1,400 students are set to graduate Saturday

Columbia County's public school seniors have one final task to complete this weekend before walking away from high school - collecting their diplomas.

Saturday is graduation day for Columbia County. All four high schools will conduct graduation ceremonies at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

Evans High School starts things off with a 9 a.m. service. Harlem High follows at 11:30 a.m., then Greenbrier at 2 p.m. and Lakeside High at 4:30 p.m.

Each ceremony, which usually features speeches from valedictorians, salutatorians and class presidents, will last about 1 hours, Columbia County School Associate Superintendent Lauren Williams said.

School board members and Superintendent Tommy Price will attend the services.

"It's a long day, but, wow, what a great day," Williams said. "I think the excitement of the day makes you a lot less tired to shake all those hands."

Williams estimates that about 1,400 seniors will receive diplomas Saturday.