Name: Melissa Makous
Age: 19
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: Sociology and Environmental Studies
Year: 2015
What are you involved in on campus and around New Orleans?
I’m the director of outreach for Students For Education Reform, a new club advocating
for K-12 quality education. I’m on the board of the Hope Gardens Project, a gardening
club that promotes sustainability on campus and around New Orleans. I also volunteer as
a reading buddy for two students at Banneker Elementary School.
What is most rewarding about your extracurricular activities?
I love working with the Hope Gardens Project because every Saturday we volunteer at
Our School at Blair Grocery working on an urban farm in the lower ninth ward. I also
love taking care of our plot in the Wall garden where we grow an assortment of seasonal
vegetables. It’s incredibly satisfying to see your physical labor pay off into a beautiful
garden or farm.
What are some of your favorite spots around New Orelans?
Zotz Café on Oak Street is where I love to do homework, relax with friends and play
pictionary with random people. It also has really delicious organic fair trade coffee.
Lebanon’s Café on Carrollton is one of my favorite restaurants uptown. They have the
best sautéed veggie plate. The Prytania Theater is the oldest movie theater in New
Orleans and the only single-screen theater in the city. They have $5.75 tickets before 6pm
so going to the movies is always a fun thing to do on a Sunday afternoon. I also love going
to see live music so I’ll often go see shows with my friends. Café Negril on Frenchmen
Street has awesome reggae on Thursday nights. Tipitina’s is also one of my favorite
venues.