TRiO Talent Search participants from Hopkins County Central High School, Madisonville North Hopkins High School, Muhlenberg County High School, and Crittenden County High School recently had an informative and exciting trip to Nashville, Tennessee. The trip included tours of Tennessee State University and Belmont University which encouraged students to consider the opportunities that are offered from these two universities. Touring the two universities provided the participants with a comparison when choosing a college to attend upon their high school graduation.
Nashville, appropriately nicknamed “Music City”, is described as the center of the music industry. Students enjoyed a backstage tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium, which was once home of the Grand Ole Opry, and also toured the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Then, students toured the popular RCA Studio B, which is where over 1,000 hit songs from acts such as Dolly Parton, the Everly Brothers, and Elvis Presley were recorded. After dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, students were treated to a ‘haunted’ walking tour of Nashville where they were told ‘ghost tales’ of days past by a tour guide dressed in historic costume.
Students also got a glimpse into what life was like in the 1800’s as they toured the Hermitage, the sprawling estate of President Andrew Jackson and his wife, Rachel. Tour guides, dressed in historic fashion, helped recreate what life was like for the President and his family. Touring the mansion, students saw the original artwork, furniture, wallpaper and personal items of the Jackson family. By taking a walking tour of the grounds, students visited the slave cabins and the Hermitage garden where President Jackson and his wife, as well as other family members, are buried.
MCC TRiO Talent Search middle school participants from Hopkins County, Muhlenberg County, and Crittenden County Schools recently traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky for a fun and informative trip. Students took a walking tour of Western Kentucky University led by Chris George, WKU Student Support Services Director.
A popular attraction in the western Kentucky area is the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, home of the Corvette. From start to finish, students observed the ‘birth’ of a Corvette and how each car is assembled. Guided tours of the facility also informed the students of the history of the Corvette as well as explained the mechanics of this popular American made car.
TRiO Talent Search is a federally funded program for middle and high school students in Crittenden, Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties. The office is located at Madisonville Community College; staff includes Wes Ausenbaugh, Corey Downey, Marcia Evans and Anna Leasure. read more…
