Students in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program at UA Little Rock enjoyed a memorable trip to Nashville, Tennessee, blending cultural exploration with graduate school preparation.
The free trip aimed to inspire the dozen participants to consider graduate school opportunities by exposing them to the cultural and academic opportunities that the city has to offer.
The students who attended the trip include Anaiah Banks, Jakymbriea Burns, Spencer Davis, Sierra Flowers, Angelica Hurtado, Korey Isbell, Maria Lambdin, Mercy Macjones, Nikayla Murphy, Danielle Roundtree, Skylar Sherlock, and Raevyn Walker.
“The trip to Nashville was by far the best trip I have ever been on!,” said Skylar Sherlock, a senior biology major from Malvern who plans to become a pediatrician. “My favorite part would have to be the hockey game, and I would have never guessed that in a million years. It was so fun and now I love hockey. I am so thankful for this experience and appreciate all of the work that went into making this trip possible. The SSS advisors/staff are absolutely incredible and put in so much effort to help their students.”
During the Oct. 25-27 trip, the students toured Fisk University and met with university officials to learn about graduate school opportunities at the university. Additionally, they took a backstage tour and had line dancing lessons at Grand Ole Opry and visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
On the lighter side, the students also visited Centennial Park, attended a Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game, experienced the thrills of a televised game show during the Great Big Game Show, and ate at the Aquarium Restaurant.
“We stayed in a beautiful hotel, learned some line dancing, and enjoyed dinner at Paula Deen’s restaurant,” said Danielle Roundtree of Little Rock. “Visiting a college and standing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, where so many incredible performances have happened, was unforgettable. We even played a lively trivia game in a Family Feud-style setup and had a unique dining experience at the Aquarium Restaurant. It was a great mix of good times and great company.”
The trip was especially impactful for Raevyn Walker, a sophomore accounting major, because she already plans to move to Nashville after graduation.
“The Nashville trip was such an amazing experience!” Walker said. “I wasn’t familiar with the city, so this trip was the perfect opportunity and introduction for me! My favorite stops were the aquarium, hockey game, and HBCU college visit. They were all new and something I had never experienced or seen before. The dean who spoke to us was very inspirational and motivated me to continue striving for a career in finance, especially since it’s scarce to see females in the mathematics field.”