Newton Citizen

COVINGTON -- Hundreds of high school seniors are ending one phase of their lives this weekend as they graduate from high school.

After 13 years of waking up early for classes, taking field trips to Zoo Atlanta and other Atlanta landmarks and studying for too many tests, they finally get to say goodbye to lockers and rushing between classes and hello to a life filled with a little more independence.

Some will head off to a major university in Georgia or another state far away, while others may simply stay around Covington to attend classes at Georgia Perimeter College or DeKalb Technical College. Others may join the military or go straight to work.

But first, students in the Newton County School System will participate in three separate graduation ceremonies Friday and Saturday.

Newton High School

In a different graduation time slot this year, Newton High School will graduate the first class of seniors.

Students will march in their graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday at Church in the Now, located at 1877 Iris Dr. SE in Conyers. In the past, the school has held graduation ceremonies on Saturday with the other two Newton County high schools.

The school will give graduates five tickets at graduation practice for guests -- everyone, including infants and children, must have a ticket to gain entrance to the ceremonies. The school's graduation practice is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Church in the Now; attending practice is mandatory for students to participate in the graduation ceremony. Additionally, all school debts and obligations must have been paid in order to participate.

Eastside High School

Eastside High School's seniors will take part in graduation ceremonies Saturday morning.

The school will hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday at Church in the Now.

School officials will present students with seven tickets at graduation practice for guests to attend the ceremony. Eastside's practice is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. today at Church in the Now; attending practice is mandatory for students to participate in the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony will be recorded, and the DVD order form will be included in the student's ticket packet.

Alcovy High School

For the first time in school history, Alcovy High School seniors won't graduate in their school gymnasium.

The school will hold its graduation ceremony at 4 p.m. Saturday at Church in the Now.

Each graduate should receive six tickets for guests to attend the ceremony -- everyone, including infants and children, must have a ticket to gain entrance to the event.

Students will practice for their graduation ceremony at 3:30 p.m. today at Church in the Now; attending practice is mandatory for students to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Students are asked to dress as they were informed during graduation practices and arrive at the specified time before the ceremonies begin so they will be allowed to walk during the events.

More information about Newton County's graduations is available at the schools and on the NCSS website, www.newtoncountyschools.org.