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Why Morristown: Students, staff share why they moved here

West Side Story Staff



Morristown may be small, but it is mighty. Morristown Tennessee, is a city surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. It is located between the Smoky Mountains and Clinch Mountains. Nearby cities are Jefferson City, Greeneville, Sevierville, Knoxville, Kingsport, Clinton, Alcoa, and Maryville. At all of these locations, there is always a sight to see. It is a great city for outsiders to explore the outdoors and explore. The most popular colleges in the Morristown area are Walters State Community College located in Morristown, Carson-Newman University located in Jefferson City, and Tusculum University Located in Greeneville. To go play with friends and family, the most famous parks to visit are Fred Miller Park, Jolly Park, and Cherokee Park. If you want to shop, College Square Mall has got your back. Here is a fun Fact about restaurants in Tennessee, Pals is only located in Tennessee but mostly in Morristown. The population of  Hamblen County since July 2023 is 66,216. From April 2010 to July 2023 the population has increased by 5.8 percent. Hamblen County is governed by mayor Chris Cutshaw. Morristown is governed by mayor Chris Chesney. Morristown has been a place of convenience and community. There are just enough places for shopping, finding a place to sit down and eat, fast food, and enjoying a park. But as Morristown continues to grow and welcomes new and improved businesses and opportunities, Morristown is now a suburban city. Morristown, Tennessee overall is a phenomenal place to spend time with everyone but, people wonder, why Morristown? Let's hear it from people who are from different places.




Ms. Jennifer Murphy

Jennifer Murphy, an Algebra II teacher moved here from Ohio. If you looked in her room she is a fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. She commented that she moved here “to play soccer and get an education at Tusculum University. I fell in love with the area including the mountains and the people. I've now resided in Tennessee for 25 years.”














Logan Hull, sophomore, moved here from California. He had been in Morristown for six years. He states that “He misses California because there are more places and fun things to do.”

















Madeline Haynie

Madeline Haynie (12) Haynie moved here for a family job. She is originally from Alabama. She declared, “There's better job opportunities here.” She also observed that there is more stuff to do here because there is nothing in Alabama.



Valeria Gracia

Valeria Gracia (12) Gracia is originally from Mexico. She expressed that her family likes the hotter temperatures in Mexico. She declared that the education here is better than in Mexico.









Chloe Yang

Chloe Yang(11)Yang is originally from China. She came here because of family. She observes that many people can’t drive.


Tristan Leveque





Triston Leveque (11) Leveque is originally from Michigan. He noted that he misses his old friends. He observed that Morristown is really big but there's not much to do.







Marion Washington

Marion Washington (11) Washington is originally from Illinois and Indiana. He came down to Morristown to help his sick mother take care of his siblings. He explained, “They are becoming teenagers and a little out of hand and she needed my help to take care of them.” He has been living in Morristown since the first week of November and he loves the environment. He thinks it's very bright and more welcoming than most parts of the country. He plans to move after high school to follow his college careers and/or other career goals he has planned.

Mr. Tim Landefeld.

Mr. Landefeld (Assistant Principal)  Landefeld is originally from Michigan. He came down to Morristown because of his job. 













Madalynn Knack

Madalynn Knack (10) Knack is originally from Middlesboro, Kentucky. She moved here because her step dad has family here, and he bought a house in Morristown. She explained that some things that surprised her from Morristown are "the diversity of the people here, the amount of food places available, and the amount of classes available at West High."






Emily Yang

Emily Yang (10) Yang is originally from China. She moved to Morristown because her parents met there and decided to stay. She used to live in Kingsport before living here. She has lived here since she was 5. She declares that she loves Morristown because most of her loved ones reside here. 












Mr. Steffen Kielau

Mr. Steffen Kielau, teacher Kielau is originally from Saxony, Germany. He moved to Morristown nearly twenty years ago. Kielau expresses how he feels that his relocation was set up by fate, by stating, “Nearly two decades ago, I stumbled into this beautiful corner of the country, but my journey was far from the glamorous tales often associated with immigration. My story is more straightforward. My wife, originally from Rogersville, and I had come here for a Thanksgiving vacation to visit her family. At that time, we were preparing for our next big adventure—moving to the Philippines to continue our education. However, fate had other plans. Just as we were packing our bags, a coup attempt in the Philippines had us reconsidering our tropical dreams. Add to that the sudden need for my wife’s family to have assistance with their business and farm, and our carefully plotted course was thrown into disarray. Yet, amidst all this chaos, I discovered my love for this area, which has since become home.” 



Ralph Noble, teacher

What did you think about Morristown before you moved here? 

My wife and I moved here in 1999. Before we moved here, I thought Morristown was in a neat little area. My wife has family and friends here, so I had visited frequently during the previous eight8 to nine9 years. I loved the friendly atmosphere, and had a great time playing golf at the local courses. 



Eric Flores





Eric Flores (12) Flores stated that “I enjoy seeing all the fellow believers here” Flores lived in Vegas for 17 years, and he also enjoys all the parks here so he can play soccer. Flores also stated how he enjoyed the ice cream shop La Monarca Paleteria y Neveria. He also noted that “The lunch here is so much better than lunch in Vegas.”










 
 
 
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