Students to go for diplomas

A march for diplomas Saturday will complete the high school journey for students from all of Columbia County's public schools and one of its private schools.

Graduation ceremonies for public schools - Harlem High, Greenbrier High, Lakeside High and Evans High - will be held at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center. Harlem seniors walk the stage first, at 9 a.m., followed by Greenbrier at 11:30 a.m., then Lakeside at 2 p.m. and, finally, Evans at 4:30 p.m.

Also holding graduation services Saturday is Augusta Christian Schools at 4 p.m. at West Acres Baptist Church, 555 Gibbs Road, Evans.

While graduation is a seminal moment for seniors, this year's graduation also provides poignancy for one high school administrator.

Greenbrier High Principal Sandra Carraway will preside over her final graduation service as the leader of a school.

Carraway recently was promoted to an assistant superintendent position in the Columbia County Board of Education's main office in Appling.

"I have mixed feelings," Carraway said. "I went into education because I love students. The thought of not having that kind of interaction with them anymore is kind of sad."

The three-year Greenbrier principal said, however, that she intends to let the students have the attention.

"Graduation is a wonderful ceremony for our students," she said. "It's kind of a culmination of time spent watching young people grow into being young adults.

"It's a happy time, but it's also a sad time, because we have to say goodbye to a lot of familiar faces we've grown to love. It's bittersweet."