Three Paris Students Have Experience Of A Lifetime At Governors’ Mansion

 
 
By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
 
Nashville, Tenn.—It was the experience of a lifetime for three young Paris students who attended the Kids’ State Dinner at the Governor’s Mansion in Nashville.
 
The three—Second Grader Eli Palmer, First Grader Macie James and Third Grader Alisha Davis—worked hard for the opportunity and were rewarded for their reading achievements. Only 100 children from all over the state were invited by Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam to attend the Kids’ State Dinner. The students participated in the First Lady’s Statewide Summer Reading Competition.
 
The event was fancy, with a red carpet, elegant dinner, and musical entertainment. The Governor and First Lady were on hand at the event, welcoming the students to the residence, congratulating them on their achievement and speaking to individual students.
 
The children and their escorts were given a tour of the mansion with plenty of photo opportunities, including photos that could be taken at a governor’s podium.
 
During his opportunity to speak with the governor, Eli said, “Governor Haslam, the next time you’re in Paris, will you come to Sulphur Well?”, referring to the Sulphur Well Church of Christ where he and his family attend. The Governor said he would try.
 
The children could bring an adult with them, with Eli and Macie bringing their mothers, Allyson Palmer and Ashley James, and Alisha bringing her grandmother Peggy Davis because her mother, Angela, is stationed with the U.S. Army right now.
 
Eli is the son of Bob and Allyson Palmer and Macie is the daughter of Jamie and Ashley James.
Photos by Allyson Palmer and Ashley James.