By Madi Cogan

After finally opening our eyes this morning we arrived at beautiful Graceland! We got to go inside and tour almost the entire estate! Although it was very dated, it was one of my favorite places we have seen so far.

After that we went back to Beale Street for some lunch and more free time. Then it was time to go to the Lorraine Motel which houses the National Civil Rights Museum as well as the spot where Dr. King was assassinated. We learned more about the Civil Rights movement as well as the fateful events of April 4, 1968 when Dr. King was killed.

We also got to go across the street and talk with Jaclyn Smith. Ms. Smith is an incredible lady who has spent the last 20 years protesting outside the Civil Rights museum. She was the last person kicked out of the hotel when the city decided to convert it into a museum. She thinks the city should follow in Dr. King’s footsteps and make the motel into a place to help the people Dr. King was advocating for when he died. She is an amazing person and I will never forget her.

After our meeting with Ms. Smith we loaded the bus and drove to Little Rock, Arkansas. Our first stop was at Central High School where we learned about the heroic actions of the Little Rock Nine. These were nine teenagers who were the first to integrate a high school in Arkansas. We also discussed the differences between federal and state law.

After that we went to our hotel and had a pool and pizza party before heading to downtown Little Rock to look around, have our wrap up discussion and see the legendary “Little Rock”. And now… Dallas here we come!