School's grads to have gym

Augusta Preparatory Day School's class of 2005 might be the last to graduate off campus.

The 47 seniors of Augusta Prep will receive their diplomas at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church of Augusta.

Commencement ceremonies for the next batch of graduates produced by Augusta Prep will likely be held in the school's new gymnasium, which workers broke ground on Monday.

"If the building plans go as we predict, we hope to graduate the class of 2006 in the Boardman Athletic Center," said Ansley McCree, the communications director at Augusta Prep.

For today's ceremony, the guest speaker will be Clemson University President James F. Barker. He will be introduced by Augusta Prep 2005 salutatorian Alexander Abate.

Also giving speeches will be valedictorian Mary Hannah Lynn and Head of Schools Jack Hall.

Although the seniors are now finished, preschoolers through seventh-graders will continue with lessons until Friday, McCree said. Eighth- through 11th-graders will take exams and can leave school once those are completed.