Diamond Bar High School will celebrate the long-awaited completion of its new aquatic center during a pool ribbon cutting ceremony after school today.

To celebrate the occasion, Principal Catherine Real and former principal Denis R. Paul will give speeches and dedications, then reveal the pool plaque and scoreboard. In addition, the school’s Marquis choir, DBHS marching band, and symphony orchestra will perform.

At one point, Dara Morgan, a former Brahma parent and the winner of an auction that determined the first person to be able to use the pool, will dive into the new waters.

Featuring a 12-lane pool, locker rooms, pool storage and equipment buildings, and stadium seating with shade structure, the new aquatic center bears the namesake of Paul, former principal of DBHS from 1998 to 2010.

Numerous staff members recall fond memories of Paul. “He was a very open and welcoming person,” English teacher Denise Mesdjian said.

To celebrate with the school, many residents of the Diamond Bar community have been invited to the event. Several distinguished guests, including Mayor Jack Tanaka, Superintendent Robert Taylor, Paul, along with board members and the district commissioner, will be present. The entire Brahma staff is invited to watch the ceremony.

“There are going to be many people, not just one, with their hands on the scissors to cut the ribbon,” Principal Real said. “It’s a symbolic first cut.”

Several DBHS students also directly contributed to the success of the event. Earlier in November, seniors Gloria Kim and Samantha Kim won the contest to create a design for a flyer advertising the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“It’s exciting,” Principal Real said. “The school has been waiting over 30 years for this.”