Girl has Evans in her blood
When Lauren Mathews walked across the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center stage Saturday, she accomplished more than just accepting her diploma from Evans High School. She became a fourth-generation Lady Knight.
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The four generations of women in the Mathews family who have graduated from Evans High School are: Lauren Mathews (clockwise from lower left), Angela Mathews, Dorothy Rivers and Elizabeth Hall Norris.
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"My family is really excited," the 18-year-old honors graduate said. "I'm the fourth generation. It's amazing.''
Lauren's mother, Angela Mathews, graduated from Evans in 1983. Her grandmother, Dorothy Rivers, preceded her daughter by 20 years in graduating from Evans. Lauren's great-grandmother, Elizabeth Hall Norris, started the trend when she accepted a diploma from the Evans Consolidated School, as it was then known, in 1939.
Lauren's family, taking up an entire row at the civic center, made their feelings known at the graduation with applause and cheers.
"We're loud and we're proud," Angela exclaimed.
Norris died two years ago, but Lauren said, "She's here with me in spirit.''
"She wanted to be here so badly to see Lauren graduate," Angela said. "She would have been so proud."
For the family members that could attend, a party was held Friday to celebrate.
"To have a fourth-generation graduate, we needed to show our pride," Angela said. "It shows how committed we are to the county."
Lauren Mathews (left) was the fourth generation in her family to graduate from Evans High School.
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Lauren hopes to attend college at the University of Georgia after spending a year at Augusta State University. Eventually, she said, she hopes to become a dentist and return to Evans.
"I think it's great she wants to eventually come back home," Angela said.
"I don't know if we'll have a fifth generation to graduate from Evans, but we'll continue to be a part of the community."
Best and Brightest
The Augusta Chronicle recognizes the 25 outstanding members of the Class of 2005 - the winners of our Best and Brightest Awards.
Winner profiles
Lists of graduates
Graduation schedules