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Item photo by Ginger Schmidt Pearl River County Habitat for Humanity received 102 helping hands as 51 Upward Bound students from Chicago, Ill. descended upon Picayune last Wednesday to participate in a community service activity. Upward Bound faculty member Dennis Murchison said that the students were traveling from the midwest to the south to do a southern college tour. The students spent six weeks developing more skills in math, reading and language to prepare them to speak to the college recruiters they would meet on their trip. During their whirlwind, one week tour of the south, the students have so far met with recruiters at the University of Arkansas, Dillard University in New Orleans, La., and Xavier University of Louisiana. The next stop on their tour was Atlanta and a surprise trip to Six Flags for a little fun. The students left to return to Chicago on Saturday. Murchison says he hopes the trip will whet their appetites to attend a college outside of their hometown. Habitat for Humanity was thrilled to have the help. For more information on becoming a Habitat volunteer, call 601-799-4636. By Ginger Schmidt/The Picayune Item (Click for larger image)