Cheerleader-turned-Oscar winning movie star SANDRA BULLOCK seems to have a love affair with the city of New Orleans.
Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, Bullock became a major supporter of Warren Easton Charter High School.
The school, known for being the first public high school for boys in Louisiana, sustained $4 million in damages and Ms. bullock told PEOPLE magazine that she "felt such a profound need to do something for them".
She donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for renovations, new band uniforms, a new health clinic and established a $10,000 college scholarship, earning her an induction into the school's Hall Of Fame.
The 45 year-old star of "Speed" and "The Proposal" also purchased a mansion in the garden district and recently adopted an African American baby boy, from New Orleans naming him Louis (after "Satchmo"?).
Opposing eyebrows were immediately raised over the adoption, questioning Ms. Bullock's sincerity, due to her Academy Award-winning performance in "The Blind Side" as Leigh Anne Tuohy, a white woman who adopts a black child.
Additional scepticism surfaced surrounded the controversial marriage to accused "racisct" TV star JESSE JAMES, the "fashionable" factor of movie stars adopting black children and her ability to maintain a bi-racial household as a Caucasian female.
But regardless of the "Art Imitates life" similarities and ensuing controversial views, it seems clear that the accomplished actress (her films have grossed over $3.1 worldwide!) has a streak of benevolence deep within her soul and an undying affection for New Orleans.
One only hopes that she will continue this passionate "Big Easy" love affair by shooting more films here.
Her underrated talent and sense of charity is illuminated by her recent notoriety as one of TIME Magazine's 2010 "100 most influential people".
