A Journey of Resilience: Giani Marisa and G Maris Jones' Story
A Journey of Resilience: Giani Marisa and G Maris Jones' Story
As we approach the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, many of the original participants in our Beyond the Storm - A Look Back exhibit are reflecting on their journey since that life-altering event. Today, we share the story of Giani Marisa (11) and Maris Jones (13), whose resilience and family strength embody the spirit of hope that carried so many through the devastation of Katrina.
On August 28, 2005, the day before Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Giani and Maris left New Orleans with their parents, hoping for a short evacuation to San Antonio. Little did they know that their wait to return home would last until January 22, 2006—nearly five months later. During that time, the family’s journey took them far beyond Texas. To keep the girls’ education on track, their parents enrolled them at St. Ann School in Nassau, Bahamas.
Despite the unfamiliar environment and the weight of uncertainty, Giani and Maris quickly adapted to life at St. Ann. The warmth of the students and staff welcomed them with open arms, providing not just a learning environment but a sense of home and stability amidst the chaos. The girls excelled academically, a testament to their adaptability and determination to thrive no matter the circumstances. Their success brought pride and comfort to their parents, even as their father, growing protective and anxious, couldn’t resist flying out to Nassau to bring his daughters back home.
Upon their eventual return to New Orleans, the reality of the storm’s destruction hit hard. The family’s Kingswood subdivision home was completely ruined. But rather than despair over their losses, the Jones family leaned on their strong support system. Thanks to dear friends, they had a place to stay, food to eat, and a network of love that allowed them to keep going.
Giani and Maris wasted no time re-enrolling in school, determined to build on the academic momentum they had gained in Nassau. Meanwhile, their parents navigated the bureaucratic challenges of insurance claims and city regulations, working tirelessly to rebuild their home and life. Through it all, the family remained resilient, united by their unwavering bond and their shared family motto: Never Let Die.
For Giani, Maris, and their parents, Katrina wasn’t just a story of loss—it was a story of resilience, adaptation, and the power of family. As we reflect on the 20 years since that day, the strength of this family’s journey reminds us all that, no matter the storm, hope and love will always carry us through.
Stay tuned for more stories of courage and resilience as we prepare to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in 2025, bringing together the original participants of the Beyond the Storm - A Look Back project.