These improvements are long, long overdue. Though they look practical and will surely benefit students and faculty both now and in the future, there is some disappointment. A lot of sacrifices were made by the Lakeside community during this year and a half of construction. A lot of people worked hard to get these improvements finally built and credit is due to Paul Womack and Don McChesney of the school board among others. But — there is a reason the photos are all of the interiors (except the athletic field). Seen from Briarcliff Road, the auditorium is just an big ugly brick box. The clear cutting of trees along the frontage and the expansion of the parking lot(s) gives it the look of a poorly designed strip mall. The architecture firm that designed this is from Macon — and that's what we got. This is not going to win any design awards. For the millions spent, shouldn't it? Compare Lakeside's campus to North Atlanta High's on Northside Drive as well as some other area high schools (Arabia Mountain). Sadly, we come up short. I commend the Valhalla Project for recognizing that "exterior improvements" are much needed as Tara Stamps states in the photo caption. We need to support their efforts. Lakeside is a first rate school and deserves a campus to match the performance of its students.

Thanks for reporting on this event Jonathan. It was an exceptional and classy way to bring the community back to the school. Most of the people I met there were alumni and long time residents who had had kids at the school many years ago. There were also many parents from elementary schools--one child had a name tag "Class of 2022".