Day 1 Rose

Day 1 by Rose Beberwyck

Today was a very busy day for the students. All three of the flights were very smooth and gave everyone a chance to socialize. Once we arrived in Atlanta, we were all better rested than when we arrived at the airport so early. Our plans were a bit altered due to our flights, but we visited both the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Center and Stone Mountain. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Center was our first visit, which all of the students were fascinated by. There were many moving passages and exhibits, which helped us to understand more about MLK's past and his impact on both the Civil Rights Movement and our everyday life. We watched a short film on King's life, and spent some time reflecting and learning about his every day life while we visited his childhood home and the church where, he, his father, and his grandfather all preached.

Next, we traveled to Stone Mountain where we viewed the large Stone Mountain carving. The carving featured three Confederate leaders, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. This display evoked many powerful, mixed emotions. Since the weather did eventually clear, we took an energizing hike up Stone Mountain. The scenery was bright and lush. Hopefully, Albany will be the same way this summer! The view from the top of the mountain was beautiful and rewarded the people at the top. We were able to choose our own pace, so nobody felt they were pressured or going too slowly. There were some lovely photos taken at the top and on the way down.The hike itself was very interesting because of the rock formations in the path. Many rocks jutted from the ground, creating a makeshift stair case. Visiting Stone Mountain was a treat for our athletic students as well as all who got to see the scenery.

Finally, for dinner, we visited the Metro Diner, where we all had healthy and full meals. We arrived at the hotel where our students were ready to reset. Our first day was a lovely introduction to our Civil Rights journey, and we hope that every day can be as educational and fun as the first day!

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