The reopening of the Ferrol A. Sams Auditorium drew

a number of participants who had donated $100 or more

to refurbish its seats. A total of $43,000 was raised for

this purpose and 836 seats were reupholstered.

Community school director Jim Pittman said, "The

seating company pointed out to us that the original seats put in

place when the auditorium was built in 1962 were made of

solid steel. Not only could we not afford steel seats again, the

ones being made now are made of plastic.

"So it didn't take us long to realize the smart thing to do

was to refurbish the seats we have."

The facility was closed for six months while the

staging area was extended out further, side windows were taken

out and a sound booth was added at the rear of the auditorium.

A portion of the donations received for the project will go

toward art display cases in the outer lobby and toward furniture.

Janice Folsom, Fayette County High School music

director, led the Fayette County High School Chorus in the

performance of six selections, which helped showcase the enlarged stage

area and the new acoustics.

Dr. Ferrol A. Sams Jr., the son of the man for whom the

auditorium was named, said, "The renovated building is marvelous. It

is so light and cheerful now, and very much improved. I'm

very pleased this effort was made. I'm very impressed."

His sister, Sarah Sams Goza, noted that the Fayette County

High School graduating class of 1963 insisted on being the first class

to graduate in the then-new facility. The class numbered a total of

69 graduates, the most to graduate up to that time.

Those attending were given the location as to the section, row

and seat number of the seat they had made a donation to have

refurbished.

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