The crown jewel of the $10 million bond issue renovations in the Columbia School District is complete.
The Crystelle Ford Auditorium was re-dedicated Tuesday, and attendees had the chance to inspect the state-of-the-art facility during a 30-minute presentation.
Originally built in 1958, the auditorium was in need of upgrades and is now ready for the Columbia High School musical to take the stage early next month.
“We have been waiting a long time for this moment,” CHS Principal Sheila Burbridge said. “I’m excited to say that I am a part of today.”
Burbridge thanked Superintendent Jason Harris and the Board of Trustees for their efforts.
She also gave special thanks to retired Superintendent Marietta James-Mattox.
“I told everyone when we were coming in that we are like The Jeffersons – we’re moving on up,” Harris said. “What a great facility. I dare say that you name a high school that from a 6A to a 1A in Mississippi, or probably in the Southeast, that has an auditorium that is this fancy. You have a Cadillac – a great auditorium. It is simply a beautiful facility.”
Board President Marie Shepard reflected on the process as she spoke Tuesday.
“Whenever I think about this project, I always see Chris Turnage in the boardroom begging us to replace the seating in the auditorium,” she said. “We all wanted to. In fact, the Board for our previous bond issue in 1998 had hoped to be able to set aside money to renovate the auditorium, but the money ran out. We’re just so pleased and proud that we were able to make this happen. We couldn’t have done it without the leadership of Dr. James and putting together the steering committees. They got together the community meetings to get a consensus on our needs and priorities and they put together a slogan, ‘Bond Together,’ they put yard signs out, made calls, and did everything they could to get people to turn out. They came out and voted a phenomenal 87 percent passage. That sort of thing really puts Columbia School District on the map. Our community support is one of the reasons that we’re able to attract so many top-notch administrators and teachers.”
Shepard said the facility is used for everything from the musicals to assemblies to community events to pageants and that even more things are coming in the future.
Choral Director Kimberly Walley said they’re busy rehearing for “Music Man” March 2 and March 3. Tickets will be available at chsmuscial.brownpapertickets.com beginning Feb. 17 for $15 and are expected to sell out quickly.
“We are thrilled to be in the auditorium preparing for Music Man and we are looking forward to many band and choir concerts and assemblies here,” Walley said. “As a staff, we want to say thank you to the community for making this happen.”
Attendees had the chance to hear a highlight from the upcoming musical as La’Kierah Sims and Lane Smith performed a number from the show.
“Watching those students perform, that’s what it’s all about,” Burbridge concluded. “This is why we do what we do. I am sure Ms. Crystelle Ford (former longtime CHS principal) is watching over us and is so proud of what she is seeing.”
Pictured Above: School officials and guests gathered in the newly renovated Crystelle Ford Auditorium at Columbia High School Tuesday. A ceremony helped celebrate the re-dedication of the facility. | Photo by Mark Rogers
