me a lot. Not with material things though. I mean, we’re all just college students so you can’t expect much, but the support is enough. Most of them offered me a place to stay. Some of the alumni members have given me some old clothes to get me back on my feet,” said Hills.
With graduation in sight it helps keep the math major motivated, but the struggle is still there. Thanks to understanding teachers, the journey is becoming slightly easier.
“These subjects are tremendously hard, with proof writing and stuff. When you sit down and try to think about it, you have all kinds of other thoughts just corrupting your head. You can’t possibly focus on it. I spoke with my teachers though and told them everything that was going on with me. They understand,” said Hills. “I do plan on graduating in May of 2013 though.”
One of Kappa Alpha Psi’s main philanthropic efforts is the Toys from the Heart drive. In conjunction with the Multicultural and International Student Affairs (MISA), Zeta Phi Beta sorority and Delta Sigma Theta sorority toys are collected and given to underprivileged children in the community during Christmas. Dr. Eric Summers, interim director for Student Conduct has witnessed first-hand the strong leadership qualities instilled in Hills.
“PJ is an example of the remarkable student leaders that we have on this campus. Now, PJ is in need of the help that he is so used to giving others. I don’t think it is going to be an easy journey for him [now after Isaac]. Yet, if there is anyone who can overcome this challenge it’s PJ. I look forward to seeing him at graduation,” said Summers.
The road to recovery is a long and stressful one, but Hills finds comfort in his family and friends. He is currently staying at a relative’s apartment near campus.
“I have no free time. Last week, I pretty much didn’t do anything I was so distraught,” Hills said. “This week I found some sort of comfort with a place to lay my head. So knowing I have somewhere to sleep at night is comfort in itself.”