Pine Hill Middle School marks first day in new facility

Pine Hill Middle School, Richmond County's newest school, is open for class.

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RAINIER EHRHARDT/STAFF

Brittany Perkins, left, laughs with friends at lunch during the first day of school at Pine Hill Middle School, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in Hephzibah, Ga.

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RAINIER EHRHARDT/STAFF

Eighth graders eat lunch during the first day of school at Pine Hill Middle School, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in Hephzibah, Ga.

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RAINIER EHRHARDT/STAFF

Sixth graders Sacoyya (cq) Bright, 11, right, and Janesha Ray, 10, listen to instructions before making name plaques in Donita Legoas' science class during the first day of school at Pine Hill Middle School, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in Hephzibah, Ga

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RAINIER EHRHARDT/STAFF

Dontavious Jones, 11, writes his name on a name plaque in Donita Legoas' science class during the first day of school at Pine Hill Middle School, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in Hephzibah, Ga.

"It's very exciting," says Glenda Collingsworth, principal of Pine Hill Middle School.

"We've been looking forward to this day," Collingsworth said. "Everything has been running very smoothly and our students are very excited."

More than 500 pupils experienced their first day of school Friday in Richmond County’s newest school on McElmurray Road in Hephzibah.

"We can always say we were the first," said Kentrell Monroe, 13. "It kind of makes you feel special because we get to make a mark."

Seventh- and eighth-graders were drawn from Hephzibah, Sego and Spirit Creek middle schools.

The majority of the pupils came from Hephzibah and Spirit Creek.

Brittany Perkins, 13, already knew many of the pupils at school.

"It's cool but it's weird," Perkins said. "I've been to both Hephzibah and Sego, so I see a lot of people I haven't seen in a while."

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.