CHATSWORTH, Ga. - Tuesday was a day of firsts for North Murray High School.
It was the first day of school ever for Murray County's latest addition, the system's first new high school in more than 70 years.
For students, it was the first time to walk its corridors.
Freshmen Lori Douglas and Heidi Lazo were struck by the building's beauty as they and a group of classmates took the first teacher-led tours Tuesday.
"It's pretty. I really love the stairs, they're beautiful," Heidi said, having just come down what school officials call the "monumental staircase" from the second floor.
"It's huge; I like it," Lori said, peering around the two-story commons area surrounding the stairs.
Teacher Leah Jarrell led the group, occasionally referring to the school map in her hand as she pointed out important locations such as the library, cafeteria, computer labs and "Spirit Store," where students can buy school gear including mementos sporting the Mountaineer mascot.
"I think they're all in shock because it's so awesome," Jarrell said as she herded her group into the auxiliary gymnasium, where a just-sealed maple floor shone like glass.
As tour groups made rounds, students darted away long enough to peek through windows into classrooms and study spaces.
"It's just awesome, the way it's designed and everything," freshman Cody Elrod said.
Junior Carson Brantley said he visited the school building once over the summer but found the finished product even more impressive.
"I helped move some stuff before school started - some desks and furniture - so I kind of knew what it would look like, but I had no idea it was this nice," Carson said. "It's pretty amazing."
By about 9 a.m. Tuesday, principal Maria Bradley declared that the 230,000-square-foot school's first morning went off essentially without a hitch.
Buses reached the school on time, although first-day car riders backed up some at the intersection of Georgia 225 and Mount Carmel Church Road. But most of the snarl occurred due to the brief congestion of North Murray traffic and cars headed to nearby Woodlawn Elementary School, Bradley said.
Otherwise, the first day was smooth sailing in an inviting setting, she said.
"I don't think we could have chosen a more beautiful place for a new school," Bradley said. "We have 130 acres here and we're at the foot of Grassy Mountain and Fort Mountain, and we do have just a majestic view."
Other "firsts" at the school include its culinary arts department and a new cosmetology class, which is cosmetology teacher Donna Blankenship's dream come true.
"I wanted to do this ever since I was in Southeast High School [in Whitfield County]," Blankenship said. "For me to be here from the beginning is exciting."
The novelty of the school's inaugural year and the many "firsts" it will foster was not lost on junior Brandon Parrish. He'll be in North Murray's first graduating class.
"We get to set all the records," Brandon said. "I guess we'll remember that for the rest of our lives."
He smiled a little as a buddy's eyebrows raised in surprise at the observation.