Fayette County High School

will kick off its celebration of 75 golden memories Friday with a pre-game

birthday salute starting at 7 p.m.

Alumni will be on hand to represent

each of the 75 graduating classes with a banner representing their special

year. Family members may stand in for some of the earliest graduates.

Escorted by current Fayette

County High School students, the alumni time line will stretch end zone

to end zone, according to Joanne Dirring, cochairman of the birthday observance.

Following a cued Tiger roar from the crowd, the line will form a circle,

representing a birthday cake, and begin singing "Happy Birthday,

Fayette County High!" The community party will commence with the

release of 500 helium balloons and the start of the football game, Fayette

County High vs Jonesboro.

The celebration will continue

Sunday at 2 p.m. at the high school with a welcome by Principal Gary Phillips

and remarks by Fayette County School Superintendent Dr. John DeCotis.

Matthew Tarnowski, president of the school's student congress, will introduce

distinguished alumni. A Power Point history of the school will be presented

Judith Harwood, representing

the U.S. Department of Education, will be on hand to formally present

the school with its recently acquired awards, Georgia School of Excellence

and the National Blue Ribbon School. The school chorus also will perform

during the festivities. A cake and punch reception will follow, and the

school will be open to the public 2­4 p.m.

The year 2000 marks four major

events in the history of Fayette County High: its recognition as a National

Blue Ribbon School, its recognition as a Georgia School of Excellence,

the Tiger Band's performance at the Summer Olympics and its birthday.

As principal for the past 15

years, Phillips said he has witnessed more high points in his tenure than

low points. This past year is about as good as it can get for a veteran

principal, but Phillips has no intention of resting on his laurels.

Despite SAT scores above the

national average and the high passage rate of students taking the state-mandated

graduation test, Phillips said, "There are some students who are

not successful." Until he has a 100 percent success rate, Phillips

said he will not be satisfied.