Marietta Seniors Ready for Graduation

Marietta High's Class of 2011 has put together the final preparations for its commencement ceremonies Saturday at Northcutt Stadium, filling out final transcripts and forms about post-graduation plans.

For second time in as many days, they practiced their entrance to "Pomp and Circumstance" and their walk to the stage to accept their diplomas.

The highlight of Friday's practice was senior Alphonsus "Al" Onyewuchi,  who accompanied himself with a guitar as he played a self-penned song called "Thank God I'm about to Graduate." He was also celebrating his 18th birthday today.

Earlier in the day, Principal Leigh Colburn invited eighth grade students from Marietta Middle School to the field. Colburn had the students sit in the folding chairs reserved for the graduating seniors and then had the overflow students sit in the stands. More than 100 students had to find a place off field, a visual representation that many of them might not see their own graduation in four years.

"So, in four years, are you going to be one of these sitting on the field or sitting in the stands?"

Colburn said the graduating seniors made it to the field because they made a plan to graduate and stuck to it.