At 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 7^th the Horace Maynard Middle School seventh grade Geography Club consisting of students, parents, and teachers set out for our state’s capitol city. Their first stop on the way to Nashville was the historic home of Andrew Jackson, The Hermitage. The students enjoyed a tour of the Hermitage, the grounds surrounding it, the museum as well as a short film.  

The next stop on the tour was the State Capitol building. Here the club enjoyed a  spectacular tour organized by their gracious host, Senator Michael Williams. The tour of the capitol building was educational and  interesting as it included a mock session held in the House of Representatives chamber where the students were invited by Sen. Williams to “vote” on several issues. The students seemed to enjoy this aspect of the trip and asked many thoughtful questions. The club took a short walk to the State Museum for a Civil War presentation and then went on to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory in downtown Nashville before spending their first of two nights at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

After having explored the hotel, students, chaperones, and teachers dined at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch before touring the Carter House. Next stop was the Carnton Plantation, which the group toured by candlelight.  Both of which were both significant during the Civil War.

 The last day, after breakfast at the nearby Cracker Barrel, students enjoyed a private tour of Titan’s Stadium led by Tony Hall the Ticketing and Hospitality Manager of the Tennessee Titans. At the stadium the students got to see the behind the seen workings of the stadium including the locker room, training room and the tunnel that the team uses to enter the field. After this the students were taken to Opry Mills to eat before returning home to Maynardville.

All in all the students enjoyed the fun, educational three day excursion.  All places visited commented on how well the students behaved.  Senator Williams even commented that they were one of the most respectful groups that they had ever had at the State Capitol.