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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