Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/graduations-mark-the-end-of-a-traumatic-year-for-new-orleans-schools Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript John Merrow has been reporting on the efforts of New Orleans schools to remain open in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, which destroyed much of the infrastructure of the school systems in the Gulf Coast. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. JIM LEHRER: [A]n update of the school situation in New Orleans. The reporter is NewsHour special correspondent for education John Merrow. He's been tracking the story since Katrina hit. PHOTOGRAPHER: One, two, three! JOHN MERROW, NewsHour Special Correspondent: Last week was graduation for Edna Karr High School in New Orleans. PARENTS OF STUDENT: The hurricane tried to put a damper on things, but we were strong. STUDENT: Oh, yes, I was determined. We were determined.(AUDIENCE CHEERS) JOHN MERROW: In many ways, it was an improbable ceremony, considering how the year began.