Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | By Carrie Watterson | 17 views
Darlington’s fourth-graders had an unforgettable day at the Georgia State Capitol and Georgia Supreme Court. The group was warmly welcomed by State Rep. Katie Dempsey, who recognized them on the House floor during a live legislative session and later hosted a special pizza lunch inside the Capitol. Students also enjoyed a guided tour led by one of her interns, gaining a firsthand look at Georgia’s legislative process.
The day continued with a Capitol tour alongside Sutton Connelly ('01), father of Branch Connelly, before visiting the Supreme Court of Georgia that he helped to coordinate. There, Chief Justice Nels Peterson led an engaging Q&A session and provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Robe Room and the historic Banc Room, where the justices make important decisions.
Throughout the visit, students had the opportunity to meet State Rep. Matt Barton, State Rep. Stacey Evans and State Sen. Chuck Huffstetler. They also spotted former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens and former State Sen. Jeff Mullis. Before leaving, our class of purple shirts was spotted by Gretchen Corbin, president and CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corp. A highlight of the day was taking a group photo with Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, making the experience even more memorable.
This immersive trip brought Georgia’s government to life, giving students a meaningful glimpse into leadership, civic responsibility, and the inner workings of their state.
