Senior's project will help raise funds for children

Conflicted about what to do for her senior project, Secelia Palmer couldn't decide between organizing a prom for parents or a fundraiser for a children's charity.

In the end, she chose both.

"When I first started thinking about senior projects, I was thinking about doing a parent prom because my grandma had never been to prom before," said the 17-year-old senior at Greenbrier High School. "Then I decided I wanted to do something with kids and decided to combine them together."

The result is the Hope Ball - a formal event that will be held at the Old Government House in downtown Augusta from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Proceeds will go to Child Enrichment Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides a 24-hour shelter for abused children, counseling services for children and a voice for children in court.

"I knew I wanted to do something for kids, and when I heard about this it just felt right," Secelia said. "I just called them and asked them if I could do a fundraiser for them."

The ball will feature music from The Mood, heavy hors d'oeuvres and information about Child Enrichment.

Secelia, who will attend Augusta State University in the fall and one day hopes to become a pediatric nurse, focused the research of her senior project on the cycle of child abuse.

"I've learned that when kids are abused they usually, as they mature, take on the same abusive behavior," she said. "It's not something that just affects them as children. It affects them their whole life."

Although the Hope Ball is student-organized, Secilia said it's not a student event.

"Students can come, but it's directed for the more mature," she said.