Richmond County seniors celebrate the end of an era
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Thousands of seniors in Richmond County are closing the chapter in their high school lives and getting ready to walk into their future.
On Friday, there were waves of different emotions ranging from nervous parents to tearful eyes and loud screams.
A familiar sound echoes across the arena every year as Richmond County seniors close one door to start their next journey.
“I’m going to be attending Mercer University and I’m majoring in biomedical engineering. I really want to work in working with prosthetics and building medical tools to help out with disabled people and bring them back to their mobility,” Brianna Hare, a graduate.
Brianna’s mom, Desiree, says her daughter’s graduation brings life full circle.
“I graduated from the same place 30 years ago, when it was called Augusta, Richmond County Civic Center. So, I’m very excited to have my last and youngest child graduate from this place as well,” said Desiree.
As Brianna celebrates the end of her high school era, the James Brown Arena celebrates the end of theirs too.
“It’s gonna be really sad, but also really special. So, it’s just really nice to be part of the history of the James Brown arena,” said Brianna.
Doors to the James Brown Arena officially close on May 31. Decommission starts on June 1 and it’s slated to come down in July.
The new arena will hold more than 10,000 seats, and come with better bathrooms, box seats and more.
Desiree says as the doors close to both chapters, she can’t help but feel grateful
“I’m very, very overwhelmed with joy. Our prayers have been answered to the point that she was chosen to go to Mercer University. That was her first choice. So, our prayers have just been able to financially afford the university and they were answered. So, she got a full presidential scholarship to attend, and we have other outside scholarships that she was awarded as well,” she said.
As the arena closes, the Bell Auditorium opens its doors to the first concert with its new renovations.
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