I’ll have to admit this career has given me access to cool places and given me the opportunity to experience things many others do not.

I had the chance to crawl through one of Selma’s underground tunnels a few months ago and have had the chance to talk to state and national leaders one-on-one.

And while it was not in a capacity working with the Times-Journal, Thursday’s tour of the new Selma High School — a place many others have not seen just yet — is among the really neat things I’ve had the chance to do.

For all the political handwringing that went into the decision of building the new Selma High School, there was little argument the old school had come to the end of its life expectancy.

And while there are those who are disappointed the historic building — once known as Parrish High School — will ultimately be torn down, there should be some solace in knowing the building that will replace it is awe-inspiring.

I, and other members of my Leadership Selma-Dallas County class, were given a tour of the building, which is still very much under construction. But even through the dirt, dust and construction debris, the enormity of the building and its grandeur is easy to see.

While the new basketball gymnasium is truly impressive, the technology and learning spaces that will be provided to Selma’s children is even more so.

The size of the media center and the chemistry labs will be ones that most colleges would long to have. The cafeteria could feed a small army and the safety components that have been incorporated into the construction would make any mother feel secure.

The new auditorium will seat 750 and the reworking of the drafting lab, automotive classroom and band rooms will give those students the very best environment to learn and sharpen their skills.

Our tour included new common areas, the kitchen, the refurbished physical education gymnasium and new locker rooms. We were given the chance to meet some of those who are building this school and who have been in town for months to make this new community icon what it is.

Some have said that for $27 million the building better be nice. Well, it is and it will be. Needless to say, the money appears to have been money well spent.

The students who will take to those halls and learn in those classrooms will be given an opportunity that only comes once in a generation.

It is my hope — from someone who went through a high school that was on a list of historic places — that Selma High students will truly appreciate the gift they have been given and take pride in what the taxpayers of Selma have provided.