Editor's note: One year ago, Hurricane Katrina slammed into and devastated the Gulf States. Highline residents responded generously, donating thousands of dollars and truckloads of clothing and other goods for those who were displaced by the storm. This story recounts the unique contributions made by students at one Burien school.

When you enter St. Bernadette School, the many pictures that decorate the doorway capture your attention.

These pictures tell an important story of a school that stepped up to the plate.

The vivid images are reminders of the long arm of giving -- from students at the Burien school to others at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Slidell, La.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated Slidell, a city of 126,000 near New Orleans, last September, the 510 students in grades K-8 at Our Lady of Lourdes their beloved school would never be the same.

Twelve feet of water had gutted classrooms while some nearby homes simply disappeared. Only half of the city remained open in the storm's aftermath.

Katrina displaced approximately 90 percent of the school families, who sustained losses of around $5 million.

St. Bernadette fifth through eighth grade teacher and student council advisor Cathy Grimes also felt the impact of Katrina. Her 25-year friend Carol Coutant lives in Slidell.

Fifth and sixth graders at St. Bernadette wrote letters to the Coutant family, expressing sympathy and offering prayers for Coutant's mother, who lost her home to flooding.

Coutant vividly described the storm's wrath to Grimes. With the devastation weighing heavy on her heart, Grimes then posed a question to all St. Bernadette students: what would they want to replace, or miss the most, if their school was stricken by a natural disaster?

Our Lady of Lourdes faced many needs -- desks, chairs, computers, library books and other items that had to be replaced, from office supplies to pinatas (suggested by the Spanish teacher).

Grimes suggested they raise $1,000 to aid the Our Lady of Lourdes School. Soon, however, the generosity had become contagious. In addition to students, parents, staff, community members and businesses hopped on board.

St. Bernadette hosted a school raffle and "free dress days" where students paid $1 to wear clothing other than school uniforms. There were candy raffles, donations from the school's Athletic Club and a bucket that was passed at the annual Italian dinner.

Parents and children gave Toys R Us gift cards. Then, when Grimes went to the Tukwila Toys "R" Us to combine them into two $500 cards, she encountered a store manager who had lost two family members to Hurricane Katrina.

By the time the fundraising ended, St. Bernadette School had collected $3,200 in assistance for Our Lady of Lourdes School.

In addition, a check for $1,100 was presented to Our Lady of Lourdes' coach Cathy Carter to help replace the lost physical education equipment.

An added bonus was a $500 Office Depot gift card and a $300 check that were presented to Principal Robert Kiefer to help replace office items so desperately needed.

A special school assembly was held in Slidell this spring to welcome Grimes and her gifts.

Prior to the assembly, Grimes, along with Cheryl Lohfink and Rosaleen Purvis, both Our Lady of Lourdes teachers, went on a shopping spree to purchase much-needed items for the students at a local toy store using wish lists created by other teachers.

Grimes marvels at the strength of the people in Slidell. "They are so upbeat," she said. "They are not down. There is no pity party."

Classes in Slidell have been held in another Catholic school with Our Lady of Lourdes School in session from 1 to 6 p.m. daily.

Next school year, students will be housed in three large portables while their building is rebuilt.

Grimes wonders about similar devastation in the Seattle area if a major earthquake were to strike.

"Would people across the country step up to the plate for us?" she pondered. "The kids can relate to stuff like that."

Her eyes fill with tears when she discusses the St. Bernadette students and their generosity in response to this tragedy, which has planted a seed of giving for the tomorrows of these students.

Grimes expressed special thanks to her Student Council students, who played a huge part in giving: Gail Letrondo, Danielle Bojorquez, An Njuyen, Chris Berry, Stephanie Moffat, and Haeley McCurdy.