When the bus pulled away from 1901 Hall Avenue on a rainy, Thursday morning fourth grade students from Spring Hill Elementary had no idea that they were about to have one of the most exciting adventures of the 2007-08 school year. We arrived in Charleston, unloaded the bus of excited ten-year-olds and reported to a tour docent at the Cultural Center. Although we knew that Senator Clinton was scheduled to speak on the capitol lawn that day, we had no idea that it would be possible for us to get up close and personal. Because of the turn in weather, Senator Clinton was asked to move her appearance inside the capitol building. Our tour, therefore was given from the marble foyer of the Cultural Center. I was determined that these students would not return to school disappointed that they had not seen the inside of the capitol building. Down the long halls we bypassed propaganda flyers, button-sellers, Clean Coal protesters, security, metal detectors and entered the rotunda crowded with children and adults alike. Music blared with John Denver's Country Roads, Dolly Parton's Nine to Five, and many other lively mountain tunes. After a long, hot wait Senator Clinton arrived on stage with West Virginia's First Lady, Gail Manchin. I handed out the digital cameras and sent the students to the front lines. Check out this amazing photo by one of our most talented journalists. His response to the experience was, "She gave me a pity hug!"
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